Dead in the Family - Charlaine Harris

Dead in the Family is the 10th Sookie Stackhouse novel.  I have to assume you've read the previous novels in this series or you'll be lost.  I have to assume you are not trying to map the books to the HBO series or you'll be even more lost.

This book takes place in the aftermath of the faery war.  Some of Sookie's family died or were banished, and she's recovering from her wounds.  The book goes slower in the beginning but picks up a little momentum as it moves along.  Sookie has to deal with Eric's problems, Bill's problems, bodies buried in her woods, were issues, and lots of little things.  I particularly like the part where Sookie works with her little cousin Hunter to help him with his telepathic ability.  This was a good book and a good pace.  I hope there's still lots more to come.  Highly recommended.

Darkness Calls - Marjorie M. Liu

Darkness Calls is another Hunter Kiss novel.  I've enjoyed Liu's novels and short stories.  This time it was too convoluted for me to care.  You have demons and zombies and avatars and lightbringers and original humans and time travel and you name it.  I was very happy with Maxine, her little night demons, and fighting evil.  Liu should have left it at that because I doubt I'll read another one of these fantasy soap opera smorgasbords.  If you're desperate for more Hunter Kiss be my guest.

The Man Who Smiled - Henning Mankell

The Man Who Smiled is a Kurt Wallander mystery.  I'd never read Mankell before and I enjoyed the book.  Kurt Wallander is a Swedish detective who is considering retiring from the police force because he was forced to kill a man in self defense.  Then a friend is murdered and Kurt can't quit the police with the mystery unsolved.  The case gets more complicated as it goes along with an actual attempt on Kurt's life at one point.

I'll admit to being painfully parochial, but from my perspective this book paints the Swedish police as a bunch of wimps.  How they expect to fight crimes committed by people with guns and bombs when they don't even carry weapons of their own is beyond me.  Life in Sweden is apparently very different from life in the USA.  I'm sure the Swedes consider that a good thing.  So do I.  That said it was a good book and a first rate mystery.  Highly recommended. 

Tales of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong

Tales of the Otherworld is a collection of stories by Armstrong that flesh out some of her ongoing characters and fill in gaps in story lines.  You have the tale of how Clay and Elena met and how Elena became a werewolf.  There's a piece with the details of Lucas and Paige's wedding, a sorcerer and a witch.  Another story explains the beginning of the relationship between the vampires Cassandra and Aaron.  This collection is interesting, especially to Armstrong fans, and the proceeds go to charity.  Highly recommended.

The Dark Is Rising - Susan Cooper

The Dark Is Rising is a book for children and young adults.  It's about a boy in England who comes of age when he turns 11 and finds out he's got magical powers and the world depends on him.  It's a pretty daunting birthday gift.  He has allies that help train him and back him up in his fight against the dark.  Unlike some young adult books, this story actually avoids swearing and sex.  I applaud that.  While parts are hard to believe, remember it's magic and anything is possible.  This book is the second in a series, but I didn't realize that until I finished reading it and the other books were mentioned in the epilogue.  The story stands on it's own just fine.  Highly recommended.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is the last book by Larsson.  It's the third book in the series that started with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and continued with The Girl Who Played with Fire.  You must read them in order and I highly recommend you do so.  Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander are two of the most interesting characters I've ever read about.  Even given the cultural misalignment that you get at times because the story takes place in Sweden, there is a pace and an organization to these novels that keeps you reading into the wee hours of the morning.  The ending is very satisfying to me.  I wish there could be more but unless someone else picks up Larsson's pen this is it.  Very highly recommended.

Sweepers - P. T. Deutermann

Sweepers is a novel about revenge left to grow very cold indeed.  A navy seal named Galantz, who isn't picked up on the river bank in Vietnam.  A navy lieutenant named Sherman who left the seal behind when under attack.  Over 20 years later the seal becomes a sweeper and the lieutenant becomes an admiral.  This book paints an intricate tale of lies, love, deceit, and murder.  As always Deutermann's story grabs the reader and won't let go.  Very highly recommended.

The Medusa Stone - Jack Du Brul

The Medusa Stone is my first Du Brul novel.  His protagonist, Philip Mercer, reminds me of Cussler's Dirk Pitt.  He's a geologist instead of an oceanographer, but they share the same amazing ability to escape from impossible odds, defeat the insane villain, and get the beautiful girl.  This was a great adventure with plenty of action, suspense, and surprises.  Africa, diamonds, kidnapping, and terrorists are a potent mix.  Highly recommended.

Inked - Wilks, Chance, Galenorn, Liu

Inked is a collection of four novellas.  They're all about magic in one form or another, but tattoos are important to each.

Wilks I'm familiar with.  In fact, I've been waiting for some time for Blood Lines to come out on the kindle.  I've read the first two books in that series on my kindle and would like to continue.  Her Human Nature is a good short story to go with the the World of the Lupi series.

Chance I've only read in anthologies so far.  I like this  story, Skin Deep, about war mages and werewolves and all things magical.  It's got a good story line.  I'll add Chance to my list of authors to watch.

Galenorn's Silver Etched contribution is little more than soft core porn wrapped in a magical otherworld setting. Other than all the sex it's suspiciously like the early Rachel Morgan stories by Kim Harrison. Downtrodden harassed female police person overcomes the odds and catches the bad guy. Harrison did it very well. Galenorn not so much. The debauchery is definitely not my cup of tea.

The best of the bunch is Liu's Armor of Roses.  Maxine Kiss is back and traveling in time.  As improbable as Liu's universe is, the characters make it fun to read about.  I read to escape reality and Liu's books make an excellent catalyst for the imagination.

All in all, highly recommended.

Hunted - P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Hunted is book five of the House of Night series.  This book has lots of big changes in it.  The kids, along with the rest of the world, are in some serious danger.  Zoe and her friends and Grandmother and a Nun have to come together in a new way.  At least this one ends with something of a hiatus so the next book is not needed right away.  I really enjoy this series though.  It's kind of like a modern Nancy Drew with the supernatural, vampyres, and significantly more making out added in.  Maybe not like Nancy Drew after all :)  Highly recommended.

Untamed - P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Untamed is the fourth House of Night Book.  The House of Night series is really a big continuing story, but up until this book there was a clear conclusion to each novel.  This time there is a huge event right at the end that changes everything.  Zoe is still becoming stronger and more sure of herself.  The rest of the "nerd herd" is hanging in there with her.  However, the forces against them are getting stronger and coming out of the dark into the open.  Normally I read other books between books in the series but this time I went right to book five, Hunted.  I have to find out what happens after the end of Untamed.  I have a feeling I may be on a House of Night marathon.  Highly recommended.

Dead Beat - Jim Butcher

Dead Beat is another Harry Dresden novel.  This time Harry is dealing with some necromancers with delusions of godhood.  Unfortunately if Harry doesn't stop them they may well make their delusions come true, and the rest of humanity would be in big trouble.  Dealing with his own demons is keeping Harry busy too.  It's another story with non-stop action.  You won't believe what corpse Harry has to animate to beat the bad guys.  Very highly recommended.

Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane

Shutter Island is a thriller with a huge twist, maybe.  The story takes place on Shutter Island, which is home to a mental institution for the criminally insane.  Two federal marshals are sent to the island to help find a missing patient.  What starts out as a locked room mystery soon expands to encompass the whole island.  I've read this novel and I'm still not sure of the ending.  I'm not sure which way I'd like it to end either.  Very highly recommended.

Chosen - P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Chosen is the third book in the House of Night series.  This series is like a Saturday serial.  Each book is sort of a cliff hanger and you just have to keep reading.  At least they're worth reading.  Zoe manages to alienate her friends and loose all three of her boyfriends this time.  One fatally.  She's getting stronger but still need some maturity to go with that strength.  The House of Night school is almost under siege because two vampyres have been...well read the book.  Highly recommended. 

Betrayed - P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Betrayed is the second book in the House of Night series.  The House of Night is a high school for teenage vampyres.  This book continues with Zoe now the high priestess in training and head of the dark daughters and sons.  The dark daughters and sons is part sorority and part student council.  But there's some trouble brewing when teenagers from Zoe's past begin to disappear and turn up as drained corpses.  It's getting more like monsters now.  I like this series.  Highly recommended.

I like this series more than the Twilight series.  I know that's heresy, but this is more like real teenagers with real problems and some weird new problems thrown into the mix.  Twilight was more teenage angst with vampires and werewolves and nothing really normal.  This House of Night series is definitely geared toward younger readers, and I'd recommend it to my grandkids, but then the authors had to throw in the whole blow job scene in the first book Marked, and I don't know why. Too bad.  I guess that makes this series even more like reality, and I should get with the times, but I want a different reality for my grandkids.

Amazon purchase memory

I love Amazon.  I buy everything there from books to groceries to electronics to clothes.  Being something of a homebody it's very convenient.  I particularly like when they remember what I bought and when.  For example, I can answer the question "how long did that last case of tea bags last me?"

However, they remember books you've bought only by type.  So if I bought the paperback version of a novel a year ago and then see it for the kindle, Amazon appears to have no clue that I already read it after buying it from them.  I find that very annoying.

I know.  I should be able to remember what I've read and what I haven't, but I read a lot of books and have burned out quite a few gray cells over the years.   I started this list just so I could go back and see if I'd already read something, and even if I liked it.  It helps but I think Amazon could do better.  After all, they're using computers and I'm stuck with my aging brain.

The Dark Tide - Andrew Gross

The Dark Tide is a mystery about a man who dies in a terrorist attack on New York City.  He's got a wife and kids and is sorely missed.  This book is a mystery about a hit-and-run that keeps nagging at the police lieutenant who goes out on the call.  Both of these events, and more, are all tangled up in this story in a way that keeps you reading late into the night.  Highly recommended.

Marked - P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Marked is the first novel in the "House of Night" series.  It's a novel with a new take on vampires, or vampyres as they're called in this alternate earth.  It's supposed to be for young adults, but it's a little too adult for my grandkids.  I enjoyed it a lot though.  Zoe Redbird is marked as a vampyre one day at high school and her whole world changes.  In her new vampyre school she makes new friends and discovers talents she didn't know she had.  No monsters or stakes in this book.  But I suspect the series will get a bit more monsterish as it goes along.  I'll be reading more of this series.  Highly recommended.

Blood Rites - Jim Butcher

Blood Rites is book 6 in The Dresden Files series.  This time Harry is dealing with black and white vampires and various other nasties.  Imagine flaming demon monkey poop bombs for starters and the action gets a lot hotter as the story moves along.  Harry gets a new pet and finds some long lost family.  Murphy plays her usual part and manages to amaze Harry with her wardrobe in more ways than one.  It's the same entertaining barely controlled mayhem that you expect from Butcher.  Highly recommended.

Strangers in Death - J.D. Robb

Strangers in Death is another Lt. Eve Dallas murder mystery.  I've read a few of the "In Death" series and they're all good.  They take place about 50 years in the future.  It gives them a little science fiction feeling.  Keep in mind that they are mostly detective stories but still a little bit romance novels.  I can live with that.  After all Robb is Nora Roberts.  This time Eve is up against a woman almost as tough and smart as she is, but with the morals of a crocodile.  This story has a twist that makes you wonder how anyone could be that devious.  Just be glad there are cops just as devious as the crooks.  Highly recommended.

Black Magic Sanction - Kim Harrison

Black Magic Sanction is the 8th Rachel Morgan novel. This time Rachel is under attack from the Coven. The Coven has decided shunning isn't enough. They have more drastic plans for Rachel. And of course she's still dodging demons and trying to avoid romance. I always regret finishing a Harrison book. It's going to be too long until the next one comes out. Highly recommended.

Death Masks - Jim Butcher

Death Mask is another Dresden Files novel.  This time Harry is up against the vampires of the Red Council and the Denarians.   Denarians are half demon and half human and all mean.  Not something you want to run into in a dark alley or anywhere else.  And Susan is back.  That makes things even more complicated.  As usual more action and suspense than three other average books.  Highly recommended.

Flashback - Nevada Barr

Flashback is an Anna Pigeon novel.  It's the first one I've read but not the last.  Anna is a park ranger and she's got temporary duty at the far edge of the Florida Keys in Dry Tortugas National Park.  She's temporarily in charge because her predecessor seemed to go insane.  Now she finds herself slipping into a mental fog too.  Finding the cause is just one of her problems.  It turns out that everyone working for her is not what they seem.  There's a little romantic angle to the story but I like that it doesn't interfere with the mystery and the solution.  Highly recommended.

Silver Borne - Patricia Briggs

Silver Born is a new Mercy Thompson novel.  Mercy has unwittingly borrowed something a fairy queen wants.  To make things more complicated her housemate Sam is having a identity crisis, her mate Adam is challenged for alpha of the pack, and her house (trailer) is burned to the ground.  That's just a few of the complications in this story.  It's another thrilling adventure with all the action and suspense you could want.  Briggs novels are too few and far between.  Of course I'd feel that way if she could bang one out every week.  Very highly recommended.

Publish Post

Out of the Black - Lee Doty

Out of the Black is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It takes place just a little jump into the future. You're never sure where in the time line you are at first, but the book is so compelling you relish the razzle dazzle after a while. Your typical homicide detective, who has spent his whole live in martial arts, meets the sorcerer's apprentice and his beautiful companion. Then they meet the super sized superwoman clone who was souped up by a dying magical warrior. And it all happens so fast it's hard not to get out of breath just reading. The fight scenes scream out The Matrix or Aeon Flux. There are very few books I'd like to see made into movies, but this one would have to have some awesome special affects. Doty is amazing. I want to read more books by this author but I can't find any. I'll be watching though. Very highly recommended.

The Dangerous Hour - Marcia Muller

The Dangerous Hour is a Sharon McCone novel. It's been a long time since I read one of these. Last time I read Muller, I seem to remember Sharon was a struggling investigator for All Souls. Now she owns a successful agency with offices and a staff. I lost touch. She's still not married to Hy though.

This book is about revenge. Someone Sharon brought down is out to return the favor and he's willing to kill to accomplish it. There's plenty of suspense and the usual cast of characters. I enjoy Muller but somehow I drifted away. Probably because so much time is spent in romantic and family angst. I like detective stories about detecting and not relationships. I still enjoyed the book. Recommended.

Summer Knight - Jim Butcher

Summer Knight is another Dresden Files novel. This time Harry has a new client who happens to be a Faerie Queen. He's looking for a whoever or whatever murdered her Knight, and the chances are the killer is something special. He's got to stop a Faerie war that could bring on a new ice age. And you thought humans couldn't affect climate change! Highly recommended.

Rain Gods - James Lee Burke

Rain Gods takes place in Texas after Hurricane Katrina has pushed some of the vice from New Orleans out to the lone star state. It starts with a mass murder and ends with a major shoot-out. In between you have lots of characters; an old sheriff who believes in the what's right, a veteran of the Iraq war who's not all the way back yet, and The Preacher who has a .45 caliber tommy gun and is not afraid to use it. They're all doing their best to catch killers, kill the catchers, and avoid being killed themselves. Very highly recommended.

Beneath - Jeremy Robinson

Beneath is only the second Robinson novel I've read. Both books start out in the arctic, but Beneath ends up about as far away from the frozen north as you can get. When an asteroid is found in the arctic that provides clear evidence of life on Europa, Global Exploratory Corporation mounts an expedition to explore Jupiter's moon and see what's hidden beneath it's frozen surface. This is a fast paced book with lots of twists and turns. Frankly you're going to have to really be able to suspend your disbelief for this story. If you can do that it's one heck of an adventure and worth the read. Europa holds some very interesting surprises. Highly recommended.

The Firefly - P. T. Deutermann

The Firefly is an amazing novel. In this book things are never what they seem. Retired secret service agent Swamp Morgan finds himself investigating a plot to carry out what could be the biggest terrorist attack in history and nobody will believe him. Fast paced and full of twists, this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Very highly recommended.

Split Image - Robert B. Parker

Split Image is another Jesse Stone novel. Almost surely the last, since Robert Parker passed away at his desk on January 18th, 2010. He will be missed by many. I always enjoy his books. This one is no exception.

Split Image has Jesse working to solve two murders in the town of Paradise MA, and working with Sunny on what turns out to be than a kidnapping plus. Throw in two mobster wives known as the "bang bang twins" and it gets very interesting. You don't have to read the first eight novels in the Jesse Stone series to enjoy this book, but it would help. And they're all worth reading. Highly recommended.

Silver - Steven Savile

Silver is a novel surrounding the 30 pieces of silver Judas got for betraying Jesus. The author puts an interesting spin on the 2000 year old story and ties it in with some interesting action in the present. Silver is sort of a spy novel with terrorists and ancient religion thrown in. The author likens Silver to The Da Vinci Code in his notes. The Da Vinci Code kept you almost believing it could be true right up to the end and the story was logically consistent. Silver never made me believe for a minute that the basis for the story could be true and was disjointed rather than consistent. I enjoyed the book, but it's not in the same class with The Da Vinci Code, in spite of what the author thinks. Recommended.

Grave Peril - Jim Butcher

Grave Peril is another Dresden Files novel. This time it's ghosts who are stirring up trouble and vampires who are stirring up the ghosts. Not a good combination for Dresden and his buddy Michael. To complicate things Dresden's god-mother is after him whenever he crosses over into the nevernever and his girl friend Susan is expecting the 'L' word to make an appearance any time now. Unfortunately, Susan will find she has more important things to worry about. Highly recommended.

The Perfect Swarm - Len Fisher

The Perfect Swarm is a book about complexity theory and how it pertains to groups. It gets a little dry in places but it's an enjoyable exploration of what modern scientists are learning about groups and how they operate. There are some surprisingly useful conclusions and copious notes at the end. It's good to stretch the old brain once in a while. My only complaint is that Fisher obviously buys into the the pseudo science of man-made global warming and some other liberal myths that really don't belong in this book. That undermines his credibility at times. Still I enjoyed the book. Recommended.

New York - Edward Rutherfurd

New York is a historical novel centered on New York city. This is the first Rutherfurd book I've read. Maybe when I'm retired and have more time to kill I'll read another. This story began with Dutch settlers in 1664, when what is now New York was the outpost of New Amsterdam. It follows the history of the Masters family, as you see New York and the United States grow into their current size and shape.

My dilemma is the book was too long. However I want the glaring holes filled in. Maybe I don't have a New York centric view but a novel covering history from the 17th to the 21st century should include something of substance on WWII. Glossed over would be an understatement. Maybe the problem is the span of history covered was too great. At first I was reminded of all the James Michener novels I've read, but then I got bogged down in stories about a family that I really didn't care for living in a City I couldn't care less about. I kept reading hoping that someone in the Masters family would eventually do something I could feel good about. They eventually got close but not close enough. Not recommended.

Fool Moon - Jim Butcher

Fool Moon is book two in the Dresden Files series. This time Harry is up against all four known types of werewolves and discovers a new one in the bargain. He and Murphy are still at odds after the problems in Storm Front, and Harry even becomes a suspect in what the press is calling the lobo killings. Throw in the Chicago mob and Harry has his hands, or paws, full. Highly recommended.

Die Trying - Lee Child

Die Trying is a Jack Reacher novel. Somehow I missed this one so I circled back and I'm glad I did. The Jack Reacher series is one you can read out of order without missing too much. This is actually the second novel in the series. Reacher is in the right place at the right time to get kidnapped along with FBI agent Holly Johnson. An FBI agent who just happens to be the daughter of the joint chiefs of staff and the God daughter of the President. Quite a catch. The Montana militia that grabbed them have big plans and Reacher will do his best, and his best is very good, to ruin those plans. Very highly recommended.

Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik

Empire of Ivory is another in the series of Novik books following His Majesty's Dragons. I'm reading out of order again. This is the fourth book in the series about Temeraire and Captain Laurence. In this story they return from their travels and discover that the cold that Temeraire had on their trip to China was actually a virulent disease that is killing the dragons in his majesty's corp. Since Temeraire seemed to shake it off around the coast of Africa, they're bound back to Africa to find out what cured him. The adventures they encounter kept me reading late into the night. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I was very sad at the ending. Novik really leaves you hanging. Now to read book three and then I can read book five. So many books and so little time. Very highly recommended.

Mom and Dad

Over 60 years as husband and wife. You were the best parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and friends anyone could ask for.

Over 60 years of sleeping in the same bed, holding hands as you kissed over breakfast, and saying your prayers together at night.

Over 60 years of being there for each other through good and bad, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, ecstasy and pain.

Death claimed you separately, eight months apart. Now you'll spend eternity together, sharing over 60 years of memories.

We love you. We miss you. God bless you Mom and Dad.

Leader of the Pack - Karen Macinerney

Leader of the Pack is the third book in the Tales of an Urban Werewolf series. Sophie's Dad shows up after having abandoned her 28 years ago. He manages to alienate Sophie in less than a day. They do manage to reconcile, but in the meantime she has to deal with a demon, some werewolf politics that almost get her killed, and her Dad being on trial for werewolf murder. Highly recommended.

Flirt - Laurell K. Hamilton

Flirt is another Anita Blake novel. Hamilton is up to 18 books in this series now and I've read them all. This book is almost retro in that the focus is on Anita's abilities as a necromancer instead of her abilities in bed. I really enjoyed the flow of the book and the twists that kept me reading it. Hamilton can write very well and this is an example of her best. Short but sweet. Highly recommended.

On the Prowl - Karen Macinerney

On the Prowl is the second book in the Tales of an Urban Werewolf series by Macinerney. It's the sequel to Howling at the Moon. In this story Sophie's been spotted by the Houston pack and they've demanded she do some spying for them, get out of Austin, or die. To make her life more interesting she's been tagged by a trio of made werewolvettes to be their alpha, she's been chosen by the Mexican pack of Aztec werewolves as a human sacrifice, and her new client (remember she is an auditor) turns out to be something other than human. Highly recommended.

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Played with Fire is the sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. You should really read them in order. You should really read them. In this book the girl, Lisbeth, is truly the focus of the story, and not an intriguing supporting character. She's back from a year of travel just in time to be named as the suspect in a gruesome murder mystery. The mystery revolves around her life in ways that will make you gasp. She needs all her skills, and the help of her unique friends, to fight the forces that are trying to steal her freedom and her very life. Truly amazing story telling. Very highly recommended.

Fast Track - Fern Michaels

Fast Track is book three in Michaels' Rules of the Game series. This time the vigilantes are tasked with solving the theft of billions from the world bank. They manage to run the obstacle course of the press, the FBI, and home land security. They get the bad guy and induct yet another member into their sisterhood. Highly recommended.

I will admit to getting tired of having to believe some of the miracles that take place around these women. It makes a good story, but I strained my ability to suspend disbelief on this one. The Queen of England gets the entire British embassy in Washington DC to close down in order to provide the sisterhood a place to hide? Right.

Kitty's House of Horrors - Carrie Vaughn

Kitty's House of Horrors is the seventh Kitty Norville book. This time Kitty and some equally supernatural friends are talked into participating in a reality show. The problem is the reality isn't what it they expected. Weres, vampires, and humans with some interesting gifts are all fair game in this reality, and everybody doesn't make it out alive. Highly recommended.

Howling at the Moon - Karen Macinerney

Howling at the Moon is yet another werewolf story. It's a tale about a young woman who's managed to suppress her hairy urges most of the time with the help of her gypsy mother. Sophie is an auditor and her Mom is a witch. While she's trying to solve a murder her Mom's accused of, Sophie runs across the trail of another werewolf, and he's handsome enough to take her mind off of her lawyer lover. The problem is he's dating her best friend. This is a somewhat tongue in cheek, convoluted, but interesting story of an urban yuppie werewolf coming to grips with her wild side. The writing reminds me a little of MaryJanice Davidson. Highly recommended.

Divine Misdemeanors - Laurell K. Hamilton

Divine Misdemeanors is the 8th book in the Meredith Gentry series. Merry is back to being a private detective in LA and this novel contains a good detective story. Merry is pregnant with twins but that doesn't slow her down. She's still in the thick of the action. She's called in by the police on the case of a person killing demi-fey and staging the murders to look like fairy tales. There are plenty of interesting characters, lots of magic, and more than enough steamy sex scenes. I miss the old Hamilton who was more interested in plot than in porn. Highly recommended.

Mortal Danger - Eileen Wilks

Mortal Danger is the sequel to Tempting Danger. This time Lily is willing to go through hell to get Rule back after a demon snatches him. Ever wonder where the dragons went? Another page turner. Highly recommended.

Tempting Danger - Eileen Wilks

Tempting Danger takes place in a alternate reality where magic is a fact of life and werewolves are legal citizens. Lily Yu is a homicide detective who draws a murder that seems to be a werewolf kill. The main suspect is Rule Turner, the local werewolf prince. If only it was that simple. Lily and Rule have a connection neither anticipated and the evil they end up fighting puts them in deadly danger. This book is based on a short story that I'd read some time ago so reading this felt like déjà vu for a while. Since this book is the first in a series I look forward to reading the rest of them. Highly recommended.

U is for Undertow - Sue Grafton

U is for Undertow is the latest Kinsey Millhone detective mystery. Reading a new Grafton novel is like putting on an old sweater that you've worn to the comfort zone. You can't anticipate the twists and turns she gives to the plot. You can't see the end until you've traveled the length of the tale. You can look forward to some old friends and a story that will keep you reading late into the night. This time Grafton provides Kinsey with a cold case murder/kidnapping and some interesting revelations about family past and present. Very highly recommended.

Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong

Frostbitten is a story that follows the North American werewolf pack. Elena and Clay, alpha in training and enforcer respectively, are off to Alaska to chase down a mutt when they run into some big trouble. There are more mutts than they thought and some old legends come to life and complicate things. The story keeps you turning pages way into the night. Highly recommended.

Cravings - Laurell K. Hamilton, MaryJanice Davidson, Eileen Wilks, Rebecca York

Cravings is a collection of four stories by Hamilton, Davidson, Wilks, and York. Hamilton's offering is pretty much female angst and soft porn with a little surprise at the end. I really liked Hamilton's early stuff but it's clear she's obsessed with sex at this point. I have to read her books because she hooked me on her characters while she was still writing about vampire, weres, and fairies with a real story included. I have to know what's happening to Anita and Meredith.

The other three stories are much better. Davidson's typical tongue in cheek vampire tale is great. Wilks presents the reader with a succubus who has a mystery man to save, and York writes of a werewolf in search of revenge who finds much more. All three tales are well worth the read. Highly recommended.

The Devil's Punchbowl - Greg Iles

The Devil's Punchbowl is the third book in Iles' series featuring Penn Cage and the town of Natchez Mississippi. This book was like an extension of the first two. Each story almost stole you away from the real world with the need to find out what's happening next. I finally finished The Devil's Punchbowl after 3:00 this morning. This time the villain is more diabolical and the danger is more intense. Vicious dogs, gambling, torture, rape, and murder keep you reeling right up to the end. Start with The Quite Game and read the whole series. Very highly recommended.

Turning Angel - Greg Iles

Turning Angel is the sequel to Quiet Game. Iles wrote three books in a series that tie together, and I liked Quiet Game so much I decided to read them in order. Turning Angel is just as much a barn burner as Quite Game. Same good guys, some different bad guys, and a totally different kind of trouble. Natchez may seem like a sleepy Mississippi River town, but that is a thin veneer indeed. This time Penn seems to have bitten off more than he can chew, or maybe his friend Drew stuffed it down his throat. Either way he's going to have to handle it and how he does is a story I could hardly put down. Very highly recommended.

Quiet Game - Greg Iles

Quiet Game has everything you could want in a mystery thriller. It pulls you in and won't let you go until the last page. Murder, blackmail, politics, sex, and an author who weaves them into an amazing story. It's rare when a book is so good, so engaging, that I page back through and reread sections just to get the emotional punch they provide. This is one of those books. Very highly recommended.

The Breach - Patrick Lee

The Breach keeps surprising you every step of the way. The end almost gave me a brain cramp from the twist it took. There's plenty of action, a little romance, and some amazing things to discover. How do you disarm a nuclear device? How do you become invisible? How do you send yourself a message from the future? It's all in there. Patrick Lee is going on my "authors to watch" list. Very highly recommended.

MAX - James Patterson

MAX is the fifth in the Maximum Ride series. The earlier books were less preachy about the environment and I liked them better. This is still a good book and I have to keep reading the series now. I'm hooked! This time around romance blooms in multiple places and the flock experience some new evolutionary changes. Max's Mom is kidnapped and the flock has to partner with the navy to get her back. There is almost more swimming than flying. And it's clear there will be a book six. Highly recommended.

The Strain - Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan

The Strain is not just another vampire book. It's the first in a trilogy of stories that shred the glamorous seductive image vampires have enjoyed lately and turns them back into evil ugly enemies of humanity. Doctors from the CDC, a pest control professional, and an old man who's devoted his life to fighting vampires band together to fight the epidemic — the virus that is vampire. They may be humanities last hope. The action is constant and the characters engaging. The war is on and it's not clear who or what is going to win. Very highly recommended.

Under the Dome - Stephen King

Under the Dome is classic King. You have to read this one. Of course we're in Maine, and just down the road from Castle Rock in the little town of Chester's Mill. I'm not going to spoil any of King's surprises, but when an invisible dome cuts Chester's Mill off from the rest of the world you know there's going to be some trouble brewing. It turns out Chester's Mill had plenty of trouble before the dome and now things are really going to heat up. King has one endearing quality that most other authors don't — he's not afraid to kill 'em all and let God sort it out. Read this one and find out how it ends. You won't be disappointed. Very highly recommended.

Witch & Wizard - James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet

Witch & Wizard is another young adult novel by Patterson and someone else. He's been doing a lot of "with someone else" books lately. The story starts out great. By the end, which really isn't the end, I was very disappointed. I try not to miss one of Patterson's books and I really like witch and wizard stories. This was just too juvenile for me to enjoy. After the Maximum Ride series I thought Patterson had young adult fiction mastered. From now on I'll wait to see some reviews, and probably believe them, before I try another kid's book from Patterson. Not recommended.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an amazing book. It's got all the elements a story needs. A girl with tattoos and piercings, computer hackers, injustice, a missing person mystery, and many more. I'm truly sorry that the author, Larsson, died in 2004. He was a great story teller. There are two more books in this series and I'll definitely get around to reading them. This book literally kept me up nights. You never knew what was going to happen next. Very highly recommended.

Throne of Jade - Naomi Novik

Throne of Jade is the sequel to His Majesty's Dragon. Captain Laurence and Temeraire are off to China where a celestial dragon is real royalty. The Chinese ambassador insists that Temeraire be returned to China, but allows Captain Laurence to come along since Temeraire insists. It's months by sea with battles along the way. Then in the Chinese court the two are pulled into intrigues that threatens to ruin their chances to return to England and possibly end their lives. There's a lot of detail to this second story and it's very interesting to see how dragons are treated in China compared to England and the rest of the world. Very highly recommended.

True Blue - David Baldacci

True Blue is a cop story with a twist. Mace is getting out of prison after two years. She was in for a frame job that she can't prove. She used to be an undercover cop and her goal is find out who set her up and get her job back. Her sister Beth is the chief of the Washington D.C. metro police force, but whether that will help or hinder her isn't clear. Throw in some FBI and CIA involvement in a new case Beth let Mace ride along on and it gets real interesting. Baldacci never fails to please. Very highly recommended.

Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton

Pirate Latitudes was a pleasant surprise. Michael Crichton passed over a year ago and was mourned by the millions who looked forward to his books. This book was found on his computer. It's a rousing pirate tale with all the adventure and suspense you could ask for. I'm sorry this may be Crichton's last book, but very glad I got a chance to read it. Very highly recommended.

Daniel X: Watch the Skies - James Patterson

Daniel X: Watch the Skies is the sequel to The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. The sequel is more of the same. Super hero Daniel X is now after #5 on the list of evil aliens, and his right hand alien #21. They're taking over a town and turning it into a galactic reality show with humans as the actors and the buffet. This is definitely more geared to kids then adults. It was a little too juvenile for me in places, if you can believe that. Almost too Douglas Adams like at times. I don't like Douglas Adams. Recommended.

Breathless - Dean Koontz

Breathless seems like three or four separate stories at first. All the tales are compelling. Finally the threads come together, united by the one event that it seems will unite the whole world. Koontz never disappoints. And yes there is a dog. Lots of dogs in fact. Very highly recommended.

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X - James Patterson

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X is the first novel in a new series by Patterson. Daniel X is an alien hunter. Not the kind of aliens that come across the border from the north and south. Daniel hunts the kind of aliens from outer space. The kind that killed his parents when he was only 3 years old. Daniel has super powers that enable him to hunt down evil aliens, and he uses them somewhat childishly since he's still in high school and feeling his hormones. This is a book intended for young adults, but like the Maximum Ride series, still something an older adult can enjoy. Highly recommended.

So Long Been Dreaming - Nalo Hopkinson & Uppinder Mehan

The full title of this book is So Long Been Dreaming: Postcolonial Science Fiction & Fantasy. This is an anthology edited by Hopkinson and Mehan. The authors of some stories in this collection seemed to have a chip on their shoulder. Others were pretty amazing. My two favorites were Delhi by Vandana Singh and Necahual by Tobias Buckell.

This anthology was focused on stories about societies after they'd been colonized. This seems to mean subjugated for most authors in the collection. Maybe that's a valid point of view, but some authors spread it on pretty thick. The stories weren't limited to space colonization, as one might assume for a collection with science fiction in the title. My favorite, Delhi, was very down to earth. Necahual was more traditional space opera, but still with overtones of how colonialism made an impact on earth. Necahual also illustrated how one good old science fiction standard could provide some valuable lessons. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.

Avatar: The Na'vi Quest - Nicole Pitesa

Avatar: The Na'vi Quest is an adaptation of the Avatar movie by James Cameron. It's a short, 57 page, sparsely illustrated paperback. It's not really a novel. It does provide some interesting background on what to expect from the movie, and it does so without spoiling it for someone who intends to see the picture when it comes out. I look forward to watching the movie to flesh out this brief introduction. Recommended.

Shades of Gray #1 Noir, City Shrouded by Darkness - Kristie Lynn Higgins

Noir, City Shrouded by Darkness is one of those books I really struggled to finish. I hate to not finish a book I've started, so I stuck with it. Mistake. The book's got some good points but not many. I'm sorry. I know somebody went to a lot of trouble to write this but I have to ask why? I'm assuming they didn't have an editor because a decent editor would probably still have this in rewrite. My recommendation is don't read this. If you do you'll regret the time you wasted.

Hocus Pocus - Fern Michaels

Hocus Pocus is a sequel to Hide and Seek. The vigilantes are back in the USA and masquerading as rock stars to keep from being exposed by a supreme court justice. The justice is being blackmailed and threatens to expose the sisterhood if they don't help her out her jam. It's another convoluted but interesting adventure, with more people joining the vigilantes as things roll along. Highly recommended.

Rough Country - John Sandford

Rough Country is the latest Virgil Flowers novel. I have yet to read a book by Sandford that didn't make me lose sleep. This time Virgil is dealing with a murder at a mostly lesbian retreat. This is almost as frustrating for Virgil as trying to find the killer. You know he'll find the killer, but it's not a sure thing whether he's going to get laid or not :) This books got plenty of twists and turns. It keeps you guessing right up to the end. Very Highly recommended.

Nine Dragons - Michael Connelly

Nine Dragons is the latest Harry Bosch novel. Wow! Two continents, bad guys, guns, death, kidnapping, and a real twist in the end. Harry's life is changed forever. Very highly recommended.

Grave Secret - Charlaine Harris

Grave Secret is book four in the Harper Connelly series. There are no vampires in this novel, but who needs vampires? This story is part of a great series and this is a great book. Unfortunately when the book was over I was very sad. It has an unbelievable ending and wrapped up many mysteries, but melancholy would be the most positive description I can think of for this story. This book can really put your own life in perspective. Very highly recommended.

And for those who continue to dig for deeper meaning in this and other books, I have one message. Just suspend disbelief and enjoy the story. I love to read, and have since I was barely able to read. The best presents for me when I was a kid were books or bullets. But I hated literature classes because the search for themes, characters, plots, etc. destroyed any pleasure I got from reading a book. I never enjoyed David Copperfield or Moby Dick or Treasure Island when I was a kid, because I couldn't be a pick pocket, a whaler, or a pirate. I had to read for the deeper meaning. As an adult I've read all three and thoroughly enjoyed them. Down with literature. Up with reading. Stick your stodgy old literary analysis where the sun don't shine.

Death from the Skies! - Philip Plait

Death from the Skies! is a book to rid you of your nightmares. It does this by explaining in excruciating detail all the ways the universe can kill you. Some ways kill you slow and some get you very fast. The good part is Dr. Plait also explains the odds on them getting you at all, and that is vanishingly small. This is a fascinating book, but it contains more details than it needed. I would have preferred the Reader's Digest Condensed version, and I don't say that very often. It's still worth a read if you have the time. Recommended.

Publish Post

Pursuit of Honor - Vince Flynn

Pursuit of Honor is a continuation of the Mitch Rapp novel Extreme Measures. There are three terrorists left and the trick is can Mitch and his men find the terrorists before they strike again. You can't put this one down. Flynn ruins my sleep patterns! Very highly recommended.

Void Moon - Michael Connelly

Void Moon is pretty much a one-of for Connelly. He tends to weave characters back and forth between series but Cassie Black is an exception. Except for an unannounced cameo in The Narrows, this is her first and only appearance by Connelly. I went back to this book because it's another one I missed and I'm very glad I did. This is the story of a thief who needs to make the big score and finds herself pushed to her limits. Can you steal too much? She has to rescue herself and someone very dear. Will she do the right thing and which right thing? This is an excellent book. Very highly recommended.

Hide and Seek - Fern Michaels

Hide and Seek is number eight in Michaels' Sisterhood series. I jumped into this one in the middle because this is the first book in a trilogy called Rules of the Game, but that trilogy is just part of the Sisterhood series. The book still made sense on it's own. Enough of the back story is filled in to generally understand what came before.

This novel focuses on the Sisterhood, also known as the Vigilantes, who try and bring down a vindictive corrupt FBI director. The women of the sisterhood are a varied group, from truck drivers and florists to judges and lawyers. By the time this novel appears in the series they're also media heroes. This series is a good read. I've already started the second book in this trilogy. Highly recommended.

The Narrows - Michael Connelly

The Narrows is a catch-up book for me. This is the bridge that ties Rachel Walling and Harry Bosch to the Poet. I missed this story in the sequence and now I've bridged that gap. Both Rachel and Harry are great characters. Both have some trouble with authority and deal with it in unique ways. This time they team up in pursuit of a serial killer they both encountered before. The difference is Rachel killed him once already. This is a great book all by itself but look into the series that Connelly has woven these characters into to get the full effect. Very highly recommended.

Ground Zero - F. Paul Wilson

Ground Zero is Wilson's latest Repairman Jack novel. This is one of the best series I've found. I highly recommend you read them from the beginning because that's the way they're best understood. This is another stay up late, read at lunch, and generally have to finish novel. It's not the last in the series but close, and provides something of a cliff hanger. Excellent story. Highly recommended.

Frankenstein: Dead and Alive - Dean Koontz

Frankenstein: Dead and Alive is the third book in Koontz's Frankenstein series. I say series instead of trilogy for good reason. Read this book and find out. This story continues to follow the problems the new race is creating in New Orleans. There are some new monsters to add to the mix and some old ones to keep things interesting. I really enjoy the pace of this novel. Unfortunately more than I enjoy sleep. This book has been a long time coming and I wish I'd had time to reread the first two books in the series. If you haven't read them do so before reading this one. Highly recommended.

Spartan Gold - Clive Cussler & Grant Blackwood

Spartan Gold is a novel featuring the treasure hunting Fargo family. In classic Cussler fashion this book is part ancient history and part modern technology. The puzzles and action are both intense. Of course the story is completely unbelievable, but this is escapism, not reality. It's good to suspend your disbelief and get into the story line.

Maybe I'm just going through a dark period, but I don't care what kind of designer clothes, fancy cars, and gourmet meals the characters wear, drive, and eat. Maybe less of those trivialities and more substance would be appropriate. I like the book, but those pretentious details were more distracting than supporting. Highly recommended.

Living with the Dead - Kelley Armstrong

Living with the Dead is another novel in the Women of the Otherworld series. You really need to start from the beginning of this series to appreciate the later stories. This novel focuses on Hope's friend Robyn. Robyn is a nice normal human PR rep who gets tangled in a plot with clairvoyants, a half-demon, werewolves, a necromancers, and of course the Nast sorcerer cabal. By the times things get untangled Robyn's perspective on the world around her has radically changed. All the novels in this series are excellent. This one is no exception. Highly recommended.

Six Months of Kindle

I received my kindle in February of 2009. I've been using it to read books, magazines, blogs, and newspapers for over six months now. I still read paper books and magazines from time to time, but I actually miss the kindle when I switch back to dead trees.

I've read over 30 books on my kindle so I have some experience to work from. I also have a couple of reference books on the kindle that I search when needed. I subscribe to Reader's Digest on my kindle. For a while there I subscribed to Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine too. I read those mystery stories to my Mom. I also tried the Chicago Tribune for a while, but I'm not a newspaper person. I also subscribed to a couple of blogs for a while, but I can follow blogs much easier on my computer. I already subscribe to too many paper periodicals, and in most of them the color pictures are something the kindle can't reproduce, so I'm sticking to paper for magazines.

I really like my kindle. Most of the things I've enumerated below are things you just can't do with a paper book. There's a short list of things you can do with a paper book you can't do with a kindle book. You can't riffle through the pages looking for pictures, diagrams, or maps. If there's a way to do this on a kindle I haven't figured it out. You can't lend a kindle book to someone else to read, or sell one on eBay when you've finished reading it. I miss those things.

I like being able to search kindle books the way I can search other documents on my computer. I like being able to turn pages with one hand and never have the wind blow my book shut or make me lose my place. I like that I can find lots of books for free and most for less than $10. I like the way the battery seems to last forever if I turn the wireless off. I love my tooled leather case from Oberon Design. I like that anywhere I am, I can order a new book and download it in minutes. I like that my kindle is small enough to fit in the pouch of my hoodie and is light enough to carry there.

I like that I can convert just about any file I have on my computer to a format that my kindle can read. I like that I can set bookmarks anywhere I want and go back to them later. They never fall out of the kindle the way they do from paper books. I like that I can read multiple books on my kindle and it remembers right where I am in each one. I like that I can look up a word I don't recognize right there and then, without having to carry around a dictionary. I actually find myself putting off reading some paper books I still haven't read so I can read something else on the kindle.

There are a few things I don't like about the kindle. Note, these are not comparisons to paper books. Rather these are design flaws or missing features of the electronic device or the books provided for it.

I don't like the way some books are not formatted well for the kindle. Some are obviously shoehorned in after the fact and are far from a perfect fit. They're readable, but it's annoying at times. Magazines and newspapers have this same problem when displayed on the kindle.

I don't like that the kindle doesn't have a touch screen. Come on! Even my phone has a touch screen. It's so intuitive these days that it's a huge letdown every time I have to use the little dip stick to navigate. Huge letdown.

I don't like that it can't read PDF files directly. The newer kindles can. It's just software people. Why can't my kindle be upgraded to do what the newer ones can? That's very disappointing.

Finally, the kindle costs too much. For the average person the initial cost is out of reach and the long term savings are very long. According to an AP-Ipsos survey from 2007, one out of four adults didn't read any books that year. If you throw out those non-readers the median for adult readers was seven books a year. I doubt that number has gotten higher in the last two years, so let's figure seven books a year.

Assuming the kindle lets you purchase a bestselling book for $9.99, and assuming the price of that same book in hardback would be about $16 on Amazon, you'd have to read about 50 books for the savings to pay for the current $299 kindle. That means the average reader would take over seven years to recoup the cost of their kindle. Too expensive.

All that said I don't regret buying my kindle one bit. I waited for version two to come out before I took the plunge, and I did a lot of research first. Basically I got what I expected. How many things can you say that about? The only reason I'd give up my kindle is for a touch screen color version. I'm waiting Amazon.

UPDATE: 11/29/2009

I installed the latest software release for my kindle and now I have PDF support. The update also enabled screen rotation, which is helpful for PDF files since you can't zoom in on them. It also extended the battery life by 75%. My battery life was great before because I leave the network off, but more battery life is always better. If you're interested you can win a new kindle at the noobie site.

The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

The Lost Symbol is everything I'd expected. More mysteries, ancient symbols, and clues to follow. The action was good. The villain was superb. It will make an excellent movie if they do it right. The only let down was that Brown waxed pedantic at times. They'll leave that out of a movie if they make one. All you couch potatoes won't have to worry about it. Highly recommended.

Hostile Intent - Michael Walsh

Hostile Intent is a novel about terrorism, greed, and revenge. Devlin is a super secret agent of the government and he's the last line of defense for the country. He's called on to stop one terrorist act but things only get worse. Are the terrorists out to destroy the country or Devlin himself? The writing is not as great as Flynn, Ludlum, or Connelly but it's good. You don't want to put this book down until you get to the end. Highly recommended.

Finger Lickin' Fifteen - Janet Evanovich

Finger Lickin' Fifteen is the latest in the Stephanie Plum series. There are a few things you can always count on in a Stephanie Plum novel: blown up cars, escaping skips, fattening food, and lots of laughs. The old standby characters are there to please, and Lulu has a new cross-dressing boyfriend. Highly recommended.

The Scarecrow - Michael Connelly

The Scarecrow is a novel featuring newspaper reporter Jack McEvoy. He was the main protagonist in one of Connelly's previous novels, The Poet. FBI agent Rachel Walling is back too. She and Jack were lovers in The Poet, and things heat up again.

Jack has just been laid off at the paper where he works and he's determined to write a last best story. When he stumbles on a serial killer called the scarecrow he has his chance. But this killer is part of a team and the team is good at what they do. They make Jack's life very interesting. Very highly recommended.

Hunting Ground - Patricia Briggs

Hunting Ground is a new Alpha and Omega novel. The werewolves of America are getting ready to come out of the closet. Their counterparts in Europe and England are not particularly happy about it. The werewolves hold a summit meeting in Seattle to work out their issues and Anna and Charles are representing America for the Marrok. If that's not interesting enough, throw in the Fae and some vampires and you have a highly volatile mix. Very highly recommended.

Fractal Mode - Piers Anthony

Fractal Mode is another book in a series on traveling the virtual mode. The series would be much better if it focused on the science or the magic instead of the personal problems of the main character. I know teen suicide is a big problem. It's not science fiction or fantasy. There are better books to read and I won't spend anymore time on this series. I'm a big fan of Piers Anthony from back in the 70's and 80's. Too bad he veered from the path in the 90's, at least the path I prefer. Still a good read but not my cup of tea. Recommended.

Wicked Prey - John Sandford

Wicked Prey is another Lucas Davenport novel. This time his soon to be adopted daughter Letty is one of the main characters. You have the Republican National Convention as a backdrop. Add to that snipers, pimps, teenage hookers, and some really nasty robbers who don't hesitate to kill, even cops. Very highly recommended.

Swimsuit - James Patterson, Maxine Paetro

Swimsuit is a murder mystery that's written from an interesting perspective. Even knowing some of the events ahead of time the suspense keeps you reading late into the night. This book is not for the squeamish. The details are graphic and disturbing but essential to the story. Highly recommended.

The Cat Dancers - P. T. Deutermann

The Cat Dancers is a story about cops who crossed the line. When crooks get off on technicalities how does it make you feel? This book explores that and more. High tech, blazing guns, and raging mountain lions. What do they have in common? Very highly recommended.

Glenn Beck's Common Sense - Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck's Common Sense is an interesting read. It had some good parts, I was particularly glad to see someone point out the idiocy of gerrymandering, but Glenn Beck loses something when translated from the TV screen or radio to the written word. I wasn't inspired by this book like I am by Ann Coulter for example. Beck didn't appear to inject any humor and little of the emotion he provides on the radio or Fox News into this book. I was disappointed. I agree with his message but it could have used a better messenger. If you want the message I'll recommend this book as it also contains the original Common Sense written by Thomas Paine. Otherwise find something else to read.

First Family - David Baldacci

First Family is a new novel featuring ex-secret service agents Michelle Maxwell and Sean King. This time they're hired by the first lady to get back her niece. That's just the beginning though. The twists and turns in this story keep kept me up reading way too late at night. Highly recommended.

Roadside Crosses - Jeffery Deaver

Roadside Crosses is a new Kathryn Dance novel. Nobody has this one right at first and then when they think they have it right they still have it wrong. To make it more interesting Kathryn's Mom is arrested for murder in a parallel thread. Very highly recommended.

Hunting Season - P. T. Deutermann

Hunting Season is a novel centering on ex-FBI agent Edwin Kreiss. Why he's an ex-FBI agent and what some people are willing to do to make him even more ex are key to this story. Kreiss' daughter goes missing and things begin to heat up. There's plenty of action with dogs, guns, and bombs galore. I'll be reading more from Deutermann. Very highly recommended.

Cemetery Dance - Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Cemetery Dance is another agent Pendergast novel. The authors claim you don't have to read their books in any particular order. They're wrong about the Pendergast novels. The good news is you will enjoy each and every book. This time is appears Pendergast and Lt. D'Agosta are dealing with zombiis. The usual cast of characters appear, but sadly one dies this time around. Read the story to find out who and how. Very highly recommended.

Relentless - Dean Koontz

Relentless is a story about a man who went against the flow without knowing it. This is vintage Koontz. Like many of his books it begs for a sequel. And in traditional Koontz fashion there's an exceptional dog mixed into the tale. It's not a tongue in cheek novel, but it has plenty of humor to go with the suspense and terror. Give it a chance and it gets deadly serious. Very highly recommended.

Sarah - Kaylene Johnson

Sarah is a short but well written biography of Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin. It covers her life from birth to her election as Alaska's first female and youngest ever governor. It's an interesting and inspiring story. The book has a collection of pictures from Governor Palin's childhood through her election. It gives some interesting insight into the life of a woman who could play a pivotal role in our country's future. Highly recommended.