Shifting Shadows - Patricia Briggs

Shifting Shadows is an collection of stories from the world of Mercy Thompson. That would be a world with shape shifters, vampires, fae, and other magic creatures.

There are ten short stories and two outtakes, as Briggs calls them, in this collection. They're all excellent. Be warned. There may be some spoilers if you haven't been keeping up with Briggs books. Shame on you if not. I suggest reading Silver, the first short story in the collection, and then skipping to the first outtake from Silver Borne. You should be pleased. Make sure you go back and read all the stories though. They're all a pleasure. Very highly recommended.

Pale Queen Rising - A. R. Kahler

Pale Queen Rising is the first novel in the Pale Queen series. This could be the start of another great adult fantasy series.

Claire is an assassin. The Winter Kingdom Faerie Queen's assassin to be precise. Claire is also the Faerie Queen's only daughter. When the kingdom is in danger, Claire gets to kill. Claire has some serious work to do, since the kingdom's supply of dream is drying up. Someone is to blame and they're Claire's next job. This is an interesting take on the fae fantasy, and filled with action and suspense. There is a bit more soap opera than I prefer. Still highly recommended.

Dead Heat - Patricia Briggs

Dead Heat is the fourth novel in the Alpha & Omega series. Briggs never fails. I just wish she wrote faster.

Charles and Anna are taking a break. They're headed to Arizona to visit with old friends and to pick out a new horse for Anna. Then the fae decide to cause trouble, and Charles and Anna are in the thick of it. It's made worse since this fae likes to target children. There's plenty of action and adventure, but it's leavened by humor as Briggs always does. Very highly recommended.

The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave is the first novel in the 5th Wave series. This book is about an alien invasion in five parts.

Cassie Sullivan has survived waves one through four. Now, while the fifth wave is breaking around her, Cassie is determined to rescue her brother. From what is not clear, but rescue him she will. Last time she saw him he was waving from the back of a yellow school bus. This is a great book. The various threads eventually weave into a whole. I'm looking forward to the next story in the series. Very highly recommended.

A Clean Kill in Tokyo - Barry Eisler

A Clean Kill in Tokyo is the first novel in the John Rain series. Kindleunlimited.

John Rain is an assassin. Rain specializes in making it look like natural causes. He's very good at his job. When Rain finds himself being pulled in by the consequences of his last job, things get complicated fast. The woman kind of complicated. Getting himself and the woman out of this alive is even more complicated. Very highly recommended.

Darknet - Matthew Mather

Darknet is a scary thriller about how close we really are to machines taking over. Kindleunlimited.

Jake O'Connell is a stock broker. Jake works for company that may be pushing the edges of legal, but Jake's friend Sean had helped set up their trading software, and Jake trusts Sean. Then Sean is killed in an accident that may not be an accident. Suddenly everyone is out to get Jake. Jake and a small band of friends find themselves fighting for their lives, but from what? If you're not careful this book will have you throwing away your cell phone, trashing your computers, and leaving the grid for good. Very highly recommended.

The Devil's Waters - David L. Robbins

The Devil's Waters is the first novel in the USAF Pararescue Thriller series. Kindleunlimited.

Pararescue is like Seals, Rangers, and Recon all wrapped into one, with a side of paramedic. These people are some serious operators, but they'd rather save your life than take it. When they get tangled with a bunch of Somali pirates the body count is bound to go up. Great action and suspense. Very highly recommended.

Make Me - Lee Child

Make Me is the 20th Jack Reacher Novel. They don't come out often enough for me.

Reacher has no reason but curiosity when he hops off the train in Mother's Rest. Reacher is determined to find out how the town got its name. This is wheat country and the tallest structures are the grain elevators. Reacher is momentarily mistaken for someone else, and when he falls in with ex-FBI agent and private eye Michelle Chang, he's intrigued. Before his curiosity is satisfied they cross the country looking for clues and end up in Mother's Rest finding the bad guys. Another great Reacher novel. Very highly recommended.

Contract to Kill - Andrew Peterson

Contract to Kill is the fifth novel in the Nathan McBride Series. Unfortunately the last one published. There will hopefully be more. Kindleunlimited.

When a friend of Nathan witnesses an execution style murder, and fears for his life, he calls Nathan for help. Nathan and Harv become embroiled in a situation much more complicated than an execution. The killers are hunting Nathan's friend, and Nathan and his friends. It turns out national security is part of the problem too. Highly recommended.

Ready to Kill - Andrew Peterson

Ready to Kill is the fourth novel in the Nathan McBride Series. Kindleunlimited.

Nathan and Harv could probably count Nicaragua as their least favorite place to be. When they're contacted, through the CIA, by an old contact there, they have to head back into the country and see if they can clean up a mess they didn't anticipate. Being a sniper team is like riding a bike. You never forget how. They need all those memories on this mission. Very highly recommended.

Traitor - Mark Eller

Traitor is the first novel in the Turner Chronicles series. This book is 99 cents for the kindle.

In a parallel universe magic is not only possible. It's common. But to really use your magic you need a magic stone. Aaron Turner is one person who can travel between realms. He's a cripple in his home world, where he's forced to help an ambitious militia general. In the target realm Aaron owns a simple general store and will eventually change the world. Very highly recommended.

Option to Kill - Andrew Peterson

Option to Kill is the third novel in the Nathan McBride Series. Kindleunlimited.

Nathan gets a mysterious text message from a 12 year old girl named Lauren, who's been kidnapped. Lauren is a 12 year old girl who knows more about Nathan than anyone should. Nathan not only rescues Lauren, but he has to rescue other girls and eventually Lauren's mother. The addition of a kid and her unique perspective really makes this book exceptional. Very highly recommended.

Forced to Kill - Andrew Peterson

Forced to Kill is the second novel in the Nathan McBride Series. Kindleunlimited.

When a body with distinctive scars shows up at the bottom of a lake, Nathan and Harv begin tracking the sadist who tortured Nathan in Nicaragua. The hunt is on. Very highly recommended.

Transfer of Power - Vince Flynn

Transfer of Power is the first novel in the Mitch Rapp Series. This book was free with kindleunlimited.

The CIA knows that their two most wanted Islamic terrorists are planning something. They put Mitch Rapp on their trail. One is captured and the other is not. While they "interrogate" the captured terrorist, the one who's running free does the unthinkable. He takes over the White House. The CIA and Mitch are going to have to find a way to get it back. This is one of those books where you can't seem to find a good place to take a break. Falling asleep very early in the morning usually makes that decision for me. Very highly recommended.

The Lost Starship - Vaughn Heppner

The Lost Starship is the first novel in the Lost Starship Series. This book is free with kindleunlimited, which is not free.

Earth is under attack by the New Men. There is one chance to beat back their superior minds, bodies, and technology. The lost starship of legend. Captain Maddox of Star Watch Intelligence is tasked with gathering an unorthodox team of specialists, and finding that lost starship. The future of the human race may depend on it. There is action, adventure, and plenty of it. The characters tend to spend too much time talking in my opinion, but the books is still good. Highly recommended.

First to Kill - Andrew Peterson

First to Kill is the first novel in the Nathan McBride Series. This book is free with a kindleunlimited subscription.

Nathan McBride is an ex-marine sniper, ex-CIA agent, and now a private contractor. Nathan and his partner Harvey Fontana are pulled in on a special FBI operation because they aren't expected to play by the rules that the FBI follows. When it turns deadly, it's up to Nathan and Harv to finish the operation. The action is intense and the bad guys are really bad. Very highly recommended.

City of Echoes - Robert Ellis

City of Echoes is the first novel in the Detective Matt Jones series. This is my Amazon Prime free Kindle First Pick for the August. It doesn't officially become available until September 1st.

Detective Matt Jones just got bumped up to the Hollywood Homicide squad. The night before he starts, Matt's meeting his friend Hughes to celebrate the promotion. While he's waiting for Hughes to show up his new boss calls. There's a body one block away from Matt's location and he needs Matt to handle it. Guess who the body belongs to? This starts Matt on a mad scramble with a serial killer, crooked cops, danger from Matt's long estranged father, and possibly a woman Matt could love. This book leaves you guessing right up to the end. Very highly recommended.

Maids of Misfortune - M. Louisa Locke

Maids of Misfortuneis the first novel in the Victorian San Francisco Mystery series. This book is free for the kindle.

It's 1879. Annie Fuller is a young widow who runs a boarding house in San Francisco. Besides owning a boarding house, Annie is also Madam Sibyl. Madam Sibyl is a clairvoyant who specializes in financial advice. When one of Annie's clients dies under mysterious circumstances, she decides to investigate on her own. The mix of 19th century society's propriety and Annie's independent ways make for an interesting clash. This is a good murder mystery with just a little romance. Very highly recommended.

Code of Conduct - Brad Thor

Code of Conduct is novel 14 in the Scot Harvath series. I'm going to have to wait months for the next one. Withdrawal!

This time it looks like Scot is going to be too late. A UN official has come up with way to solve the world overpopulation problem. Not a good way. Scot and his team will have to break some rules to stop this terrorist act, but that's two of the things Scot does very well. I might get some sleep now that I have to wait for the next Scot Harvath to be published. Very highly recommended.

Act of War - Brad Thor

Act of War is novel 13 in the Scot Harvath series. China is getting greedy.

Topical as the latest news, America's laissez faire attitude toward immigration, and bureaucratic bumbling, could cost the country its very existence. Six Muslim students were interning at NASA because we must prove our country isn't Islamophobic. When these six engineering students overstayed their J-1 visas and disappeared, nobody noticed. That's the way the Chinese wanted it. Now Scot has to find them and stop a plot to destroy America. Very highly recommended.

The Einstein Prophecy - Robert Masello

The Einstein Prophecy is a supernatural thriller set in WWII. This book is free to borrow as an Amazon Prime member.

Army lieutenant Lucas Athan is part of a team trying to recover stolen art from the Nazis in 1944. The Germans are on the run, but still dangerous. Lucas finds a huge cache of stolen art in an old mine. It includes a sarcophagus stolen from Egypt. Lucas was a professor at Princeton before the war and when he's injured he heads back there. Coincidentally, so does the sarcophagus. And of course Professor Albert Einstein just happens to be at Princeton too. Lucas and the Egyptian archaeologists who discovered the sarcophagus are tasked with discovering what so special about this artifact that the Nazis want it. They're all in for an unpleasant surprise. Lots of action and some romance. Plenty of spooky too. Highly recommended.

Black List - Brad Thor

Black List is book 11 in the Scot Harvath series. The black list is one list you don't want to be on.

In the last novel, Full Black, Scot and Riley had just connected in Paris when a kill team showed up. Now Scot is on the run and determined to find out who's behind these killers. Someone put Scot on the black list, along with the entire Carlton Group. Scot is not just running for his life. He's running for the lives of all the survivors, and to stop an attack that could devastate America. Very highly recommended.

Full Black - Brad Thor

Full Black is the 10th or 11th novel in the Scot Harvath series. It is definitely the 11th book I've read in the series, but it says it's the 10th, even though the last book I read also said it's the 10th, and the next book says it's the eleventh. Look at the publication dates to make sure you read the first 10th novel before the second 10th novel :)

Thor has been throwing out some cliff hangers from time to time. Book nine, Foreign Influence, ended with the captured terrorist being blown to bits. Not a bad ending, except the CIA wanted to interrogate him first. In this novel Scot is still trying to track down the persons responsible for that explosion. The same shadowy group is planning to blow Americans to bits, and soon. Scot has to uncover the details of their plot in order to stop it. And there's a new cliff hanger, but you can find it for yourself. Very highly recommended.

The Athena Project - Brad Thor

The Athena Projectis the 10th novel in the Scot Harvath series. Scot plays a supporting role in this book though. The stars are the Athena Team.

Gretchen Casey, Julie Ericsson, Megan Rhodes, and Alex Cooper make up a four-person Athena team. They're Delta Force's response to the need for some women operators. They're as deadly as they come. When their "simple" assignment, to kidnap an Italian arms dealer, is complete, it's discovered that there's a much bigger threat out there the team needs to address. A weapon right out of Star Wars, and leftover from WWII, is about to be used against America. The Athena team is going to have to stop the terrorists behind this threat and quick. A great action thriller. Very highly recommended.

Foreign Influence - Brad Thor

Foreign Influence is the ninth novel in the Scot Harvath series. Scot is so good at what he does they keep inventing new agencies for him to work for.

Scot is now working for the Carlton Group. The Carlton Group is a private organization completely funded by the DOD black budgets. When American tourists and students in Europe, are being targeted by terrorist, Scot gets involved. This time his teammates are an Athena team, all female special operators who are as lethal as they are lovely. Their goal is to stop the terrorists. Especially before they move their operations to America. Another amazing book. Very highly recommended.

Firebolt - Adrienne Woods

Firebolt is the first novel in the Dragonian series. This is a teenage angst book with lots of dragons thrown in.

Elena and her Dad were on the run again. For her entire sixteen years Elena had been moved from place to place as her Dad continued to run from something. This time they didn't get away. To Elena's horror her Dad is killed by a dragon. Even more shocking is that her Dad turned into a dragon in order to fight. When Elena wakes up she's in what she thought was just a story, Paegeia. Elena wakes up in the infirmary in the Dragonia. Elena has a lot of catching up to do. She's not a dragon, but she will play a pivotal role is saving Paegeia from evil. Not to mention falling in love with a real live prince. The balance between teenage angst and dragon adventure is close, but I won't be reading more Dragonian books. Still highly recommended.

The Apostle - Brad Thor

The Apostle is book eight in the Scot Harvath series.

Elections bring change and the new president didn't just fire Scot. President Alden did away with the whole terrorist fighting unit Scot worked for. When the daughter of the president's friend and biggest supporter is kidnapped in Afghanistan, Scot is brought back to help. All the suspense and action you could ask for. Very highly recommended.

The Last Patriot - Brad Thor

The Last Patriot is the seventh novel in the Scot Harvath series. Is being in the right place at the right time Scot's blessing or curse?

Scot still hasn't forgiven the president for basically putting a hit out on him. By pure chance Scot and Tracy are there to save the president's biographer from a car bomb. Now they're embroiled in a plan to change Islam forever, but Islam is fighting the change. Very highly recommended.

The Atlantis Gene - A.G. Riddle

The Atlantis Gene is the first novel in the Atlantis Trilogy. As an Amazon Prime member, I borrowed this book for free.

Humans somehow survived a great catastrophe thousands of years ago. This survival was helped by what's called the Atlantis Gene. Now a secret organization is about to start another catastrophe. This time a plague that could decimate the world's population. Two people are trying to stop this plan. Dr. Kate Warner and agent David Vale must work together to solve the mystery of the Atlantis Gene and stop the Immari. This book makes tinfoil hat conspiracies look sane. It's a good read, but much too complicated with too many players. Not to mention, the players change their names from time to time. I won't be reading the rest of the trilogy, but if you like this kind of book I highly recommend it.

The First Commandment - Brad Thor

The First Commandment is the sixth novel in the Scot Harvath series. You know you're going against the grain when the president wants you stopped -- dead or alive.

At the end of Takedown Scot's friend Tracy was shot by an assassin's bullet, right on Scot's doorstep. Now Scot is determined to find the terrorist; a terrorist from Scot's past who continues to attack those close to Scot. The president has other ideas. He orders Scott to stand down. When Scot refuses, the president gives the order do whatever it takes to stop Scot. Now Scot has to watch for terrorists and his own special ops buddies. They're all determined to stop Scot. Very highly recommended.

Takedown - Brad Thor

Takedown is the fifth novel in the Scot Harvath series. What would you do if terrorist hit America again, and this time the death and destruction is nothing more than a diversion.

When NYC is hit by a wave of terrorist suicide bombers, Scot Harvath is in town to meet some friends. It turns out suicide bombers weren't the only terrorists in town. It's time for Scot and his friends to meet some terrorists. Lots of them. Very highly recommended.

Blowback - Brad Thor

Blowback is the fourth novel in the Scot Harvath series. The world is so dangerously to a Sunni Caliphate.

Scot was working for DHS. Now he's sort of on his own, since there's a senator looking for his scalp, along with most of the word media. Even when Scot's on his own he's still fighting for America. This time against a plot that's going to use a weapon that's thousands of years old to kill most of the non-Muslims in the world. Very highly recommended.

Winter Territory - Scott Blade

Winter Territory is the second novel in the Get Jack Reacher series. This book is free with Kindle Unlimited.

This time Reacher has drifted onto the Lakota Red Rain Reservation in Wyoming during a blizzard. It just so happens there are some rogue CIA agents wanting to destroy the place at the same time. Reacher can't let that happen. Very highly recommended.

Gone Forever - Scott Blade

Gone Forever is the first novel in the Get Jack Reacher series. I was skeptical, but now I'm hooked. It may not be Jack Reacher, but it's Reacher.

Cameron Reacher is 18 and out of high school. Reacher never new who his Dad was. His single Mom told him his Dad was dead. But she's gone now, and with her dying breaths she told Reacher the truth and told him to find his Father, Jack Reacher. Cameron is on the road now, looking for his Dad. But just like his Dad, Reacher is a trouble magnet. And Reachers never leave trouble unsettled. Very highly recommended. I suggest reading Lee Child's The Affair before this book. You'll be glad you did.

State of the Union - Brad Thor

State of the Union is the third novel in the Scot Harvath series. Must keep reading!

The old-guard Russians have found a way to hold America hostage with dozens of man-portable nuclear bombs planted around the country. The president has until his State of the Union address to capitulate to the Russians or watch the country be destroyed. It's Scot's job to find a solution to this problem. How he does it is definitely worth reading about. Very highly recommended.

Path of the Assassin - Brad Thor

Path of the Assassin is the second novel in the Scot Harvath series. More adventure and a new beautiful woman.

Scot Harvath is still a secret service agent, but he's on a special assignment to sweep up every single person responsible for the kidnapping of the president and the killing of his fellow agents. Someone else is also tracking the same people, and killing them one after another. Scot realizes something bigger is going on here. When Scot realizes just how big it becomes a national priority. Terrorists are about to start a war in the middle east and Scot has to stop them. It doesn't hurt the story when a beautiful woman is the only one who can identify the terrorist leader. Very highly recommended.

Grimnirs - Ednah Walters

Grimnirs is the third novel in the Runes series but it's considered book 2.5. This time we view things from Cora's perspective and backtrack a little to get her side of the story. Read the first two books to keep from getting lost. They're worth it.

Cora feels betrayed. Her two best friends seem to have abandoned her, and her parents sent her to a mental hospital. It all started at he swim meet disaster when Cora started to see souls. Now Cora is determined to find out what's happening to her and hopefully get her friends back. What she doesn't count on is the Grimnir that her body double was having an affair with. Warning: this is the first book in the series that resorts to sex scenes. Too bad, but the book is still a great read. Highly recommended.

Back to War - C. G. Cooper

Back to War is the first novel in the Corps Justice series. This book is free for the kindle. Revenge is a two way street.

Former Marine Staff Sergeant Calvin Stokes and his fiancée Jessica Warren were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were strolling through downtown Nashville at the same time a gang initiation was taking place. Cal and Jessica were the initiation. But instead of easy pickings, Cal stood up to the gang. The consequences were devastating for Cal and the gang leader, Dante West. Both feel the need for revenge. If and how they get it is the thread this story follows. Cal is no ordinary Marine, but Dante is no ordinary thug. In spite of some rough editing, this is a great story. And it's free. Very highly recommended.

The Lions of Lucerne - Brad Thor

The Lions of Lucerne is the first novel in the Scot Harvath series. I'm going to be reading this series, even if I have to pay for them.

Scott Harvath is an ex-navy seal and current secret service agent. Scott is assigned to the presidential protection detail. Scott's service as a cold-weather navy seal makes him perfect to be in charge of the advance team for the president's ski vacation in Utah. When the entire group of agents with the president is slaughtered, and the president is kidnapped, Scott is determined to get him back. The action kept me on the virtual edge of my seat and up way too late. The ending is nothing but awesome. Very highly recommended.

Gathering Prey - John Sandford

Gathering Prey is the 25th novel in the Prey series. This is a turning point for Lucas Davenport.

Lucas Davenport is finding his job mundane. Eventually they promote you above the point where your job is fun. Then his daughter Letty has Lucas meet with a traveler named Skye. Skye's friend Henry was murdered by the devil. Lucas starts digging into the case, but when Letty is attacked by the murderer, Lucas makes the devil's capture a priority. This is classic Sandford. You can't put this book down until your eyes shut on their own or you're finished. Very highly recommended.

Concrete Evidence - Rachel Grant

Concrete Evidence is the first novel in the Evidence series. This book is free for the kindle.

Rachel Grant is trying to start over after her reputation was ruined when she took a job that went bad. Rachel won't ever work as an underwater archeologist again, but there are other choices. Now Rachel is trying to get revenge on the man who ruined her life, but her new intern is ruining her concentration. Life is never fair. Excellent book. Highly recommended.

Loved by a Dragon - Linda K. Hopkins

Loved by a Dragon is the third novel in the Dragon Archives series. Sadly, it's also the last book in the series.

Keira and Aaron are settling into married life. Keira’s younger sister, Anna, has made her home at Storbrook. Anna is annoyed and frustrated by a young dragon name Max who came to Storbrook to visit. Anna and Max both loudly proclaim their dislike of each other, but when Anna needs help, Max is there for her. Then Keira and Anna are both kidnapped by a rival for Aaron's rule, and things get interesting. There has to be another book at some point. The ending was solid, but Anna and Max went separate directions and that's not acceptable! Highly recommended.

Immortals - Ednah Walters

Immortals is the second novel in the Runes series.

Raine Cooper survived the havoc at the swim meet and she's back in school. The problem is that all the people who saw Raine trying to tell people a catastrophe was coming, now think she's a witch or worse. Raine has to live with her new reputation, and try and win back Torin, since the Norns wiped any memories Torin had ever had of her and their relationship. More supernatural adventures, but this time with some gods and grimnirs in the mix. Highly recommended.

Runes - Ednah Walters

Runes is the first novel in the Runes series. This book is free for the kindle.

Raine Cooper is just turning seventeen. Her Dad is missing from a plane crash, school is just starting, Raine wants her childhood "friend" to become more, and then Torin moves into the house next door. Raine has a lot going on in her life and Torin is really going to complicate things. Not necessarily in a good way. This supernatural novel uses Norse myths to turn a typical story of teen romance and angst into something more. I already paid for the second book in the series. Highly recommended.

Chasing Darkness - Danielle Girard

Chasing Darkness is a murder mystery with a tragic twist.

Samantha Chase has a lot on her plate. She's a special agent for the State of California Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Investigation. Sam investigates child abuse cases now. She used to be a homicide detective. Then her twin nephews became her responsibility and her priorities had to change. Now a serial killer case she worked on when she was in homicide has resurfaced. The problem is the murderer she caught years ago, was just executed. Who's killing now? This is a tight tense story with great characters. Very highly recommended.

Pursued by a Dragon - Linda K. Hopkins

Pursued by a Dragon is the second novel in the Dragon Archives series. This book actually takes place before the first novel. It provides some back story for the characters in the series.

Cathryn Forrester is every bit the lady, but Cathryn is also the daughter of a successful wool merchant. With no mother in the picture, Cathryn is all about business and has no time for silly notions like love and romance. Until she meets Favian Drake. Cathryn also doesn't believe in dragons. Favian is going to teach her that both love and dragons are real, and Cathryn's world is about to be changed forever. Very highly recommended.

Sworn To Ascension - Terah Edun

Sworn To Ascension is novel six in the Courtlight series. When I finished I discovered seven isn't written yet!

Ciardis and her band are about to head west to Kifar. The secret to stopping the Blutgott and the derailing the destruction of the empire waits there. Kifar lies in a desert filled with danger. Ciardis seems to attract danger like a moth to flame. An apt saying when a dragon hijacks the entire party. More adventure and now I have to wait for novel seven to be published! Very highly recommended.

Sworn To Defiance - Terah Edun

Sworn To Defiance is novel five in the Courtlight series.

Ciardis is still tangled in court intrigues as well as her personal relationships. Ciardis becomes a full member of the Companion Guild so that she and Sebastian can negotiate a marriage contract. While these negotiations take place, Ciardis discovers that she and Sabastian, and she and Thanaar are Seeleverbindung, or soulbound. The implications of this are going to change everything. Another great story. Very highly recommended.

Sworn To Secrecy - Terah Edun

Sworn To Secrecy is novel number four in the Courtlight series. I've been reading them without blogging. They're that good.

Ciardis Weathervane is now forced to navigate the Imperial Court of Sandrin. Ciardis would rather be fighting shadows in the Ameles forest or frost giants in the north, but the Imperial Court it is. Ciardis soon finds it can be more deadly than any Kith she's faced, and it's much harder to identify your enemies. Another great one in the series. Very highly recommended.