Not so much...

HUNTED (Iron Druid Chronicles #6)
Kevin Hearne
Del Rey
June 2013

I wish I had better things to say about Hunted(Iron Druid #6). The Iron Druid Series has been a favorite since the first three were brought out in quick succession a couple of years ago. I loved the originality and especially the internal dialogue between Atticus and Oberon, his wolf hound. This book just didn't feel like it went anywhere in terms of advancing the story line. In terms of other movement- there was plenty. Atticus, Oberon and Granuaile were running (literally) through Europe, pursued by two angry goddesses, Artemis and Diana. 


The three companions have managed to get just about all the gods of all the pantheons angry, mostly due to Atticus' ill-considered actions. Not only that- Loki, the Norse god of fire wants to start Ragnarok, the end of all the worlds. Not to mention the vampires, fairies and dark elves. I feel that there is just way too much going on. There were things that I enjoyed but I found myself easily putting down the book to do something else. I still love Oberon- the dialogue remains fresh and funny. I don't doubt that I will read the next book but it will probably not be a day of release read.

RATING- 3 Magical Swords

My Summer Reading List, Part the Second

A FATAL LIKENESS
Lynn Shepherd
Random House
August 20, 2013

With The Solitary House, award-winning author Lynn Shepherd introduced readers to Charles Maddox, a brilliant private detective plying his trade on the gaslit streets of Dickensian London. Now, in this mesmerizing new novel of historical suspense, a mystery strikes disturbingly close to home—and draws Maddox into a world of literary legends, tormented souls, and a legacy of terrible secrets.

THE BONES OF PARIS
Laurie R. King
Random House
Sept 10, 2013

New York Times bestselling author Laurie R. King, beloved for her acclaimed Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, consistently writes richly detailed and thoroughly suspenseful novels that bring a distant time and place to brilliant life. Now, in this thrilling new book, King leads readers into the vibrant and sensual Paris of the Jazz Age—and reveals the darkest secrets of its denizens.

CHARMING
Elliott James
Orbit Books/Hachette Group
Sept. 24, 2013

John Charming isn't your average Prince... He comes from a line of Charmings -- an illustrious family of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers dating back to before the fall of Rome. Trained by a modern day version of the Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chain mail and crossbows to kevlar and shotguns, he was one of the best. That is-- until he became the abomination the Knights were sworn to hunt. That was a lifetime ago. Now he tends bar under an assumed name in rural Virginia and leads a peaceful, quiet life. A life that shouldn't change just because a vampire and a blonde walk into his bar. Right?


I was delighted to get my hands on advance copies of these upcoming titles. Laurie King is a favorite, and even though The Bones of Paris is not a Russell/Holmes mystery, Ms. King is a writer I always enjoy reading. I have not read The Solitary House but it was very well-received and I probably will read it very soon. Charming looks like fun and comes with a positive blurb from Kevin Hearne.  Reviews will be forthcoming closer to the publication date.

A Short Visit to Deadwood SD with the hilarious Ann Charles

BOOT POINTS (Deadwood Mystery Series Novella)
Ann Charles
Ann Charles pub. Kindle
June 2013

I'm a big fan of Ann Charles' two series, the Deadwood series and the Jackrabbit Junction series. I am always happy when she gives us a taste of her worlds between major full length releases. Boot Points is a short story from the Deadwood Series, somewhere between #3 and#4. Violet's Deadwood SD is a fun mixture of mystery, romance and the paranormal written with Ann's great sense of humor. Violet Parker is the single mother of twins, Layne and Addie, and has had her share of bad luck. Her sister, "the daughter of Satan" and her cheating ex, father of her twins, being just a part. Now that she has settled in Deadwood she is being plagued by trouble of the supernatural variety. Boot Points explained the importance of Violet's purple boots in her life and the loyal back-up of quirky characters she has acquired. Just about all of her back-up makes an appearance, not least "Doc" Nyce, Violet's current (and maybe forever)love interest. 

There are also three short stories,"Dancing with Dialogue","Rainstorms" and "Metro Madness"; also a deleted scene from Nearly Departed in Deadwood. The stories are a good example of Ann's evolution as a writer. Now that she is writing full-time I am hoping to see much, much more!

RATING- 5 Purple Boots

The Longings of Wayward Girls

THE LONGINGS OF WAYWARD GIRLS
Karen Brown
Washington Square Press
July 2, 2013

Set in a middle-class Connecticut neighborhood, The Longings of Wayward Girls explores the events of three summers that have a profound effect on the lives of it's residents. A school age girl has gone missing in the neighborhood in 1974 and 1979, and twenty years later Sadie Watkins, a child herself at the time of the disappearances, is a mother and a wife living in the same community. Sadie is married to a good man but is suffering from the effects of many miscarriages followed by the late-term loss of her third child. When a boy that Sadie had a crush on years ago reappears after years away Sadie is tempted to throw away everything for his sake. As events unfold we discover not only the secrets of the missing girls, but those of Sadie's own family.

Beautifully written, The Longings of Wayward Girls summons up the heat, light and smells of childhood summers. It also accomplishes what is almost impossible, at least for me, an emotional investment in a character that I can neither like or relate to. Sadie is almost completely self-absorbed both as child and woman. As a child she is capable of carrying out a sustained prank on another child; a child who is extraordinarily vulnerable. As a woman she can only see the effects of her actions on herself. The fact that I was carried away by the narrative is a testament to Karen Brown's writing. I can't say that The Longings of Wayward Girls will ever be a favorite summer read, but I did enjoy it for the writing and masterful interweaving of timelines.

Thanks to Washington Square Press (Atria) and netgalley for an advance digital copy in return for a free and fair review.

RATING- 3.5 Stars

If you are suffering CALL THE MIDWIFE withdrawal....

I ran across this blog post from the Penguin USA Blog by Julie Schaeffer about the book on which the hit PBS series "Call the Midwife" is based and wanted to share it with you. Call the Midwife is one of my favorite PBS shows ever. I think that it even surpasses Downton for me, as each episode packs a real emotional punch. I have been leery of the books (there are actually 2 memoirs) since I love the show so much. After reading this post both books are going on my summer reading list! 

Staff Picks: Call the Midwife, by Julie Schaeffer | Penguin USA Blog:

'via Blog this'

Raven Flight (Shadowfell #2)

RAVEN FLIGHT (Shadowfell #2)
Juliet Marillier
Knopf Books for Young Readers
July 9, 2013

Juliet Marilier's Shadowfell Trilogy continues with Raven Flight, second in the trilogy. Neryn is safe at Shadowfell with the rebels and training to gain strength after three years of flight from King Keldric's Enforcers and an arduous journey to the rebel stronghold. Flint, the hooded man who rescued Neryn has been revealed not only as a trusted member of Keldric's court, but a double agent for the rebels. As he continues his dangerous game of deception at court, Neryn prepares to set off on another journey to reach the Guardians and continue her training as a Caller. It becomes more and more critical that she can hone her skills quickly and enlist the aid of the "Good Folk" in the fight to overthrow the King.

Tali, the rebel leader's trusted female bodyguard, is not happy with the assignment. Despite working with Neryn, Tali does not entirely trust her and definitely does not want to leave Regan's safety in the hands of someone else. Tali also considers Neryn's love for Flint a weakness and a danger to the cause. As the two women set off to find the Hag of the Sea and face many dangers and tests, they have to learn to trust each other. Meanwhile, Flint is facing questions about his loyalty from the king; questions which lead to a confrontation which exposes Keldric as not only power mad, but deranged. At the end of the novel all the rebel's plans must be changed in a twist I could not have imagined.

I found Raven Flight very slow moving in spots but a good follow-up to Shadowfell, a book I really loved. Both Neryn and Tali are terrific fantasy heroines; Tali, the unparalleled warrior and Neryn, steadfast in her convictions. It is a relationship that I enjoyed watching develop. I wish there had been more of Flint but expect him to be much more present in the next book. I would recommend the Shadowfell Trilogy to both adult and young adult fantasy fans. Deeply rooted in Celtic mythology, Juliet Marillier's novels are always a treat. Many thanks to Knopf and netgalley.com for a digital copy in return for a free and fair review.

RATING- 4 stars

Murder and Mayhem in an English Country Village

INTO THE SHADOWS (Jill Kennedy and DCI Max Trentham #1)
Shirley Wells
C and R Crime
2013

Forensic psychologist Jill Kennedy has recently moved to the village of Kelton Bridge, having quit police work after a case went wrong. A man arrested as a serial killer based on Jill's profile committed suicide in jail. He was not guilty and after another woman turns up murdered, everyone knows that the killer,"Valentine", is still at large.  Valentine is a particularly vicious killer who carves hearts into the flesh of his victims. The pressure of what Jill perceives as her failure and the infidelity of her policeman lover drives her into a new career writing books. However, both Valentine and DCI Max Trentham have different plans for Jill. When the vicar's wife is murdered, Jill is drawn inexorably into the investigation and back into Max's life.

Into the Shadows is a very well constructed mix of the English village mystery and police procedural. Max and Jill are strong characters, both likable and fallible. The supporting cast of villagers and suspects are equally memorable. Valentine is suitably creepy and Wells kept me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this five book series.

The Jill Kennedy and DCI Max Trentham Mysteries were published several years ago in England and are now available in kindle editions in the US. I am a fan of her Dylan Scott Mysteries so I was delighted that I was finally able to read this earlier series.  


RATING- 4 Hearts