Dead Before Dinner - Book Review

 

Dead Before Dinner (Shadow Valley Manor #3)

by Kerry Schafer

What is it about:

Veteran paranormal investigator Maureen Keslyn never asked for life to be easy-for her, nothing is more invigorating than hunting down and ending a dangerous paranormal adversary. Fortunately, life at Shadow Valley Manor tends to be a little more...interesting...than the experience at your average retirement community.

Right now, though, even she has to admit that things are getting out of hand. The bizarre murder of one of her elderly residents is only the beginning. How is she supposed to focus on tracking down the killer when there's a spider loving middle-schooler underfoot? Worse, she's acquired an unwelcome roommate-an elderly woman with dementia and a penchant for walking through walls.

Maureen is ever resourceful, but the death count keeps rising despite her best efforts and the help of her team. With the life of a child hanging in the balance, Maureen is forced to take extraordinary measures-but will they be enough? 

What did I think of it:

I've been a big fan of Maureen ever since reading Dead Before Dying, so I was very excited when I heard there would be a book 3. And then I got an ARC from Kerry Schafer!

And what a ride!

Maureen is barely out of prison where she landed after events in the previous book when she has to deal with murder and other serious business. But Maureen might not be the youngest and have a tricky hip, she isn't easily defeated. 

I was on the edge of my seat and had to keep reading to find out what was going on and if Maureen would save the day without too much damage. And anyone taking a good look at the cover of this book, might understand when I tell them this story gave me serious heebee jeebies at times. 

The story changes view between Maureen and one other character, giving you some insides in things happening that Maureen isn't aware of. I loved both viewpoints, although Maureen is totally the hero of the book in my opinion. 

All in all this is an amazing read and you bet I'll get my trotters on the print when I can.

Why should you read it:

It's an awesome Urban Fantasy read with a really cool lead character.

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Bright Familiar - Release Day Book Review

 

Bright Familiar (Bonds of Magic #2)

by Jeffe Kennedy 

What is it about:

He wanted her with consuming passion... and so did the monster within.

Lady Veronica Elal has been freed from her tower—and entered a life of servitude. It doesn’t matter that her wizard master has odd ideas about circumventing Convocation tradition and making their relationship equal. Nic prides herself on her practicality and that means not pretending her marriage is full of hearts and flowers. Besides she understands that, despite her new husband’s idealism, they face obstacles so great the pair of them could be crushed to nothing, even without dashing themselves brainless trying to fight the Convocation.

Lord Gabriel Phel has come this far against impossible odds. He was born with powerful wizard magic, the first in his family in generations. He’s managed to begin the process of reinstating his fallen house. And—having staked his family’s meager fortune to win a familiar to amplify his magic, a highborn daughter to be mother to his children, his lady, and lover—he rescued Nic in a distant land, successfully bringing her home to House Phel. Though she’s cynical about their chances of success, he’s certain they can defy their enemies and flourish. Together.

But, the more Gabriel discovers about working with the fiery Nic, attempting to learn the finer points of wizardry and marriage, the more illicit fantasies plague him. His need for Nic—and the dark cravings she stirs in his black wizard’s heart—grow daily. Though Nic has reconciled herself to being possessed by Gabriel—and indeed yearns for even more from her brooding and reluctant master—creating a new life for herself isn’t easy. Especially when Gabriel seems determined to subvert the foundation of her world. Starting with her father.

What did I think of it:

This is yet another totally awesome read.

Gabriel and Nic have to learn to work together and to trust the other, but it's hard going. Gabriel is not just ready to fight the world, he is fighting himself and his nature as well. Nic on the other hand is so used to keeping to herself she keeps Gabriel at a distance when it would be saver to trust him.

I loved seeing their relationship grow and mature in this book. I was totally invested in them learning to trust each other and themselves, and to learn to work together. 

I also loved seeing Nic taking control of rebuilding House Phel and helping Gabriel take his place as the head of his House. At the same time Gabriel shows Nic where the rules she has lived with for her whole life are wrong and why they should be changed.

The romance is steamy, hot, and delicious! After all the trouble in Dark Wizard they flourish in this book and that was so good to see.

The problems they landed themselves in are far from over though, and even as they start to work together and House Phel grows, you know it's only a matter of time before trouble finds them.

The book ends once again at a satisfying point, but I'm more than eager for the next book to see what's next for them.

Why should you read it:

It's an amazing Dark Fantasy Romance  

Buy Links

Stay or Go - Atlas Fallen

 

So I got the ebook of Atlas Fallen in a Fairyloot box. It sounds like it might be a cool read, but I'm not sure. Anyone read it and can tell me if it's any good? Seems to have gotten a cover change since I got it as well.

Atlas Fallen (Cyber Crown #1)

by Jessica Pierce 

Atlas Fallen features royalty, crime syndicates, robot cage matches, and a fierce-yet-flawed heroine. Fans of YA science fiction will love this stunning debut series that asks: Which is more dangerous—protecting the crown or falling in love?

One space station.

One throne. 

And the girl who holds the key.

Tesla Petrov, daughter of an infamous traitor, no longer lives a life of promise in the Atlas space station's elite flight training program. Stripped of her military rank and banished to the slums, she now scrapes out a brutal existence competing in illegal robot fights for Minko, ruthless leader of the Red Ashes crime syndicate. But when a wrong move costs her a fight—and a fortune—for the crime lord, Tesla knows her days aboard the Atlas are numbered.

Daxton Larose isn't just visiting the station to celebrate the Centennial of the Crown—he's hunting a terrorist threatening to end a century of peace on Earth. To do so, he’ll need someone who knows the station. Someone willing to strike a deal at any cost.

Someone like Tesla. 

But as the hunt for the terrorist threatens to expose secrets from both their pasts—and as their dangerous attraction pulls them together—Tesla and Daxton must fight to protect what they love... or watch it burn.

The Court Magician - Quick Short Story Review

 

The Court Magician

by Sarah Pinsker

What is it about:

A boy gets the chance to become the court magician, but what is he willing to sacrifice for that position and the knowledge it brings?

What did I think of it:

I read this story in 2019 when I was reading for the Hugo's of that year. Back then it was just a blip on my radar among the other short stories, novelettes, and novellas I read. After reading Two Truths and a Lie, and And Then There Were (N-One) I decided to give it another try.

And this story definitely grows on you. 

 I was invested in the boy and the choices he makes, as well as in the unnamed person who is telling the story. I was lured into this dark story and wanted to tell the boy to make different choices, to think!

All in all a dark and clever story. I totally picked up one of Sarah Pinsker's novels after finishing this.

Why should you read it:

It's a clever if dark short story 

buy from Amazon

Teaser Tuesdays - Alias Space

 

When we rejoined the throng, we shot the chef a pair of big, bright public valentines on slow decay, visible to everyone passing by. The chef ran after us with two tulip-shaped bulbs of amaro.

(page 87, Intervention (part of the Alias Space anthology)  by Kelly Robson)

buy from amazon

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Wyoming Trucks, True Love, and the Weather Channel - Book Review

 

Wyoming Trucks, True Love, and the Weather Channel: A Woman's Adventure 

by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:

These essays explore the challenges Jeffe Kennedy has faced as a woman, a Westerner, a father-less daughter, a stepmother, a biologist, and a girl with hair of no specific color. From the book's opening in a cornfield, where Kennedy is searching for the twenty-five-year-old site of the plane crash that killed her father, she seems to be in constant motion. She is the feminist adolescent, ashamed to win a prize in home economics who learns to take joy in her pastry skills. She is the scientist struggling with mortality, the liberal learning to shoot a gun.

What did I think of it:

You probably know by now I'm a total fanpiggy when it comes to Jeffe Kennedy. So it is actually surprising I did not read her first published book sooner. 

This book is a collection of essays in which Jeffe explores several events in her life and her thoughts about it. There's visiting the site of the plane crash that killed her father, remembrances of friendships, the aftermath of a relative being placed into elderly care, and more.

I will confess I love listening to Jeffe's podcast First Cup of Coffee, because of the informal way of how she tells a  story. She does the same in these essays, making them intimate and personal. I felt like she was taking me into her confidence, telling me about these life-changing event and her thoughts about them. I gobbled these essays up and I totally cried about at least one of them.

I can totally recommend this book to anyone who loves great storytelling, and beautiful, touching anecdotes. And if you're a fan of Jeffe Kennedy's other works, this book is a must!

Why should you read it:

It's a wonderful collection of thoughtful essays.

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And Then There Were (N-One) - Book Review

  

And Then There Were (N-One)

by Sarah Pinsker

What is it about:

When physicist Sarah Pinsker is murdered at SarahCon — an interdimensional convention where everyone is Sarah Pinsker from a different alternate timeline — only insurance investigator Sarah Pinsker can solve the case.

What did I think of it:

After reading Two Truths and a Lie I wanted to try more of Pinsker's work. Jeffe pointed me towards this story that was published in Uncanny Magazine.

And what a cool story!

I loved the strange idea of a convention where the same person, but from different timelines/dimensions get together. It was weird, wonderful, and intriguing. Then there's a murder and one of the many Sarah's is asked to solve the murder.

I had to keep reading to see what was going on and if Sarah could solve the murder. There were small clues I picked up on, and I was trying to guess where the story would lead to. It also raised questions: Who would I be if I did things different at that certain point in my life? How different would my life be if I wouldn't have met that certain person? Would I get along with a Sullivan from a different timeline? 

All in all a great read. I'm definitely going to read more by Pinsker.

Why should you read it:

It's a cool and strange story

read it here

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