18:100 Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs

 The residents of a mountain town in the wilds of California all disappear and then the FBI come to Charles and Anna for assistance as the land is owned by the Pack. What the FBI doesn't know, Bran tells them, is that the land was purchased because that is where Leah was found and they were certain that something powerful and evil lives around there, something that knows about werewolves.

So with that warning, Anna and Charles head out West to try and discover what happened to the people and possibly figure out how to cleanse the land. Unfortunately, the big bad is awake, hungry, and searching for a mate.

We get to find out a lot more about Leah's backstory and her relationship with the Marrock which is great but it's a very dark book with a lot of awful stuff going (CW: mind-control, rape, harm to children). It gets intense but Ms. Briggs does an admirable job of handling the hard stuff while not allowing it to slide full-on into the darkness and despair and having it serve the story rather than be just for gratuitous shock value. 

This book was a bit slow to start and there were some pieces that didn't quite work for me so well but it's a solid addition to the series.

Page count: 358p/4,891p ytd/352,281p lifetime

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2020

My usual disclaimer:

Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

Yep, trying to balance it all is seriously impacting my reading time to the point where I'm hoping to get my 100 books in for this year.  I have read more pages than I originally set out for so I guess that's something but still, it's been hard finding the time for reading (and this is made more aggravating by only reading half of some college books or just having to read tons of articles so I can't count them).  Not that it's slowing me down much on my book buying.  LOL

The new year rings in big with the fifth installation in the Wayward Children series, Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire.  The last couple have not really focused on the events from the first book but now we see what has happened to Jack since she left to go back to the Moors with Jill's body after those events.  Can't Wait!

Release date: January 7

Next up, we get to return to the Whisper Hollow series by Yasmine Galenorn that was on hiatus for a while.  Phantom Queen picks up with Kerris realizing that something is very wrong and going to speak Veronica, Queen of the UnLiving, who has been causing trouble in town.  When Veronica is worried, everyone should be.

Release date: January 27


Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire is the latest in the Incryptid series and in this one, we have Sarah as our narrator.  After she saved Verity, Sarah has been in a very dark place and not safe to be around anyone but maybe that's about to end.

Release date: February 25


Just a few weeks later Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs comes out.  The 12th book in the Mercy Thompson series, a Fae is loose in the Tri-Cities area, one who can look like anyone and if it bites someone it can control them as well.  Mercy has said that the area was under her protection but even after everything she and the Pack have been through because of that statement, nothing could have prepared them for this.

Release date: March 10

Last we get Wolf's Curse by Kelley Armstong, the second in the Kate and Logan YA duology set in the Women of the Otherworld universe as they try to survive the week at supernatural leadership camp after everything has gone to hell in handbasket.

Release date: March 31

31:100 Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Mercedes had no idea what she had signed herself and thus Adam's pack for when she stood on that bridge and declared that her territory was safe ground.  Being who she is she could not have done anything different and she thought only of basic things like hunting down the occasional misbehaving monster from time to time once it was explained to her.  She had no idea that it would mean constant calls dealing with things like zombie goats, black witch families, or hosting diplomatic envoys for negotiations between the Grey Lords and the humans and dealing with those that do not want those negotiations to take place.  But now that these are happening, Mercy, Adam, and the Pack must find a way to keep all these people safe or die trying if their word is to stand.  This time, it's a much taller order than anyone could have ever expected.

Another spectacular installment in the Mercy Thompson series!  Ms. Briggs does a wonderful job of building the tension while weaving in touching or funny moments and Mercy's snark.  My biggest complaint is how long we have to wait between books (although, with how many favorite authors I have, there is almost always another fabulous book waiting for me to pick it up sitting in my to-read pile and I wouldn't want to give them up either LOL).


Page count: 358p/7,756p ytd/318,641p lifetime

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2019

My usual disclaimer:

Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

A lot of comics filled my reading time between all the kids' school reading and my book club reading but there were a couple of trips during this last quarter that allowed me to do some reading of the books that were just for me.  It was heavenly.  And for the first time in I don't know how long, my Read pile is now greater than my To Read pile.  Not sure how long that will last but since I made it past my birthday without that changing much, it might actually last out the year.

We kick off the year with the newest novel for the Wayward Children, In an Absent Dream, by Seanan McGuire.  Lundy would rather follow rules and read than run around with the other children so when a doorway opens up into the Goblin Market she almost doesn't go through except she is still a child and curious.  What she finds is a place where fair value is strictly enforced by the Market itself and there is logic and rules to follow but so rarely do these things end well in the long run. I'm still a book behind, although with this series it's not sequential so it's unlikely the last one affects this one in anyway as this states that it's a prequel.  

Release date: January 8

The Winter of the Witch is the conclusion to the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden that starts with The Bear and the Nightingale. Vasya and Morozko must team up to try and save Russia, both the humans and the unseen ones, but the way is uncertain and the enemies are many. I only barely read the first book last month and haven't started the second yet but I was so enchanted with the first that I'm definitely going to finish this trilogy.

Release date: January 9

I keep trying to find time to get caught up with the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter and still haven't managed it.  I'm several books behind there and now there is the spinoff series which I haven't even got a chance to start yet but Circle of the Moon, book 4 in the spinoff, is coming out soon and I really want to get to know Nell better and see more of Rick. 

Release date: February 26

Ah, Mercy Thompson.  She opened her big mouth and, in Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs, people are taking her at her word that she and her husband's pack of werewolves will keep them safe even as they treat with the big and bad Grey Lords of the Fae.  She has given her word but can she keep it and what will it cost?  I seriously love this series and can't wait to see how our favorite coyote shifter gets out of this one.

Release date: March 5

Lastly, That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire is the next chapter in the Incryptid series.  We are still following Annie as she is still away from her family although building a new support structure with some new friends but she has also made a pact with the Crossroads and they always get paid.

Release date: March 5

19:100 Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs

The 5th book in the Alpha & Omega series.  The Marrok is out of town when an SOS comes in from one of the wildlings on the outskirts of the Pack's lands.  The wildlings are mostly werewolves (with a Fae or two thrown in) that are not stable enough to be brought within the Pack nor are they stable enough to be let loose with the human population so the Marrock has them close by for their protection and the protection of everyone else.  Now though, Charles must go in and see what has them so spooked that they would call for help and Anna goes with him in the hopes that she may be able to keep things peaceful enough that Charles will not need to act as the Pack enforcer.  What they find though, is a group of highly skilled and well-armed military type people trying to kidnap one of the wildlings when no one should even know about them.  This points to a traitor in their midst so now Charles and Anna must work to warn the other wildlings and figure out who is betraying the Pack and make them stop by any means necessary.  What they find though is something out of the darkest magic of the witchborn and not easy to stop at all.

I so love Ms. Briggs books in general and this world in specific.  It's taken longer for the Alpha & Omega characters to really grow on me but they have and while I still eagerly await the next Mercy book, these are definitely a fun way to pass the time.


Page count: 308p/3,319p ytd/295,340p lifetime

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2018

My usual disclaimer:

Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

Considering how much my To Read pile has grown this year, I think I might be glad that the year starts off with just a couple of books so maybe, just maybe, I can start making a dent in said pile. Of course, with going back to work, I'm not actually sure that will happen but hey, a girl can dream.

So the first quarter starts off with the new Wayward Children book, Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire.   This is billed as another stand alone although I'm guessing it probably will help if you've read the other books.  Rini lands one day with a splash at Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children determined to save the world only to find out that she was born years after her mother, Sumi, died.  Now Rini has to figure out how to save not only the world but herself as well before Reality catches up to her.

Release Date: January 9

Nothing that I'm super excited about in February but then two come out on the same day and I will have to flip a coin to figure out which I'm going to read first. Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs is the first Alpha & Omega book in a few years and while I prefer Mercy's stories, I do like Charles and Anna and look forward to popping in on them again.  This time, the damaged werewolves who live near the Marrok's pack are in trouble and it will take both Charles's fighting skills and Anna's gift as a peacemaker to try and save them.

Release Date: March 6

Also coming out that day is Tricks for Free by Seanan McGuire, the latest in the Incryptid series.  When we last left Annie, she as on the run from the Covenant with no way to get back to her family without endangering them further. To fully escape, she can't even have her beloved Mice with her so if something happens to her, she has no way to get the word out. For a Price to be out there in the world without any backup at all, that is a truly scary thing and we can only hope Annie survives this.

Release Date: March 6

53:120 Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

The 10th book in the Mercy Thompson series. Mercy has been taken by one of the meanest vampires ever from her home town and brought half-way across the world. However, like many before him, he underestimated her and she escaped but now she is wondering through Europe with no clothes, no money, no friends, and no way to contact Adam and the pack. Now she must find a way to satisfy at least a few of those and when she gets a hold of a pack member, she finds out that Adam is now in Sicily negotiating with the scary vampire and she is being directed to try and get protection from a werewolf pack whose Alpha hates Bran. Not a good place for a Coyote to be in but unfortunately not entirely unsurprising for Mercy either.

What can I say except I love these books and this may be the best one yet. The switching back and forth between Adam and Mercy to piece everything together worked beautifully. Mercy was resourceful and while things worked out for her in the long run, she had to work for a lot of it which made it more believable. There was some back story of other characters in this which was a nice touch to tie things together.  Now to wait impatiently for the next book in the series which I don't even think there is a release date for yet.  *pout*


Page count: 371p/11,698p ytd/285,717p lifetime

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2017

My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

So I'm trying desperately to find time to read and finish up at least one of my reading goals for the year.  I'm really not sure what has happened to all my time this year but apparently it wasn't spent reading and even though this past quarter had less new books in it, and this year seemed down a bit from previous years, I'm pretty sure I've managed to add more books to my to-read pile than I've read.  The first quarter of 2017 looks to be pretty typical in terms of quantity and pretty awesome in terms of content.

The kicks off with a new standalone novella, Dusk or Dawn or Dark or Day by Seanan McGuire.  Jenna is dead and as a ghost, she must make amends for the time debt so she does this by volunteering at a suicide prevention hotline but now there is something that coming for the ghosts of New York City and now Jenna must make a stand.

Release date: Jan 10

The Turn by Kim Harrison takes us into the past of the Hollows series with Rachel Morgan, the kick-ass witch, and shows us how that world came to be.  This promises to be fabulous!

Release date: Feb 7

After two months of single releases, March packs three into one day.  Magic for Nothing by Seanan McGuire is the 6th book in the Incryptid series and the first time for Antimony to be the lead.  Now that Verity has declared war on the Covenant of St. George the Price family needs to know what they are up against and since Annie doesn't carry the family resemblance she is being packed off to London as their spy.  Good luck kiddo!

Release date: March 7


We also get the new Mercy Thompson book, Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs.  Mercy has been kidnapped (again?!) by the most powerful vampire to serve as a message to Adam and the werewolves.  Being able to change into a coyote lets her escape but now she is trapped in Prague and unable to contact Adam or her friends so she must find her own way home.

Release date: March 7

Lastly is the first book in the new Lily Bound series by Yasmine Galenorn, Souljacker.  A succubus who runs an elite sex salon, a souljacker who wants his artwork (re: tattoos) back of which she has one, and a chaos-demon PI all come together in this new work.  Looks like it could be interesting.

Release date: March 7

32:120 Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson book 9.  Adam and the Pack are called in to help with a troll attacking a bridge in the Tri-Cities area but after defeating the troll, they are introduced to the reason for the troll's attack, a human-child who has been in fairy for longer than anyone knows and has been given her favor.  Now the fae want him back and Mercy's protective instincts are fully kicking in and she declares her protection, not only of this child but those who come and seek it.  Now Bran has cast out Adam's pack which means they are on their own and the fae will push the limit's of Mercy's decree to get this boy and see if the holds the key to their regaining the favor of fairy.  Even her own pack is not sure of their ability to uphold her stance but then Adam goes Alpha on them, overruling Mercy's wishes on dealing with the pack, and now there is a very united front.  That's a good thing because negotiating with Fairy itself, as well as the fae, is tricky enough when you are not divided among yourselves.

This series has never been less than great but Wow!  This book seemed to have it all.  Adam going all Alpha is a thing of beauty and the love between him and Mercy is always beautiful.  Mercy is Mercy.  She protects and loves fiercely.  She opens her mouth and sticks her foot in it but doesn't back down when she believes she's right.  Things with the fae have been climbing the last couple of books and it was great to see how things are starting to play out there.  I love that the fae are not inherently evil but simply are not human.  They don't think like humans and have totally different priorities and use different means to accomplish their goals.  It doesn't make them evil per se, but they are other.  Now that there is a treaty of sorts between these fae and Adam and Mercy, it will be very interesting to see where this goes.


Page count: 342p/9,092p ytd/259,139p lifetime

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2016

My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

Still running behind in a few series but less than earlier this year.  Two in high school English this year is definitely cramping my reading time.  Next semester gets even more fun by adding in American Government.  *breathe*  I can do this!  Honestly, I'm looking forward to the three weeks of Winter Break as a time to finish Don Quixote for English 12 and then do some reading of my own.  The extra time between new releases I want for myself has helped but this next quarter ramps things back up again.  Time to get reading!

I get a few weeks into the new year before releases start coming out but then it's fast and furious starting with Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstong.  I'm a total sucker for her Otherworld works and can't wait for this one. We get new stories about Cassandra, Savannah, and Adam plus a new novella (please be about Clay and Elena!).  This is the second of three books of short stories and novellas that will come out for the Otherworld fans.

Release Date: Jan 26

Just a few days later, Driven by Kelley Armstrong is due out from Subterranean Press.  Davis Cain is part of a pack of mutts that are being hunted down and killed but when he comes to the Pack for help, Elena can't turn him away.  Besides, she has Malcolm Danvers in the Pack now so she might as well make some use of him.  Really hoping that decision doesn't come back to bite her in the butt.

Release Date: Jan 31

February kicks off with three releases on the same day in series that I'm very excited about.  First is Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter.  Jane Yellowrock is always an amazing read.  This is a collection of 19 stories in Jane's universe, some previously published and some brand-new just for this anthology.

Release Date: Feb 2

Next is Darkness Raging by Yasmine Galenorn. The next book in her Otherworld series, this one told from Menolly's pov.  It sounds like the war with demons is really heating up and we are finally getting back to dealing with that.  On the eve of war, Menolly's wife Nerrisa is captured by the demons who are demanding the spirit seals in exchange for her life.  Menolly will do anything to keep Nerissa safe and I have a feeling a pissed off Menolly is not what the demons are going to want to see coming.

Release Date: Feb 2

It also looks like Grave Visions by Kalayna Price will be coming out at long last.  The last installment in this series was back in 2012 and fans have been chomping on the bit for this one.  Alex is a grave witch and now that she has been outed as part Fae, she must choose a side in Faerie to come in on.  Now she has to try and figure out how to make the best of this situation.

Release Date: Feb 2

A few weeks break and then Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep comes out.  A long lost relative of Finn's has come into town and Finn turns from Gin's steady right-hand man to a starry-eyed doe.  Gin doesn't trust the interloper (big surprise) but Finn will hear none of it.  All she can do is stand-by and be ready to end this in a deadly fashion if anyone tries to hurt her brother.

Release Date: Feb 23

The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home by Catherynne Valente is the 5th book in the series and I'm ashamed to say I haven't gotten past the first book yet.  The first one was amazing and I'm looking forward to them but just trying to find the time to read them has been difficult.  Hopefully this coming year!

Release Date: Mar 1

The quarter's new releases ends for me with Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs, the new Mercy Thompson book.  Mercy and Adam have been tasked to go deal with a troll but they also find a fire-touched human boy stolen by the fae many years ago. They are determined to protect him but doing so means defying everyone.

Release Date: Mar 8

So some really good reads by many of my favorite authors coming out to start my new year off right in terms of things to read.  Now to find more time to read!

43:120 Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

The 4th book in the Alpha & Omega series.  Charles is trying to find the perfect present for Anna's birthday coming up and comes up with the idea to buy her a new horse now that she has become a more proficient rider.  Holsteen is the pack leader in Arizona, happens to raise Arabians, and is the father of Joseph who is one of the few people Charles calls friend so naturally that is where he takes Anna.  On the day they arrive though, a spell is placed on Joseph's son's wife Chelsea to kill her children and then herself.  She manages to keep from harming the children but only by hurting herself close to the point of death.  Charles and Anna are with Kage when he gets the call and end up at the house and Charles makes Kage the offer to change his wife.  Kage agrees not only out of grief but also so that they may learn what happened and how to protect the family.  It turns out to be very old fae magic which means one of the fae is no longer on the reservations and has a taste for children.  Anna and Charles cannot let this pass and manage to get in on the investigation in the hopes of saving Joseph's grandchildren but the spirits have spoken to Charles and while Joseph is now an old man, he still has a task to complete in this life and it may be the most important one yet.

This book went from slow to fast to slow to fast a lot which is unusual for Ms. Briggs's books.  It was nice to learn more about Charles and his past but at times those things seemed to slow the rest of the story down which made it harder to stick with it.  In all, it was a good tale but not one of the best ones I've seen from her.

Page count: 324p/9,342p ytd/224,276p lifetime

41:120 Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

A collection of stories set in the Mercy Thompson universe.  There is only one Mercy story in the collection, four of the stories are new and six are previously published.  Of those that have been published before, I'd read half of them so I felt like the collection was well worth the price but your opinion may vary on that.  I'm just going to do a run-down on the new material here.

Silver ~ The story of how Bran and Samuel became werewolves and Samuel's previous association with the fae, Arina.  This is not a happy story and I'm pretty sure it could be triggery for victims of abuse so read with caution.  The best part was the deeper insight into Bran.

Roses in Winter ~ Kara is the youngest person ever to survive a werewolf attack and the subsequent transformation but she is still unable to control her wolf and by Bran's laws she must be put down but Bran doesn't want to do it and is looking for a way around his own laws.  Kara stumbles into Asil's greenhouse and the two strike up the unlikeliest of friendships.  Asil is old and waiting to die but Kara is young and in need of help and she touches something within him.  Between him and Bran, maybe they can find a way to help her find her control.  A sweet tale and gripping.

Redemption ~ Some back story and a bit more insight on Ben.  I found this one a bit choppy and unfulfilling.

Hollow ~ A new Mercy tale.  Mercy ends up being called in to deal with a haunting but the case ends up being far from simple.  It has everything we've come to expect from a Mercy tale although a bit more Adam would have been nice although he does come in at the end.  Unfortunately, it's just making me miss them more and more and wish longingly for their next book.

In all, I enjoyed the collection and diving back into that universe.

Page count: 450p/8,725p ytd/223,659p lifetime

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2015

My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

I am so far behind my reading from the last two quarters that I'm going quite crazy looking at all these beautiful books on my bookshelf but right now I'm frantically reading new authors as I managed to get behind on that and I'm soooo close to making my goal for the year in new authors that I want to get that done first.  Maybe with the kids being on break, I can manage to not only do that but start getting caught up on my other reading as well.  Hey, a girl can hope!


Tales from the Nightside by Simon Green kicks off the new releases for 2015.  It's been a while since we got to delve into the world of John Taylor and his "friends".  This is a collection of 10 short stories where we get to find out some of the backstories of the characters that he has worked with and with any luck, we'll get some John and Shotgun Suzy as well.

Release date: Jan 6


At the end of the month, we have the next installment in the Sisters of the Otherworld series told from Delilah's point of view, Panther Prowling by Yasmine Galenorn. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the main storyline with Shadow Wing is getting moved ahead in this story either and that kind of bums me out.  I love the sisters but it seems like the main story has taken a backseat for the most part and it's being stretched out.  I will, of course, be reading this one because I can't not read it but I hope that things will get back on track with the main plot soon.

Release date: Jan 27


With no releases in February that I'm tracking, I get two new books to choose from at the beginning of March.  Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs gets back to seeing how things are going with Anna & Charles.  They are taking a trip to Phoenix for personal reasons but nothing is ever so simple and while they are there, they find that the Fae are stealing human children and replacing them.  Looks like a war with the Fae may be starting up and they are in the line of fire.

Relesae date: Mar 3


Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire is the other one coming out at the beginning of March and we get to hear more from Alex Price and his girlfriend, Shelby.  Apparently things are not going well back in Australia according to Shelby's family so the two of them head to the Land Down Under to deal with some werewolves.  I have a feeling this will prove to be an 'interesting' trip.

Release date: Mar 3



To finish off the first quarter, we get the first in a new series with Prudence by Gail Carriger.   Alexia's daughter is leading off this series and I can't wait to be back in that world and in India to boot!  I'm sure that any daughter of Alexia and Sir Maccon will be a serious handful and delightful to adventure with.

Release date: Mar 17

So definitely a small number of books in the first quarter but there are enough books on my shelves that I won't be lacking for anything to read.

Happy Reading!

New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 2nd & 3rd Quarters 2014

My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow.  I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading).  Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.

Yeah, this is kind of late for the second quarter so I figured I'd combo it with the 3rd and be early on that one.  2nd quarter is pretty slow in terms of the authors I put up on my calendar so it just sort of slipped my mind until now when I had a few minutes to sit down and update it so here goes:

With nothing on my book release calendar for April, May started off in a lovely way with Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire.  A new book that may be a standalone or may eventually be part of a series, we follow the tale of Rose, a 16-year-old girl killed in 1952 who has been searching for a way to be free of her haunting existence for 60 years.

Release Date: May 6

That it pairs up with Authority by Jeff Vandermeer makes for strange looks at the bookstore since honestly I'm not sure they could be that much different from each other.  Authority is the second in the Southern Reach trilogy and I'm hoping it answers at least some of the questions that Annihilation brought up because that was one incredibly freaky, disturbing, but amazing book but dang it, I want some answers!!!

Release Date: May 6

On a weird Wednesday release, my friend Amy Sprenger's new book came out.  Yes Mommy: The Mayhem and Madness of Not Saying No is her story of going an entire month without saying no to her three children (ages 7, 5, 3) and how everyone survived.

Release Date: May 7

Odin's Ravens is the second in a YA series by Armstrong and Marr.  I haven't read the first one yet but my third son completely loved it and bought this one with his own money so he could have it NOW!  I think that says something.  He is also insisting that I read both of them so that will be on my summer reading list but hey, any book where you combining Thor's hammer, modern day kids, and a whole lot of Valkyries to start the description sounds pretty awesome and with those authors I'm quite happy to accede to my kid's wishes.

Release Date:  May 13

Skin Game by Jim Butcher is one where I'm on the fence about it.  I mean, I know I'll buy it and read it but I still can't get over my disappointment that he brought Harry back completely from the dead.  I get that you can't have Dresden's Files without Harry Dresden but I get a little tired of books where they keep making the baddies bigger and bigger but you always know that the hero is going to win through some deus ex machina.  Butcher had the balls to kill off his main character and bring him back as a ghost for a whole book and Holy Cow that was BRILLIANT!!!  And then he ruined it all by bringing him back fully although in service to the Winter Fae Queen. There's only been one book since that happened so I'm reserving judgement on if this series has just become unreadable for me (as the Drizzt books did after Wulfgar was brought back) or if Mr. Butcher will find a way to keep my interest.

Release Date: May 27

June is quiet again but July opens HUGE with Night's End by Yasmine Galenorn which sees the end of the Indigo Court series.  Cicely and Rhiannon have been crowned and in charge but Myst is by no means willing to roll over and die.  She is gathering her power and her army and there will be more blood spilled before this war is over.

Release Date: July 1

And to pair up with that is How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back by Diana Rowland.  This series is just fun but it looks like sh*t's about to get real as it's zombie v. zombie when Saberton tries to take on the Zombie Maffia and Angel will end up in the middle, we can be sure.

Release Date: July 1

Deborah Harkness's All Souls trilogy will wrap up with the release of The Book of Life.  The last one was a little slow with a lot of time travel stuff going on but apparently this one is back in present day with a lot more action as Matthew and Diana have to find the missing pages of Ashmole 782 in order to protect not only the present but the future as well.

Release Date: July 15

Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep comes out just a week later so I've got something light to read mid-summer.  Gin is always a great character (if she could just stop with the constant repetitive monologueing) and I continue to enjoy the series.  I'm really hoping that things are going to go somewhere with Owen as well because I loved them together.  While the write-up for this one is all about some new drug coming into Ashland I'm also hoping that there is more development in the mysterious villain that has been being hinted at for several books now.

Release Date: July 22

July ends with as big a bang it started with Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews.  The first time in hardback for this series and it looks to be amazing!  Kate's relationship with Roland is out in the open and that battle seems to be coming down the pipes fast, probably not in this book but my guess would be sooner rather than later.

Release Date: July 29

August is another big month and kicks off with Revenant by Kat Richardson.  I admit that I'm a few books behind in this series so again, that is a project for this summer so I can be ready to read this when it comes out because it looks to be intense with secret cults and bone yards and ghost armies.

Release Date: August 5

Cursed Moon by Jaye Wells is the sequel to Dirty Magic which came out earlier this year and was just fantastic.  A gritty world where magic is all around but there is both legal and illegal magic and now with a rare Blue Moon about to occur, magic will be unpredictable and it's up to Kate and her team to help the local law enforcement keep things from exploding....literally.

Release Date: August 12

Robin Hobb has a new trilogy starting up with Fool's Assassin which means I need to step it up and finish reading the Fool's trilogy this summer (hmmmm...there are apparently several series that need my time, darn you Game of Thrones!) as it looks like this series will take place after that one (and I seriously hope has nothing to do with the Dragon series she just finished up or I'm SERIOUSLY behind).  I loved the Farseer trilogy and the first book in the Fool's trilogy as Ms. Hobb has such a rich world and the characters are wonderfully flawed and believable.

Release Date: August 12

Visions by Kelley Armstrong also comes out and is another one where I'm behind in the series but in my defense, I wasn't sure I was going to start this series before my Book Pusher/Dealer at the local bookstore said the first one was wonderful and I would like it.  I'm hoping to have the first one read before this one comes out to see if the series is one I'm going to like.  It looks interesting enough and I've loved her other works that I've read so here's hoping.

Release Date: August 19

September starts with three great new releases and I'm going to have a hard time to figure out which to read first.  My guess is it will be The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire as it's been almost a year since I last got a Toby fix and I'm jonesing.  Not much in the way of details has been hinted at about this one except that Toby is going to have to learn the truth of her own past and considering what has been hinted at about that, oh boy!

Release Date: September 2

Next I'll curl up with Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs.  I just got a Mercy and Adam fix so I can hold off briefly but this short story collection looks to be wonderful and I hope that we get to learn more about other characters as well...so long as I still get some Mercy and Adam (let's not get crazy and cut them out completely).

Release Date: September 2

Then I have to hope I can find the time for Acceptance by Jeff Vandermeer as the Southern Reach trilogy is closed out.  Since I have just barely gotten the 2nd book in the trilogy and haven't had a chance to read it yet (darn end of school stuff getting in the way of my reading time!) I don't even know what to hope for with this one.  The Amazon write-up talks about a new expedition into Area X and the threat to the world being greater than they imagined so it sounds just dreamy.

Release Date: September 2

And as if those weren't enough, it's recently been revealed that the last of Kim Harrison's the Hollow's series will be coming out in September as well instead of torturing us all and making us wait until next year.  The Witch With No Name will finally see Rachel getting her happily ever after but we all know that it can't be simple with Rachel and really, what will that even end up meaning for her?  Settling down to play Suzie Homemaker doesn't seem quite her style.

Release Date: September 9

I get a few weeks off to try and catch-up with all those new releases before the release of Priestess Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn comes out and I get my dose Camille and her sisters.  The war has been heating up big time and it looks like Aveal is sending Camille on a mission to wake up Merlin with Morgaine as a traveling companion.  Camille's not so sure if that is a good idea and I'm with her on that one since they have not exactly been buddies to this point.

Release Date: September 30

So you can easily see why the 2nd quarter round-up didn't happen since there were only a few books in May but good golly there is a lot of reading to be done in the 3rd quarter (and 4th too since I just looked at how that is shaping up) so I need to get cracking on catching up with some of these series in June when it's quiet and school is out if I'm to have any hope because I know me and I'll want to be reading every book on this list as soon as I get my hands on it!

43:120 Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

The 8th book in the Mercy Thompson series.   When Adam's ex-wife calls and says she is in serious trouble, Mercy is worried that it will blow up in all their faces but even she couldn't predict how right she would be.  Turns out Christy has attracted the attention of something much more supernatural than a mere werewolf pack and he is not about to give up what he feels belongs to him without a fight.  Adam will not leave Christy defenseless even to save himself or the pack but can anyone figure out just how to get a volcano god to back off?  If anyone can, it might just be Coyote but at what cost to Mercy?

I absolutely love this series and my biggest complaint is that it's a year between books which seem so short and I read in just a day or two because they are too good to put down and this one was no exception.  I didn't like how manipulative Christy was (which was totally the point) but I admired Mercy's self-restraint.  I did feel like Adam could have done a better job of handling the situation but at the same time, you can also see why he struggles balancing things.  In all, a great installment to the series and I am now saddened that I have to wait another year (or more, please don't let it be more!) until the next one.

Page count: 341p/10,454p ytd/191,446p lifetime

104:67 Home Improvement Undead Edition edited by Harris & Kelner

An anthology featuring tales of haunted home repair and surreal estates.  As with all anthologies, this one had good, mediocre, and bad all in one.

The Good:
Gray by Patricia Briggs - A vampire story set in Mercy's world (but without Mercy).  New characters and a lot of fun.

Squatter's Rights by Rochelle Krich* - A couple is remodeling a house that turns out to have ghosts trapped in it which are poisoning the wife's mind.  Very creepy.

The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady* - Some friends buy a house to flip but the house has other ideas.  Very creepy.

The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr* - 2 Bori's are trying to bring their siblings more mainstream but creating the right environment to raise them in is proving difficult due to the HOA.  I liked the different mythos and the characters were warm but in an off way.

Through This House by Seanan McGuire - A Toby Daye short that bridges Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea.  Toby is trying to take possession of Evening's knowe, Goldengreen, but Evening has been dead for almost 2yrs and others have moved in.  So glad to have a bit of Toby again and this didn't disappoint!

Full-Scale Demolition by Suzanne McLeod * - Genny is a pixie-catching, non-spell working, sidhe who gets called in for more than she bargained for.  Old world fae, lamia, and kelpies equals a lot of fun and an intense read.

It's All in the Rendering by Simon R. Green - A House set between reality and fantasy that guards the gateway between is suddenly garnering interest from both sides. Can it's keepers keep it safe?  Not sure if this is part of one of his other series but it was well-detailed and drew me in.


Okay:
Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham* - A cult-leader is suspected of murdering his cult and the only one who believes him is the detective whose family tomb he's been defiling.  Interesting but not totally gripping.

Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare by E.E. Knight - Woolsley is a translife Gordon Ramsey, helping out failing restaurants to win back their clientele.  I got the feeling that I might have liked this more if I had more background on the "world".  Some things got enough explanation through the story to make sense by the end but others didn't and had me scratching my head.

The Path by S. J. Rozan* - The ghost of a monk must get the head of the Buddha statue returned before he can move on to his next life.  I wanted to like this one more, especially with the Chinese mythos but it was a little too slow and plodding although a good premise.

Rick the Brave by Stacia Kane* - A world where ghosts are real and can cause real damage, Rick goes to earn some quick money in a house renovation where unfortunately the house has a portal to the ghosts' city.  Again, I think I would have liked this one a lot more if I had more experience with the "world".  The characters were fairly flat but I got the sense that there was a lot of history there that would have made this fun if I'd known it.

The Brightest Day by Toni P. Kelner* - What do you do when the revenant (pc term for zombie) keeps dying before he can finish his task and this gets the loas on your case?  I liked the voodoo aspect to this and there was enough background for me to not be in the dark but while it read quickly, it felt plodding.  I had things figured out very early on.

The Bad:
If I had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris - Sookie short story but really, you could have put any names on it and it wouldn't have mattered.  The characters had no life and it was a typical, lay the ghosts to rest type.  I feel sorry for people who bought the book for this story alone.

Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler* - A wizard's house is broken into so he gets a wizarding security firm to upgrade his defenses which then trap him when he is broken into again.  Just didn't do much for me.


In all, I was happy with the McGuire and Briggs stories which were the reason I bought it.  I found some new authors to put on my wish-list.  But I'd still have to give the overall book a 3.5 stars because the meh and bad ones really brought it down.

* = new author

Page count: 225p/20,094p ytd