Vanessa’s Comments (group member since Jun 15, 2017)

Vanessa’s comments from the Read, Reading, Planning to Read and More group.

For the BDB fans, Lover Unveiled, the BDB series book #19 came out today.

I don't think that I have seen this mentioned before, but the latest Veronica Speedwell book is out. An Unexpected Peril.
I listen to this series, and it is narrated really well. There has been a slow burn romance, and I hope that this book really shows Veronica and Stoker's feelings for each other.

I have been in a mystery genre mode for some time. I would like to encourage reading the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. The author likes to incorporate real and sometimes obscure history in her writing. They are well thought out and at the end the author usually has a note about the real life events that have inspired her story.
The character of Maisie Dobbs starts out as a young girl who is going into service for a Vicount's family and they see her need for knowledge as a plus, (very modern thinking for the turn of the last century). They encourage her, even provide a tutor for her and she becomes a highly intelligent and caring person. She joins the war effort as a nurse, WWI, and after the war returns to her studies. Maisie trains as both a psychologist and investigator and eventually opens up her own private inquiry office. These stories are a mix of psychological and plain old mystery. The auxiliary characters are well thought out and support the many aspects of each tale. I've read 7 of them so far, The Mapping of Love and Death.

Carol... I agree with Lisa, it was a little slow and I'm not so sure that I cared for the ending, but like Lisa, I haven't read the second book either. Blackthorn and Grimm are two of my all time favorite characters.

I have been continuing to listen to the Wrexford and Sloane Historical Mysteries. I'm listening to Murder at Queen's Landing . I love the slow romance between Lord Wrexford and Lady Sloane. The young street urchins that she has taken in are cute, quick, and much too smart for their britches. This series has a wonderful side cast all of which are much more than they first appear. There is a lot of scientific forensics, (Victorian era), and witty rapport. The murders have crazy twists, and anyone can be either a victim or a suspect. A couple of the mysteries, I had figured out, but a couple of them were a surprise.

On kindle, I have been continuing with the John Pickett mysteries. I'm on the 6th one. These are historical mysteries too but John is a Bow Street runner and he is assisted by Lady Fieldhurst, the suspect in the first book, In Milady's Chamber.

As a palate cleanser, I listened to Nice Werewolves Don't Bite Vampires While I loved all of the vampire couples and I really liked seeing Zeb and Jolene's twins, I thought that the MC, Tylene McClaine, the werewolf, dragged on about her dilemma a bit too much. I just wanted to yell at her to just pick an option or just stay where you are!! Do Something! It was a nice dip back into the Half Moon Hollow waters and in this book, Dick Cheney was soo sweet and not a bit cheesy or creepy. Even his tee shirts were a bit subdued. The vampires really rally around Ty and give her a sense of "pack" that she couldn't find in her own family/pack. Her boyfriend is a very old vampire with a French accent, who hasn't been around many people in the real world. He has a feel of old world about him. He is the local music teacher who has recently opened up a music academy. She is nerdy and so is he. I do love Amanda Ronconi's narration, she really makes these books.

I did (finally), get a chance to read, A Warm Heart in Winter This book is about Blay and Qhuinn, but it also has quite a few glimpses into many of the other couples in the BDB, and also how Layla, Xcor, Blay and Qhuinn all co-parent their twins. This book, set at Christmas time has lots of the children in it. The best part, (IMHO), was Zhadist. Z was so good in this book, and he still struggles with what happened to him. You see him strong, and at the same time a bit vulnerable.

I also read the 6th book in the Desert Cursed series, Den of Thieves This is somewhat of a transitional book, it is mostly a set up for the grand finale in the 7th book. There is a slight cliffhanger but this book reads like it is part 1 in a 2 part book.

I took advantage of the recent kindle "sale" (spend $25.00 on kindle books and receive a $6.00 credit). So I added a couple of books that have been on my wish list for a while. I started the first book in the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong. City of the Lost I like this cast of characters, but I am only just into the book about a third of the way. I can't for the life of me understand why her books are so expensive on kindle. If not for the $6.00 credit, I don't think that I would have purchased this series opener. I'm going to try and see if my library has this series to borrow.

While I stop in to visit nearly every day, I don't often get a chance to post. Happy Reading Everyone!

Melindeeloo... I have read Charlaine Harris' Midnight Texas series, and her Harper Connelly, and of course her Gunnie Rose and Sookie books. I have not read her Aurora Teagarden books, Hallmark channel has a series based on her books but I haven't watched too many of those or read the books.
I listened to the Harper Connelly books and they were pretty good on audio. Harper can see people in their last moments of their life and can usually find where their final resting place is. It's not a bad series.
I really did like the Midnight Texas books. The TV series jumbled everything together and rolled it out into a more made for TV series. The books are better, and there is a surprise appearance of a character from her Sookie books.

Kristi (foxtail_too) wrote: "Carol wrote: "Vanessa - I really liked . It was five stars for me too! However I do feel really sorry for a character that I love and never get to see. The character t..."

Kristi... I do the audio of the Wrexford and Sloane series, the narrator, James Cameron Stewart, does an excellent job. There was only one time that I couldn't tell who was speaking but it was clarified right away.

I finished the Gunnie Rose book, The Russian Cage the day after it came out. I stayed up way too late reading it. I really like this quirky world that Harris has created, and I really liked this latest book. I gave it 5*'s. She has remained true to the main couple, I hate when an author messes with a couple just because they can. Hear me J.R. Ward?

Speaking of J.R. Ward, the next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Prison Camp is up for pre-order. It will not be out until November 16th. The Wolf The last one had the danger and romance of the original BDB books. I am looking forward to reading Lucan's story. In The Jackal, he was a cagey, wilely character as you would expect a wolf in a vampire prison world would be.

I finished a couple of other books that I have not mentioned.
Chasing Cassandra I like this family and the H is a hard hearted business tycoon, who has an Eidetic memory, and seems to be a bit on the socially detached side. Overall it was a good palate cleanser from all of the murder mysteries that I have been reading lately.

I did enjoy the latest in the Leveling Up series. Magical Midlife Love This is a series where the MC, Jess, and the H, Austin, are friends, don't automatically fall in bed, and everything that she learns or does come with hard earned practice and lots of failures. This is my favorite in the Midlife/Over 40 series of books by various authors.

I listened to the latest in Faith Hunter's Junkyard Cats series, Junkyard Bargain I like this really crazy series, The MC, Shining runs a junkyard, has an affinity for the herds of junkyard cats, and lives in a world where her "essence" for lack of a better word can make anyone who touches her into a "follower/slave". Infected with a potent virus, Shining, is one of only 3 people who have ever survived the stings of a genetically modified bee hive. There is lots of techno talk but it is not beyond a regular persons' capacity to follow the story. This second book gives us more insight into her world where she is slowly building a group of people to combat a woman who is making people her slaves on purpose. If they aren't re-infected, they slowly extract themselves from her allure. Shining tries not to infect anyone, she doesn't want that and would prefer that people fight on the side of right not because they are compelled to do it. It's a genuinely unique world.

After reading and loving Kings of the Wyld I purchased the second book. Bloody Rose The daughter of one of the main characters of KotW was rescued and is a strong fighter in her own right, but in this book she is quite frankly a downer. I listened to the first few hours, but I felt like I didn't need to become depressed, so I dropped it. I might pick it up again sometime in the future, but as it stands now, I'm done.

ETA: the link for the Bloody Rose book

I finished Wild Sign and all that I have to say is Damn You Ms. Briggs for making me actually almost like a character that I love to hate! This book has lots of action and I love the way that Charles and Anna are moving closer in all ways. Tag is a great addition/"henchman" to this storyline. The ending is not a cliffhanger but there are two different twists that I can't wait to see how Briggs resolves. I would love others' opinions and I won't leave spoilers. I would give this book 5*'s.

Thanks to whoever recommended the Wrexford and Sloane Mystery series. I am really enjoying them and the excruciatingly slow burn between the main characters. I am listening to these on Audible and the narrator is doing a good job with all of the character voices. The first book is... Murder on Black Swan Lane These are a series of murder mysteries set in Victorian England.

I have a question for the Audible people out there. Since when does Audible make you use up all of your credits before your annual renewal date? (The former Platinum membership which is now called Premium Plus). I can recall that at one time I had 30 credits after a renewal. Just wondering!

On a totally different note, while my weather outside is sunny, windy, and really cold, tomorrow is the first day of spring here in North America. I was wondering what spring means to you folks. I won't be planting anything until nearly the end of May, but I always like anticipating green grass, leaves on the trees, and my crocus plants and hyacinths popping up to brighten an otherwise gray landscape. I have been spotting some of the returning birds at my feeders which always gives me hope that winter is finally coming to a close. Do any of you folks plant vegetable or flower gardens?

DemetraP wrote: "I am counting the days until Wild Sign (the new Alpha and Omega) with Anna and Charles comes out. I love Patricia Briggs writing."

Ditto!

Happy... When is retirement coming up? I hope that it is everything that you want it to be! :-) My retirement has to be delayed for a while. My husband is 7 years younger & I carry the insurance. He is self employed so insurance is way out of our league. ( He's had a heart valve replaced). What was I thinking, marrying someone so young! ;-)
I happen to agree with u about the Gunnie Rose series, it is a bit convoluted by I enjoy it anyway.

Hi All! I've been listening to lots of different books, (my job is in a trailer by myself so no one else has to hear my books). I continued with the Sherry Thomas Lady Sherlock series. What a great mystery/ historical read. I was sad to finish the last book and now I have to wait with the rest of her fans for the next book. That's the trouble with starting a great series that isn't complete.
I listened to a couple of contemporary books, (not my usual genre).

Happiness for Beginners This is a story about a 32 year old woman, Helen, who decides to go on a 3 week survival course in the Wyoming mountains to help get over her recent divorce and to somehow come back as a different and stronger person. This is something that totally goes against her usual M.O. Normally she is extremely organized and tight laced. She does a pretty good job of it all. The twist to the story is that her much younger brother's best friend Jake is also enrolled in this course. Because she wants to experience this as an anonymous attendee, they decide to pretend that she and he have never met. At 32 you wouldn't think that she was "old" but the group, including the guide, are all in their early 20's. (Helen and Jake are both betting that the guide isn't more than 17 himself). At first her personality was irritating, but I am glad I stuck it out. There is lots of wit and of course sarcasm, and some really heart wrenching and heartfelt moments. All in all I would give it 3.5*'s.

I am currently listening to My Not So Perfect Life
Katie Brenner is a young associate in a big London marketing firm. Underpaid, overworked, and barely surviving in London, talented Katie wants to get her "big break" but cannot get her boss to look at her work and she is stuck inputting data surveys into a computer because her boss read some where that people are less inclined to lie when they fill out a paper inquiry. Her manager is actually a talented leader in the marketing world, but she is so busy that when she see's Katie in the elevator she cannot remember if she fired her or not. (She didn't but she then did). Heartbroken because she cannot find another job, she pretends to be on sabbatical from her marketing job to help her Dad and his wife to start a glamping business on the family farm. Like most of Kinsella's books, people aren't at all like what you imagined. I only have a couple of chapters left to read but I cannot imagine this book falling apart in the end. So far it is a 4* read.

I have been watching a lot of television about WWII and a lot about the French "Resistance" so I finally decided to read a book that has been sitting in my audible TBR for some time.
The Dressmaker's Gift This book is divided between the early 1940's and the present. This book is a journey of a young woman to discover both her roots and to find her strength to overcome life's struggles. The 1940's part concentrates on 3 young women working in a haute couture shop as seamstresses that during the occupation caters to the Nazi invaders. (They are the only ones with enough money to buy hand made clothing). The contemporary part is about 20 something year old Harriet who has moved to France from England to both work in fashion and to try to find out about her Mother's family. In possession of a picture of her Grandmother and her 2 friends outside of the dressmakers shop, Harriet applies to and receives an internship in the very building where her Grandmother and her friends worked. In an extraordinary twist, one of her coworkers recognizes one of the other ladies as her Grandmother Mireille. Slowly Harriet learns more about her family history told to her by her friend and dictated by Mireille who is still very much alive. I would give this book 4*'s.

On kindle, I am attempting to read Secrets of the Sword III but I tend to fall asleep before I get too much reading in.
I am anticipating reading The Last Warrior I just love Ben and I cannot wait for his HEA.
I will also have the third Gunnie Rose book in my TBR when it is released on Tuesday. The Russian Cage Had I known, I would have requested it from NetGalley. Thanks HappyBookWorm for your post. I hope that I get it, but if not, I have already pre-ordered it. I happen to like this series very much. Gunnie is a very unusual character in a really weird wild- west like post apocalyptic United States. She has a Russian warlock prince love interest (Russia has taken over the western part of the US). This book has Gunnie, (Lizabeth), moving into the Russian court life to rescue Prince Eli from prison. She has the nickname Gunnie because she has an ability with guns and an innate sense about danger. She often works as a mercenary usually on protection duty. Charlaine Harris has a great feel for twisty plots and atypical and exceptional characters. This is one of my favorite series by her.

Edited to add the book title.

I have been listening to the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas. I can't believe that I let this series languish in my TBR for so long. These are clever, well structured, with terrific characters, and she has a real knack for a complicated and twisty plot.

DemetraP wrote: "If anyone reads the Gentlemen Bastards series with Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, Goodreads has Oct 2021 release date for book #4, Thorn of Emberlain.

The release date has been announced and pushed..."

Thank You Demetra!!!! I have been hoping that this book will come out before I'm too old to remember the rest of the series. I thought that he said that it was finished in 2019 and was heading for edits.

LAB.. Great haul!!

I have been reading and listening to book after book lately. I finished War Song The first book was a bit thrown together with an info dump method of writing. This book was more cohesive and continues the story lines in the first book. You get a better picture of the main character, Danica, and her capabilities. She is an arcane division police investigator with a rare talent for let's call it "tech" manipulation. She is a sort of hacker who's talent is a manifestation of her magic. This book also goes into more depth about her mother who is an elf, her family, she aquires a boyfriend and an off ice with a hand picked crew,(a promotion). In this second book the "ruling" families are warring within their families and with each other. Other species answer the call and bring some of their bad ass capabilities into this conflict. Add in demons, (bad), vampires,(iffy, mostly bad), humans, and people with magical talents and you have a mishmash of magic. There is a lot of comical banter, and gallows humor. This series is free on KU.

I also finished the 4th book in the Sundance series, Shattered The h in this series is a "spiker"
She can telepathically read someone's thoughts and delve into their mind to either hurt or kill them. This series is getting better all of the time. I like the romance between Neely and pack leader/alpha Lucas Blacke. While he would like her to join his pack, he has asked her so that she will have the protection of pack not because it would be a crown jewel to have a spiker as a part of his pack. A baker by trade, Neely is constantly harassed by pack alphas and their enforcers to either try to coerce her to their packs or kidnap her there. In this book she encounters a totally different type of predator, one that she cannot read or get a hold of their mind and conversely they can send her illusions of the nightmare variety. Once again, her friends in the pack and a couple of old witches who spend a lot of time in their hot springs drinking homemade wine team up to assist Neely in her battles. Unlike most packs Lucas' pack is made up of all different species from a gila monster to a hyena, to a lion or an eagle. All of their special talents are used and provide intelligence and create deterrents. What is nice about this series/town is that the characters aren't limited to just the young or just the old, there is a varied mix who all contribute. This is free on KU too.

I also read the latest potentate of Atlanta book, Moment of Truth This was a good show of Hadley's emerging capabilities, her relationship with both Midas and his mother and their pack, and her semi alliance with the shade that shares her body Ambrose. She depends on both her friendship with Remy, (a kind of wild card fae), who we thought was a young fae but has shown her colors to be much older than we were led to believe, and Bishop her friend and manager of the Office of the Potentate who has a story to tell of his own. People are under the illusion that this is the last book in the series, but I believe that there is a whole lot more to tell especially as Hadley isn't yet the potentate and hasn't bonded with the city. This series also free on KU.

I continued to listen to the Maisie Dobbs series through the first 5 books An Incomplete Revenge These are a wonderful period series set in the 1920's-1930's and we are fast approaching the lead up to WWII.

I also listened to the Chicagoland Vampires spin-off series, Heirs of Chicagoland. This series concentrates on the children of the Chicagoland Vampires. Elise Sullivan the worlds only born vampire, Connor Keene, son of the werewolves' Apex, and her roommate, Lulu, a witch who prefers to paint than practice. I assume that there will be a time when that will no longer be the case. Under the pretext of going to a pack initiation in the woods of Minnesota, Connor and Elisa are also investigating the pack itself. Connor has a connection to this pack because some of his kin live here and he spent summers of his youth roaming this peaceful wilderness. Per usual there is a jealous female who is a part of Connors' Chicago pack attending and the usual prejudices against a vampire in their midst. Connor and Elisa have just started this relationship but have been friends for all of their lives. They are at the tentative stage, but have a lot of trust and (mostly), talk out their strategies.

I have had this in my audio TBR for a long time. A Study in Scarlet Women which is a take on the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, but with the caveat that "Sherlock" is actually Charlotte and a female. Portrayed as a young woman who merely wants her independence, Charlotte goes about it in a very unorthodox fashion. These actually have the feel of a Sherlock Holmes story and I am on the second book, A Conspiracy in Belgravia

Sorry for the extremely long post but I have been working 7 days a week and haven't taken the time to read or post to this discussion. I hope that everyone is well and happy reading!

LAB☺ wrote: "Douglas wrote: "Well I just got an email from Amazon saying that my preorder of Tessa Dare upcoming book "The Bride Bet (Girl Meets Duke, book 4) " had been cancelled and I was WTF?? So I got the b..."

LAB... I met her at Mohegan Sun and also both times that I went to the RT. She is a very nice, and funny woman. I even attended a seminar with her, Julia Quinn and a couple of other authors that I hadn't read before, (kind of like the Panel discussion at the Rom Com we attended).

I recall that there have been a couple of authors who have given up their series because of pirating.

I haven't been on this discussion board lately because since I returned to work, (after surgery), I have been working 7 days a week. As the saying goes .. Make hay when the sun shines.
I have been listening to the set in the 1920's series, Maisie Dobbs. She is a private investigator and a psychologist. Having served in WWI as a nurse she is also able to draw on her life experiences to help her clients. These are very methodical investigations and I really like the writing. I am on the 6th book in the series.
Book #1...

Maisie Dobbs

On kindle I am reading the second book in the Rift Chronicles series by B R Kingsolver, (The author of the Rosie O'Grady's series). War Song I liked the character and world of the Rosie O' Grady's series better, but this second book is moving at a better pace than the first book in this new series.

Melindeeloo... I was just going to comment about Dirty Deeds: An Urban Fantasy Collection I really liked to two Hunter shorts. Liz was much more mature than before and to even get an insight into Eli's POV that was extra special. The second short, related to the Liz and Eli story was quite the surprise to me. Who knew?
I have been all over the place with my reading. Blood Heir (of course) I really liked the new revised edition.
I've listened to a couple of period detective stories, Maisie Dobbs This is a female detective with a touch of empathic powers and a good head for observation. This is set in both the post WWI years and during WWI (through a series of flashbacks). I liked it so much that I got the second book Birds of a Feather . These I listen to on Audible. The weird thing is that they change the narrator 3 times, (in the first 3 books of the series), before they settle on one. It kind of knocks me out of the story at first because the characters sound different.
I also listened to the 3rd Mrs. Pollifax series book, The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax . These are set in the late 1960's, (also when they were written, 60's-70's). These are a great series to listen to, (or read). Each book isn't too long, and there is always a sweetness about her character that shines through. Mrs. Pollifax is an elderly widow who is supposed to be merely a courier, but who always seems to be entangled in some espionage web and logically gets herself and others out. These are a treat and I am trying to drag the series out. I listen to them when I need a break from more dynamic tales.

Melindeeloo.... I like the Banet, (Jacky Leon), series too, I haven't read the latest one yet, perhaps after the Spellbound books. I just realized which series you were referring to.

Thanks TINNGG. I did not know that Spellbound Falls was a spin-off. If I like these, I will look for the original series.. I had a feeling that I should know what the reference to the H's father was eluding to, and the H mentions that he is centuries old.
I got it on special and thought that it was worth a try.

I had a whole post done and somehow shifted back and lost it all. I'll try to recap.

I have been listening to a few Audible Original productions.
Rivals 2! More Frenemies Who Changed the World
Pirates! Scoundrels Who Shook the World these were a lot of fun, filled with running gags, and great voices.

While I was "into" pirates I also listened to an A.O. podcast about the women pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Coincidentally, they were both raised as boys as children. This was a very good theatrical production, I really liked the presentation.
Hell Cats
Each episode, (there are 14), was 30-40 minutes.

On kindle I have finished a couple of books. Secrets of the Sword II and Secret of the Sword I. For some reason book 2 only wants to come up for me. I love this series and I can't wait for the conclusion of this series.
I read and loved the 4th book in the Potentate of Atlanta series, Proof of Life I can't wait for this conclusion which is due out on January 19th.

I downloaded a book by a new to me author, Janet Chapman, Spellbound Falls It's a contemporary romance with a supernatural feel. Set in Maine, this is reminiscent of the Nocturne Falls cozy mysteries with paranormal characters. I have only just started this and it is good so far but I have really only read a tiny bit. Olivia Baldwin, the h, is a widow from Spellbound Falls and the H, Maximillian, (Mac), Oceanus is a recent transplant with a newly discovered 6 year old son and he has a knack for magic.

On audio I am listening to the latest Miss Fortune story Gators and Garters I love this series especially in audio the voices are hysterical.

"Btw, Happy New Year everyone! Can't ever remember being so happy to see a year end and head into a new one!"

Amen to that Lulu! I think that we all agree!

Bec McMaster is part of an all dragon shifter anthology. It is only $2.99 U.S.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

Kissed By Fire: A Dragon Shifter Anthology

Monadh wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Secrets of the Sword II by Lindsay Buroker just came out. It is free on KU. There will be Secrets.. III coming out in Fe..."

Monadh...It sounds great, I can't wait to read it!

I added the 2021 A-Z Challenge. I nearly never finish the whole thing and sometimes I forget to post my books but it is all for fun.
You can also post your book covers as a reminder of all of this years books read. Any category is strictly up to you, it's your challenge.

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best and a safe and healthy 2021!