Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn

Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman

What I Read: Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: The D'Artigo sisters are half-human and half-Faerie operatives from the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But their mixed-blood heritage short-circuits their talents at all the wrong times.  One sister, Delilah, is a shapeshifter who can turn into a tabby cat. Another, Menolly, is a vampire who's still trying to get the hang of being undead.  And the last sister is Camille--a witch.  Except her magic is as unpredictable as the weather, which her enemies soon find out the hard way...

What I Thought: Being a fan almost exclusively of high fantasy or urban fantasy contemporary fiction, when I first got introduced to this series I was skeptical whether I would like it at all. As with all series of books, the first always has a lot of character and worldbuilding involved to set the tone and pace. Galenorn does a great job of fleshing out each sister’s personality, starting with Camille in the first book. She’s sexy and flirtatious but has a sharp edge to her personality and relationships. This is an urban contemporary fiction but has strong romantic tones and distinctly different character types. One of the best themes included with each character is the inclusion of flaws and quirks that make them unique or stand out. It contrasts well with the three sisters because they are inherently flawed from the start due to their dual natures.

The action is fast-paced and hits hard on the emotional side of the conflict in which Camille and her sisters become involved. If you like mystery or thriller themed books, Witchling has elements of each as the story progresses. However, the actual description of the fights can lack at times or be very brief with more emphasis on the end result and the condition of the characters afterwards.

If you like a story with strong ties between the characters you will certainly enjoy the interaction as the first book unfolds and in later books of the “Otherworld Series”. As I mentioned before there are strong romantic scenes in this book and later on in the series. If you are looking for a light romance or Christian romance this is not the book for you. There are adult themes throughout and the content and language matches these themes. There are also themes not commonly talked about or viewed as normal in the series related to relationships and archetypes in families; sometimes it can be hard to like the characters if you don’t have an open mind.

I really enjoy these books as a contrast to other series I read that either have strong negative tones or dark content. Whichling and the following books, even if they can be emotional at times, leave you refreshed or excited to read the next book in the series. I recommend this series for adult readers.

Readalikes: The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S. Belcher

Or look this book up on NoveList!

The Drafter by Kim Harrison

The Drafter by Kim Harrison

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman

What I Read: The Drafter by Kim Harrison

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: In this first novel in the Peri Reed Chronicles, Kim Harrison touches on a new frontier in science fiction with an edge-of-your-seat thriller filled with spies and time travel that will keep you guessing until the very end.

In the near future, Peri Reed is an Opti Soldier trained to complete U.S. government missions others would never dream of being able to complete. The year is 2030, the setting is Detroit. Peri is double-crossed by the person she loved and betrayed by the covert government organization that trained her to use her body as a weapon.  Peri Reed has become a renegade on the run. "Don't forgive and never forget" has always been Peri's creed.

But her day job makes it difficult: she is a drafter, possessed of a rare, invaluable skill for altering time, yet destined to forget both the history she changed and the history she rewrote. When Peri discovers her name is on a list of corrupt operatives, she realizes that her own life has been manipulated by the agency. Her memory of the previous three years erased, she joins forces with a mysterious rogue soldier in a deadly race to piece together the truth about her fateful final task. Her motto has always been only to kill those who kill her first. But with nothing but intuition to guide her, will she have to break her own rule to survive?

What I Thought: Kim Harrison’s new novel The Drafter is a fast paced techno-thriller that pushes the boundary of morality and understanding of the world around you. Peri Reed is a very strong character with a very unique problem. The people around her as using her, and because she can draft she doesn’t know who she can trust.

Peri can take care of herself in a fight, but at times can seem fragile and broken. She’s been used by both sides for so long that her life has become a fragmented mess. The book will keep pulling you in different directions, but your feelings toward other characters in the story will be immediately grounded by their actions.

Kim Harrison doesn’t pull any punches and even if you think you know where the story is going, you don’t have all of the details. The Peri Reed Chronicles reminds me a little bit of the movie Time Cop without the horrible acting or the need for a fancy device or machine to make the process work. The characters mesh well together and provide support for Peri throughout the story through their actions.

If you like sci-fi thrillers with a strong female protagonist, but don’t like space ships or far futures, I would recommend this book to you. If you do get to read the book, I would recommend Kim Harrison’s first adult fiction Hollows Series. You won’t be disappointed.

Readalikes: Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck or Amped by Daniel H. Wilson

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 4, Part 2

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 4, Part 2

Posted by Anonymous

Here's the second half of the week's book reviews! July 18 is your last chance to submit a review for this blog, so read away!

Reviewed by: Tanya N.
What I Read: Grey by E.L. James
What I Thought: What a refreshing twist inside a mans point of view falling for someone. I preferred his version over her 50 Shades of Grey. Very interested to read a story already read from another point of view. Puts a new perspective on the story.

Reviewed by: Tanya N.
What I Read: 50 Shades Darker by E.L. James
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: The basic story line is great. Imagine making 100,00.00 an hour. To be so rich and carefree with your spending. Yet being rich & powerful always creates enemies. I do wish authors would quit making women so insecure about themselves & having such a low self esteem. I do not believe that is an accurate description of most women in todays society.

Reviewed by: Tanya N.
What I Read: 50 Shades Freed by E.L. James
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Much more exciting than the other two. I found she tied all three together. Story line was very rich and intriguing. Love is a powerful emotion that can control your life. I did however not care for the start. I would have expected much more detail in the wedding and I don't care when authors time bounce. And although story line was good the climax of the book could have been prolonged. Ana is smarter than I expected.

Reviewed by: Merrilie J.
What I Read: 81 Days Below Zero by Brian Murphy
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is the account of Leon Crane who was in the Army Aircorps during W.W.II, stationed at Ladd Airfield in Alaska. He and 4 others were testing a B-24 in Dec. of 1943. The plane crashed on a remote mountain - Crane parachuted out (the only survivor)! For the next 80 days he struggled, coming near death several times. He was saved by finding an abandoned trapper's cabin, fully provisioned. Ultimately he found a wilderness couple (with 3 children) who dog sledded him to a landing strip - It was a good book to read during our Yuma 100+ humid weather!

Reviewed by: Merrilie J.
What I Read: Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is an account of the sinking (by Torpedo) of the Lusitania, a very large ocean liner in the year 1915. There were 1,959 passengers and crewmen aboard. Of these only 764 survived. It (the ship) was attacked by a submarine captained by Walther Schwieger, an ace submariner in the German navy. This incident (and many others of similar ilk) was generally thought to be the reason for the U.S. joining the Allies in World War I, though that did not happen till the year 1917. A "subplot" of this book is the account of Pres. Wilson's wooing of Edith Galt, who he married in short order. Her role in American history is another story, which I am now interested in reading of.

Reviewed by: Mary H.
What I Read: Memories of a Dirt Road Town by Stephen Bly
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This was a light read - I enjoyed it - About a middle age woman going on an unplanned trip to a place she was at when she was ten.

Reviewed by: Mary H.
What I Read: The Mustang Breaker by Stephen Bly
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: A light summer read - The second book of a series about a middle age woman in Wyoming on vacation and her love of horses and the Lord.

Reviewed by: Martha F.
What I Read: The Fold by Peter Clines
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: It's an interesting story (in the "Mystery" category) with a lots of twist and turns - about a team of scientists has invented a device - they call it the Albuquerque Door. Using a cryptic computer equation and magnetic fields to "fold" dimensions, it shrinks distances so that a traveler can travel hundreds of feet with a single step.
It's kind of a sci-fi story with interesting characters, most of the time it was hard to put it down...

Reviewed by: Kile T. 

What I Read: Make Something Up by Chuck Palahniuk

Find it at YCLD: Here!

What I Thought: I quite enjoyed this collection of short stories. Chuck P. has a unique style & voice. He tends to push fiction to the edge. These stories are all at once poignant, sarcastic, funny, disturbing, graphic & grotesque. Adventurous readers will enjoy this book & the stories within.

Reviewed by: Carol H.

What I Read: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Find it at YCLD: Here!

What I Thought: It was kinda sad but very good reading. I enjoyed it very much. Good book.

Reviewed by: Carol H.

What I Read: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Find it at YCLD: Here!

What I Thought: I really liked the love triange with Bella, Edward, & Jacob. How they both want to protect Bella. The battles were insane, they get married, have a baby and its all good reading.

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 4, Part 1

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 4, Part 1

Posted by Anonymous

 
Summer really has Yuma County fired up for reading! We received so many book reviews this past week that they'll be split into two blog posts, the better to give each a chance to shine. Thanks for your feedback on what you've been reading!

Reviewed by: Angela T.
What I Read: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: A fantastic classic who-done-it mystery. A widow commit's suicide and rumors begin that she killed her husband and was being blackmailed about it. Her new gentleman friend is then murdered in his locked study. There are many suspects and the story is cleverly written so you are strung along and surprised at the end! This is a Hercule Poirot detective novel, whose methods are similar to Sherlock Holmes, where every minor detail is important and everyone has a secret! Highly recommend!

Reviewed by: Dusty W. 
What I Read: A Hummingbird In My House by Arnette Heidcamp
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought:  The book was very heart-warming. The author's descriptive words allowed the reader to visualize every aspect of her true story she was trying to convey. The photos were beautiful and captured the events she spoke about along the way. I, myself, AM a bird lover; as I too observe the hummingbirds in my yard! I became educated in the types of flowers to grow in one's garden to attract these tiny birds; was also informed of their diet made up of not only sugars from nectar, but protein from insects. As for now, I'll let the hummers "honor me with their presence" in the wild, and enjoy my Zebra Finches indoors!

Reviewed by: Zoraya C.
What I Read: Is it hot in here? Or is it me? by Pat Wingert, et al.
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This books very interesting for me. I helps all. And I think that is good books for more people that ist in the Menopause.
Fue muy interesante y me ayudo mucho.

Reviewed by: Zoraya C.
What I Read: El pasaje silencioso by Gail Sheehy
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Muy bueno parami es muy interesande me gusty y me servio mucho.

Reviewed by: Carol P.
What I Read: The Daughter of Zion by Bodie Thoene
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: It is very well written & characters personalities keep it interesting as does the action & the drama. There are flash backs in the form of Rachel remembering when she & her mother & other Jews were packed in cattle cars who had been promised a cup of water, & when she was separated from her mother. The book, like the rest of the Zion series is fiction based in the time of history after World War II. The history part seems to be acurate and the fictional characters are intriguing & interesting. Is a good read.

Reviewed by: Carol P.
What I Read: The Return to Zion by Bodie Thoene
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This book continues with the lives of the characters of The Daughter of Zion and through their talk & actions shows their love for their fellow-man & country & their desire for the world to recognize that they still struggle after the war has ended as the Arabs try to make the world believe that it is the Jews that continue to fight & bomb. The emotions & personalities of people from both sides & the Brits/English are clearly & interestingly shown as the Jews inside the Old City no longer receive supplies of food; but stubbornly stay any way. Book is very well written.

Reviewed by: Carol P.
What I Read: The New Whole Grains Cookbook by Robin Ashbell
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Easy to follow recipes. Good explanation as to why whole grains are better for you than refined grains. Has many good recipes for a large variety of various grains; for breads & muffins not requiring yeast & with reduced sugar & what fruits are good substitutes for oil or butter. Has recipes for using whole wheat, bulgur, quinoa, couscous, oats, wild rice, barley, buckwheat, rices, rye; and Job's Tears also known as Chinese barley or hato mugi. Explains different things about the various grains, such as wild rice isn't raely a rice but is an aquatic grass that originated in North American marshes.

Reviewed by: Nancy L.
What I Read: Se una pareja feliz by Barton Goldsmith
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Este libro trate de como cambiar los habitos negativos por positivos y fortalecerlos, como la gratitud y la honestidad, necesarios para una convivencia sana y amorosa con tu pareja, comprender que simples actos. de bondad y generosidad aumentan la posibilidad de una relacion feliz y Aceptar que la felicidad esta en to bueno actitud y deceo de cambio.

Reviewed by: Nancy L.
What I Read: Tengo 50 ¿y qué? by Giselle Blondet
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Este libro es un perfecto manual que en cada etapa de tu vida. seas exitosa, te sientas realiecida, bella y disfrutando de ser lo que eres, como lo hace. la conductura de televicion Giselle Blondet, El dia que ella complio los 50 años juro que nunca dina su edad. Y dire qe los 50 años son los nuevos 30.

Reviewed by: Nancy L.
What I Read: Por que los hombres se casan con las cabronas by Sherry Argov
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Este libro trata de que antes la mujer debia complacer en todo a su pareja, Sherry propone un nuevo modelo de mujer independiente, que se valvera la mas deseable, la que el querra a toda costa conquistar y conservar: Desde las ideas sobre. el compromiso hasta la vida sexual moderna, pasando por las ventajas de la independencia financiera y los secretos. mas obscuros del generao masculino, este libro te da las nerramientas para que el se sienta afortunado de querercasorse contigo.

Reviewed by: Sara Y.
What I Read: El Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes
Find It at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Una divertida historia de un hombre que por leer tantas avanturas de caballeros, pierde la cabeza. Literalmente pierda la cabeza y se autonombra "Caballero Andante". 
Aungue el español castellano en que esta escrito es dificil de entender y se tienen que leer las subnotas, esto no le resta brillantez a las tantas aventuras vividas en una imaginacion brillante de nuestro heroe por defender lo que el considera injusticias (que solo existen en su imaginacion) o que son reales pero que son su intervencion solo se agravan.

Check the Yuma Staff Picks Blog again at the end of the week for more reviews!

The Bad Miss Bennet by Jean Burnett

The Bad Miss Bennet by Jean Burnett

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Becky Brendel

What I Read: The Bad Miss Bennet by Jean Burnett

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: After her husband's death in the Battle of Waterloo, Lydia Wickham (of Pride & Prejudice infamy) determines to make her own way in the world instead of obeying her stuffy brother-in-law, Mr. Darcy. Misadventures dog her heels across the European continent, however, as she finds herself entangled in a matter of international diplomacy - and encounters a singularly attractive, if roguish, highwayman.

What I Thought: Aside from matching Lydia's narrative style to the way she speaks in the original Pride & Prejudice, Burnett chooses to put her own spin on this unofficial "sequel": Lydia tells the story in first person, gets up to all sorts of explicit romantic misadventures, and spends as little time as possible with the original Pride & Prejudice cast. This works in Burnett's favor, since of the rest of the cast, only Darcy ends up sounding remotely like himself - as seen through Lydia's eyes, granted, which makes for some of the most humorous scenes in the book. Burnett even manages to parody the infamous "pond scene" from the A&E miniseries; the reference was self-indulgent, but I laughed anyway.

The plot itself resembles one of the "sensation" novels Lydia loves so much (likely on purpose - a nice way to nod to the period while matching the plot to its heroine's character). Lydia falls victim to a highwayman's charms, is embroiled in the theft of some royal jewels, nearly ends up a "kept woman", and remains blissfully unaware that her attempts to live "independently" really just put her at the beck and call of others. The book even reads like a serial novel, with several standalone episodes taking Lydia all over both England and Europe before loosely wrapping up towards the end. Since so many of these escapades were predictable, however, I can't honestly say I read this book for the plot.

Lydia herself, though, makes a wonderful storyteller. She's sprightly and honest with herself about what she wants (especially when those priorities are shallow); she just has no idea how to go about getting it without also getting into trouble. But because her perspective is unique and unreliable, she makes an engaging first-person narrator. Lydia may never learn from her mistakes, and I wouldn't want to be her friend - but I'd happily listen to her tell stories at parties.

Readalikes: Anything by Georgette Heyer, for more Regency-era romance; Longbourn by Jo Baker, for a much bleaker take on the Pride & Prejudice story. (And Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James, if you just can't get enough of stories where Wickham dies.)

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman

What I Read: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Find It @YCLD: Here! 

What It's About: MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary 21^st century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae…. (synopsis from Amazon.com)

What I Thought: Disclaimer: Mature Adult – Now that, that is out of the way. This is an interesting book and series. Yes, I read the entire set. I also started to read Karen’s next series in the MacKayla Lane saga with Iced, Burned, and soon to be Flayed. Anyways, back on subject. This book went very dark very fast. The first book in a series is always about character building and creating a pretty picture for the reader. This book does not follow that pattern at all. Sure you follow Mac on her journey, but everything just falls apart around her. The author does a good job of setting up the character and her change while only hinting at her past during the story.

I know, I know, you all hate flashbacks. So do I. But low and behold Karen Marie Moning is very good at selecting and using memory to fuel her stories and characters. Now I wouldn’t consider this a kid or teen friendly book. There are elements within that help pull the reader into the story and the actions of the character, but they aren’t for every age. Read the book; have a good time trying to figure out who the bad guys and good guys or girls are in the story. I assure you will be on the edge of your chair, bed, or wherever you like to read as you follow MacKayla through this Alice in Wonderland type story.

Readalikes: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Or look this book up on NoveList!