Review: The Aeronaut's Windlass

The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jim, I want to apologize in advance for this review. Still best friends?

I can't put my finger on why I didn't fall in love with this book. I liked most of the characters. I liked the plot. I didn't mind the steampunk setting. But I tried the book, and I tried the audio, and it still took me forever to get to the end.

High points: Grimm. Rowl. Folly. I adore Benedict, and I want him to fall madly in love with Bridget and run around kicking all kinds of ass in the universe. I didn't mind Gwen, although the consensus among my book-reading friends is they don't like her. I think she's fine, and she and Grimm should join forces forever and ever. No real low points, but again, the book just wasn't a smooth, fast read. I didn't tear through the pages like I do with your other books, Jim, and I can't tell you why.

Still, I enjoyed the ride, but dang, this book was a commitment. 3 stars.

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Review: Killman Creek

Killman Creek by Rachel Caine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gwen and family just can't catch a break, but we knew it was bad from the end of book 1.

Mel has escaped from jail and is stalking Gwen. His dear Gina makes a series of bad decisions, asks near strangers (seriously, you barely know these two, Gina/Gwen) to keep her kids safe, and runs off with Sam to...find Mel? Uncover Absalom? Use herself as bait? Not sure about her decision quality in this entire book. And as the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree, her kids both make some questionable decisions as well. Connor, this side-eye is especially for you, but Lanny doesn't get a pass either.

Lots of bad things happen, as you might expect. Gwen and Sam both put themselves in danger. Connor and Lanny put themselves in danger. And Sam is lucky to have such a loyal friend in the FBI to help them, because they need it.

The ending is fairly satisfying and I think she should have ended the story here, with no need for the final scene. It will have to be an absolutely unbelievable explanation for this story to continue, because this one stretched my belief to the very limit.

Still enjoyable, though. 3 stars but I don't think I'll be back for book 3.

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Review: Strawberries and Strangers: A Cozy Murder Mystery

Strawberries and Strangers: A Cozy Murder Mystery by Leena Clover
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

My goodness, but this book was a chore to get through. The dialogue, the characters. I kept hoping a hurricane would sweep the whole town off the map, but alas, no weather incidents this time.

Jenny is going through a rough divorce and is staying with her aunt. She is crushing on the Sheriff, but not really, and they fight. All. The. Time. So you just know it is going to be true love always. I'm guessing around book 3. Anyway, a dead man is found on the beach and her hippie artist aunt Star is taken in for the crime. Of course she didn't do it. Of course Jenny investigates it and sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. Haven't you ever read a cozy?

And a lot of nonsense happens, the crime is solved in an unbelievable way, and I knew who was guilty but I didn't know why. Because there were no clues to lead us to a motive. And that is why this book gets 1.5 stars. I won't be taking a return trip to Pelican Cove.

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Review: Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What a fun book! I've never seen the movie but everyone always told me I would love this story so I gave it a try. Not at all what I was expecting.

Wizard Howl has a floating castle that moves around the land. He has a bad reputation for eating young ladies' hearts. Sophie is the eldest daughter, and a series of unfortunate events changes her life. Not going to spoil it for you, because I think you should go into this book blind and just let the story unfold. It's better this way, I promise.

And at the end, nothing it what it seems, yet it will all be completely satisfying. Very glad I read this one. 3 stars.

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Review: Dark Lover

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So glad I finally started this series. I liked it a lot. Very pleasantly surprised.

We start with Beth, mere mortal, or is she? She's the daughter of a vampire, and she needs to know this before she goes through the weird vampire puberty change. She's never met her father, and has no clue of her lineage. He's been watching from afar, making sure she is safe. Enter Wrath, King of the vampires. He's been asked to protect Beth and help usher her through the change. He's reluctant, but eventually comes around. And that's where our story begins to gain lots of steam. I'm not just talking about momentum and action, folks. Steam of all kinds. Wink wink.

I like the character evolution in this book. I think it sets up future books in the series to explore everyone's backstories, and continue moving forward. I'm especially interested in seeing how Butch's life changes in the next books. He and Fritz were my two favorites, so I'm glad to see they are sticking around.

Vampires, action, and true love always. What's not to like? 3.5 stars.

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Review: Magic Bites

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It took me a while to get through this one. Not because I hated it, or the writing was bad. I just wasn't in the mood for this type of book right now. But I did enjoy it, and will read the next one.

Kate. Oh, Kate, you prickly pear. You are hard on the outside, but soft and possibly magical on the inside. Curran, you alpha alpha male. You are all the things I love in a hero. Strong on the outside, but I can tell you are a fierce protector and a bit of a softy, too. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

The world building was a bit vague. I have so many questions still, but I guess they will be answered in future books. I think the story could have been another 50 pages to flesh things out, but I'm good with the story, characters, and where we left things. But Kate is a mysterious being and I'm looking forward to finding out more about this weird version of Atlanta. Maybe my boy Harry Dresden can visit and we will really shake things up.

3 stars. Pretty decent start to things.

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Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On my first few times reading this, it was my least favorite of the series. I'm not sure why, because I loved everything about it this time. So much to appreciate here. Professor Lupin, the search for Sirius Black, Buckbeak, the Marauder's Map. It's a great ride.

Harry, Ron, and Hermoine are all back at Hogwarts for year three. Other than a few additional classes (several, in Hermoine's case), things are as usual. The Chamber of Secrets is closed, Malfoy is still a jerk, and Wood is still obsessed with Quidditch. What's new, you might ask? Well, Hogsmeade, for one, and Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban, for another. And dementors are guarding Hogwarts and making Harry miserable.

That's all I'm giving you for a sneak peek, friends. If you haven't read the series, you shouldn't start with this one. If you have, you already know what is going on. And if you've only seen the movies, you need to stop reading this review and pick up the books, because you are missing out on so much. 3 enjoyable stars. Almost 4 because I love Professor Lupin so very much.

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Review: Devil in Spring

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book! This has been my favorite of the three so far.

Pandora and Gabriel are perfectly matched, and I love how she was able to tie in my love of the Wallflowers as well. I adored Evie and Sebastian's story, and it was perfect to read about one of their children. Made my marshmallow heart sing inside.

I love how Pandora was accepted as herself from the beginning, not just from Gabriel but also from his family. After years of her feeling like a weirdo, she finally has found her spot. A smart, independent business-minded woman who isn't willing to compromise (well, maybe a little) and knows what she wants. And Rhys is such an enabler! He is part of the reason she has blossomed like she did. I still adore him.

And I appreciate how Kleypas writes unconventional female characters. They are all different in their own way, but unique and you want to see them succeed. She has quickly become my favorite historical romance writer.

Great story! 4 stars for me. Can't wait to read the next one.

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Review: 10 LB Penalty

10 LB Penalty by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another winner by my boy, Dick Francis. He never lets me down.

In this one, we have a wonderful everyman in Benedict Juliard. Responsible, not flashy, but definitely a great combo of smart, shrewd, and forthright. What Francis does best, in my opinion. We meet young Benedict at the tender age of 17, ready for his gap year to ride races and hopefully never return to school. Unfortunately, his rather absentee father has other plans, and Benedict is thrust in the gritty world of politics. People indeed do want to vote for the elder Juliard, and there are people who are just as intent on stopping him from climbing the political ladder.

Unlike most of his books, this one actually spans 5 years, and the story takes some interesting twists and turns. Not to worry, though, because our everyman stays lawful good until the end, and we get a rushed, but satisfying ending. 3.5 stars.

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Review: The Good Daughter

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My goodness, I ended up loving this book. It was my first Karin Slaughter but it definitely won't be my last.

Are you ready for tragedy? Because it's coming in spades. A family wrecked by a home invasion of sorts, ripped to shreds with the fallout and and just trying to put their lives back together. A time jump, and we slowly pick up the pieces of the past and try to understand what got them to these places. An interesting current crime to help them all finally understand what happened 28 years ago.

I loved it. I loved the way the story unfolded, the family dynamics, and how we finally got to the conclusion. If you like crime thrillers, you should read this one. 4 stars.

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