Showing posts with label Reading Suggestions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Suggestions. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

December 7, 2022 - Staff Reviews

The Heat Is On
By Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


4 Stars - This fun little beach read had surprising intensity! Bella and Jacob both had major commitment phobia but were adorable together. When Bella's dates come under attack, Jacob's determined to get to the culprit before he gets to them. 

Shalvis has a cute message at the beginning of this about having fun writing for HQ Blaze series. I think the level of fun she had showed with this one. This isn't an angsty read though there's plenty of drama. Jacob's a great hero, especially fun to see with Bella and his brothers. Bella was a bit more difficult to understand. She's baker and traveler, not one for settling down. Her list of real friends is small so it makes her instant connection with Jacob extra sweet. Both of these two do a lot verbal pushing away while pulling each other closer. It got to be a bit much here and there.

I find it interesting how many times in romances, the woman is the one with one foot out the door. Girls can be reluctant to give up their freedom too, and not just in regards to dating. More like, they don't always want to buy a house, pets, and give up traveling. It's always refreshing. The side characters were cool but not particularly funny or memorable except for Jacob's brothers. Now, for the mystery. This is not a whodunit on the level of Agatha Christie of course. But I admit I didn't know who the bad guy was until he revealed himself. There was quite a series of suspenseful moments in this one, making it easy to not put it down. I wouldn't say there were any fabulous action sequences or explosive scenes. But there was just enough intrigue to keep this one exciting. This would be a perfect paperback for romance readers to grab for a weekend trip or rainy day on the couch.

(NS)

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

November 29, 2022 - Staff Reviews


The Bedroom Experiment
By Kendall Ryan
Release Date: Feburary 11, 2020
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - This novella was entertaining but not as much fun as it could have been. Morgan and Isla make a cute couple and they're really just getting started. This quick and mostly dirty little read makes a nice addition for fans of these lovable hockey players but is also basically a standalone.

This is a short story that's heavy on the steamy scenes and light on substance. Kendall Ryan has a way with characters and this story is no exception. Morgan and Isla's little fling feels like the tip of an iceberg. I do wish we'd gotten Isla's point of view as well. Morgan's got a bad boy vibe but he's a good guy at heart. Isla's a bit of a mystery cause she's part girl next door and part siren.

We get a few mentions and some love from Morgan's teammates, but otherwise this could have been a completely separate story. It's not obvious where the idea came to tie this in here. Although, it could have made for a great little Christmas novella. I'm not sure these two's back and forth would have filled a whole novel. Their only conflict is that as teenagers, they became step siblings. No creepy vibes though because they never lived together or anything. But I wasn't really a fan of the ending. I wasn't sure what the purpose was to spending a year completely apart and then deciding to be together. There was no indication either one of them really pined away for the other. Why didn't they just stay together after hooking up the first time? I think a few more pages or chapters would have rounded these two out more and the story would have felt more complete.


(NS)

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

November 23, 2022 - Staff Reviews


A Tryst by the Sea
By Grace Burrowes
Release Date: March 1, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - The short novel was a bit more intense than the usual historical novella. Burrowes surprised me with the sobfest potential in this little rekindled romance tale.  Gill and Penelope are struggling to find themselves and figure out their future as they revisit their past on a lovely seaside trip.

Grace Burrowes was new to me so if she's inclined to such heart wrenching work, I was unaware. This definitely is not in the company of light and flirty historical romances but it has its own appeal. The mini saga of this long married couple was a moving drama. Gill and Penelope are still in love with each other but neither seems to realize it's mutual. There has been so much heartache in their pasts that it seems impossible to overcome. But once they face old struggles and really get to know each other again, it's all sweetness.

This one was a basis of miscommunication that's hard for me to abide. Many will say these two were young, kept apart by circumstances beyond their control. How could they know each other? But the excuses for ten years of distance and partial misery felt flimsy. Maybe this is a romance best suited to readers finding themselves at crossroads or looking back. Penelope is lovely and lonely and ready to move on. She's young but feels older than her years. Gill's been devoted to her in his heart and mind but not great at showing it. They've held themselves apart for fear of additional heartache. Facing what they've lost and learning to be brave for the chance at resuming their relationship is something they manage to do though. Gill stands his ground with his family, and Penelope figures out how to forge ahead with hope rather than resignation. It's basically a short version of a tragic little love story that shows it's never too late for a happy ending.

(NS)

Thursday, November 17, 2022

November 17, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Thunder Point
By Jack Higgins
Release Date: September 1, 1994
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3.5 Stars - Escapist fiction at its best. Sean Dillon is at the start of his lengthy book series and intriguing as ever. He's got that broody bad boy side down to an art and it's hard to tell what he's thinking. Half this book takes place on the island of St. John which makes it perfect for a day at the beach or on the couch. While a bit plodding and repetitive, this old-fashioned little action thriller was a lot of fun.

Jack Higgins is up there with Clancy, Cussler, and Ludlum as some of the most noteworthy globe-trotting story authors of the late 20th century. I've read the fewest of Higgins books but he still has a great style all his own and a fascinating main man in Sean Dillon. Dillon's background is uniquely crafted to make him stone cold yet likable. Every great assassin has a backstory that makes him already suited to the spy game and his is acting. But he wasn't an actor for long before the IRA managed to snatch him up. Now he's in a bind and forced to work for the government. 

The side characters here are simpler but fun as well. Poor Henry is a diver in the wrong place at the right time. He finds a remarkable discovery in the clear Carribean waters that sets everything in motion. It's not a treasure per se. But a lot of people want it. Enter his friend Jenny, a roommate he more less rescued that fills the heroine roll. Her part probably leaves a bit to be desired by modern feminists but I thought she was likable and had a redeeming grit. Ferguson and Carney end up as Dillon's crafty and amusing sidekicks for most of it, even if Dillon isn't technically the boss. This isn't a mystery as much as a straightforward treasure hunt, fight, and race type of story. Some aspects of the plot you can see coming but are none the less entertaining. Despite it being a relatively short book, there is a little skimming and it wouldn't made a great audiobook. For example, Dillon lights up a cigarette for something to do countless times and a few sections are more info dumps than research discoveries. Overall all though, it's an exciting little sea worthy tale that's worth the trip into the past.

(NS)

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

November 8, 2022 - Staff Reviews


 

Hook, Line, and Sinker
By Tessa Bailey
Release Date: March 1, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - This long love story from newly minted rom-com queen Tessa Bailey has so many cute factors. Hannah and Fox have super chemistry but also make a perfect quirky couple for a light read. This book really would have been great at half the length, I think. But music lovers, small town tv show watchers, and friends-to-lovers fans will find so much to like.

Tessa's more intense romances from back in the day were solid four-star reads for me. Now the whole romantic comedy tidal wave sweeping the romance novel nation wipes me out. Fox and Hannah are instantly likable and easy to root for as a pair. But after awhile their almost respective insecurities weigh down the story. Hannah's not content to be a supporting actress in life and she's trying to squeak out of her comfort zone. Fox finds his world upside when faced with a roommate he has romantic feelings for. Gotta feel for them both.

I'm not a fan of the story being told in texts and song lyrics. I need dialouge and showing not telling. But it's a cute way to be modern and heartfelt so that's fine for many readers so I'm in the minority. The whole classic music but throw in some Lana Del Ray thing went over my head. I have simple music tastes but I'm sure headphone wearers everywhere will eat all that up. The book has a very fun Gilmore Girls vibe. Plus there's plenty more Brendan and Piper for fans of the first book. I found that one somewhat forgettable so this can be a standalone. Bailey wastes little time turning up the heat on these two. And I was oddly into all the side drama with Sergei. I was a bit exhausted at the halfway point though and discouraged when these two had made little progress on themselves and the pursuit of a meaningful relationship. Still, there's lots of fun to be had here in Westport! Tessa's very unique style is sure to charm as always.

(NS)

Friday, November 4, 2022

November 4, 2022 - Staff Reviews


 

Take a Chance with Me
By Kristen Proby
Release Date: January 25, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - Another likable entry set in Proby's Seattle universe. I was really looking forward to Cam and Maggie's story, and it fell just a bit shy of expectations. Maggie's fiery personality is central here as she battles her past. Cam's a strong, supportive shoulder that she needs to lean on.

There was so much build up to Maggie's story in her branch of the Seattle families. And I was ready to devour her and Cam's book. Proby oddly didn't work any suspense and only a little steam into this one. She chose instead to highlight Maggie's struggles since getting out of an abusive marriage, and her lifelong friendship with Cam that becomes more. Cam's more patient with her than I could have probably been to be honest. But these two did have a lot of chemistry and a beautiful relationship with her family.

I felt like this one just wasn't as tightly plotted and had some tropes I generally don't enjoy. Cam is Maggie's much older brother's best friend, and while I was buying Maggie's crush on him, I couldn't see Cam's side as much. Maggie's almost too indecisive and capricious. I can understand her reluctance to change and commitment but frankly, her life was shaped by her own bad choices so. There's a really weird aspect of the plot involving money left behind by her husband. Cam's got secrets that are left really, really vague. I feel like Proby should have doubled down somewhere to up the excitement levels a little. Either they have a secret passionate affair or end up in danger from one of Maggie's beau's lifestyle choices. This one was definitely entertaining though, slightly saucy but mostly sweet. Just felt like a bit was left on the table.

(NS)

Friday, October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Dead or Alive
By Tom Clancy & Grant Blackwood
Release Date: December 7, 2010 
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3.5 Stars - A worthy if wordy entry into the Ryan series that moves so many of Clancy's best characters more into the modern world of terrorism. Plus, we get to see some new guys in action too. This may not be the series top work, but it's certainly entertaining. I personally found it a breath of fresh air in comparison to the latest ones.   It's a transition novel of sorts, but surely worth the effort for anyone into the Ryan universe.

This one has much more going than the previous entry (Teeth of the Tiger). It manages to maintain an exciting pace. It was fun to revisit one of my favorite series and hit some stories I missed. Blackwood isn't my favorite author of the series but this one still has enough trademark Clancy style to feel authentic (which sadly hasn't been the case since Greaney left the team in like 2016). Jack Jr. is falling nicely into his super spook role now, taking on more fieldwork than his father did, but still learning as an analyst too. Jack Sr. is considering another run for the presidency but he's pretty content returning to his life as a non fiction writer and scholar.

Unlike the prior novel that started with a bang and quickly fizzled, this one manages to do better. The Campus is still getting established. We're getting juicy back stories on all the characters that will soon make up the team. From rehashing some of Clark's war stories to meeting Army Ranger in trouble Sam Driscoll, it's all a lot more exciting. I'll say it's still a lot of info but it's Clancy's way of painting very dynamic characters. Also the hunt for The Emir is really livening up. We've got more action, even in the first half of the book. Of course, everyone likes to complain this second series isn't vintage Clancy. It doesn't bother me. This is still like 85% Clancy. A few things bugged me. Why did they make a point of Ryan discussing his election campaign with his staff but not his family? Did Sr and Jr really not get into Jack's new job position or they did they? There's still a bit of dragging around the two-thirds mark. But overall, this is a great entry in the Ryan cannon of books and made me disappointed in the newest novels all over again. This isn't an easy weekend read, but that just means there's plenty to sink your teeth into here. Lots of action and intriguing characters all over the place.

(NS)

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

October 25, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Wild Temptation
By Mari Carr
Release Date: September 7, 2019
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


4 Stars - This little romance was equal parts sweet and steamy and a fun surprise. May was independent and determined but learned to let her soft side show. Lochlan was a bit of a jerk but once he found May's real side, he really stepped it up for her. Very easy read and enjoyed it more than expected.

Mari Carr had fallen off my radar and admittedly some of her books are a bit too 50 Shades for my usual taste. I dropped into the middle of this series but felt like I could easily follow along with the family history. I loved May because she was so strong while still being sweet. All too often in fiction, these girls have a cold streak a mile wide. Lochlan maybe felt a tad over the top but really few ladies wouldn't love his take charge side. It's not just in the boardroom and the bedroom. He's really supportive of May even when she pushes him away in an effort to protect her heart.

There was so much more to this one than the blurb. May has two adorable nieces and a mother she's taking care of and she wears the weight of her little world on her shoulders. Enter Lochlan and he shows her how to ask for help and let go, literally. I won't lie. There's a lot of cliches in here like insta-love and virgin heroines and alpha male posturing. But the first half where Lochlan was stepping in with May's family and welcoming them into his own really had me. Things really steamed up for the second half, probably moreso than most sensitive readers could skip over. But there's a good chance they could skim over the sexy times and like the story overall just fine. Carr's racier set-ups that are mentioned off handedly here as tying in with the big family didn't appeal to me. But I'll definitely read a few more from this series.

(NS)


Thursday, October 20, 2022

October 20, 2022 - Staff Reviews



The Recovery Agent
By Janet Evanovich
Release Date: March 22, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - Evanovich is still trying to find her footing in this new treasure hunt series. Gabriella Rose has a whole new backstory and set of skills that set her apart from her other quirky, comedic heroines. I loved the Recovery Agent idea. Those looking to mix it up their reading lists with a jungle adventure will have a lot of fun. But I think it's going to take a few more books for her to reach Plum levels of fortune and glory.

I've read all of Evanovich's Plum and Fox + O'Hare novels, plus some of the standalone romances. And the Indiana Jones films are my absolute favorites. So you can imagine my excitement. Gabriella has all of the trademark heroine boxes checked plus she gets to have actual skills! She's got the crazy family, small town childhood sweetheart complicated history, and an affinity for finding trouble. Rafer Jones is her ex-husband who has his own curious set of talents and a major soft spot for his ex. We actually get a little POV from him too! But I felt like I never really got into either of their heads for more than a minute or two.

Disclaimer: honestly, I'll read just about any treasure hunt tale set in a tropical, mysterious atmosphere. But I think that was the problem. I've read too many adventure tales to be impressed with this plot. Evanovich relies mostly on humor, characters, and an easy read quality not plots. But she falters here. She made an odd choice in not going first person POV and left a lot on the table. It seems liked she short changed Rose and counterparts in development. Some of the dialouge and jokes were really cringey. While the sidekicks and villians are equal parts funny and menacing, no one actually feels dangerous. Which makes for great light reading but lets down a swashing buckling style adventure just a little. And I found this really difficult to read at times. The depictions of settings and the treasure details had my head spinning. Like why are they searching for a Peruvian treasure on an island by Costa Rica? Are they after the Seal of Solomon or a ring or is it the same thing? We're in the ruins or a cave... Her terse and quick descriptions don't apply as well to exotic locations as they do to small town Jersey. I'm not sure where she'll take Gabriella Rose next after throwing so much into this one but we'll see. It was still quick and light and hopefully this improves with age like her other series.

(NS)

Thursday, October 13, 2022

October 13, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Sierra Six
By Mark Greaney
Release Date: February 15, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - The Gray Man returns in spectacular fashion as always. This series always manages to stay fresh. Court's in India this time with a new set of clients to help, and he stumbles upon an enemy from his past. So we get some fascinating flashbacks to his early days working under Zach and Matt as Sierra Six. This one might have actually made two more exciting short novels or novellas, but fans of this action series will still find plenty to get excited about.

Greaney has somehow managed to use the sam format and style successfully with the Gray Man for years, but he changes up just enough to avoid a rut for most readers. His characters always have plenty of personality that keeps things fun throughout all the shootouts and action. However, this is not his best showcase for character development in my opinion. Court is at his best when he's being himself of course. And he was finally starting to have some kind of relationship with Matt, Zach, and Zoya in Relentless. That made Relentless way superior on the entertainment side. Here once again he goes back to working with and rescuing strangers which is just okay.

I think part of my problem with the set up is that we know not to care about anyone in this book much. Sure, it's kinda fun to see Court at the mercy of Zach. But we already know how all that works out. And he is still already the Gray Man. We sort of did all this in Back Blast already. I didn't like the tech girls either. Both of them felt thrown in for the sake of appealing to everyday female readers. Frankly, I liked some of call girls, models, and outright spies in previous books more because they felt more real. I liked both sides of the story, past and present. And there was a good flow of flashbacks to updates that harkened back to the Clancy Command Authority days. But there was a lot of info and a lot of characters to take in in between action sequences. While I was so excited for this one's release, I found myself able to put it down for awhile and pick it back. This series has been full of peaks and valleys and surprises though. So no doubt I'll be back to the next one. And this probably would not be a bad starting place for a new reader to Gray Man, maybe even better.

(NS)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

October 5, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Riggs
By Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - Another solid series entry, but this book takes awhile to pick up steam (in more ways than one). Riggs and Veronica aren't the most instantly likable characters, which seems to make them a surprisingly good match. The storyline relies heavily though on Riggs' teenage sister Janelle, who is sweet but a bit much. Overall, readers who stick with it will find this worth the read, and it leads to a crazy spinoff start to the next hockey saga.

Bennett's crisp way with words and plotting isn't on its best display here. The story drags for about the first third or so because Janelle's presence linking the two leads is only so interesting. Once everyone's pasts start to come to light and the sparks start to fly, it's a much better story. Riggs is gruff and antisocial but he has a soft spot for his little sister and later Veronica and his team. Veronica seems a bit too jaded and misdirected at first, but she grew on me just like she did on Riggs. 

I love this author's ability to really weave in a bit of suspense even when that doesn't seem like it's going to be part of story. We get a bit of adrenaline pump at about the fourth quarter point. Everything really picked up once Riggs and Veronica shared some page time without Janelle. Some of the steamy scenes were enough to make you blush, but there's not an abundance of them in the second half. Riggs and Veronica slowly get to know each other and help Janelle find her footing. Janelle was an odd case. There's a lot of emphasis that's she almost eighteen, very independent, and well adjusted. So it felt very forced that she would be copping such an attitude and need someone to stay with her. There's a lot of fun with returning characters too, and a really wild lead in to the characters we'll see in the next spin-off series.

(NS)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

October 4, 2022 - BCPL Fantasy Fiction Favorites


Are you a fantasy fiction fan? Looking to try out a new genre? 

Just in time for Halloween we're sharing some of our favorite fantasy fiction stories! All titles are available from one of our locations or on our ebook catalogue.


The Crystal City by Orson Scott Card
Dowsers find water, the second sight warns of dangers to come, and a torch can read a person's future---or their heart. In this world where "knacks" abound, Alvin, the seventh son of a seventh son, is a very special man indeed. He's a Maker; he has the knack of understanding how things are put together, how to create them, repair them, keep them whole, or tear them down. He can heal hearts as well as bones, he build a house, he can calm the waters or blow up a storm. And he can teach his knack to others, to the measure of their own talent.


Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated. Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.


Cold Days by Jim Butcher
For years, Harry Dresden has been Chicago's only professional wizard, but a bargain made in desperation with the Queen of Air and Darkness has forced him into a new job: professional killer. Mab, the mother of wicked faeries, has restored the mostly-dead wizard to health, and dispatches him upon his first mission - to bring death to an immortal. Even as he grapples with the impossible task, Dresden learns of a looming danger to Demonreach, the living island hidden upon Lake Michigan, a place whose true purpose and dark potential have the potential to destroy billions and to land Dresden in the deepest trouble he has ever known - even deeper than being dead. How messed up is that?


Firstlife by Gena Showalter
Tenley “Ten” Lockwood has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. She’s earned her rep as the craziest of crazies, but that doesn’t stop the torture. Ten can leave, but only if she allows her parents to choose where she’ll live—after she dies. There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.


A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...


Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.



Dark Song by Christine Feehan
Stolen from her home at a young age and tormented for centuries, Elisabeta Trigovise is scared to show herself to anyone. Even though she has been rescued and is now safe within the Carpathian compound, she has lived in fear for so long she has no idea how to survive without it. She wants to answer the siren call of her lifemate—but the very thought terrifies her.


Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more... After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted.


Seduced by Magic by Cheyenne McCray
Copper Ashcroft is an accomplished D'Anu witch, but the magic she wields is a potent force--strong enough to hurl her into a mysterious Otherworld when a spell backfires. Before Copper can escape, another being is pulled into her realm--Tiernan, a powerfully virile Tuatha D'Danann warrior. Blond, blue-eyed, and shamelessly seductive, Tiernan could be Copper's savior…and his touch sets her body on fire.


Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich
Lizzy Tucker's once normal life as a pastry chef in Salem, Massachusetts, turns upside down as she battles both sinister forces and an inconvenient attraction to her unnaturally talented but off-limits partner, Diesel. When Harvard University English professor and dyed-in-the-wool romantic Gilbert Reedy is mysteriously murdered and thrown off his fourth-floor balcony, Lizzy and Diesel take up his twenty-year quest for the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic...


Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she cant help but wonder what Cookies up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a womans name.


The Becoming by Nora Roberts
The world of magick and the world of man have long been estranged from one another. But some can walk between the two--including Breen Siobhan Kelly. She has just returned to Talamh, with her friend, Marco, who's dazzled and disoriented by this realm--a place filled with dragons and faeries and mermaids (but no WiFi, to his chagrin). In Talamh, Breen is not the ordinary young schoolteacher he knew her as. Here she is learning to embrace the powers of her true identity. Marco is welcomed kindly by her people--and by Keegan, leader of the Fey. Keegan has trained Breen as a warrior, and his yearning for her has grown along with his admiration of her strength and skills.



Lasher by Anne Rice
The Talamasca, documenters of paranormal activity, is on the hunt for the newly born Lasher. Mayfair women are dying from hemorrhages and a strange genetic anomaly has been found in Rowan and Michael. Lasher, born from Rowan, is another species altogether and now in the corporeal body, represents an incalcuable threat to the Mayfairs. Rowan and Lasher travel together to Houston and she becomes pregnant with another creature like him, a Taltos. Lasher seeks to reproduce his race in other women, but they cannot withstand it. Rowan escapes and becomes comatose as her fully-grown Taltos daughter is born. The Mayfairs declare all-out war on Lasher and try to nurse Rowan back to heatlth.


Frost Line by Linda Howard & Linda Jones
Lenna is Strength, a manifestation of the Tarot card, and powerful beyond reckoning. But when she’s pulled into the human realm and tasked with protecting a young boy, everything is thrown into chaos. Lenna’s not supposed to be here, interacting with mortals. She’s definitely not supposed to be drawn to the sexy mercenary sent to retrieve her by any means necessary . . .


A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.


Did we leave out any your favorite fantasy fiction titles or authors? Let us know in the comments below or on any of our social media pages!


Images and info are courtesy of WV Reads, Google, and Goodreads.

 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022 - Staff Review


 

You Don't Own Me
By Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
Release Date: November 6, 2018
Audiobook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - Another suspenseful tale from this talented writing duo. Laurie was easy to like though, a widow whose a smart investigator and single mom. On the flip side, we had Kendra who was much more of a mystery of course. Is she or is she not a victim? 

I hadn't been reading this series but Laurie's character makes this a formidable standalone. My biggest issue here was a lot of repeated information. This wasn't quite a quick, sharp story. Laurie's got a fascinating backstory, willing to stand her ground and tossing a few quips. Laurie's fiancee and family were fun too. Kendra was harder to like, seeming nearly impossibly naive. But she's definitely relatable for any woman who has struggled with the balance of marriage, children, and a career.

So, Clark's trademark on and off screen villians were great here. And Burke seems to contribute a modern touch to the writing. This felt very true to Clark's old form and format, moving her very 90s heroines into today's world with emojis and such. For me, the story dragged in places though. Alex was a very intriguing character who wasn't well used in the beginning. A former defense attorney turning judge could be a book itself. Also, the "stalker" element wasn't used to its potential. The full explanation of the term Gaslighting was a perfect example of a useless and boring info dump. If you haven't seen the movie, you still know the term. And if the book had actually started out and hit a fast-pace, moments like that wouldn't have come off so dull. Suspension of disbelief I think is required involving Kendra as well. Is she clueless? Is she lying to us and herself? I suppose it all added to the mystery. This was a quick though slightly less intense story better suited to casual reading than high thrills.

(NS)

Thursday, September 22, 2022

September 22, 2022 - Staff Reviews


 

Shielding Sierra
By Susan Stoker
Release Date: January 4, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


2 Stars - Not bad but underwhelming ending to Stoker's later Delta series. Sierra and Fred are likable on their own and make for a sweet couple. The pacing is off in this one though and a bit too repetitive of previous stories for those following this big and bad team. But if heart-wrenching, slow-burn romances are a favorite, this one might suit you just fine.

Some of Stoker's best writing skills and assets are on display here. Her ability to show everyday women overcoming obstacles and surviving harrowing experiences is front and center. Her touch with sentimental scenes and quickly forging a strong bond between the couple with friendship is showcased too. But Sierra is almost too perfect. She's small but mighty. If anything, she's a bit distant and whiny. But who could blame her after so much time in captivity? Fred aka Grover is an excellent hero as well. Willing to put himself in danger for her or his friends without a second thought. 

I had to agree with a few reviews I read myself that the timeframe of captivity was too long. Sierra's been held for a full year and is still basically healthy. Why not make it 3 months? It would have been equally traumatic but more realistic. I suppose this was to show Grover's dedication to her but that aspect flopped. Also Stoker has sort of started incorporating her politics into her romances. I can't say that I approve. I love political thrillers but that's not what these books are so leave out the messaging. The first quarter of the book where Sierra and Grover are respectively rescued is hard to put down. But in terms of plotting, this was sort of like putting the cart before the horse. There's a lot of awkwardness after that, which isn't uncommon in Stoker's romances. Sometimes she uses it wisely but here it was just uncomfortable. Why wouldn't these two just go ahead and start up a relationship? Either way, these two are cute enough together to keep the story plodding along. Lots of shoutouts to all the other Stoker stories as well. Readers may either want to test the waters here or skip this one.

(NS)

Friday, September 16, 2022

September 16, 2022 - Staff Reviews


 

Rogue Asset
By WEB Griffin/Andrews & Wilson
Release Date: December 7, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


2.5 Stars - I don't think I ever truly got immersed in this reimagining of the Presidential Agent series. It's definitely a reimaging not a sequel. This dynamic writing duo certainly knows their stuff. And here we've got an entertaining military rescue mission with decent dialouge a likable hero. But his name is McCoy not Castillo. This one is a solid series start but bound to disappoint some Griffin fans.

Griffin (and son) left off the Presidential Agent series in less than fantastic fashion nearly a decade ago. The ending of book eight was so abrupt, I called a bookstore to make sure I wasn't missing final pages. Charley's life was heading for retirement and family life, well-deserved and all. But the last mission was a bit hectic and rushed. Andrews & Wilson have a great reputation for their military authenticity in the action thriller genre. They definitely bring that aspect here, but they didn't do much with Charley. McCoy appears to be a fun and capable lead. And I'll say I love the concept of Charley mentoring him and showing him the ropes. More long-running series need to perfect this idea to keep things going!

So what we have here is a great set-up that's not sharply executed. This writing team is efficient with their word count and can write some solid dialouge, but I always feel like they struggle to really advance the plot. Even with their other series I've tried, they pace it like a movie, not a novel. But it does seem to be popular with many readers so it can work! Here though, we're just missing the fundamentals of Griffin's brillance. The stories were always long and dry, but characters were the fuel. Charley's friends are nowhere to be seen. And their antics and badass moves were a blast. His wife Svetlana was a great addition at the peak of the series and she isn't mentioned, to say nothing of their kid(s)? His grandmother shows up for a minute at an impossible age. Why even bother? The setting details used to appear frequently and there were several scenes per chapter, ending on cliffhangers. This doesn't flow that way at all. I think Putnam & Sons would have been smarter to write Charley into McCoy's new series and not the other way around. But if you're just looking for a military style story with smooth operator 
authors doing their own thing, give it a try.

(NS)

Thursday, September 8, 2022

September 8, 2022 - Staff Reviews


The Secret
By Kristen Proby
Release Date: March 22, 2022
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - Proby's new series started off with a bang here. She wastes no time sending the sparks flying between Olivia and Vaughn. There's a lot of connecting points between the old and new series. But this couple manages to steal the spotlight even in this famous family.

So I've read many of Kristen Proby's novels, as evidenced by the reviews on the blog, and even I was a bit confused at the start of this book. I felt like I must have been missing something and struggled a bit to remember which kids belonged to which adults. Still, I was very excited to see the next set of Seattle family members getting their happily ever afters. The whole struggle with Luke and Olivia and Vaughn felt a tad contrived. The secrecy didn't really seem possible but then again this is basically Hollywood/movie star romance. They can both be a more overdramatic but they're both loyal and dedicated to their jobs and families.

Proby certainly brings her trademark sparkle and Seattle setting to life here. The steam levels might be a bit high for anyone looking for a more serious story. Most of the conflict is just trumped up for struggle value. And there is a lot of Montgomery family revisits in the second half, but they are mostly well woven into the story. Unfortunately, the hints at Josie's and Stella's upcoming stories didn't strike my interest so those might get skipped. Seeing Luke and Natalie's relationship with Olivia was a lot of fun and felt like a long time coming. It's been so long since the first Seattle story! Vaughn turned out to be a lot like Luke, which was a cool surprise. Although other than some fun dates, there wasn't much for this couple to do. There's no suspense, no ex-drama, no single parent strife. So, if you're looking for a light and easily entertaining romance, look no further. However, if you want something to really sink your teeth into, save this for a mindless reading day.

(NS)

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

May 18, 2022 - Staff Picks


Thanks for checking in to our latest edition of Brooke County Libraries' Staff Picks!

In Staff Picks, one or more of our staff members recommends titles available from our libraries - fiction or non-fiction, young or adult reads, and everything in between. We can't wait to share you...

Here's a glimpse of the titles chosen this Spring by our crew!



Bunny's Book Club - Written by Annie Silvestro. 

"I loved sharing in Bunny's adventure. Discovering a love of reading at any age is so exciting!" - Staff quote.

From the blurb - Bunny as he takes a a top-secret trip to the library in a story that celebrates the love of reading! Bunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night . . . through the library’s book drop! What follows is an adorable caper that brings an inquisitive, fuzzy bunny and his woodland pals up close and personal with the books they have grown to love. 

Harry the Happy Mouse by N.G.K -

From the blurb - Harry The Happy Mouse is a cheerful, traditional story about a Mouse called Harry who lives in the colorful English countryside. Harry helps a Frog, but asks the Frog to repay the kindness to someone else. We follow the good deed as it moves through other characters, who each selflessly help someone else, making themselves feel happy in the process! We learn that a little bit of happiness can go a long way! 



Puddin' by Julie Murphy -

"Bazillion Stars! I absolutely love this YA series. The order is Dumplin', Puddin', and Pumpkin. I read them out of order but for some strange reason, they are perfect together and standalone. This book takes you through the typical High School drama, teen angst, first loves, acceptance of yourself, etc. The one-liners are funny, and if you listen via Audiobook like I did to this one - you will be driving in your car laughing." - Staff Quote

From the blurb - Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every year since she was a little girl. Not this year. This year she has new plans to chase her secret dream of being a newscaster—and to kiss the boy she's crushing on. Callie Reyes is the pretty girl who is next in line for dance team captain and has the popular boyfriend. But when it comes to other girls, she's more frenemy than friend. When circumstances bring the girls together over the course of a semester, they surprise everyone (especially themselves) by realizing that they might have more in common than they ever imagined.


Want to see if the audiobook is for you? Check it out on below! 



From the blurb - A stunning novel about love, work, and marriage that asks how far one family and one community will go to protect their future. Colleen and Rich Gundersen are raising their young son, Chub, on the rugged California coast. It's 1977, and life in this Pacific Northwest logging town isn't what it used to be. For generations, the community has lived and breathed timber; now that way of life is threatened.

Interested in Damnation Spring? Check out our ebook copy!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/media/5807930


That's all for now, folks! Let us know in the comments below, in person, or on one of our social media pages if we're picked any of your favorites or if you have favorites to share with us. We love to hear from our readers.



As always, images and info are courtesy of WV Reads, Google, Goodreads, Author Webpages.