The Last Priestess By: Elizabeth Baxter

A lot of magic and great action sequences make this a great start to the Songmaker series.  With two intriguing protagonists each harboring a secret, The Last Priestess will tantalize fantasy fans!

 

Beneath The Canyons By: Kyra Halland

 

 

I don't usually care for western set stories-just a quirk of mine, but I found myself intrigued by this one.  A mysterious stranger rides into town and finds himself in the middle of a gun fight; from there we are transported through this story of power, greed, magic, love and morals.  Being a western I was leery at first, but in the end, I couldn't resist the pull of the story.

A Thriller By: a friend

OOOO-I ripped through this one!  I sincerely hope my friend's agent is able to find a home for this thriller.  It is exceedingly well plotted, with wonderful characters and an interesting set of twists and turns.  So Good!

Station Eleven By: Emily St. John Mandel

Published in 2014, this post pandemic novel is STUNNING!  Told from the points of view of several survivors of an Uber-deadly, fast moving flu, the reader is transported back to the moments of each character's life prior to the pandemic as well as life 20 years after.  Richly detailed, deeply moving, and at bits horrifying this post pandemic, post apocalyptic story will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

How Lucky By: Will Leitch

Holy Merde!  This was not what I thought is was going to be...it was so much better.  This stunning novel follows our hero, Daniel as he inadvertently witnesses a kidnapping...he thinks, and investigates from his home.  Throw in his stoner best friend and a dedicated caregiver and you have a hell of an adventure.  At times utterly hilarious and other times, horribly harrowing, you won't soon forget Daniel, or this book!

Innocence Lost By: Patty Jansen

An intriguing start to what I'm sure will be a fun series.  A leisurely paced novel, sets up this series, with our heroine Johanna's life being thrown into turmoil.  Book 2, The Willow Witch should really kick this series into high gear!

 

Empowered: Agent By: Dale Ivan Smith

I love when an author can make an anti-hero the hero, and Dale Ivan Smith has done that in this fascinating novel!  In an age when Nixon was a successful President and later Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Empowered are either sanctioned or required to foreswear their powers or be imprisoned. Enter Mat, an Empowered recently released from special lock-up for a juvenile crime; add a sick grandmother, twin sisters and the pull of her previous criminal past and you have a brilliantly plotted adventure with interesting characters.  This is a perfect way to start this series.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet By: Madeline L'Engle

The combination of the fantasy in the series with a rich history makes this my favorite of the series!  Charles is sent on a fantastic adventure through history by his sister Meg's mother-in-law.  It's a family history beautifully detailed in this lush third installment.  A glorious read!

A Spell for Trouble By: Esme Addison

What an original take on the magical cozy mystery!  Well plotted, interesting premise, really likable characters and witchcraft!  A fun and fascinating start to this series!

I Bring the Fire: Wolves (Part I) By: C. Gockel

Apparently I read this one 5 years ago-I liked it then, and I really liked now!  Amy prays for help from a serial killer and what she gets is Loki!  Let the craziness ensue!!!

Getting Wilde By: Jenn Stark

I'm not sure what to make of this one. I enjoyed reading it-the set up was well thought out, and the characters are absolutely fascinating-but it it seemed a little long without a major resolution for any of the numerous plot lines.

Justice Calling By: Annie Bellet

This great little book took me back to my days, decades ago, playing D&D.  A sorceress in hiding must help her friends without revealing who she really is. Can she do it, or will her secret be revealed?  And what should she do about those pesky feelings for the Justice who arrives in town and calls her a murderer.  Jade Crow has a lot on her plate, when all she really wants to do is sit in her game shop and play video games. Great action, and lots of humor, make this a great start to this series!

 

Let's Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars By: Joe Milliken

How does one write a biography of an intensely private person? One spends 11 years interviewing everyone who every came into contact with said person, and meticulously curates all of the quotes and remembrances into a full portrait.  Let's Go! reads like a documentary.  It also brilliantly shows how one person can have such a profound and different effect on each person they meet.