*Thanks to Netgalley and Pocket Star for an ARC in exchange for a review*
The McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop has crickets running rampant in the store and hot sauce in the Snack Shack’s ketchup bottles. But as the county coroner, Frankie has enough on her plate without worrying about the increasingly mean pranks being played at her family’s business. And the arrival of Sheriff Eric Linden, both devastatingly attractive and painfully taciturn, is enough to push her over the edge.
Linden, who didn’t seem to get the memo about men in uniform and Southern charm, is condescending and cold, revealing absolutely nothing about his past as an Atlanta police officer, while also making Frankie’s job as coroner as difficult as possible. And with the town’s Fourth of July celebration coming up, it’s essential for McCready’s to be cricket-free and in good working order. Strangling the sheriff will make her job even harder. Can Frankie hold off the threats to preserve her own sanity?
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Loved this novella which is the prequel and set up story for Ain't She a Peach! Frankie and Eric have already shared their night together, ending with Frankie sneaking away at the end of the night. The Fates intervene to have her one night stand show up unexpectedly in Lake Sackett, causing a bit of friction.
Harper sure knows how to build tension with a good mix of sexy banter and comedic relief. I'll never get enough of this author's ability to create such imaginative and true to life characters that seem to leap from the page like an all too real bizarre small town family reunion.
I cannot wait to see what Harper thinks up next!
Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars
*Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin's Paperbacks for an ARC in exchange for a review*
Publisher's Summary:
The last place Lana Lee thought she would ever end up is back at her family’s restaurant. But after a brutal break-up and a dramatic workplace walk-out, she figures that a return to the Cleveland area to help wait tables is her best option for putting her life back together. Even if that means having to put up with her mother, who is dead-set on finding her a husband.
Lana’s love life soon becomes yesterday’s news once the restaurant’s property manager, Mr. Feng, turns up dead―after a delivery of shrimp dumplings from Ho-Lee. But how could this have happened when everyone on staff knew about Mr. Feng’s severe, life-threatening shellfish allergy? Now, with the whole restaurant under suspicion for murder and the local media in a feeding frenzy―to say nothing of the gorgeous police detective who keeps turning up for take-out―it’s up to Lana to find out who is behind Feng’s killer order. . . before her own number is up.
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I'm a sucker for a good food inspired cozy mystery. Death by Dumpling is the first in a new series by Vivien Chien. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story as well as the building of characters and a community flush with culture and memorable characters. Lana is an interesting character that is on the brink of her journey to find her own way in life and love, despite the well intended meddling of her mother.
Overall, I thought the novel contained a well plotted mystery with a few unexpected turns plus built the narrative for future books.
Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars
*Thank you to Netgalley & Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for a review *
Publisher's Summary:
Granuaile MacTiernan must join immortals Sun Wukong and Erlang Shen in a fight against the Yama Kings in Taiwan, but she discovers that the stakes are much higher than she thought.
Meanwhile, Archdruid Owen Kennedy must put out both literal and metaphorical fires from Bavaria to Peru to keep the world safe for his apprentices and the future of Druidry.
And Atticus recruits the aid of a tyromancer, an Indian witch, and a trickster god in hopes that they’ll give him just enough leverage to both save Gaia and see another sunrise. There is a hound named Oberon who deserves a snack, after all.
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There wasn't much to not LOVE about this final book in the Iron Druid Chronicles. I'll admit it is a little difficult to say a farewell to Atticus, Oberon and the rest of the gang but I have to hope that they'll make some occasional appearances in the future despite the fact that author Kevin Hearne is moving on to different projects.
What I enjoyed about this narrative was the three separate journeys of Atticus, Granuaile and Owen in order to save the world and help fight Loki and Hel. Hearne is a genius at creating memorable characters, and he certainly outdid himself with a certain sloth, that I'm sure readers will agree is a gem and new favorite! Reader Recommendation: You have to seek out the audio done by Luke Daniels. Once again he is amazing!
I have to admit I was a little shocked by the ending. I won't say too much but as I've gotten some distance from the end, I agree with it and can appreciate Hearne's choices. Life is all about the journey and for someone who has lived as long as Atticus, the 'end' is not necessarily all rainbows and flowers. I understand the feeling of loss, isolation and uncertainty but also the prospect of hope and new beginnings that might not be expected.
Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars
*Thank you to Netgalley & Ace for an ARC in exchange for a review*
Expected publication: June 5, 2018
This is an anthology containing all of the Dresden Files short stories and novellas published since its prequel Side Jobs. I had read most of the entries before with the exception of "Fistfull of Warlocks", "AAAA Wizardry", "Day One", and "Zoo Day".
"B is for Bigfoot"— 5 stars. See my previous review.
"AAAA Wizardry"— 3 stars. Interesting concept, but I wanted more. I love Harry in 'teacher mode' because event though he is far from perfect, he embraces his flaws and teachers others to do that too. Learning from your mistakes makes you humble and less likely to repeat them in the future.
"I was a Teenage Bigfoot"—5 stars. See my previous review.
"Curses"—3 stars. Perhaps not my favorite Dresden story but I adore pretty much anything set in this fictional world.
"Even Hand"—4 stars. I always enjoy a story from Marcone's POV. I think this bring balance to the series so that there is more perspective than just what Harry goes through.
"Bigfoot on Campus"—5stars. See my previous review.
"Bombshells"—3.5 stars. I read this and reviewed it in early 2017. Molly is one of the series' most complex characters and I enjoy when Butcher delves into her voice.
"Cold Case"—4 stars. Another from Molly’s POV with some shocking things associated with her role as the Winter Lady. There are a lot of feels here and I'm still processing in 2018 just as I was when I read this story the first time.
"Day One"—3.5 stars. Nice to get one from Butters’ POV. He has grown as a character so much since his first appearance. This story seems a bit short but I think there is so much more for Butcher to write in the future.
"Zoo Day"—5 stars. I loved pretty much every aspect of this story. Harry takes Maggie on their first father/daughter trip to the zoo. Of course, trouble is afoot. The real gem here is the alternating POV between Harry, Maggie and even Mouse. We see Harry at be vunerable and also do what he does best. Maggie is special and I cannot wait to see more of how her character and her powers develop. And Mouse, love Mouse sooo much!
Final rating for collection: 5 out of 5
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