Review: Ink & Sigil

Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ink & Sigil is a spin off of Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles.

Al MacBharrais is a complicated man in his 60s. Donning anextraordinary white waxed moustache, and an appreciation for craft cocktails, Al has an extraordinary magical talent--He can cast spells with magically enchanted ink and he uses his gifts to protect our world from all kinds of baddies from many pantheons, namely the Fae.

For all the good, Al is also cursed. Anyone who hears his voice for a prolonged amount of time begins to vehemently hate him. As a work around, Al can only communicate through the written word or speech apps. Another problem is that his apprentices keep dying in peculiar freak accidents which might not be so accidental.

But when his latest apprentice, Gordie, turns up dead, Al discovers that Gordie was up to no good. Now Al is forced to play detective, calling upon a crew of outstandingly funny, strange, and unforgettable allies to break the case. Investigating his apprentice’s death will take him on an adventurous journey through Scotland’s magical underworld, and he’ll need the help of a mischievous and very pink hobgoblin if he’s to survive.

This has all of Hearne's expected charm and humor wrapped up in a lovely fast paced narrative adventure. I look forward to the next installment.

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Review: The Chef

The Chef by James Patterson
My rating: 0 of 5 stars



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Review: On the Come Up

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: With the Fire on High

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Acevado is quickly becoming one of my new favorite YA authors. I adored Poet X and could not wait to read 'With the Fire on High.' As a foodie, I love the connection Emoni has to culinary arts and expressing her emotions. Acevedo excels at portraying characters with authentic voice. I especially enjoyed that this is an overall positive book. Emoni may be a teen mother, but she has family support and a plan plus hope for her future.

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REVIEW: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Only a Breath Apart is another stunning YA romance from Katie McGarry. This standalone centers upon Jesse Jameson is in line to inherit the land that's been in his family for generations. He's been in love with next door neighbor, Scarlett Copeland since childhood, but he's distanced himself from her because he wanted to protect her and a dark, family secret.

Scarlett has some dark secrets of her own, namely that her overprotective father is violent, and unpredictable--physically abusing her mother with the potential for more violence to Scarlett and her younger sister. The years of mental and emotional torment have left Scarlett isolated and dreaming of graduation and hopes that college might finally be the opportunity for her to break free. She is still deeply hurt by Jesse's action their freshman year; however, following the death of his grandmother, they seem to be on a destined path toward each other. Jesse's passion is to inherit and tend the Jameson land----there's just one catch: to prove his maturity, he has to win Scarlett's approval and her father's. But when Jesse finds out that Mr. Copeland is abusing her, he must decide what truly matters most: his family's land or helping the girl he's fallen in love with.

McGarry has the knack for writing page turning YA romances which also bridge important real word issues such as abuse and trauma. The relationship between Scarlett and Jesse is honest and heartfelt while being an excellent example for the kinds of relationships young adults should aspire to build. I loved every tenderly, crafted word of this book.

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REVIEW: Consumed by J.R. Ward

Consumed by J.R. Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Consumed is the type of romance thriller that fans of J.R. Ward have come to expect from this bestselling author. Not only is there scorching romance but also the building of relationships with depth and vulnerability as well as plotting an entertainingly intricate mystery. What I enjoyed most was the development of this new community of not only firefighters but characters who are family, friends and even lovers.

As co-workers, Anne and Danny have a close relationship that must be hinged on trust; however, their complicated feelings for each other make it difficult to keep personal separate from professional. All that changes during a horrific warehouse fire that will change everything for Anne and Danny. Both have to come to terms with this event before they can move forward. And it just so happens that Anne's first case as an arson investigator hits a lot closer to home that anyone would have imagined.

This novel is fun, sexy but also a well developed thriller with loads of potential for the series.

A note for readers, Danny and Anne's story really begins in the two part novella, "The Wedding From Hell', which I recommend reading before Consumed.

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REVIEW: Dance of Thieves by Mary Pearson

Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dance of Thieves is a new novel set in the Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by new young queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.

This novel is full of action, adventure, romance and betrayals. A must read for fans of Pearson's work as well as readers who enjoy Sarah J Maas and 'Furyborn' by Claire Legrand.

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