Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Cooper has spent the past several months recuperating, and being taken care of by Oliver, who has been on suspension (both the result of Cooper’s visit home to see his father and brother). Every official communication was carefully uninterested about the private lives of their […]

The Wolf at Bay (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Cooper Dayton and Oliver Park and working things out as partners for the BSI, but Cooper isn’t quite sure how things are working out on the personal front. Neither seems capable of talking about how the feel, and both have a lot they need to […]

The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Agent Cooper Dayton discovered the existence of the supernatural in the worst possible way–by almost being killed by it. Werewolves were not just in books and movies, cartoons and games. They were real and they had “come out” five years ago to governments around […]

Uncommonly Tidy Poltergeists (2017) Angel Martinez Between writing up posts on some of my favorite books and just needing something light and happy to read, I decided I needed to re-read Uncommonly Tidy Poltergeists. This is such an adorable story AND it’s an Ace romance, which is even more lovely. Taro has something to tell […]

The Riddle of St. Leonard’s (1997) Candace Robb Setin England in 1369 The plague has come again to York, and people are taking whatever measures they can to protect themselves. Aromatic fires burned everywhere to ward off the pestilence, creating a fog in some of the passageways. Continuous Masses were said for the people, and […]

The King’s Bishop (1996) Candace Robb Set in England in 1367. We see that Owen still struggles with his allegiance to Thoresby. “Why did you accept the posts if you meant to go into a rage whenever he called upon you?” Owen met Lucie’s eye and said simply, “It seemed an honour at the time.” […]

Evil Dark (2012) Justin Gustainis I am enjoying my re-read of this series. Pretend that there’s a file folder somewhere, a big, thick one, labeled Real Bad Ideas. There’s at least three things I can think of that belong in there – inviting a werewolf for a moonlight stroll, telling a witch she’s got a […]

All the World’s an Undead Stage (2018) Angel Martinez The final book in the Offbeat Crimes series. This completes Carrington Loveless and Erasmus Graham’s story arc, as well as the overall story arc o just WHY is everything so weird in Philadelphia. We also get resolution for other characters, including Vance. “He has seemed more, […]

Jackalopes and Woofen-Poofs (2017) Angel Martinez This story splits between Jason and Alex’s point-of-view. Most of the 77th has to go to State Paranormal to face an inquiry as to the events of the previous book, where an arcane working was destroyed in the hopes it would stop the attacks by the feral dust bunnies […]

Feral Dust Bunnies (2017) Angel Martinez This is one of my favorite stories in the collection. Alex Wolf is a member of the 77th. His partner is a giant lizard of unknown origin, but his own origin might be odder. “Are you all right, sweetheart?” Mom stopped on her way past his room with a […]

Skim Blood and Savage Verse (2017) Angel Martinez Carrington Loveless is my least favorite character in this series, but on a second read-through, I have a little more compassion for him, since his parents are pretty awful. How could he have even thought about not celebrating his thirty-fifth birthday? Especially if it meant it gave […]

The Pill Bugs of Time (2016) Angel Martinez What do I love about this story? “Should get an Odo bucket,” Vikash murmured. “A what?” Kyle chuckled into his coffee. “Seriously, Carr? You never watched Deep Space Nine? My problem with this story is that I really hate time-travel stories. Time travel, dystopia, hard SF. REALLY […]

Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters (2016) Angel Martinez I started several books and immediately dropped them, so since this series has been in the back of my mind, I decided to re-read, even though it’s been less than a year since I first read it. Kyle Monroe was a normal cop until a run in […]

The Nun’s Tale (1995) Candace Robb Set in England in 1365. Joanna Calverley, a young nun, disappeared from her convent–taking part of an ancient relic with her. Archbishop Thorsby isn’t pleased to discover that Dame Isobel had neglected to tell him this–until the nun returns, claiming to have been resurrected. Owen was sent out to […]

Deadly Assessments (2018) Drew Hayes The fifth Fred the Vampire Accountant book finds Fred dealing with a challenge to his fitness to lead a clan–and as a vampire. However, the vampire sent to evaluate Fred is not anything like he expected. “That, in my view, is your fundamental problem,” Deborah continued. “You are kinder than […]

The Fangs of Freelance (2017) Drew Hayes The fourth Fred the Vampire book. My name is Fredrick Frankford Fletcher, and I am an accountant by trade. Also, I’m a vampire. Yes, I probably should have led with that second bit, but to be honest, the accountant part factors far more frequently into my daily life […]

The Lady Chapel (1994) Candace Robb Set in England in 1365. Owen Archer and Lucie Wilton are married. She has become master apothecary in her own right–inheriting the business from her previous husband–and Owen remains her apprentice, although he still owes favors to Archbishop Thoresby. “Mistress Archer is of noble stock, at least on her […]

Bloody Acquisitions (2016) Drew Hayes A vampire clan has moved to town, and this in no way bodes well for Fred. “You know, Fred, there are some interesting tales coming out of this city. Stories about one of our kind who’s like no other. They say he brokered a peace with the therians, courted an […]

The Apothecary Rose (1993) Candace Robb Set in England in ~1363. Owen Archer was Captain of the Archers for Henry, Duke of Lancaster, until an attack takes his eye. Unwilling to continue as a solider, Owen becomes a spy for Henry until the Duke’s death, at which point he performs a service for John Thoresby, […]

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (2005) Lauren Willig Set in England and France in 1803. I knew I’d read this before, but after checking, it was 2010, so I can be forgiving for remembering next to nothing about the story. Amy’s father was killed during the Revolution, and her English mother died of […]

Undeath & Taxes (2015) Drew Hayes The second Fred the Vampire Accountant book is also collection of five novellas, and also an utter delight. Learning about the parahuman world, through virtue of my own death, hadn’t been nearly as disturbing to me as learning there were whole sections of laws, tax codes, and deduction options […]

Murder Takes the High Road (2018) Josh Lanyon I believe this is the first story I read by Josh Lanyon. IIRC I chose it because it was a mystery, and had a M/M romance. Carter Matheson is on a Tours to Die For trip through Scotland that was supposed to be a birthday present for […]

The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant (2014) Drew Hayes I’ve read quite a few new releases recently, so I’ve been interspersing them with books I really liked and wanted to re-read. Hence, returning to The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant. I recorded my journeys in […]

In Other Words… Murder (2018) Josh Lanyon Chirstopher and J.X are settling into domesticity. Christopher is still worried about all the things (his writing (lack-thereof), J.X. being younger and handsomer) but J.X. does keep bringing up marriage. Christopher is also trying to come to terms with J.X.’s close family–including his nephew who often has sleep-over […]

The Boy with the Painful Tattoo (2014/2018) Josh Lanyon Christopher and J.X. are moving in together. Christopher has shipped everything he owns and driven up the coast to where JX picked out a house for the two of them. Between the two of us there was a hell of a lot of junk here. And […]

So This is Christmas (2016) Josh Lanyon Adrien and Jake are finally living together, in the house he grew up in. (T)he first rule of cohabitation is Thou Shalt Not Diss the Other Dude’s Kinfolk. But before they can spend the first night of their new life together, they have arrived back from London with […]

The Dark Tide (2011) Josh Lanyon At the end of the last book, Adrien was shot and died briefly, but now with a valve replacement, he is supposedly on the mend. But he still isn’t sure where he stands with Jake, who outed himself to put the the man who shot Adrien behind bars. Although […]

Death of a Pirate King (2011) Josh Lanyon Yeah, I mostly skipped The Hell You Say, just reading the bits about him meeting his mother’s new husband and family. This book is set two years after that. Adrien is getting over pneumonia but at least he’s at a party, because his book has been optioned […]

A Dangerous Thing (2002) Josh Lanyon The second Adrien English book finds Adrien tired of dealing with Jake being firmly in the closet, so he heads off to his grandmother’s ranch–only to discover a disappearing dead body. He also can’t find the caretaker of his property–who seems to be taking liberties with Adrien’s absence. You’re […]

Fatal Shadows (2000) Josh Lanyon Another re-read. Adrien English is having a bad day–his former best friend and current employee has been found dead, and Adrien is a suspect. “What makes you think he wasn’t mugged?” “Fourteen stab wounds to his upper body and face.” I felt the blood drain out of my brain again. […]

Burn Bright (2018) Patricia Briggs The first time I read this book (right after it came out) I was unable to rate it, because I couldn’t decide quite how I felt about it. Something seemed off to me, but I couldn’t place precisely what it was. This book still feels off to me, and I’m […]

Dead Heat (2015) Patricia Briggs Despite the lack of Asil, I do love this story. The Arabians might not suit you; they don’t suit everyone. They are like cats: vain, beautiful, and intelligent. But you deal well enough with Asil, who is also vain, beautiful, and intelligent. Charles receives a call from his friend Joseph–who […]

All She Wrote (2010) Josh Lanyon This is the other series I started when I couldn’t decide what I wanted to read. The second Holmes & Moriarity book starts with Christopher once again backing out on a weekend with JX, and JX deciding that he doesn’t want to deal with it. So Christopher heads off […]

Fair Game (2012) Patricia Briggs This is the third Alpha & Omega book. Bran brought the wolves out into the light of the day, and Charles’ life has become a living hell. Any infraction that makes werewolves look bad is a death sentence–and the alphas keep pushing that duty onto Charles. Bran was still ranting. […]

Cry Wolf (2008) Patricia Briggs Anna was rescued from her abusive pack in Chicago, and is now mated to Charles Cornick–the son of the Marrok. But she is still try to deal with the abuse she suffered in Chicago while learning to trust Charles. Unfortunately, troubles won’t wait for Charles to recover from the injuries […]

Alpha and Omega (2008) Patricia Briggs Reading slump. Went through a lot of books before I decided this was what I would be good reading. This novella is the start of the Alpha & Omega series, with Charles (the Marrock’s younger son) and Anna, an Omega werewolf who was changed against her will. There is […]

Somebody Killed His Editor (2009) Josh Lanyon Christopher Holmes is–to put it mildly–self-absorbed. He’s a mystery author on a down-slide, trying to recover his career. He’s also trying to get over his husband running off with another man. The last thing he wants is to spend a weekend at a writing conference but his agent […]

Lord John and the Private Matter (2003) Diana Gabaldon Set in London in 1757 I didn’t know what I was in the mood to read, so I fell back to Lord John. He was inclined toward the simplicity of a Solomonic decree that would award half of Tim O’Connell to each woman, and rejected this […]

Snake Agent (2005) Liz Williams Detective Inspector Chen is in charge of crimes that stretch into Heaven and Hell (obviously, far more cases involve Hell over heaven) and as an occult practitioner whose patronage of the goddess Kuan Yin affords him a measure of protection when he has to travel to Hell. Unfortunately, his recent […]

Skin and Bone (2019) TA Moore Here’s the problem: I still don’t like Javi. Half the time he didn’t like himself much. If he had a pet, he wouldn’t want it to be intelligent enough to understand his failings. Sorry, but being aware that you’re a complete asshole doesn’t excuse being a complete asshole. Be […]

Bone to Pick (2017) TA Moore I don’t know what I wanna read. I think a mystery. How about re-reading this one where I loved the dog? Cloister Witte is ex-military and currently a sheriff K9 deputy. Cloister lives for Bon, his dog. “I buy you shit, Bon,” he told her. “Good shit, but you’d […]

These Old Shades (1926) Georgette Heyer I finished some good books, which left me unsure what I wanted to read next, so I turned to a favorite, These Old Shades. It’s an historical romance where the heroine is pretending as a boy, the hero is a horrible person to is believed beyond redemption, and there […]

The Rook (2012) Daniel O’Malley This was on sale last week, and when I saw it, I immediately wanted to read it again. This is a book that gets better each time I read it, because I think about the different aspects of the story. First, I adore the various thoughts about human nature. the […]

The Holy Thief (1992) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1144. The 19th Brother Cadfael book. Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex, is dead. The war rages on, but the Abbot of Ramsey was able to return and assess to damage to his abbey. He then sent out members to call for the return of […]

The Naming of the Beasts, Audio Book (2009) Mike Carey narrated by Michael Kramer This is the final book of the Felix Castor series. It also switches back to Michael Kramer as the narrator, which was very jarring. The previous book switched to a narrator I really liked, which made Michael Kramer’s narrator fall even […]

The Summer of the Danes (1991) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1144. Cadfael and Brother Mark travel to Wales, to meet with (and support) two new bishops. But they end up caught up in an unexpected fight: Prince Owain Gwynedd and his brother Cadwaladr. “Brothers have been the ruin of Welsh princedoms through all […]

The Potter’s Field (1989) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1143. The local potter named Ruald, abandoned his wife to take monastic vows. When a body is discovers in the field where the both once lived, it is assumed to be Generys. (H)e could have his freedom to go and become a monk, but his […]

Half-Resurrection Blues, Audio Edition (2015) Daniel José Older narrated by Daniel José Older After re-listening to Salsa Nocturna, I figured that Half-Resurrection Blues should be up next. (A)nother little guy is definitely Indian/ Pakistani or maybe Puerto Rican. Or half-black. Whatever he is, he gets randomly searched every time he’s within twenty feet of an […]

Suffer Little Children (1995) Peter Tremayne Set in England in 665 Sister Fidelma has been summoned by the dying King of Muman, to act as an advocate to see who killed the scholar Dacan, who had been visiting the Abbey of Ros Ailithir. The matter is important, because Fearna is trying to use the death […]

Salsa Nocturna: Stories, Audio Edition (2012/2014) Daniel José Older, narrated by Daniel José Older This is a collection of stories set in his Bone Street Rumba world. “Tenderfoot” published in The Innsmouth Free Press (2011) “Salsa Nocturna” published in Strange Horizons (2010) “Skin Like Porcelain Death” “The Collector” published in The ShadowCast Audio Anthology (2010) […]