Ronie Kendig's "Kings Falling" - Book of the Wars, book 2

Lief Metcalfe and his team, dubbed Reaper, need to recover the stolen, ancient Book of the Wars if they hope to stop the Armageddon Coalition and their pursuit of global economic control. But their attention has been diverted by a prophecy in the book that foretells of formidable guardians who will decimate the enemies of ArC. While Iskra Todorova uses her connections in the covert underworld to hunt down the Book of the Wars, Leif and Reaper attempt to neutralize these agents but quickly find themselves outmaneuvered and outgunned. The more Reaper tries to stop the guardians, the more failure becomes a familiar, antagonistic foe. Friendships are fractured, and the team battles to hold it together long enough to defeat ArC. But as this millennia-old conspiracy creeps closer and closer to home, the implications could tear Leif and the team apart.

Warning the First: this is not a stand-alone novel. Read book one first.
Warning the Second: this series is not finished (not until Nov 2020). Beware of impending cliffhanger.

This book picks up some months after Storm Rising, as ArC (the enemy) moves into the next phase of their potentially world-ending plot. I struggled with remembering what had happened in the previous book; this one throws the reader right into the thick of things, and there are a lot of nuances that I simply didn't recall.

I spent most of the book frustrated with Lief. He has obviously been whammied (to use a Warehouse 13 reference), and as such, I tried to offer grace--I mean, there's only so much you can expect out of someone who is under the influence of something way outside his control. It's understandable that he's become a paranoid mess with a major case of foot-in-mouth disease. But that didn't mean he was pleasant to deal with, especially as it causes conflict in his relationship with Iskra.

But on the positive side, it was extremely fast-paced, with loads of action. The supernatural elements are part of what sets this (and the Tox Files) apart, and intrigue abounds so that you can hardly know whom to trust. I loved spending time with the crew, especially Mercy and Peyton and Cell.

This book is definitely setting up for an explosive finish.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Book of the Wars
1. Storm Rising
2. Kings Falling
3. Soul Raging

Related series:
Tox Files
0.5: "The Warrior's Seal"
1. Conspiracy of Silence
2. Crown of Souls
3. Thirst of Steel

Lisa T Bergren's "Selah" - Sugar Baron's Daughters, book 3

Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1777. With a heart for the slaves, Selah is drawn to Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher who serves the slaves of Nevis and has settled at Selah's family's plantation. Their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future. As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

Selah is definitely a crusader, sometimes to her detriment. I really enjoyed Jedidiah's surprising musical skill, though like Selah, I was rather frustrated with his moment of noble hypocrisy. I liked Keturah and Verity a bit more than Selah over all, but it was nice to see them all together again.

What most sparked my interest in the story was the effect the American Revolution had on the British-held Caribbean islands. I would have never thought about the islands living in next-thing-to-siege status, as trade between the two colonies had effectively stopped. The only legal goods came on British ships, but they were scarce, thus smuggling was common (with British soldiers willing to look the other way, if it was their only source meals). As the British often sailed through the isles on way to the colonies, it was the perfect place for spies. Who'd have guessed?

While the story wraps up Selah's romance, I was left wondering about other things--like Ian as he is privateering for the American colonies; Verity's enemies on the sea; island politics; the Banning sisters' abolitionist leanings and where it might lead. If the author felt like continuing the series, there's certainly a lot there for it!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

The Sugar Baron's Daughters
1. Keturah
2. Verity
3. Selah

Mary Connealy's "Woman of Sunlight" - Brides of Hope Mountain, book 2

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters had never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, a new world was opened to them. Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home to discover a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to an elf-like mountain woman. When dangerous men from his past track him down, he's determined to put a stop to them. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget.

There's something rather poetic about reading a story about an isolated trio of sisters (who are just emerging from a quarantine themselves) while in isolation myself during the Corona Virus outbreak . . .

Ilsa might be ignorant after a life of extreme isolation, but she's not an idiot. The author strikes the right balance between innocence and maturity so that Ilsa is comedic in things she doesn't know, yet not awkwardly child-like in things a grown woman should understand. She also proves far more adaptable than her oldest sister, who is still living in true isolation in a high mountain valley, when Ilsa and Mitch end up heading to Chicago. Of all the Connealy books I've read, I think this one spends the most time in the city.

I realize this isn't precisely a mystery novel, but I was surprised to be surprised by the villain. I readily take things at face value (when not reading in the mystery genre, that is), and my assumption and back-up assumption for the villain turned out to be wrong. It's . . . actually enjoyable to to have that happen, especially when the villain makes sense, as this one does.

As the third book comes out this fall and Ursula ends her self-imposed isolation, may we also feel the delights of such freedom! I've found her the most intriguing of the three sisters, and based on the hints throughout these first two novels, Wax Mosby is proving the most fascinating of the heroes. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Brides of Hope Mountain
1. Aiming for Love
2. Woman of Sunlight
3. Her Secret Song

"The Runaway Bride" by Jody Hedlund - The Bride Ships, book 2

Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. Vying for her hand are two very different men: Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem; and Peter Kelly, the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. The men not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Pete's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

I loved the setting of this book. Having read other books about early settlement in Washington State, I expected British Columbia to be more of the same, but I was surprised at a few significant differences, particularly the class structure that the British continued to [at least try to] uphold. The descriptions of the landscape were beautiful; having spent time on Vancouver Island, I could envision the northwest scenery. I especially appreciated the history portrayed--Hedlund does not shy away from the smallpox epidemic and the decimation of the native tribes, and she acknowledges that the whites had culpability in the tragedy.

I really liked Arabella, who is gentle and ladylike, not brash like so many heroines. And though she is gentle, she is strong; no woman could go through what she experienced and reach the point where she's at without inner fortitude. Pete was obnoxious (but in a fun and likable way--I was constantly rolling my eyes at his ridiculous statements). He's really quite noble in not mudslinging Drummond, tempting though it might be. And he's good at not pushing Arabella, who has a lot of scars--physical and mental--to overcome. It was a highly enjoyable read!

Thank you, Bethany House and NetGalley, for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

The Bride Ships
1. The Reluctant Bride
2. The Runaway Bride
3. A Bride of Convenience
4. Almost a Bride

Brandon Sanderson's "Warbreaker"

Warbreaker is the story of two sister princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. Their world is one where magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people. By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery; and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

The more I think about this book, the more I realize how much I enjoyed it. It's much funnier than I anticipated--between mercenary humor and a god who doesn't believe in his godhood, I was highly entertained. But at the same time, there's a lot of serious stuff going on--political maneuverings to an "inevitable" war, marginalized people groups within a larger population, prejudice, corruption. Things are rarely all that they seem (and I was just as drawn in and trusting as certain other characters, never expecting betrayal). I loved the growth in Vivenna and Siri as they learn to set aside their prejudices and misconceptions, and Vivenna has some truly painful moments as she confronts her own flaws and works to move past them. There's a lot of darkness, but a lot of beauty too.

And yes, the magic system is creative and well thought out. There's definitely room for a sequel, though the story stands alone well. I've not read much Sanderson to compare it, but if his other books have half the complexity and thoughtfulness, they are sure to be good. I would greatly enjoy reading this book again.

"Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection" by Peterson, Witemeyer, Jennings, and Turano

Tracie Peterson joins Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano in this collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history.

"A Flood of Love" by Tracie Peterson: It was interesting to learn about the existence (and swift and utter demise) of a town along the Rio Grande. The story was my least favorite of the four, but it's more to do with writing style than plot.

"More Than a Pretty Face" by Karen Witemeyer: I was glad to finally get Rosalind's story after her significant role in the novel More Than Words Can Say. At last, she's redeemed from a poor choice in the past that has been defining present for years. For such a short story, there's a huge amount of grace, even in unexpected places.

"Intrigue a la Mode" by Regina Jennings: An entertaining mystery of alcohol smuggling. I appreciated the cleverness of the mystery, but upon finishing it, I found the title especially clever. I also like it when characters have families and all the complications that can arise from so many loving relatives.

"A Grand Encounter" by Jen Turano: Nobody does quirky like Jen Turano, even in a novella. None of the other Harvey Girls have to resort to saving a man's life by shoving his face in plate of creamed cauliflower and mashed potatoes (okay, so it may have been a side effect, rather than the actual method of salvation, but all the same). It's definitely the funniest of the four (but then, what else can one expect from this author?).

All told, it's a lovely collection of stories, unrelated except for the occupation of the heroines and western Harvey House settings. Each offers a different glimpse into the lives of the Harvey Girls, who civilized the West.

Related stories:

Karen Witemeyer
Patchwork Family
1. More Than Meets the Eye
2. More Than Words Can Say
2.5: "More Than a Pretty Face" (originally published in the Serving Up Love novella collection)

Jen Turano
American Heiresses
1. Flights of Fancy
2. Diamond in the Rough
3. Storing Up Trouble (May 2020)
3.5: "Grand Encounters"  (originally published in the Serving Up Love novella collection)

"Chasing the White Lion" by James R Hannibal - Talia Inger, book 2

CIA officer Talia Inger has reconciled with the man who assassinated her father, but that doesn't mean she wants him hovering over her every move and unearthing the painful past she's trying to put behind her. Still, she'll need him--and the help of his team--if she hopes to infiltrate the Jungle, the first ever crowdsourced crime syndicate, to rescue a group of kidnapped refugee children. But as Talia and her elite team of thieves con their way into the heart of the Jungle, inching ever closer to syndicate boss the White Lion, she'll run right up against the ragged edge of her family's dark past. In this game of cat and mouse, it's win . . . or die. And in times like that, it's always good to have someone watching your back.

I love the combination of spy thriller and Leverage-like team of con-men and thieves working together to make the world a better place. I especially loved seeing the team draw closer together and open up and be real with each other. Sometimes I had trouble wrapping my mind around the layers of mastermind Tyler's plans, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the thrills. And this was full of thrills; if anything, it was more fun and intriguing than book one. The Jungle was obnoxious and a little cheesy, but it really worked--the fact that the team acknowledged that its theme was overblown made it clear it was a quirk of the villain, not just melodrama on the part of the author.

And it's fun to read a book full of geeky pop culture references that I actually get (and, honestly, even use, like the Last Crusade reference). I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Talia Inger
1. The Griffon Heist
2. Chasing the White Lion