Review: Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendon.                                                                        A sixteen-year-old governess becomes a spy in this alternative U.S. history where the British control with magic and the colonists rebel by inventing. It’s 1888, and sixteen-year-old Verity Newton lands a job in New York as a governess to a wealthy leading family—but she quickly learns that the family has big secrets. Magisters have always ruled the colonies, but now an underground society of mechanics and engineers are developing non-magical sources of power via steam engines that they hope will help them gain freedom from British rule. The family Verity works for is magister—but it seems like the children's young guardian uncle is sympathetic to the rebel cause. As Verity falls for a charming rebel inventor and agrees to become a spy, she also becomes more and more enmeshed in the magister family’s life. She soon realizes she’s uniquely positioned to advance the cause—but to do so, she’ll have to reveal her own dangerous secret.

I had previously read the first book in the Enchanted Ink series and so I was looking forward to reading her latest offering. This was very different but was good. It is an alternative history in which the British rule the colonies by virtue of their magical powers. It is set in the Victorian era. It has a steam punk element as the rebels are using steam powered machines in order to break up the British monopoly on transportaction and various other fields. This will allow them to challenge the governing authorities infrastructure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I particularly enjoyed the world building in this book. I also found Verify a brave and smart heroine. Likewise I enjoyed Lord Henry , her employer who was by turns bumbling and dashing. The rebels were exciting and made you like them . There were many points throughout the story where I sort of held my breath waiting to see what would happen. There are plenty of tight spots loaded with action and adventure as well as secret missions. There is plenty of romantic tension as well and more than one love interest. The smaller children remind me of some that I know and were well written as was the bored, fashion crazy teen. I found it to be an original concept which was well executed. It was good as  a stand alone but I could also see it as the first in a series. Thoroughly enjoyable for teens through adults.

Review A Ghostly Demise by Tonya Kappes      

                                                                           

When she runs into her friend's deadbeat dad at the local deli, undertaker Emma Lee Raines can't wait to tell Mary Anna Hardy that he's back in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, after five long years. Cephus Hardy may have been the town drunk, but he didn't disappear on an epic bender like everyone thought: He was murdered. And he's heard that Emma Lee's been helping lost souls move on to that great big party in the sky. Why do ghosts always bother Emma Lee at the worst times? Her granny's mayoral campaign is in high gear, a carnival is taking over the town square, and her hunky boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, is stuck wrestling runaway goats. Besides, Cephus has no clue whodunit…unless it was one of Mrs. Hardy's not-so-secret admirers. All roads lead Emma Lee to that carnival—and a killer who isn't clowning around. (less) ebook, 288 pages          

                                                                                                                                                                                                         This is part of a series. I will also be reviewing the next book in this series  as I received galleys of both in exchange for an honest review. I am acquainted with the authors work having read several of her prevpious works. This particular selection the main character Emma is an undertaker who has recently discovered that she can assist souls which are not able to be at rest because of the manner of their death. She takes the clues which they provide and assists in bringing their killer to justice. This is a light, fun read. There are some awkward moments when neighbors and relatives think that Emma has lost her sanity because she can see a and speak to spirits . There are also plot twists and moments of danger and suspense as Emma investigates what has happened to her latest client. The characters are colorful and entertaining. The southern quirky town is a great setting. For me ore details you can check out my review on goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1346184924?book_show_action=false

Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.                                   

Revview: Falcon by Ronnie Kendig. Part of the Quiet Professionals series.This was exciting and suspenseful. It takes place with a special ops unit which is deployed in Afganistan. It delves into the personal pain of the main character as well as following the general storyline of war and terrorism. There is a "spook" an intelligence operative along as well and she has a very major tie to Falcon. There is a terrorist who is being sought . When someone is caught and is to be questioned regarding the acts of terrorism the witness gets neutralized. Other strange things happen. A commanding officer is sacrificed and powerful players are involved including an old friend of Cassidy, the intelligence officer. The depiction of the camaraderie between service members was nice. The real sense of danger these people face while deployed was significant. I could not help thinking as I was reading cerrain sectIons of the book that it would translate well into film.The action scenes especially.  A very difficult subject for many people (spoiler here a bit) was the issue of self-harm so if this is a trigger for you opt out. Likewise I would not recommend it for a combat veteran who has had vivid dreams, flashbacks or other symptoms of Post traumatic stress syndrome. Otherwise it was a good novel that dealt with both personal relationships and military situations. There were plot twists thAt I was not expecting so bravo to the author. You totally got me.

Review: Taken by Dee Henderson.
Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She has enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time. When Shannon contacts private investigator and former cop Matthew Dane to help her navigate her reentry into society, she quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn’t mean her troubles are over. For one thing, her brother is the leading candidate in the race for Illinois governor, and news of her escape will create a media frenzy. For another, the ransom her family reportedly paid years earlier appears to have been a scam; no one knows what happened to the money. And then there’s the fact that Shannon’s escape involved faking her own death. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they’ll stop at nothing to silence her. If justice is to be done, and if Shannon’s life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her–even if it means stirring up a hornet’s nest of secrets.                                                                                                                      Ok so this is a departure from the seat of your pants suspense type of book that this author has been known for in the past so not so much on the adrenaline  rush. It is however a timely and thoughtful book which tackles the topic of healing from trauma. It follows Shannon who has been abducted and has escaped.captivity. The reader walks with her through the days following her re-entry and all that the process entails. It also.follows the man who she has chosen to help her walk through it. Matthew has done this with his daughter and has some idea what she will need. It is  a thoughtful work which produces lots of feels. It features strong yet sensitive characters  who you want to make it through. It took me into a.special.world filled with the dynamic tension of needing to heal while needing also to perform in order to help.apprehend the captors. One thing that stood out to me was that Shannon was written with depth and complexity. She had forged such inner strength and kept the core of who she was, her integrity. She protectlooed others while being held captive and even after.

n a city where everything is gorgeous and expensive can Jessie Stanton survive on pennies and prayers? Twelve years of marriage, 4,000 sq. feet of a dream house, and a handsome husband. Jessie Stanton has it all...until one fateful afternoon when she notices her BMW bouncing by the window behind a tow truck. Her husband has gone, and he's taken it all with him. The whirling tornado that cuts down the life she's built drops Jessie onto the sandy beach of Malibu with a thud, penniless and alone. When all she's left with are the designer labels in her closet and the dreamy Neil Lane rock on her finger, Jessie tries to make ends meet by pawning her prized ring to fund a new business venture: a small shop where her designer duds and shimmering accessories are temporarily leased out to Southern California women with champagne taste but root beer realities. As Jessie tries to rebuild, she realizes she can't move on, not without answers. Reluctantly, Jessie turns to beach bum/private investigator Danny Callahan for help. But is she staking her future success and happiness...on a ring and a prayer?

On a Ring and a Prayer is the first book in a three part series by the lovely Sandra D. Bricker. It follows a woman, Jessie Stanton whose husband has skipped town and left her with no resources. She hires Danny Callahan ,a PI to help her to find  out what is going on and where her husband is.  In order to find some way to make a living she uses her considerable designer wardrobe to open a rental shop. As if she hadn't endured enough she learns some more about her mysterious husband. You wonder how much she can take and what is next.                                                                                                                                                                                         I loved the use of flashbacks to her childhood from the point of view of her grandfather. Jessie was a likable and relatable person . You found yourself rooting for her. Then other characters were also able to draw you in. The plot is good and develops well . It keeps a you moving through to the part and leaves you eager to know what occurs in the next book. The banter was charming. I particularly enjoyed a spot where the results of a person praying for the main character was making a difference in her life as you can see things falling into place with his requests. I have enjoyed everything that I have read by Sandra Bricker. I am looking forward to reviewing Be My Valentino the next installment in the series and In will be posting a review soon.

A relaxing day of rock Cunningham's a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna' s route brings her face-to-face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something darker? When the case is handed to overburdened Sherrod Landon Grainger he turns to Jake Weston for help.With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again- but he could never prepare for where the mystery will take him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Lauren' s climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world's May put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.                                                                                                                                                        This is the fourth book in the Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey. It was a fun ride. A major plot twist totally changes the game midway through and really has you turning pages. The romantic interest is particularly satisfying if you have been reading through the series because you feel that it is finally time. There has been so much tension and then appreciation between these two you feel like it's about time.                                                                                                                                                The killer is villain is really crazy and is bent on revenge thrilling stuff. There a couple of nice family weddings thrown in  also sweetening the deal. All in all a good effort.    

 

Amelia Christensen has always felt that she was made.for adventuresome she runs off  to Europe to have one. While taking a photography class in Prague and meets a man wwith whom she shares  a kiss on new year's eve. She feels that this could be special until she sees him with another girl . Feeling foolish she gets on the next flight back to.the states only to find that he has perused her and wants to.explain. She is afraid of making a mistake and considers going back.to.the comfortable relationship that she had with her high school boyfriend Seth.                                              Seth is planning his future with Amelia but he hasn't consulted her about it. He has even bought land to build their glistening the water. He is so sure of things that he is blindsided by the fact that Amelia is not sure that she wants his vision.                                   Roark , the man Amelia met in Europe is determined to have Amelia in his life. He has had too much loss and she just may be the key to living again. He moves into her hometown  and lets her know that he will not be denied.                            What does Amelia really want , adventure or the safe and familiar.? Which man will she choose?Seth, old faithful or the cosmopolitan Roark? Whatever she chooses will her close knit and meddling family approve?This is the latest installment  in the Christensen family series by Susan Mae Warren. It features thenyounhe at sibling trying to find her way. There is also  subplots featuring Grace who has helped with her fiance who has a hereditary disease. The main characters in both storylines were complex and engaging. There inner conflicts not simple. I found the authors choice to explore what an illness like the brother in law has  will require of you and how you can chose to li've each day fully or spend it waiting for the othwe shoe to drop. Along with the romantic tension and family issues , there are some dramatic moments which are satisfying and ramp up.the action. This is a charming and thought provoking series and I enjoyed this book. It actually releases today. Rating4stars 

This new offering from Irene Hannon is part of her new Men of Valor series. All men who are principal characters are former military. This one feature an ex-SEAL and a small town female police chief. The book opens with a flashback which relates the events around the accidental death of a foreign student. The other young people with her are afraid of the implications of her death and hide the body. The bulk of this work centers around the later discovery and identification of the girl's body. The kids at the scene are now well into adulthood and are each sought again for questioning. The investigators are drawn to each other while working out the puzzle that this case represents.                                                                       I enjoyed the characters and the plot line . The villain was a very disturbed and scary, calculating person and well done. I also enjoyed the quirky also military brothers of the SEAL and wondered if they would be the main characters in some subsequent books in the series. This was a good read of the calibre which I have come to expect from this author. 4 stars.

Review: Siren' s Fury by Mary Weber. . This novel is the second in  a YA fantasy series that began with Storm siren. This book was harder to write according  to an interview with the author due to the The authorsubject matter. It picks up where the previous volume leaves off. The author said in an interview that  this book was harder to.write.than the first book in the series. I must admit that for me it was also.harder to.read. It was however necessary to move the story along. The situation at the outset is bleak. An evil antifungal taken over Wigan' s body and will completely consume him unless Mum can free him in time. Brought to his homeland Mum and a group of diplomats and representatives are now swarthy things are worse than they knew. Mum acquires a new ability as hers has been drained but learns that this was not the best idea. The dire.circumstances finally have some kind of a lift to them at the end of this book. I am now looking forward to what comes next. Although this book wallflower moving , it did give the reader a feeling of the passage of time as well as the desperation of the main characters. Revelations are had especially toward the end which explain a lot. The villain also gets a backstory which at least to some degree makes you understand what brought us to this moment. 3stars