Killing Moon (Rebecca York)

Private investigator Ross Marshall has a special talent for tracking--a talent that has helped him locate missing persons when the police's trail has gone cold. Now his current case has led him to a body buried in an isolated rural area--and a serial killer who is looking for a new victim. But while gathering evidence for the police, something goes very wrong...

The last thing genetic researcher Megan Sheridan expected was to discover her client shot and unconscious. Ross Marshall had requested her lab to run genetic tests on him, but instead of taking a blood sample, Megan found herself tending his wounds. Although frightened by the secrets she knows he is hiding, Megan is compelled to him by a force she cant explain--or resist. Ross tries to deny the ancient instincts clamoring for him to take Megan as his mate, for to do so would sentence her to a lifetime of sorrow. But now Ross has an even more urgent reason to stay aweay from Megan: The killer that he'd been hunting has turned the tables--and is now hunting him...

Took me a while to get into this one. It has a lot more crude language & images than I would have preferred but if you can get past that it has a good story.

Dagger-Star (Elizabeth Vaughan)

Elizabeth Vaughan delivers a tale of daggers and destiny with a cold and beautiful mercenary known as Red Gloves, and Josiah, a lone fighter emerging from the torched fields and razed farms of his homeland. All Josiah knows about the mysterious woman is her dagger-star birthmark, a sign that she is destined to free the people from a ruthless usurper's reign of terror.

Not a great read but I could read it more than once. I had a hard time clicking with the main character.

Shades of Gray (Pamela Carrington Reid)

Fighting her way through the chaos of her family's dysfunction, Samara Danes has immersed herself in a promising photography career. She sees no need to love or be loved. Then Adam Russell arrives in Samara's hometown on Australia's Gold Coast. Years ago, it was Adam who introduced her to the art of photography and opened her eyes to the wonder of the world. She in turn opened his heart to the truths of the gospel. Now can the older man's kindness, wisdom, and strength help save a family that teeters on the brink of dissolution? Are Samara's strong feelings for Adam more than just friendship and gratitude? With tender insight, gifted LDS author Pamela Carrington Reid explores the dynamics that stretch fragile relationships nearly to the breaking point. Shades of Gray is a richly crafted novel, genuinely moving and compelling-a tribute to the healing power of the gospel, where the lines of love are never blurred.

I thought this was a good young adult love story.

Upon the Mountain (Gale Sears)

World War I is raging in Europe. As America is drawn into the bitter conflict, Nephi Erickson comes to believe enlisting with the Marines is not only his duty, but also his best chance at making some much-needed money. He feels he has failed in his promise to care for his wife, Alaina, and their small daughter, Katie. As he leaves their tranquil Salt Lake City hillside home for a barren battlefield where disease can be as deadly as the enemy, Nephi has no idea that Alaina is carrying their second child-a child he may never see.
With her husband half a world away, Alaina derives some solace from the fact that her younger sister, Eleanor, lives nearby. Nineteen-year-old Eleanor-the only woman studying medicine at the University of Utah-is soon immersed in researching treatments for the influenza pandemic ravaging the world, a scourge that will soon touch her life all too closely. An unforgettable historical drama of innocence lost, of memorable characters struggling to hold on to truth and meaning in an age of turmoil, you'll be captivated by Gale Sears' poetic weaving of time, place, and powerful emotion.

I loved this story, but I had a hard time following it in the beginning. I feel that the author tried to cram too many different life stories into a too short of a book.

Tapestry Of Spells (Lynn Kurland)

Sarah of Doire, daughter of the village witchwoman, knows two things: Her brother has embraced the dark arts, vowing to destroy the Nine Kingdom; and she doesn't have the power to stop him. Now, even though she fears the quest will reveal the secret she's kept all her life and spell her doom, she must risk everything to thwart his plans--unless she can find aid from a man who knows too well the power of magic, whether used for good...or ill.

After seeing his entire family slain by his father's arrogant misuse of magic, Ruithneadh of Ceangail buried his own power and swore never to use it again. But when Sarah arrives at his door, desperate for his help, he finds himself thrust back into a life full of enchantments and peril. He knows the quest will be dangerous, but he has no idea the journey, the woman who accompanies him on it, and the truths he uncovers are capable of shattering his soul and unraveling the entire fabric of the Nine Kingdoms...

A Nine Kingdoms novel.

This was a good story. It took me a bit to truely get involved with these characters but then I was hooked and very disappointed that the book ended when it did...especially how it ended leading into the next book. I'll definitely be reading the next one when it comes out.

At Home in Beldon Grove Series (Ann Shorey)

It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie’s life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but determined to take care of herself and her children. But when Samuel’s unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey and Molly has to leave her old life behind. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, keep her family together, and fend off some over-eager suitors.
Ellie Craig grieves the loss of three infant children, and when long-hidden secrets are brought to light, she must find a way to contact the family of her long-lost father. Meanwhile her husband, Matthew, faces controversy in his church and competition from a new arrival in Beldon Grove, who claims to be both a minister and the son of the town's founder. Will Matthew find the courage to reclaim his church? And will his unexpected travel companion help Ellie's heart mend?
The Promise of Morning addresses themes of overcoming tragedy, finding strength to meet daunting challenges, and trusting your heart to love again.

The Dawn of a Dream - Book Three

Release Date TBA - Twenty-two-year-old Luellen McGarvie is a misfit among her peers. Circumstances have left her heart scarred, and she believes marriage is not for her. More than anything, she wants to teach children in communities like hers and help them recognize that education opens a path to future possibilities. Turning her back on traditional roles for women, she must battle family and social customs to follow her dreams.

I enjoyed both of these stories in this series so far. The author is an easy writer and makes the story just smooth enough to keep you interested but not too much info to lose you in the facts.

Maximum Ride : The Angel Experiment (James Patterson)

In James Patterson's blockbuster series, fourteen year old Maximum Ride, better known as Mas, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock" - Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel - are just like ordinary kids - only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time...like when Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of wack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare—this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb—now her betrayed and greatest enemy - that her purpose is save the world - but can she?

This has been a fun read. I think it is also a book a young adult or even tween would enjoy reading. I am interested in reading the others in this series to see how well each character tells of their adventures together. This first book is told by Maximum the main character and leader of the flock.