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.

Methods of Madness (Stephanie Black)

It's been three years since the terrible night Emily Ramsey suffered a double tragedy-the death of her sister and the disappearance of her fiance. She deserves another chance at happiness, and gentle, adorable Zach Sullivan is the perfect man to mend her shattered heart. But from the moment Emily opens the hand-carved box holding a glittering diamond solitaire, she's seized by an unshakeable fear: she's going to lose Zach. That's exactly what Monica, Zach's ex-girlfriend, is banking on. Bitter with envy, Monica will stop at nothing to sabotage Zach and Emily's romance. Troubling notes show up in Emily's mailbox, fanning the flames of suspicion. A bloody photograph sends her reeling. But when someone is brutally murdered, will Emily be able to escape suspicion and the possibility that she might be next? Whitney Award-winning author Stephanie Black treats readers to another of her brilliantly thrilling stories that will leave the reader no choice but to keep reading well past the stroke of midnight.

I enjoyed this book. The author kept the twists just perfect, to the point you have to keep changing your theory on who the murderer really is. The story keeps you second guessing yourself all the way through the book.

Bewitched & Betrayed (Lisa Shearin)

My name is Raine Benares. I’m a seeker. I find lost things and missing people — usually alive. Finding the specters of six evil mages who escaped the Saghred, a soul-eating stone of unlimited power, was easy. Stopping them before they unleash Hell on earth just may be the death of me.
Being bonded to the Saghred wasn’t my idea — neither is hunting down its escapees. Especially not when one of them is also hunting me. He’s regenerating his body by taking the lives of powerful victims, along with their memories, knowledge, and most important of all, their magic. The dark mage wants control of the Saghred, and if he gets it, he’ll become an evil demigod whom no one can stop. The only thing in his way is me.
One of us doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

This latest edition to the Raine Benares series seemed to have more emotion in it than the others. It stil had plenty of Raine's wise-cracking humor but you could definitely feel her stress. This also had a steamy scene in the middle of the novel that completely took me by surprise because the others hadnt had any in them...just a fair warning if you want to read it.

Jenna's Cowboy (Sharon Gillenwater)

Jenna Callahan has a young son and rewarding work on her father's ranch. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town-the first guy she noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago. And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.
Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him and become the man Jenna deserves.
With an emphasis on simple acts of love, Jenna's Cowboy gives romance readers what they want most, a love story with a Texas touch.

This is a modern day western love story. It is also a good look at the reality of what our servicemen go through when they return home from a war. After reading this book and looking it up on line to post on here, I found that it is the 1st book in "The Callahans of Texas" Series. The second book, Emily's Chance is do to release in September 2010. I am looking forward to following this family's adventures through this series.

Jude's Law (Lori Foster)

There's only so much frustration a guy can handle before he gets a little nutty. For Jude Jamison, his frustration has a name--May Price. She's everything the former Hollywood badboy actor came to Stillbrook, Ohio, hoping to find: open, honest, lovable, and full of those luscious curves you dont find on stick-figure starlets--curves May doesnt seem to appreciate in herself. Every time Jude tries to get close to the skittish business woman, to take her in his arms, she thinks he's joking. Joking? Joking does not involve lots of cold-shower therapy.

Time for new tactics. If May can't respond to his sly compliments and sexy innuendos, He'll just have to spell it out for her. Jude Jamison going to lay down the law for May Price. And after that, she'll have no delusion about just how much he wants her...

I actually liked this author's style. I would have preferred that she didnt have the sex scenes but I guess if I would have read the back of the book before I started reading I wouldnt have been surprised.

I liked how Jude wanted to take such good care of May and how her confidence and feistiness seemed to grow under his affectionate care.

The story kind of ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but I found out there is a second book called Murphy's Law that finishes the story.