Assassin's Game by Ward Larsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received Assassin's Game as an eArc through NetGalley. Ward Larsen has a winning series on his hands. I love it!

Assassin's Game is the 2nd in the series that follows "David Slaton" (if that is his real name), the most lethal Kidon to be trained by the Mossad. In this book we see David under his new assumed identity and Christine as they have begun their new domesticated life. Christine has completed her residency and has flown to Sweden to attend a medical conference when David's former life comes back to haunt both of them. They both find out it is not so easy to leave the Mossad and secrets are very hard to keep if more than one person knows them. The Mossad wants its agent back and they have a huge problem with a nuclear weapons expert who works for one of Israel's biggest enemies.

David Slaton has to create a plan against the odds to kill the chemist and also try to protect his wife who is being chased across Europe by police and other forces. In the middle of all of this he has to try to figure out how to keep his marriage together. I have to admit that at the end of this action-packed story I had to remember this is not a romance. This is an action-packed thriller. But, Ward Larsen does a great job of portraying the tensions on a marriage that is fraught with violence, deception and betrayal. This portrays espionage and international politics in the best fashion. We also get to follow the stories of some of the side characters like the investigators and the villains. Another great aspect of this story is that it is a great mystery. I cannot wait for the next installment in this intriguing story.

Guest Blog by Suzy Vitele author of The Empress Chronicles on Who is the Audience of Young Adult Books?

Thanks for inviting me to guest post on your blog!

Today’s topic is Young Adult versus Adult and the challenges and benefits of writing in multiple genres.

Let’s talk about audience first. Books are sold and marketed to specific audiences, and it’s commonly thought of as best practices to “target” a book visually, and with the right hook, to get it into the hands of its most appropriate readers.

Like my debut, THE MOMENT BEFORE, THE EMPRESS CHRONICLES is a bit of a crossover book. While I see teens as the main audience for EMPRESS, the subject matter and the historical/social/political context (fingers crossed!) will appeal to an older audience as well. This idea is certainly not new. Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND is a great example of a book that covers multiple genres and invites a spectrum of ages into its fantastical account of a girl’s journey.

If you ask most writers who their audience is, hopefully they’ll say themselves! Write the book you wish was written – to appeal to you as a reader. My “target” audience might be thought of as a set of qualities rather than an age. Daydreamers, loners, people who often feel out of step with popular culture. Artists, quiet types, bookish thinkers. Also, romantics, poets, people who enjoy suspending disbelief. For The Empress Chronicles, a fascination with European royalty would help, too. Generally, I like to think my characters offer a nod to those teens/adults who might be thought of as “stubborn” or “difficult.”

As far as process, in my experience, it helps to find a setting and a character whose voice you can’t get out of your head and go from there. As the story unfolds (I dabble in plot boards to establish a structure, but usually morph the plot points along the way), the audience becomes clearer. I made a conscious decision to avoid swear words in Empress because I think there are some 12-year-old precocious readers who would like the book, and I didn’t want parents to have an easy excuse for its exclusion in their home libraries.

The “difficult” subject matter in Empress includes mental illness, divorce, the pressure to party and have sex in high school – but, on the page, I try really hard to stay in the mindset of a “late bloomer” type 15-year old. I’ve raised three children (my youngest is 15), and I know that teens are bombarded with pressures all day long. For me, the journey of a young adult narrator should reflect the authenticity of today’s pressures.

As far as “genre,” Empress could be equally slotted in historical, contemporary, fantasy, issue, or teen romance. The cover alone gives the reader a hint that they’ll be journeying to at least a couple of places. In the most optimistic sense, we might think of the book as a genre mash. Or even, dare I say it, a literary smorgasbord! 

The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I am quite fascinated by stories about the Golem ever since I went to Prague last year I have tried to read stories when I find them. Not just any golem story, but, The Golem, said to have been created long ago by a Rabbi in Prague. I received an early release copy of The Golem of Hollywood through the First To Read program by Penguin Group. I have to admit that I have been quite dismayed as I visit different cities in Europe and see what is called "Jewish Ghetto". I am quite familiar with the term ghetto since I was raised in a large city. Though I was not raised in the ghetto I remember the connotations that went along with the description. So, the biggest question I ask myself as I stood on the street on the outside of the Jewish Ghetto in Prague was "is this a good thing or a bad thing?" "Who gave it that name?" I honestly still do not know. I know it is a community and I saw signs for one in Rome, Italy but I have reserved judgment as I read and learn more. But, given Prague's tumultuous history The Golem sounded like an amazing creature and I was glad to have a chance to read The Golem of Hollywood.

The Golem of Hollywood is a book that gives me my armchair travel as it moves from the U.S. to Prague to England. The detective, Jacob Lev, is "recruited" to investigate a murder when he does not work for the homicide division. Why? This is the crux of the story and even when you think you know what is happening you are surprised. Initially, I was a little afraid it was horror. I stopped a couple of times as I started out to check and see what genre the book fell under because it has been a long time since I read anything that was pure horror and I needed to prepare myself. There were some graphic descriptions in the book initially but as the story took off and I began to understand what was happening I knew this book simply had some wonderfully written imagery. I could see things as if I were watching a movie and have to admit that I will be re-reading this one after some time. I know I will see things that I missed. The people, places and action were written with amazing descriptions. I fell into this book. Last Friday, I literally considered taking a half day so I could read it. I have to admit that I was left hoping that this is a first in a series. I would even take a trilogy. Of course, I immediately logged onto Jonathan Kellerman's website to see if there was a hint of a possible series forthcoming. I just couldn't tell but, I am hopeful.

The Empress Chronicles by Suzy Vitello

When city girl Liz is banished to a rural goat farm on the outskirts of Portland, the 15-year-old feels her life spiraling out of control. She can’t connect to her father or his young girlfriend, and past trauma adds to her sense of upheaval. The only person who seems to keep her sane is a troubled boy who is fighting his own demons. But all of this changes in one historical instant.

One-hundred fifty years earlier, Elisabeth of Bavaria has troubles of her own. Her childhood is coming to a crashing end, and her destiny is written in the form of a soothsaying locket that has the ability to predict true love. But evil is afoot in the form of a wicked enchantress who connives to wield the power of the locket for her own destructive ends.

When Liz finds a timeworn diary, and within it a locket, she discovers the secrets and desires of the young Bavarian princess who will one day grow up to be the legendary Empress of Austria.
It is in the pages of the diary that these two heroines will meet, and it is through their interwoven story that Liz will discover she has the power to rewrite history—including her own...

Suzy Vitello is a proud founding member of a critique group recently dubbed The Hottest Writing Group in Portland. Her short stories have won fellowships and prizes (including the Atlantic Monthly Student Writing Award, and an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship). Suzy's debut novel, THE MOMENT BEFORE, was published by Diversion Books in January, 2014. Find out more on suzyvitello.com.

LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6524626.Suzy_Vitello?from_search=true
Website: http://www.suzyvitello.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzyVitelloBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/suzy_vitello
Pre-order!: https://ganxy.com/i/957
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Crossing the Line by Frédérique Molay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received Crossing the Line as an eArc through NetGalley. It is the 2nd in a series based in Paris that follows a police officer, Nico Sirsky. In this book we get more of a glimpse into Nico's everyday life but our introduction to him and his family happens in the first novel, The 7th Woman. We meet his great team and follow each of the members as they investigate a great mystery. In Crossing the Line a group of dental students in Paris find a note under a tooth and this leads us to a great mystery that unfolds into something the reader does not see coming. Although we get to see a bit into the lives of the other officers on Nico's team I wish we had more character development for Nico and at least 1 or 2 of the other team members. I am especially interested in seeing more of Anya's life and hopefully one of the future books will allow us to see them in Russia.

In Crossing the Line we are faced with a question. We have to ask ourselves the same question that the antagonist is faced with to see if we would come up with the same answer. How far is too far? Do we know the answer or does it change if we are put in the position and have to face it ourselves? I still had the feeling of not being in the place with the story. It might be that this is a translation to American English but there does not seem to be the feeling that I am in Paris walking along the streets with Nico and his team. It feels more like only being told about it. I'm hoping the next book gives more of a feeling of being there and I look forward to reading it!

The 7th Woman by Frédérique Molay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received The 7th Woman from Netgalley where I am really due to review this quite some time ago. Boy do I regret waiting. But, when my reading gets extremely fickle I back off of reviewing because I tend to start and stop books that I normally would love when I am in this kind of reading slump and I have been in one for over 6 months. I am glad I finally got into this book. One of the interesting things is I expected it to be more like armchair travel but I realize now that if the author lives in France then they would write about it as something they see everyday as opposed to making it more attractive to those who want to picture everything. There was good description of where things occurred but I didn't get the feeling of an armchair traveler. I had more of the feeling of this is where "we" live so things occur on this street or that street. But, it was great to have that feeling of living in Paris and not sightseeing there.

The 7th Woman was an intense mystery/thriller which I am happy to say I guessed correctly, not because it was easy but mainly because the bad guy just rubbed me the wrong way so I blamed it on that person. One thing that was harder for me to grasp was the emotional struggle that Nico was having between getting his behind back to finding the killer instead of worrying about a lady. I kept wanting to yell at him and say get back to work. But, I guess when people start falling they get a bit of tunnel vision. There were some great surprises and some pretty good character development also. The 7th Woman also jerked on the emotions because we start to learn about the other police officers and we start becoming invested in what happens to them. I have to admit that I did not notice that the French police carry weapons but I'm so glad they do because they really needed weapons with this kind of evil to handle. I look forward to reading Crossing the Line!

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an early release e-Arc through NetGalley and I have to say with one exception this is the book I have been anticipating for a year. This is saying a lot since I have not been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal books in the last 6 months to a year. I had to take a break because I sort of burned myself out on them. But, I had the chance to read this one early and jumped at it, especially knowing it was the end of the series. My sister teased me saying “maybe they’ll add another book or another 3 books.” I was quite grumpy thinking this could happen. But, I have to say I am writing this without having even finished the books. I have had different thoughts as I read and wanted to start jotting them down so that I could get my review in just as the book is released.

As I read this my first impression is that Book of Life does not disappoint. There is wonderful character development as we meet new friends and see old ones. I almost went back and read Shadow of Night because some of the characters left my memory. I purchased both A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night in unabridged audiobook as well. I will be rounding out the series in audiobook and purchasing The Book of Life in unabridged audiobook when it is released. These will be great to listen to a 6 months to a year down the line. I am betting I will hear things I missed the first time through.

I have to say my biggest fear with this book before I have finished it is that someone I like in the series will be killed off. Both Diana and Matthew have survived a lot of losses in their lives so I’m hoping this doesn’t happen but, I know how these things go with series. The readers fall in love with a character like GallowGlass. How can you not love him? We want the best for him so much and worry for him. There are so many likeable characters in this book just as there are some truly bad villains. It is hard to decide who to dislike more, Benjamin, for being such an evil creature; Gerbert, for being Switzerland in front of everyone when he might just be evil and Peter Knox, for being so power hungry that he will do anything to get that power. The Congregation is not innocent either and it does not appear to only be because they want to stop humans from finding out about the otherworldly beings. Part of what they do seems to be steeped in prejudices and control as well.

I have to admit that Book of Life was a satisfying ending to a great trilogy. There were some individual stories I wished we could have had more information about but all in all things were drawn to a great conclusion. Diana and Matthew both have grown a lot and learned a lot about who they are and who they needed to be and their trials drew others to them and helped them grow as well. Sarah and Isabeau are two people that grew so much in this book. Isabeau just draws you to her more and more throughout the entire series. But, there was change and growth in the supernatural community as well which was all any of them could hope for along with the cute babies that we get to know a bit about since they are still small babies. But, maybe we’ll see them again one day. I wouldn’t be against that at all!

Review can also be seen at http://fictionisstrangerthanfact.blogspot.co.uk/