Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Burned for Me is a great start to a new series by Ilona Andrews. I received an early release copy through NetGalley. I know this book is great because I am quite off of Urban Fantasy right now and it burned right through my Urban Fantasy reading slump. Burn for Me starts the story of Nevada Baylor who is part of a pretty awesome family. She heads an investigative agency that she inherited from her parents. Her cousin Bern, whom I am particularly fond of, tends to be the person who she worked with most as he is super smart and a supernova when it comes to computers. Every once in a while even the younger siblings get involved, along with her mother, an ex-military with some serious skills with weapons, and her grandmother who is an excellent mechanic with special skills of her own. Unfortunately, she is tasked with capturing a Prime, an extremely gifted mage, with a power that she cannot possibly even defend herself against. She runs afowl another vested party named Mad Rogan who gets under skin. Well, actually they get under each other's skin. Unfortunately, they meet when he kidnaps her and she does not have much recourse initially since he is another Prime.

I have read The Edge series and I also follow the Kate Daniel's series avidly and I have to say that this is another winning series for me. The location, a customized version of Houston, is nicely described, though I am not quite sure of the time period for this series. I get the feeling that it is more of an alternate version of now. The people appear to be ultimately what have evolved. I cannot decide which I loved most about Burn for Me, the action scenes which were very detailed and well-written or the descriptions of the magic. There were some great things left open regarding magic and those that have magic. There is the relationship/anti-relationship between Nevada and Mad. Given the ongoing relationship for Nevada's firm and the family it rolls up to I expect to see a lot more of several other interesting characters. Mad Morgan is a wonderful wild card that I cannot wait to to read more about.

Sicilian Engagement by Rachel Lyndhurst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sicilian Engagement was an enjoyable read. I received an early release copy from NetGalley. I always look for books based in the Mediterannean and this is one of the few that I have read so far based in Sicily. I always flash back to an episode of Anthony Bordain's No Reservation where he spent time in Sicily when he spoke with one of his hosts about whether there was still "family connections" there and she confirmed that it is not as obvious but every once in a while it reared its head so it is not completely gone. So when I read contemporary stories that hit on this I think about this and realize there is a bit of realism there and this story was quite interesting. It spent some time on "family" politics in Sicily and how this effects business. Lorenzo Ferrante's story delves into these relationships since Lorenzo has done his best to stay out of his father's "family" business. But Lorenzo has a plan for how to clear himself once and for all and try to do some good in Sicily but he needs to be married to sit at the table for the deal. But he has to start somewhere so he needs to find a fiancee fast and hires one but the person chosen to be his fiancee through a temp agency in London is blackmailed into it. She has no choice but to honor the contract but she goes in with her head on straight and is determined not to fall for Lorenzo, who of course is gorgeous. One of the best things about Sicilian Engagement is seeing Sicily's landscape through the author's eyes. There were some great descriptions of Sicily which are always my favorite. Although I am new to pure romance I love when they have a bit of a twist and there was a bit of excitement in this book which helped make it more enjoyable for me. I will look for more books by Rachel Lyndhurst!

The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun book! I received a copy via NetGalley and jumped right into the story. The Prince Who Loved Me is about a prince who is both Romany and a Prince of a country called Oxenburg. He comes to visit a small Scottish village where Bronwyn Murdoch lives with her father, stepmother and stepsisters. They actually seem to be a close family despite their differences. Bronwyn is a bookish or "bluestocking" who does not really think about the future other than helping her father file patents for his inventions and answering correspondence. Her stepmother is very hands on and traditional and tries to make Bronwyn more of a lady in how she behaves, dresses and in her extracurricular activities as she spends most of her time reading and hanging around her dogs. The dogs and a new doggie she meets in the woods are quite funny additions to the story. It is also in the woods when Bronwyn meets someone that changes how she sees her future. There are some very comical portions to the story and I enjoyed the goings on at the different events at the castle. There are some very colorful characters in this story including the Viscount, his uncle, the Romany grandmother and Bronwyn's stepsisters. I always get a little nervous when I try to read historical fiction and I was not disappointed. The Prince Who Loved Me is a great, funny story!

Review can also be seen at LadyTechies Book Musings http://LadyTechiesBookMusings.blogspo...

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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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