Accused (Rosato & DiNunzio, #1) by Lisa Scottoline

Accused by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this new series by Lisa Scottoline and Bennie, Mary and all the others in the all female law firm were kick ass protagonists. Mary becomes partner in the law firm, gets engaged and takes on a new case with a 13 yr old genius hiring her, convinced Lonnie Stall has been put in prison unjustly for killing her sister. I could not put down this mystery and look forward to reading more about the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm!

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Hunter (Hunter, #1) by Mercedes Lackey

Hunter by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Amy Landon this first in the series has Joya, a Hunter, telling the reader about her life as a hunter in her beloved mountains but then she is promoted to Apex, the bustling capital to keep track of the cits (citizens) and boy is life there different. I loved the many mythological creatures the hunters battle and it is apparent Joya is VERY good at her job. So good she garners enemies. Her uncle is the prefect and through a series of taps on her shoulder as she is introduced, Joya realizes all is not well in/at Apex and there are those who are out to get her and through her, her uncle. She meets and likes his assistant psimon Josh, and they begin to date. It was unnerving how Joya's mind never shuts off always looking for threats but she is right to do that as someone is trying to hurt her, could it be Ace the top Hunter? I loved her pack animals and the magic she and the animals wielded. I am already listening to the 2nd book in the series, Elite!

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Revenge by James Patterson

Revenge by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this David Shelley character and his wife who were in the special ops marines and now have a security business they are trying grow. One of Shelley's first jobs was an aborted abduction 14 yrs ago and as the book opens the child is now an adult, Emma Drake, and she kills herself while being videotaped at her job (she is a heroin addict that owes money and must pay back by stripping online). Shelley finds out Emma called him that night and he sets out to find out why; a wild ride as the past and present clash as Shelley races to find out what happened...a real cliff hanger, I loved it!

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Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosch

Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finally finished this laugh out loud graphic novel that covers many topics with awesome wit, illustrations and where needed personal author ideas/realities/discussions. Enjoyable with awesome illustrations and funny ideas.

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Unraveled (Steel Brothers Saga, #9) by Helen Hardt

Unraveled by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great title in this series as Ryan and Ruby race against time, bondage, and fear for their families lives---Ruby has been imprisoned by her father and when she wakes she finds she has been taken and is now in the Caribbean on a mystery island and in the room with her is Juliet, one of the girls who was abducted and Ruby was trying to find where she was trafficked to--because now she and Ryan know the mastermind of the awful human trafficking is Ryan's mother and each time they try to overwhelm her, she is two steps ahead. Will they with the help of Jonah and Talon be able to stop the suffering of the abducted women and children? Another suspenseful book in this series!

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Twisted (Steel Brothers Saga, #8) by Helen Hardt

Twisted by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the perfect title because Twisted was most certainly apt for what was revealed in this 8th book about the Steel brothers! Ryan and Ruby are getting mysterious phone calls and texts, Ryan from his "real" mother who is crazier than a bed bug and Ruby from her father, but now the secrets are being spilled and there might be other revelations that others are alive who were supposedly dead!!! Also the suspense is increased because these unwanted people have the ability to track Ryan and Ruby, and hold them prisoner as they try to ensnare all the Steel siblings. I am goiong right into the next book, I can't wait to find out what is happening!

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The Stranger by Harlan Coben

The Stranger by Harlan Coben
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by George Newbern, this mystery was so suspenseful with a creepy stranger approaching main character, Adam, a lawyer happily married with 2 sons to a wife he loves, Corinne, and gives him devastating information about his wife. When Adam verifies the awful facts and confronts Corinne, she does the unthinkable and flees, telling Adam she will make it right and be back in a few days. As Adam and his sons deal with a missing wife/mom, Adam continues to dig further and what he finds out scares him, but Adam is determined to find his wife and the Stranger. A spine tingling superb suspense story from Harlan Coben!

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Shattered (Steel Brothers Saga, #7) by Helen Hardt

Shattered by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was a nice break from the Helen Hardt mysteries but Shattered called to me because I really wanted to learn more about the Steel brothers and this book did not disappoint. It is about youngest brother Ryan and his meeting Ruby, a cop and also the daughter of one of the men who tortured Talon when he was abducted. Ruby's life has always been isolated because of who her father was...now with her friendship with therapist Melanie, she is asked to be her maid of honor, thus meeting Ryan. I could not stop turning the pages of this mystery/romance and am going to jump into the next book because the ending was, WHAT? and I must know more!!!

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Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maya is a mom who has lost her husband in a shooting and tries to find out who killed her sister and why did she see her husband holding their daughter in a nannycam her friend urged her to have in her daughter's room. I could not stop listening to this spine tingling audiobook narrated by January LaVoy. I understood the ending but I did not like it. Another great Harlan Coben mystery!

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One Two Three by Laurie Frankel

One Two Three by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a good story BUT I sometimes had a problem keeping the chapters of One then Two then Three throughout the WHOLE book was disconcerting for me and took away from the story--a disturbing story of a town being poisoned by a chemical company and with all the money in the world how the town was upended---people and animals died, water is green and brown and children born with disabilities....and this company proves to the world THIS is normal so the town Bourne becomes invisible with no one moving in or out, all are unemployed while the main characters ---the triplets hence One, Two Three (we get their POV and history of the town) make a sister pact to uncover and expose the new chemical company in town. I wanted to like River Templeton, the teen son of the corrupt grandfather who ruined their town, but Frankel chose to make him a one dimensional character and I did not like at all his duplicity with Mab. But I loved the sisters and rooted for them and their town!

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Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by Nikki Massoud; Soroya who is cursed and hidden away by her royal family. She leads a life of loneliness, walks in her garden and through the secret passageways, until one day she sees a young soldier from her solitary place atop the castle. This dashing soldier is not afraid of her poisonous touch and as they begin to talk and walk and explore; she becomes emboldened by her friendship and begins to try to find a way to wipe out her curse. Soroya wants to be part of her family and since she isn't she feels anger that she uses to search for the removal of the curse. I loved Soroya's quest; it was scary and so many times hopeless but I kept rooting for Soroya and as she learns about her heritage, her mother's part in the curse and her twin brother's aloofness---I kept listening and could not stop! I loved the many demons (and the author notes at the end were super helpful), the Persian influence (OMG the food was mouthwatering). Such a great retelling of so many myths!

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This Is My America by Kim Johnson

This Is My America by Kim Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Jennifer LaGarde (@jennlagarde) for this recommendation from her Purposeful Prose Summer Reading Exploring Inequity in the US Criminal Justice System!!! OMG, everyone needs to read this debut author book, Kim Johnson has spent her life being involved in social justice and organizations, her Author's Note is especially relevant stressing this book is a work of fiction but also calling out racism, police brutality, wrongful incarceration, white supremacy and hate groups and the death penalty. She gives facts and figures too. But her story about Tracy Beaumont and her family's troubles was haunting; I could not put it down. Tracy is an awesome protagonist, her friends are supportive, and her family is tight---Tracy's letters to Innocence X (she writes them monthly for the 7 years her father is in prison) and with the troubles visited on them and how they are viewed in their community and society; this is a must read for all----highly recommended!

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Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer by Leslie Gentile

Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer by Leslie Gentile
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thans to Laurie Hnatiuk for recommending this awesome debut author middle grade book. Taking place in the year after Elvis Presley has died, Truly has a secret and it is that Elvis is now living in their trailer park. Owned by Andy El, the Eagle Shore Trailer Park near an Indigenous reservation, her son Raymond faithfully comes to help with repairs, buy food, and spread love and security to his mom, Andy El, his sister and her kids and Truly because Truly's mom is just awful. Totally self absorbed and spurned by her mother because she got pregnant, her mother lets her down is so many ways. Truly spends more time with Andy El sleeping on her front porch, washing her clothes and eating at Andy El's and this summer Andy El has an idea for Truly to raise money. This lemonade stand comes to represent so much to Truly---she sells the lemonade but residents give her books, muffins, and other things to sell. She is saving to try to find her father but she is keeping this a secret; she tells everyone she is saving for a puppy and everyone wants Truly to have this puppy. This book broke my heart time and again (her mother of course!!!) but Andy El and her family filled Truly's heart with love and determination, a must read for all! Highly recommended!

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The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron

The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

another awesome middle grade novel in verse by Chris Baron which touches on so many important themes and topics. Set in 1989 San Francisco the book begins with earthquake drills, they are the norm but no one ever takes them for granted. Etan is a boy who has lost his ability to speak since his mother went away (a mental institution) but he has the strong relationship with his jeweler grandfather, as well as community members who understand Etan. Delivering a package to a remote island home, he hears Malia singing and begins a friendship. Both Etan and Malia understand what it is like to be alone--- Etan because of his silence and Malia because of her skin condition that has cruel people referring to her as "The Creature" I loved their way with each other; I loved Malia's grandmother just like I loved Etan's grandfather but I was riveted by the parents and their treatment/relationship with their children. There was so much to learn about in this book--the immigrants to Angel Island, the exciting World Series, the debilitating aspects of eczema, Etan's grandfather's religion. Such a great story---I recommend all readers will love this book!

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Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz

Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Donna Compton for recommending this awesome middle grade debut novel in verse! In a musical family each child has an interesting name Madrigal (our protagonist), Strum her older brother who worries about climate change, butterfly depletion, being a meat eater and Aria her older sister who now ignores her. Both parents have fostered this love of music, but was it their love of the music? When Strum vanishes from college, Maddie's family is devastated, why would he do that? The reader soon learns much about this family, the good and the bad, but it seems as they become teens both Strum and Aria have problems with their parents rules, wishes, and it is Strum who leaves each sibling an email which really does not explain much to Maddie. With the investigation going full steam ahead, her parents fight more, her mother is totally devastated, and Maddie is full time trying to figure out what happened to her brother. Will they find him? This is a a gripping novel told from the 12 year old POV and it is a tale of her journey as well---she loves even numbers while odd numbers spell bad luck, does she have more compulsions? Maddie may know more than anyone about Strum, will she be able to help them find Strum. What an awesome book, all readers should devour this one; highly recommended!

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To Catch a Killer (Erin Blake #1) by Sheryl Scarborough

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this mystery and Narration by Christy Romano was good but she did not have a male voice and I was sometimes confused when the male characters like Journey Michaels was talking because Romano used her speaking voice. But the mystery by Sheryl Scarborough was gripping and I will definitely be reading her next Erin Blake novel! Erin is a totally believable and likable protagonist while she hates being known as the girl whose mother was murdered. Her mom's best friend, Rachel, has raised her but she will NOT discuss her mother's death which is a real downer for Erin and who exactly is her father? With her best friends they have a side business which includes pictures, fingerprints and lots of other forensics (Erin is a fan of her uncle who is an FBI investigator and has written books) so when she finds her beloved biology teacher murdered and sees Journey there too, the mystery ramps up. This a gripping story and a great YA mystery!

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Deep Water by Watt Key

Deep Water by Watt Key
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Laurie Hnatiuk for this totally awesome recommendation! Not only is the narration stellar, but I was swept away (get my reference) by the sea dive that went so wrong with Julie Sims and her dad. Her father owns these tanks and is able to get a father-son team of divers to pay 4X the fee for this dive but when the anchor pulls away, Julie, Shane and his awful dad are swept away and must try to survive, will they? I am going to be reading Watt Key's other stories now too! I can't wait!

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Sold On A Monday by Kristina McMorris

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to my neighbor, Cara McBrien, for this thrilling historical fiction mystery that captured the time period and characters perfectly for a real page turner. Taking place in 1931 depression era, reporter Ellis Reed takes a picture that is heart wrenching. Lily sees this picture and shows it to her boss. When the picture and story are ok'd, a mistake in the developing room, destroys the original and Ellis must stage the picture with 2 other children---setting into motion, very devastating results. As Lily and Ellis together and separately try to find out what happened, they realize they must rush to make this right for all involved. It was upsetting to see the rigid roles women were pushed into, the struggling families and what they were forced to do to survive, and finally the rich who seemed above it all but struggled with their own issues. I will certainly be reading more of McMorris' books, the pace was breakneck and the psychological suspense had me turning those pages & rooting for Ellis and Lily to help the 2 children! A must read!

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Havoc (Hellbound Brotherhood, #5) by Shannon McKenna

Havoc by Shannon McKenna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved all 5 books in the Hellbound Brotherhood series and highly recommend this author for romance, mystery, suspense and thrillers. This book revolves around Mace Trask who has a background in survivalism, a company that mirrored that, and brothers and a friend who were in a cult that was taken over by an evil Redd Kimball who has killed many of their friends and family with a virus and now he wants to go global with his deadly intentions. As Mace plots to kill Kimball he sees a woman who is walking around their blown up mountain, Gods Acre--could she be one of Kimball's spies? Cait LaMott lost her father 14 years ago when he vanished and it has taken this long to get his things--journal, coordinates etc and maybe answers to what happened to him. Once Mace and Cait clear the air they broach an idea with family and forge a relationship to end Kimball. But is it that easy? The brothers and their friends have been tricked by Redd Kimball before and serious damage has been done to both sides, hopefully Mace's background will end this, but what about Mace and Cait? I loved their relationship, their chemistry, and their back stories; highly recommended!

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