The Unwilling by John Hart

The Unwilling by John Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What this was such a raw book; yet I was compelled to read it, even though I wanted to put it down. Why? The evil characters made me sick---X, Reece, and all the other sick, brutal, violent people X controls--- while members of Jason and Gibby's family were severely disgusting---Jack French, their dad is a cop, who made sure after Jason came home from the war because he was dishonorably discharged that his family did not see him. His mother, Gabrielle, was just awful and mentally ill---she loved her first son and her 3rd son but not the 2nd---and her husband allowed her dissension--truly sickening. Gibby is a good kid caught between his mother and father who have kepst him in a bubble with all kinds of restrictions and written off Jason and Gibby wants to forge a bond with his only brother. Of course, I loved Gibby, Chance, and Becka (I wish there was more of them at the end of the book) and of course Jason---he was so misunderstood---but as the reader learns more about him (the cover-up, his heroism, and how so many never believed the worst of him (unlike his father and mother) you really feel for him---I rooted for him the whole book but what kind of life can he have---it could be another whole book in the future - like the John Merriman books!

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The Escape (John Puller, #3) by David Baldacci

The Escape by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd John Puller book! His brother, Robert is in jail for treason and when a storm and no power open the cell doors, prisoners flee and pandemonium occurs. As John gets involved as a CID agent, he is joined by a mysterious woman, Veronica Know who is also trying to solve the case but lying about lots of things. As they work together and try to trust one another, I could not stop turning the pages as I fell in love with his brother Robert's mind, and the strong bond the brothers have despite Robert being in prison. You will love how the mystery builds, Robert eludes murderers out to kill him, Puller and Knox trying to thwart a devious agent and bring justice---but who can they trust???

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Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee in exchange for an honest review. This is my 3rd Rick Riordan Presents book and I just keep wanting to read more and more of these middle grade fantasies about different cultures. I fell in love with the Hmong folklore, spirits, food, and Asian mythology in this debut by Lori M. Lee. There were so many memorable characters with my two favorites being Pahua (and her best friend cat, Miv – that no one can see) and her friend/enemy Zhong (a shaman in training on a quest). Both these girls are Hmong, lonely, and on a mission- Pahua to rescue her brother Matt’s spirit which has been stolen by a horrid bridge spirit and Zhong, a warrior shaman who must complete a trial or fail. As Pahua and Zhong work together they have many, many adventures (funny and serious), racing against time and mythological characters and spirits to save her little brother; these 2 fearless and unforgettable characters will use magic, strength, nature-based spirits and fantastical folklore to conquer a soul stealer like no other. Highly recommended for middle grade fantasy lovers!

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Apex (Hunter, #3) by Mercedes Lackey

Apex by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final book in the series, awesomely narrated by Amy Landon, had me reeling. I really enjoyed Joy's hounds and in this book they shine with all they can do to help their handlers---because Drift and an evil Folk Mage are out to end the Hunters and take over. Joy also is approached by Josh to help him, Drift wants to recruit him and Josh knows what it means--- he will die like the others...As Joy hides him in the Drift (it was amazing how she accomplished this---her hound turns into a human impersonating Josh, and he is spirited away. But as the fighting with more and more creatures becomes deadly to the Hunters, Joy turns to her Folk Mage for help and this results in an epic cover-up by Drift and her team. Hold on, this last book moves quickly! I wish there was going to be another book in this series because there are still unanswered questions and more drama in Apex!

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Elite (Hunter, #2) by Mercedes Lackey

Elite by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this audiobook read by Amy Landon has me hooked! Now the Joy knows Ace (and others) is out to get her, she decides to become Elite where she will no longer have to care about ratings; she will be hunting with an Elite crew all the time---I really liked her new friends like Hammer, Steel and her romance with Josh hits bumps because the head of Psicore, Drift is doing some very unorthodox stuff to her teams and when they begin to turn up Joy is the one finding them! There is also a Folk Mage who seems to want to help her, what will Joy do? I can't wait for the 3rd book, Apex in this series!

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Zero Day (John Puller, #1) by David Baldacci

Zero Day by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the last & 4th book in the John Puller series, No Man's Land, and loved John Puller so much I wanted to read all the other books in this series. Beginning in West Virginia in a town that is slowly dying because of mining dust, explosions, and a bad economy---Puller is assigned to investigate a general and his family's murder and after pairing up with the female town cop---off they go and the mystery and adventure ramp up as even more murders happen. I loved Puller's drive, the way he thinks things out, his knowledge of guns and battle tactics, and how he will not stop til he finds those responsible.

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Stronger Than You Know (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #2) by Lori Foster

Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved the 1st book in this series, No Holding Back; I really enjoyed the relationship Reyes McKenzie and Kennedy Brooks build in this steamy thoroughly enjoyable mystery romance. Kennedy was one trafficked and now tours the country speaking about the horrors of human trafficking and how victims can heal and be stronger after their ordeal. But there are old traffickers that want Kennedy silenced and they will stop at nothing to apprehend her. Reyes knew when Kennedy began working out at his gym that she was hiding something just as Kennedy knew Reyes had secrets too. As they begin to trust one another they begin to learn about other; meeting Reyes family was awesome because I enjoyed these characters from the first book. Foster has once again penned a romance with enough mystery, chemistry, and adventure, I could not stop turning the pages!

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