Finished AMERICAN DEMON

 

All of Kim Harrison's books seem to end with one problem solved by creating another.  Which of course keeps me reading.  I loved the inventive problem created and solved in this book.  I loved the two new quirky characters introduced and can't wait for the next book.

I have now started I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark.  When this author died, I thought I'd read pretty much all of her books so I went to her website and checked.  Nope--not by a long shot.  I ordered like ten more of her books and am working my way through.  In this one, our protagonist has married a very wealthy man who has had a cloud of bad public opinion hanging over his head since his late teens.  One person close to him has died and another disappeared and, of course, he seems the most likely culprit.

Finished SUCKER PUNCH

 

This book features a moral dilemma.  The new laws give executioners orders made out specifically to them and mandating that a certain supernatural being (in this case a wereleopard) be executed within 48 hours.  But what if the "criminal" mentioned did not commit the crime???  The case is complicated by Olaf entering the debate along with Anita, Edward, a new executioner and several small town law enforcement officers.  The book is talky and philosophical, forsaking the usual sex and action.  But the discussion has ramifications for criminal justice everywhere and I very much enjoyed the discussion.

After that I read Reunions Can Be Murder, A Wine Tasting Mystery Series Book 1.  This had a great premise for a murder mystery, a great setting (small town high school 20th reunion), and a marvelous group of characters.  I look forward to revisiting the town and the characters again.  On top of that the murders and characters made for an engrossing mystery.

I have now started American Demon, Kim Harrison's The Hollows #14.  I had thought, after The Witch With No Name, that this series was finished, so I am delighted to find two more books, this one, and another that will come out next month.  Hurray.  This story is about a frightening new entity that inhabits their victim's dreams and convinces them to kill the person they love.  And of course it is after Rachel!

Finished BELLA POLDARK, the last book in the series

 

This was  a great last book for this series.  We are left knowing what has happened to most members of the family and, though some are unsettling, others are more than satisfying.  This book is the best of the series, and an excellent series it has been.  I'd be feeling the loss of this great world I have loved to visit, except for the fact that I have seven Outlander series books still on the shelf.

I am now about to start Sucker Punch, the last book in the Anita Blake series I could find on Amazon when I was shopping.  I hope Laurell K Hamilton is writing more...

Finished TREJO

 

This is at the very least, one of the best autobiographies I've ever read, and I'm toying with calling it the best.  Partially because Danny has led a very interesting life and also because he is so honest and soul searching.   The reader does not only learn about Danny's life, but also how he survived the worst of it (I'm certain most people would not), and the insights he has gained as he has matured.  Through the years as I have set up novelty booths at various events and celebrations around Dallas, I have fallen in love with the joy in which Mexican families celebrate and enjoy each other.  But, I have never understood machismo.  I've seen it throughout my teaching career, but have never understood what good it could possibly do.  Well, the early part of this book certainly answers that question.  But as the book progresses, we see Danny coming to grips with the destructiveness of it.  Now he just has to live a very long time to be able to take full advantage of this growth.  I have had the privilege of meeting him at a couple of fan conventions, and have to say he is one of the most caring and grateful humans I've met.  He seems to love his fans and he certainly deserves that long, long life....

I have now started Bella Poldark the twelfth and and last of the Poldark series.  This book starts catching us up with the major characters and what has been happening over the last 3-4 years.  I am looking forward to spending one last visit with this amazing family.

Finished VIRAL

 

A cautionary tale for those of us who don't have great health insurance and for people who capitalize on a health care system that is out of control.  I loved it, though it was not as gripping as most of his books.  It certainly was infuriating.

I have now started Trejo by Danny Trejo, a character actor I'm sure whoever is reading this has seen in something somewhere.  He has even been in a Snickers commercial and on Desperate Housewives as a self-styled emotional healer.  I have met him at a couple of fan conventions and I have not really met many actors as friendly to fans.  The man is very sweet.

But now, as I read the blurb on this book (and saw him in an interview promoting the book), I see he has not always been so.  I look forward to reading an optimistic biography of a person finding his way to a healthy and happy life.

Finished WAITING SEASON

 

It turns out there are problems and danger to be had during a Midwest winter.  But with fortitude and good friends and family, all can be endured and even enjoyed.  There is peace on the farm, separated by moments of sheer terror.

I then went back to War and Peace for another 50 pages.  Again I am struck with the similarity of writing styles with Mark Twain--tongue in cheek exaggeration and understatement.  The first skirmish  many of our characters experience with Napoleon's army is really a comedy of errors (if lives weren't lost) with neither army knowing what they are doing, communication being pretty much non-existent and exploits being greatly exaggerated (or outright lies) in reports to command.

I have now started Viral, by Robin Cook.  The pandemic causes a young couple to suspend usual vacation plans and rent a cottage on the Atlantic side of Cape Cod, where they encounter another kind of virus.

Finished THE DROWNING MAN

Who would crack a 2000 year old petroglyph out of the rock to sell to wealthy collectors?  And is the value of it worth human lives?  Father O'Malley and lawyer Vicky to the rescue...wait a minute...neither of them carries a weapon.  I think this was one of the best in the series.  Very suspenseful.

Then I read Falling BAKward, another of Henry Melton's YA sci-fi books.  And I think it is one of the best, just because of the suspense.  Suppose you decided to dig in your back yard looking for Native American artifacts and find instead a flying saucer complete with skeletons of aliens and a portal to another world!  And the story began so sweetly...  Loved this.

And yesterday evening, I started Waiting Season by Melanie Lageschulte, the fourth book in this series.  Thank goodness.  After two such suspenseful books, this one promises to be peaceful and very sweet.  Although winter on this Iowa farm may well turn out to be difficult for a woman alone.  Let's see...