The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

9 pages

Synopsis

A murderer is convinced that the loud beating of his victim's heart will give him away to the police.

Absolute Wonder Woman, Vol. 3: Season of the Witch by Kelly Thompson

Absolute Wonder Woman, Vol. 3: Season of the Witch by Kelly Thompson

Absolute Wonder Woman (2024) #3, 216 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

The Mark of Hecate, the symbol on Diana’s arm, shows up at a series of crime scenes in Gotham, drawing her into Batman’s orbit and kicking off a deadly team-up—the very first in the Absolute Universe!

But back in Gateway City, a familiar face has emerged—Zatanna Zatara, the Mistress of Magic. This time, her appearance is no dream—instead, it’s pure nightmare fuel, as Zatanna and a strange new Suicide Squad are set loose on the city with one mission...kill Wonder Woman at any cost. Will it take a witch to destroy a witch?

A Study in Sparkling by Jodi McAlister

A Study in Sparkling by Jodi McAlister -- 384 pages

Fiona Fisher thought she had it all: a loving husband, three kids, and a life far away from the suffocating expectations of her family. But when her husband reveals that he’s leaving her for his secret second family, Fiona is left devastated and humiliated.

Satoshi Tsukamoto wants it all. He’s the owner of a popular wine bar, and he’s studying for the hardest test in the the Master Sommelier exam. There aren’t enough hours in the day for anything else—except maybe for Fiona, his favorite customer, and the woman he’s absolutely, head-over-heels in love with.

On paper, Fiona and Satoshi make no sense. He’s eight years younger than her and has no time for romance. She’s a single mother and doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to trust anyone again. But how can Fiona resist when Satoshi suggests they give into their mutual attraction and let off some steam? And how can Satoshi resist when the woman he adores is finally within his grasp—even if they’ve agreed to keep things casual?

Managing the Vampire's Mansion by K.M. Shea

Managing the Vampire's Mansion by K.M. Shea -- 270 pages

Starting over as a house manager in a charming small town sounded perfect. Until my new boss turned out to be a vampire. After burning myself out at my corporate career, I take a job managing a mansion in a picturesque tourist town to reset my life. The house is historic. The town is charming. The locals are welcoming. And, as I accidentally discover, my unfairly handsome employer, Beckett Kinge, is a vampire in hiding. 

Beckett prefers order, privacy, and absolutely no supernatural mishaps. Unfortunately for both of us, a rogue vampire is attacking the locals. The same people who have been nothing but nice to me. As attacks escalate and secrets unravel, staying uninvolved is no longer an option. And somehow the only person who steps up to find the vampire is me—the mansion manager with poor people skills who knows absolutely nothing about supernaturals. At least… I think I’m the only one working this case. But somewhere between tracking a killer and trying not to die, I realize Beckett isn’t just protecting his secret. He’s protecting me. And that might be far more dangerous for my emotional well-being. Regardless, the rampaging vamp has to be found, or no one in town will be safe. Not even me.

Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

Threshing Day - 204 pages

Rebecca Yarros

Summary (From Goodreads)

Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

Review

This was a short and engaging read with some gorgeous full-color illustrations.  I thought it added some much-needed depth to a lot of this series' secondary characters.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, whenever it may arrive!  

MY LADY JANE by CYNTHIA HAND, BRODI ASHTON, JODI MEADOWS

 MY LADY JANE by CYNTHIA HAND, BRODI ASHTON, JODI MEADOWS (Pgs 474)

Goodreads Review:

Goodreads Choice Award

Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2016)

This comical, fantastical, romantical, New York Times bestselling, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey is “an uproarious historical fantasy that’s not to be missed” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind YA fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.

At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane gets to be Queen of England.

Like that could go wrong.

The Darkest Summer by Bill Sloan

 The Darkest Summer: Pusan and Inchon 1950 by Bill Sloan -385 pages

The onslaught of the North Korean army into South Korea in late June 1950 caught the U.S. by surprise and at a time of deep cuts to the military. Following World War II, many short-sighted officials were calling for the elimination of the Marine Corps as a fighting force. The desperate battles in the summer and fall of 1950 along the Naktong River and the successful amphibious landing at Inchon not only crushed the North Korean forces, but clearly demonstrated the Marine Corps' continued combat value at a time of general apathy in the military and political structure at home. Further misjudgments at the top led to a broadening of the conflict with China. This is an excellent book on the Marines' actions in the first months of the Korean War. The essential role of air support in these campaigns would also be of interest.