The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery

 The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery-376 pages


Looking for a lighter read I picked up this book by Susan Mallery.  I enjoyed the characters, though I found one of them irritatingly winey.  There are three friends who are all dealing with different circumstances.  As they work through their problems together all three will find fulfilling outcomes.  Brings to the fore the importance of good and loyal friends in our lives.  To share good times with and to help us get through distressing times too.  I enjoyed it very much and look forward to hopefully more releases in this series.  Mischief Bay #2

Journey of the Pharaohs by Clive Cussler

Journey of the Pharoahs by Clive Cussler-415 pages


In 1074 B.C., vast treasures disappear from the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. In 1927, a daredevil American aviator vanishes on an attempted transcontinental flight. And in the present day, a fishing trawler--along with its mysterious cargo--sinks off the coast of Scotland. How are these three mysterious events connected? And, more importantly, what do they mean for Kurt Austin and his NUMA team?


As they search for answers, the NUMA squad join the agents of the British MI5 to take on a wide-reaching international conspiracy. Their common enemy is the Bloodstone Group, a conglomerate of arms dealers and thieves attempting to steal ancient relics on both sides of the Atlantic. Kurt and his team soon find themselves wrapped up in a treacherous treasure hunt as they race to find the lost Egyptian riches. . . before they fall into the wrong hands.

As you can see, it was a complicated story-line and at times hard to follow.  I do enjoy the antics and camaraderie of Kurt and Joe which is always entertaining.  It also has a surprise ending that maybe some of you could see coming!

The Last Day by Andrew Murray

The Last Day by Andrew Murray-370 pages

Now in retrospect, in view of our times, I'm not sure I should have read this!  I guess it could always be worse.  The earth has stopped turning.  So half is frozen the other burning up, with a small path accurately named the Breadbasket, since it is the only place on earth where food can be grown.  Throw in secrets, intrigue, murder and greedy politicians and it was an ok dystopian novel.  Seemed sluggish in spots.  It did bring to the fore the human spirit to survive and live in unity.

The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton

The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton,  513 pages

I was apprehensive about reading this book and knew nothing of the plot before I read it.  For a James Patterson novel, I found it an enjoyable read.  Maybe, because Bill Clinton was the coauthor.  I found this book really relevant in today's current world situation.  In this book, the President goes missing.  But, for good reason.  A virus is about to be unleashed on all the computers in the United States, taking out all the Pentagon's computers.  Can the President stop it before it destroys the United States?

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas-229 pages

This is the last book in the series, so far, although more are to come, supposedly. A hard-won peace has settled over Prythian and Feyre and Rhys and the rest of the Court of Dreams aim to keep it that way as the Winter Solstice draws near. New voices are heard as this book has chapters written from not only Feyre's and Rhys's perspective but also from Cassian's and Mor's. No battles or fighting happen in this book, but it is a good read, nonetheless. I look forward to reading the books to come, perhaps next year, and I may even read her other series, Throne of Glass.

Under a Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman

 Under a Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman-308 pages

When former barrel racer Chey left the circuit, she left her past behind too. Now, as part owner of Lavender Blue farm, she's content rescuing and rehabbing horses, and growing a new business. She's only got one regret: letting go of Wyatt Reed. When he professed his love, she was too young and foolish to know her heart. After that he disappeared. But when his beloved horse turns up on the auction block, Chey makes a bid and wins more than she bargained for.

Chey believed she was ready to face Wyatt again, to explain herself. But seeing the man he's become, she's unsure. Gone is the quiet, gentle boy she knew. In his place is a rugged, confident adventurer who's seen the world.  Now that they are adults they pull together to save the quaint community from a greedy developer and slimy local politician.  Through it all they find time to rekindle the love they once had for each other.  I enjoy these light romances with a great story line.  Very good series with interesting characters.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas-699 pages

I liked this book a lot. The story takes many twists and turns as the second book did (A Court of Mist and Fury), which I found fascinating, exhilarating. This book brings the story (so far) to a good conclusion. There is another book (A Court of Frost and Starlight, which I will read next) and rumors of more books to be published next year, perhaps, but this brings the story of the battle with the King of Hybern to a good, mostly clean conclusion. I have come to thoroughly enjoy Feyre and Rhys and their companions, The Court of Dreams.

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer -- 391 pages

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas-626 pages

This is the second book in the series and I am eager to read the third book in the series. I enjoyed reading this one as much if not more than A Court of Thorns and Roses. It takes many twists and turns and Feyre grows ever stronger as a High Fae. The witty (sometimes sexual, which is not exactly my thing, but I enjoyed nonetheless) banter between Rhysand and Feyre is interesting, fun and keeps the book light. Additionally, I like the Court of Dreams, who are all very close: Mor, Rhysand, Azriel, Amren, Cassian, and lastly Feyre. While this series is a bit more vulgar (mostly sexually) than I would normally like, I am enjoying it.

Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley

Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley -- 336 pages

Shouldn't a girl get to star in her own love story?

Seventeen-year-old Megan Harper is about due for her next sweeping romance. It's inevitable—each of her relationships starts with the perfect guy and ends with him falling in love . . . with someone else. But instead of feeling sorry for herself, Megan focuses on pursuing her next fling, directing theater, and fulfilling her dream college's acting requirement in the smallest role possible.

So when she’s cast as Juliet (yes, that Juliet) in her high school’s production, it’s a complete nightmare. Megan’s not an actress, and she’s used to being upstaged—both in and out of the theater. In fact, with her mom off in Texas and her dad remarried and on to baby #2 with his new wife, Megan worries that, just like her exes, her family is moving on without her.

Then she meets Owen Okita, an aspiring playwright inspired by Rosaline from Shakespeare's R+J. A character who, like Megan, knows a thing or two about short-lived relationships. Megan agrees to help Owen with his play in exchange for help catching the eye of a sexy stagehand/potential new boyfriend. Yet Megan finds herself growing closer to Owen, and wonders if he could be the Romeo she never expected. In their fresh and funny debut, Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka break down the high school drama to find there's always room for familial love, romantic love, and—most importantly—self-love. 

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay -- 434 pages

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas-419 pages

Feyre is a 19 year old human huntress who kills a wolf in the forest near her family's humble cottage one night, not knowing that the wolf is actually a High Fae named Andras. Andras's High Lord, Tamlin, comes and takes Feyre away under the pretense of a Treaty between humans and fae/High Fae that prevents such killings and promises retribution for them. However, a curse is on Prythian and the Spring Court (of which is the Court Tamlin is High Lord). Feyre soon falls in love with Tamlin and he with her, but Feyre knows not of the true reason she is there until much later when she learns of the true manner of the curse on Tamlin and all of Prythian. This book and series has been likened to a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and I would say that is somewhat accurate, although not entirely. I enjoyed reading this book, although I would have enjoyed it even more if it weren't so graphic at certain points.

Disarm (The Dumonts #2) by Karina Halle

Disarm (The Dumonts #2) by Karina Halle -- 271 pages

Seraphine Dumont seems to have it all: she’s gorgeous, brilliant, and part of one of France’s most illustrious dynasties. But underneath the facade, Seraphine struggles to hold it all together. Besides grieving her adoptive father’s suspicious and sudden death, she also shares a tenuous role in the family business with Blaise, her in-name-only cousin. As tumultuous as their history is, he may be the only member of the deceptive Dumont family she can trust.

Seraphine is a temptation Blaise can’t resist. The torch he’s carried for years still burns. It’s his secret—a quiet obsession just out of reach. Until his brother demands that he spy on the increasingly cagey Seraphine, whom their father considers a dispensable Dumont outlier. But the more Blaise watches her and the closer he gets, the more he sees Seraphine may have every right to be suspicious. And she could be the next one in danger—from his own family. As blood runs hot and hearts give in, Seraphine and Blaise have only each other. But can their love survive the secrets they’re about to uncover?