When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs

When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs, 272 pages

Definitely a book you'll want to finish in one sitting. The storyline flows really well together and the ending shocked me. Totally not what I had expected. Shamera lost her family at a young age due to raiders invading the castle where her father was Captain of the Guard. All Shamera has left is "The Old Man" who was once the King's personal mage, and her master,  until his hands were maimed and his eyes blinded at the fall of the castle. Shamera has become a thief to exact revenge against those who stole her family away and hurt her master -- those who now have claimed the land as their own.  Something evil is striking down nobles and when the evil finds the Old Man as its next victim, Shamera finds herself drawn into the castle as the Reeve's "mistress" to discover who the murderer is. Lord Kerim, Reeve of Southwood, doesn't believe in magic, but nothing can explain away the very inhuman way each victim meets their end. It will take all of Shamera's skill and sorcery to discover who the culprit is and how to dispose of it. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed every single page of the story.

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce, 306 pages
The Immortals Series book 1 (with sneak peek intro of book 2)

After bandits murdered her mother and grandfather, 12 year old Daine seeks employment as a horse trainer with the Queen's Riders. Her talent for working with animals goes deeper than mere talent, however, and it isn't long before the magic she weaves over animals is noted. Taken as an apprentice to a mage to learn how to control her Wild Magic, Daine will help battle evil forces out to destroy Tortall and all who live in it. Will she be able to control her magic? Or will it control her?

Charmed Destinies: Mercedes Lackey, Rachel Lee and Catherine Asaro

Charmed Destinies - 3 stories in 1,  384 pages

Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey is a story about a young woman who is wedded to a border Lord to protect the king's claim on the land and to keep the young woman's father safe from a neighboring dark wizard. After being "Glove Fasted" to a husband she's never met, Gwynn heads to her new home escorted by rough soldiers accompanied only by her half-sibling Robin. She is determined to love her husband and be a good wife. When she meets him, however, she finds him to be a true terror and faces beating after beating at his hands. But, she is not without resource. Gwynn is also a sorceress and the way she deals with her abusive husband will leave you smiling.


Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee is a funny tale of two modern day office workers. Their desire for each other meets up in a fantasy world reality. As each begins to spin their own tale in their fantastical worlds, they are interrupted at key points by every day life like the janitor mopping the floor or the computer having an error. You'll find yourself chuckling at their creative imaginations that play out like dreams. In the end, will they finally confess their mutual attraction and live the fairytale?

Moonglow by Catherine Asara was by far my favorite tale in this book. Iris is a powerful young mage who thinks her power is quite limited. Jarid is a young prince who watched his parents die before his eyes before he lost his hearing, sight and voice, and was raised by one of the murderer's as a son. Each has hurts that they bury deep inside leaving them crippled to their true power. When Iris accidentally discovers that Prince Jarid is still alive, the kingdom works fast to set the new King on the throne. Because Iris is the strongest female mage in the land, she becomes Jarid's wife before he can see/hear/speak with her. Yet they can reach each other through their emotions and in that comes great healing. This a warm fuzzy story that will leave you sighing with contentment.