Just Once by Karen Kingsbury

Just Once by Karen Kingsbury 327 pages I enjoy most books by Karen Kingsbury and I have read most of her series, but this stand alone book was above and beyond her other writing. I love to read historical fiction and this story is set in the 1940s, but an older couple is retelling the story before the wonan, recently diagnosed with alzheimers, forgets the stories of the war. I coulbn't put it down until I finished it! In 1941, beautiful Irvel Ellis is too focused on her secret to take much notice in the war raging overseas. She's dating Sam but in love with his brother, Hank, and Irvel has no idea how to break the news when the unthinkable happens - Pearl Harbor is attacked. With their lives turned upside down overnight, Sam is drafted, and Hank wants to enlist. But Sam insists Hank stay home, where he and Irvel take up the battle on the home front. While Sam fights in Europe, an undeniable chemistry builds between Irvel and Hank but neither would dare cross that line. Then a telegram comes, and the news is devastating. Hank enlists the next day and has just two weeks until he ships out. Will either brother make it home alive? Or will Irvel lose everything? And can love find a way, even from the ashes of the greatest heartbreak?"

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

 The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 296 pages

She was in the wrong place...

Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed…

He found her at the wrong time...

Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British goverment. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he's stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surley, his imaganation is getting the better of him.  But no, she is very real - and his duty to the crown means he's stuck with her.

Can two wrongs make the most perfect right?

When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal - though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent.  On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to intoxicating passion.  But when Andrew's secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart...?

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - 541 pages

Clary travels to Idris, the city of the Shadowhunters, in her quest to wake her mother from the coma.  Things are complicated when Simon is imprisoned by the Inquisitor and Valentine sends a spy into Idris to destroy its wards keeping the demons out.  Now Shadowhunters and Downworlders must work together or all will be lost as Valentine sets his final plans in motion.

This is the third book in the Mortal Instruments series.  It ties up the Valentine story arc.  I actually liked this book best in the series so far.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

By Eric Metaxas

245 pages

Dietrich Bonhoeffer led an incredible life. He was born into an aristocratic family in Germany. His father was a prominent neurologist. He could have lived a life of pleasure instead he chose to be a pastor and university professor in theology. The ministry took him to Spain and America. When he returned to Germany, Hitler was on the rise to power.  Bonhoeffer convictions would not allow him to remain silent. He was outspoken on the Nazi’s anti-Semitic rhetoric. After the German church was seized by the Third Reich, Bonhoeffer, along with other pastors, organized the Confessing Church in 1934. Bonhoeffer eventually joined the German Resistance working to remove Hitler from power. This is a complete biography of a great man. 

The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty

The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty- 352 pages

An obstinate girl who will not be married. 
A soldier desperate to prove himself. 
A kingdom on the brink of war.

With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.

As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trust―and Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas -- 608 pages

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Pastor, wholly dedicated to the true church, enough to stand up against the German Christian movement that Hitler instituted.
He was a Prophet who saw Hitler's mad and sadistic nature before anyone else could, and warned the Germans of the path that they were headed on.
He was a Spy and a critical part of the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler.
And lastly, he was a Martyr, executed for his actions only days before Hitler committed suicide and the war ended.
This biography is quite long and can be a bit dry, but the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a great one.

The Counterfeit Mistress by Madeline Hunter

The Counterfeit Mistress by Madeline Hunter - 327 pages
The Fairbourne Quartet #3

Viscount Kendale has been suspicious of Marielle Lyon for over a year.  Rumors have swirled for years that she is not simply a French emigre, a niece of a count killed during the French Revolution, but instead a French spy.  Now Kendale has caught Marielle in the act of passing papers to two men in an alley.

I thought this was the best book of the series so far -- maybe because it was more humorous than the other two books.  Even though it dealt with serious issues it interjected quite a bit of humor by playing the two main characters off of each other.

The Deadliest Bite by Jennifer Rardin

The Deadliest Bite by Jennifer Rardin - 336 pages
Book 8 in the Jaz Parks Series

This book finishes the series with a bang.  Jaz is faced with trying to save both the world and her own sanity.  Will a trip to Hell with a magical tool and new allies be enough to secure a future for Jaz and her vampire lover?  The snark and dark humor continue to amuse and balance out the action and violence.  I enjoyed this series a lot and was saddened to hear that the author had passed away so this strong voice in urban fantasy is no more.  

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick - 342 pages

Amity Doncaster saves Benedict Stanbridge's life when he is shot.  Unfortunately, this causes the mad serial killer The Bridgegroom to become obsessed with Amity.  She is the only one of his victims to escape.  Amity and Benedict team up to try to discover who The Bridgegroom is before he can go after Amity again.

This was a fun, quick read.  I enjoyed it quite a bit.  The only small issue I had was that it seemed the author had taken a couple of small plot points from other books and used them again in this book with very few changes.  The one that kept coming to mind was the plot device of a necklace given upon engagement by Benedict's family.

Palace of Spies by Sara Zettel

Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel, 368 pages

When she refuses to marry the second son of an aristocrat (after he accosts her), 16 year old Peggy finds herself tossed out of her uncle's home into the streets. With no place to go as an orphan, Peggy ventures to the home of a mysterious friend of her deceased mother who offered her a most unusual position - a court spy. She is to replace a girl who she resembles remarkably. Not just any girl, Lady Francesca - a lady in waiting to Princess Caroline. The real Lady Francesca took severely ill and died in secret. Thankfully Peggy is a well-bred young lady versed in court etiquette and languages - thus sliding into her new role well. Unfortunately for Peggy, she soon finds that Francesca kept many secrets ... and one of them may have very well gotten her murdered. With the help of an artist's assistant and her cousin, Peggy discovers there is more than meets the eye when you are a palace spy. .

The Death Trade by Jack Higgins

The Death Trade by Jack Higgins - 336 pages

This is the 20th book in the Sean Dillon series and age is starting to show.  Dillon is a secondary character acting as support for Sara Gideon who has been coming to the forefront in the last few books.  I do give Higgins props for actually aging Dillon instead of keeping him in perpetual stasis as time marches on for the rest of the narrative like some authors.  In this book Simon Husseini, a prominent nuclear medicine researcher, has had his work twisted to further the nuclear weapons program for Iran.  Husseini is attempting to end his association with Iran who is holding his family hostage for his cooperation.  Dillon, Gideon and crew from the British secret spy network get embroiled through a series of barely credible coincidences and James Bond like moments.  I read this book to the end out of loyalty the the franchise but I think I'm ready to declare this series done for me.

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger, 307 pages
Finishing School Series - Book the First

I absolutely loved the author's Parasol Protectorate series and knew this new series would be awesome. I was not disappointed. The author's wit and talent shines through yet again. Young teen Sophriana is not even close to what any female in her family would call "finished". When a family friend recommends Sophriana be sent to a finishing school, Sophriana's mother immediately complies. But Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy For Young Ladies of Quality is not like any other school for young ladies. Along with learning to curtsy, exercise proper tea etiquette and how to carry a fan, you also learn how to poison, steal, kill, divert and fight. Sophrian is quick to embrace her new life and makes friends and enemy alike at the boarding school. Toss in flywaymen (like highwaymen but in the air), a missing prototype, mystery and the sinister picklemen, and you have a great story. Looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

Rendevous by Amanda Quick

Rendevous by Amanda Quick - 384 pages

Augusta Ballinger and Harry Graystone seem to be complete opposites.  Augusta is daring, frivolous, impetuous, and quick to follow any plan that occurs to her.  Graystone is scholarly, disapproving, and very concerned with propriety.  So Augusta is shocked when Graystone proposes marriage.  How will there opposites work out their differences when they have to deal with war spies from the past?
I listened to the audio version of this book.  It was interesting to see how the characters both changed throughout the book to become more and more like each other.  A great historical romance.

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

What Happens in London by  Julia Quinn - 372 pages

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor murdered his fiance, she doesn't believe the gossip.  However she decides to spy on him just to make sure.  Sir Harry Valentine has no idea why the neighbor's daughter is spying on him.  Sure he works for the War Office translating documents, but he isn't a real spy.  Until the Office asks him to keep an eye on Olivia Bevelstoke and the Russian prince that is courting her.
I thought this book was pretty funny.  I loved the subplot about the gothic novels that play a role in the story.  A great historical romance.

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews - 448 pages

If you are fan of John LeCarre and Ludlum's Bourne series, Matthews is an author to watch.  His real life experience as a CIA field officer adds detail and depth to the traditional spy thriller which makes the narrative seem very real.  Red Sparrow features today's Cold War which is happening under the radar between the CIA and the security services of Putin's Russia.  Two agents unwittingly target each other for recruitment as turncoats and the layers of intrigue pile on from there.  To tell anything more would spoil the story...