Urban Enemies

Urban Enemies edited by Joseph Nassise

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I saw this book on NetGalley and eagerly requested it, since I like a lot of the authors with stories in it.

I admit to being somewhat disappointed. As others have said, the Butcher story is not new. I'd read it in another anthology, though I did like it. And while I normally love everything from Seanan McGuire, this story from the POV of a cuckoo just wasn't what I was hoping for. I'd rather have seen a story from the POV of the Covenant, but that's just me.

All in all, they were good stories, and it was interesting to see things from the other side, but I still prefer the main characters I know and love. I did get a few new to me authors to look into, and that's always great.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

Cat About Town, by Cate Conte

Cat About Town by Cate Conte

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 1 in the series.

When the most likeable character in the book is a cat, there's a problem. The only thing I really liked about the main character, Maddie, is her love for cats and taking JJ in.

And I felt a bit cheated, since the blurb said, "When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life, she’s inspired to open a cat café." No, she wasn't. She came home to bury her grandma and check up on her grandfather, she has a juice bar in California. The stray cat prompted her to make friends and take him home with her, that's all. The cat cafe idea didn't really come into play until the very end of the book. (view spoiler)[(And I would bet good money I know where the idea and the money for that came from... Cat Man.) (hide spoiler)]

And don't get me started on the stupid love triangle. That's just destined to ruin a story faster than you can say, "annoying."

I won't be anticipating book 2, though it might go on my library list, just to see how the cafe develops.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

The Best of Subterranean

The Best of Subterranean by William Schafer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I like to read anthologies, because I always find new authors to try. But like most anthologies, not every story appealed to me. Some were excellent, and I will be searching out work by the author. Some, not so much.

But if you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy, you will find something in here for you. The stories are diverse, from horror to urban fantasy. Find what appeals to you and read it! As a result, some stories hit, some missed.

Almost all of these authors were new to me, with Kelley Armstrong being the only one I had read anything (everything!) by. Yes, that also means I am one of the few folks on the planet who has not read or watched Game of Thrones. I stick pretty much to urban fantasy, so some of these stories were certainly out of my comfort zone. But that's a good thing. Now I have more authors to look for and a wider range to read!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Gone Gull, by Donna Andrews

Gone Gull: A Meg Langslow Mystery by Donna Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it!

Book 21 in the series.

Another fun outing with Meg and family, this time at the new Biscuit Mountain Craft Center. I dearly love Meg, and it is wonderful to see her back to blacksmithing, even if it is only to teach the basics to the craft retreaters.

Of course Meg ends up smack dab in the middle of a mystery. Someone seems to have it in for the center, playing nasty pranks that could lead to the end of Cordelia's new business. Meg sets out to find out who the culprit is before that happens. And then she finds the body of one of the craft teachers.

All my favorite family members have at least bit parts in this story, which just adds to the fun.

It did start off a bit slowly, but once it got moving I couldn't put it down.

I am definitely waiting impatiently for the next Meg book, Ms. Andrews' usual holiday installment!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

Killer Party, by Lynn Cahoon

Killer Party by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 9 in the series.

I love this series. The characters are well developed, the plots are well written and tight, as well as fun and fast moving. I read this one in sitting, staying up maybe just a wee bit too late to finish it, but I just had too, haha.

My only complaint is the minor cliffhanger at the end from Aunt Jackie! With the last two books in the series out so close together, how long are we going to have to wait to go back to South Cove this time?!

I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Dead Storage, by Mary Feliz

Dead Storage by Mary Feliz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 3 in the series.

I am really enjoying this series. I like the quirky characters, and I love Munchkin!

This time, one of Maggie's new friends is the prime suspect in a murder, but Maggie knows Stephen wouldn't have done it. But for some reason he's not talking, so it's up to Maggie to find out who really did it.

This story also delves into issues with drugs and looks at homelessness as well, but doesn't get all weighed down in them. It's still a light, fast, read and I am looking forward to more in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

A Toast to Murder, by Allyson K. Abbot

A Toast to Murder by Allyson K. Abbott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 5 in the series.

This book is an improvement over books 3 and 4. The plot is interesting and the characters are well developed but I still greatly dislike the mystery-within-a-mystery nonsense that was happening. I think weaving that plot-line through multiple books was kind of a cheap way of getting the reader to hang in there and keep reading. Between that and the love triangle, I very nearly didn't read this book. For the devoted reader, we do finally get an end to that mystery, and sort of an end to the love triangle, though at the end the other guy doesn't know Mac's made her choice.

So while I like Mac and her motley crew of mystery solvers, as well as Mac's special ability, I just don't think I will bother with reading any more books in this series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

High Stakes, by Fern Michaels

High Stakes by Fern Michaels

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, I didn't like it, at all.

Book 5 in the series.

I read most of the author's Sisterhood books, until they got too far out there. The concept of getting things from the male point of view intrigued me.

Sadly, didn't get through it. This is another too far out there plot for me to enjoy. I can only suspend my disbelief so far! Add to that, a certain political figure was mentioned, and I stopped reading. I don't want real life politics in my fiction, even if it's only briefly mentioned. We get bombarded enough with it as it is.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews