Where Is Your Bookmark: Tawni O'Dell's Angels Burning & the Top Ten Releases I Meant to Get to in 2015 But Didn't.

This past weekend I was looking for a quick book to read, and so picked up Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell, a crime fiction novel about a female police chief whose dark past resurfaces while investigating the brutal murder of a teenage girl. I hope to post my review next week.

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

The last time I was this close to Rudy Mayfield he was leaning across the seat of his dad's truck trying to grope my recently ripened breasts. 

I close my eyes, and for a moment I smell a teenage boy's sweaty, horny desperation barely masked by Dial soap instead of the sweetish smoky reek of charred flesh mixed with the acrid odor of sulfur always present in this poisoned ghost town.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from A Daily Rhythm hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from Angels Burning at 4%:

I have an office now with a comfortable chair and a Keurig: I'm a coordinator, a schedule maker, a form filer, a public relations maven, a handshaking figurehead. I'm the first female police chief in the county. I cling to this knowledge in an effort to maintain some dignity as I descend into a muddy hole to retrieve a corpse.

and from 8%

"All I want to know is why you and Neely lied and sent me to prison for something I didn't do." 

I don't flinch. I stare him down, saying nothing until he finally gives up and leaves.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

It isn't often I come across a female chief of police, and so I was immediately intrigued. The author pulls no punches jumping right into the story, which is always a good sign when I'm looking for an intense fast-paced novel.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is Top Ten 2015 Releases I Meant To Get To But Didn't.  I wanted to read them all this past year, but it was not meant to be. Hopefully this year. They all still sound good to me.

1.

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn ~ This is the first in Deanna Raybourn's new series set in Victorian England which features intrigue, murder and adventure--all qualities I can't pass up, especially when enjoyed a previous book by the author.

2.

The Tide Watchers by Lisa Chaplin ~ I love historical fiction full of intrigue. This one is about a young mother who goes undercover to try to help save Britain from Napoleon.

3.

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta ~ When I first heard about this book I knew I had to read it. This is a coming of age story for both a country (Nigeria) and a young woman. It is the story of forbidden love, prejudice, and the impact a civil war can have on people and a country. Somehow, I doubt my eyes will be dry when I finish reading this one.

4.

The Palest Ink by Kay Bratt ~ Another historical novel that caught my eye I've been wanting to read. Set during China's Cultural Revolution, this is the story of two bestfriends with very different futures ahead of them. They must make difficult decisions that impact their families, friendship, and loyalty to their country.

5.

The Night Ferry by Michael Robotham ~ I have enjoyed Michael Robotham's work before and look forward to reading more by him. This particular novel is a stand alone about a female detective getting back on her feet after being injured on the job. A friend is murdered, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it.

6.

The Gulf of Time and Stars by Julie E. Czerneda ~ Interstellar travel, alien races, and telepathic abilities. What more could I ask for?

7.

Wishing Cross Station by February Grace ~ I liked the sound of this on when I first heard about it. I wasn't able to fit it in last year, but I hope to get to it this year. Sent to pick up books for the school's collection, a young college library page finds something quite unexpected. Wishing Cross Station is described as "a bittersweet fantasy romance."

8.

The Ladies of Managua by Eleni N. Gage ~ Set in Nicaragua, "The Ladies of Managua brings you into the lives of three strong and magnetic women, as they uncover the ramifications of the choices they made in their pasts and begin to understand the ways in which love can shape their futures." I was drawn to this because of the setting, and the history woven into the stories of the three women.

9.

The Hidden by Heather Graham ~ Mystery, romance, and ghosts. I don't know what it is about this series, but I sure do enjoy it. I had hoped to get to this one last year, but didn't manage it. This year for sure!

10.

House of Echoes by Brendan Duffy ~ This promises to be quite thrilling! A family moves to a remote area in New York to restore a house they've inherited. What they hope will be a new beginning leads them to secrets best left buried.

Have you read any of these titles from last year? What books did you want to read last year that you weren't able to get to?

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