Mini Reviews: The Sixth Idea by P.J. Tracy & Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell

The Sixth Idea (Monkeewrench, #7) by P.J. Tracy (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2016; 320 pgs)

E-copy provided by publisher via The First Reads Program for an honest review.

First Sentence: Confine a dozen scientists and engineers to a seemingly endless desert of hard-packed sand with no recreational diversions and inevitably, they will design and build a golf course.

The Sixth Idea is the 7th book in mother/daughter writing team P.J. Tracy's Monkeewrench mystery series. While it can be it can be read as a stand alone, I think it's best going into this one with some knowledge of the main characters and their backgrounds which can be found in previous books. I had only read the first four books in the series before jumping into this one, so I have a bit of catching up to do. The Monkeewrench books are such fun, especially if you can suspend your disbelief, and this one was no different. Murder, a sixty year old secret, and a conspiracy to destroy the lives of many are keeping two determined detectives  along with the computer geniuses who call themselves Monkeewrench very busy over the Christmas holidays. While the plot line isn't entirely original, with a few too many coincidences that it's best not to question, this was a page turner, and I enjoyed catching up with some of my favorite series' characters. This one offered some of both. 

To learn more about P.J. Tracy and their work, please visit the authors' website. You can also find this mother and daughter writing team on Facebook. 

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Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell (Entangled; 2015; 226 pgs)
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

First Sentence: The hotel ballroom doors whooshed closed behind Charlie Forrester, muffling the sound of wedding guests hooting at the groomsmen dancing to "Too Sexy for My Shirt."

Charlie Forrester, a computer engineer, is a woman after my own heart. Introverted and very much a geek, she is definitely someone I wouldn't mind hanging out with. Although, I am not sure I could win a game of Star Trek trivia against Charlie and her roommates. Lost in Geeklandia is a quirky and funny romantic comedy. Charlie has worked hard to perfect a matchmaking computer program, which she is testing out on her friends. Her former friend, investigative journalist Daniel Shaw is the last person she wants to see, much less get involved with. However, a bet and the possibility of getting her dream job, are just what it takes to bring Charlie and Daniel together. But will any hope of romance between the two have a chance once the truth comes out about the bet and Daniel's plan to prove the matchmaking program is a hoax? 

I wasn't so sure about Daniel at first. He comes across as a jerk initially, but another side of him emerges as the story unfolds. Lost in Geeklandia reminded me a bit of the movie, How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days, but distinctly stands on its own. I read this one in a day, and found it a nice companion on a summer day. 

To learn more about E.J. Russell and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook. 

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (09/27/2016)

I just started a new book, A Black Sail by Rich Zahradnik (which made my top ten list today), but since I prepped this post over the weekend in case I didn't have time after work and Girl Scouts to spend on it Monday night, I decided to feature the book I finished this weekend instead. As a result, I thought I would tempt you with a little from The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman, the second in her series featuring Irene, a librarian spy. I am not including a synopsis because it contains spoilers from the first book (although the cover will take you to the Goodreads page for the book). If you enjoy high action urban fantasy full of magic, dragons, and the fae, you may enjoy this series.

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.

It was a pity about the poison in her wine-glass, Irene reflected. The underground room was hot, and a glass of chilled wine would have been refreshing. 

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

Teaser from 29% of The Masked City:

"We're just going to take you for a little walk. There's a gentleman as wants you to stay out of his affairs for a few days. You behave yourself, keep quiet, and nothing bad's going to happen to you."

Irene mentally cringed at the dialogue, lifted straight from Plots Involving Heroines Too Stupid to Live, Unless Saved by the Hero.  She must have looked unconvinced, as the man's eyes narrowed. "You don't want us to do this the hard way, duckie," he snarled. 

"No," she said, attempting helpless meekness. "I'll behave . . . Please don't hurt me."

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

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

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday is the Books On My Fall TBR Reading List. I am terrible at following a reading list, but here are some of the books I am most anxious to get to this  fall. I sure plan to give it my best try!

1.

A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet ~ Although not a big fan of abduction romance stories, this one has me setting that aside. The promise of magic and adventure, possibly dragons, Greek mythology . . . Too promising to pass up.

2.

Curse of the Gargoyle (Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles #2) by Rebecca Chastain ~ I was quite smitten with the first novella in this series and have been meaning to start on the second installment (I have a copy of the third too). The series features a gargoyle healer still learning just what she's capable of.

3.

No Witness But the Moon by Suzanne Chazin ~ A stand off between a police officer and an undocumented immigrant ends badly. Devastated by the outcome, the police officer digs a little deeper and finds a connection between the dead immigrant and his mother's unsolved murder. Someone doesn't want him to uncover the truth. I'm already intrigued.

4.

A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi ~ A novel by an author I can see becoming a fast favorite. An Afghan woman accused of murdering her husband finds herself in prison, surrounded by women imprisoned for breaking one or another social rule. Goodreads describes this novel as "A moving look at the lives of modern Afghan women, The House with No Windows is astonishing, frightening, and triumphant."

5.

The Strivers' Row Spy by Jason Overstreet ~ A debut novel set during the 1920's Harlem Renaissance featuring the first African-American FBI Agent, Sidney Temple. The entire premise of this novel intrigues me and I am looking forward to reading it.

6.

The Book Club Murders by Leslie Nagel ~ Doesn't this book just scream, "FALL!" Cozies always seem to for me. I'm not sure why. The title alone made me stand up and take notice of this one. I can't wait to dive in.

In a charming cozy mystery series debut, Leslie Nagel’s irrepressible small-town heroine finds that her fellow mystery book club members may be taking their Agatha Christie a bit too literally—and murder a bit too lightly. [An excerpt from Goodreads]

7.

A Change of Heart by Dev Sonali ~ If the cover hadn't drawn me in, the premise certainly has me curious. His wife murdered after uncovering an illegal organ harvesting ring two years before, Nic lands a job on a cruise ship where he meets a woman claiming to have his wife's heart.

8.

Lady Cop Makes Trouble (Kopp Sisters #2) by Amy Stewart ~ The Kopp sisters won me over in the first installment of Amy Stewart's series based on the real life Constance Kopp, one of the first female sheriff's deputy in the U.S. I am looking forward to seeing what the sisters get up to next in this second book of the series.

9.

Snowfall on Haven Point (Haven Point #5) by RaeAnne Thayne ~ I discovered RaeAnne Thayne last year and feel in love with her books. Snowfall on Haven Point features a widow and mother and an injured down on the world sheriff. Add in a blizzard at Christmas time and you have a cozy winter romance.

10.

A Black Sail (Coleridge Taylor Mystery #3) by Rich Zahradnik ~ Coleridge Taylor is my favorite journalist, and I am very eager to see what he is up to in the third book in the series. Set in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial, Taylor's nose for news leads him straight into trouble yet again: Murder, drugs and a possible gang war between the Italian mafia and a Chinese tong. 

Have you read or want to read any of these? What books are you looking forward to reading this fall season?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

From the Archives: A Blogging Retrospective - September 2006

[Post idea stolen borrowed inspired by Kay of Kay's Reading Life's Bookish Nostalgia and Stacy of Stacy's Books' A Look Back features. Thank you, Ladies!]

September has long been my favorite month. With it comes my favorite season, the beginning signs of cooler weather, and my birthday. Ten years ago, if you would have told me  I would be shuttling my daughter to Girl Scouts, soccer and swim lessons, and helping with homework and making bead bracelets with five and six year old girls--heck, just being a mom--all the while juggling it with work, I would not have believed you. My life was much different back then. My ideas of what I wanted out of my life, not quite the same.

In September of 2006, I wrote a post about why I read.That is something that has not changed much, but rather expanded. Thanks to blogging and the books I have read. Thanks to life experiences. And most especially thanks to all of you. Reading is more than just a hobby for me. It truly is a passion. Experiencing, learning, growing, feeling, being inspired and entertained, experiencing beauty, and knowing truth, to feel hope again even in spite of the darkness, and yes, to escape . . . All of these are a part in my love for the written word. 

Looking back ten years ago in my reading, I was on a Keith Ablow binge. The series came recommended by a friend, and I had enjoyed the first book, Denial, which I had read in my pre-blogging days (2004). Forensic Psychiatrist Frank Clevenger is a bit of a mess, but he is very good at his job. I read and reviewed four of his books that September, including Projection, Compulsion, Pyschopath, and Murder Suicide, with mixed results. The series started out strong for me, and I especially liked Psychopath, which was written in third person, a switch for the author who had written the previous books in first person. It was both an extremely thrilling and disturbing book. The book that followed would be my last of Ablow's. It left me sorely disappointed.

Another book that left me feeling disappointed was Scenes From a Blanket by Ted Torres, which offers a glimpse into the nightlife of New Orleans, the magic, glamour, and temptation of drugs and sex. I had hoped for more. It certainly was original, just not to my tastes.

Unconfessed by Yvette Christiansë did not disappoint, however. It is a sad and thoughtful novel, that will not appeal to those who try to avoid books that bring out the heavier emotions. It is the story of a young black mother sent to a brutal island prison in South Africa during the time of apartheid. I still think on that book now and then, remembering Sila, and all she and her fellow prisoners had to endure. While fiction, their story was all too real for many.

Earlier in the month, I had read and enjoyed the fourth in the Monkeewrench mystery series by mother/daughter writing team P.J. Tracy, Snow Blind. After a slow start, it took off for me--and as always, I enjoyed spending time with Detectives Leo and Gino.

My favorite book of the month, however, was The Devil's Feather by Minette Walters. featuring a journalist trying to hide and heal in England after her captivity and investigation into the murder and rapes of several women in Sierra Leone. Walters captured the fear and anguish of her main character quite well. 

I found books I both loved and then those I didn't that September in 2006. In other news that month, my husband and I saw the movie Hollywoodland and I was adjusting to a new work schedule, switching from working a late shift to working the day shift. It was a relatively uneventful month otherwise.

• Has your reason for reading changed over the years?
• Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Sunday Post: A Little Rain, A Lot of Magic, Kindergarten Challenges

The Weather: It rained! Okay, so it was just for a very short while. Just half an hour maybe. Only one day. But it was nice. Today was quite lovely--not too hot, but sunny with a gentle breeze. We decided to spend some time outdoors, my daughter riding her scooter around the street, and my husband and I making ourselves comfortable on a blanket under one of the trees in our yard. The next thing I knew, my daughter and her dad had wandered off to visit the neighbor boy, and I was lost in my book.

What I Am Reading:  I am nearly finished with Genevieve Cogman's The Masked City, which I am enjoying even more than The Invisible Library if that is possible. I love stories about the fae and magic and dragons. And, of course, books. This is such a fun series.


What Am I Listening To: I decided to give J.D. Robb another try, this time in audio form. I recently listened to Naked in Death and am now listening to Glory in Death, both narrated by Susan Erickson. I enjoyed Naked in Death much better this time around.

What I Am Watching:  I decided to try out some of the new prime time shows, with the help of my DVR. I adore Kristen Bell and so caught the first couple episodes of The Good Place. I'm still not sold on it, but to be fair, I am not a big sitcom fan anyway. It is quirky and cute, and I am not ready to give up on it yet. I really liked the first episode of The Designated Survivor, starring Kiefer Sutherland. And Blacklist, which I have watched since it first aired, got off to a thrilling start. I am looking forward to seeing Timeless, which I think comes out next month.

Blog Posts That Caught My Eye This Past Week:

• Now on my wish list thanks to Katherine of I Wish I Lived in a Library: The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan.
• Lark of Lark Writes reminds me why I want to read Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel.
• Melissa from Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf has been mulling over the idea of bullet journaling too. I am not a To Do List person, but I like the idea and maybe could tweak it to better meet my needs. Or is it just another thing I would be adding to my already endless plate of activities  and responsibilities I'm involved in? Finding time to blog is hard enough these days . . . Check out Melissa's discussion and maybe add your two cents: TO BULLET JOURNAL OR NOT TO BULLET JOURNAL?.

What's Going On Off the Blog: There was no soccer game this weekend, but we did gather for the soccer team photo. It turned out to be a big event, with food and a giant slide, which Mouse had to go down several times, of course.

Getting ready for her photo

This afternoon Parker had his senior check-up. He's lost more weight, and so the veterinarian has upped his medication dosage. No sign of the cancer returning, at least!

Let's not talk about the Scholastic Book order form my daughter brought home from school, with all her book choices circled. "Now, Mouse," I said, "We won't be able to get you all of these books, but we'll buy some. Maybe three." Yeah. So . . . I am feeling kind of bad now thinking how she is going to carry all the books home I did order for her. In my defense, it wasn't as many as she'd circled. True, I should spread out the book buying because there will be plenty more pamphlets from Scholastic coming home. I blame it on the newness and excitement of my daughter bringing home her first book order form.

On the subject of Mouse, it was a week of challenges for her. First a behavior report from her teacher came home for talking when she isn't supposed to (I would be lying if I said I was surprised--Mouse is a social butterfly, and I'm still trying to figure out where it comes from as it is certainly not me and her dad) and then losing her school folder with her week's homework in it. The homework honeymoon has passed and now we are going full force. While some of the homework is fun, Mouse hates practicing writing her letters. I have been trying various ways to make it more fun for her--and this last evening seemed to go better. Whew. I think much of the problem is that she and I are both so tired by the time we are home and sitting down to do her homework. She is able to do some of it at the after school program, but much of it is stuff we work on together at home.

My days at work are full and busy. My days at home are as well. Mouse and I have our routine down pretty well, I think. The introvert in me who needs quiet time to re-energize is being stretched to the limit most days. I am back to my old habit of waking up to exercise in the mornings, and that does seem to help some.

Because cats.

Oh! I joined Litsy this weekend. It finally came to Android devices and I couldn't resist. I do not know how much I will use it. I am still trying to figure the app out. For those who use Litsy, I am under the name LiteraryFeline.

Two weeks Ago In Reading Mews:

• Where Is Your Bookmark? (Including My Top Ten Favorite Crime Fiction Novels that I Have Read in the Past Ten Years)
• Shelf Control: The Kat Colorado Series/Covers War: Worlds of Ink and Shadow
• Mini Reviews: 'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick & The Fireman by Joe Hill

Upcoming on the Blog:
Monday - From the Archives: A Blogging Retrospective - September 2006
Tuesday - Where Is Your Bookmark? (Including My Top Ten Fall TBR List)
Wednesday - Covers War (Tentative)
Thursday - Mini Reviews: The Sixth Idea by P.J. Tracy & Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

How many years have you been blogging? Anything special you want to tell everyone about your experiences? (submitted by Elizabeth) 

I have been blogging now for just over ten years. So much has happened to me in that time, both in blogging and in my personal life. I am not the same person I was when I began blogging, but I like to think my purpose has stayed the same. At least in terms of using my blog to document my reading journey, and sharing my thoughts about and love for books and what I read with others. I had not realized initially what a wonderful community of book bloggers there was out there, but that has become another big reason I continue to blog. It's a place I feel I belong, and I appreciate the friendships I have made as well as being able to hang out with other book lovers. If I have learned anything over the years, it is that there is no right way or wrong way to do this blogging thing. There are lists and plenty of places to go for advice--even lists of pet peeves--but ultimately what matters is to do what feels and works right for you.

Flat Stanley visiting my office

Now it's your turn to tell me what you've been up to and if you have time, I would like to know . . .

• If you blog, how long have you been blogging? 
• What have you learned from your blogging experience or is there anything you wish you could share with other bloggers?
• What have you been reading and/or watching this week?

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mini Reviews: 'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick & The Fireman by Joe Hill

'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick (Berkley, 2016; 352 pgs)

Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

First Sentence: "I've got to get rid of her, Birch."

Someone is stalking Calista Langley, the proprietor of  an exclusive introduction agency in Victorian London Her stalker leaves her small gifts generally given to someone in mourning. Calista enlists the help of recluse crime writer Trent Hastings, the brother of one of her clients, to help her find the person responsible for the sick gifts and put a stop to him or her. Calista and Trent carry relationship baggage, and the last thing they are looking for is a relationship. However, the attraction between them is hard to ignore. I quite enjoyed 'Til Death Do Us Part. It is atmospheric, dark and romantic. Not to mention, I really liked Trent and Calista who are both smart and witty, and make a good team.

To learn more about Jayne Ann Krentz, aka Amanda Quick, and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Facebook. 

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The Fireman by Joe Hill (William Morrow; 2016; 747 pgs)

Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

First Sentence: Harper Grayson had seen lots of people burn on TV, everyone had, but the first person she saw burn for real was in the playground behind school.

A pandemic in which people spontaneously combust is spreading across the world, and there is little hope for civilization as we know it. It's called Draco Incendia Trychophyton, or Dragonscales to the general public. It is highly contagious and deadly. Nurse Harper Grayson, who once treated the victims, discovers signs of the illness on her own skin. Pregnant and suddenly a pariah in a society that is coming apart, she flees to a commune where other victims reside. She befriends a man known as the Fireman who seems to have mastered the use of the fire living inside his body.

The Fireman was a fun read, entertaining as well as thought provoking. It takes a hard look at society: mob mentality, mass panic, the power and draw of religion, the significance of hope, among other things. Reminiscent of The Stand by Stephen King (which the author credits), The Fireman is in the same vein but very different.

To learn more about Joe Hill and his work, please visit the author's website. You can also find him on Twitter and Tumblr. 

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.