"The Grey Wolf" by Louise Penny

In The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache has his hands full as he tries to figure out a threat that will have dire consequences for a large city.  I thought this book was really good!  I loved all the action with a good storyline and an unbelievable ending!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel

WOW!  The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel was SO GOOD!  It is based on a true story--how one woman, Eva, was able to save countless numbers of Jewish children from being rounded up by the Germans during World War 2!  You will have to read the book to see how she did that.  I enjoyed this book because the story line and the characters are both good!  I suggest you make time for this book.  You will be glad you did!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Fourth Wing" (the Empyrian #1) by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros got my attention right from the start and kept it all the way to the end!  What a fantastic read if you like fantasy with dragons mixed with relationships.  Violet is a great character, the youngest in her family who finds herself in war college for dragon riders when she had her heart set on being scribe like her father.  Her mother, the commanding general, ordered her to go in the dragon rider quadrant against her wishes.  This book is all about her first year at the war college.  Violet is small, weak, doesn't want to fight but is also smart and clever.  

I loved this book because of the characters, the action, and the dragons.  Violet is an underdog who tries to overcome her weaknesses and beat the odds stacked against her.  She soon finds a target on her back because of who her mother is.  Violet is so nice and vulnerable that it was easy to root for her.  At some points, I cheered out loud and laughed out loud.  It had a lot of humor too!  I really enjoyed the connection with the dragons and Xaden is awesome!  So glad I can jump right into the second book in this series.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review:
In Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Violet wants to be a scribe, but her mom has other plans for her and is running the show.  Consequently, Violet goes to school to be a dragon rider and help defend her country.  Her sister and friends tell her not to do this.  Violet goes anyway because she does not want to live with wondering what if she had made it.  

This book is very good from early on.  It has a great storyline and plenty of action.  I'll have to wait a few months for book 2, but looking forward to it!  (5++ stars)

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"One Perfect Couple" by Ruth Ware

In One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware, Nico and Lyla are a couple.  Nico wants to make it big on TV and being on a reality TV show could do that.  Lyla does not want to go, but for Nico's sake, she does.  Little does she know what she is in for.  

Ruth Ware's books are always good including this one!  It has good action that kept me turning pages quickly along with a good storyline and characters I cared about.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"My Side of the River" by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is an interesting memoir about a young Mexican girl born to hard-working immigrants in the U.S.  Her mother saw to it she got a good education in the U.S. and told her she had to be the best.  She was at the top of her class through school even though she was homeless and separated from her parents when they couldn't get their Visa renewed.  I thought this book was quite interesting as her life was so different from mine.  It shows how hard it is for the immigrants.  She had quite a journey to say the least!  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review, 3/6/24:
My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez tells the true story of a young Mexican girl, Elizabeth.  Her parents tell her how important an education is; unfortunately, when her parents get deported, she will have to take care of her younger brother and find a place to live.  I thought this book was very good.  I found myself cheering for Elizabeth as she tried to do the best for her and her brother.  What a story!  (5 stars)

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"The Choice" (Book 3 of The Dragon Heart Legacy) by Nora Roberts

The Choice (Book 3 of The Dragon Heart Legacy) by Nora Roberts is mostly about budding romances and a wedding with only a couple battles.  I felt like the third book had a lot of filler in it and that the author was just stretching things out to get a 3-book series.  In spite of that, I still liked it.  I really enjoyed the dragon parts most.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review 3/26/24:
In The Choice (Book 3 of The Dragon Heart Legacy) by Nora Roberts, Breen is back in her homeland training for the battle that will soon come.  She is getting more powerful by the day, but will it be enough to defend her homeland for good?  This is the final book in the great Dragon Heart Legacy series.  LOVED the whole series!  (5++ stars)

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"The Becoming" (Dragon Heart Legacy Book 2) by Nora Roberts

I liked The Becoming (Dragon Heart Legacy Book 2) by Nora Roberts better than the first book in this series because it has a lot more action, the dog has a big role in it and Marco proves to be a very good friend--so much so that I like him in spite of his being gay.  There is also some romance in this one and actual battles! I hated to put this one down because it has lots of very cool scenes including when Breen actually gets her own dragon!  Riding on a dragon just sounds very cool!  The only downside to this book for me was the few sex scenes and gay guys kissing that I could do without.  Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the last book in this series and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to escape to another world for a while!  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review 3/23/24:
The Becoming (Dragon Heart Legacy Book 2) by Nora Roberts finds Breen in the homeland training for the battle that is coming.  She brought her friend, Marco, and her faithful dog, Bollocks.  I thought this was even better than the first book of this series!  It has lots more action and the storyline kept me turning pages quickly.  I look forward to Book 3!  This is a GREAT series!!  I highly recommend it!!!  (5++ stars)

Book 1 review--The Awakening

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"The Awakening" by Nora Roberts (Book 1-The Dragon Heart Legacy)

The Awakening by Nora Roberts is about Breen who lives in two different worlds, ours and Talamh which is magical.  She was born in Talamh and is part human and Fei but her mother raised her in our world and Breen was never aware of have any magical power.  Her father went back to Talamh when she was quite young.  Now in her 20s, she discovered her mother was investing Breen's money that was sent by her father.  Breen took control of that money, and went to Ireland in search of her father.  Then things really get crazy!

This starts out kind of slow with all the world building and introduction of many different characters, but the adventure is worth waiting for.  The last third of this book really picked up for me when Breen learns how to use her magical powers and trains to fight.  I loved the ending of this book and look forward to continuing on in this series.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review 3/13/24:
In The Awakening by Nora Roberts, Breen has a rough life, holding down three jobs to make ends meet.  Her mom does not like her and her dad left her when she was little.  One day she comes across a bank account in her name which she knows nothing about.  Her dad opened it for her and has been adding to it over the years.  She is rich!  She decides to go to look for her dad in Ireland.  So begins an adventure that will change her life!  

This is really good!  It's a fun-filled book that had me turning pages.  I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series!  (5++) stars)

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"The Winter Orphans" by Kristin Beck

The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck is based on a true story.  These type of books are always special to me.  This one tells the story of brave women who were able to keep children away from the Germans who wanted to take them to work camps.  The kids in the book were very brave also.  I enjoyed this book very much!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Tribulation Force" by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (Book 2 of Left Behind Series)

In Tribulation Force, the book 2 of the Left Behind Series, Buck and Rayford both accept unusual jobs they never suspected they would have.  Two witnesses preach at the wailing wall in Jerusalem and the romance between Chloe and Buck progresses.  Carpathia gets more powerful and the tribulation begins.  This book was interesting and moved along a little faster than book 1.  I liked it all right but will take a break from this series which is pretty heavy to read a fantasy series.  I do plan to continue in this series later.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross (Teen Fantasy--Letters of Enchantment #1)

In Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, there is a war in progress and Iris is in the middle of it.  Her mom is not doing well, and her brother who joined the army is missing from the front lines.  Iris writes letters to her brother to try to combat her worries.  Little does she know this will take her on a life-changing adventure.  This book was even better than I expected!  It has a great storyline and characters I cared about.  There are lots of emotions with this book as well.  Do not miss this one--must read!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Destroy the Day" by Brigid Kemmerer (Defy the Night #3)

Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer is the third and final book of the Defy the Night series.  The second book was Defend the Dawn.  This is a great ending to a great series.  I absolutely loved most of the characters and all the adventure and action that was in this one.  I enjoyed following the romance between Corrick and Tessa and how Corrick matured and changed along the way.  The characters in this series were so well developed and I loved the interactions among them all (except for Harristan and Quint--I could do without the gay storyline).  This is one I had a hard time putting down and loved the ending and how everything was explained and brought to an end.  I highly recommend this series!  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

In this book, Harristan is trying to regain his leadership as King, but he will need help!  Can he get it in time?  This book is narrated by Harristan, Corrick and Tessa.  I enjoyed the parts by Corrick and Tessa most.  This one was okay but needed a bit more action for my taste.  I liked the first two books in this series better, although this one does have a good ending.  (Gerard's review 2/5/24, 4 stars)

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"Blood Sworn" by Scott Reintgen (Book 2)

Blood Sworn by Scott Reintgen is the follow-up book to Ashlords.  The race is over and now the war has begun.  The three main characters are back:  Pippa, Adrian and Imelda must now work together for the better good of the country.  Can they and will they save their country?  This book was better than the first with fast action and lots of twists and turns.  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

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"The Drift" by C. J. Tudor

In The Drift by C. J. Tudor is about survival.  Hannah, Meg and Carter are all in a tough spot at different locations.  They will have to work with other people to get out alive.  What all three do not know is that a bigger danger awaits them!  This has a good storyline with lots of action and I enjoyed the characters too!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"The Lie Maker" by Linwood Barclay

The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay was recommended to me by a friend.  Boy, was she right!  In The Lie Maker, Jack's father left him when Jack was very young.  Later, Jack is given a chance to maybe find his dad.  Jack has to create false histories for people in the witness protection program, like his dad is.  But then, his dad becomes really missing.  Can Jack find and save his dad?  This is good stuff with good action and true-to-life characters.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars) 

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"Immortal Longings" by Chloe Gong

In Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong, Princess Calla has been in hiding for five years.  She killed her parents and now she plans to kill the king of her country.  However, she must win the annual games to get a chance to meet with the king.  If you loved HUNGER GAMES, then this is the book for you.  It has good action with a good storyline and a great ending!  I look forward to Book 2 of this series.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Drowning" (The rescue of flight 1421) by T. J. Newman

Drowning by T. J. Newman is about a plane that was in trouble from the start and is now deep in the ocean.  Can anybody be saved?  This is very good stuff as you can see how this could actually happen!  It is interesting how they came up with things to try to save people!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

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"The Wager ( A tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder) by David Grann

I always enjoy non-fiction books about historical events.  The Wager by David Grann is one of those!  It tells the story of men who were on a secret mission at sea and survived being marooned and winding up on a deserted island where they just about starved to death.  Six months after they came back, three men came home on a makeshift raft and told a different tale.  This was good stuff that I enjoyed reading!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"West With Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge

West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is based on true story how two giraffes went on a 12-day road trip to the San Diego zoo just as World War II was about to start.  An old man tells the story, and what a story it is!  I enjoyed this because it has a good storyline and some good fiction with a good ending.  This was recommended to me by a friend from pickleball.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Three Sisters" by Heather Morris (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Book 3)

Three Sisters by Heather Morris is based on a true story.  Three sisters make a pact to always stay together and be there for each other, but when two of them are sent to a concentration camp by the Nazis, that pact is put to the test.  Will they survive to see their sister again?  This book is really good!  The parts about the concentration camp are very powerful!  I loved all the three sisters and liked the very good ending!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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