Fish

Fish by Gregory Mone is a swashbuckling pirate adventure.

Maurice Reidy - nicknamed Fish because he loves to swim - is one of nine siblings growing up on a farm in historical Ireland. Though he tries his best, he is not a good farm worker. So when the family has to send one of the children off to work in the city and send money back, Fish is the best choice.

In the city, Fish is a messenger for his uncle. When he is given a package to take to a ship, a dirty boy steals it out of Fish's hand. Fish swims after the boy and ends up on the pirate ship Scurvy Mistress. Though his goal is to steal back the package and deliver it to its destination, his plans are waylaid.

Soon Fish is treated as almost one of the crew. And the package he was following may be clues that lead to the greatest treasure ever.

Mone has written a great pirate story with colorful characters, high seas adventure, treasure hunting, and more. It is a must-read for pirate fans of all ages.

Mone, Gregory. (2010). Fish. New York: Scholastic Press.

Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1)

Killing Floor by Lee Child is the first book in his Jack Reacher series - an ex-military police officer who is wandering the United States like a drifter.

When the Cold War ended, the United States discharged a lot of its military personnel. For Jack Reacher - a man who was a military brat - it is the first time in his life he has freedom. He has no plans for a new career. He just wants to wander the US and see the sights.

On a whim he jumps off of a bus at the junction to the town of Margrave, Georgia. He knows of a blue guitarist who died there in the 60s. About 30 minutes after he gets to town, he is arrested for murder.

Now Jack has to convince the local cops that he did not do it - the fact that he was not even in the state when the killing occurred should not be too hard to verify. But even though he is happily done with his police career, Jack will be pulled into the investigation.

Child has written a twisty plot that leads to brilliant bad guys. Though Reacher do not go along peacefully, he is a smart man and a great investigator. And since he is not a police, he can do what he feels needs to be done in the name of justice.

Child, Lee. (1997). Killing Floor. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

The Grapes of Wrath

The Grape of Wrath by John Steinbeck is the Great American Novel. The story uses one family to tell of the awesome migration of 250,000 people from the middle of the US to California at the end of the Depression.

Farmers in the middle of the country owned the land their forefathers had gotten through the homesteading acts. But as times were tough, they slowly borrowed money from the bank against poor crops. Eventually, the banks owned all of the land. So when the banks decided to collect the land and make huge farms that could be plowed and planted by one man on a tractor, farmers and their families were forced off of the land.

At the same time, business practices in California - where the land was also owned by banks or very large landholders - advertised across the country that they were looking for workers to pick cotton/peaches/grapes. The more people who responded, the lower they could pay in wages as there would always be some hungry enough to work for any hope of food.

In The Grapes of Wrath, one family is followed from their farm in Oklahoma on their way to California to find work. When Tom Joad gets out of jail after four years, he finds his family's farm abandoned. The house is leaning to one side and appears to have been push over by a great force. Cotton is planted right up to the front door. An old neighbor who is passing through tells Tom about families being forced off of the land by the tractors and that his family is at his uncle's farm about to leave for California.

Tom joins his family and together the 12 of them plus a family friend pile into a newly purchased truck with all of the belongings they cannot leave behind or sell. Both Tom and his brother Al have some mechanical knowledge to keep the used truck running if they can afford parts.

What follows is the heart-wrenching tale of a family - that always thought of itself as being part of the land - set adrift with the hope of finding a new home. With no land to hold them together it will be a battle to keep the family intact.

Steinbeck has long been haled as one of the Great American Authors and this book is an excellent example of why. Though the pace of novels has increased through time, this novel holds its own in terms of plot, characterization, and suspense. Though history determines that the Joad family will not have an easy life - readers will be up late hoping that they beat the odds. Reading The Grapes of Wrath is like learning the roots of American as it is today and watching a train wreck in slow motion all tied up into one astounding novel.

Steinbeck, John. (1939). The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin Classics.

Skinned (Skinned trilogy #1)

Skinned by Robin Wasserman is the first book in her Skinned trilogy. The series takes place in the future United States - after a nuclear war when people have rebuilt.

Lia Khan is a force to be reckoned with - she doesn't follow trends, she creates them. Anything she wears to school becomes an instant fad. In a high school peopled by the very wealthy, Lia is the one everyone wants to be.

When Lia's car malfunctions her parents make the decision to do whatever it takes to save her life - including scanning her entire brain into a mechanical body.

But how will people react to the new Lia? Though she has all of her memories and her personality, not all people will see her as human.

Wasserman has created a series that is fascinating and thought-provoking in a package that is as fun to read as Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. I cannot wait to read the second book!

Wasserman, Robin. (2008). Skinned. New York: Simon Pulse.

Fly by Wire

Fly by Wire by Ward Larsen is about a plane crash investigation and the secrets it may uncover.

Following the crash of a new C-500 (a flying wing cargo plane) Frank "Jammer" Davis is sent to France for the National Transportation Safety Board. Though Jammer is not in charge of the crash investigation, he is not subtle about saying what he thinks.

A fellow member of the investigation, Anna Sorenson, is not the Honeywell representative she appears to be. She is, in fact, a CIA agent whose job it is to recruit Jammer into helping look for connections between the crash of the AirCargo plane and a notorious Middle Eastern terrorist known as Caliph.

Caliph is thought to be behind the recent attacks at oil refineries around the United States. Over night the United States lost two-thirds of its oil processing ability. Without careful handling, the country will be in the midst of another fuel shortage.

As Jammer and Sorenson get closer to uncovering important clues about the crash, others begin trying harder to make sure they do not find the truth. What follows is a high tension race against the clock.

Larsen has created a fast-paced novel that will pull reader into the story. Fans of John J Nance's airplane related thrillers will be pleased with this exciting book.

Larsen, Ward. (2010). Fly by Wire. Longboat Key, Florida: Oceanview Publishing.

First Daughter: White House Rules (Sameera Righton #2)

First Daughter: White House Rules by Mitali Perkins is her second book featuring Sameera Righton. In the first book, Sameera's father ran for President of the United States.

Now Sameera and her parents are moving into the White House. Sameera is adjusting to life as a famous person while continuing her blog about being the daughter of the new president.

Perkins, Mitali. (2008). First Daughter: White House Rules. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

The Athena Project (Athena Project #1)

The Athena Project by Brad Thor is the first book in a spin off series from his Scot Harvath series.

The Athena group is a part of Delta Force - the main difference between the typical Delta Force team and Athena is that Athena is make up entirely of women. Instead of recruiting women from the armed forces, the creators of Athena looked to extreme sports to find women in top physical shape who could be turned into elite fighting teams.

The Athena group in this made up of Gretchen Casey, Julie Ericsson, Megan Rhodes and Alex Cooper. And this team is sent into situations where male soldiers would be too obvious.

In their first book, the group has to find its way into the home of a known arms dealer, kidnap him and get away form his full team of bodyguards. But that is only the beginning.

The women of the Athena Project are just a tough as Thor's previous character Scot Harvath. In fact, as part of the same overall terrorist fighting agency, they will be working together from time to time.

Fans of military fiction, full adrenaline novels, espionage, and international political intrigue will love this new series - and impatiently await the next installment.

Thor, Brad. (2010). The Athena Project. New York: Atria Books.

Body Language

Body Language by Suzanne Brockmann is the story of long-time friends who fall in love. Actually, they have been in love with each other for years, but they are about ready to admit it.

Clint McCade is a photographer and camera-man. He travels the world working on projects. Cassandra "Sandy" Kirk owns a production company that makes films. Her current contract is to film a man running for office to make commericals for his campaign.

When Sandy's phone rings at three in the morning she knows it is McCade. He is probably halfway around the world in another time zone. But he says he is on the corner
calling from a payphone. He has just ridden his motorcycle all night from LA to Phoenix, AZ to see her.

He came to tell her that he is in love with her, but when she says she thinks she finally met someone, Clint decides that a good friend would help her out and not try to distract her.

Brockmann is now known for her romantic suspense novels. While Body Language is just a straight up romance, her ability to bring characters to life draws readers into the lives of those characters.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (1998). Body Language. New York: Bantam.

Killer View (Walt Fleming #2)

Killer View is the second book in Ridley Pearson's Walt Fleming series about a sheriff in the Sun Valley area of Idaho.

When a phone call is placed to 911 sending a search team up the mountain to find a missing skier, one of the searchers is found dead at the bottom of a drop off. Walt is convinced that the death was no accident and evidence backs him up.

When the man was killed he was wearing his brother's coat - Mark Aker is the local vet. His brother, also a vet, borrowed his coat for the search. Then a young woman is abducted - and he works for Mark Aker at his veterinary clinic. By the time Walt sees the connections to Mark, Mark himself has been kidnapped.

Combining mystery, politics, outdoor adventure and more, Pearson's Walt Fleming books are a great read for lovers of the outdoors and/or mysteries. Readers will have a vested interest in what happens next in the life of Walt Fleming.

Pearson, Ridley. (2008). Killer View. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

In the Name of God

Paula Jolin's In the Name of God is a look at one young woman's struggle to find her a way to make a difference in her world.

Nadia lives in Damascus, Syria. She lives with her mother and one brother and is striving to be a good Muslim. The world around her is a combination of Islam, religious and secular law, the imposition of Western ideals, and a government with secret police who limit the speech of its citizens.

As Nadia watches her friends and extended family members try to balance the laws of Islam with the need to go where there are jobs. More and more people are becoming less religious in the name of making a living - or just being influenced by the lax way of life they see others enjoying.

Nadia becomes more devout in reaction to her family. She has one cousin, Fowzi, who may be striking back at the problem. But when he speaks up at a picnic, someone turns him into the secret police. When he is arrested, Nadia goes from being a devout Muslim to crossing the line into Islamic fundamentalism.

With a friend of Fowzi's, Nadia begins to plot about what she can do to strike back at the corruption - to make people rethink their behavior. When hints are dropped about a suicide bombing she does not turn away. But will she go along with the plan? Do the people "helping" her even have the same goals in mind as what Nadia thinks her final statement to be?

Jolin has written a well-researched, well thought out book that makes extreme decisions almost understandable in certain situations. She will make readers think about how easy it is to be pushed over the line when you already believe something strongly. Her book is a must read for anyone living in our world today - and a perfect book for a book club, as it will spark much discussion.

Jolin, Paula. (2007). In the Name of God. New York: Square Fish.

First Daughter: Extereme American Makeover (Sameera Righton #1)

First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover by Mitali Perkins is a look at politics through the eyes of a young woman whose father is running for President of the United States.

Sameera Righton, Sparrow to her friends, has been in politics her whole life. Her father was a diplomat when he and her mother adopted Sameera from Pakistan. But now that Mr. Righton is campaigning to be the President, a whole team will descend and make over Sameera - going so far as to create the persona "Sammy."

Sameera will battle to keep true to herself during the campaign. She has her own blog that her group of friends read - as opposed to the official SammySez blog that the campaign produces. As an adopted daughter she has a different perspective. And as a Pakistani girl in the world of Republican politics, she has a very different perspective.

Perkins has written a great account of politics and race in America. Sameera is a compelling character with a strong voice. First Daughter is a novel that is an interesting read that could begin many discussions - especially when compared to our country's current political swing. The sequel is called First Daughter: White House Rules.

Perkins, Mitali. (2007). First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover. New York: Speak.

Girl, Stolen

Girl, Stolen by April Henry is a story of accidental kidnapping.

How do you accidentally kidnap someone? When Griffin saw the keys left in the new Cadillac Escalade he thought it was his lucky day.

For Cheyenne Wilder it feels like one of the unluckiest days of her life. She was waiting in the back of the car while her stepmother went into the drug store to pick up antibiotics. Cheyenne begged her to leave the keys so she could stay warm.

When Griffin found out that Cheyenne was in the car he figured he was in big trouble. She looked right at him. He would now have to take her home. The good luck that was going to get his dad to admit that he was finally a man just turned into a major mistake that was sure to make his dad very angry. But Cheyenne didn't see Griffin because she is blind.

Still, instead of dropping her on the side of the road to be rescued, Griffin panics and takes her home. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's dad is the president of Nike, he decides to ransom her back. But Griffin is starting to think that he is her only chance at survival. Will his dad let her go and describe what she has overheard - leading the police back to them - or will he just kill her and bury her in the woods?

Henry has written another knuckle-biting young adult novel. Don't be surprised if you are holding your breath while to read this book long into the night.

Henry, April. (2010). Girl, Stolen. New York: Christy Ottaviano Books.

Wildfire Run

Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson is a high adrenaline adventure.

Luke is the son of the President of the United States. Everywhere he goes he is followed by his own team of Secret Service agents.

While at the presidential retreat at Camp David, there is a major earthquake. The president is getting ready to fly to the epicenter. Luke and his friend Theo convince Luke's dad to let them stay at Camp David.

What they don't know is that a forest fire has started not far from Camp David. Soon the entire Camp is being evacuated. But during the evacuation there is an accident and Luke, Theo and Callie (the daughter of the chef) are trapped inside of the electric fence. The controls to the fence have been damaged and the fire is moving ever closer.

Garretson's book is an action-packed adventure where three kids have to save themselves against impossible odds.

Garretson, Dee. (2010). Wildfire Run. New York: Harper.

The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen

The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen by Mitali Perkins is the story of two cultures - in one young woman.

Sunita, known as Sunni by her friends, was born and raised in California. Her family is Indian, both of her parents were born in India, but she thinks of herself as an American.

When her mother takes a year off from teaching and starts wearing sarees because Sunita's grandparents are coming to stay with them, Sunita becomes confused and embarrassed. She wishes she was either Indian in India or American in California.

As Sunita struggles to balance the halves of her life, she comes to find beauty in both Indian and American culture.

Perkins has written a tween novel that most readers will be able to relate to - being a young teen and being embarrassed by family traditions that are different from those of your friends. Sunita Sen is a peak at the beauty in every culture and finding your balance between the disparate parts of self.


Perkins, Mitali. (1993). The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Heist Society (Heist Socetey #1)

Heist Society by Ally Carter is a great art heist book.

Katarina Bishop comes from a long line of art and jewel thieves. Kat's greatest con to date is getting accepted to a great boarding school. She is determined to leave the family business behind and get an education. But when someone steals the Headmaster's car and put it in the fountain with water shooting out of its headlights, Kat finds herself being framed for it.

When her oldest friend, W.W. Hale picks her up at school, she is not overly surprised. Hale is there to tell her that her father just stole five priceless paintings from a very dangerous man.

Her father has a solid alibi - he was pulling off a job in another country when they were stolen - but the man will give Kat two weeks to return his paintings. The only thing she can do is to find out who really took them, re-steal them, and return them.

Carter has written a fast-paced, fun, heist story with talented and endearing characters. Fans of all types of books will enjoy this race around Europe and the planning behind the ultimate heist.

Carter, Ally. (2010). Heist Society. New York: Hyperion.

Killer Weekend (Walt Fleming #1)

Killer Weekend is the first book in Ridley Pearson's Walt Fleming series. Walt is the sheriff of Blaine County, Idaho - the area around the Sun Valley ski resort.

Eight years ago, as a rookie, Walt saved the life of Elizabeth Shaler. Her family has had property in Sun Valley for generations, but her home is in New York City. She is the current Attorney General of New York and back in Sun Valley to announce her bid for President of the United States.

Though she brings a team of FBI and Secret Service with her to Sun Valley, Walt is the local officer and will be included in any protection detail. When credible threats on Shaler's life are discovered, Walt will do everything in his power to save her life once again. But the hired hit man he is going up against is a professional.

Combining a great Sheriff, politics, too many different law enforcement agencies, big egos, and a suspenseful plot, Pearson is a master storyteller.

Pearson, Ridley. (2007). Killer Weekend. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Taylor's Temptation (Tall, Dark & Dangerous #10)

Taylor's Temptation by Suzanne Brockmann is her tenth book in the Tall, Dark, & Dangerous series about Navy SEALs.

After Bobby Taylor is injured in a mission he needs some time to recover. When his best friend Wes Skelly is assigned to go overseas on a mission, he asks Bobby to go to Boston to talk his little sister, Colleen, out of going on a humanitarian mission to one of the most unstable countries on the planet.

Bobby and Colleen have been a little in love with each other for years, but did not know the other person felt the same way. High stress and close proximity to one another leads to temptation.

Bobby has to decide if the beating he will take from his best friend is worth the risk. The reward could be a life with the woman of his dreams.

The Tall, Dark & Dangerous series was Brockmann's first series. Each of her books is better than the last.

Suzanne, Brockmann. (2001). Taylor's Temptation. New York: Silhouette.

Behemoth (Leviathan #2)

Behemoth is the second book in Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy - set in an alternate history of WWI.

Dylan Sharp is a midshipman on the airship Leviathan - he is actually Deryn Sharp disguised as a boy to be able to serve in the British forces. Along with her usual middy jobs, she is to keep an eye on their prisoner, Alek - who is Austrian royalty disguised as a commoner.

Together Deryn and Alek will influence the outcome of the war in Europe. They are currently headed toward Istanbul - an neutral nation that may decide the course of the war.

In this alternate history the war is between Clankers - those who use machines - and Darwinists - those who splice DNA into new creatures used for everything from transportation to military.

Westerfeld has more imagination that can be contained in one genre. This brilliant series is a must read for fans of science fiction, history, steampunk, and adventure. Gorgeous illustrations by Keith Thompson help readers with stranger creatures that do not exist in our own time.

Westerfeld, Scott. (2010). Behemoth. New York: Simon Pulse.

American Assassin (Mitch Rapp #11 - Prequel)

American Assassin by Vince Flynn is his eleventh book about Mitch Rapp - a CIA covert operative / assassin. This book is a prequel and tells of Rapp's initiation to the world of black ops.

Since the hijacking of the Pan Am Lockerbie flight, Mitch Rapp has been a cauldron of seething revenge. Though his exterior looks relaxed and in control, he is plotting how to get back at the terrorist who blew up a passenger plane and killed his girlfriend.

Irene Kennedy, a member of the CIA's black ops management finds Rapp and thinks he would be a great addition to the program they are creating - program that will be super secret and fight back covertly against some of the US's most dangerous enemies.

When Rapp arrives at the training facility, he is some what an anomaly in that he is the only person to get there without being in the military in some branch of special forces.

Fans of Flynn's previous books will enjoy learning about the spy's initiation into the CIA, and his journey to becoming the top assassin in the United States arsenal against terrorism.

Flynn, Vince. (2010). American Assassin. New York: Atria Books.

The Wake of the Lorelei Lee (Bloody Jack #8)

The Wake of the Lorelei Lee: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, on Her Way to Botany Bay by L. A. Meyer is the 8th book in his Bloody Jack series.

While it is hard for me to pick one favorite book or series in any genre, this series is definitely near the top of the list. It is an historical fiction series about a bold young woman who makes her way through life using her wits. She is a great hero and her adventures are a delight to read. Start the series today!

After Jacky's last adventure, she has some money and is finally expanding Faber Shipping Worldwide by buying a brigantine named Lorelei Lee. She plans to use it to transport people between England and the colonies in the US. Once she receives a letter from her James Fletcher that she has been cleared of all past wrong-doing she will set sail.

Of course, as soon as she leaves another letter arrives from Jamie telling her to wait, that two of her enemies in the British Royal Navy are spreading rumors about her. But by that time she has set sail for London.

Upon arrival she is arrested and sentenced to life in the new penal colony in Australia. To add further insult, her Lorelei Lee is seized and turned into a convict transport ship. She will be locked up in her own ship.

What follows is a plot that only Jacky could pull off - more freedom than the captives of any other convict ship, the ability to make money while in port to pay for a better berth, being forced into marriage, captured by pirates, made a concubine to a famous Chinese Pirate, and more.

This series is a must-read for any fans of action, adventure, pirate stories, history, or just a great read. I LOVE these books.

Meyer, L.A. (2010). The Wake of the Lorelei Lee. New York: Harcourt.

It's a Book

It's a Book by Lane Smith is the best picture book I have read in a while.

There are three characters in this book that seems simple but packs a punch - a monkey, a mouse and a jackass.

Monkey is trying to read his book while Jackass asks questions about it - questions like how do you scroll down?, does it need a password?, etc... At one point, after Monkey reads a passages from the book to Jackass, Jackass reduces the entire passage to two lines of text language.

This is a must have book for any adult who has noticed the trend of young people to ignore the printed word and focus only on electronic gadgets. It is a brilliant comment on the times in which we currently live.

Buy a copy today!

Smith, Lane. (2010). It's a Book. New York: Roaring Book Press.

Identity: Unknown (Tall, Dark & Dangerous #8)

Identity: Unknown is the eighth book in Suzanne Brockmann's Tall, Dark & Dangerous series.

When a man wakes up in a homeless shelter in a small town in New Mexico he has no idea who he is. He does not recognize himself in the mirror or know his own name. He has no wallet but in his left boot is a .22 caliber pistol and a wad of 100 dollar bills. Wrapped up with the money is the name of a ranch - The Lazy Eight.

Not knowing what else to do, but instinctively knowing not to tell anyone he has amnesia, he heads for the ranch. He is currently going by the nickname Mish - because the man who runs the shelter he awoke gave it to him.

When he gets to the ranch the manager, Becca Keyes, thinks he is the hand she has hired and starts calling him Casey. Mish doesn't think his name is Casey but begins work at the ranch. As Mish and Becca grow closer together he tries to keep his distance. It is not fair to get involved when he has no idea who he is - what kind of man carries a gun in his boot?

But the attraction between Mish and Becca is getting stronger. He will have to tell her the truth and warn her that he might be a criminal. He is not sure whether he wants her to run away or help him get his memory back.

Brockmann has written an enjoyable puzzle for readers to figure out along with the characters in this book. Her characters, as always, are instantly real and readers will find themselves caring what happens to them.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (1999). Identity: Unknown. New York: Silhouette.

Diamondhead (Mack Bedford #1)

Diamondhead by Patrick Robinson is a fast-paced military / political thrill ride.

U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander "Mack" Mackenzie Bedford is stationed in central Iraq with his team. When they are called on to rescue another team that has come under enemy fire, two of their armored vehicles are hit by the new French-made weapon the Diamondhead.

The Diamondhead, banned by the UN as inhumane, is a high-speed, armour piercing rocket that has a napalm-like chemical that causes everything in the area to burst into flame - including the soldiers in the vehicles. When most of Mack's team is killed and then the terrorists he just watched sent the rocket across the river try to surrender, Mac guns them all down.

Now Mack is in a military court defending his position that after seeing other false surrenders where US troops were killed by suicide bombs strapped to those surrendering, he could not let more of his people be hurt by the men he watched kill his friends. But since the story was leaked (somewhat inaccurately) to the press, the political pressure to rule against Mack in some way is too strong to resist. Mack is given a reprimand that will strip him of his rank.

Suddenly Mack, whose whole identity is tied to being a Navy SEAL, finds himself unable to stomach being in the Navy. And the problems facing his family become his main focus. His seven year-old son has been diagnosed with a rare disease. The only known effective treatment is at a clinic in Switzerland - and costs one million dollars. Also facing the family, the town they live in and love on the Maine coast, is facing a total economic meltdown. Remson's Shipbuilding has been the main employer of the town for over 100 years. But the only thing keeping the factory open is a standing order from France for one frigate every three years. And now, the man sure to be the next president of France, Henri Foche is calling for an end to outside military contracts.


As these factors come together to decide the fate of Mack and his family, Robinson weaves a great story with political intrigue and desperate plots to create a novel that will pull readers into the book and have them calling in sick to work to finish it.

Robinson, Patrick. (2009). Diamondhead. New York: Vanguard Press.

The Admiral's Bride (Tall, Dark & Dangerous #7)

The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann is the seventh book in her Tall, Dark & Dangerous series.

Dr. Zoe Lange is a biological warfare specialist with the CIA. She has been called into the Pentagon to a secret meeting to discuss a break in. A right-wing militia group has stolen the worst nerve agent known to man.

Zoe will be going undercover with a team of SEAL in Montana. The leader of the group, Admiral Jake Robinson, has been her idol and fantasy since she was a teen. In Vietnam Jake saved her father's life - along with hundreds of other wounded and captured American soldiers.

Now they will be posing as man and wife inside the compound of the lunatic who stole the nerve agent. While in close contact their feelings for each other will grow to the point where emotions could get in the way of the operation.

Brockmann's Tall, Dark & Dangerous series is a great choice for romance fans who like plot with their romance. Her stories of suspense would hold up even without the personal connections in the stories - the romance just makes them more fun to read.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (1999). The Admiral's Bride. New York: Mira.

The Sublime and Spirited Journey of Original Sin

The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin by Colette Moody is a lesbian pirate adventure!

Celia Pierce is the daughter of a Tailor and a fine seamstress herself. She is engaged to the town doctor - though she does not think he is a catch other than his status as a doctor.

One evening when she is visiting the doctor - delivering his new outfit for their engagement party - pirates break into his office. While he hides and she claims he is out of town seeing a patient, the pirates decide that a seamstress will do for their purposes.

Celia is kidnapped and taken to the ship Original Sin to tend to the wounded, because their doctor was killed in the recent battle. But being kidnapped by pirates is not as bad as she first thought.

With the captain injured his daughter Gayle Malvern has taken over the ship. She have lived on Original Sin since she was twelve. The crew all respect her and will follow her while her father recovers.

Though Gayle promises to take Celia back to her family in the Spanish colony in Florida, they must make some stops along the way...

Moody has told a great story. It is, perhaps, not a literary masterpiece, but is a swashbuckling tale of piracy on the high seas and worth a read. The Sublime and Spirited Journey of Original Sin won the Lambda Award for Lesbian Romance in 2010.

Moody, Colette. (2009). The Sublime and Spirited Journey of Original Sin. Valley Falls, NY: Bold Strokes Books.

I, Q: The White House (IQ #2)

I,Q: The White House by Roland Smith is the second book in his IQ series - featuring new siblings Quest (Q) and Angela.

On tour with their parents, the famous musicians, Angela and Q are supposed to be having a safe road trip learning about the history of the US. They are turning in school assignments as they go.

In the first book they were recruited by a team of spies who are trying to keep them safe while attempting to take down the most well trained ghost cell ever to infiltrate the US.

When their parents are invited to play the White House, Q and Angela think they will be safe from the terrorists. But the cell has even placed people inside of the White House staff. Now Angela and Q and their friends will have to keep the President and his children safe as well.

Smith has created a great group of characters in this fast-paced suspense series filled with facts about American history. Each book will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Smith, Roland. (2010). I,Q: The White House. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

The Hope Chest

The Hope Chest by Karen Schwabach tells the story of the final vote that passed the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, giving women the right to vote.

Violet Mayhew lives in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania with her parents. She misses her older sister Chloe and has not heard from her since she left three years ago - until today. When looking in her mother's desk for a postage stamp, Violet found a stack of letters from Chloe.

After reading the letters and deciding that it was unfair of her parents for keeping them from her, Violet runs away to New York to find her sister.

What follows is an adventure across the country - New York to Washington, DC to Tennessee. Violet meets interesting people, learns about politics and racism, and plays a part in getting women the right to vote.

Schwabach is a great author of historical fiction featuring young characters. She explains difficult concepts in our past with ease and excitement. I would recommend any of her books.

Schwabach, Karen. (2008). The Hope Chest. New York: Random House.

Mayday

In the style of a John J Nance novel, Nelson DeMille and Thomas Block joined forces to write Mayday. Originally published in 1979, an updated version was released in 1998.

Trans-United flight 52 from San Fransisco to Tokyo is in a Concorde-like plane, a Straton 979. Capable of flying at 930 miles per hour, or Mach 1.8, the supersonic jet flies higher in the sky than the average passenger plane. In fact, other than the space shuttle, the only other planes that fly at 62,000 feet are military jets and spy planes.

Today flight 52 left the gate 30 minutes late due to a maintenance issue.

At the same time, aboard the USS Nimitz, the Navy is conducting a secret test of a new missile. The missile will be shot at a drone to test its ability to find a target 500 miles away. This test will be done high in the atmosphere where few other things can fly.

When the missile hits flight 52, the jet loses cabin pressure. Anything not tied down is pulled out the hole in the fuselage by the pressure differential. Oxygen masks drop from the ceiling but are useless because they require pressure to work.

After a highly intense few pages, only a few people on flight 52 are conscious. None of them are part of the team that was flying the plane. But one man is a weekend pilot - of planes that could practically fit into the Straton 979's cargo area.

Do not read this book right before you fly! DeMille and Block packed more adrenaline into this book than some readers can handle. But adventure readers will be sucked into this book like a flying projectile.

DeMille, Nelson and Thomas Block. (1998). Mayday. New York: Warner Brothers.

Hawken's Heart (Tall, Dark & Dangerous #6)

Hawkin's Heart by Suzanne Brockmann is the sixth book in the Tall, Dark & Dangerous series.

William "Crash" Hawken is a Navy SEAL. He is assigned to black ops - super secret missions - under Admiral Jack Robinson. Along with working for Jack, he is like a son to him and his wife Daisy, who took over raising him when his mother died.

Now Crash is being framed for killing Admiral Robinson. In a shoot out that only two people survived, all of the forensics point to Crash being the shooter. He has to find a way to escape from jail or the courthouse and find the man responsible for the assassination.

The only person Crash feels like he can trust is Nell Burns. Nell was Daisy's personal assistant until her death one year ago. Nell and Crash are in love with each other but his stubbornness is keeping them apart. Now he will need her help to stay alive, clear his name, and find the real killer.

Brockmann is the queen of romantic suspense. She is great at developing characters and making them interesting because of / in spite of their flaws. She is a must read author for any romance or suspense fans.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (2005). Hawken's Heart. New York: Mira Books.

Harvard's Education (Tall, Dark & Dangerous #5)

Harvard's Education by Suzanne Brockmann is the fifth book in her Tall, Dark & Dangerous series.

FInCOM (the series version of FBI) and SEAL Team Alpha are teaming up for a training exercise. The plan is to form a joint team that can go into hostage situations.

Out of the four FInCOM agents assigned to the training, only one has any chance of getting out of a combat situation alive. But that agent is not given an equal test by Senior Chief "Harvard" Becker because that agent is a woman.

Though thinking himself chivalrous he is actually being a chauvinist - a condition he will have to get over if the team has any hope of working. And soon the team will be in a place where mistakes will mean the death of team members.

The Tall, Dark and Dangerous series was Brockmann's first series featuring Navy SEALs. Though the books are not as sophisticated as the later Troubleshooters series, readers of romantic suspense will enjoy them.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (1998). Harvard's Edcuation. New York: Mira Books.

Meg: Hell's Aquarium (Meg #4)

Meg: Hell's Aquarium by Steve Alten is the fourth book in his Meg series.

The Carcharodon megalodon, a prehistoric shark was discovered by a scientific expedition to the Mariana Trench, the deepest trench in the Pacific Ocean. A Meg was captured and brought to an aquarium in Monterrey, California. Now, more than twenty years later, the aquarium has 6 Megs! The adult female gave birth to a litter of 5.

As the aquarium does not have the space to house 6 giant sharks, Jonas Taylor has decided to sell a couple of the pups to other aquariums. With the deal to sell two pups to a new aquarium in Dubai, Jonas's son David will travel to the United Arab Emirates to oversee the settling of the young Megs.

David will also train submarine pilots to guide the two-person deep water subs that the Dubai aquarium's owner will send back to the area around the Mariana Trench - in an attempt to find other surviving prehistoric beasts to fill his 12 tanks.

Though David has promise his father that he will remain in Dubai, he finds himself lured to the under water expedition. What follows is a story of long extinct creatures in an environment man was never meant to enter.

Alten's series makes the movie Jaws feel like a cartoon. Fans of Shark Week will love these books!

Alten, Steve. (2009). Meg: Hell's Aquarium. New York: Tor.

Peak: A Novel

Peak by Roland Smith is an adventure novel in the extreme.

When Peak Marcello is arrested for climbing the Woolworth building in NYC, he is given the choice of juvenile detention until he turns 18 (just over three years) or leaving New York. He chooses to leave. The judge releases Peak to his father, Josh Wood, a famous mountain climber.

When they leave New York, Peak thinks they are on their way to Chaing Mai, Thailand. But Josh has other ideas. He sets everything up before he tells Peak that they are one their way to Mount Everest - the highest mountain on the planet.

If Peak makes it to the top of Everest, he will be the youngest person ever to summit.

Smith is a great YA storyteller. His books are exciting, fast reads that will appeal to many readers.

Smith, Roland. (2007). Peak. New York: Harcourt, Inc.

Shooting the Moon

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell is a look at war from another angle.

Jaime and her big brother TJ worship their father, a US Army Colonel. The family is stationed in Texas, where each afternoon Jaime and TJ wage major battles with their little green Army men. They live and breathe the Army.

When TJ gets out of high school he enlists in the Army, following his father's footsteps, and volunteers to go to Vietnam with the Medical Corp. His father is not happy about his decision. The Colonel wants TJ to attend medical school first.

When Jaime receives a roll of film from TJ, she is disappointed that it is not a letter. A soldier at the rec center teaches her to develop the film. Every couple of weeks a new roll of film arrives and Jaime starts to get a more realistic picture of war.

Told on a level that can be appreciated by children and adults alike, Dowell has captured the wonder and horror of the war in Vietnam. This is an important book that would be great for young readers in today's world.

Dowell, Frances O'Roark. (2008). Shooting the Moon. New York: Atheneum Books.

The Shark Mutiny (Arnold Morgan #5)

The Shark Mutiny by Patrick Robinson is the fifth book featuring Admiral Arnold Morgan, now the National Security Advisor.

After 500 years of sticking close to home, the Chinese Navy is trying to establish themselves in the greater oceans. To this end they hatch a plot to stop all oil traffic in the Straight of Hormuz so that their partnership with Iran is the only available oil on the market - at a much inflated price. In order to accomplish this task, they lay a mine field through out the straight.

In the process of clearing the straight to allow the world's oil market to flow, NSA Arnold Morgan fells that he is missing something. The Chinese did not gain much by blockading the straight. Could it be that the response of the US - to send most of the Navy to one part of the world - was just a decoy?

Morgan and his brilliance, with the help of the Navy SEALs will try fight back and keep China's Navy in the waters immediately surrounding China.

Robinson is a great Navy storyteller. He has the details down, adding layers of believable US politics and layers of international politics. His book are some of the best military suspense on the market.

Robinson, Patrick. (2001). The Shark Mutiny. New York: HarperCollins.

Dragonsblood (Dragonriders of Pern)

Dragonsblood by Todd McCaffrey is a continuation of the Dragonriders of Pern started by Anne McCaffrey. This is the first novel written about Pern by someone other than Anne McCaffrey.

When the Red Star gets to close to the planet Pern, the skies of Pern rain Thread - an organism that will destroy the planet if allowed to burrow into the soil or plants. In order to combat Thread, the first human settlers of Pern altered the genetic code of fire-lizards to create a creature like the dragons of Earth lore. The dragons can breathe fire and destroy the Thread while it is still in the sky.

All of society developed on the need for dragons. Dragonriders live with the dragons in Weyrs, others live in Holds that supply food and goods to the Weyrs. The Dragons, in turn, protect the planet from Thread.

Told in two times, the current dragonriders are concerned that some dragons are getting sick. As they search through the records they find no evidence of dragons ever getting sick. They have lost the technology and ability to create cures. And all dragons are needed as Thread will begin its latest fall soon.

450 years in the past, the last geneticist, Wind Blossom, is trying to figure out a way to leave the knowledge to treat dragons if they ever get sick. Because without dragons, Pern will become barren and uninhabitable. They must find a way to hide the information for safe keeping but have it ready to be used in the future.

The ability that makes this happen is that dragons and fire-lizards can go between places in the blink of an eye and they can also go back in time. When a fire-lizard appears and falls out of the sky, Wind Blossom will use the last of the antibiotics to heal him. Then she will begin the process of saving the future of Pern.

Todd has done a great job carrying on the stories of Pern. He has captured the same feel as the Pern books by Anne McCaffrey. Fans of the original books will be thrilled to see the series continue.

McCaffrey, Todd. (2005). Dragonsblood. New York: Del Rey Books.

Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3)

Mockingjay is the final book in the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. In my opinion this is one of the best dystopian series ever written.

It is difficult to describe the storyline of Mockingjay without giving away spoilers from the first two books - so this entry will be more about the overall series and feel of the novel.

Katniss Everdeen of District 12 in Paneem is a character who will give her life to save her sister, she will battle foes to the death, she will learn to love, and she will be the face of a revolution.

The Hunger Games were devised by the Capitol to keep the 12 districts in line. Each year two tributes, a teen boy and girl, are chosen to represent their district in a fight to the death on live television. In book one when her sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Through an amazing turn of events and circumstances, Katniss survives the Hunger Games.

In the second book, Catching Fire, because it is a 25th anniversary of the Games and the rebellion they are meant to remind people of, there is a twist. Contestants who won in the past will be put back in the arena to fight again. But the games do not end the way that the Capitol has written.

In Mockingjay, the rebellion that the games are meant to keep suppressed can no longer be contained. By the end, either the rebels will be forced back into their near-slave roles they have been assigned, or they will take over the whole of Panem and create a new government.

Suzanne Collins is a genius. This series is amazing. Readers who like suspense, action, great writing, compelling characters, and more would do well to run to the bookstore or library right now and start reading the series!

Collins, Suzanne. (2010). Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic.

Foreign Influence (Scot Harvath #9)

Foreign Influence by Brad Thor is the ninth book in his Scot Harvath series.

Harvath is a counter-terrorism agent who started his career with the Navy SEALs, but his current position is with a private agency that contracts with the Department of Defense.

When a string of terrorist attacks across Europe point to an old adversary of Harvath's named Nicolas, he is sent to meet with the man. While following the trail back to the people who are trying to frame Nicolas, Harvath will find an even greater schedule of terrorist attacks in the works.

Harvath and the Carlton Group fly around the globe trying to stop the attacks before they kill any more civilians.

Thor is a master of the espionage / special forces thriller. He is a must read for any fans of high action intensity that will keep them up all night finishing his books.

Thor, Brad. (2010). Foreign Influence. New York: Atria Books.

Everyday, Average Jones (Tall, Dark and Dangerous #4)

Everyday, Average Jones is the fourth book in Suzanne Brockmann's Tall, Dark and Dangerous series.
.

Harlan "Cowboy" Jones was part of the SEAL team that rescued Melody Evans from the US Embassy in a country that was in the middle of being taken over by their military. After the rescue Cowboy and Melody spent six days together.

.

Seven months later, Cowboy is assigned to Virginia and is finally close enough to go see Melody. Though Melody says she does not want to see her, Cowboy travels to see her anyway to change her mind. He is shocked to see that she is seven months pregnant.

.

Though Cowboy has been thinking of Melody since he last saw her, he takes the approach that he is going to "do the right thing" and asks her to marry him. She is offended that he even asked.

.

In order to convince her that they would be great together, Cowboy requests leave and camps in Melody's backyard.

.

Though the plot is thin, based on an idea whose time has passed, the characters and writing are excellent. Brockmann is a master of romance and romantic suspense.

.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (1998). Everyday, Average Jones. New York: Silhouette.

Frisco's Kid (Tall, Dark and Dangerous #3)

Frisco's Kid is the third Tall, Dark and Dangerous book by Suzanne Brockmann - the master of romantic suspense featuring Navy SEALs.

Frisco wanted to be a SEAL since he was eleven years old. Through hard work and determination he became one. Then, five years ago, he was hurt on a mission. Now his doctor says he will never recover enough to go back to active duty. In fact, his doctor is surprise he can even walk.

But without the SEALs, Frisco - Lt. Alan Francisco - doesn't know who he is or how he will go on. The day after his doctor kick him out of the VA hospital, his sister shows up with her five year old daughter and informs him that he has to watch Natasha while she goes to rehab.

With the help of his neighbor, Frisco will have to learn to do everything while using a cane. But the hardest lesson will be that it is okay to ask for help.

Tall, Dark, and Dangerous is the first set of books that Suzanne Brockmann wrote. While not as sophisticated as her Troubleshooter series, they are well written and fun to read. If all romance writers were at talented as she is, there would be no negative stereotypes about the genre.

Brockmann, Suzanne. (1997). Frisco's Kid. New York: Silhouette.

The Breach

The Breach by Patrick Lee combines military adventure and science fiction.

Travis Chase is trying to lose himself in Alaska. He was a cop who when to prison and is now trying to figure out the rest of his life. On a hike in the middle of nowhere, designed not to cross paths with anyone, he stumbles across the unbelievable.

The second morning after a fierce thunderstorm, Chase wakes up on the edge of a deep canyon ready to make coffee and enjoy the quiet. When he looks down the hill he see a crashed 747. At first he doesn't believe his eyes - how can a 747 crash without a team of small planes and helicopters searching for the crash site?

Fifteen minutes later, he has packed and raced down the side of the mountain. The plane is mostly intact; it lost one wing and has a couple of splits in the fuselage. When he enters one he sees that it is not a regular passenger plane and everyone on board has been shot.

Following the trail leading away from the plane, following a note left by someone on the plane who died slowly enough to leave it, Chase must find the people who murdered the team on the plane, rescue or kill the hostages, and call someone with the codename Tangent.

Lee has created a plausible scenario where an Ion Collider has opened a rip, or breach, to another place. Through that breach pass technologies far in advance of current Earth society. Tangent has been created to study the things that come through, put some into use and protect others from falling into the wrong hands. Travis Chase will unwillingly become a part of the current Tangent project and it may mean the end of his life.

Lee, Patrick. (2010). The Breach. New York: Harper.

Predator's Gold (Hungry City Chronicles #2)

Predator's Gold is the second book in Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles - a futuristic steampunk adventure series.

Taking place two years after the first book, Tom and Hester have been traveling around the north on the airship Jenny Haniver.

While fleeing from the Green Storm, a radical splinter group of the anti-traction league (a group that wants cities to stop moving around the world on tracks, settle down and re-green the planet), Tom and Hester land on the small city of Anchorage.

Anchorage is making its way across the ice, around Greenland, in an attempt to make it to the Dead Continent of America - all based on the book of an alternative historian.

Together with the people of Anchorage, Tom and Hester will fight the Green Storm, fight ice pirates, and run from the larger city of Arkangel, all in an attempt to survive.

Reeve is a master storyteller who has created a fascinating and believable future with compelling characters and a thrilling plot.

Reeve, Philip. (2003). Predator's Gold. New York: EOS.

Dragon's Kin (a novel of Pern)

Dragon's Kin by Anne McCaffrey and her son Todd McCaffrey is one of the many wonderful books that take place on the planet Pern. Anne began the series in 1968 and Todd joined her in 2003.

Kindan, the son of a miner, lives with his father and siblings in the new mining camp of Natalon. If the mine proves successful, it will become a viable hold and part of the holds, forts, and weyrs that make up the civilization of Pern.

Kindan's father and his watch-wher, a cousin to dragons, help in the mines to keep the miners safe. A watch-wher can see i the dark and is useful for sniffing out bad air and communicating it to his or her human.

When an accident leaves Kindan an orphan he move in with his teacher, the Harper, to learn the way of becoming a Harper. Though he is of course sad about the loss of his father and brothers, he never wanted to be a miner so this may be the chance to change his future. But the accident also left the mine without a watch-wher, which puts the miners in greater danger.

In this tale of helping your community versus pursuing your dreams, the McCaffreys have created another tale that fans of Pern will devour. The entire Pern collection is made up of great storytelling, fantastical creatures, and endearing characters. It is a must read for all fantasy and science fiction fans as well as those who just love a great story.

McCaffrey, Anne and Todd. (2003). Dragon's Kin. New York: Del Rey.

Mastered by Love (Bastion Club #8)

Mastered by Love is the final book in the Bastion Club series by Stephanie Laurens.

Dalziel has spent the last sixteen years serving his country as the master of a spy ring that helped to best Napoleon. At the end of a stellar career, his only failure is to capture the last known spy. After trying more than once he has to face facts that it is time to go home and reclaim his place within the upper class of English society as Royce Varisey.

Before he can finish packing his office, he receives word that his father has died making him the Duke of Wolverstone. Royce races home to attend to his father's funeral and take over Wolverstone. After a sixteen year absence, he will need the help of his father's chatelaine, Miranda Chesterton.

Miranda has lived at Wolverstone since she was six. Her mother was Royce's mother's best friend. The Variseys took her in and raised her as a daughter. Miranda made a promise to both of Royce's parents on their death beds - she would see him become the next Duke of Wolverstone, including finding him a wife as his position requires.

This final Bastion Club novel has the suspense and romance of all of the others. It is the culmination of eight previous books - the leader of the men in books 1 -7 now has to find his own wife, but not a typical wife of the era - he want a partner to share his life with.

Laurens, Stephanie. (2009). Mastered by Love. New York: Avon Books.

Mortal Engines (Hungry City Chronicles #1)

Mortal Engines is the first book in Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles. Though the series takes place way in the future, it has the feel of a steampunk novel.

In the future, cities move about. They are on huge tracks and the travel to find resources - meaning smaller cities, suburbs and town they can overpower and incorporate into themselves. It is a time of Municipal Darwinism.

Tom is a low level apprentice in the Historian guild in the city of London. His parents died when he was younger and since they were historians he is being raised to be one. When London overtakes a smaller town, Tom is sent to the Gut to make sure any artifacts with possible historical significance are given to the Museum to process.

In the Gut he runs into the city's Head Historian, the archeologist (and Tom's hero) Thaddeus Valentine and his daughter Katherine. When a young woman who has been captured with the new city breaks out of line and tries to kill Valentine, Tom stops her and the runs after her to capture her.

In the chaos both Tom and the girl he was chasing, Hester Shaw, end up down a garbage chute and dropped below the city into the Out-Country - sea of mud and huge caterpillar tracks from passing cities. Now London is steaming off to the horizon while Tom and Hester have to find a way back, Tom back to the only city he has ever lived in and Hester to avenge the killing of her parents.

Reeve is a master of imagination and plot. Mortal Engines is the first book in a six book series that will delight fans of adventure, science fiction and steampunk. After reading his Larklight trilogy, I vowed to read all of Reeve's books -and am looking forward to every page of the Hungry City Chronicles.

Reeve, Philip. (2001). Mortal Engines. New York: EOS.

The Midnight House (John Wells #4)

The Midnight House by Alex Berenson is the fourth book in the John Wells series - a CIA agent with a specialty in counter-terrorism and Al Qaeda.

After taking some time to himself to recover from his last mission, John is called back to the agency to find a killer. Someone is killing members of a secret interrogation team. The ten-member team was set up deal with the toughest jihadis caught by the US. The team, 673, could use any means necessary to extract information - as long as it did not leave marks.

Now four members of the team are dead and one is missing. Wells and his boss Ellis Schafer have been asked to look around, outside of the official FBI investigation.

Berenson has created an espionage, terrorism, political thriller with so many twists and turns you will need to wear a seat belt to read it. His main character is someone readers will hope is really out there working on our side.

Berenson, Alex. (2010). The Midnight House. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Without Warning (After America #1)

Without Warning by John Birmingham is a story of what would happen if the United States disappeared.

In 2003, on the brink of war in Iraq, a wave of energy hits the continental United States - covering all of the country except the North West corner of Washington State. Most of Canada is hit East of Edmonton and the wave extends south almost to Acapulco. Cuba is covered except for the area around the Guantanamo Bay base. And everywhere within the wave life has stopped. The people and animals are disappeared.

Two minutes after the wave struck, electronic surveillance is back up. Cameras in cities across the continent show an astonishing number of car accidents, planes and trains begin to crash, and the rest of the world is in shock. People outside the edge of the wave can see a wall of energy that extends into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, millions of people cease to exist and the protector/bully of the planet is no longer in a place to ensure peace or stability. The US dollar now has nothing backing it and become worthless.

Birmingham's look at a world suddenly without the US is a science fiction masterpiece. Regardless of your feelings about the role the US plays in international relations, it cannot be argued that is has a heavy influence on the behavior of people around globe. This fascinating novel is set off your imagination in a way that is hard to recover from once you finish the book. Luckily, the second book, After America, comes out this month.

Birmingham, John. (2009). Without Warning. New York: Ballantine Books.

The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs #7)

The Mapping of Love and Death is the seventh book in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear.

Maisie Dobbs is an investigator and psychologist in early 20th century London. In her current case, the body of an American mapmaker is discovered in a farmer's field in France - along with the rest of the group of surveyors - who died in the Great War. A packet of letters with his body makes his parents think that there was a woman who knew him during the war. They would like to find her to hear stories of the last months of their son's life.

When Michael Clifton's parents travel to London to engage Maisie, the information they bring sets her on a path that will follow the life of Michael Clifton from the land he purchased in California to his decision to enlist in the British army as a mapmaker to his time in France when he met a woman with whom he fell in love.

During the course of her investigation, Maisie must endure the passing of her mentor - the man who guided her education and career from the time she was a maid in the house of Lord Compton. And for the first time since the Great War Maisie will find herself falling in love.

Winspear weaves a great mystery surrounded by changes in Maisie Dobbs - a character fans have fell in love with six books ago. Dobbs is a compassionate, loving woman with insight that most of us do not gain in our lives. And it is a joy to continue to read of her live in Winspear's books.

Winspear, Jacqueline. (2010). The Mapping of Love and Death. New York: HarperCollins.

The Rembrandt Affair (Gabriel Allon #10)

The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva is the 10th book in his Gabriel Allon series. Gabriel is an art restorer of the highest quality and a Mossad agent to keeps trying to retire.

The only thing that could pull him away from his cliff-side cottage, his wife Chiara, and a beautiful painting that needs his attention is the theft of a previously unknown Rembrandt. The painting was being restored quietly in Glastonbury, England when the restorer was killed and the painting disappeared.

But in the way of Daniel Silva's books, the painting is only one piece of a puzzle that will include international intrigue, murder, conspiracy, and more. Silva is a phenomenal writer whose books are addictive.

Read the series starting from the beginning with The Kill Artist.

Silva, Daniel. (2010). The Rembrandt Affair. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Dangerous Games (Tempting SEALs #2)

Dangerous Games by Lora Leigh is the second story in her Tempting SEALs series.
.
Clint McIntyre and Morganna Chavez have been in love with each other for years. But they are still fighting the attraction to each other.
.
During a DEA investigation, Morganna goes under cover at a ring of sex clubs to stop a new date rape drug that is being tested. Most of the women and men who have been slipped the drug have died. The others do not come out the ordeal much better off once the tapes of what was done to them hit the pornography market.
.
While Morganna is at one of the club she runs into Clint who is a regular. When Clint finds out why Morganna is there he is both relieved and angry. He has always been protective of her and volunteers to help the DEA if she is reassigned to a desk somewhere.
.
But Morganna's cover may have already been blown. She is in this game whether she wants to be or not. Now they must work together to prevent other women from being harmed. And Clint will need all of his Navy SEAL training to keep Morganna safe.
.
Leigh has written a novel of hard core romantic suspense (bordering on erotica) that will leave readers wanting more.
.
Leigh, Lora. (2006). Dangerous Games. New York: St. Martin's Paperbacks.

First Strike (Chance #4)

First Strike is the fourth book featuring Rich and Jade Chance written by Jack Higgins and Justin Richards.

While at the White House for a personal thank you from the president of the United States, Rich and Jade Chance and their father John, learn of a plot by a rebel group in China. Unfortunately, they do not realize until too late to save the White House from being taken over by terrorists.

Now Rich and Jade must fight for their lives along with everyone else in the West Wing. The President and the football that controls the nuclear launch codes must be protected at all costs.

The Chance series is pure adrenaline from page one to the end. This latest book is no exception. Don't read these books if you don't like heart-stopping action.

Higgins, Jack & Justin Richards. (2010). First Strike. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.