The Vault (Tyler Locke #2)

The Vault by Boyd Morrison is his second book featuring Tyler Locke.

After discovering Noah's Ark, Tyler Locke received a bit of press. Now, someone has used that information to blackmail Tyler into helping him.

While on the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, Locke receives a call. A voice on the other end says that there is a bomb on the ferry that only Locke can defuse. Once Locke gets to the truck with the bomb, he is joined by Stacy Benedict.

With Locke's engineering skills and Benedict's languages skills they will have to solve an ancient Greek puzzle - that will lead them to the tomb of King Midas and his ability to turn things to gold.


Morrison knows how to write suspenseful, full-adrenaline action adventures based on science and legend. Readers will devour his books.

Morrison, Boyd. (2011). The Vault. New York: Touchstone.

The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1)

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton is the first book in her Play by Play series - a steamy romance series about professional athletes.

Mick Riley is the quarterback for the San Fransisco Sabres. He is at the top of his game. Thanks to his agent, he has a reputation as football's playboy.

Tara Lincoln is an event planner. She is a single mother of a teenage son. One of her biggest events so far is for the Sabres - where she meets Mick.

When Mick shows interest Tara figures she should go for it - it is out of character for her to have a one-night stand, but why not. Her son is out of town for the weekend and she has no other plans.

While Tara thinks of Mick as a great one time deal - based on his bad boy reputation, Mick can't get Tara out of his mind.

Burton has thrown together to seemingly opposite characters who have great chemistry. Readers will enjoy the play by play of their relationship. Look for book two - Changing the Game - about Mick's little brother who plays pro baseball.

Burton, Jaci. (2011). The Perfect Play. New York: Heat.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling is the first book in the Harry Potter series.

Harry Potter is living a dreary life with his aunt, uncle and cousin when he finds out that he is a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

He goes from being ignored or picked on to being a legend. He is the only person to have survived the evil wizard Voldemort's death curse. But Harry knew none of this - he thought his parents died in a car crash, not standing up to evil.

Now Harry, with his new best friends Hermione and Ron, will learn the ropes at Hogwarts.

This first book, on re-reading, is even better than the first time. Upon a second reading, readers will discover the brilliance of JK Rowling. She set things up in the first book that will play out through the series.

Revisit this great series. It is totally worth it.

Rowling, JK. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic.

Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society 2)

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter is the sequel to her book Heist Society.

Katrina Bishop is a thief from a long line of thieves. But she no longer steals - she returns. He is using her skills to return art and other valuables to the people they were stolen from in the first place.

When a woman comes to her using a code name that is sure get results, Kat and her crew attempt to steal the Cleopatra Emerald. The woman claims that the grandfather of the man who now has it stole it from her parents who discovered it on an archaeological dig in Egypt.

But the Cleopatra Emerald has a history of being very difficult to steal - and it is cursed.

Carter has created a team of great characters with the skills of master thieves. Fans of the TV show White Collar will love this series - the best heist books I have read in a while. (And heist books are my second favorite after pirate books!)

Carter, Ally. (2011). Uncommon Criminals. New York: Hyperion Books.

The Final Hour (Homelander #4)

The Final Hour by Andrew Klavan is the final book in the Homelander series.

Charlie West has been on the run with no memory. In the previous book his memory started to return - why he was in prison, how he escaped, if he was a good guy or a bad guy... Now, in this final book, his memory is almost complete and he is sure there is one more thing he needs to do.

It is back in prison - recaptured - that he realizes that the Homelanders have one final attack planned on the US. All of his time undercover with them will be for nothing if he cannot get out of prison to stop the terrorist attack planned for New Years eve.

Klavan's series has been called a teen version of the TV show 24. It is so filled with non-stop action it is crazy. The Homelander series will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Klavan, Andrew. (2011). The Final Hour. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Full Black (Scot Harvath #10)

Full Black by Brad Thor is the tenth book in his Scot Harvath series. Harvath has done about everything possible in service to his country - Navy SEAL, Secret Service, President's Assassin and now private contractor.

With the change of the administration, Scot went to work for the Carlton Group - ex special forces contracted to the government in secret to get the job done when police or FBI cannot.

The latest assignment is to stop a terrorist organization. After taking out the former leader, Harvath is leading another mission against the group. But other cells have been activated in the US and attacks will begin soon.

Thor is a brilliant writer whose thrillers will keep readers up all night fully engaged in the life of Scot Harvath as he tries to protect the US from terrorists. His research into politics, economics, and more give this novel a feel of being real. Start with The Lions of Lucerne and read them all.

Thor, Brad. (2011). Full Black. New York: Atria Books.

The Truth of the Matter (Homelander #3)

The Truth of the Matter is the third book in Andrew Klavan's Homelander series.

Charlie West is on the run from both the police and the Homelanders - homegrown American terrorists who want to replace the current government. He had no memory of the last year - during which he was convicted of murder, escaped from jail, and became a terrorist.

Now he is looking for one man who may be able to help him. If he can find Waterman he may be able to clear his name.

In this continuation of Charlie's story, he will begin to get his memory back. And thought his life will make more sense to him, it will no become any less complicated.

Klavan has written and fast-paced thriller that readers will devour.

Klavan, Andrew. (2010). The Truth of the Matter. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Portrait of a Spy (Gabriel Allon #11)

Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva is his eleventh book in the Gabriel Allon series - a spy who just wants to be retired to work on restoring paintings, but who keeps getting pulled back into espionage.

Gabriel and Chiara are retired. They are living on the Cornwall coast where Gabriel is restoring a Rembrandt. Though they are living under false names to hide from past enemies, they are settling into retired life.

But when they visit London and try to go out for a quiet lunch in Convent Garden, Gabriel see a man he is sure is a suicide bomber. Being a Israeli Mossad agent, he is trained to notice the signs.

Of course Gabriel cannot let the man blow up a major shopping area in London - so once again Gabriel and Chiara are pulled back into the Office.

Silva is a master storyteller. His writing draws reader into the story before the end of the first page, delighting us with skill. His characters are flawed and beautiful - the type of people we hope are really watching our backs in this new world of terrorism. His action and pace leave up breathless and up all night reading. And then pacing until he finishes writing the next installment. Read the Gabriel Allon series - it is one of the best ever written.

Silva, Daniel. (2011). Portrait of a Spy. New York: Harper.

Trace of Fever (Edge of Honor #2)

Trace of Fever by Lori Foster is the second book in her Edge of Honor series.

Trace Rivers is undercover. He has infiltrated the offices of a man he knows is a human trafficker. Since his sister was kidnapped (and luckily rescued) he has dedicated his life to taking out the people who would subject others to the torture Alani endured.

While at work, Priscilla Patterson shows up. She claims she is the daughter of the trafficker. Trace thinks she has an agenda and does not want to see her hurt.

Foster's novel is full of suspense - the subject so dark that the romance is overshadowed a bit by the seriousness. The queasiness caused by reading about human trafficking should make readers more aware of this horrible practice that does not only affect women and children in other countries.

Foster's characters are great and readers will be thrilled to see them in the other novels of the series. Her suspense is engaging and readers will stay up late for the romance as well.

Foster, Lori. (2011). Trace of Fever. New York: HQN.