Battle Ground (The Dresden Files #17)

 Battle Ground ( The Dresden Files #17)

by Jim Butcher

Pages: 418 

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Though this novel lacks the usual tongue-in-check humor Dresden is known for, the action in this story leaves no room for it. The preceding novel, Peace Talks, and all the books before lead up to this moment. 

Dresden has never faced worst odds. He has battled and survived vampires, zombies, a mysterious island and even fallen angels. But an old being has arisen and decided that she is going to rule the Earth once more. The last Titan has brought an army to Chicago and decided to wage her first battle here. 

Paranormal forces of all kinds, arrive in Chicago and choose sides. In this case some of Harry's worst enemies may be his greatest allies. 

Harry’s mission is simple but impossible: Save the city by killing a Titan. Just the attempt will change Harry’s life, Chicago, and the mortal world forever.

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

This book was awesome. Lovecraftian horror infects two families in Chicago during 1950s Jim Crow era.  Tentacled rock monsters, a secret cult society of alchemists, mechanical clockwork space machinery, ghost mansions, demon dolls, and those aren't even the really scary parts. Set up as a collection of interrelated short stories, it makes for a really fun yet thought-provoking read. Also, I hear it is being turned into an HBO series soon!

Fun, social-commentary filled horror.

372 pages

Liar, Liar by K.J. Larsen

Summary: "Pants on Fire Detective Agency: We catch liars and cheats.' Burned by her run-around ex-husband Johnnie Ricco, Caterina DeLuca took the skills she mastered during marriage and opened her own private eye agency. Now she's a second-story woman, armed with a camera, ready to print 8x10 glossies for use in divorce court. The men in her big, whacko family, all Chicago cops--one a crook--aren't sure what to make of Cat's career choice. But hey, it's serve and protect! Then one day Rita Polansky retains Cat. Rita's liar-liar husband is the mysterious, but seriously hot, Chance Savino. Cat is hot on his heels when an exploding building hurls her out of her stilettos and into the hospital..."

Liar, Liar is the first installment of the Cat DeLuca mysteries. I listened to it as an audiobook, but wish I had read the print version. The narrator's voice was scratchy and awkward. Cat is about to turn 30, but the lady narrating the book sounded much older. It was a bit off-putting. 

Anyway, the entire set-up and story was a less-funny, less-unique version of the Stephanie Plum books. Cat's life had some funny moments, but overall, the mystery was lame and confusing. I found myself not caring about it by half-way through the book. She's also incredibly gullible and dim during a few cringe-worthy moments. Chance's encounters with "DeLucky" as he calls her were fun but did not occur often enough. 

I may give the rest of the series another shot in the future. 

237 pages

A Lot Like Love by Julie James

Summary: "As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city's top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there's only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fund-raiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother's release from prison, Jordan is going to be there--with a date supplied by the Bureau."

A Lot Like Love is the second installment of Julie James' FBI/U.S. Attorney romance series. It was a fun read, but I never connected to the characters as much as I did in the first book. It was nice to see Cameron Lynde and Jack Pallas show up in this book as well! I plan to finish the series as they are witty and the story is well-told. 

Couple = Jordan Rhodes + Nick McCall

289 pages

Jazz by Gary Giddins and Scott DeVeaux

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Traces and talks about the evolution of jazz. Parishes of New Orleans sparked the fermenting of jazz, later Chicago became a magnet when southerners moved north. Kansas City was hot in the 30’s and LA was in the 50’s, but New York became the focus where jazz matured.

Audio:  29 hrs. 45 min.

Print:  619 pages

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Summary: "When wealthy, seemingly perfect Brittany and Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, develop a relationship after Alex discovers that Brittany is not exactly who she seems to be, they must face the disapproval of their schoolmates--and others."

Perfect Chemistry is the classic trope of pretty girl falls for bad boy, and it's really juicy! It has a few other typical high school tropes, but the story was still intriguing. The intensity of the story had a lot of potential, and while I don't think it was as good as it could have been, it was still a great read. I enjoyed Alex's character, and his inner turmoil of living up to his gangbanger reputation in the attempt to protect his family was refreshing. 

The series continues with Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction featuring Alex's younger brothers, Carlos and Luis, as the main characters. I might skim those for some more details on Alex and Brittany!

359 pages

Homeland by John Jakes

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Pauli comes to America at age 14.  After a little time living with his uncle, he leaves to work with his artistic skills with his Kodak camera.  He films American history.  785 pages.

"Warrior's Cross" by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

Written by the authors of the Cut & Run series, this book focuses not on Ty & Zane but on Julian Cross, who appears in "Armed & Dangerous."  Every Tuesday night for months, a mysterious man comes to the upscale restaurant Tuesdays, where head waiter Cameron Jacobs serves him.  He rarely says a word, and when he does his soft voice is in sharp contrast to his large frame.  Cameron is always professional but can't keep his eyes off of Cross.  After missing a week, he is back with a cut on his face and one arm in a sling.  Cameron is curious but knows it would be crossing a line to ask what happened.  Who is this intriguing man and will Cameron ever find out what he does the rest of the week?

This was another winner from Urban and Roux.  Fabulous storytelling with two well defined leads that had me rooting for them both.  I don't want to give any spoilers, so I won't say much more except that there were four tiny puppies and two Maine Coon cats involved in several scenes.  (We see them again in "Armed & Dangerous.")  Highly recommended like the other books in the Cut & Run universe.  316 pages (Kindle edition).

"Family Man" by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton

Vincent Fierro is approaching 40 with three failed marriages behind him.  His large, Italian family is worried that he'll never find the right woman, and so is he.  While on a service call at the home of a gay, married couple, he overhears a tearful but tender exchange that stirs a deeply buried longing to connect with another man.  But he can't be gay, can he?  Is he even willing to find out?  If he is, will his family disown him?  Vince confides his inner turmoil to family friend Trey Giles, a twenty-five-year-old college student who is out but doesn't date.  He works two jobs to support his alcoholic mother and elderly grandmother, so his life is complicated, but he likes Vince enough to help.

This was a very well written story about two men with family responsibilities that make their lives harder than they should be.  I won't say more to prevent spoilers but it was sweet, and the authors did a great job.  262 pages (Kindle edition).