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.

Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10). By Ilona Andrews.

Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10). By Ilona Andrews. 2019. Ace Books. ISBN-13: 9780425270721 (paperback).

Diane take note, the Kate Daniels series is a damn fine cup of coffee.

439 pages

The Friend Zone (End of the Line #1). By Sariah Wilson.

The Friend Zone (End of the Line #1). By Sariah Wilson. 2019. Montlake Romance. ASIN: B07L5M7DYY (Kindle).

An entertaining read it if you like the slow burn, college jock/tutor & forbidden relationship tropes.

299 pages

Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers #1). By Sarina Bowen, Narrators: Nicol Zanzarella, Rock Engle.

Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers #1). By Sarina Bowen, Narrators: Nicol Zanzarella, Rock Engle. 2016. Blackstone Audiobooks. ISBN-13: 9781504755887 (Unabridged audiobook, 9 hrs, 53 mins).

Hockey romance full of heart, humor and heat. Engle and Zanzarella deliver excellent narrations for rookie Leo Trevi and team publicist Georgia Worthington.

Entertaining, Page-turner, Happily Ever After, Romantic, Original, Great world building, Steamy, Wonderful characters, Excellent narration

326 pages

Power Play (Blades Hockey #1). By Maria Luis, Narrators: Elizabeth Hart, Joe Hempel.

Power Play (Blades Hockey #1). By Maria Luis, Narrators: Elizabeth Hart, Joe Hempel. 2017. Tantor Audio. ASIN: B0787KDC6S (Unabridged audiobook, 5 hrs, 14 mins).

The Blades golden boy and a struggling sports journalist pair up for this series’ opener of sexy hockey players heating up the ice.

Entertaining, Romantic, Wonderful characters, Great narration

194 pages

The Highland Rogue (Lords of the Highlands #7). By Amy Jareki.

The Highland Rogue (Lords of the Highlands #7). By Amy Jareki. 2020. Forever (ARC eBook).

Left by her clan on the desolate Scottish isle of Hyskier, Divana Campbell has survived the last two years on her own by digging up clams and pelting birds with rocks. Now there is an injured man on her beach and she has seen too much of death to not help him.

Sir Kennan Cameron’s ship and crew were set upon by the notorious pirate Jackson Vane and Kennan would not have survived the aftermath if not for the fiery and compassionate Divana. Kennan knows they must leave the isle. Divana deserves a real home within the safety of his clan, and he has every notion to set sail after Vane to get his revenge. As the heir to a powerful chieftan, Divana knows Sir Kennan can not marry someone of her lower station. But she can’t stand to part from him, so she find herself taking to the high seas with Kennan on an adventure full of dangerous pirates and powerful desire.

Looking for a well-crafted Scottish historical romance with a capable and endearingly flirtatious heroine and a rugged Highlander, then look no more. An entertaining read and another great installment in the Lords of the Highlands world! 

352 pages

Scot Under the Covers (Wild Wicked Highlanders #2). By Suzanne Enoch.

Scot Under the Covers (Wild Wicked Highlanders #2). By Suzanne Enoch. 2020. St. Martin’s Paperbacks (ARC ebook).
 

Miranda Harris is known for her charm and good-standing in London society. She is also, as Aden MacTaggert quickly learns, strongly opinionated on gamblers--quite frankly, they are a blight. But when she should be celebrating with her family over her brother’s engagement to Eloise MacTaggert, she is instead horrified to learn that her brother, Mathew, has incurred a devastating debt to Captain Robert Vale, and has promised her hand to the vile man in order to negate the debt. Up til now, Miranda has been able to solve any problem she has encountered, but she is going to need help in order to save her brother’s future happiness, her family’s reputation, and herself..

Miranda approaches the elusive and crafty Aden MacTaggert, her future brother-in-law, and proposes a partnership—she will teach him how to navigate the ton in exchange for him teaching her everything he knows about wagering and how the gambling mind works. With Miranda and Mathew’s secret, Aden has a way to prevent his sister from marrying and thereby escaping his mother’s manipulation, but the more time he spends with Miranda, the more determined he becomes to make her his Sassenach bride.

The first chapter will snare and reel you in with rowdy kilt-wearing, boot-throwing brothers, a scruffy mutt, and a stuffed deer in the foyer collecting ascots and ear bobbers. Scot Under the Covers delivers an engaging pairing with Aden, who is slow to let his heart trust, and Miranda, who always follows the rules. And the plot that plants three highlanders in the midst of London society produces a lively secondary cast and a nice mix of both Regency and Scottish romance elements. Sexiness, charm, and entertaining brogue abound in this fun read by Enoch.

352 pages

All Fired Up (Road to Love #3). By Lori Foster.

All Fired Up (Road to Love #3). By Lori Foster. 2019. HQN Books (ARC eBook).

Working as the office manager at Mustang Transport and considered a part of the Crews family, Charlotte Parrish has seen more than a fair share of trouble follow Brodie and Jack around. And as much as she loves them, she resolved long ago that the man she will give her heart to will be the exact opposite of the “bad boy.” But then Mitch Crews arrives in town.

Mitch is looking for a new start. He’s chosen Red Oak to begin a business and so that he can introduce himself to the two half-brothers he has never met. Mitch is a lot like Brodie and Jack, with a strong physique and protective nature, but he hasn’t had a lot of kindness shown to him in his life. So when Charlotte and the whole Crews bunch rally around him when his past comes after him, he’ll do anything to keep them out of harm’s way.

With this series, Foster delivers on tough, sexy and totally stand up guys. And I’ve loved the dynamic she’s set up between the love interests in each book. And whereas with the first two romances, where the Crews brothers coax their ladies into dropping their shields and accepting love, in All Fired Up it is Charlotte who convinces Mitch, who’s never felt like he belonged anywhere, that he’s found his home.

384 pages

 

Whiteout (Survival Instincts #1). By Adriana Anders.

Whiteout (Survival Instincts #1). By Adriana Anders. 2020. Sourcebooks Casablanca (ARC eBook).

 

As summer at the South Pole is coming to an end, Angel Smith heads out to the supply arch the morning of her planned departure with plans to leave the winter-over crew of Burke-Ruhe a well-stocked kitchen. But in the dark tunnels among preserved food and ice cores, she witnesses a violent scene and barely escapes the attackers.

Suspicious of a series of events that began after he collected some ice cores, glaciologist, Ford Cooper, returns back from the ice fields only to find the station has been abandoned and all communications and power sources sabotaged. When he finds Angel and learns that the attackers did not retrieve what they were looking for, the two have no choice but to set out for another station, as they will soon become the hunted. In the most inhospitable place on earth, Angel and Ford push their strength and resilience to the limits in order to save themselves and thwart the plans of the mysterious Chronos Corporation.

From the first chapter I didn’t want to put this story down. With twists and turns along the way, Anders masterfully layers the tension generated not only by ruthless acts of people, but the very elements that surround Angel and Ford. Snow, ice, wind, frostbite, hypothermia, deep crevasses and the disorienting whiteness the vast Antarctic landscape presents, all works to elevate the world-building and the deepening relationship between two people forced into survival mode. Definitely a must for those who want an edge of your seat suspense with chemistry that burns.

**Does not include bonus novella by Katie Ruggle

412 pages

The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty #2). By Sabrina Jeffries.

The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty #2). By Sabrina Jeffries. 2020. Zebra Books (ARC eBook).

Jefferies’ lively bunch of step-siblings are back and this time it is Lady Gwyn Drake’s turn at finding love. Days away from her long-delayed debut, Gwyn is approached at the Armitage estate by a former suitor who blackmails her over a past affair she has kept hidden. When the meeting turns threatening and Joshua Wolfe, the family’s gamekeeper, intervenes, Gwen’s twin brother, Thorn, asks Joshua to travel with Gwen to London and act as her bodyguard during her debut season. And from there Jefferies delivers a charming romance with a bit of scandal and sabotage.

In The Duchess Project, there was the beginnings of Joshua and Gwen’s interest in each other. And as elusive and temperamental as Joshua proved to be, Gwen was as equally stubborn and provoking, so I was looking forward to their book. And in The Bachelor, Jeffries is deft at transitioning sweet and playful moments into steamy ones between the two.

288 pages

Shades of Wicked (Night Rebel #1). By Jeaniene Frost, Narrator: Tavia Gilbert.

Shades of Wicked (Night Rebel #1). By Jeaniene Frost, Narrator: Tavia Gilbert. 2018. HarperAudio. ISBN-13: 9780062695628 (Unabridged audiobook, 8 hrs, 51 mins).

Wit and sexy times meet high stakes as Ian and Veritas hunt down a demon who has done them both wrong.

A fan of vampires? Definitely read this wildly entertaining installment in the Night Huntress world, but first; go read Vlad and Leila’s Night Prince series (Don’t worry, it’s an excellent series). Why? The Night Rebel is a spin off and the main plot point of Shades of Wicked began and was left hanging in Into the Fire (Night Prince #4).

Page-turner, Witty, Action-packed, Romantic, Unpredictable, Entertaining, Great world building, Steamy, Wonderful characters, Great narration

384 pages

Wicked Bite (Night Rebel #2). By Jeaniene Frost.

Wicked Bite (Night Rebel #2). By Jeaniene Frost. 2020. Avon. ISBN-13: 9780062695635 (Paperback).

Wicked Bite picks up where Shades of Wicked left off. Book #1 set a high bar and Frost delivers on the action, suspense, Ian’s one-liners, and of course, the sexy times. But Veritas’s internal monologues about her past and half-demigod nature did make it feel like those parts of the book could have been tightened up.

I had expected this book to wrap up the series, but a new plot line came to visit Veritas at the end and I’m looking forward to next adventure for these two crazy kids.

Page-turner, Witty, Action-packed, Romantic, Unpredictable, Entertaining, Great world building, Steamy, Wonderful characters

371 pages

Hero’s Haven (Dark Protectors #11). By Rebecca Zanetti.

Hero’s Haven (Dark Protectors #11). By Rebecca Zanetti. 2020. Lyrical Press (ARC eBook).

For centuries, vampire-demon hybrid, Quade Karys, has been in another dimension, far away from Earth and his family. As a member of The Seven, his purpose was to keep a dangerous enemy imprisoned within a pocket between worlds. But just as Quade feels his body and mind failing and succumbing to delusions of a beautiful woman that visits him, the dimension collapses. He is saved by his beautiful stranger by traveling back to Earth through a portal of her creation. Now, he and Haven Daly are being are being pursued by Ulric’s followers, who want to use Haven’s abilities to return Ulric to Earth.

Quade’s reintegration into a world he has long been parted from leads to some humorous scenes, especially his discovered fondness for eating mint toothpaste. And as the two search for the surviving members of Quade’s family, Haven discovers that she is a part of a world she never knew existed; one that has vampires, demons, shifters, fae and more. All the while, the two of them have to adjust to each other and Haven is as stubborn as Quade is overprotective.

The world Zanetti has created is full of action, romance and humor that will keep readers coming back to this series.

306 pages

Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty #1). By Sabrina Jeffries.

Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty #1). By Sabrina Jeffries. 2019. Zebra Books. AISN: B07HVXS62T (Kindle).

This charming duke, turned reluctant amateur detective, keeps losing focus of his investigation when he falls for Beatrice, his mother’s “project” and his suspected murder accomplice.

Jeffries weaves flirty banter, fun family drama, and a bit of mystery into this endearing romance.

Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Steamy, Wonderful characters

352 pages

Driven to Distraction (Road to Love #1). By Lori Foster, Narrator: John Lane.

Driven to Distraction (Road to Love #1). By Lori Foster, Narrator: John Lane. 2018. Harlequin Audio. ISBN-13: 9781488205408 (Unabridged audiobook, 9 hrs, 20 mins).

With each transport assignment Brody and Mary embark on, he proves to her that the chemistry building between them is undeniable.

Action-packed, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Steamy, Wonderful characters, Great narration
 
384 pages

Slow Ride (Road to Love #2). By Lori Foster, Narrator: John Lane.

Slow Ride (Road to Love #2). By Lori Foster, Narrator: John Lane. 2019. Harlequin Audio. ISBN-13: 9781488205859 (Unabridged audiobook, 9 hrs, 18 mins).

This second installment in the Road to Love series delivers again on lovable rescue animals, sexual tension, and a bit of suspense in a fascinating backdrop for this opposites attract couple.

Action-packed, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Steamy, Wonderful characters, Great narration

384 pages

Not His Werewolf (Not This #2). By Annie Nicholas.

Not His Werewolf (Not This #2). By Annie Nicholas. 2017. Annie Nicholas. ASIN: B071DNP1L9 (Kindle).

A fated mates story with a charming and earnest werewolf and his lady love who worries he might have been tranquilized by animal control one too many times. One cranky dragon included.

461 pages

A Horse Named Dragon (The Boxcar Children #114). By Gertrude Chandler Warner, Narrator: Aimee Lilly.

A Horse Named Dragon (The Boxcar Children #114). By Gertrude Chandler Warner, Narrator: Aimee Lilly. 2014. Oasis Audio. ISBN-13: 9781621883456 (Unabridged audiobook, 1 hr, 45 mins).

For a nostalgic read/listen, you can’t go wrong with this entertaining Children’s mystery series.

128 pages

Once in a Lifetime (Lucky Harbor #9). By Jill Shalvis, Narrator: Annie Greene.

Once in a Lifetime (Lucky Harbor #9). By Jill Shalvis, Narrator: Annie Greene. 2014. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781478982203 (Unabridged audiobook, 9 hrs, 28 mins).

If you like small town charm and finding love where you least expect it, you’ll love this!

Romantic, Entertaining, Wonderful Characters, Steamy, Great Narration 

368 pages

The Heist (Fox and O’Hare Series #1). By Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, Narrator: Scott Brick.

The Heist (Fox and O’Hare Series #1). By Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, Narrator: Scott Brick. 2013. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group. ISBN-13: 9780385366953 (Unabridged audiobook, 8 hrs, 27 mins).

The FBI teams up with the Most Wanted.

Action-packed, Entertaining, Page-turner, Witty, Wonderful Characters, Great Narration

320 pages