Stray by Rachael Vincent

From the Publisher

There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . .
And I'm one of them

I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.

Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays—werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever—and whoever—I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays—'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .

My Comments:

Urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres. This is a new author there has been a lot of buzz about on the Book Group and I was really looking forward to giving it a read.

At first I found the main character, Faythe difficult to like. She was immature, selfish and irresponsible. But she grows up! And it's really a treat to go on that journey with her as she does.

The book starts off with a bang and I've found that books that start off that way are generally going to be a page turner all the way and I wasn't disappointed.

I'm not generally a fan of books featuring Weres. I prefer vampires where my urban fantasy is concerned putting up with weres because they usually tag along with my favorite vampires. These are some weres that I really enjoyed on their own merit. I like that they are werecats and not the common werewolf. The author was really fantastic at capturing cat attitude and mannerisms in her characters. It gave a lot of realism to her characters.

Keep It Or Pass It On?

A member of the book group already requested it.

3rd Degree by James Patterson

From the Publisher

Detective Lindsay Boxer and Assistant District Attorney Jill Bernhardt are enjoying a quiet afternoon in San Francisco when a townhouse across the street explodes in flames. A sinister note signed "August Spies" is found at the scene of the disaster, and the body of an infant who was asleep in the house at the time of the explosion cannot be found. Soon a wave of violent incidents, all with links to political terrorism and involving "August Spies," sweeps through the city. An upcoming economic summit of the world's most powerful nations will surely be a target. And it's up to the Women's Murder Club to get to the bottom of the violence before it's too late. Delivering the breakneck pace and never-saw-it-coming plot twists that have made James Patterson the most addictive writer at work today, 3rd Degree is another searing and unforgettable thriller from the nation's #1 bestselling suspense writer.

My Comments:

I've managed to let myself get behind in another series, and James Patterson's The Women's Murder Club is yet another. Another series my Grandmother had introduced me to, I found it hard to get back into it after her death years ago. But I finally managed to pick it up off my TBR (To Be Read) shelf and here we are!

I enjoy Patterson's books. They go very quickly. Which to me means there isn't a whole lot to think about. Which is okay if you're looking for a fast cheap thrill, and who isn't? Hah! Well, honestly sometimes I want a bit more substance, and I've come to the realization that "The King of Suspense" isn't really where I go for substance. Quick thrills and chills, but not thought provoking prose. And that's just fine when that's what you're looking for.

But this was a good, compelling book. Non stop from page one. There was no slowing down to take a breath. I thought it had some very emotional moments as one of The Women's Murder Club own faces losing one of their own.

I am looking forward to catching up with Fourth of July.


Keep It Or Pass It On?

I'll be passing this one on to another James Patterson lover!

Legacies by F. Paul Wilson

From the Publisher
Repairman Jack isn't your average appliance repairman he fixes situations for people, often risking his own life. Jack has no last name, no social security number, works only for cash, and has no qualms when it comes to seeing that the job gets done.

Dr. Alicia Clayton, a pediatrician who treats children with AIDS, is full of secrets, and she has just inherited a house that holds another. Haunted by painful memories, Alicia wants the house destroyed but somehow everyone she enlists to help ends up violently killed. The house holds a powerful secret, and Alicia's charmless brother Thomas seems willing to do anything to get his hands on that secret himself.

But not if Repairman Jack can find it first!

My Comments:
I completely feel in love with Repairman Jack from his first book, The Tomb. He's an amazing character that the bad guys just can't figure out, and the good guys are blessed to have on their side.

This book was just as much a page turner, although I missed the supernatural aspect of The Tomb slightly. The plot really kept moving at a good pace and I was always sad to have to put it down.

I'm really amazed that Jack has been around for 20 years. He's ageless. The writing is ageless. Some novels seem horribly dated, but Wilson's talent shines through.

I'm doing my best to savor this series and read it slowly. I have 8 more books to read in the series, and I think I'm doing a remarkable job not plowing through them!

Keep It Or Pass It On?
It's already been snatched up at www.paperbackswap.com

The Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner

From the Publisher

A mind-bending code spawned from the mind of a madman...or maybe just a jealous ex.

A desperate race through the cathedrals and hotels of New York City...with a teeny bit of time for shopping, it's true.

An astonishing truth concealed for years, unveiled at last...with more than a little help from a supercute new guy.

As if a recent breakup, scrounging for rent money, and lusting after designer shoes weren't enough to make graduate student Melanie Prescott's life challenging, suddenly she's practically living The Da Vinci Code. A mysterious stranger is sending obscure codes and clues her way and she soon discovers she has to solve them in order to stay alive. With stakes like that, her dissertation on "the derivation and primary characteristics of codes and ciphers used by prevailing nations during wartime" is looking a little less important than it was yesterday. Right now she's just worrying about living to see tomorrow. The only bright spot in the whole freakish nightmare is Matthew Stryker, the six-foot tall, dark, and handsome stranger who's determined to protect her. Well, that and the millions of dollars that will be her reward if she survives this deadly game. And she'd better survive. Because that's a heck of a lot of money to be able to spend on shoes and handbags and sunglasses and dresses, and, well, it's hard to be fashionable when you're dead.

Join bestselling author Julie Kenner on a heel-breaking adventure in code-breaking that will bring out the math geek and the fashionista in you.

My Comments

WAY more fun then that other book with "Code" in the title! A computer game brought to life, Mel is on the run to survive, solving the clues while dodging bullets. It's not as easy as it may sound! Thankfully, Mel has her Protector to help her dodge said bullets while solving ridiculously mathmatic clues I could solve with the left half of my brain tied behind my back. Um, actually that was a total lie. The math was well over my head, but this book served a dual purpose. I actually learned something!

My dear friend is sending me the other books in this trilogy, bless her! *Waves at Tanya*

I'm really quite glad that Julie Kenner realized her gift as a writer and turned away from all that lawyering. Hmmm. Another lawyer turned author. Go figure!

Keep It Or Pass It On?
As much as I enjoyed it, I'll be passing it along for someone else to love.