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Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated The Protector in Books
Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Book Review | The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas
I love Jodi Ellen Malpas books I've read This man trilogy 3 months ago here is the book review for this here http://bit.ly/2fv5RN0.
Wow, what can I say this book is worth the purchase ;)
The story is about a beautiful spoiled daddy's girl Camille Logan but there is more to meet the eye she wants her life free from her dad's money and she wants to be more independent and earn her own money. Her father is a businessman but he gets himself into some dodgy dealing and starts having enemies around him. Her father Trevor Logan receives a blackmailing letter if he doesn't do what they say they would kidnap his daughter. So Logan hires a bodyguard for Camille and his an ex-SAS sniper Jake Sharp. Wow, his everything women wish for tall dark haired and built like a god ;). Camille doesn't like that she as to have him around everywhere she goes but she can deny the attraction she gets from him.
But Jake Sharp as his own personal problems from his past what are still running through his mind and he can jeopardise his job by letting his guard down and let Camille in body and soul ;) but Jake didn't really expect her to be warm and independent as he feels she will be a spoiled daddy's girl but soon he realise what she really likes and he can stop his feelings for her but women and Jake don't mix well but he soon realise that she not like other women he's slept with.
I really love this book it really gripped with the chemistry between Camille and Jake but I love how Jodi Ellen Malpas brings in the thrilling story and you questioning through the book who wants to harm Trevor and his daughter Camille.
Its worth every penny I hope there is a second book because their stories as grabbed me and I want more :)
Thank you for writing this book Jodi x
Wow, what can I say this book is worth the purchase ;)
The story is about a beautiful spoiled daddy's girl Camille Logan but there is more to meet the eye she wants her life free from her dad's money and she wants to be more independent and earn her own money. Her father is a businessman but he gets himself into some dodgy dealing and starts having enemies around him. Her father Trevor Logan receives a blackmailing letter if he doesn't do what they say they would kidnap his daughter. So Logan hires a bodyguard for Camille and his an ex-SAS sniper Jake Sharp. Wow, his everything women wish for tall dark haired and built like a god ;). Camille doesn't like that she as to have him around everywhere she goes but she can deny the attraction she gets from him.
But Jake Sharp as his own personal problems from his past what are still running through his mind and he can jeopardise his job by letting his guard down and let Camille in body and soul ;) but Jake didn't really expect her to be warm and independent as he feels she will be a spoiled daddy's girl but soon he realise what she really likes and he can stop his feelings for her but women and Jake don't mix well but he soon realise that she not like other women he's slept with.
I really love this book it really gripped with the chemistry between Camille and Jake but I love how Jodi Ellen Malpas brings in the thrilling story and you questioning through the book who wants to harm Trevor and his daughter Camille.
Its worth every penny I hope there is a second book because their stories as grabbed me and I want more :)
Thank you for writing this book Jodi x
Bobby Moore to Thierry Henry: A Girl's Own Story
Liz Heade and Dan Leydon
Book
You never forget where you were or who you were with when you watched your first World Cup, or your...
It's Not Raining, Daddy, it's Happy
Book
Ben Brooks-Dutton's wife - the great love of his life - was knocked down and killed by a car as he...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Baking Me Crazy (Donner Bakery #1) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
So this starts with Levi and his best friend - and love of his life - Joss heading to Donner Bakery where Joss is starting work. He's been in love with her for the past five years but she just sees him as her best friend. It's on her first day at the bakery that she meets an attractive new guy who openly flirts with her and buys her a cupcake and Joss suddenly has all these feelings running through her. Levi eventually finds out about the guy and realises he has to do something to make Joss see him as more than best friend material.
I'll be honest, this took a lot of getting into initially. It was a slow build up. We know he's in love with her, she just sees him as a friend. It took until somewhere around half way through before anything really happened. It was cute after that. And then we have the PT job that Levi applied to a while ago and how that's going to affect their relationship.
I think this may be the first book I've read where a character is in a wheelchair. Joss was having physical therapy to try and help her walk better since she was only paralyzed from the knees down but she was amazing with her chair. She did pretty much every sport that was possible from her chair, worked out regularly with Levi and could pop a wheelie whenever she wanted.
This was a rather sweet story but it took a little too long to properly get going, in my opinion, so my attention had started to wane by the time they did finally even think of turning their friendship into more.
I read a Winston Brothers book a while ago and I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan but Cletus popping up in this has made me want to read his and Jenn's story at least.
I'll be honest, this took a lot of getting into initially. It was a slow build up. We know he's in love with her, she just sees him as a friend. It took until somewhere around half way through before anything really happened. It was cute after that. And then we have the PT job that Levi applied to a while ago and how that's going to affect their relationship.
I think this may be the first book I've read where a character is in a wheelchair. Joss was having physical therapy to try and help her walk better since she was only paralyzed from the knees down but she was amazing with her chair. She did pretty much every sport that was possible from her chair, worked out regularly with Levi and could pop a wheelie whenever she wanted.
This was a rather sweet story but it took a little too long to properly get going, in my opinion, so my attention had started to wane by the time they did finally even think of turning their friendship into more.
I read a Winston Brothers book a while ago and I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan but Cletus popping up in this has made me want to read his and Jenn's story at least.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Love, Hate, and Other Filters in Books
Apr 15, 2021
A lovely teen read that delves into deep topics
This is the twelfth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
Maya Aziz feels like she lives two lives. In one, she's the dutiful daughter to her Indian Muslim parents: attending college near home, marrying a suitable Muslim boy, and becoming a lawyer. In the other, she goes to school in New York City to become a filmmaker and falls in love with whomever she wants--maybe even Phil, the boy she's loved forever. And in Maya's real world, horrible things happen, often hate crime motivated, that can turn her world upside down.
This is such a beautiful book, and I completely fell in love with Maya and her voice. As the child of the only Indian Muslim family in her small suburban Chicago town, she's always felt different. She dreams of making films, not conforming the way her parents desire. But she also wants to please them. And she's scared, as she deals with all the terrible bigotry and Islamophobia that her family faces.
Ahmed writes so lyrically, weaving her story about Maya finding her way in the world, while still painting a stark and timely picture of racism. It's a bit of a love story, yes, but also one of discovering yourself and finding strength in yourself and the people around you. Maya and Phil's relationship is sweet, and it's so easy to root for her on all levels.
I found this to be a profound read. In many ways, it's simply about a teenager trying to stand up for herself, but it also speaks deeply about Islamophobia. It's often sad, but it's quite hopeful too. I found myself tearing up a bit while reading. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars.
Maya Aziz feels like she lives two lives. In one, she's the dutiful daughter to her Indian Muslim parents: attending college near home, marrying a suitable Muslim boy, and becoming a lawyer. In the other, she goes to school in New York City to become a filmmaker and falls in love with whomever she wants--maybe even Phil, the boy she's loved forever. And in Maya's real world, horrible things happen, often hate crime motivated, that can turn her world upside down.
This is such a beautiful book, and I completely fell in love with Maya and her voice. As the child of the only Indian Muslim family in her small suburban Chicago town, she's always felt different. She dreams of making films, not conforming the way her parents desire. But she also wants to please them. And she's scared, as she deals with all the terrible bigotry and Islamophobia that her family faces.
Ahmed writes so lyrically, weaving her story about Maya finding her way in the world, while still painting a stark and timely picture of racism. It's a bit of a love story, yes, but also one of discovering yourself and finding strength in yourself and the people around you. Maya and Phil's relationship is sweet, and it's so easy to root for her on all levels.
I found this to be a profound read. In many ways, it's simply about a teenager trying to stand up for herself, but it also speaks deeply about Islamophobia. It's often sad, but it's quite hopeful too. I found myself tearing up a bit while reading. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars.
Kristina (502 KP) rated Empire of Storms in Books
Dec 7, 2020
What?! What?! I can’t even… I’m literally speechless. How in the world do I try to explain how amazing, how intricate, how mind-blowingly shocking this part of the series is? There are no words. There is no way to adequately explain it – any attempt would be a vast understatement, the book being so overwhelming, no explanation could ever amount to its greatness. I began this series fully aware that it was unfinished, that the final book had yet to be released, but I became intrigued at my sister’s recommendation. So, I chose to begin reading, still unsure of whether I’d even enjoy the story, and very quickly became enthralled with the plot, with the characters, with the mystery. My love grew stronger with each book, even if I didn’t truly care for Assassin’s Blade as much as the rest, and my love turned into infatuation. More characters were introduced, more for to care about and hope would survive the unavoidable bloodbath I know will be coming their way. Each encounter with the Valg, each life and death situation, with every drop of blood that spilled, I held my breath in anticipation of preparing for the worst. Then that ending. The one that made me stick my tongue out at all the people who doubted Aelin and her strength, wisdom, and courage, that ending that made me pray for a thousand more pages; that ending that left me staring at my wall in total and utter desolation. What have I done, by reading this when the last part is so far off from being published? Why have I tortured myself in such a way? My only answer: I love a good story and I couldn’t stay away from this one, finished or not, once I got started. Also, apparently, I’m a masochist and enjoy torturing myself, because that is what it will be as I await the final chapter of Aelin’s destiny: pure torture.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Something New - Single by Ollie Gabriel in Music
Jul 10, 2019
Ollie Gabriel is a talented soul singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, he released an adorable music video for his “Something New (From “Songland”)” single.
“We’re living in a world so fast. Not a lot of things that last. But there’s one thing that’s gon stay. I still got that old kind of loving. The kind that don’t leave, that don’t bend, that don’t break. I still got that old kinda loving.” – lyrics
‘Something New’ tells an evergreen tale of a young guy who cherishes an idealistic moment shared between him and his significant other.
While looking into her beautiful eyes, he reveals that his love for her will remain until they are old and grey. Therefore, they should close their eyes, take their time, and hang on to every second like it’s their last.
Later, he admits that a love like theirs doesn’t come around every day, so that’s why they should try something new and bring back that old thing again.
‘Something New’ contains a timeless love story and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the lovable tune possesses lush instrumentation flavored with R&B and classic soul ingredients.
Ollie Gabriel, a Louisiana native, was introduced to the American public by way of NBC’s new groundbreaking series, entitled, Songland.
During the show, five songwriters competed and performed their original song for the chance to have it recorded by a celebrity artist.
Long-story-short, Gabriel performed and pitched his original song to John Legend, and the rest is history.
Ollie Gabriel’s inspirational debut single, “Running Man”, has over 22M streams online via Spotify.
He has performed around the world, televised to millions and to concert audiences of 40,000+ fans. Also, he’s a talented producer with over 500 sync placements in film and tv since 2009.
His music has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, Ray Donovan, Shameless, and Deadliest Catch to name a few.
“In 2017, Ollie Gabriel married his longtime girlfriend who inspired the song he performed on NBC’s Songland.”
“We’re living in a world so fast. Not a lot of things that last. But there’s one thing that’s gon stay. I still got that old kind of loving. The kind that don’t leave, that don’t bend, that don’t break. I still got that old kinda loving.” – lyrics
‘Something New’ tells an evergreen tale of a young guy who cherishes an idealistic moment shared between him and his significant other.
While looking into her beautiful eyes, he reveals that his love for her will remain until they are old and grey. Therefore, they should close their eyes, take their time, and hang on to every second like it’s their last.
Later, he admits that a love like theirs doesn’t come around every day, so that’s why they should try something new and bring back that old thing again.
‘Something New’ contains a timeless love story and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the lovable tune possesses lush instrumentation flavored with R&B and classic soul ingredients.
Ollie Gabriel, a Louisiana native, was introduced to the American public by way of NBC’s new groundbreaking series, entitled, Songland.
During the show, five songwriters competed and performed their original song for the chance to have it recorded by a celebrity artist.
Long-story-short, Gabriel performed and pitched his original song to John Legend, and the rest is history.
Ollie Gabriel’s inspirational debut single, “Running Man”, has over 22M streams online via Spotify.
He has performed around the world, televised to millions and to concert audiences of 40,000+ fans. Also, he’s a talented producer with over 500 sync placements in film and tv since 2009.
His music has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, Ray Donovan, Shameless, and Deadliest Catch to name a few.
“In 2017, Ollie Gabriel married his longtime girlfriend who inspired the song he performed on NBC’s Songland.”
Soul Survivor: A Biography of Al Green
Book
The bestselling author of Shakey: Neil Young's Biography presents the first in-depth biography of...
Music biography
TD
The Dragon Flyers Series: Books 1-3: The Dragon Flyers Collection
Book
A secret club. An evil foe. Three friends against incredible odds … All David wants is to be a...
middle grade middle grade fantasy fantasy mg fantasy
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Down These Strange Streets in Books
Mar 1, 2018
This anthology gathers stories from authors who normally write in various genres. The commonality is that each story is a mystery, and there's a fantastic twist to each. Martin's introduction calls such stories the "bastard stepchild" of mystery and horror.
[a:Charlaine Harris|17061|Charlaine Harris|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1307925926p2/17061.jpg]'; "Death by Dahlia," set in the Sookie Stackhouse universe, is one of a series of stories about the vampire Dahlia Lynley-Chivers. Each story stands alone, but my enjoyment grows greater with each addition to her tales. I'd much rather see Dahlia as the main character of a novel than Sookie, to be honest. This story, set at the party for the ascension of a new vampire sherrif, was a little gem, and a nice start to the collection.
"The Bleeding Shadow" by [a:Joe R. Lansdale|58971|Joe R. Lansdale|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200406474p2/58971.jpg] is grittier from start to finish, set in the south of black folks in the 1950s. A beautiful woman sends her sometime-suitor to find her brother, a blues musician who has gotten into music that isn't of this world. I couldn't be done with this one soon enough, as it gave me the willies. I have a feeling Lansdale would be happy that it stuck with me for a while.
[a:Simon R. Green|41942|Simon R. Green|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1224555729p2/41942.jpg]'s "Hungry Heart" takes us to the Nightside, where John Taylor is hired by a young witch to retrieve her stolen heart. I haven't read any of the Nightside novels, but this is probably the third or fourth short story I've read, and for some reason they never leave me wanting more. I don't hunger for the darkness, I guess. I will give Green points for creativity in evil henchmen, though.
"Styx and Stones" by [a:Steven Saylor|42919|Steven Saylor|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1243268148p2/42919.jpg] takes a teenage version of his novel hero Gordianus on a world tour to see the Seven Wonders of the World, and this stop is Babylon. Gordianus and his companion, Antipater, find a murderous ghost in residence near their inn in addition to seeing the Ziggurat, the Gate of Ishtar, and what's left of the Hanging Gardens.
[a:S. M. Stirling|6448047|S. M. Stirling|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]'s "Pain and Suffering" was unsatisfying to me. It opened with an ex-soldier's combat flashback twisted into something Other, then we learn that the ex-soldier is a cop. He and his partner spend a lot of time investigating an apparent arson and possibly-connected kidnapping. The flashbacks repeat. There's more, but I don't want to spoil the story. I just felt that there was a lot of build-up for very little payoff, and that perhaps this story was meant as a teaser for a novel in which context it would all make far more sense.
"It's Still the Same Old Story' by [a:Carrie Vaughn|8988|Carrie Vaughn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1231952277p2/8988.jpg] features vampire Rick, from the Kitty Norville books. An old friend calls him needing his help, but by the time he gets to her, she's dead. Most of the story is told in flashback, with him remembering when he originally met the now-old-woman, when they were lovers for a time. The murder is no great mystery for very long. The story felt more rote than anything else, as if perhaps Vaughn wanted to humanize Rick a bit by showing that he had cared for this woman at one time. I didn't feel much of anything from it.
One of the more creative pieces, "The Lady is a Screamer" by [a:Conn Iggulden|119121|Conn Iggulden|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1235073163p2/119121.jpg], is told in first person by a con man turned ghostbuster. I didn't like it, precisely, and i certainly didn't like the narrator. It stands alone, though, and doesn't feel derivative at all, so that says something all by itself.
"Hellbender" by [a:Laurie R. King|6760|Laurie R. King|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1314242901p2/6760.jpg] is probably the only story that left me determined to hunt down more of the author's work. I would classify it as near-future science fiction, but it certainly fits in the noir detective genre as well. I have no hesitation giving this one story five out of five stars.
"Shadow Thieves" is a Garrett, P.I. story by [a:Glen Cook|13026|Glen Cook|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1207159752p2/13026.jpg]. That's another series I haven't read, but I believe this is the first time I've read a short story set in that world. I wouldn't mind reading the series if the novels are all light-hearted like this story. There was some darkness, obviously, or the piece wouldn't be in this anthology - but overall, there was humor.
[a:Melinda M. Snodgrass|725899|Melinda M. Snodgrass|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1271184595p2/725899.jpg]'; "No Mystery, No Miracle" is probably the most controversial story in the book if anybody is really paying attention. I found it intriguing and well-written.
"The Difference Between a Puzzle and a Mystery" by [a:M.L.N. Hanover|1868743|M.L.N. Hanover|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-M-50x66.jpg] takes us a big city, where an overworked cop is trying to get a confession out of a supposedly demon-possessed killer. He gets help from an unusual minister (Unitarian, we're told - not something that will thrill any UUs out there). I found this one of the most chilling stories in the book. Telling you why, however, would be a spoiler.
I would love to see a novel featuring the main characters of [a:Lisa Tuttle|38313|Lisa Tuttle|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1296860221p2/38313.jpg]'s "The Curious Affair of the Deodand" - a young woman in the Watson role and a young man as a Sherlock Holmes-type consulting detective. The young lady is every bit as vital to resolving the case as the man is, which is one of the things I enjoyed about the story. The resolution isn't as satisfying as it could be, though, which is one of the reasons I'd like to see the same characters in other circumstances.
"Lord John and the Plague of Zombies" by [a:Diana Gabaldon|3617|Diana Gabaldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1213918339p2/3617.jpg] is a Lord John Grey story. This is, I believe, the first thing I've read by Gabaldon. It wasn't bad and it wasn't earth-shakingly good. It was decently-plotted with predictable characters and a nice little twist at the end, so enjoyable to read. I won't avoid her work but I'm not burning to read more, either.
"Beware the Snake" is an SPQR story by [a:John Maddox Roberts|19522|John Maddox Roberts|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1285244765p2/19522.jpg]. Once again, I'm unfamiliar with the author and the series, but the story gave enough context for me to understand the setting and the characters, so that was all right. It was enjoyable, although I probably would have twigged to a couple of things more quickly were I more familiar with Roman naming customs.
[a:Patricia Briggs|40563|Patricia Briggs|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1228867484p2/40563.jpg]'; "In Red, With Pearls" is set in Mercedes Thompson's world but featuring werewolf Warren Smith and his lover Kyle. Kyle is set upon by a zombie assassin who is thwarted by Warren, but of course Warren wants to know who sent the zombie, why, and who made the zombie. It's a very good story, as I've come to expect from Briggs. I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with some of the secondary characters in the story, but then I was distracted at the time.
"The Adakian Eagle" by [a:Bradley Denton|198305|Bradley Denton|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1320697919p2/198305.jpg] is a Dashiell Hammett story - as in, Hammett is a character. That was interesting alone, but the story in general was well-told. Spare and hard, as befits one of the main characters.
All in all this is a collection that I can definitely recommend. There are very few clunkers are several excellent stories. [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1195658637p2/346732.jpg] and [a:Gardner R. Dozois|12052|Gardner R. Dozois|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1247758142p2/12052.jpg] did their jobs very well.
[a:Charlaine Harris|17061|Charlaine Harris|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1307925926p2/17061.jpg]'; "Death by Dahlia," set in the Sookie Stackhouse universe, is one of a series of stories about the vampire Dahlia Lynley-Chivers. Each story stands alone, but my enjoyment grows greater with each addition to her tales. I'd much rather see Dahlia as the main character of a novel than Sookie, to be honest. This story, set at the party for the ascension of a new vampire sherrif, was a little gem, and a nice start to the collection.
"The Bleeding Shadow" by [a:Joe R. Lansdale|58971|Joe R. Lansdale|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200406474p2/58971.jpg] is grittier from start to finish, set in the south of black folks in the 1950s. A beautiful woman sends her sometime-suitor to find her brother, a blues musician who has gotten into music that isn't of this world. I couldn't be done with this one soon enough, as it gave me the willies. I have a feeling Lansdale would be happy that it stuck with me for a while.
[a:Simon R. Green|41942|Simon R. Green|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1224555729p2/41942.jpg]'s "Hungry Heart" takes us to the Nightside, where John Taylor is hired by a young witch to retrieve her stolen heart. I haven't read any of the Nightside novels, but this is probably the third or fourth short story I've read, and for some reason they never leave me wanting more. I don't hunger for the darkness, I guess. I will give Green points for creativity in evil henchmen, though.
"Styx and Stones" by [a:Steven Saylor|42919|Steven Saylor|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1243268148p2/42919.jpg] takes a teenage version of his novel hero Gordianus on a world tour to see the Seven Wonders of the World, and this stop is Babylon. Gordianus and his companion, Antipater, find a murderous ghost in residence near their inn in addition to seeing the Ziggurat, the Gate of Ishtar, and what's left of the Hanging Gardens.
[a:S. M. Stirling|6448047|S. M. Stirling|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]'s "Pain and Suffering" was unsatisfying to me. It opened with an ex-soldier's combat flashback twisted into something Other, then we learn that the ex-soldier is a cop. He and his partner spend a lot of time investigating an apparent arson and possibly-connected kidnapping. The flashbacks repeat. There's more, but I don't want to spoil the story. I just felt that there was a lot of build-up for very little payoff, and that perhaps this story was meant as a teaser for a novel in which context it would all make far more sense.
"It's Still the Same Old Story' by [a:Carrie Vaughn|8988|Carrie Vaughn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1231952277p2/8988.jpg] features vampire Rick, from the Kitty Norville books. An old friend calls him needing his help, but by the time he gets to her, she's dead. Most of the story is told in flashback, with him remembering when he originally met the now-old-woman, when they were lovers for a time. The murder is no great mystery for very long. The story felt more rote than anything else, as if perhaps Vaughn wanted to humanize Rick a bit by showing that he had cared for this woman at one time. I didn't feel much of anything from it.
One of the more creative pieces, "The Lady is a Screamer" by [a:Conn Iggulden|119121|Conn Iggulden|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1235073163p2/119121.jpg], is told in first person by a con man turned ghostbuster. I didn't like it, precisely, and i certainly didn't like the narrator. It stands alone, though, and doesn't feel derivative at all, so that says something all by itself.
"Hellbender" by [a:Laurie R. King|6760|Laurie R. King|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1314242901p2/6760.jpg] is probably the only story that left me determined to hunt down more of the author's work. I would classify it as near-future science fiction, but it certainly fits in the noir detective genre as well. I have no hesitation giving this one story five out of five stars.
"Shadow Thieves" is a Garrett, P.I. story by [a:Glen Cook|13026|Glen Cook|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1207159752p2/13026.jpg]. That's another series I haven't read, but I believe this is the first time I've read a short story set in that world. I wouldn't mind reading the series if the novels are all light-hearted like this story. There was some darkness, obviously, or the piece wouldn't be in this anthology - but overall, there was humor.
[a:Melinda M. Snodgrass|725899|Melinda M. Snodgrass|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1271184595p2/725899.jpg]'; "No Mystery, No Miracle" is probably the most controversial story in the book if anybody is really paying attention. I found it intriguing and well-written.
"The Difference Between a Puzzle and a Mystery" by [a:M.L.N. Hanover|1868743|M.L.N. Hanover|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-M-50x66.jpg] takes us a big city, where an overworked cop is trying to get a confession out of a supposedly demon-possessed killer. He gets help from an unusual minister (Unitarian, we're told - not something that will thrill any UUs out there). I found this one of the most chilling stories in the book. Telling you why, however, would be a spoiler.
I would love to see a novel featuring the main characters of [a:Lisa Tuttle|38313|Lisa Tuttle|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1296860221p2/38313.jpg]'s "The Curious Affair of the Deodand" - a young woman in the Watson role and a young man as a Sherlock Holmes-type consulting detective. The young lady is every bit as vital to resolving the case as the man is, which is one of the things I enjoyed about the story. The resolution isn't as satisfying as it could be, though, which is one of the reasons I'd like to see the same characters in other circumstances.
"Lord John and the Plague of Zombies" by [a:Diana Gabaldon|3617|Diana Gabaldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1213918339p2/3617.jpg] is a Lord John Grey story. This is, I believe, the first thing I've read by Gabaldon. It wasn't bad and it wasn't earth-shakingly good. It was decently-plotted with predictable characters and a nice little twist at the end, so enjoyable to read. I won't avoid her work but I'm not burning to read more, either.
"Beware the Snake" is an SPQR story by [a:John Maddox Roberts|19522|John Maddox Roberts|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1285244765p2/19522.jpg]. Once again, I'm unfamiliar with the author and the series, but the story gave enough context for me to understand the setting and the characters, so that was all right. It was enjoyable, although I probably would have twigged to a couple of things more quickly were I more familiar with Roman naming customs.
[a:Patricia Briggs|40563|Patricia Briggs|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1228867484p2/40563.jpg]'; "In Red, With Pearls" is set in Mercedes Thompson's world but featuring werewolf Warren Smith and his lover Kyle. Kyle is set upon by a zombie assassin who is thwarted by Warren, but of course Warren wants to know who sent the zombie, why, and who made the zombie. It's a very good story, as I've come to expect from Briggs. I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with some of the secondary characters in the story, but then I was distracted at the time.
"The Adakian Eagle" by [a:Bradley Denton|198305|Bradley Denton|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1320697919p2/198305.jpg] is a Dashiell Hammett story - as in, Hammett is a character. That was interesting alone, but the story in general was well-told. Spare and hard, as befits one of the main characters.
All in all this is a collection that I can definitely recommend. There are very few clunkers are several excellent stories. [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1195658637p2/346732.jpg] and [a:Gardner R. Dozois|12052|Gardner R. Dozois|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1247758142p2/12052.jpg] did their jobs very well.