Great follow-up by Diane Bator
580611
This is book number 2 in the series by Diane Bator and it's even better than the first, which held my attention from the first page!

Gilda Wright's life seems to be going well, her relationship with her boss Mick, is finally heading in the right direction and they are getting ready for their big grand opening at their new martial arts training facility.  Gilda notices that Mick is not himself and seems to be holding something back from her.  He hasn't told her his connection and background with some of the instructors and fighters that have been invited to participate in the grand opening events.  The harder Gilda tries to figure out what Mick is keeping from her, the more he shuts her out, in his mind, it's to keep her safe.

Before the grand opening can take place, Gilda finds the special referee dead on the beach.  Mick pleads with Gilda to stay out of it and not try to investigate the circumstances behind the death, but no matter how many times she says she won't get involved, there she is, smack dab in the middle of the investigation.  The murderer, thinking that Gilda has something that he killed for, targets her in her own home and she is forced to leave until the murderer can be apprehended.

This book introduced some new characters that I hope stay around in book 3, they will be a great addition to the original characters from book 1.

I'm looking forward to the 3rd book and you will too.
14201
D.D. Barant showed that she wasn't afraid to think big in 'Dying Bites', the first book in her 'Bloodhound Files' series, and she aims just as high in the second book, 'Death Blows'. Readers that unreservedly loved 'Dying Bites' will fall just as hard for 'Death Blows'; those who thought it was a very strong debut will be glad to see the same strengths and several notable improvements in the sequel.

Barant's world building in 'Dying Bites' was excellent and she continues to improve upon it here, filling in many of the details. Readers will learn more about how vampires can have children, how golems are made and their rights (or lack thereof), and the political power structure of the world Jace has found herself in, just to start. On the other hand, characterization was one of the weakest points in the first book, and improvement is uneven in `Death Blows'. Jace's character is a high point; in the previous book she had little depth, and at times seemed almost bipolar, swinging quickly to extremes for no reason. In 'Death Blows' Jace is written with a far more even hand and we get a more illuminating look at her as a person. She is smart, funny, and yes, at times emotional, but never without cause. She is a character that readers will be sympathizing with and rooting for. We also get to mine the depths (haha) of Charlie a bit more, getting glimpses here and there of the difficulties inherent in life as a golem, and his deep loyalty to Jace. Gretchen and Cassius remain the weak links. We get little insight into who they are and why they make the decisions they do; a problem considering the major roles they play.

Barant continues to use first person-present tense narrative in 'Death Blows', and although I still find it uncomfortable to read, based on reviews it didn't seem to bother many readers in 'Dying Bites', and likely won't here either.

The plot of 'Death Blows' is even better than 'Dying Bites'; it has all of the strengths and few of the weaknesses. As I said above, the story is complex; a mystery involving comic books, alternate realities, politics, and secrets. Jace has her work cut out for her. She is still trying to find Aristotle Stoker so that she can fulfill her end of the deal and go home. However, when the members of a gang of real-life comic book heroes start being picked off one by one, including the father of Gretchen's baby, and Dr. Pete is threatened, she must drop everything to help her new friends. There are occasional information-heavy conversations about comics and subtle sci-fi references that can be a bit confusing if you're, like me, not a fan of the genres, however it's not necessary to remember all of the details to follow along. The mystery is plotted more smoothly than in the first book without losing any of the intricacy; the action flows well and I couldn't put the book down until I solved the puzzle.

The conclusion would've been enough to make me want the next book, but the preview included has just enough juicy detail to have me counting down the days.
4853048
**SPOLIERS**
I loved this sequel! Although there was less focus on the romantic aspects  of her relationship with Artagan in this novel, I loved that we have a fully developed and strong character right off the bat. It also was so much fun to see Branwen face-off against such an alien and brutal female antagonist.

The action was thrilling and the psychological contrasts were interesting.  As a quintessential mother-figure, she fights to protect her child and kingdom from the forces that seek to destroy them.  But as a daughter whose own mother died when she was a child, she seems to be always looking for a mother-figure to teach her about the ancient ways of her people.  In this novel, unlike the first book "Between Two Fires", her mentor takes on the mysterious and dark aspect of the Pict Queen, Saab.  But can Queen Saab be trusted? Or is she the most challenging foe that Branwen and her kingdom will ever face? You'll have to read the story to find out!
418087
Wonderful follow-up to her last...
Encourages deeper thought and inspiration.
I MOST DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR TAROT AFICIONADOS!
3779592
ceived this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]

This book was amazing! It is set, according to the author, around six months after the first book in the series. The time is Chanukah 2000 in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN. Rabbi David Cohen, his family and friends, are still recovering from the situation that was described in the first book ( which I am on the lookout for). And then, a friend and colleague at another Temple, is being threatened as episodes begin to happen that look more and more like hate crimes aimed directly at Rabbi Batya, a leader of a schul is St. Paul Park.

As this story opens, Rabbi David has been asked to speak at an interfaith peace service. He uses this venue to teach about education and acceptance as a way to bring peace, and ruffles some feathers in an audience of mostly Christians. This attitude around what is the largest Christian Holiday in the year, trickles down from closer to home. All this makes the Jewish community hypervigilant regarding these incidents. Batya's husband is also a Sargent in the police force, and his hands are tied because its his wife who is being stalked.

The Cohen household gets ready for Chanukah and a visit from old friends Eli and his wife. With a houseful of guests and holiday stress, there is tension as David gets further involved in Batya's case.

I'm not going into specifics because that will bring on spoilers. This is a very well written book. Ms. Gaylan loves the Twin Cities and her community and is very respectful of them. As a seminarian some 25 years ago, this Rhode Islander fell hard for Minneapolis/ St. Paul, and did an internship in St. Paul Park. The characters are real, believeable people. The situations and their solutions really could happen ( may it never be so). In its own way, the book is doing what Rabbi Cohen wanted to do at that peace service because, in the end, peace is really the only solution.

(NOTE: I am a retired minister who served in small country churches almost my whole career. I understand the dilemmas associated with our multi-cultural society, which makes this book one of my favorites of 2015
1279812
Wise & Witty recommends this book to others.  If you read Chocolate Star you will find that the drama is not over in Chocolate Affair.  Things heat up and it a scandalous turmoil.  Jade is not as sweet as she seemed in the first book, Topaz, you want believe the changes she made, Keshia is a strong woman who has many talents and Nina will surprise you!!.  The men in this book will shock you with their weakness and strength. This book leaves you wanting to know what is next in the lives of these ladies.  I think we will find out in Diamond Life.  Happy reading.
3069928
I was not sure if this sequel could be as engaging or well thought out as its predecessor, Ianthe, but it did not let me down. The author does a great job of further developing the characters that I loved from the first book while adding some great new characters. Like the first book, the stories pace will keep you turning pages and the ending is not only pleasing but also intriguing. The ending strikes a balance between predictable and overly improbable which is something lacking from most stories. While the story wraps up nicely in the end, I find myself wanting more.
770174
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Break-Up Doctor book, especially since main character/therapist Brook Ogden gives sound advice; I'm a relationship science author and I have the disease where I can't tolerate bad advice.  But it's clear that Phoebe Fox takes the time to understand the human heart and mind, and her first book moved with wit, charm, and relatability.  I felt I'd been (almost) every character in that book at one time or another.

Fast forward to Fox's new book, Bedside Manners.  I usually don't get excited about sequels because most authors have a tough time pulling off further character development after Book 1.  No so Phoebe Fox!  Not only does she deliver, but this book is better than the first.  All the main relationships deepen, and relationship issues are deftly, insightfully, and sometimes painfully dealt with.  She not only continued to offer great advice, but the advice seemed to deepen, compared to the first book.  And unlike most chick lit I've enjoyed, Fox's second book delivers surprising plot twists.  The only challenge will be writing a third installment that tops this!

(There will be a third...right?)
2639760
4.5 stars

Lisa Blacks second installment in her Gardiner and Renner series is every bit as good as her initial one.  I loved That Darkness, and Unpunished is a great addition to the series.  Maggie Gardiner, a forensic expert, and Jack Renner, a homicide detective, are thrown together again when a series of bizarre murders occur at the Cleveland Herald.  The two work to solve the murders while Maggie also struggles to come to terms with her knowledge that Jack operates as a hero vigilante ridding the city of criminals that have eluded punishment for their crimes.  The two have reached an uneasy truce that is constantly threatened by a variety of outside factors.

The mystery in Unpunished was highly entertaining to me and is very relevant to todays world.  The Cleveland Herald is struggling to stay afloat as newspapers are dying a slow death.  Black spent countless hours immersing herself in the newspaper business even touring one to accurately depict the ins and outs of that industry and the difficulties currently facing the newspaper world.  She manages to relay very detailed information in an engaging and interesting manner so I learned a lot without feeling like it was hard to wade through the story.  Black also addresses the age-old issue created by new inventions - the loss of jobs (sometimes entire professions) in certain fields, but the creation of entirely new fields and jobs that are created as a result.  I found her reminder helpful as I was bemoaning the projected loss of printed newspapers as I read Unpunished.

I really enjoyed reading this book and love the originality of the series.  Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3045596
This is a great sequel to an equally stunning and entertaining read, "Rules of the Road".

Bauer has vastly impressed me with all her books I've read thus far, but this one was like a big fat cherry along with the whipped creme on top of the hot fudge sundae known as "Rules of the Road".

Jenna Boller is back, back with a vengence alongside the owner and her boss, Madeline Gladstone.  There are some new characters that add flavor to an already sweet treat of a story.

For anyone who just likes a good plot and lots of laughs, I recommend this. It may be targeted at teenagers(those teenagers are darn lucky cuz there were no writers like this in my teen days), but at 36, I have grown into a great fan of Joan Bauer's writing. She is very talented at telling a tale that is funny and endearing.  It is a really easy read that I know younger girls will really enjoy because while I may be 36, deep down, I am still a teenager at heart.

Eileen F.
4732615
This is the second book in the Chocoloate Series and did not dissapoint.

SOME SPOILERS:

This books take off where book 1 left off, Claire and Carter have moved in together to become a family with Gavin.  Claire is helping her BFF plan her wedding with the help of their other friend Jenny.  Claire is not sure if she wants marriage because her parents 5 marriages between them, but after witnessing Liz's Happily Ever After wedding, she decides maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be asked.

Of course, Carter is also thinking about marriage, even brought Claire a ring, but after a few disatarous tries, he can't seem to come up with the big proposal (not without some hysterical stories reading said proposal).  Also the fact that Claire becomes pregnant with their second child, he doesn't want to do because he thinks that Claire would think he is doing it only because she is pregnant.  The miscommunications between these two are priceless and oh so funny.

At the end Carter finally proposes to Claire in his unique and special ways.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Tara Sivec's twisted and funny writing.  I laughed from beginning to end.

On to book 3.
2394630
Dark Side of the Moon (Laura Cardinal Series, Book Two)  Here we find our female detective, Laura Cardinal, struggling with a new partner, new case and new romance.  In this book, Laura is less self-confident and spirals into depression.

Lots of twists and turns here and characters to meet.  Perhaps one too many, as I did have to go back and reread earlier sections when some peripheral characters were reintroduced in the last half of the book.  Not a big complaint though, as I appreciate the complexity and detail of this author's storytelling.

Again, Ms. Black does an excellent job in crafting her mystery and delivering a surprise ending.  I Read Book 2 immediately after Book 1 (Darkness on the Edge of Town) and couldn't put it down.  Well done.
3848293
The second in the Dorina Basarab series wins me over. I'm more of a fan of Cassie, mainly because I love the extension of characters and the fact that we started pretty much from zero with her, and we kind of come into Dorina's life in the middle. I love the fact that the two worlds are parallel and so we know more about whats going on in Dorina's world because of Cassie and vice versa.
However, I loved the mystery surrounding this book and the action, I also love Louis and the extended cast that is more fully developed in this book.
Well worth the read, though I would suggest reading Midnight's Daughter first.
4822528
I enjoyed reading this fourth book of the series.  Several primary issues were resolved, however, I still am very interested in learning how Hinske will resolve others.  This definitely calls for another book!  Barbara Hinske  a fine writer and I have enjoyed this series.  Her writing flows and her character descriptions are good.  Readers will enjoy this book as a part of the Rosemont series.
822021
I was delighted when I saw there was a second part of this as I really enjoyed the first book Betrayal.  I had mixed emotions for the main character in Betrayal and it ended leaving me wanting to find out what had happened to Helen afterwards.  Betrayal the Consequences was a good follow up and it gave good closure to the tragic story.  I was also glad to see the two main female detectives with a bit of story as I can definitely see them in a standalone book.  I really like Sharon Brownlies writing and I will be keeping an eye out for more of her works.
3201651
Amy Abel and her mother Franny run Amys Travel which specializes in unique trips personalized for each client. The business isn't doing well, so Amy's friend Peter Borg who owns his own agency asks Amy to help with of his trips - a round-the-world trip to spread the ashes of a former maid, while accompanies by her prior employers. A murderer strikes on the trip, but when Amy returns home, she and her boyfriend Marcus, along with Franny, conduct their own investigation into the murder, while figuring out a way to save their agency that doesn't require giving up their dreams.

Amy has loosened up since the first book in this series and is a lot more likeable. I enjoyed reading about the trip around the world as much as seeing Amy, Marcus, and Franny do whatever it takes to solve the murder and save their business. It was full of humor and I was glad to see growth in the characters along with an interesting murder mystery, which plenty of suspects and enough suspense to keep me interested in what would happen next. New readers would have no problem jumping into the series with this book and those who read the prior book will be pleased with this follow-up. I look forward to more adventures with Amy and Franny. Fans of Maddy Hunter's "Passport to Peril" series will also enjoy this fun book by Hy Conrad, who was a writer and one of the producers of the television series "Monk".

I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
2521553
Bayla herself is a sympathetic viewpoint as she tries to navigate the newly discovered paranormal world around her, and understand her growing feelings for her larger-than-life glorious protector (though she did feel very similar to Alexia Tarabotti of the Gail Carriger books). I did worry that the golem, once turned into avenging angel, was perhaps a shade too superman perfect/invulnerable for the reader to worry about his or Baylas safety. But then the romance became a wonderful distraction and the thrill of the Jack the Ripper legend got blended in as well (I adore anything that attempts to touch on the Ripper mystery!) And I always worry about stories that throw in religion, but rather than sound preachy or try to convert the reader (as so much Christian fiction tends to do), the bits of Jewish religion and culture thrown into this lends it an exotic air and a fascinating intrigue, adding to the flavor of the work (which I did find riveting, considering as a reader I really haven't run across paranormal stories with Jewish religion mixed in) without overshadowing the paranormal (or trying to stamp it out), and even adds to it, running with it hand in hand. The world itself did seem very borrowed from Gail Carrigers books with its secret club of paranormal blooded people, but all of the Jewish aspects did feel like it set it apart enough, and Gesher (who I did dearly love with all of his innocence and protectiveness) certainly didn't fill the same shoes as Lord Maccon. But I would like to say that while I am comparing it to Gail Carrigers books and loved the characters in Gail Carrigers books, I did like the story in Hand of Miriam more than any of the Gail Carriger books because Gails books seemed to get weighted down in all of their random details and different directions, while Hand of Miriam managed to remain reasonably streamlined and didn't get too hung up on tangents, red-herrings, and subplots.

The story is a wonderful romance mixed with paranormal swashbuckling adventure, with random steampunk elements blended in, very much akin to Gail Carrigers Parasol Protectorate series (right down to the equipped parasol). I would also recommend this to fans of Cassandra Clares Infernal Devices series.