Her Magic Continues...
581137
Kate's unique magic continues with this beautiful cd.  Filled with all the talents we've come to expect: Kate composing original songs sounding wonderfully old, Kate putting traditional lyrics to her perfectly fitting new music, and Kate once again singing so subtly and yet with such emotion.  She even performs a cover from a much more modern time, Pee Wee King's "You Belong to Me."  There's a traditional bawdy song, several songs that play like the loveliest of lullabies, and even a kid's song.

Once again, Kate's instrumental genius of a husband, John McCusker, produces the album.  His and Kate's arrangements include some of the most dense (and yet somehow still spare) groupings of acoustic instruments-played by the amazing regulars in Kate's band: Ian Carr, John, Andy Cutting, and a host of others.  Roddy Woomble from the band Idlewild duets grandly with Kate on "No Names" and Roddy and Kellie While provide lovely harmony on several other songs.  Even with such virtuoso playing (on fiddle, viola, flute, whistle, piano, cittern, accordion, harmonium, a brass section and an extra string section), the guitar work stands above all else (played by Kate, Ian, John, John Doyle, and Kris Drever).

The heart, of course, is still Kate's great voice.  Yorkshire and folk music have never sounded so fine.

MOON SHADOW,

HE'S THERE BUT BARELY VISIBLE

MOON SHADOW,

WHEN I'M SCARED AND FAIRLY MISERABLE

A WATCH FOR ME HE'LL KEEP,

SO I MIGHT FALL ASLEEP.

(from Kate's "Moon Shadow")
4293474
Unbound is the third book in the Spellbringer series, another impossible-to-put-down book by Tricia Drammeh. If you have not yet read Spellbound (Book I) and Firebound (Book II), what are you waiting for? Hurry up and get them. Tricia Drammeh takes the story of Alisa and Rachel to new heights in the Unbound. The characters are evolving, the story is getting thicker and better and more exciting with every turn of the page, as Tricia Drammeh is pulling the readers into the world she created. Except for Alisa, these people are more than human, but even their magic is not enough to make their lives perfect. For every good Spellbringer there is an equally powerful evil one, good at deceiving and setting traps and leaving you wondering who is friend and who is foe. If you enjoy paranormal and magic, you don't want to miss this series. I cant wait for the next book.
2581806
The second install carries forth from the first "the paper magician"  with Ceony and Emery and cast.  The adventure continues between good and evil where a win does occur but not without consequences. Ms. Homberg does a nice job of neatly tying up the story and leaving it open for new installments with the same characters, including some unfinished business as well as, I am sure, new adventures.
the magician's world she has created in London is fun and charming. the pace it good and the genres of magicians is equally fascinating to me.  I look forward to #3.
157618
I am as much in love with Katerina's story as when I finished book one. Katya is still as independent and inquisitive as ever--and still far from safe. After discovering that Russia's greatest nemesis is still alive in the grey, Katya is confined to the old finishing school she thought she had finally left behind. With her necromancer powers blooming, Katiya has also become a threat to the stability of the empress's home, as the empress wants to keep George in the Light Court, and his love for Katya threatens to pull him to the Dark Court. Still, George and Katya are still very much in love and looking for a way to be together.

As I mentioned in my review of book one, Robin Bridges has created a fascinating world. In the Katerina books, Robin has given new life to familiar creatures of myth, among them vampires, werewolves, faeries, while casting a magical light on court life in Russia. She has also stirred up so much intrigue that, with all the power struggles going on, you don't know who you can trust, other than Katya. Even George is suspect, though he was so noble in the first book. All this has been interwoven so skillfully throughout the novel that it continues to move at a strong pace without getting bogged down in too much detail.

Even while introducing new plot lines, The Unfailing Light continues to develop the characters introduced in book one and set the stage for the third book in the Katerina trilogy, though not as much as in the first book. Danilo is an ever (disturbing) presence at the back of Katya's mind, new friendships are formed, and new enemies unmasked. I missed Dariya's presence in this book, as she doesn't have as much stage time as in the first book, but I did appreciate Princess Alix's role in this one. There are some moments when her loyalties become questionable, but I warmed up to her by the end of the book. I even feel some sympathy for Danilo's sisters (not so much for the prince himself).

My only wish is that the ghost plot line were more developed, as I was expecting more from it after reading the synopsis. I can't complain much though, as ghosts will appear in their own sweet time, and Katya is still in the process of understanding her abilities. As I mentioned earlier, this book has set the stage for the greater conflict to take place in the third book, and I absolutely cannot wait to read it!
185906
Another win for Lysa Daley.  I don't know where she keeps coming up with these stories but just keep them coming!  Maybe she has a little touch of the magical creatures she writes about....all I know is that Now I have to wait for the next one!!
4356312
Jasmine Walt succeed to draw us again into the magical world she created in the second book of the Baine Chronicles, Bound by Magic. We meet Sunaya again where she is frustrated with her lack of finances and feeling out of touch with her shifter community. When the chance come to help solving the murder of a fellow enforcer, she uncovers more than she could foreseen. Would she come unscathed out of this predicament to live and fight another day? Thank you for keeping me entranced and wanting for more. Five star from me and thank you Jasmine and TBC for the chance to read it.
472750
I bought all the books in this series after reading book 1.  She is an excellent writer and her storyline is fascinating, I enjoy books with a little bit of magic in them.
1087716
Great series (read the first book) . The development of characters and plot continues. The heroine again steps up to the plate, with her new duties and abilities.
4700781
Things are heating up as Jill tries to conquer level one spells.  The reader learns more about each person in this second book as several "cases" challenge Jill.  Poor thing is so busy in two worlds trying to learn spells and sleuth at the same time.  Yet, she prevails in her own way.  I think this will pick up more steam in book 3 than did book 2 did after book 1.  Opening book 3 next.  Try this series out!
2989102
She does it again!!! This author never misses the mark. Her stories captivate you and I am consistently trying to get back to the book. I can't wait to complete the series...
3714649
What is not to love? She seems to showcase more of her broad range of talents on this album and, yet, still keeps me in that dreamy operatic trance state that only her beautiful voice can do.
2323299
I truly enjoy this Goapele album just as much and even more than the first two.  She takes us just a little deeper into her realm of artistry giving us sultry sounds that move the soul of love and uptempo beats that keep you grooving. I LOVE IT!!!
4610277
That she is nearly or already 80 years old and still writes with such nuanced depth is amazing. This book is a non-stop read; her powers of observation and her literary skills are still top rate and I highly recommend this book to all lovers of her mysteries. As a fledgling writer of 30, she gives hope that the best is yet to come. Buy it asap. 5 Stars from me.
1331297
I love her writing, and as I work my way through the series I am always looking forward to the next page, the next chapter, and then the next book. I don't know how she is able to continue this story but each book follows nicely in line with the previous one.
2173316
Well,Adele has gotten her groove back,lol. There were no issues with this book except for 1-2 wording mishaps. I really am glad that I continued reading this series. I love the way that the main character,Jill is progressing with her witchcraft and spellcasting.. This is a fun story but I hope that she ends up with one of the hunks in her life soon. I would recommend this series to everyone inspite of the previous problems because it is one of those stories that you can't wait to read the next book...
4760305
I love her series and always have; a bit of travel, some magic and captivating characters made this one of the books you hate to end! Looking forward to the next one eagerly!
4102787
I adore this series! The author has done a great job with characters, dialog and magic. They have all been good reads, and the latest is no exception.

Jill Gooder is a Witch P.I., flipping from the human world of Washbridge to the supe world of Candlefield. In this fifth installment in the series, Witch is When The Bubble Burst, takes the reader once more into the life of this quirky witch and P.I.  Withe her nemesis on the police, Susie aka Sushi, gone, Jill is ready to get back to good relations with Detective Jack Maxwell. Of course, that's easier said than done once heiress Amanda is kidnapped and her boyfriend seeks Jill's professional help. With Jake's history of kidnap turned to murder because of a p.i.'s invovlement, it is a tricky situation for Jill. Will she take the case despite Jake's warning to stay out of his investigations? Will the hunky detective ask her out? Will her talking cat/familiar Winky get her evicted from her office building? Will her knitting receptionist, Mrs. V stitch up Jill's level 6 witch Grandma? Or will Mrs. V's old flame light her fire & take her away to a European time share? Can Jill babysit Kathy's kids without disaster?  Grandma's yarn shop, Ever A Wool Moment releases a new product, but does it use magic?  Much hilarity ensues, as usual. Even her ghostly mom needs Jill's skills!  Between Winky's antics & love life, Mrs. V's knitting, Grandma's marketing schemes & her own love life, Jill's life in the human world is complicated and socery isn't always the answer.
Meanwhile in the supe world of Candlefield, Jill's twin cousins Amber & Pearl, continue to create much trouble for themselves & Jill.  The twins' Cuppy C store needs Grandma's marketing skills,  Aunt Lucy has a birthday, Barry the talking dog is nabbed, and Jill's supernatural love interest Drake is back on the scene & needs her professionally!

Phew! Lots going on in this solid installment in this fabulous series, in both human & supernatural planes. Plenty of action, drama and a mystery to solve--all done with snark, 3 dimensional characters and lovely settings in both Candlefield and Washbridge. The author has done a stellar job with this series, making them both fun to read and good mysteries. I enjoy the magical twist--it's well done and thought out.
Highly recommended that you read them all! Like popcorn for the mind. I can't wait for the next one...