Distilled Knowledge by By Brian D. Hoefling, Illustrations by Leandro Castelao

Yep. This is a very, very science-y book. And I am not great at science so it took some deep reading for me to be able to follow. The pictures made it a little easier. I honestly don't know how much I retained but I had fun reading. I think that people who have some knowledge about liquor may not find much in this book but others may find it a bit confusing. At least until the really fun chapters that start around chapter six. Overall, well-written, seems to be well-researched, and entertaining.

Four stars
This book came out October 4

A Christmas Day at the Office by Matt Dunn

This was everything that I wanted from a British Christmas novel. Though I wouldn't have minded a little more mayhem. I do love a nice, gentle novel that then ranges into mayhem. Anyway.
Everyone at Seek (a search engine company) is on tenterhooks. They've just been bought out by an American firm, iFeel, owned by an eccentric billionaire, Tony A. Wood, who has invited them all to a mystery Christmas party. No one knows what or where it is but it's pretty well spelled out that it's mandatory attendance. Probably so they can all find out that they've been fired.
The people from Seek include Juliet (about to be divorced) and her boss/bed partner Mark. She's just discovered that her divorce is about to go through which should delight Mark because they can finally bring their relationship out into the open. Too bad she also just discovered that she's pregnant. How are they going to deal with that.
Nathan is the firm's Technical Support Manager. He enjoys being a snazzy dresser and is fairly satisfied with his life. Other than still being a little hung up on his ex-girlfriend, Ellie. So why has she emailed him?
Sophie had a crush on Nathan, but he kindly and firmly rejected her. So she's been dating. Online and through apps. But it's been going horribly. Maybe she should just grab a chance with Tony A. Wood.
Calum is dating Mia. He's trying to figure out how to propose. He's worried not only about rejection, but about losing his job. Which is why the call from a headhunter is so enticing.
Just a wonderful peek at one day in the lives of many people with enough of a glimpse at each that you can get a sense of them and realize how it is that they've gotten here and where they're going.

Four stars
This book comes out October 11

A Terrible Beauty by Tasha Alexander

It was only a matter of time until Lady Emily's first marriage reared its ugly head. In this case, it's in the form of her first husband. It seems that he wasn't really dead after all and, now, on a vacation to Greece, he has decided to return to Emily's life. Of course, Emily doesn't believe it's him; but the man knows Philip's childhood stories. And he recounts the tale of the first time he met Emily.
As with many of the other Lady Emily books, the main narrative is interwoven with someone else's history, in this case, Philip's. It is here that we learn that Philip has been spending his time at various archaeological digs and has gotten involved in the black market. And it's this involvement that is leading someone to try and kill him.
I'm generally still enjoying the Lady Emily mysteries and I think regular readers will like this book but I feel that they are starting to get just a little repetitive.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 11

Searching for Disaster by Jennifer Probst

Like most novellas, this one was just a little too short to really get into the characters as well as develop a good story. And this one had parts that were just a little too twee. Big props for not allowing a Big Misunderstanding though and actually having (well, one of the characters) talk it out.
Isabella MacKenzie was a screw-up. A drug-addicted screw-up. A stark contrast to her sweet and happily married sister Alexa and an especial contrast to her own surgeon twin, Genevieve. When the novella opens, Isabella is trying to calm her demons by hooking up with a guy who has old Hollywood good looks, Liam.
Liam is visiting his little brother in college while he himself is on break from cop school. At a party, he meets and has an epic one night stand with a girl whose demons are close to the surface. He recognizes that and walks away but still, six years later, can't forget Izzy.
In the present day, Izzy is two years clean (thanks to her best friend Raven (the bartender from the Billionaire Builders series?)) and working at Kinnections, the wildly successful dating agency around which the "Searching For" series rotates. When the ladies of the agency talk about setting her up with Stone's partner Devine, Isabella tells them she isn't ready. She's still working on herself. But then she realizes just who Devine is...
I thought Liam was a little too pushy but overall liked that he was (mostly) willing to wait for Izzy to come to her  own conclusions about their relationship. I think regular "Searching For" readers will not be disappointed by this addition to the series.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out September 10

The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia MacNeal

Maggie is back to real life, working for the SOE, being seriously undervalued, making connections that no one else is making. Agents overseas seem to be in trouble but no one is listening. Meanwhile, in England, someone is mimicking Jack the Ripper and killing off women; specifically, women who are supposed to be working at the SOE.
It was a little grim for me and dragged in some places, but I think regular Maggie Hope readers will enjoy this latest addition to the canon. Especially Inspector Durgin who seems to actually appreciate Maggie and all of her talents. We also get news of Maggie's sister, Elise and learn of the new jobs given to Hugh and Sarah.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 4

A Quiet Life In The Country by T E Kinsey

Flo Armstrong (our narrator) is a long-time ladies made to Lady Hardcastle. Their previous occupation is hinted at during the stories but it seems that Lady Hardcastle (and thus Flo) must have been a spy during the recent war. It brought them close together, as close to chums as one can get being in different social strata. They've moved from London to the country because Lady Hardcastle was looking for a bit of peace and quiet and a house has become available.
It's unfortunate that soon after they arrive, they find a man hanging in the woods. One who most certainly could not have committed suicide. A man is quickly put in jail for the murder but both Armstrong and Lady Hardcastle are skeptical it is the right man. Then another man is murdered (a trumpet player) and an emerald stolen.
Though this the first book in the series, there are hints of grand adventures that Armstrong and Lady Hardcastle have gone through before. It was an interesting book. The ending was a bit strong but otherwise It was an okay cozy.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 4
Followed by In the Market for Murder

Blood Red Kiss -- anthology

The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
I only just discovered the Immortals After Dark series and when I had a chance to read the first book in the series from NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. This is the story of how Myst, a Valkyrie, ended up hooked with a formerly human vampire (Forbearer), Nikolai.
The two meet when Nikolai and a group of other rebel vampires take the castle of one of Demestriu's (the King of the Vampires) right-hands. Myst is a prisoner in the castle. And Nikolai's true mate. But it will take some time for them both to figure it out.

Really uncomfortable with all the stuff about her having to do what he said. Just felt... ooky. Not sexy at all.

Two and a half stars

Forsaken by Night by Larissa Ione
Well. This had some uncomfortable stereotypical undertones. And was confusing as all heck since I hadn't read any of the other books in this series.
Lobo is a vampire who is able to take on the appearance of others. He was kicked out of the vampire clan he had been a part of since he was a boy and would have probably died if not for Tehya, the wolf that he saved. The wolf that is now in trouble. So he risks his life to save hers. And when she is taken, she wakes up in another form, her vampire form.

Two stars

Dark Swan by Gena Showalter
Lilica is one of three girls bred to be superbeing. Her two sisters have been dubbed Little Divine and Little Delirium while Lilica is known as Little Wicked. They have been held in a lab and studied. But Lilica knows that they will escape some day.
Dallas Guitierrez hunts rogue alients. Or maybe it's rogue alien diseases. And now he's starting to have visions. Visions of a woman who ends up being the one held in his friend's house. One who can lead him to the Queen of the Schon (a disease that may end up taking over Earth). And with an immediate connection, the imprisoned woman is his mate. And the Queen that Dallas wants to kill... her sister.

An interesting (and sad) story. Very interested in reading both Jade and Trinity's (Lilica's triplets) stories.

Three and a half stars

Two and a half all together
This book came out September 20