A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber

 A lot of good men were injured in the First World War in any number of ways. Verity Kent has her own issues that she is dealing with from being part of a spy network but she feels like she has it better than a lot of other people, including her own cousin. Reggie was blinded in the war and now his mother treats him like an invalid. Yes, he is a lord but that doesn’t mean that he was left any money.
And the estate is (according to his mother) falling down around the family’s ears. So Verity’s parents send her out to see what, exactly, is going on. 

Several mysteries overlap including the history of the estate, a modern day murder, and a matter that dates back to Verity’s time in the war. Another story, well-woven and well-written. I don’t think regular Verity Kent readers will be disappointed.

Three and a half stars

Follows Penny for Your Secrets

Followed by Murder Most Fair

This book came out October 6th

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Omniscients Script by Dugomier, art by Renata Castellani

 On an otherwise normal day, five teens are suddenly hit with tinnitus followed by omniscience. Well, up to a point. They hold all of the knowledge that people can read but don't know information that doesn't appear on the web (or, ostensibly, in books.) All are teens in the United States and four of them are quickly taken in by the Department of Health but there are other entities, including a very shady-seeming FBI, who would also like to have them under their thumbs.

A very nice beginning to what seems like it will be a fun series. The characters, even in such a short book, are starting to be sketched out and readers will probably empathize with at least one of them. There is a nice diversity including (gasp) one teen who isn't quite a US citizen (though his omniscience does cause the States to claim him quickly.)

Four stars
This book came out August 26th
ARC kindly provided by Europe Comics and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Reaping Havoc by Kel Carpenter

Salem no knows that she’s a isn’t a Grim Reaper. Instead, she is something more.But, because she can’t keep her mouth shut, it doesn’t stay a secret for long. And that’s important because Graves’s brother James has been caught but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t given up all of his secrets. And his next move might just turn all of the Grims against Salem but against Graves as well.
I really liked the world building and character building of the first book and this felt more like book part 2 rather than a whole new book. 

Three stars

This book came out

Follows Reaper’s Blood

Borrowed as an audiobook from RB Digital

Opinions are my own

An Irresistible Alliance by Stephanie Laurens

 Michael Cynster is startled and relieved at the beginning of this book to realize that, with the engagement of his older brother, he is no longer going to be as big a catch on the Marriage Mart. He can relax. But a hedonistic lifestyle hold no appeal; he's done that for awhile. Instead, he focuses on helping his brother with uncovering a plot involving some gun powder. Gun powder that is being moved by carts but none of them understand how shipping works. But Cleome Hendon does.
Cleo thought that working as her family's business as the manager would be exciting. And it was... for awhile. No, she's got it all figured out. So when Michael comes to her with a built-in adventure, she invites herself along. 
An okay story. Some light contortions to get a lot of people from previous books involved.

Three stars

Follows The Lady By His Side

Followed by The Greatest Challenge of Them All

This book came out March 11th, 2017

Opinions are my own

The Werewolf’s Christmas Wish by Kristen Painter

Bridget Merrow felt a connection to Sam Kincaid in the second book in this series (about six months ago.) But, other than some almost-kisses. He hasn't mad a move since. Now it's Christmas, it's snowing, and she needs a truck to deliver some champagne to a customer. And Sam is available to help. When the two get locked into a freezer, everything changes.

Short, sweet. Obviously not deep. Definitely need to have read the rest of the series to enjoy.

Three stars
Follows The Witch's Halloween Hero
Followed by The Vampire's Fake Fiancée

This novella came out February 23rd, 2016

Opinions are my own

One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Gayle Mitchell did everything she could to make sure that her girls grew up stronger than she did. Unfortunately, that means that she alienated them when she found out her younger daughter was going to be a teacher, a “soft” profession; not at all what Gayle had steered her towards.
Samantha is shocked to hear her mother’s assistant on the phone. Even more to hear that her mother is in the hospital. She tells Ella that she doesn’t need to come but Ella does anyone. And they are both shocked when Gayle says that she wants to spend a family Christmas. Little does she know what that will entail.
Luckily, Samantha needs to check out a lodge in Scotland that she might start including in her holiday excursions business. So off the family goes. There’re hurt feelings,tears, and self-discovery. This is definitely not a a Morgan romance novel because there is no HEA or even an HFN but it was a nice family story.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 6th
ARC kindly provided by Harlequin and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland

 I love Christmas. I love sweet stories but this one was a little too much for me. If this had been a second or third book and we had seen April and Nick start to date, fall in love, and move to the North Pole, I think it would have set up the characters and the world and made this book much more enjoyable. 

The premise was interesting, Mrs. Claus solving crime in Santaland while trying to fit in with a new culture. And elf-slaying certainly isn’t something that you would expect. If you don’t mind that the mystery isn’t just fairly clued, it’s fairly obvious from the first introduction of the murderer or that mystery is more treacly than a treat By Hannah Swenson, this might be the book for you. 

Two and a half stars

This book came out September 29th

ARC kindly provided by Kensington and NetGalley

Opinions are my own