Mysterious Saturday Review: Mark of the Midnight Manzilla

 * Book 11 in the Pink Carnation series *

Sally Fitzhugh isn't interesting the parties of the season until she wanders into a garden on a dare and meets Duke of Belliston. The man's rarely scene and rumors swirl around him.  They say he's a vampire. Sally knows this to be utter nonsense, but she can't help become fascinated with him.

She tags along with him to a midnight meeting during a ball, only to discover a girl murdered in the gardens. It's clear to Sally that someone is setting him up - especially since the girl looks to have died from a vampire bite.

Sally's hot on the trail, determined to figure out who's behind the murder and why they set up the Duke. 

My Thoughts: I love this series, and was so happy to have this extra novel. I love how the people of society felt the dangers of vampires because they were fascinated with a book: The Convent of Orsino.  (The book written by none other than Miss Gwen). I enjoyed Sally's determination not to let anything else happen to the Duke. A great addition to the series filled with romantic moments, action, danger, and a strong heroine.  On one hand, I do not want the series to end, but on the other, I'm curious to see how it all fits together - not to mention how the modern day story will end.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library  

Adult Review: True Spies

* Sequel to Lord and Lady Spy * 

Lady Elinor Keating is tired of her husband. He's absent more often than not and he's terrible at keeping his promises. She wants more. She contemplates an affair -with a man who claims to be a spy and who might need her help. The excitement of becoming a spy outweighs her sense of betrayal.

Just when she decides this, her husband Lord Keating becomes interested in her. She's never been able to resist him, but she's never been quite so angry with him.

When she leaves to meet her potential lover, he follows her. He can't believe the lies this man is telling his wife. And he outs himself as a spy. At first she doesn't believe him. The discovery happens at a garden party, where the enemy has come looking for Lord Keating.

Her anger deepens when she realizes the truth behind his absences and all the lies he's told over the years. Worse, his job as a spy has put herself and her daughters at risk. Lady Keating is swept up in the drama when she's kidnapped. Will her husband save her or will he neglect her like he's done for their entire marriage?

My Thoughts: A fantastic blend of thriller, humor, and romance; I devoured this book. I love seeing Lord and Lady Smythe again. I enjoyed Lady Keating's fierceness and her determination. I love how she threw herself into the mission, wanting to help.  I liked watching Lord Keating realize that he loved his wife after all and do what he could to win back her affections.  I can't wait to see what happens next with England's best agent! 

Cover Thoughts: I love it
Source: my Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Lord and Lady Spy

Lady Smythe doesn't know her husband of five years. They rarely spend any time together. He knows nothing of her secret life, which is why she's dumbfounded to learn he holds a secret identity as well.

She uncovers his identity during a secret rendezvous following her recent unemployment. With the Napoleonic Wars over, England won't be needing her services.They also won't be needing her husband's services either. However, there is one spot vacant. Both are requested to attend a midnight meeting if they hope to keep their jobs. As they move in the shadows towards the meeting, they uncover each other's secret during a fight.

Adrian's impressed with his wife's skills and shocked to learn she's The Saint.

At the meeting, Lord and Lady Smythe are asked to take on one final mission - solve a murder for Lord Liverpool. The one who uncovers the identity of the murderer (where the police could not) is allowed to keep his or her job. Will they be able to work together or will their competitive nature, their mistrust of each other, and their emotions force them to battle each other?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this romance mystery. I liked how Lord and Lady Smythe had martial problems - which stemmed from several miscarriages and not spending time together. However, each enjoyed their spouse's company. I love that Lady Smythe hid herself behind horrible dresses. I loved her sense of adventure, determination, and independence.  I liked how they found their romance again (or really for the first time). I liked how they each had different ways of investigating and interrogating witnesses.  I heard there might be more of their adventures coming. I sure hope so.

Cover Thoughts: Fun

Source: My Library

Author Visit: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

We had the extraordinarily good fortune to snag Jennifer for an event at the library.

Here's the room set up:

There's a dessert table



There's a readalike table where people could check out books from our collection



There's a book buying table



And finally there was Jennifer

A little blurry and then before the room filled up.

*************
She talked about her writing process

How long it takes her to write a book: her first couple of books took a few short weeks while her last book look almost a year to write. She also revises each day before she writes.

Her rejections and how to get over rejections: best tip: as soon as you start query letters for one project, immediately start another project so when the rejections letters come - and they will - it won't hurt as bad because it's not the project you're working on right now.

How Raised by Wolves found the official cover - after many drafts with tons of photos, fonts, and colors

Books:
She recently LOVED
Mistwood
Unwritten Word

She adores:
adult urban fantasy

The first supernatural book she read: Matilda

Old favorites from Childhood:
Anne of Green Gables series
Tamora Pierce


Here's a READ poster I made of her with her favorite Spy novels

Review: Body at the Tower

Mary Quinn will take on her most challenging assignment for the Agency yet. She'll have to pose as a twelve year old boy looking for work at the construction site for the Houses of Parliament. A man fell from his death from the top of the tower and nobody can figure out more details.

This assignment brings back memories from her old life where she lived as a boy on the streets until the ladies rescued her. In order to replicate her persona, she will remain incognito throughout the mission. Under the circumstances, her emotional state remains fragile, nervous, and scared. However, she's determined to take this assignment and see it through.

On her first day as Mark, she makes two grave mistakes within minutes of arriving on site. She makes it known that she can read, which gives her an edge on most men. Mary's making a little progress on the case when Mr. James Easton appears - also on the case. It's been a year since she's seen him and he's changed drastically. When he doesn't seem to recognize her, she's not sure if she's happy or disappointed.

Can Mary/Mark worm her way into the building crowd enough to uncover the truth about this man's death. Could it truly be an accident or something more sinister?


My Thoughts: There are so many books I read that blow me away - and this series is one of them. How long until the 3rd book comes out? I ADORE this series. It's so amazing - there's the thrilling spy moments, the uncover scenes, the mystery which always leads to danger, and the romance. I heard there will AT LEAST be three volumes to Mary Quinn's adventures. I would love to read more. I also heard there might be some novels about other characters in the Agency. I would love reading about Felicity and Anne and how they founded the agency. As you can tell, when it really comes down to it, I just want MORE (and quickly!)

The Cover: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cover. Plus, the dress comes from a great scene in the book.

Source: I begged Candlewick for a copy (something I NEVER do, but I *needed* this book)