2-24-12 For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison - Fiction

3 - This is one of my least favorite Rachel Morgan books. It's not that it's bad, but it just doesn't have quite the oomph that most of the other books do. The focus isn't quite in hiding anymore and Rachel is caught in the middle of the beginning power struggle in Cincinnati. Not to mention she's having demon problems again and Ivy is starting to act a little weird. But I still do love this series! One bonus though...if you buy the paperback edition of this book you get an additional short story featuring Kisten & Rachel, the events of which are mentioned in the next book.

2-20-12 Charlie Chan by Yunte Huang - Non-Fiction

4 - This was a very interesting look at the history not only of the Charlie Chan character, but also the history of Hawaii. Huang introduces the reader to the real life Charlie Chan, Chang Apana, a police officer in the soon to be state of Hawaii. He also looks at the people who portrayed Charlie Chan in the incredibly popular movies and at the author himself and his life. This book is full of history and information that has almost been lost on a period and area in American history that is often overshadowed by the gold rush. A fascinating read for history buffs.

2-15-12 A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison - Fiction

5 - This is one of my favorite books in the Rachel Morgan series and it's all because Jenks gets big. If you haven't read the books yet, Jenks is a pixy. Picture a swearing bloodthirsty Peter Pan with 54 kids who's only 4" tall and you might be able to understand why having him be 6'4" is amusing. Rachel's pity for the underdog has gotten her into trouble again because this time Nick has gotten himself kidnapped in Michigan and she feels it's her duty to help him out. In doing so, she is now involved in the beginnings of what could be a world tearing war between the Weres and the vamps. Her life just doesn't get any easier.

2-12-12 Wilderness Run by Maria Hummel - Fiction

3 - This was an interesting story about the Civil War from the perspective of Vermonters who saw things a little differently. I learned quite a few things from this book. The underground railroad traveled through Vermont up into Canada and that a lot of people in Vermont were against slavery for themselves but also felt apart from the immediate issues of the country for a while. This story focuses on two cousins, Bel and Lawrence, who are growing up during the start of the abolitionist movement. Lawrence enlists into the army to fight for the Union and Bel convinces her Canadian French tutor to enlist for the Union as well. The story is told with alternating chapters between Lawrence in the army and the hardships endured and Bel, still in Vermont, worrying about both her cousin and her tutor. It's actually pretty well written and a different look at the Civil War from a new perspective for me.

2-7-12 Every Which Way but Dead by Kim Harrison - Fiction

4 - Rachel's deal with Big Al is now coming back to bite her in the ass. She has to figure out a way that she can fulfill the technical terms of the deal without being dragged into the everafter to be Al's familiar for eternity or until he finds something better, whichever comes first. Not only is she trying to keep herself on this side of the lines, but she also has to deal with Trent again, or more correctly, his security head Quen. And she has pissed off Jenks so much that he has left the firm and moved his family out. Just another day in the life of Rachel Morgan.

2-4-12 The Bride Wore Black Leather by Simon R. Green - Fiction

5 - You didn't really think John Taylor's stag party could go off without a hitch did you? As the new Walker, John has to give up his PI business but he wants one last case to go out with a bang. And he gets it. So on the night before his wedding he's chased all over the Nightside by everyone, including his fiancee, for the murder of one of the most beloved members of society. But, as you know, nothing is quite what it seems in the Nightside and there are always many sides to a story here. LOVE this series!

2-2-12 An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris - Fiction

4 - Harper gets pulled into a serial killer case this time when she is hired by a woman to find her grandson and she finds him plus seven other boys. The killings in this case are so disturbing that Harper wants to leave immediately and if you are faint of heart you might want to skip this one. But things never quite go Harper's way so she is stuck in the town for a while and is now a target of the killer too. Great crime thrillers even if you didn't have the paranormal twists.