Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 25, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Office time has been busy for me - a few mornings traveling for court. Our weather is beginning to warm up and today was gorgeous.  Time is moving fast and spring is hopping away. 
I have a new book group list picture up but the list will have to wait till Saturday morning.


More details at My Cancer Journey. 

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the April 18 Pick. There were  two Automatic wins again this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There was one title blocked with multiple picks.

Anita gets the Renegade Hearts
CarolM gets Liar's Market

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from April 18 Pick:
Mary P gets a GC

Faith Hope CherryTea gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I hope your books are blooming!

Image found at Moments of Pleasure.

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

I have the new picture but I am too tired to list titles. If you can enlarge the pic, you can name a title. OR wait until Saturday and I will list them.


New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

PAIRS:
   Virginia Henley - Notorious and Insatiable
   Debbie Macomber - Navy Woman and This Matter of Marriage
SINGLES:
The Diamonds of Wellbourne Manor Anthology by Diane Gaston plus
Heart of Darkness Anthology by Gena Showalter plus
Unbound Anthology by Kim Harrison plus
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
Dangerous Passions by Kat Martin
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
If She Only Knew by Lisa Jackson (spine creases)
Liar's Market by Taylor Smith
The Horseman's Secret by Jeannie Watt
Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Swimming Without a Net by Mary Jane Davidson
Exit Strategies by Catherine Todd
Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter
The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Sandhill Dreams by Cara Putman
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright
Dare Me Anthology, Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis and Julie Elizabeth Leto
All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
A Writer's Dream & A Cowboy's Heart by Vickie Kennedy


New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013

PAIRS: gone
SINGLES:
Renegade Heart by Madeline Baker
Every Whispered Word by Karyn Monk
Tides of Passion by Tracy Sumner

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013

Pairs gone
SINGLES:
Father for Keeps by Ana Seymour 
Crimson Rain by Meg O’Brien

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 (All gone)

Singles:
Silver Feather by Cassie Edwards (pictured and in box but missed the listing.)
Something Extra by Janet Dailey

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
      (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 653+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Audio Review: Love You to Death Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 1 by Gail Bowen

This is a great audio way to enjoy a quick mystery story.
Love You to Death
Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 1
by Gail Bowen

Narrator:  Daniel Maté
Audio Book Length:  1 Hr 34 Min
# of Audio CD's:  2
Download ISBN:  978-1-927401-74
Post Hypnotic Press

Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Charlie D is the host of a successful late-night radio call-in show. His listeners have a particularly intimate relationship with him and often reveal much about themselves, confident that he will honor their trust and that he can save them. In their minds, he is perfect: one of life's winners. But Charlie feels he's something of a fake. His easy confidence on-air belies the reality for a man born with a wine-colored birthmark that covers half his face. Love You to Death covers one hour on "The World According to Charlie D"--an hour during which he must both discover the long-time listener who is killing the people who trust him and attempt to come to terms with the man behind the birthmark.

Review:
Charlie D has a popular night time radio talk show where he fields calls from many troubled callers who use his show as a type of suicidal ‘crisis’ line. Sometimes he directs them to professional help and sometimes he takes their calls privately to soothe them in times of urgency. The callers view Charlie D as a winner who encourages them to do better and see more in themselves. The callers don't realize that Charlie has his own reasons to feel desperate about life at times so he has a lot of empathy for his callers.

Two of his regular call-in fans have been found dead. The police suspect another fan who has fixated on Charlie D, and wants to eliminate the competition. They set up a call show for “Obsessed Lovers” hoping to draw out the killer. The police, including a police psychologist, are at the studio listening to every call. Not only are Charlie D’s fans in danger but, with the murderer trying to get to Charlie, can the police protect Charlie and his show producer, Nova?

This is a very engaging, quick sound bite, mystery. The villain is an appropriately twisted psychopath. I enjoyed the introduction to Charlie and Nova who have their quirks and a solid working relationship. I recommend this to mystery lovers and it is perfect when you want a quick listen/read to enjoy.

Audio Notes: The narration was spot on for the story, with the narrator appropriately conveying the nuances of voices, personalities and emotions. Stay tuned as I am looking forward to more ‘rapid reads’ and night time talk line with Charlie D.

I received this audio book from Post Hypnotic Press for an honest review.

Book Review: Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles by Maggie Mae Gallagher

This is wonderful, fast paced action with a volatile romance.

Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles
by Maggie Mae Gallagher

File Size: 1121 KB
Print Length: 411 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0991481704
Publisher: Maggie Mae Gallagher; 1 edition (February 25, 2014)
ASIN: B00IO7075Y

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Action
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 25, 2014
My name is Alana Devereaux. I enjoy the simple things in life, walks in the park, sky gazing, and ripping a demon's heart out through its chest. I am a demon slayer, the last of my kind, and I have been sent back through time to save your world. How am I doing so far? My time travel went haywire, all the signs I needed to stop the prophecy have passed, and the only way I can save my world is by keeping yours from ending. Then there's Gaelen, most days I want to deck him. He hides his true motives and if it was not for the intel he had, I would be rid of him. Any day in my life without a demon attack is a good day; I haven't had a whole lot of those lately. The only problem is, if I don’t stop the Mutari, this world will burn.

Review:
Alana is from the future where the remaining humans, the Cantati, struggle to survive as they hunt down demons who have overrun the earth. Alana grew up learning more about battling foes than about the past history of humans. Now a new, stronger and smarter type of demon has broken into the Cantati stronghold and Alana watches in dismay as her friends and comrades are torn apart. As the demons break into the room where her father has taken her, he tells her that she has to travel back in time to stop the event that allowed the demons to enter the human dimension.

Unfortunately the time travel misses the mark and brings her back later than it was supposed to. Not only does she have less time to complete her mission but the signs she was to follow have already passed. She is scrambling to research rare book treatises in an attempt to decipher the few clues she still has but finds herself being attacked by robed men. As she battles attackers Alana catches the eye of Gaelen who is also fighting demons but has his own mission that is not too clear. Eventually Gaelen steps in to help Alana and she is surprised to discover someone, not necessarily a human, who fights as well as she does. Who is he and what are his motives?

Gaelen insists that Alana team up with him as they are seeking the same artifacts. But they don’t trust each other and hinder themselves by refusing to share the information they have. Eventually they uncover some of each other’s secrets but Alana is sure that Gaelen is still holding back.

Gaelen and Alana are dodging and hiding from an evil order of priests that want to help the demons take over. Alana is distressed to learn that she is the cause of the apocalypse as it is her blood that the head demon needs to open the gates to earth. Her whole mission fails unless she is killed before the demons catch her. Can she trust Gaelen or is he part of a trap to capture her?

Alana is a great warrior heroine - strong but flawed and vulnerable in her youth, confusion and solitary existence. Gaelen is mysterious and sexy. Phinn is another mysterious man, a type of magician, who gives aid to Alana.

This intense story is told in first person with just a touch of chagrin. There is a terrific plot and great suspense that grabbed my attention from the outset and never disappointed. The chemistry between Gaelen and Alana sizzles but the romance is secondary to the full blown action and danger. The only draw back is that Gaelen’s secrets and connections are a little difficult to unravel. Still this is a truly engaging read and I look forward to more action and adventure as the series develops.

I received this title for review through NetGalley.

Book Review with Giveaway Link: The Temptations of Anna Jacobs A Dangerous Liaisons Novel (InterMix) by Robyn DeHart

This story has a delightful romance set amid investigation of the dark murders of Jack the Ripper.
The Temptations of Anna Jacobs
A Dangerous Liaisons Novel (InterMix)
by Robyn DeHart


File Size: 1072 KB
Print Length: 232 pages
Publisher: InterMix (April 15, 2014)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B009KUXH1K

Purchase links:

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1gJ31cW

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1g5fV5u

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1mWkvL1

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Love and justice…
When Drew Foster is released from prison, he doesn't much care about salvaging his soiled reputation. Though he's working undercover, everyone in Victorian London believes him guilty of the Jack the Ripper murders and that his brother paid for his "innocence."
Despite her genteel upbringing, Anna Jacobs is intent on finishing medical school and becoming a physician. Society's ridicule has never bothered her, but when her brother, the Yard's best detective, is scorned for letting Drew go, she confronts the one man who can set the record straight at a ball. She certainly doesn't count on the rogue being dashing and handsome, nor on him stealing a passionate kiss.

Anna's brazen contempt for his dangerous reputation captivates Drew, but he is harboring secrets that make him unfit to court any proper woman. As he finds himself an outsider among his colleagues at Scotland Yard, the feisty beauty offers up her medical knowledge to assist him on the case. But when the real killer returns to London to continue his reign of terror, can Anna find safety in Drew's arms?

Review:
Annabelle Jacobs considers herself ‘plump’ and men have shown little interest in her. She has pursued studies and practical interests in spite of her mother’s objections. Her father, before his death and her older brother, Simon, encouraged her interest in attending medical school for women.

Drew Foster, a younger son of a Duke, has lived the past few years in a drunken stupor after finding out a dark family secret. He ended up in prison accused of the Jack the Ripper murders though he claims he was framed. When another murder occurs while he is still in prison, Simon, a lead investigator for Scotland Yard, is finally able to arrange Drew’s release. Simon asks Drew to help in the investigation since he may have some unrealized knowledge of the true killer.

Although short tempered and rude at their first meeting, Drew finds Annabelle to be a remarkable, bright and brave, as well as a tempting, young woman. Simon is sent off to Scotland while Drew and Anna share time in Simon’s study. Anna is initially studying for her medical exams but soon starts collaborating over the murder notes with Drew.

I thoroughly enjoyed the settings and mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper. There are a trail of clues to be followed and interesting experiments Anna and Drew conduct trying to determine if some of the more recent killings were done by a copycat.

I really liked Anna and Drew as less than perfect characters. Anna is a sweet but determined young woman who is prepared to make her own way since she doesn’t have the beauty of her mother and older sister. Drew is struggling with the craving to drink and it is delightful that he finds Anna to be a draw that keeps him from the bottle. The romance between them develops sweetly, as well as sensually. There was an extra smile from a side romance between two people that Anna cares for greatly.

The story moves along at a good clip with lots of action and clues that kept my interest. I liked Drew’s brother, Alex, and sister-in-law, Mia, and I want to read their story in the first book. I also look forward to the third story which continues Simon’s search to hunt down Jack the Ripper. I highly recommend this book and the series to readers who enjoy mystery with their historical romance.

I received this title for an honest review as part of a blog tour.

Author Bio:

National Bestselling author, Robyn DeHart's novels have appeared in the top bestselling romance and historical romance lists. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. Her historical romantic adventure series, The Legend Hunters, were not only bestsellers, but also award-winners, snagging a Reader's Crown and a Reviewer's Choice award. She had three releases in 2013 and 2014 will see four more, all set in the popular historical romance Regency and Victorian eras.

Known for her "strong dialogue and characters that leap off the page" (RT Bookclub) and her "sizzling romance" (Publishers Weekly), her books have been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. A popular writing instructor, she has given speeches at writing conferences in Los Angeles, DC, New York, Dallas, Nashville and Toronto, among many others.

When not writing, you can find Robyn hanging out with her family, husband (The Professor) a university professor of Political Science and their two ridiculously beautiful and smart daughters, Busybee and Babybee as well as two spoiled-rotten cats. They live in the hill country of Texas where its hot eight months of the year, but those big blue skies make it worth it.

Places to find Robyn:

Site: http://www.robyndehart.com/

Jaunty Quills: http://jauntyquills.com/

Peanut Butter on the Keyboard: http://peanutbutteronthekeyboard.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robyndehart

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobynDeHart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/robynwtr/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RobynDeHart

Enjoy an Excerpt:

   She was quiet for several moments. He watched her face as she considered all the possibilities. Even now, the taste of her lips stayed with him, and he wanted more. More of her kisses, more of her smiles. Simply more of Anna.
   Perhaps she had other thoughts that could explain the differences in the injuries, or the use of an alternate weapon.
   “Why did you kiss me? The other day?” she asked.
   Drew felt his brows rise in surprise. “Is that what you were thinking about? I suspected your thoughts were more academic in nature.”
   She shrugged. “Academic or not, I am still a woman.”
   “It seemed the thing to do,” Drew said with a shrug of his own.
   “‘It seemed the thing to do,’” she said, mocking his tone. She frowned. “That’s not a very good answer.”
   He resisted the urge to smile. Hell, he didn’t know why he’d kissed her. Because the desire to do so had been so overwhelming he hadn’t been able to resist her lips. In fact, he longed to embrace her again, right now. “What would be a good answer?”
   “How the devil should I know?” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “I don’t go around kissing unsuspecting people.”
   “Fair enough. Well then, I kissed you because I wanted to.” Perhaps honesty would appease her curiosity. “Because your mouth is tempting, even though you talk far too much.”
   “That doesn’t even make any sense. Well, the bit about my talking too much, I admit I can be verbose—”
   “You’re doing it again,” he interrupted her. He leaned forward, toward her chair. “Only makes me want to kiss you again.”
   She waved her hand. “That’s ridiculous.”
   “The mere notion of kissing you? Hasn’t any man ever expressed a similar interest?”
   A blush stained her exposed throat, marring her lovely creamy skin. Her hand followed the telltale sign of her embarrassment and she fiddled with the necklace around her throat. She swallowed visibly. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. I’m not even certain how we got on this discussion,” she said.
   “You asked me why I kissed you.”
   “Yes, and your answer is unsatisfactory. I shall merely have to conclude that you men are a peculiar lot.” She pointed at him.
   “I’m going to kiss you again, Annabelle,” he said softly.
   Her mouth opened, then slowly closed. “Right now?”
   “Would you like me to kiss you right now?”
   “I cannot answer that.” She shook her head fervently. “It would be utterly improper.”
   “You, a lady going to medical school and assisting me with an undercover investigation of a murder? Last night we broke into a government building. Your behavior hasn’t exactly been the pinnacle of propriety.”
   Her brow furrowed. “That is quite different.” Her tongue darted out and wet her lips.
   He felt a stab of desire, hot and poignant in his gut. Oh yes. He wanted her. Whatever the reason, logical or not, he wanted her quite badly. Too badly, in fact, for him to kiss her now when his passions were so close to the surface. It was entirely too likely they would not be interrupted, that no one would come along and stop him from ruining her here in his parlor.
   “You already answered my question,” he said.
   She frowned. “I don’t believe I did.”
   “Oh yes, Anna, you want me to kiss you very badly. Now that I know that, I’m going to make you wait. For a little longer.”
   “You are an insufferable man!” she said as she came to her feet.

 Giveaway Info:

·       Victorian Necklace and a $25 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Audible Book Review: The Undead Pool: The Hollows, Book 12 by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan is a great character and I really enjoy listening to this series.

The Undead Pool: The Hollows, Book 12

Written by: Kim Harrison

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

• Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins
• • Series: The Hollows, Book 12
• Format: Unabridged
• Release Date:02-25-14
• Publisher: HarperAudio

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-selling author Kim Harrison returns to the supernatural adventures of Rachel Morgan in the penultimate book of the Hollows series.
Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan knows magic - earth, ley line, even the forbidden demon magic - and that knowledge has saved her life more than once. But now something - or someone - is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong while living vampires attack humans and Inderlanders alike.
The pressures build when the city is quarantined to contain the unreliable magic, and Rachel must stop the attacks before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war.
The only way to do so is through the ancient elven magic, but that carries its own perils - for magic always has a price, and gods do not come lightly when called.
©2014 Kim Harrison (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Review:
This is an intensely active series - always danger. There are strange waves of wicked magical energy reeking havoc in Cinncinnati and the Hollows. These are causing magical spells to backfire resulting in physical damage around the city. Strangely the waves seem to be following Rachel Morgan. Meanwhile the undead vampire masters, who control the younger living vampires, have all disappeared and the living vampires are beginning to attack humans and Inderlanders, including some of Rachel’s werewolf pack. Rachel isn’t a werewolf but she is a powerful witch and day-walking demon with a tie to the werewolves through her friend, David, the true Alpha leader.

Rachel has been working as security for Trent while Quinn is away with the girls, Lucy and Rae. Rachel and Trent have enjoyed working together as they dance around their mutual attraction. Trent wants one night with Rachel on a date instead of as security employee. Dangerous but tempting. They are clearly drawn to each other but Trent is expected to marry one of his own kind, a high elven society member, Elsbeth, the mother of Lucy.

As Rachel tries to help the authorities control the chaos in the community, elven leaders arrive with Elsbeth at Trent’s home. The elven leaders suspect that the wild magic may be coming from an elven goddess who is seeking to make contact through Rachel. The tension increases as one of the elven leaders betrays Trent by lying to Rachel, talking her into a ritual that turns out to allow the goddess a partial possession. Tiny bits of sentient energy move into Rachel threatening to drive her mad unless she can find a way to communicate and control them and stop the goddess from more destruction.

This is what I call a ‘high octane’ series! Rachel seems to be a trouble magnet but somehow, with the help of her friends - vampire Ivy, pixie Jenks, David and Trent - she manages to save the city and come out alive. I love the action intensity and the romantic tension that is finally developed in this book between Rachel and Trent. I wonder how Kim Harrison keeps coming up with great plots and I will look forward to the next adventure.

Audio Notes: Marguerite Gavin is a fixture for me with this series. She does such a good job and makes the series more enjoyable listening entertainment.

I purchased the latest installment of this good series with my Audible subscription.