Last night I stopped by my niece’s house and her 6 year old daughter insisted on reading a book to me.  It was about a wild dog with a bone.  The best part was watching her transform while she read to me.  Even though she’d read the story many times, she still got excited in parts and told me, "Just wait…it really gets funny.  He’s a naughty dog."  This is what books are all about.  Putting that look of wonder and joy on people’s faces. 

Now here’s the WW Ladies with the books that put that look on their faces this week.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman   Read by joysann   Discontented, gifted 17 year old Quentin frequently reflects on the imaginary magical world of a book series he read as a child, wishing there was such a place and that he could go there. When he suddenly does find his way to a world of magic, he thinks his dreams have come true. But along with the schooling to use the magic, he begins to learn that dreams and wishes can have a price.   With something like Hogwarts meets Narnia meets The Breakfast Club meets Full Metal Jacket, The Magicians is not a children’s book. I was fascinated by the curious, twisting, puzzling story, striving to understand where it was going and why it was going there, and liked it. You might enjoy the darker, grim fantasy, and whatever it is you expect, that’s not what’s going to happen…

Divorced, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig   

Read by Heidi

Kathy Callahan has been checking out Stan Bradley, the plumber, for over two years. And just when she is ready to get some action; the truth comes out about who Stan really is. Kathy’s world going into overdrive and she isn’t sure if her life is worth the passion she seeks.   This fast-paced book was alot of fun. I reminded me of the TV show "24". Lots of action and you never really know who is on the right side. I truly enjoyed all the characters and the mystery behind the pursuit. And a dog in the story never hurts either.

The Millionaire’s Misbehaving Mistress by Kimberly Lang

Read by Denise   Will Harrison is Dallas’s most eligible bachelor and heir to his family’s fortune.  He knows how to handle the paparazzi, but his little sister Evie is a worry.  In walks Gwen Sawyer, Miss Behavior, etiquette expert.  She is given three weeeks to work her magic on Evie before a society ball, so she moves into Will’s luxurious penthouse.  Too late she discovers that etiquette is the last thing on handsome Will’s mind.   I was intrigued with how real the story was about how society views how the rich and famous should portray  themselves.  I now realize that I am glad that I am not one of the rich and famous.  I like my nice quiet life unknown to everyone except my family and friends!!

A Drunkard’s Path: A Someday Quilts Mystery by Clare O’Donohue

Read by Sheila

 Nell Fitzgerald lives with her grandmother in a small Hudson River town and works in her grandmother’s quilt shop, Someday Quilts. She is dating Police Chief Jesse Dewalt – until their budding romance is interrupted by a dead body. It’s Jesse’s job to investigate. When Nell starts sleuthing, Jesse considers it obstructing. But Nell has good reason – the killer is still in town. Is it the famous artist who has begun dating her grandmother? Is it the young woman who just started working in the shop? Nell and her quilting group try to solve the murder as they stitch quilts. 

I loved this cozy. It tickled me that Nell and the quilters were such open meddlers and gossips – all in the name of trust and community. I loved that this who-done-it was also about small town friendships, quilting, and Nell’s search for happiness (and murderers). It’s the 2^nd Someday Quilts Mystery (the first is The Lover’s Knot). I hope Clare has many more plots planned for Nell. I’m looking forward to the next book in her series.

Must Love Hellhounds by Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews and Meljean Brook

Read by Michelle

This collection of four novellas begins with the Britlingens Go to Hell.  Batanya and Clovache are two bodyguards of the Britlingen Collective who are hired to protect a thief who wants to break into Hell and steal Lucifer’s conjuring ball.  Angel’s Judgment – Sara is being groomed as the next Guild Director, but is a vampire hunter and tracker by trade.  She finds herself paired up with Slayer and together they track another hunter who is wrongfully killing vampires.  Magic Mourns – Shape shifters Andrea and Raphael are investigating the movements above Hades Realm of a ghost, vampires and a witch while being stalked by a three headed dog, Cerberus, that’s as big as a house.  Blind Spot – Maggie Wren is sent to rescue Blake, while her Hellhound, Sir Pup acts as his guide dog in their search for Blake’s sister. 

This was a great way to read new authors.  Just getting a taste of their styles and genres kept me wanting to know more.  I will be sure to check out additional books by these authors.

The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands   Read by joysann   Even though he has been on the run for 50 years since killing a woman, Nicholas Argeneau never stopped being the rogue hunter he once was. Now, while in pursuit of a murderous immortal, he crosses paths with his former companions who are compelled to capture him for his crimes. But Nicholas discovers the killer’s target victim is his own newly-found li
fe mate, and nothing will stop him from saving her.   Lynsay Sands’ Rogue Hunter Novels are an expansion of her Argeneau vampire series. Many of the same characters come and go, and their stories intertwine, which makes them all the more intriguing and appealing to me, because I genuinely like them and their relationships. Charming and humorous, exciting and romantic, The Renegade Hunter met my expectations, and I’m looking forward to the next episode.

The Once and Future Prince by Olivia Gates

Read by Denise   Prince Leandro D’Agostino would have been king of Castadini, except scandal sent him into exile.  Phoebe Alexander, his secret lover who’d refused to leave with him, has come to convince him to accept his rightful crown.   The pain of betrayal still coursed through Leandro’s veins and he would only consider ruling if Phoebe bowed to his wishes.  Phoebe was willing to do Leandro’s royal bidding even though she knew she could never be his queen, but she would become the prince’s lover.  Then an unexpected pregnancy changed everything.   I felt as though I was in Castadini!   From the old ways of the country’s ruling by a king to the fact that the king had to marry into the right lineage of a family so that the woman he wed could be a proper queen.  What Phoebe went through when she found out she was pregnant, the denial, then the acceptance that it was happening all the way to the point of her realizing she could be a proper queen even though she didn’t have the proper lineage.

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
 
Read by Michelle
 
Olivia Paras "Ollie" is an Assistant White House Chef up for the job of Executive Chef but her efforts are thwarted by an assassin intent on killing her and infiltrating a peace negotiation.  Ollie is living her dream of working in the White House and her boyfriend Tom, a Secret Service Agent, is working against the clock to find the assassin and keep Ollie safe, but inadvertently pushes her away.  As Ollie faces numerous obstacles she wonders how she can succeed when her world is crumbling around her. 
 
This was an enjoyable and captivating story full of suspense.  Julie Hyzy brings to life the behind the scenes world of the White House, and I found myself hungry for the dishes being served and for the knowledge of what was waiting for me on the next page.

Bottom Line:   "So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall." ~ Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory