
The Life Engineered stands amongst the year's best science fiction novels
The Life Engineered
by J F Dubeau
Inkshares
Sci Fi & Fantasy
Pub Date: March 1, 2016
Review
The Life Engineered is the most marvelous and innovative science fiction novel that I've read in quite some time. Imagine a world where your nature, your evolved self determines the form your body takes and the abilities it has. Imagine a world of creation, free of conflict. This is the world inherited by the capeks, a race of sentient artificial beings. This is the world th

A killer's motives are not always transparent
Shards of Murder
by Cheryl Hollon
Kensington Books
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: February 23, 2016
Review
Exquisite art requires passion, but passion can lead to murder.
Savannah Webb is thrilled and a bit daunted by the challenge of judging the glass art for the Spinnaker Arts Festival. The clear winner is Megan Loyola, whose art is both innovative and passionate. But Megan does not show up for her prize, and the festival is abuzz with rumor.
Savannah does not


Elvis is more than ready for A Whisker of Trouble
A Whisker of Trouble: A Second Chance Cat Mystery by Sofie Ryan Obsidian Mystery Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: February 2, 2016 Review Who can help falling in love with Elvis? - and by Elvis, I mean Elvis the rescue cat, the undisputed star of Sofie Ryan’s Second Chance Cat mysteries. Of course that doesn’t downplay the importance or the charm of the human characters. It is easy to see why Sarah can’t say no to her grandmother’s friends, the senior citizen version of Char

Only the exceptional can walk the border between the real and the fantastic
Borderline by Mishell Baker Saga Press Sci FI & Fantasy Pub Date: March 1, 2016 Review Some books make you stand up and take notice. They grab you and don’t let go. Borderline is an unforgettable piece of urban fantasy, distinct and innovative. As leads go Millie is far from the norm. She is a paraplegic who lost her legs in a failed suicide attempt. She contends daily with her borderline personality disorder. Millie is cynical and damaged, but she is also a survivor. W

Will Diesel be banished from the library?
No Cats Allowed: A Cat in the Stacks mystery
by Miranda James
Berkley Publishing Group
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: February 23, 2016
Review
Miranda James crafts an excellent mystery, and No Cats Allowed is no exception. The seventh in the Cat in the Stacks mystery series is easily as good as the first. Unlike many cozy series, the quality of Miranda James's novels has remained high throughout. This series is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing cozy with an

Estep's Bitter Bite leaves the reader hungry for more
Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books Sci Fi & Fantasy Pub Date: February 23, 2016 Review It isn't easy to keep a long running series both fresh and interesting. Jennifer Estep successfully keeps readers fascinated with both her characters and the developing story arc. While all of her novels have the requisite action, devious plans, elemental magic, hot sex and dangerous and deadly opponents, each has a unique plot that adds yet another piece to the


Uncovering a killer is difficult when there is No Shred of Evidence
No Shred of Evidence: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd William Morrow Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: February 16, 2016 Review Life is rarely straightforward, and murder in real life is never as straightforward or as cut and dry as it is in novels. No Shred of Evidence puts Inspector Ian Rutledge in an unusual position. A man is near death. Three young women of respectable family claim that they saw Harry’s boat sinking and were attempting to save him from d


Running a cake shop can be murder
The Killing in the Cafe: A Fethering Mystery
By Simon Brett
Severn House
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: March 1, 2016 Review Free spirited life counselor Jude and her practical, no-nonsense neighbor Carole are once more thrust into investigating a murder when one of Jude’s clients finds a body… a body that goes missing shortly after its discovery. Jude’s client, Sara, believes she may have been hallucinating, but Jude isn’t so sure. Polly’s Cake Shop has long been a fixt

Always charming, the new Hamish Macbeth mystery is sure to please
Death of a Nurse: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery
by MC Beaton
Grand Central Publishing
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: February 23, 2016
Review
I've always enjoyed the Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Hamish is an unassuming village policeman, more concerned with taking care of his village than collaring criminals. He prefers to give residents the chance to do the right thing, even if it takes a few surreptitious nudges. Softhearted and easygoing, he is often accompanied by his

Next of Kin is dark, disturbing, and unforgettable
Next of Kin: A Sarah Quinn Police Procedural by Maureen Carter Severn House Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: March 1, 2016 Review Next of Kin is an extremely dark novel, and is best suited for adult readers. It is a gritty, realistic police procedural that may be disturbing for some readers as sexual assault plays a major role. When the body of a teenage girl is found, it is assumed she is only the latest victim of a serial rapist. The case becomes more complicated when police