Book Title: Jack of Spies
Author: David Downing
Version: ARC
Publication Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: SoHo Crime
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
SYNOPSIS: It is 1913 and the world seems to be on the brink of war. Jack McColl is a Scottish car salesmen, traveling the world to help his company sell cars, picking up a new language here and there and doing some light spying for England on the side. Jack finds that though he is worried about the state of the world he rather enjoys his side business of spying to be rather enjoyable. Going from place to place, using his language skills, and at times being able to do a little bit of undercover work.
However as the world begins to slide further and further into a war zone things begin getting more complicated and dangerous for Jack. Especially when he meets a woman that puts into question everything that he has been working towards. When he is attacked in China Jack realizes that his casual side job ha taken a serious turn. When he gets to the states and starts spending more time with this utterly engaging woman he realizes that ever so slowly he is falling in love with her. Things get even more complicated when it turns out her family might be involved with the very people that Jack is trying to stop.
As things begin to escalate and all around the world more and more signs of war Jack McColl has quite a few big decisions to make. Does he want to quit life as a salesman and become a full time spy? Is he willing to leave the life he knows for one of danger and uncertainty? How far will he go to protect his country, is he willing to give up the woman he loves to do his duty?
REVIEW: I usually enjoy a good spy novel, I find it exciting to see what happens next, spend time guessing who the bad guy really is and will he or she get away with it? I like the mystery of it and the twists and turns. I think that, that is why one of my managers gave the ARC of 'Jack of Spies' to me. He and I were hoping that I would enjoy the characters and the mystery and the excitement of it all. This however was not the case with this book unfortunately.
I felt that it was a little long winded for a spy novel. The story was ok, nothing really all that exciting or new. There wasn't all that much spying or rather novel worthy spying. It just all felt so very boring. I didn't really care what happened next or how it would end. I also felt that it was a little too stretched out and unfocused. It was kind of a disappointment story wise.
Actually all around the book was a disappointment there was very little I liked about it. It was ok, and that is about it I really didn't find anything extraordinary about it. It was cookie cutter boring and not really filled with all that much mystery or thrill. I was rushing to finish it just to finish it. I have nothing much more to say about the book because it was just so very blah. I don't tip my tiny hat at all for this one, looking back at it I just didn't like it.
Book Title: Night Owls
Author: Lauren M. Roy
Version: Mass Market Paperback
Published: February 25th, 2014
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: The Night Owls bookstore is every college student's dream, open late into the night, lots of comfy study corners, right next to a late night coffee shop oh and it's run by a vampire. Of course no one knows she's a vampire they just think she's the super cool owner that only works the night shift. But Val is indeed a vampire with her very own Renfield, the occasional blood lust and a dark past that she is doing her best to keep there.
All Elly has ever known is a life on the run with her mentor and adoptive father Father Value. When Father Value is murdered protecting a book, going against everything that he taught Elly, Elly takes the book and runs from his murderers the Creeps. Knowing only one place where she and the book may be safe Elly runs to the college town of Edgewood to meet Professor Clearwater a one time friend of Father Value. Elly hopes to find some answers as to why Father Value had to die.
When the Creeps find Elly and Professor Clearwater things quickly take a turn for the worse and soon Elly finds herself running for her life but this time without the book. Professor Clearwater, a dear friend of Val's, put the book at Night Owls bookstore for safe keeping. When one of Val's employees and dear friend somehow extracts a spell from this mysterious book the Creeps come after him. Val taking this as a personal insult, along with her Redfield, Chas team up with Ellyn and her adoptive brother Cavale. Together with a pair of lesbian succubi they take a stand against the Creeps and their evil plans.
REVIEW: This is totally my kind of book. Magic, vampires, strong ass-kicking women, handsome men and books. I had a feeling I was going to like it right away and I was not disappointed. The fun part about this book even before I started it was that a friend of a friend edited it. Now I realize what I'm about to say is makes me a complete book nerd but the fact that I am acquainted with someone who is a full fledged editor is more exciting for me than meeting a celebrity.
Anyway knowing the editor of the book was the reason I picked up the book but once I started reading I found myself wanting to keep reading based on the book itself. I was immediately swept up in the story. The mystery and adventure of it all kind of took me away and kept me enthralled for 296 pages. It was a story that I loved losing myself in and the more I got lost, the more I wanted to get lost. I am thrilled that this is merely the first in an exciting new series because I can't wait for the next chapter in this story!
This is Lauren M. Roy's debut novel and what a debut it is! I thought that the writing was wonderful. I think the thing I liked most was that she didn't try to prove herself by using big fancy words that had me reaching for the dictionary every other sentence, she just wrote her story. Don't get me wrong I always enjoy improving my vocabulary but I find it rather annoying when authors use big words just to use big words. Ms. Roy is a good writer indeed, one that knows that her story can stand alone with out a lot of flourish and fancy trimmings. She had a very well put together story, lots of great twists and turns that had me guessing and jumping and wanting more! Also she seems to have a knack for slipping in some very funny moments. Lots of wit woven in which I absolutely adored. I can't wait to keeping reading what Ms. Roy writes because I know it's gonna be good!
The characters were totally captivating. Val and Chaz a perfect twosome full of love and kindness and an absolute perfect partnership. Elly with her grim outer exterior and her inner desire to just find a place to call home, Cavale with his charm and big heart hoping to make Elly's dream come true. These core characters along with the rest of the cast were so well created and drawn that I fell instantly in love with them. I loved all of them because they seemed like just the people next door with a few extra qualities. All of the characters were wonderful and I am so looking forward to seeing what other adventures they go on!
All in all I enjoyed the book from page 1 to page 296. Well written, well put together, great characters and an intriguing story all made for a really fun read. I recommend it to anyone who likes a really good fantasy novel and a great adventure. 'Night Owls' by Lauren M. Roy is the total package for a fun fantasy read, so if you are a fantasy fan go out and find yourself a copy because it's the beginning of a truly exciting adventure.
