Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs

I loved this book. Mercy Thompson is an excellent heroine. Her strengths are not defined by her mystical powers as a walker but as an adaptable person with special abilities. Raised by werewolves she understands the inner workings of being part of a pack without the bother of actually having to conform and be pack. It is the readers priviledge to get an inside look at Mercy's knowledge of "others" and things that go bump in the night.

Mercy is an auto mechanic who finds herself deep into a mystery which involves newbie werewolves invading the local alpha's territory, kidnapping, and a handful of vampires (everyone knows vampires cannot be trusted.) So what is a young headstrong woman to do? Get involved. Of course.

What I found completely fasinating about this book was that Briggs created a world that ties together basic "knowledge" of werewolves and vampires and her vision of the otherworld seemlessly. As a reader we get history 101 on werewolves without feeling like we just sat through a boring 8 hour lecture.

The other characters in the book are just as wonderful as Mercy. I can't wait to read more about them in future books.

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

This is the 6th book in Julia Quinn's beloved Bridgerton series and a decent addition to the series it is. I really liked Michael Stirling's character. He finds himself completely and totally in love with Francesca from their first meeting. Unfortunately for him, the meeting took place at the festivities of Francesca's marriage to Michael's cousin John. I thought this approach to a romance book was very interesting. First off, it seems the pattern for romances is that the women fall first then the man follows when it comes to love. It was a nice change of pace that in this book it was the other way around. Secondly, the reader has to wonder how can a man fall in love with his cousin's wife and the book have a happy ending. This approach keeps the reader (at least this one) reading full into the dark of night to find the happy ending.

I have to admit that as far as likability, Francesca, is just OK. I didn't find her nearly as interesting as her sisters Daphne or Eloise. However, if you have read the Bridgerton books in order you will know how Francesca becomes available to Michael even after being married to John which the back blurb of the book also hints about.

This part will contain some spoilers so for those who have yet to read the Bridgerton books you might want to discontinue reading at this point.

Spoilers..........................................

What I found so compelling about this book was that I could identify with Francesca and Michael's struggles to thier attraction and the memory of John. If you have ever lost love, finding the courage to move on is a difficult task and Quinn did an excellent job of portraying the heartbreak of it all. I was glad that although she did introduce the reader to all the characters in the beginning she didn't make us fall in love with John and then take him away from us. I think that would have been difficult to write and even more difficult for a reader to read. It would have made the love of Michael and Francesca somewhat tainted I think.

Although I couldn't give this book an honest 5 star rating (I firmly believe that it isn't nearly as good as her first couple Bridgerton books) it is a strong 4 stars. It sends a little message out to those who have found love and lost it. When a loved one dies, love really doesn't die with them. It can and will find you again if you just open yourself up and let it.

After the Night by Linda Howard

Faith Devlin is the daughter of the town tramp and a drunk. She learns at an early age that despite who she is or might become a town as small as Prescott, Louisianna lables you based on what family you come from. For Faith, this means the people of the parish treat her as if she were a tramp like her mom and sister, a drunk like her father or a thief like her brothers. This is not who or what Faith is but to everyone in the town it doesn't matter.

Gray Rouillard is the son of the wealthiest man in Prescott, possibly even in half the state. He is also the golden boy football player from LSU. To Faith he is the idol she has loved from afar for as long as she could remember.

Faith and Gray's paths rarely crossed. Faith being dirt poor and taking care of her special needs little brother and Gray being groomed to take over his father's business one day. One night their paths did cross. Faith's mother was Gray's father's mistress and on this one night both she and Gray's father left Prescott never to be seen again. On that night Gray and Faith's worlds collided. He called her trash and she was forced to leave the only home she ever knew.

12 years later Faith Devlin returned to Prescott to get answers. Answers to where Renee Devlin and Guy Rouillard went that night and perhaps to show the town of Prescott that she was not like the rest of her family.

I very much enjoyed this book. My heart went out to Faith's struggles when she was a young girl. As a woman my heart went out to her even more when she went back to the town that labled her to show them that she was a successful woman and not a product of a horrible family.

The mystery aspect of this book was great. It captivated me and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering who the bad person was and what exactly happened on the night that Renee and Guy disappeared.

If you have never read a book by Linda Howard this book is a good introduction to her writing. This isn't my first book by her and it definitely won't be my last.

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

Synopsis: A funny thing happened... — Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. — Except... She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory!

Except... Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar.

My Thoughts: The 8th and last installment of the Bridgerton books written by Julia Quinn was a wonderful story of Gregory who always knew true love existed. A romantic at heart he has watched all 7 of his siblings fall in love and marry knowing that he too would one day fall in love. And he did. While attending a week of festivities that his sister-in-law puts together. With the help of beautiful Hermoine Watson's best friend she will soon be his. Only love doesn't quite work out the way Gregory expects it to. It appears that when love comes calling it tends to make things quite difficult actually.

Overall I very much enjoyed this book. It felt a tad bit long especially through the middle when both hero and heroine profess their love for one another. I mean, once I love Yous are in place it is only a matter of pages before the happily ever afters get there. But this book was different. It shows that some times what you think you long for isn't always what you actually want.

This is definitely a book you should read if you have enjoyed the other Bridgerton books.