It's 2022! New & best picks from Saleena for Jan/Feb for adult readers

 New year, new format!  Instead of trying to force books into genres (and fanatically reading as much as possible), I have decided to instead present the best of what I've read that month, any genre, any style.  I'll have one post for teen reads & one for adult reads and it is as long or as short as it needs to be.  I hope you find some fun new books and enjoy sharing my exciting finds with me.

Don't forget to check out the podcast if you like listening!  

This is #5 in the Guild Codex: Spellbound series, and I am still loving it.  I had thought I was getting close to the end, and was wondering how all the loose ends would work out.....but it turns out she is still writing them.  So, more to look forward to! In this story, Tori goes to Aaron's old school, the Sinclair Academy for the holidays and a fancy ball with his family.  She wasn't expecting to see Aaron turning into a git, or to be surrounded by so many judgemental magic users; but that pales in comparison to the fact that something is hunting students in the woods.  Once they realize the danger, all of them jump in with both feet but with so much magic everywhere, and so many jerks, how can they find the one doing the damage?  And can their friendships withstand the Sinclair effect?  I liked this deeper look into the characters and learning more of their stories which have shaped who they are. You do see a bit more of a growing romance here, however, there are lots of obstacles to get through yet, so lots of pining still for Tori.  A really fun and adventurous series that I am delighted to continue to read.

Sammy runs a book club at his book store, but it is unusual in that all the members are supernatural somehow; like a zombie, some werewolves, a couple witches and a banshee.  Sammy doesn't judge though, and he loves his shop, his club and these new nonhuman friends.  Then comes the night when Sammy is kidnapped for a demon sacrifice--and the demon (Dre, full name Dresalantion) declines his sacrifice (he can see he isn't willing) and scares the summoners, taking Sammy home and apologizing for the trouble.  Both Dre & Sammy find themselves drawn to each other, but everyone knows demons are trouble.....and Sammy can't believe such an amazing creature could like a boring book guy.  This story is very sweet and fun. Melzer takes supernatural creatures in her own direction....and I always enjoy seeing new twists on supernatural elements.  

I finally got around to reading book #2 in the Arcane Casebook series...and I was very happy with it.  Our rune detective, Alex,  is drawn into a string of locked room murders that are stumping the police.  At the same time he is trying to solve a missing husband case and find some stolen goods.  With nothing solved, he isn't getting paid...and that puts his business at risk and Alex's magic (and his health) are still suffering from the sacrifices he made to save NYC in the last book.  Alex faces unbelievable pressure on all sides, while he worries that perhaps his powers will never come back, or that he won't ever recover and thrive.  Will he finally figure it all out or will he break under all the pressure?  Willis, as usual, writes an engaging and fascinating magical mystery and all the moving parts keep the reader on edge until the very end.    So good!

I love the Romancing the Curse series, as it's the only series I've read (fantasy, real life, etc) that is reflecting actual Covid related issues.  In this book (#3) Brand is struggling to recover after a severe Covid infection, which cost him his job, his home and all of his savings.  He is offered an opportunity to live in the home of a friend and help plan a small/tiny home community to help local homeless populations.  Brand is happy to have this chance but is concerned that his ill health will cost him this last chance opportunity and he will simply die homeless and alone.  His friend, and the found-family he has created (books 1&2), are very understanding and want to help him succeed and be healthy.  They recommend using Low, a rehabilitation specialist who is out of work because Covid disrupted everything and his certificates have expired while he is waiting to receive his updates & renewals.  The two agree to work together but Brand needs more than just a physical therapist/guru, and Low needs somewhere to belong, someone who isn't afraid of his "otherness" (supernatural creature alert!).  Can they overcome all the curses and obstacles and find love?  This is another awesome book by Kasy, that is light on the supernatural angle (though it's there), but heavy on the emotion and the journey towards happiness.  So good!

Ed has a neck injury from football, which cost hi his shot at the NFL--it also changed his life as far as physical limitations and forced him into a career he doesn't enjoy.  Ed's only joy is volunteering his time at the local community center, teaching fitness and weightlifting.  Laurie was a world class ballet dancer, still is technically; however, he now suffers horrible stage fright and no longer performs.  He has a dance school and occasionally teaches aerobics at the community center.  Ed & Laurie don't actually get along at first, due to lots of assumptions and generalizations each made, and no one would have picked them as a couple....but when Ed offers to help with a dance class (someone to dance with at the school), Laurie realizes that Ed is more than just another toxic football guy......and they soon find they both have strengths and challenges, but together they are amazing.  I loved watching these characters learn to heal and find their joy.  This is a truly romantic and lovely romance that I highly recommend.

In Medium Trouble #2 (Ghost of Truth), Hiro is back again to help but this time something is weird with the murders and the ghosts.....firstly, there ARE no ghosts; and then when he finds some, they are weirdly hostile & aggressive.  Maddox and Hiro work together to try and figure out this conundrum, but when Hiro is kidnapped can Maddox figure out how to save him before the angry ghosts finish him off?  

Winters continues to make use of her gift of balancing humor and suspense equally and as always has interesting characters and original and engaging scenarios.  You will enjoy the whole ride.

I got swept away by this series, devouring all 4 as fast as possible.....kinda the way I attack donuts...haha

Jinx is a private investigator who stumbles upon the hidden world of supernatural creatures---and then discovers that she also has hidden abilities and depths beyond her "normal" human lie detector talent.  While there is a touch of a romance here, it's not the main focus (there is a bit more of it the closer to the end of the series you get....but still, never the main purpose).  Jinx is determined to figure out who murdered her parents, and nothing will dissuade her.  

Figuring out her powers, supernatural communities and solving mysteries comes with the territory and each book continues to build tension and rev up the intensity as she tries to find answers to all of her questions.  Such a good series!

After her first adventure, Sophie is looking forward to relaxing into her job at the morgue as an autopsy assistant and delving into her relationship with the handsome fox shifter/cop.  Suddenly though, she is finding that the dreams & nightmares she is having are resulting in real dead bodies, and the murderer in her dreams looks just like her!  Can they figure out what is going on before Sophie is in trouble for deaths she didn't cause, and without the entire supernatural community finding out about her talent?  

This was another solid story with the author continuing to build on characters and stories already shared, adding dimension and detail to already fascinating tales.  Really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the next.

Poe added a new story to one of my favorite paranormal mystery series.  Calvin's lieutenant  is to blame this time, as he insists on having Sebastian's expertise in indentifying a spiritoscope (Victorian era device that helped contact spirits).  Unfortunately this particular device was left at the scene of a murder, and as more deaths mount up; all leaving spirit focused clues, Snow & Winter are drawn further into the killer's games.  Calvin is really unhappy, and just wants Sebastian safe; so now we have a mystery, some murder and trouble in his new marriage for our favorite antique store owner/mystery solver......what's next?

Poe's characters are so well drawn and complex; the mysteries are well plotted and full of random things only Sebastian knows and that just adds to the fun.  Watching the relationship grow and seeing the two of them working hard on making it work is a huge part of the series, and honestly, I adore it.  

The Kinsmen Universe is an anthology collection of two stories and a short story, with some lovely art as well.  There is a Fated Blades #3 if you want to continue in this universe (and I did...and it was equally fun).

Kinsmen are small powerful groups of genetically and/or technologically advanced families and their struggles with each other to control planets/businesses/etc are epic.  Each story tells of a different family and has a love story built into it alongside a suspenseful SF adventure.  I really enjoyed the diversity of people, cool mental (and physical) powers, and, of course, the relationships.

Knocked it out of the park, again.   Love Andrews and everything they write.

In the second book of the Ink & Sigil series, Paper & Blood (wrong pic, sorry!) Al has to go to Australia when a fellow agent disappears mysteriously.  As he searches, bodies begin to mount alongside the danger.  Luckily he teams up with Atticus, a druid who has connections and powers Al doesn't have; and the two of them work wonderfully together.  So much happens in this book and I don't want to ruin anything.....but I will say it is awesome and that Hearne continues to develop the characters and the world building along with introducing new elements to add suspense and intrigue.  Hearne's character of Al is so cool, I want to meet him and hangout for a few drinks.

Tristan is a slightly awkward and very shy pathologist who has a head injury and can suddenly see ghosts.  He finds himself with a mouthy drag queen (Miz Dusty Le Frey), demanding help and a yummy Scotland Yard detective assigned to the murder.....and things get even more awkward when Tristan tries to explain why he keeps showing up and talking to Dusty's friends or stumbling upon more murders.  Suddenly the quiet life Tristan has lived is filled with murder, ghosts, and passionate kisses; and he isn't sure he can go back to who he used to be.  

This was a fun and sweet paranormal suspense book and I have to say, Miz Dusty was an inspired character that Cassidy should be proud of.

Milton James refers to a dead letter that has been saved in this Australian post office for 20 years.  Malachi is intrigued by the mystery of what happened to the person who sent it and to the person who should have received it.  In spite of himself, he is also drawn to his boss and finding himself making friends with his quirky coworkers in this dead letter office.  

Walker has written a very sweet and amazing love story, with the added element of the dead letter to add a smidgeon of mystery but with less angst.  There is a reason this was one of the most talked about books of 2021.

Megan Maslow's book is a stand alone that is part of two separate series.  Magic Emporium is a series written by various authors who each incorporate the Magic Emporium into their stories.  Much Ado About Demons is a series featuring demons (duh), and in a fantasy world Maslow has created.  

Nico was kicked out of his incubus clan because he is a love demon, not a lust demon; and having their brothel clients falling in love was ruining their business.  Now Nico is determined to be a Cupid, but it isn't exactly as fun as he thought it would be, and again, he is an outsider (but also huge compared to his coworkers).  Things begin to go further downhill when Sir Flame Illume comes into the office yelling about being hounded by cupids; and then again, is targeted...but this time they literally roped Nico into it (firstly by threatening his job if he didn't, then by having Sir Flame be shot with the Lariat of Love, which proceeded to tie Nico and Flame together....with no way out).  Sir Flame is a warden (i.e. a detective), and is trying to solve a series of murders; and Nico is definitely not fitting into his plans....but the two of them are maybe falling for each other in spite of themselves.  

I really enjoyed this fantasy story with it's non-traditional uses and new viewpoints of old tropes.  I also listened to the book, and it was equally well done.  I cannot wait to read more of this series.

I hope you enjoyed these selections.  Keep reading & don't forget to support your local library!

Saleena