Lean Mean Thirteen

Lean Mean Thirteen is by Janet Evanovich. The next installment in the saga of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Stephanie's ex, that two-timing weasel lawyer Dickie Orr, is missing and Stephanie is blamed for his murder. Ranger thinks Dickie was involved in something shady and, no surprise, he was. Now she and Ranger try to find Dickie while Joyce Barnhardt tries to find Stephanie. Morelli again finds himself in the unenviable position of having to trust Ranger to take care of Stephanie. Another great installment.

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content) - S (non-graphic sexual references).

Snakecharm

Snakecharm is by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. This is the second book in the Kiesha'Ra series. This fascinating tale of palace intrigue and political strategy is told from Zane's point of view. He and Danica struggle to keep the fragile peace between the avians and serpiente. When Danica becomes pregnant no one seems willing to accept a mixed blood heir to either throne. Then a messenger arrives from the falcon court to foster even more political nightmares. A great second book in what started out to be a fascinating series. Atwater-Rhodes gets better and better with age and experience.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Coffin Club

The Coffin Club is by Ellen Schreiber. The fifth book in the Vampire Kisses series finds Raven back at The Coffin Club. She has returned to Hipsterville to visit her Aunt Libby and to find Alexander who has not returned as soon as he promised from delivering Valentine to his family. She finds Alexander and she also discovers that The Coffin Club has changed. It's not just a club for goth kids anymore; there is an underground club for real vampires. Yeah, ah but all is not well in paradise. There are two factions fighting for control of the club; one wishes it to remain a secret gathering place for vampires and the other wants to make a stand and out their kind to humans - and Raven is caught in the middle. Will someone else turn her before Alexander gets the chance? Another cool entry in this "Twilight Light" series, although this one is darker than the others.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Dark Chances

Dark Chances is by Allan Gilbreath. The sequel to Galen finds Brenda still angry even though it's been two years since Galen turned her. She is struggling to find her place in the world and to adjust to what she has become. Along the way she discovers there are others like her and has to wonder if she is the predator or the prey. She meets two human bounty hunters led by two vampires who are seeking a rogue vampire who is turning people willy nilly. Will she find a "family" or will she be a victim of the others? This book flows better than the first novel and the action is all a vampire lover could wish for. The human bounty hunters, John and Scott, are a hoot.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - S (non-graphic sexual content) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Plum Lucky

Plum Lucky is by Janet Evanovich. The third Between-the-Numbers novella is set around St. Patrick's Day. Grandma Mazur finds a bag of money lost by a guy who thinks he's a leprechaun and decides to go to Atlantic City and play the slots. It turns out the money was stolen from the mob and not only are they after the thief so is Diesel. Another amusing fill in between the really meaty stories.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - S (non-graphic sexual references).

Plum Lovin'

Plum Lovin' is by Janet Evanovich. The second Between-the-Numbers novella finds Stephanie struggling through Valentine's Day. Diesel is back and both Morelli and Ranger are out of town. Diesel knows the whereabouts of her latest FTA but he won't share the information unless Steph helps him by playing matchmaker to a whole host of very un-matchable Jersey-ites, among whom is Albert Kloughn. While these novellas are not as good as the regular novels; they are mildly entertaining.

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - S (non-graphic sexual references).

Hawksong

Hawksong is by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. This is the first book in Atwater-Rhodes' new series called The Kiesha'Ra. The author has left vampires behind and moved on to create a world of shape shifters. The avians and the serpiente have been at war so long no one remembers what started the war anymore. In a fantasy Romeo and Juliet would be proud of the two young heirs to their respective thrones decide to end the war by pair bonding and joining the two royal families. Can centuries of hatred and mistrust be undone overnight? Can their union bring peace to their war torn lands? Can Danika and Zane find love in a relationship where trust is hard to come by? A great new series from a fabulous young writer. Can't wait for the next volume.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.