Storm Front: A Novel of the Dresden Files By Jim Butcher

Harry Dresden- Wizard.

Lost Items Found, Paranormal Investigations.

Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. 

No Love Potions, Endless Purses,

 or other Entertainment

       Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange magical things.- and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a- well, whatever. 

       There's just one problem. Business  to put t mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name.And that's when things start to get... Interesting. 

     The Dresden Files are a creative twist on the classic loner detective novel.  Complete with gang leaders, magic drug deals, and dark magic, this first book sets the scene Jim Butcher's highly successful mystery series. Harry has all the trademarks of the loner detective; the intense and largely complicated love life, a wreck of a car, and the authorities breathing down his neck. Storm Front carries his strong, quirky voice all the way through. The story is compelling and fascinating as the Butcher takes us through the shady underbelly of the shady underbelly of Chicago. 

    This book may not be everyone's cut of tea.This truly is a loner detective novel with some magic thrown in. There is nothing else. It is simple and formulaic. As with many detective novels, the mood and tone is quite plodding and intense. It basically operates on one, very heavy, sarcastic level. 

    If you're looking for a fun mystery with some magic and quirkiness, this book is for you. If you're looking for a completely original , thought provoking read, this is not it. 

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Love the first book in the Shadow Falls Series, Born at Midnight? Well you're in luck then because the second book in this series is just as addicting. From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside. Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Love romance and supernatural creatures? Tired of the same old story told time and time again? Well then you better get your hands on the second novel in this delectable series. Why settle for a book about common mortals? This book combines very real emotions with exciting elements of fantasy to create a show stopping novel that will leave you more than satisfied. Not only does this book expose the true journey towards human identity, it creates a magical new world that will leave any one's imagination hooked. 


Those who enjoyed the first novel in this series will fall head over heels with the sequel. Enjoy reading Twilight, Shiver or pretty much any other fantasy romance novel? Then you'll love Awake at Dawn. It will give you an amazing escape from the pedestrian world, making you believe that you really are in Shadow Falls.

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

Dive into the intoxicating world of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, where scandal thrives and secrets are waiting to be uncovered. It's one year after they solved the Harriet Vanger mystery and uncovered the truth of the Wennerström, and Mikael and Lisbeth didn't exactly leave off on great terms. Determined to rid her life of Mikael, Lisbeth isolates herself with travel to exotic lands with a new fortune she's mysterious acquired. While in Grenada she becomes obsessed with complex mathematical equations, especially Fermat's last theorem. When Lisbeth returns to Stockholm, we learn that she transferred a sum of three billion kronor (446,413,412.25 USD) into her bank account. She purchases a new apartment and leaves her old one to off-and-on girlfriend Miriam 'Mimmi' Wu. Her guardian, Nils Bjurman, develops a growing hatred for Lisbeth and plots to do whatever it takes to take her down.

Meanwhile Mikael has lost all contact with Lisbeth and focuses his attention on Dag Svensson, a young journalist who has written a meticulously researched thesis about sex trafficking in Sweden and the abuse of underage girls by high-ranking figures. Blomkvist immediately throws himself into the investigation, planning to run Svensson's story in an upcoming issue of Millennium. On the other hand, Salander hacks into Mikael Blomkvist's computer and learns of the publication. She becomes intrigued by the name "Zala." However, shortly before the printing of the story, Svensson and his partner are shot dead in their Stockholm apartment, and Salander is missing. Salander's fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Prosecutor Richard Ekström assembles an investigation team, led by Inspector Jan Bublanski, who demands that Sonja Modig be included in the team. The team identifies Salander's fingerprints on the murder weapon. They find Salander's formal record which establishes her as a violent, unstable, psychotic woman with a history of prostitution, and is currently linked to Armansky at Milton Security and Bjurman. The stark contrast between Armansky's trust in Salander's high intelligence and her official records surprises Bublanski. Bublanski then visits Blomkvist and Berger, who are puzzled by Salander's psychiatric history and her involvement with the murders, but Blomkvist also insists that she has no cognitive or moral deficits. While investigating her social circle, Modig finds Bjurman shot dead in his apartment, with Salander being the prime suspect. In the light of these new data, Ekström holds a press conference and discloses Salander's name and psychiatric history to the press. Within a blink of an eye, a girl who once hid in the shadows now has her face on every major magazine in Europe as a highly dangerous criminal.Throughout the rest of the novel, the characters struggle to discover who is behind the murders and the secrets of Salander's troubled past. Is Lisbeth guilty of these crimes? Or is she innocent? Well you'll have to find out for yourself in this addicting page turner.

Dying for a delectable page turner that will leave you craving answers? The Girl Who Played With Fire is a perfect accompaniment to the equally as delicious first novel. Filled to the brim with mystery, scandal, murder, this book gives you the exhilarating sensation that can't be found anywhere else. Whether you're a secret bad-ass like Lisbeth, love a good crime novel or just looking for a great book to read, The Girl Who Played With Fire has got it all and more.

I would recommend this book to those who loved the first novel by Larsson, or those who love a great murder mystery. Already captivated by this series? Check out The Snowman by Jo Nesbo or pretty much any novel by Stephen King. While King is mainly a horror novelist, you still get the excitement from his page turners. So what are you waiting for? Don't you want to learn the secrets of the the mysterious Lisbeth Salander?

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Everyone has their secrets, especially four pretty girls from Rosewood. Spencer is chasing after her sister's boyfriend. Aria is hooked on her English teacher. Emily is crushing on the new girl at school. And Hanna does some pretty ugly things to stay beautiful. But these four girls have an even bigger secret that they've hidden since their friend Alison has vanished. Alison was the queen bee, the aspiration and admiration of everyone who laid eyes on her. Spencer, Aria, Emily and Hanna, all former outsiders, soon found themselves the new best friends of popular Alison. At first it seemed like a sweet deal. But Alison is far from innocent and it was only a matter of time that someone stood up to her. Three years after her mysterious disappearance, Spencer, Aria, Emily and Hanna start getting text messages from someone named A decoding their personal lives, things only Alison would have known. Now these four girls must band together to solve who killed Alison and who A is.

We've all seen the TV show, most of us can't wait to see what unfolds in the Pretty Little Liar's lives this week. While the TV show is great, the book takes this addicting series to the next level. Filled with more suspense, drama and secrets, the books make you feel as if you're one of the liars. Not to mention there are over ten of them filled with more scandals and mysteries than any program can contain. You'll find that you won't be able to put down this addictive novel, and you won't stop until you've solved the mystery yourself.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the Lying Game or seen the TV shows on ABC Family. Not familiar with this phenomenon? Well this series is perfect for anyone dying to dive into a good mystery.

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Addicted to Gossip Girl? Love to emerge yourself in the drama and luxury of the young elite? Do you love that Historical Fiction takes you back to another time and culture? The Luxe follows the lives of five teenagers living in 1899 Manhattan. Elisabeth Holland is the golden girl and when her family's financial future is on the line, she is forced to choose between her duty and the love she feels for a member of her staff. But when New York's darling's carriage turns over and there is no Elisabeth to be found, the entire city falls into a state of grieving. Some wonder if the lifestyle was too much for Elisabeth or if someone wanted her to disappear...

This book combines the drama, mystery and scandal found in today's young media, with the glitz and allure of the Nineteenth century to create a masterpiece of literary genius. While the characters may have lives more than one hundred years ago, they fit seamlessly into the mindset and ideals of modern elite youth. This book is like fancy French chocolate, luxurious, rich and completely delicious. This series makes you wish that you were going to balls with the Holland sisters, living the life that we'd all love to have.

I would recommend this book to someone looking for an escape from the modern era. While this book is historical fiction it is anything but dry and boring. Think Titanic mixed with Gossip Girl, and you'll get The Luxe. Sorry guys, while we all know you love a little drama, this book is geared more towards young ladies ages 14 and up. So grab this book off the shelf, I bet you're dying to know what really happened to Elisabeth Holland.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo By Stieg Larsson

Dark, suspenseful and utterly page turning. All accurately describe the mysterious world of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. Set in Sweden, the novel begins with Mikael, a journalist, loosing a libel case for allegations made on billionaire, Hans-Erik Wennerström. Soon after he meets with Henrik Vanger, who is the retired CEO of the Vanger Corporation. Mikael is unaware that Henrik has had an extensive background check done on him by the edgy, socially unique and most of all brilliant computer hacker. Henrik asks Mikael to perform a job for him that will last one year, he is assigned to investigate the murder of the sixteen year old Harriet Vanger which occurred 36 years prior. Mikael accepts, moving out to Henrik's estate and quickly learning about the twisted Vanger family. With the help of Lisbeth, Mikael dives into the secrets and scandals of this elite family, putting everything on the line to solve a case that haunts the Vangers to their core.

WARNING! This book is not for the faint of heart. Graphic. Violent. And at times disturbing. This book will turn your insides out while keeping you addicted like a drug. Consider this novel as the spiciest salsa a Mexican restaurant has to offer, you've got to have guts to take it in. But if you dare to open the pages of the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you will be anything but disappointed or bored. Mysteries your thing? Well folks we have a winner. Throughout the entirety of this novel you will be solving the murder of Harriet Vanger in your head, never knowing the truth until it is skillfully unravel. When you set down this book you'll be left is utter awe at the beautiful written work that has captivated millions world wide. Not to mention, its hard not falling in love with a bad-ass like Lisbeth.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an edgy and thrilling escape from our pedestrian world.  Enjoy The Snowman by Jo Nesbø or the suspense of Stephen King? Then you'll love the spellbinding trilogy by Stieg Larsson.

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

The novel begins with Emma, an imaginative teen stuck in foster care.  One day, Emma comes across a video online of a girl with a shocking resemblance of herself.  As Emma investigates further she realizes the identity of a secret twin and escapes to join the family she's always dreamed of.  But of course nothing is as it seems, and Emma is forced by an unknown stalker to take over her twin sister's life and try to solve what happened to her long lost twin.

I loved this book and all of Sara Shepard's novels.  Shepard is a suspense mastermind and there are so many twists that the reader can't help but crave more information.  The only downside to Sara Shepard is that all of her novels (Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series) are a bit repetitive.

I would absolutely recommend this book to others.  If you enjoy the Pretty Little Liars books or tv series, you'll definitely love this new addictive series!