She stumbles as she is trying to escape . She knows he will be following her soon to find her. She thinks of her days at school in Rzeszow pounding the track. She wished she was there now, wishes she had never met Anna, never listened to her dreams of starting a new life in a new country. She wants to stop but she can’t. She has to keep running. She needed to find somewhere to hide. Someplace warm or she will freeze to death. She knows she will not turn back, she will find haven. She will at last be free. Free from pain, the insults, the inhumanity . free from the constant fear of death. Free from him. Four days later Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gilchrist went to see inspector Stan Davidson . Andy was Sam’s boss. Stan had twenty six stitches. Stan had almost been stabbed to death.  Andy said Stan will be out of action for a week or two. Than Stan said the new female D S would start the next day. Andy told Stan not to worry about her. Than Andy said the man who jumped Stan was Stewart Donnally. There was four eyewitnesses statements all confirming the attack was unprovoked. Stan was attacked by a career criminal . D S Nancy Wilson was the new D S. Andy knew Donnally knew more but he wasn’t going to say it. He also knew Donnelly wasn’t the dumb thug he painted himself to be. Andy had Jesse go with him as a couple walking their dog found a dead woman on Fife coastal path. Andy is divorced with two kids. Sometimes Andy has a pint or two with his staff. Andy is smart with a great memory and sometimes he’s impulsive. Jesse is trying to get a career going as a comedian ash she wanted to get a implant for her deaf son. She has a deeply hidden secret that could affect her career with the police. Andy takes Jesse as his partner for the dead woman’s case. The dead woman had the remains of a rope manacle around her wrist.  After finding the dead woman two more were found in an abandoned house all three having the same tattoo. Jesse is smart. Quick witted, and knows about the crime and criminal in the region especially those involved with sex crimes. After the dead woman is found there are a series of execution style murders which included two cops. Clues lead to the possibility of this being a sex traffickers of young women.

I really enjoyed this book. I do advise you to read all the books in this series in order for a smoother read. I felt this was a well written mystery. Let it be known there is brutal killings including decapitation. I loved the suspense and action. There were time I just couldn’t set this book down as i had to see what was going to happen next. This did keep my attention. I really enjoyed the characters and the ins and outs of this book and i recommend it.

A great book for beginners!
Easy, step-by-step instructions, paired with an illustration to show you how to do the stance. Each chapter is learning a new yoga pose, and teaching you clearly how to do it, as well as the proper breathing techniques.
I loved learning a new pose every day and will continue to incorporate these into my normal work out.
If you're looking to better your body, gain more physical strength and tone up your muscles, then this is for you. 

Spy heroines and heroes are everywhere in Historical Romance. I would be very paranoid if I lived in Historical Romanceland. 

Spies are much less common in Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Romance and maybe just a little more exciting because of it.

Meet some great Spies of Speculative Romance: (My lists are in no particular order. I can never pick favorites!) 

1.When Stars Collide (The Darkon Warriors Book 5) by S E Gilchrist 

Reece, contortionist bubble dancer and part-time spy, has one goal – a safe haven and independent life far from the war.  But her plans go awry and her future becomes dangerously uncertain when she is falsely accused of the murders of her friend and a Darkon traitor. Now her new list of goals includes payback.

In her way is Ulrac, a banished Darkon patroller responsible for incarcerating females for barbaric ‘treatments’ and ‘research’ on the planet Isla. He's determined to use the capture of the spy and her intel to win the approval of his father – a hard-line Traditionalist with his own agenda – and help him overthrow the current ruler of Darkos.

But the war of the Seven Galaxies has reached a critical stage, and personal plans and goals suddenly hold very little meaning. The enemy is poised to unleash a terrible weapon and no one stands between him and total domination of all the universes.

No one – except Reece and Ulrac.

2, Outsiders (Wildside Series Book 2) by Melanie Jackson 

 
Cyra Delphin never felt quite right in her own skin. As a child, her parents made her hide her gifts. But certain things don't stay buried. What others are afraid to acknowledge-- the modern world's seedy underbelly, its Wildside ruled by dark magic and goblins-- doesn't simply go away. And when that dakrness came to call, Cyra sought sancturary in the Nevada desert. 

She found Thomas Marrowbone. He, too, was part of the Wildside. Beneath his tormented shell lurked something powerful and inhuman, but also something primal and erotic. Cyra recognized it, and for love she would follow the enigmatic loner into the depths of Hell. Their true destination-- Sin City-- held the Queen of the Goblins and an unholy court; and the journey would test both their bodies and hearts... but their quest's success promised salvation and a happiness Cyra had never known. 

3. Seth (Cyborgs: More Than Machines Book 5) by Eve Langlais 

An excellent athlete who is highly intelligent, charismatic - without modesty - and handsome too, Seth has it all except for the girl. But not for long. Like it or not, he's determined to win her heart - and get in her pants. So what if it means letting the military replace a few parts and becoming the world's first cybernetic spy? Cool missions, a hot chick, awesome toys; it all sounds like a dream come true until the military decides to terminate their billion dollar experiment.

But they didn't count on their project soldier fighting back.

4. Tansy's Titan (Cosmos' Gateway Book 3) by S. E. Smith 

Tansy Bell, is the middle daughter of the three Bell sisters. She has always been a little different, even for a Bell. A chameleon, she can change her appearance and personality to blend in almost anywhere. She uses this talent to bring some of the worse criminals in the world to justice. 

Mak ‘Tag Krell Manok is the wild one of his four brothers. He is known for his hot temper, fierce strength, and skills as a warrior. Few men in any galaxy dare to challenge him and live. Frustrated at his failure to find females compatible with a Prime male, he returns to his home world only to discover his oldest brother has found his bond mate – in an unusual species known as a human. What is even more astonishing is his reaction to an image of his brother’s bond mate’s sister. 

Mak has set a new course – for Earth and the female that stirs his blood to fire! But first, he has to find her. Next, he has to convince her she belongs to him. If all else fails, he will just take her, after all, she is delicate, fragile, and no match for a Prime warrior. 

What he doesn’t expect is to find her in trouble and fighting for her life. Now, he must save her before it is too late. But, even then there is no guarantee that she will come with him. For this small, fragile female has the strength and determination of twenty Prime males and values her independence. 

Mak is about to learn that big trouble can come in very small packages and size is often a misconception because there is one female in the universe not afraid to stand up to him – even if she is afraid to love him. 

Can he keep her alive long enough to realize she is the perfect mate for an untamed warrior or will the men determined to kill her take not only her life but his as well?

5. Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha's consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.
 
Earning Neha's trust comes at a price--Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.
 
With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare... and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

6. Gossamer Wing (Steam and Seduction) by Delphine Dryden 

After losing her husband to a rogue French agent, Charlotte Moncrieffe wants to make her mark in international espionage. And what could be better for recovering secret long-lost documents from the Palais Garnier than her stealth dirigible, Gossamer Wing? Her spymaster father has one condition: He won’t send her to Paris without an ironclad cover.

Dexter Hardison prefers inventing to politics, but his title as Makesmith Baron and his formidable skills make him an ideal husband-imposter for Charlotte. And the unorthodox undercover arrangement would help him in his own field of discovery.

But from Charlotte and Dexter’s marriage of convenience comes a distraction—a passion that complicates an increasingly dangerous mission. For Charlotte, however, the thought of losing Dexter also opens her heart to a thrilling new future of love and adventure.

7. Howl at the Moon: A novel of The Others by Christine Warren 

Noah Baker never wanted to betray The Others. But if his military commanders want him to covertly investigate a Lupine scientist--whose extraordinary research on sensory perception in werewolves could be used to develop werewolf-sharp senses in human soldiers--Noah must oblige. Even if it means deceiving the woman he desires the most.
 
Samantha Carstairs is the personal assistant to the Alpha of the Silverback Clan, and as best friend to the Lupine community's most brilliant scientist, she is privy to its most dangerous secret. Noah knows that Sam will never leak the scientific research…so he must find another way to get it, while keeping Sam close. But someone else is after Sam's secret. Who is the other spy infiltrating The Others? If their genetic secrets get into the wrong hands, all hell could break loose. Now Noah's true loyalty is put to the test as he fights to protect The Others--and his beloved Sam--and find the imposter…before it's too late.

8. Stolen Earth (Delroi Connection Book 3) by Loribelle Hunt 

Britt Anderson is retired. Secretive and fiercely independent, she journeys to Delroi to spend time with her two oldest friends. She doesn’t expect to be dragged back into the spy business when she gets there. But the lure is impossible to fight for a not so reformed adrenalin junkie. Danger. Conspiracy. What’s not to love? 

Unfortunately, there’s always a price and it presents itself as the darkly dangerous Barak Trace. She can’t deny the attraction, but has enough sense to steer clear of the possessive glint in his gaze. Until he somehow manages to merge his psychic abilities with hers. When he’s captured by rebel forces, she has no choice but to go after him. The question is will she be able to free himself once he’s rescued? And will she even want? 

9. Jerred's Price by Joanna Wylde 

Jerred is a Saurellian spy, posing as a freighter captain/smuggler, and one who doesn't know the true meaning of love. Giselle is a barmaid hiding out on an Imperial space station, on the run for her life and leery of any man, especially one like Jerred. But from the moment they meet, passions get hot and desires run wild. When Giselle witnesses a murder, the mysterious freighter captain is her only hope for escape. There's just one problem. He isn't willing to take her on for free. Before she's done Giselle will know what it means to pay Jerred's price. 

10. Winter Pleasures: The Training (Seasons of Pleasure) by Anya Bast 

Sienne is beautiful, intelligent, talented…and a slave. Given to the lord of Nordan for a season, she has one mission: seduce Marken with a body made for sin and bring back to her Sudhran masters secrets they can use to conquer their northern neighbors. If she fails, the family who took her in as a child will pay the price.

Marken has no desire for a slave. Women come to his bed willingly or not at all. Yet when he frees the beautiful temptress, she refuses to leave his side, sating her curiosity with questions about his court and her desire with a depthless ability to submit to their growing pleasure. But despite every plan to teach her to be free, Marken finds himself becoming increasingly entangled…and increasingly possessive.

Time is running short. Sienne has until the last winter’s snow has melted before she must make a choice that will change the shape of two nations forever.

Do you have a favorite Paranormal Spy? Let me know!

To vote for the best of the best, go to the Goodreads list: Paranormal Spy Romance.

To get recs for all kinds of Romantic Spies, visit my Pinterest Board: Spy! Spies in Romance.  

Let’s get this warning out of the way: this is a modern anthology of short stories with a southern touch. Key words: modern; touch of southern. In other words, southern, bible-belt evangelicals will take issue with the premarital sex, suicide, gay marriage, and f-bombs contained in this book. For the rest of us that are okay with all of this in our literature, proceed.

Now that we’ve gotten rid of those folks, let’s talk about this book. National Book Award-winner Ellen Gilchrist spent nearly a decade writing the ten short stories appearing here, in ACTS OF GOD. I’m assuming you are like me, and have some basic questions you want answered before reading a short story collection. Here’s my attempt at reading your mind (any other questions, drop in the comment section below):

1) Have these short stories been previously published elsewhere? Not that I can tell by the copyright page.

2) Is there a congruent theme among all the stories? The idea “acts of God” affect people. This is loosely defined, though. There are hurricanes and tornados, but there are also terrorist attacks and love making. Congruency depends on your definition of acts of God. Most of the stories take place in the south, minus one story taking place in Europe while some ladies are on a getaway vacation.

3) Does the author’s voice vary from story to story? The same southerly charm persists throughout, but to some disservice to the work. In cases such as younger protagonists needing “a rubber”, the author’s aged reference breaks believability. The material is good for front porch swing reading, but to some chagrin.

4) Do any stories stand out as particularly good or bad? I appreciated the eponymous “Acts of God” and the last two works “Jumping off Bridges into Clean Water” and “Hopedale, A History in Four Acts”. They were succinct and charming. “Collateral” and “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” both felt long in the tooth and a bit unbelievable.

Overall, the stories try to show ordinary people reacting to life situations, both ordinary and extra-ordinary. Themes present include: independence among the elderly, finding hope in tragedy, connecting with lost love, overcoming bias, and dealing with broken bodies. The age reference may appeal to readers over fifty, but there is enough charm for the younger crowd, too.

Thanks to Algonquin Books for providing me with a review copy of this book.

This book has stayed with me for years. It's one of my favorites, and and the same time I dreaded reviewing it because everything about it depresses me.

As I've said before, Duncan has a gift for creating planets, orbital elements down to culture. The reason for this is that function *must* follow structure; people are shaped by their environment, their language, culture and lives must fit into their world.

My depression is caused by two things. First, the MC's life, which is just plain...tragic, threaded through with pain he cannot escape. With grief - normal grief, and emotional pain, we see at least the promise of respite...and none of it his his fault. Life sucks, and then the sun stops shining, and would you like a silk scarf with that?

Secondly, the human mind *must* have some lingering attachment to normative Earth-rhythms, circadian and otherwise, because the very vividness with which Duncan creates his planet means I experience the odd disconnect, almost horror, regarding the planet's "days"--solar movement, its consequences...West of January. It's like having Seasonal Affective Disorder via proxy.

The blurb up there doesn't do this book justice.