Darlene's Digest

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a bittersweet read since, of course, we all know the story of Achilles and how it ends. However, the relationship and love between Achilles and Patroclus, and later, the special relationship with Briseis, is refreshed by an author with a keen eye for bringing the classic characters of mythology alive. Miller's Circe was one of the best books of the past year and I enjoyed this earlier effort. View all my reviews

There was a rush of air overhead and Oliver ducked reflexively, avoiding a collision with a flashy green parrot swooping down to perch on St. Armand’s shoulder. “Good evening, Roscoe. Who’s a good boy?” The parrot ruffled his wings as Turnbull passed over a handful of nuts he’d pulled from a pouch at his waist. “That’s a lovely par—” “Don’t say it!” Turnbull and St. Armand said at the same time. St. Armand reached up to scratch the bird under his beak. “This is Roscoe, the ship’s cat. Who’s a good kitty? Who’s a good boy?” Oliver could deal with being shot at, beaten, evicted from a brothel, kidnapped by pirates, but there were some situations he was not willing to accept. “I realize I may not survive this voyage in one piece, but I must speak my mind, Captain. That is not a cat.” “When I want your opinion, I will tell you so. Roscoe’s a prime mouser and a valuable member of the crew. Last I checked, your greatest value to me may be in selling you to the anatomists. Do not confuse our

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells My rating: 5 of 5 stars This right here is why I love science fiction so much--human/non-human interaction! Fantastic action sequences! Deep moral and philosophical questions: (What does it mean to be human? And why would anyone aspire to be a meatsack anyway?) Snark! A mechanical entity who gives the Three Laws of Robotics the metal middle finger! And, best of all, primo writing, plotting and characterization. I have been buttonholing everyone I know who's a science fiction fan and telling them to read The Murderbot Diaries . It's that good. View all my reviews

Some years ago I had a villain who caught my imagination. Robert St. Armand wasn't just a pirate, he was a pirate with style and had far too high an opinion of himself and his success with women. Robert got his comeuppance in Castaway Dreams (High Seas #2)  but just wouldn't leave me alone. He needed his own book. How do you transform a villain into a hero? You throw a plot moppet and a puppy at him. If he catches them, he's capable of reform. Oh, and having a no-nonsense governess on hand to keep them all in line helps. Five years ago I published The Pirate's Secret Baby (High Seas #3)  which went on to win the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and the New England Readers' Choice Award. The Pirate's Secret Baby led to What the Parrot Saw (High Seas #4) , the story of that little moppet all grown up and running the family business. To celebrate that publication anniversary, the ebook edition of The Pirate's Secret Baby will be on sale at

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn My rating: 4 of 5 stars The best part of this novel wasn't the whodunnit, though that was well done, but seeing the interaction between Veronica, Stoker, and Stoker's brother. We saw Stoker and Veronica's relationship tested further, and we also learned about some of the tensions in the Templeton-Vane family that led to Stoker's estrangement from his home. It's a great series with a heroine for our times--a scientist, an explorer, a woman who embraces her own sexuality--and the hero who appreciates her. I look forward to more Veronica Speedwell mysteries and many hours of reading enjoyment in months to come! View all my reviews

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love Lisa Kleypas historical romances because of the depth and quality of her research. It doesn't hurt that she packages that research into a fabulous love story. We first met West Ravenel some books back in the Ravenel series when he was introduced to us as the pot-bellied, soft, wastrel younger brother of Devon Ravenel, Lord Trenear. But West's character began to undergo some changes and it's all come to fruition in the latest book as West meets Phoebe, Lady Clare, a beautiful young widow and the daughter of characters from the Wallflower series. Phoebe wants nothing to do with the man who bullied her late husband when they were schoolboys, and West thinks himself unworthy of such a fine woman. I enjoyed how their relationship developed slowly rather than with instalust, and how each character uncovered the hidden strengths in the other. Lisa Kleypas is an autobuy for me a

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells My rating: 5 of 5 stars Another fascinating and satisfying Murderbot story from the very talented Martha Wells. I'm recommending this series to all my friends looking for interesting and intriguing SF. View all my reviews

Run Away by Harlan Coben My rating: 4 of 5 stars It kept me up past my bedtime, which is high praise indeed. The question always lurks in a parent's mind--what would you do to save your child? In the case of parents of drug abusers the question becomes even more complex and troubling, and Sam knows this, but when he sees his strung out daughter Paige in Central Park, he approaches her to offer help one more time. This sets a series of events in motion which spiral into secrets revealed, murder, deeply buried crimes and answers the question "What would you do? How far would you go?" I was flipping pages as the ending snuck up on me, leaving me once again impressed with Harlan Coben 's talent as a mystery and suspense writer. (This is a stand alone novel, not part of his ongoing series.) View all my reviews