Happy Top 5 Tuesday! 

I’m not sure I’m interpreting this week correctly, but I’m going with it.

I’m not usually the kind of reader that easily splits books into seasonal reads, so instead I’m going to talk about the 5 books I’m most looking forward to this summer!  (Guess what, TJ is on the list!)

Top 5 Tuesday was started by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm!

Ravensong by TJ Klune

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves.

It should have been enough.

And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. In the end, they faced the beast together as a pack… and won.

Now, a year later, Gordo has found himself once again the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them.

But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s crawling from within.

Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken.

Ravensong is my #1 most excitable summer read.  TJ is writing blog posts each week, giving us quotes from this upcoming read and it’s made me so excited that I can’t even handle it.  My palms physically hurt, and the only cure is Ravensong IN MY HANDS!

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Mercenary Kate Daniels must risk all to protect everything she holds dear in this epic, can’t-miss entry in the thrilling #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series.

Kate has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She’s made friends and enemies. She’s found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to let her be.

Kate and her father, Roland, currently have an uneasy truce, but when he starts testing her defenses again, she knows that sooner or later, a confrontation is inevitable. The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate’s doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she knows their time is up.

Kate Daniels sees no other choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies. She knows betrayal is inevitable. She knows she may not survive the coming battle. But she has to try.

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

It’s the saddest conclusion ever, because after this there will be no more Kate and Curran to look forward to.  And yet, I can’t help but be eager to read how Kate, Curran, and Christopher get their revenge.  It’s a bittersweet excitement.

In Other Words… Murder by Josh Lanyon

Death reveals all secrets.

Mystery author Christopher Holmes, now comfortably married to sometimes rival, sometimes nemesis J.X. Moriarity, is starting a new career as a true crime writer when threatening anonymous notes start arriving.

Even worse, Christopher’s ex also arrives–asking for help locating the man he left Christopher for!

It’s life–and death–as usual at Chez Holmes. In other words… Murder.

Ms. Josh Lanyon writes many books throughout the year, but each individual series will have years between them.  Holmes & Moriarity are my favorite of all her couples.  They’re also my Josh Lanyon series.  I’m FINALLY getting a new installment, and I cannot wait!  (Bring on JX getting jealous of Kit’s ex!)

Love and Payne by Charlie Cochet

Austen Payne, THIRDS Squadron Specialist Agent (SSA) for Destructive Delta and TIN operative, has seen the worst the world has to offer, faced lethal killers, and helped bring down dangerous organizations. But nothing terrifies him more than falling in love. After years of undercover work, Austen is a master at defending himself and protecting his heart… until he meets Osmond Zachary.

THIRDS Defense Agent Osmond Zachary has a huge, doting family, yet something is missing in his life. After meeting grumpy, foul-mouthed, jittery cheetah Therian Austen Payne, Zach knows exactly what that something—or someone—is. Unfortunately Austen seems determined to avoid Zach at all costs.

When Zach foils an assassination attempt, he ends up in the killer’s crosshairs, and Austen is Zach’s best chance at staying alive. Zach hopes the crisis will bring them closer, but Austen has every intention of walking away as soon as the danger is over.

Happily ever after isn’t for guys like Austen, but Zach is determined to show him it can be….

Austin is one of my favorite THIRDS agents.  Obviously, I love Dex mostest, but Austin is my second favorite.  I love his snark and sass.  I love how he’s afraid of relationships, and particularly  he’s afraid of Zach.  All these reasons are why I can’t wait to finally get the conclusion to their tumultuous relationship!

Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews

No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy…But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she’s trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”

Hugh and Elara may do both.

Hugh d’Ambray is a villain, and yet he’s getting his own story.  Me thinks he’s becoming an Anti-Hero, which are my favorite.  I love reluctant heroes.  Plus, I’m hoping for a good redemption story, because he was pretty awful in Kate Daniels world.  Either way, it’s Ilona Andrews which means I gotta have it!