Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book Description:

A Masked Man . . .

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A Dangerous Woman . . .

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society— flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting.

A Passion Neither Could Deny

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

My Thoughts:
This book was ok.  Lady Beckinhall is a wealthy widow who is on the committee for the orphaned children's home.  Winter Makepeace is the head of the orphaned children's home and also the Ghost of St. Giles.  When he is wounded and Lady Beckinhall saves his life, he feels indebted but when she is elected to teach him manners, he knows  he cannot let her get that close.  When they start working together, sparks fly and both have a lot to learn.
I did enjoy the overall story.  I didn't really care for the individual characters.  Winter was a well meaning man but was too absorbed in his own ideals.  Lady Beckinhall was a more experienced woman that just didn't work for me.  I connected with neither of them well.  I did enjoy their interactions though and the story of the missing girls.  Those were the best parts for me.
I rate this a 3/5.  It was a good concept, I just didn't really enjoy the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul

Book Description:

One Dragon Egg Holds the Key to the Future.

Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.

A Desperate Search Begins…

A small band of Paladin’s servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fenworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begun to suspect…

Weaving together memorable characters, daring adventure, and a core of eternal truth, Dragonspell is a finely crafted and welcome addition to the corpus of fantasy fiction.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book.  Kale is a slave until her gift for discovering dragon eggs is discovered.  She goes on a quest to save an egg from the evil wizard.  Unequipped and unprepared she and her group set on on a dangerous journey!
I loved all the characters in this book.  Seeing Kale's transformation and growth was intriguing and the story flowed naturally.  I love that faith is woven in and doesn't seem out of place at all.  Overall, a great story that is great for any age! 
I rate this a 5/5.  I'm going to read the whole series!
Thank you to Waterbrook for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Wrong Ghost by C.L. Ragsdale

Book Description:
Once upon a time there lived a beautiful woman named Virginia Holden whose life was filled with disappointment. The worst of which came when she was forced into a loveless marriage that convinced her that only misery lied before her. That is until one day her fate seemed to take a turn for the better when she rescued and fell in love with a handsome stranger who was in hiding from a terrible enemy. But just as it seemed the fulfillment of her romantic dreams were within her grasp the man on which she had pinned her hopes left when his enemy died and he could claim his true love, his enemy’s daughter. This rejection caused poor Virginia to give up all hope of happiness and take her own life. Now her vengeful spirit haunts the shores of Lake Morona seeking to bring only despair to all cross her path.
Or so the story goes.
It's all pretty standard fare for Irene Waters and her cameraman Troy Stenson except for a few odd things. But what would a story involving Irene's Eerie Adventures be without those?
First they learn that their boss, Bernie Youngman, had previously dismissed this particular ghostly tale for coverage due to lack of credibility even by Reboot admittedly low standards. Now he has not only changed his mind about filming Virginia's ghost story but has insisted on coming along. Something Troy assures Irene their boss has never done before. Even more astounding, Reboot actually has competition for this story, and to Troy's dismay it is his former station that is the competition! Finally there is the ghostly Virginia herself who instead of being illusive, like any ghost worth her salt, is oddly just a little too cooperative. Even more puzzling, it may not even be the right ghost!
Of course the question of just why there is a wrong ghost involves several suspects from which to choose. Kevin Kemore, the manager of The Grey Pony, the inn where the Reboot team is staying, is involved in several seemingly suspicious activities. Including being too friendly with the manager of the rival hotel housing Reboot's competitors and avoiding being interviewed by Irene. Tiffany Sanderson and her mother, employees of The Grey Pony, seem to have no motive for any nefarious doings but when has that ever meant anything? Finally there is Rick Vermont, the son of The Grey Pony's ill owner who has little to say, except when he is pushing his own ghost theories. But why is he pushing any theories at all?
Fascinating as all of this is, the wrong ghost mystery is not what concerns Irene and Troy the most. It is the realization that their boss has been outright lying to them on what seem on the surface to be trivial issues. The most perplexing of which is why he was so determined to come on this particular assignment. The only possible explanation they can come up with is that Bernie Youngman is pursuing a hidden agenda and is not above using his employees to achieve it.
All of which leaves Irene wondering just what God has gotten them into, and Troy to ponder if there is more to Irene’s Eerie Adventures than dubious paranormal investigations.

My Thoughts:
I loved this addition to the Reboot Series! This time Bernie has gone on location with Irene and Troy to investigate the latest 'paranormal' story. When they get there, they have a competitor for the first time on site and it isn't just any competitor but Troy's former employer! The place they were going to stay and the place they got moved to both have interesting characters working for them and Irene is suspicious. Not only of the men and women working at the inns but of Bernie too.
Irene and Troy are at it again. At a site to film a paranormal story only to find flaws in the story. Irene's character just naturally goes with Troy's in the work place. Bernie's story is unfolding a bit more as well but there are still plenty of questions to be answered! I want to know more about the Secretary and her agenda. Finding exactly why someone chose this particular ghost to focus on is the mystery Irene finds fairly easy to solve but I love the little twists the author throws in!
I rate this a 5/5. I completely love this series!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.