Most Anticipated Books of 2015 - January and February Edition

It's no secret that I love books. There are so many authors and series that leave me desperately waiting for the next book as soon as I finish the newly released one. Thankfully I read so much that I have other books to distract me. Granted, those distraction books often lead to even more anticipation for future books. It's a vicious cycle.

Anyway, here are some of the books that I am eagerly waiting for in the beginning of 2015.

Frostfire (Kanin Chronicles #1) by Amanda Hocking

I have read almost everything by Amanda Hocking, and I loved the Trylle series, so learning there was going to be a sort-of-spinoff coming out was super exciting. I'm glad that we get to learn more about the Kanin and I hope that this trilogy will be just as entertaining.

January 6, 2015

Unbound (Magic Ex Libris #3) by Jim C. Hines

This is a series about a librarian who can pull objects out of books, aka a libriomancer. Do I really need to say anything else about my excitement level for this release? Seriously, I may just be obsessed with Jim Hines's books. He is definitely on my list of authors I would love to meet. I very much enjoy his blog, and he writes amazingly strong yet real female characters.

January 6, 2015

Witches of Echo Park (Witches of Echo Park #1) by Amber Benson

It's the start of a new series by Amber Benson (AKA Tara from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and the series is about witches! Really, I don't think anything else needs to be said. Well, okay, I'll say more. The cover looks awesome and the book synopsis sounds pretty amazing.

January 6, 2015

Mr. Kiss and Tell (Veronica Mars #2) by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

I was late to the "Veronica Mars" obsession but I think I'm making up for that now. I've already watched the entire series about three times. So freaking good. I proudly declare that I'm a Marshmallow. Anyway, the book series takes place after the lovely fan-funded movie that was released this year, and has the same characters, plot twists, and snarky and witty commentary you expect from Veronica Mars. I look forward to many more mysteries in Neptune, California with one of my favorite PIs.

January 20, 2015

The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead

The final book of the Bloodlines series. I wouldn't miss this for anything. I have to know how things end for Sydney and Adrian, or at least how things end for now. Honestly, I still hope for little short stories in the future, or maybe another VA/Bloodlines spinoff in a couple years. We'll see. Richelle Mead's novels are addictive.

February 10, 2015

Deadly Spells (Prospero's War #3) by Jaye Wells

As I mentioned in my Top Reads post, I loved the first book of this series and I definitely plan to read the second book before this one is released. The real gritty feel of the world and the depth of the characters and their struggles is so intriguing. Besides, the title alone leaves me wondering if somebody might die before the book ends.

February 10, 2015

Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1, Study #4, Chronicles of Ixia #7) by Maria V. Snyder

Finally, it's another book about Yelaena and Valek!!! Ahhh....I'm so excited. I loved the Study series. it isn't necessarily a pleasant world and it definitely has its dark moments but the characters and their relationships definitely make it all worth it. Plus, I hear that this trilogy will also feature Valek's POV...AND we get to learn more about his past, which is about time. I will probably do a re-read of the whole Chronicles of Ixia series (consisting of the Study series and the Glass series) before this is released), just so I'm completely refreshed for this new adventure.

February 24, 2015

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Well, I guess that wraps up my posts for 2014. I appreciate everyone who has read these posts, shared them, commented on them, etc. You are all awesome. Hopefully 2015 will bring more book reviews and writing posts. I'm really going to try to be more consistent next year.

Top Series Reads of 2014

Welcome back to my blog. Today I will be talking about my favorite series reads of 2014. Now, to qualify for this list I had to read at least three books in the series sometime in the year of 2014. That is why some great books that are parts of series landed on the other lists, because I only read one or two from that series this year.

As always, this list is in no particular order.

Sisters of Fate trilogy (Foretold, Forecast, Foresworn) by Rinda Elliott

All three books of this amazing YA trilogy were published this year and I devoured them almost immediately after they were released. I found the triplet narrators to be amazing, and I marvel at Rinda Elliott's skills as a storyteller because of this trilogy. Seriously, all three books take place at the exact same time, but each focuses on a different sister's journey. Plus, do I really need to mention how obsessive I am when I book focuses on mythology? The Sisters of Fate trilogy features Norse mythology, specifically an amazing take on the events leading up to Ragnarok. I could totally see at least another book, if not another trilogy coming out of this wonderful cast of characters and the concept. If that happens I will definitely squeal with delight.

Pushing the Limits series (Pushing the Limits, Dare You To, Crossing the Line, Crash Into You, Take Me On) by Katie McGarry

I admit it: I don't typically read a lot of contemporary romance-ish fiction. Most of the time I prefer to have some fantasy, paranormal, or sci-fi elements in the tales I read. However, I had seen a lot of great reviews on this series, particularly leading up to the release of Crash Into You. That, plus the fact that the first book had been on sale at the time for only like $1.99, was enough for me to give it a shot. I'm almost ashamed to say that Pushing the Limits sat on my NOOK for about a year before I finally decided to actually read it. Once finished I immediately jumped into the rest of the series. Okay, it's no big secret that I am an Ohioan, and this series is set in Kentucky, so I feel like I understand these teens and the setting a bit better because of it. I've been sucked in completely and I look forward to reading more Katie McGarry books in the future. (Oh, and I think Crash Into You is probably my favorite so far, though they all are so great and realistic and I love the development and changes of these teens as they meet each other, fall in love, and work through their issues together.)

Elemental Assassin series (Spider's Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, Spider's Revenge) by Jennifer Estep

I own almost every single Jennifer Estep book now. I started with the Mythos Academy series, and enjoyed them, and the concept of the Elemental Assassin series intrigued me enough to get the first book...which turned into the first four...and now the first ten...only two more until I own all the books currently released. Basically I have been devouring these books one after the other. In hindsight, this series may not be the best for back-to-back reading. I will admit that Gin's narration can be repetitive. She will repeat the same details in basically every single book. I overlook this because I'm sure that most people won't sit down and read the whole series as quickly as possible. After getting past her initial romantic interest, I found myself even more intrigued by the series, and I absolutely adore the depth of the characters and all of the crazy and dangerous problems that always seem to crop up for the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Also, I think I'm in love with Owen. He's pretty darn awesome.

Kelly Brothers series (The Sweetest Seduction, Breakaway Hearts, Falling for the Wingman, The Heart's Game, A Seductive Melody) by Crista McHugh

I have been a fan of Crista McHugh's for a couple years now, ever since a Goodreads giveaway won me a signed copy of Tangled Web, and so it was an easy sell to try her new contemporary romance series that is a modern twist on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The brothers all have their ups and downs, their issues, and their swoon-worth moments, and it has been wonderful getting to read their adventures as they meet the women who will be their future wives. The brothers all have such different--yet all successful--lives, from businessmen to athletes to musicians, actors, doctors, men of the military...there is something for everyone in this series, and I am very curious what will happen with the final two books, which will be released in 2015. My favorite books (and brothers) of the series thus far are (in order): The Heart's Game (Dan--he's a geek and a doctor), Falling for the Wingman (Caleb--a military pilot), and A Seductive Melody (Ethan--a musician). But they are all amazing and well worth a read.

MetaWars (Changeling, Tempest, Chimera) by Kelly Meding

I think I read the first book of the series, Trance, last year, and I knew I needed to read the rest so I did that towards the beginning of the year. Boy, I was not disappointed by these wonderful and complex superhero adventures. Each character has dealt with so much, and whether they love their meta abilities or hate them, each finds themselves playing an important role in this series, whether that is keeping the dangerous Banes at bay, or trying to combat the public's image of all Metas being dangerous and needed to be cataloged, locked up, or even eliminated. There are some cute romance stories, some complicated family relationships, and definite struggles to adapt to the return of their abilities and the changing perspectives by others towards their kind. I certainly hope that someday Kelly Meding decides to return to this world because I think there are still more stories to tell, and I would love to read them.

Lords of the Underworld series (The Darkest Night, The Darkest Kiss, The Darkest Pleasure, The Darkest Whisper, The Darkest Passion, The Darkest Lie) by Gena Showalter

To most it's probably no secret that I'm a member of the Vaginal Fantasy Book Club, started by the wonderful Felicia Day. The Darkest Kiss was made a book pick back in...February...I think. Anyway, I'm not a fan of starting a series in the middle, even if it switches couples each book. No matter what there is typically always a reference to earlier books or events. So...I fell deep into the rabbit hole when I started the series and quickly became addicted. I just managed to buy the e-book omnibus of books 7-9 so I'll be delving into them shortly, but dang...can I just say how amazing and sometimes very steamy some of these books/relationships are? Plus, there is a lot of really cool mythology and backstory/character development going on in these books. It has to be so complicated to balance a cast that started with 12 Lords of the Underworld, and some of them have friends and each of them is finding that special someone so there are a lot of people to juggle and Gena Showalter does a magnificent job with them. I'm seriously impressed.

Cold Iron series (Cold Iron, Silver Skin, Stone Song) by D.L. McDermott

This was a random find while browsing either Goodreads or NetGalley. I love books involving Fae. Add steamy romance and hunky warriors into the mix and yep, I can't say no. The mythology is great, because Celtic myths may be my favorite, and the complexity of the Fae characters and the Druid characters just make these a delight to read. Watching the strength of the female characters, especially when partnered with ancient, powerful, and gorgeous Fae warriors/mages is remarkable. Having stories with such intelligent, resourceful, courageous women is always a plus in my book. I'm so excited that there will be another book in this series. Blade Dance is scheduled for release in September 2015 and I will likely get it and read it on the day it is released. I look forward to returning to the wonderful world within these books.

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Whew...Almost half of the books I've read this year made it onto a Top Reads list. In some ways I guess that's a good thing because it means I've read a lot of awesome books this year. Thanks for taking the time to read these posts. My next post will be a little bit different...it is my Most Anticipated Books of January and February 2015. Why just those two months? Because if I just did Most Anticipated of 2015 it would be at least 30 books long.

Top YA Reads of 2014

Hello, hello. Well, with it being the end of the year, it is time for all of those "Best of..." lists to come out. Last year I just did a list of my top 10 reads of the year. This year I tried to compile my list and I quickly realized that I couldn't narrow it down nearly that far. So, I studied the books in my list and realized that I could split it up into Adult, YA, and Series.

Today's post is all about some of the great YA reads I've had the pleasure of reading in 2014. While most of them this time around were published in 2014, that is not always the case and my Top Reads lists are about books I've read in the calendar year. So, without further ado...here we go, in no particular order.

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen (The Malediction Trilogy, #1)

Debut author Danielle Jensen has already earned a place on my auto-buy list. I am desperately awaiting the release of this book's sequel because I have to know what is going to happen to Cecile and Tristan. Also, I need more awesomeness with Vincent and Victoria because they are just made of awesome. I loved the whole romance and learning about the trolls, and being pulled into this rebellion against the old ways that treat half-bloods as basically lesser citizens and servants. It was a wild and intense ride and will definitely be a book to re-read while waiting for the sequel. Hidden Huntress, (The Malediction Trilogy, #2), is scheduled for release in June 2015.

The Adventures of Jillian Spectre by Nic Tatano (Jillian Spectre, #1)

I loved the narration of Jillian Spectre. She has a humorous and conversational voice. This book was yet another one I found via NetGalley, and while in the early stages I wasn't sure what kind of book this would really be or if I would enjoy it, the characters and the story soon grabbed me tight and dragged me along for the ride. In fact, my status updates on Goodreads was naming this as a favorite book way back in March. I was so flabbergasted after reading it that my mind couldn't even formulate a coherent review. I suppose that means a re-read is in order. And since the second book was supposed to be out in 2014 as well but isn't, perhaps I have time to read it again.

Secret by Brigid Kemmerer (Elemental, #4)

Brigid Kemmerer released two books in the Elemental series in 2014, Secret and the final book Sacrifice. While I enjoyed both, this book following air elemental Nick was my favorite, which really says something because the final book followed my favorite Merrick brother, Michael. The last 20% of this book was so high speed and psychotically intense. There was even a moment where something happened to Nick right in front of Adam and Quinn and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I absolutely adore the Merrick brothers and following their struggles, and I can honestly see Brigid Kemmerer writing another cycle with an additional book for each Merrick, and then perhaps one with Tyler. Until that happens, I will happily pick up any other book by Brigid Kemmerer, because I have loved every one of them.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass, #3)

This book was absolutely amazing. Sarah Maas just keeps getting better and better. I love Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian as characters, and it is wonderful to see how they grow and change throughout this series. I started out this book not really liking new characters Aedion and Rowan, but boy did those two grow on me. I also really loved Sorscha. There was so much going on in this book, with Celaena in Wendlyn and learning more about her own magic and becoming more accepting of what she is and what she is capable of, and with Dorian learning more about his own magic. Words can't even begin to describe the depth of the characterization and development going on within these pages, and I am sad that I now have to wait for the next book. Considering where each respective character is at the end of this third book, I imagine the fourth is going to be insanely intense. Seriously, another stunning book. I highly recommend this series. Just go read them.

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines, #5)

Richelle Mead is made of awesome. And boy does she deliver with the Bloodlines series. I am so completely addicted to the amazingness that is Sydney and Adrian. This book had so many high and low points, tense moments, romantic ones, funny moments, and ones that were shocking. The cliffhanger ending definitely leads to the promise of a very intense final book. And I won't spoil it in case there are people who haven't yet read this amazing series, but there is one stunningly amazing moment that made me super happy for Sydney and Adrian. If you haven't read the Vampire Academy or Bloodlines series, then you are missing out. Do yourself a favor and get reading. The final book in the Bloodlines series, The Ruby Circle, is out February 10, 2015.

Such Sweet Sorrow by Jenny Trout

Most of the reads on this list received a 5/5 rating from me. This book received a 4/5, but it is still such a great book. I found this book on NetGalley and the concept of combining Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet was an intriguing one. Basically, Juliet does indeed die but Romeo survives the poison and is left in exile. Then he learns of a place to the north where he could find a way to bring Juliet back. This place, is unsurprisingly, the home of Hamlet. You discover that Hamlet's father had been warning him not just about his uncle, but also trying to get Hamlet to protect a door that led to the spirit world. The first 70% of the book was just okay, but the last 30% more than made up for it. My issue with R&J had always been that I found Romeo to be whiny and impulsive, which he is, but at the end of the book he grows and develops into a much stronger character. Honestly the best character in the book was Juliet. She had so much strength to her. I also loved that this book incorporated Norse mythology. I could see a sequel coming out of this book, potentially. I'd like to see how Romeo and Juliet's star-crossed love continues.

The Diviners by Libba Bray (The Diviners, #1)

This book had such a complex story and the characters were intriguing. You can tell that a lot of research was needed to pull of this book, and it is done quite well. The descriptions of settings and details was enough that it was relatively easy to picture what was going on. Also, I really wish that the Museum of the Creepy Crawlies was real. I would love to visit it. Much like my comments yesterday about Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett, this lovely story is set during the time of Prohibition, which is an instant attention grabber for me. My only issue is with the constant pushing back for the release date for the second book. It went from summer 2014 to 2015. Currently Goodreads has Lair of Dreams scheduled for April 2015 but I'll believe it when I see it. Hopefully it's true because I need to know what happens with Evie and the gang.

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Thanks for stopping by and reading about some of my favorite YA reads for 2014. The next post will cover my Top Series Reads for 2014.

Top Reads of 2014

First, I'd like to preface by saying that this first list does not contain any YA reads. I had so many books that I really enjoyed this year that I have split my Top Reads list into three parts: Adult, YA, and Series.

Also, these books are not in any particular order...as in, I don't go from least favorite to most favorite or vice versa. These are all just awesome books that I read in 2014, not just books published in 2014.

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells (Prospero's War #1)

This book was a NetGalley discovery for me. I had read Jaye Well's first Sabina Kane book and enjoyed it, plus the whole concept of this book sounded really interesting. And I definitely can say that it was an awesome read. There is this difference between clean magic and dirty magic and so much was going on in this fictional city that I was drawn into the world and didn't want to stop reading until I reached the final page. Plus, I'm a sucker for a good book that takes place in Ohio, which this lovely novel did. All of the characters were well developed and some of them have rather complicated relationships, which makes the reading more enjoyable because they feel so real. I really need to buy Cursed Moon (Prospero's War #2) and read it before the final book, Deadly Spells is released in February 2015.

Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett (Roaring Twenties #1)

After reading the first Arcadia Bell novel by Jenn Bennett, I happened to see on Goodreads that she was getting ready to release a series set during Prohibition. Well, I've always loved a good 1920s story. This one does not disappoint. It was a quick read for me, thanks to a decent pace, and a couple of main characters who were attracted to each other from the beginning. What was also interesting and well done was that the magic and ghosts mostly took a back seat in this story, which at times made the book seem more historical romance than paranormal. Still, I ab-so-lute-ly loved it. This book solidified my decision to add Jenn Bennett to my auto-buy list, which is why Roaring Twenties #2, Grim Shadows, is waiting on my bookshelf ready to be read. I need to do that before Grave Phantoms is released in May 2015.

The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead (Age of X #2)

I love Richelle Mead, so it's no surprise that she once again finds her way to a Top Reads list. Her Age of X series is set in the future and features a returning of the old gods (including some standard favorites such as Loki, Odin, and Morgan le Fay). Anyway, in this second book of the series everything becomes so much more intense. The development of the plot and the characters is just outstanding. This game of the gods is getting crazier and Justin and Mae are pulled into it much farther than they were in the first book. We had more gods show up and with the way this second book ended, I can tell that it will be a long tortuous wait for book #3, which still does not have a title or a release date.

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

I love Pride & Prejudice, and I was amazed by the modern retelling in the YouTube series "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries." So, when I learned there was this secret diary that was a companion for the show, I knew I had to read it. And let me tell you, it definitely gave more insight into some of the characters and some of the events of the series. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had more interactions via this diary than in the show, and even better the diary had a couple entries from after the show ended. I was glad to hear how Lydia turned out after the events of LBD, and I can definitely say that this book will be re-read over and over, just like I can say that I will re-watch the web series over and over.

Prince's Fire by Amy Raby (Hearts and Thrones #3)

This series has been an absolute pleasure to read and I look forward to several more in the future. I can also say that while I loved the first two books, this one may be my favorite. The relationship that developed between Celeste and Rayn was different from the other couples and several of their conversations made me chuckle. As Celeste started to fall for Rayn, it was clear in how much more interest she took in not just him, but his country. Together they make an amazing couple, as well as a strong King and Queen. It is also really cool to get to expand the universe of this series more, this time visiting the island country of Inya.

Betrayal in the Highlands by Robert Evert (Riddle in Stone #2)

Oh Edmund, how I adore reading your adventures. He has dealt with a lot by the time this second book starts and we already know that he will not have an easy journey ahead of him. But things may be looking up in a couple areas. While he lost his beloved dog Thorax in the first book, in book two he has adorable puppy Becky, who while not as awesome as Thorax, does grow on you by the end of the book. The best addition to the cast has to be Abby. I loved her so much that her appearance made the book so much better. She will make a fine partner for Edmund, providing he can stop moping about Molly and see that Abby can certainly take care of herself. And as always, at Edmund's side, is the lovable Pond Scum. (If you haven't read the first book then you won't understand why that's his name). He is a loyal friend and a great guy. I have the third book on my NOOK but haven't read it yet. I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet.

Attack the Geek by Michael R. Underwood (Ree Reyes #2.5)

The final entry on this list of Top Reads is not a full-length novel, but is instead a side quest novella. I absolutely adore the world created in this series, and I geek out with every single book I read. In this novella, I feel like I'm reading a dungeon raid set-up for a D&D party. The story takes place in and around Grognard's, where heroine Ree Reyes works as a bartender/waitress (basically). Even with the shortened adventure, you still see basically all of the main characters from the series, and it does a nice job of continuing to build and develop those character relationships. It will be really interesting to see what happens when Hexomancy (Ree Reyes #3) comes out in September. Geeky books are my favorite thing ever!

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Well, that wraps up my list for today. Up next is my Top YA Reads of 2014.

About My End of Year Posts

It's hard to believe that we've reached the end of yet another year here. I can honestly say that I feel bad about not keeping up with my posting schedule again this year, but I am going to really try to be more regular in 2015 with my writing update posts and my book review posts.

Okay, so this is going to be a really short update post, but I wanted to say that I sat down and looked through the books that I've read this year (91 books so far with a week left in 2014 so I'm aiming for 100 books) and I tried to figure out what books would make my Top Reads of 2014 blog post.

My conclusion...

I had so many that I actually really enjoyed so I decided to split the list up and do two blog posts...one for "adult" Reads and one for "YA" reads.

But then I got to looking at the list of books further and I decided that perhaps it would be best to divide those up a little better, so I came up with a much more balanced set of posts.

So...in the next week I will have THREE blog posts on my Top Reads of 2014: an "adult" blog post, a "YA" blog post, and a post revolving around my Top Series Reads. Now, to be able to make the Series list, I determined that I needed to have read at least three books in the series during the course of 2014.

For all of my Top Reads blog posts, I will once again reiterate that I will discuss books that I have read in 2014. These books are not necessarily new books as of 2014, though there are a number of shiny new books on the lists.

Okay...so that's all.

Expect three book-centric blog posts in the next week.

Oh, and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Yule, Happy Festivus, Happy Holidays, or whichever celebration/holiday greeting is applicable to you.

NaNoWriMo 2014 Midpoint Update

Hey everyone...it's been a long while since I last posted. I am so sorry about that. It seems like I keep failing on keeping up with my schedule for this blog. That is going to be one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2015, to actually keep up with my blog posts.

I guess what sparked or pushed me back towards writing posts is a new friend I made at my region's write-in yesterday. She has a blog, a YouTube channel, two jobs, and I've looked at her content production...she is fairly prolific.

If people haven't realized this already, I can sometimes be quite competitive. So if she can maintain a blog, a vlog, and all sorts of other social media outlets then so can I.

So, here's my update for the first half of NaNoWriMo, but I warn you that it is pretty sad. In week one I wrote an overwhelming total of 1,616 words. That's right. In one week I wrote less than what is supposed to be written in a day. I added a little over 1,700 words yesterday, which means that I am roughly 20,000 or so words behind schedule.

I have to play catch up now. And since I am wide awake and it is currently 1:10am I just might try some Write or Die sessions now and see if I can boost my total a bit.

Also, in other semi-related news, I have gotten my mom to agree to me making some changes to my writing office. So, after I do some tidying up and such, my spring cleaning projects will include repainting the office and making it feel even more cozy and productive for my writing and my life. So look for updates on that in 2015.

Okay, so I'm going to go write now and see if I can squeeze in anywhere between 15,000 and 20,000 words on this 16th day of November.

Wish me luck. I'll probably need it at this point.

Project Death: Revelation Chapter Three

Chapter Three

"Healing is a delicate art that must be studied for many years before practical application." - From Guide to Healing

 

Danica arrived at precisely seven that evening, dressed rather simply in a knee-length black skirt and a light blue blouse that only served to draw more attention to her hair and eyes. It was nothing fancy but it suited her perfectly. Likewise I myself was in a pair of tan dress pants and a darker blue button-up shirt. I was glad that we had dressed similarly; it might even lead her to a subconscious thought that we belonged together.

I took it as a good sign that she had actually showed up instead of trying to take on an extra shift. Although I had Danica convinced that this was purely a business dinner, I still hoped that the dinner would highlight how well-matched we could be if she gave me a chance.

"I am glad to see that you were not detained by charges," I said as I stood up and walked over to her. When I stopped I offered her my arm so I could escort her to the restaurant.

"Elian decided to take the available shift as soon as he heard that I had dinner plans," Danica admitted. "I assume you told him all about it to ensure my availability."

Had she learned nothing from our conversation earlier in the day? Jumping to conclusions about me would not lead to a satisfying end for anyone. "Unfortunately I cannot accept the blame for that unfortunate coincidence. All I will admit to is telling my friend Ruka that I was trading dinner for advice on field work. If he said anything about it to anyone else then I had no control over it."

Danica shook her head slightly, though I was unsure if it was because she was amused or irritated. The movement caused her gentle golden curls to bounce across her shoulders. "Perhaps I should speak with Mara about her choice in gentlemen callers."

Ruka had not mentioned that he would be asking Mara out again, at least not yet. His bringing up the possibility of us having a double date with Danica and Mara had been nothing more than that, a possibility. Or had I misread the conversation completely? Ruka's impulse control was occasionally quite weak.

"I would not do anything so rash. Besides, I do believe they enjoy each other's company. We would not want to deny them that." I glanced over at her and watched as she set her hand in the crook of my elbow. Another good sign for me because now she had decided that she really was going to go through with our plans for the evening. "We should go or we will lose our reservation."

At least I could count on her to accept and not ask where we were going. It was just another aspect of who Danica was. Specifics on food did not matter to her so long as it did not interfere with her work.

We arrived at the restaurant a few seconds later, or more specifically, we arrived around the corner where nobody would see us appear from nothing. The restaurant was one I had discovered a few months earlier and was perfect for a Resurrector who wanted to speak openly without being overheard. The booths were deep and the dividers between tables could almost be considered walls. The privacy was nice and the design kept the space feeling cozy instead of claustrophobic. I just hoped that Danica liked it.

I gave the name I had used for the reservation and we were led to the back of the restaurant, to the more secluded back corner as requested. As she took her seat, Danica said nothing and I wondered what she was thinking of the restaurant. We would not be the only couple here solely for business meetings, but a majority of the clientele were people on dates and I was certain that it had not escaped her notice. She was a decently observant person, which I gathered was one reason she was maintaining her distance; she had to know that I held an interest in seeing what could happen between us. For now though I would remain patient. I did not need to rush anything.

"How did you find this place?" she asked as she picked up a menu and started looking over the selections.

"I spent some time speaking with a few other Resurrectors and one mentioned liking this restaurant. I tried it and found that it was perfect for conducting business. A person can have a private conversation here, which is a benefit considering how most of our conversations tend to go." When I finished speaking I noticed that she was nodding slightly. Good, at least I had once again reinforced the point that we were here for business. Pleasure could wait until later and I would wait however long I needed. I would make sure she knew that at a later point. Perhaps I would truly ask her out at the end of the evening.

"Should we start discussing field work now or would you like to wait until after we order?" Danica was very good at staying on topic and maintaining a business-like demeanor. I did not understand how she could separate herself so much, to keep a professional air going at all times. I could not imagine doing such a thing, particularly not when there was so much that happened to provoke strong emotional reactions. How could she go without expressing frustration, anger, joy...anything?

"Whichever is more preferential to you. I defer to you in all discussions for the evening as you are the one imparting your wisdom upon me."

"You do not need to slather on the compliments so thickly, Thanos. I have already agreed to help you, so long as I was not detained by work. That did not happen so tonight I am here for you."

A waitress walked over and I smiled at her. "Hello, Mary. It seems as if you are all quite busy this evening. Business is good, then?" As it turned out from my many visits here, I had learned quite a bit about the people who worked in the restaurant, and Mary was the owner's daughter, a lovely young girl who was saving up money to move across the country. She had often discussed wanting to move to a warmer climate and I tried to tip as well as I could; Resurrector allowances were for any time we needed to blend in with human society or if we wanted to purchase anything for our rooms. I did not have much in my room and I spent most of my money on the many dinners I had gone on with the young female Resurrectors around me.

"It is," she answered with a smile that lit up her hazel eyes. "What can I get for the two of you?"

"I believe I will simply have water to drink and then I shall have today's special," I replied. The food here was tasty enough and had a decent blend of flavors. It did not really matter what I ate anyway; I had more important issues on my mind.

Mary turned to look at Danica as she took my menu from me. "I guess I will have the same," Danica said as she handed her menu over to Mary. Then she turned back to me, clearly not interested in paying any more attention to our waitress than she absolutely had to.

That was the only possible downside to spending time around Danica, because I believed that it was a good idea to be polite to people in the service industry. We were basically the same way, but since our charges could not see us, we did not have the opportunity to receive tips or thanks or compliments. We did our duties without question or thought of benefit. Humans were not even remotely close to us in that respect and a little gratitude went a long way to making their lives or their days a little brighter.

"Thank you, Mary," I said before she could walk away. I saw a hint of a smile on her face as she headed back to the kitchen to place our order. It took a moment before I faced Danica again, only to discover that she was just staring in my general direction. Most other ladies I had brought here occupied themselves with looking around at the art on the walls or taking in the assortment of patrons, but not Danica.

"I admit that I am curious about one thing." Danica's gaze had fixated on me like a bird of prey spotting its next meal.

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Why would the Leaders decide to place a Resurrector into the field without covering the basics of field work?"

It was a fair question and I had wondered the same thing. I knew Josiah had faith in my ability and most of the others would go along with Josiah's decision, but I also knew that Samuel was quite vocal in disagreeing completely. That had the potential to sway the other Leaders against me.

"They did not see fit to give me a reason. I was merely told that I would be assigned to some of the more high priority charges." Certainly they would have more information for me before I heard my first call. If not I would need to see Josiah and ask for more details on the job.

"You are certain that they said high priority and not high risk?" Danica always acted so calm and composed that it made conversation just a bit more complicated. Often times it was necessary to read into hand gestures or other physical movements but in this moment it was just the two of us sitting in a booth surrounded by normal people who had no idea that they were in the company of beings they would likely call angels.

"I am certain Samuel said high priority." I must have replayed that conversation in my head at least a dozen times. A hidden clue never appeared and asking Samuel for clarification was out of the question. Being around that power hungry and self-centered jerk was never easy and was actually something I actively avoided.

"I recommend you borrow Field Work Basics from the library as soon as possible. It gives a fairly in-depth analysis of the mechanics pertinent to our jobs. However, since your assignment begins tomorrow I can give you the bare bone essentials to survive." Now Danica had shifted forward, her forearms resting on the table as she truly became an active member of the conversation.

"I realize that I have already said this but thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help me. I appreciate it more than you might imagine." I was grateful that she had agreed to help but I had already basically guessed what happened out in the field.

Healing was not exactly difficult in theory and we had been told for many years that our existence was hidden from the humans we helped. Therefore it stood to reason that the basics of field work told us to arrive to a call, heal the charge, and then leave before they could break through the haze of their memories and remember us.

We continued to discuss business through the meal and even through dessert. Everything Danica told me was rather close to how I imagined it and made all our jobs seem far too simple. Of course, there was always the possibility of failing too many times and being pulled from the field for other duties.

For people like my friend Osten, being kept from the field for other tasks was an honor. Danica and the others like her could imagine doing nothing but being out in the field. If field work suited me then I would accept that but I would not mind if I had a desk job either.

When we finally left the restaurant I felt that I had a decent grasp on the job but I had made very little progress with Danica. I would simply have to try harder to win her affection. Sooner or later I would succeed. Failing was not in my nature.

#

I paused in my story and looked over at Tamesis. She had slumped down in the chair and looked as if she was close to falling asleep. It made me wonder if she had been working herself too much again. Much like Danica, Tam was prone to losing herself in her work and forgetting about important tasks such as eating and sleeping.

"Tam, are you feeling all right?" I inquired. "Maybe we should slow down on my story for a little while and give you a chance to rest."

She perked up slightly and shook her head. "I'm fine. I just don't get what you saw in Danica."

"It took a little while to break through her shell, get her to focus on living instead of just work. The truth was that I admired her dedication and how certain she was that our duties were creating a better world. Even after I learned the truth I was impressed by her tenacity. The two of you have a great deal in common." I knew Tam would see the truth soon enough and I wondered if it would change her opinion of Danica. Then again, the last couple encounters between them had not been the most pleasant.

"I sincerely doubt that." Tamesis attempted to stifle a yawn with her hand but I still saw it, as focused as I was on her. Did she not notice that she was once again growing dark circles under her eyes? It was quite similar to how she had looked the first few times I ran into her while she was still a Resurrector.

"You need to go to your room and rest, Tamesis. I know you are exhausted."

"I told you I'm fine. Besides, I want to hear all about your first day in the field."

I wanted to be able to tell her no, to say that it would have to wait until after she had gotten a full night's rest, but I knew how stubborn she could be when pushed. "Would you agree to a compromise?" I asked. "We go to you room and you settle into bed. Then, and only then, will I continue my story, telling all about my first day until you fall asleep."

She groaned but shifted forward in her seat and then pushed herself up to her feet. "Fine. But I'm not all that tired."

I said nothing as I stood up, sensing that something was wrong, and it was putting Tam in the mood to fight. It was not something I would indulge, at least not now. For the most part I had learned to control my temper, with a few obvious exceptions. Instead I gestured towards the doorway and followed Tam as we left the study and walked to the other side of the building, which housed most of the living areas. Mine was not with the rest.

We did not speak at all during the walk and a tense silence filled the air. Something dark surrounded us and I could admit that I felt a little uneasy. Tamesis did not appear to have noticed it, but her face was a mask of determination and barely controlled anger. Her eyes swirled in multiple hues of grey. It gave me reason for concern. I thought that things would be easier now that we were not dealing with so many Resurrector issues. Apparently that assumption was wrong.

At her door I paused. "I should give you a few minutes to prepare yourself for bed." It had been so long…no, I would be professional for the duration of this story and even beyond. I had made my position perfectly clear to Tam and now we would both need to abide by that limitation. Nothing could happen between us unless she was willing to risk death. Even then, I knew I could not bear for that to happen.

"Don't wait too long." Then she pushed the door shut behind her and left me standing in the hall alone.

#

Being awakened by the tinkling chimes of a call is not the most enjoyable sensation and it was incredibly surreal to experience it, knowing that it was a real cry for help and not just a part of lessons. When Danica spoke of responding to a charge she made it sound like an adrenaline rush and having an instant alertness and ability to respond.

All I felt was that my sleep was being interrupted and the somewhat annoying chimes were worse than an alarm clock. Was this what my life was to be for the next few decades, trapped by this duty to heal and no longer being in control of my time? Being on this special assignment of priority cases meant that I did not work shifts like the others. I was on call at all times. So far I could not say that I enjoyed my assignment.

I glanced over at the clock on my wall and saw that it was only three in the morning. My dinner with Danica had lasted a few hours and then I had returned to my room to find a large envelope waiting, an envelope that had contained everything I needed to know about my new job. I had been up until almost one reading through everything, twice. Now I almost regretted that decision.

Well, the charge certainly would not wait around forever and I could already imagine the look on Samuel's face if I failed on my first day. More than anything else, that was what propelled me out of bed. I pulled on the first pair of pants and shirt I found in my closet and focused on the chimes signaling my charge's need.

It was strange to follow that call without a clear image of where I was going. Typically traveling involved picturing where to go and then imagining that I was there. This was focusing on a cry for help and following it, much like a blind man seeking out the source of a noise.

When I arrived, I first noted that I was in a dark alleyway, the nearby streetlight busted. The sounds of a man groaning in pain came from behind a stack of crates. Maybe I misunderstood, but I did not see how healing somebody in an alley could be considered high priority, unless the person was meant to do something revolutionary. That seemed unlikely considering that the Leaders did not know the future.

Perhaps there was a flaw in the system for assigning charges to a Resurrector. I would need to look into that later, but for now, I supposed that someone did need help and I was already in a position to follow our training and heal him.

I stepped around the stack of crates and saw a man slumped against the building wall. He was covered in cuts and bruises, and possibly had a number of broken bones. Whoever had beaten him had done a grand job, carefully administering injuries in a way that would be drawn out and painful, killing him slowly. Yet here I was to ruin all that by healing his life-threatening injuries and giving this man a second chance at life. I just hoped that he took the opportunity for improvement.

It was a little difficult to maneuver into a position where I could set my hands in the places I needed to for proper healing. The man was practically glued to the crates at his side and the building wall behind him. The only solution was to crouch with my left leg between his legs and my right leg off to his side. With the way this all probably looked from a distance, I felt certain there were details I would omit when sharing this tale with Ruka.

With my left hand on his temple and my right on his heart, I closed my eyes and focused on sending the healing energy through the man's body, carefully repairing the worst of his injuries while also being sure to leave some evidence of the attack on his body. The men who had done this in the first place would only retaliate more if he walked away without a scratch.

I felt it as his bones snapped back into place and I paused the healing just as the bones began to knit themselves back together, leaving them cracked instead of broken. He would feel considerably better than he did a minute ago, but he would still be incredibly sore. I did not envy his next few days.

The whole process took only a minute but left me feeling drained in a way I could not have imagined. Restraining the energy for a partial heal had been taxing, and I instinctively knew that I would need a couple minutes before I could manage to return to the Resurrector facilities.

Unfortunately with the slight boost of energy the heal had given him, my charge was beginning to really move and I needed to get far away before he realized that I had been his guardian angel. Really, why did the Leaders act as if that was the most dangerous situation ever? I remembered whole lessons where they would warn us about sticking around too long. It would reveal us to the world was what they said. Having that knowledge available to all humans would make it harder for us to operate unseen.

The truth was that some did see us and remember, but those people also knew how the rest of society would respond to such a revelation. Most were not willing to be labeled as insane.

I pushed myself up, a feat that was nearly impossible in my weakened state. I wish I could say that I then simply walked away but it was more accurate to say that I stumbled out of the alley and then leaned against the nearest wall to catch my breath. All I needed to do was relax and focus on getting back home. I would sort out everything else later.

When I eventually made it back to my room it took all my remaining energy to kick off my shoes before collapsing in my bed. It took only moments for the darkness of sleep to envelop me.

#

Tamesis had fallen asleep at the end of this portion of my tale and I pulled the covers up over her shoulders. I had to resist any urge to kiss her forehead or any other potentially romantic notion. Not long ago I told her that nothing could happen between us and mostly I had stuck to that statement. As with anything else, I sometimes struggled with my choices.

This was something I absolutely needed to deny myself. I could not stand here any longer without my resolve crumbling into nothingness. "Sweet dreams, Tamesis," I murmured before quietly making my way out of her room. I hoped she would be able to sleep through the night. Seeing her overwork herself pained me and I was unsure if she did it because it was what she was used to or if there were some signs I had been missing. I saw no anomalies on my master scroll so whatever was going on had nothing to do with the Balance.

I needed to find answers. Soon.