Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Silver Shark (Kinsmen #2) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 28, 2025

Kinsmen
1. Silent Blade
2. Silver Shark - Kindle
2.5. A Mere Formality
3. Fated Blades
The Kinsmen Universe (#1, 2, 2.5) - Paperback | Kindle

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Family is everything. Talent is power. And revenge is sweet.

In a distant, future world Kinsmen—small powerful groups of genetically and technologically advanced families—control vast financial empires. They are their own country, their own rulers, and their only limits are other Kinsmen. The struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport: in business, on the battlefield...and sometimes in the bedroom.

Claire Shannon is a killer…and her weapon is her mind.

Born on a planet torn by war for over 300 years, Claire is a soldier: a psycher, with the ability to read, control, and destroy the minds of enemy psychers and to infiltrate the biological network where they battle to death.

When Claire’s faction loses the war, she barely escapes extermination from both sides, as her talent brands her as too dangerous to society. By so-deeply burying her ability that she avoids detection, Claire is instead deported to Rada as a refugee, where she must find work to remain. She finds a job as personal assistant to Venturo Escana, a premiere kinsman; one of Rada’s most wealthy entrepreneurs—and most powerful psychers.

She thought she had left war behind, but now she must hide her skills and her growing feelings from Venturo…and this battle might just cost her everything…

Thoughts on Silver Shark: Claire's world implodes pretty impressively in the blink of an eye. She goes from being a powerful psycher in an endless war to the war suddenly being over and she has to figure out how to hide herself from anyone who might use (or flat-out destroy) a weapon like her. So she does what any good soldier would do and stuffs her ability down so that she can survive.

Once on the planet Rada as a refugee, she has to continue suppressing her abilities. She's so good at it, she registers as someone with no ability which (along with some other factors) scores her a position at one of the top security firms. The fact she's oddly attracted to Venturo Escana, the man she's now working for who is a powerful psycher himself, is inconvenient, but she can deal with it.

Except she kind of can't. And once she meets Venturo psycher to psycher, there's no going back. for either of them.

A solid world, complicated family ties (of both the blood and found variety), a little danger, and two people who have to fight for what they want. Which happens to be each other. *thumbs up*

Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Silent Blade (Kinsmen #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 28, 2025

Kinsmen
1. Silent Blade - Kindle
2. Silver Shark
2.5. A Mere Formality
3. Fated Blades
The Kinsmen Universe (#1, 2, 2.5) - Paperback | Kindle

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Family is everything. Talent is power. And revenge is sweet.

In a distant, future world Kinsmen—small powerful groups of genetically and technologically advanced families—control vast financial empires. They are their own country, their own rulers, and their only limits are other Kinsmen. The struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport: in business, on the battlefield...and sometimes in the bedroom.

Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder.

On the planet Rada, Meli Galdes’ family is of minor rank, and were relying on her marriage to Celino, the razor-smart, ruthless leader of the powerful Carvanna empire. When he abruptly breaks their engagement, he ruins her family and guarantees that Meli will never marry, as no suitor will oppose the rich and influential Carvannas.

But Meli has a rare, secret, lethal—and valuable—talent. As a melder of energy, she’s capable of severing anything in her path. So she ‘leaves’ her family and trains to become one of the best and most lethal of assassins, all the while covertly guarding her family’s interests. Now she’s ready to quit; but she has one more assignment.

To kill the man who ruined her life.

Thoughts on Silent Blade: Well. The Kinsmen world is dangerous and deadly (like many IA worlds), much like the Kinsmen themselves. Take Meli, for example. She excised herself from her family, became their assassin, and is living a quiet life now that she's retired. When her family asks her to step back in and take one more job, she doesn't want to do it, but then she finds out the job is the man who destroyed her life.

The funny thing is, Celino doesn't know he destroyed it. In trying to cut himself free from his family, he ruined Meli's chances for marriage. She was collateral damage he wasn't even aware of and it shaped her into who she became.

As you might guess, Meli has a lot of reasons for taking the job. Actually killing Celino? That's not one of them. She wants to make him suffer like she did. So she seduces. She beguiles him just by being herself and it drives Celino a little wild. And when things come to light? He has to figure out how to make things right with the woman he's come to love.

A glittering, dangerous world full of sharp, dangerous individuals. I liked it and I'm ready to dive into more.

River's End by Nora Roberts [Review]

River's End by Nora Roberts
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 27, 2025

Purchase Links: Paperback | Kindle

Nora Roberts
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Olivia’s parents were among Hollywood’s golden couples—until the night a monster came and took her mother away forever. A monster with the face of her father...

Sheltered from the truth, an older Olivia only dimly recalls her night of terror—but her recurring nightmares make her realize she must piece together the real story. Now, assisted by Noah Brady, the son of the police detective who found her cowering in her closet so many years before, she may have her chance. Noah wants to reconstruct the night that has become an infamous part of Hollywood history. He also wants to help Olivia and heal the longing in her lonely heart. But once the door to her past is opened, there’s no telling what’s waiting on the other side. For somewhere, not too far away, the monster walks again...

Thoughts on River's End: This is a reread for me, but I read it long enough ago that I genuinely couldn't remember anything more than snapshots. Namely, Detective Brady finding Olivia hiding with her stuffed animals. In other words, it was like a whole new book for me.

So. A terrible crime happens to a shining star and the only witness is her young daughter. Olivia is whisked away by her mother's family after her mother's death and shielded as best she can be from the media frenzy that goes along with a movie star being murdered. She grows up safe and loved and protected, but the idea that she is the the product of a victim and a murderer sits heavy on her. And she vows that she'll never give anybody the type of power over her that her mother gave her father.

Except there's a boy who became a man. The son of the detective who investigated her mother's death. He's never forgotten how that case affected his father and Olivia's lived in a little space in his head for years. As had the details of the murder. So when Olivia's convicted father reaches out to him to (finally) tell his side of the story, he knows he has to do it.

Which means getting in touch with Olivia. Who doesn't want anything to do with him or his book thanks to a mistake he made years ago. (Look, these two have baggage. It's complicated, but not insurmountable.)

A terrible crime, family bonds, the drive to find the truth, a man who's determined to see things through to the end, and a woman who has to deal with the past before she can have a future. A solid NR book I enjoyed reading again.

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz [Review]

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 17, 2025

Purchase Links - Hardcover | Kindle

Jayne Ann Krentz
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The Harper and the Wells families have regarded each other with deep suspicion for four generations. The Harpers have been known to offer their psychic talents for less-than-legal purposes, and the powerful Wells clan has a reputation for playing both sides of the street. But for all the years of history and distrust between them, there is a mysterious pact binding the two. They share the responsibility for protecting a long-buried and very dangerous secret.

Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are shocked to learn that her aunt and his uncle have been sleeping together—and now they are both missing. Not only that, but the last traces of them are at the scene of a murder soaked in negative paranormal energy. Clearly, someone is willing to kill to obtain the secret their families have been charged with protecting. Despite their mutual distrust, which, as far as Sophy is concerned extends to Luke’s hellhound of a dog, they both know that the terms of the pact must be honored.

Their investigation uncovers a psychic trail leading to a bizarre desert art colony where nothing is as it seems. But Luke and Sophy are concealing a few secrets, too. By a strange twist of fate, a Harper and a Wells have no choice but to trust each other and the fierce attraction that is binding them as surely as the pact between the families.

Thoughts on The Shop on Hidden Lane: A new set of families have been introduced into the psychic shenanigans and coverups swirling around the Bluestone Project and the Harpers and Wells have HISTORY. Fortunately for everyone, that history is exactly what's needed to take care of business.

But first! Sophy and Luke. She can read paranormal energy (amongst other things) and he's sporting some serious self-doubt thanks to a relationship gone sour. To be fair, there were extenuating circumstances as to why that relationship turned. Also to be fair, Sophy's approach to relationships doesn't leave her with a lot of second dates. These two aren't thrilled to be working together, but the nature of what they're dealing with doesn't leave them with any other choices.

So they start looking into the murder and disappearance of their respective family members and soon they're knee-deep in secrets that were supposed to remain buried. They also have to pretend to be a couple as they follow the clues and pretending to be a couple isn't nearly as difficult as either thought it would be. Sure, they both have a few hang-ups and some issues they need to deal with on a personal level, but WHO DOESN'T??

A little betrayal, a very reluctant collaboration (that turns not-so-reluctant), a magnificent doggo, secrets, muses, a dangerous location, and a couple (eventually) who have to let go of their fears if they hope to save themselves and their family members. *thumbs up* all around.

The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews [Review]

The Inheritance (Breach Wars #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook & paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 18, 2025

Breach Wars
1. The Inheritance - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Innkeeper Chronicles
1. Clean Sweep

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach's secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

Thoughts on The Inheritance: Oh my goodness, this book hit the spot. Ada is just trying to do her job and help clear a breach when everything goes sideways. She's good at what she does. She's determined to survive. She promised her kids she'd come home to them. Which means she's VERY motivated to figure out how to get out of the mess she's currently in.

But let's back up a little. Ada has talent. The type that makes her an asset on jobs. When things take a turn and Ada gets trapped in a breach, her talent leaps. As in, it grows in ways she never anticipated. Being forced to rely on only herself, her talent, and a sweet German Shepard in a place rife with dangerous terrain and even more dangerous creatures changes her. Literally.

While she's on the inside battling for her life, people on the outside are trying to do their duty and close the breach. They don't know she's still alive and they have a clock ticking down to when the breach needs to be closed. Because not closing it opens the door to even more horrors. What does this mean? Ada can't count on outside help. She needs to save herself and Bear and she needs to do it before the breach is closed because she refuses to get stuck in this alien biodome and abandon her kids.

Guys, THINGS HAPPEN. So many things. Ada is in a fight for her life from the beginning. Her talent gives her a chance and the information dump she unexpectedly received (part of what caused everything to fall apart originally) helps her navigate this strange, dangerous world. She and Bear (because that dog is a pretty great ally) have to fight a host of critters, make friends where they can (because it turns out not everything is out to end them here. Who knew?), and get out before their only way home is destroyed.

Yeah, this book hit the spot. So hard. I can't wait to see what happens next.

RtP's Week in Review (01/04/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Mystified in Music City by Kristen Painter [Review] - Jayne and Sin are BACK!
• Nixed in New Orleans by Kristen Painter [Review] - More Jayne and Sin!
• New Year's With an Alien by Tana Stone [Review] - Alien love!
• Romancing the Clone by Ruby Dixon [Review] - Back on Risda!
• Before and After by Anna Hackett [Review] - Caden and Allie!
• RtP's 2025 Series Tracking - October-December - Tracking some books!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• Wanted by the Alien Warden (Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides #4) by Ursa Dax
• Digging Dr Jones by Olivia Jackson
• The Search by Nora Roberts
• Currently reading 
• To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston

RtP's 2025 Series Tracking - October-December

While I'm not hosting an official Seriously Series Challenge this year, I liked being able to track series I've completed. So... here we are. Tracking some series.

By category:
Series started in 2025: 17/3
Series started before 2025: 11/9
Series rereads: 3/3

By month:

October

• Started in 2025:
• Completed: 2
• Night Rebel (Shades of Wicked, Wicked Bite, Wicked All Night)
• The Unexpected Adventures of Lady and Lord Riven (A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence)
• In progress: -none-
• Started before 2025:
• Completed: 5
• Bubble Babes (All I Wanted was to Read Books but I Became a Space Pirate Instead)
• Cyborgs on Mars (The Lone Cyborg)
• Dewberry Farm Mystery (Sour Grapes)
• Norcross Security (Saving Mr. Norcross)
• Xarc'n Warriors (Fated to the Hunter)
• In progress: 1
• Fairhaven Falls (Kiss for My Kraken)
• Rereads:
• Completed: 1
• Lost Planet (The Forgotten Commander, The Vanished Specialist, The Mad Lieutenant, The Uncertain Scientist, The Lonely Orphan, The Rogue Captain, The Determined Hero, The Arrogant Genius, The Runaway Alien)
• In progress: -none-

November

• Started in 2025:
• Completed: 7
• Aurora Bakery (Pastries and Pints)
• Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides (Smitten by the Alien Saloon Owner)
• Groom & Doom (The Goblin in the Sink Drain)
• Holiday Romances of Elora Station (Alien Orc for Christmas)
• Masked Men (Don't Get Caught, Nowhere to Hide, Are You Scared?, You're Ours Now, Hold Your Breath, Run For Us, Dirty Cowboys, On Your Knees, Savage Stalkers)
• Monster Ever After (Jack, Grim, Satan, Orc, Crow, Full Sack, Mr. Jingle, Bunny, Thick Beef, Jack 2)
• Spring Fever (Midnight Prey, Cocoon, Wild Flowers, Dark Warren, Nightbloom)
• In progress: -none-
• Started before 2025:
• Completed: 4
• Fairhaven Falls (Healed by My Hyde)
• Frost & Crowe Mystery (Nightmare at the North Pole)
• Frostfall Island (Pillow Talk Killer)
• Samantha True Mysteries (Trouble Under the Tree)
• In progress: -none-
• Rereads:
• Completed: -none-
• In progress: -none-

December

• Started in 2025:
• Completed: 8
• Fright (Fright House, Fright Night, Fright Bash, Fright Fest, Fright Ball, Fright Girl)
• Kiss Merry Kill (The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year)
• Petra Palerno's Filthy Shorts (Submitting to the Alien Barbarian, Abducted by Moonlight)
• Retired Assassins Guide (Retired Assassins Guide to Orchid Hunting)
• Silver & Blood (Silver & Blood)
• Spicy Holiday (A Very Stalker Christmas, A Very Killer Christmas)
• Unsanctioned (Burn the World Down)
• Wrong Move, Right Monster (Never Kiss a Krampus),
• In progress: -none-
• Started before 2025:
• Completed: 2
• Harmony (Enter the Nightmare)
• Horned Holidays (A Klaus Encounter)
• In progress: -none-
• Rereads:
• Completed: -none-
• In progress: -none-

Series Rereads

• Completed: 3
• Hidden Legacy by Ilona Andrews
• Lost Planet by K. Webster and Nicole Blanchard
• Miss Marple Mysteries by Agatha Christie