Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

Cop Town is a gritty, down and dirty look at what being a cop - let alone an unwanted female cop, in Atlanta during the 70's was like. Now don't get me wrong it doesn't dwell on the whole female thing and isn't a 'pitty me' book. The characters are realistic if not disturbing at times and the author doesn't hold back on the discrepancies between white male cops and their 'colored' counterparts as well as women.
When a cop killer continues to terrorize Atlanta the corrupt 'good ol' boys' are looking to pin it on anyone and scare all the local degenerates into giving up the perpetrator. When Maggie's brother Jimmy becomes a target she must buck the system and investigate for herself. Jimmy's story isn't adding up and someone is determined to kill him and silence witnesses. Along with the help of a brand-new recruit, Kate, Maggie must find out the truth before a false confession leads to tragedy and a killer gets away with murder.
Cop Town is one of those novels that you won't be able to put down and will leave you happy that you weren't a cop in the 70's.

Shattered by Kevin Hearne

I loved this book and plan on reading the rest of the series. It is a humorous and action filled urban fantasy, well I'm not even sure you can call it that it may need its own category. Hearne does an excellent job of telling the Iron Druid's tale and somehow manages to blend multiple belief systems into a coherent story. You get everything from modern humor to old Druid cursing fits, Jesus to Brighid and lets not forget the Wolfhounds!
 In this installment Atticus (a.k.a. the Iron Druid) must help his archdruid learn about modern society while trying to decipher whom is trying to kill himself and his lady. Meanwhile said fair maiden (a druid that he himself trained) is battling an ancient evil that has taken over her father's body and is spreading a fatal plague. All of his characters are engaging and this is a novel that you could easily read in one sitting, not because its so simple but because its so damn good. Oh and did I mention that Loki makes an appearance?
Definitely a 5 star rating for this one.

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Words of Radiance is  the second novel in Sanderson's hugely popular Stormlight Archive series. Picking up six years after the assassination of the Alethi king this novel is non-stop action and a joy to read. The Assassin in White returns and this time sets his sights on all the kings/princes of the lands and it seems as if no one can stop him until Kaladin ( a military slave who amazingly works his way up to a position of power) arrives with his extraordinary (and secret) abilities. Shallan, a young woman struggling with abilities of her own, is determined to stop the return of the Voidbringers. This brings her and Kaladin together and it is soon discovered that their goals are intertwined.
Words of Radiance is truly an amazing epic journey that you will love going on. The internal struggles of the characters will endear them to the reader and make them so real you will root for their success from beginning to end. Sanderson has done a terrific job with this one.

The Anomaly by Wendy Joyce

Zia is Soul that breaks all the rules but means well just the same. She just can't seem to fathom what she is doing wrong or why the Guides are cross with her. She just isn't like the other Souls in Haven. Every time she is sent to Earth to be born she messes up and the some in Haven fear she will turn from One (sort of like God) and become one of Niie (basically Satan) When Zia is assigned Alpha for a Guide and comes to care for her 'sister' Jen; she finally starts to get the hang of her purpose. Unfortunately when she meets on the Neutral Ground in her next 'life' she must battle balance and keep it from shifting in Niie's favor.
This was an excellent book that I couldn't wait to get back to everyday. Zia is a complex and hilariously fun character who bumbles her way admirably through to her destiny. Full of unique concepts and terrific character you will enjoy The Anomaly - I guarantee it.

The Execution by Sharon Cramer

This is a captivating novel about a priest and a prisoner but so much more. When D'ata performs his unenviable duty of giving absolution to the condemned on the eve of their executions he is startled by what he finds, a young man with his features. Upon further inspection he discovers that the prisoner is actually a twin brother he never knew about.
D'ata was abandoned on a church step as an infant and grew-up the golden boy of a rich family being groomed for a life in the church until she came into his life. His condemned brother remained with their mother until her life ended and his continued in an orphanage until he was finally given in apprenticeship to a devious innkeeper.
The story of their childhoods and how they came to this place in their lives unfolds beautifully and even the hardest heart just might shed a tear as they tell of family and loves lost, cruelty and kindness, and what choices have brought them to this moment.
I enjoyed this book and hope to see more from Sharon Cramer!