Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews

Book Description: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.

Wow, just wow! I know I should have written a review the first time I read this book, but I really wanted to let this all sink in.

Who knew that Hugh could be *ahem* human? With emotions...errr well sort of.

Who knew that Elora was going to hit the nail on the head with her observation of Kate and Hugh's relationship ---not a sexual relationship but a brother/sister relationship.

Who knew that Hugh could feel the slightest bit of guilt --- see Hugh and
Raphael's scene---.

Do I think that Hugh really would fight against Roland, on Kates side? Well, I'm still a little unsure about that but I think in my bones yes I think he will be fighting alongside Kate and Curran.

And this brings me to a little conundrum I'm haveing-If Hugh does take the right side(LOL) against Roland, I want to see a novella with Kate, Curran, Hugh, and Elora spend some time together. Maybe fighting but hopefully not. After all, Kate will eventually have her baby and the baby will have to meet it's Uncle Hugh, doesn't it???

This was a great book and gives Hugh a chance to be everything he could have been, just like Kate, -the two most messed up people in the south. *sigh*

Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins

Book Description:Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson tragically passes away, she leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults.
For each of them, that means something different. For Marley, it's coming to terms with the survivor's guilt she's carried around since her twin sister's death, which has left her blind to the real chance for romance in her life. For Georgia, it's about learning to stop trying to live up to her mother's and brother's ridiculous standards, and learning to accept the love her ex-husband has tried to give her.
But as Marley and Georgia grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson's dying wish becomes truly clear: more than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves.

I really SHOULD do a re-read before I post a review considering that this is a topic that affects many, but I'm not going to. I'm going to go with my gut feelings on this.

This was an emotionally draining book no matter whether you are fat or thin, and it hit home for me because I had a friend who died of the same thing. And I wasn't there for her just like the friends Georgia, and Marley in this book. I too had to deal with survivors guilt. I am also obese but have also been anorexic due to a thyroid disease that I wouldn't fix until I was close to death.

This is not a 'fun book' (though it does have some aspects) it is a very introspective book written from the POV from three old-time friends. Three very fat friends. One of which dies of being so fat.

Some reviewers may be complaining that this book deals with the death of the fattest of all the friends (Emerson) indifferently (they don't) and even may object that the two living friends ( Georgia, and Marley)find inspiration from the dead friend. However, this is the entire point of this book.


Some reviewers are even "reviewing" this book without reading it - just going by a couple of reviews and the synopsis of the book. A very bad thing to do and harmful (on purpose) to the author in my opinion.

This book deals with some very uncomfortable issues that fat people have to live with every day and we even find out (although I think most of us knew this already) that these same fat people are prejudiced against thin women. Each group has people who obsess about their weight. *gasp* Shocking I know!

In other words, this book shows that both fat and thin women have their own issues.

When the fattest Emerson dies she leaves a letter and a list that the three had written as teens in fat camp. Emerson wants the remaining two to do what was on the list. It is a difficult challenge but the two work on it and succeeds.


Because of Kristen's wonderful, insightful, delicate handling of these issues -this becomes an insightful and wonderful read of hope. And NO not everyone in this book becomes 'thin' with the idea that all would be right with the world if they got skinny.

I'm sorry I just can't find the words that will allow me to let you know how wonderful this book is.