Body Master by C. J. Barry

Seneca Thomas is an agent with XCEL, a secret government taskforce charged with capturing the dangerous shapeshifters that have infiltrated New York City, passing for humans. Her Native American heritage gives her a special gift-the ability to see the shapeshifters for what they are.

But when her partner is killed in the line of duty, Seneca finds herself teamed up with Max Dempsey-a shapeshifter. And when the pair discover a growing army of shifters gathering beneath the city, Seneca will have no choice but to trust the one man she shouldn't. 

A great mix of alien shifters, mystical powers, action and romance. 

Beautiful Child by Torey Hayden

Seven-year-old Venus Fox's unresponsiveness was so complete that Torey Hayden initially believed the child was deaf.

Venus never spoke, never listened, never even acknowledged the presence of another human being in the room with her. Yet an accidental playground "bump" would release a rage frightening to behold, turning the little girl into a whirling dynamo of dangerous malice. Of the five children in Torey's classroom that September, Venus posed the greatest challenge-though the other four had serious problems of their own that could not be overlooked.

The six-year-old twins, Shane and Zane, suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and its accompanying mix of high agitation and low concentration. At nine, cocky, aggressive Billy had already been expelled from school twice. Eight-year-old Jesse suffered from Tourette's Syndrome.

And then there was Venus. Though they all had different needs and afflictions, they each shared two things in common: a profound, sometimes violent dislike of one another, and the desire to be almost anywhere other than Torey's class.  

Another moving, interesting book from this author. 

Into The Shadow by Christina Dodd

In return for the ability to transform into a heartless predator, a brutal warrior promised his soul - and the souls of his descendants - to the devil. Now, one thousand years later, the Wilder brothers battle the darkness inside themselves.

Blessed - or cursed - with the ability to change into a sleek, cruel panther, and driven by a dark soul he's accepted as his fate, powerful Adrik Wilder abandons his family and his honour to pursue a life of wickedness. He excels at every vice, so he doesn't think twice about kidnapping strong-willed Karen Sonnet to use for his selfish purposes. But Karen's spirit and passion make him question the force of his family's curse, for she could be the key to their survival. And when a new evil emerges, Adrik must choose whether to enact revenge on his enemies and redeem his soul, or save Karen from a fate worse than death… 

Started out OK.  The plot got a bit too twisted and complex.  Ended up OK.  Not my favourite book by this author.

Strangers In Death by J.D. Robb

Technology may be different in 2060 New York, but the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. But as ever, some murders receive more attention than others - especially those in which the victim is a prominent business man, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed - and strangled - with cords of black velvet.

It doesn't surprise Lieutenant Eve Dallas that Thomas Anders' scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation to the public - and of humiliation to his family. But while all those in the city are talking about it, people close to Anders aren't so anxious to do the same. With some help from her billionaire husband, Roarke, Eve is soon knocking on doors - or barging through them - to find answers.

But the facts don't add up. Physical evidence suggests that the victim didn't struggle. The security breach in the apartment indicates that the killer was someone connected to the family, but everyone's alibi checks out. Was this a kinky sex game that turned into a crime of passion - or a meticulously planned execution? It's up to Dallas to solve a case in which strangers may be connected in unexpected, and deadly, ways. 

 I love this series.The relationship between Eve and Roarke is the best part of the story, closely followed by the mystery. Liked the Strangers on a Train reference.

Twilight Children by Torey Hayden

Nine-year-old Cassandra, kidnapped by her father and found starving, dirty, and picking through garbage cans—a child prone to long silences and erratic, violent behavior, whose hard-won recollections of the nightmare she endured could not be fully trusted.

Charming, charismatic four-year-old Drake, who would speak only in private to his mother—his tough, unbending grandfather's demands for an immediate cure threatened to cause the delightful boy and his family irreparable harm.

And though she had never worked with adults, Hayden agreed to help fearful and silent eighty-two-year-old massive stroke victim Gerda—discovering in the process that a treatment's successes could prove nearly as heartbreaking as its limitations.

 Another excellent book by Torey Hayden. A usual there is anguish, frustration and above all joy in the stories of her children. I enjoyed Gerda's story.

Grasp The Stars by Jennifer Wingert

Pursued by members of every species, Meris-the most ancient and legendary of the Jadamiin-is a stowaway on a ship bound for the Port Earth space station. But the pursuit isn't over-and suddenly Port Earth is embroiled in high level intrigue that could annihilate the entire station.

Non-stop action, interesting characters and a universe populate with a great mix of characters and species. 

Pillow Talk by Freya North

The Sleepwalker... By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweller working in a lively London studio. By night, she sleepwalks. She has 40 carats of the world's rarest gemstone under her mattress but it's the skeletons in her closet that make it difficult for her to rest.

The insomniac... Forsaking a rock-and-roll lifestyle for the moors of North Yorkshire, Arlo Savidge teaches music at a remote boys' boarding school. But, like Petra, ghosts from his past disturb his sleep.

Putting the past to bed... Petra and Arlo were teenage sweethearts. Now, years later, in a tiny sweet shop, they stand before each other once more. Could this be their second chance? 

 Better than I had expected. The bits about jewellery making were interesting

Touch of Seduction by Rhyannon Byrd

Sold into slavery as a child to a cruel taskmaster, tiger-shifter Aiden Shrader trusts no one. Not even his own kind. Yet as a member of the Watchmen--the organization of shape-shifters who keep watch over the ancient nonhuman races--Aiden is fiercely protective of the helpless. Never more so than when he's asked to guard a little girl with witches' blood--and her beautiful human aunt. A woman who arouses all of Aiden's primal urges...urges he must resist.

To small-town schoolteacher Olivia Harcourt, the massive tiger-shifter with the glowing amber eyes is as much a dark mystery as the enemy stalking her. Yet Aiden is her only hope of surviving. Until their intense passion unleashes her own inner tigress with a ferocity that will make the evil Casus rue the day they messed with her family...and will take Aiden by seductive surprise. 

Really good premis for a story. Olivia and Aiden are likeable characters even if Aiden goes a bit overboard with the tortured hero thing.  I did find myself skimming bits of the book though, all the history of the conflict between good and evil and the political negotiations going  on away from the action.

Unlaced by Kristina Cook

Prior to going to London for her coming out, Lucy Abbington, clad in breeches and riding astride, encounters Harry Ashton, the marquess of Mandeville, leading a limping horse. Quite the amateur veterinarian, Lucy diagnoses the problem, then is called on to help one of Harry's horses foal. Lucy is later surprised to become the talk of the ton.

An OK light read.  He was annoying and downright nasty at times.  I don't get why she kept giving him so many chances. 

Green Oranges on Lion Mountain by Emily Joy

An interesting and very honest read about the experiences of a young female doctor in Sierra Leone at the start of the civil war. It's written in a lighthearted tone with lots of self deprecating humour; but that does not negate the impossible conditions, the huge lack of resources, the poverty, and the dramas and tragedies. Through it all shines the beauty, courage and resilience of the Sierra Leonean people.

She describes the setting and the people very well.  I found her a bit annoying.

Rapture by Jacqueline Frank

The Shadowdwellers live in a realm of darkness and sensuality, where order is prized and sin must be punished. Yet for Magnus, the head priest of Sanctuary, salvation rests with the one woman who can entice him to break every rule. . .

Magnus is a man of contradictions--a spiritual leader in a warrior's body. To him, laws are for enforcing and visions must be followed--even if that means freeing a beautiful slave and making her his reluctant handmaiden. Betrayed once before, Magnus can barely bring himself to trust another woman. Yet Daenaira's fiery innocence is drawing them both into a reckless inferno of desire.

Daenaira grew up hearing tales of a fearsome priest who seemed more myth than reality. But Magnus is very real--every inch of him--and so is the treachery surrounding them. Beneath Sanctuary's calm surface, an enemy is scheming to unleash havoc on the Shadowdwellers, unless Magnus trusts in a union ordained by fate, and sealed by unending bliss. . .

This book was hard to put down because it makes you want to get to the next chapter of their steamy love story.  Really good, now I want the next in the series.