355: The Women of Washington's Spy Ring by Kit Sergeant (women spies book 1) 

This is historical fiction work with many elements, danger, romance, real history, high stakes and bravery.  The famous Culper Ring was hidden in secrecy for years with many trying to find out who these people were.  This is a story of love, family, duty, betrayal that will keep you guessing.  There are three ladies profiled in this book with the mysterious agent 355 who could outwit them all.  Washington, true to his promise, never revealed who these people were, did not want to know (although he knew some of them). A good book to read before this one is George Washington's Secret Six reviewed earlier in this blog which gives more historical background and solid research from which to gain more understanding as you read this book. 

Reviews:GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37457886-355

What Cathy Read Next:https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/355-the-women-of-washingtons-spy-ring-by-kit-sergeant/   This site has a good summary as well as a review.

Amazon Reviews: includes many comments from readers who have read this book: https://www.amazon.com/355-Women-Washingtons-Ring-Spies-ebook/dp/B077VSSW61/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529531129&sr=8-2-fkmr1&keywords=diary+of+agent+355

Throne of Glass Series continued

This the sixth book in the series which is as full of adventures as the first five books.  I did a review on earlier books when I started the series.  Look in the past postings or Good Reads if you desire. If you liked Lord of the Rings, this book has the same kinds of struggles, challenges, Fae characters, and several new characters of the southern continent.  Chaol Westfall is the main character with a broken body. Handicapped in both mind and body he is desperate and stressed. He travels to the southern continent to seek out the famous healers of Torre Cesme in Attica.  His faithful officer Nesryn accompanies him on this quest.  Nesryn is reunited with her people and finds her destiny.  Both main characters will be forever changed as they look for help for their desperate compatriots back home.  A seventh and final book will be out this fall to complete this series. 

Reviews:
Good Reads

Kirkus Reviews

Steel and Fire Series of 5 Books

This swashbuckling adventure has it all: intrigue, fantastic animals and humans with extraordinary abilities, contests, romance and very unexpected surprises. Dara Ruminor is the main character, a dualist whose sword is not just used for sports competition.  Great wise mentors enable her to find her strength despite daunting circumstances, war, and treachery.  If you liked the Throne of Glass Series you will like this series.  I enjoyed the characters, plot development and the coming of age of the teen characters who turn into
plausible adults with accumulated maturity through trials, friendships and villains.  Wisdom is never cheap, experience is a hard teacher at times but these characters have earned their keep!  Enjoy this tale!
Reviews:
Good Reads

Deseret Books

Cold Steel review by the Book Smugglers