What We Read: Ten Second Reviews 6/2/08

I know. I know. Yes, I've dropped the ball lately. With good reasons! A book to finish writing and an unfortunate bout with a painful illness. Yes, I'm getting better. Shingles is no picnic.

While down these past few weeks, I had a chance to dig into some serious reading, so to catch up from the last month or so, I'll just dig right in.

First the paperbacks:

• Hard to Handle by Lori Foster - Can never go wrong with Lori Foster. Harley Handleman's story in which Barber also finds true love. If you keep up with the series and haven't read this one yet, what the heck are you waiting for?
• Dark Seductions by Brenda Joyce - I've read her historicals so this was a treat to see her historical talent mixed with time travel paranormal. If you love highlanders, this is a good one.
• Swimming Without a Net by Mary Janice Davidson - My first MJD and I have to say I was a tad let down. Wide margins and wide spacing give the feeling of a much longer book. I really don't like it when publishers do this. It feels like a bait and switch. Overall, the story was fun, but didn't go into near enough detail and moved too fast for an $8 book.
• The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs - My second Susan Wiggs book and a tough read. Very emotional. Not sure the prologue helped. Starts with a present day view, then drops back most of a year to build up to the big cliff hanger you were left with in the prologue. Deals with the separation issues of military families. I almost set it aside half way through but pushed through to the end. Fortunately it worked out the way I wanted it to otherwise I would have written her off. I'll try one of her historicals before making a final decision there.
• Express Male by Elizabeth Bevarly - Part of the OPUS series. Pure fun. Her voice always lifts me up and makes me smile. Twins confuse everything and everyone, even themselves at one point. Love foils OPUS and Socerer escapes again. I'm currently in the middle of Overnight Male and loving the next installation.
• Highlander in Her Dreams by Allie MacKay - Follow-on to Highlander in Her Bed. Another time travel paranormal. Not quite as good as Brenda Joyce's but still enjoyable. Not exactly sure what was off, but it didn't keep me riveted. Entertaining all the same.
• Baby I'm Yours by Susan Anderson - Another twin book and great fun. Mistaken identity can create such great situations. Lots of twists to keep the pages turning.
• Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair - as reviewed previously, loved this book. Want more! Yes, I'm waiting for some checks to clear and I need to pay off the AMEX bill. If there's anything left over I know where I'm headed, yup, the bookstore.
• Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun by Kathleen Bacus - Same as above. Need more books, specifically the two books leading up to this one and any following. I'm putting her on my list to keep an eye out for future books. She just has to end up with Ranger Rick, I insist. He's too hot to let go.
• Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood - Haven't read one of hers in a long long time and I have to say I'll be looking for her newer books to catch up. Just loved this one, especially her hero, Noah. Whew, what a man.
• More Lori Foster - Enticing. Two follow-on stories. The first, Casey, rounds out the Buckhorn Brothers series. Casey is true to his upbringing, yet another hot male from the lake. Caught in the Act brings us Mick, formerly introduced in the Fallen Angel series, and how he's grown up. I was a little astounded by the $12 price tag, then realized I was getting two books in one. Well worth the price at 550 pages.
• Killer Pancake by Diane Mott Davidson - Not a romance, but there are romantic elements. I love her voice and the recipies are a lot of fun. Even more fun for me, the series is set in Colorado, not far from where I lived. I can see the locations and feel so much more a part of the story. Start at the beginning and work your way through. I'm making up my shopping list for this week and I'm trying a few of the recipies. Also starting on The Main Corpse, the next in the series and have The Grilling Season ready to go.

Ebooks:

• A Garden in the Moonlight by Samantha Lucas - Ms. Lucas has a voice that's easy to read. I find myself looking for her ebooks when I'm at the Cobblestone Press site.
• Simons' Bliss by Tielle St. Clare - I'm prejudiced. Tielle is in my RWA chapter and she's a fun person to get to know. She also writes hot books. A contemporary cop story, this one is scorching. Bliss indeed. I want to be Simons' Bliss. Whew! Fabulous ending. A book I've read more than once.
• Close Quarters by Tielle St. Clare - Another hot one. Imagine waking up in the bed of your enemy, and having NOTHING to wear. No clothes, sheets, or towels, but the curtains are looking mighty tempting when the real estate agent brings the city's biggest gossips by to tour the house. Revenge is sweet. Another book I re-read periodically. If you like dragons check out her dragon series at Ellora's Cave. HAWT.
• TV Bride by Mardi Ballou - Behind the scenes of a bachelor reality show. Plenty of comedic situations to keep you reading. Very fun.
• Scorned by the Boss by Maureen Child - Pretty much what Harlequin has taught us to expect. Impossible situation, tortured feelings, blissful resolution.
• The Billionaire's Captive Bride by Emma Darcy - Another Harlequin. True to formula, but still enjoyable. Title doesn't really do justice to the story line.
• Aftershock by Jill Shalvis - Unique beginning. Don't read too many earthquake stories. I liked it.
• Snowbound by Susan Greene - This was second read for me. Male romance author hiding out in a cabin in the mountains rescues a damsel who crashed nearby. Snow storm keeps them cabin bound and love blooms. A fun look at it from the romantic male point of view. A fun read.

Jmo's turn:

What I have I read during our 10 second hiatus? Mmm… some great books, and a few not so great. I think I’ll go for the great ones and forget the others.

• Staked by J.F. Lewis. I came by this book on a friend’s blog. I’ve already thanked her for a fantastic read btw. If you’re looking for something different, this vampire book is for you. A real page turner to say the least. After reading it, I found a new author I can’t wait to read again.
• Halfway to the Grave and One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. I loved these two books, the first two in the Night Huntress series. They were a perfect blend of action and romance. I actually read the second book first, kicked myself and ran out and bought the first one. Two books I promise you’ll hate to put down.
• I also started Many Bloody Returns but only got to read the Charlaine Harris and Jim Butcher stories before the wife ripped it out of my hands, but those two stories seriously rocked. When I get the book back I’ll give an update on the other stories.

So what’s in my to be read pile? Wild and Hexy by Vickie Lewis Thompson. Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry and a slew of Karen Chance books my wife says I have to read!

So until next time, Happy Reading.