Time for the most expensive comment thread of the month! What are you reading right now? How do you like it?
Me, well, last month I said I was about the start the Tessa Dare that comes out in a week or so… and I haven't started it yet. That's my weekend treat. I found myself reading a lot of contemporary/erotic, especially the Delphine Dryden series, which I re-read after reading book three last week.
What about you? What books are setting your world on fire with happy? Anything you recommend – or do you need a recommendation?
The Rosie Project was so good! I read it in a day.
Loved Jayne Ann Krentz’ River Road, thankful she’s left the paranormal, I was getting bored with the Joneses.
Robin D. Owens’ Celta series was suggested (here) recently, so I downloaded them from the library. I didn’t care for the hero’s contsant “poor poor pitiful me” in the first book, but I liked the world building so I continued on with the second book Heart Thief, which I loved. The next few were okay, but the book I didn’t think I would enjoy, Heart Change, is by far my favorite in the series. The latter books take place so far in the future I feel like I walked into a play, missing the first act. I am very interested to read T’Muin’s story, he’s such a wonderful character.
I just re-read the Newsflesh trilogy by Mira Grant (AKA Seanan McGuire) and while I did not cry like I did the first time, it was definitely a good re-read knowing how some things worked and seeing things in a very different light by knowing some of what was coming. It made me want to re-read Parasite immediately, but I am going to wait until the second book in that series comes out later this year.
I’m now reading Kindling the Moon thanks to a 99-cent deal months ago and I am really enjoying it—I needed another UF like Mercy Thompson or Kate Daniels, and this is scratching all my good spots. Plus, bartender magician. The romance caught me completely off-guard for some reason and made my heart skip in ways I haven’t felt in ages! I’m definitely pleased to know there are more books in this series as I’m enjoying the worldbuilding even if I am mildly critical of what I feel are some pretty big plot holes. Maybe they’ll be explained later. I’d love recommendations for similar books.
I’ve been in a little bit of a book slump, hence the re-read, and I’m hoping this means I’m coming out of it. I have two weeks of nothing now that I’ve finished at my last job and am starting my new one, so I might just be bored and a little stressed out.
@DonnaMarie:
Those are alarmingly similar to my priorities each morning, too!
@Vasha:
Yes, that’s what I like about the Dryden series, too. It has good character development with good explanations of BDSM that aren’t “as you know, Bob” nor presuming a high level of knowledge for the reader. Like I said when I reviewed the third one, these were the books where I went, “Oooooh, ok. I get it now.”
@DreadPirateRachel:
I hope you’re feeling better!
@mzcue:
Agnes and the Hitman is easily my super-best favorite of the Crusie/Mayers. I reviewed it here: http://bit.ly/1eMypaY It’s very funny, and I remember some of the scenes so clearly in my mind, like the pecan pancakes. (Which, of course, I’m probably misremembering and they were walnut or something, but Agnes drops nuts in pancake batter in one scene. She’s always cooking, which is part of why I liked it.)
I just finished Master of Crows which was pretty good, but I wasn’t as blown away by it as I anticipated I would be—- too many glowy-glowy recommendations, maybe? I enjoyed it, but it didn’t really resonate with me.
I am reading Rapture in Death now (yes, for the first time) since I took advantage of the sale on the first 8 books recently. So far I am liking this one better than the first 3. I think because of the playfulness of the Eve/Roarke relationship now that they’ve finally committed. I doubt I can go for the full 30-some book run on this series, but who knows?
Wow! Everybody has mentioned so many good books! I’m finishing up The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. It’s been a long a slow read for me…ready to get through it and on to something else!
Just finished the Rosie Project and loved it. Right before that I reread Jayne Ann Krentz’ The Golden Chance and I remembered how much I enjoyed her old contemporaries. I might have to go and find a few more of those old books. I’m currently rereading Friday’s Child by Georgette heyer. I periodically reread Heyer, but this isn’t one of the ones I usually reread. So far I’m enjoying it.
Agnes and the Hitman is my favorite Jennifer Crusie and I love almost all of her earlier books. Lately, she hasn’t really releases anything, which is disappointing, and her last full length novel was a disappointment.
Just discovered Kristen Ashley books. They’re ok. The males are a little too dominant and bossy for me, but the Rock Chick series was pretty good. Not sure if I’ll make it through the Chaos series because the second book was a bit of a let down, but we’ll see.
Elle Kennedy has some great romantic suspense books—Midnight Games, etc. I think she’ll take the place of Maya Banks, who is way off her game. Her last few KGI books were NOT GOOD. I’m tired of how inept KGI actually is. Cindy Gerard is a good author as well. Her BOI books are much better than the Bodyguard series.
Laura Griffin and Karen Rose books are hit or miss for me, but I’m currently trying out Pamela Clare. I started with the latest book in the series, so I’m now rereading the earlier books and I hope they’re as good.
I just finished ‘The Fire Rose’, by Mercedes Lackey and absolutely LOVED it. Now, I’m starting ‘The Bride and the Beast’, by Teresa Medeiros.
I’m reading Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis. LOVE this series – this is the 3rd of The Wilder Series!!
@ All who recommended Agnes and the Hitman by Crusie and Mayer: THANK YOU! Am about 2/3 of the way through, and loving each new chapter more than the last. Every time you think the situation can’t get any crazier, of course it does. And our Agnes stays so cool and calm above it all. Except when she doesn’t. The pace reminds me of a favorite play/movie called “Noises Off,” where everything gets wound up tighter than a 30-day clock spring. Plus sexy times. Yay! Go Jennifer Crusie (and Bob Mayer).
Molto grazie!
Tell me more about Delphine Dryden??
I also hated the latest KGI book, actually I’m at 80% and haven’t picked it up in a week or so! Very disappointed .
@ SB Sarah – I forgot to thank you for the link to your review of Agnes and the Hitman. It’s more fun for me to read complete reviews after I finish a book when I can compare my experience to the reviewer’s. With the success of Agnes under my belt, I’ve plunged on and am reading Crusie’s Charlie All Night. Only a few pages in and I’m snorting and snickering like an entire peanut gallery. Gawd, how Crusie can write! Thanks again. MC
thanks for info. Good post. Thanks again
Just discovered Lydia Dare at a local Goodwill store and have glommed the first three books in as many days. Had to go to Hastings and load up on the rest of her books. The claiming is a bit cheesy but it’s just the right combination of historical and paranormal to wow me. I’ll be continuing with Taming the Wolf next (though I am bummed that Prisca’s brothers haven’t gotten books. Damn!).
After that I’m going to be catching up on my TBR. I’ve got some books by Lucy March, Elizabeth Hoyt, Diana Rowland and Alexandra Hawkins. Sometime soon I need to reread the Mercy Thompson series in preparation of her new one out soon (YES!!!).