What Are You Reading Week of January 19

I started Freefall by JoAnn Ross today; it's part of a trilogy & I usually like to read those back to back. I already have the second book, Crossfire & the third one, Shattered: A High Risk Novel should be out within the next few days, hopefully.

Almost done with Frostbite by Richelle Mead then I was going to start the 3rd book in her series Shadow Kiss - so far they are pretty good.

I was a reading fiend yesterday, and finished a bunch after church! I read Catherine Anderson's new book Star Bright and it was OK, no where near as good as the hype suggested. And not close to My Sunshine which is my favorite book by her. I raced through a reread of two Carrie Vaughn books - Kitty and the Midnight Hour and Kitty Goes to Washington.

I know that this is the week of Jan 19th but Friday I read Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich and was pleasantly surprised. Most of her between the numbers novels are REALLY bad, but this one was funny.

I was somewhat confused by the new Jacquelyn Frank book Ecstasy. It came from Amazon Friday night and I was waiting with baited breath. But her propensity for completely changing the "mating" rules with her groups showed up in this new series too.

Lara Adrian's new book Veil of Midnight was OK. #1 in her series was the best.

I tried to listen to Testimony on CD by Anita Shreve while resting my eyes and knitting Christmas presents for next year and yuck!!! I think you have to be a special person to list to books on CD. I kept wanting to pick up a book and read it!!! Which completely defeats the purpose.

Last, and most disappointing, Robin D Owens' Echoes in the Dark was a bad wrap up of a really good series. There are a lot of things I wish the author had done differently. It seems a shame that the series had to end the way it did.

I finished Euphues and will read next The girl most likely to... by Susan Donovan.

Julia

Hey, Beret! Welcome back! I don't know how Catherine Anderson got off track, but her last few books have been major disappointments, nowhere near as good as Baby Love, yet I keep buying them. :)

I tried to read My Sunshine several times and almost resorted to propping my eyes open with toothpicks... boring, boring, boring... I finally just gave up and flipped to the last page and ended my misery.

CC

I'm just starting Frostbite by Richelle Mead (I guess I'm following in your footsteps Scrpo!) I'll probably order Shadow Kiss from the library once I've finished.

It was a toss up between that The Pagan Stone and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy.

I started Seduced at Midnight by Jacquie D'Alessandro and am finding it good so far, although I havent read the first book in the series. I will then probably start on Kat Martin's Bold Angel.

I just finished Enslaved by Virginia Henley. First time reading anything by this author. This is an historical time traveling romance about a young Regency heiress that time travels to ancient Roman Bath. Quite the steamy read! Are all her books so hot? *fans self* 3.5/5 Full review

I'm now beginning Wild and Wicked in Scotland.

I'm getting ready to start His Duty, Her Destiny by Juliet Landon.

#3 BeretBrenckman, I'm distressed to hear that you didn't care as much for Echoes in the Dark--I was so looking forward to it! I'm expecting it in the mail soon. Maybe I will like it better.

I just finished Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas, which I had highly anticipated based on the positive reviews I'd seen, but which unfortunately I didn't care for myself :-/

I'm waiting for Anna Campbell's Tempt the Devil to come in the mail and will probably tackle it next weekend.

This week I live in the past- I am reading Katherine by Anya Seton. Too bad I don't have a lot of reading time this week, busy from morning until late at night.

I finished Frostbite in one afternoon (good book!) and will be moving on to The Pagan Stone next.

ktleyed, it's been a while since I read Virginia Henley & I haven't read all of her books, but the ones I did read were pretty hot.

Jenson> Too funny, I did the same thing on Frostbite & I'm 1/2 way through Shadow Kiss which I should finish today because soooo good. :)

I have Ectasy by Jacquelyn Frank which I am going to start after that I hope its not a disappointment from what Beret mentioned?

Finished Caine's Reckoning, and OMG. I loved it! It had everything--- sexy men, hot, steamy sex, and yes, some pretty dang sweet romance too! I can't wait until I can get my hands on more of her books, especially the sequel to this one.

Now moving on to The Pagan Stone, probably will start it early tomorrow morning.

I just finished Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase and loved it! What a GREAT couple! Rupert is such a good-hearted person, right from the beginning. I was really impressed with the author's ability to really show you that he loved Daphne FOR her mind and her determination, rather than IN SPITE OF those things. And both the hero and heroine sort of flounder their way along in the relationship (like normal people do), not always understanding how to deal with their feelings, etc. It was quite funny in places too - it got to where I cracked up every time they mentioned Daphne's "enormous brain."

Glad everyone recommended I stick with Chase, because I'm really liking this author! Next up is Lord Perfect. It looks promising, although my husband keeps snickering at the swanky cover. (I dunno I think it might be the sweat glistening off the cover model's chest...) :P

I finished Girl most likely to... by Susan Donovan and will start next Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Julia

I feel so lucky! I just got Kresley Cole's newest book in the IAD-series Kiss of a Demon King. And I have the time to read all day!

>18 hallontass: You are sooo lucky & Im feeling very jealous! I went to Borders at lunch to pick it up & they hadnt put it out yet grrrr. Now I have to wait until tonight to go to another Borders.

>18 hallontass: and 19:

I too have my copy! :D But I won't be reading it for a few days. Between classes and the other books I've got started, it might be up to a week. Though I hate putting it off. I love her books, and can't wait to start this one!

Scrpo1027, I hope you find a copy tonight!

ktleyed, I was supposed to start Wild and Wicked in Scotland last week but have been super busy with work! I might have to wait for your review now to start it.

I've been rereading some old Elizabeth Lowell books when I have time. If I don't have a good solid block of time to devote to a new book, I'd rather reread parts of an old one!

emmie-loulou, let me know what you think of Bold Angel. I read it years ago and to this day still couldn't say if I liked or hated it.

I just finished The Pirate's Jewel. Forgetable. I've moved on to Beyond a Wicked Kissnow.

I finished The Wallflower by Jan Freed which I absolutely loved (must search out more of her work soon), then sped through The Intrigue, which is the second volume of Marion Chesney's delightful Daughters of Mannerling series. Now I'm starting The Husband Test by Betina Krahn. Looks to be very good so far.

>22 lucymaude: I will definitely let you know lucymaude about Bold Angel, I am quite eager to start another one as I am currently 'Ploughing' through Seduced at Midnight It doesnt seem to have any substance to it, I cant put my finger on it but the hero and heroine just arent gelling. They met once two months ago and since then havent spoken to each other but cant think of anything else but this one meeting (not that anything happened between them in this first meeting either.) I dont know why I cant get into it properly, but I will finish it.

Ok I finally found my copy of Kiss of a Demon King it only took 4 Borders and going on my lunch break lol.. but I'm starting it now :) I also picked up Outlander by Diana Gabaldon since it was on the majority of everyone's top 5 - I though it was a must.

I finished His Duty, Her Destiny by Juliet Landon, I really liked it!

Now I'm gonna read A Reputable Rake by Diane Gaston.

Just finished Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie. I really enjoyed it, though not quite as much as Faking It. Her best writing is like watching a really great screwball comedy from the 30's -- witty and fast, with lots of great twists.

I just finished reading signora Da Vinci by Robin Maxwell. This was a really good book and a new author for me. my next book is The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.

I'm starting on two new books today. The first one is a book I received from December's Early Reviewer's list, A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith... It's different, but not horrible,at least not yet.

The second book is one I received for Christmas as a gift, The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks. So far, I am enjoying this one.

TBQ-What did you think of The Pagan Stone? I'm almost halfway but not enjoying it quite as much as I did the second installment. There seems to be a whole lot of talking and not a lot of action or romance.

The last 2/3rds of Seduced at Midnight were better than the first 3rd. In fact there was a lot more interaction and conversation between the hero and heroine, which I think the 1st 3rd lacked. I do want to read the 4th book in the series Tempted at Midnight but have to wait until it's released.

I've started a contemporary, before going onto Bold Angel. Its called Step on it, Cupid by Lorelei Mathias and it has had me chuckling in the first few pages, so should be a good one.

I enjoyed it, about as much as the previous two. I will admit that the action that was expected to play out from page one of Blood Brothers didn't end upt quiet as, well, action packed and interesting as I had hoped, but the rest of it was still great, I thought. I would probably have to say that of the three, it was my least favorite (But that's hard to say since I gave all three 4.5 stars, so when I say 'least' favorite, it's by .0000000001 stars, if that makes sense!).

And as far as the lack of romance and spark in this one, I think it's because it's Gage, and we've learned along the way that he's not there for the town, but for his friends. He's the lone person, the rebel, and he's been heavly scarred as a boy, which didn't help him much as an adult. Not that all of that is a legit reason for his love story to be kind of, well, sucky, but there it is.

Still, I hope that you enjoy the book anyway, even if it falls a bit shorter of your expectations than you (and even myself) had plan on. :)

I finished Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips which was absolutely fabulous and will start next Secret Fantasy by Carly Phillips.

Julia

I just finished Wild and Wicked in Scotland and I'm afraid it did nothing for me. It took me almost a week to finish it! I just found it kind of dull and had to keep putting it down, it never held my attention. I'm really surprised, since it had a good premise, I don't know why, but there was no spark for me. But, now I'm reading Margaret George's Autobiography of Henry VIII which I've head lots of good things about.

Melody Thomas is either hit or miss for me so I've been putting off reading her new series for a while. I think I might continue to delay it a bit.

I'm probably going to start Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels. I have a bunch of holes in my Loretta Chase history and am going to try to go back and read those books, this one included. All the talk of Loretta Chase has made me relook at her books and want to read what everyone's been recommending.

#35 - reesa, I've never read anything by Loretta Chase yet, but I've recently gotten some of her books for my TBR list. I hear that Lord of Scoundrels is one of the best romances ever, so I got The Lion's Daughter to start with in that series. Is it better to read the books in order - does anyone know? They are way down on my list, though, since I still have a lot I want to read before then.

I finished The Pagan Stone this morning. Thanks for your input, TBQ, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt a bit like that!

I started Touch the Dark by Karen Chance today which is another library loan and on my Paranormal 999 Challenge.

I finished The Legend MacKinnon and enjoyed the storyline very much.

"An ancient curse has sentenced the seventeenth-century MacKinnon brothers to terrible fates, and only the twentieth-century American Claren women can break the spell, but the two clans are long-standing enemies."

I thought the idea of the brothers having 3 different curses made against them was very original. If you enjoy a little paranormal thrown in with time travel, it's all here.

Ya gotta love the Scottish highlanders.

sherton - thanks for bringing this to my attention, sounds good and I've never heard of it, adding it to my list!

>34 ktleyed: Don't worry-- I know what you mean! I tried to read Wild and Wicked in Scotland last year, and I couldn't get past the first chapter or two. I tried, but I couldn't do it, so back into my pile it went. It's still sitting there, and I may eventually either force myself to finish it, just to say that I did, and/or trade it for a better one at the book exchange shop. I've read at least one other book of hers before, and I didn't mind it so much, but this one just couldn't hold my interests at all.

>37 Jenson_AKA_DL: No problem. :) Always glad to put my input in. Hope you enjoy Touch the Dark. Its one of the many on my want to read list. Of course. :D

>38 theeclecticreview: I've had that one on my list for a long time now, and after your happy remarks about it, I'm thinking I'm going to have to bump it up a bit higher on my list. :)

Finished A Gentle Rain and I enjoyed it a lot more than I had originally thought. I'll be writing my review tomorrow or Monday at the latest, if anyone wants to know more. Or you could check out the book's page, since I know a few other members on LT, including one or two in this group, also received a copy from the ER program and have already reviewed it. The story was very sweet and a nice read.

I'm still reading The Guardian, and I'm also enjoying this one. Should have it finished by tomorrow.

ktleyed: I am reading Loretta Chase for the first time also. I just finished the first 2 books in her Carsington Brothers series and once I finish the last two books I'll probably move onto the other series you mentioned (I'm reading Lord Perfect right now and really liking it). I don't know if they have to be read in order, but I always feel compelled to read any series of related books in order because I'm sort of nuts that way. It looks like the correct reading order is:

1. The Lion's Daughter
2. Captives of the Night
3. Lord of Scoundrels
4. The Last Hellion

I read Veil of Midnight by Lara Adrian. By the end, I had enjoyed it less than I thought I was going to at the beginning, but I think that was just because I'm starting to lose interest in paranormals. Now I'm reading a light Regency, A Rival Heir, by Laura Matthews.

#41 katybear - thanks, I'm the same way, I always read in order, but Lord of Scoundrels is supposed to be soooooo good, that's why I wondered, if I could just cut to the chase and read that one first - LOL! But, since I've got The Lion's Daughter now from PBS, I'll start with it. I too am going to be reading the Carsington Brothers series as well - so many books I've got on my TBR list now - it's ridiculous!

Just finished A Gentle Rain, on to The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu.

My bad! I'm actually reading Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance. The book was out in the car and I didn't remember the title correctly. It's really bad when you start forgetting the titles of the books you're reading!! Luckily it doesn't happen that often.

I've also given into the unusual urge to pull Wuthering Heights off my tbr shelf. So far I'm one preface and two chapters in and it's not so bad. Since I've been putting it off for months after having it assigned to me on the Go Review That Book! group I figured I better go with the urge when I have it, despite my current read and small pile of library books.

>45 Jenson_AKA_DL: No problem, I've done that before! Still, I believe I have a few of her books on my list, so I would like to hear your thoughts on it after you finish.
Wuthering Heights is on my want to read list, and I have it on my 999 challenge also. I'll have to pick it up and read it soon. :)

I finished The Guardian, and I loved it! It had mystery, suspense and love in it. I can't wait to read more of Sparks' books, almost all of which are on my list.

I am now moving on to White Wolf by Susan Edwards (One of the few I have not yet read in her White Series. As many will probably remember, last year I had a long run of Edward's books, probably 5 or so in a row. I really like her work, it's one of the few authors that I've read and liked who write Native American/Western romances.)

Also, tomorrow morning, I will probably be starting on another one, a YA novel called Magic or Madness.

My first Loretta Chase book was Lord of Scoundrels from a yard sale. I did not know it was part of a series as it is the type of book that can stand alone. I did go on to read the rest of the series and enjoyed them although lord of Scoundrels is the best.