Recently Read January/February/March

csmiley · Joined: 26 Sep 2010 Posts: 84

I am re reading Anne Gracie's Perfect series and also reading Stephen King's 11/22/63. I highly recommend it. Not usually a fan of his horror stories but this is excellent and for anyone, like me, who grew up in the 50's it is a trip back in time.

Natalie · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 1566

Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

What a wonderful YA book! And set in one of my favorite cities, to boot. Lots of angst and misunderstandings, of course, but never over the top. Almost wanted me to be a teen again, even thought high school sucked for me.
On to Lola and the Boy Next Door

bethaboo · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 40

Temptation of the Night Jasmine and Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig.

Very much enjoying this series. Just now starting the Orchid Affair.

Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn

I've been reading a lot of romantic fantasy and fantasy with romantic elements lately, and this was so great I stayed up until 1 AM reading even though I had to get up at 6. I know it was primarily fantasy but I felt a little gypped by the lack of any real physical affection between the two main characters. Would have liked to see a little more action, truth be told. Starting the second book in the series but am wary of both the heroine and the "hero" (can he even be called that?)

LFL · Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 627

Book two in that Sharon Shinn series is among my least favorite of her books. But on the other hand book three is wonderful -- by far the best in that series. So I hope you don't quit after book two.

bethaboo · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 40

Leigh · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 2685

JaneO · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 752

I had to have a root canal, so I picked up Anne Gracie's Bride by Mistake to console myself. It did the job beautifully. Can I say more in praise of a book?

Jean Wan AAR · Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 383 Location: Toronto, Canada

Natalie · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 1566

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Another YA winner (I must be on a YA binge now!). This one is also hotter than most, with characters having sex rather early in the book for "distraction" purposes and then gradually developing deeper feelings for each other.

LFL · Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 627

stl_reader · Joined: 03 Aug 2011 Posts: 155 Location: Missouri

Just finished When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James.

This is my first EJ book, and I quite enjoyed it. I loved that both characters (and especially the heroine) were very intelligent, very sharp witted, and could give as good as they got. I also liked that they actually admired each other's intelligence. I could totally see why Piers would be attracted to Linnet, even if she had only been merely attractive instead of breathtakingly beautiful.

Now, fortunately, I've never watched House, so the fact that it was based on that character did not impede my enjoyment of the book as it did for some readers.

There was a too modern feel to some of the events and dialog, and sometimes this took me out of the story--for God's sake, EJ actually had one character deciding that "What happens in Wales stays in Wales," while two other characters had the last names "Kibbles" and "Bitts"!

However, I enjoyed the H/h and their interactions and dialog enough to get past these short-comings. And now I look forward to reading another EJ novel.

SandyH · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Blacksburg, VA

I have been saving Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld books for awhile and over the holidays I started with Bitten and worked my way up to Spellbound (which I ordered and am waiting to arrive). Loved them. A couple not as much but really over all a very strong series. I also discovered C. S. Harris' St. Cyr series if you like Deanna Raybourn you will really enjoy this series.

PatW · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 614 Location: Central Maryland

Just finished Joyce Lamb's True Vision and True Colors. Picked them up because of the reveiw for True Shot. Really like the first one, I'd rate it a solid B with a good balance between romance and suspense. Not so the second one - spent far, far too much time in the villian's head. Some really horrific stuff - probably a C- for me. If I had not been reading it during my treadmill time, I might not have finished it.

Really appreciate these boards as I wouldn't have tried this author otherwise. I'll post again when I read the third one.
_________________
When in doubt, read.

bethaboo · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 40

Tee · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 4045 Location: Detroit Metro

Sleepwalker - Karen Robards

This one didn't work for me at all. Would have abandoned it quicker, but I was hoping to read something for a bit of relaxation in the evening. The plot was thin, the story not good, characters were so-so. Skipping quickly to the end after two-thirds of the way through, I was glad I did. The outcome concerning the hero was unsatisfactory IMO and I didn't condone his conduct nor accept the excuse regarding his illegal activities. When a story is written around mainly two characters (road adventure), it needs to be tight and attention-getting. This was neither.