Yummy reads

                              

As usual, I am juggling a couple of things (yes, my default mode) so my brain gets scrambled because I tend to focus on my editing jobs and the reviews get piled up.  I have 8 waiting to be written up and I will try to get them done soon but wanted to mention this particular one.  I recently had the opportunity to read Night Blade by JC Daniels and wow, I had to go back and re-read sections and I STILL cried every time I read them.

Now, I have an embarrassing tendency to get emotional (you know, I am one of those people who can see perfect strangers crying and start sniffling myself) but usually I can keep it down to a dull roar.  This was one of those books that I had to really struggle to describe to my hubby without my voice breaking.  How silly is that to get invested in a fictional character to that extent?  But, wow, that shows you the power of this author's writing.  Don't recognize the name?  Ah---perhaps you will recognize the alter-ego....Shiloh Walker.  This is her paranormal series featuring a cantankerous kick-butt heroine and a yummy alpha male shapeshifter and I thought that the initial book in the series, Blade Song, was impressive but this one set the bar even higher.

                                 


Now, if you are not familiar with Ms Daniels/Walker's books, I warn you, she doesn't treat her characters with kid gloves...they definitely go through VERY tortuous times...and sometimes I am a little too disturbed by all of the horrendous things that happen so be forewarned, these are NOT light airy paranormal/urban fantasy tales and might be a little hard for some to read.  But wow, what a read.  My Night Owl review is at this link.  The book is being released in March but that gives you plenty of time to pick up Blade Song so you will have the background for this one.  My review for that one is at this link.  I am now impatiently wanting a sequel and know that it will be all too long before there is a new one in the series!



I also had the opportunity to read a short novella called Aspen Shift by Lindsay McFerrin which is also a shapeshifter story by an author whom I have not read before.  I was pleasantly surprised and although there are some inconsistencies in the story, I really enjoyed the writing so I think this author is going to be one to watch out for in the future.


     


And don't forget, if you love historical romance, Lady Eve's Indiscretion by Grace Burrowes has been released and if you are a military romance fan, ML Buchman's Wait Until Dark is out.

Happy reading!

Lady Eve's Indiscretion

Lady Eve's Indiscretion 
by Grace Burrowes is a wonderful historical romance in a very impressive series.  Thus far I have only managed to read a couple of other titles in the series (part of that pesky 'so many books, so little time' issue), Lady's Louisa's Christmas Knight and The Heir but I greatly enjoyed both of them.  I love historical romances (although I always have called them Regency romance but now realize that some of them weren't set during the time of the 'Regent' in England but rather occur during different time periods).  One of my favorite authors was Patricia Veryan and I think it was because her books combined action and romance.  I admit it, I am rather bloodthirsty and empathize with the hero getting injured and needing the heroine to save his life.  Which is a bit weird, since I don't like a lot of graphic blood and gore...hence my reluctance to read zombie books since most of the ones I have read seem to delight in having rotting and exploding body parts everywhere. 


But, I digress.  I really like this series because the heroines take matters into their own hands (I hate women that sit back and flutter their hands and wait for someone to rescue them).  Thus far, none of the heroines has disappointed and I love the quirky characters (some non-human) that are part of the stories.  Each book focuses on a different Windham sibling thus far and, although they each make sometimes very significant mistakes, none can doubt the love and support that they offer each other.  I really MUST make time to finish reading the rest of the series but I am sure that each story will be a delight and I am glad that I have them to look forward to while I await the next addition to the series.  My Amazon review for Lady Eve's Indiscretion  is at this link.  I am never sure whether to continue asking for 'yes, this was helpful' votes since Amazon is being cagey about whether they are counting them if the reviewer receives several plus votes from the same person...but, if you are so inclined, I appreciate positive votes.  My Nightowl review for Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight is at this link and my Goodreads review for The Heir is at this link.

                                                  


And, I am not sure why I am getting so many hits in Taiwan but just wanted to say ni hao to all of the readers there!

Upcoming reviews and reads that I am looking forward to!

I have the great fortune to be ALMOST overwhelmed by a significant number of wonderful reads to look forward to.  I am a little stymied by the fact that I have a few projects that I am juggling and have not been able to keep track of what is being released as closely as I should so I have neglected to post some of my reviews in a timely manner.  I am trying to work on lessons through an online class even as I have had the opportunity to do several interesting editing and proofreading jobs and have accrued quite a few titles that I have read and greatly enjoyed and now have to do the reviews!  I refused to make resolutions for New Year's but did promise myself that I would try to catch up on some of the books that I have been sent for reviews so I am slowly trying to integrate them into my pile but I am afraid that it may almost be an insurmountable task so I am just going to do what I can, a little at a time.  My thought on this is...what a delightful problem to have!

   




Recently reviewed:

The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks  (fantasy, sequel to The Black Prism)
Heart of Danger by Lisa Marie Rice (romantic suspense with a paranormal twist), start of a new series
The Protector by N.L. Gassert (m/m, older/younger romantic suspense)


             


Reviews that are pending include:
Wait Until Dark by M.L. Buchman  (military romance)
Cat Bearing Gifts by Shirley Rousseau Murphy  (cozy mystery? with paranormal elements)
Caller of Light by T.J. Shaw  (fantasy)
Lady Eve's Indiscretion by Grace Burrowes (historical romance)
The Marine Next Door by Julie Miller  (Harlequin Intrigue)
A Lady's Pleasure by Robin Schone  (time travel romance)

    


 
Upcoming:
Cold Days  by Jim Butcher  (fantasy)
The Dog in the Dark by Barb and J.C. Hendee  (fantasy)
Dream Unchained by Kate Douglas  (erotica)