Improper Gentlemen

I have a love/hate relationship with anthologies.  I’ve found some great authors through them and some of my regular authors sometimes offer up something to keep us happy until the next book comes out.

I purchased Improper Gentlemen because I enjoy Diane Whiteside’s work and she had the lead story. 

Talbot’s Ace by Diane Whiteside - It fell way short of her regular standards.  The story had too many back stories that were left unexplained.  Her hero and heroine were tolerable and the ending was way too abrupt.  I believe it could have been a good full length story but in this format not so much.

To Match A Thief by Maggie Robinson – Had a few good moments but again not anything to write home about.

A Knack for Trouble by Diana Marlowe – This was the best of the lot.  Ms. Marlowe is a new to me author.  I will look into her backlist.  She made the most of the short format and told a good story.

Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) and Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Warning spoilers

I just finished reading this book.  I tore through Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) and Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) in no time.  My friend Jen, who recommended this series, loved books 1 & 2 but hated 3.  I think that Jen was expecting something along the lines of another Twilight.  This isn’t it. I was proud that Ms. Collins stuck to her vision.  I think that it was insightful and intelligent.  Jen claims that due to the lack of a hea that the 3^rd book isn’t YA.  I disagree.  I think That Ms. Collins’ audience is smart enough to get the message.  This whole series is about surviving and compromise.  Sometimes staying alive is the best you can hope for.  

Hugh Laurie renaissance man

Who knew?  I knew that Mr. Laurie was a talented actor. My husband is a big fan of House. Me not so much.  Last year I purchased The Gun Seller a novel penned by Mr. Laurie for my husband as a gift and just this morning my husband picked up a cd by Mr. Laurie called Let Them Talk.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I was impressed with not only his musicality but the songs he chose.  I know that Mick Jagger and other British rockers have had a love affair with southern blues but whoda thunk Hugh Laurie plays delta blues? He and an impressive group of musicians do just that and well.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I've been avoiding YA for a bit because either it was too shallow or there was too much angst.  My friend Jen picked up this and suggested I read it.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It was well written and had a strong story line.  Jen says book 2 is even better. I am off to read it.

Sherrilyn Kenyon – Dark/Dream Hunter series

I haven’t been blogging because with the release of Retribution I decided to re-read the whole Dark/Dream Hunter series excluding the Chronicles of Nick. Twenty three books later (I included Fantasy Lover, Fear The Darkness and Dragonswan).  It is amazing how much I get out of re-reading a book especially in a series.  When they come out I snap them up and slam through them to find out what happens.  I never really realized how much I missed out on by doing that. That said… I’ll probably keep doing it.  I’ll just go back and re-read it sooner.  I love this series.  Ms. Kenyon mixes her stories with humor and grace and the adventure of a MMORPG.   She is not afraid to tackle heavy subjects but she never comes off as preachy or inflexible.  I heartily recommend this series.

Fantasy Lover 

Night Pleasures

Dragonswan

Night Embrace

Dance with the Devil

Kiss of the Night

Night Play

Seize the Night

Sins of the Night

Unleash the Night

Dark Side of the Moon

The Dream-Hunter

Fear The Darkness (e-book only)

Devil May Cry

Upon The Midnight Clear

Dream Chaser

Acheron

One Silent Night

Dream Warrior

Bad Moon Rising

No Mercy

Retribution 

Working Stiff – A Revivalist Novel by Rachel Caine

Working Stiff – A Revivalist Novel by Rachel Caine

Oh the surprises.  I am not a big zombie fan.  That being said I am a big Rachel Caine fan.  In that spirit I purchased and devoured Working Stiff.  I am used to zombies being the bad guys but Ms. Caine made the zombie in this book the heroine and made it work.  Like her Weather Warden series this book rocks.  There is never a dull moment. Another fantastic roller coaster ride

Review: Vampire Mistress & Vampire Trinity by Joey W. Hill

Fantastic!  I was at first hesitant to read these as although I read a lot of books with strong female leads I usually don’t go for total femdom.  The lead in these two books is Anwyn Naime a Domme who owns a fetish club.  So I was not prepared to be blown away by this intelligent, sensitive, well written story. But as you may have guess I sit here all agog regretting that it took me so long to read these.  Now I will have to get and devour the rest of the books in this series.  

Reviews (sort of) Master of Shadows by Angela Knight & Bad Boys of Summer anthology

Master of Shadows by Angela Knight – I like Angela Knight.  I’ve read every story in the Mageverse series.  I was not as happy with this one as I have with the others and I think I have finally figured out why.  The story line was good.  The characters were ones I wanted to see get together. But there was very little humor in this book.  True the situations require some seriousness but usually it is broken up by witty banter.  Not so much in this book.  It wasn’t bad just not as good.  I look forward to the next in this series.   

Bad Boys of Summer anthology

I always prefer full novels over these short stories. There's just not a lot of time to get to know and love the characters and the romance is always hurried.  But I’ve met some amazing authors in anthologies so I keep buying them.

Luscious by Lori Foster was cute.  Twins, bad boy SWAT officer and a hero dog.  What more could you ask for.  Bad guy seemed forced. 

It's About Time by Erin McCarthy was fun. But again because of the length not as good as it could have given more time. 

Wish You Were Here by Amy Garvey was interesting.  I’ve not read anything by Ms. Garvey but based on this story I will probably go out and find out more about her.