Another wild and crazy week. I love seeing the romance community get riled up and come together for the common good. But, now it’s Friday and time for my reads of the week. Then you can comment on what you’ve been reading/listening to lately.
First up is The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu. Maxine Hunt is a demon hunter covered in tattoos that protect her during the day only to peel off her body and become whole at night. She is the very last of her kind carrying a curse that follows the females of her family. Grant is a former priest who’s found a way to control the demons. They work together to protect humans until the Veil weakens and allows a vile creature to escape and roam the earth.
I was first introduced to Maxine and Grant in the anthology Wild Thing, which I highly recommend. It nicely sets the scene for the upcoming books in this urban fantasy series. Marjorie’s world is cleverly well constructed and you won’t find any two dimensional characters living there. Intensive, action-filled adventure with a heroine you won’t soon forget and will have fans clamoring for more.
Then on to Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory. Marietta Winters is at her wits end when her brother is arrested for the brutal murder of a woman. Taking matters into her own hands, she seeks the help of Gabriel Noble who will help her only if she grants him three favors. Since she has no where else to turn, she accepts the bargain.
I went into this expecting the usual historical romance that I enjoy reading, but I got so much more. This reads more like an exciting mystery that I found myself trying to solve only to have twists and turns throw me off. Enthralling, engaging and sensual.
Finally I read A Rake’s Guide to Seduction by Caroline Linden. Anthony Hamilton will someday have a title, but his past is riddled with rumors and scandals involving gambling, widows and willing women. Celia Reece married young, but is returning home after 4 years as a disillusioned widow. They are reunited at a country house party and even though Celia remembers a kind, childhood friend in Anthony, her dark married years won’t let her contemplate any kind of future happiness while Anthony struggles with his own demons of not being worthy.
I agonized with these characters stuck in the roles they were doomed to play, but thank goodness for happily ever afters, these two deserve it. Thoughtful and moving.
In the car I listened to The Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. This classic mystery has spinster Amelia Peabody taking her inheritance and touring Egypt. Along the way she comes across Evelyn Barton-Forbes, a young woman intent on taking her own life after being ruined by her lover. Forceful Amelia insists Evelyn join her on the adventure where they meet archeologist brothers Radcliffe and Walter Emerson. Through Amelia’s journal, we experience the heat, frustration with Victorian style clothing not meant for a dig, local cuisine, curses and a walking, moaning mummy.
This highly entertaining, decriptive, well read story made my 7 hour drive bearable. Elizabeth’s decriptions of sights and smells transported me to an Egypt of old. This is book one in the series that is now on number 18. Guess that tells you how good it was.
Now Your Turn Friday. Leave a comment on what you’ve been reading lately. Readers are always looking for something good to read, so give them what they want.
Bottom Line: Saw The Hulk yesterday with Andrew. It give the term "going green" a whole new meaning.
I’ve read several of the Elizabeth Peters books. They’re excellent! I just finished reading Seaside Cinderella by Anna Schmidt, an inspirational historical. Not my usual type of reading, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
I just finished reading a really great debut novel. No One Heard Her Scream by Jordan Dane. The first book in a trilogy, yeah, this is a hot, sensual, gritty romantic thriller. I highly recommend this book. I’ll be starting book two this weekend. Ah, chocolate, a sunny deck and a good book. Linda!
I’m working on a Kresley Cole right now, but also eagerly anticipating next week’s release of Roxanne St. Claire’s Then You Hide!!!
I’ve listened to every one of Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody mysteries – at least twice! And will again. Barbara Rosenblat is the queen of audio book performers, as far as I’m concerned, and no one does these charming and loveable characters better. Speaking of listening, I just finished the 4th of Naomi Novik’s Temeraire books, Empire of Ivory, and I’ve got to say, I’m dying here!! The next book doesn’t come out for another 2 weeks, and I don’t know if I’ll survive the wait. I finally got to Holy Smokes by Katie MacAlister, and enjoyed it a lot. The Aisling Grey series is fun, funny, light-hearted, and hot!
Oh! Oh! How could I forget? Phantom in the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon with Dianna Love is another in the BAD series (Bureau of American Defense), and is edge-of-your-seat kind of reading. Couldn’t put it down.
I read the the first Amelia Peabody book years ago. I should see if my library has it on tape. It would be fun to “hear” it. I’m reading two non fiction books this week: Through the Open Door: Secrets of Self-Hypnosis and I’m re-reading Eat, Pray, Love.
I read Iron Hunt and was blown away. It was Urban Fantasy at it’s finest and I can’t wait to see where it will go. I’ve already read all Marjorie Liu’s Dirk and Steele books. When’s the next one coming out?
I love Marjorie Liu’s story. It’s definitely being added to be TBR list. Just five minutes ago, I finished Stephenie Meyer’s THE HOST. I also read Amanda Quicks’ THE THIRD CIRCLE – love reading about the members of the Arcane Society.
I read Caroline Linden’s story as soon as it came out. I thought Anthony was a wonderful hero, and Celia his perfect match. And Marjorie Liu’s The Iron Hunt is at the top of my “Must Read ASAP” list
I am 204 pages into the 248 page book The Shack by William P. Young. I have heard SO many wonderful things about this book….so inspiring…life changing…etc. Well…I just don’t get it. I roll my eyes at every page and the only reason I’ve kept going is because I keep thinking the “pay-off” might be toward the end of the book. Has anybody else read it?
Amanda, Marjorie’s next Dirk and Steele book, The Wild Road, will be out July 29th.
Adding Marjorie M Liu’s urban fantasy to the list… Have Wild Thing anthology but haven’t read it so noting that I must read it first. Reading Karen Chance’s Embrace the Night. She has some cool characters that I love. Enjoyable series. First book a bit rough due to some bad editing but worth the read and the next two are much better edited. It’s a series worth reading if you haven’t.
I just finished Brenda Novak’s Trust me – excellent – and am listening to Scream For Me by Karen Rose on my iPod.
Both of these books are at the tippy-top of my TBR. I’m finishing up an old but fantastic Sandra Brown RS, UNSPEAKABLE.
I absolutely agree that listening to Barbara Rosenblat read Elizabeth Peters’ books is one of the great pleasures in life! I just finished “All the Way Home” by David Giffels — his memoir about renovating an old mansion. It’s a very different, warm and wonderful book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I just finished All About Evie by Beth Ciotta. It was a fun and adventerous romp, that I thoroughly enjoyed. I think I’m in love with the hero. Sigh. I love his accent, yeah? (he tacks “yeah” on to the end of a lot of his sentences and it wasn’t even annoying. Just hot.
I just finished PRIME TIME by Hank Phillippi Ryan. It’s a really good mystery. I haven’t read anything Elizabeth Peters, but it sounds like I should give her a try.
Thanks Barb–still reading “The Unbidden Truth” by Kate Wilhelm–in my spare time!!
Barbara!! This Margaret Liu book looks great!! Keep up the great blog!!
I’m reading The Power of Love!!! SO GOOD!!! Then I have a new Gena Showalter. “Darkest Kiss”. Really good year for books this year so far!! WOW!
It’s fun seeing the interest in the Elizabeth Peters books. I personally think it’s important to start at the beginning (The Crocodile on the Sandbank) and watch the characters grow. Have fun with them!
Just finished Nora’s “Angels Fall”, which I really liked, (before that was Elizabeth Lowell’s “Pearl Cove”)am currently enjoying Lynn Kurland’s “My Heart Stood Still” and next on the nightstand is Susan Wiggs’ “The Horseman’s Daughter”.
Debbie, I haven’t read The Shack, but after 204 pages with no payoff yet, Yikes!!
I can’t wait to get my hands on Iron Hunt- I’ve been looking forward to that one for a long time. I’m currently reading The Far Pavillions by M.M. Kaye. I love its epic sweep, large-than-life characters and exotic setting. On my Palm, I have Suzanne Brockman’s The Unsung Hero. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this series that I feel like a dunce for waiting so long to read it. After just a couple of chapters, I’m already completely invested in these characters, and I have a feeling I’ll be shedding a tear or two. And, finally, my current editing project is Stolen Fury, an adventurous, super hot romantic suspense from debut author Elisabeth Naughton. It’s very Indiana Jones meets Romancing the Stone and will be out in January. As always, thanks, Barbara, for these fantastic recommendations and a chance to share.
I’m currently reading The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever. If you’re a Bronte fan (Charlotte, Emily or Anne) this is a great book that includes a lot of facts about the Brontes. It is fiction and follows the heroine through a heartbreak. I’m about 50 pages from the end. So far I LOVE it! I would read this author again. Very well written work!
Barbara, thank you so much for the kind words. As for books I’m looking forward to, the list is huge. Suzanne Brockmann has a new one coming out soon, as does Robert Crais — and I recently read Elizabeth Hoyt’s latest and loved it to pieces. I could drown in books!
I’ve been enjoying the week with Galen Foley’s Knight Clan: Jack, Derek and Lucien are my favorites. FWIW I know that this will sound harsh and I am not dissing the two historical authors above. After a week of defending romance and the use of “bodice rippers’ these are classic covers that tend to promote the idea that romances are bodice rippers. I know the author has no control but why the need to keep promoting such covers? There are many wonderfully crafted covers that don’t include bare chested men and women in the throws of the big “O”. I probably wouldn’t pick them up in the store because of the covers. Just my opinion.
I’ve been reading Nalini Singh’s paranormal Psy/Changeling novels (backwards, actually–I started with the one that won an award this year, Caressed by Ice, and am reading the earlier ones now). On the YA front, I just finished Angelika Ranger’s entry into the Hallowmere series, Maiden of the Wolf: good teen romance here as the protagonist comes to terms with who she is, her mission, and the choice she has to make between trusting the only person who has accepted her and admitting that he is her enemy. Fantasy, horror, and romance all rolled into one!
Since I haven’t posted here in a few weeks, I’ll just list the books I’ve read since then. I read Julia Quinn’s latest, The Lost Duke of Wyndham and really enjoyed it. I read Ribbon in the Sky by Dorothy Garlock. And I finally got around to reading Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught. This week, though, I really, really needed a comfy read to help combat stress at work, so I pulled out Lisa Kleypas’ Dreaming of You to get my Derek Craven fix!!! Right now, I’m in the middle of The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans. So far, so good!
I’m a confirmed “re-reader” so this week I’ve been plowing through my Jayne Ann Krentz collection under all her pen names. I have all the Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels books and love them. Also read Marriage Plot by Kelly Kirch and Always a Cowboy by Cindy Spencer Pape. Next? I’ll probably work through the complete works of Georgette Heyer.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again!