Yesterday was my younger sister’s birthday. She turned 50. Now I have no problem getting older, but it’s much harder for me to watch my siblings age. They should be forever young, the way I remember them best, being cute, bratty and always getting into my stuff. My mom is handling it great, but I think I’ll be pretty darn cranky when my son turns 50.
Until then, here’s what the WW Ladies have been reading this week. Feel free to post what reading material has kept you young this week because it’s Your Turn Friday.
Dark Nest by Leanna Renee Heiber
Read by Joysann
The experimental ships Light Nest and Dark Nest are sent by Homeworld into deep space to find habitable planets for colonization. Though disturbed by the rumors of insurrection and mutiny aboard Dark Nest, Chief Counsel Ariadne Corinth of Light Nest travels to the other ship to the memorial service of her counterpart, a former lover. Even in her grief, she knows that Kristov Haydn may have promoted dissention in Dark Nest’s psychic crew, which led to his own death. When she learns that the killer was not a discontent of Dark Nest, but a crewman from her own ship, she begins to wonder whether there was some truth to Kristov’s paranoia, and the Homeworld had other intentions for the experiment.
The best thing about sci-fi is the exploration of all the different worlds invented by imaginative writers. Leanna Renee Heiber is imaginative. Even though the book is only novella length, the society she created was interesting, the plot feasible, and the imagery clear. I hope she works more with this story, because I want to see what happens when the tables turn.
Dead Ringer by Mary Burton
Read by Loretta
Kendall Shaw, a nightly TV news anchor becomes involved as she reports each twist in the story, while she also becomes increasingly close to the lead detective – all the while never realizing that she might figure in the final solution!
Mary Burton leads you up one road and down another, whisks you into a turn you never see coming! Questions abound and every person in the large cast of characters is at risk to be murdered or to become the murder suspect. If you have read her previous book, I’m Watching You, you are no doubt a fan who enjoys the unfolding of a crime by an unbelievably cruel murderer, together with romance as a side dish. A captivating book to dive into and untangle.
Lost in You by Alix Rickloff
Read by Joysann Conor Bligh ruins the peace Ellery Reskeen has hoped she’s achieved after years of camp following her father who died in the war against Napoleon. Falling in her door all bloody and scary, Conor convinces her of the evil contained in a box she inherited, especially when she hears the baying of the fae hunters that circle her house in the night. Being Other, part fey and part human, it is his task to protect both worlds from being destroyed. What he neglects to tell Ellery, as their attraction grows, is that she is the required sacrifice needed to seal the evil in the box. I like paranormal historical romance, and Lost in You kept me involved to the end. It has strong characters, warm family relationships, and just the right touch of elusive fae magic.
Does She Dare? by Tawny Weber
Read by Emily
Isabel Santos is known for her perfect and orderly life. But what people don’t know is that she harbors a sensual and sexy woman on the inside. When bad boy, Dante Luciano steps into the picture, it’s like her all time fantasy has come to life. She is starting a new business in town, and Dante is stepping in to help his ungrateful father out. Sensing that there is more than meets the eye with Isabel, Dante wants get this seemingly unflappable woman the time of her life. Passion unfolds and soon both are under its power. But when someone tries to sabotage Dante’s work, and Isabel’s business, will they be able to trust in each other when all eyes are looking at them?
Sometimes when you read a book, even if there’s a picture on the cover I always imagine what the characters are like in real life. I would especially like to meet Dante. He sounds like such a ladies man, but really is a softy underneath. Who couldn’t love a man like that?
From Dead to Worse (Audio) by Charlaine Harris
Listened to by Joysann Sookie Stackhouse again faces the dangers and mysteries of the supernatural world in her usual plucky and gracious manner. Since being weakened by the shocking disasters at the vampire conference, the Louisiana area is facing a hostile takeover by invaders, and the weres have upped the ante in their own civil war. Sookie’s unique gift makes her a valuable, if reluctant, weapon in conflicts by both weres and vampires. Her human frailties puts her too easily in jeopardy, and her life and loves are at risk. The suspense in this 8th book in the Southern Vampire series is spine-tingling and toe-curling. Having slowly built up from the beginning, I sort of have a personal investment in these characters, and Charlaine Harris isn’t hesitant to do shocking things to them. I cut off all lines of communication while listening to the book, for I just couldn’t stand any interruptions.
The Daughters Grimm by Minda Webber
Read by Ann
In this Cinderella tale, sisters Greta and Rae Grimm leave their family home in England to find husbands and fortune. Greta, the oldest, is more fascinated by the Black Forest and the mysteries and tales that it holds than finding a man. Rae, the most beautiful (and spoiled) Grimm daughter, is convinced she is meant to marry a rich prince.
Minda builds the story of the Grimm sisters using fairy tales and interesting characters such as Herr Dumpty, Mozart, and Nietzsche. She has a unique way of integrating and weaving references to many of your favorite fairy tales throughout The Daughters Grimm including Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White. Webber will have you laughing out loud and grimacing at her unique sense of humor. One of my favorite lines (and please note that there were many) is “Herr Dumpty was reminded of what happened last fall and he came apart.” Okay, maybe I share Webber’s dry sense of humor. The Daughters Grimm pulls several fairy tales together into an entertaining, quirky, and funny story.
Bottom Line: Happy Birthday Lori and enjoy your celebration in Las Vegas! Wish I was going so I could embarrass you as only a sister can.
Hey, Barbara, you only ever feature the BEST books! I wanted to add to Emily’s recommendation about DOES SHE DARE by Tawny Weber. It’s fun and it’s sensual and it’s beautifully written. But what really got me about this story was the incredible emotional depth it achieves. Fantastic stuff! And yeah, Emily, I’d like to meet Dante too!
Does She Dare was such a great read that I couldn’t put it down until I finished. Tawny Weber has a way of making her characters come to life.
Why is it that all us good girls are DYING to find a bad boy like Dante?
All I have to say is that nobody does naughty like Tawny Weber. If you want a hot read, great characters, and a story you won’t be able to put down, check out Does She Dare!!
DOES SHE DARE is a must-read for all romance lovers. Tawny Weber writes hot, naughty fun but with that absolute true heart of deep characerization and emotion that grounds the rest and pulls the reader totally into her world. I can’t WAIT for her next book.
LOL Emily – I’m so excited that you liked Dante and DOES SHE DARE?!! He was definitely naughty, but I have to say, my newest hero in my Sept. Blaze, RISQUE BUSINESS, is even more of a Bad Boy. He dares the heroine to prove good s&x needs emotions… or admit the greatest pleasure in the world is purely physical.
Emily, I couldn’t agree more about Dante. I love the little bit of backstory we have about when Isabel met Dante in high school. He was a bad boy from way back, for sure! He manages to give Isabel not only a really good time, but some badly needed confidence in her womanly charms. I loved this book!
Tawny, looks like you’ve got some fans out there, but don’t forget that this is Your Turn Friday, so tell everyone what you’ve been reading this week. Share the love.
These recommendations come just in time for my trip to the beach!
Another Tawny Weber fan chiming in on DOES SHE DARE – Tawny’s managed (again) to walk the fine line between “hot” and “cool” with this book! I’m also a major fan of Charlaine Harris, and just recently finished reading all three books in her new “Grave” series, with a new heroine, Harper Connelly. Loved them!
I read Dark Nest and loved it. I can’t wait for Leanna’s first full length Ghostbusting book which will be out next fall. Also just read Hidden by Eve Kenin and Grimspace by Ann Aguirre. Both books have great world building and awesome characters.
I’m joining the Tawny Weber chorus. She writes passionate books with fast-moving plots and fascinating characters. Charlaine Harris isn’t bad either.
I read this book and agree with everything Joysanne said about it.
Lost In You sounds good–there are too few good historical paranormals around.
Thanks Barb–Happy Birthday to Lori too!! Thanks for all the good book reviews–thanks to the WW Ladies too of course!!
Just finished In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker — great story concept and interesting worldbuilding, but I wasn’t a fan of the foreshadowing! That was the only flaw, really.
I couldn’t agree with Emily more. DOES SHE DARE has an intense relationship and a tight plot, with believable, sympathetic characters. What more could a person want? Dante is that incredibly appealing character, the bad boy turned good–but not totally.
Oh, you’ve reviewed some fabulous ones this time! Before I forget, happy birthday, LORI!! Enjoy LV. I love Tawny Weber’s books and cannot wait for the next one. Dante is just plain HAWT and Isobel’s got that hidden inner goddess thing going and Tawny (and Dante) show us all how to bring it out. Love it. I have Charlaine Harris’ first book in the series in my to be read pile, along with Alix’s book. Cannot WAIT for the next “I can read” time in my schedule!
Thank you Barbara for posting Joyce’s wonderful words! I’m so thrilled! I loved working on DARK NEST and while I’ll be busy working on my debut with Dorchester next fall, I can’t wait to get back to the NEST sequel, the world blossomed so much bigger than I’d originally envisioned and the characters have certainly been talking to me.
*waving avidly to Colby* Thanks again!
I loved DOES SHE DARE. Dante was the classic bad boy with a new twist.
Tawny Weber is one of the finest Blaze writers publishing today and Does She Dare is proof of the pudding. Even the name of her bad boy Dante reeks of ancient bad boy-ness! You won’t be disappointed.
Tawny, I can’t wait to read your new release; it sounds like a very interesting, and hot story. Right now I’m reading ‘Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady’ by Bronwyn Scott. So far so good!
I’m reading The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter. It’s the second in the Lords of the Underworld series and I’m really loving it. Thanks for some more great book suggestions.
Tawny, looks like you’ve got some fans out there, but don’t forget that this is Your Turn Friday, so tell everyone what you’ve been reading this week. Share the love.
Ahhh, thanks Barbara 
I’m blown away by all the great comments. Lessee, right now I’m juggling a couple books. I just finished Beth Andrews debut Superromance, NOT WITHOUGH HER FAMILY and just started reading Donna MacMeans THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT – which I’ve been wanting to get to forever! Both are great stories! I love strong heroines and these come through.
Barbara– sending birthday wishes to your sister. I can’t think of a funner place to celebrate than Vegas! Talk about 24-7 excitement
I hope she gets to see a few shows while she’s there, too.
Barbara– sending birthday wishes to your sister. I can’t think of a funner place to celebrate than Vegas! Talk about 24-7 excitement
I hope she gets to see a few shows while she’s there, too.
OOOO, great blog this week everyone! A bunch of great books to add to the TBR pile. I have to say that “Does She Dare” lives up to a lot of single title books in emotion making me fall in love with these characters. Tawny does a fantastic job with heroes, writing that bad boy that you actually believe you could love–and live with–forever. Yum. Right now I’ve just finished an older book, “The Barefoot Princess” by Christina Dodd, and I’m about to start “A Little Bit Wicked” by Victoria Alexander. Mostly pounding away on my own manuscripts, so reading a lot LESS than I’d like. :0/
Joysann, I’m definitely going looking for “Lost In You”. That’s just too tempting and I am, unfortunately, falling into the paranormal addiction along with half of the world. I’ve tried to resist, just becuase my TBR pile is nearly to the ceiling and….oh yeah…I’m supposed to WRITE too. But this one looks just too good. Thanks for the review.
Feeling your pain, Barbara! My little brother turned 52 on Tuesday. He took his grandchildren to the beach. ACK! How did this happen? Well, let me add another BIG ENDORSEMENT for Does She Dare. I totally agree Emily, who wouldn’t want a bad boy/softy like Dante? He’s a fabulous hero. And so is James Locke in Donna MacMeans’ The Trouble with Moonlight. I’m currently in the midst of reading Jeanne Adams’ Dark & Dangerous and her hero Caine Bradley is also YUM! AC
Thanks for the rundown! DARK NEST looks really intriguing. Heather The Galaxy Express
Dark Nest and The Daughters Grimm are now on my TBR pile! Soon my TBR pile will be larger than my storage space for it! All thanks to reading your blog Barbara! And to the lovely ladies who review books here!
Great cover, Alix! Lost In You sounds like a terrific read:)
Hey, Tawny, looks like you’ve stumbled over a nest of fan girls! I’m not surprised. Barbara, I just finished the second of C.S. Harris’s St. Cyr mysteries, WHEN GODS DIE. Absolutely fantastic – genuine Regency noir. Then I read Beth Andrews’s great SuperRomance NOT WITHOUT HER FAMILY which I also recommend strongly – great emotion! I’m currently about halfway through Deanna Raybourne’s SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY which was a freebie at the SF conference. What a sparkling mystery with some fantastic, eccentric characters, not to mention an intrepid heroine and a brooding, mysterious hero. Really enjoying it! Happy birthday, Lori!
Yea for Alix’s debut book LOST IN YOU! Congrats! I have to go get it. I just finished Laura Drewry’s THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER. Fun, engaging book. Liked it a lot. Am also reading SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, which is wonderful. I’d love if she spent more time on the romantic relationship (because when she does it’s pretty potent) but I get that it’s not what she’s doing with this book. Great suggestions by others! Thanks, Kris
Another Tawny Weber fan popping in to say, I love Does She Dare! And for everyone who loved Dante, I highly recommend you check out Tawny’s next release, Risque Business which will be out next month. The hero of RB is super HOT
Great cover, great title, great book – Does She Dare is a winner all the way around
As if my TBR pile weren’t high enough… it just grew. I finished Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight books this week. I’m just beginning to read Connie Brockway’s SKINNY DIPPING. I picked it up at nationals and the opening pages just grabbed me.
RE DARK NEST by Leanna Hieber, I love it when true talent reaps its due reward and the kudos for DARK NEST are such a case. Uber talented Leanna Heiber isn’t afraid to write “out of the box” and her stories show it. I’m laying odds this bright young author’s star is on the rise–think rocket ship. http://www.hopetarr.com
Hello Barb! I checked out “The Dead Hour” by Denise Mina recently to read–anyone who has read her books? Sounds like she has some other great series/trilogies already out there.
I second the kudos for Dark Nest. It was a great book, and I predict wonderful things for the author Leanna Renee Heiber, and I’m not just saying that because she’s a good friend!