March 2008

I think I’m off to a great start this month. Check out my list! W00t!

1. Tempted by Megan Hart.

This was a very poignant story. I wouldn’t really classify it as romance or erotica (as it is marketed). There were some wonderfully written and very hot sex scenes, including a few menage a trois encounters, but those scenes were not the power behind this novel. The power behind this story was the life altering personal journey that the main character, Anne, took during the course of one summer.
Here’s the link to my review: TEMPTED REVIEW

2. Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke.

I loved the premise of this new dragon paranormal series and the plot was exciting with some amazing fight scenes. The sexual tension between the hero and heroine was really quite delicious, but I think it fizzled out a bit in the end. Still a worthy read, though, and I’m already looking forward to the second book in this series, Kiss of Fury (I think that’s the title?). I hope to review this for my blog, too. Yikes! I’m falling behind on my reviews already! ;)

3. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (YA)

Special duo review with my cool teenage daughter on her blog, Bookalicious! Check it out!


4. Witch Blood by Anya Bast

Ms. Bast has a talent for writing some of the best sex scenes. I love the level of heat and sensuality that she brings to her stories. In this novel, she is able to develop the relationship between Isabelle and Thomas at a believable pace and the sex grows more intimate as does the depth of their relationship. It was very nice. I love both their characters. I hope Adam’s story is next. Anyone else read this yet?

5. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne Soooo good. Just like everyone said. Wonderfully developed characters. The heroine was fantastic.... I loved her. Lots of intrigue and emotions layered within a really wonderful love story. Even if you’re not a fan of historical romance, I recommend you pick this one up.

6. Grimspace by Ann Aguirre.

Loved it. Very exciting, lots of action, awesome characters, interesting futuristic interplanetary politics and space travel... and a touching love story to wrap it all together in one amazing package. Cannot wait for Ann’s next book.

8. Dream Thief by Shana Abe.

Dream Thief is Abe’s second novel in her Drakon series. This is the story of the youngest daughter of the Alpha of the drakon and his mate, Lia who secretly travels to the remote depths of the Carpathian mountains with the sole human ’friend’ of the drakon and master thief Zane to retrieve the Dramur diamond that has been and haunting drakon and must be kept safe. Beautifully written, magical and believable love story. Lia and Zane were wonderful together.... I was so pleased that the author was able to keep Zane true to his character throughout this tale. I hope we see more of Lia and Zane in the next novel.

Dream Thief follows Abe’s first drakon novel, Smoke Thief which I read way back in Fall of 2006, but loved it so much I was willing to wait for the next story. The books in this series is released in hardcover first, followed by the mass market paperback sometimes over a year later-which is a long time for me. But the wonderful combination of Abe’s beautiful writing style, the mysterious mythology of the drakon, the historical setting, and the delicate love story make it a worthwhile wait. The third novel, Queen of Dragons was released in hardcover in December 2007. I’m truly anxious to read the next story, but will wait for the paperback. I imagine that will be late 2008 or early 2009. :(

9. Midnight Rising by Lara Adrian.

Midnight Rising is Lara’s fourth installment in her Midnight Breed series, in which Rio & Dylan’s love story takes place amidst the continuing war between the Breed warriors and the Rogues and includes the Warrior’s search for the possible existence of the Ancient One--possibly the last surviving original alien Breed to land on earth millennia ago. Ms. Adrian has once again written a compelling love story between a Breed Warrior and his mate. She has wonderfully developed Rio’s character by providing the reader with glimpses of his past, his present state of being, and the emotions and instincts that surface as he falls for Dylan-a strong willed, intelligent, loyal, and sometimes excessively inquisitive Breedmate. An overall great love story whose plot remains consistent to the rules of the Breed world and carries on the overall story arc of the series. Next up is Nikolai and Renata’s story in Veil of Midnight coming in December 2008.

10. Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas.

I just finished reading this amazing novel this morning and need a bit of time for it to sink in before I can write something intelligible here. I’ll just tell you that it is absolutely wonderful and my favorite book of 2008 so far.... If you haven’t read Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas, read that first. It was just released in mass market paperback and although you don’t have to have read it first.... it is better if you did to get some background on the hero before you read Blue Eyed Devil.

Grade: A+