September 2008

I only read four books in August, which was rather disappointing. Two of the books were realllly long. Breaking Dawn comes in at 768 pages and Acheron at 736 pages. Each of those are basically the equivalent of two average length books for me so I'll think of it like I read six books which is more typical for me in a month.

September always proves to be such a busy month with school starting back up, girl scouts, dance and sports. Not to mention impending construction on our house. I hope I'm able to keep up my summer pace of reading . . . my TBR is monstrous in size. Whoa baby.

1. Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre
Sirantha Jax series, Book 2

Ahhhh.... so good. I enjoyed Wanderlust even better than Grimspace. While both very good, I think the story telling flowed more smoothly and the plot was more cohesive. Maybe the latter is because I understand the characters and the world after the first book. Wanderlust not only takes the reader on an action packed journey through space, but the reader is also propelled on an emotional journey for both the Jax and March. Secondary characters from Grimspace return in Wanderlust and they are more deeply developed in this latter story. New secondary characters are also introduced in Wanderlust and they are equally fascinating and add wonderful depth to the story. I cannot wait for the next novel in this series, Doubleblind, that comes out in October 2009. How I will make it until then, I have no idea.

2. Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Psy-Changeling series, Book 5

Another amazing installment to the Psy-Changeling series. Caressed by Ice and Mine to Possess are still my favorites in the series, but this one was very very good. Dorian and Ashaya are so different, yet have so much in common, it was great to see them come together to fill the void's in their lives. I loved how so many of the secondary characters had a presence in this story. Many secrets of the world are revealed and at the same time new developments arise telling me that the world building and overall story arc are still expanding, which is really awesome! Cannot wait for Branded by Fire, Mercy & Riley's story. It's going to be intense and HOT!

3. Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins

Winner of a 2008 RITA 

I won this book and Fools Rush In, also by Kristan Higgins, from Jaci Burton on the Writeminded author blog. Thanks, Jaci! ;) Catch of the Day is a simple, sweet contemporary romance about a regular small town girl who's just trying to find love. I didn't think I could get so easily swept away by such a straightforward romance, but this story had me both amused and at times teary eyed non stop throughout. Very cute story. 

4. Aurelia by Anne Osterlund. 

This is the debut novel of young adult author Anne Osterlund. For most of the story the characters were flat and the plot was unbearably predictable that at times I could practically state characters' lines exactly before they even said them.  Needless to say, I wasn't too impressed, but I still felt compelled to finish the book. And then to my surprise, the last 60 pages or so got a bit more interesting and the author's directions in this classic princess story began to show uniqueness. So despite the slow, tedious beginning and middle, the end was quite good and I would read the next book in this world. 

5. Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole 

Immortals After Dark series, Book 5

Another fun and sexy installment in the Immortals After Dark series. Fallen vampire Conrad Wroth falls for Neomi Larss, who was once a world renowned ballerina in the 1920s and has been a ghost trapped in her very own Louisiana estate for the last 80 years. These two seemingly very different people actually have more in common than they think and are a perfect compliment for each other. Secondary characters Nix and Mariketa add welcomed humor into this otherwise serious story as do Conrad's brothers Nikolai, Sebastian and Murdoch. 

6. Unwrapped by Jaci Burton. 

Novella

I've had this ebook novella on my desktop for months, I think.  I'm so glad I finally read it today. It's a fun, sexy, quick love story and includes a very well written and believable menage that still ends with the happily ever after that I love.

7. Dark Desires at Dusk's Edge by Kresley Cole.

Immortals After Dark Series, Book 6

This is the story of the rage demon, Cadoen Woede the Kingmaker and his fated human mate, Holly Ashwin. Another sexy and action packed love story. The hero comes across old school sexist and the heroine is OCD. Quite the mix. Once again, Cole writes a tale in which the path to happily ever after is both serious and amusing. I enjoyed Cade & Holly's story a bit more than Conrad & Neomi's, but both are still fantastic installments to this series. Rydstrom's story is next and I can hardly wait!

8. Riding Temptation by Jaci Burton.

Wild Riders series, Book 2 

As always, wonderful story telling voice, great dialogue, emotion and action. And of course some of the most realistic and hottest sex scenes. Will review ASAP.