July 2010

I only read 4 books in June--my slowest month of reading in a long time. Hopefully I'll read more in July!

1. Witness in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death series, Book 11

2. Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield

Crime fiction

3. Provocative In Pearls by Madeline Hunter

The Rarest Blooms series, Book 2

This is Lizzie's story... aka Verity Thompson. She is one of the rarest blooms who ran away after saying her vows to Lord Hawkeshall on their arranged wedding day--a marriage Verity did not want. The daughter of a successful ironworker and tradesman who died leaving her in the care of her cousin and his wife who misused and beat her into obedience (so they say).

4. Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

A Lucy Valentine cozy mystery. Lucy Valentine takes over her family match making - dating company for two weeks while her dad takes a leave of absence. She ends up getting involved in solving two different missing persons cases with Sean Donahue-- the P.I. upstairs and a little romance blooms between the two. Very sweet, fun story.

5. Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran

I love all of this author's books. She writes historical romances that are intelligent and well crafted stories with an uncanny ability to write incredibly well developed and complex characters. You really learn about people and relationships in her books. There is always a happy ending, but it's always realistic and ... and as sweet and romantic as it is, it never tastes sugar coated.

6. Judgment In Death by J.D. Robb

In Death series, Book 12

Another fantastic installment in this series. In this story, the NYPSD is under scrutiny by Eve when a cop is found brutally murdered after hours in the nightclub Purgatory which is owned by Roarke. It appears the killer is targeting "dirty" cops and there is also a mysterious connection to an ex-business associate of Roarke's from 10 years ago--the elusive criminal Max Ricker. Several gruesome murders and a lot of danger and action in this story... plus a lot of tension between Eve and Roarke as they try to protect each other from a violent murderer. An old lover of Eve's from the department--Lieutenant Don Webster also makes a pass at her and Roarke walks in on it just at the right or wrong? time... a lot of fun there because Eve is oblivious to Webster's feelings or intentions and yet Roarke sees it right away. The dynamics between the three ends up being one of my favorite aspects of this story, actually. It ends rather nicely. :)