November Acquisitions

Leaves were falling outside and books were falling from their piles inside, but more came in. I just can't say no to a book!

More Jeaniene Frost courtesy of Book Crossing (I'm signed up for a spiral, which is where you read each book as it comes to you and then mail them to the next participant on the list).

Eternal Kiss of Darkness, This Side of the Grave, and One Grave at a Time. I'm sad to be coming to the end (so far) of this series and will be eagerly awaiting the release of the next book.

From Amazon:



P.S. I Love You, by Cecelia Ahern; Kiss at Your Own Risk, by Stephanie Rowe; and Enemy Overnight, by Robin L. Rotham



Dead Over Heels, by MaryJanice Davidson; Tapestry, by Lynn Kurland, Madeline Hunter, Karen Marie Moning, and Sherrilyn Kenyon; Checkmate, by Malorie Blackman - a young adult series that should be required reading in schools.

From Book Mooch:



Miranda's Big Mistake, by Jill Mansell; Mystic Isle, by Joanna Wayne

  

The Third Twin, by Dani Sinclair; Small Island, by Andrea Levy

From Harlequin Reader Service:



The General's Secretary, by Debby Giusti; Narrow Escape, by Camy Tang; Midnight Shadows, by Carol J. Post

 

Tracking Justice, by Shirlee McCoy; Falling for the Forest Ranger, by Leigh Bale; Small-Town Dad, by Jean C. Gordon

 

Doctor to the Rescue, by Cheryl Wyatt; Cowboy at Midnight, by Ann Major; A Daughter's Redemption, by Georgiana Daniels

 

Rancher's Refuge, by Linda Goodnight (one of my favorite authors, who got me hooked on Love Inspired in the first place!); Homecoming Reunion, by Carolyne Aarsen

A shopping spree at Half Price Books (I love that store!):



Kiss of Midnight, by Lara Adrian; Ship of Magic, by Robin Hobb; Once More With Feeling, by Cynthia Blair

 

Sizzle, by Julie Garwood; Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye and Doom With a View, by Victoria Laurie - numbers 1 and 8 (!) of a series - didn't realize that when I bought them.



Crazy as Chocolate/The Abortionist's Daughter, by Elisabeth Hyde; What Was I Thinking: 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories, edited by Barbara Davilman and Liz Dubelman; Seven Years to Sin, by Sylvia Day

 

Autobiography of a Fat Bride: True Tales of a Pretend Adulthood, and I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl, by Laurie Notaro; How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls, by Zoey Dean (I really enjoyed "Privileged", the short-lived TV show based on this book)

 

Wicked Game, by Jeri Smith-Ready; Sweetwater, Oklahoma, by Stanley W. Beesley; Cold Streets, by P.N. Elrod

 

The Stepmother, by Carrie Adams

And a fruitful trip to the thrift store:



Mackenzie's Legacy, and Mackenzie's Heroes, by Linda Howard; Any Woman's Blues, by Erica Jong

 

Kiss of the Night, and Sins of the Night, by Sherrilyn Kenyon; Rose in Bloom, by Louisa May Alcott

 

Rosie Dunne, by Cecelia Aherne; Bite, by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight, and Vickie Taylor; This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection, by Carol Burnett

 

The Very Virile Viking, and The Red-Hot Cajun, by Sandra Hill

Whew! A lot of books in November - too many!

Enemy Overnight

ROBIN L. ROTHAM

Synopsis: The last time Jasmine King was aboard the Heptoral, she escaped by the skin of her teeth. This time she won't be so lucky. Trapped on a ship full of sex-starved aliens and out of the pheromone blocker that holds off her physical transition, Jasmine makes a desperate escape attempt...and fails. The consequences are disastrous – she's mated to three horny warriors, and one has a huge bone to pick with her. What's a girl to do but fall in love?

The last time Shauss saw Jasmine, the deceitful little Terran stole his bondmate from under his nose. This time he won't be so trusting. Finally master of his own bond, Shauss names secondary mates Jasmine feels safe with...and lives to regret it. One can't stop puking long enough to claim her. The other challenges Shauss' supremacy by digging into his psyche at every turn. What's a Dom to do but bed them all into submission?

He sets out to do just that, but his domination takes a brutal turn when he discovers Jasmine's deadly secret...

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, published by Ellora's Cave, 2010; purchased new from Amazon.

My thoughts: I had read a post on a blog somewhere about this author and her new release, Frankendom, and it just sounded so interesting and out there that I searched for it on Amazon. It's a Kindle only however, and since I prefer actual books to ebooks, I purchased at random one of her other books that was available in bound format. Thus, I read ENEMY OVERNIGHT, which is actually the sequel to ALIEN OVERNIGHT. I don't normally read series books out of order (other than category romances), but while the book references events from the first book it's still a basically stand alone story.

And it was definitely interesting and out there. Not to mention just plain fucked up weird. Not to mention highly hot and entertaining.

I did have a little trouble in the beginning with Shauss being the hero, because he was so incredibly cruel to Jasmine at first (and again later though at that time he believed she was a traitor and had betrayed him). I gathered that in the first book Jasmine played a rather large role in the storyline, having made a huge mess of things for the other characters and caused some problems. Okay, so I do sort of wish I'd read the first book first.

I've read quite a bit of erotica, and I'm not easily shocked when reading, but this was new territory for me. I mean at one point my jaw dropped and I could not believe what I was reading. So, you know, it's not for the chaste or faint of heart...all those Fifty Shades of Gray fans would probably have a heart attack.

The characters are well drawn. If you know me, you know I like stories that are character driven over plot driven. I like to get to know the characters, be inside their heads, and the author does a good job at making them seem real. I've not read much that dealt with aliens, and despite the physical descriptions I still had a little trouble picturing how Shauss and the others looked. I kind of got this picture in my head of creatures similar to Planet of the Apes – I don't really know why or how and at first I had to keep concentrating and thinking about how they were described to get that picture out of my head.

The storyline was interesting and integral to the plot, and not just back story to weave the sex scenes together. In fact, while there were some sexual situations, there was no actual sex until about halfway through the book. But once the sex started, it was scorching.

The last quarter of the book, I could not put it down and sat up past my bedtime to finish it. This author is now on my list of authors who's entire backlist I must now track down and read.

Moment of Truth (Silhouette Intimate Moments, No. 1143)

MAGGIE PRICE

Synopsis: Called to Mission Creek to help find the Lone Star Country Club bomber, Chicago Police bomb tech Hart O'Brien never imagined he'd walk straight into the arms of his first – and only – love. Body Perfect spa manager Joan Cooper had become a cool brunette with a touch-me-not attitude. But Hart HAD touched her one hot summer night ten years ago, then unexpectedly walked away, leaving Joan to deal with the consequences. When anger turns to passion for Joan and Hart, will Joan reveal her ten-year-old secret? Will Hart uncover the identity of the Lone Star bomber?

First line: What the hell am I doing here?

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, published by Harlequin Books, 2002; purchased at a library book sale.

My thoughts: I love category romances, but some of the covers make me cringe. This is one of those covers. She looks like she's trying to feel him up through his pocket. And he doesn't look especially impressed with her effort.

Cover photo aside, the characters are much more likable than they appear. Ten years ago Joan was the spoiled little rich girl, while Hart was a groundskeeper at the country club. After a summer of her pursuing him, they finally had their perfect night together (even though she was a virgin – I never did get how the first time could ever be perfect but maybe my first time was an anomaly?), and then they never saw each other again. Hart was accused of stealing money from the club and threatened with his mother being arrested on an old warrant, and so he and his mother blew out of town to start over elsewhere. By the time they were settled and he was ready to get back in touch with Joan, he learned from one of his friends that she had gone off to Dallas and married a hotshot attorney.

Now Hart is back in town to investigate a bombing at the country club, and Joan is working and living in close proximity. He's still angry that after their night together she just forgot about him and married someone else. She's still angry that after their night together he just took off and disappeared. She has a daughter, Helena, who everyone believes is a product of her quick marriage, and she's determined that Hart not find out the truth. Because she's afraid he'll tell Helena he loves her, like he told Joan, and then up and disappear again, breaking Helena's heart, like he did Joan's.

I liked Joan, and I really liked Hart, and I loved Helena. She takes to her mom's “old friend” like a duck to water, following him around the club and pestering him with questions, which he patiently answers.

In the meantime, while Hart and Joan realize they're still hung up on each other (not that they admit that to each other), his investigation is in full swing. There is also a rival for his affections, and plenty of bad guys. In fact, everyone seems to be a potential bad guy. And the action/suspense ramps up in the last quarter of the book to the point that I sat up in bed until midnight, even though I had to be up at six the next morning, because I didn't want to stop reading. I value my sleep, and when a book draws me in enough to make me forego sleep, it's a winner.

WolfPointe

RICK BUDA

Synopsis: With a colorful cast of characters including politicians, law enforcement officials, land barons and common criminals, Rick Buda has crafted and intriguing and suspenseful novel.

Anyone with a taste for the macabre and the mysterious will enjoy following the political blackmail, intrigue, trail of gore and the discovery a monster could well be living in your back yard!

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, published by Twilight Times Books, 2004; received through BookCrossing.

My thoughts: I tried, but I just could not get into this. I liked the main character, but the writing just felt too stilted and awkward, and I quit around 40 pages in. The book definitely could have benefited from some much tighter editing.

 

One Grave At A Time (Night Huntress, Book 6)

JEANIENE FROST

Synopsis: Having narrowly averted an (under)World War, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans's voodoo queen just keeps on giving – leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity – forever. But one wrong step and they'll be digging their own graves.

First line: “Donald Bartholomew Williams, get your ass back here now!”

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, published by Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2011; received from a BookCrossing member.

***THIS REVIEW CONTAINS WHAT MAY BE CONSIDERED SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES***

My thoughts: This entry in the series picks up right where the previous book left off, with Cat and Bones still in the graveyard, having just defeated Apollyon. Cat has just discovered that her Uncle Don, who died in the previous book, is now a ghost and has been covertly watching her. Hence, her yelling out at him in the first line of the prologue (as she did in the last line of the previous book).

I was glad to see Don is still around! Unfortunately, while Tate has been promoted into Don's old position at the compound, the government has sent in an “operations consultant”, Madigan, who is a grade A prick, as Cat soon finds out. In fact, he tightens ship and adds so much additional security that Cat is not allowed to visit her mother or the members of her old team, which prompts Justina to quit and settle in with her daughter and the son-in-law she detests.

Previously, the Ghoul Queen of New Orleans had forced Cat to drink her blood, giving Cat her power to call ghosts to her side. Now Elisabeth has shown up. Fabian has a crush on Elisabeth, but most of the ghostly world give her the cold shoulder, because she has spent all of her ghostly years with one mission – to kill another ghost. Kramer, a zealot witch hunter who turns to flesh every Halloween and tortures and kills three women. Not actual witches, but Kramer believes all women are evil and should be burned at the stake.

This book was a departure from previous entries in the series as Cat and Bones didn't have many dealings with other vampires, besides Spade and Ian. The focus is on finding Kramer and finding a way to destroy him permanently, before he has a chance to kill again.

Along with Elisabeth, we have another new character, Tyler, a medium who Spade recommends. Tyler provides a lot of comic relief. He's not a fighter, he ogles Bones and then finds Spade even more delish, he loves his dog, Dexter, and even though he's often scared witless he is determined to help Bones and Cat in their quest.

I really enjoyed this entry, and I'm very sad that there isn't another one after this one. Although Cat and Bones certainly deserve some downtime so they can just enjoy being together without some villain to fight.

I think this is my second favorite series ever (after the Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon). I'm going to miss Cat, and especially Bones, who I have a huge crush on. Sigh. 

This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 5)

JEANIENE FROST

Synopsis: Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance...

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous “ally” – the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war...to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

First line: The vampire pulled on the chain restraining him to the cave wall.

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, published by Avon, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2011; received through BookCrossing.com.

My thoughts: Several thoughts have run through my head as I prepared to write this, but everything I want to say might be considered a plot spoiler for someone. So briefly, Apollyon is still inciting the ghoul nation, warning his followers that Cat will be their downfall; Masterless vampires are going missing; and things are getting tenser and tenser between the vamps and the ghouls. Cat and her crew need to find a way to stop Apollyon. There is another visit to the underground lair of Marie Laveau, a secret mission for Dave the ghoul, some drama with Don, and ghosts. The ending is very satisfactory, and leaves an interesting and enticing set up for next book.

Tell It To The Marines

AMY J. FETZER

Synopsis: HOT CONFLICT: Rule number one for “How to Throw a Wedding”: Don't get kidnapped. Rule number two? Don't let your rescuer be DJ McAllister, as in tall, dark, and secretive with a bod to die for. As in the man who pushed wedding planner Mary Grace Heyward away once and left her heartbroken for, um, well forever. But now that they're running for their lives (so that's what it takes to get a man to commit!), the looks DJ's giving her tell another story, one that's making her very, very warm. And Mary Grace's mission is clear: Indulge the hot Marine's every fantasy and secure a victory of the everlasting kind...

HOT LANDING ZONE: The mission went bad, really bad. And Jake Mackenzie blames Dr. Katherine Collier, the egghead scientist his team was rescuing from terrorists. If she'd just obeyed his orders they wouldn't be stranded – alone – on a remote island with no way off. But hell, Jake's a Marine. He'll improvise, adapt, and overcome...as long as the drop-dead gorgeous Katherine stops accidentally setting off his booby traps, prancing around in what's left of her clothing and driving him wild with desire. Protecting her is his sworn duty, and the lady seems to have some specific requests in that area...

HOT TARGET: Rick Cahill's got his orders: Drop into the Amazon and pick up American Peace Corps volunteer Sam Previn. Who knew Sam was actually Samantha, a beautiful redhead with a temper to match? And who knew the Colombian drug cartels would be after them? On the run in the jungle, searching secluded spots for shelter, Rick has to remind himself that Sam is off-limits, no matter how it unhinges him every time her skin brushes his. But when the savvy Sam stars speaking in military abbreviations and can load a sidearm without looking, it's clear she's something special – and just Rick's type...

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Kensington Publishing Corp., 2004; purchased at Half Price Books (based on the title, which caught my eye, and then the cover picture, which held it).

My thoughts: Three novellas. Three lusty Marines. Three feisty women. Three hot stories. Three cheers for Ms. Fetzer!

The stories all follow a similar theme, and all open the same way. Our hero of the day is embarking on a rescue mission in a remote area (Panama, East China Sea, South America). It's just another job, another duty, another “package”. Marine and package are separated from the rest of the unit and spend a couple of days alone, and the package becomes more than just a package, more than just a duty.

I can't decide if I like this book better than the previous Fetzer book I read, INTIMATE DANGER. I generally like full length novels better than novellas or short stories. When I reviewed INTIMATE DANGER, I noted:

“While I love military heroes in romance novels, I think I prefer reading abut them stateside. Crashing around in the jungles of some foreign country just doesn't really do it for me.”

I'd like to now revise that opinion. I think it was more the plot of INTIMATE DANGER that didn't do it for me. Because I loved crashing around in the jungle with these guys.

Home To Crossroads Ranch (Love Inspired No. 485)

LINDA GOODNIGHT

Synopsis: Finally, Rainy Jernagen has the child-filled home she's always wanted! Okay, so she still hasn't found Mr. Right, but the foster kids she's taken in fill her heart almost completely. Then handyman/rancher Nate Del Rio comes knocking, and Rainy starts to wonder if she really can have it all. There's only one problem: Nate doesn't want kids. At all. And nothing Rainy says will change his mind. Of course, she's not going to let that stop her. Not when she has a houseful of adorable allies to raid Nate's ranch and win his heart – whether he likes it or not.

First line: Nate Del Rio heard screams the minute he stepped out of his Super Crew Cab and started up the flower-lined sidewalk leading to Rainy Jernagen's house.

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, published by Steeple Hill Books, 2009. I don't remember where I got it – I have a zillion Love Inspired books that came from book sales, my sister, and directly through Harlequin Reader Services subscriptions.

My thoughts: When talking about Love Inspired romances, I always name Linda Goodnight as one of my favorite authors (along with Jillian Hart). But looking back over my reading logs today, I realized that this book is only the third book I've read by her (the other two being Finding Her Way Home and Missionary Daddy). Obviously I really enjoyed them, but if I hadn't already discovered her, this book would make me an instant fan.

                                    

Rainy is a sweet and likable heroine, a school teacher who is fostering a sibling group of three, plus another little girl. She's always wanted a houseful of kids and after not finding a Christian man and falling in love and having kids with him, she's turned to being a foster parent instead, putting romance on the back burner. She's not adverse to being married someday, but isn't willing to settle for just any man either.

Enter Nate Del Rio. He's certainly not looking for a wife, and he doesn't want to have any kids, ever. Which was a baffling attitude, because he's really good with the kids and they take to him very quickly. There's a tragedy in his past that is often alluded to, and it doesn't take long to sort of figure out the gist of it, though he details and circumstances are still quiet a surprise when he finally tells Rainy about it.

Great characters, including the children. Some snappy dialogue that made me laugh out loud at times. A very enjoyable book.

*SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER* Do not read further if you don't wish to be spoiled:

Being a foster parent can be heartbreaking at times, and some of the storyline dealing with that left a sour taste in my mouth. I work in the adoption field and I'm familiar with my state's DHS and the push for reunification. The little girl who is not part of the sibling girl ends up being placed back into her mother's custody, and I would have really liked more resolution to that storyline, i.e., reassurance that her mother really had turned her life around and that reunification really was the best step for that child. Because in real life it doesn't always work out that way.

Some other Linda Goodnight books currently in my TBR pile:

  

Rich Man, Poor Bride; The Christmas Child; A Time To Heal

    

His Prince's Secret Son; The Wedding Garden