August Reading List

Here's my happy but meager reading list for the month of August. I read two of these books over this past holiday weekend. As I look back over the month I feel a little bit guilty because now I'm not sure I gave the books their due since I was tired and distracted. But, we can only judge by that moment in time. I'll be the first one to say that I've had different reactions to books when I've re-read them or even started them in a different frame of mind. Reading is weird like that.

All things considered I'm happy with my 11 books. Considering how the month started, I can't believe I read this many.

TURBULENT SEA by Christine Feehan
B- for this outing of the Drake Sisters. I think I was hoping for something a bit 'more' from this story. I really didn't like the "singing" star sister Joley that much. It's one thing when a character makes a choice to protect their family but Joely came across as a bit too martyrish for me. Ilya Prakenskii, the hero, has appeared in a couple of the other books. I was looking forward to learning more about this character. I sure would have liked to have a bit more of his back story. Of course it's been revealed Ilya is one of seven brothers so I suppose that could spawn a whole new series of books.

MR. CAVENDISH I PRESUME by Julia Quinn
C+ for this one. I think I mentioned previously that I received this as an ARC from Jane (DA) at RWA. I'm a fan of Ms. Quinn's but even though the writing was good, there was a lot of retread of the same story told in THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM. Yes, I get that this book is from another character's perspective, but it was too much like reading the same story for me. There just wasn't anything new here and so I was disappointed in that. This book is due out in October.

FIRST BLOOD Anthology (M. Brook, S. Sizemore, E. McCarthy, CM Green)
I'm giving this one a 'B' but I only read Meljean's and Ms. McCarthy's contributions. I think I'll be sticking with Ms. McCarthy's contemps and stay away from her vamps. Meljean's "THICKER THAN BLOOD" was good and very intriguing. My only whine is that I wish it had been longer.

STAY WITH ME (ebook) by Maya Banks. I'm a fan of her spicy books and got this one at Samhain because I was in the mood for a book that was a bit on the sizzling side. This wasn't as good as I've come to expect from Ms. Banks, but I have to admit my bar for romantic spice has gotten higher. I am looking forward to her next print book BE WITH ME that is due out in November. C TO C- for this menage tale.

TO THE BRINK by Cindy Gerard
I originally gave this one a B- grade but this is one of those instances where the book stayed with me (unexpectedly) after I read it and I'd have to go with a solid 'B' grade now. This is part of the Bodyguard series and the book I read for my tbr review in August. It is out of order, I think it's book 2 or 3 in the series and while characters from other books appear in this one, it didn't bother me or cause a problem with this story. A full length review may show up on this in September for tbr challenge day.

DELICIOUS by Sherry Thomas
This book is the opposite of the Cindy Gerard book. I remember the reading experience as a good one. Picked up the book to do this list and had a good vibe but couldn't remember specifics until I read the back blurb and skimmed the pages. I can say this was a very original and well written book. I do like Ms. Thomas' voice very much. A solid 'B' read for me. The heroine in this book is a chef and it's well done and true to the time period. Good job on the details.

WANDERLUST by Ann Aguirre
What can I say but that I love the character of Sirantha Jax. I love having her voice in my head while I'm reading. I'm so impressed with the layered world Ms. Aguirre has created here. This author writes with complete and total confidence about the world her characters inhabit. This is something she has in common with Nalini Singh. There is layers upon layers in the details of the hair, watches, socks, chairs, clothing, conversation, landscape, people and characters. I loved the book and adore being in Jax's head. Maybe I mentioned that already?

I can't say enough about the journey the reader goes on in this story. Bravo. Good book. I know it's said all the time, but I really can't wait for the next one. Sadly, I understand it will be next fall as Ms. Aguirre will be starting a new series in the Spring. I'm sufficiently impressed with what I've read so far to read anything she writes. A- for WANDERLUST.

WILD CARD By Lora Leigh
I've been such a fan for so long, but these SEAL books are same old same old. I can't say I'll never buy one again, but I'm quickly getting down to only wanting to read her breed series. C

NAUTI DREAMS by Lora Leigh
Disappointing 3rd installment about the "nauti boys". This is Natches story. C-

HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE by Nalini Singh
Well, I'm still loving this psy-changeling series. There so much potential for more books in this world. This installment is about sniper changeling Dorian Christensen and psy-scientist Ashay Aleine. As I mentioned in my blurb about WANDERLUST, Ms. Singh is so confident about her world that the layers and details are so good and enhance the story telling so much. I'm still eager to read the next installment. B

THE PRICE OF DESIRE by Jo Goodman
A good historical and another solid 'B' read. While the back blurb will tell you Olivia Cole has been promised by her "ne'er-do-well" brother as payment for a gambling debt that is about the only thing that is predictable about this story. This is a fresh telling of a familiar plot. Good characters, a story with depth that is told with compassion without being preachy or precious. If you are in the mood for a good historical. Pick up THE PRICE OF DESIRE.

So there it is August 2008. A few of these were released just Tuesday and I happened on them on Saturday so I got them read in August. Fortunately that means if you are interested you can find most of these books in your local bookstores right now.