March 2009 Reading List

Overall March was an interesting reading month. I'm closer to my usual number of books with 13. I like to be in the 15 to 20 book range just to keep my reading on pace with my purchasing. Even with my reading miasma late in the month I still feel good about my March reads. Plus I had a strong finish with Lisa Kleypas' SMOOTH TALKIN' STRANGER. If you haven't read it yet, you should. It's just a very satisfying and fulfilling read. I'm so glad I bought it.

Gobsmacked by LB Gregg

I reviewed this and loved it. I can't wait for the next Smithfield book, HAPPY ENDINGS to come out later this month (April) at Aspen Mountain Press. Yes, that was a shameless plug for these books, because, I really like 'em. I really do.

My Grade = B+

Cry for Passion by Robin Schone

A great turn of the century awakening-to-passion story. Told in Ms. Schone's graphic, unapologetic, and honest manner. She's been hit or miss in recent releases, but I liked this one.
My Grade = B

Give Me a Cowboy - Anthology (Jodi Thomas, Dewanna Pace, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda)

I bought this one totally for Ms. Thomas, but figured it was a good way to give the other authors of the anthology a try. Ms. Thomas' book lacked the reality and honesty she usually brings to a story and I was a bit disappointed. I tried to read Ms. Pace's story and couldn't get into it. I read most of Ms. Broday's which was loosely tied to Ms. Miranda's but alas stopped due to lack of interest.
My Grade = C (for Ms. Thomas' story only)

The Outsider by Penelope Williamson
Loved this gritty, multi-layered western. I reviewed this one too.
My Grade = A-

Maverick by Lora Leigh

Note how I'm reading a new LL every month? This one was actually a bit better with a less angsty hero and a much more interesting plot. Ms. Leigh still relies on some of her usual standbys like 'she was his soul'. Why are they ALWAYS the hero's soul? Or, maybe the better question is why does she create a great characters and revert to the same language and rhythm? Both heros and heroines seem and sound the same. It's a shame because she creates characters like Michah Sloane that have so much potential.

My Grade = C

Two Texas Hearts by Jodi Thomas

This was my TBR Challenge read and review. I guess I can't go a month without a Jodi Thomas fix either.

My Grade = C

to good to be true by Kristan Higgins

Grace Emerson makes up a boyfriend to save face and avoid nosy questions when her ex-fiance ends up engaged to her beloved younger sister. Reading the blurb I didn't know how you could pull a story like that off without it being off the chart ridiculous or implausible. Ms. Higgins does a credible job. I do wish it had more 'real' conversations between Grace and her hunky ex-con neighbor Callahan O'Shea.
My Grade = B

Parting Gifts by Lorraine Heath

This was my Re-Read Challenge book. You can see what I thought about this classic eighties western here.
My Grade = B-

Dead Right by Cate Noble

It's amazing how much I liked this book when it's told in flashbacks and the H/H don't end up together in real time until two-thirds of the way through it. While I thought it tied things up too fast and too pat at the end, the redemption was a little too quick for me, this was a strong story and characters. I'll be looking for the next book in the series.

My Grade = B

Tangled Lies by Anne Stuart

This is a reprint in Harlequin's 'Famous Firsts' series. I hadn't read TANGLED LIES before and despite its late 80s release date I think it held up pretty well. A wealthy heiress travels to Hawaii to see her long lost brother... or is he? How do you go from believing someone is your brother to lovers? See how she pulls it off. Good book. Easy read.

My Grade = B-/C+

Taken by Anya Bast

From Samhain a futuristic menage. I'm wondering why I keep trying to read these (menage stories)? This was a disappointment and I have read some of Ms. Bast's books I enjoyed, like her recently released THE CHOSEN. Unfortunately, this one wasn't one of them.

My Grade = D

Lord of Sin by Madeline Hunter

When I lamented recently I didn't know which book to read, Kristie suggested I pick up the one that 'called' to me. This was it. It fit the bill and enjoyed the characters quite a bit. I'm anxious to dig out the other Madeline Hunter books in my tbr.

My Grade = B

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

What can you say when a book delivers exactly the way you want it to? A very good and satisfying read. This won't change the world, but fans of Ms. Kleypas won't be disappointed either. It's also a chance to really appreciate an independent middle son, Jack Travis. What a great character! I think I fell a little in love with him myself.

My Grade = B+