What are you reading?

November is not shaping up to be a very productive reading month. Sure I've read a few books, but I'm in the mood for something to REALLY engross me. Something that takes a lot of concentration and focus that engages me completely. I've been sort of hoping that the ARC I won of Megan Hart's next book TEMPTED would get here.

I recently agreed to take delivery of two books by Georgette Heyer COTILLION and AN INFAMOUS ARMY from Sourcebooks. All they asked is that I mention that Ms. Heyer's books were being re-released and maybe do a review when I read one (or both) of them. Since I do like to read English historicals and I've also been wanting to try Ms. Heyer I was happy to get the books for free and mention the re-release of the books. Of course, I noted that the two books I got are not the ones that made the new AAR 100, but what the heck. Like I said, I've been wanting to try out Ms. Heyer and this is my chance. So I guess it's official. I got free books, I pimp their publication and now I'm a full fledged book whore. Anybody feel free to step in and refute my logic. Seriously. Anybody. Really.

All of which has nothing to do with why I'm having a slow reading month. Want to read but don't know what to read. You know like having a food craving but not knowing what you want to eat exactly? Sometimes you get lucky and try something way off the radar and get *ahhhhh* satisfied. That's sort of what I'm hoping will happen with my reading. I'm going to browse through my stash and find something off my current radar and get my craving taken care of. Western? Contemporary? Suspense? Erotic? Sweet? Inspirational?

I had lunch with Super Librarian Wendy yesterday. She whet my appetite for westerns by giving me a great synopsis for THE HORSEMAN by Jillian Hart. I also picked up the new Charlene Sands HH BODINE'S BOUNTY. God knows what will end up in my hot little hands.

Currently I'm struggling through HOLY SMOKES by Katie MacAlister. I've enjoyed this particular series about the adventures of Guardian (not angel) Aisling Grey in the supernatural, paranormal realm. The first couple of books were great. Unfortunately, the last couple have strayed far from the central romance and are involved in the politics and power plays of dragon septs, demons, heaven and hell and well...I've lost interest. The book's not bad, it's *big yawn* boring. I'm sooo disappointed too because I sure liked the first few books. They were funny and entertaining and I'm not one who's particularly enamored of comedy in my romance. I like dark and angsty. But I did enjoy these.

So, I'm muddling along. Distracted by life, work and the upcoming holidays and looking for something to read. What about you. C'mon take a second and comment. What are you reading right now? You might suggest something that will satisfy my craving. You never know... Help a friend out.

Cold as Ice by Anne Stuart

COLD AS ICE by Anne Stuart






Thanks to Cindy noting on her blog that this book was out earlier than it's October 24th street date. I sweet talked TGILW into stopping by the bookstore on his way home on Sunday to see if it was in for me. He found it and brought it home.

I was reading the last in the the Heart series by Robin D. Owens HEART QUEST on Sunday and really, really, really wanted to put it aside to pick up the Anne Stuart, but I was interested enough in the Heart book that I finished it on Sunday night knowing that I'd be home all day Monday doing laundry and cooking for the natives preparing for our Monday TV night of Heros and Studio 60.

Quick aside here, does anybody else think they have more commercials in Heroes than any other TV show recently? It seems like there is a commercial every other minute! I was a little disappointed the story didn't progress much this week, but there was lots of good content anyway.

Back to the subject of the book. So my niece came over Monday morning and interrupted the reading before it really got started, but I was undaunted. By mid-day I was into the book. With normal interruptions for regular life and Monday night TV I was able to finish it around midnight.

Whew! I don't know where to start. I was sort of breathless during parts of this book. Peter Madsen is a very dark hero. Mailynn had a post yesterday where she discussed the flap about Anne Stuart's characters in her last two books. Mailynn noted that spies do what they have to do to get the job done. That is their job. I would agree. Nothing in COLD AS ICE makes Peter a less attractive hero to me as a reader and certainly not to Genevieve. I think most of the uproar, if there really is one, is that telling the reader exactly what some of the bad things Peter has done are outside the realm of the traditional hero. The admission of killing women, or sex with both men and women would tend to turn the average romance reader from having any sort of sympathy or interest in a hero. Those sorts of unpalatable acts are only alluded to in a vague way in other spy type romances by using a single phrase like "I do what it takes to get the job done." Ms. Stuart is much more direct and explicit. We are clear that this is not a nice guy and he has done some very bad and ugly things.

None of which deterred me. I simply didn't want to put the book down. I kept wanting more, more, more. While I can recommend the book heartily especially to Anne Stuart fans, I don't feel like I got enough reason why Genevieve fell for Peter. Which is why I was turning pages frantically and re-reading their dialogue and almost humming more, more, more under my breath. To me, Ms. Stuart gave us plenty to work with for Peter's feelings toward Genevieve, but under the dire circumstances Genevieve finds herself in, less so her motivation for caring about Peter.

I get the sex part...I do. Being terrified can heighten sexual awareness. Peter certainly has experience using it and manipulates it to his advantage. So while I get not resisting the sexual temptation and attraction, I wasn't sure why she would fall in love with Peter? Is it her background? Those early days of idealism and being a do-gooder? Really good sex?

For me the plot and the bad guys were a necessity for our H/H to meet but superfluous to my need to know more about Peter and Genevieve. I was captivated by them as a couple and their individual stories. Of course they needed the plot to give them a reason to come together, but the dynamics between them were much more interesting than the background story of the Rule of Seven terror campaign planned by bad guy Harry Van Dorn.

I'm anxious to see other reader reaction to see if anyone else can be more articulate about these two characters and this story. According to Ms. Stuart's interview at AAR (thanks for the link Renee) there are two more books planned in this series, one due in April 2007 and one in November 2007. Both characters for these future books appear in COLD AS ICE. I'm sufficiently engaged in her characters from this world and intrigued enough that I'll be racing to the bookstore to buy them when they are released.

INTO THE STORM by Suzanne Brockmann

I'm talking about books for the first time in a long time! The book I want to talk about is INTO THE STORM by Suzanne Brockmann. Now I probably wouldn't even have mentioned this book on the blog except that I had read a review of it at AAR . I didn't realize when I started this review I would end up writing a sort of rebuttal of the AAR review, but I found myself doing so because it has been along time since I found myself having such a completely different reading experience than a reviewer.

I admit I'm a fan of Ms. Brockmann. While I have been disappointed by some of my auto-buy authors not delivering the goods (IMO) in hardcover release, she hasn't been one of them. I decided to take a chance on the book. Having been a military brat I've found Ms. Brockmann's books to capture, if not all the reality of life in the military, at least the spirit of that life as I experienced it as a daughter of an Air Force fighter pilot. Regardless of the branch of service, the life of military families nuturing and supporting each other regardless of the diversity in culture, education, religion, socio-economic background etc. is very real. One makes friendships that would probably not be made in any other circumstance. This is even truer for the men and women who are comrades in arms. Both of these realities are integral elements of Ms. Brockmann's books and ones I identify with alot.

I have to say was surprised when I read the AAR review. However, now having read the book I understand better some of Ms. Coleman's criticisms, but disagree with her overall assessment of INTO THE STORM. Ms. Coleman does make some valid points about the language used by the characters, i.e. "prolly". I'm not a big fan of e-euphemisms either, however, it doesn't occur through the whole book and it didn't take me out of the story. At any rate, I thought it was age appropriate to the characters.

Which brings me to my biggest difference of opinion of the book with Ms. Coleman, and that is her opinion that Ms. Brockmann is targeting a younger audience. I am 51 years old and I was engaged in the book from the beginning. I didn't feel put off by the characters ages, actions or speech at all. In fact, I don't really see a twenty-something being as interested in the story as I was...I could be wrong about that, but I don't think so.

Here is the blurb about the book from Amazon:

In a remote, frozen corner of New Hampshire, a Navy SEAL team and the elite security experts of Troubleshooters, Incorporated are going head-to-head as fierce but friendly rivals in a raid-and-rescue training exercise. Despite the frigid winter temperatures, tension smolders between veteran SEAL Petty Officer Mark “Jenk” Jenkins and former cop turned Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine after an impulsive night goes awry. And then, suddenly, Tracy Shapiro, the Troubleshooters’ new receptionist, vanishes while playing the role of hostage during a mock rescue operation.

Teaming up with the FBI to launch a manhunt in the treacherous wilderness, Jenk and Lindsey must put aside their feelings as a record snowstorm approaches, dramatically reducing any hope of finding Tracy alive. The trail is colder than the biting New England climate until a lucky break leads to a horrifying discovery–a brutally murdered young woman wearing the jacket Tracy wore when she disappeared. Suddenly there is a chilling certainty that Tracy has fallen prey to a serial killer–one who knows the backwoods terrain and who doesn’t play by the rules of engagement.

In a race against time, a raging blizzard, and a cunning opponent, Jenk and Lindsey are put to the ultimate test. Rising everything, they must finally come together in a desperate attempt to save Tracy–and each other.

Jenk has been in other SEAL books of Brockmann's and I have to admit he wasn't someone whose story I was burning to have told. For one thing Mark Jenkins is hardly the average alpha stud usually described in romance novels. In fact, as the book begins he's pretty stupidly focused on a old crush. Weirdly, this was something I identified with--his reluctance to give up on his idealized fantasy relationship. Not that I wanted the crush relationship to be "the one". It was more like, "Hey, sh*t happens". We don't all fall for the right person first time out of the gate.

Lindsey is flawed also. I liked this character alot. There are more people like Jenk and Lindsey in the world than the sort of perfection we usually read about in romance novels. The characters are engaging, flaws and all and I think accessible and easy to identify with for most readers. It was no hardship to follow them through their trials and tribulations to HEA.

The AAR review also noted a sad lack of secondary characters for the reader to care about. I disagree here too. Brockmann does well layering in secondary characters in several books before their own stories are told. I found several characters I would be interested in hearing more about like: Irving Zanella, Dave Malkoff, Decker and Sophia to name a few.

My sister, who is a huge Brockmann fan, was anxious to find out how I liked the book after we had discussed the AAR review. This is what I told her, "Is it her (Brockmann's) best book? No. Is it her worst book? No. It's stardard Brockmann fare."
Good writers can't write an exceptional book every time, but I think it is reasonable to expect a good read from a good writer. For me, I got what I was looking for. One could say that the books I've read recently might have been just too light weight when compared to the writing chops of Ms. Brockmann and perhaps that's the reason why I liked the book...something a little meatier to sink my teeth into. Or, one could say, Suzanne Brockmann wrote a good book.

Top 100 Romances

I saw this list first on Rosario's site (Aug 14, 2006, post) then on KarenS and Let's Gab sites the last couple of days. It was originated by AAR in 2004.

I was curious to check out how many of the books I had read especially since I've started a reading list in July of this year. I've been reading romances for 20 years so as you can imagine, I haven't kept all the books I've read, but was curious to see if I could remember them just by title and author.

At first glance there was 60 I knew for sure I'd read, then I actually starting verifying the list against books I still own. Many of these books are on my keeper shelves. Anyway I was able to verify a few more. There were still a few I wasn't sure about but felt I had read them since I'd purchased many of that particular author's books in the past.

In my list I've highlighted the books I can verify I've read, (because I still have them) in BOLD (64); books in my TBR in red (2), and those I think I've read in blue (7).

That covers 73 of the books on this list. Wow!! I was sort of surprised I had read that many. This was fun because just looking at the titles and remembering the books was nostalgic and a trip down memory lane. It made me anxious to give a couple of them a re-read. I'm wondering why I can't remember about the Brockway books because I used to read all her books and I can't remember which ones I've read or why I quit reading her books. I was (am) a huge Regency fan and wonder why I've never tried Carla Kelly. All food for thought and some good reading.

1. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (just ordered it)
2. Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
4. As You Desire by Connie Brockway
5. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
6. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
7. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
8. Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
9. All Through the Night by Connie Brockway
10. Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
11. It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
12. A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
13. Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
14. The Proposition by Judith Ivory
15. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
16. Ravished by Amanda Quick
17. Frederica by Georgette Heyer
18. Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly
19. MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard
20. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
21. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
22. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
23. The Bride by Julie Garwood
24. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
25. To Have and to Hold by Patricia Gaffney
26. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
27. Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth
28. Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann
29. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
30. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
31. My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway
32. In the Midnight Rain by Barbara Samuel
33. The Windflower by Laura London
34. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
35. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
36. Nobody's Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
37. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
38. Paradise by Judith McNaught
39. The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
40. Dream Man by Linda Howard
41. Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann
42. Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney
43. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
44. Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney
45. Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney
46. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
47. Heart Throb by Suzanne Brockmann
48. For My Lady's Heart by Laura Kinsale
49. Honor's Splendor by Julie Garwood
50. Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh
51. Untie my Heart by Judith Ivory
52. Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
53. The Secret by Julie Garwood
54. This is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland
55. Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
56. One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
57. To Love and to Cherish by Patricia Gaffney
58. Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
59. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
60. Venetia by Georgette Heyer
61. Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant
62. The Prize by Julie Garwood
63. Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly
64. Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann
65. The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh
66. Heartless by Mary Balogh
67. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
68. Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory
69. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas
70. The Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer
71. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
72. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegar
73. With This Ring by Carla Kelly
74. The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood
75. The Rake by Mary Jo Putney
76. Fallen from Grace by Laura Leone
77. Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath
78. Castles by Julie Garwood
79. One Good Turn by Carla Kelly
80. Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts (been in my TBR forever)
81. By Arrangement by Madeline Hunter
82. Perfect by Judith McNaught
83. My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
84. The Defiant Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
85. The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
86. Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
87. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
88. Kill and Tell by Linda Howard
89. After the Night by Linda Howard
90. More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
91. Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
92. Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase
93. The Charm School by Susan Wiggs
94. Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott
95. How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn
96. Angel Rogue by Mary Jo Putney
97. Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
98. Dancing on the Wind by Mary Jo Putney
99. Once and Always by Judith McNaught
100. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Hmmmm...was it something I said?

It never fails to fascinate me how people come to visit my page. I don't get a lot of visitors, but I sure get an interesting and wide variety of guests. Some of the searches that bring people to my site...unbelievable, I'm telling you!! Especially when I go to check the sites out and the page is written in Felipino or German, or French. I've had all three. Imagine my frustration trying to figure out why they came a-calling. Oy! I get alot of very religious visitors as well. Now there's a head scratcher for sure. Why would a nun visit my site? I like erotic romance novels and one never knows when I'm going to let the profanity fly. Aside from berating the Catholic church, I don't remember being particularly spiritual or "holy" in any of my posts.

Naturally, I was ready to pop the champagne when I had 23 new callers today. I love company. I DID blog about that once...I think. Well I'm pretty sure. Anyway...like any red-blooded nosey person, I had to check out who these people were and where they came from. Just call me Gladys Kravitz. If you don't get the reference, then I'm older than I thought. But I digress. Again! When I checked out where the newbies came from I found that most of them came from KarenS page. Based on that little tidbit I have a couple of theories about why I got so much attention.

On Monday KarenS posted that she had written an article for All About Romance titled 'To Blazes with RITA' which makes reference to the RITA awards given out by RWA. If you are interested use my link in this post to Karen's site and she has the links to the articles and message boards there.

Anyway, I read the article and commented and Karen emailed and asked me to post my comment at AAR board because mostly authors were posting and she thought it would be good to get some reader feed back. Like the good little Karen groupie I am (she has LEGIONS of groupies...trust me) I dutifully posted at AAR boards. I haven't checked to see if anyone commented on what I said. I'll be brave and go check that out when I finish here.

So, I don't know if that is what has brought so many people to my site; or, if it was Karen's post a few days earlier commenting on my new page design and telling people to go check it out.

In either case, I got company, which as I said before, I really like and is really cool. So, whoever you are and for whatever the reason, thanks for stopping by!