My Best Books of 2012

Here is a list of my favorite books that I read this year.

Lothaire by Kresley Cole (adult paranormal romance)

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons (young adult dysoptian)

Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian (adult paranormal romance)

Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann (adult paranormal romance)

Lover Reborn by JR Ward (adult paranormal romance)

Brotherband Chronicles 2 and 3 by John Flanagan (juvenile fiction)

Summer Days, Summer Nights, All Summer Long, and A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery 

            (contemporary romance)

Lethal Rider and Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione (adult paranormal romance)

Hidden Summit, Sunrise Point, Redwood Bend, and My Kind of Christmas by Robin Carr  

          (contemporary romance)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (young adult dystopian)

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini (young adult paranormal romance)

Big Sky Country, Big Sky Mountain, and Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller (contemporary romance)

Nora Roberts' Inn Innsboro series (contemporary romance)

Nevermore by James Patterson (young adult sci/fi )

Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (young adult paranormal romance)

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood (adult romantic suspence)

Rift by Andrea Cremer (young adult paranormal/historical)

Legacy of Trill : Soulbound by Heather Brewer (young adult paranormal)

Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (juvenile fantasy)

Dark Star by Beth Frenetti (young adult paranormal)

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy by GA Aiken (adult paranormal romance)

Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole (adult paranormal romance)

Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks (adult paranormal romance)

Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal romance)

Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day (adult paranormal romance)

Lost Prince by Julie Kawaga (young adult paranormal)

Angelfall by Susan Ee (young adult paranormal)

Okay So there is alot more but these are just the ones I wanted to promote a little bit! Thanks and have a Happy New Year!

Book Reviews.. help?

So everyone knows I'm not really good at the book review thing. I want to tell people if a book is good and to go read it! And to let people know whats up and coming.   I was wondering, would anyone like to write up a book review on something they have read recently? I could publish it here, with credit for you on it. Just remember, this is supposed to be a family friendly page so no detailed gory or sexual scenes. Please email me at bookwyrm81@gmail.com if you would like to help out! There are some genres  I don't read alot of (historical, mystery, science fiction, thriller, horror) that I am sure people would love to see something about. Anyways, just let me know, and thanks! :)

Merry Belated Christmas!

I hope everyone had a good (or at least didn't kill anyone) Christmas (or Yule or Hanukkah or other holiday you may celebrate)!.  I traveled and came home and am now currently reading my rear off!  What have I read recently, lets see...

Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller... I never have anything bad to say about LLM books. They are always such great stories! They have good characters, nice setting (love those cowboys!), and are just a nice sit down read.  I hope to see more from Parable, Montana :).

Dog in the Dark by Barb & JC Hendee... This is a fantasy series about vampires in medieval setting.  It starting with Dhampir years ago, and I think this is number 10.  I loved the first six.. the next three were kind of.. meh.. this one I liked. We finally hear some of what Mageire and Leesil were doing during the first two books.  I don't read a ton of strictly fantasy, but I really enjoy this series.

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. A friend of mine has been trying to get me to read these for years. I've read paranormal romance since 2001 and never picked this series up. Slave to Sensation is the first in the series and I did enjoy it. I'm currently reading book two and have three and four with me as well.

Come Fly With Me by Addison Fox. This is book two in her Alaskan Nights series. If you like Robyn Carr or Susan Mallery, this is a great series to try. Its just good reading!

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy by GA Aiken.. This is book six in the Dragon Kin series. Its a dragon shapeshifter romance series in a medievil type fantasy setting. These books are absolutely hilarious. There is romance and war and siblings fighting. I laugh so much when I read these books. I really wish she could do more than one a year!

Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks.. Another book in the Love at Stake series.. This one was about Howard the Bear.. a bear shapeshifter of course.. I really like her bringing in some Swedish mythology in this one, it was an interesting twist.. For some reason, Howard is not someone I thought about when I was waiting for a new book, but I loved this book!

Reached by Allie Condie.. this is a young adult dystopian novel, third in a trilogy. I loved the first book, the second book was very slow going, but I did enjoy the third book, and I liked the ending. If you liked Hunger Games, this is a good series to try.

Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole.. This is a new book in the Immortals After Dark series, focusing on the Dacians, the race of vampires we met in Lothaire.  Again, I really enjoyed this book.  Y'all know I don't like to tell you what books are about because its just as easy to go online to Amazon or Barnes and Noble or even the authors website to see that. I really just prefer to tell y'all if its good or not, and I rarely post stuff I didn't like, lol.

That's all for now, I will post more hopefully within the week ! :) I have the next week off of work so should be able to get lots and lots of reading done!

The Window Seat on a Rainy Day

The Window Seat on a Rainy Day

I have to agree with their sentiment.. Less than 100 days til Lover at Last!! I'm absolutely stoked!

Quinn & Alaric.. at last! Alyssa Day finally gives us the story we have been waiting for!

I, as have millions others, have been eagerly awaiting Alyssa Day's book about Alaric and Quinn. We first met these two characters in the first book in the series Atlantis Rising back in 2007. It has been a long wait, but it was worth it. I've never been great at writing book reviews. It's easier to just say, hey I liked this book because.. So, I will go with that. I liked this book because.. It's about freaking time. Alaric and Quinn have had enough sexual tension to blow the roof off a skyscraper for five years, and I am happy that they finally got their story. The addition of Ptolemy, who calls himself the true king of Atlantis, and his obsession with Quinn because she is a strong, warrior-like female was kind of funny, especially when he took her to his dimension. I laughed alot at that part of the book. I got a little tired of Quinn constantly being kidnapped and Alaric's overbearing attitude (kind of reminded me a bit of Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey) . However, overall, I really liked this book and I demand a book for Jack! Thanks for your time and have a great day!

Linda Howard & Linda Jones rock it in new title Running Wild

I have been a huge fan of the Linda's for many years, and this book was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed Carlin's smart ass attitude along with Zeke's gruff manner. Carlin is running from a stalker who killed a friend of hers thinking that it was Carlin because she was wearing Carlin's coat.  She falls off the grid, running, working under the table jobs to be able to move around. She ends up in Battle Ridge, makes friends all while using an alias. Her relationship with Zeke is at times hilarious and at times painful to see because she was so scared of the stalker that she couldn't commit to staying to see where their relationship could go. Anyways, I thought this book was awesome and I can't wait for another one!

I'm sorry that I'm not much better with reviews. I just want to let people know that its an awesome book and that they should read it, I have a hard time writing why! lol

Ione Creates Magic!

So I just finished Larissa Ione's newest installment in the Lords of Deliverance series, Rogue Rider.  I don't think I have words to explain how tickled pink I am with it.  Pestilence is corralled and Reseph's memory is wiped clean and he's thrown into the human world. No memory of himself, no memory of what he has done as Pestilence.  He meets Jillian, a woman who has hidden herself away in the middle of nowhere after a horrific demon attack.  If Reseph remembers who he was, will Jillian be able to overlook his past?

I loved it. Absolutely loved this book. I finished it in just a few hours, because I wasn't able to put it down.  I encourage everyone to read this book. And if you haven't read her books yet, go all the way back to the beginning and start from there, with the first Demonica book. The characters reoccur all through both series, so you have to start at the very beginning! 

Everyone knows I'm not that great of a reviewer, you can see what the book is about on amazon or barnes and noble, or the authors website, which incidently Ione's website is http://larissaione.com/blog/ and you can also catch her on Facebook. She is an awesome status updater! I met Larissa Ione in Chicago at the RT Big Book Fair. She is an amazingly nice person, and I love her purple hair! 

Well, that's all I have. Thanks for reading and come back soon :)

The Window Seat on a Rainy Day: Larissa Ione - Immortal Rider

The Window Seat on a Rainy Day: Larissa Ione - Immortal Rider: I don't know if this series just happened to scratch an itch I had or if it is as good as I think, but I just really enjoyed reading it. ...

Iron Prince: Call of the Forgotten Book 1 by Julie Kagawa

From Shelfari.com

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday

*So, Julie Kagawa is one of my all time favorite young adult authors. Her original Iron Fey series was.. amazing.  I use that word a lot, don't I? I can't help it. I rarely blog about books that I didn't like. Once in awhile I do, but not often. Call of the Forgotten is the first book in a spin off series that follows the Iron Fey series. Iron Prince follows Megan's little brother Ethan, who if you remember was kidnapped in the first Iron Fey book. He is now a teenager, sees the Fey all the time, and is extremely paranoid (within reason!).  So, make sure you read this series from the beginning with The Iron King, don't pick this one up and expect to know what is going on. Just warning ya. Thanks for stopping by!

Dark Star by Beth Frenette (Young Adult)

From Amazon.com

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it’s hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she’s lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human—something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile. 

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn’t fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers—livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape.  And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person’s memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers’ next move. But Leon, her mother’s bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won’t let Audrey out of his sight. 

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything—and everyone—she loves.

*I love, love, loved this book. I loved the superhero aspect of Audrey's mom, along with learning that they are actually fighting Harrowers (demons) and not criminals. Is there going to be more?! There has to be, I need to hear more about Audrey and Leon and their budding relationship. Thank you, Miss Frenetti for a wonderful read!

My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr

From Amazon.com:

The Riordan brothers may have a reputation for being rough-and-tumble, but Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. These days, his easygoing manner is being tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot. But for the Riordan brothers, when the going gets tough…the tough find the love of a good woman.

Except the woman who has caught Patrick's attention is Jack Sheridan's very attractive niece.

Angie LeCroix comes to Virgin River to spend Christmas relaxing, away from her well-intentioned but hovering mother. Yet instead of freedom, she gets Jack Sheridan. If her uncle had his way, she'd never go out again. And certainly not with rugged, handsome Patrick Riordan. But Angie has her own idea of the kind of Christmas she wants—and the kind of man!

Patrick and Angie thought they wanted to be left alone this Christmas—until they meet each other. Then they want to be left alone together. But the Sheridan and Riordan families have different plans for Patrick and Angie—and for Christmas, Virgin River-style!

*So, I have made it well known that I absolutely adore Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. I  have purchased the last several (and usually donate it to the library because of a long waiting list. I can't seem to stop telling people about these books!).  Carr has outdone herself again with another wonderful book.  I am happy to see all of the Riordan brothers again, along with meeting more of Jack's family (which we really have not been introduced to much).  I thought this book was excellent, and I am in dire need of another Virgin River book already!

Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank

From Shelfari.com:

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers

*Jacquelyn Frank is one of my favorite authors. The Nightwalkers series is extremely well done adult paranormal romance. I am not so sure about the Bodywalkers. Forbidden is the first installment in this part of the series. Bodywalkers are ancient Egyptians who reincarnate and .. mind meld with people. I kind of prefer the demons, vampires, and shape shifters of previous books.  I did enjoy this one, and am anxious to read the next book, out in March 2013.

The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima

From Shelfari.com

A thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed— Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea, Queen of the Fells, to a life without love.

Now, once again, the queendom of the Fells seems likely to shatter apart. For young queen Raisa ana’Marianna, maintaining peace even within her own castle walls is nearly impossible. Tension between wizards and Clan has reached a fevered pitch. With surrounding kingdoms seeking to prey on the Fells’ inner turmoil, Raisa’s best hope is to unite her people against a common enemy. But that enemy might be the person with whom she’s falling in love.

Navigating the cutthroat world of blueblood politics has never been more dangerous, and former streetlord Han Alister seems to inspire hostility among Clan and wizards alike. His only ally is the queen, and despite the perils involved, Han finds it impossible to ignore his feelings for Raisa. Before long, Han finds himself in possession of a secret believed to be lost to history, a discovery powerful enough to unite the people of the Fells. But will the secret die with him before he can use it?

A simple, devastating truth concealed by a thousand-year-old lie at last comes to light in this stunning conclusion to the Seven Realms series.

This is the fourth and final volume in the Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima. I must say, I love this author. Her other series, the Heir trilogy, was also really good. The Seven Realms series, I think, is really good if, say, you liked Harry Potter. It's not really for younger kids, but like age fourteen and up. I won't go into big long detail as this is the 4th book in a series, but I really enjoyed it.

Poison Princess Book One of the Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole

So, I love Kresley Cole. She is one of my absolute favorite adult paranormal romance authors. When I learned she was coming out with a young adult novel, I was so excited! I couldn't wait to read it. The library's distributor was being a little bit slow, so I splurged and purchased the book (the library copy still hasn't come so I donated it!).

I enjoyed it. I can't say its my favorite book, but I enjoyed it. Everyone knows I don't like to talk about the book itself, so here is the description of it from Amazon.com:

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

I wish Cole had delved a little more deeply into the Tarot Card aspect of the book. I am still a little confused as to how that works. I also wasn't fond of the way the book was written, sort of a flashback. Evie starts out going to this house and being drugged by this weird kid and she tells her story. We hear about Evie's life before "the Flash" and after.  A couple times it flashes to the future as she tells her story to this weird kid. I wish she had just written the novel, and then let that part happen at the end. I think that is my only complaint about the book. I really did like the main story, about Evie and her visions and learning she can grow and control plants.  I like Jack's character alot as well. 

So, go ahead and read it, because I think the series is going to be a good one! Thanks for stopping in!
Next up: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence (Young Adult Dystopian novel)

Awesome Contest @ Shiloh Walker

Shiloh Walker is running an amazing contest, I encourage everyone to join in (and give me any books they may win!)

<http://www.shilohwalker.com/website/stolen/stolen-blog-tour></http:>

I have read... Summer 2012

I am so far behind, but here I am to tell you what I have read recently and liked or did not like.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips- Great Escape.. Well, another author I met in Chicago.. She was also extremely nice and open. I love her books, and have been reading them for.. oh six or seven years I think.  I don't like to say that I didn't like a book.. sometimes I skip talking about them so I don't have to say anything negative. I will just say that for some reason, I could not get into this book. I made it about 75 pages and gave up.. I promise, though, to try again in a couple of months. Maybe it was just my mood at the time that kept me from liking it. I will try again! <3

Tera Lynn Childs- Just For Fins.. I think it took me about two hours to read this book, its a young adult book and a nice, light little mermaid book. and its funny.  I absolutely adore this series (I'm currently waiting for the slow distributor the library has to send her new book Sweet Shadows. GR! I hate waiting!).

Andrea Cremer- Rift.. When I first found out that she was starting a new, prequel, series to the Nightshade series.. I was extremely upset. She left Bloodrose with such a cliff hanger! Ah, I cannot tell you how angry I was. So I sat down to read Rift .. took me a week or two or three to pick it up.. I did not want her to write this book, I wanted more of Calla.. BUT, yes there is a but here.. I LOVED Rift. I couldn't put the book down, and I'm so excited that there will be another one in January. Loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it.. you get the picture... :)

Sylvia Day- Bared to You.. So I read this because it was on a list of "If you liked 50 Shades of Grey then try this".. Well, I kind of wish I hadn't. It was, pretty much, the same fricking story, except that the main female character has a little more experience with life than Ana, the grammar and writing were a whole lot better, and it was easier to get my hands on to read it than 50 Shades. I'm not positive I will read the next one when it comes out in October.

Pittacus Lore-Rise of Nine.. Im going to do a separate post about this, I have to think long and hard before I go into this one.

Julie Garwood- Sweet Talk.. Loved it, just as I love all of her other books!! Good romantic suspense, but I wish she had gone into more depth about Olivia's illness!

Kay Hooper- Haven.. FINALLY! I have been waiting.. what two years? for a new book in the Bishop/Special Crimes FBI series. I love this series.. For those of you who don't know.. its about a FBI unit comprised of psychics.. It is a great mystery series. I really did enjoy this one, but the end ticked me off so bad!!

David Rosenfelt- another mystery author, wow yes I do read something besides romance! I really like Rosenfelt's books.. He has the Andy Carpenter series and some stand alones, and I don't think I have read one I did not like. Leader of the Pack is the newest in the Carpenter series, and it is really good, with a very surprising ending!

I am currently reading a book called Angelfall by Susan Ee.. It has this whole weird Angels came down and wreak havoc on the Earth thing going on.. It is young adult and kind of has the same dark feel as the Hunger Games does. I'm actually enjoying it, and I'm almost done with it.

Young Adult Fall 2012

I forgot to list my Young Adult selections for this fall!! Okay, so another post is definitely in order.

First off.... Cinda Williams Chima- Crimson Crown. This is a really great fantasy series. I have liked them since the first one came out.. this is.. what four? five? in the series.. Anyways, I love this series and I also like her Heir trilogy as well.

John Flanagan- Brotherband Chronicles: Hunters.. I have mentioned before how much I love this author, and this series (this is book three in the BC) that is a spin off series to the Rangers Apprentice, which I can talk about all day long but I wont because I have before. I can simply say.. Read them. Please.

Julie Kagawa- Lost Prince.. Once again, too many good things to say. I loved the Iron Fey series and I'm really glad that Meghan's little brother is slightly grown up and getting his own book now!

Heather Brewer- Slayer Chronicles: Second Chance.. Okay so I may have mentioned in the past how much I loved the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod.. This is a spin off series that actually takes place before the Vlad books. They are more appropriate for the younger part of the young adult fan base than say.. Twilight.. but they are also told from the point of view of a teenage boy, which doesn't happen very often in YA fiction. Anyways, they rock.

Allie Condie- Reached.. third and final book in the Matched series.. Have to say, I have not finished Crossed yet.. Matched I thought was amazing, but I cannot get into Crossed.. I will prevail and finish it before Reached comes out, just because I have to see how it ends!

Some new ones that I don't know anything about but sound pretty good:
Theo Lawrence- Mystic City
Ingrid Paulson- Valkyrie Rising
Morgan Rhodes- Falling Kingdoms
Alexandra Bracken- Darkest Minds

What I am looking forward to, 2012, Part 2

Next up!

Kresley cole- Shadow's Claim.. Well, I love Cole's Immortals series. The last book, Lothaire, was not the best book in the series but I still enjoyed it, and I loved that she set the stage for this new series with the new vampires, keeping with the same original story line. I am very excited to read this new one!

Alyssa Day- Heart of Atlantis... I love Alyssa Day.. I really do.. but the way the publishing dates keep changing drives me nuts! It is so hard to wait a year or more for the next book in the series when they change the release date from June to December.. And of course this is the ultimate book in the series.. Alaric and Quinn FINALLY get their book! Do I really have to wait.. Wonder how I could get an ARC of this.. Oh Ms Day.. I love you with all my heart and soul and totally in a non stalker type of way....!

Linda Lael Miller- Big Sky River.. all I gotta say is.. This better be Boone and Tara's book. I just finished the second book the other day.. I love these cowboy books! I rate them right up there with Susan Mallery and Robyn Carr.

Pamela Palmer- Love Untamed.. this is another author I met in Chicago and thought she was really nice!! She gave me a shot glass, which is still unused because I like to look at it, lol! I'm very excited for the next book in the Feral Warriors series. This is a shape shifter series, and they are amazing.

There are other books set to come out soon, but these are the ones that are on my "Read As Soon As They Come In" List.  So, what have I missed that y'all think I should read ?

What I'm looking forward to, Fall 2012 Part 1

There are so very many awesome authors coming out with new books this fall, I have no idea how I will read them all.. But I will do my best! Very sorry for not keeping the blog up to date, my father was in the hospital for several weeks and we have been trying to get him comfortable at home. So, on to my list of new stuff that is coming out!

Sharon Sala- Don't Cry For Me.. I am not really a huge fan of Sala's earlier books, however the last several have been amazing. They are a romantic suspense, coming out in trilogies.. This is book two in this set. I loved the first one.

Susan Mallery- Fools Gold Christmas... So much like Robyn Carr's Virgin River series, the Fools Gold series follows one particular town and its people. They are great, easy reads. In the trying times I have had lately, authors like Mallery and Carr help me to keep my mind from going completely berserk!

Deborah Cooke- Ember's Kiss...Her Dragonfire series is one of my absolute favorites.. Dragon shapeshifters.. I absolutely love dragons! She also has a spin off series for young adults that I have been thoroughly enjoying as well!

Jacquelyn Frank- Forbidden.. Oh the Nightwalkers series, I do not have enough good things to say about this series.. Frank is also an awesome person as well.. I follow her on her facebook page.. She rescues little kitties (sometimes dropped off at her door!) and feeds them and loves them. Her books, also, are awesome. I can't say I was a huge fan of the Shadowdwellers series. She also had a stand alone called "Drink of Me" that I REALLY liked and would love to see another.

Robyn Car- My Kind of Christmas.. all I can say is.. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY A new Virgin River book!! I'm tickled pink and absolutely cannot wait for this!! I also love that she puts out 3 to 4 books per year, so there is no awful one year waiting period. I think EVERYONE should read her books, and I suggest her books to patrons daily at the library!

Christine Feehan- Dark Storm.. Okay, so I am sick and tired of waiting for Skyler's book. I have been reading the Dark series for over 10 years. If she can jump 25 years between book one and book three, there is absolutely no reason that we have had to wait TEN years for Skyler's book.. Which is STILL not coming out this year. I am about done reading her books. I already gave up on the Ghostwalkers series. -sigh- FRUSTRATING!

Nora Roberts- Perfect Hope.. Woohoo Inn Innsboro book three.. I loved the first one, adored the second one, and am on pins and needles waiting for the third one!

Larissa Ione- Rogue Rider.. oh the thinks I can think.. I met Ione in Chicago at the RT book fair back in April, and I have to say.. I think she is as awesome as her books are! She was extremely friendly and open. Her books are awesome.. Starting with the Demonica series and moving into the Four Horseman .. I just can't say enough good things about these!

Okay, I think I have to start a new post.. this one is getting long!

If you like Robyn Carr, try..

Robyn Carr writes contemporary romance, but don't be fooled, her sex scenes can be descriptive, but the stories are amazing. So, what else to read?

Susan Mallery... she has several different series, the latest of which is the Fool's Gold series.

Toni Blake- Destiny Falls series

Susan Elizabeth Phillips.. several stand alones along with the Chicago Stars/Bonner brothers series. Alot of these focus around football, which I love, and they are really good.

Deirdre Martin- New York Blades series.. another sports themed series. This time its hockey. I cannot stand hockey, but this series is really good.

Nora Roberts- she writes a little bit of everything.

Linda Lael Miller- contemporary romance, mostly about cowboys, woohoo!!

Catherine Anderson- Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan series.. another series about cowboys.. This one can sometimes drive me crazy, because there is always something wrong with the woman.. Blind, paralyzed, abused.. But always the woman! Otherwise, they are really good.

Sharon Sala- she has a couple of trilogies that I really like, and they have more mystery in them than the list above, but still totally worth a read!

Emily March- Eternity Springs series. The only issue I have with this series is that they use the word "God" too much.. most people that read these type of romances don't usually mind though. Very good series!

UPDATE 12/29/12
Addison Fox.. Alaskan Nights series.. There are two books so far in this series and they are awesome!

If you like J.R. Ward, you can try...

JR Ward writes paranormal romance, so this is a list of paranormal authors.. vampires, witches, shapeshifters.. Oh my!

Jacquelyn Frank- Nightwalker series
Pamela Palmer- Feral Warriors series
Jennifer Ashley- Shifters series
Lara Adrian- Midnight Breed series
Kresley Cole- Immortals After Dark series
Deborah Cooke- Dragonfire series
Thea Harrison -Elder Races series
G.A. Aiken- Dragon kin series
Larissa Ione- Demonica and subsequent Four Horsemen series
Alyssa Day- Warriors of Poseidon series
Gena Showalter- Lords of the Underworld series
Lynsay Sands- Argeneau series
Jeaniene Frost- Night Huntress series
Shannon Butcher - Sentinals series
Nalini Singh- Guild Hunter series
Rachel Vincent- Shifters series
Sherrilyn Kenyon- League series (And Dark Hunters but they haven't been very good lately)
Jenna Black- Nikki Glass series
Patricia Briggs- Mercy Thompson series and Alpha and Omega series
Suzanne Brockmann- Born to Darkness (single title so far, not yet a series)

50 Shades of Grey.. NOT for the faint at heart (or anyone under the age of 18!)

So, the big thing now is 50 Shades of Gray by EL James.. Its all over the bestseller lists, all over the newspapers and talk shows.. So, as I was chilling in my hotel room back in April after visiting ComicCon and the RT convention, I sat and read this book.  It was so peaceful.. no kids.. no work.. just sitting back with my feet propped up reading a book. And... WOW.  So, my boss at work describes this book as Harlequin romance meets sex.  I can agree with that. The book is told from Ana's point of view, the fresh out of college virgin.  And the "hero" of the book is Christian Gray.. Extremely Hot Billionaire who is totally into BDSM.  This book is every girl's dream but totally NOT going to happen.  James' writing is not extremely professional, she can't bring herself to use correct terms for private body parts, and if I had to hear Ana talk about her Inner Goddess one more time, I probably would have reached into the book and smacked her.

My other issue is Christian. His overcontrolling nature drove me nuts! Now, after some research I understand that, the Dom in a BDSM relationship is expected to be overly controlling. Yet, outside of the "Red Room of Pain) he was STILL over controlling, jealous, and in the end it was annoying as heck! I had to do alot of google searching while reading this book.. There were several things mentioned that I had no clue what it was. Course, when I got the answer, I flushed 50 shades of red! Holy Cow! You can do that!?

So after all of that, I have to say. I love these books..  There are three, the second being 50 Shades Darker and third 50 Shades Freed.  Everyone wants to read the first book because its #1 on the Bestseller lists, but these books are not for everyone. My heart stops every time an older person checks this book out. I try to warn them.. I really do.. I'm afraid that one of these times, someone will have a heart attack. The basic story is good, but there is ALOT of explicit sex in these books. (Just so you know, I've read them like four times now... but everyone knows I read kinky romance novels anyways). These books are Erotica, its a genre. This genre's sales have jumped 26% in the last few years. Wow, the world, how it is a-changing.

 I love 50 Shades. Don't care what anyone says! The writing style sucks, the characters don't really mesh, but I love them anyways.  Alright, Im out. Have a great day!

April Reads

Brotherband Chronicles: Invaders- (juvenile fiction) Okay I have to push this one. Yes, its juvenile fiction, but it so amazing. It is a second series by Flanagan, the first of which was the Ranger's Apprentice series. It is set in the same world, with a couple of the old characters showing their faces in this one.  It is a made up world (which you will very much liken to Vikings and other Old English history).  The Ranger's Apprentice is about  a boy named Will, who is apprenticed to Halt, a Ranger. Rangers are like a spy network, and these books are so action packed that I cannot put them down when I read them.  The Brotherband Chronicles are the same way. Invaders is book two of this series.  So, yeah, thats all I have to say, they are awesome.

Born of Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon- I am not a fan of science fiction, but I love this series.  Its romance, certainly, set on another planet, with people traveling by space ship, but Kenyon manages to keep all that stuff in the background and focus on the romance. For me, I just picture it as fantasy and am able to read them.  I have been really disappointed in the Dark Hunters series the last couple of years, so having this to kind of take their place is awesome.

Cast in Shadow by Michele Sagara- fantasy, okay so I don't really know what to say about this book.  I really liked it, but even after reading and re-reading parts, I don't think I could tell you what the book is actually about. Going to try book 2.

Dark Descendant by Jenna Black- urban fantasy, so I picked this book up when I met the author in Chicago. Its an adult book, and I had never read adult books by this author, but I love her Fairiewalker young adult series.  This was really good! And I have an autographed copy, woot!! I am reading the second book now.

Lover Reborn by JR Ward.. paranormal romance.. what can I say.. I love JR Ward,. She was in Chicago but I did not get to meet her, and I sob loudly every day because of it. This is the latest in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which YES you have to read in order or you will be totally LOST.. and its about Tohr.. -sigh- Tohr.. LOVED IT!! That is all.

Heart of a Killer by David Rosenfelt- mystery.. Aha! Something NOT romance!! Yes, its a mystery! And his books are so good. I have yet to meet a book by this author that I do not like.  First off, he has the Andy Carpenter series, which the next book comes out in July and I am ever so excited for it!.  Andy Carpenter is a lawyer, who came into some money, and his books have alot about dogs in them. They rock, they are kind of like John Grisham with a bit of humor and dogs in them.  He also has several stand alone novels, like this one, and they are all really good too!

Okay, thats all for now!

Recently Read.. May 2012

Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich- sequel to Wicked Appetite.. gotta love Diesel! I've got about 40 pages left and I am really liking it.

Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller- seriously, cannot go wrong with modern cowboy romance. I haven't met a book of hers recently that I haven't liked.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini.. OMG.. sequel to Starcrossed.. these books are amazing. Young Adult romance meets Greek mythology and reincarnated Helen of Troy and crew trying to kill each other .. -sigh-

Insurgent by Veronica Roth- sequel to Divergent.. Young Adult Dystopian (if you liked Hunger Games...) Really good, slower moving than the first book, but still really liked.

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris- newest Sookie Stackhouse book.. NOT worth my time. I didn't even get halfway through this book before I gave up.

Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands- another Argeneau book, took me longer to get through this one that it normally does.

Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr- contemporary romance, I absolutely adore the Virgin River series and have nothing bad to say about them.. And there are close to 20 of them now!

Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione- third book in the 4 Horseman series (paranormal romance), subseries to the Demonica series.. Once again, not a bad thing to say about this series. AND I met Ione in Chicago in April, and she is reallllllllllllly nice!

A Blood Seduction by Pamela Palmer-(paranormal romance) another author I met in Chicago, and she's really amazing as well, and normally I love her books, but this is a new series, and I have to say.. not my favorite. I haven't been able to tell her yet :(

The Witness by Nora Roberts (romantic suspense)- I loved this book. Lately her romantic mysteries have been kind of so-so, but this one was really good, although the end was slightly thrown together.

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts (contemporary romance)- sequel to The Next Always, the Inn Innsoboro series.. I loved this book. I totally laughed out loud while sitting in my car at my son's baseball practice and got weird looks from people because I was laughing so much! Can't wait til November for the next one!

Summer Days by Susan Mallery- Fool's Gold series.. (contemporary romance).. sooo good. Just a nice light read, good if you don't want to involve thinking on a hot summer day.

If you liked Maximum Ride, try...

These titles are more for the age twelve and up range, with a few that are okay for slightly younger readers..

Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson (juvenile section)
Starcatchers by Dave Barry (juvenile section)
Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer (juvenile section)
Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima (teen section, personal fave!)
Heir trilogy by Cinda Williams Chima (teen section)
Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke (juvenile section)
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (juvenile section, personal fave!)
Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan (juvenile section, personal fave!)
Pillage series by Oberon Skye (juvenile section)
Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins (yes the lady who wrote "The Hunger Games"!, juvenile
section)
Keys to the Kingdom  series by Garth Nix
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman (teen section)
Stormbreaker series by Anthony Horowitz (teen section)
Bartimaeus series by Jonathan Stroud (juvenile section)
Virals series by Kathy Reichs (juvenile section)

Recently Read March 2012

Sorry been awhile hasnt it! So recently I read:

Dying Wish by Shannon Butcher.. awesome

Celebrity in Death by JD Robb- another awesome

Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon.. never really liked this series but interested to see how it will impact her adult Dark Hunter series in the future.

The Gathering by Kelley Armstong- pretty good new YA series by this author.

Ashes by Ilsa Beck- Really creepy cannibal teenagers type of book.. If you liked Hunger Games, give it a whirl. I did like it. Anxious for another one!

Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins- loved it

Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr- totally amazing series that absolutely everyone should read! Yes, its romance, but its so nice to see how the people from the previous books are still integral characters in the new ones.

Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann- a whole new world for Brockmann with her Super hero type characters.. kind of gritty compared to her other books but I really really enjoyed it!

Fair Game by Patrcicia Briggs- omg I had to read the ending 3 times because I loved it so much!

Thats all for now.. coming soon.. Lover Reborn by JR Ward review.. expecting book on my porch tomorrow morning YAAAAAAAAAAAY and also Hallowed by Cynthia Hand.. sequel to Unearthly.. YA angel stuff but really liking it, about halfway done with it.

Coming this year and OMG CANT WAIT!!!!

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini- sequel to Starcrossed.. out in May.. YAY~

Insurgent by Veronica Roth, sequel to Divergent, out in May.. YAY!

Nevermore by James Patterson, final book in Maximum Ride series -sobbing- out in April

Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore, third book in the Lorein Legacies (I Am Number Four, which was a major motion picture which was followed by Power of Six, not a movie .. yet).

Robyn Carr- Redwood Bend out in Feb YAAAAAAAY, also one scheduled for release in April!

Haven by Kay Hooper, I have been waitin for a Bishop/Special Crimes book for like 2 years, this is an awesome mystery series.. the FBI Agents are psychics of some sort. Its GREAT!

Nora Roberts- Last Boyfriend, book too in the Innsboro series, book 1 was Next Always. These are another really sweet great romance series!

OHOHOH JR Ward's Lover Reborn. OMG the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.. its a lil darker than some of the vampire romance I read.. some bdsm and things goin on, but its not too extreme.. CANT WAIT!! for this sucker.. Tohr's mate was killed in one of the earlier books, now he gets a new one. -happy dance-

Brotherband Chronicles: : Invaders by John Flanagan.. this is a really great series of books for 8-12 year olds.. Is lots of action and no lovey dovey stuff really.. It started with the Rangers Apprentice, which I am obsessed with.. BC are set in the same world but have new characters.. LOVE THEM!! They are action packed, stuff constantly goin on.. Really interesting

Other new ones coming soon, you can contact me for details about them if you like.. Susan Mallery, Kerrelyn Sparks, Kresley Cole, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Charlaine Harris, Lynsay Sands, Suzanne Brockmann, Larissa Ione -OMG YAY!, Pamela Palmer, Rachel Hawkins, Cassandra Clare, Gena Showalter, Richelle Mead.. I can go on forever.

P.S. These are a combination of young adult and adult authors, if you want details please email me, Im a know it all. I can also help with fantasy and mystery selections :) Have a great evening!

What I want to Read RIGHT NOW

So I have things on my shelf to read, all of them very awesome authors, so I thought that, since I get all the great stuff FIRST, I would share with you what I have so you know its available.

David Rosenfelt: Heart of a Killer- a GREAT mystery author. Yes I read mysteries!

Truth by Julie Karr- Young Adult, dystopian, book 2.. Book 1 is XVI.. its about in the future, how girls, at age 16, are forced to take on the XVI tattoo and they are proclaimed fair game for any male wanting them. JERKS. Anyways, Its good.

Laurie DeSilverio- Swift Edge, book 2, book one was Swift Justice.. These are very Janet Evanovich like. They ROCK.

Thea Harrison, Elder races series.. Book 1 was really good.

Kathy Reichs: Seizure. This is book two, coming after Virals, of a young adult series that is about some kids who are exposed to parvo virus and have some werewolf tendences (no shapeshifter so far, just extra abilities like heightened senses) The main character is the Great Grand neice of the main character in Reichs bestselling Bones novels (which you may see on TV!).

Julie Cross- Tempest; something new for me to try.. time travel romance, its young adult.

So, there ya go, try something new!

New Young Adult Paranormal STUFF

Witches, Shapeshifters, Vampires, Mermaids, Mythology.. I got it allllllll..

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini- Greek Mythology.. amazing!

Divergent by Veronica Roth- Dystopian (If you liked Hunger Games try..) AWESOME!

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons- new Dystopian novel, I really enjoyed it

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer Nightshade #3, this was supposed to be a finally but it was left WIDE FREAKING OPEN

Winging It by Deborah Cooke- kind of neat spin off into YA from an adult series she writes.

Tera Lynn Childs- Sweet Venom Medusa series #1 , fun greek mythology stuff. She also has a Greek Mythology OMGS series that are alot of fun, and I adore her mermaid series.. Forgive My fins was book 1.  They are fun and stuff.

Kelley Armstrong: The Calling.. this was a kind of neat new shapeshifter book.. #2 is soon to come

CC Hunter- Born at Midnight.. a neat new series about vampires, shapeshifters, angels, all kinds of fairty tale creatures that go to a summer camp.. to learn about each other and how to deal with their special powers. I like them.. Two in print and a third to come soon.

Robyn Carr Read Alikes

So, over the last couple of years I became addicted to Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. I've told tons of people about them, and gotten them hooked. The Virgin River is a series centered around this tiny little town in California called Virgin River.. I was totally hooked from the first book titled "Virgin River".  The characters all are reoccurring, but each book focuses on one couple.  Mrs Carr is soooo nice that she also releases 3 to 4 books Every Single Year. Its awesome not to have to wait a whole year or more for a new book! And I enjoy them all.

So, I recently went searching for some "Read Alikes". Similar writing style, or similar story. These are what I have come up with.

Emily March- Eternity Springs series. Its another series that centers on one lil town, this one in Colorado I think, with the same reoccurring characters.  My only issue, they say the word "God" more often than I like, but I do not consider this a Christian Fiction.. There are some pretty detailed sex scenes. All in all, a GREAT series. Book 1 is Angel's Rest

Toni Blake- Destiny Series- Book one is One Reckless Summer. Once again, it focuses on a small town in Ohio,  with reoccurring characters. Very much enjoyed these.

Jill Gregory- Lonesome Way series, hehe again.. small town, this time in Montana.. Woot!! Cowboys ladies! Anyways, Im actually only about halfway through book 1: Sage Creek, but Im enjoying it so much I added it to this list.

Also on my TO READ list that I found were similar to Virgin River are : Christina Skye's "A Home by the Sea"   and Bella Riley's " Home Sweet Home" which is titled a Emerald Lake Novel. They are both first in series I believe, along with the Jill Gregory.

Don't forget Linda Lael Miller's McKettricks series (I hear theres a new cowboy series starting as well!) and Catherine Anderson's Kendrick/Harrigan series. Those are also great.

I'm also a fan of Susan Mallery, Deirdre Martin.... the list goes on an on.. But here's a few for y'all to start with.

Warning, these ARE romance novels, they DO have happy ever afters, and they DO have graphic sex scenes, but we aren't talking BDSM or anything. They are feel good stories. Wonder what I come up with next?

One For The Money Movie

After many years of waiting, Janet Evanovich's book One For the Money is finally hitting the Big Screen on Friday, January 27, 2012!

Are you Team Morelli or Team Ranger?  Join us for some fun filled trivia games, a Lula Look-A-Like contest, plus more fun and prizes! Lemodate and donut treats!

Where? Marshalltown Public Library on Thursday, Jan 26 at 6:00pm in Community Meeting Room A. 

Movie Quote:

Stephanie- They blew up our car!
Morelli- Excuse me, whose car?
Stephanie- Your car, do you want it back?