Books read in August 2008

1. Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 1 of a trilogy. Book 2 is Sweet Spot. Book 3 is Sweet Trouble.)
2. Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 2 of a trilogy. Book 1 is Sweet Talk. Book 3 is Sweet Trouble.)
3. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. (Note: This is the series of books on which the Showtime series Dexter is based. Book 2 is Dearly Devoted Dexter. Book 3 is Dexter in the Dark.)
4. One Moonlit Night by Samantha James.
5. Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann.
6. 5th Horseman by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the fifth book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
7. Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davdison. (Note: This is book 6. Book 1 is Undead and Unwed. Book 2 is Undead and Unemployed. Book 3 is Undead and Unappreciated. Book 4 is Undead and Unreturnable. Book 5 is Undead and Unpopular. Book 7 is Undead and Unworthy.)
8. Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs.

I didn't think I was going to read many books this month. I had a slow start. However, it turned out well. I really like Susan Mallery's series and can't wait for the final book. The Dexter book was very similar to the series which surprised me. I haven't decided if I'm going to stick with the series or not. For series that are over 10 books, like Suzanne Brockmann's book, I did not list all of the books. Last book of note was Just Breathe which was really good. It may be one of my favorites of hers.

Books read in July 2008

1. That Summer Place by Jill Barnett, Susan Wiggs, and Debbie Macomber. . (NOTE: This is an anthology featuring the short stories Old Things, Island Time, and Private Paradise.)
2. True Colors by Kristin Hannah. (NOTE: This book will not be released until February 2009.)
3. Trusting Ryan by Tara Taylor Quinn. (NOTE: This is Book 2 of 2. Book 1 is Sara’s Son).
4. 4th of July by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the fourth book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
5. No Regrets by Shannon K. Butcher. (NOTE: This is Book 1 of 3. Book 2 is No Control. Book 3 is No Escape which will be released at the end of September).
6. No Control by Shannon K. Butcher. (NOTE: Book 1 is No Regrets Book 3 is No Escape which will be released at the end of September).
7. His Wicked Ways by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is Book 1 of 2. Book 2 is His Wicked Promise).
8. His Wicked Promise by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is Book 2 of 2. Book 1 is His Wicked Ways).
9. Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis. (NOTE: This is Book 1. Book 2 is Flashback).
10. My Immortal by Erin McCarthy. (NOTE: This is Book 1. Book 2 is Fallen Book 3 is The Taking which is upcoming with no release date as of yet).

It was a good month. I was thrilled to have been able to read True Colors. I really enjoyed it. There will be more on that when I read the final book in February. That Summer Place was a reread. It was recently rereleased. It is one of my all-time favorite anthologies. Really, it was a good, solid month of enjoyable reads. So good, in fact, that I’m having trouble getting into any books now!

Books read in May 2008

1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Twilight series. Book 2 is New Moon. Book 3 is Eclipse. Book 4 is Breaking Dawn.)
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Twilight series. Book 1 is Twilight. Book 3 is Eclipse. Book 4 is Breaking Dawn.)
3. The Hollow by Nora Roberts. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Sign of Seven trilogy. Book 1 is Blood Brothers. Book 3 is The Pagan Stone.)
4. Just a Taste by Deirdre Martin. (NOTE: This is the seventh book in the NY Blades series. The Book 1 is Body Check. Book 2 is Fair Play. Book 3 is Total Rush. Book 4 is The Penalty Box. Book 5 is Hot Ticket. Book 6 is Chasing Stanley. Book 8 is Power Play.)
5. 3rd Degree by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
6. The Perfect Bride by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the first of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 2 is The Perfect Groom. Book 3 is The Perfect Hero.)
7. The Perfect Groom by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the second of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 1 is The Perfect Bride. Book 3 is The Perfect Hero.)
8. The Perfect Hero by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the third of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 1 is The Perfect Bride. Book 2 is The Perfect Groom.)
9. Passion by Lisa Valdez.
10. Dear Santa by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 2 is Yours, Mine… Ours?. Book 3 is Baby, I’m Yours.)
11. Yours, Mine… Ours? by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 1 is Dear Santa. Book 3 is Baby, I’m Yours.)
12. Baby, I’m Yours by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 1 is Dear Santa. Book 2 is Yours, Mine… Ours?.)
13. The Seduction of an Unknown Lady by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is second of a series about the McBride siblings. Book 1 is The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell. Book 3 is Bride of a Wicked Scotman – due out in 2009.)

I am thrilled that I was able to read so much this month. Granted, most of the books were quick reads. Also, I had the flu for what seemed like forever. I don’t think Twilight lived up to its hype, but I still want to finish the series and see the movie this December. I was shocked at a plot development in 3rd Degree and even though the series is very different from the tv show, I liked both and am glad I can continue on with the books even if the show was cancelled. Last, but not least, Samantha James is a new author to me. She mentions that she is a fan of the tortured hero on her website which must be why I enjoy her books. They’re enjoyable if not a little predictable. Still, they make me happy and that’s really the only requirement I have.

Books read in April 2008

1. 2nd Chance by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
2. Pride and Pregnancy by Karen Templeton.
3. High Stakes by Erin McCarthy. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Vegas Vampire series. Book 2 is Bit the Jackpot. Book 3 is Bled Dry. Book 4 is Sucker Bet.
4. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.

First, I’m really enjoying James Patterson’s series. The books are quick reads and fun. The mysteries aren’t super easy to figure out, but the plots aren’t too heavy either. There’s a lot of action. Second, I generally enjoy Karen Templeton’s books and picked up a bunch of her Silhouette titles. They’re good reads in between single-title books. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like these because I haven’t read one of hers in years and sometimes my reading tastes change or an author’s style changes, but it’s like hanging out with an old friend. You kind of fall back into grace with them. Pride & Pregnancy was a lot of fun to read, and I can’t wait to read the others I picked up. Last, though there were flaws in Jodi Picoult’s Change of Heart, it did get me thinking which isn’t always a bad thing. Plus, there were some really well done moments in the book. I thought I’d finish one more before the end of the month, but it didn’t happen. Somehow, I ended up on a huge vampire kick lately. I can’t say I’m into the genre or any one book in particular, but it’s interesting to see different author’s interpretation of the species and myth.

Books read in March 2008

1. Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb.
2. 1st to Die by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 2 is Second Chance. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
3. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Sign of Seven trilogy. Book 2 is The Hollow. Book 3 is The Pagan Stone.)
4. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster. (NOTE: This is the third book in the SBC Fighters series. Book 1 is Causing Havoc. Book 2 is Simon Says.)

I had a good reading month. It was very bloodthirsty. Between J.D. Robb’s futuristic murder mystery and James Patterson’s serial killer, the body count was high. There was some mention of violence in the Nora Roberts book, but I think the real violence will come in the later books in the trilogy. Blood Brothers was an introductory book. I liked all of the characters and can’t wait for the rest of the installments. Hard to Handle was my light romance for the month. It’s fun and quick.