Sara Reyes | Where's Your Bookmark today?

February 7, 2009

I signed off with that last week and didn't get a whole ton of feedback, but ah well, it didn't stop me from reading more stuff. So, because I've got a full day including an 8am stop at Central Market Plano for their 'to-die-for' pancakes -- very very early on a Saturday -- I need to buckle down and write.

This week was filled with thrillers, weepers, and a little bit of historical romance.

First off...finally finished DARK OF NIGHT and was a bit disappointed in the quality of the book. I mean, seriously folks, it's a f@#ing hardcover and the pages are falling out with one read? And I am NOT a messy reader. No dog earing, no cracking of spines or folding of pages. Geez! That put me off greatly BTW. Even if I got it at Costco and not full retail, a hardcover with pages falling out! What has the world come to? Oh, and the book was good. I wasn't entirely happy with the reason for all the thrills and chills, but the ride was satisfying. Why did Nash go on all those 'covert missions'? I didn't buy the "money" angle. Ah well. Maybe there is something else down the road.

My next one was the [insert a bunch of raves here. then repeat, this one deserves a ton of raves] MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD by Kelley Armstrong. OMG. This is the compilation of four short stories Kelley's posted on her web site over the years. They're about Clayton and Jeremy. The back story so to speak! And for any fan of the "Otherworld" this is definitely required reading. And because I am special...I snatched it off the pile of books arriving for review...I'm going to treat myself to MADE TO BE BROKEN this weekend. Read and weep oh fellow KA fans.

Buy Your Copy today

Buy Your Copy today

Pre-order Your Copy today

Pre-order Your Copy today

Then I spent some time weeping, sigh, oh, yeah. Read all of the Robyn Carr Virgin Rivers books (series part two or books 4, 5, 6 and 7) in two days. I've gotten smarter when I read her, I just leave out the contact lens. It's much better than way. No nasty buildup from the extra salt in the tears. It's hard to believe she can be so consistently good. But on the other hand, thank goodness she is! I think my favorite is Paradise Valley. Although, I did enjoy the interplay between Shelby and Luke in Temptation Ridge. Then, of course, Second Chance Pass wasn't shabby either. Paul tried so HARD to be the best friend! And since I missed the Christmas story, I dove into it as well. A Virgin River Christmas was the most heart-warming story I've read since A Simple Gift. The thought of Marcie spending every thing she had to track down Ian. And then, Ian, well, he was just worth the cost after a bit of polishing. He did come through for Marcie in the end and that's what's important. Every time I read about the tree I just lost it. Sigh, All done now. I've got the contacts back in and no time for tears!

Then I finished off my week with back-to-back historicals: Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile A Beast and Mary Balogh's At Last Comes Love. Yes, yes, it isn't available until the end of April but you want a heads up, don't you? No, okay, then I'll just say it's prime Mary Balogh reading. Balogh's four tales of the Huxtable family follows a familiar path but she's able to keep the story unfolding at the right pace and with enough emotion to make it extremely satisfying! Do tell me though what you think of the first three in paperback at $6.99 and the concluding one in hardcover for $22?

Hoyt's story is the fourth in her Legend of the Four Soldiers series, a beauty and the beast tale. A great read, I highly recommend you pre-order of this one! And if you haven't read the first three, I say, WHY NOT? She has the sensuality and the historical period down pat. So, don't miss Jasper's story in To Seduce a Sinner, plus Samuel's story in To Taste Temptation, which starts the whole series. Then you'll be ready in May for To Beguile a Beast? which moves it along and provides a few more twists and turns...my favorite! And a wounded hero, delicious! And he's got a way with lemons as well. [we'll talk in May, remind me.]

So, now that you know what I've been reading, where is YOUR bookmark?

Get out there and READ a book...

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas in 2009!

Don't forget to click here to be entered in the weekend Fresh Fiction Give-Aways grab bag! You may win a "bundle" of books from Fresh Fiction! Contest ends February 8th!

Comments

11 comments posted.

Re: Sara Reyes | Where's Your Bookmark today?

Wow Sara -- you've been busy. Take the book back to Cosco and ask for a replacement -- or a refund because the book is falling apart.

I've just finished Breakneck by Erica Spindler -- excellent as usual. Kill for Me by Karen Rose -- excellent and dark and scarey! Night of the Loving Dead by Casey Daniels is a new to me series and author -- witty paranormal.

The best book I've read in ages is an April Mira by Marcia Preston -- When the Wind Comes Sweeping. It literally took my breath away.

Finished off the week with the first two in the new Balogh series, and Debbie Macomber's May Blossom Street.

My house is a mess, my cupboard is bare, and I'm about cross-eyed -- but I'm a happy camper! Got lots more good stuff to read next week. And just maybe, I'll find the time to write up some reviews ---
(Betty Cox 1:09pm February 7, 2009)

I finished Inkheart this week (I'm a
children's librarian). I was impressed
how rich the language is. Look
forward to reading the other two. I
just started Kim Lenox's "Night Falls
Darkly." First of hers I've read and am
finding it interesting. Have a long list
of must reads. Robyn Carr and Carla
Neggers have been on it for a while.
Have a feeling they will be someone I'll
have to tell my boss to put on the
shelves. I love introducing our patrons
to new authors. It is a small county
library and there are a lot of authors
for me to add. We have a lot of
suspense and romance lovers.
(Patricia Barraclough 1:09pm February 7, 2009)

My bookmark is so jealous that you read the next Carr books. Good thing I didn't know that this afternoon when I was visiting with
you! My bookmark is in The Private Concierge by Suzanne Forster, and it's really getting good!
(Sandi Shilhanek 8:03pm February 7, 2009)

Thanks to Betty Cox for that lovely remark about The Wind Comes Sweeping! (I'm the author.) My bookmark just emerged from Carolyn Wall's wonderful debut novel, Sweeping Up Glass. Beautifully written, with compelling characters and an important theme.
(Marcia Preston 7:29am February 8, 2009)

In case Marcia is still lurking around...loved The Butterfly House! I did it in audio and found myself sitting in my car after I arrived at my destinations.

Sara, The Forster book is out, and I'm going to try to make myself ignore the distractions of life and get it finished today. I just know I'm at a great part!
(Sandi Shilhanek 12:26pm February 8, 2009)

my bookmark is in Jordan Dane's NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM and listening to Lisa Jackson's LOST SOULS. I listened to SCARPETTA earlier this week and found it to be pretty good--much better than the last 6 or 8 LOL not sure what's next
(Barbs Ferris 12:39pm February 8, 2009)

I devoured the Virgin Books too - I read the first 3 as I knew the Christmas one was coming out soon and I was not disappointed - am so glad there will be several more. Have to get my hands on the lastest.

I am starting the lastest Catherine Anderson book, just finished The Girl Most likely by Susan Donovan - enjoyed it also.
(Pat Lieberman 12:54pm February 8, 2009)

I read a Virgin River Christmas yesterday and loved it. I could just hear Ian singing O Holy Night. Today my bookmark is going into Susan Crandall's new book Seeing Red. I have been waiting so long for this book.
(Judy Anderson 1:41pm February 8, 2009)

My bookmark is Talk of the Town by Karen Hawkins - I just started it and heard it is really good. And May I add that the Robyn Carr series that everyone is talking about is wonderful.
(Helen Livermore 2:16pm February 8, 2009)

Sara - You read some of my favorite authors this week! I read Trick my Truck by LuAnn McLane - very easy, fun, simple small town romance; Suspect by Jasmine Cresswell - good romantic suspense with a lead hero that is easy to dislike at first but he comes around; and Surrender a Dream by Jill Barnett - an historical romance set in late 1894 California with a wonderful battle between a small, fiesty stubborn heroine and a very tall, stubborn, "hurt in childhood" hero. Now beginning Jerusalem Vigil by Brodie & Brock Thoene - a novel about the drama that unfolds during the early days of the rebirth of Jerusalem in 1948. I am also listening to Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison - a paranormal/magic story and the first time I have read/listened to this author. About one fourth into this I am enjoying the story, the characters and the audible (narrator).
(Martha Eskuchen 5:48pm February 8, 2009)

First of all, you must have a faulty book of Dark of Night, because my book didn't do any of the falling apart. Of course, I got mine from Suzanne's virtual signing. And did you read the same book I did? It doesn't say anything about Nash going on "covert missions" for money - it was because the Agency or someone pretending to be the Agency was blackmailing him. Did you read Into The Fire? Between the two books, you get that he knew they were trying to kill him and he was afraid they would go thru those closest to him to get to him.
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:33pm February 9, 2009)

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