It looks like since there are no new series starting up this week, I will be doing a reading roundup post instead. I thought that I had just done one, but it looks like it was quite a few books ago. I covered a bit of everything this time, it seems, since I am trying to switch around formats and genres so I get a bit of everything.
Beauty Dates the Beast – after finishing the epic Fever series, I wanted to grab something a little lighter. Loved Fever, but there was a lot going on. I hit Mount TBR, and came up with a new-to-me author that had been sitting on the shelf for quite a while – Jessica Sims. Cover was a bit cheesy, but it sounded like fun. Well, I was surprised by how much I got into this one. It was a fast, fun read, exactly what I needed, and when I finished I promptly ordered the rest of the series. I was very glad I finally broke down and read this one, and now looking very forward to seeing how the rest of this series goes.
Wolf With Benefits – Shelly Laurenston‘s Pride series is wild and crazy and fun. This one was a little different for me since I found myself getting more wrapped up in the story than I usually do. There was less slapstick comedy (although there was some, of course) and more plot than I usually find, and I liked it. Probably one of my favorites for this series so far. I do wonder who’s story is next, though…
Frost Burned – not much to say about this one. Patricia Briggs can always be counted on for a terrific story, and this one is no exception. I was surprised by two things, though – one was how much time Adam and Mercy spent apart, and two was how much I found myself gravitating towards Ben. Ben had been interesting in the previous books, but I have to say he grabbed my attention (and respect) in Frost Burned. Now I think he ranks up there with Samuel in characters that I really want to have get their own stories. The only thing I wish is that Bran had made an appearance, since things usually get very interesting when he shows up. You know those authors that you wish would write faster but the wait is worth it in the end? Patricia Briggs is one of those.
Clockwork Princess – Crap. Holy crap. Cassandra Clare‘s final Infernal Devices book was good. This series stands apart for me because it is the best written love triangle I have ever come across. I know some have the Team Will/Team Jem thing going on, but I went back and forth. Book one I was convinced it was Will that Tessa belonged with. Book two Jem stole both my heart and the spotlight. Book three was anyone’s game. There was no one more deserving, more likeable, or more worthy. I think what made the difference is that all three characters loved each other (of course, in different ways, but love is love). All three respected each other, and all three would sacrifice anything for the other two. I went into this one with a bit of dread, actually, since I couldn’t figure out how all three characters could be happy. Good thing Cassandra Clare could, because after some true tragedy the book gave me a better ending than I ever could have hoped for. But I dare anyone to not shed a tear when they read the epilogue. Dare you.
Twice Tempted – Ah, Vlad. I’ve been waiting for you. Book two of the three Jeaniene Frost plans to write about Vlad, Twice Tempted was a one evening read for me since I couldn’t put it down. Love the characters, the world, the whole works. And Leila stands out as a particular favorite of mine, and that is saying something since I usually don’t pay much attention to the heroines at all. She is gutsy, brave, and holds her own against Dracula. How many characters can say that. Finding out Vlad’s true feelings was even more dramatic than I had expected, and there is no way that I can wait for the as-yet unknown third book. No way.
Wild Invitation – Nalini Singh can do no wrong with me, as I have always said. This is no exception, since I loved a book I had already read half of. The two new novellas are great additions to the series, in different ways. I loved heading into the San Gabriel den for Declaration of Courtship, and this story introduced a ton of new SnowDancers. Cooper’s den was a nice change of pace, and got me hoping we get more into the other SnowDancer areas in the near future. What I enjoyed most about their story was the dramatic difference in Cooper and Grace’s dominance, and the inherent problems it caused. It was a great glimpse into something that has been touched on before (Indigo and Drew’s story, for example), and I found it very interesting. The other new story was Texture of Intimacy featuring Lara and Walker, and I enjoyed this one in a very different way. Walker was the one character that I never really got a feeling for before – but you definitely see the man behind the Silence in this one. He is more like Judd than I ever realized, and carried much more of a burden than I suspected. And as a bonus, there is a subtle focus on Aden and Alice, which got me hoping for a pairing for those two sometime in the near future. The Psy/Changeling world is my absolute favorite, and both of these stories added to that.
So, what about you? Did you read any of these? I have been on a run of great books lately which I am truly grateful for, so here’s hoping that continues. What have you read and loved lately?
