Monthly Reads: October 2009

Posted November 4, 2009 by Holly in Features | 41 Comments

Holly:

October was kind of a strange month for me reading-wise. I had a lot of things going on in my personal life and I think my reading reflects that. Despite my desire to read, I only managed to squeeze in 12 books this month, and 9 of them were re-reads. Still, I’m not complaining. All things considered, 12 is a good number….

Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) 4.75/5
Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) 4/5
Three Nights by Debra Mullins (re-read) 3.5/5
A Courtesan’s Scandal by Julia London 3.5-3.75/5
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) 5/5
Heart Fate by Robin D. Owens (re-read) 4.5/5
Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas 3.75/5
Heart Change by Robin D. Owens 3.75/5
Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) 5/5 (That’s really Lori’s review, but I’m linking to it b/c she said everything I wanted to)
Beginnings by Judith Duncan 2/5
Once Upon a Wedding by Stacy Connelly 3/5
And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke (re-read) 4/5

My favorite reads were the Lisa Kleypas re-reads I did, namely Worth Any Price, Because You’re Mine and Devil In Winter, though all of them are awesome. My least favorite read was Beginnings by Judith Duncan (which I hope to review at some point). It’s an old school Harlequin SuperRomance I picked up at the UBS on a whim. It was definitely Old Skool (the hero bordered on abusive while the heroine bowed and scraped before him), though the entertainment factor was huge.

I’m going to giveaway two books this month. The first is Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas. Despite my love of all things Nick Gentry and Sebastian St. Vincent, I think Logan Scott is entirely underrated and needs some love.

The second is A Courtesan’s Scandal by Julia London. I’m really conflicted about it (as my review reflects) and I wonder if I’m the only one.

Casee:

October was a pathetic reading month for me. I wasn’t in a slump, I just couldn’t be bothered to read. I blame it partially on Supernatural. I watched Seasons 1-4 in about three weeks. That definitely took a chunk out of my reading time. The total number of books I read for October was a whopping 13.

Feel the Heat by Cindy Gerard (4.25/5)
Holding Out For a Hero by HelenKay Dimon (4.25/5)
Drawn in Blood by Andrea Kane (4/5)
Love You to Death by Shannon K. Butcher (4.25/5)
Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas (4/5)
Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas (4/5)
Covet by J.R. Ward (3.5/5)
Tie Me Down by Tracy Wolff (3.75/5)
The Perfect Murder by Brenda Novak (4/5)
Riptide by Margaret Carroll (2/5)
Captive of Sin by Anna Campbell (4/5)
Skin Game by Ava Gray (4.25/5)

The best of these books was Skin Game and Love You to Death. I’m going to give a copy of Skin Game away.

Rowena:

My turn! I think I had a pretty good reading month in October. There were a few books that I was anxiously awaiting and got to read so I was really happy about that. Here’s my list:

Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas (4.75 out of 5)
Secrets of a Summer’s Night by Lisa Kleypas (4.5 out of 5)
He’s No Prince Charming by LuAnn McLane (3.75 out of 5)
Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas (4.25 out of 5)
The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens (4.5 out of 5)
One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown (4 out of 5)
The Most Wicked of Sins by Kathryn Caskie (4 out of 5)
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts (4.75 out of 5)
Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas (4.75 out of 5)
Waking Evil by Kylie Brant (DNFinish yet)
What the Duke Desires by Jenna Petersen (4.5 out of 5)

My favorite reads of the month were all of my Lisa Kleypas re-reads and Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts.

We’re giving away:

A Courtesan’s Scandal by Julia London
Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Skin Game by Ava Gray

If you want to be entered to win, leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite – and least favorite – reads of the month were. Also, be sure to tell us what book you’re interested in reading. You can put your name in for more than one book, but you’ll only be allowed to win one, so choose wisely. Contest will end .

So…what was your favorite read of the month? And your least favorite?


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41 responses to “Monthly Reads: October 2009

  1. QLady48

    Wow, you ladies did some reading last month!!! I also read a lot less reading in October, not sure why though. During the holidays I read very little, and only holiday books. So hard to pick fav and least fav, I usually pick only sure winners. Least fav would be Tails of Love, only because I thought the stories were too short. Fav would prob be the last 2 Bullet Catchers from R. St Claire. Thanks, Sue

  2. QLady48

    Ok, forgot to put what book I want to win!! Can I have one of each?? No, ok, I would like Bed of Roses, 2nd choice Skin Game. Thanks, Sue

  3. M.

    Well, you all out-read me, and you’ll certainly do it again in November as it’s NaNoWriMo time.

    Last month the story I enjoyed the most was ‘Silent in the Sanctuary’ by Deanna Raybourn. How I love Lady Julia and Brisbane. The book I enjoyed least (thought maybe it’s unfair to say that since it was a DNF and it might have improved later) was ‘Kiss of a Dark Moon’ by Sharie Kohler. I think this was probably due to poor subgenre fit: I’m not a lycan person. Other readers may enjoy the story much more.

    you know, I’ve never read a Nora Roberts. The back list is so gargantuan I’m intimidated.

  4. I would kill (okay, not quite–maim is a better word) to get my hands on Skin Game!

    My favorite read was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. So excited to read the next, just have to stretch my book budget to get it. Least favorite was Warrior by Cheryl Brooks. Actually, the whole series hasn’t been working for me. I like the heroes more or less, but find the heroines to be very weak.

  5. I out read you ladies this month! I might have even read more than all of you combined! My favorite reads of October were, Tempt Me By Twilight by Lisa Kleypas, According to Jane by Marilyn Brant, The Love of Her Life, Going Home, and A Hopeless Romantic, all by Harriet Evans. My least favorite is the Lords of Satys series by Elizabeth Amber.

    Please enter me for Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas. Thanks!

  6. maered

    I had a pretty good reading month. Read Smooth Talking Strangers and Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas. Loved them both, despite the different writing styles.

    And reread Psy/Changling books in anticipation for latest release. *sigh* I love this series.

    Also read a dud – Nine Lives by Sharon Sala. Could have been better.

    Could I be entered for Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts and Skin Games by Ava Grey, please? Thanks!!

  7. My favorite read of the month is Heartsick by Chelsea Cain, which I discover through Katie’s reviews and recommend. THANK YOU! Although I only managed to read two books in October, sad…I know *grin*

    I would love to win a copy of Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas. I never read books by this author before and would like to give her a try, since i heard good thing about her books. I do however have Tempt Me At Twilight in my TBR pile. And that is the only book 🙂

  8. I have read 20 books in Oct. I’ve lately been reading Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series. Your blog turned me on to Kleypas. Thank you. I thoroughly love her books.
    I would like you to enter me in line to win Lisa Kleypas’s book. Any book she’s written, is one I want to read. I’ve copied your November list and plan to read the ones I have not already read.
    Thanks again for your great blog.

  9. Kim

    My least favorite read of the month was a Harlequin entitled, Magnates’s Make-Believe Mistress. I enjoyed LK’s Tempt Me at Twilight.

    I’d like to win Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts or Because You’re Mine.

  10. What a great month it was !! For me too 😉
    Favorite read : Bed of Roses, 5 stars
    Least favorite read : Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist

    My pick for this month’s contest : A courtesan’s Scandal.

    Thank you Ladies !!

  11. Favorite read: Scandal by Carolyn Jewel

    Least Favorite: Tempted by His Kiss – Tracey Anne Warren

    My pick for contest: Bed of Roses. Am dying to read this and there are soooo many people ahead of me at library 🙂

  12. Kim, Magnate’s Make-Believe Mistress wasn’t what I expected it to be. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but it wasn’t great.

    Emmanuelle, I didn’t care for Sexiest Man Alive. Blech.

    Barbara, Isn’t Lisa Kleypas awesome? I love her.

  13. I read 20 books this month (which was largely “paranormal month” for me:-
    Ecstasy
    Rapture both by Jacquelyn Frank
    Hostage to Pleasure
    Branded by Fire both by Nalini Singh
    Dance with the Devil
    Kiss of the Night
    Night Play
    Seize the Night
    Sins of the Night
    Fantasy Lover
    Night Embrace
    Unleash the Night
    Night Pleasures
    Devil May Cry
    The Dream Hunter
    Upon the Midnight Clear
    Dark Side of the Moon all by Sherrilyn Kenyon (some of these were re-reads)
    Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
    Crash into Me by Jill Sorenson

    (I got a bit paranormaled out so now I’m taking a break and reading some contemporaries – only Dream Chaser before I get to Acheron however…)

    My least favourite read was Upon the Midnight Clear. I noted that it was melodramatic and monochromatic – over the top and colourless – and short. A C– for me or maybe a D+?.

    The best was a tie between Bitten (B+/A-) and Crash into Me (B+). I think I particularly enjoyed the genre change in the latter book which of course was all about me and not the book but there you go!

    Both books were excellent examples of their genre I thought.

    (I’ve just started reading Vision in White and I picked up Bed of Roses yesterday). VIW – LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. I sense an addition to my keeper shelf for sure!

    I’d be interested in the Lisa Kleypas book if I’m lucky enough to win. Thanks ladies.

  14. I think my favorite read for October was Close Encounters Of The Sexy Kind by Karen Kelley. I really didn’t read any in October that I didn’t like. Granted I was a little pickier about what I read too. I would like to win Bed Of Roses too, I haven’t read that one yet.

  15. Oops, I realize I didn’t list my favorite and least favorites for October.

    Favorite? Probably ‘Run to Me’ by Christie Reece. I’d give it 4.5 stars and recommend the entire series – holes and all.

    Least favorite? ‘Reckless’ (HQN Blaze) by Tori Carrington. This book had lots of cheating, a less-than-stand-up hero and heroine, plus a disgusting sex scene on the bathroom floor of a mens room at a sports bar. I typically enjoy this author, but this book made me cringe.

  16. I read a lot in October, and picking a favorite is hard. I loved Eloisa James’ A Duke Of Her Own, which I won from you lovely ladies in September. Also good were Judith Ivorey’s Black Silk, Jacqueline Carey’s Namaah’s Kiss, Tessa Dare’s A Lady Of Persuasion, Gail Carriger’s Soulless, and Liz Carlyle’s Tempted All Night and Wicked All Day. But I have to say that my favorite book of the month was Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel — I’ve been waiting for it a LONG TIME.

    My least favorite was Mary Balogh’s The Devil’s Web. I usually like her books a lot, but I couldn’t get into that one at all and did not finish it.

    I’m going to read fewer books in November, because for my NaNoReadMo challenge, I am tackling some of the epic books in my pile — nothing under 400 pages is my rule. I will read some shorter books I’m sure, but I won’t count them. I would definitely read Bed of Roses or Skin Game if I won a copy!

  17. Amber E.

    My favorite reads of the month were Lisa Kleypas’s “Tempt Me at Twilight” and Nora Robert’s “Vision in White”. Your author of the month made me want to re-read Lisa Kleypas’s Dreaming of You” and her Wallflower series, which I love. You can’t go wrong with Lisa Kleypas.

    AS for least favorite reads, I really don’t have one. I didn’t really have a lot of time to get much read and what time I did have I focused on reading Lisa Kleypas’s books.

    I would love a chance to win Lisa Kleypas’s “Because You’re Mine” or Nora Robert’s “Bed of Roses”. Thanks!

  18. wow! i don’t know how you all manage to read so many books each month. i can read three at most LOL. my favorite read for october was anne mallory’s three nights of sin and my least favorite was kat martin’s creole fires.

    i’d love to win bed of roses by nora roberts or skin game by ava gray

    thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  19. Didn’t read that many books this month. Favorite read was Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James and Laid Bare by Lauren Dane. While I liked all the books I read, the least favorite was Covet by JR Ward which was a suprise because I adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
    Most looking forward to Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur. Reading The Untamed Bride by Stephaine Laurens and next is Temptation and Surrender by SL.
    Would love to have Skin Game by Ava Gray.

  20. Cassee for not reading much and still managing to read 13 books has me astounded!! I managed to read 13 this month as well, but I thought that it was a good month for me, LOL!

    My favorite would be The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley and my least favorite would be Dark Lover by Brenda Joyce.

  21. Chelsea B.

    I didn’t really read allot last month, so I don’t have a least favorite, but I really injoyed ‘How to Tame a Modern Rogue’ by Diana Holquist. And right now I’m reading-and loving- ‘Kiss of Midnight’ by Lara Adrian. Amazing book!

    And the book that most interests me is Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas. I’ve not read any of her books. Yes, shame on me!

  22. I had 19 reads this month but most were re-reads. my favorite read was probably Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks. My least favorite was proably Sweet Restraint by beth Kery

    Would love a chance to win Bed of Roses.

  23. Gosh, I am impressed! How do you manage to read that many books in a month?! I usually read at the most 3 to 4 books a month.

    My utmost favorite book I read this month was TWENTIES GIRL by Sophie Kinsella. I love her books! I think I own every single one of them!

    My least favorite would be THE SCOT, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by Annette Blair.

    I would love to win Lisa Kleypas’ book, BECAUSE YOUR MINE. I have never read any of her books. I know SHOCK!!! You all have talked her books up so much that I would love to read one by her.

  24. Luci

    Didn’t read much in October as was very busy at work. I did manage to squeeze in 9 though and enjoyed the following books a real lot – Tempt Me At Twilight, Never A Lady by Jacquie D’Alessandro, What A Gentleman Wants by Caroline Lindenand Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas. Least Favourite read was Wild HEat by Bella Andre – it wasn’t bad, was just not as good as the rest.

    I would love to win Nora Roberts’ Bed of Roses or A Courtesan’s Scandal by Julia London.

  25. Best book this month was On The Edge by Ilona Andrews, just loved it 😀

    A Courtesan’s Scandal by Julia London
    Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas
    Skin Game by Ava Gray

    I’d like to win any of them really 🙂

  26. My favorite read was Tempted By Twilight by Lisa Kleypas.
    My least favorite read was Covet by JR Ward.

    I would love to read Skin Game or A Courtesan’s Scandal.

  27. My favorite read of the month was Promises in Death by Nora Roberts. Least favorite read was Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl.

    I would like to win a copy of Bed of Roses or Skin Game. Thanks!

  28. Well of the 28 books I read this month I must admit to having a clear favourite and that was Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon because I have been wanting to read it for so long. It was closely followed by The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter because I love those Dark Lords 😀

    The book I liked least surprised me as I usually like Alastair Reynolds but Zima Blue just didn’t grip me as much as his others had.

    I would love to read Skin Game by Ava Gray – I love her writing both as Ava and As Ann 😀

  29. My favorite read was Love You To Death by Shannon Butcher, and my least favorite was, The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay.

    Would love to win Skin Game by Ava Gray.

  30. I read a lot of romantic suspense last month. My favorite was One Scream Away by Kate Brady. And least favorite: Dark Room by Andrea Kane.

    Please enter me for A Courtesan’s Scandal and Because You’re Mine.

    marieimy(at)gmail(dot)com

  31. My favorite read was Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas, and least favorite Judith Ivory’s Black Silk.

    I’d love to win Skin Game or Because You’re Mine

  32. My favorite contemporary read was PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Julie James. My favorite historical read was THE COURTSHIP DANCE by Candace Camp. Least favorite read of the month was LORD OF SCANDAL by Nicola Cornick.

    Please toss my name in the hat for BED OF ROSES and BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE. Thanks! 🙂

  33. Jane

    I really enjoyed Jill Sorenson’s “Set the Dark on Fire” and Leanne Banks’ “Billionaire Extraordinaire.” I would like to be entered for Nora Roberts’ “Bed of Roses” or Ava Gray’s “Skin Game.” Thanks.

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