It was a quiet week as far as events went. My hubby had to go back to Vegas for a convention/show/whatever for his work so he left Thursday and didn’t get back until last night. Gave me time to read more though. heh. Always a good thing imho.
The girls are doing well in their jazz and taekwondo classes. (no it’s not a combined class! lol) Now that I’ve got them settled in I can just plant it at the taekwondo studio and read for an hour with no interruption. That’s sheer heaven right there, let me tell ya.
Kris and I did announce that the Book Sluts ‘R’ Us Blogger Award winner was Wendy, our very own Super Librarian. Congrats to her once again.
I read a lot of good books this week!
First up was The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley. Although I have one of her other books on my shelf I’d not read this author before. I truly loved this book. I know it won’t hold that appeal for everyone but it was just a fabulous read for me. You can read my review here.
Next up was Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher. This was an impulse buy for me and my first read by this author. I believe I saw the cover on Kmont’s blog a while back so when I saw the book on the shelf it caught my attention. It was a pretty good book. There was some stock paranormal elements in it but it did have a nice story to tell. I have to say that this being a series it did leave me a lot of questions unanswered at the end of the book. I’m sure that was the authors intention but I personally would have enjoyed the book more had I received more answers. 3.75 out of 5
The next book up was Three Alarm Tenant by Charlotte McClain. This was a book that I read for The Book Binge and I’ll let you know when the review posts.
My Tracy’s TBR Challenge Read for this week was Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. I love Jennifer Crusie’s books but hadn’t read one of the books she wrote with Bob Mayer. I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book! I really loved it. It was a fun, funny, lol suspense book. I just loved Agnes and of course the hitman, Shane, was wonderful. Not something I would usually say…hitman was wonderful…but in this instance the shoe definitely fits. Great book. 5 out of 5 from me. There just wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.
The newest release by friend and fellow DIK Lady, Katie Reus, is Dangerous Deception. I bought and read this the day it came out (Friday). This was a story about Sage and Trent. After Sage’s sister was murdered Sage decided to travel and do all of the things that her and her sister had talked about but never done. Now she’s settled in a quiet town and wants to go on with her life. Trent, a man that she spent 1 glorious week with shows up unexpectedly and just when Sage starts to get threatened by an unknown villain. Trent got a little he-man-I’m-in-charge-now for my liking at times but overall I enjoyed the story. 4 out of 5
Next book was Aftershock by Jill Shalvis. This was an impulse read but I think it will be my Year of the Category read for the month. That being said I’ll post my review on this on the 26th.
The Unlacing of Miss Leigh by Diane Gaston is a Harlequin Undone. It was a short historical story about Miss Leigh who takes a position as a companion to a scarred gentleman. She knows the man from her past but he doesn’t know who she is. It’s a cute little story. 3 out of 5
Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre was my next read. I very much enjoyed this book. I don’t normally read a book when I know that there will be no HEA at the end but it had been raved about so much that I just needed to dive in. I’m so glad I did. It had a great story, great characters and never a dull moment. Corine, the story teller, was the main character and while I liked her for most of the book she did start to annoy me just a tad at the end. It definitely won’t stop me from reading the next book however. 4 out of 5
Last read for the week was another Harlequin Undone by the name of The Viking’s Forbidden Love Slave by Michelle Willingham. Yep, I actually read a book with that name. Sometime I shock even myself! lol It was a short story about how Tharand steals Aisling from her village as a gift for his King so that he can get his 15 year old sister back from said King. The problem is that Tharand is having feelings for his fiery captive and eventually she for him. As all work out in the end it was a cute story but for such a short story it left me kind of hanging. Aisling’s village was being raided and pillaged…but why her village? Tharand walked through his village and the villagers avoided him and the kids ran…why was he so shunned? Just because he was a fierce warrior? Aisling’s brothers were stolen as well but we don’t hear where they are. I’m thinking this is part of a series but I’m not sure. 3 out of 5 stars.
That’s it for me this week. I’m exhausted just typing this! lol Any opinions about the books? I’d like to hear them.
Happy Reading!
Hi Tracy:
Wow you have been busy. I’ve heard so much The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, mostly rave reviews. I’m not much for historicals, although I have to admit my curiosity is piqued.
I read Blue Diablo as an ARC I won and loved the book. It was the first Ann Aguirre story I have read and have to admit I enjoyed her wit.
I read The Viking’s Forbidden Love Slave when it was first released, so not my cuppa. lol
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Great post…
Regards
L
I definitely want to read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I have it on my Kindle wish list:) I am starting Blue Diablo tonight!
Lea – The Madness is such a great book. I did read somewhere this morning, and for the life of me can’t remember where, that the person could barely get through it. I guess not everyone feels as strongly as I do. They should darnit! lol
Aguirre’s book definitely has the wit I like.
The Viking – yeah, I guess I’m just not a huge fan of Stockholm syndrome. Who knew? lol
And you’re welcome!
Mandi – I think you’ll really like Blue Diablo. I haven’t read anyone who hasn’t.
Enjoy The Madness and let me know what you think!
What a neat reading list, Tracy. (as usual… )
I bought The Lord Ian book last weekend. I can’t wait to read it. I’m repeating myself… I know. I can’t help it.
I’m impressed and curious about the Cruise-Mayer novel now. Another rare 5 out of 5!
The cover to Katie Reus’ book is insanely hot!
Christine – It’s ok to repeat yourself, really! lol I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
I know that not everyone likes a lol book but Agnes and the Hitman has so much going for it I can’t help but recommend it.
You are so correct – Katie Reus’s cover is scorching!
I wish I read like you. I read one book last week. One! Lover Avenged. I have Jennifer Ashley’s book, and Ann’s book, both high on my list to read. I’ve wavered over the Crusie/Mayer book, but it might be worth it. Does it have an HEA?
Thanks for reading DD, Tracy! I’m glad you liked it! Wish I could take credit for my cover, but you’re right, it’s smoking 😉
Stacy – LAv took me a long time to read as well. I’m not sure if I just was busy or what but I understand!
Katie – You’re welcome! How could I not? 🙂 I have to say that so far the cover fairy has been very good to you.
Great list Tracy! 🙂 Leslie and I are buddy reviewing The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the Jennifer Crusie! Agnes and the Hitman was great!! The previous one, Don’t Look Down, not so much though 🙁
Nath – can’t wait to read your buddy review and see what you thought of THMoLIM.
I have Don’t Look Down but until now haven’t picked it up. I borrowed it from a friend…I may have to return it without reading it! lol
Hey Tracy, I loved loved Ian Mackenzie too. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the deal is with Mac and Isabella. Good stuff.
Katie Reus…I should look into her, eh?
I have Burning Alive, but not sure if I’ll read it. I think it might be too action packed and all that :). I’ll let it sit awhile and see.
Chiming in late to confirm that yes, The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave is a prequel to the author’s last HH release, Her Warrior Slave. I’m not a hardcore medieval reader, but enjoyed both of these stories….I suspect because of the Irish setting. Not a whole lot of Irish medievals floating around these days.
Amy – I really want to know about Mac and Isabella too!
Burning Alive was good but there was a lot of action in it…lots of different demons, etc. so a lot of fighting.
Wendy – oh, ok…prequel..that kind of makes sense if the other story is about one of her brothers. I did like her writing, I just didn’t care for the story premise. I’ll have to look into the brothers story – thanks!
And you’re right – not a lot of Irish medieval’s running around.
I liked the short story better than you, I think. Captive/captor stories are a hard sell for me, but I thought Willingham handled the premise well while avoiding some of the more common pitfalls (hero wasn’t a jackass, no forced seduction etc).
Her Warrior Slave is about one of the brothers – Kieran. A good solid read. I gave it either a B or B-…..then gave my copy to Rosie to read. You can always try nagging her 🙂
Wendy – I’ll agree with you on that one – captive stories being a hard sell. I think for me it would have been better to make Tharand not such an outcast. To me there wasn’t a point to it I guess because it wasn’t explored further. He still could have been a fierce warrior and starved for touch/affection and not be shunned. But that’s just me! lol
Good to know that we get more info on the oldest brother!