Holly: We completely forgot to post our monthly reads for January. Can I blame the baby for that? Probably not, since none of us remembered. Eh, such is life.
My reading has really picked up this year. I was in the mother of all slumps for about 9 months last year, so I’m glad to see I’m getting back to normal. The quality of my reading has also improved the last couple months. I’ve read some truly stellar books. I love it when that happens.
January
In January I read 26 books. Several of those were short, free reads I downloaded for my Nook. I love the short stories for when I’m trying to decide if I want to read a series or try a new author.
- The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted 4.25/5
- Wicked Games by Jill Myles 4.25/5
- About That Night by Julie James 4.25/5
- Time Out by Jill Shalvis 4/5
- The Duke’s Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley 4.5/5
- Mesmerized by Lauren Dane (re-read) 4.5/5
- Fall Into Me by Linda Winfree (re-read) 5/5
- Love Me by Bella Andre 4/5
- Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton 4/5
- Ghosts of Boyfriends Past by Vivi Andrews 3.75/5
- Chain Reaction by Zoe Archer 3.5/5
- Captivated by Lauren Dane 4.25/5
- Husband Under Construction by Karen Templeton (re-read) 3.75/5
- Bought: Destitute Yet Defiant by Sarah Morgan 2/5
- Bound by Marriage by Nalini Singh 2.5/5
- For Duty’s Sake by Lucy Monroe 2.75/5
- The Vanishing by Ruth-Ann Nordin 3/5
- Hysteria by Eva Gale 3/5
- Heart of the Sea: An Others Bonus Story by Christine Warren 3/5
- Kiss Me, I’m Irish anthology 3.5/5
- Snaring the Huntress by Sylvia Day 4/5
- Foreplay by Jill Myles 4/5
- Zane’s Tale by Jill Myles 4/5
- True Colors by Thea Harrison 3.75/5
- The Greek Tycoon’s Ultimatum by Lucy Monroe 1.5/5
- Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison (re-read) 5/5
My favorite reads of the month (aside from re-reads) were probably Wicked Games by Jill Myles, Captivated by Lauren Dane and The Duke’s Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley. Wicked Games is a light, fast-paced contemporary that I flew right through. The Duke’s Perfect Wife and Captivated are continuations of series I already love. An honorable mention goes to About That Night by Julie James. Kyle was everything I expected him to be.
My least favorite read was The Greek Tycoon’s Ultimatum. Talk about the quintessential alpha-hole/doormat romance. Kind of depressing since I generally adore Monroe’s novels.
February
In February I read 23 books. After nearly a three year hiatus, I started reading Paranormal Romance again. I’m mostly interested in shifters at the moment. We’ll see if I end up branching out into other areas of PNR as well.
- Alpha and Omega: A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs 4.5/5
- Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison (re-read) 5/5
- Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (re-read) 5/5
- Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas 4/5
- Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs 4.25/5
- Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs 4.25/5
- Ripped! by Jennifer LeBrecque 3.75/5
- A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries 4/5
- Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson 3.75/5
- Karma by Carly Phillips 4/5
- Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks 4/5
- Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus 3.75/5
- Shadow Touch by Erin Kellison 3/5
- A Wedding Story by Dee Tenorio 3.25/5
- Barely There by Samantha Hunter 3/5
- Fatal Destiny by Marie Force 3/5
- The Amazon’s Curse by Gena Showalter 4/5
- Triple Threat by Jennifer LeBrecque 3/5
- Wicked Road to Hell by Juliana Stone 2.75/5
- The Wild’s Call by Jeri Ready-Smith 3/5
- Rules of Engagement by Ann Bruce 1/5
- The Healers Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (DNF)
- A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean (re-read) 5/5
My favorite reads of the month were the Patricia Briggs books. The Alpha and Omega novella is probably my favorite of the 3, but I also enjoyed the 2 full length novels. I’m so glad the third is coming out this month.
My least favorite was Rules of Engagement by Ann Bruce. Talk about a train-wreck. I live-tweeted while I was reading it, which caused certain authors who shall remain nameless (JoAnn Ross and Bree of the writing due Moira Rogers) to coin the phrase Face-Punch Courtship, which may or may not be the next big thing in publishing (the hero punches the heroine in the face to knock her out, then handcuffs her to the bed..when she wakes up she decides sexy-times are in order. It was that bad.).
Rowena: Yeah, so much has been going on for me at work and at home that my blogging stuff have suffered a bit for it. Ugh, sorry guys. I’ve fallen into a bit of a slump in the month of February but I’m hoping to haul my ass out of the slump before I sink too deep. Here’s my lists for the past couple of months.
January
- A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean (5 out of 5)
- First Date by Krista McGee (3 out of 5)
- The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (4.25 out of 5)
- The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott (4.25 out of 5)
- Fracture by Megan Miranda (3.25 out of 5)
- Breakaway by Deirdre Martin (3 out of 5)
- Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (4.25 out o 5)
- New Girl by Paige Harbison (3 out of 5)
- She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath (4.5 out of 5)
- Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson (4 out of 5)
- Kiss Me, I’m Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child (3 out of 5)
- Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (4 out of 5)
- About that Night by Julie James (5 out of 5)
- A Town Called Valentine by Emma Cane (3 out of 5)
My favorite reads for January hands down, goes to both A Rogue by Any other Name by Sarah MacLean and About that Night by Julie James. I adored the characters, the story and the writing of both books. It was all so wonderfully written and I loved, loved, loved both books. My least favorite read goes to the Kiss Me, I’m Irish anthology from HQN. I’ve read so much better by some of the authors in this one that I was a bit bummed.
February
- I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella (4.5 out of 5)
- Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler (4.5 out of 5)
- You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis (3 out of 5)
- Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale (2.5 out of 5)
- Time Out by Jill Shalvis (4.5 out of 5)
- Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler (4.5 out of 5)
- When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer (DNF)
- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (4.5 out of 5)
- Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby (4 out of 5)
- Tessa Masterson WILL Go to Prom by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin (4.25 out of 5)
My favorite read for the month of February goes to Time Out by Jill Shalvis and I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. Both books were fantastically written and I adored both books. My least favorite read of the month of February went to Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale. There were too many things that I didn’t like to enjoy it much.
This month we’re giving away:
Wicked Games by Jill Myles
Alpha and Omega novella or Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Time Out by Jill Shalvis
About That Night by Julie James
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.
So…what was your favorite read of the month? And your least favorite?
My favorite read of the month was A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah Maclean and my least favorite was a paranormal entitled, Pride Mates.
Please put me in the drawing for About That Night and Time Out.
What didn’t you like about Pride Mates? I have it TBR and was thinking of starting it next
Favorite read of Feb. was undoubtedly The Windflower. What an amazing book! So great to read something much hyped and not be disappointed.
I’d say most disappointing was When a Duke Says I Do by Jane Goodger, because it started off so promisingly, but then went south on me.
Please put me in for Cry Wolf.
I read 20 books in January. My favorite was Courtney Milan’s Unraveled and least favorite was Iris Johansen’s Bonnie. Of the 13 books I read in February, my favorites were Nalini Singh’s first two Guild Hunter novels: Angel’s Blood and Archangel’s Kiss. I enjoyed all the February reads, so I didn’t have a least favorite.
If I win, I’d like Julie James’s About that Night. Thanks.
I haven’t been reading as much as I would like but my fav read in Jan/Feb has to be Nine Rules to break….by Sarah Maclean. Excellent book and went on to read the rest of the series.
Worst has to include Celebrity in Death by JD Robb. I found myself skipping parts, which is not something I thought I would ever do with this series.
Love to win About that Night by Julie James
Huh – was just about to say my favorite book of the month was Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley. I gobbled it, Primal Bonds, and Bodyguard up in a single weekend. I kept having to know what happened next, which I think is a good indicator of an enjoyable book. I’ve seen reviews point to the silliness of some of the worldbuilding (shifters aren’t allowed to have cable, oh the inhumanity) but I think that’s a minor quibble.
Oh, and looking back over my goodreads I have to add “Heiress Without a Cause” by Sara Ramsey. Not perfect, but highly enjoyable and an impressive first outing. My least favorite book was Sarah Morgan’s the Brazilian Boss’s Innocent Mistress. The rainforest setting (making out in the middle of a thunderstorm surrounded by poisonous snakes and insects? sounds lovely!) and the heroine’s “flaw” both made me roll my eyes repeatedly.
Put me in for “About that Night” … feel like I’ve been waiting for months for this one. omlekud at gmail dot com
Best read – Ilona Andrews “Magic Gifts”. I don’t particularly care for novellas, but this pulled me in, and was exactly right for the length. Totally enjoyed it.
Worst read – Thea Harrison “True Colors”. A novella again, but this time I did not buy the pairing at all, I think “fated mates + 1 night” cannot possibly add up to “true love”. Plus the villain was immediately obvious, so there were no surprises in the plot.
WOW… you ladies amaze me with how many books you read in a month 🙂
I have a tie for fav. Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox and How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins. My least fav was Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace.
I’d love About that Night by Julie James or Wicked Games by Jill Myles.
Thanks again for the giveaway!
I’ve read Pride Mates, Primal Bonds and Bodyguard, and I think it’s one of those like or don’t like series. Personally I like it – it’s not great like Patricia Briggs’s books but I find it entertaining.
Favorite in February in contemporary was Fatal Flaw by Marie Force. On the paranormal side, I loved The Mane Squeeze – Shelly Laurenston is definitely a love it or hate author and I love her. Least favorite were a couple of self-pubbed books that I DNFed. Those don’t tend to be very good, but they are free, so I try them hoping to find the rare gem.
I’d love to win either About That Night or Time Out.
jen(at)delux(dot)com
Hello,
I’ve been on a good streak with books lately. I had a bunch of favorites. The top two are: Run from Fear by Jami Alden (I thought it was a good conclusion to the trilogy)and A rogue by any other name by Sarah Maclean. This was my first book by her and I really thought it was a great historical. I have to catch up on her back list. For my least favorite, I will have to go with Wild Thing by Robin Kaye. I’m a fan of her books, but the characters in this one didn’t really grab my attention.
About that Night by Julie James is my first choice and Time Out by Jill Shalvis is my second. Thanks.
jend451 at gmail dot com
My favorite read was Leslie Tentler’s “Edge of Midnight.” My least favorite read was Deirdre Martin’s “Breakaway.” I love Deirdre’s books, but this one was a little disappointing. Please enter me for Julie James’ “About that Night.”
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
Love Shiloh trilogy whoo,
Would love to get time out by Jill shalvis,
Thanks
Kimh
I really enjoyed Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis and Breaking Point by Pamela Clare. I don’t have a least favorite because I liked everything that I read this time.
Please put my name in for Julie James’ About That Night.
BTW, I am horrified by the “face-punch courtship” storyline that you mentioned!
castings at mindspring dot com
Good to see you guys are still at it.
-The Jerk Store
My favorite reads last month were two wonderful historicals: Heather Snowe’s Sweet Enemy and Cecilia Grant’s A Lady Awakened and a charming series romance , Liz Fielding’s Flirting with Italian. My least favorite is Maggie Robinson’s Mistress by Marriage which had an interesting premise but quite bored me midway in the story.
I would like to win Julie James’ novel. Thanks,
I’d love to win
About That Night by Julie James
Fav: Sins of the son by Linda Poiteivm
Least. Linge by Stiefvater
@Holly – I think I started something with Pride Mates as my least favorite pick. LOL As Carly stated, I feel that the world building was weak and the entire shapeshifter plot was rather silly. The main reason I didn’t care for it was from a legal standpoint, I’m not sure the author really understands the law. Some of the actions perpetrated by the female attorney (heroine)in the book was totally unbelievable. From the collars to the things the shifters were denied, nothing really worked for me.
My favorite read this month was Julie Garwood’s The Secret (I’m working through her backlog 🙂 and my least favorite was Anne Gracie’s Bride by Mistake.
I’d love to win Wicked Games, it’s no longer a free Nook Book and the library doesn’t carry it. 🙁
chkeating at yahoo dot com
My favorite read was Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I recently “discovered” her. I’ve heard about her books for awhile but never read them. Boy was I missing out. My least favorite was To Talk the Night by E.S. Moore. I wanted the leading female to develop more but the series has promise.
I’d like to read I’ve Got Your Number or Taking a Shot.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh shit, is the Jerk Store really back in action? How long has it been?
Welcome back Jerk!
let’s see.. my fave during february is nora robert’s the villa and my least fave is thea devine’s seductive.
i’d love to win patricia brigg’s cry wolf
smile_1773@yahoo.com
My favorite read in February was Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan. I didn’t have a least favorite read.
I would love to have About That Night.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
My favourite read of the month was Paper Planes by M. Jules Aedin. Least favourite was Captured by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean.
I adored the BroMagnet when I read it a little while back – it was so funny.
I’d love a copy of About That Night by Julie James if I’m not too late to join in the fun. 🙂