Rowena: I am FINALLY reading again. The last few weeks have been rough on the reading front for me but I’m SO happy to say that my book hangover (which I’m totally blaming on November 9 by Colleen Hoover) is officially over.
This week, I read One Kings Way by Samantha Young (cute), A Wrong Bed Christmas by Liz Talley and Kimberly Van Meter (cute x2) and Overruled by Emma Chase (not so cute).
One Kings Way was a cute read. It was short and sweet and I adored Craig. It was good for him to finally get his happy ending and even though I thought Rain’s revenge was silly, I still liked her. A Wrong Bed Christmas by Liz Talley and Kimberly Van Meter was another cute and short read. Two stories with connecting characters with cute romances that had me giggling and smiling all through the night. Loved both Layton and Lexi and Erik and Emma.
Overruled by Emma Chase drove me right up the wall. Stanton and his “want his cake and eat it too” self drove me crazy throughout the entire book. I kept wanting to kick him in the balls every time he spent the day trying to win Jenny back and ruin the wedding and then go home at night and bang Sofia. I started getting mad at Sofia for letting him do it too. That shit went on for too long and Stanton didn’t do nearly enough groveling before Sofia took him back which pissed me off even more. I had to call Holly right after and rant about it for a good half hour before I was able to move on from that book. Grr. (H: She’s cute when she’s cursing about fictional characters, y’all)
One of the best things about finishing Overruled was being able to move on to the book that I really wanted to read. Book 2 in that series, Sustained. That’s what I’m reading right now and holy cow I love this book. A million times more than Overruled. Jake Becker and all of those kids? Freaking swoon. Jake is so full of yum and I am loving how his story is unfolding. LOVE IT. I’m already anxious for Brent’s story too. Can’t wait!
I will say that Emma Crane writes from the male POV exceptionally well. The men in her stories read like how men actually sound instead of how women think men sound. I like that.
Holly: After not reading one damn thing last week, I’m back at it again, too. Thank goodness our reading slumps are over.
I re-read Kaleidoscope, Own the Wind, Wild Man, Motorcycle Man and Law Man by Kristen Ashley. Yes, I re-read KA again. Yes, I realize I have a problem. No, I don’t plan to seek help for it.
I also started reading Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. Ames has been talking it up recently and pushed me to try it. Book one, Magic Bites, moved pretty slow and didn’t really hook me, but I stuck with it because it was recommended I skip that book altogether and start with book 2, Magic Burns. I’m glad I continued because the series is really picking up now. I finished Magic Strikes, book 3, yesterday. I’m trying to decide if I’ll pick up book four now, or take a break.
I also read Pia Does Hollywood by Thea Harrison. It was really good. I can’t wait for the next installment.
What are you guys reading this week? Anything good? Bad? Let’s chat!
I’m looking forward to Kristen Ashley’s latest book as well as the recent Thea Harrison novellas.
Some recent reads here include:
— Regency Christmas Gifts: Three Stories by Carla Kelly (nice!)
— Lisa Kleypas’ newest historical romance Cold-Hearted Rake. It’s the first in a series, and now I’m eager to read more.
— I read and enjoyed Honor Among Orcs (Orc Saga Book 1) by Amalia Dillin. I can’t recall where I first heard of this book — it’s a tad more fantasy than I would normally read, but I liked it. Now I’m eager to read the sequel.
— Penny Watson’s contemporary romance A Taste of Heaven; I enjoyed it. It was nice to read a romance with some older characters.
— Not a romance ~ Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day by Leanne Brown
— Secrets Volume #9 (Secrets Volumes); this included a novella by Lisa Marie Rice. The book was uneven but okay.
I haven’t read the Kleypas yet. I think because I’m afraid her return to historicals won’t be as successful as I’d like. Was it as good as her older historicals?
I’m going to buy that cookbook. Thanks!
Cold-Hearted Rake might not be my favorite of Kleypas’ historical romances, but I thought it was good. Give it a try, Holly, when you have some time.
I hope you enjoy the cookbook; I did.
I’ve been sick so I haven’t been reading as much as usual. You’d think with all that time on my hands, I would read more, but most of the time I just zone out and play solitaire. Oh well. I did read Sustained by Emma Chase and loved it. After reading the reviews of Overruled, I decided to skip that one, even though I HATE to read out of order, but I’m really glad I skipped it. Sustained was fantastic. It was so much fun to watch Jake fall under the spell of all those kids.
Based on Rowena’s phone calls, text messages and emails whilst reading, I’d say you made the right choice.
I totally get not reading much when you’re sick. Sometimes concentrating is just too much when you don’t feel well. I hope you feel better soon!
Holly I’m so happy you’re FINALLY reading the Kate Daniels series. I love that series and every book is either a 4 or 5 star read for me. Enjoy!
I remember you telling me you loved them. I started book 5 last night but I might set it aside in favor of something else. I don’t want to get burned out.