I haven’t read any new books in such a long time because I’ve been so busy with school starting up again, getting back into the flow of things at work, and finishing up with revisions. I’ve decided to take a bit of a break last night and started reading some new books I’ve bought that were just collecting dust on my to-be-read pile. Once I got started, I couldn’t stop! Here are mini reviews on the four books I finished (the last this morning.)
Hot Rocks: Nora Roberts
I love Nora usually, which is why I picked up this re-print of a novella that was originally published in the ‘Remember When’ anthology. However, the book left little more to be desired. The plot was unoriginal, and the love story trite. Nora usually doesn’t disappoint, although she does have her moments. This was one of them. The characters were interesting. That is one plus point I had to give her. I wish there was more urgency, more umph in this story rather than expertly placed coincidental moments and forced plot devices.
Fired Up:Jayne Ann Krentz
I had high expectations for this story because i have the utmost respect for Jayne. Her work is amazing and I love the world building she does in her Arcane Society series. ‘Fired Up’ is the first in the dream lighter series and I wanted it to be just as compelling as everything else i’ve read that she’s put out. I have to admit, I was disappointed with the first fifty to a hundred pages. The were slow, and the way the background unfolded left more to be desired. However, once the characters got into their first fix, the story picked up rapidly. I was soon engrossed in this high speed chase with clever, sarcastic dialog and hot, sexual tension. By the time I was finished with the story, I knew there was nothing that could stop me from picking up the second in the series. I hope the heroes aren’t all carbon, copies though! That would really put a damper on things. (that was an inside joke that those who’ve read this book may get…unless it’s so subtle that i’m the only one chuckling. sigh.) Anywho. suggested read, but get past the first few chapters before you can really enjoy!
Ice: Linda Howard
Linda Howard once broke my heart. I’m not joking. I was such a loyal, dedicated fan. I owned almost two copies of everything she had written from Sarah’s Child, and McKenzie’s Mountain to Perfect Man and Now You See Her. However, on the fateful day she wrote ‘Kiss Me While I Sleep,’ our relationship was severed. For those of you who haven’t read that book, Dont. The ones published after it, I give the same warning. Why? BECAUSE THERE IS NO HEA! I have no problem in spoiling it for all of you. The pain I have is something I want to spare you. No happy ending equals no happy Tess. I cried, and fumed and freaked for weeks after finishing Linda’s book. I returned it to the bookstore, something I had never done with her book before. I didn’t even bother reading the second and third one that followed. I simply flipped to the back, read the last few pages while standing right in front of the book shelf, and i knew they also didn’t have an HEA. ugh.
When Ice came out, I read the summary of the story and it didn’t appear as if there could be anything but a happy ending. I debated, and i worried, and i decided to forgo reading the ending. instead, I bought the book for my e-reader. And I am satisfied to say….LINDA’S BACCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! Yes it was a thriller and yes it was crazy intense and suspenseful which was awesome, but Linda’s amazing ability to create a fabulous relationship that beats all odds has finally re-emerged in this fabulous story. I wish she would write more of these instead of the other ones that aren’t romances!!
Hunting Julian: Jacquelyn Frank
I picked up Jacquelyn’s book a few months ago, The Nightwalker series, I think. it was really well written, the passion, the love story, was amazingly developed, and she had this crazy ability to built a fabulous world. Her world building comes on a little strong for me sometimes. The Nightwalker series was great, but I had to sort of accept the intensity of the the craziness, the details, which are great for writers, but too much can be overwhelming. Anywho. This story, Hunting Julian, is the beginning of a new series, The Gatherers, and it’s a bit intense too. The new world is built on the premise that alien races exist. The heroine is this strong willed bounty hunter and the hero is the chivalrous, giving, sexy testosterone-driven king. A lot of the story revolves around circular arguments that don’t get solved towards the end, and explaining this new existence that’s so detailed it’s hard to picture accurately. The good news is, the romance and the appealing characters carried me through the story. I enjoyed it at the end, like I enjoy all of Frank’s books. I just wish she wouldn’t go sooooo crazy with the world building that it takes away from the story.
Anywho. that’s what I’ve been reading lately! I’m going to start chiseling away more books next weekend, so I’ll try to do a review then, too. In the mean time, keep reading! 
