My goodness, 2011 has delivered a huge range of books so far!
There have been winners from reliable authors, surprising jewels from new authors, disappointing and slightly tired additions to ongoing series and intriguing books that, really, I need to read again to be quite sure about.
Anyone who knows me knows that I read a LOT, but the feast of books I’ve devoured in January has been fascinating enough that I thought that as I haven’t had time to review all the books (all that reading you know) I’d give a review of the month’s highlights.
1. Maria Lima’s Blood Lines series increases in awesomeness with book four Blood Heat. With a heatwave engulfing Texas, you can feel the temperature rise and the sweat pool with each page. I’m really loving this series, especially having such a strong female lead. This is definitely for those who like shifters with a side order of vampires and demons! I gave Blood Heat four stars.
2. I’ve heard of Nicole Peeler before, but the covers of her books always put me off … I thought that they were for teens! Well how wrong I was. I’ve just read Tempest’s Legacy, book three of the Jane True series, and I’m completely hooked. What a fantastic book! This is Urban Fantasy as it should be – fascinating, challenging and with a touch of romance. And absolutely full of Jane’s internal comments that will have you rolling on the floor with laughter!
3. Eileen Wilks is amazing. Her Lupi books blow me away and her latest Blood Challenge is one of her best yet. We still have Rule and Lily, but we also delve deeper into Benedict’s world when he is given a Chosen, the part Sidhe, Arjenie. The richness of this world, the sheer writing skill of giving multiple characters and a plot that will keep you guessing means that for me this was a definite five star book.
4. Yasmine Galenorn’s otherworld series is a treat for those who like their supernatural heavy on witchcraft. Harvest Hunting is terrific! We have hot and sexy passions, a complex mystery to solve, threats that raise tension through the roof … and all of it well written. The only downside is that the world building is very detailed and you get much more from this book if you’ve read the rest of the series.
5. Congratulations to Elisa Paige for knocking my socks off with her debut novel Stealing Time, which deals with ‘It wasn’t that she wanted to live forever. She just didn’t want to die.’ Intriguing start isn’t it, and it opens a huge range of creative opportunities for Elisa Paige to explore. Yep, this is a writer who delivers everything I like: strong paranormal themes, sizzling romance, inventive plot twists and a wry naturalness to her characters. A total winner.
6. The post-apocalyptic Envy series by Joss Ware manages to continually impress me by the way that the plot develops while keeping its core themes solid. Night Betrayed sets the series on its head with Serena and her ability to help people transition to death. While a little slow in parts this is ultimately a fascinating journey in a very good UF series.
7. Melissa de la Cruz certainly knows how to write a story. Her Blue Bloods manage to weave New York pizzazz with vampire politics all wrapped up in a YA series that has taken the world by storm. I’ve been enjoying this series and the latest book, Misguided Angel, and the novella, Bloody Valentine, are great additions to the series. Melissa de la Cruz writes so well that the story is vividly played out. My complaint is that the stories are getting shorter (and the font size in the books larger while the price is RRP!). With the books so short there isn’t a great deal of plot development which is frustrating. The characters and plot for the series as a whole is great, but readers should get more book for the money that they spend.
8. Lilith Saintcrow knows how to write a kick-ass heroine! Jill Kismet might not be someone you want to meet in a dark alley, but if you meet demons there, you certainly want her to rescue you. You need to know exactly what you’re in for when you read a Jill Kismet story. If you’re prepared for relentless action, violence, tragedy and demonic attacks then you’ll be able to deal with these and appreciate the wonderful character of Jill Kismet and the fine writing in this series. Heaven’s Spite is the second to last book in this series and really should be considered part one of the ending (you know, the dark before the dawn bit and yes, this is DARK) with Angel Town the conclusion.
9. Carolyn Jewel was a delightful surprise for me. Her My Immortal Assassin is a delicious paranormal romance in the best tradition. Hunky alpha hero, a dangerous heroine, demons and fiends, a dark mage with a devious plot … and lots of terrific writing and steamy sex! This is a perfect Sunday afternoon read.
10. What an extraordinary debut Nightshade is! Andrea Cremer fever is sweeping the world with the release of this fascinating YA thriller with a wonderful richness in its worldbuilding, a great group of characters and a plot that builds in tension and complexity. The writing is so skilful and the emotional intensity so immediate that this is a book that is very hard to put down. A real page-turner that will keep you up to the early hours and then make you very late for work!
11. Trent Jamieson brings the world of death to life brilliantly in Managing Death, book two in his Deathworks series. The pace is fast, the humour is black and the plotting is increasingly complex. Book two of a trilogy is often a bridging book, but Trent Jamieson has managed to avoid that trap by making every step in this book logical and yet inventive. This is a great book in a series that is fresh and natural. Book three will be out later in 2011 and I have absolutely NO idea what is going to happen next. I love it!
12. Sometimes I just need to read an Angela Knight story. You know – werewolves, vampires, mages, other-dimensional dangers, hunky hero, spunky heroine, danger, vulnerabilities, a few challenges to overcome, lust … a battle or two, then a happily ever after and multiple orgasms all round! Her books are just great. Her latest in the Mageverse series, Master of Smoke, delivers all that and more. If you want delightful escapism, witty dialogue and a fun ride … this is your answer.
13. And now we come to Nalini Singh! This month I was able to wallow in Nalini’s greatness with two great books. Play of Passion, the latest in the Psy-Changeling series, takes us back to wolf shifters with the story of Drew and Indigo, but still has the Psy, humans, and other changelings strongly involved. This is a great book with a delightful playfulness from Drew I simply loved.
14. Archangel’s Consort, book three of the Guild Hunter series, concentrates more on Elena and Raphael as they navigate the shoals of their relationship. This means that there’s a lot more sex in this book then before. The initial books were far more gritty and filled with tension, but with Archangel’s Consort we narrow our focus inwards. I see it as almost the eye of the cyclone. It’s been a frenetic ride in books one and two, but now we … pause… look inward at Raphael and Elena, knowing that the storm is about to hit with even greater ferocity in the next book. I can imagine that once I’ve read the next book I’ll be glad for this moment of reflection.
15. Death’s Sweet Embrace – oh how I loved this book. Tracey O’Hara has a deft hand with her writing, world building and characters that completely sucks you in until you are nothing but a sleep deprived, late to work, Tracey-addict! I was amazed at book on Night’s Cold Kiss which was a tough UF, but Death’s Sweet Embrace is more of a dark paranormal romance. A definite keeper!
And guess what????? I already have two books in from my February reads that I think you’ll like …. but more on that later *wink*
