I'm Alive and Reading

Yes, hypothetical followers, I'm still alive and reading, it's just been a terribly busy September and I only now recalled my poor blog.

I've been reading voraciously as usual, but I can't possibly include all of the books here, so I'll just mention the cream of the crop.

Most of the books I've read are just installments in the aforementioned series, but it's worth mentioning some of them again just because the writers are so brilliant.

First, Ilona Andrews. From only having read On the Edge since I last blogged, I've become a huge fan. I just finished Bayou Moon (which I loved) and have also read all four Kate Daniels books as soon as I've got my little, greedy paws on them. Kate is great (I bet she'd kick Anita Blake's butt any day of the week). Curran is yummy. The magic and the action never stop (well, except when tech hits) and these books are simply fantastic reads. Hard to put down, very addictive. I finished Magic Strikes in the middle of the night and I just had to get out of bed, boot up my computer and order Magic Bleeds. That's how good they are. Shoo. Go buy. Now!

Gail Carriger's loony Victorian parasol-armed adventures take her heroine Alexia Tarabotti (Maccon) on a highly original and truly ingenious tour of Europe. I love the language in these books, as well as the sense of comic timing. It's like reading Jane Austen when she'd been to her father's brandy decanter a bit too many times. A deep bow of respect to Ms. Carriger. Also for her incredible website everyone interested in Victoriana should check out! http://www.gailcarriger.com/

Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle (that is Jayne Ann Krentz in her futuristic element) was exactly what I've come to expect from the great author. A book that is quite simply good reading. I've been a fan of her paranormals since I first managed to locate Orchid from her "flower trilogy" and the current ghost hunter world is a strong creation. I wouldn't start with this one if her paranormals are new to you, though. I'd go back to After Dark and After Glow, the duology that first introduced the ghost hunters and the new world of Harmony. MC is technically a part of the Dreamlight Trilogy, but it works as a stand-alone novel perfectly well, as do most of the Arcane Society books. Oh, and dust bunnies rule.

I also read the latest installment in Lynsay Sands' Argeneau series. Now, I'll be frank and admit that my interest was waning a bit after the Rogue Hunter three. I don't know why, they weren't bad and I reread them before Born to Bite (this latest book) came out. But I was happy to find that Born to Bite was very good. It answered a lot of questions, was well-paced and had a lot of what I like best about Sands' writing in it. The humour, the intrigue and the romance. I'm looking forward to the next Argeneau book again :)

Nicole Peeler's Tempest Rising was a very refreshing book so I was looking forward to Book Two, Tracking the Tempest. I wasn't disappointed. An addictive, quick read, in Jane True's honest voice... I lapped it up. More please! I get the cover art a little better since reading the second book, by the way. I still say it's not necessarily the best way to sell the book, but I get it.

I picked up Lori Foster's Back in Black, which was a sort of an impulse buy. I've liked (not loved) Foster's work previously so it was a bit of a gamble. As I've mentioned before, I pretty much have to buy what I want to read, which means that I've got books in my shelves that I kind of wish weren't there. Back in Black turned out to be a keeper, though. Something about the leading characters worked for me. An interesting addition to the Fighter series and good contemporary romance with suspense elements.

Phew. Now I'm taking a breather...