2011 Books: 1-10

So, I realized a week or so ago that I hadn't posted ANY books yet in 2011.  Some of these it's been so long I'll admit I'm a little fuzzy on all of the details LOL, but I do know I enjoyed them all at the time.  So here's some of what I've been reading so far this year:

 

#1

Mob Rules

Cameron Haley

The Underworld Cycle Book 1

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

 

I read the prequel short story for this series in the Harvest Moon anthology.  As much as I enjoy reading an established, long-running series, there's also still a thrill in discovering a fun new author.

 

#2

Prince of Ice

Emma Holly

Tales of the Demon World Book 3

Historical Paranormal Romance

 

I was on the edge the whole book waiting for something ... well, horrible to happen & cause all kinds of problems.  I was both a little relieved & a little upset when everything actually went smoothly.

 

#3

Devil At Midnight

Emma Holly

Fitz Clare Chronicles Book 9

Historical Paranormal Romance

 

This was a good book, filling in some of Durand's history from his human life, and I enjoyed it right up to the end, when (***SPOILER***) Grace looses her memory of the entire thing!

 

#4

Demon's Delight

Anthology

Paranormal Romance

 

This anthology featured stories from MaryJanice Davidson, Catherine Spangler, Emma Holly, & Vickie Taylor.

 

#5

Archangel's Consort

Nalini Singh

Guild Hunter Book 3

Paranormal Romance

 

Talk about mommy issues - Elena & Raphael both have plenty, although since hers is dead & his still alive, he may actually have the opportunity to work his issues out.

 

#6

Fairyville

Emma Holly

Paranormal Romance

 

Would you be surprised if I told you there were fairies?  No?  LOL, well there are ghosts & many other fey creatures also in this strange little town.

 

#7

Master of Smoke

Angela Knight

Mageverse Book 7

Paranormal Romance

 

Another one with one of the main characters running around with memory loss.  Seems like I've had quite a few of those lately, including some that are not included in this part of the book list.

 

#8

Angel at Dawn

Emma Holly

Fitz Clare Chronicles Book 10

Paranormal Romance

 

This book picks up almost right where Devil at Midnight left off.

 

#9

Finding the Way & Other Tales of Valdemar

Anthology

Fantasy

 

This anthology featured stories from Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon, Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune, Elizabeth A Vaughan, Mickey Sucker Reichert, Elisabeth Waters, Kristen Schwengel, Brenda Cooper, Stephanie Shaver, Kate Paulk, Sarah A Hoyt, Tanya Huff, Fiona Patton, Judith Tarr, Nancy Asire, Michael Z. Williamson, & Gail Sanders.

 

#10

Blood Challenge

Eileen Wilks

World of the Lupi Book 6

Paranormal Romance

 

I always wish for just a bit more romance in this series, but the whole storyline is so deep that I forgive the author.  This one ended on a bit of a cliffhanger - not as bad as some that have had me tearing out my hair lately, but bad enough & with an ominous prophecy to go along with it.

 

So, that's what I read through the end of February =)  I'll try to post up some more later - I am approaching 30 overall for the year but it gets harder & harder sometimes to fit in, it's like there's always something I could be doing online & I will feel a tiny bit guilty if I am reading when I know there are things like email I could/should be getting caught up with.  But sometimes I just need to relax.

 

Thanks for reading about what I'm reading ;)

 

~Colette

2010 Books 39 - 48

More book catch up!

#39

Demon Moon

Meljean Brook

Guardians Book 4

Paranormal Romance

Because I read a novella from later in the timeline before I read this book, I kind of knew how it was going to turn out, but for most of the book I swear I didn't see how they were going to manage it.

#40

Angel's Blood

Nalini Singh

Guild Hunter Book 1

Paranormal Romance

So ... I like this series a lot, buy there were couple of plot twists that I hadn't run into before & that took me a while to wrap my head around:  vampires are ... made my angels.  & archangels ... rule the world.  Basically.  If that's a little too weird for you - or blasphemous - I would not recommend this book.  If you think that's cool, get to the library =)

#41

Magic Bleeds

Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels Book 4

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Kate's relationship with Curran, and her relationship with the Order, have both been seriously rocky over the course of the first 3 books - and both come to a head in this book.  I found both outcomes pretty satisfying - for completely different reasons - and I'm looking forward to book #5.  Nixxy if you're reading I have to thank you because I remember I picked up the first book on your recommendation =)

#42

Demon Night

Meljean Brook

Guardians Book 5

Paranormal Romance

Some people might classify these as rather formula, because the love stories from each book are all kind of similar in that there's so much miscommunication & missed chances & uncertainty - but the reason I like the series is that the relationships & sexy bits actually take a backseat to the storyline & the overall mytharc.  Different main characters every time, but those from previous books don't just like ride off into the sunset or conveniently disappear, they're still major players in the story, just not the particular book if that makes sense.

#43

Archangel's Kiss

Nalini Singh

Guild Hunter Book 2

Paranormal Romance

After her transformation, Elena must master her new skills - but with an invitation from the oldest archangel that can't be denied, she doesn't have much time to learn.  This was easier for me to get into than the first one, since I knew what I was getting into, but I was hoping they'd get back to New York & it looks like I'll have to wait for the 3rd book for that - which isn't out until January 2011.

#44

Kitty Goes to War

Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Norville Book 8

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Anyone who reads this series knows that Cormac got out of prison at the end of the last book - but he's not the same as when he went in.  For one thing, being on parole he can no longer tote around large amounts of firearms =(  But it seems he's come out with a few even more useful skills .... hmmm, don't want to give any spoilers!  But I can't wait for the next book.  You probably get sick of me saying that LOL, but I really love a good long-running series.  I get really attached to the characters & I really enjoy a multi-book mytharc, with some questions being answered while others are being raised across the entire series.

#45

Demon Bound

Meljean Brook

Guardians Book 7

Paranormal Romance

I know it looks like I skipped book 6 - but #6 was only a novella, included in the anthology First Blood which will show up a little later in my list because I read the short for this series & then I'm being super slow finishing the rest of the book LOL.  Things are labelled differently depending on where you look, but I usually go by what they have on Fantastic Fiction because that's my go-to book site to see what's coming up next or what I need to go back & read =)

#46

Demon Forged

Meljean Brook

Guardians Book 9

Paranormal Romance

Another gap due to a novella - book 8 was included in the anthology Must Love Hellhounds, which I think I read earlier this year although it may have been late last year.  The main character from this book, Irena, has I think the most kick-ass Guardian power so far of all the books - she can manipulate metal.  And I don't just mean that she make weapons - although she does - but she can temporarily replace her own limbs if one happens to be hacked off in battle.

#47

Demon Blood

Meljean Brook

Guardians Book 10

Paranormal Romance

This is one of the few covers that actually shows a Guardian with their wings - I should mention that (unlike the Guild Hunter series) they're not actually angels.  They're humans who die while saving the life and/or soul of someone else from a demon & are given the opportunity to continue fighting ... well, cheesy as it sounds basically to continue fighting the forces of evil =)

#48

Burning Up

Anthology

Paranormal Romance

This anthology featured novellas by Angela Knight, Nalini Sign, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook.

All authors that I love - and with one exception, none of the stories were set in the worlds that I anticipated.  Which was OK I suppose, but I was hoping for another Guardians story from Meljean, and another Guild Hunter story for Nalini & instead I got an introduction to Meljean's new steampunk series, and a visits to Nalini's other established series which I haven't read yet - it was on my list, & after reading this novella it's actually moved up on my list =)  So sometimes it's perfectly fine to get something other than the expected.

All caught up for now - but quite a stack out from the library.  Thanks for reading.

~Colette