Friday, May 08, 2009

Friday Book Club

It's Friday Book Club time again! This is all about recommending books, so leave a comment about a book you enjoyed, and, if you like, a few words about why.

I've been reading fabulous book after fabulous book. Most of it's not releasing for a while, so I won't tease you...too much. But I have to share - I'm on that happy good-book-run high.

Meljean Brook's Demon Forged will be out in October and it's fantastic. It has all the elements I love in Meljean's books - strong, gorgeously drawn characters, a world so real I totally believe it, and the punch of powerful emotion.

Ilona Andrews' next Kate Daniels book (out March 2010) is awesome. I'll post more on this closer to the release date, but trust me, you'll love it.

I'm currently halfway through Ilona Andrews' On the Edge (out in October) and it's soooooo good! The world and the characters are so real they leap off the page. I can't wait to get back to it!

More to come on all these books nearer their releases, but if you're not reading Meljean and Ilona, you need to!

Okay, hit me with your recs!

46 comments :

Alcott said...

Wow - I am green with jealousy that you have your hot little hands on the next Kate book!

I'm reading Lover Avenged (J.R. ward) and have Taming the Fire (Sydney Croft) and Burning Alive (Shannon Butcher) on the shelf next.

Chris said...

I just finished Burning Alive and am about to start A Madness of Angels.

Brooke Reviews said...

I recently finished all the books available in Charlaine Harris's Harper Connelly series. It's awesome, its got the paranormal and murder mystery going on. She writes fantastic mystery. :) Plus her characters are deeply real!

Courtney said...

Not reading much because....



wait for it...



yes, it's what we've all been waiting for...



I had my baby yesterday! A beautiful little boy and he is just perfect. And big! Well, bigger than my daughter. At 8 lbs 4 ozs (3.74 kg) he is two and a half pounds (just over a kilo) bigger than Peanut when she was born. We're both doing great. :)

As for books, I'm planning on getting Guardian by Angela Knight, book two of her Time Hunters series, that came out just this week. I'm rereading Warrior, book one, in preparation. If you haven't read Angela, come out from under your rock and get some. She's fantastic.

Nalini Singh said...

Courtney, congratulations!!!!!

I picked up Guardian yesterday as well. Love the Time Hunters.

Nephele Tempest said...

Well, I just finished reading Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh... Oh wait. I guess that doesn't count, does it? ;-) It's awesome, though.

Anonymous said...

I'm currently reading "Lover Avenged" by JR Ward. Next up are two new Mary Balogh books and and your "Mine to Possess". (I'm not sucking up; I really just picked it up this week and discovered your book blog today.)

Nalini Singh said...

Nephele, did I tell you I love you this week? :-)

Jackie said...

I thought I was a serious author and reader, but Courtney is posting the day after having her baby?

God Bless you both!! Enjoy these years, they pass too fast.

Nalini Singh said...

Monwan - welcome!

Jackie - I think Courtney's left us all in the dust :-)

Pissenlit said...

I'm up to date on Ilona's Kate Daniels series and I'm so jealous that you're reading On the Edge already. :D Meljean's The Guardians series is on my TBR list. Uh...Do I have to read them in order?

Courtney - Congrats on the baby!

I am currently devouring L. A. Meyer's Bloody Jack Adventures series. It's a YA series and I absolutely can't get enough of it(book 4 had the most fiendishly infuriating cliffhanger ending I've ever encountered)! The only way I can think of to describe it is that it's something like a cross between Patricia C. Wrede's Mairelon the Magician duology(w/o the magic) and C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower series. The first book in the series is Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary 'Jacky' Faber, Ship's Boy.

:Candice: said...

Right now I'm reading
One Bite Stand (Mackenzie Vampires, book 4)- Nina Bangs

it's funny, and I've read her Castle of Dark Dreams triliogy so I knew I liked her style of writing. I could only buy one from her Mackenzie series and I choose the last in series cause I liked the sample read plus I'll eventually get to the first three ::lol::

Bridget Locke said...

This is an e-book, but I cannot recommend Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight enough. I've never cried so much in my life...in a good way. It's just beautiful. :)

Blodeuedd said...

I am so curious about Meljeans books :D

And congrats to Courtney :)

Maree Anderson said...

I loooove Ilona Andrews' writing! And her 1st paragraph critiques on her blog are legend. Just visited her website to read the first chapter of On The Edge. Wow! Can't wait till it's released.

As for books, I've just read one of my daughter's, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I've ordered the next one for her...well, for me, too. Seems we're both fans!

May said...

Courtney, congratulation!!!

I love both Meljean & Ilona's books. My eyes turn green with envy that you already read both.

I finished reading The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie week ago but still cannot get into another book because it is still in my mind. It's that good.

Mandi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mandi said...

Congrats Courtney!

I am reading Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. I also have the newest Mary Balogh and Blood Magic by Jennifer Lyons I want to start this weekend.

I WANT the next Kate Daniels book:)

Brooke Reviews said...

Wow! Congrats Courtney :D

Jennifer said...

I am reading the last book in the Tir Alainn trilogy by Anne Bishop. If you have not read this series (The Pillars of the World, Shadows and Light, The House of Gaian), I recommend it. Also, The Black Jewels books by Anne Bishop are great. I have read this series more than once.

Jackie M (Literary Escapism) said...

Super jealous that you have On the Edge. I can't wait for it.

I'm currently reading Meljean Brooks' Demon Angel, but I have to find it since my son ran off with it. I'm half way through it too!

So in the meantime, I'm also reading Anna Katherine's Salt and Silver. I've just started it, but it looks promising.

Nephele - You've read Archangels' Kiss already? Seriously? I'm double jealous now. Wait a minute, I thought that didn't come out until next year. Nalini already has manuscripts, does that mean it could come out this year?

Courtney - Congrats! I love newborns. There are times I want another one, but then my son reminds me why he may be an only child for awhile. :P

Jory Strong said...

I finished Dead and Gone yesterday and have started on Salt and Silver. Am trying my best NOT to think about the new Ilona Andrews book since the release date is too far away.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the baby, Courtney :)

I just finished Lover Avenged, too.It was really good, but different then the first books in the Blagdagger-Series. It centerd more on the development of the whole world and you got a lot of inside about the other cahracters like John, Thor, Xhex and vampire-gone-bad Lash. But the lovestory betwen Ehlena and Rev is still great to read and I hope to reead more of this couple.
I'm still waiting on my copy of Burning Wild by Christine Feehan (3rd book in the leopard-series) and just reread the 2nd book Wild Rain -it's one of my favourites and a must for lovers of shifter-stories.

Another recommendation (which I hope fits here): for these who liked the german bookcovers of Nalini's books, take a peek on this page:
http://www.egmont-lyx.de/index.php
It's the homepage of a german publisher (I'm from germany so I often look there for more great books) and some of the covers shown there are realy awesome.

Cybercliper said...

Just finished Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day - loved it! Can't wait to see what happens next. Also finished Lords of Legend by Susan Krinard - sexy, mysterious unicorns!

jenyc said...

I just finished all of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark Series. Her chracters are so hilarious. I was laughing out loud when reading them. Nix and Mariketa crack me up! And of course all the guys are just too sexy and love them all, but I think my fave hero is Sebastian from book 3, NO REST FOR THE WICKED.

jenyc said...

p.s. Nalini - I <3 Friday Book Club! Thanks!

Heather B. said...

I just finished Angie Fox's Accidental Demon Slayer and loved it. The main character is Lizzie and she is kinda quirky. She is about as strait laced and OCD as you can get into her Harley riding Grandma (who's a witch) comes in and sweeps her away because she becomes a demon slayer on her birthday.

the book reminded me a little of Stephanie Plum's character because something is always going wrong for Lizzie. Overall great book (BTW Angie Fox is the nicest person ever)and I can't wait to read the next one.

Lover Avenged rocked too. Also finished Angel's Blood and can't wait for the next one.

felinewyvern said...

I haven't read many romances lately because I am reading Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga. Currently I'm on The Warrior's Apprentice and will be following it with The Mountains Of Mourning and The Vor Game. If you like SciFi and action these are a great set of stories :D

As I've read most of the books recommended so far I guess there are no new ones for my wishlsit this week :( Will have to check again next Friday.

Mina Wolf said...

I just finished Gena Showalter's "The Vampire's Bridge" which was pretty good. I like this particular world more then her Darkest's world. Now I'm doing a contemporary, "Glitter Baby" by SEP.

Una said...

That is definitely a perk for being a writer - those hot ARC's! They book look great and are on my "to-read" list.

Oh - Congratulations Courtney!! Fabulous news, so glad you and your beautiful baby boy are doing well!

"Lover Avenged", I thought, was the best BDB novel so far!

I just read the first two books in a young adult trilogy that is very good. It is by Lisa McMann and is the Wake Trilogy (first two books are "Wake" and "Fade"). Different format but a great teen romance and mystery series.

I also read "The Hunger Games", the first book in a trilogy by Suzanne Collins that was an outstanding young adult, sci-fi, adventure story.

Oh, and if you haven't read the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs - you must. I finally got my hands on her latest book in the series, "Bone Crossed". It was SO good.

Tammy said...

Just finished Burning Wild by Feehan the other day and liked it, I wasn't crazy about the way it ended, but that just might be me, so I wont give details (spoilers).

Last night I finished Dark Summer by Iris Johansen - I'd give it a 4 out of 5. I like some of hers and this is one of them, it deals with rescue dogs and murders, and has a lot of action, AND you get to see what some previous characters of hers are doing which was nice.

Katie said...

Like Heather, I just finished "The Accidental Demon Slayer" by Angie Fox.

I'm not a big fan of silly books, but this one isn't that silly. She's a smart character, just very sarcastic. Since the book is told in her point of view, her internal dialogue and insight into different people and scenes is really quite funny.

The good thing is that the characters are all over the top (even the crazy grandmother witch who is in a coven of biker chicks). The main guy in the book is HOT and only gets hotter as the book progresses.

Also read this week, "Night's Rose" by Annaliese Evans. An interesting take on the sleeping beauty fairy tale. Except this beauty hasn't gotten her happy ending yet... or has she? =) Definitely a read for those that like grown up fairy tales.

Shaymless Aymless said...

Congrats Courtney!!

Finished the week:

Eve of Darkness by SJ Day (reviewed on my site) Its a total cliffhanger so I am eagerly waiting for Book 2 to come out.

Burning Alive by Shannon K Butcher (review will be up Monday) Was a satisfying read.

Currently reading Demon Angel by Meljean Brook. Which still rocks!

Nalini: Totally green with envy about On the Edge.

T said...

My current read is Elizabeth Hoyt's Four Soldiers series latest book: To Beguile a Beast.

CAN A WOUNDED BEAST . . .

Reclusive Sir Alistair Munroe has hidden in his castle ever since returning from the Colonies, scarred inside and out. But when a mysterious beauty arrives at his door, the passions he's kept suppressed for years begin to awaken.


TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST . . .

Running from past mistakes has taken legendary beauty Helen Fitzwilliam from the luxury of the ton to a crumbling Scottish castle . . . and a job as a housekeeper. Yet Helen is determined to start a new life and she won't let dust-or a beast of a man-scare her away.


TO TAME HIS MOST SECRET DESIRES?


Beneath Helen's beautiful façade, Alistair finds a courageous and sensual woman. A woman who doesn't back away from his surliness-or his scars. But just as he begins to believe in true love, Helen's secret past threatens to tear them apart. Now both Beast and Beauty must fight for the one thing neither believed they could ever find-a happy ever after.

The two books before this one, To Taste Temptation and To Seduce a Sinner are both amazing, emotional reads. The third book, To Beguile a Beast, is definitely an awesome historical read.

Nalini Singh said...

Jackie, Nephele is my agent *grin* Manuscript is done, but it's a long process from ms to finished book, so it'll still be a 2010 release. But you've got 3 things coming from me before that!

Una - I can't believe I forgot to talk about Bone Crossed. I loved it!

Heather, thanks :)

deemer said...

I'm in the middle of reading Lover Ahvenged, which is turning out to be fantastic. I've also been re-reading Angel's Kiss, because I just love that final skyscraper scene. It was truly awesome.

I'm also re-reading Richelle Mead's Succubus Blues series in anticipation of her upcoming release. And I finished reading "Time of My Life", by Allison Scotch, which was quite good.

Always looking for more books, so I love reading all these suggestions.

Tabitha said...

I just finished Visions in White by Nora Roberts. It was a sweet read. Before that, I read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley and that book was a WONDERFUL read.

I've never read Brooks or Andrews...sounds like I am missing lots here, aren't I?

Courtney, congratulations!

Bridget Locke said...

I know I already commented, but had more! :)

Just finished reading Faefever by Karen Marie Moning yesterday. All I can say is whoa and wow! Cannot wait to read book 4. Talk about a cliffhanger!

HockeyVampiress said...

Just finished Hollywood Wutches by Dee Dawning last night and it loolines by Maggie Shayne

orannia said...

Congrats Courtney! I hope you and your new son are both well!

I'm currently reading Blue Diablo. Next on the list are Lover Avenged (JR Ward) and Storm Glass (Maria V Snyer), both of which I picked up from the library today. I think the librarians thought I was going to hug them I was so excited :)

SXSW Bagstuffing Crew said...

I read Shayla Black's "Tempt Me With Darkness" on the plane trip back from the RT Convention. It was good; I look forward to the rest of the series. Lauren Dane's "Relentless" was good too.

I have "Burning Alive", "Burning Wild", and "Eve of Darkness" to read next.

-Eva

Nalini Singh said...

Pissenlit - yes, I think you'll enjoy Meljean's series more if you read it in order. Start with Demon Angel :-)

Missy said...

I just finished Ghostland by Jory Strong, which was a great book. Very interesting world with dynamic charters with lots of potential for more stories. Another series I'm adding to my must read list!

Anonymous said...

This week, no reading for me. (Lot`s of work.).

Courtney, congratulations!

It seem`s that it is a big advantage to be an agent, Nephele. - I`ve to admit that I`m jealous, too:).
"Angels Blood" was intoxicating! - Do you intend to publish it in Germany, Nalini?

I´ve to agree with Mina Wolf that "The Vampire Bride" is a very good book. I really enjoyed it.

~Eva

Bella said...

Wow, both of Ilona Andrews' next two releases! You do not know how jealous I am of you right now, seriously wow. :)

Presently I am reading the "In death" series by J.D. Robb, based on your recommendation> (so thank you!)

I am devouring them, they are amazing. Im on "Portrait In Death". Can I just say that I want a Roarke. It's just not fair.

Hilcia said...

Oh, I missed my Friday post!
Congratulations Courtney! Happiness to you both...

I cannot wait for the next Kate Daniels book, WOW... I can't believe you're reading it!

Post as if were Friday, I'll say I was reading and finished Guardian: Time Hunters by Angela Knight. Erotic and full of action, I enjoyed this one -- 2nd book in the series. Also, finished Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra, which I'd had on my TBR pile for a long time. Liked the romance between the human and selkie, especially the hero.

Planning to read For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper while I wait for "The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie" to arrive...

Good reading, everyone!