Every once in a while, I like to see what everybody is reading and share some opinions about my latest finds. It’s been a while…so let’s talk books here in the Jungle today!
First, gotta give huge props to Linda Lael Miller for the second in her Mojo Sheepshanks series, Deadly Deceptions. Can I just say I want to have one-tenth of Linda’s ability to make people adore a character as much as she has made me adore Mojo, a live-above-the-bar kinda-sorta private investigator who happens to see dead people? The romance between Mojo & Tucker pushed forward in this one, with some definite sexiness, as well as emotional depth between them. And the twist at the end of this book delighted me–I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book to learn more about Mojo’s new “partner.” (Click on the link above for an excerpt!)
I also just crawled out of my cave and read Kresley Cole’s Dark Deeds At Night’s Edge.
I have read and enjoyed all of Kresley’s historicals, but I’m not a big vampire fan, so it took me a while to pick this one up. I am SO glad I did! Kresley has a wonderful, witty writing voice, and I utterly adored the heroine who is a GHOST. The dark, angry vampire hero doesn’t have a chance when he meets this beautiful, tragic woman who was brutally murdered decades before. Obviously there are obstacles (duh!) but it is well worth the read. Now I have to go back and read others in the series!
I also recently read Lisa Jackson’s Shiver.
I was slow to discover Jackson and have been working my way through her backlist. She gives good chills as well as strong romance with well developed characters. I particularly like this one, because of its almost gothic feel–the heroine’s mother died many years ago while hospitalized at a frightening mental institution. The mystery of her death was never solved and many years later, the killer has his sites on her daughter. The way the villain is settting up these staged displays of his victims is also neat in a twisted sort of way. Very compelling book!
I am a big Karen Rose fan and had no problem shelling out the money for her first hard-cover release, Scream For Me. If you read the book Die For Me, you might remember the really creepy video game creating villain. (BTW: Loved Die For Me, with its opera-singing hero!) The brother of that villain is the hero of this title and he’s investigating a series of murders reminiscent of ones from several years ago that drastically affected the life of the woman he soon finds himself involved with. A very good read!
I also read the last of the fabulous Bullet Catchers trilogy by our Plotmonkey pal Roxanne St. Claire, Now You Die. 
This book not only ties up this summer’s hot trilogy, including solving the really twisty, intriguing mystery of the long-lost triplet daughters of a woman convicted of murder, it also tells the story I have been wanting to read since I picked up Rocki’s first Bullet Catchers title (Kill Me Twice.) Lucy Sharpe, the mysterious, sexy leader of the Bullet Catchers has her own romance here and she’s every bit the compelling heroine I knew she would be all along! These Bullet Catcher books are a really nice blend of suspense with HOT heroes and lots of smoldering sensuality. Rocki definitely does not sacrifice the romance for the suspense and I highly recommend her books.
Finally, I have to give a huge thumbs-up to the first Blaze title, Pleasure To The Max, by the wonderful Cami Dalton. Julie and I were emailing last week about how much we both adored this book. Cami has one of the most fabulous, fresh voices you will ever read. Hysterically funny, so steamy you’ll need to dump water on your head, and just outrageously unique. This book is a delight from the very first page, and again, she manages to pull off a wild plot twist and make you actually believe in a fairy-tell ending for a real-life Russian princess. Don’t want to go into any more detail, just trust me, grab this book. You won’t regret it.
So what about you all? Read anything fabulous lately? I’d love to hear about it!
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
Though I will always love my historicals and contemporaries, I’ve been delving into more paranormals lately and loving it. It took me awhile, but I’m finally getting the appeal.
“Trial By Fire” by Jo Davis – not a paranormal but a GREAT book
“Cry Wolf” by Patricia Briggs – about werewolves – it’s wonderful
“Seduce Me At Sunrise” by Lisa Kleypas – she is the queen – adore her
“Mr. Cavendish, I Presume” by Julia Quinn – another winner
Comment
I’ve been reading mostly non-fiction books on the Victorian Era lately because I have a yen to write some historicals. But I have managed to wedge in some fiction as well.
Here are some books I’ve read lately that had me thinking about the story long after I finished the book. I still remember scenes from these books.
Delicious – Sherry Thomas
Secrets of a Summer Night – Lisa Kleypas
A Stranger’s Game – Joan Johnston
Presently I’m reading a book by P.J. Parrish called “South of Hell” It’s a mystery with a romantic thread and really good so far.
Cher
Comment
Oh, These 2 series were awesome:
Susan Mallery – Sweet Talk, Sweet Trouble, Sweet Spot and
Robin Carr – Whispering Rock, Virgin River and Shelter Mountain.
Excellent Reads. Highly Recommend.
Comment
Leslie, we’ve been following pretty much the same reading list!
I read PLEASURE TO THE MAX and it was FANTASTIC! I slurped it up like a Grand Marnier slushie from EPCOT (which many of you know is my #1 favorite libation.) Gypsy magic and treasure hunting…right up my alley! Great, great book.
Also read and adored Kresley’s DARK NEEDS AT NIGHT’S EDGE. I’m not a vampire fan either, but her world building is amazing. Love the ghost heroine and I want to go back and seek out her Valkyrie and Witch books in the series. I know I need to go back to A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER, which I’ve owned forever.
I am reading THEN YOU RUN, the second in Roxanne’s Bullet catcher trilogy right now. I’m loving it! I have NOW YOU DIE, so I won’t have to wait long for the sequel!
I also read WUTHERING HIGH by Cara Lockwood a few weeks ago. It’s a YA book about a girl who is sent to a boarding school that is actually a sort of pergatory for authors who died before their time. Ernest Hemingway is the PE coach! Mary Shelley teaches science. Charlotte Bronte is the headmistress and sister Emily is the villain! Of course, I’m probably spoiling here…the heroine doesn’t figure all this out for a while. But it’s dead clever. (Ha! Pardon the pun.) I want to read the next in that series, too.
And dare I mention that I got to read the first draft of your next book? He, he, he. AWESOME!
Now I’m desperately waiting for a copy of LUCKY CHARM. One more week…
Comment
Must look for Wuthering High. It sounds really great.
I started reading the Bullet Catcher books late and just finished Then You Die(Lucy Sharpe Rocks!) and love everyone of the Bullet Catcher books.
I’m currently reading Night Lost by Lynn Viehl, which is from her Darkyn series. I only have a couple more in the series to read and I’m really loving them.
I also recently read the House of Night series(YA series) by PC Cast & Kristen Cast. There are 3 books in the series so far(Marked, Betrayed, Chosen), and they are wonderful. I think the 4th in the series comes out either this week or next week.
Now if only Lucky Charm would come out early…
Comment
I finished Trial By Fire a couple of weeks ago- it’s still on the bedside table. Loved that story.
Christina Skye’s To Catch a Thief- it combines both series- Draycott Abbey and her Code Name books.
Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox. It has a talking Jack Russell Terrier too.
There’s a bunch of others, these were at hand. I am terrible about putting books away when I am done. Probably because I am out of room.
Comment
I will have to move “Pleasure to the Max” to the top of my TBR pile (nothing is really sticking out to me at the moment as far as ‘excellent’ books). I have been reading books for a read a thon and some have been not so great.
Comment
I’m reading Anne Stuart’s Ice series and having a love/hate relationship with it. Some of the books I love, some of them I hate but for some reason I keep reading them. Right now I’m reading Stuart’s historical, Lady Fortune, and loving it.
Comment
Thank you, Leslie!! I agree with ALL your picks for some excellent reading. Kresley’s DARK NEEDS was one of my favorites of hers (but it took me a REALLY long time to actually open the book because I lurve staring at the HAWTIE on the cover) and I thought Cami’s PLEASURE TO THE MAX was sheer genius! Laugh out loud funny and soooooo sexy.
I love these mini reviews and am so honored to have a book included!
xoxox
Rocki
Comment
Currently I am reading a ton of books that seem to be spread throughout the various romance themes; paranormal, historical, and contemporary.
My new fave paranormal author is Jeaniene Frost. Her Night Huntress series is so addictive. I am in love with her lead hero, Bones and I love that her characters are complex and compelling. She blurs the boundaries on what you may consider right or wrong and just draws you in with an amazing plot line.
On the historical front I just finished reading all of Stephanie Lauren’s Bastion club novels and the first set of her Cynster novels. I needed a new fix so I started reading Teresa Medeiros’ Some Like it Wicked and am enjoying it so far. It is everything you could want in a historical.
As for my contemporaries; I finished the latest Nora Roberts, started the lastest Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and am in the middle of reading the first Stephanie Plum book by Janet Evanovich (I know I am wayyyy late in the game). And of course waiting for Lucky Charm so I can start reading that as well!
Comment
I read Brenda Novak’s summer series “The Last Chance” – TRUST ME, STOP ME, WATCH ME. They were really good. I just finished Kassandra Sims’ FALLING UPWARDS. It’s…I loved it even though I was thinking
through most of it. It’s an awesome bit of paranormal that has nothing to do with vampires, ghosts, or shapeshifters. Celtic gods and legends? *fans self* – yeah buddy! And the HEA is like the baby bear’s bed – just right!
At the moment, I’ve stepped away from true romances and I’m reading Kathy Reich’s DEJA DEAD, the first book in her Temperance Brennan series. (The TV series “Bones” is LOOSELY based on these books.) It’s getting me in the right head space to start writing my next project.
Comment
I recently read a new author, and absolutely loved her first two books! If you love Highlanders and the Paranormal this author is for you!!! Give Kendra Leigh Castle a try… I was spell-bound from the beginning of each novel and look forward to her next one in the Spring!!! :flower4you:
Comment
I finally read Beth Ciotta’s trilogy–Jinxed, Seduced, and Charmed. They were fabulous–funny and hot and really delicious reads. I hated turning the last few pages. I also read Carol Culver’s BFF trilogy (a YA series set in Manderley Prep, a wealthy high school)–she did a great job capturing the pace and feel of that time in life (well, at least for this old-timer!)
Thanks for the recommendations, Leslie and everyone–lots to add to the TBR!
Comment
Leslie having you been looking at my Amazon wish list? The only book not on my list is “Pleasure to the Max.”
I am currently in between book releases, so I have been working on the TBR pile. I just finshed reading “Alice at Heart” by Deborah Smith. Julie, this was one of the books that you sent me and I really enjoyed it.
I absolutley loved “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. This is definitively a must read. It is about a traveling circus set in the 1920′s.
“Satisfaction” by Marianne Stillings was a cute, lite read about a TV chef and a bodyguard set in San Francisco.
I am just starting to read Roxanne St. Claire’s “Now You Die.”
So many books, so little time.
Comment
The last book I read is Cross Fire the second in a series by JoAnn Ross who I just adore. I loved Free Fall which caught my attention by the cover I looked at it many times before buying it then loved it and was sure to go and get Cross Fire. I also loved Susan Mallery’s Sweet Talk Sweet spot and Sweet Trouble series. I also read an advance copy of Addicted to Love by Lori Wilde it is also the 3rd in a series I liked and have ordered the two books before it Once Smitten Twice Shy and There Goes The Bride
Comment
The two most recent books I read were Phantom Pleasures by Julie Leto, can’t say enough good things about it & then Superb & Sexy by Jill Shalvis another good read by Jill. Pleasure to the Max is on my TBR shelf as are two of the Roxanne St. Claire books from RWA. Moving interrupted my reading habits as is unpacking & getting more settled in!! However, I’m now back into reading more and loving it. I also have the first of Susan Mallery’s “Sweet” series on the TBR shelf. Right now I am reading an older Blaze by Nancy Warren, By the Book. So far, so good!
I always love seeing what authors are reading. Thanks for letting us tell about the books we loved reading.
Comment
Great post! I love to see the books that authors have enjoyed. I read Scream For Me also and loved it. I recently read Deja Demon by Julie Kenner and loved it.
Comment
:banana: Guess what came in the mail today!!
LUCKY CHARM!!!!
I’m doing a happy dance!!!! 
I just finished To Catch A Thief by Christina Skye, honestly, I was a little disappointed.
All four of the Wallflower books by Lisa Kleypas which I loved :heart1:and just pre-ordered a Wallflower Christmas.
The Book of Scandal by Julia London was great, I couldn’t put it down!
The Hellraiser by Rhonda Nelson which I am co-staring in!! Very cool!
I’m right now reading Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux which I’m enjoying very much.
And next up…LUCKY CHARM! :banana:
Comment
Most of those books are on my list to get and read, but I have so many that I still haven’t read that I’m not sure when I’ll get to them…though now I want to move them all up on my list. *sigh*
As for what I’ve actually read lately, it’s been a mix of a little of everything.
THE LAST LECTURE by Randy Pausch. This was a graduation gift from my parents when I got my MA in May. It was a very motivational read about never letting anything stand in the way of something you really want. The stories of his experiences through his life were fantastic and very touching.
JANE AUSTEN AND HER TIMES by G.E. Mitton. Another gift from my parents who are aware of my love for Jane Austen. She has to be one of my most favorite authors ever. I’ve read all of her novels and short stories more than once and written numerous critical essays on a few of them for various classes.
ICE HUNT, SANDSTORM, and THE LAST ORACLE all by James Rollins. These books are not a trilogy. All of his books can be read separately but his last four all have the same characters who are part of DARPA’s Sigma force. The first two were from a couple years ago, but I was catching up on his backlist before reading his latest (THE LAST ORACLE), which I’m still reading. The way he writes is just great, very suspenseful, and I never want to put down the book when I’m reading it.
I read all of Carly’s Hot Zone books in the last month and loved them all. The characters were all great and I loved Yank’s work behind the scenes to hook up his nieces with his favorite atheletes. Each story was a lot of fun and I enjoyed watching the athletes actually have to work to get the woman they really wanted after having women fall all over them for so long.
HIGH NOON by Nora Roberts. She’s another of my favorite authors and I really enjoyed this book. There were definitely a few twists here and I loved the ending.
LIE WITH ME by Cara Summers. I had been looking forward to this book ever since I finished her trilogy last summer about the Angelis brothers. The heroine in this one is their sister, Philly, and the hero is her long time crush and brother’s best friend, Roman Oliver. This was definitely an exciting, fast-paced read.
Comment
Ooooh, some great recommendations here!!
I really like the sound of Wuthering High! And Ev, a book with a talking jack russell sounds like a blast!
Michele, I love JoAnn Ross, too. She is a fabulous writer and the nicest person in the whole world. I owe her my firstborn for agreeing to read and quote my first romantic thriller! (Just kidding firstborn, if you happen to be lurking.
)
Keep those suggestions coming!
Comment
Karin…I totally loved “The Last Lecture” also. I found so many parallels between my experiences as a special needs parent (being told, ‘this is how far he’ll go’ and my viewpoint “the sky is the limit’). So far, boy has proved my theory is correct (freaked out his regular teacher a couple of weeks ago…
)
Comment
Some great books I read recently were Penny McCall’s “Ace is Wild” and “Trial By Fire” by Jo Davis.
Comment
That’s fantastic, Katie! Your attitude is exactly what I think every kid needs to hear and I hope your son keeps proving it true!
Comment
Pleasure to the Max is on my TBR pile. My most recent favorite is The Forgery of Venus by Michael Gruber
Comment
I am going to have to add Pleasure to the Max to my buy list. and a bunch of others. Not a good time to quit my job at the Border’s was it?? Of course, going on that theory, I would have to work there until I dropped dead.
Another book I just finished was The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason. She’s a vamp hunter but it is set in Victorian England. Not bad. Looking forward to the next one.
Comment
His Secret Past, a Superromance by Ellen Hartman, Hotter after Midnight by Cynthia Eden, and Not Without Her Family by Beth Andrews.
His Secret Past has some really great characters. Hotter After Midnight is a paranormal with shapeshifters and not my usual cup of tea, but it was well worth the read. Not Without Her Family is a fantastic debut author.
LindaC
Comment
Okay, honestly, I haven’t read any of the posts that everyone else wrote because I’m afraid I’ll find myself buried under a huge tbr pile!
I’ve been doing really well at curbing my reading and focusing on my writing and I don’t want to backslide. But….right now I’m reading Nina Bangs “Wicked Fantasy” and love it.
At some point, when I’m at a point where I can spend a few weeks reading, I’ll come back to this post and make a list!
Comment
Alannah, I read that whole series by Nina Bangs earlier this summer and absolutely loved it. Currently all three books are with my grandmother so she can enjoy them as well. You have definitely chosen a good book to read on your breaks from writing.
Comment
I am reading Lucky Charm
I also read Manning Sisters and picked up Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber and Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery
Comment
I just finished the newest Cindy Gerard and loved it as well as Lisa Jackson’s Left to Die. I can’t wait to read the second in that series from Lisa.
Comment
In regards to “Pleasure to the Max” when you said “…so steamy you’ll need to dump water on your head…” YOU. WERE. NOT. KIDDING. I think my clothes melted off my body whenever I read those love scenes! Yow. za. And the hero on the cover is totally hot. During the course of reading a romance book, especially Harlequin’s, I have a tendency to glance at the cover so I can visualize the hero in my mind. Loved this book.
Right now, I’m reading “A LITTLE LESS TALK AND A LOT MORE ACTION” by LuAnn McLane. I need to read her other books, too.
Comment
Rachel Gibson’s- “Not Another Bad Date” Funny!!
Cherry Adair- “The Mercenary” LOVED IT!
Carly Phillips-”Sealed With a Kiss” Hunter Sounds like a great guy to know! Always enjoy her books!
Julie Orton and her Perfect series I enjoyed all 3 :Almost Perfect, Too Perfect & Just Perfect
Janet Evanovich & Leanne Banks- “Hot Stuff” OK a bit silly
Anne Stuart -Black Ice & Fire & Ice Liked the 2nd one more.
Comment
I read an enthusiastic recommendation on a blog about a “Presents” book entitled BEDDED FOR DIAMONDS (believe it released in U.S. 2/08), written by an AU writer, Kelly Hunter. At the same time several authors/readers also gave glowing recommendations about the book. After some difficulty locating a copy, read it & found the characters charming & fun & the story written with a dry sense of humor. I was so impressed I bought 2 of her “Modern Heat” books from M&B/UK, which are great (though steamier). I read Hunter was just elected President (?) of RWA/AU so, perhaps, others will discover her work. It appears Hunter’s M&B releases will arrive in the U.S. , but with a delay of 1 or 2 years.
Patricia
Comment
I recently read a book that was very powerful and I want to share it with everybody. It’s called the Tablet of My Heart and it is by Elizabeth Walker.
It’s an amazing story / journal of a little girls abuse – and her healing, and the author donates from the proceeds to a foundation that helps abused children. You really should check it out!