What We're Reading

Pat here, bringing you this month’s hopelessly erratic and eclectic list of what we’ve read and enjoyed lately. I’ve been having fun with earlier Wench recommendations but not finding much new that's interesting. So all I can present to you are a couple of not-quite-cozy mysteries, nary a knitting group or book club among them.

YOUR CHARIOT AWAITS by Lorena McCourtney is a rollicking mystery that doesn’t rely on a small town setting but has great characters, a limousine, a pregnant neighbor, and a dead boyfriend. I’ve been skipping through the middles on every mystery I’ve read lately, but not this one. McCourtney keeps me highly entertained all the way through. Even the limo has a personality by the end. Cleverly crafted, and I didn’t guess whodunit until almost the end.

THE POT THIEF WHO STUDIED EINSTEIN by J. Michael Orenduff : OK, I bought this one for the title and maybe the setting. The protagonist sells Anasazi pots, which he might just occasionally dig up without reporting because if no one knows they’re there, who’s he hurting, right? So it’s that kind of morality directing the mystery—someone conned him out of his rightful money, so it’s okay to break into that someone’s house, even if he’s not entirely certain he’s in the right house. Albuquerque is a great setting. The protag’s best friend is a winner with some really good lines. And I really didn’t care who killed whom but enjoyed the ride.

Nicola:

I've read some great books this month. First up was our own Wench Andrea Penrose's new Regency mystery, MURDER ON BLACK SWAN LANE, which I have waxed lyrical about in our interview here! http://tinyurl.com/ybtwrfol That was a great treat!

Next up was THE WOMAN IN THE SHADOWS by Carol McGrath. This was an enthralling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, the wife of Henry VIII's minister Thomas Cromwell. It was fascinating to see a familiar story through Elizabeth's eyes and Carol writes absolutely beautifully about the Tudor world in elegant and rich detail. The book is out in August.

Finally, something a bit different, THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN, by Sylvia Hunter. I came across this by happy chance and now I'm glomming the series. It takes place in an alternative-history world of Britain and France, somewhere that feels a bit Regency or Victorian and a whole lot magical. It reminded me of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy in the way that it weaves an extraordinary world that feels different and familiar at the same time. Gray, a student magician, gets caught up in all manner of dark deeds and joins forces with Sophie, the daughter of his college professor, to foil a nefarious plot. All the characters are well drawn and interesting, and Gray and Sophie's developing relationship is sweet and romantic. I loved the mix of myth and history and magic!

Andrea/Cara:

This month has been a bit hectic, what with doing promo for my new Regency-set mystery,  MURDER ON BLACK SWAN LANE and copyedits for the second book in the series, MURDER AT HALF MOON GATE, which will be out next spring. Talk about having my brain spinning in circles! But I did manage to sneak in some reading time.

A few months ago I talked about THE DARK DAYS CLUB by Alison Goodman in this column, a Regency paranormal which I really enjoyed. So I grabbed the second book in the series, THE DARK DAYS PACT, and was equally engaged! Mixing meticulous Regency research with a very creative alternate world (in a nutshell, there are a type of human called Deceivers, undetectable to normal people, who can corrupt humankind. Only Reclaimers can fight them) it continues the story of Lady Helen, who been brought up as a perfectly proper Regency lady. When she’s suddenly told she has special powers and must lead the Reclaimers against a new and terrible Deceiver Power, she’s aghast at having to leave life as she knows it and take on a strange new world—but feels she can’t refuse. (there’s a backstory with the death of her parents.) Helen’s inner conflict is wonderfully wrought—having to learn to fight, wear men’s clothing, be aggressive, etc—as is the adventure through Bath as she and her mentor, the mysterious Lord Carlston, are desperately searching for a manuscript that must not fall into enemy hands. I’m not normally a paranormal reader, but this is such an inventive take on the Regency that I was riveted. Book Three is not yet out, but I will glom it when it appears.

Also just started A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS, which Mary Jo mentioned in this column  —and interviewed author Marie Brennan last week on the blog—and I’m loving it! Highly recommended! 

 

Susan:

While still dealing with the broken right elbow (healing up nicely!), I've had time for more reading (tho sadly less writing). Even so, I've been a scattered reader, picking up and putting down books. . . except for a few standouts. Recently I finished reading one of the best historical novels I've ever read (ever ever), and it's hard to top that. The characters and that utterly complete world will be with me for a long time -- Alice Hoffman's THE DOVEKEEPERS, which I mentioned before, when I started it. For me, it became one of those rare novels, a deep and compelling and profound read. I came away grateful for the experience, grateful too for my own safe, ordinary modern life. Extraordinary. Gird up your reader's courage and go for this unforgettable book. I learned so much as reader, writer and person. 

Being in the mood for another big, deep historical, and naturally gravitating to earlier centuries over later ones, I finally settled on THE LAST KINGDOM, Bernard Cornwell's first book in his Saxon Tales series, which I've been meaning to read for some time. Many people have recommended the TV series to me as outstanding, but I wanted to read the books before I try the tele-version. Cornwell is an absolute and undisputed master. Even more fascinating is that he based the story on an Uhtred of Bamburgh who was his own ancestor. Bravo. Amazing.  

I so loved Sophia Bennett's LOVE STORY that I'm now reading THE LOOK, a story of two sisters, one suddenly a teen model and feeling all gangly and out of sorts in that world, while the other is facing the struggle of cancer. There's humor, romance, natural characters and such a sense of love throughout. Just, well, lovely, and a nice change of pace from the big historicals!    

Anne:

 I have a fondness for English contemporaries with witty dialogue and gentle low-key romances, and this month my favorite was Jane Lovering's LITTLE TEASHOP OF HORRORS.

I've mentioned Jane Lovering before. Her debut novel PLEASE DON’T STOP THE MUSIC won the 2012 UK Romantic Novel of the Year and the Best Romantic Comedy Novel award from the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association.

In LITTLE TEASHOP OF HORRORS, the heroine and her best friend run a teashop in the grounds of a National Trust type English stately home. The hero is an unusual type for a hero — very socially awkward, he flies raptors for the entertainment of the visitors. There are dodgy doings and lots of minor character intrigues and a fine, though low-key romance — a most enjoyable read.

On the recommendation of a friend I read TRULY, by Ruthie Knox — a contemporary romance set in New York. A few small quibbles about the heroine's trusting nature, but nevertheless an enjoyable and entertaining read.

PERSUASION, by Jane Austen — one of many rereads — I first read it in my teens. I'd planned to pull out quotes from it for chapter headings in my latest book, but as usual I became absorbed in the novel and forgot to hunt for quotes.

I've also been reading some books by Elizabeth Cadell — my mother used to read these, and as a teen I would too, if I'd run out of my own reading matter. The books were mostly written before I was born, but they've been republished as e-books by Cadell's heirs, and I was curious. They're quirky little books, but quite enjoyable.

 

Mary Jo: 
 
I was vaguely aware of the name Megan Whalen Turner, but had no idea what she wrote. Then her recent release, THICK AS THIEVES, turned up in a pile of books pictured on John Scalzi's blog, . He periodically posts a picture of piled new books and ARCs and asks readers what interests them. Which is how I discovered Marie Brennan's wonderful Lady Trent dragon stories.
 
And now--Megan Whalen Turner! She's considered a YA author, though really, I think she's for any age. Her Queen's Thief series is set in a fictionalized version of the Eastern Mediterranean around 500 BC or so, I think. Three small nations, Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis, are more or less equivalent to Greece and a couple of neighboring nations, while to the east looms the huge and predatory empire of the Medes. (Yes, there were Medes historically.)
 
After some debate, I decided to read the new release, THICK AS THIEVES, first because it looked as if it stood more or less on its own, which it did. I'll get back to that later. But I enjoyed the book so much that I went back to the beginning and read the first book, THE THIEF. And then the second, THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA. I'm now most of the way through the third book, THE KING OF ATTOLIA, after which I'll have only book 4, A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS. And then I'll be sad the series is over and I'll have to let some time go by before I can reread.
 
The series revolves around Eugenides the Thief, and it begins when he is manacled in a prison in Sounis, having been caught for boasting of his thieving skills. The local magus (a scholar, not a magician) springs him out to march him to another country to steal a sacred object. And the twists and turns begin!
 
That first book was a Newbery Honoree and MWT has won tons of other awards. The stories are clever and compelling, and she very wisely chooses a different angle into each book. The first book is narrated by Eugenides, Gen to his friends, and you get a sense of what he's like. The next books are in third person and you see him as other people see him. And what you see it a very smart, very twisty character who is very hard to predict. (At one point, it's mentioned that his father had been trying to strangle him and his cousin says that many who know him have often felt so inclined. And these are people who love him!)
 
As I said, the most recent book, THICK AS THIEVES, is more standalone and takes place mostly in the empire of the Medes. The protagonist, Kamet, is a highly placed slave, the secretary and right hand man to the brother of the heir to the empire. He showed up as a minor character in an earlier book. Even though he's a slave, he's potentially one of the most powerful people in the empire.
 
Then he's told that his master has been poisoned and Kamet will surely be executed if he's caught. With the aid of an Attolian soldier, he attempts to flee the empire to safety in Attolia. Lots of adventures, but the heart of the story is how a slave learns to be free, and how to trust another man enough to become friends. It's very good and sent me back to the beginning of the series. But if you have a choice, start at the beginning with THE THIEF. <G>

Joanna:

M.C. Beaton may be familiar to Romance readers as Marion Chesney.  I discovered her detective  Hamish MacBeth as a TV series.

Most usually it's the other way round. Book first, then turning with trepidation to the TV-series-made-from-the-book which is generally disappointing. This time, the TV series was excellent and I decided to try the books.

I’m finishing DEATH OF A TRAVELLING MAN right now. A grifter and thief, travelling the countryside in a converted bus, earns MacBeth's annoyance by disrupting his quiet village. When the man turns up murdered, it's Hamish's job to sort through the small cons that led to his death. Beaton's straightforward prose, a miscellany of colorful characters, details of life in an isolated village on a loch in Scotland, and a carefully unrolling mystery make for a wryly witty and cerebral mystery.  

 

 

Pat here again: Now that I've started a new TBR list, do you have any great books you'd like to add to it?

 

Comments

[Janga]

This week I have been rereading some July releases before writing reviews. I've been hooked on Beverly Jenkins's Blessings series since the first book. Chasing Down a Dream is the seventh book set in Henry Adams, Kansas, a historical African American town, and although it is less stellar than some of the earlier books in the series, it is still a good read with humor, heart tugs, and issues to consider. I have also reread two other winners: Susan Mallery's Secrets of the Tulip Sisters, a tale of the reunion of a pair of estranged sisters, and Jodi Thomas's Indigo Lake, the sixth book in her Ransom Canyon series. Thomas is a long-time favorite author, and I loved this story of lovers who reconcile a generations-long feud. In addition to fiction, I'm reading Geraldine Roberts’s The Angel and the Cad: Love, Loss, and Scandal in Regency England and finding it as riveting as any novel. I am also reading Being Ugly: Southern Women Writers and Social Rebellion by Monica C. Miller. “Ugly” in this context refers not to a lack of physical beauty but to misbehaving or rebellious women, specifically in the characters of Flannery O’Connor, Alice Walker, and other Southern women writers. As always, I am reading poetry. This week it is The Wild Iris by Louise Glück a poet whom I admire but with whom I never feel quite comfortable. That perhaps is her fascination.

Anne, Persuasion is my favorite Austen and I too reread it every few years. And I have been adding the Cadell books to my digital collection as they are reissued. I too have wonderful memories of reading them from my mother's bookshelves.

[Sherry]

I don't think Sylvia Izzo Hunter's series has gotten the recognition it deserves. The books might be too slow for some people, though. In all three books, the focus is largely on interactions between lovers, family members, and friends, with the action really only picking up late in the novel. But the author's alternate version of our Europe and its geopolitical relationships is interesting, and she also has a very well developed system of different kinds of magic. The books really are worth a try for readers who like both historical fiction and fantasy novels.

[Mary T]

Most of what I have read this month was just so-so. I'm a romance junkie - I read so many of these books. And while I truly enjoy them while as I'm reading them, most of them are quite forgettable. A really good book is one where I can remember the characters and plot a week later. I have found a new author who meets that standard.

Her name is Melanie Fairfield. I found her books while I was trolling Amazon for cheap (oops, I mean inexpensive - smile) ebooks. I must not be the only one to discover her because her latest offering has jumped in price from 2.99 to 5.99. Oh well, she is worth it. There are only four book out there, but I have read two of them already. We all look for different things in stories. My favorites seem to be ones that are what I call "quiet" romances - ones that are strong on character and plot development as opposed to action or high adventure. If it is the type of book you like, you might want to check her out.

[Joanne Bourne]

The books this month look so interesting. I've been having a hard time concentrating on new stuff. (Could it be the heat?) But this is going to break my dryspell.

Library, here I come.

[Patricia Rice]

Oh some favorite authors on this list--making notes. And the Roberts' book sounds fascinating, thank you!

[Patricia Rice]

Along with Nicola's recommendation, I'll have to add this author to my list to check out. I don't mind slow. I just like well written characters, so this sounds like my cuppa!

[Patricia Rice]

I just looked her up and Field of Honour is on sale for 99c ! I agree that there are a lot of truly forgettable books out there anymore, so I'm always on the hunt for strong ones.

[Patricia Rice]

Yeah, I'm waiting to see what other books show up from our readers and then sitting down with a library list. The ebooks--I'm scarfing up as I read.

[Sonya Heaney]

All I know about The Last Kingdom is that everyone on Tumblr posts TV-show images of the main man's (apparently regularly naked) arse! I'm guessing there's much more to the story than that.

I've hardly read a thing in the past few weeks. While I know that there're plenty of decent books out right now, I always seem to struggle mid-year.

[Patricia Rice]

LOL on Kingdom. Guess I've missed that. ;)

Is it just mid-year that brings the struggle? Several wenches have mentioned they're struggling too, which is why we look forward to these posts. New material, yum!

[Sue McCormick]

I am another devotee of Persuasion. And, like the others, I re-read it every year or so. I think I've been prompted into another read!

I didn't know Cadell was available in e-books! I own many print-and-paper copies; I will certainly look for the ebook versions.

As to my readings this month — it' ALL your fault! I am exploring the works of Edith Layton. I am reading Natural History of Dragons; I usually gallop through a book, but i am reading this slowly, and savoring every sentence.

And I have just finished Pat's No Perfect Magic. (And by the way, she did Rose's deafness just right as far as my prospect goes).

I've also been rereading some Kearsley.

SEE: It IS all your fault — 2 Word Wenches, a Word Wench emeritus, and a Word Wench recommendation.

[Quantum]

I'm always on the look out for outstanding audio books. Both the book and the narrator have to be outstanding. This double filter narrows the choice of romance books quite a lot!

Most recently I have been looking back at some classics. Jane Austen is often quoted on romance blogs (e.g. see post above) but I think that the Bronte sisters hold comparison very well. There are also fantastic bargains available for classics. For example this last week I bought Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights for less than £3 each, with superb narrators. The trick is to download the kindle version first (it's often free) then a massive discount on the audio book at Audible becomes available.

The version of Jane Eyre that I am listening to now is excellent. The scene at Thornfield school where Jane holds her friend as she is dying from consumption is heart rending .... I think my Welsh ancestry makes me susceptible to a good tear jerker!

[Linda Manwiller]

I've been a fan of Megan Turner's books for years and have Thick as Thieves on the library's "to be bought" list. Of course, one of the perks of this job is that I get first dibs on the titles. I'll have to keep a lookout for Hunter and Goodman. Are the Lovering books available in the US? They sound intriguing. I do love these monthly lists...I get great ideas for new authors! Presently I'm re-reading Grace Burrowes' series...

[Michelle Athy]

Oh, Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen, too!

Let's see, most recently, I've read Julia Quinn's Girl With the Make-Believe Husband, which I really liked. I also enjoyed No Rest For the Wicked by Krystal Jane Ruin, which is a NA paranormal, and I just started a YA contemporary, a genre I would usually never read, titled The Education of Margot Sanchez--it's billed as Pretty in Pink in the South Bronx.

[Sonya Heaney]

Maybe it's just in the mind. It's winter here, so maybe I'm depressed. :) :) I either read a thousand books in one week, or take a month to read a novella. There's no middle-ground,

[Sonya Heaney]

Oh, I missed the Persuasion thing!

THE most popular quote:

"You pierce my soul. I'm half agony, half hope."

It's *THE* Persuasion quote everyone uses. :)

[Suzanne]

Thanks for the recs...my tbr pile is growing leaps and bounds. I'm now in the house, but now the real fun begins, unpacking, before I have time to read.

Pat: I'm not one for reading mysteries, (or at least no gruesome ones) but I'm loving the title of Lorena McCourtney's book. Also, I've yet to sort through the boxes of books I just inherited after my Mum's recent passing, but I know she was a fan of you and Mary Jo. So, more to be added to the tbr pile. 😊😊

Nicola: I "one-clicked" Andrea's new book, and the other two books have caught my attention, so are now on my watch list.

Andrea: Your new book is now on my Kindle, and like you, paranormal isn't usually my cup of tea. But I'll definitely look into this new-to-me author.

Susan: Glad to hear you're on the mend! I twisted my ankle/tore the Achilles' tendon back in March and it's a been slow in healing--old age setting in, lol. As for The Lost Kingdom...terrific show, btw, as was Sharpe's Army. Not doubt BC is terrific at his craft, but I'm not a patient reader, if that makes sense? I'd rather watch these types of book than read them, which is a huge failing on my part.

Anne: Janre Lovering has come up numerous times over the last few years, so when LToH was on sale, a while back I purchased it. and I started it, only to be interrupted by this chaotic move. Persuasion remains one my favs, so much so that I own every version made on DVD. Although I love the newer one (with Rupert Penury-Jones--what a dream dish, lol) I'm still partial to the version starring Ciaran Hinds.

Mary Jo: Are these long, page-wise? And is there a romance to the story? I'm all for the HEA, even if the romance is secondary to the story.

Joanna: I'll have to check out this author; seems she might appeal to my reading tastes. So thanks for posting.

So, while I haven't read ANYTHING in a couple of months, on my tbr list is Jo Goodman's newest release, A Touch of Frost; Anne's latest, which I started the other night going to bed, and because of this darn move stopped, for I want to read without any interruptions whatsoever.

[Suzanne]

Gah, sorry for the typos: failing eyesight and sunshine don't mixed--though I am glad for the sunshine after a miserable week of rain.

[Patricia Rice]

it's really bad when you can't read in winter! I need books to fight the winter blues.

[Patricia Rice]

Smiling broadly here, thank you! Deafness has many levels, so it's tough to get it so everyone accepts it.

But we do recommend some fascinating books, don't we? Libraries should thank us.

[Patricia Rice]

Excellent information for the audio buffs among us! I first read Jane Eyre in 4th grade, the same time I read Pride and Prejudice. I adored them both and re-read them constantly, which probably influences my need to read about poor characters who make good. But sadly, I cannot listen to books being read.

[Patricia Rice]

Lucky on being first in line! I have to wait forever. Lovering can probably be bought from Book Depository if they're not yet here. No shipping: https://www.bookdepository.com/

I always buy electronic so I've had no problem getting them.

[Patricia Rice]

oh, I missed the Quinn. I'd buy it just for the title! thank you!

[Patricia Rice]

I know the hazards of moving, although how you survived without crawling into bed each night with a book is beyond my infinite imagination. ;) Have fun unpacking all those books!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Suzanne--yes, there is satisfying romance (a couple of them) woven through the books. They aren't the center of the stories, but they're and essential part, if that makes sense. The books aren't super long--certainly I've been whipping through them very fast! The first book, THE THIEF, is available in print from Amazon for less that $5.00 with free shipping if you have Prime.

[Vicki L.]

Hmmmm, I'll have to tell my mom about that book Being Ugly that Janga mentioned. Growing up my mom used to tell us "Don't be ugly". Usually when we were not behaving or were not talking nicely. Who knew there was a whole book about it.

As for reading, I seem to have hit a streak of meh and DNF books when reading new to me books. I'm positive of this because I've put nothing in my box to trade with my sisters.

Though I did just go on a Lori Foster reread binge. I got to thinking about her Visitation series that starts with Say NO to Joe? and had to read it again. Joe and Luna are such a FUN couple and I always enjoy it.

Which meant I had to read all the other books in that series (The Secret Life of Bryan, When Bruce Met Cyn, Just a Hint - Clint, Jamie.) That series of books is a romance with a small mystery worked into each book.

Another reread was Elizabeth Peter's Crocodile on the Sandbank.

Quantum might like listening to the Hamish McBeth tapes on audio. I LOVED listening to them. The narrator of the versions I listened to was Davina Porter. She was just so perfect as she got Hamish just right (as well as all the other characters.)

[Mel Scott]

Love Megan Whalen Turner! Was so excited when I found out there was a new book. The whole series is one I re-read often. They've just come out in audiobook too, which is great.

[Anne Gracie]

Janga, how interesting you're also reading the Cadell books. I wish the heirs of more authors of the past would revive their books and turn them into e-books.

I was so cross with myself when I was reading Persuasion, that even though I've read it I don't know how many times, I still forgot to look for quotes to use with my chapters. :)

[Anne Gracie]

Chuckling here, Sue -- we do it to each other, too. When we're putting these posts together, I think most Wenches end up buying some of the books recommended. And then there's another round of book shopping of recommendations that come up in the comment stream.

[Anne Gracie]

Well, in that case, Sonya, I'll try to make a point of using it. It's quite tricky to find the right quote for each chapter. And sometimes I use lines out of context, because on their own they suit the event in the chapter.

[Anne Gracie]

Quantum, I used to use a simplified edition of Jane Eyre for one of my adult literacy classes -- mostly older ladies who were learning to read and write in English. They loved it to bits.

The question of audio narrators is an interesting one. I've recently learned that some narrators have a real following and that there are reviews around for audio books that concentrate on the narrator as much as the book.

[Anne Gracie]

Linda, that link provided to the Lovering book will take you to amazon.com, where I bought it.

[Nicola Cornick]

I can see what you mean about the pace of the books not suiting everyone, Sherry. For me the depth of characterisation was definitely a strength but I realise a lot of readers might want more more action along the way. I thought the alternate Europe was absolutely fascinating and really did feel as though I had stepped into an incredibly well drawn different world.

[Nicola Cornick]

Poldark has his bare torso and Uhtred his bare behind!! I think the books are better than the TV series although many people have enjoyed the series too. Like Susan, I do enjoy Bernard Cornwell's writing.

[Nicola Cornick]

Suzanne, I hope that reading will prove a soothing antidote to all the upheavals of moving! I'm sure you will enjoy Andrea's Regency mystery; it's completely engrossing.

Put me down as another Persuasion fan too!

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, sigh, Janga. You always add SO many books to my TBR List. Must start a special "Janga" pile!

Persuaion is one of my all-time favorites. Now have to think of pulling that out too for a summer "comfort" read.

[Andrea Penrose]

I'm not a huge fantasy reader, Sherry, but these sound very good! Thanks!

[Andrea Penrose]

That sometimes happens to me too, Sonya. I was struggling a few months ago, but this column really jumpstarted some good reading. In particular, I loved Nicola's recc of Love Song and and Susan's recc of The Madwoman in the Attic.

[Andrea Penrose]

We apologize, Sue! (ha, ha,—not really!)

[Andrea Penrose]

Quantum, I actually read Jane Eyre before Jane Austen. It's still one of those classics that remains very fresh in my mind. It had a big effect on me!

[Andrea Penrose]

Anne. that's so nice to hear! What a brilliant idea of yours. I bet P&P would be popular too. The relationships between men and women, with all the complexities and emotions, are universal!

[Andrea Penrose]

I have the Quinn book on the TBR. Always enjoy her books.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks so much, Suzanne!

As I said in my blurb, one of the reasons I like the dark Days book so much is because they are grounded in a very real regency world, and it's interesting to see a very traditional Regency young lady have to fight mentally the normal strictures she's grown up with in order to do her paranormal mission. Great tension, and great characters complementing her. I'll be curious to hear what you think.

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, Crocodile on the Sandbank is another all time favorite. Can't count all the times I've reread and still laughed aloud. I'm looking forward to the last Amelia later this month. I have high hopes that Joan Hess finished the ms. as EP would have wished.

[Karin]

I read "Again" by Kathleen Gilles Seidel, because it was recommended by one or more of the Wenches. Not my usual read at all, but I really liked it! It's not-quite-contemporary at this point, because of the lack of cell phones and computers.
I just finished "Someone To Hold" (Mary Balogh) and it was a sweet comfort read, but I prefer her more angsty and deeply emotional books.
A month or two ago I read "After the Scandal" by Elizabeth Essex and it was WONDERFUL, I adored every moment of it. There were parts that were a bit reminiscent of Joanna's Bourne's writing, but I'm not sure if it was the writing style, or the fast moving action and cleverness of the characters. In any case, I then had to seek out "The Danger of Desire" because it features the hero of ATS as a child. That's next on my TBR. I also read another Essex novella, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" which is a prequel to her Kent family series.
I inhaled another Emily Larkin book, "The Spinster's Secret" and enjoyed it, although the setting was a bit grim. At this point I think I've read almost everything she's published.

[Patricia Rice]

I've not read her but she's definitely been added to my TBR after so many recommendations!

[Patricia Rice]

Sigh, now adding Essex because anyone who can be compared to Joanna has to be investigated. See the stack teeter...

Seidel is a delight, but it is a problem dealing with those older non-cell phone books, isn't it? I'm not sure they ought to be updated, as Agatha Christie and all the classics weren't, but it's so tempting sometimes!

[Kareni]

I read The Dovekeepers with my book group a year or more ago; it was indeed a fascinating book, Susan.

Some recent reads here ~

— a re-read of Dark Horse (Class 5 Series Book 1) by Michelle Diener
— read and re-read Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata which is a new book by a favorite author. I enjoyed it even though it’s not my favorite of her books. It’s an epistolary novel in that the main characters are emailing/instant messaging for the first half of the book; they do not talk or see each other until well into the second half.
— The Japanese Lover: A Novel by Isabel Allende for my book group. This was a fairly easy book to read, and I finished it over the course of several days. It touched on a host of topics ~ the holocaust, the incarceration during World War 2 of Japanese Americans, child pornography, infidelity, and incest to name a few. The storyline was interesting, but I was left feeling unmoved — and I’m a person who could be compelled by another author to cry over the death of a goldfish! I don’t regret reading it, but it’s not a book I’d recommend.
— The Ribs and Thigh Bones of Desire: A Novel by Sandra Hutchison. This caught my attention because of its unusual title which, it turns out, comes from a Virginia Woolf quote. I enjoyed this (though it did have challenging content) and would happily read more by this author. It is fiction rather than romance.
— read and enjoyed Kristen Callihan’s contemporary romance The Hot Shot. It’s book four in a series but can stand alone well.
— the male/male contemporary romance Wake Up Call by JL Merrow which I enjoyed.

— the almost contemporary romance (it’s set in the 90s) How to Love Her (McCullough Mountain Prequel) by Lydia Michaels.
— Ilona Andrews’ White Hot: A Hidden Legacy Novel which I enjoyed.
— the short non-fictional inspirational work Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … and Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
— The Hard Truth About Sunshine by Sawyer Bennett which I enjoyed and found myself thinking about as I lay awake in the middle of the night. The author made her name writing romances, but this is different from her usual style. I believe this is a book I’ll read again. It’s a book that needs a host of trigger warnings: child abuse, suicide, war, severe injuries, incurable cancer. I’ve probably failed to list a few.
— Alyssa Cole’s historical romance An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League) which I enjoyed. I haven’t read too many romances featuring women of color, so this was a step in that direction. I started the book a couple of weeks ago and then put it down half read; I’m glad I resumed reading.
— the historical romance The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn which I enjoyed. It’s a book I expect I will be re-reading.
— a book that I really enjoyed is And It Came to Pass by Laura Stone; I’d describe it as a love story. The author was raised in the LDS faith and was a Gospel Doctrine teacher; consequently, her book seemed very accurate in its representation of the Mormon faith. The author also included some disquieting statistics about Mormon LGBT youth as regards suicide and homelessness.
— Come Sundown by Nora Roberts. I enjoyed it as I normally do books by Nora Roberts. (Though admittedly I lost interest in and did not finish her previous book, The Obsession.)
— the graphic novel T-Minus: The Race to the Moon by Jim Ottaviani and Zander Cannon to complete a square on the bingo card for my library’s adult summer reading challenge. It was a pleasant read but not something I’ll likely re-read.
— Currently reading with pleasure Jo Goodman's new book, A Touch of Frost

[Patricia Rice]

Wow, I'm in awe of the depth and breadth of your reading material! My list might be as long, but most of it would say--DNF. So it hardly counts. ;) Thank you!

[Anne Gracie]

It wasnt my idea, Andrea -- the simplified books are there, and they work really well at giving beginner readers access to classic stories. I liked them because a lot of literacy courses concentrate on reading and writing for a variety of practical reasons, and while thats all very well, theres not a lot of reading for pleasure in there. The ladies in my adult literacy group almost wept over Jane Eyres trials and tribulations.

[Karin]

Oh, you have been missing some great books! You could start with the first Kent family story, "Almost A Scandal" which is a cross-dressing, seafaring romance.

[Andrea Penrose]

Well, it's brilliant of you to use the simplified Jane Eyre. Having a compelling story that resonates makes people really grasp the joys of reading. I'll bet the women you taught now read books for pleasure, not merely to get along in everyday life. And that's a special gift you've given them!

[Janice]

Bit late to the party, but the most interesting book I read last month was The Close Encounters Man by Mark O'Connell, which is a life of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomy professor who was originally brought in by the gummint to debunk UFO sightings, and wound up believing there was something to them, even if he didn't know what that was. The author weaves Hynek's life and work with a sense of what was going on in the culture of the times, so there is context. It's an entertaining read, even if one is only into nostalgia.

[Patricia Rice]

oh very cool! I need to recommend this one to my husband. Weve had a close encounter wed like explained!

Patricia Rice
http://patriciarice.com