June 2009 Read Books

This was a month of some really great reads. I’m sort of glad that I’m no longer doing a “best reads” because I’d be hard pressed to choose only a couple. I read or listened to 19 books this month. The biggest surprise for me was the YA speculative fiction novel, Uglies. I’d heard about it for a long time, and am so glad I finally got around to checking it out. Nalini Singh’s Branded by Fire was my most anticipated read, and I was so excited to get my hands on it a little early. (It will be released July 7, 2009.) I actually started 5(!) new series this month. (You can tell which ones by looking at the series/book number next to the title.) The amazing thing is, they were all good enough that I’ll definitely be reading the next books in all of them. So much for my promise to myself to finish a series before starting a new one!

(To see what else I’ve read this year, you can check out my Read in 2009 page.)

Branded by Fire (Psy-Changeling series, book 6) by Nalini Singh 6/29/9 I was so excited to see this at Border’s this past weekend! Mercy and Riley’s story was great. It was so wonderful, showing how the 2 dominant changelings were able to come together without needing to squash the other’s spirit. It also did a great job setting the stage for my favorite changeling, Hawke’s story, which will be told in the future. Nalini Singh’s site. Excerpt for Branded by Fire. (Scroll down linked page for excerpt on author’s site.)

My Wicked Enemy (My series, book 1) by Carolyn Jewel 6/26/9 I so loved Carolyn Jewel’s historical romance, Scandal, that I was curious about her paranormal series. Well, I was not disappointed! MWE was had exciting action, an interesting world (mages, witches, fiends battling it out,) and excellent chemistry between the witch, Carson and the fiend, Nikodemus. However, it was the fiend, Xia that really had my attention, and I’m so excited that the second in the series, My Forbidden Desire, features him as the hero. Carolyn Jewel’s site. Excerpt for My Wicked Enemy

Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson series, book 4) by Patricia Briggs AUDIOBOOK 6/25/9 JUNE RE-READ CHALLENGE BOOK. Review is posted here. Audiobook read by Lorelei King. I loved revisiting this book in audio format. It took me a bit to get used to the narrator, who I so closely identify with her work reading the Stephanie Plum series. But, once I adjusted, I loved listening to Mercy’s story brought to life. Patricia Briggs’ site. Print excerpt for Bone Crossed Audio excerpt from Audible.com.

In the Blood (The Makers Song series, book 2) by Adrian Phoenix 6/24/9 To read more about this book, check out this post. Very gothic in tone, this series is an interesting mix of uf, romance, and government conspiracy story. I loved learning more about Heather and Dante. Lucien’s story of the Elohim (Fallen Angels) was also really interesting. Adrian Phoenix’s site. Excerpt for In the Blood (Downloadable Word doc.)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 6/22/9 (YA) AUDIOBOOK I loved this sweet, gruesome YA story, and Neil Gaiman’s narration added to the “storytime” feel. Nobody (“Bod”) Owens is orphaned as a toddler, when his family is murdered by The Man Jack. The ghostly inhabitant’s of a graveyard take Bod in and protect and raise him. The story was funny in the way that Nightmare Before Christmas is. By the end, I had a lump in my throat with it’s touching sweetness. Great stuff! Neil Gaiman’s site.

In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa 6/19/9 Totally escapist erotic romance. Lot’s of fun to read. Librarian Gwendolyne starts getting sexy anonymous letters at work. She doesn’t know who’s sending them, but she’s hoping it’s the sexy professor who’s been doing research at her library. I was afraid it would feel stalkerish, but it doesn’t, and really reads like a fun, female fantasy. Some of the bdsm was a little much for me, but it didn’t dominate the story, and the rest was a hoot. Portia Da Costa’s site. In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa (Scroll down linked page for excerpt on author’s site.)

A Hint of Wicked (Calton series, book 1) by Jennifer Haymore 6/17/9 A good dramatic historical. When Sophie’s husband Garrett, long presumed dead, returns after 8 years cured from amnesia, he finds his wife has not only remarried, but it’s to his cousin and best friend Tristan. This book is fraught with emotion as the 3 navigate through the messy situation. I enjoyed this book very much, though I found a secondary plot line a little troublesome at times. I also wish there had been more time spent showing Sophie happy with at least one of the men, before the drama of Garrett’s return ratcheted the angst up into high gear. However, on the whole I really liked AHoW, and I’ll be looking forward to Jennifer Haymore’s next book, A Touch of Scandal, due out early 2010. Jennifer Haymore’s site. Excerpt for A Hint of Wicked (Scroll down linked page.)

In the Garden of Iden (The Company series, book 1) by Kage Baker 6/16/9 June’s TBR Challenge book To read about In the Garden of Iden check out my review here. A little slow on the start up, but in the end a really good and original story. Mendoza is a time travelling immortal who is in Inquisition-era Spain and Tudor England, trying to fulfill the mission of her employer, The Company. I really liked her prickly personality, and the climax of the story had me turning pages as fast as I could. Kage Baker’s site. Excerpt for In the Garden of Iden

Plum Spooky (A Stephanie Plum Between the Numbers novel) by Janet Evanovich 6/15/9 AUDIOBOOK This was the usual Stephanie Plum antics. However, idk if it’s because these Between the Numbers novels have never been my favorites, but it sort of felt like the story was phoned in. I was hoping that this one, the first that is regular novel length would work better for me. Unfortunately, it didn’t. Also, there wasn’t enough Ranger in it for me! Janet Evanovich’s site. Print excerpt (pdf) forPlum Spooky

The Unsung Hero (Troubleshooters series, book 1) by Suzanne Brockmann 6/14/9 AUDIOBOOK I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense, but this was an enjoyable book. I liked the history Tom and Kelly had between them. I wasn’t expecting the story about Tom’s uncle and Kelly’s father that took place in WWII. It was really good. Often, I feel bugged by 2nd storylines, but this one was as interesting as the main one. I already have the audiobook of book 2, The Defiant Hero on request at the library. Suzanne Brockmann’s site. Print excerpt for The Unsung Hero

Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas 6/12/9 This was a wonderful historical. I wasn’t always comfortable with what Gigi did, but I liked that she wasn’t a “perfect” heroine. Cam wasn’t perfect either, plotting and holding grudges instead of confronting Gigi about her behavior. Sherry Thomas wrote a fun, smart romance about 2 people with some really awful history together finding a way to come back together, and learning from their mistakes and failings. Sherry Thomas’ site. Excerpt for Private Arrangements

Uglies (Uglies series, book 1) by Scott Westerfeld 6/11/9 AUDIOBOOK (YA) Great spec fiction YA! A suspenseful story about a seemingly utopian society where everyone is beautiful and parties all the time. Of course, things aren’t that simple, and Tally Youngblood is caught up in events when she realizes that maybe she doesn’t want to be pretty. Scott Westerfeld’s site. Uglies trilogy on author’s site. Print excerpt for Uglies

Simply Unforgettable (The Simply Quartet, book 1) by Mary Balogh 6/10/9 Sweet historical romance. This is the first Balogh that I’ve read, and it was a good one. Honestly, writing this mini-review a couple of weeks later, I don’t remember many details without trying really hard, but I know I enjoyed it while I read it. I will definitely read more by her when I want an enjoyable, light historical. Mary Balogh’s site. Mary Balogh on Fantastic Fiction.

Rising Tides (Chesapeake Bay series, book 2) by Nora Roberts 6/8/9 AUDIOBOOK I really liked Ethan, whose quiet and deliberate ways mask a man who’s still scarred by his tragic childhood. Grace, too, was strong and sweet. They have loved each other from afar for years. However, I was impatient with Grace, who sort of moved from the “I’m so happy we’re finally together” stage, to the “let’s get married and live hea” stage too fast for me. Nora Roberts’ site. Nora Roberts on Fantastic Fiction.

Crash Into Me by Jill Sorenson 6/6/9 To read more about this book, check out this post. This romantic suspense novel by debut author Jill Sorenson was a gripping read. I loved the locale, since it was one with which I’m a little familiar. I will definitely be reading her next book, Set the Dark on Fire, to be released late this summer. Jill Sorenson’s site. Excerpt for Crash Into Me.

Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins 6/6/9 Review to come soon! Evangeline Collins’ site. Excerpt for Her Ladyship’s Companion.

Stree Magic (Black London series, book 1) by Caitlin Kittredge 6/5/9 To read more about this book, check out this post. This was a really good introduction to a new uf series. I liked the female protagonist, Pete, but it was Jack, a junkie punk-rocker wash out who is also a sorcerror who was really a stand out for me. Caitlin Kittredge’s site. Excerpt for Street Magic.

The Invisible Ring (A Black Jewels Novel) by Anne Bishop 6/3/9 AUDIOBOOK I had such a great time chatting with Amy about The Shadow Queen, that I decided to dive right in to The Invisible Ring. Jared and Lia’s story was suspenseful, dark, and romantic. I love Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels world, and this was an excellent addition to it. Anne Bishop’s site Print excerpt for The Invisible Ring Audio excerpt at Audible.com

The Private Patient (An Adam Dagliesh Mystery, book 14) by PD James 6/1/9 AUDIOBOOK Another solid procedural, featuring the poet/detective Adam Dagliesh. A patient at a private clinic is murdered, and it’s up to Dagliesh and his investigative team to figure out whodunit. This book also seems to be a turning point for Dagliesh, with the coming of his marriage and looking toward the future for what he will do once he is promoted out of his current position. The audio production was excellent. PD James at Fantastic Fiction.