November 2009 Read Books

This wasn’t one of my biggest nor one of my smallest reading months, but there were some really excellent books that I read in November. I would actually be hard pressed to pick 1 favorite read for the month, but a quick Top 5 —not including re-reads—for this month (in no particular order) would be:

• Zero at the Bone
• Strange Fortune
• Soulless
• Shadow Magic
• Hemovore

Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville 11/30/9 M/M LOVED this romantic suspense! D, a hitman, is coerced into taking a job he doesn’t want—a hit on an innocent witness, Dr Jack Francisco. Instead of killing him, D and Jack go on the run. It was an exciting and sexy read, and I just wish Jane Seville had more books I could pick up! See more about ZatB at this post. Jane Seville’s site. Excerpt (click tab on linked page) for Zero at the Bone.

A Brother’s Price by Wen Spencer 11/29/9 December’s Re-read Challenge book. Review to be posted later this week. Wen Spencer’s site. Excerpt for A Brother’s Price.

Vanished by Kat Richardson (Harper Blaine series, book 4) 11/27/9 Kat Richardson’s writing just keeps getting better and better! I love that this book explores Harper’s background, and we get so much insight into her character. Until now, the books in this series have been mostly plot driven (which I do like) so this was a bit of a departure, in some ways. The other change in this book is that while the other books in the series are firmly set in Seattle, this book moved around quite a bit, from Los Angeles to London. In the same way, though, that Kat Richardson is so good at really giving making Seattle another character, LA and London really come alive. Kat Richardson’s site. Excerpt on author’s site.

Shadow Magic by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett (Sequel to Havemercy) 11/24/9 Again, like Havemercy, Shadow Magic was told from 4 different 1st person povs, with 2 individual (but related) storylines. I loved the voices in this story, especially those of Caius, Mamoru, and Kouje. But, what I liked best about this book was its theme of epic tales/storytelling and Romance, told through the acting troupes, and lived by Mamoru’s and Kouje’s story. I can’t wait for Dragonsoul, the next book set in this world, which will be released June 8, 2010. Jaida Jones’ and Danielle Bennett’s site. Excerpt on publisher’s site. Insight Book Preview for Shadow Magic.

Death of an Outsider by MC Beaton (Hamish MacBeth Mystery series, book 2) 11/21/9 AUDIOBOOK Audiobook read by Davina Porter. Another sweet mystery with Hamish. I liked that he was in different surroundings, a bit of a fish out of water, even though it was another rural village in the highlands. The mystery’s resolution was a little out of the blue for me, but I really enjoyed his romance with a Jenny, a Canadian ex-pat painter. MC Beaton’s site. MC Beaton at Fantastic Fiction. Audio excerpt at Audible.

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood series, book 4) by JR Ward 11/21/9 I can’t believe I waited this long (4 months?) to resume reading this series! Again, total junk food reading that is sooo satisfying. All the brand name dropping makes my eyes roll, but I gladly put up with it, cause I really enjoy the story. Butch’s story (which I’ve heard negative things about) was not what I was expecting, but I was happy to go along for the ride. I had to let go of the whole “Butch and V” fantasy, and it was time to accept Marissa. I’ve already requested the next one, Love Unbound (V’s story) from the library. They have it in audiobook format, so I’m going to see how I like that. JR Ward’s site. Excerpt on author’s site.

Valor’s Choice (Confederation series, book 1) by Tanya Huff 11/19/9 Audiobook read by Marguerite Gavin. This book was a step outside of my comfort zone, since space opera isn’t really my genre. However, I knew I was in good hands, since I love Tanya Huff’s Smoke series and Blood series. This was a really entertaining “ensemble cast” war story, with Torin Kerr, a sergeant in the Confederation’s military forces as the protagonist. Her battle-weary platoon is assigned on an “easy” diplomatic mission, which (of course) goes very wrong. I love narrator Marguerite Gavin (who also does The Hollows series by Kim Harrison) and how she is able to bring the large cast to life. Tanya Huff’s blog. Tanya Huff at Fantastic Fiction. Audio excerpt at Audible.

Trick of the Light (Trixa Iktomi series, book 1) by Rob Thurman 11/17/9 At first I wasn’t to sure about this new series. I LOVE RT’s Cal Leandros series, but this one had to grow on me slowly. Mostly, this was because of what felt like overkill on the “snarky” narrative voice, which I usually really like. It just felt like too much of a good thing. But, as the story progressed, it grew on me, and the twist at the end moved this book into the “win” category for me. Rob Thurman’s site.

Strange Fortune by Josh Lanyon 11/15/9 M/M GREAT spec fic. Cool take on a British Empire India with a magic system. I love the chemistry between Valentine and Aleister, though the plot and world system was the center of the action. I really hope Josh Lanyon writes more in this genre! Josh Lanyon’s site. Excerpt for

The Man Within (Breed series, book 2) by Lora Leigh 11/14/9 I liked this more than book 1. Roni was a strong heroine, and I really enjoyed the history that she and Taber shared. I already have books 3-5 ready to go on my ereader! Lora Leigh’s site. Excerpt on author’s site.

Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson 11/13/9 November’s TBR Challenge book. See full review. Ebook is available for FREE (along with 15 other titles) as part of Harlequin’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Polar Reaction by Claire Thompson 11/10/9 M/M This was a good piece of escapist reading! I like the “stuck in a snowstorm” storyline which makes Tuck, Jamie, and Brendan coming together the way they do more believable. I like how the author didn’t just end the story there, with a pat HEA, but follows the men home, as they try to determine if what they had during the snowstorm is more than a short term fling. Claire Thompson’s site. Excerpt on author’s site.

Cover Me (Men of Smithfield series, book 3) by LB Gregg 11/9/9 M/M This was a re-read. I wanted to re-read it before finishing the review, since it had been over a month since I read it, and it was such a quick enjoyable read. Check out my review at this post. LB Gregg’s site. Cover Me excerpt.

The Wine of Angels (Merrily Watkins’ series, book 1) by Phil Rickman 11/8/9 AUDIOBOOK Audiobook read by Rebecca Lacey. This excellent psychological mystery that was very dark, had paranormal/horror overtones, and features a female Anglican priest. (Not exactly the typical cozy mystery one would expect, given the protagonist.) I highly recommend it. Audio excerpt at Audible.

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas 11/8/9 I love Sherry Thomas’ writing, and Not Quite a Husband was wonderful. Like her earlier story Private Arrangements, NWaH is about a married couple who have done things in the past that they regret before the book opens. The action of the book is how they have grown and changed in the intervening years and learn how to forgive. I love character development, and even though there is lots of exciting action (war! exotic lands!) it is the growth that Bryony and Leo go through that make this such a great read. Sherry Thomas’ site.

Rosemary and Rue (October Daye series, book 1) by Seanan McGuire 11/6/9 This was a really enjoyable new UF series. I love stories about the fae, and the San Francisco setting really made the story vivid for me. Really looking forward to book 2, A Local Habitation, to be released March 2010. Seanan McGuire’s site.

Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel 11/4/9 Upcoming special post on Indiscreet! Excerpt on author’s site.

Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price 11/3 M/M This was an excellent paranormal, which had a really original take on vampires. The Hemovore virus, a highly contagious disease has completely changed society. Mark works for a V-positive artist, Jonathan, and is obsessive about making sure he stays clean. Then, someone targets Jonathan, trying to destroy his (equally obsessively) secretive and structured life. Events move fast, sweeping Mark and Jonathan up in a suspenseful and absorbing story. I have plans to start JCP’s PsyCop series as soon as I get my hands on it! Jordan Castillo Price’s site. Excerpt at publisher’s site.

Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate series, book 1) by Gail Carriger 11/1 This was such a fun, unique  story! Set in a paranormal steampunk world of Victorian England, Alexia is a rare soulless person, who acts like a “null” (someone immune to and acts as a dampener to magic) around the supernatural werewolves and vampires that are a part of London elite society. Witty, silly, and a little bit sexy, I absolutely loved this story. I can’t wait for book 2 in the series, Changeless, which will be out March 30,  2010. “Open Book” excerpt of Soulless. The Soulless Victorian Dress-up Doll (A fun time-waster!)

It really did feel like an embarrassment of riches in November. And, I know that a few of the books I read this month will be making an appearance on my Top 2009 Reads.

What were your favorite reads in November?

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