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Your Turn Friday the 13th

June 13, 2008


Great, Friday the 13th, what a way to end this week.  Actually it is perfect, because anything else that goes wrong won't really feel like Friday the 13th bad luck, it will just feel like a normal day.  <grin>  And, there have been some great moments this week.  The emails, good thoughts and wishes sent my way have more than made up for it.  So, here's the books that have kept me entertained (and somewhat sane) this week.  As always, leave a comment on what you're reading.

First up is Pleasuring the Pirate by Emily Bryan.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, Emily has some of the best first lines of books.   ‘The next time I decide to kill a man,’ Jacquelyn thought, ‘I really need to find better help.’  And so begins Jacquelyn (Jack) Wren's plans to do anything to protect her town from the pirate who inherited it.  Gabriel Drake returns home from the sea to take his family's title, he knows he'll have to settle down, but he doesn't have to like it.

Emily had me with Distracting the Duchess (first line, "I'm going to have to shorten his willie.")  Since pirates are a weakness of mine, the title and cover just about did me in.  Add great dialog, interesting side characters (the nieces who are out of control and the crusty, pirate sidekick) and an author who clearly loves her subject matter and I'm there.  For me, you could call this book, Pleasuring the Reader.
                               

Next up is Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward.  This latest book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood features Phury, who had become the Primale (this means he has to live in a paradise, having sex with beautiful women who are the Chosen ones, in order to propagate the brotherhood).  He's not thrilled with the prospect as he fights his own inner demons that include a drug addiction and feelings of inadequacy.  Cormia is his Chosen First Mate, but he hasn't done the deed with her yet, so add confusion of that to her learning of how things work here in the real world.  Meanwhile, the bad guys (the Lessening Society) are emerging with a new leader and coming to age Brotherhood members grapple with their growing strength.

Whew, I've read all the Brotherhood books and while it's a very dark series, it grabs you and dares you to try to close the book.  Impossible!  You just have to know what's going to happen next and while each book does end with some sense of closure, JR leaves enough there so you want to go over to her house and demand to know what she'll put her poor characters through next.  If you like meat in your stories, there's lots to chew in this series.
                                     

Finally I read Rescue Me an anthology.  Tropical Heat by Cherry Adair has Dr. Elizabeth Goodall kidnapped in the African jungle and Sam Pelton, secret government agent as her rescuer.  She knows him from back home, but doesn't know his secret identity. 

Atlanta Heat by Lora Leigh.  Emerson Delaney's godfather is Navy SEAL Macey March's boss, so even though she wants him, it's a no go situation until a kidnapping situation throws them together.

Desert Heat by Cindy Gerard.  Detective Seth King and Assistant DA Elena Martinez are teamed up for a hike in the Grand Canyon, but a drug lord out for revenge throws cold water on their hot attraction.

Anthologies are great for getting to know new authors or just getting a quick fix from a familiar one.  These short stories were a perfect diversion while waiting in the doctor's office and gave me the chance to talk to people about 3 authors at the same time.  Yes, I'm into multitasking, people.
                                    

For my long drives this week I was fortunate enough to listen to The Third Circle by Amanda Quick.   Leona Hewitt has the ability to channel energy in special crystals.  While trying to obtain a relic stolen from her family, she meets Thaddeus Ware, a mesmerist with psychic abilities.  His hypnotic talent puts most off, but Leona understands and accepts it.  Meanwhile, the Midnight Monster is busy killing women and a dark society called the Third Circle is somehow all tied together.

The Arcane Society books are delightfully entertaining, but even more so when on audio.  Read by Anne Flosnik, it just adds so much more to the atmosphere of the story and I'm a goner with the whole British accent thing.  There's plenty of mystery, suspense and romance to go around.  I want to join to Arcane Society.  There you go Jayne, start one up and you can have really cool pins made to identify the members, secretly, of course.

Now it's your turn to let everyone know what you've been reading (or listening to) this week. 

Bottom Line:  As I've been saying for over a year now, read a good book and all the yucking stuff in life fades away, at least for a little while.  And isn't that the best part.
 

             


Posted by Barbara Vey on June 13, 2008 | Comments (27)


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June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Jody Wallace commented:

The girls and I have been listening to a full cast audiobook of "Fairest" by Gail Carson Levine this week. It's quite good, but I think I'm going to have to get the paperback...fewer interruptions!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Jody Allen commented:

I have been in Gaelen Foley reading frenzie of late. Lover her Knight family books. I also read a YA book called A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS which was interesting and a book I can share with my nieces but was very light on the development of the love story, which after books like Harry Potter with their rich characters and plots might be pretty tame stuff to them.

At least it isn't raining. I was fine last night until we lost power right when I got to a good part in the book. Dear hubby wouldn't let me use the flashlight to read incase we need to make a run to the basement in the dark.

Hope all the Wisconsin/midwesterns are enjoying a bit of rain free respite until it all begins again soon.




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
TarotByArwen commented:

Just finished "The Lost Duke Of Wyndham" which was a very emotionally fulfilling book. I cried even. Ok, so I cry at McDonald's commercials. Still Julia Quinn has another solid story in this one!

I'm reading the new Shiloh Walker now. It's intriguing. I actually didn't know what to expect. It was billed as an urban fantasy, but so far I'd say it's more straight fantasy. Which is not bad because I like both genres. :)




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Sheila commented:

My TBR pile runnith over. lol
I'm re-reading Jane Eyre since I bought the DVD for the BBC version starring Toby Stephens.
Reading some ARCs by Christina Dodd, Carly Phillips, Christine Feehan, Lisa Kleypas.
I will have read 10 books by the end of this weekend! Ack!! lol




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
CHRISTINE commented:

Wow--I just finished Emily Bryan's "Distressing the Duchess" and thought it was great fun. Can't wait to read "Pleasuring the Pirate" after your enthusiastic review!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
jbh commented:

Not sure if I mentioned this last week, but Karin Tabke sent me her book Jaded, which will be out on the 24th. Really good. Very strong, passionate characters.

I also read The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen. Completely different from Karin's Jaded, but loved both of them. The Sugar Queen was a more magical, fairy-tale like book.




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Emily Bryan commented:

Hi Barbara!

Glad to hear you enjoyed my PIRATE.

I just finished giggling my way through Celeste Bradley's DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE. Delightful. And I'm just starting Marjorie Liu's TIGER EYE. Yum!

Happy Reading All!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
mary s commented:

Thanks Barb--that "bottom line" was very inspirational!! Sure enjoy your blog every day!!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Lacey commented:

Emily Bryan, that IS a great first line!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
SassyDevil commented:

I've had PLEASURING THE PIRATE on my TBB list for some time now. I will gladly hand over money to the cashier when I buy it. I have a weakness for pirates!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
DianeWhiteside commented:

I read THE WRONG HOSTAGE and INNOCENT AS SIN by Elizabeth Lowell. Oh my gosh, Wrong Hostage is incredible and I want a Joe Faroe of my own! (And yes, I do have everything Elizabeth Lowell has ever written.) I can hardly wait for BLUE SMOKE AND MIRRORS to come out.




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Velda Brotherton commented:

Enjoyed your review on Pleasuring The Pirate. Emily Bryan is a favorite of mine too. I'm also a fan of great first lines. Wish I were so talented as Emily with coming up with them. Keep up the good reviews for all of us looking for good reads.




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Liza commented:

I read Lover Enshrined this week as well as Wild For Him by Janelle Denison(loved them both). I'm currently reading Wild & Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson, it is great and so funny too.




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Renee Knowles commented:

Great review. Emily's book sounds fab! I just finished The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn and The Charm School (re-issue) by Susan Wiggs.

Enjoyed both very much!

Renee
www.reneeknowles.com




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Jusy commented:

My reads for this week was J.R. Ward's LOVER ENSHRINED and Sophie Kinsella's REMEMBER ME?. I enjoyed both books.




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Colleen Thompson commented:

Glad to hear the head's up on Emily Bryan's new book. LOL on that opening. What a grabber!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Susanna Carr commented:

This week I read YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS by Loretta Chase. I thought it was great!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Leanna Renee Hieber commented:

Reading TWIST by Colby Hodge and EYE OF THE BEHOLDER by Stacey Klemstein, enjoying them both! Thanks for your "Bottom Line" Barbara, that's a wonderful mantra!




June 13, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Scotdncr (Becky) commented:

I have been trying for two days to get to The Power of Love. Just can't seem to find five minutes to read and it's calling me!!! Staying up tonight until I can at least start it. :)
Becky




June 14, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Rowena Cherry commented:

I love Emily Bryan's work, and also that of Diana Groe! I can't wait to read about her Venetian courtesans.

As for what I am reading... Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Valde, for the third time.




June 14, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Helen Scott Taylor commented:

I am a sucker for pirates as well, so Emily Bryan's book is my dream read. Such a great cover as well.




June 15, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Missy Taylor commented:

Okay that's it... I'm a sucker for pirate books and as you've mentioned her first lines are too good to pass up... getting pen and adding Emily Bryan to my TBR list.




June 15, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Sam Cheever commented:

Hey Barb, I'm going to have to try Emily Bryan's "Pleasuring the Pirate". It's been far too long since I've read a good Pirate romance! I'm taking a short sabbatical from my usual fare this week and reading "Trick My Truck but don't Mess With My Heart" by LuAnn McLane. This is the first book I've read by this author but I'm enjoying it.




June 15, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Kathryne Kennedy commented:

I'm reading DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS and it's wonderful! Now I can't wait to read the second book!




June 15, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
C.L. Wilson commented:

I adore Emily Bryan! Her books are witty and well-written - a pure delight to read :)




June 15, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Gina commented:

This week I read the first Sophie Metropolis book (of the same name) by that great husband and wife team known as Tori Carrington.

Then in a rare evening of TV without my husband I caught Little Women on cable with Susan Sarandon (sp) and that prompted me to dig out this classic book to read it again for the first time in at least twenty years.

I've also finished I've Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark - which I found the "first person" dialogue to overwhelming since it happened at some point with nearly evrey character, would have been a great mystery without that POV.

Now I'm into the 2nd Sophie Metropolis book, "Dirty Laundry".




June 16, 2008
In response to: Your Turn Friday the 13th
Lori Barnes commented:

This is my first time on your site and will certainly be back. Saw Pleasuring the Pirate and thought i'd check it out. My first book was a Pirate Romance and i went on Amazon and bought just about all i could find. Even though I've branched out after my 2 year addiction to reading I will grab any Pirate read to go in my collection. Haven't seen this one yet so thanks so much this will be added to my wish list books!





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