My Reading List - August 2012

FINISHED - 

1. "LEGALLY HOT" "SHEILA'S PASSION" by Lora Leigh (B) As a former Marine, Nick still wakes up in a sweat over the things he's seen in the field. However, when it comes to his best friend - and the only woman he has ever wanted, Sheila - he may have met his biggest challenge yet. Sheila has sworn off love after having her heart broken one time too many and Nick can't convince her to give it another try. But when he tempts her into becoming temporary friends with benefits, Nick fully intends to make her his forever. "DEADLY DANCE" by Cheyenne McCray (A) Detective Adam Boyd is still putting his life back together after a break-up when he gets word that the man who killed his old partner has been released from prison. Keri Holliday's career as a professional ballerina was ended abruptly six years ago after she was brutally attacked. Now her attacker, the same man who killed Adam's partner, is back on the streets and looking for revenge against the woman whose testimony assured he was locked away. Adam will do whatever it takes to keep her safe...and never let her go. "CAUGHT" by Red Garnier (B) After his parents were murdered, young Cody was put in foster care...and Megan has thought about him ever since. Now that Cody is back he has three things to tell Megan: He's a police officer, he's found his parents' killer and he wants to be her man - until death do they part.
2. "CELEBRITY IN DEATH" by J.D. Robb (In Death #34) (A++++) (abridged Audio CD) Her career in homicide has taken her into the darkest depths of New York City's underground - and sometimes Lieutenant Eve Dallas feels more comfortable in those kinds of places than in the high-rise, high-society world of her billionaire husband, Roarke. But while she's no party girl, she's managing to have a reasonably good time at the celebrity-packed bash celebrating the debut of The Icove Agenda. This time it's Eve, not Roarke, who's a guest of honor, since the film is based on one of her famous cases.Her partner, Peabody, is practically giddy over rubbing shoulderss with Hollywood royalty. Eve, on the other hand, is more likely to roll her eyes than have stars in them. But she has to admit it's a little spooky seeing the actress playing her, who looks almost like her long-lost twin. Not as unsettling, though, as seeing K.T. Harris, the actress who plays Peabody - drowned in the lap pool on the roof of the director's luxury building. Talented but rude and widely disliked, K.T. had made an embarrassing scene during dinner. She clearly liked being the center of attention. Now she's at the center of a crime scene - and Eve is more than ready to get out of her high heels and strap on her holster, to step into the role she was born to play: cop.
3. "THE ROAD HOME" by Susan Crandall (Road to Romance #2) (A++++) Desperate for a brand-new start in life, Lily Holt grits her teeth and relucantly travels the road back home with her teenage son, Riley. But she's still waiting to exhale because Riley is getting into trouble again. Hoping a job at the local marina will straighten him out, Lily never expects his "mean boss" to be Clay Winters, the man who broke her heart fourteen years ago. With brown eyes that haunt her and broad shoulders that can carry the world, he makes her feel like no other can. Good sense warns her to stay away, but a mother's instinct tells her he can help with her son...and a woman's long-buried desire aches for his touch. Once her body confesses to Clay what no words can say, will he break her heart a second time or make her secret dreams come true at last?
4. "CODE NAME: NANNY" by Christina Skye (Code Name #1) (A+++) Going undercover has never been more sizzling, when a female FBI agent teams up with a gorgeous Navy SEAL...FBI agent Summer Mulcahey's latest assignment comes with a few unexpected perks - like the naked six foot four inches of stunning Navy SEAL she just saw stepping out of the shower. Not what Summer bargained when she agreed to go undercover as a nanny for a prominent San Francisco family. Gabe Morgan says he's the gardener. So why's he carrying a concealed weapon and sticking ultra close to her and the kids when danger comes calling? Gabe was doing a favor for an old friend: protecting a California political clan from deadly threats. But the captivating daredevil who claims to be the kids' new nanny wasn't part of the deal. With her take-no-prisoners attitude, Summer could torpedo this Navy SEAL's mission - not to mention his heart. Now, like it or not, they're partners in a deadly game. One false move could make them both history...or turn a risky situation into a mission possible for a man and a woman who can't keep their hands off each other.
5. "NINE LIVES" by Sharon Sala (Cat Dupree #1) (A+++) They say cats have nine lives. Lucky for Cat Dupree, she's got seven left. Bounty hunter Cat Dupree first cheated death when she was thirteen. The second time left her orphaned and scarred. And the only thing that will dimish her lust for revenge is finding the man who left her for dead as she watched him murder her father. Every job she takes is an opportunity to invade the criminal world that hides the tattooed man who ruined her life. And she hopes to hunt him down on her current mission into the rugged deserts of Mexico, where there is no law to watch her back. Without her knowledge, bondsman Wilson McKay is on the same job and trailing Cat is the fastest way to find his man. He's willing to share resources - and the reward - especially if that means getting to know the lonely woman beneath Cat's tough, take-no-prisoners exterior. Life's taught Cat that the surest way to land on her feet is to work alone, but Wilson might be the man to change her mind - when they're not competing for jobs or ready to kill each other.
6. "QUINN" by J.C. Ryan (Montana Sky #1) (A+++) As a young boy, Quinn Conway was shattered by his mother's mysterious disappearance. Today, as the oldest of the Conway brothers, is only concern is protecting his family and their ranch. One look at beautiful, strong-willed Cheyenne O'Brien tells him she's also no stranger to tragedy. A series of increasingly dangerous "accidents" are plaguing her and her land and Quinn can't stand idly by while a woman is in danger. Fiercely independent, Cheyenne isn't one to lean on others, yet she can't deny her attraction to the rugged ranger offering to help. Soon, the passion building between them proves as wild and untamed as the land she loves - and just as impossible to resist. But a relentless enemy is about to make one final devastating move. To survive, Quinn and Cheyenne must put their cherished freedom - and their hearts - at risk. 
7. "LINE OF FIRE" by Jo Davis (Firefighters of Station Five #4) (A+++) After a day of putting out fires, the sizzling-hot men of Station Five tend to start a different kind of blaze. Take all-American - and all-sexy - Tommy Skyler. To the other men of the A-shift, Tommy's a lucky guy who has it all. But deep inside, the golden boy of Station Five hides a private pain,. He was once a star quarterback on the fast track, until tragedy derailed his dream. Ever since then, he's struggled with the choices he's made - including his decision to become a firefighter. His one ray of light shines in beautiful nurse Shea Ford. And when a dangerous rescue lands Tommy in the ER, what better opportunity to win her over? As Shea gives in to her felings for him, Tommy and she reach the heights of passion. But when a conspiracy culminates in deadly arson, Tommy will lose more than he ever imagines. A ruthless enemy is closing in, threatening to destroy the couple's love - and their lives.
8. "IF YOU HEAR HER" by Shiloh Walker (Ash Trilogy #1) (A++++) A cry in the woods. The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood - she has no doubt that a  young woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard - and if leaves her filled with fear and frustration. Ezra King is on leave from the state poilice, but he can't escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her - to be touched by her - but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman's screams, his instincts tell him that Lena's life is also at risk - and his desire to protect her is a fierce as his need to possess her.
9. "COWBOY" by J.M. Snyder (A) (Kindle) Marcus was just passing through Texas when he met Kent. In his cowboy hat, low-riding jeans and black boots, Kent looks like the type of guy Marcus desperately wants to love. But two years later, he's discovered Kent is cold and distant, the Quintessential American cowboy and spends more time drunk than sober. Marcus can never predict his mood and blames himself for the flailing relationship. Then, one day when Kent rides into town, Marcus finds a young runaway hiding in their barn. Luke is warm, loving and quick to please...everything Kent is not. Though the answer seems obvious, Marcus finds himself torn between te boy who demands his love and the man whose love he craves.
10. "APRIL & OLIVER" by Tess Callahan (A+++) Since childhood, April and Oliver have been soul mates who shared a palpable attraction. Now, after years of being separated, their wildly different paths collide with the sudden death of April's brother. The sensual tension builds as Oliver, the responsible, engaged law student, finds himself drawn more than ever to the reckless, mystifying April. But even as Oliver attempts to "save" his childhood friend from her grief, her menacing boyfriend and herself, it soon becomes apparent that Oliver has some dark secrets - ones he hasn't revealed to anyone.
11. "HUSH" by Cherry Adair (Lodestone #1) (A++++) A reckless adventure in a deadly paradise. Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adenture, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world's highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death - where they don't know the rules. A one-night stand that will change his life forever. Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle. A risky, death-defying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak's life...until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense. An unexpected diversion with lethal consequences. Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead - at any cost.
12. "HIDDEN FIRE" by Jo Davis (Firefighters of Station Five #3) (A++++) The scorching-hot firemen of Station Five are known for cranking up the heat. Sexy Rogue Julian Salvatore is no exception. He's earned his reputation as a ladies' man, but chasing women has also been a way to outrun a terrible secret from his past. Then he meets defense attorney Grace McKenna, a beautiful ice queen who's more than willing to give Julian her body, even if he can't seem to melt her heart. In the blazing heat of their passion, Grace and Julian start to let down their guard - just as a series of grisly murders rocks Nashville and Julian is targeted by the killer. As the firefighter comes face-to-face with his demons, he and Grace must race to uncover the terrible truth - or become the next victims.
13. "MAGNOLIA SKY" by Susan Crandall (Road to Romance #3) (A++++) The moment that Luke Boudreau had been both dreading and anticipating for the past five months had come. In all that time, he'd debated long and hard about what he would say, yet had found no words to convey his regret. He came to Mississippi as a man, not a soldier. Still he felt as unprepared as if he'd come straight from the battlefield to speak to the mother of Calvin Abbott, the man who shouldn't have died. The fact that his best army buddy had a wife riocheted wildly in Luke's brain. Never in their entire association had Calvin given the slightest indication he was married. And his behavior certainly never reflected it. Luke denied himself the long hard look at Analise Abbott that he burned to take. Looking into those lovely green eyes might just prove to be too dangerous.
14. "NAKED EDGE" by Pamela Clare (I-Team #4) (A++++) The day Navajo journalist Katherine James met Gabriel Rossiter the earth literally moved beneath her feet. Nearly killed in a rockslide while hiking, she found her life in the tall park ranger's hands. Although she can't forget him, she thinks she'll never seen him again. She is crushed when she recognizes her rescuer among the law enforcement officers raiding a sweat lodge ceremony one night, throwing her and her friends off Mesa Butte, land they consider sacred. Gabe long ago swore he would never again lose himself to a woman - not even one with long dark hair and big eyes that seem to see right through him. But from the moment he first sees Kat, the attraction he feels is undeniable. Appalled by what he has been ordered to do, he's determined to get to the bottom of the recent events at Mesa Butte - and keep Kat safe. But asking questions can be dangerous - almost as dangerous as risking one's heart. And Kat and Gabe's passion for the truth - and each other - makes them targets for those who would do anything, even kill, to keep Native Americans off their sacred land.
15. "SHEER PLEASURES" by Stella Cameron (Navy SEALs #1) (A+++) Attorney Wilhelmina Phoenix knows she's heading for treacherous waters when she sets out in search of her oldest and dearest friend, who disappeared from a private pleasure club in Washington State's Cascade Mountains. She doesn't realize just how treacherous...until she meets sexy Roman Wilde, an ex-Navy SEAL who's working undercover. The desire that ignites between them is as explosive as dynamite - and twice as dangerous.
16. "WHIRLWIND" by Nancy Martin (Tyler #1) (A++) Welcome to Tyler, America's favorite hometown. A town filled with memorable friends and unforgettable lovers. Share the passions, the hopes and dreams of America's favorite small town. Where romance blooms - When lively, brash Liza Baron arrives home unexpectedly, she moves into the old family lodge - where silent, mysterious Cliff Forrester has been living in seclusion for years. Where the future is about to collide with the past - when a body is uncovered on the lodge grounds, the community begins to piece together the truth about Tyler's first family and a secret hidden for forty years threatens to tear the town apart.
17. "WELCOME TO SERENITY" by Sherryl Woods (Sweet Magnolias #4) (A+++) The Sweet Magnolias are branching out. When Jeanette Brioche helped launch The Corner Spa in Serenity, South Carolina, she found a whole lot more than professional satisfaction. She discovered the deep and loyal friendships that had been missing from her life. But even the Sweet Magnolias can't mend the terrible rift between Jeanette and her family or persuade her that the holidays are anything more than a season of misery. Pushed into working on the town's much-loved annual Christmas festival, Jeanette teams up with the sexy new town manager. Tom McDonald may be the only person in Serenity who's less enthused about family and the holidays than she is. But with tree decorations going up on the town square and a bit of romance in the air, Jeanette and Tom take a fresh look at the past and a hopeful look into the future. Together they discover that this just may be a season of miracles after all.
18. "MAID FOR LOVE" by Marie Force (The McCarthys of Gansett Island #1) (A++++) (Kindle) Maddie Chester is determined to leave Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she's knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy's Resort Hotel by Gansett's favorite son - Mac McCarthy. He's back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be "maid" for love.
19. "PROMISES TO KEEP" by Susan Crandall (Road to Romance #3) (A+++) Molly Boudreau has the career she always wanted: she's a doctor at last. Yet there's a hole in her life. She yearns for a soul-stirring connection - and her prayers are answered in a way she could never have predicted. A pregnant woman with a past cloaked in secrecy shows up at Molly's hospital, only to be murdered after she gives birth. But Molly made this young mother a promise and now she risks both her career and her safety as she flees with the baby to her own hometown. With everyone assuming the infant is hers, she has no trouble hiding the much more explosive truth - until a sexy reporter with smoldering eyes starts asking probing questions. Dean Coletta wants to know everything about this "mother & chid"...even as he longs to hold Molly's body next to his...even as he carefully guards his own shocking secret, the one that now threatens the child Molly loves more than life itself.
20. "SUN KISSED" by Catherine Anderson (Kendrick/Coulter #7) (A++++) Samantha Harrigan's quarter horses are falling ill due to poison and as the insurance eneficiary, she's the prime suspect. Unswayed by the rumors around town, handsome veterinarian Tucker Coulter offers to help prove her innocence, even though Sam is uneasy about accepting his assistance - and about the way he makes her feel. "BEAUTIFUL GIFTS" by Catherine Anderson (A+++) To escape an arranged marriage, recently widowed Faith Randolph leaves her privileged life in Brooklyn with her daughter and ends up on a farm in Colorado, where she finds happiness in owner Patrick O'Shannessy's loving arms. But when her father comes looking for her, Faith must choose between her duty and her heart.
21. "IF YOU SEE HER" by Shiloh Walker (Ash Trilogy #2) (A+++++) Hope Carson may not look like a survivor, but she has escaped an abusive ex-husband and recovered from a vicious assaut. Now she endures the painful memories and suspicious rumors surrounding her involvement in the attack. Her ex is a cop, so the last people she trusts are law enforcement officials - and she certainly doesn't trust how the local DA makes her feel inside. Remy Jennings should know better. He has no business falling for a woman who he suspects may have a deeply troubled mind. And even if he did make a move, she'd bolt like a frightened rabbit. But how can he deny a burning desire that threatens to consume him? As Hope's past catches up with her in the worst way, Remy is determined to break through her defenses, earn her trust and keep her safe in his arms - before it's too late.
22. "HERE TO STAY" by Catherine Anderson (Harrigan #4) (A++++) Mandy Pajeck had a tough childhood - an abusive father, a mother who left and a younger brother, Luke, who depended on her when she was just a child herself. Now twenty-eight, Mandy remains devoted to Luke and feels responsible for the accident that took his sight. But his complete reliance on her care is making them both miserable. When she meets handsome Zach Harrigan and his mini guide horse, she thinks she's found the ticket to her brother's happiness - and maybe her own. Of the five Harrigan siblings, Zach is the hellion who parties hard and takes nothing seriously. But lately his life has felt empty. So, employing his skills as a horseman, he begins training a mini guide horse for the blind, never expecting that the project will lead him to beautiful, tenderhearted Mandy. She's everything he's ever wanted in a woman. But though she's charmed by Zach's patience and compassion, she can't bring herself to fully trust him. And when Zach urges her to confront the truth about her mother's disappearance, the secrets they uncover are so shocking that even Zach's steadfast devotion may not be enough to win Mandy's heart.
23. "PRICELESS" by Sherryl Woods (Million Dollar Destinies #2) (A++) Charismatic playboy Mack Carlton lit up a room - even a hospital room - like no one else. Dr. Beth Browning had to admit Mack's visits were a tonic for her young patient, but her own reaction was much more confusing. Although Beth didn't ask for a second opinion on her future with Mack, his aunt Destiny offered her prognosis: marriage. Given Mack's romantic history and her own wariness due to passt losses, Beth hesitated to agree - but her symptoms were undeniably love!
24. "ALL SUMMER LONG" by Susan Mallery (Fool's Gold #9) (A++++) Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime? Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he'll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool's Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he's frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous...assets. Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family - yet she can't move toward the future while she's haunted by painful memories. Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?
25. "HOME BY STARLIGHT" by Jerri Corgiat (Love Finds a Home #4) (A+++) Ever since Patsy Lee O'Malley's husband died, she's been solely responsible for four children, a multitude of animals and a run-down farmhouse in Cordelia, Missouri. There's never been enough time to pursue her own artistic dreams or even to slow down - until a mishap knocks her off her feet. At one time, the roar of applause filled the ears of musician Zeke Townley. Now there's only the quiet of a solitary lifestyle - until he offers to help out his friend's sister-in-law, Patsy Lee, who's been laid up with a broken ankle. Taking care of her - and her countless responsibilities - is no easy task, but it reminds Zeke of the joys of having a family to call his own. Soon, both come to realize that the sidewalk Patsy slipped on was actually a crossroads. And together they'll have to figure out which way to turn next.
26. "DECADENT" by Shayla Black (Wicked Lovers #2) (A+++) How can a virgin seeking happily-ever-after with a hot pop star who has a penchant for threesomes win her fantasy man? Kimber Edgington desperately needs a plan to convince Jesse McCall, who's been her friend and secret crush since they spent a summer together as teenagers, that they are meant for each other. But all the tabloid stories about his sexual escapades make her feel oh so inadequate. Determined to prove she's woman enough for Jesse, Kimber turns to bodyguard Deke Trenton for sexual education. Bold and brash, Deke warns Kimber that playing with him is playing with fire. But he can't bear to imagine the innocent beauty in someone else's arms. So Deke and his super-sexy cousin, Luc, take Kimber under their wings and dangerously close to the edge of ectasy. Though she's saved herself for Jesse, Kimber soon learns he's not the man adept at stoking her aching, endless need. That's Deke and he can't resist when Kimber begs for more - and more.
27. "DEVIOUS" by Lisa Jackson (New Orleans #7) (unabridged Audio CD) (A++++) The crime scene at St. Marguerite's cathedral in New Orleans is shocking, even to seasoned detectives like Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya. A novice nun named Sister Camille has been found dressed in a yellowed bridal gown and viciously garroted, her body covered with an altar cloth. Valerie Houston is devastated by her sister's death. For weeks, she'd begged Camille to leave St. Marguerite's, where she seemed determined to live as some kind of martyr. But Camille had a knack for making bad choices - she joined the convent in part because she'd fallen for Val's soon-to-be ex-husband, Slade. Convinced the police aren't doing enough, Val begins to investigate. Slade, on a mission to repair their marriage, is determined to help her. But the deeper Val's inquiries go, the more twisted the case becomes. St. Marguerite's is far from the tranquil retreat many believe and everyone, from handsome Father Frank O'Toole to the mysterious Mother Superior, has their own agenda. Despite their closeness, even Camille had a hidden life Val never expected. But someone knew about Camille's past - and Val's too. Now she has no choice but to catch the devious, depraved killer intent on purging St. Marguerite's of all its sins - before she becomes the next victim.
28. "IF YOU KNOW HER" by Shiloh Walker (Ash Trilogy #3) (A+++++) A shadow in the window. Nia Hollister doesn't scare easy. Come hell or high water, she intends to find her cousin's killer and so she returns to Ash, Kentucky, for answers. What she doesn't expect is to ache with desire every time she sees Law Reilly. If any man can help her escape the nightmares for awhile, it's him. But can she allow herself to take comfort in those strong arms when a murderer still roams free? Unbeknownst to Nia as she quietly slips into Law Reilly's home, she's being watched - by someone who is waiting for an opportunity to strike. Timing is everything, though he can't wait forever. If Nia's not frightened now, she soon will be. Nia has made a vow to find her cousin's killer. She should be careful what she wishes for.
29. "FIFTY SHADES OF GRADE" by E.L. James (Fifty Shades #1) (A++++) When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants thuis man and despire his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana's quiet beauty, wit and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too - but on his own terms. Shocked and yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success - his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family, Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumer by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair. Ana discovers Christian Grey's secrets and exdplores her own dark desires.

Currently Reading -

1. "Ride the Fire" by Jo Davis (Firefighters of Station Five #5)

Currently Listening to -

1. "The Witness" by Nora Roberts (abridged Audio CD)

Currently Reading

1. Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben ( Myron Bolitar # 1)

Currently Listening To

1.  Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts

Finished

1. Edge of Apocalypse by Tim LaHay & Craig Parshall (End # 1)
2. The Lost Ones by Ace Atkins (Quinn Colson # 2)
3. The Assassin by Andrew Britton ( Ryan Kealey # 2)
4. The Invisible by Andrew Britton ( Ryan Kealey # 3)

I'm going to continue to finish [or at least catch up on] the different series that I've started the last couple years.

Finished:  Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels  -- This book of the Sisterhood series was a little over the top, I thought.   Not quite as plausible as most of the others. Seems like Michaels was trying a little too hard in this one.  But I will continue the series and hope this one was just a fluke.

The Harbor by Carla Neggers -- Continuation of the Texas Rangers series, although this one doesn't deal with the Texas Rangers, but an FBI agent supposedly on vacation and an ex-cop investigating the murder of the ex-cop's father. As usual, Neggers writes a good story with a little bit of romance and plenty of suspense.    

 Milk Glass Moon by Adriana Trigiani  --- A sweet continuation of the Big Stone Gap series. Ave Maria deals with her daugther, Etta, as she grows to womanhood.  Not always following the path Ave Maria would want her to take, but becoming a woman she can be proud of. Sorry to see the series end...maybe there will be more about Ave and her husband, Jack Mac.

Comfort and Joy by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Cathy Lamb & Deborah J. Wolf  -- 4 short stories all centering around Christmas.  I especially liked the ones by Michaels, Lamb & Bostwick [I hadn't read anything by Lamb & Bostwick before], the one by Wolf was good but it seemed to end too abruptly. All in all a fun, easy read.

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs --- A continuation of the Temperance Brennan series, and this one is a page-turner.  All Reichs' books are terrific, but this one really tops the list. It's one of those you just can't stop reading. Tempe is subbing for the coroner in Charleston SC, helping find the causes of some mysterious deaths.  And finding herself in danger.  Highly recommended!! 

Acts of Mercy by Mariah Stewart  --- Last one in the Mercy series. This one wraps up a situation that started in the first book, Mercy Street, besides adding other cases to the mix. All in all, a very good read. Mariah Stewart writes really good mysteries.

Reading Now:   Summer at Eclipse Bay by Jayne Ann Krentz & Rituals of the Season by Margaret Maron   

Up Next:  Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper

Finished::

Midwives Chris Bohjalian

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness Alexandra Fuller

Bingo Night at the Fire Hall Barbara Holland

The Tea Olive Bird Watching Society Augusta Trobaugh

Between Expectations: Lessons from a Pediatric Residency Meghan MacLean Weir MD

The Quickening Michelle Hoover

Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition Caroline Alexandra

The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai John Tayman

Postcard Killers James Patterson

Getting Out Gwendolen Gross

Last Light over Carolina Mary Alice Monroe

Fifteen kids and an old blind horse David McElhaney

Finished

• Skippy Dies by Paul Murray 
• Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
• We Only Know So Much by Elizabeth Crane
• Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain 
• The Bungalow by Sarah Jio 
• Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

Currently Reading

• My Old True Love by Sheila Adams
• Faith by Jennifer Haigh
• The Cove by Ron Rash

Listening To

• Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick

FINISHED - 

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (book 1 Dark Tower) Stephen King

Currently Reading -

1. A Clash of Kings (book 2 Game of Thrones) George R.R. Martin

Currently Listening to -

Just finished:

A Hard Day's Knight (Nightside)
Author: Simon R. Green

Reading now:

A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France
Author: Caroline Moorehead

Finally got one done!

Finished

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe - It had a lot of behind the sceens info about the movie making process and how some people really are (usually Great! in Rob's world, lol) as well as his personal progress. He seems like a pretty decent guy and doesn't make excuses for his mistakes. If anything he's harder on himself than he need be. He isn't my type, I can recognize that he is good looking to a lot of people but he never did it for me personally, and he manages to talk about the problems he's had because of being good looking without sounding conceited or like a jerk and that's not easy. This isn't a really deep book but it was interesting, it makes you wish you were his friend back in the day when he and the "brat pack" were just starting out. Well wprth reading. 

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams - I've known the story forever, it was about time I actually read it. Quick read, humorous, not sure it would have been so iconic outside of the drug generation, lol. 

Unbillable Hours by Ian Graham - Would have made a great feature article, not enough for a book. Too many boring patches repeating the same inner turmoil of working in big law firms. The story of the court process in a wrongly convicted man is somewhat interesting and very disheartening but most of the lawyer world stuff was boring. The author was very, very bored doing most of the work so I'm not sure why he thought we wanted to hear about it in such detail. 

Men-ipulation by Monica Sarli - I think it's only available in e-book format so it wasn't listed on here. Good Reads has it though so link is to them. First of a memoir trilogy about a spoiled rich chick who seems to have forgotten her poor life before marrying a trust fund owner. They are both heroin and crack addicts and have plenty of money to fund their habits. It was interesting but I don't really like her. She's self-centered and her biggest worry about going to prison later on (when the various illegal things in her life come up) is she won't have her thousand pair of Manolos. The story is a little more complicated than that but she isn't. She's an addict and an enabler and while she owns up to everything that makes her an addict she never mentions how she enables her husband through his stumbles. I wasn't overly impressed. She is a local woman so the setting made it a bit more interesting but I don't have any desire to seek out the other two books, even after reading a teaser at the end of this one. I just don't really care what happens to her next. 

Trainspotting by Irwine Welsh - My sister insisted I read it, I have seen the movie but some time ago. I didn't really get the movie and I didn't really get the book. I'm not sure I really see the point, I'm not good at books like this.

Then Again by Diane Keaton - Much more about her family and mother than her. Kinda like she is trying to show where she came from rather than who she is. A lot about her mother, inluding large sections from her mother's journal. If you like a family dynamics stury you'll like it, if you want to know what happened in Diane Keaton's life you won't. 

Porno by Irvine Welsh - Sequel of sorts to Trainspotting. This is the much better story and should have been made into a movie. With the popularity of Trainspotting  I'm surprised it wasn't. This one actually had a plot and a story and not as much written in dialog. I enjoyed it much more. 

A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French - A debut novel. I'm a big fan of Dawn and her comedy partner Jennifer Saunders and she writes well as part of a comedy duo but this wasn't really quality writing. It is about a family of 4 and is written in alternating chapters each in one character's voice, however they all sound like Dawn. I can see her saying everything the characters say. The dad only has one chapter near the end, it's mostly mom, teenage daughter and younger teen gay son. I liked the son the best, he's the only one not annoying. He's so deliciously flamboyant and complex. The daughter is very immature for 18 and mom isn't much better. Dawn's RL marriage broke up not that long ago and it made me wonder about the mom's near cheating episode, if the feelings she talked about that made the mom try to cheat were reflective of real life. And the dad acts like I would think Lenny acts IRL. It's just she had one of those well-matched marriages that even though they are both celebrities you could see it lasting forever. It was a shock when they divorced. They also have a teen daughter, I hope she isn't as bratty as the kid in the book. It was alright but I expected better. I read her memoir that she wrote before this and it was much better written. 

The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo - Another Harry Hole (which sounds much better when said in a proper accent, more like Hule) mystery. It was a good one as usual, maybe not his best. Not quite as complex as usual but still pretty unpredictable. Glad to see a major loose end tied up, a bit skeptical as to how easily Harry shrugged off his on and off alcoholism in this one. 

These Children Who Come At You With Knives by Jim Knipfel - Basically loose morality tales written like episodes of the Outer Limits. They don't all have a moral bend but most do, like the really rotten boy who gets his or the town that everyone thinks is so nice until it's revealed to be just an act. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would but it was ok, quick read so no harm done. It could have been much cleverer. 

Seven Patients by Atul Kumar - It says it's a work of fiction but it's clearly meant to reflect real life. It was pretty believable except for the two cases of outright murder. I've spent a significant amount of time in hospitals as a parient and an employee (gift shop) and I know it's nothing like you think it is before you know about the behind the scenes but outright murder, I'm not buying it. I think he took a wrong turn there. Reading Goodreads it has some glowing reviews, I'm not seeing that either. He's not much of a writer, sounds more like a doctor relating some cases rather than a novel as far as the writing. The author rated his own book on GRs at 5 stars, skewing the rating. It still only has a 3.46 though. I got it free from Amazon, it was ok for a free book but I'm very glad I didn't pay for it.

The Abominable Man by Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo - Supposed to be a mystery but there was no mystery to it, it was a straight forward crime story. Disappointing really.

Night by Elie Weisel - What can I say? It's just unbelievable that anyone walked out of there. It seems so incredible, if it were a horror novel you would say they went to far into the ridiculous. Some people take away from it the power of the will to live, it just made me hate people even more. 

I just finished the Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking.  Pretty good...supernatural, fantasy, mystery, romance all rolled into one.  The main character, Wendy, was rather annoying at times but the imagination of the author was great.  And interesting that she's self-published.

Now I'm reading Child of the Mist, book 1 of the These Highland Hills Trilogy.  So far it's really good and I've ordered books 2 and 3.

Also will be reading The Cellist of Sarajevo for my book club meeting next week. 

August has kind of been about culling my TBR.  I have picked up many questionable books from my shelf and have either read them, or quit them, and reposted, or donated them.  I finished the Fifth Child, which I read in one sitting.   I agree with another PBS reviewer that said it read more like a fable than a novel.  I really enjoyed it and I know the story and the characters will stay with me for a long time. 

Right now I am reading a YA, Once a Witch, which has kept my interest.  I also spent much of August reading with my 10 yo, trying to help him finish his summer reading list.    We just finished Fever 1793 which was a great little historical novel.

Just finished reading "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom.  A short, two-day read at most, but what a powerful message and an endearing little book! Loved it!

Now I will either start "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand (just picked up at a garage sale today for $1!) or Jennifer Weiner's "Then Came You" which I just got from a thrift shop this week for .50 (at this rate, my already established TBR pile will never get any smaller!)

I just started Shotgun Bride , never read anything by this author before.

I just started A Fatal Twist of Lemon by Patrice Greenwood. I was interested in this cozy mystery because it is set in Santa Fe, NM and surrounding areas.  Since I live near Albuquerque and I love tea rooms, I was excited about it.  I have it on my Kindle, but would love a copy of the paperback. :)