My Reading List - September 2012

FINISHED - 

1. "RIDE THE FIRE" by Jo David (Firefighters of Station Five #5) (A++++) After a tragedy took the lives of his wife and children, Sean was a shattered man who drowned his pain and heartbreak in alcohol. Now, fresh from rehab, he wants to stay clean, regain the trust of his team and begin again. The last thing he needs is to have feelings for beautiful Eve Marshall, the lone female at the station. But even as they dare to explore their mutual desires, Sean discovers that the accident that stole his family may have been cold-blooded murder. And that a vengeful shadow from his past has returned to commit a shocking act of terror - and finish off Sean and anyone he loves.
2. "NIGHTINGALE WAY" by Emily March (Eternity Springs #6) (A++++) Eternity Springs is a magical place where hearts come to heal - with a little help. Dark, brooding Jack Davenport hides his secrets well, never telling his wife about the dangers of his job, never sharing his thoughts or worries...never sharing himself. After tragedy strikes, their marriage shatters. Now a threat to Catherine Blackburn's life brings her back into his - and gives them a second chance A reporter whose most recent investigation has ignited a national controversy and put her in harm's way, Cat thinks she can handle herself. So when Jack grabs her off the street and sweeps her to his home above Eternity Springs, she's furious. In the warm sanctuary of the Eternity Springs community, Jack and Cat face the heartache that drove them apart. But can they find the courage to pick up the pieces of a shattered love?
3. "FIFTY SHADES DARKER" by E.L. James (Fifty Shades #2) (A+++++) Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought and when he proposes a new arrangement, Ana cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair and Ana learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades. While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her and make the most important decision of her life.
4. "BUCKHORN BEGINNINGS" by Lori Foster "SAWYER" (A+++) The only doctor in Buckhorn County, Kentucky, Sawyer Hudson knows a thing or two about saving lives. But when he rescues the beautiful Honey Malone from a car wreck and nurses her to health at his home, he finds himself dreading the day she's well enough to leave. Because now that he's met the woman of his dreams, he's not about to let her go. "MORGAN" (A+++) Buckhorn's big, bad sheriff, Morgan Hudson, wants a wife - one who's even-tempered, undemanding and content with small-town life. So why can't he stop thinking about brazen Misty Malone? The dark-haired city girl is downright aggravating - not to mention she's found herself on the wrong side of the law. But though she may not be perfect, Morgan is hell-bent on convincing her they'd be perfect together!
5. "FIFTY SHADES FREED" by E.L. James (Fifty Shades #3) (A+++++) When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued and, untimately, repelled by Christian's singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees. Now, Ana and Christian have it all - love, passion, intimacy, wealth and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice and fate conspire to make Ana's deepest fears turn into reality.
6. "THE GUARDIAN" by Dee Henderson (O'Malley #2) (A+++) A decision is made...the president has selected the next Supreme Court justice. His choice is controversial, highly political and about to become very public. For the U.S. Marshals who protect the judges, the situation presents the height of security concerns. A federal judge is murdered...one man decides he can't allow the president's choice to sit on the bench. His ruthless attack is high-risk - and successful. The justice is dead. But the killer made one mistake. There is only one witness...Shari Hanford was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She's seen the killer. He's seen her. And only one of them can live. Only one man can help her...U.S. Marshal Marcus O'Malley thought he knew the risks of the assignment going in. He was wrong. He never expected Shari to invade his heart. He never expected her faith to change his life. He's been the guardian of the O'Malley family for two decades. Now he's the guardian of a woman being hunted by the best assassin in the world - a woman he'll have to risk everything to protect.
7. "CHASING FIREFLIES" by Sherryl Woods (Sweet Magnolias #9) (A+++) When bullying threatens to destroy a teen's life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J.C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to ensure that a promising student's future isn't ruined. And to establish once and for all tht bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina.  Both J.C.'s and Laura's passion for the cause is deeply personal and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?
8. "WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES" by Brenda Novak (Whiskey Creek #1) (A++++) Simon O'Neal's causing trouble again. And it's up to Gail DeMarco to stop him. Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek, California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has accumulated a roster of A-list clients, including the biggest box office hit of all - sexy and unpredictable Simon O'Neal. But Simon, who's just been through a turbulent divorce, is so busy self-destructing he won't listen to anything she says. She drops him from her list - and he retaliates by taking the rest of her clients with him. Desperate to save her company, Gail has to humble herself by making a deal with Simon The one thing he wants is custody of his son, but that's going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some squeaky-clean girl who'll drag him off to some small obscure place like Whiskey Creek. Gail's the only one he can trust. She agrees to become his wife - reluctantly. But she isn't reluctant because he's too hard to like. It's because he's too hard not to love!
9. "NATURAL BORN CHARMER" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Chicago Bears #7) (A++++) No one can resist a natural born charmer - A gorgeous football player...A lonely Colorado highway...A woman dressed in a beaver suit. Life's funny that way. It wasn't every day a guy saw a headless beaver marching down the side of the road, not even in Chicago Stars quarterback Dean Robillard's larger-than-life world. He slammed on the brakes of his brand-new Aston Martin Vanquish and pulled over in front of her. The beaver marched right past, her big, flat tail bouncing in the gravel and her small, sharp nose stuck up in the air. Way up. The beaver looked highly pissed. She was definitely a girl beaver because her beaver head was missing, revealing sweaty, dark hair pulled into a scraggly ponytail. He'd been praying for a little distraction from his own despressing company, so he threw open the door and stepped out onto the shoulder of the Colorado road...
10. "SHOOT TO THRILL" by Nina Bruhns (Passion for Danger #1) (A++++) "Do this last mission and we'll tear up your contract." Kick Jackson, former CIA spy, has heard that one before.  However, this time saying no isn't an option. Only he can identify a terrorist and stop a bloodbath - and Kick's conscience won't let him walk away. But one woman has the power to save him. Nurse Rainie Martin wants to run like hell when Kick kidnaps her, but how can she abandon a wounded hero? Thrown into a deadly international game, Rainie soon realizes the gorgeous rogue operator has sent her orderly life spinning out of control. To survive she'll have to face her worst fears...including a lethal attraction to her captor. From the glitter of New York to the desolate sands of the Sahara, this unlikely couple must battle to stay alive, to find the courage to trust again - and even scarier, to open their hearts.
11. "TEXAS RAIN" by Jodi Thomas (Whispering Mountain #1) (A+++) Honest, straightforward and ruggedly handsome, Travis McMurray is also more than a little bit busted, the result of an ambush during his service as a Texas Ranger. Beautiful Rainey Adams is in a fix of her own: On the run from an arranged marriage, she'll do just about anything to keep her freedom. The first time they meet, she steals a kiss - and his horse. The second time, she's an angel of mercy who eases him through a terrible fever...and then disappears. When Travis recovers, he's determined to track down this intriguing woman and bring her back to Whispering Mountain Ranch as his bride. But this renegade may be too much for even the toughest Ranger to handle.
12. "AIN'T MISBEHAVING" by Molly Cannon (Untitled Series #1) (A++++) Sometimes even good girls need to be a little bad. Marla Jean Bandy might be down, but she's not out. Even though her no-good ex-husband left her for another woman - a Bookmobile-driving librarian twenty years her senior - Marla Jean won't settle for another lonely night. She's not ready for Mr. Right, but why not have a little fun with Mr. Right Now? The only wrench in her plan is her childhood crush, Jake - and the memory of the one toe-curling kiss they shared on a hot summer night years ago. One look at Marla Jean is enough to make any red-blooded man sit up and take notice - especially the kind of man nice girls should avoid. Jake knows he should let her make her own mistakes, but he owes it to her brother to look after her. Trouble is, the harder he tries to do the right thing, the harder it is to resist Marla Jean. She needs a man to make her believe love with last and for once in his life, Jake wonders if that could be him.
13. "THE WITNESS" by Nora Roberts (abridged Audio CD) (A+++) Elizabeth Fitch's short-lived teenage rebellion began with L'Oreal Pure Black, a pair of scissors and a fake ID. It ended in blood. Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man's seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever. Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she works at home designing sophisticated security systems. Her own security is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. Unfortunately, that seems the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town. The mystery of Abigail Lowery intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and a professional level. Her sharp, logical mind, her secretive nature, her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, even if he doesn't know what - and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed. Accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, Gleason is about to walk into the sights of very powerful and dangerous men. And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both.
14. "SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER" by Donna Alward (A+++++) All she wants is his name on the dotted line. He's got other ideas. For Ella, marrying Devin had seemed like a good idea at the time. Friends since childhood and in love with him for as long as she could remember, marriage had been the next logical step. Then the real world called and Ella's feet had itched to get out of Backwards Gulch, Colorado. Now, with a new opportunity on the East Coast beckoning, it's time to put her past behind her once and for all. When she sees Devin standing on a charity auction block, she decides it's the perfect opportunity to finally get his signature on the divorce papers he never signed. Devin's certain about one thing when he sees Ella for the first time in twelve years - she's not the girl he married. The way she left him still stings and if she wants him to sign on the dotted line he's going to make her work for it...for the full forty-eight hours she paid for. When the old attraction flares between them, the years apart disappear and resolve melts faster than high-country snow in summer. But when Ella awakens with the same determination to get back to Denver, divorce papers in hand, she has a problem...Devin still hasn't signed them.
15. "TRUE BLISS" by Stella Cameron (Navy SEALs #2) (A++) Once upon a time, lonely privileged Bliss Winters and wild teenaged rebel Sebastian Plato were secret sweethearts, hiding their love from a hostile world. Until a rival's jealousy and shocking accusations shattered their dreams, forcing Sebastian to flee his hometown. Now, fifteen years later, he's back - the bad boy made good - rich and ruthless enough to buy and sell all those people who tried to ruin his life so long ago. But Sebastian has another agenda. This time, even as a desperate enemy plots to destroy him, he isn't leaving until he gets the one thing he wants more than revenge - the woman he loved once, now and forever, his own true Bliss.
16. "SINFULLY SEXY" by Linda Francis Lee (Sexy #2) (A+++) After a close encounter of the sexy kind, Chloe discovers her wild side. Plain-Jane Chloe Sinclair has never been bad until she stumbles - literally - into the arms of a gorgeous stranger. Too make matters worse, her world is rocked completely off its axis the morning after when the sensual dreamboat turns out to be the man brought in to save the TV station where she works. Sterling Prescott is hard-driven, sexy as hell and determined to take over the struggling KTEX TV. But all bets are off when the shamless wildcat who disappeared on him last night walks back into his life - acting like a squeaky-clean librarian. Life gets truly complicatd, however, when Sterling decides to win more than the station - and to show her that being sexy isn't a sin.
17. "RUTHLESS GAME" by Christine Feehan (GhostWalkers #9) (A++++) GhostWalker Kane Cannon is pure male - animalistic, sexual, protective, instinctive - and his past missions have prepared him for anything. But his newest assignment, to rescue hostages in Mexico, plunges him into a hot zone he never anticipated: the hiding place of Rose Patterson - a fugitive, an ex-lover, a fellow GhostWalker pregnant with his child. Rose is in flight from the insidious experiments that still haunt her dreams and from the madman who'd do anything to take her child. Of all the GhostWalkers enlisted to hunt her down, Kane is the only one she can trust. But as their passion reignites, the stakes are raised. Because Kane is now a wanted man as well. And together they're about to face the most difficult challenge of all: stayiig together and staying alive.
18. "NEVER SAY NEVER" by Geralyn Dawson (Holy Terrors #2) (A+++) When a stalker's sadistic threat sends photographer Torie Bradshaw fleeing for her life, she can think of only one safe haven: Matt Callahan. Rugged and captivating, the sexy government operative saved her once before. Surely he'll play her hero again. If only they hadn't parted under such....unfortunate circumstances. Matt can't believe it when Torie invades his private refuge, bringing danger, drama and a designer dog with her. He is busy battling old ghosts and newer wounds and this intriguing beauty is a distraction he doesn't need. But when the situation explodes, Matt must team with Torie to uncover the identity of a killer. Otherwise, he stands to lose all the things he never thought he wanted.
19. "DANGEROUS SECRETS" by Lisa Marie Rice (Dangerous #2) (A++++) A lover to die for. Small-town librarian Charity Prewitt never dreamed she'd meet and fall in love with a man like Nicholas Ames. The handsome, rich, charming, sexy-as-hell millionaire blew into tiny Parker's Ridge, Vermont and immediately rocked her world. Powerful, sensual, the perfect man, Nick knows all the right words - and all the right spots to touch, sending her soaring to dizzying new heights of ecstatic abandon. Never before has prim and proper Charity leapt into bed with a perfect stranger - and now that she's there with him, nothing is going to drag her away! But Nick Ames is not who he claims to be. In truth, he is Nicholas Ireland - the one they call "Iceman." A former Delta Force operator, now a high-level undercover agent, he will do whatever his government asks of him - lie, seduce, betray...even kill, if necessary - for the sake of the mission. And this time his mission is Charity Prewitt. Suddenly one woman has broken down his chilly restraint and ignited his passions completely. And before the erotic dream turns into a nightmare, will Charity be able to melt the Iceman's cold, cold heart?
20. "CAN'T BUY ME LOVE" by Molly O'Keefe (Crooked Creek #1) (A+++) A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tara Jean Sweet knows that opportunity will never knock; she'll have to seize it. Elderly Texas rancher Lyle Baker has a dying request: He will give Tara Jean a stake in his leather business in exchange for a little family subterfuge. All Tara Jean has to do is play the part of a gold-digging fiancee to lure Lyle's estranged children home. The mission is soon accomplished. Now Lyle's gone - and his ridiculously handsom son, Luc, an ice hockey superstar sidelined by injuries, is the new owner of Crooked Creek ranch. He's also Tara Jean's boss. But being so close to sinfully sweet Tara Jean does crazy things to Luc's priorities, like make him want to pry her deepest secrets from those irresistible lips. But when Tara Jean's past demands a dirty showdown, will Luc stay and fight?
21. "IF LOOKS COULD CHILL" by Nina Bruhns (Passion for Danger #2) (A++++) A mysterious predator stalks the bayou - and Louisiana state trooper Tara Reeves enlists the aid of Marc Lafayette, a too-sexy-for-his-own-good heartbreaker, to guide her as she searches for evidence. But she discovers the mysterious deaths are more horrifying than she could have imagined: a foreign terrorist cell, plotting an attack on U.S. soil, is testing its deadly biological agent. What Tara doesn't know is that her sexy guide is part of a covert special ops team out to destroy the terrorist threat and he isn't happy about babysitting a nosy cop - even one as beautiful as Tara. But though he knows love and work don't mix, a harrowing showdown with the enemy will make the steamy passion between Tara and Marc boil over.
22. "THE 9TH JUDGMENT" by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro (Women's Murder Club #9) (A+++) A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses and Detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in blood-red lipstick. The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria. Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich, and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line - but is it enough to save the city?
23. "SWEET NOTHINGS" by Catherine Anderson (Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan #3) (A++++) Molly Wells is keeping a lot of secrets. Such as why she's stolen her ex-husband's expensive stallion and driven him hundreds of miles to the ranch of horse whisperer Jake Coulter. And why she's arrived with no job, no money and an all-consuming fear. Molly may be willing to risk everything to save the stallion, but it's herself she really needs to save. By making a place for Molly on his ranch, Jake suspects that he may be harboring a thief. But there's something about this courageous yet vulnerable woman that tugs on his heartstrings. He yearns to shower her with the greatest gifts he has to give - his home, his heart and his life to share. But until she's strong enough to accept them, all he can offer is the patience to win her slowly, the strength to fight her enemies and the promise to love her forever.
24. "EARLY DAWN" by Catherine Anderson (Kendrick/Coulter #11) (Keegan/Paxton #3) (A++++) After breaking off their engagement, Eden Paxton's fiance spreads so many rumors about her that she is roced to leave San Francisco. Her pride bruised, an angry Eden heads for the wilds of Colorado to live with her half brothers. But murderous outlaws cut the trip short when they kidnap her, intending to sell her across the Mexican border. Ever since a gang murdered his wife, Matthew Coulter cannot see a woman being mistreated without vowing to rescue her - and exacting vengeance against the evildoers. So when he spots Eden with the ruffians, Matthew takes fierce, focused action to save her. As Eden and Matthew run for their lives, she recognizes a kind heart behind Matthew's rugged exterior. But she wonders which will win out: his obsession with revenge - or their growing passion for each other.
25. "TWO ALONE" by Sandra Brown (A+++) (abridged Audio CD) Beautiful and self-confident businesswoman Rusty Carlson was hurt, terrified and alone with a man she feared. But one thing was certain - she would surely die without his help. Vietnam vet Cooper Landry had a deep rooted grudge against beautiful women like Rusty. Experience has taught him they were takers. But he'd survived far worse dangers and this time he'd be damned if he'd let her risk his chance for survival. But there were predators in the dense woods - both animals and humans - and the odds were against them. They could handle that. What Rusty and Cooper weren't prepared for was the discovered that they desired more than just survival.
26. "HOT ICE" by Cherry Adair (Black Rose #1) (T-FLAC #7) (A++++) Diamonds - jewels of every kind, in fact - are Taylor Kincaid's best friends. The only thing she enjoys more than owning them is the challenge of stealing them, at which she excels like few others in the world. And specializing in plundering precious stones from wealthy international criminals just makes it all the more satisfying...and dangerously exciting. So for Taylor, there's no resisting the double allure of snatching the elusive Blue Star diamonds - a prize she has pursued across three continents - from the South American stronghold of the murderous Morales terrorist organization. The heist goes down without a hitch - until Taylor discovers she has made off with more than she bargained for, namely the secret security-system codes that provide access to a South African diamond mine packed with enough gems to sink a battleship. Suddenly Taylor's no longer just an ultrachic freelance jewel thief. She's a reluctant participant in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game played against elite global trouble-shooters and bloodthirsty terrorists. There's nothing reluctant, however, about Huntington St. John, the top T-FLAC operative who's hot on Taylor's trail - and, in Taylor's opinion, just plain hot. The feeling, emotional and otherwise, is very mutual. Though they're on opposite sides of the law, Hunt and Taylor swiftly come to appreciate each other's well-honed skills. But since ecstasy is fleeting, and diamonds are forever, Taylor soon slips from the sheets and hits the streets...to reclaim the jewels she stashed overseas. And true to his hane, Hunt is close behind - but this time, he's after more than the codes. With the clock ticking and two groups of terrorists closing fast, Hunt and Taylor will have to mix pleasure with some very risky business. If they can survive danger at every turn, outwit the ultimate high-tech security system and somehow conquer each other...they just might get everything they desire.
27. "AFTERGLOW" by Cherry Adair (Lodestone #2) (A+++) Pleasure with a price. A high-profile celebrity wedding in Monaco is the kind of A-list event security specialist Rand Maguire excels at. Everything goes like clockwork, until guests start inexplicably losing all their inhibitions. Painful secrets from the past. Rand is no stranger to the effects of Rapture. His chemist father's attempt at a cure for depression caused Rand's mother's death years ago and put his father away for her murder. Now someone is circulating Rapture in a campaign of terror, intending to manufacture and sell it on a global scale. But with no leads, Rand feels the heat. Passion with no limits. Sexy Lodestone agent Dakota North is sent to help Rand kick-start his search, armed only with her uncanny sixty sense. But what they discover in their race across Europe is more far-reaching and lethal than an erotic street drug. From a Barcelona bank heist to a million-dollar arms deal in Paris, Dakota and Rand give in to an insatiable craving for each other in nights of pure carnal delight, no senses left untouched. No Rapture necessary.
28. "THE SCOTTISH PRISONER" by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John #8) (A++++) London, 1760. For Jamie Fraser, paroled prisoner-of-war, life is coming apart at the seams. In the remote Lake District, where he's close enough to the son he cannot claim as his own, Jamie's quiet existence is interrupted first by dreams of his lost wife, then by the appearance of an erstwhile comrade still fighting to rally the Irish. But Jamie has sworn off politics, fighting and war. Until Lord John Grey shows up with a summons that will take him away from everything he loves - again. Lord John is in possession of explosive documents that expose a damning case of corruption against a British officer. But they also hint at a more insidious danger. Soon Lord John and Jamie are unwilling companions on the road to Ireland, a country whose dark castles hold dreadful secrets and whose bogs hide the bones of the dead.
29. "ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING" by Carolyn Brown (Spikes and Spurs #4) (A+++) A marriage made in Vegas can't possibly last. Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him. The only way to save his hide and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Feisty city-girl Jasmine was just helping out her friend - that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind. One hot cowboy, one riled up woman. And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!
30. "ALWAYS LOOK TWICE" by Geralyn Dawson (Holy Terrors #3) (Callahan Brothers #3) (A++++) When Mark Callahan discovers that someone is murdering the members of his former unit, he must join forces with the only team member more dangerous than himself: Annabelle Monroe, his estranged wife. After their messy breakup, tensions - and passions - are certain to flare. Now a private investigator, Annabelle would rather trade her gun for a slingshot than partner with the man who shattered her heart. But she can't deny her old loyalties - or the sudden threat to their safety. So together she and Mark will follow the bloody trail of a killer - only to come face-to-face with betrayal...and an overpowering desire that never died.
31. "PRIVATE PARTY" by Jami Alden (A++++) Turn up the heat - Finding her brand-new husband in flagrante delicto with another woman wasn't part of Julie Driscoll's plan for her lavish wedding reception. Now she's a bride without a groom - but she's determined to have a wedding night with someone. Her cheating husband's gorgeous brother will do just fine. Chris Dennison is everything his brother isn't, and his hard body is the stuff the steamiest sexual fantasies are made of. Let's get the party started - Chris isn't about to turn her down. After five years of dreaming about her, the chance to touch Julie's delectably luscious body is too tempting to resist. And when she follows him to the tropical resort he's built from the ground up, she insists hot, wet, skin-to--skin pleasure is all he wants. Now he just has to convince her that he wants more.
32. "SPRING FEVER" by Mary Kay Andrews (A+++++) Annajane Hudgens truly believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless and she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia. Celia: the woman everyone in town adores. Everyone, that is, except for Annajane and her lifelong best friend, Patricia "Pokey" Bayless. When fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a half - as the bride is literally walking down the aisle - Annajane wonders if maybe she's been given a second chance. Maybe everything happens for a reason. And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back. But there are secrets afoot in this small town. Passcoe, North Carolina, is the home of Quixie Cherry Soda, which has been in the Bayless family for generations. Anyone born in Passcoe is raised on cherry soda and its mascot, Dixie the Quixie Pixie, but now change is on the horizon. Annajane soon sees that these changes can bring out the worst in people and uncover long-hidden family scandals. And even though there are people determined to keep Annajane from getting what she wants, happiness could be hers for the taking and the life she once had with Mason in this sleepy little lake town could be in her future. That is, if she can find out what she's really made of and what really matters most to her.

Currently Reading -

1. "Spring Fever" by Mary Kay Andrews

Currently Listening to -

1. "The Christmas Cookie Club" by Ann Pearlman (unabridged Audio CD)

Currently Reading

1. Naked in Death by JD Robb ( In Death # 1)

Currently Listening To

1. New York Dead by Stuart Woods ( Stone Barrrington #1)

Finished

1.  Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben ( Myron Bolitar # 1)
2. Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts
3. The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry
4. "A" is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
5. Breakaway by Deirdre Martin (Blades # 10)
6. Adrenaline by Jeff Abbott (Sam Capra # 1)

"The Elephant  and the Tiger" by Wilbur Morrison, the full story of the Vietnam War, listening to the "Wind in the Keyhole" by Stephen King.

Reading:

The Promise of Lumby Gail Fraser

Finished:

A Fatal Thaw Dana Stabenow

Sabbath Creek Judith Mitcham

Town in a Wild Moose Chase BB Haywood

The Little Bride Anna Solomom

Murder of a Small Town Honey Denise Swanson

Backseat Saints Joshilyn Jackson

Dirt Under My Nails Marilee Foster

Passion by Lauren Kate

Nancy, you finished 4 books in 3 days? Holy moly.

Finished

The Acid House by Irvine Welsh - My sister brought me a bunch of his books so I've been a little over-immersed in this particular culture. This is a collection of short stories, and I mean short - one is only one sentence - with a novella on the end. This one was a little more diverse but still predominantly about the area Welsh came from, like most of his writing. He is good and provides some great stories about the lifestyles he grew up in, time for a break though. I'm thinking in a heavy Scottish dialect now!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - I was a little disappointed in the ending but there were far more than enough twists and "No f***in way" moments in the rest of the book to make it well worth reading. I thought it was an excellent book, I was up until 2 am and back up at 6 to finish it. The first half was good but once I hit the middle point there was no stopping it. It would have been an easy 5 stars but the ending was a little lame. Don't let that stop you from enjoying this ride though!

I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells - Pretty good debut novel. I read it on my kindle and my copy had a ton of typos, 'then' spelled 'chen', obvious input errors by whoever did transfered the book so not the wroter's fault but it was a little distracting. I wasn't really thrilled with the supernatural aspect it ended up having but other than that it was a really good fictional depiction of what a budding killer must be thinking. Good enough to make you wonder about the writer....I see there are more in the series and it was interesting enough to pursue them. 

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray - It didn't suck but it would have been a lot better if it were about 1/3 as long. He had so many separate story lines going it was crazy. They all had something to do with each other, sometimes in the vaguest sense, but he would have served a couple of the characters better by giving them their own story instead of fully forming them and then giving them a bit part in this story. Makes me wonder why I needed to spend so much time getting to know them for such a little pay off. Howard should have had his own book. The Carl storyline didn't make much sense with Skippy's, it would have worked just as well with a vague character as a rival and Carl could have had his own story too. 

Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs - A novel by the king of bizarre memoirs. Not a bad book, read it in one insomniac night. A different kind of concept and story and I was wrong on who I thought "did it". Kind of snarky and bitchy but that's why we read Burroughs isn't it? I think people, or women anyway, who aren't necessarily fans would like it. 

My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster - Another gem from Jen. This one is a little deeper since she goes on a mission to gain a bit of class and culture but still laugh out loud funny. I don't actually LOL very often but my first audible guffaw was by page 11. She just has a way of making things that would just be mediocre stories if anyone else told them into hilarious tales. 

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson - Very interesting book about a journalist's discovery of The Psychopath Test, which determines whether you are a psychopath or not based on a points scale determined by 17 personality traits. Very thorough, it covers how the test was conceived and what the effects have been , both good and bad. A keeper. 

All Things Wise And Wonderful by James Herriott - Read these books as a kid and wanted to reminisce I guess. Gotta love the wholesome stories both happy and sad. 

Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin - I am not a fan but I had the book and thought maybe it would make me dislike her less and it did. I still have a hard time looking at her but she does have a few redeeming qualities in there. It's hard to imagine anyone more desperate for attention or more needy of recognition but she does know and acknowledge that at least. I would not want to be her, which made me sympathize a bit. I still think she's unnecessarily mean despite her assertions that she's not but she is human in there somewhere. 

The Dogs Of Riga by Henning Mankell - A Wallender book but probably the least of the ones I've read so far. It was quite boring, unusual for Mankell. Much more spy than detective this time, I didn't like it much. It's important because it introduces Baiba but it wasn't much fun. They used it in an episode of the British tv series, I haven't watched it yet because I wanted to read the book first, I assume shortening it will make it better. 

Invisible One by Stef Penney---RATING-10 out of 10. I cannot imagine reading a better book this month. Her 2nd book. I read all weekend. COMPLETE 

Finished

• The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
• They Eat Puppies, Don't They? by Christopher Buckley 
• Faith by Jennifer Haigh
• Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick
• The Cove by Ron Rash
• Bear Down, Bear North: Alaska Stories by Melinda Moustakis
• The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
• Boleto by Alyson Hagy

Currently Reading

• My Old True Love by Sheila Adams
• Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

Listening To

• Dog Stars by Peter Heller

Reading: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - not very far in but holding great promise.

Just finished listening to: 14 by Peter Clines - LOVED it.

Tell No One by Harlan Coben, good as his books always are.........

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult.     Actually, alot like all her books:  good characters, flawed yet likable.   Story about what happens to the frozen ferilized eggs of a couple after their divorce.  The book is full of the usual suspects:  Swarmy lawyers and Good lawyers, good Mothers and bad brothers,  Good men and better women.  The whole thing.   I give it 4 stars.

Just finished 

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Currently Digging

Night Shift by Stephen King

On Writing by Stephen King

Tackling Soon:

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

A Lost Lady by Willa Cather

Just Finished Richard Adams the unbroken Web

Currently Reading Zamba by Ralph Helfer.

Check out my bookshelf!!!

Finished this month:

Summer In Eclipse Bay by Jayne Ann Krentz  -- 3rd in the Eclipse Bay series. Fun read.

Rituals of the Season by Margaret Maron -- Continuation of the Deborah Knott series, always an enjoyable read.

Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper -- A real page-turner.  I didn't expect the ending at all, a total surprise.

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan  --- I don't really know how to describe my feelings about this book---- Parts I liked, parts I didn't.  The parts about Chinese life, superstitions, the character Kwan, I really enjoyed. I couldn't develop any sympathy for the main charater, Olivia, she tended to get on my nerves!

Stone Angel by Carol O'Connell  --- 4th in the Mallory series and it is a page-turner!  O'Connell takes the reader back to Mallory's childhood home and fills in the gaps on why Mallory is the way she is. I highly recommend this series, but start at the beginning with Mallory's Oracle so the subsequent books make sense.

Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsey --- I picked this book at random and fell in love with it!! The characters are fun and well-developed, the plot was intriging and the writing was well done.  Ramsey has a quirky sense of humor that I really enjoyed. I plan to follow through with the next in the series, if I can find it!!

Legal Tender by Lisa Scottoline  --- Book 4 of the Bennie Rosato series.  I missed this one when I started reading this series, so went back to it.  Scottoline really knows how to keep the reader's interest. Rosato is running and hiding "in plain sight" after being accused of 3 murders, determined to find the real killer[s]. I highly recommend this series! 

A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow -- I really like her Kate Shugak series set in Alaska.  This one is very good, the 2nd in the series, Stabenow's writing is so vivid the reader feels as if she's in Alaska looking at what's being described. Kate Shugak is a very interesting character, a native Alaskan, ex-DA turned sometimes investigator.

 The Ming and I by Tamar Myers  --- 3rd in the Den of Antiquity series. It's a little like Stephanie Plumb as an antiques dealer, but I enjoy this series because Abigail Timberlake is an antique dealer, as I am.  A quick, fun read.

Reading now: 

Reading the Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard.   Not sure where this is going but I keep on reading anyway.  I just finished Sing Me Home by Jodi Picoult and both of these books have a Lesbian topic.

Now reading Neighborhood Watch by Cammie McGovern. Just started it and really good so far!!

I'm re-reading A Year at the Movies by Kevin Murphy.  Kevin (of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Rifftrax fame) went to see a movie every day for a year and wrote about the experience of moviegoing.  It's less about the movies themselves than the circumstances under which they're shown (multiplexes, drive ins, film festivals, small independent theaters, museums, etc) and the ways in which the surroudings influence how we think and feel about movie going.  Besides being hilarious, Kevin clearly loves movies and loves the experience of movie going and the way he writes about it makes me love it too!

WOW  , how do you all read so fast and so many at a time ?     I have a huge stack , and can decide what to read next..LOL

I am currently reading Moloka'i by Alan Brennert.   Just started it last night and I am already loving it at page 68.

I just got the latest Louise Penny mystery (The Beautiful Mystery) from the library so I guess I can take it off my wish list. I love her books and can't wait to start this one.  It would help if she wrote them faster.  Can't start it now since I'm still at work. 

  Also I'm listening to a Lauren Willig book from the Pink Carnation series.  Fun series for drive time.

I am reading The Murders Daughters, I am not sure where it is going, but I am enjoying it so far.

I was trying to read Dark Lover, on a friend’s recommendation, but about 1/3 of the way into it and I can’t make my self pick it back up.

Lisa H - I loved Moloka'i