Sep 9 2010
September Recommended Reads
This is a slow month for us at Dear Author. Â We have only a few recommendations:
- Engaged in War
by Jack Woodville London. Recommended  by Jayne.
- Cold Magic
by Kate Elliott. Recommended  by Jia.
- Resistance by  LM Turner.  Recommended by Sarah F.
- Driftwood
by Harper Fox.  Recommended  by Sunita and Sarah F.
- Wishing for a Miracle
by Alison Roberts.  Recommended  by Sunita.
- One Night … Nine Month Scandal
by Sarah Morgan. Â Recommended by Sunita.
- Bellini Bride
by Michelle Reid. REVIEW: The Bellini Bride by Michelle Reid.
- Shadows at Midnight
by Elizabeth Jennings. Recommended by Jane. This is actually an August release, but at the time of the August recommendations, I thought this was a September release.
- The Darkest Hour
by Maya Banks. Recommended by Jane.
Perhaps you’ve read some books we should be reading this month.
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Sep 09, 2010 @ 11:34:35
I love, love Zoe Archer’s Warrior. Great adventure tale set mainly in Outer Mongolia.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 12:41:40
Oh, wow! I just started Archer’s _Warrior_ too, and I am loving it so far. I was going to finish it first before recommending it, but I see Vi has beat me to it.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 12:51:04
I third Warrior!
Sep 09, 2010 @ 14:23:25
I loved Sarah Morgan’s book – and I am not a fan of pregnancy stories. For other category romance fans, I’d like to recommend checking out the entries at the Mills & Boon New Voices competition. I am finding it completely addictive.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 14:44:16
Maya Banks surprised me with THE DARKEST HOUR, I had given up thinking her work just didn’t ‘fit’ me but I really enjoyed that one so thanks for the review.
I Loved G.A. Aiken’s newest Dragon Kin book, LAST DRAGON STANDING. It ties up all the characters so far (literally and figuratively, ha!) but it’s probably not for anyone new to the series.
Has anyone read Dodd’s CHAINS OF FIRE?
Sep 09, 2010 @ 14:51:12
@joanne I’m glad The Darkest Hour worked for you. I loved the marriage in trouble storyline and thought there was a lot of meaty emotion in the story.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 15:57:52
I second the vote for G.A. Aiken’s Last Dragon Standing. I would also suggest starting with the earlier books in series, which are all quite good.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 15:58:59
@Sandra I read a small excerpt over at Goodreads and it looked hilarious.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 16:03:08
Almost forgot about Ilona Andrews “Bayou Moon”. It’s not out until the end of the month. It’s the second book in the “Edge” series. I enjoyed the first and am looking forward to this one.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 16:09:34
@Jane: The “Dragon” series is very funny. I giggle out when I read the characters are so funny. It’s Fantasy, Romance and Humor all mashed together.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 17:19:31
Joey W Hill’s Vampire Trinity is out as well as Jory Strong’s latest. Only read Vampire Trinity so far (sequel to Vampire Mistress) and thought it was wonderful. I also enjoyed Warrior and look forward to others in the series.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 17:43:16
@Sandra: Bayou Moon will likely be in next month’s “DA Recommends.” We always count end-of-month releases toward the following month’s column.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 18:28:11
I really enjoyed The Native Star although that was released officially in August. Also finished Forbidden by Christina Phillips, the Roman/Druid setting plus strong romance was an enjoyable read.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 19:18:47
Thanks Vi, Joy and Liz! I ordered Warrior yesterday. Now I’m really plsd I did :)
Sep 09, 2010 @ 19:35:01
I just finished Hot Island Nights by Sarah Mayberry. Fun, sexy, emotional. Def worth a look
Sep 09, 2010 @ 20:13:42
I just finished An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire. It’s third in the October Daye series and just as great as the first two books.
I also read Jeannie Lin’s Butterfly Swords, and loved it. I was so happy that the book lived up to the hype. I loved the fact that Lin set the story during the Tang dynasty.
I plan on reading Bank’s The Darkest Hour next. It’s waiting to be read on my ereader.
I’m really looking forward to Sept. 28th. It seems a bunch of UF authors are releasing books on the 28th, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Carolyn Crane and Jennifer Estep. My poor wallet.
Sep 09, 2010 @ 22:28:07
@Ros: Oh Ros, you are just evil when it comes to category recommendations. Or is enabler the word I’m looking for? Okay, that works, but I stand by evil.
Sep 10, 2010 @ 05:41:43
Zoe Archer’s book looks good although on reading the kindle sample I’ve already stumbled over a reference to a pint of bitters. Beer is referred to as bitter. Bitters is another drink entirely and not one you’d drink a pint of, more something you’d put three drops of into a pink gin.
Sep 10, 2010 @ 06:01:42
@coribo25 Not to disagree entirely, but where I’m from (UK and Ireland), people drink pints of bitter all the time. “Pint of the black stuff, please.”
No idea where that book’s set (haven’t read it), so my point is probably moot. :-)
Sep 10, 2010 @ 06:57:26
I haven’t gotten hold of it yet, but the only September book I’ve been looking forward to is Caroline Linden’s “You Only Love Once.”
Sep 10, 2010 @ 07:32:07
It’s nice to see Cold Magic on this list. I read it over my vacation, the last week of August, and found it a very interesting read.
Sep 10, 2010 @ 08:05:32
@coribo25: Eep! I work very hard to get my history and terminology right, but every now and then something slips through the cracks. I hope that doesn’t keep you from giving the book a read. :)
Sep 10, 2010 @ 11:46:44
@Tracey: I’ve been a little slow about writing up that review but I hope to have it done this weekend.
Sep 10, 2010 @ 12:18:55
@Lisa: Hi, yes pint of bitter is correct. My hubby is an avid home brewer!
Sep 10, 2010 @ 12:21:12
Zoe Archer:Zoe, I understand entirely that things slip through and it won’t stop me buying the book because what I read of the opening really gripped me. And the covers are to die for! I’ve been waiting for the releases since I spotted them coming soon on Amazon.
Sep 10, 2010 @ 13:39:49
A possible suggestion for reading:
Sherwood Smith just released an homage to The Prisonder of Zenda, with a heroine who has to decide between two very different men (but very typical romance heroes – the dutiful one and the charismatic one), but mainly find out about the past of her own family.
It has some romance but mostly it is a coming-of-age fantasy set in a possible current East European forgotten principality.
Coronets & Steel
At least one more book is planned, and there’s no HEA in this one…
Sep 12, 2010 @ 15:52:46
Loved Sin Undone by Larissa Ione, and Last Dragon Standing by GA Aiken (hilarious!) I haven’t gotten to it yet, but am very looking forward to reading The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros!! Hmmm…and on the 28th, Taken By Midnight by Lara Adrian come out ~~ I can’t WAIT for this one!!
Sep 12, 2010 @ 22:24:27
I just finished The Sergeant’s Lady by Susanna Fraser and loved it. I don’t know if it is considered an August or a September release. I loved that the setting was not London and that the romance was between a high-born lady and a lowly sergeant in the British Army. The hero was unique for a Regency – you would normally never see a “common” man as a hero – he’s not even in trade or a barrister or something. I also loved that both of the lead characters were likeable people and there were no TSTL moments. I hope the author is writing another one quickly.
Sep 13, 2010 @ 16:46:58
Just read Resistance based on Sarah F.’s recommendation above. I really liked it. I usually hate the “can’t commit” plot but this was so well done that I really enjoyed the story and seeing the relationship develop. The present tense writing bugged me a bit, but I got used to it as I went along. Very enjoyable book.
Sep 16, 2010 @ 02:18:32
Don’t forget about Louisa Edward’s latest book “Just One Taste”, the third book in her Market series. The previous books were awesome.