Open Thread for Readers for August 2015
Got a book you want to talk about? Frustrated with a book or series? In love with a new one? Found a buried treasure? An issue that keeps popping up in the books you are reading? Just want to chat about stuff in general?
I really enjoyed Earth Bound by Christine Feehan (Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven series) and Second Chance Summer the first book in Jill Shalvis’ new Cedar Ridge series.
I also read Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh which I also quite enjoyed.
Most everything else I read this month was meh.
For August I am most looking forward to Siren’s Call by Jayne Castle (the latest in her Rainshadow/Arcane series) and Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey, which kicks off her new Boston Fire series with Carina Press.
I enjoyed The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles – mm, pnr, homage to Victorian occult pulp fiction. And I’m looking forward to her new release, A Fashionable Indulgence – the first in her mm Regency romance series. (Woo hoo!)
I also enjoyed The Lord of the White Hell, books 1&2, by Ginn Hale. NA, mm fantasy – it worked better for me as a coming of age story than a romance but I liked it. It hit all my fantasy school story buttons.
Also read a few next installments in favorite series and they ranged from pretty good to meh. The best was Tigers in the Run by Sean Kennedy and the worst was Shotgun by Marie Sexton – I did not care about the romance at all, but I did enjoy getting to spend more time in Coda with characters from other books.
My find of the month was Complementary and Acute, a novella by Ella Lyons. It’s free at Smashwords. It’s a sweet and funny ya ff that perfectly captures the confusion of realizing you’ve fallen for your best friend.
I read “Grey” and loved it. I would NOT recommend it if you haven’t already read Fifty Shades of Grey OR if you read FSoG and hated it.
But if you read and liked FSoG–and preferably the second book, Fifty Shades Darker–this book is a fascinating retelling of FSoG from Christian’s POV.
What’s fascinating about it is how creepy Christian is shown to be. I love that the author *went there*. While 21-year-old Anna is sort of up and down about the relationship (but more up than down, naive and smitten), the much older Grey has no such qualms. He always knows what he wants from Anna, and it ain’t kittens and rainbows, love or affection.
Indeed, at one point in the story, it distresses the cool and calculating Grey to realize that he is starting to take Anna’s desires into consideration while he plans how to move the relationship to where *he* wants it to be. He is bewildered by random moments of “caring about Anna” and does his best to rationalize them away.
Because I’ve read the FSoG trilogy, and I know what happens in the end, I was able to read Grey with more fascination than abhorrence. But if I had never read FSoG and its sequel, would I want to read Fifty Shades Darker after reading Grey? I’m not sure.
@cleo: Oooh, thanks for the heads up on the new KJ Charles!
I just finished a glom of Marjorie Liu’s Dirk and Steele series, and am bummed that there haven’t been any new ones for years. I know that she’s very busy with other series and her comics work, but there are so many fascinating characters in that universe who NEED to have their stories told!
@cleo: I was seriously peeved by the ending of “The secret casebook”. Otherwise I liked it .
I’d like some romance recs that have a certain kind of hero – a strong, silent type who mostly keeps to himself but will step in if necessary and nobody else does. I can’t think of a good example, unfortunately. I’m not thinking of the Anne Stuart type where the hero is practically amoral but finally does the right thing at the last minute. The hero I’m thinking of is kind of unexpected because he likes peace and quiet, but he can bring it if he has too; he’d just rather not. Maybe like the Hulk but without the uncontrollable rage.
Don’t judge me for this one: Are there any doctor/patient romances out there? Seeing as I’ve never encountered one, I’m guessing this is one of the biggest taboos in romanceland.
MaryK, maybe Master of Crows by Grace Draven, fantasy romance. Also, Beautiful Bad Man & Eyes of Silver Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell, western.
@Sirius – I can see that. The ending didn’t bother me, but I can see how it wouldn’t work other romance readers.
I am a Scribd subscriber and was wondering if anyone has noticed that the selection of books seems to be dwindling? Thanks to a previous thread here, I changed over to an annual subscription so the price.. well, I can deal with that, but the selection is pretty poor. I read almost exclusively m/m and they seem to be getting less and less.. oh and the recommended books that Scribd throws up.. I’m not sure where they get their algorithm but I’m getting historical romance books recs based on my m/m history LOL
I know selection is based on publisher, but books that were once available are gone. My favorite authors who I was reading over and over.. gone :(
@Rhiannon… You’re not imagining it! Here was some coverage of the Scribd changes from DA earlier this month: https://dearauthor.com/features/industry-news/wednesday-news-scribd-reduces-romance-apple-loses-appeal-tess-gerritsen-abandons-lawsuit-misty-copeland-is-abts-new-principal/
I’m finishing up TJ Klune’s book, Lightning-Struck Heart, and I have to say I’ve had many laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a mm fantasy novel. I was hesitant at first because I never know if what reviewers identify as funny will appeal to my sense of humor, but the snarky humoris really working for me. :)
I just read this book Vanguard by CJ Markusfeld. It is a romance set against the back drop of a war torn country and refugee work by NGOs. The author apparently has some experience in the area. A review I read elsewhere compared it to The Bronze Horseman (Tatianna and Alexander). I don’t quite think it stands up to that comparison. The book needed more set up with the couple. It’s definitely worth a read though. I was googling looking for reviews and found out it was once Twilight fanfic which blew my mind. Absolutely no relation in plot or character.
Romance is great as an escape but I honestly get tired of reading angsty upper middle class white people whose biggest conflict is whether the hero really likes them or is still swearing off all women because his ex cheated on him. Sometimes I just want the H/h to focus on real world problems. Not always. I like my escapism but it just wears after a while. Anyone else have this issue?
Late July /August release Books I am looking forward to/enjoying : Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz ) Siren’s Call a lot of fun for those who enjoy her futuristic Harmony series, Ilona Andrews Magic Shifts (August 4th) the next book in the excellent Kate Daniels series and Janice Kay Johnson has two releases- Twisted Threads an excellent romantic suspense in her Cape Trouble series and Yesterday’s Gone a Harlequin Superromance. Incidentally, what is the rationale for Harlequin not to have Harlequin Superromances in stores though apparently readers can still buy them direct from the publisher? How do they expect to attract new readers or for readers to find new authors? I assume they made some announcement explaining this change. I found out when I read it on a few authors’ websites.