Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I hope that 2011 will bring you many wonderful books and the time to read them.

I have several book related resolutions for the new year. I'd like to cull my print books and get rid of at least one third of them. I'd like to organize my ebooks into genres. I'd like to finish some of the many books I have started before I begin a new one. Finally, I'd like to spend more time letting authors know how much I enjoyed their book when I read a really good one, especially when the author is new or not well known.

Kindle Love

I have been reading ebooks almost exclusively since I bought my Kindle. I am totally in love. I never would have thought that I would prefer ebooks, but now that is my favorite format. It's just so much easier to read on the Kindle because of the font size and how light it is. I can turn pages with one hand. Also, I can switch from one book to another with two clicks and I never lose my place.

I'm actually planning to get rid of most of my print books, not all 16 bookshelves full, but a significant number. I'll keep my cookbooks, reference books, signed books and a few others, but that's all. I never re-read fiction, except for a few classics, which are all available as free ebooks, so there's no need to keep any of it.

Now I have to figure out the best way to get rid of them all without going into business. I've ruled out donating to the library (long story, but I do have a reason) and there aren't any used bookstores that pay cash rather than give credit. Hmmm, looks like I'm going to have to do some research on this.

Books Bought

Ruthless by Anne Stuart
Sureblood by Susan Grant
The Hunted by Anna Leonard
Mistress of the Underground by Lisa Childs
The Tutor by Hope Tarr
Libertine's Kiss by Judith James
Saving Grace by Patricia Rosemoor
Tucker's Claim by Sarah McCarty
Heart Journey by Robin D. Owens
Burning Up (anthology)

Books Bought

Picked up a few books today with a gift card (bookstore gift cards = perfect gift!)

In the Darkest Hour by Patti O'Shea
Tsunami Blue by Gayle Ann Williams
Her Vampire Husband by Michele Hauf
A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare (not on my list but I couldn't resist the title, plus it's a historical werewolf novel and there aren't many of those)
Insatiable by Lauren Dane

Simply Magic by Mary Balogh

I had a few of Balogh’s books in my pile and Simply Magic was the first I finished. It is part of the “Simply” series which centers around four teachers at Miss Martin’s School For Girls in England. You don’t have to read the books in order, although I did read one of the previous volumes in the series.

Most of Balogh’s books have a slow pace which enables her to concentrate in great detail on the relationship between the hero and heroine. Don’t expect any complicated subplots or strong secondary characters, it is all focused on the main couple who we get to know inside out. Her books make a nice change from the fast-paced, action filled romances and although it sometimes takes a little while to get into them, by the end of the book you’ll really care about the pair. Her books remind me a bit of Jo Beverly’s.

Simply Magic features the teacher Susanna Osbourne and Peter Edgeworth, who is Viscount Whitleaf. They are instantly attracted to each other, but there are complications beyond that of their different stations in life. Saying more would give away too much, but it was an interesting and original dilemma.

What makes this book stand out is the two main characters, Susanna in particular. I really felt that I understood her and she was a very believable heroine. Peter, on the other hand, was likable and his actions seemed realistic, but he wasn’t quite as interesting to me. I also thought the historical setting was very well done.

I’d recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a leisurely exploration of a relationship between two appealing characters. I’ll rate it 7.0 out of 10.0.

Let It Be Love by Victoria Alexander

I needed a change from the military science-fiction I’ve been reading lately, so I gathered together all the historical romances in my to-be-read pile. I alphabetized them (I know, I know) and decided to start making a dent in the 100 volumes (yes, I counted—and bought one so I’d have an even hundred.)

I started with the A’s and B’s and the first book I finished was Victoria Alexander’s Let It Be Love, set in England in the 1850’s. I am not sure if I’ve read any other books by Alexander, but I certainly plan on reading more in the future. Her writing style is similar to that of Loretta Chase and Julia Quinn.

The Marquess of Helmsley is surprised when a stranger, Fiona Fairchild, asks him to marry her so she can receive her inheritance and provide her sisters with dowries. He thinks she is an actress put up to it by his friends so he agrees, only to be horrified when he finds out it was no joke. He wants to help her, but does not wish to wed, so comes up with an interesting proposition.

What made this book most enjoyable for me was the humor. It is full of witty banter between Jonathon and Fiona and they are both likable characters, once you get past Jonathon’s reneging on his word. The secondary characters were outstanding and the pace is quick, but not so fast that you can’t enjoy the developing relationship and heightened sexual tension between the hero and heroine.

This is an excellent historical romance, recommended for anyone in the mood for an amusing and well-written read. I’ll rate it 8.0 out of 10.0.

Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton

Skin Trade is the latest Anita Blake novel, the 17th in the series. You really need to have read at least some of the previous books to be able to understand everything that is going on. I've read all of the books and I still had a little trouble remembering all the characters.

Edward is one of my favorite characters and I was thrilled to see him featured in this installment which takes place in Las Vegas, but he didn't get as much chance to be Edward as I'd like. He almost felt wasted. Olaf is in the book also and he is as chilling as always. Hamilton has created one seriously creepy dude and I have a feeling we'll see him again.

This novel opens with Anita receiving a human head, really starting the story with a bang. Unfortunately it slows down and we're subjected to the usual whining from Anita. I love Anita when she's kicking ass, but she is very annoying when she is analyzing every feeling in great detail. I wish Hamilton had an editor who would tell her to stick to the action and keep the angst to a minimum.

I did enjoy the mystery part of the story and Vittorio is an interesting villain, but we didn't actually get to see much of him. I really liked learning more about the weretigers and Anita's power over them. The interaction between Anita and the local law enforcement was somewhat interesting but I did get tired of the attitude. I missed Jean-Claude and the rest of the St. Louis crowd.

This book kept my interest, but could have been much better. I'll rate it 7.0 out of 10.

Books Bought

Just two today:
A Twist in Time by Susan Squires
Dark Angel & Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh

Books Bought

Dawn Encounter by Jennifer Blake
Body Guard by Suzanne Brockmann
The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart
Spirited Brides by Amanda McCabe
Four Dukes and a Devil by Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash and Tracy Anne Warren
Demonfire by Kate Douglas
Black Jack by Lora Leigh
Master of Fire by Angela Knight
Highland Angel by Hannah Howell

Books Bought

Books bought at Barnes & Noble (very disappointed in their selection, by the way):

Spellbent by Lucy A. Snyder
The Dark Storm by Kris Greene
Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley
Reserved For the Cat by Mercedes Lackey

Currently reading Dauntless by Jack Campbell (science fiction)