August Recap
I've been largely absent from social media of late. You'd think that would mean I got more reading done, but, in fact, I've been preoccupied by other issues the last couple of months. It's not bad stuff either--just job changes and family changes. My parents recently sold their house and moved into a retirement community, for example. There was also a lovely trip to Brooklyn for a family wedding.
All that aside, I did manage to carve out some time to enjoy several good books. Here are a few worth mentioning.
Ghost Killer by Robin D. Owens is the third book in her trilogy about a woman who reluctantly discovers that she is tasked with the job of helping ghosts move on to the next life. I wrote about the first book, Ghost Seer, last year. The three books take place over a short time span, just under a month. Owens draws on the history of Colorado during the latter half of the 19th century because the ghosts who have to move on are from that time period. The various locations are lovingly described and as I read this one, I wanted nothing more than to take a vacation out there near the headwaters of the Rio Grande. If you'd like a paranormal that's a touch different, I recommend this series. There's an excellent romance that develops through the books. Owens does not always keep her website up to date, but an Amazon search revealed that there is at least one more Ghost Seer book coming in 2016, so I'm psyched for that.
A couple of years ago I read Dani Atkins' debut Fractured. (I wrote about it here.) I read a self-pubbed version; it was eventually commercially published in the US under the title Then and Always. I really liked that book and kept an eye out for her next book, The Story of Us, which was finally published here in the US in the late spring. I also liked this book very much, but it is not a typical romance. Emma is on the verge of marrying her childhood sweetheart when a devastating accident postpones the wedding. In the aftermath of the accident, Emma gets to know the man who rescued her and also learns some things about her fiance, Richard, that has her questioning her choices. In the end, I think I liked Jack and Richard more than I liked Emma. Still, it was a compelling and emotional read that I recommend if you can handle a love triangle.
I've had Suleikha Snyder's Bollywood and the Beast on my Kindle for ages and I finally queued it up. Indian American actress Rocky finds herself in trouble with the media while working on a Bollywood film. To keep her out of the spotlight, she goes to live in the home of her co-star on the outskirts of Delhi. There she meets Ashraf's brother Taj, a recluse and former action hero. Taj was horribly injured--he keeps himself hidden away because of his scars and his long, difficult recovery. Taj resents Rocky's presence in the house and they fight from the beginning. Rocky's ability to stand up to Taj breaks down his defenses and soon they are lovers and in love. While I thought they went from fighting to loving almost too fast, I very much enjoyed this book. It was a great take on Beauty and the Beast. There was also a sweet secondary romance involving Ashraf.
I'll wrap this up by mentioning Lauren Willig's The Lure of the Moonflower. I've enjoyed all of the books in this series, including this one, but I'm glad to see it finally wrap up. It's been a great journey and I'm a fan of the humor Willig brings to her writing. Still, it was time to bring it to a conclusion and I thought Willig ended the series on just the right note. This one takes place in Portugal which got me thinking that I'm way overdue to re-read one of my favorite books of all time, The Winding Stair by Jane Aiken Hodge (originally published in 1968). Seriously, if you are a fan of Regency-era romances and want to read a classic, TWS is a must-read. And hey! There's a Kindle version. Awesome, because I have no idea where my much-loved paper copy is.
All that aside, I did manage to carve out some time to enjoy several good books. Here are a few worth mentioning.
Ghost Killer by Robin D. Owens is the third book in her trilogy about a woman who reluctantly discovers that she is tasked with the job of helping ghosts move on to the next life. I wrote about the first book, Ghost Seer, last year. The three books take place over a short time span, just under a month. Owens draws on the history of Colorado during the latter half of the 19th century because the ghosts who have to move on are from that time period. The various locations are lovingly described and as I read this one, I wanted nothing more than to take a vacation out there near the headwaters of the Rio Grande. If you'd like a paranormal that's a touch different, I recommend this series. There's an excellent romance that develops through the books. Owens does not always keep her website up to date, but an Amazon search revealed that there is at least one more Ghost Seer book coming in 2016, so I'm psyched for that.
A couple of years ago I read Dani Atkins' debut Fractured. (I wrote about it here.) I read a self-pubbed version; it was eventually commercially published in the US under the title Then and Always. I really liked that book and kept an eye out for her next book, The Story of Us, which was finally published here in the US in the late spring. I also liked this book very much, but it is not a typical romance. Emma is on the verge of marrying her childhood sweetheart when a devastating accident postpones the wedding. In the aftermath of the accident, Emma gets to know the man who rescued her and also learns some things about her fiance, Richard, that has her questioning her choices. In the end, I think I liked Jack and Richard more than I liked Emma. Still, it was a compelling and emotional read that I recommend if you can handle a love triangle.
I've had Suleikha Snyder's Bollywood and the Beast on my Kindle for ages and I finally queued it up. Indian American actress Rocky finds herself in trouble with the media while working on a Bollywood film. To keep her out of the spotlight, she goes to live in the home of her co-star on the outskirts of Delhi. There she meets Ashraf's brother Taj, a recluse and former action hero. Taj was horribly injured--he keeps himself hidden away because of his scars and his long, difficult recovery. Taj resents Rocky's presence in the house and they fight from the beginning. Rocky's ability to stand up to Taj breaks down his defenses and soon they are lovers and in love. While I thought they went from fighting to loving almost too fast, I very much enjoyed this book. It was a great take on Beauty and the Beast. There was also a sweet secondary romance involving Ashraf.
I'll wrap this up by mentioning Lauren Willig's The Lure of the Moonflower. I've enjoyed all of the books in this series, including this one, but I'm glad to see it finally wrap up. It's been a great journey and I'm a fan of the humor Willig brings to her writing. Still, it was time to bring it to a conclusion and I thought Willig ended the series on just the right note. This one takes place in Portugal which got me thinking that I'm way overdue to re-read one of my favorite books of all time, The Winding Stair by Jane Aiken Hodge (originally published in 1968). Seriously, if you are a fan of Regency-era romances and want to read a classic, TWS is a must-read. And hey! There's a Kindle version. Awesome, because I have no idea where my much-loved paper copy is.
Really, in Portugal?
ReplyDeleteI think Willig was translated here but now I'll try to buy the first book just for the setting curiosity!
Thank you. Happy reading!
Yes indeed in Portugal. It takes place just as the French invade and the royal court escapes to Brazil. I would not read Moonflower without reading at least several of the previous books, especially The Passion of the Purple Plumeria.
DeleteThe Winding Stair takes place in both England and Portugal during roughly the same time period.