Romantic Times April 2006

Seems I'm in the mood for blogging today. So now that I'm sitting here listening to the game, I figured I'd give a run-down of interesting (to me, anyways) things in the April issue.

Article about Kresley Cole's new paranormal series. Half of me is leery, but the other half finds the idea very interesting. Perhaps I'll check out the first from the library. I mean, Valkyries aren't something you see everyday.

Series Rap Sheet: Yes...there are a ton of books that are in series this month. For example: Three Little Secrets by Liz Carlyle, Pleasuring the Prince by Patricia Grasso, Promise Me Forever by Lorraine Heath (I didn't even know she had a Lost Lords series, of which this is the last), The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James, Deep Breath by Alison Kent, Master of Wolves by Angela Knight, The Dangerous Debutante by Kasey Michaels, Past Remption by Savannah Russe, Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughn, Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel, Crimson Rogue by Liz Maverick.

Interesting article about Hard Case Crime and its unique brandong. Also has a fairly interesting sidebar article about cover artist Robert McGinnis. Seems he did some romance covers (including some rather ugly Johanna Lindsey covers).

Okay...Historical Romance reviews:

The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James gets a Top Pick. as does Three Little Secrets by Liz Carlyle and Sword of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor (you know, the one with that cover quote).
The Lighthorseman by Marjorie Jones gets a 4.5. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Penelope and Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley gets 4.5 stars too. Also one I think I want to read.

Ah fuck, Wisconsin goal.

Romantic Suspense reviews:

Shiver by Lisa Jackson and Blackout by Annie Solomon both get Top Picks. They both look interesting so I imagine I'll be trying to get them from the library.

Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer gets Top Pick. Yay, can't wait to read this one.

Review of Sighs Matter by Marianne Stillings. Okay...you give that title and that cover to a romantic suspense??? What were they thinking?

Ah dammit, Badgers score again.

Deep Breath by Alison Kent gets 4 stars

Mainstream Fiction reviews:

Madame Mirabou's School of Love by Barbara Samuel gets a Top Pick and looks rather interesting.

And hmm...that seems to be all that's interesting in that section.

Teen Scene:

Vamps seem to be in with teens.

We'll skip the inspirational section. Though Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers has an awesome cover.

Hmmm.....seems Portrait of a Man by Tracy Fobes is a futuristic. need to make a note to add it to LoveSpace.

Article called Hearts and Crafts: Women's Fiction Goes DIY, From Quilting to Cardmaking to Crochet. - It's a pretty interesting article. I keep meaning to try on of the Debbie Macomber knitting books. And I have Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. There's even a Scrapbooking mystery series. (by Laura Childs) Oh, and a Cardmaking one by Elizabeth Bright.

And the game is tied at 2-2 at the end of the first period!!!!!

Seems Lifetime is going to be making Nora Roberts books into movies. Titles being considered are Blue Smoke, Carolina Moon, The Villa, and Brazen Virtue. The movies are expected to air in early 2007.

Little headsup spread about summer books. These look interesting:

The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout (1st in a new vampire series)
new Undead book by MJD.
Touch the Dark by Karen Chance - urban fantasy look
Wild Card by Madelaine Moore (Black Lace book involving poker and "highly explicit high jinks")
On The Way To The Wedding by Julia Quinn

Ooooh....Robbie Bina is said to maybe be playing hockey next year after breaking his neck last year (game right now is played where he broke it last year).

Born in Death by J.D. Robb
Claire Fontaine, Crime Fighter by Tracey Enright
Spying In High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands (a Regency tale)
Revenge of the Rose by Nicole Galland (set in the court of Konrad, the Holy Roman emperor)
And that ends that section of June, July, August releases.

Let's see....new mystery series, called the Mom Zone Mystery series. Moving is Murder is the first. By Sara Rosett.

A humorous interview with Kinley MacGregor by....Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Mystery, Suspense, & Thriller reviews:

Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant gets a Top Pick. I have this one tbr.

Our Lady of Pain by Marion Chesney also gets a Top Pick. It sounds interesting. Anyone read the others in this series?

Spirko Scores!!!!!! 3-2 Sioux - damn, we're coming back and we're want to win.

Charmed to Death by Shirley Damsgaard - I liked the first one and I can't wait to read this one.

Wisconsin penalty for "diving" Diving? Eh. 4 to a side.

Science Fiction/Fantasy reviews:

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik gets a Top Pick. I really want to try this series. This one is the first.

Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer gets a Top Pick. I still need to get around to reading Tinker.

Anyone read the Nightside series with Simon R. Green?

Karavans by Jennifer Roberson gets 4 stars. I want to read it.

Contemporary Romance reviews:

The Way U Look Tonight by Dianne Castell - sequel to er, a title I can't remember, but was okay. I think I'll be getting this one from the library. Gets 4.5 stars here.

When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys by HelenKay Dimon, Erin McCarthy, and Lori Foster gets 4 stars.

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole gets a Top Pick rating.

Dates from Hell by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong, and Lori Handeland gets 4.5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading this one since all the authors are decent paranormal writers.

Whispers by Erin Grady gets 4.5 stars. Looks interesting. I really liked one of her books I read last year, so I'll want to check into this one.

Parallel Attraction by Deidre Knight gets 4 stars and looks interesting.

Category Romance reviews:

Afternoon Delights by Mia Zachary looks good. Harlequin Blaze. I've liked her work in the past.

Dirty Harriet by Miriam Auerbach is a Harlequin Next book and looks like fun.

Shadow Force by Linda Conrad is a paranormal SIM and the first in a new series called Night Guardians.

Erotica reviews:

Maiden and the Monster by Michelle M. Pillow gets a Top Pick and sounds rahter interesting. I might have to pick it up next time I buy ebooks.

Yay!...Rylan Kaip scores AGAIN! 4-2!

And ah dammit, Wisconsin scores again to make it 4-3.

And thus ends this post and you'll just have to wonder how the third period plays out cuz I'm publishing this now.













3 comments:

Angela James said...

I'm very mad at you for not mentioning the Samhain ad. Hmph. Okay, not really, lol.

Angela James said...

And for the love of God, tell me who won the game. It's nearly impossible to find the information on the internet. Don't they understand?

Nicole said...

Oh. We did. :-) 4-3. Was very tense for awhile.