I know it’s August already, and now that we’re back from RWA, we’re going on one last summer reading binge. And there are definitely some great treats to be had. Meredith Duran’s latest historical has already been given a DIK review here, and not surprisingly, a lot of us can’t wait to read it. Several of us are excited to see Lisa Kleypas’ newest contemporary, too. And then there’s The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig, which one of our senior reviewers described as “My pick, eagerly awaited for nearly 10 years.” So, what are you planning to read this month?
| Title and Author | Reviewer | |
 | Lady Be Good by Meredith Duran | Dabney, Blythe, Lynn, Caroline, Mary, Caz |
 | The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig | LinnieGayl, Lee, Caz |
 | Brown-Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas | Heather, Mary, Haley |
 | Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews | Jean, Melanie, Heather |
 | Tremaine’s True Love by Grace Burrowes | Mary, Caz, Caroline |
 | Sequins and Spurs by Cheryl St. John | Caroline, Lynn |
 | The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman | Haley, Dabney |
 | Lady Emily’s Exotic Journey by Lillian Marek | Caz |
 | Dragonbane by Sherrilyn Kenyon | Melanie |
 | If I Could Turn Back Time by Beth Harbison | Lee |
 | Perfect Touch by Elizabeth Lowell | Heather |
 | The Uninvited by Cat Winters | Melanie |
 | All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue by Sophie Jordan | Caz |
 | The Complete Arrows Trilogy(reissue) by Mercedes Lackey | Anne |
 | Silent Melody(reissue) by Mary Balogh | Anne |
Lynn Spencer
I enjoy spending as much time as I can between the covers of a book, traveling through time and around the world. When I'm not having adventures with fictional characters, I'm an attorney in Virginia and I love just hanging out with my husband, little man, and the cat who rules our house.
I’ve read Magic Shifts and agree with Leslie’s comments about it. Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series is outstanding. I love the fresh directions each story goes. Highly recommended.
I took a punt on trying a new author to me (Elizabeth Lowell) and, liking the sound of the story, bought Perfect Touch but am very disappointed. I am usually very reluctant to spend $14.99 for an ebook but assumed such an experienced writer would deliver the goods of a top romantic suspense story so took the gamble. The story was okay and competently written but somehow lacked that extra oomph. I wanted to care about the main protagonists but something was lacking in the characterisation of them and some of the villains were almost one dimensional. I might read AAR’s reviews of her books and pick one that is highly recommended to give her a second chance but I won’t be spending nearly 15 bucks again.
Jayne Ann Krentz has a new Jayne Castle book out: Siren’s Call. Lots of fun if you enjoy her Jayne Castle Harmony series books which I do.
Janice Kay Johnson has two new books out; both of which I enjoyed. One is a romantic suspense in her Cape Trouble series: Twisted Threads and the other is a Harlequin Superromance. I think JKJ’s strength as a writer is her ability to write real but complex characters. I am disappointed that Harlequin are no longer supplying retailers with print copies of their Superromance line. How do they expect readers to discover “”new”” authors? We’ve all picked up a book in a store, read the blurb, and thought this sounds interesting, I’ll give this author a try. What do you think at AAR?
I’m reading the Elizabeth Lowell now and at 25% in, I’m not loving it either. I’ve enjoyed many of her other RS titles (the Donovans and St Kildas books are favorites), but I’m really not connecting with this one. I got it from the library, so I wasn’t burned on the price, but I’m disappointed that the nail-biting suspense I’d hoped for just isn’t happening. Bummer.
I didn’t realize Harlequin had stopped supplying print copies of Superromances to retailers. I always thought that was one of their best selling lines. Wonder how they came about that decision?
I read about the change to Harlequin’s print policy on Beth Andrews’ Facebook page and later Janice Kay Johnson confirmed this is so. I haven’t read any explanation or rationale why this decision was made and hoped that Harlequin might have provided one to AAR and/or other prominent review and discussion sites. I too thought it would have been a successful line as I am sure many readers enjoyed the longer length because it allowed more room for character and plot development . Incidentally the new JKJ Superromance is called Yesterday’s Gone if anyone wants to check it out online.
I really liked Lady Be Good. It was nice seeing Phin (Ardmore) make an appearance as the spymaster. I also want to read Brown-Eyed Girl.
I’ve read Brown-Eyed Girl and agree with the B- given to it by the AAR reviewer. It just didn’t do it for me as much as the others in the series. I had the same problem with Joe’s motivations and felt like there was a real lack in terms of character development. It just didn’t feel as well-fleshed out as most other books by Kleypas.
I enjoyed Magic Shifts. Team Andrews is hands down my favorite author of PR/UF. Every new book in the Kate Daniels series is fresh and full of interesting cultural and mythological history.
It is never stagnant and always moving forward. I have a few nit-picks, but not worth mentioning. I recommend it!
The Lure of the Moonflower was not the book I expected for Jane Wooliston. SPOILERS……………………………………….
Most of the story has Jane, Jack and and un-named donkey slogging through the mud in Portugal. It’s a road trip with very little danger, no glamour and very little intrigue. Jane has lost her poise in this one, which really through me for a loop. Willig is a wonderful writer and did a fine job finishing up the Pink Carnation series, but I was just a little disappointed in how Jane was portrayed completely out of character. Eloise and Colin’s portion of the novel was too silly at times and I’ve always had an annoyance with how Eloise is portrayed as a little oafish. But…..all a all a finished product. I’m very curious to hear what other long time readers of the Pinks think about the curve-ball thrown by the author in regards to Jane. I’ve got the audiobook on deck read by the great Kate…..so I may have a little change of heart after listening to her narration.
I have enjoyed Meredith Duran, her Duke of Shadows knocked me out when I read it.
Even though many of her books have been hit and miss, I really like the way she writes. That said…..
I spewed my coffee when I saw the DIK rating! I was BORED out of my mind reading Lady Be Good. A DNF for me. I didn’t buy the relationship one iota and I despise that kind of “”revenge trope””. I am interested in the next one though…..
Perfect Touch was not bad. A little predictable, but a different setting than normal and I like the way the H/H made their connection.
So very excited about Brown Eyed Girl….it will hopefully arrive on my reader a little after 9 pm tonight.
Thanks for the post!
Lady Be Good left me bored too. The writing is lovely but the heroine left me cold.
I loved Brown-Eyed Girl – my first Kleypas contemporary. People are saying the others in the series are better, but I thought it was great. Unlike a lot of contemporaries at the moment, it actually *felt* contemporary, and didn’t have any of that misogyny everyone is including in their books these days.
Finishing up Meredith Duran’s _Lady Be Good_ and really enjoyed it. I’m tentatively planning to read Kleypas’s _Brown-Eyed Girl_ though would like to read more reviews of it first.
Your wish is our command!
:)