Beginning of the year reads

January - February 2010

Haven't been listing down the books Ive read since the beginning of the year so wasn't sure when I read them so just decided to do one list for Jan and Feb.

200. Elijah by Jacquelyn Franks
Rating:B+
Comment: This is officially my first book of 2010. I slept over at my friend's place on the 31st and I was up all night when everyone went to bed reading this hehe Book 3 in the Shadowdwellers. I love how everyone from the previous books are still involved in the plot so it's not just a romance. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
199. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan
Rating:B+
Comment:good solid start to the series. I love Percy!
198. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan
Rating:B+
Comment:as good as the first book
197. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan
Rating:B
Comment:things are beginning darker and getting more complicated.
196. After Dark (Harmony #2) by Jayne Castle
     Bridal Jitters(Harmony #1)
Rating:B+
Comment:Because of the futuristic vibe in this series, haven't really started on the series until now but once you start reading you're hooked!
195. After Glow (Harmony #3) by Jayne Castle
Rating:B+
Comment:continues with the same characters as After Dark, answered some of the questions that came up, one of my favorites.
194. Ghost Hunter (Harmony #4) by Jayne Castle
Rating:B+
Comment:I want a dust bunny of my own.
193. Silver Master (Harmony #5) by Jayne Castle
Rating:B+
Comment:dual dust bunnies were very cute
192. Dark Light (Harmony #6) by Jayne Castle
Rating:B+
Comment:I think this one and After Glow has to be my favorite out of the series. I love Elvis!
191. Obsidian Prey (Harmony #7) by Jayne Castle
Rating:B+
Comment:we've seen some hints of the connection to the arcane series and this one was pretty obvious hehe
190. Running Hot (Arcane #5) by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating:B
Comment:I think I was reading this one when the connection to the Jayne Castle books became a little obvious to me. Here we're treated into a more
189. Perfect Poision (Arcane #6) by Amanda Quick
Rating:B+
Comment:I really really like this book.
188. The Renegade Hunter (Argeneau #12) by Lynsay Sands
Comment:B-
Comment:I was a little disappointed in this one in that I didn't think the story was strong enough. I like Sands but I don't why in order to make the hero be more effective is to make out the other hunters as bumbling idiots. And then hint of a bigger story in the end. I don't know maybe this one is a little but too shallow for me
187. Fired Up (Arcane #7) by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating:B+
Comment:as always a feel-good read
186. Blaze of Memory (Psy-Changelings #7) by Nalini Singh
Rating:B+
Comment:very sweet story, liked it moving on the next one
185. Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter #2) by Nalini Singh
Rating:A
Comment:At last the next book is out and it doesn't disappoint. There were so many things to tackle and so little pages! I can't wait for the next one.
184. Pleasure of a Dark Prince (Immortals After Dark #11) by Kresley Cole
Rating:B+
Comment:I love this series especially the valkyries. I like how every book somehow happens in the same timeline just their part of the happenings. I liked older brother's story more but this was a solid book in the series imho
183. Nightwalker (Dark Days #1) by Jocelynn Drake
Rating:B
Comment:Started out pretty good and intriguing. Reading the next book.
182. DayHunter (Dark Days #1) by Jocelynn Drake
Rating:B
Comment:can't believe that this all happened in the span of a week! More secrets and more revelations!
181. Dawnbreaker (Dark Days #1) by Jocelynn Drake
Rating:B-
Comment:ok I was looking forward to the next book in the series but at this point I would have wanted something else to happen. It's starting to become a little bit repetitive for me. I'll give the next book another chance though
180. Fired Up (Arcane #7) by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating:B
Comment:Honestly JAK can never do anything wrong in my book so can't wait for the next one.
179. Fire and Ice (Buchanan-Renard #7) by Julie Garwood
Rating:B
Comment:I liked this one, The hero and heroine are very endearing characters. I hope the other friend will have her story too.

End of the Year Reads

NOVEMBER
I have to admit that I haven't been updating the list too much so been trying to rack my brain of the books that I did read this month and the next.
01. Heir to the Dog (Dog Walker Mysteries #2) by Judi McCoy
Rating:B
Comment:it wasn't bad, I dont know if maybe because it took me awhile to read this that it didn't really pull me into the story like the first book in the series.
02. Night Rising (Vampire Babylon #1) by Chris Marie Green
Rating:B
Comment:very Hollywood glam vampire and all that, not bad but I didn't really connect with the heroine to be honest. I don't know if it's just me but her being that bitter wasn't really justified for me. And this is one of those, why must urban fantasy heroines sleep around so much, stories. Although technically she didnt really sleep with anyone at this point.
03. Edge of Hunger by Rhyannon Byrd
Rating:B
Comment:ok read. guy is a little bit too in denial and goes into too many "she's too good for me" phases that was annoying at some point.
04. Vicious Circle (The Circle Series #1) by Linda Robertson
Rating: B+
Comment: I admit I quite enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next book.


December
6. Sex and the Immortal Bad Boy (Immortally Sexy #4) by Stephanie Rowe
Rating:B
Comment:I always enjoy Rowe and look forward to her series, I have to admit that I wasn't really into Paige when she was first introduced in the previous book but I like how she was developed in this book. I hope Rowe continues her series
7. Demon Angel (Guardians 2) by Meljean Brooks
Rating:B-
Comment: the hero was a little too whiney for me, but it wasn't bad. will continue the series. Incidentally the first book is from an anthology which I just got so I'll read that first
8. The Becoming (Anna Strong Chronicles #1)by Jeanne Stein
Rating:B
Comment:Suzanne recommended this to me and she sent me the first four books of the series. The first book started out pretty strong in my opinion
9. Magic in the Wind (Drake Sisters #1) by Christine Feehan
Rating:B
Comment:short novella, good introduction to the sisters
10. Twilight After Christmas(Drake Sisters #2) by Christine Feehan
Rating:B
Comment:very sweet story, liked it moving on the next one
11. Turbulent Seas(Drake Sisters #4) by Christine Feehan
Rating:B
Comment:hmm villian was a little sad but Abbie is my favorite sister so I was looking forward to her book, there were lots of good moments there but sometimes I get the feeling that feehan is just prolonging the book
12. Safe Harbor(Drake Sisters #5) by Christine Feehan
Rating:B-
Comment: The tension between Hannah and Jonas has been very obvious since the beginning and I wanted to find out how their story goes, I don't know if it's just me but I got a little bored. The thing with reading Feehan is that after awhile she tends to get repetitive if you read her straight. I didnt really feel that when I started reading
13. Blood Drive(Anna Strong Chronicles #2)by Jeanne Stein
Rating:B
Comment:The first book started out well and I thought the second book was pretty good too
14. The Watcher(Anna Strong Chronicles #3)by Jeanne Stein
Rating:B
Comment:Written much like previous two ,book 3  continues the adventures of newly turned Anna Strong.There's many things happening in this book and I like this series so far but I'm starting to feel that the character needs more development. This is the third book already and it feels like she's just been turned still.
15. The Legacy (Anna Strong Chronicles #4)by Jeanne Stein
Rating:C-
Comment: I was SOO disappointed with this book! Books 1-3 were pretty engaging reads but it took me awhile to get through this one. Pretty much piles and piles of angst heaped together on Anna's head, with the plot still missing. I heard the next book is better so hopefully it's true. I still want to know what happens though so will read book 5 still

update

Promised my cousin that i'ld continue my blog and i'd been remissed in updating for the past two months will update soon with my list. In the meantime it's a whole new year and this year I'm going for somewhere around the neighborhood of 180-200 books. Most recent recommendations are Meljean Brook, Jayne Castle and Jacquelyn Frank. Will blog on individual books next time！

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

October Readings

October
Woot I've managed to finish my reading goal for this year!! Although haven't read any literary books hehehe

9. We'll Always have Parrots (Meg Lanslow #5) by Donna Andrews
Rating:A
Comment:I love Meg and her family! Although we're only treated to a slightly smaller number this time since the only family members here were Meg's parents and her nephew Eric. It was still a fun read.
8: Cockatails at Seven (Meg Lanslow #9) by Donna Andrews
Rating:A
Comment:Meg and her family are at it again hehe This is a few books after the last one I read so some events and characters can get a little confusing without any background information. All in all a great read. And there's a baby involved, plus I just love Rob. All in all a great read.
7. Trick or Treat Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries #3) by Leslie Meier
Rating: B
Comment:Not bad at all , I enjoyed the first book of the series and since I can't seem to find the 2nd one skipped to this one.
   Back to School Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries #4) by Leslie Meier
Rating: C-
Comment:Sometimes I come across books that I'm not really in the mood for to read or something about it turns me off. In good conscious I didn't number it because I didn't finish the book. The book pretty much centered on Lucy and how unhappy she was about her family and her husband and is even contemplating an affair. I thought they were such a happy family in the last book. huh where did that come from? From loving #3 to totally hating #4, dissapointing
6. The Immortal Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Rating: B
Comment:Not bad, I miss the Argeneau family and this book was a nice read. My only qualm is that while reading in the middle my desire to continue got lost and then picked up again later. Can't wait to read the next book though.
5. My Favorite Witch by Lisa Plumley
Rating: B-
Comment:ok read. This was just a normal read for me. Might think of reading the sequel if she ever decides to write one.
4.Owls Well That Ends Well (Meg Lanslow #6) by Donna Andrews
Rating:A
Comment:Went through a Donna Andrews phase this month, I have to admit that when you start reading one you just have to continue reading the books in the series. Love Meg! One of the series that I'm always looking forward to. After reading this went out and bought the next one in the series!
3.No Rest for the Wicket (Meg Lanslow #7) by Donna Andrews
Rating:A
Comment: I really can't decide which one in the series is my favorite because I love them all. Extreme Cricket! Winner!! And I love Rob ! Bought the 8th book too and the 10th paperback is coming out Novermber so can't wait for that.
2. Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton
Rating:C
Comment: I was a little disappointed in the book because I love the cover and I love the premise of the book but it didn't really leave me satisfied after reading it.
1. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
Rating:A
Comment:I love Ilona Andrews!! She always leaves me satisfied and waiting for more whenever I read her books. I haven't been writing down the books that I've read in October completely but this totally deserves to be the #1 spot for my goal this year. While heavily anticipating her next Kate book, I was quite intrigued by her new series. As my book bud Olive, mentioned, I do agree that this reads more like paranormal romance than Urban Fantasy but I love it all the same. I love how Andrews makes everything so gritty but the characters so positive(in a way) and likeable. Next book in the series will be about William. Can't wait!

September Reads

September
21. Jacob (Nightwalkers #1)  by Jacquelyn Frank
Rating:B+
Comment: Great start to a new series!!!
20. Gideon (Nightwalkers #2)  by Jacquelyn Frank
Rating:B+
Comment: Great start to a new series!!!
19. Forbidden Magic (Magic #1) by Cheyenne McCray
Rating:B-
Comment: ok read
18. Seduced by Magic (Magic #2) by Cheyenne McCray
Rating:B-
Comment: not bad
17. Storm of Visions (Chosen Ones #1) by Cristina Dodd
Rating:B-
Comment: was ok the ending was kind of "That's all?" for me, would like to continue though
16. Working for the Devil (Dante Valentine #1) by Lilith Saintcrow
Rating:B-
Comment: it was ok, kind of depressing, has the potential to be one of those nitty painful series
15. Forever...: A Novel of Good And Evil, Love And Hope (Forever Trilogy#1) by Jude Deveraux
Rating:B
Comment:really liked the book, read the excerpts on the next two but might prefer this one as a standalone.
14. The Sword (Sons of Destiny #1) by Jean Johnson
Rating:B-
Comment:It was ok but it felt a little amateurish for me ala first KMM
13. White Lies (Arcane Society#2) by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating: B
Comment: As always JAK is such a comfort and easy read. I always have a desire to read her old books everytime I read her. Would have given it higher but despite enjoying it, it tended to become too technical at some parts, and I read Second Sight a good 6 months before I think, so it was hard to recall any of the things that the history of Arcnae Society and J&J that it alluded to. Despite that, couldnt wait to read the next one.
12. Sizzle and Burn (Arcane Society#3) by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating: B+
Comment: Liked the previous book better in concept but the story played out better here imho.Also since read this right after the last one, a lot of the details were fresh, it was a much smoother read than the second.
11. Third Circle (Arcane Society#4) by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating: B+
Comment: I seldom read historicals now but since this is part of the Arcane series that I was currently reading, felt I needed to read it in order as to understand the dynamics of the past and present. Besides, I'm a sucker of the connecting past to present stories where you just get a hint of the other. Loved the characters and their interaction, had a much more old-school paranormal feel to it which was very cool
10.Alpha and Omega () by Patricia Briggs
Rating: B+
Comment: Another great book by Briggs, I always anticipate a new sequel to Briggs' Mercy series or the Alpha and Omega series.

August 2009 Reading

August
Not so bad for this month. I found myself staying in the pararomance genre hehe

33. Night's Rose by Annaleise Evans
Rating: B+
Comment:Quite enjoyed this book, Rose's story was very heartwrenching. Interested to see the next book coming out in September.

32. Arousing Suspicions by Marianne Stillings
Rating: B
Comment: story was typical but enjoyable light reading.

31.　Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker
Rating:B
Comment:Quite interesting, too bad it was a stand-alone, would have wanted to read more.

30: Ecstasy (Shadowalkers #1) by Jacquelyn Frank
Rating:B-
Comment:My first book by Jacquelyn Frank. I have to admit it was just ok for me. This is the second series of her but from the same Nightwalkers series. Will have to check that one. I quite liked the characters mind you, but I felt that it just dragged on a littel bit for me.

29: Destined to An Early Grave (Night Huntress #4) by Jeaniene Frost
Rating: B
Comment: It was ok, likable but not as good as the last book. It felt like there was something lacking in the novel for me

28. Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin #1) by GA Aiken
Rating: B+
Comment: I quite liked it. A light and fun read. Looking for the next two books now.

27. Dragon Heat by Allyson James
Rating: B
Comment: I like how she asian the feel is in the book because of dragons and such

26. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Nights (Immortals After Dark #4) by Kresley Cole
Rating: B+
Comment:Starts around the same time as the middle of the 3rd book. I felt bad for Bowen when the realization hit him in the end but I quite like the heroine, Mari here.

25.Dark Needs at Night's Edge  (Immortals After Dark #5) by Kresley Cole
Rating: B+
Comment: I have to admit, considering that one of the characters is a ghost. I love how the two characters interacted and how the romance developed between them

24. Dark Desires After Dusk  (Immortals After Dark #6) by Kresley Cole
Rating: B-
Comment:I found myself liking most of the female characters in the IAD series but there was something about this heroine that just annoyed me, half the time. I was kind of expecting a lot out of this one since I liked Cadeon from the few mentions he had before.  The ending was kind of an abrupt about-face for her. All in all not so bad.

23. Kiss of a Demon King  (Immortals After Dark #7) by Kresley Cole
Rating: B+
Comment:I liked this better than the last one. I liekd Cadeon more than his brother Rydstrom but I loved Sabine, a very likable mercenary hehe  

22. Rapture (Shadowalkers #2) by Jacquelyn Frank
Rating:B+
Comment: I am so glad, I started reading this book because this one was loads better than the first for me. Magnus didn't really leave a big impression in the first book so I wasnt that into reading the second one. But I love how his character and Dae's is developed in this one. Worth reading! Now anticipating the next book!

Currently Reading
Jacob (Nightwalkers #1)  by Jacquelyn Frank

July

July was a pretty good month, almost to the 30th mark so we'll see how far August takes us.
JULY
47. She's no Fairy Princess (The Others #2) by Christine Warren
Rating: B
Comment: Not bad, the ending was kind of abrupt in my opinion. A little too convenient. but it was fun and interesting. Hunting for book 3 now. I actually read this last month but I forgot to list it down on the list so I'm carrying over to this month :)
46. (Riley Jensen #1) by Keri Arthur
Rating: B
Comment: It wasn't so bad.
45. Kissing Sin (Riley Jensen #2) by Keri Arthur
Rating: B
Comment: ditto! Quinn is turning into Richard!
44. Tempting Evil (Riley Jensen #3) by Keri Arthur
Rating: B
Comment: I think I liked this one best so far
43. Dangerous Grounds (Riley Jensen #4) by Keri Arthur
Rating: B
Comment: Not bad, totally agreed with what Riley decided on
42. Pleasure Unbound (Demonica #1) by Larissa Inoue
Rating: B
Comment: I can't help comparing thsi to JR Ward because it felt like similar to her style. I did like the book though and am curious about what happens in the next two books which features the other 2 brothers.
41. Red (Dead World #1) by Jordan Summers
Rating: B
Comment: I actually quite liked the book and after reading it directly continued on to the second book
40. Scarlet(Dead World #2) by Jordan Summers
Rating: B-
Comment:I liked this series but I felt like book two really didn't go anywhere and totally commiserated with Red. poor Red
39. Designer Knockoff (Crime of Fashion #2) by Ellen Byerrum
Rating: B+
Comment:I read Byerrum's first book in the series and I found myself enjoying that. Her heroine was witty and quirky. And I find myself wondering getting caught up on the mystery too. You have to read the first book in order though because the second one does reveal events that happen in the first. So unless you want to know who was the killer in the first one, better start with that one.
38. Hostile Makeover  (Crime of Fashion #3) by Ellen Byerrum
Rating:
Comment:Honestly, was a big I knew it to me hehe Enjoyed it though. Found out they made a tv movie of the 1st and this book. yay!
37. Poison Study (Study #1 ) by Maria V. Snyder
Rating: A
Comment: I loved it!! Couldn't wait to read the next one!
36. Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder
Rating: A
Comments: Loved the second book as much as the first book!! Hunting for book 3 now
35. Branded by Fire (Psy-Changelings #6) by Nalini Singh
Rating: A
Comment: Book 6 in the Psy-changelings series was very hot! The chemistry between Mercy and Riley were sizzling and you get to see some bits and pieces of the other couples too!
34. Personal Demons by Stacia Kane
Rating: B+
Comment: I quite like this first book by a new author. Her second book just came out so might give that one a read too