What I Read in January '09

"Shadow of the Moon" from Dead After Dark by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Veil of Midnight by Lara Adrian

Midnight Rising by Lara Adrian

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

Stranger in my Arms by Lisa Kleypas

To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley

Talk Me Down by Victoria Rahl

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander

A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

Wild and Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward

Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward

Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward

Midnight Awakening by Lara Adrian

Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian

Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn

Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands

And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander

Fallen by Claire Delacroix

Whisper No Lies by Cindy Gerard

Out of this World by Jill Shalvis

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

Simply Magic by Mary Balogh

Simply Love by Mary Balogh

Murder Game by Christine Feehan

Simon Says by Lori Foster

Fanning the Flame by Kat Martin

One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh

Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh

The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer

Simply Perfect by Mary Balogh

Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

(Total: 37)

All the Lovers of J. R. Ward

I am finally caught up with this series. Except for the Insider's Guide. My favorite was Lover Awakened (Zsadist). Close runner-up was Lover Unbound (Vishous). Least favorite was Lover Enshrined (Phury). I didn't like Dark Lover the first time I read it but I may have to give it another chance. Lover Revealed was good and I liked that Butch was turned. I like the way she's developing the new generation: John Matthew, Blaylock, and Qhuinn. I was really hoping that John Matthew would get a set of pipes with his change. Brought back Tohrment too. Since the next book is Lover Avenged I figured it would be about Tohr, but it's Rehvenge instead. It'll be hardback too. Not crazy about that but it won't matter much. 

Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl

I'm not sure if I've ever read about a hornier woman than Molly in Talk Me Down. I guess it's good then that she has a job that she can use all that energy for creative endeavors (writing naughty romance novels). Or something like that. The thing I was impressed with was she had been writing these books for ten years and never told anyone. Not her family, boyfriends, or friends; nobody but her editor knew. Of course, the one person she wants most hates scandal, and so there you have one of the main plot points. How do you tell someone a secret like that when you know it will make them run for the hills. Dunno. Anyhoo, I liked this one but found it to be predictable. Not that that is always a bad thing. :)

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

I can admit when I am wrong. I finally finished this one and enjoyed it. I am so very glad that Sophy doesn't live in my house. This one was much more enjoyable than The Quiet Gentleman. I will say, though, that it bothered me a little bit that the main romance occurred between two first cousins. Happy might they be, it was still a little weird. I will have to endeavor to read more of Ms. Heyer's books. I think I am getting used to the exclamation points. 

Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn

I finally managed to sit down and read Silent in the Sanctuary. I have been gazing longingly at this book for days. I started it last night around 8 p.m. and powered on through until 2:30 a.m. I'm a little tired today but it was worth it. Sanctuary picks up six months after Silent in the Grave ends; Lady Julia is on vacay in Italy with her brothers Plum and Lysander (who named the children in this family?) when they receive a summons to return home. It appears that Lysander up and married an italian woman and Father isn't pleased. So, they go back to England with Alessandro, a friend of the brothers and hopeful suitor for Lady Julia, only to discover that Nicholas Brisbane is staying with the family for a house party and he has brought his fiance with him. Shortly afterward, Lady Julia's cousin Lucy is found standing over the dead body of the local church's curate, holding a bloody candlestick. Brisbane and Lady Julia are charged with launching an investigation of the murder. Obviously, these two don't work well together - he gives orders and makes demands and she ignores them.  Their romance is still at an impasse even though they are both mightily aware of the other (Brisbane is as disturbed as she is to find the other at the March family estate). By the end, the mystery is solved and the framework for the next book, Silent on the Moor, is laid.

As much as I'm looking forward to Moor I may have to put off reading it for a while. It will probably be another year before the next one and that will be too long to wait. We'll see. As for Sanctuary, I loved it. It didn't have the humor of the first book, but that's ok. Murder isn't very funny. Julia and Brisbane grow closer but not too close. We learn more about his backstory (namely the Mariah Young secret). He is still obstinate and close-mouthed and Julia is astonished by his choice in his future wife. Raybourn keeps some of the characters from the first book (but not too many) and expands the family. Given that Moor is set in Yorkshire, I'm not sure how she will manage to flesh out even more of the family, but maybe that is for the fourth book and so on. There are still several March siblings out there for us to meet. 

Raybourn has an interesting side plot going on involving Brisbane and Julia's sister, Portia. I'd be pretty pissed if I were Julia but as Portia is a lesbian, I guess there's not much to worry about. :) Julia keeps evolving in this book (as she should - it would be dreadfully boring is she didn't, wouldn't it?). She is becoming one of my favorite characters to read. And I love Brisbane; he reminds me of Jericho Barrons from KMM's Fever series. Dark, violent, and mysterious. Acting untouchable and above everything but with a jealous streak and a strong protective nature. Yum. Write faster, Mrs. Raybourn!