Reading Roundup

I've been reading a pretty wide variety of books lately, not limited to romance. The three titles I've finished most recently include a straight contemporary romance, a paranormal, and a mystery with a strong romantic subplot. Brief reviews below, hopefully with some longer ones next week -- if I get through my weekend reading!

Death’s Bright Angel
by Janet Neel
Though first published in 1988, this mystery still feels timely as it deals with government subsidies to failing industries. The first in a series featuring trade ministry executive Francesca Wilson and Detective Inspector John McLeish is well-paced and has an entertaining cast of characters. This contemporary British police procedural with a romantic subplot offers a moderately tricky puzzle with lots of local color.


Vision in White
by Nora Roberts
This contemporary romance is the story of Mackensie Elliot, wedding photographer and cynic, at least where romance is concerned. Along with her three closest friends, Mac runsVows, a premiere wedding business, but in the face of her self-involved mother, her absent father, and clients tyingthe knot for the second or third time, she has a hard timebelieving she’ll find her own happily ever after.


Obsidian Prey
by Jayne Castle
The latest installment in the Harmony series does not dis-
appoint. Featuring Vincent, an artistic dust bunny, Lyra
Dore, an amber tuner with an affinity for amethyst, and
Cruz Sweetwater, the handsome CEO of Amber Inc., this
story includes jumped claims, stolen artifacts, murder and
art forgery in a fast read full of romance, light suspense,
and subtle humor.

On the Book Cart

Due to a nice batch of donations, there are seven paranormal romances on the cart this week. The newest release is Alyssa Day’s Atlantis Unleashed. Other 2009 releases include Jacquelyn Frank’s Shadowdwellers novel Rapture and three titles from Rhyannon Byrd’s Primal Instinct Series: Edge of Hunger, Edge of Danger, and Edge of Desire. There are two releases of previously published titles from favorite authors: Swimming Without a Net by Mary Janice Davidson and The Wizard of Seattle by Kay Hooper.

On the Book Cart

There's a lengthy list of new arrivals this week, as most of our August titles are in. Come in and check out your favorites, and take a look at our newly expanded paperback collection while you are here.

Historical:
A Duke of Her Own Eloisa James
Some Like It Wicked Teresa Medeiros
The Book of Scandal Julia London
Secrets of Surrender Madeline Hunter
Seduce Me Robyn DeHart
Mastered By Love Stephanie Laurens
Sleepless in Scotland Karen Hawkins
Devil In My Bed Celeste Bradley
Since the Surrender Julie Anne Long


Paranormal:
The Magic Knot Helen Scott Taylor
Destined for an Early Grave Jeaniene Frost
Storm of Visions Christina Dodd
Obsidian Prey Jayne Castle







Contemporary:
Heart of Dixie Tami Hoag
Midnight Sons Debbie Macomber

On Classics and Cover Art

I am a firm believer in the old axiom "You can't judge a book by it's cover." I find this to be especially true when it comes to romance, where the covers range from the ridiculous to the sublime. The ridiculous, unfortunately, are too numerous to mention, but the sublime are not so easily come by. The best examples of the sublime that I've seen in quite a while have to be the Sourcebook reprints of Georgette Heyer's work. The late Queen of the Regency Romance is being given her due with beautiful cover art. Every time one of the reprints comes in I think "Whoever is responsible for this is doing a fabulous job!" I had just gotten through admiring the latest arrival when I found an interview over at the SBTB blog that gives the skinny on just what goes into that fabulous job. The SB's had a long chat with Dawn Pope, Assistant Design Manager at Sourcebooks. Ms. Pope talks about the process, the sources she uses for the cover art, and what changes we'll see as new titles are released. Check out the interview, and you'll gain a whole new appreciation for these beatiful books.

On the Book Cart

There are several new titles and some old favorites on the cart this week. We’ve got new copies of Nora Roberts’ Sanctuary and Debbie Macomber’s Darling Daughters, as well Sophie Kinsella’s The Undomestic Goddess. On the paranormal front, we have Bengal’s Heart by Lora Leigh, Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Tasting Fear by Shannon McKenna. There are two historicals: Amanda Scott’s Tamed by a Laird and Tessa Dare’s Goddess of the Hunt. For the contemporary fan, there is How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist, So Into You by Sandra Hill, Breaking Loose by Tara Janzen, and Code Name: Baby by Christina Skye.