January reads

This may be more like a drive-by shooting!  I'll try to be more conscientious in the future.  Maybe.

The Magical Christmas Cat (anth) by Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Linda Winstead Jones *B* Enjoyable paranormal short stories.

Stolen Birthright by Margaret Tanner *B* A good, although complicated, historical.

The Healer by Jean Brashear part of a series, Deep in the Heart.  A good story, great characters, but I didn't buy the HEA - at all. *A/C*

The Good Daughter by Jean Brashear part of a series, Deep in the Heart.  Really love Brashear's writing.  Loved this one. *A*

Most Wanted by Jean Brashear part of a series, Deep in the Heart. Not so fond of this one maybe because there wasn't much romance in it. *C*

Undercover by Lauren Dane *A* Good erotic three-way.  Hhhhhot.

Double the Pleasure (anth) by Lori Foster, Dierdre Martin, Jacquie D'Alessandro, Penny McCall *A* Fun read.

Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster *B/A*  This quote says it all.  I'll admit to being a Lori Foster fangirl.

From Publisher's Weekly: The fact that its contrived plot sounds more like a fabricated story for a sex column in a glossy mag than anything that might happen in the real world pleasingly plump, virginal 25-year-old secretary wins undying lust from her boss's bad-boy grandson does not necessarily diminish the fun to be had in the latest contemporary romance from Foster. After Noah Harper finds the fiance he does not love in bed with another man, he breaks off the engagement, deciding uncomplicated sex is all he needs. Besides, he was marrying Kara only to please his difficult grandmother, Agatha, whose popular Gillespe, Ky., restaurant he manages. Enter Agatha's unassuming secretary, Grace Jenkins. Insecure and inexperienced, but with a huge, unrequited crush on Noah, Grace agrees to Noah's terms: she'll become his sex slave and he'll teach her how to enjoy her body. Of course, the reader knows all along that the two will fall in love; it's merely a question of when they'll realize it themselves and what complications they'll stumble over on the path to knowledge. Billed as "a novel of erotic romance," this is harmless entertainment for readers who favor brisk romps between the sheets with a little story thrown in. It is sure to satisfy Foster's fan base and kudos to her for making a full-figured character the star of the show.

Lovestruck by Stephanie Bond Three short stories, loosely connected. *A* I enjoyed this a lot.

Sarah's Child by Linda Howard *D* The hero, no that's just wrong, the lead male character was a total bastard.  Don't know why I finished the book because I just wanted to kill him.

Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods *B* Don't really know how to describe this one.  It's heavy on relationships, deals with suicide, teenage alcoholism and rebellion, survivor guilt - lots of angst.  In fact, it got so heavy, I skipped the middle and went straight to the end.  I know, smack my hand.  There's a bit of romance but it's a very small part of this book. 

Give Me a Texan (anth) by Jodi Thomas, DeWanna Pace, Linda L. Broday, Phyliss Miranda *A*  Good westerns.

Holiday Seduction (anth) by Jaci Burton and Lauren Dane *A* Good erotic stories.  I especially liked The To Do List (maybe because I make lists). LOL

Flat Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy *A* First in a series about race car drivers.  When we meet her, Tamara is a single mother and the widow of a race car driver. She has sworn to stay away from other race car drivers, but who does she end up with?  Yup, a race car driver and he's younger than her as well.  He's great with her kids, he loves her but she's really resistant to letting the relationship become serious.  I'm looking forward to the next book.

A Very, Merry Christmas (anth) by Lori Foster, Gemma Bruce, Janice Maynard *B*

Tall, Dark and Cranky by Kate Little *B* I picked this up because I loved the title.

Baby Love by Victoria Pade *C* Forgettable category

Sleeping Beauty and the Marine by Cathie Linz *C* Forgettable category

Baby Be Mine by Victoria Pade *C* Forgettable category

In The Groove by Pamela Britton *B* maybe an *A*  NASCAR story

Heart of the Raven by Susan Crosby *B* A really good category

To The Limit by Pamela Britton *C*  Didn't buy the HEA.

Charmed (anth) by Jayne Castle, Julie Beard, Lori Foster, Eileen Wilks  A fun read but as with most anthologies, no depth.

Total Control by Pamela Britton *B* Another NASCAR story.  Enjoyed it.

Beloved by Diana Palmer *B*

Callaghan's Bride by Diana Palmer Hard to give this a grade, it was emotional but I didn't like the hero, Cag.

Her Baby Secret by Victoria Pade  A forgettable category. *C*

Test of Time by Jayne Ann Krentz *B* This is an older Krentz

Thief of Hearts by Tess Gerritson *C* Another "eh" category.

Moontide by Stella Cameron *B*  A lot of tragedy and sadness in this one.  Starts off with the heroine losing her husband and newborn child in an accident.  The doctor trying to save the child's life falls in love with her.  She returns a few years later and they begin a relationship.