Janet Evanovich

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors. She has a certain flare that can't be ignored. I've recently read two of her books; Sizzling Sixteen and Wicked Appetite. Sizzling Sixteen is part of a long time series that you just can't get enough of; the Stephanie Plum novels. I laughed through the entire book. Her books make you want to go to Jersey in search of these characters. Life would definitely be interesting with Lulas, Connies, Mooners, Morellies, and Rangers all milling about. The book was a bit frustrating in the fact that it ended and it ended with Stephanie owing Ranger one (what kind of one who knows?) and Morelli standing in her living holding lacy bits. Now we wait.

Wicked Appetite is sort of a new version of an older character; or at least a development of one. In the between the Plum novels a character Diesel tends to show up. He has some talents all his own and tends to show up and disappear just like that. In this new book he finds a new person to torture with is devilish ways. Lizzy is all about the cupcakes (can't go wrong there I'd say) and while she'd like nothing better than to kick Diesel out of her house and get back to her old life, she somehow can't get rid of him (both because he wont go and because she just can't bring herself to do it). A one-eyed cat with a unique tail and Carl the monkey (also one from the between the Plum novels) also tag along for the ride. Then you have Glo, a co-worker, who found a "spell" book and can't help but read from it and a broom who doesn't always like her in return. Being set in Salem, MA this makes for interesting combinations.

The type of book that Wicked Appetite is was touched upon when Evanovich wrote the between the plums. It's interesting and if you are a fan of Evanovich you will love it as much as you loved the rest of her books. Sizzling Sixteen holds true to form the rest of the Plum novels and leaves you in stitches, right alongside some of the other characters in the book. Both are must reads. Enjoy!

Iron Kissed and Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

This series has me hooked. It's not like your usual super natural series that focuses on just one type of super natural type or another. There are consistencies throughout the book based on the super natural beings but each book has a focus. Iron Kissed is more about the Fae. It is interesting how each book is set up that way and you learn bits about each of the beings but not the complete story. It leaves room for the next story. Bone crossed is more about vampires, ghosts, and the bonds of werewolves.

I like this angle on the wolves better than any I've ever heard before because it deals a lot more with the alpha and how those bonds are formed and broken versus what it means to just be part of a pack. Also, the forming of a pack (any pack) is touched on in the book Iron Kissed. Mercy Thompson is your typical stubborn, independent, woman, who knows the super natural world a bit more than just the surface, being a part of it herself, but finds herself being drawn in more than she bargained for. Maybe it's the destiny of the coyote that has her tangled in all this? Maybe it's her stubborn loyalty? Either way Patricia Briggs leaves you wanting more and on edge waiting for the next book. Enjoy!