CAROLYN

I haven’t managed to read that much this month with one thing and another, but there are two that I would definitely recommend. They are from very different genres, but both brilliant reads. The first is THE TIME OF MY LIFE by Cecelia Ahern (review – 4/5). This is, as usual, a well written contemporary story by Ahern, with an element of fantasy and magic. I’ve loved everything Ahern has written, and this was another wonderful read.

The second book is actually an eNovella, BLOODED by Amanda Carlson (review – 4/5). This is a prelude to her upcoming debut urban fantasy, Full Blooded, and I really enjoyed it. It’s definitely made me want to read Full Blooded even more. Carlson’s writing, from what I’ve read of the novella, is tight, descriptive with a seriously strong heroine. I hope that what I loved so much in this short story follows through into the full novel.

LAURA

There are three books that have really stood out for me this month. The first is DEADLOCK by Moira Rogers (review), this series is a great read for paranormal romance lovers that like their stories with a bit more grit in them. Alec made for a super sexy hero, and the plot had plenty of werewolf politics and turns to keep you absorbed until the very end. Next would be BLOOD AND SILVER by James R. Tuck (review), this series is fast growing in momentum, it’s on the dark side of urban fantasy which is how I like them. I think the writing is still evolving, but I’m really excited to see how it develops.

My final recommendation and my top choice for the month has to be LOVER REVEALED by J.R. Ward. You will have to wait for my review I’m afraid as I shall be reviewing the entire series at the end of the year. But wow, they’re good! I didn’t expect to like Butch’s book as much as the others, but it surprised me by being the best in the series. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is turning out to be a really awesome read!

BECS

My first month for Book Chick City has flown by and I’ve gotten a better appreciation for book reviewers. Would you believe me if I told you it takes me longer to write a review than it does to read a book! Although my time is improving with each review I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to BCC for all the great reviews that have helped me to pick fantastic books in the past.

This month has seen me read books that I’ve wanted to try but hesitated picking them up due to being a slightly different genre than I usually read. THE TAKER by Alma Katsu being the biggest surprise, I loved her writing style it was captivating.

My top two books come from an ARC I managed to get my hands on, THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maass and my favourite book this month, THE IMMORTAL RULES by Julie Kagawa.

I loved the main protagonist in THRONE OF GLASS so much I decided to buy the four novella’s that proceed it that were released to promote this new book. With THE IMMORTAL RULES I enjoyed that vampires were the monsters from horrors, instead of the vampires I seem to lust over, and with such a great protagonist  the story has remained with me. You can read my review, but I will warn you it’s a long one.

I’m looking forward to next month with more great books to choose from and new authors to try.

MELANIE

This was my first month reviewing here at Book Chick City and spent the month reading a combination of books I needed to review and books I already had or that I had come across.  I have read quite a few so I have a number to choose from.

If you are looking for an all star read then THE TROUPE by Robert J Bennett needs to be on your reading list. If you want to find out more and would like to see what I thought of it just check out the review.  If however, you are looking for a series to read then I have a couple that are worth reading.  My favourite series this year is the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series by Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris including both PHOENIX RISING (review) and THE JANUS AFFAIR. There are a number of short stories that are excellent additions to compliment the series, as well as, podcasts. Ballantine and Morris are excellent to responding to tweets which, as a fan I always appreciate.  Although, it has been out for a while I highly recommend AWAKENINGS which is the first novel of th the first of the Guardian of Anandor series by Edward Lazellari which had me on the edge of my seat for all of the 348 pages.

I also enjoyed the first of the Night Prowler series SHADOW’S EDGE by J.T.Geissinger along with the first two books of the Valerie Dearborn series, LOVE IS DARKNESS and LOVE IS FEAR by Caroline Hanson.  Be warned that Hanson leaves you with a major cliffhanger in book 2. Finally, on the series front do not miss the Miriam Black series by Chuck Wending starting with BLACKBIRDS (review). This series is a bit harrowing but well worth investing the time to read. The second book is out soon to the public so I won’t rub it in too much that I am already reading MOCKINGBIRD!  Don’t worry though as you can read my review in September.

GEMMA

This month, my recommendation has to be WICKED AS THEY COME (review) by Delilah S Dawson. It’s the first in a new series and is one of the best new reads I have read so far this year. It was a dark Alice in Wonderland-esque tale with a strong heroine. It also helped the hero in the story was a different type of alpha male. Crimny is now on my list of favorite literary males.

Another good read was TARNISHED by Karina Cooper. It looked to be billed as a steampunk novel, but it turned out to be more of mystery novel with a strong supernatural undercurrent. I really liked the fact that the author didn’t try to make the heroine too modern for the Victorian setting. I could see Sherlock Holmes sitting very comfortably in this world. The review to this will be up soon.

VICKIE

So, what have I read this month? Things have been slow going for me this month, and I am finding myself having to nip back to my weekly comments to remind me what I have read! Ok, refresh over… how on earth could I have forgotten some of those titles!!! I started the month by finishing off GIDEON, by Jacquelyne Frank, and then moved on to IMMORTAL HOPE and IMMORTAL SURRENDER, the first two books in The Curse of The Templar Knights series by Claire Ashgrove. I then moved on to SAMURAI GAME by Christine Feehan, part of the Ghostwalker series (another great series if you haven’t tried them!) and I am now reading ELIJAH, by Jacquelyne Frank, Nightwalkers #3.

My favourite of the month has a to be IMMORTAL HOPE (review). I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about some of the history of the Templar Knights, and the new twist on God, The Devil, and the Archangels. The romance between Anne and Merrick is written beautifully, and I often found myself seeing the surroundings as the descriptions are wonderful. I would definitely recommend you take a look at this series if you haven’t already. If they are on your TBR list, then they need bumping up!

REBECCA

This month I’ve read a lot of great books, but my favourite by far was THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH by Bethany Griffin. This book was brilliant, and the start of a new young adult series that will appeal to a wider audience than just young adults. A dystopian novel set in a time where disease has plagued the city, the fear built up in this book is realistic, with the relationships being tainted by lies and half-truths. (Review to come).

The next book I’d recommend is WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD by Stephanie Chong (review coming soon), which is a paranormal romance featuring a relationship between an angel and a demon. It may sound like your typical paranormal romance premise, but there are some clever twists in their relationship and the plotline really pulled me in. It’s well written and I really enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

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MONTHLY RECS – August 2012

WEEKLY ROUNDUP – 8th July 2012

WEEKLY ROUNDUP – 22nd July 2012

WEEKLY ROUNDUP – 15th July 2012