Pick up one of these great novels for fun beach reading this fourth of July!

Must-Read Mysteries for Summer by Angela Etheridge

As a teacher, I love summer for many reasons, but additional “reading time” is the best reason of all! A new Lisa Gardner book, THE NEIGHBOR, is coming out this June, and Ms. Gardner is an automatic purchase list. All her books are absolutely gripping, intense, and highly original. Also highly recommended is Kelley Armstrong’s MADE TO BE BROKEN; this unusual tale follows the experiences of a female contract killer. Neither of these books are light, summery reads, but they are sure to keep you reading late into the night! For lighter summer fare, Cynthia Baxter’s MURDER PACKS A SUITCASE really fits the bill—with a tale about a travel writer exploring Florida . Highlighting the kitschy parts of Florida , this lighthearted mystery packs an unexpected punch. If you are like me and hope to lose a few pounds this summer, consider reading Kathryn Lilley’s Fat City mysteries series, starting with DYING TO BE THIN. With characters as real as you and I, Ms. Lilley’s books are fun and believable. No matter where you go or what you do this summer, don’t forget to pack a mystery!

From Sarah Siversmith:

Must reads for this summer, there are a bunch of books coming out this summer that I think are must reads for those who like paranormal books and romantica.Emma Holly has a trilogy coming out in her Upyr series. These revolve around Edmund St. Clare and his family. Kissing Midnight, Breaking Midnight and Saving Midnight. Nalini Singh also has a new book coming out in her psy series, Branded by Fire, which is highly anticipated. Laurell Hamilton's newest Anita Blake book - number 17 is out, Skin Trade. Of course there is J R Ward's Lover Avenged, which came out last month, but still a must read for this genre. Karen Marie Moning's newest Fae book, Dreamfever comes out in August. Jeaniene Frost's fourth Night Huntress book, Destined for an Early Grave comes out in August as well. Who can forget Lora Leigh's next Breed book? Bengal's Heart comes out in August. All in all, a banner summer for HEAT books!

From our Paranormal Coordinator - Lori Sears:

Summer reading at it's best can be found in the paranormal genre with my following choices for June and July releases.
Alyssa Day has a duo of books scheduled for release in The Warriors of Poseidon Series with ATLANTIS UNLEASHED in June and ATLANTIS UNMASKED in July. Both books are fantastic and very sensual.

Brenda Joyce releases her next book in The Masters of Time Series in August. DARK LOVER was absolutely awesome and my favorite Master's book so far.

Carolyne Jewel has MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE coming up in June. It is the follow up to MY WICKED ENEMY and is perfect for poolside reading.

Let us not forget one of my favorite authors, Lara Adrian and her Midnight Breed Series. ASHES OF MIDNIGHT is due out in June as well. This particular series has continued to grow with each installment and the latest story kicks butt!

Last but not least, my newest discovery in the paranormal genre is a book that actually came out in April and was a really fun and intriguing new series. Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampire Series Book 1 is titled SOME GIRLS BITE. It has a refreshing and contemporary feel and I totally loved it.

Livia, our Editor, sends her Young Adult recommendations:

ELEVEN, TWELVE and THIRTEEN by Lauren Myracle, the adventures of Winnie Perry as she experiences life begining in the sixth grade.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL SERIES - Books 1 thru 21 by Melissa J. Morgan
A fun series for girls ages 9-12 featuring the members of summer Camp Lakeview,
Bunk 4C. This series is definitely about summer camp years but also extend to the school years.

From Monica:

This summer I have decided to catch up on a few series that have been piling up. While, I have many books in that wonderful tbr pile I have found myself picking titles where the men are dangerous and the women are more than up to the challenge.

With that said, I am recommending Cindy Gerard's Black Ops Inc. series for those of you that must have your romance with a twist of suspense. Three books have been published so far and they are all outstanding. The first book in the series is, Show No Mercy and is followed by Take No Prisoners and Whisper No Lies. Reading these three will definitely be a primer for the next installment, Feel The Heat due out later this year.

Now, for those readers looking for a little more heat, Lora Leigh's Nauti series is sure to ignite a few fires. Four titles have been released each one should come with a warning. Nauti Boy is the first title, followed by Nauti Nights, Nauti Dreams and Nauti Intentions.

Happy Reading and I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did.

Monica

From Geri:

If you've never read them, I highly recommend the four books that make up Nora Roberts Chesapeake Bay stories. They are about family and relationships and romance and are delicious. I've read them each at least 2-3 times over the years. The titles are: Sea SweptRising TidesInner HarborChesapeake BlueMore recent recommendations would include the very quirky but excellent new book by Erica Orloff, FREUDIAN SLIP, about guardian angels and the devil. ONE RECKLESS SUMMER, by Toni Blake, is a steamy romance with a good girl and a bad but misunderstood boy. Lovely, lovely romance that I highly recommend. If you want to go off to a foreign land and intense, passionate writing, get a copy of Olivia Gates' THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING. The first in a new trilogy, this one will be fun to keep reading. Finally, for Tori Carrington fans, their newest, BRANDED, is an outstanding and hot category romance with a western theme. Yum!

From Jasmine:

Well the summer months are considered beach months. Hence, my first recommendation in the Inspirational genre is Beach Dreams - a story centered around a beach house that has been instrumental in a lot of relationships and lives. While this is the fourth book in the series, it is not necessary to have read the other ones. Another recommendation is A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist. A historical read, it is sure to transport you to a different place and time if and when the heat gets unbearable. Ms. Gist is an exceptional author and pens the story of Anna Ivey and Joe Denton. Anna is tricked into a bride wagon and is handed off to Joe Denton, without her knowing that she is supposed to marry the man. And a final recommendation from the Inspirational mystery/suspense genre The Justice Game by Randy Singer. The story deals with a murder and its aftermath. I ensure you that you won't go wrong with Randy Singer. His writing will captivate and keep you on the edge of your seat. Have a good summer and hope you enjoy the recommendations.

This summer must read by Gloria Gehres:

An old classic THE BRIDE by Julie Garwood, is an excellent Highland romance. Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. She is headstrong and challenges him at every opportunity. For a laugh out loud funny book, I would choose, FINGER LICKIN FIFTEEN by Janet Evanovich, due out later this month. Is the next installment in Stephanie Plum's complicated life. SAVED BY THE MONARCH by Dana Marton is a romantic suspense, where a royal wedding is more a duty to ones country, or so he thought. KNIGHT OF DESIRE is a fast paced historical romance by Margaret Mallory, due out In July. She brings history, intrigue, romance, all together in one amazing book. Contemporary Romance, VISIONS IN WHITE by Nora Roberts, four friends combine their talents and create the perfect wedding planning company. But will they find love themselves? This is definitely the summer, for relaxing, grabbing something to drink, and reading a good book.

From Deb, our Regency Goddess:

If you're looking for a delightful beach read that's perfect for the sun and sand, then I recommend the Harlequin Historical anthology, THE DIAMONDS OF WELBOURNE MANOR, Regency-set with three related stories by Diane Gaston, Deb Marlow, and Amanda McCabe. You'll fall in love with the Fitzmanning family and cheer when the three heroines find their happily ever afters. Also, if you haven't read Jane Porter's single title FLIRTING WITH FORTY--a real beach book indeed, then you've missed a wonderful novel with Porter's exquisite voice about second chances and love with a younger man in Hawaii. The Lifetime Channel made FLIRTING WITH FORTY into a tv movie, so after reading the book, head over to the Lifetime website and view exceprts of the movie and an interview with the star, Heather Locklear...later, check back to see when Lifetime will re-broadcast the film...

and, now, my two cents worth:

Summer is here and I am looking forward to time to relax and unwind. One of my favorite ways to do that is by reading! I love a hot romance and I have several on my plate. Fyre Brand by Lora Leigh is the first! This Ellora’s Cave release is about a woman with an elemental talent for fire. She is one tough cookie and it will take two special men to tame her! After that, I am looking forward to perusing their stock to find some new hot reads! Also, I think I may read back over some old favorites, like Lora Leigh and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down! Emma Holly is giving us three new books this summer Kissing Midnight, Breaking Midnight, and Saving Midnight, featuring Edmund Fitz Clare from her Catching Midnight and Courting Midnight – both of which are excellent reads for vampire and erotica lovers, alike! Other than these reads, I will be exploring the YA genre with my daughter who has just discovered the fun of reading romances! Sci-fi will be on the menu with my son – rereading Harry Potter. Yes, Twilight will most likely be one of my picks for my daughter, but who can resist a hunky vampire and all his teen angst!

Happy Reading!

ONE RECKLESS SUMMER
Toni Blake
Avon Books
ISBN:  978-0-06-142989-7
June 2009
Contemporary

Every once in awhile a book comes out of nowhere to become part of my personal exclusive list called "outstanding".  This is such a novel.  The story begins with 16 year old Jenny Tolliver sunning on the lake dock near her home, in a bikini.  Mick Brody, his brother, and a friend begin making remarks about her.  She takes off when Mick begins calling her "pussycat" but not before she realizes how sexy Mick Brody looks and sounds.  But these are the resident bad boys and Jenny stays away from them. 

Fast forward 15 years and Jenny is a science teacher whose husband has left her for another woman.  She has come home to try and get a grip on her life.  Her father's lake house is empty and she moves in for the summer.  One evening she rows her canoe across the lake to stargaze with her telescope.  Her passion is astromony and the hill on the old Brody property is an especially good place to see the sky. 

Jenny is shocked when she has a torrid and passionate encounter with none other than Mick Brody, who is even more dangerous and gorgeous than he was during her adolescence.  He is equally shocked to realize that the sensuous creature before him is demure Jenny, the daughter of the police chief. 

Seeing Mick and beginning a secret liaison with him is completely out of character for good girl Jenny, whose husband claimed he left her because she wasn't good in bed.  Mick just laughs when she tells him about this. 

And thus begins one of the best novels I've read this year.  I won't tell you why Mick is staying in his old home or what his secret reason is for returning to Destiny.  This unfolds through the story. 

Filled with terrific secondary characters that include Jenny's old friends and her father, readers are taken through a painstaking and powerful procss of character development that builds to reader understanding of these two diverse people. 

Throughout the novel are themes of astronomy, good versus bad, and the ultimate processes of forgiveness and change.  Each chapter begins with a thought provoking quote. 

Honestly, I could not put this book down.  It is funny and sad and will make you cry.  Through it all is this wonderful, expressed passion between Jenny and Mick.  Like I said this is an irresistable novel packed with passion and clarity, the best kind of book to read in hot, early summer days at the beach.  Highly recommended!

Reviewed by:  Jeri Neal
Rating:  4.5

RUN TO ME

Christy Reece

Ballantine Books

ISBN:  0-345-50543-9

June 2009

Romantic Suspense

Third in the Last Chance Rescue Trilogy, RUN TO ME brings the rescue organization into direct contact with the mastermind behind the horrifying human trafficking ring that the group has actively thwarted time and time again.  When an operation goes awry and her husband is killed, Shea Monroe goes deep undercover in order to infiltrate Donald Rosemount’s inner circle and to take him down.  Cover blown, Shea undergoes horrifying torture before being drugged into a mindless automaton, completely under Rosemount’s control.  When LCR loses track of Shea and then discovers she is working for Rosemount, leader Noah McCall is determined to extract her and determine if Shea is a dirty operative or if something else is going on.  The best way to remove Shea from Rosemount’s control is by having former operative Ethan Bishop retrieve her; when Ethan successfully removes Shea from Rosemount’s compound, he is horrified by the horrific ordeal in which Shea has suffered.  Shea’s lost her memory and doesn’t recognize Ethan, despite the painful past they share.  As Shea slowly begins to heal and regain her memory, the entire LCR crew is aware that Rosemount is mounting an attack to retrieve the woman Ethan is determined to protect.

The most terrifying novel in the Last Chance Rescue Trilogy, RUN TO ME is a heart-racing tale from start to finish.  Rosemount is so extremely evil that readers will be fearful for Shea throughout the course of the novel; the dehumanizing techniques used by Rosemount and his immoral medical team are truly chilling, and the sense of renewal that develops through the healing relationship between Ethan and Shea is beautiful.  Redemption is an ongoing theme throughout all of the novels in the LCR trilogy, but it really becomes a major message in RUN TO ME.  Ethan’s inability to cope with the guilt he carries from the past and Shea’s slow recovery from torture, as well as the growing sexual tension between them, creates additional strain on their growing relationship.  RUN TO ME also has an intriguing mystery character, one of Rosemount’s automatons, who keeps one highly successful subplot moving forward; Cole’s sudden reappearance not only brings closure where necessary in the novel, but also sets up a potential new branch of tales for Ms. Reece to explore.  RUN TO ME is flat-out scary, and I loved every minute of it!

Reviewed by Angela Etheridge

Rating:   4 ½