again, all authors I've read before - and ::sigh:: again not their best.
Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews - delightful Southern chicklit with a foodie edge. Gina Foxton's health conscious cooking show gets canceled when the sponsor finds his wife in bed with Gina's producer/boyfriend. But the producer/now ex-boyfriend finds them a chance for a new show. But the Cooking Channel is also interested in another local area show with a male chef, called Vittles. Sparks fly between Gina and Tate - and the show sponsor dreams up a way to drum up interest in the new show - a Top Chef Survivor kind of reality show, where Gina and Tate will compete to find ingredients and cook for judges. But things really start cooking between Gina and Tate :)   Fun, flirty, and hungry making, but her other novels were better. Go to the library or wait on the paperback.

The Third Circle by Amanda Quick - newest book in the Arcane Society series - chronologically the second, fourth written. Leona Hewitt has the paranormal power to work with crystals, meets up with Thaddeus Ware, a formidable hypnotist, while both are trying to steal the same crystal from a antiquities collector. A murdered prostitute and a poisonous vapor complicate things, as does the attraction between them. Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz - frothy fun. This series is written under both names, Victorian times under Quick, current time frame under Krentz - so far, two each.  (A to Z)

The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky -  On a rainy night, Deborah Monroe and her daughter Grace are driving home, when a man comes out of nowhere and the car hits him. The man turns out to be Grace's history teacher and later dies. Grace was driving, but Deborah sends her home to look after her younger brother, who's alone, and never mentions that fact to the police, who assume she was the driver.  It's a interesting premise, but most of the characters felt very flat and cliched - angsty teen, stern father, black sheep sister, etc. I did like the sister, but the best part was the relationship between Deborah and Tom, the victim's estranged brother. *That* felt more like the Delinsky stories I've read and enjoyed. Readable, but forgettable. (EMAH, BAM - the Book A Month theme was mothers, so I chose Mother's Day as the holiday for Every Month a Holiday)

all books: 100 books (currently at 85)

The Stars Down Under by Sandra McDonald - I just love it when you get a good sequel :)  A combination of  of military science fiction and Australian aboriginal myth, this book has Jodenny Scott and Terry Myell grounded and on base due to the events of The Outback Stars but life doesn't stay quiet for long. Harrassed at work for his unorthodox career (and marriage) track, Myell is conscripted at gunpoint by members of a research unit investigating the mysterious gateways that allow instantaneous travel between the stars. Wild, weird stuff. Looking forward to the next one - hoping the loose ends are tied up.

Dragon Harper by Anne & Todd McCaffrey - Kindan, a young harper apprentice, becomes tasked with searching archives to see if there are ny clues to a mysterious flu-like virus attacking everywhere on Pern. The dragonriders come up short in this one due to the need for them to stay healthy to fight the coming Thread. I enjoyed it - I like learning about the inner workings of Harper Hall and the apprentices. Interesting parallels to the 1918 outbreak and the more recent SARS. The older books are still better, but it's a nice way to while away some time. (EMAH)

Moon Flights by Elizabeth Moon - Short story collection. Some SF, including one set in the Vatta's War universe(well, pre-Vatta's War series), some fantasy, mostly Chicks In Chainmail stories, and one historical military fiction.  Definitely readable, but I'm not really a short story person.

Commitment Hour by James Alan Gardner - peripherally connected to his League of Peoples/Expendable Crew Members series. In Tober Cove, the young people alternate gender from year to year until they turn 20. Then they must make the Commitment and choose the gender that they will remain for the rest of their lives. There are the usual male and female choices, plus a third choice of becoming a hermaphrodite, or Neut. But Neuts are scorned and driven out of the village. But this year, the year that Fullin and Cappie will Commit, a scientist (also feared and scorned in this village) shows up to observe, along with his companion, a Neut whose reasons for being there are hugely complicated and very deadly. Interesting concept, not as great a follow through. First parts of the book drag somewhat, but action picks up towards the last part. LOTS of expounding on gender roles. An okay read - his other books are much more interesting.



all books: 100 books (3/4s of the way!)

The Joy of Writing Sex by Elizabeth Benedict - I got this years ago, back when I was still writing fanfiction. Mine tended to be a bit naughty :)  Benedict isn't interested in porn here, but using sex scenes to further plot and/or characterization. She includes quotes from authors she interviewed, plus excerpts from books. Mostly read this to get it off my TBR pile, but it was okay. (888, BAM)

Frontier by Louis L'Amour - Read this for the Every Month a Holiday challenge(see links) - L'Amour was born in March.  This book is a series of essays on the frontier - but not just what is typically considered the frontier. L'Amour looks at all of the US as a frontier - as it was when people first started exploring. I love his writing - and his love for the wild parts of the country are obvious. The accompanying photographs by David Muench are gorgeous. (emah)

both: 100 books (halfway! 52 books)

James Herriot's Dog Stories by James Herriot - Read this for the Every Month a Holiday challenge - in honor of the Westminster Dog Show. Lovely stories about dogs - funny, tender, sad. (A to Z)

Red As Blood by Tanith Lee - twisted fairytales - some of the famous tales with wicked twists - such as a perfectly good stepmother, whose stepdaughter *reeks* of evil.

Chicks In Chainmail - warrior women, chicks with swords. Funny, fluffy. (A to Z)

all books: 100 books, 888

The World of Charles Addams by... well... Charles Addams -  Charles Addams was born January 7, 1912. A remarkable cartoonist and creator of the characters that would become the TV show & movies - The Addams Family - a twisted, macabre group that I would love to know :)

Over 300 pages of witty and warped cartoons that graced The New Yorker magazine. Wonderful stuff.


For February's 'holiday', I'll be reading James Herriot's Dog Stories in honor of the Westminster Dog Show, which I will also try to remember to watch :)