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Duodecimal: Bev’s All-Time Favorite Book Series

We here in Romancelandia are complete series addicts. Once an author writes a well received book, her fans immediately start clamoring for more stories set in the same world. I think it would be correct to state that no two Romancelandians will ever have the exact same entries on their own Favorite Series list.

Eclectic and fodder for debate, these are the series that leap to mind when I'm asked what my favorite reads are. The order I've listed them in is approximate as my preferences change based on my mood and what feels right at the time.

Bev(QB)'s All Time Favorite Book Series

1. Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Ballantine Books) This complex fantasy/urban fantasy showcases Hamilton's unparalleled world building expertise. (see Review: A Lick of Frost)






2. Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. (Delacorte Press) I consider this fantasy/urban fantasy to be a master's class in the use of first person POV. Brilliant.






3. Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Berkley) Hamilton is one of the godmothers of what is now referred to as urban fantasy. Unlike most long-running series, I've known people to jump in this one - at any point with no problems. I started at book 9, Obsidian Butterfly, then went back and read them all - several times.






4. The Cynsters, particularly the Bar Cynsters (books 1-6) by Stephanie Laurens. (Avon) The crème de la crème of Regency era historical romances. In fact, I consider book 1, Devil's Bride, to be closer to perfection than any other romance I've ever read. Its only glaring flaw is that unfortunate back cover pic (roll over the original cover in the link to see it). What were they thinking?!






5. Skye O'Malley saga by Bertrice Small. (Ballantine Books) The life and loves of an extraordinary woman and her family during the reign of Elizabeth Tudor. To read a Bertrice Small book is to instantly and completely be absorbed into the rich tapestry of the tastes, sounds, sights and lives she weaves together.






6. Breeds series by Lora Leigh(Ellora's Cave and Berkley). When someone says they are new to ebooks, I recommend they start with this series. No one writes sexual tension and characters consumed by unquenchable need better than Lora Leigh. The intense erotic scenes are woven into the story of a not-quite-human species as they overcome the horrors of their past, and begin a journey to understand themselves as a species and as individuals, while also striving to find love and acceptance.






7. The Highlanders series by Karen Marie Moning. (Jove and Dell) Although they were always a highly enjoyable auto-buy for me, it is the audio books (with Phil Gigante's swoon-worthy narration) that earn this series a permanent place on my list. (see Aural Pleasures 103)






8. The World of Hetar by Bertrice Small. (HQN Books) In this epic fantasy, Ms Small has created a world that is in some ways recognizable, yet vastly different from our own. Without the constraint of historical fact, she allowed her muse free rein to create this lusty, sweeping saga.






9. Jarheads by Sean Michael. (Torquere and Fictionwise) Sean Michael has a unique voice. He doesn't give us much physical description of his characters, but somehow paints an emotional picture. We get to know them through their words and actions and I get completely caught up in the lives of these lovable and loving men. Rigger, whom I adore, is the heart and soul of the series and someone I'd like to count as a good friend in real life. One caveat though - there were times when even I said, "Enough with the sex, already! Get on with the story!"




10. The Donovan series by Elizabeth Lowell. (Avon) Still tapping my foot waiting for the rest of this contemporary romantic suspense series - including a look back at the elder Donovan's love story. You know, I do believe I'm overdue for a re-read!








11. Brothers in Arms by Samantha Kane(Ellora's Cave). The newest addition to my list. The erotic scenes in these Regency period bisexual manage stories are written in exquisite, excruciatingly drawn out detail. And Kane manages to make each scene feel completely unique to each triad.






12. What series will someday claim this last spot on my list? Is it a series I've already started? Maybe Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series or Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. A Gentleman's Wager by Madelynne Ellis is already on my single title favorites list, but with its upcoming sequels and spin-off, will it land on my series list, too? Or maybe my next favorite series is waiting out there for me to discover it. Maybe it's not even been written yet and is being nurtured by a muse waiting to bestow it on some worthy author.

Read more from Bev at Cubie's Confections.

Review: Beyond Seduction (A Bastion Club novel) by Stephanie Laurens

JenniferB's Guest Review of Beyond Seduction (A Bastion Club novel) by Stephanie Laurens
published 28 Aug 07 by Avon

     A little bit wild and undeniably brave, the gentlemen of the Bastion Club have pursued adventures far and wide. But their exploits at home could prove to be the riskiest of all as they hunt an elusive target: the perfect bride.

     In a moment of recklessness, Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst, swears he'll marry the next eligible lady to cross his path. Cloistered at his ancestral castle in Cornwall, with nary a suitable woman for miles, he never expects he'll have to fulfill his pledge, at least not until the London Season begins. But then he meets his neighbor, the very appealing Madeline Gascoigne.

     Years of secret service to the Crown have taught Gervase the value of always having a loophole - there will be no wedding if he and Madeline are not compatible in every way. So he sets out to prove that they would make a most dreadful match... by luring her into his arms and, ultimately, his bed. From their very first kiss, Gervase discovers that the headstrong and independent Madeline is no meek country miss... and that the fire between them will burn long beyond that first seduction.

Note: This blurb, pulled from Laurens' website, did not match the one on the back of my ARC. This one is much, much better.

Laurens is an almost always win for me - particularly with her Bastion Club series. Despite the ridiculously similar characterizations from book to book, I easily fall for the romantic couple - charmed by traits I've come to expect in both.

The hero. Unfortunately, Beyond Seduction's Gervase seemed ill cast in the role. Laurens molded him exactly as I expected, but something was off. Just slightly. His dogged pursuit - undoing if you will - of the heroine was there and entertaining and seductive. His physical presence, dry wit, barely leashed control - all in attendance. His intentions however, were too off/on for me and too clinical. I'm thinking that it was his clinical approach - his uninspired measuring of the heroine's candidacy as bride - that caused me to miss the moment he decided she would be his. There was no depth here and that felt like a critical misstep for Laurens.

The heroine. Madeline was a closer fit to Laurens' mold, but she missed a few crucial lines of dialogue as well. Like Gervase, that omission was tied to her motivation. Her "weakness"  for Gervase's advances rested on a curious streak she could not control. Her curiosity didn't translate into mad temptation here. She could have been trying out a new recipe for all the passion and need she admitted. Consequently, her self-analysis and subsequent caving lacked impact.

I will interject that however uninspiring their ultimate capitulation was, the build-up to that vague moment was delightful. Very, very sexy. What with Gervase's bold assertion that he expected her to warm his bed and Madeline's flabbergasted, "What?!" It was provocative and entertaining.

The story. Ok, really feeling critical now - but I have to say that the story was equally unfulfilling. To start, it was too long. Instead of using the anticipated nefarious goings-on as a backdrop for the heroine's seduction, Laurens essentially split the book into two parts. In the first, Gervase and Madeline are logically paired to organize and host an annual festival. Between festival committee meetings, Gervase and Madeline are occupied - only mildly - by Madeline's treasure-hunting little brothers. The rest of the time they spend getting to know one another.

By the time we reach the second leg of the story, the seduction is complete and Madeline is holding out for the rest (marriage) until she determines whether Gervase truly loves her. In this segment, the nefarious goings on finally collide with Madeline's brothers, other Bastien Club members are called in and the villain's identity is revealed. Then they set about catching him. After which, Madeline comes to her senses and she and Gervase are married.

All of this took too long and I admit to skimming the book's last hundred pages or so.

In fairness to Ms. Laurens, I'm not sure if Beyond Seduction would have appealed more to me had I been in a different mood. I was, at the very least, restless and preoccupied. I was looking for something to grab me and keep me in place until the last page. Perhaps that is not the best time to choose a comfortable but predictable read.

Grade: C

Join JenniferB on her blog, I Just Finished Reading.

The days take

geeze wasn't someone suppose to be watching me or something? next thing you know, I am gonna have to be responsible for my own actions...

But hey I could drink my money away or have a shoe habit or whatever

hi my name is sybil and I am a bookaholic

Trade:
Men of August - Marly's Choice By Lora Leigh
Thanks nicole! I really need to set up a trade list or something.

Used:
Southern Comfort by Karen Kelley
I have never heard of this book or this author. Anyone have an opinion?

Widow's Little Secret by Judith Stacy
I am a Harlequin Historical whore, what can I say.

Letters From a Stranger, Forever and a Day and Unspoken Vows by Connie Rinehold
Kristie J made me do it. Well she rec'ed Letters and I am easy.

New:
Jamie by Lori Foster
This is the end of the Visitation series. I really didn't think I would like this and had Just Say No to Joe forever before I read it. For whatever reason it completely caught my interest. Lori Foster is a hit or miss author for me. I hope this ends the series well.

Beach Blanket Bad Boys by Linda Lael Miller, Alison Kent, Lucy Monroe, Jill Shalvis, Susanna Carr, Morgan Leigh
note to self: order trade size books from amazon or bamm. I just paid 15.00 bucks for this. The line up of authors is great so I am hoping it was worth it and it is the second of the bad boy books I have bought new. So all in all it is worth the price. But the next one, will be purchased online.

Bad in Boots - Colt's Choice by Patrice Michelle
I love a good western, make it a hot western and I am in heaven. I have only read one story by Patrice Michelle Hearts Are Wild with Cheyenne McCray , Patrice Michelle , Nelissa Donovan and I enjoyed her story. This is the second in the Bad in Boots series and in sybilfashion I don't have the first one yet. oops I do have Dragon's Heart, A Taste for Passion (vamps) and A Taste for Revenge (vamps) to read. She does say there will be more BiB books coming as well as the vamps.

Beauty Like the Night by Liz Carlyle
New to me author, I am really enjoying her backlist.

Marry the Man Today by Linda Needham
I am not really sure why the hell I bought this. I have only read two books by Needham and didn't like either. I am trying to cut back on my 'spy' books. And she is a dreaded avon author (looks at kristiej). I didn't even know about this book and honestly, ::hangs head:: the cover caught my eye. It is purple with a carriage and really pretty font. I picked it up and was in a rush (got there 20 mins before they closed). I am going to look up what I can on the book and I MIGHT go back and exchange it tomorrow for something else. Ten to one I throw it in the tbr pile and use it for that avon post I am going to someday do.

Hero, Come Back by Stephanie Laurens, Christina Dodd, Elizabeth Boyle - talked a lil about this one earlier

Master of Pleasure by Jessica Trapp - talked a lil about this one earlier

hee and the library sale is tomorrow at 11 Then I think I am set for the week. The thing that really sucks ass, is I am going into work in the morning. le sigh I would have had more time tonight to read the shit load of books I have but real life got in the way.