Okay, I’m bored. I don’t know when it happened, but it hit me big time last week. I’m bored. Plain and simple. Nothing is keeping my interest. Not even the books I’ve been buying. I need something to drive me out of this funk. I need adventure, I need danger. I need to read something that isn’t all safe and sound.
Where are all the risky books? The ones that dare to take some chances. That don’t follow all the rules. The ones that arent’ afraid that readers won’t love them for being different.
Maybe it’s the romance genre I’m bored with. Maybe I don’t want a happy ever after. Maybe I want heartache and pain and raw unadultered terror. I’ve been reading a lot of urban fantasy because of that reason, but am finding that even there satisfaction is beyond my grasp. Too many rules are being followed there as well. A lot of urban fantasy I’ve been reading is just romance’s kick-butt cousin. Keep the formula but add in a kick-butt heroine and write it in the 1st POV. Where’s the heartache and pain and raw unadultered terror???
I think I need a change. I need to find some new authors to sink my fangs into.
I do have a long list for reads to check out in February. Books I’ve been looking forward to for a while.
GRIMSPACE by Ann Aguirre
HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED by Mark Henry
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN by Justin Gustainis
DEAD TO ME by Anton Strout
UNQUIET DREAMS by Mark Del Franco
MADHOUSE by Rob Thurman
Hmm, do you see a pattern here?
What books are you reading that you think take risks? What kinds of risks to you wish authors would take?
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Anne, I’m not sure if this is a risk read…but it was a book that sure pulled me out of my slump, RIDING WILD by Jaci Burton. Gosh, this is aromance suspense, which I haven’t read much of because I really love when they have a very strong sexual tension and whoa did this book have it. Too, I was on the edge of my seat with the suspense and with Mac and Lily. They were on fire together, just so intense. I can guarantee you that this book will so pull you out of a reading slump and being unable to put it down from page one and on! The book’s release date is Feb 5th but I saw it in the stores already. Hey if you go and read this one, let me know if it was the one that did it for you.
by Cathie
on January 31st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
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Oh another book Vivi that I read recently, a new to me author Jeaniene Frost HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE. This book too had great sexual tension and is a paranormal (Bones, hero, don’t you love that name! Is a full vampire, and Cat is half vampire and half human (Father was a vampire, mother is human). At first I thought this would be a Urban Fantasy with just abit of romance, but it was steamy! Its the start of her series, so its another I’d say go for!
I have GRIMSPACE on my wishlist when it comes out. I usually stick with those with some sort of romance within them (meaning Urban Fantasy, some don’t have a big part of the story with romance, but they may have a relationship within them). I seem to love the series and unique stories that are of so many different paranormal unique themes. Too you read Denyse Bridger? She has a historical mystery series out with Liquid Silver that starts with OUT OF HELL: Devane Files I and too DESCENT INTO DARKNESS that is a very dark story and has relations in it but not a romance. So unique! Hope that helped. I know that with Sasha White, each book I read of hers keeps me reading and not wanting to stop. There’s many more and I’ll be here forever if I chatted about more books. So hope thats a start for you!
by Cathie
on January 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
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I’m going to go out on a limb (with my sales hat on) and say that the heroine in Happy Hour of the Damned is just what the doctor ordered. Zombie antiheroine, who chews through men both figuratively and literally, navigates a debauched terrain of supernatural beings who don’t give a sh*t about conventions, cliche’s or the readers sensibilities. Plus, it’s a comedy.
Sorry for the promo, couldn’t help myself when I read your post.
Mark
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Cathie, one of my favorites reads of 2007 was HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE. I loved that book.
Mark, I can’t wait to read your book!!!
by Vivi Anna
on January 31st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
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I’ve been waiting for Extreme Danger by Shannon McKenna- and I *really* want to read her story in the Baddest Bad Boys anthology - but that doesn’t come out until May. I’m also quite eager for the new Lora Leigh books.
For a while I was bored with everything - even books - I found myself skimming 95% of everything I read. 
But recently, I discovered a new author (to me) - Nalini Singh - and I love her work - actually, I’m waiting for her newest book too!
by JSL
on January 31st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
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I highly recommend Dragon’s Disciple trilogy by Barbara Sheridan and Anne Cain if you like mean and bad antiheroes and Japanese anime.
by Maria
on January 31st, 2008 at 9:20 pm
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Geez Vivi, can’t help you there since I love the romance (I’m reading Nora’s Chesapeake Bay series and lovin’ it) but I dd want to say “hey” and we miss you over at RbtB. Have a GREAT weekend, kid.
by Stacy ~
on February 1st, 2008 at 5:05 am
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Too bad you’ve already “read” Hell Kat. It certainly takes some risks.
This isn’t exactly spin tingling, but you might enjoy it:
http://aliceaudrey.wordpress.com/2007/03/30/suzie%e2%80%99s-house-12-all-in-aday%e280%99s-work/
Followed by this:
http://aliceaudrey.wordpress.com/2007/04/13/suzie%e2%80%99s-house-13-of-duty-and-honor/
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Wow, thanks for listing Grimspace! I hope you enjoy it. I’m also tickled that you spelled my name right! (What can I say, I’m easily pleased. 
)
