I am one of those people that can sit in a busy crowded room (or public transportation) and get so completely absorbed in the book that the rest of the world disappears. I love when I get so into the book that my heart starts beating really fast and I feel like I can’t breathe until I know what happens next! That is the feeling that I look for every time I open a new book.  Am I disappointed when I don’t get that feeling? Yes, a little, but almost every book I read leaves me with something…

This month’s books were more varied than other months with some of my favorite authors and some new fun authors. Gone are the days of beach reading and here are the days of reading cuddled up, hiding from the rain and the cold. Happy reading!

1. The Lady is a Vamp by Lindsay Sands
2. The Crossing by Michael Connelly
3. The Mardi Gras Chase by Maggie M. Larche
4. Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
5. The Color of Secrets by Lindsay Ashford

Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham – (Mystery) I like that JG has been mixing it up with his lawyer characters. If you liked Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer than you will like this lawyer. Like the Lincoln lawyer this guy works out of his van. JG’s character is raw, hated and fantastic! I couldn’t put this book down!

The Bad Girls Club by Kathryn O’Halloran – (Chic Lit) Who wouldn’t want to be a bad girl at least once? These girls all have their reasons for stepping outside of their comfort zone and it’s a wild ride!

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger – (YA-Steampunk) Finishing School #1 I saw this series when I was at Powell’s in Portland and steampunk has always interested me so I thought I would check them out. I listed to this book audibly and really enjoyed the narrator. Steampunk combines historical Victorian era with technology, magic and in this case mischief and mystery. I love that this school is training women to live dangerously and if this was a real school I would’ve wanted to go.

The Color of Secrets by Lindsay Ashford – (Fiction) I found this book with Kindle Unlimited and listened to it audibly.  The narrator was just ok but the story was very intriguing. There were times when I just wanted to scream…”Just talk about it already! Stop with the secrets.”  but in reality secrets happen and the secrets are only part of what makes this story intriguing.  This story covers race relations in England since WW2, how it affects children of mixed race and the secrets they hide. Very interesting book that makes you think, fall in love with the characters and cheer for them when the find what they are looking for.

High Heels in New York by AV Scott – (Chic Lit) This book was just ok. It was free so it was worth the price but I wouldn’t really recommend it.  Too many other books out there…

The Billionaire’s Heart by Nancy Adams – (Romance) Another one of those books where the smart young girl falls in love with the rich guy who has daddy issues. I finished it and it was good but I have no desire to read the rest of the series. Another free book on Kindle so worth the price.

The Mardi Gras Chase by Maggie M. Larche – (YA) Another book I loved so much that I bought a copy for each of my nieces. I can imagine this was me and my friends in high school…finding clues, solving puzzles and getting into crazy adventures! The Mardi Gras theme makes it even better. If you have teens or preteens at home this is a must buy!

The Lady is a Vamp by Lindsay Sands – (Paranormal Romance) I thought I had read all of the books in this series but some how I missed this one. This is #17 in the Argeneau series and it had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It was full of twists, turns and of course love and romance vampire style! I love this series so much that I have been listening to them all audibly and the narrators are great!

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith – (Mystery)  I was so excited when this book was released but it was a little disappointing. It was great story and I enjoyed the characters but it was just too long and too slow in parts. I read this book versus listened to it so maybe the last one was just as long but I didn’t notice. If you like the series I would recommend reading this one if only to see what happens with Robin and Cormoran!

Alert by James Patterson – (Mystery)  Michael Bennett #8 This book was so intense I had to set it down for a while and then return back to it. Then the attacks on Paris happened and this book was a little too real. Edge of your seat drama that James Patterson does so well!

Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini – (Nonfiction) Scientology has always been that weird religion that Tom Cruise belonged to…weird and hardly worth my attention. A friend wanted to read this book so I thought I would read it with her and wow was this eye opening and terrifying. I couldn’t believe some of what I read and the things that she did in the name of faith just makes me sad. I admire Leah for what she’s been through and the strength it took for her and her family to get out. This book is a good example of power gone wrong and a good read.

The Crossing by Michael Connelly – (Mystery) Harry Bosch #20 There are some series that I never want to end and this is one of them. How do you keep a character relevant, and appear ageless while everyone around his ages? Well MC does it and brings in the Lincoln Lawyer to mix up Harry’s moral code. Even if you have never read a Bosch or Lincoln Lawyer book this is a good book to start but be warned…it was make you start at the beginning! I can’t wait to see where MC takes us next.

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore – (Nonfiction) Since I was on a memoir kick I thought I would read this one as well. I grew up with Drew Barrymore and have always been intrigued by her.  I really enjoyed this book and her stories and I am glad she found happiness and fulfillment.

Small Wars by Lee Child – (Mystery) Reacher short story. Normally I love these glimpses into Reacher’s past but the beginning was too slow and then the end too fast. A must read for Reacher fans but not my favorite.

The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning – (Fiction) Another random book from Kindle Unlimited that I listened to audibly. Interesting story about sisters who need to learn how to take care of themselves in late 1800s Germany. Strong female characters where no one is perfect, they make mistakes but the learn from them and become even stronger!

Foreign Affairs but Stuart Woods – (Mystery) Stone Barrington #35 These books are formulaic, predicable, sarcastic and have way too many coincidences but I love them anyway! I love that Stone gets into all kinds of trouble but has a plane that will take him and his friends any where they need to go to solve the mystery. Fun books…for reading pleasure that shouldn’t be taken to seriously.

A Brand of Christmas by Maggie Shayne – (Romance) Two Brand books from Maggie Shayne that came in a bundle for free. I really liked both of the stories, MS doesn’t tell a love story filled with puppies, rainbows and diamonds.  Her stories all have an edge but none of that on again off again stuff. Strong female realistic characters that have you cheering for them. Fun fast reads!