It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Dec. 27, 2010)

It's Monday, What are you reading is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Christmas Break is reading time for me. Lots and lots of lovely reading time and a brother who actually likes to cook - what more could I ask for?

Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey is the third book in the Drake Chronicles and was a lovely entry in the series. I liked both characters very much and thought the mystery of the story was well done. My review will be posted on Monday on Ms. Martin Teaches Media.

Pack of Lies by Laura Anne Gilman is the second book about PUPI and the agents who work there. The main character is a young woman who is using her talents to make a difference. I like this mystery series. My review of this ARC will be posted on Wednesday.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig was a fun historical romance. I liked the humor and adventure in the story and quickly ordered the rest of the series for myself. They remind me a lot of the books Jayne Ann Krentz writes as Amanda Quick. The characters aren't true to their times but the stories and romances are fun.

Afterlight by Elle Jasper was an urban fantasy story about a young woman whose younger brother gets involved with vampires. Rescuing him opens her up to a world that she didn't know existed. It was OK but I did get a little irritated with the constant description of what she was wearing and the constant references to her troubled past. My review will be posted on Dec. 30.

Crux by Moira Rogers is the first book in the Southern Arcana series. It introduces a number of characters and takes place in New Orleans. The stars are Mackenzie who is on the run from an evil cougar seer and Jackson who is a private investigator who also does magic. It was a fun, quick read. I had intended to schedule my review for 1/5/11 but accidentally scheduled it for 1/5/10. So it is up on my blog already.

Crossroads by Moira Rogers is the second book in the Southern Arcana series. This book focuses on Nick who is a werewolf princess running a bar in New Orleans to get away from werewolf politics and Derek who is a newly turned wolf and a second class citizen in werewolf society. This one had more politics than romance but was still a pleasant story. This review really is scheduled for 1/5/11.

I am currently reading The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook. This is a steampunk mystery/romance. Thus far, I am only to the mystery part of the story and haven't really gotten to the romance part yet. I like the descriptions of the world with blacksmiths making prosthetics and a culture that is just getting over being freed from the Horde who infected them with nanobots and controlled them.

Next week? Well, I still have the books I said I was going to read last week. I brought five print books home with me along with my Kindle. I'm sure I'll find something interesting. I am planning to take part in an end of the year readathon from Dec. 29-31. I also plan to hang out with my brother, go out to eat a couple of times, and make at least one casino visit during this next week.

What's on your agenda for this last week of 2010?