Blast from the past

Last year, I read the first book in the Pepper Martin paranormal cozy series with Pepper Martin. I enjoyed The Don and the Dead and now I've enjoyed the Chick and the Dead as well. It's an enjoyable light series that deals with lots of drama, a movie, greed, and a hint of envy. This isn't your typical ghost story per se. It's like the Ghost Whisperer, only in Ohio. Don't get scared.

I Do I really do

If you like chick lit and romances in a light read, you'll enjoy Cara Lockwood's I Do But I Don't. It's about Lauren, a wedding planner, who needs a love life, and finds it unexpectedly at her doorstep and during week. There's a bundle of humor here too. This isn't for the faint of heart. But dream big for your wedding dreams. This is a great romance to re-read too and fall in love with them too.

An Island of Secrets

If you like great mysteries set in Britain, you'll enjoy The Lighthouse by PD James. This deals with a mystery on a fictional island, and ends up with secrets and past history, all dealing with the island and the general. Throw it the SARS epidemic and another murder to spice up the plot. This is my second book I've read in the series, though out of order. Sink your teeth into this juicy mystery.

And Only to Deceive

If you love historical romances with a hint of suspense, you'll love And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander. Set in Victorian England, Lady Emily Ashton is in mourning of her late husband of six months. Clues pop up ahead of her, making her fall in love with him, and who he really is, as a prospectus new romance and love triangle blooms ahead of her. With every twist and turn, even in France, this will keep you at the edge of the seat, rooting for her on every page. This is a must new read for this series.

Swiss Lions

This is my second political thriller I've read this year. This is partially set in Switzerland and the rest is in the USA. Great vivid scenery and history of Switzerland, it makes me want to visit the country. From a conspiracy theory to a shocking twist in the end, this makes you want to hold onto your hat. Plenty of drama, action, suspense for this Scot Harvath series to make me want to read more every year. It's grrreeeaaattt!

Cold case... close to home

If you love a good mystery and cold cases, you'll love A Field of Darkness by Cornelia Read. This is set in New York with a decades old mystery. The lead, Madeline Dare, (don't you love her maiden name?) gathers clues that leads to people she knew. And I'm not going to use a spoiler to tell you who, until you read it for yourself. She also deals with a dysfunctional family with quirky names and a husband who she sees on and off from work in Canada. This is a hit for a first novel. It makes you ask, Whodunit? Get your magnifying glasses out.

Love has no boundaries

This isn't on my TBR list. But since I joined my condo's book club last month, this was the first pick: Oh my Stars by Lorna Landvik. I had to admit, I liked it. It's a must read for all book clubs to discuss. This deals with a cross-country trip, racism and segregation, love, life, music, the Depression and World War II and fast forward more in time to Violet, who narrates each chapter, to the final chapter of the book. It's bittersweet and requires all readers to carry a hanky for this journey of life, love, music and death.

Storm Cycle

If you love fast-paced thriller that span the world, you'll love Iris Johansen's Storm Cycle. This is the second one she wrote and teamed up with her son Roy, a mystery writer. This has love, suspense, drama, action, and plenty of conflict, from parts of the USA to Egypt and Russia, this deals with espionage, computer programming, Egyptology and historical medicine. I'm a big fan of Iris Johansen's thrillers and this propelled me to read and then write them myself. Until Blood Game comes out next month, dig in into this thriller.

Super Death

If you love thrillers with something special added to it, you'll love Black Order by James Rollins. It has a hint of romance, lots of action, plenty of drama and conflict, a flavor of history and a sprinkling of science fiction and science to give it some oomph. This is fast-paced to keep you guessing and second-guessing on what's going to happen all over the world. Although the third of the Sigma Force series, it's great even as a stand alone. A thriller you'll never forget.

Poison Pen

If you're the one who loves to watch romantic comedy movies, then you'll love this new series by Laura Levine. It deals and starts out with a murder to kick off this series with witty humor to make you laugh all the way through the novel from start to finish and keeps you guessing whodunit at the end. There's a hint of romance and intrigue straight through to spice up a new mystery series. So bring some girlfriends, some hankies and have a few laughs on me with This Pen for Hire.