In this corner...

If you're looking for a new hero for your mystery series, try Duffy Dombrowski, a Irish-Polish boxer who's a caring social worker and loves Elvis and dogs. In On the Ropes, you'll be introduced to him and his career and what starts out the chain reaction of events in the proceeding chapters and evil characters. There's some good action scenes, some to make you laugh and cheer, and some hard cold truth about life in New York and our culture. I don't want to give anything anyway. You'll enjoy it. Try it out for yourself and step into the boxing ring. Ding ding ding!

Friends in High Places

In Donna Leon's Friends in High Places, the 9th book in the Commissario Brunnetti Italian mystery series, we were introduced to another suspenseful mystery in beautiful Italy. It all started when a young bureaucrat visited Guido to investigate the lack of official approval for his apartment building, his first impression was on who he knows to bring pressure on that government department. But when he rung him at work and sounded scared, he was late found dead when he had fallen from some scaffolding, someone was strangely going that has far more greater implications than the fate of his apartment building.


 This was another great Guido Brunetti Italian mystery in the series. I continued to love the vast and scenic beautiful settings and locations in Venice Italy with those vivid descriptions. I also cared about Guido and what he might find that dealt with some dirty politicians. I became curious on the death of the young bureaucrat and how far would that trail of politics would go. This would make you speechless and drop your jaw down to the ground.  Great drama, suspense, intrigue and tons of mystery along with the way with non-stop action.

Do you have friends in high places? If so, give this a try today!

Broken Rules

Earlier this summer, I blogged about some books I've read in the Emma Harte series. Breaking the Rules is the final book of the saga, when happy endings are dispensed to everyone, or good as a stand alone. I will have to read the earlier books in 2011, since my 2010 TBR list is full. I've enjoyed the series and glad it finally had its proper conclusion. This deals with a bit of happiness for Linnet and centers on Emsie "M" O'Neill as well. I've enjoyed the series and hope you'll do too.


Tomorrow, I'll start reading another romance, Southern Lights, by Danielle Steel.

2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Here's a new book challenge for you. All you have to do is read at least 25 library books by the end of the year. For more information and the guidelines of the four reading levels, check out this link right here: http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/. Happy reading.

2010 Suspense book challenge

Attention suspense and thriller book lovers, there's a new book challenge for 2010. All you have to do is read 12 suspense or thriller books, from cozies to mysteries, in the next year. To sign up and more information, go to www.bookchickcity.com/2009/05/thriller-suspense-challenge-2010_01.html Happy reading.

Locked In

If you love great mystery series, you'll love this one from Marcia Muller, the 26th installment in the Sharon McCone series. Locked In was one of the finest Marcia Muller mysteries. It started out with the shooting of Sharon McCone, which placed her in Locked in Syndrome, while her coworkers found out who've done this to her from their various past cases, while some chapters were in their POVs. It was fast paced for a good flow, that would keep you guessing all the way with subtle clues and hints to the final chapters. Nice read!

This one was an intense Sharon McCone mystery. I did feel bad for Sharon and her family, when she wasn't capable of speaking and had to use eye contact for clues. I also felt bad for Hy, when she was stuck into that position. I hated for that to happen to her. I love the rich California backdrop of San Francisco and always loved the flying scenes in past stories in the series. This had great drama, nice action, and a hint of mystery, since this made it very personal for everyone involved.

Don't get locked in? Unlock the mystery with the copy today!

Summer of a Summer Night

If you love historical romances with some excitement of suspense and a happy ending, you'll love Lisa Kleypas's Secrets of A Summer Night, the first book int he Wallflowers series. This dealt with Annabelle's search for a peer husband. We were also introduced to Evangeline, Daisy and her sister Lillian, the other fellow Wallflowers, who were also looking for love. She had her eyes on Sir Simon Hunt, a rich commoner, who wasn't looking for marriage and wanted to introduce her to blissful pleasure. Her friends wanted to line her up with someone to protect her from Simon, when one summer night changed everything for her. They ended up falling in love, when they realized they were meant for each other and declared their love for each other. This made your heart go pitter patter.

I loved the introduction of this series of four lonely girls, who weren't always the belles of the balls, and unlucky in the romance department. I also loved how they became friends and formed a bond. I thought Simon was a dashing gentleman for Annabelle, when they helped each other. This made me sigh and fall in love with the characters for real, too. There's no other historical romance series like this one, when each wallflower gets their own romance per season.

Ready to find a great read? Give this one a whirl today!

2010 Book List

I've decided to forego my TBR book a day list, and just keep the TBR list from this year as next year's. All book challenges would be included additionally, along with bonus books. The rest will remain the same. I'll add the books I won/brought too to my list.

All books on the list I've brought/won are in italics.


Books I haven't read this year and will in 2010:
Nightshade, The Tale of Hilltop Farm, The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert
When We Meet Again by Victoria Alexander
Sketching Evil by Donna Anders
Summer Breeze by Catherine Anderson
Murder with Puffins, You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
Tempting Evil by Keri Arthur
Dead on Arrival, One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest, The Stiff and the Dead by Lori Avocato
Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker
Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow, Monkey See, Monkey Die, Right from the Gecko, Whos Kitten Who by Cynthia Baxter
Jingle Bell Bark by Laurien Berenson
Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
Challenge to Honor, Guarded Heart, Kane by Jennifer Blake
A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block
Killing Fear, See No Evil, The Prey by Allison Brennan
Sudden Death by Michael Balkind
Quantico by Greg Bear
Blood Trail by CJ Box
Play Dirty, Smoke Screen, Thrill of Victory by Sandra Brown
White Doves at Mourning by James Burke
Water Inc. by Varda Burstyn
Red Hot Lies, The Night I Got Lucky by Laura Caldwell
A Cold Day in Hell, A Grave Mistake, Cypress Nights by Stella Cameron
Deep in the Valley, Shelter Mountain, Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr
Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter
Beneath the Snow, Black Tide Blood Junction by Caroline Carver
Letters Home by Katherine Chance
Frill Kill by Laura Childs
Grime and Punishment by Jill Churchill
Antiques to Die For, Deadly Appraisal, Killer Keepsakes by Jane Cleland
Drop Shot by Harlan Coben
Mum's the World by Kate Collins
All Shots, Animal Appetite, Ruffly Speaking by Susan Conant
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
Mutation by Robin Cook
Hemlock Bay by Catherine Coulter
Suspicious Minds by Kim Cox
On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle
Indigo Slam by Robert Crais
A Shark in Death, Dreaming of the Bones, Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie
Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie
Black Wind, Dragon by Clive Cussler
A Family Affair by Cindy Daniel
Night of the Loving Dead, Tombs of Endearment by Casey Daniels
Alpine Advocate, Alpine Betrayal, Dune to Death, Just Desserts by Mary Daheim
Murder by the Books by Evelyn David
Sleeping with the Fishes by Mary Janice Davidson
The Coffin Dancer by Jeffrey Deaver
Dying for a Change by Kathleen Delaney
Coast Road by Barbara Delinsky
Princess by Jude Deveraux
Death Takes a Honeymoon, May the Best Man Die, You May Kill the Bride by Deborah Donnelly
Safe Beginnings by Christine Duncan
Sweet Man is Gone by Peggy Ehrhart
One For the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Artefacts, Effigies, Relics by Mary Anna Evans
Bad Blood, Entombed, Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein
Dim Sum Dead, Immaculate Reception, Killer Wedding by Jerrilyn Farmer
Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan
The Blueberry Muffin Killer, The Chocolate Chip Killer, The Cornbread Killer, The Strawberry Shortcake Killer by Joanne Fluke
Act of Treason, Extreme Measures, Term Limits by Vince Flynn
Conch Shell Murder by Dorothy Francis
The Liars Diary by Patty Francis
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Frank
The Novice's Tale, The Reeve's Tale, The Sempter's Tale, The Servent's Tale by Margaret Fraser
Chasing Horses by Christy French
Losing You, The Land of the Living, The Memory Game by Nicci French
Alone, The Other Daughter, The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner
The Murder List by Julie Garwood
Mad Mouse, Sleigh Ride by Chris Grabenstein
Echoes, In the Clear Night, Web of Grace by Erin Grady
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
Miss Misery by Andy Greenwald
The Man with the Look of Mischief by Martha Grimes
In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia Guthrie
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Buzz Cut by James Hall
Jimmy Be Good by James Halon
Black Orchid by Black Harper
Janeology by Karen Harrington
Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway
A Woman of Her World by Genie Henderson
A Season for the Dead, Dante's Numbers, Epiphany, Lucifer's Shadow, Native Rites, The Garden of Evil, The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson
Tourist Season by Carl Hiassen
The Baby Game by Randall Hicks
A Thief of Time, Coyote Waits, Skinwalkers, The Fly On The Wall by Tony Hillerman
Ashes to Ashes, Dark Paradise, Guilty as Sin by Tami Hoag
Out of the Shadows, Sense of Evil, Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper
Kill and Tell, Stranger in the Night by Linda Howard
The Program by Greg Hurwitz
Spandau Phoenix, Third Degree, True Evil by Greg Iles
Scent to Her Grave by India Ink
Home is Where You Hang Your Hat, Magic Hour, Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs
Asking for Murder, Final Fore, Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Chosen to Die, Deep Freeze, Hot Blooded, Left to Die, Malice, Whispers by Lisa Jackson
This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James
Death in Lay Orders, The Murder Room by PD James
Dead Wrong, Justice Denied, Tombstone Courage by JA Jance
Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries
Stalemate by Iris Johansen
I'll Be Watching You, No Way Out by Andrea Kane
Justice, Street Dreams, The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Bad Blood, Dr. Death, Self-Defense by Jonathan Kellerman
Acheron, Fantasy Lover, Sins of the Night by Sherilyn Kenyon
Watermelon by Marian Keyes
Titantic by VC King
Shopaholic and Sister, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
Devil in Winter, It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
Bloody Mary, Dirty Martini, Rusty Nail, Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath
Princess Daisy by Jayne Krantz
Death of a Dream by Paul La Rosa
Angels in Disguise by Betty La Pierre
Where the Ocotillo Bloom by Linda LaRoque (ebook)
A Brace of Bloodhounds, Death in Bloodhound Red, The House on Bloodhound Lane by Virginia Lanier
Flying Crows, the Phoney Marine by Jim Lehrer
Desert Burial by Brian Littlefair
The Bourne Betrayal by Robert Ludlum
16 Lighthouse Road, 311 Pelican Court, Suzanne's Garden by Debbie Macomber
Drift by Steven Mark
Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron
Drop Dead Blonde, Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too, Murders Melts in Your Mouth by Nancy Martin
Murder on a Hot Tin Roof by Amanda Matetsky
Love of My Heart by Bess McBride
Barrier Island by John McDonald
Tiger Reef by John McKinna
Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots by Luann McLane
Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught
Identity Crisis, The Book of Fate, The Zero Hour by Brad Meltzer
Late Bloomer, Night Star, Serendipity by Fern Michaels
Deadly Gamble, High Country Bride, The Man From Stony Creek by Linda Lael Miller
Storming Heaven by Kyle Mills
Two Wrongs by Morgan Mandel
Echoes in the Blue by George Muller
As the World Churns, Crepes of Wrath, Hell Hath No Curry by Tamar Myers
Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers
A Valley to Die For by Radine Nehring
A Search for Eden, At the Scent of Water, Handyman by Linda Nichols
Oasis of My Heart by Tara Nichols (ebook)
Final Breath, One Last Scream, Watch Them Die by Kevin O'Brien
Obsidian by Teagan Oliver
After the Music, Desperado, Lawman, Love on Trial by Diana Palmer
Extreme Measures, Natural Causes, Silent Treatment by Michael Palmer
The Dark of Day by Barbara Parker
Cross Country, Double Cross, Mary Mary by James Patterson
Cooking Up Trouble, Da Vinci Cook, Something's Cooking, Too Many Cooks by Joanna Pence
Change of Heart, Keeping Faith, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Piccoult
Mahu Surfer by Neil Plakcy
Remote Control by Cynthia Polansky
Dance of Death, Reliquary, Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Overwhelming Edge by Anderson Prunty
Dot Dead by Keith Raffel
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
Adam and Eve, End in Tears, The Water's Lovely by Ruth Rendell
Death Masks by Kim Richards
The Last Cowgirl by Jana Richman
Cold Springs, Rebel Island, Southtown, The Red Tequila by Rick Riordan
Death of a Garden Pest, Harvested Murder, Mulch, Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley
Vanished by Karen Robards
Ceremony in Death, Glory in Death, Origin in Death by JD Robb
Honest Illusions, Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
Ghostly Antiques by Jennifer Robins
Red Mars by Kim Robinson
The Devil's Mambo by Jerry Rodriguez
Getting Away is Deadly by Sara Rossett
Missing by Sharon Sala
Murder by the Glass by Michelle Scott
Body Surfing, The Pilot's Wife, Testimony by Anita Shreve
Disquiet Heart by Randall Silvis
Cattery Row, Cries and Whispers, Probable Claws by Clea Simon
Blackjack by Lee Singer
Beyond Reach by Karen Slaughter
Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
All Fall Down, Breakneck, Red by Erica Spindler
Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad
A Fine and Bitter Snow by Dana Stabenow
What Witches Want by Laura Stamps
Don't Scream, Dying Breath, Lily Dale by Wendi Corsi Staub
Bungaloo Two, Lightning, Sisters, The Promise by Danielle Steel
Dangerous Research by Pat Steltzer
Anathem, Intaface, Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
A Wedding to Die For, Dead Giveaway, Shoot from the Hip by Leeanne Sweeney
Dry Heat by Jon Talton
Whale Song by Cheryl Tardiff
Death Du Jour, Death by Rhubard, The Spice Box by Lou Jane Temple
Stagestruck by Cynthia Thomason
Round Table Magician by Ann Tracy
Dark Birthright by Jeannie Treat
Beautiful Lies, Blackout, Die For You, Sliver of Truth by Lisa Unger
Death Roll by Meredith Victor
Black Leopard by Steven Vioen
Dark Harbor, Dirt, Sante Fe Rules by Stuart Woods
Brothers in Arms by Marcus Wynne

Additional Books to read:
Cry Mercy by Toni Andrews
Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks
Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day
Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano

If any new best-sellers come on queue from my library as bonus books, I'll add them.

Evidence

In the 24th installment of the Alex Delaware series in Jonathan Kellerman's Evidence,  Alex and Milo had gotten themselves caught up in another difficult case. When a watchman came across a brutally slain couple in a compromising embrace, they were both caught up in the  grisly crime scene at an unfinished mega-home owned by an Islamic prince. While they were able to identify the eco-inclined architect who had the power to seduce woman, while his female companion remained a mystery and unidentified. They believed this murder was personal with political charged scandals and a cold case of an European woman's disappearance from years ago. The bigger they dug themselves into the truth, the more in peril they find themselves with a growing list of suspects and the direction spiraling towards them into the killer's path.

This was another riveting Alex Delaware mystery.  This one had some gruesome parts that might make you a bit nauseating to your stomach. I continue to love the  California backdrop for the series. I cared about Alex and his relationship to Robin as I did for Milo and Rick as well. I loved how Milo and Alex took on a disturbing case to compare it to an unsolved one. This one was gripping from the first page and right to the end.  Good strong mystery, good intrigue and plenty of dramatic action to keep you reading all day long.

Ready to follow the evidence? Pick up a copy today!

Danger from the south of the border

If you love legal thrillers, you would love The Attorney by Steve Martini. This is a red hot legal thriller that deals with an unethical lawyer and then her death, when all leads head to Mexico, from trial to the ending. This keeps you at the edge of your seat with great legal drama from start to finish. Hang on for a wild ride.

September

If you love a great historical romance novel, you'll love September by Rosamunde Pilcher. This is a great story that takes place in Spain, England, Scotland and the USA in some parts. It spans four months, and deals with two main families and young and old loves, when a prodigal woman returns for a party and then a shocking secret is discovered in the end. A beautiful storyline to cherish for ever with everlasting memories.