Look but not touch

If you love great cozy mysteries, you'll enjoy Cynthia Baxter's Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries starring Jessica Popper, DVM. Monkey See Monkey Die is the seventh book in the series, when it deals with Jessica preparing to get married to Nick, and solving a friend from vet school's murder. This deals with exotic animals and zoos, when these animals are poached and sold illegally. Plenty of action and suspense for this drama. If you haven't read this series before, start with the first book, Dead Canaries Don't Sing. I'll be reviews books #5-6 later this year and will read her new series and book #8, next year. Enjoy! And be careful of poisonous animals!

Red Hot Lies

If you love great legal thrillers, you'll enjoy Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell, the first book in the Izzy McNeil Thriller series. This was a new one to enjoy. Set in Chicago, Izzy McNeil's life was turned upside down in the. Poor Izzy McNeil. While planning her wedding,  her boss was murdered and her fiancé was on the run, accused of stealing money. Meanwhile her life fell apart by rumors, the police and the FBI continued to stalk her. When people push comes to shove, lies showed up all over the place, when she finally heard from him. She teamed up with PI John Mayburn, while she helped him out with his own case, when her closest friend fell in love with her. Things got out of control, when she finally tracked her fiancé down and discovered the truth as shocking secrets exploded in the end at Panama. This was a great new legal thriller series to enjoy. Red Hot Lies was red hot for sure!

This legal thriller debut would send you on a wild roller coaster ride. We do get to know more about Izzy and her life. We care about her and her law career. I did feel bad about her, since she sorta lost her dad and now her fiancé disappeared. She ran into some nefarious characters that might be mob-related. That made me worried about her. There was so many twist and turns here. I loved Izzy's boldness and her relationship with Mayburn. I didn't like the sneaky mob connection. But the picturesque Chicago was so fine.

Ready for a wild chase? Give this one a go!

Tempting Evil

If you love paranormal romances, you would enjoy Keri Arthur's Tempting Evil, the 2nd installment in the Riley Jensen series. Riley Jensen, part werewolf and part vampire, was on the hunt for the man who ruined her life and had worked her way to become a full-fledged Guardian of the Directorate. Set in Australia, she and her twin would go undercover to bring their nemesis down, while a werewolf and a vampire gave her pleasure and plenty of satisfying sex, along with Kade, a shape-shifting stallion.

This was an interesting introduction as well. For a paranormal romance with a hint of urban fantasy, it did have a little bit of everything and then some. I thought Riley was an interesting character being part wolf and part vamp. That's some crazy combination due to her breeding. I did feel sorry for her and for her twin as well. I did love the Australian backdrop for the setting of the series. I thought the Directorate's organization was quite interesting and amusing. Talk about a menage a trois of sorts, when three men wanted a piece of her in this twisted love rectangular or square. It did have a hint of eroticism for this paranormal romance with tons of dramatic action sequences.

Ready to tempt evil? Give this one a try this weekend!

Deeper than the Dead

In Tami Hoag's, Deeper than the Dead, the first book in the Oak Knoll series trilogy, it was a stellar thriller. It centered on a sleepy quiet college town, when four  school kids discovered a murder in a park, and woke up the neighborhood. Secrets came out in full force, when the investigation was in full wing, and shocking surprises disturbed the whole community of Oak Knoll, California. Taken place in the 1980s, way back before forensic science and technology took place, that's when the FBI came in with Vince and Ann, the school teacher. Even a possible romance blossom between them wrapped things up in a surprising ending of who committed the crime.

I loved this series. I loved how it taken place in Oak Knoll, California, in the 1980s. Even nowadays, we can see how far advanced we've gone in forensic science and technology since then for solving crimes. I loved how Ann and Vince team up to solve this murder and fall in love. I didn't like the way the crime was committed and why though. I did feel sorry for the Whitman family, too. That just broke my heart, even for the victim's family as well. Great drama, tons of throwback suspense, with plenty of action in the heart of this thriller.

Get ready to flashback in the 1980s with Deeper than the Dead. Pick up a copy today!

Taming Charlotte

If you love historical romances, you'll love Taming Charlotte by Linda Lael Miller, the second book from the Quade series. This was an excellent historical romance between two Americans, Charlotte who loved an adventure and a pirate named Patrick Trevarren, who loved the sea more than Charlotte, had brought danger, excitement, romance, and a child into the world. From Spain to the USA, there was dangerous intrigue in every turn, until he realized that she's the only one he couldn't live out. Truly beautiful. 

This was a heart-wrenching historical romance that was taken place over the  high seas. I love the connection between Charlotte and Patrick, two polar opposites seeking adventure. We began to care about them, since they were meant to be. Patrick had to decide between his pirating or Charlotte. In the end, he might the right choice. The location between Spain and the USA was just magical and lovely as well.

Ready to sail away with a pirate? Give this classic historical romance a try!

Staggerford

The Staggerford Murders has two stories in the place of one, with two novellas, set in one Minnesota town, only a few years have separated of separated them from one another. The first one deals with two seven-year-old Cold Case murders of a couple, which happened before the story started, and have three many POVs with some minor ones in between for the first novella. I liked this one best. The second one is set some years later, when it deals with an elderly aunt's nephew's life and death, including his family, and his years later. I think this was okay. But if you like a good read, you'll enjoy it.

Vanished

If you love a great romantic suspense novel, you'll enjoy Vanished by Karen Robards. Sarah Mason, an ADA in Beaufort, Kentucky, was caught up in a conspiracy, when she still grieved the loss of her missing daughter Lexie, who'd vanished for seven years. It all started with a phone call from a child that sounded like Lexie and turned to her best friend, Jake Hogan, who was also a PI. She fought a growing attraction to him. Together, they've found out the truth on what's been going on, inside and outside the court case, that dealt with a random amount of events that brought them together, as the passion exploded between them, which also lead to a shocking twist and a happy ending. This is a great one to bring a Kleenex for.

This was another compelling romantic suspense that tackled on hard core subject matters. I loved the Beauford Kentucky location for the scenic and idyllic background for this troubling storyline. I did feel an ache for Sarah, when Lexie turned up missing for years. I loved how she reached out to Jake to help her out, when there was a sparking chemistry between them. This one sent me shivers and cringe for every subtle bad part. It also made me cry in the end, too. Good drama, lots of sensual and sexual tension, and plenty of action and suspense to keep you reading.

Don't vanish on me! Give this one a try!

Dead Even

In Mariah Stewart's Dead Even, the third installment in the Dead trilogy in this romantic suspense series, she captivated you with a race against time in this spine-tingling novel. Three prisoners seeks murderous revenge, now that the third one had been set three. For FBI Agent Miranda Cahill and Will Fletcher, on and off again lovers, they played by the rules and never mixed business with pleasure. Now with a set of serial murders, it had Miranda and Will racing against time to track against their intended victims, before a killer could track them down. But as they begin to unravel their homicidal agenda, Miranda might be the next intended victim on their hit list. With the clock ticking down, they needed to stop a killer before he crossed Miranda off his list for good.

 This was a mind-blowing conclusion to the trilogy, though I didn't read the first two installments of it. This had a nice mini plot scheme about the cult connection, which intersected both sets of crimes together. I cared about Miranda and Will and their feelings in their relationship. I liked the vast locations and the scenic settings for this novel, too. This had me at the first page and kept me going to the end. Great suspense, intriguing drama, plenty of non-stop action and a hint of sparking romance, too.

Will you be dead even today? If so, check this out right now!

Open Season

If you love romantic suspense with a hint of humor, you'll love Open Season by Linda Howard. On Daisy Minor's 34th birthday, she wanted a family of her own. With encouragement from her family, she became independent and transformed herself with a makeover. Tired of her boring life as a librarian, she literally let her hair down and became a party girl.  One night, she witnessed something horrible, when the killer was now after her. What she had gotten involved to, was a heated relationship with the chief of police, and a government coverup, when her life was on the line.  Before she can share her life with the right man, she would have to save it first. This is a delightful read to those who love happy endings.

This was a fantastic romantic suspense from Linda Howard as well. I did care for Daisy, especially when she transformed herself from boring to exciting. And even more so, when she saw something she shouldn't see. I did like the Hillsboro, Alabama setting for the location of this novel. I did like the sparking chemistry between Daisy and hunky Jack Russo. This would make your heart pound and your pulse race with every page turn. Great drama, excellent suspense and sparking romance, and great non-stop action to the end. 

Are you ready for Open Season? Grab a copy tonight!

One for the Money

If you love romantic comedies or romantic suspense with a hint of humor, you'll love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, whether it's the earlier ones, the later ones, the ones in-betweens the series, or the whole collection. I've heard so much about this series for the past two years or so, from Shelfari and Good Reads and now on Twitter. Lots of people enjoyed this easy read. And I too am a big fan of the series now. This has drama, romance, humor, suspense and plenty of action, when Stephanie Plum needs the money for her apartment and becomes a bounty hunter for her cousin's firm, and chasing a man who's hard to find. You'll love it too. I'll be reading the second book in April, the third in June and the 4th in October. Enjoy!

Lady Killer

If you love legal thrillers, you'll love Lisa Scottoline's Lady Killer. In the 10th installment of the Rosato and Associates legal thriller series, Mary DiNunzio was an Italian widow and a lawyer who tried to make partner at her law firm. When her nemesis stormed into her law firm and asked for help, memories from her past trickled back into her mind, when she went to high school. As she tried to find her client who had gone missing, bodies had been turning up dead and a new romance blossomed between Mary and one of her neighbor's sons. This was a good read with lots of scenic views of Penn state and New Jersey. 

This was another gripping legal thriller from Lisa Scottoline. I continued to care about Mary, when she faced her old nemesis and tried to make partner. I didn't like Trish too much, but did feel sorry for her that she ended up in a tricky predicament with her boyfriend. I don't like bullies and mean girls too much, either. I loved how Mary was able to find love on her own with no strings attached by others with their blind dates. I loved the dual locations of New Jersey and Philly for this nail-biting legal thriller. This one would knock your socks off, literally speaking. Great drama, terrific suspense and intrigue, and lots of intense action from the first page to the last.

Watch out for a lady killer! Pick up a copy today!

13 1/2

Nevada Barr had fit herself into a new niche and stormed into the world of psychological thrillers. With her newest novel, a standalone thriller, 13 1/2, when she took a break from her Anna Pigeon mysteries, she created a turbulent and evil world between brothers, a sick case of sibling rivalry that had gone too far, when history had repeated itself, many years later. From Rochester Minnesota to Jackson Square, New Orleans, this was a compelling story about Polly falling in love with Marshall, who had a shady past, and what she did to survive.  Hang onto your seat. If you haven't read her novels, start now!

This was a great break for Nevada Barr to shift gears in genres. I did feel bad for Polly and her two daughters, when she'd gotten involved with a troubled guy like Marshall. I could see he had changed his ways, when he met Polly. So I was on the fence for him. I love the dual locations of Rochester, Minnesota and New Orleans for this stand-alone thriller.  This one sent me goosebumps up and down my spine, leaving me with a numb feeling. Good drama, great non-stop action and suspense, with tons of intrigue every step of the way.

Want to give 13 1/2 a try? Check out a copy today!

Trace Evidence

If you love CSI, you'll love Trace Evidence, the first in the Evelyn James forensic thriller series, by Elizabeth Becka. You can a real good insight on the ME's office and forensic details on what caused the deaths and how to nab the bad guys, if not by natural causes or suicide. This has high action-packed drama with tons of action and a hint of romance. And it takes place in my hometown area and home state area of Cleveland, Ohio--A big plus, like Casey Daniels's Pepper Martin paranormal cozy series too. This is a great thrill ride with tons of twists and turns for a good series. A must read for 2010.

All You Need is Magic

The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney is a beautiful historical romance story that's set in England, and has a hint of fantasy. This has plenty of romance in store, lots of drama. When Jack Langdon falls off his horse in a riding accident, he's badly injured, and meets Abby, a wizard, who heals him and saves his life. For the past couple of years, Jack's been taught to hate magic and suppressed his magic. Abby makes a bargain, that if she saved his life, they get married. She gets more than she bargained for, when they dealt with London society and gossip, and help others in the way, all the way falling in love with each other, when love is the only magic you need to heal and make things grow and prosper. A beautiful love story to withstand the hands of time.

My 2010 challenges--big and small

Since I did hit or miss in last year's reading challenges, I'm only doing a select few this year. I added only new one. Other than the 50 and 100+ book challenge I always win on Shelfari and with J_Kaye's book challenge, I'm only doing these challenges, including the Lisa Jackson contest I didn't start last fall; the non-challenge books count too. In parenthesis, that's the month I've designated to read it. Bonus books and book club books are also included and will be added, when I get them, excluding my leftover 2009 TBR books. Underlined books show books I won/brought. Only my challenge books will have the months in parenthesis. I've also included the links to join my five egroups that have the mini book challenges this year, if you want to join for free. All books marked by Asterisks are for my Suspense/Thriller Challenge at http://www.bookchickcity.com/2009/05/thriller-suspense-challenge-2010_01.html

TBR http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tbr_challenge/?yguid=211294076

** New additions: Any books I've requested to purchase at the library that aren't there, but are now, are added to the list they're going to be read. They originally counted.

Regulars
1. Vanished by Karen Robards (January)
2. First You Run by Roxanne St. Claire (February)
3. Suzanne's Garden by Debbie Macomber (March)
4. Alone by Lisa Gardner (April)
5. Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr (May)
6. Beyond Reach by Karin Slaughter (June)
7. Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein (July)
8. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs (August)
9. Rebel Island by Rick Riordan (September)
10. Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag (October)
11. Kane by Jennifer Blake (November)
12. The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert (December)

Alternates
1. Tempting Evil by Keri Arthur (January)
2. Night of the Living Dead by Casey Daniels (February)
3. Killing Fear by Allison Brennan (March)
4. One Last Scream by Kevin O'Brien (April)
5. Handyman by Linda Nichols (May)
6. Nothing to Fear by Karen Rose (June)
7. Waking Evil by Kylie Brant (July)
8. Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger (August)
9. Harvest of Murder by Ann Ripley (September)
10. Four to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich (October)
11. Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss (November)
12. To the Brink by Cindy Gerard (December)

TBR Lite http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tbrchallenge_lite/?yguid=211294076
1. Losing You by Nicci French (February)
2. Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper (April)
3. Frill Kill by Laura Childs (June)
4. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (August)
5. Cries and Whispers by Clea Simon (October)
6. Janeology by Karen Harrington (December)

Lisa Jackson Challenge http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/20092010-lisa-jackson-reading-challenge.html
1. Left to Die (January)
2. Deep Freeze (February)
3. Whispers (April)
4. Hot Blooded (July)
5. Malice (August)
6. Chosen to Die (October)

Mystery Lovers Corner Challenge http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysteryreadercafe/?yguid=211294076
1. Author that last name begins with "B": Monkey See, Monkey Die by Cynthia Baxter (January)
2. 2010 Challenge: Silent Scream by Karen Rose (December) {I know it's not a mystery/cozy--Might change it}
3. 1st in series: On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle (April) {Challenge crossover}
4. Different Country: Cheetah Chase by Karin McQuillin (December) {Challenge crossover}

Love the Library Challenge (Just my Size-52 books, 1/week) http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-support-your-local-library-reading.html
1. January picks: Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries, Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter, Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron, Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie
2. February picks: Bloody Mary by JA Konrath, The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer, As the World Churns by Tamar Myers, I'll Be Watching You by Andrea Kane
3. March picks: Don't Scream by Wendy Corsi Staub, Act of Treason by Vince Flynn, Breakneck by Erica Spindler, Killer Mousse by Melinda Wells
4. April picks: Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich, Dragon by Clive Cussler, Dante's Numbers by David Hewson, The Man From Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller
5. May picks: Dirt by Stuart Woods, Shoot from the Lip by Leeann Sweeney, The Murder Room by PJ James, A Grave Mistake by Stella Cameron, Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too by Nancy Martin
6. June picks: Black Orchid by Karen Harper, Death on Bloodhound Red by Virginia Lanier, Northern Lights by Nora Roberts, The Water's Lovely by Ruth Rendell
7. July picks: The Murder List by Julie Garwood , Strangers in the Night by Linda Howard, The Blueberry Muffin Killer by Joanne Fluke, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
8. August picks: The Program by Greg Hurwitz, Lightning by Danielle Steel, One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest by Lori Avocato, Dot Dead by Keith Raffel
9. September picks: The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly, Austenland by Shannon Hale, Tied Died and Dead by Sharon Short, No One Left to Tell by Jordan Dane
10. October picks: Drop Shot by Harlan Coben, Die for You by Lisa Unger, Kill for Me by Karen Rose, The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount by Julia London, Close Enough to Kill by Beverly Barton
11. November picks: The Spice Box by Lou Jane Temple, Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder, A Necessary Evil by Alex Kava, Kill Zone by Vicki Hinze
12. December picks: You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews, Murder of a Sweet Old Lady by Denise Swanson, Still Life by Louise Penny, The Chocolate Mouse Trap by Joanna Carl

Romance Book Club Challenge http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romance_bookclub/
1. Author's last name with first initial of mine: Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas (March)
2. Pick a title that came from 2007: The Devil Who Tamed Her by Johanna Lindsey (September)
3. Pick a title that's first in the series: Some Like it Wicked by Teresa Medeiros (October)
4. Pick a title that deals with reunited lovers: To the Brink by Cindy Gerard (December){Crossed over}

On the Porch Swing Challenge http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ontheporchswing/?yguid=211294076 (Not listed on site, but in an email awhile ago).
1. Pick an author's name with Mary: String of Lies by Mary Ellen Hughes (March)
2. Pick two author's last names with D: The Coffin Dancer by Jeffrey Deaver (January), Coast Road by Barbara Delinsky (April)
3. Pick two book titles with your initials: Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein (May), Kitty Hitter by Andy Straka (October)
4. Short Story Collection: My Scandalous Bride by Christina Dodd, Stephanie Laurens, Celeste Bradley and Lesley Lafroy (November)
5. Biography: Louisa May Alcott by Elizabeth Silverthorne

Global Challenge (thanks to @Bethfishreads at Twitter)
1. North America: Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell (Chicago) {January)
2. Europe: Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon (Italy) {March}
3. Australasia: Malicious Intent by Kathryn Fox (Australia) {June}
4. Asia: Rain Storm by Barry Eisler (Japan) {July}
5. South America: Buried Strangers by Leighton Gage (Brazil) {September}
6. Africa: Cheetah Chase by Karin McQuillin (December) {Challenge crossover}

100+ Book Challenge (other than challenge) picks http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-2010-reading-challenge-100-reading.html
January

Trust Me By Brenda Novak

Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr

Hemlock Bay by Catherine Coulter

Third Degree-Greg Iles

Tourist Season by Carl Hiassen

Buzz Cut by James Hall

Out of the Shadows by Kay Hooper

Murder on a Hot Tin Roof by Amanda Matetsky

Dark Birthright by Jeannie Treat

This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James

Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots by LuAnn McLane

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Dark Legacy by Anna De Stephano

February

Quantico by Greg Bear

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Dark Paradise by Tami Hoag

The Reeve's Tale by Margaret Frazer

Cry Mercy by Toni Andrews

At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols

Mary Mary by James Patterson

Ceremony in Death by JD Robb

Lawman by Diana Palmer

Antiques to Die For by Jane Cleland

Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day

Cypress Nights by Stella Cameron

End in Tears by Ruth Rendell

The Last Cowgirl by Jana Richman

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg

Twilight by Maya Bohnhoff

March

Isle of Palms by Dorothea Frank

The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson

Too Many Cooks by Joanne Pence

May the Best Man Die by Deborah Donnelly

A Fine and Bitter Snow by Dana Stabenow

Blood Trail by CJ Box

Don't Tell by Karen Rose

Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib

Fantasy Lover by Sherillyn Kenyon

Justice by Faye Kellerman

The Man with the Look of Mischief by Martha Grimes

Murder with Puffins by Donna Andrews

Jingle Bell Bark by Laurien Berenson

Getting Away is Deadly by Sara Rosett

A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron

Blackout by Lisa Unger

Testimony by Anita Shreve

April

See No Evil by Allison Brennan

Silent Treatment by Michael Palmer

Brothers in Arms by Marcus Wynne

Dreaming of Bones by Deborah Crombie

Dirty Martini by JA Konrath

Sisters by Danielle Steel

A Brace of Bloodhounds by Virginia Lanier

Dying Breath by Wendy Corsi Staub

Have You Seen Her? By Karen Rose

Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan

Land of the Living by Nicci French

The Tale of Hilltop Farm by Susan Wittig Albert

Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley

Parallel Attraction by Deirdre Knight

May

Final Breath by Kevin O'Brien

Water Inc. by Varda Burstyn **

The Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught

Animal Appetite by Susan Conant

I'm Watching You by Karen Rose

311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber

Summer Breeze by Catherine Anderson

The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner

The Prey by Allison Brennan

Glory in Death by JD Robb

Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib

Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs

The Liars Diary by Patry Francis

Silver of Truth by Lisa Unger

Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper

Crepes of Wrath by Tamar Myers

Stalemate by Iris Johansen

All Fall Down by Erica Spindler

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie

The Garden of Evil by David Hewson

The Third Circle by Amanda Quick

June

True Evil by Greg Iles

Self-Defense by Jonathan Kellerman

Late Bloomer by Fern Michaels

Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr

Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods

Dead on Arrival by Lori Avocato

Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown

Acheron by Sherillyn Kenyon

Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

Tombstone Courage by JA Jance

Right from the Gecko by Cynthia Baxter

Guilty as Sin by Tami Hoag

Cross Country by James Patterson

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

Term Limits by Vince Flynn

Deadly Appraisal by Jane Cleland

Revenge of the Innocents by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

July

Tombs of Endearment by Casey Daniels

Red by Erica Spindler **

Indigo Slam by Robert Crais

Black Wind by Clive Cussler

Relics by Mary Anna Evans

Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow by Cynthia Baxter

Origin in Death by JD Robb

The Dark of Day by Barbara Parker

A Search for Eden by Linda Nichols

It Happen One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

No Way Out by Andrea Kane

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

Adam and Eve by Ruth Rendell

Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag

Count to Ten by Karen Rose

Hell Hath No Curry by Tamar Myers

Lights Out Tonight by Mary Jane Clark

Mum's the Word by Kate Collins

Storming Heaven by Kyle Mills

Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert

18 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

Anathem by Neal Stephenson

Die for Me by Karen Rose **

Blackout by John Nance

Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn

The Murder Room by PD James

A Season for the Dead by David Hewson

The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer

No Eye Can See by Jane Kirkpatrick

Rusty Nail by JA Konrath

Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Killer Keepsakes by Jane Cleland

The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman

August

Justice Denied by JA Jance

Dead Giveaway by Leann Sweeney

Probable Claws by Clea Simon

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Ruffly Speaking by Susan Conant

Effigies by Mary Anna Evans

The Garden of Evil by David Hewson

A Search for Eden by Linda Nichols

Red Lily by Nora Roberts

Dead Wrong by JA Jance

Justice by Faye Kellerman

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath

Silent Thunder by Iris and Roy Johansen **

A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

Spackled and Spooked by Jennie Bentley

Scream for Me by Karen Rose

Ricochet by Sandra Brown

October

Magic Hour by Susan Isaacs

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve

Double Cross by James Patterson

Southtown by Rick Riordan

Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn **

Death of a Garden Pest by Ann Ripley

Bad Blood by Jonathan Kellerman

Adam and Eve by Ruth Rendell

Death in Lay Orders by PD James

Murders Melts in Your Mouth by Nancy Martin

Bungaloo Two by Danielle Steel

The Phony Marine by Jim Lehrer

Permed to Death by Nancy Cohen

Home is Where You Hang Your Hat by Susan Isaacs

Next to Die by Marliss Melton

Darkfever by Karen Moning

Fine Feathered Death by Linda Johnston

Body Surfing by Anita Shreve

I've Heard that Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark

November

Desperardo by Diana Palmer

Sleeping With the Fishes by Mary Janice Davidson

Mutation by Robin Cook

Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark **

Thuderhead by Lincoln and Preston

No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark

The Mark by Jason Pinter

The Bourne Betrayal by Robert Ludlum

Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park

I Can See You by Karen Rose

Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag

Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman

The Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs

Serendipity by Fern Michaels

December

Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer **

Mulch by Ann Ripley

All Shots by Susan Conant

Reliquary by Lincoln and Preston

Pandora's Clock by John Nance

The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

Flying Crows by Jim Lehrer

Hail to the Chief by Julie Hyzy

You Can Run by Carlene Thompson

Gone by Jonathan Kellerman

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Slay Ride by Chris Grabenstein

Dance of Death by Child and Preston

The Lake House by James Patterson

Conspiracy Theory

Last night, I ended 2009 with a finished book done, and tonight, I'm starting 2010 with one too. (I did the same last year with Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler.) In the latest Alex Cross series, I, Alex Cross, Patterson goes solo without a co-author and gives us a bone-chilling novel, which deals with a heinous conspiracy theory and a sadistic serial killer, when it hits home for Cross. I won't give away the shocking twists at the end. But this one will blow you away, as he also deals with his sick grandmother and his girlfriend too, amongst the rest. This one is one of the finest ones he's done so far.

(Sometime this weekend, I'll post my book challenges for this year and the selected books. So stay tuned for those selections.)