
I’ve been binge reading for about 5 days. Jane Daly is coming out with a sequel to “Broken,” so I – yes – reread it, and LG Westlake has a sequel to “Calculated Risk,” so did I read it? Why, of course.
I finished Westlake’s “Calculated Encounters” yesterday. Excellent writing. Her amateur sleuth gets into trouble constantly. Her characters are well-written. Her main character never follows the orders of the ex-FBI agent, now bounty hunter, and her attempts to let her love interest (writing a ‘happily ever after, for now) know she is indeed in Spain, now gets him in deep kimchi while she’s in a horrible situation on her own. Because she didn’t follow the bounty hunter’s instructions (“go home!”).

I’m a serial binge reader, usually three at a time. I have Terri Gillespie’s novel, “Cut it Out!” (another sequel in the Hair Maven’s series) in one room, Linda Rodante’s “Scars,” on my ‘puter, her beta, and Lisa Black’s police procedural, “That Darkness,” on my Kindle.
I can keep up with the plots and characters of each, perhaps because they are all in different formats.
My favorite genres wander from romantic comedy, romantic suspense, police procedural, romantic forensics, thrillers, intrigue, and do you note the pattern there? Usually romance within the second genre, no matter how little.
I do have favorite authors but so many it’s hard to name them. Every time I turn around, I have another new favorite. SMH.
Tell me, what are you reading these days? Who are your favorite authors, and your favorite genres?
What are you writing?
First, Terri Gillespie has mad skills. Her first book was replete with four plots, one main character with three subplots and three more characters. A Christian/romantic/coming of age book with some suspense, the first in the Hair Maven’s series follows the four lives of beauticians at odds with the new owner, Shira. I’m jealous, I mean, amazed that the first book was so incredibly complex and weaves together so eloquently.

Second, I’ve been following/reading Linda Rodante’s Christian romantic/suspense novels forever. I love her spiritial warfare series. She always creates complex characters with complex issues to overcome. She addresses modern men and women who have to overcome their physical/emotional issues to reconcile ‘at odds’ characters’, bringing them together to defeat (or convert) a bad guy or gal. A lot of peril and prayer – these books address issues that Christians and non-Christians face, from trafficking to gangs. All her characters are super complex.

Lisa Black is new to me and writing a police procedural. Chapter one sounds like a behavioral analyst/detective talking to a hardened criminal. The last lines are 1000% SHOCKING. The next chapter involves two detectives following the evidence. The group of detectives assigned to the murder of said hardened criminal is 10,000% SHOCKING.

Because I see this is part of a sequel, I can’t wait to read her next installment after I finish this one, though I have 240 books left on my kindle. I should have stuck with paperbacks. Apparently that ‘buy with one click’ button on Amazon is an addictive issue for me.
Sue Coletta is a favorite when I need to read a serial killer novel. Lisa Gardner is another serial killer novelist with police procedural. Teri Blackstock for romantic suspense. Sara Blackard for romantic suspense. Dale Amidei for insanely complex thrillers. Christy Barritt for her romantic suspense. Those are just a few.
Okay. Now, like I said, it’s your turn. Comment and like!
Thanks for the shout out! And for the book/author recommendations. I get a little twitchy when I have fewer than 3 unread books on my Kindle.
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Readers are missing out. A book with issues of today, a forbidden romance budding, and truly, it should be a best-seller.
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Honored to be added to your list of books, Claire. So many great new authors. It’s difficult to get to the all.
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Of course, Terri! So complex without being confusing! It wasn’t a fast read with three at a time nothing is a fast read lol. Since I am usually a full-on suspense novel reader I found myself surprised that there was no murder involved (hahahaha!!). Keep on writing, you’ve got the gift.
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Loved reading your book analysis and reading habits. I juggle several books at once too.
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whoa girl I thought I recognized your name! I just picked up the first mystery ‘Autumn Vindication.’ You see??? I have issues. You do NOT want to know how many books I have on Kindle. Right there is the problem…
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Love that someone does the same. Then I binge write and it always looks like I am in Facebook jail because I skip social media when I’m on a roll. Seriously, I spend more time in FB jail than I do on FB. I should keep my opinionated thoughts shut up, but, well … I do however have an author page that skips all that so there is that, haha.
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Thanks, Claire for the review. I think my character Isa is like a clean Stephanie Plum. Thanks for reviewing books and giving folks the scoop on new authors.
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Isa is a character! “Do this, woman.” (Isa says, “Okay. No problem… ” Then does the exact opposite!) what a riot.
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