Best Paranormal Fantasy Releases of 2009
1. Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
2.
White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison
3.
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
4.
In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix (released 12/30/08 but I'm counting it as '09)
5.
Blood Blade by Marcus Pelegrimas
6.
7. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
8. Demon Inside by Stacia Kane
9. Darkness Calls by Marjorie Liu
10. ReVamped by J.F. Lewis
11. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead
12. Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
13. Vampire a Go-Go by Victor Gischler
Whether you're new to romance -- itching to try it -- or a long-time fan, you'll want to check out this Dynamic Duos list: Pairs of best books - and an, ahem, threesome -- of my fave great reads, debuts and a couple just-for-funs from '09. If you're not a Heart to Heart regular, please join us every day at H2H, where we talk all things romance fiction in a decidedly fun, smart and, yeah, often sexy way.
What romances are on your Best of 2009 list? What fun categories would you add? -- Michelle Buonfiglio (H2H)
Debut
Seduced by Shadows -- Jessa Slade
Knight of Desire -- Margaret Mallory
Paranormal
A Mermaid's Ransom -- Joey W. Hill
Kiss of a Demon King -- Kresley Cole
Contemporary
One Reckless Summer -- Toni Blake
Hot Pursuit -- Suzanne Brockmann
Sexiest Non-Erotic Romance Love Scene
Start Me Up -- Victoria Dahl
Hunt Her Down -- Roxanne St. Claire
Historical
A Hint of Wicked -- Jennifer Haymore
Highland Rebel -- Judith James
The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie -- Jennifer Ashley
Historical -- Erotic
Addicted -- Charlotte Featherstone
Gorgeous as Sin -- Susan Johnson
Erotic Romance
Pleasure and Purpose -- Megan Hart
The Things That Make Me Give In -- Charlotte Stein
Category
Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady -- Diane Gaston
The Desert King's Pregnant Bride -- Annie West
Westerns
The Bridegroom -- Linda Lael Miller
The Lone Texan -- Jodi Thomas
High-Seas Romance
Captured -- Beverly Jenkins
Surrender of a Siren -- Tessa Dare
I don't lie about my age -- I couldn't if I wanted to, because my kids are more than happy to tell anyone who asks. I'm 57, okay? I know that's older than a lot of you, but I'm really not in Miss Marple's generation. In mystery, there isn't a lot of middle ground: the detective/heroine is either old as dirt or practically in diapers -- comparatively speaking.
Woman my age might look old, but we don't feel that way. We still live exciting, productive lives -- it's just rare to read about women of my general age group in books.
Thank God for Hank Phillippi Ryan, Boston TV instigative reporter-slash-mystery author. How Hank juggles her two jobs I'll never understand, especially since she seems to be everywhere -- book signings, mystery conferences, romance writers conventions. Hank and I are roughly the same age and, while she is considerably more glamorous (and slim -- did I mention how sleek and fashionable she is?), we both work hard and still manage to enjoy life.
Enter Charlie McNally, an investigative reporter for a TV station not unlike the one Hank works for, researching stories that are written with a deft hand and a definite touch of inside knowledge. While Charlie isn't Hank's alter ego, the similarities give authenticity to Charlie's voice. Each book is features a fascinating look into a mystery-related investigation, while revealing a little more about Charlie's life.
I've read the first three books in this series: PRIME TIME, FACE TIME and AIR TIME, and I'm looking forward to Hank's upcoming release, DRIVE TIME. I'm not alone in praising this series -- just search Hank's name or any of the titles to see all the rave reviews she's getting.
Now, before you start pointing out all the other fifty-ish heroines out there, let me just stress that this is the first I can remember that I really related to. Life doesn't end when the nest empties or when hot flashes begin. I, for one, am having more fun now than when I was a teenager. Hank's books are a reminder that turning fifty doesn't instantly put you in slippers and a rocking chair, or make you transform into your prim and proper grandmother.
Kick off your stilettos and pour yourself a glass of wine. Grab one of Hank's books and watch Charlie McNally kick some ass!
Although I have read a lot of books this year, I have to say that this one is the clear winner for me. This wasn't just the best book I read in 2009, it is one of the best books I have ever read! With "The Art of Racing in the Rain," Stein attempts the difficult task of defining human life and all it's complexities; and does so in quite a clever way. Brilliant, insightful, inspirational, and profoundly touching, this story is an absolute must read (whether or not you are an animal lover.)
Many of these authors had new books come out in 2009, but some of these series have been around for decades.
I'd have a hard time (make that impossible) putting together a top ten list, but here are some I follow and recommend:
The Naming of the Dead (Inspector John Rebus Series #16)
The Private Patient (Adam Dalgliesh Series #14)
206 Bones (Temperance Brennan Series #12)
The Language of Bees (Mary Russell Series #9)
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #10)
Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Aunt Dimity Series #14)
Blood Game (Eve Duncan Series #8)
Shakespeare's Counselor (Lily Bard Series#5)
Long Lost (Myron Bolitar Series #9)
Nine Dragons (Harry Bosch Series #15)
The Winds of Change (Richard Jury Series #19)
All the Colors of Darkness (Inspector Alan Banks Series #18)
Fire and Ice (Joanna Brady Series #14)
Set Sail for Murder (Henrie O Series #7)
Gone Tomorrow (Jack Reacher Series #13)
The Professional (Spenser Series #37)
Crawlspace (Home Repair Is Homicide Series #13)
A Matter of Justice (Inspector Ian Rutledge Series #11)
Necessary as Blood (Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Series #13)
The Monster in the Box (Chief Inspector Wexford Series #22)
The Children's Book (lovely, lush prose and period detail)
Wolf Hall (a novel that humanizes a historical figure)
Drood (opium-soaked Wilkie Collins narrates this supernatural thriller)
The Girl Who Played with Fire (you won't be able to wait for the final installment in the trilogy)
The Best American Essays 2009 (a great collection of short pieces)
Under This Unbroken Sky (a beautiful novel designed to break your heart)
The Big Rewind (fans of the AV Club will alternately cringe and laugh throughout Rabin's memoir)
Mistress of the Monarchy (Weir once again gives voice to a shadowy figure in British royal history)
Ophelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don't Float (for Facebook and literature junkies everywhere)
Beowulf on the Beach (upgrade your beach reading tote bag)
and my favorite contemporary author will debut his new series after Christmas - I can't wait!!
Shades of Grey by the fabulous author of the Thursday Next sequels, Jasper Fforde.
I've read a lot of books in the last year, mostly in Urban Fantasy and Young Adult (keeps me young 
) Here are my top 2 for each of those categories. Happy reading in 2010!
Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson Series #4)
Patricia Briggs is the kind of author who puts her heart and soul into writing. It is so easy to love the characters in all her books.
Frostbitten (Women of the Otherworld Series #10)
Such a breath of fresh air after Broken (the last book starring Clay and Elena)
YA
Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2)
I don't think it matters how old you are The Hunger Games trilogy is a must read!
Very interesting love story..I read it in less than a day.
I'm a huge fan of Craig Ferguson -- as an actor, as a talk show host and as an author. "Saving Grace" is a brilliant movie, "The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson" is totally out of control, and thus suits me perfectly. He even has puppets -- what else could you want?
Some may have trouble relating the late night goof with the hot accent with the thoughtful author of BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND THE RIVER. And as much as he can make you laugh, if you want to be moved almost to tears, go to YouTube and search Craig Ferguson's monologues on why he became an American citizen.
When I bought his autobiography, AMERICAN ON PURPOSE, my husband and I were preparing for a trip to Chicago. To help pass the time on the long drive, I read this book out loud. Even though I can't do a Scottish accent to save my life, the book held our interest for hours.
Ferguson's life has been a bungee jump of extreme highs and nearly deadly lows, and it is a little surprising to discover that the raunchy comedian is an eloquent, devastatingly honest author of no small talent. Don't miss this book.
Real life cult experiences during blind love. Buy on discount with Barnes and Noble.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Baphomet/Susan-Lee/e/9781436356831
There are so many books to read this holiday season!
For those of you who loved
The Nanny Diaries , you're also going to heart
Nanny Returns- out on December 15th. Nanny is baaaaack! Mr. X finds the nanny cam tape Nanny left behind and she gets sucked back into the world she vowed she'd forever leave behind. JUICY!
Another book I'd recommend you get your mits on is written by the hilarious and talented, Liza Palmer.
A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents is well written, funny and just as good as her other
Seeing Me Naked and
Conversations with the Fat Girl.
I could go on and on forever.... Another must-read is anything by Kristin Hannah. My favorite is
Firefly Lane because it's. just. that. good. (Think lifelong friendships, emotional journeys and important life lessons learned! Oh and then mix in talented writing and you've got it.) I'm halfway through another of her 18 novels, her latest,
True Colors which is also FAB.U.LOUS.
Hope this gives you a place to start!
Enjoy!
xoxo, Lisa Steinke
Adult Fiction Audio
Adult Non Fiction
Adult Fiction
Young Adult Fiction
Middle Grades Fiction
Young Adult Fiction Audio
YA/MG Non Fiction
I always love to find new authors, and Lisa's voice really resonated with me. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is not her debut -- that was SIMPLE WISHES, which is at the top of my TBR pile. This is a contemporary romance, bordering on women's fiction. Lisa's hero, Eli, is definitely on my Top Heroes of the Year list.
Considering the massive quantities of books I read every year, when one stands out I really pay attention. I would have an extremely hard time putting together any kind of top ten list, but this is an author I'm going to watch for from now on.
I’ve been waiting for another collection of stories from Mary Gaitskill since her powerful volume Because They Wanted To published in 1997. (She published an excellent novel, Veronica, in the mean time, but I’m especially hooked on her short stories.)
Gaitskill’s stories in Don’t Cry are unflinching. They reveal the truth of human nature and the mess we make of relationships, which can make for a startling or unsettling reading experience. This honesty—in all its complexity—is deeply satisfying. It’s difficult to achieve in fiction, and even more so in a short story. Her writing is exquisite.
