Carnage on the Committee by Ruth Dudley Edwards

When the chairperson of the pretigious Knapper-Warburton Literary Prize dies in suspicious circumstances Robert Amiss wastes no time in summoning Baroness 'Jack' Troutbeck. Speculation that a killer may be targeting the judges worries the baroness not in the slightest - it's the prospect of immersing herself in modern literature that fills her with dread. But noblesse must oblige, even when it means joining the ranks of the superciliati sitting in judgement on the literati. With the baroness at the hem, the judges resume the task of whittling away at the short-list. But the killer, too, has resumed and is whittling away at the judges one by one... 


A light, amusing read full of not very likeable characters. Fortunately those that are likeable make up for the rest. 

One Bite With A Stranger by Christine Warren

For months now, Regina's friends have been indulging in a sexual fantasy game they have dubbed "Fantasy Fix". They all have to put their most secret sexual fantasies in a hat and after a fantasy is picked, the friends must do their best to find a guy who can fulfill it for them. After evading her turn for as long as possible, her friends cheerfully coerce her to join their game. Thinking to make her fantasies as difficult as possible to fulfill, she smugly lists her 5 choices. A date with an alien, Bigfoot, Elvis or a vampire. And for her fifth fantasy? Well, she's honest with herself for once so she writes down, to be bound, spanked, and dominated by a sexy, commanding brute. (That's right, it's always the quiet ones.) Since the penalty for being unable to fulfill her fantasy is a month of celibacy, her friends wrack their brains and remember the Vampire Ball. They cheerfully drag her to it dressed in skintight black leather pants, stiletto boots and a corset. She should fit right in with the other leather clad goths milling around the ball, but to Dmitri Vidame, she definitely stands out from the crowd. Dmitri was on the hunt for a rogue vampire when he caught sight of the beautiful Regina. Reading her thoughts, he was amused by her lively mind and sharp wit and using a little vampire persuasion, quickly led her out of the club and back to her apartment. Regina's friends thoughtfully supplied her with a bag full of "implements" that they thought might come in handy for her wild night on the town and Dmitri makes quick work of it's contents. Before Regina knows what's happening, she's naked and bound to her bed and he's looking at her as if she's a tempting feast. Misha has been alive for over eight hundred years and never has he been so tempted by a woman before. He has finally found that elusive mate and he means to keep her. He tries to slowly introduce her to the fact that he's an eight hundred year old vampire, but when an Other targets her, he's got no choice but to show her what he is and hope that she doesn't freak out too badly because he has no intention of letting her go.

At first, Misha seemed too calmly composed during their first wild romp. He employs a very strict and commanding persona with her for their first time and it was a little off putting, to me at least. He soon warms up though and when he produces some toys, I thought this was going to be a seriously kinky ride. Luckily, or unluckily, those toys were just for show and Misha gives Regina the hottest, steamiest, most orgasm inducing night of her life. What began as a one time fantasy fix for her, became something permanent for both of them. He gives her space during the day, but at night, he comes back for more and more. Misha can read her thoughts and when he's away from her, he enjoys touching her mind. There he learns of her ex fiance and when he finds him attacking her, he's instantly on alert. It seems Regina wasn't as unaware of the Others as she thought but since Misha is the head of the Council of Others, he's more than equipped to see to her safety.

After their first wild sexual encounter, the sex between Misha and Regina tones down a little and becomes much more tender and loving, while still being quite thrilling. There is one hot opera scene that I just moved up to the top of my own fantasy list. Think of the rise of opera tickets! Misha was sexy and commanding, and just a touch intimidating when he wanted to be. He was also surprisingly funny and had a great sense of humor. Regina was shy and quiet but she too had a great sense of humor and a nice solid backbone when the occasion called for it. Regina's friends are concerned about her sudden involvement with the gorgeous Misha and when they find out he's a vampire, they try and stage an intervention.


What's not to like...vampires, shapeshifters and hot steamy sex.


There was talk of D/s, a little bit of bondage, threats of spankings but not much actually happened in that direction.

A New Map Of The Universe by Annabel Smith

 Grace dreams of designing a house for her lover, Michael, a place where they can begin their life together. But before she can step into her future with Michael, Grace must journey into the past to confront its crippling legacy of silence and secrets.
This lyrical, engaging novel spans two generations and both hemispheres as Grace navigates the map of the universe. It is a story of grief and passion, architecture and astronomy, but above all it is a story about finding yourself. 


 3 stories winding in and out of each other, all linked. I preferred Peter and Madelaine's stories to Grace's.

A lot of it was set in Australia. I like coming across the names of places I know (Coolgardie, Perth, Esperance).

It was a very good, enthralling read. 

The Annunciate by Severna Park

In a dark new age, technologically advanced humans have crossed vast stretches of space-yet have remained brutally, imperfectly human.
In the star system ThreeSys, three members of the elite human "Meshed" caste have used their great gifts for evil purposes -- enslaving the lower orders in the addictive dreams of a powerful narcotic. Now hunted by those seeking bloody retribution, Corey, Annmarie, and Eve-along with Eve's lower caste lover, Naverdi -- must flee to Paradise, the first world in ThreeSys to know the curse of human habitation. But something is waiting for them on the now abandoned planet -- a sinister being that can turn their own powers against them, an entity that has broken down all barriers between virtual and real; a creature that has chosen Naverdi to bear its offspring into the world.

Fast paced, thought-provoking and at times dark.

Different....but good, if difficult to describe.

The Hotel by Jeffrey Robinson

The Hotel is a riveting expose of life above and below stairs, an unforgettable adventure into a secret world where the public is not permitted to go. From truffles to tantrums, the narrative of this real hotel has you wishing you had aa ring side seat for the events. 


After reading this I have decided I am definitely not demanding enough when we stay in a Hotel.  Now I know what sort of service is available.


An entertaining read.

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Being a different breed of shapeshifter-a walker-Mercy Thompson can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her. Until now, on her honeymoon with the Alpha werewolf Adam. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-and innocent people are dying. As other walkers make their presence known to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil...


Not my favourite Mercy book. It felt a bit like a short story stretched into a full length story.

Come To Grief by Dick Francis

A sick child fighting a losing battle begs Sid's help to discover who mutilated her pony so viciously it had to be destroyed. Sid's heart goes out to the bewildered little girl as other prime colts are attacked in the night.
Sid risks a life-time of friends and his professional reputation to being a killer to justice. He knows the identity of the attacker, but he lacks the proof necessary for a conviction. 


Lots of action, mostly likeable characters but no real explanation of why the villain chose to cut feet off horses.  Not as good as other Dick Francis books.