2-3-4 Challenge discussion

Got a question about a series, an author or a specific book? Ask it here...I'm sure someone will be able answer.

I have been wanting to get to I have heard a lot of great things about this book but I'm sure when I should start it. Is it that good of a book?

I think so. Here's my review.

Thanks, Jonetta! Great review by the way ;) I may have to pick it up soon.

You're welcome and thanks!

Sorry, I haven't. I think Robin may have.

Debbie, I'm curious about her other series, too. I saw on her Facebook page that she's releasing a book (or series, I can't remember) that ties Brown and De Luca with The Gingerbread Man. So I plan to check that one out soon.

I read The Gingerbread Man last year. It was a decent romantic suspense book. I gave it 4 stars.

If I remember correctly, this book takes place in or around Binghamton, NY which is where her Brown & de Luca series takes place. The author could easily tie the books together with a new book.

The only books I've read by Maggie Shayne are 2 of her Witch ones which I did enjoy but I read them over 15 years ago (I think) and I have a sneaky suspicion they wouldn't stand up to my standards today. I'm thinking of re-reading them (in order to finish the series) though. I did read The Gingerbread Man and enjoyed it quite a bit.

Maggie Shayne was just saying that one of her witch books is one of two of her favorite books she's ever written, and she's written 60 plus books. I'll have to give them a try. I think the witch book is Eternity and it's currently free for a limited time. I'm going to go snag it up.

That was one that I read Monica. I read the second in the series too. I snagged it for free awhile back figuring I could let my paperback copy go then. I kept the paperback because back then I kept all my books that I read. I know better now...not every book is a keeper (ain't that the truth?!)

Trinity wrote: "I have been wanting to get to I have heard a lot of great things about this book but I'm sure when I should start it. Is it that good of a book?"

I've been thinking about trying this one on audio because I love the narrator and my library has it.

I say go for it! I think you'll enjoy it.

Monica wrote: "Maggie Shayne was just saying that one of her witch books is one of two of her favorite books she's ever written, and she's written 60 plus books. I'll have to give them a try. I think the witch bo..."

I just grabbed this one! Thanks for the tip :).

Jennifer (a.k.a The Book Nympho) wrote: "I've been thinking about trying this one on audio because I love the narrator and my library has it. "

That audio is simply awesome. Definitely recommended.

Hallelujah!
According to a reply to a comment on Maya Bank's FB page from January 2016, has a new publisher and the book will be out in February 2017. There will also be a 4th book in 2018 *crossing fingers that this actually happens!*

Here's the post. Scroll down to the comments to see the reply with the info.

Lauren wrote: "Hallelujah!
According to a reply to a comment on Maya Bank's FB page from January 2016, has a new publisher and the book will be out in February 2017. There..."

Hallelujah is right! Looks like her old publisher dumped the series. Hopefully Avon will be a better partnership.

Jonetta wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Hallelujah!
According to a reply to a comment on Maya Bank's FB page from January 2016, has a new publisher and the book will be out in Febru..."

GEEZE... this took long enough. I LOVE her Highlander romances... I'm not a fan of her contemporary works, but this series is smoking hot and I can't wait for this one to come out. I may have to read the first 2 again to refresh my memory and enjoy again.

Update from Larissa Ione on the newest additions to the Demonica series:

Ignore the Mess

Lauren wrote: "Update from Larissa Ione on the newest additions to the Demonica series:

Ignore the Mess"

Reminder for me to catch up on this series!

Jonetta wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Update from Larissa Ione on the newest additions to the Demonica series:

Ignore the Mess"

Reminder for me to catch up on this series!"

You've got time. The books are planned for 2017.

Book #13 in the Chicagoland Vampires is called Blade Bound and will be published in April 2017.

I just finished my first Brenda Novak historical and my third Brenda Novak book. Does the heat level in her books rise above a 6 on a 10 point scale? They feel a little tame to me.

Sunny wrote: "I just finished my first Brenda Novak historical and my third Brenda Novak book. Does the heat level in her books rise above a 6 on a 10 point scale? They feel a little tame to me."

Her historicals are always tame. Her Whiskey Creek series is uneven in that respect. Some of the earlier stories have a high heat level but one in particular was behind closed doors (which was crazy as the whole relationship was built on sex). The last couple were about a 7.

Sunny wrote: "I just finished my first Brenda Novak historical and my third Brenda Novak book. Does the heat level in her books rise above a 6 on a 10 point scale? They feel a little tame to me."

I think she struggles with her conservative religion and wanting to write steamy. Her stories are inconsistent in their heat factor, and I think it's evidence of her multiple identities, a romance writer and a Mormon. She's judged if she has too much steam by one group and then disappoints another by not having enough. That has to be one annoying balancing act to attempt. As a former Mormon, I say screw the judgy judgersons and write that hot sex! But that's just me ;)

Monica wrote: "Sunny wrote: "I just finished my first Brenda Novak historical and my third Brenda Novak book. Does the heat level in her books rise above a 6 on a 10 point scale? They feel a little tame to me."

..."

I'm with you, Monica. Given this info, it all makes sense. I really enjoyed her Hanover House prequel and thought Inside was also good, but I really, really want more heat.

That is interesting, Monica. I had no idea Novak was a Mormon.
I really know so little about authors' personal lives and how it affects their writing. Gena Showalter is one of the only authors that I am aware of whose writing style changed as a result of their personal experiences.

Lauren wrote: "That is interesting, Monica. I had no idea Novak was a Mormon.
I really know so little about authors' personal lives and how it affects their writing. Gena Showalter is one of the only authors tha..."

What's her story, Lauren?

Sunny wrote: "What's her story, Lauren?."

As I understand it, she became quite ill a few years ago and turned to religion as a source of comfort. Since then her writing, which was steamy to say the least, has become a lot more tame.

Many of her readers were extremely disappointed in the change and not shy about being vocal about it.

Here's a post from her blog if you are interested: http://members.genashowalter.com/page...

I just read but I don't know in wich challenge to place it up-to-date or finished. Does anybody know if there are more books coming?

Ira wrote: "I just read but I don't know in wich challenge to place it up-to-date or finished. Does anybody know if there are more books coming?"

I looked at fictfact.com. It's showing book #4 coming out in 2019 and book #4 in 2020. So, it looks like you can use it for the up-to-date challenge.

Looking for new new suspense authors ; like Karen Rose, Sandra Brown, Laura griffin, no instalust ....help going through dry spell

Tbabe001 wrote: "Looking for new new suspense authors ; like Karen Rose, Sandra Brown, Laura griffin, no instalust ....help going through dry spell"

Two of my favorites are Suzanne Brockmann and Toni Anderson.

Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series is just outstanding. You need to give it a couple of books before it hits it’s stride though. The payoff is huge. Here’s the link to the series:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4236...

Anderson’s Cold Justice series is riveting. She’s an indie author and has a devoted fan following in one of my other groups. Here’s the link to the series:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1237...

I'll add Rachel Grant, Pamela Clare, Loreth Anne White Cindy Gerard Kat Martinto Jonetta's list. All are fantastic Romantic-Suspense authors and must reads for me.

I'd also include Christy Reece.

I second the Pamela Clare rec'd. Check out her I-Team series, really good. Also try the Fatal series by Marie Force.

Thank you 💕📚

I read the first three books in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, but now I'm unsure how to continue. There are few options I found online:
1. Read The Mortal Instruments books and then read The Infernal Devices
2. Publication order:
City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass
Clockwork Angel
City of Fallen Angels
Clockwork Prince
City of Lost Souls
Clockwork Princess
City of Heavenly Fire
3. The Mortal Instruments 1 - 3, The Infernal Devices and then The Mortal Instruments 4 - 6

Has anyone read all the books and what do you think is the best order?

Here’s the link to the series list which seems to provide some guidance.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4445...