September Round-Up

Truth be told, I didn't get a lot of reading done this month. Sorry, guys. There are a number of factors that contributed to my all-time monthly low:

1. I got a job, one that takes up a massive amount of a day. Who knew?
2. I got my driver's license, so while I still read on the bus to work, I took the bus (and, therefore, read on the bus) this month less than I used to.
3. September is TV premiere month!
   
4. I read Robin Hobb's Ship of Destiny which, while an awesome book and totally worth it, took a long-ass time to read, especially considering the previous three factors.

Anyway, for Heroines, we got:

• 1 Spirited Hoyden
• 1 Virgin Widow
  
• 1 Stripper-Nurse ("Helloooooo, Nurse!")
• 1 Heroine ... who really doesn't do anything other than Make Good Coffee and Bread
  
• 1 Regency Miss with Deep Sexual Daddy Issues
• 1 Kidnapped Innocent
• 1 Vampire Juliet

For Heroes, we got:

• 1 Glorified Thundercat
• 1 Undercover Angel
  
• 1 Tortured Spy
• 1 Sexy Pirate with a Dark Past
• 1 Lonely Wolfking
• 1 Virgin Nerd Fireman
• 1 Demon Stripper

For Romantic Obstacles, we got:

• "I can't marry her - she caught me having a Fake Pagan Orgy Cult Party!"
• "I can't love her - I'm already dead!"
• "I can't love her - she's a vampire!"
• "I have to save my ship - but she doesn't need me anymore!"
• "I can't love her - I'm broke and angsty and a virgin!"
• "I can't love him - he's a man who tells me what to do and I am an Strong, Independent Woman (tm)!"
  
• "I can't love her - I'm too deeply in debt!"
  

In the Miscellaneous Department, We Have:

• Several Fake Orgies
• 1 Barbed Penis
• 1 Fender Bender
• 1 Evil Fake Artist
• 1 Angry Dragon
• 1 Misunderstanding About Birth Control
  

*September Pick* Re-Read Review: Ship of Destiny, by Robin Hobb. A+
Pros: Great characterization. Excellent examination of women. Adventure. Dragons. Sweeping romance! Engaging antiheroes! SERIOUSLY IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THESE BOOKS WHY AREN'T YOU DO SO RIGHT NOW?!
Cons: A little bit slow in the middle this time around.

Lord of Fire, by Gaelen Foley. B-
Pros: Yummy dark hero. Surprisingly decent character development. Lovely writing.
Cons: Crazy-stupid story. Fake orgies for Great Justice?

Under Fire, by Jo Davis. C+
Winner of the Too-High Expectations Award
Pros: Hot firemen.
Cons: Shallow characterization. Obvious villain. Sluggish pacing. Heroine who is both nurse and stripper and yet doesn't understand birth control.

*September Dud* Anthology Review: Hot Spell by Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Meljean Brook, Shiloh Walker. C-
Winner of the "What is Read Cannot Be Un-Read" Medal
Pros: Meljean Brook's story. The language and worldbuilding in Emma Holly's.
Cons: The lack of conflict in Emma Holly's. The ridiculous worldbuilding in Lora Leigh's. The lame-ass Romeo and Juliet set-up in Shiloh Walker's. And oh just before I forget - THE BARBED PENIS IN LORA LEIGH'S STORY. Yes, ladies, his penis has a hook on it. Just what every woman wants.