This week's reading picked up last week's theme with me reading two EC titles. I also read two other books from separate genres to keep my reading pallet in tip top form. Because I'm feeling lazy this morning, I'm using the blurbs from the publishers, with my comments thrown in. ;-)

First on my reading agenda was Future Knight: Blackstar by Cheyenne McCray. Loan agent Kara Marks didn't think her life could get much more boring. When she starts having erotic dreams about a man who comes to her in her sleep, she thinks she's losing her mind. Her mind isn't what's in danger, though. It's her life. Adan Valnez must locate the Blackstar Crystal and bring it to his new home planet before the Ice-Witch finds it. When he meets Kara on Earth of the past, what he locates is trouble. He cannot stop thinking about her, and he cannot stay away. Even though he visits her nightly and passion flares between them, he cannot allow her to remember him... until the Ice-Witch finds the Crystal -- around Kara's neck.

A futuristic romance, this book was a bit different from the two Wonderland books I had read by McCray. Although futuristic romance is not normally my thing, I did enjoy Blackstar. The ending came as a bit of a surprise to me, and there seems to be a possibility for a sequel (but I don't believe there is one).

Next up was Something Wicked by Jacqueline Meadows. Crack shot, black belt, and sharp as a tack -- spunky P.I. Desdemona loves her job and the Michigan home she shares with her quirky aunt. Business is booming, what with getting the goods on cheating husbands, investigating fake accidents, and tracking down a missing teenage witch. And she's dating a terrific guy, so even her love life looks rosy. All is right with her world. Until an incredible stranger arrives and turns her life upside down. Sexy Parisian Armand Bellamy invades her home by day and her dreams by night, pushing Desy to accept two new truths: she's a witch and she belongs to him.

This was another EC book, but it easily could have been a book from one of the larger publishers. It took me awhile to be drawn in by the chatty tone of the narration, but once I was in the story I was in. A contemporary romance with paranormal elements, readers who enjoy a healthy dose of intrigue with their story will like Something Wicked. There is a sequel called Something Wanton that I hope to get my hands on soon.

It felt like forever since I had read a mystery, so I also polished off Dying in Style by Elaine Viets this week. Dying in Style is the first in a brand new mystery series featuring Josie Marcus, mystery shopper. Josie's report about Danessa Celedine's exclusive store is less than stellar, and it may cost the fashion diva fifty million dollars. But Danessa's financial future becomes moot when she's found murdered, strangled with one of her own thousand-dollar snakeskin belts -- and Josie is accused of the crime.

Dying in Style is a fun blend of Chick Lit and mystery. A great cast of supporting characters, unexpected moments of humor, and one heck of a twist near the end will keep readers entertained throughout the story. I really enjoyed this author's work and am looking forward to the sequel. In the meantime I plan on checking out the author's Dead End Job mystery series.

Last but not least, I finally got around to reading Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself. Although she tries to lead a somewhat normal existence, dealing with all sorts of otherworld creatures on a daily basis can be a bit of an obstacle. And right now her ties to that otherworld might just get her killed.

I've been wanting to read this book ever since I saw the Kim Harrison blurb on the back cover, and now that I finally got around to reading it I'm kicking my own ass that I waited so long. Mercy is a unique character that readers can easily identify with, and the world she lives in is one that is sure to fascinate readers. If you enjoyed Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series or Carrie Vaughn's Kitty and the Midnight Hour, then Moon Called is definitely for you. Check out the sample chapter on the author's website. You won't disappointedted.

Now it's your turn. What have you been reading this week?

--------------------------------------------------------------------