Like May, June is going to be an AWESOME release month. I know, because I've been lucky enough to get early reads on a couple of the books. < --blatant neener-neener

On my shopping list this week:

Amie Stuart's Hands On. I've really been looking forward to her first Aphrosisia single-title, so I can't wait to get this! It's received some fantastic reviews, and great news…it releases today!!!!

Eden Bradley's Dark Garden. She's a novella mate in the Bantam anthology that will be coming out next year, along with Stephanie Tyler and our own Sydney Croft. I've read Eden's writing, and it's lush and gorgeous!

Speaking of Stephanie Tyler, Risking It All releases this week! I got to read this a long time ago, and as usual, I fell in love with her hero. Sigh. She does the BEST heroes, and Cash is no exception. (In fact, I'm constantly telling her how jealous I am of her ability to write heroes.)

The thing about this story is that it's "big." It's got a big plot that doesn't lose the romance, which is another thing Stephanie is good at, and I'm not just saying that because she's the other half of Sydney and she's making me. ;-)

Seriously, I've always admired her ability to create emotion and romance that isn't buried beneath the plot. And her humor is exactly what I like–it's present, but it's subtle and sarcastic, which is my favorite kind of humor in romance novels. I love this book!

Lara Adrian's second Midnight Breed novel, Kiss of Crimson, also releases today! I'd been dying to read it, and finally got the chance last week. Two things I loved about this book: The heroine is a veterinarian (and you know how I love animals,) and the hero is, well, yummy! Dante is haunted, dark, and hungry for a life he doesn't think he can have. I really enjoyed reading his story, and even the subplot, which I normally skim over, was intriguing…with an ending I didn't see coming.

Another thing I liked about KOC is that you don't need to read Kiss of Midnight to make sense of what's going on in the sequel. Lara's ability to weave in backstory without making it seem like a history lesson is nothing short of amazing. And so is her worldbuilding, and some of her description actually makes me stop and re-read out of sheer admiration (and a touch of jealousy.)

Like I've said before, I'm super picky about vampire romance. Lara Adrian is one of the few authors, alongside Lynn Viehl, JR Ward, and Angela Knight, who can write a good vamp. Book three can't come soon enough!

Today is the release day of three books that can't be more different, but that I have been SO anticipating. One I've read in ARC form but need to go buy, and the other I've been waiting to buy in person with the author. Those three books?

Wild, Wicked, and Wanton, by Jaci Burton is one. Jaci is always a good read, an author who, no matter how much sex she writes, manages to keep each book fresh. I've already ordered this one, her first Berkley title. And the cover is delicious…always a selling point.

Michelle Willingham's Her Irish Warrior is destined to get me reading Irish historicals again. Michelle lives nearby, so we're going to have dinner one of these nights, and then we'll stalk some book stores for sightings of her book, at which time I will buy one and make her sign it right there in the store. With a loud, embarassing production, of course.

The second is Lara Adrian's Kiss of Midnight, which I have read in ARC form. Let me just say…I'm picky about vampire romances. Really picky. I'm not a big fan of neutered vamps, which so many seem to be. I like them to be predators…I like to be shown their predator side, not just be told about it. I like the world to be dark and bold, and I like an author who isn't afraid to take some risks.

Lara Adrian is exactly that. One thing I love about her writing is that she builds her world so beautifully…her writing is lush and layered, so vivid that you see the setting like a picture in your mind. Her characters are real, strong, and likable–oh, and Lucan is freaking HOT! So are the sex scenes. Like, melt-your-eyes hot. Yum.

People talk constantly about the glut of vampire romances on the market, how they might pass up good books because they are so sick of trying weak crap…but this series is a gem in the rock pile. I have the second book waiting for me to read it, and I'm already drooling.

Now, stop reading blogs and go order these books!

I remember when Kensington's imprint, Brava, first came to my attention. It was years ago, when one of my critique partners, Alison Kent, sold to them with first a Christmas novella and then her SG-5 series. (I LOVE the SG-5 series, btw!)

At the time, the hottest romances I'd read were Blazes, so I really loved Brava's steam and lengthier stories. Authors like Alison Kent, HelenKay Dimon, Sharon Cullars, and Sylvia Day are among those I've read and enjoyed. And sometimes, I'm lucky enough to receive (beg for) an ARC that I can gobble up before it hits the shelves.

A couple of months ago, Sharon Cullars sent me ARCs of The Object of Love and Bad Boys With Red Roses. Having loved her first Brava, Again, I was thrilled.

I've got to hand it to Sharon…she's got guts. She doesn't play it safe with her characters or stories at all. She isn't afraid to pair couples that are not only unlikely, but aren't your standard romance heroes and heroines.

In The Object of Love, she once again features an interracial couple. And the heroine, Lacey, is old enough to be the hero's mother. The hero, Sean, is white–and Lacey's son's former best friend. At the beginning of the story, they are both a bit lost; her son has died, and he's just had a shitty life. There's no sugar-coating anything when it comes to this story, or really, anything of Sharon's that I've read. She lays it all out on the line to create truly angsty and realistic stories despite the paranormal elements.

As usual, her writing is descriptive and gorgeous…and I've told her this personally–I'd LOVE to read what she could do with a historical (and actually, I've had a sneak preview and am dying to read more.) The Object of Love is not a historical, but it is fast-paced, the paranormal element (being the angry ghost of Lacey's son,) adds a creep-factor and darkness to what is already an emotional plot.

I often see people complaining that authors are afraid to take risks in their writing, but Sharon Cullars is not one of them (and while we're talking Brava, neither is Alison Kent.) I admire that, and I'd like to read more authors who aren't afraid to take risks.

Got any suggestions?

My eyes are bigger than the time I have to read. Which means that I have a TBR stack a mile high. All those pretty books…shiny, many written by friends…drool-worthy.

I've also got a bunch of ARCs that I need to read, and with release dates closing in, those have gone to the top of my pile. As I told Meljean, I have actually started to pencil in books-to-be-read on a calendar.
I've just finished Janette Kenny's One Real Cowboy, and I'm absolutely looking forward to her next one. It's funny…I always pass by western romances in the stores, but when I read one, I wonder why in the world I don't read more. I love cowboys! And Jan has written one who is hot and sensitive and utterly irresistible. I'm ready for the sequel, Jan! :)

I'm also nearly finished with Amy Knupp's The Boy Next Door. I LOVED Unexpected Complication, so I knew I'd enjoy TBND, and I was right. Amy writes a very fast-paced story while still being heavy on emotion. It's a talent I envy, as I'm always telling Steph, who has that same talent.

Speaking of Steph, I just got Coming Undone! And yes, Steph, I'm going to read it, even though I already have! :)

Another book I recently finished that I highly recommend for those who enjoy well-written erotica, is House of Dark Delights, by Louisa Burton. It takes you through time with some sexy demons, and wow–I couldn't put it down. The author doesn't use the word, "literary" for her erotica, but it has a literary feel. The description is exquisite, sensual, and I can't wait for the sequel. Definitely a keeper shelf book.

Coming up, I have ARCs from Sharon Cullars, Lara Adrian, and Meljean Brook. I'm drooling already!!!!

And yes, they are scheduled on my handy-dandy little ARC calendar! ;-)

What about you? Are your eyes bigger than the time you have to read? Hey, as far as problems go, it's not a bad one to have! *g*

I often see authors with their Yahoo reader groups, and I wonder how they got up the guts to start one. Because I want one. But I'd be terrified that no one would join. Well, Steph would, because I'd make her, but then I'd have this reader group with two whole people…including me.

But there's a solution! Start a group with other authors…and the Writeminded authors reader group was born. What's cool is that the WM gals all write such different books…different genres, different heat levels…so really, there's something for everyone. If you're a reader, come join! We'll be giving away books and gift certificates, and it should be lots of fun. Head over to Writeminded for more details.

Hope to see you there!