April 2006: John Grogan's MARLEY & ME and J. R. Ward DARK LOVER and its sequel, LOVER ETERNAL
As always, I've discovered several wonderful new authors in the past few months and have been meaning to update this section. Now that I finally have the chance, there are two books in particular that I must recommend. First off, MARLEY & ME by newspaper columnist John Grogan. The #1 New York Times bestselling nonfiction book for months, this is a must read for animal lovers everywhere. Marley is a hundred pounds of loyal, unconditional love packaged as yellow Labrador retriever. Unfortunately, he's also a little crazy. Flunks obedience school. Shuts down a beach. Takes over a movie shoot. Jumps out of a moving car. Not exactly your typical "bad dog" behavior. But Marley is loving, passionate and fiercely protective of his family. It is the lesson he teaches them in unconditional love that make this book such a rewarding, uplifting read. And the fact that people like John Grogan and his wife really exist, gives me hope for humanity.
Now if you're looking for a book with more bite. J.R. Ward is my new favorite author. Her Black Dagger Brotherhood series from Signet features some of the darkest, sexiest heroes in town. Naturally, they're vampires. Now, I should confess up front that my favorite TV show remains "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," so obviously I have a thing for sharp pointy teeth. What I like about Ward's new series, however, is that she has revised and expanded the vampire mythology to make it distinctly her own. She also writes blistering hot sex scenes, lightning fast action sequences, and some of the tightest, funniest dialogue in town. She's given the brothers a hip hop edge to go with their traditional gothic garb. And the heroines aren't too shabby either. To get caught up in this decadent little addiction, try out DARK LOVER, the first book in the series, and its sequel, LOVER ETERNAL. I have the ARC for the third one, LOVER AWAKENED on my nightstand right now. I can't wait!
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