Anticipated books

I can’t sleep (clowns will eat me), so I thought I’d write up a list of anticipated reads. Probably, some or even all of these will fail to make it onto my next commuting CD either because I’ll have changed my mind about what I want to read or I’ll get distracted by something shiny, but here they are anyway.

• Midnight Sun by Rene Lyons - The author apparently compares herself to JR Ward, that diva of delicious romance crack. It always concerns me when people do that, but hey, it was a good marketing ploy because I’m interested in reading about former members of the Knights Templar who are now (get ready for a shock) vampires. Have I mentioned that I am over vampires? I am trying to break up with the genre of vampire romances, because we’re just not all that compatible, but, like Heath Ledger (or was it Jake Gyllenhall) I can’t seem to quit them! Anyway, these books do not feature guys with stupid names, although the heroes do have romance novel names (Sebastian, Constantine, Rafael). And except for the fact that I am so over the name Sebastian in romance novels, that’s definitely a point in the book’s favor. The downside? The heroine was described in a review I read as feisty. Argh!

• Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day - I was in a role playing game with someone who loved these books so much that the game had its own little version of Atlantis. I figured I’d enjoy reading this book to see how much the game owner cribbed. And the idea of the protectors of humanity not being vampires appeals to me. Because vampires? I am so over them!
• Blood Rites by Janrae Frank - I really don’t know if I’ll like this one. But it has received favorable comparisons to my beloved A Song of Ice and Fire. And she said nice things about Mark’s book, so hopefully there’ll be something here. Unfortunately, guess what race of undead critters with fangs and a taste for plasma are prominent here? That… would be the race I am so over. Pathetic? Yes. That’s what I am.
• Alien Taste by Wen Spencer - OK, so the main character was raised by wolves and then adopted by lesbians and now he fights crime? I am so there. Please to be bringing it on! To my knowledge, there are no vampires in this book, a fact for which I am intensely grateful.
• The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - I’ve read some of Lynch’s blog posts when they’ve been pointed out to me, and he seems really cool. Plus, the premise, that of a group of petty thieves called the Gentlemen Bastards, who set out to terrorize the nobility. Sure, I could get behind that. And I’m hoping with a setup like that, the story won’t quite be so dark. And hopefully, Locke doesn’t have a preference for Type O. Because I am, yes, totally over the vampires.
• Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu - My mom told me years ago I should read this book. Of course, my mom also reads and enjoys romance novels even I consider trashy, so we’ll have to take that with a grain of salt. Thankfully, Rosario, my reading twin liked her books, so my mom’s taste might not be that bad. (I should note here that I read and was amused by a Bertrice Small story, and Ms. Small is, like, the grandmother of trashy romance.) I also don’t know if there are vampires in this book, but if there are? I am so over them.
• Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna - A discussion on a book discussion list I’m on got me interested enough to try this book. Again, Rosario liked it, but Sybil doesn’t think I will, and Sybil and I have yet to agree on a book, so I should really read it for myself and find out. Thankfully, this is a contemporary story, so no bloodsucking will occur. I hope.
• The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt - This is the first in a trilogy which got a lot of buzz in the romance blogosphere. I’m hoping that if I read it, my desire to read historicals might return. And yay, the third book in a row where nobody drinks teh blood.
• Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith - Yeah, more vampires, which for those of you not paying attention I am so over… really… but this is a historical paranormal, which just sounds like a neato idea if done well. Plus, they featured her over on Sybil’s blog recently, which got me intrigued.
• I can’t remember the names, but Vickie Taylor has written some paranormal romances about gargoyles. Which strikes me as unusual enough that I am intrigued. Because I don’t think gargoyles suck blood and talk in bad Russian accents. At least, I hope not.
• Also, I’ve been meaning to read Melanie Jackson. Most of the reviews of her books have leaned on the meh side of things, but she seems like an author I could enjoy. I might give myself a break and try to find a book of hers that doesn’t feature Count Dracula wannabes.

And there you have it. My hotly anticipated new reads. Of course, the next time I make a commuting CD, I might also fill it with the last JR Ward, the next In Death, the next Miles Vorkosigan, the Jacqueline Carey I have yet to finish, the next Dresden Files book, and something else not featured here.