The Printed Page

** Non-series books only. Anything series related and that was the majority of my reading in February can be found at A Serial Reader.

Two months of 2011 have come and gone. It’s amazing to me how time seems to fly the older one gets yet it moves no differently than it ever has. I know as an adult I measure the passing of time differently than I did as a child. As a child I measured time passing by birthdays, school holidays and summer break. Now I view time passing by the ages of my nephews and coworkers children, daily as I rip another page off the cat naps calendar, our annual winter vacation and each monthly wrap up post I write here and at A Serial Reader. It seems like yesterday that I was writing the January posts and creating a companion blog. Now the end of February finds me pressing play and repeat again.

I read 14 books this month and DNF’d three. I think the monster cold I caught at the beginning of month has something to do with at least one of those DNFs. Of those 14 only 2 weren’t series books. A Serial Reader’s February books and write up posts.

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1. To Serve A King by Donna Russo Morin. DNF’d @ pg 60.
2. The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton. By far the most interesting book I’ve read this year. I had no idea that it would be a love story, of sorts. Traumatized, mute boy becomes a safe cracking (box man, lock artist) teenager leading a life of crime to save the girl he’s in love with. And his life of crime is facilitated by his girlfriend’s father when the young man is fulfilling his community service sentence for breaking into future girlfriend’s father’s house as part of a prank. Michael’s is a crazy world tilted sideways on its axis. Though the ending wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped for I enjoyed this first foray into Mr. Hamilton’s writing. I’m looking forward to reading his back list which you’ll find me writing about over at A Serial Reader because it is a series starring lead character former Detroit police officer Alex McKnight.

** Non-series books only. Anything series related and that was the majority of my reading in February can be found at A Serial Reader.

• Total books read: 13 (1 non-series / 12 series)
• Total pages read: 4,308
• Number of non-series books: 2 (1 eBook / 1 print edition)
• Number of non-series pages read: 575
• DNFs: 1

1. The Lock Artist

DNF – To Serve a King by Donna Russo Morin

Back in December I announced I was taking a break from blogging (the writing part) which for most part I’ve done. Come a new year I’ve mixed things up a bit. I’m no longer accepting review books except from one publisher whose title list perfectly matches my reading tastes. Another change is a new blog. Yes I can hear those of who read my December announcement asking why? Best answer – I don’t really know why but obviously that didn’t stop me. The new blog – A Serial Reader (Reading by the numbers) – is a sub genre blog of The Printed Page. A Serial Reader is home to my series books. I post at A Serial Reader like I post here – yearly reading lists, a complete series reading list, monthly wish list titles, monthly book and write up posts, along with the very occasional series book review.

I read 14 books this month and DNF’d one. Of those only 4 weren’t series books. A Serial Reader’s January books and write up posts.

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1. What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz. One of my favorite author’s is back on track – Yay! Over past several years his books have been hit and miss for me. I truly love his classic (earlier) works. What the Night Knows harks back to classic Koontz.
2. At the King’s Command by Susan Wiggs. I wasn’t overwhelmed but found it enjoyable.
3. The Maiden’s Hand by Susan Wiggs. Once again I wasn’t overwhelmed but found it enjoyable.
4. At the Queen’s Summons by Susan Wiggs. DNF’d at page 51.
5. Prequal to the Daughtry Family series) How to Woo a Spinster by Kasey Michaels

• Number of books read: 14 (12 eBooks / 2 print editions)
• Number of pages read: 4,690
• DNFs: 1

1. What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz
2. At the King’s Command by Susan Wiggs
3. Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag
4. The Maiden’s Hand by Susan Wiggs
5. Perfect Alibi by Sheldon Siegle
6. How to Woo a Spinster by Kasey Michaels
7. How to Tempt a Duke by Kasey Michaels
8. If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle
9. The Crack in the Lens by Steve Hockensmith
10. Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett
11. The Face of Death by Cody McFayden
12. The Night Season by Chelsea Cain
13. Murder on Waverly Place by Victoria Thompson
14. Hex Marks the Spot by Madelyn Alt

DNF – At the Queen’s Summons by Susan Wiggs

• Total pages: 64,641
• Print books: 64
• eBooks: 107
• Total books: 171
• DNFs: 34
• New to me authors: 82
• ’10 pub date: 100

New favorite authors discovered this year: J.T. Ellison, Kate Emerson, John Hart, S.J. Bolton, Jilliane Hoffman, Carol K. Carr, Richard Castle, Daniel Judson, Cody McFadyen, Mitchell James Kaplan, Julia Quinn

Returning favorites: Ted Dekker, David Baldacci, Linda Castillo, Susan Holloway Scott, Lisa Kleypas, J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts, Tami Hoag, Jeffery Deaver, Dean Koontz, Erica Spindler, Alex Kava, C.S. Harris, Tess, Gerrtisen, Victoria Thompson, Karen Harper, Michael Connelly, Vince Flynn, John Grisham, Deanna Raybourn ____

1. Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory
2. Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory
3. Compulsion by Jennifer Chase
4. Dead Game by Jennifer Chase
5. Voodoo Season by Jewell Parker Rhodes
6. Easy Innocence by Libby Fischer Hellmann
7. Doubleback by Libby Fischer Hellmann
8. The Timer Game by Susan Arnout Smith
9. The Apple by Penelope Holt
10. The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley
11. Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy
12. It’s In His Kiss & Epilogue II by Julia Quinn
13. The Sheen on the Silk: A Novel by Anne Perry
14. Roses by Leila Meacham
15. The Sonnet Lover by Carol Goodman
16. 14 by J.T. Ellison
17. Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson
18. Judas Kiss by J.T. Ellison
19. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
20. The Cold Room by J.T. Ellison
21. Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
22. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
23. Am I Not A Man? – The Dred Scott Story by Mark L. Shurtliff
24. The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt
25. The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello
26. The Empty Mirror by J. Sydney Jones
27. The Last Child by John Hart
28. Bellfield Hall: Or, The Observations of Miss Dido Kent by Anna Dean
29. Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci
30. Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo
31. Hush by Kate White
32. The Botticelli Secret by Marina Fiorato
33. Drink the Tea by Thomas Kaufman
34. Juliet by Anne Fortier
35. The Tulip Virus by Danielle Hermans
36. The Calligrapher’s Daughter: A Novel by Eugenia Kim
37. The Breath of Allah by Tempest O’Rouke
38. The French Mistress: A Novel of the Duchess of Portsmouth and King Charles II by Susan Holloway Scott
39. The Skull Ring by Scott Nicholson
40. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
41. The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello
42. Rumors by Anna Godbersen
43. The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello
44. The Queen’s Soprano by Carol Dines
45. Envy by Anna Godbersen
46. Inside Out by Barry Eisler
47. Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas
48. The Butcher of Beverly Hills by Jennifer Colt
49. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
50. The Heretic’s Wife by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
51. The Mangler of Malibu Canyon by Jennifer Colt
52. Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages by Vanitha Sankaran
53. The Con Arist of Catalina Island by Jennifer Colt
54. Secrets of the Tudor Court by D.L. Bogdan
55. The Lost by J.D. Robb
56. The Hellraiser of the Hollywood Hills by Jennifer Colt
57. Snowbound by Blake Crouch
58. Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir
59. Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag
60. The Hypnotist by MJ Rose
61. The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir
62. Drummer Boy by Scott Nicholson
63. The Secret of the Glass by Donna Russo Morin
64. The Book of Spies by Gayle Landis
65. Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas
66. Damaged by Pam Callow
67. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
68. The Hollow by Nora Roberts
69. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts
70. Awakening by S.J. Bolton
71. Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
72. Judgement Day by Sheldon Siegel
73. Triumph: Life After the Cult – A Survivor’s Lessons by Carolyn Jessop
74. Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten
75. The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion
76. The Ninth Step by Gabriel Cohen
77. Through the Cracks by Barbara Fister
78. Poison: A Novel of the Renaissance by Sara Poole
79. Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton
80. Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain
81. The Burning Wire by Jeffery Deaver
82. Nonna’s Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne
83. Breathless by Dean Koontz
84. Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
85. Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler
86. Legacy: The Acclaimed Novel of Elizabeth, England’s Most Passionate Queen — and the Three Men Who Loved Her by Susan Kay
87. Exposed by Alex Kava
88. Why Mermaids Sing by C.S. Harris
89. Executive Privilege by Philip Margolin
90. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerrtisen
91. Breakneck by Erica Spindler
92. Black Friday by Alex Kava
93. Fugitive by Phillip Margolin
94. Murder at St. Mark’s Place by Victoria Thompson
95. Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen
96. The Thorne Maze by Karen Harper
97. Blood Vines by Erica Spindler
98. Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris
99. The Search by Nora Roberts
100. Murder on Gramercy Park by Victoria Thompson
101. Damaged by Alex Kava
102. The Queene’s Christmas by Karen Harper
103. Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen
104. What Remains of Heaven by C.S. Harris
105. In Harm’s Way by Ridley Pearson
106. Murder on Washington Square by Victoria Thompson
107. The Reversal by Michael Connelly
108. His Last Letter: Elizabeth I & the Earl of Leicester by Jeane Westin
109. Broken by Karin Slaughter
110. The Fyre Mirror by Karen Harper
111. The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
112. Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens by Kate Emerson
113. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson
114. Murder on Mulberry Bend by Victoria Thompson
115. Dead Head by Rosemary Harris
116. Murder on Marble Row by Victoria Thompson
117. The Fatal Fashione by Karen Harper
118. Pretty Little Things by Jilliane Hoffman
119. The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson
120. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson
121. India Black by Carol K, Carr
122. City of Veils by Zoe Ferraris
123. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
124. The Hooded Hawke by Karen Harper
125. The Countess and the King: A Novel of The Countess of Dorchester and King James II by Susan Holloway Scott
126. Don’t Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson
127. Murder on Lenox Hill by Victoria Thompson
128. Plea of Insanity by Jilliane Hoffman
129. Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle
130. Murder in Little Italy by Victoria Thompson
131. The Immortals by J.T. Ellison
132. Ruthless by Anne Stuart
133. Reckless by Anne Stuart
134. Breathless by Anne Stuart
135. The Bookseller’s Sonnets by Andi Rosenthal
136. The Violet Hour by Daniel Judson
137. Murder in Chinatown by Victoria Thompson
138. The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
139. Sacrifice by S.J. Bolton
140. The Tapestry Shop by Joyce Elson Moore
141. Mania by Craig Larsen
142. The Lady’s Slipper by Deborah Swift
143. Shadow Man by Cody McFadyen
144. The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans
145. The Price of Life by Greg McCarthy
146. When the Devil Whistles by Rick Acker
147. Murder on Bank Street by Victoria Thompson
148. Final Target by Steven Gore
149. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan
150. Indefensible by Pamela Callow
151. The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent
152. Absolute Risk by Steven Gore
153. The Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien
154. The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer
155. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
156. American Assassin by Vince Flynn
157. The Golden Tulip by Rosalind Laker
158. Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
159. The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin
160. Naked Heat by Richard Castle
161. Figures in Silk by Vanora Barrett
162. Blood of My Brother by James LePore
163. A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent
164. The Confession by John Grisham
165. Gideon’s Sword by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
166. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
167. Gone ‘Til November by Wallace Stroby
168. Rizzo’s War: A Novel by Lou Manfredo
169. Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn
170. Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci
171. Secrets of the Tudor Court: By Royal Decree by Kate Emerson

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DNFs

• Yellow Moon by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• Out At Night by Susan Arnout Smith
• The Day The Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan
• The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer
• Requiem in Vienna by J. Sydney Jones
• City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley
• The Executor by Jesse Kellerman
• The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
• The Red Church by Scott Nicholson
• Daughters of Witching Hill by Mary Sharratt
• The Exile of Sara Stevenson by Darci Hannah
• Becoming Queen Victoria: The Tragic Death of Princess Charlotte and the Unexpected Rise of Britain’s Greatest Monarch by Kate Williams
• Neverland by Douglas Clegg
• Haunt Me Still by Jennifer Lee Carrell
• The End Game by Gerri Ferris Finger
• Song of Seduction by Carrie Lofty
• Think of a Number by John Verdon?
• Splendor: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen
• Shadow of the Swords by Kamran Pasha
• The Dog Park Club by Cynthia Robinson
• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
• The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
• My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse
• The Shape of Mercy by Susan Messiner
• Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox
• The Pindar Diamond by Katie Hickman
• Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup
• Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen by Anna Whitelock
• A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
• The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton
• A Flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron
• Devoured (Hatton and Roumonde Mystery) by D.E. Meredith
• The Cypress House by Michael Koryta
• The Traitor’s Wife by Susan Higginbotham

• Number of books read: 12 (11 eBooks)
• Number of pages read: 4,661
• DNFs: 2

1. Naked Heat (Nikki Heat, #2) by Richard Castle | Fun series
2. Figures in Silk by Vanora Bennett | new-to-me author | OK
3. Blood of My Brother by James LePore | Good
4. A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent | Good
5. The Confession by John Grisham | Favorite author
6. The Cypress House by Michael Koryta | new-to-me author | DNF @ pg. 67
7. Gideon’s Sword by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (Gideon Crew, #1) | new-to-me author | Good
8. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons, #2) by Julia Quinn | Favorite series
9. Gone ‘Til November by Wallace Stroby | new-to-me author | Very good
10. Rizzo’s War: A Novel (Joe Rizzo, #1) by Lou Manfredo | new-to-me author | Excellent
11. Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia Grey, #4) by Deanna Raybourn | Favorite series
12. The Traitor’s Wife by Susan Higginbotham | new-to-me author | DNF @ pg. 111
13. Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci | Favorite author
14. Secrets of the Tudor Court: By Royal Decree by Kate Emerson | Favorite series

• Number of books read: 12 (9 eBooks)
• Number of pages read: 4,917
• DNFs: None

1. Final Target (Graham Gage, #1) by Steven Gore | Excellent
2. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan | Excellent
3. Indefensible (Kate Lange, #2) by Pamela Callow | OK
4. The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent | OK
5. Absolute Risk (Graham Gage, #2) by Steven Gore | OK
6. The Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien | Very good
7. The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer | Favorite author
8. The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn | Deliciously wicked fun
9. American Assassin (Mitch Rapp, #11) by Vince Flynn | Favorite author
10. The Golden Tulip by Rosalind Laker | Very good
11. Indulgence in Death (In Death, #38) by J.D. Robb | Favorite author
12. The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin | Good

• Number of books read: 16 (9 eBooks)
• Number of pages read: 6,112
• DNFs: 1

1. Ruthless (House of Rohan, #1) by Anne Stuart | Entertaining
2. Reckless (House of Rohan, #2) by Anne Stuart | Entertaining
3. Breathless (House of Rohan, #3) by Anne Stuart | Entertaining
4. The Bookseller’s Sonnets by Andi Rosenthal | Excellent
5. The Violet Hour by Daniel Judson | Excellent
6. Murder in Chinatown (Gaslight mystery, #9) by Victoria Thompson | Favorite series
7. The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina | Excellent
8. Sacrifice by S.J. Bolton | Excellent
9. The Tapestry Shop by Joyce Elson Moore | Excellent
10. Mania by Craig Larsen | Excellent
11. The Lady’s Slipper by Deborah Swift | Excellent
12. Shadow Man by Cody McFadyen | Excellent
13. The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans | Good
14. The Price of Life by Greg McCarthy | Good
15. Devoured (Hatton and Roumonde Mystery) by D.E. Meredith | DNF
16. When the Devil Whistles by Rick Acker | Good
17. Murder on Bank Street (Gaslight mystery, #10) by Victoria Thompson | Favorite series

And because sometimes my blog doesn’t like to play nice here are my ratings for the books in The State of the Bookcase, part 1 | September ’10 reading wrap-up

1. The Pindar Diamond by Katie Hickman | DNF’d @ pg. 69
2. Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup | DNF’d @ pg. 34
3. The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson | Very good
4. Pretty Little Things by Jillian Hoffman | Excellent
5. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson | Favorite series, Katie Chandler book #3
6. India Black (A Madam of Espionage Mystery) by Carol K. Carr | New series, India Black book #1
7. City of Veils by Zoe Ferraris | Very good
8. Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen by Anna Whitelock | DNF’d @ pg. 105
9. Heat Wave by Richard Castle | Entertaining fun; Nikki Heat book #1
10. The Hooded Hawke by Karen Harper | Favorites series, Elizabeth I mysteries book #9 (finished series)
11. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming | DNF @ pg. 230, Reverend Clare Fergusson book #2
12. The Countess and the King: A Novel of The Countess of Dorchester and King James II by Susan Holloway Scott | Very good
13. Don’t Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson | Favorite series, Katie Chandler book #4 (finished series)
14. The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton | DNF’d @ pg. 29
15. Murder on Lenox Hill | Favorite series, Gaslight mysteries book #7
16. Plea of Insanity by Jilliane Hoffman | Very good
17. A Flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron | DNF’d @ pg. 32
18. Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle | New-to-me series, Brooklyn Wainwright book #1
19. Murder in Little Italy by Victoria Thompson | Favorite series, Gaslight mysteries book #8
20. The Immortals by J.T. Ellison | Favorite series, Taylor Jackson book #5

• Number of books read: 14 (13 eBooks)
• Number of pages read: 5,040
• DNFs: 6
• My ratings can be found here because my blog wasn’t in a mood to play nice