In Death

Another series that I'm hooked on are the "In Death" books. Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, is the author.

First of all, on a side note, is anyone else annoyed when an author chooses to write under an assumed name, but then writes "Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb" on the cover? The point of this is what, exactly??

Rant aside, The “In Death” series follows a complex, character—Eve Dallas and her enigmatic mate, Roarke. Set in the future (which is usually not my thing, but really works here), these books tantalize and leave me waiting for more every time. I just finished “Loyalty In Death.” Here is the list, so far:


Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgment in Death
Betrayal in Death
Seduction in Death
Reunion in Death
Purity in Death
Portrait in Death
Imitation in Death
Divided in Death
Visions in Death
Survivor in Death
Origin in Death
Memory in Death
Born in Death
Innocent in Death
Creation in Death
Strangers in Death
Salvation in Death
Promises in Death
Kindred in Death
Fantasy in Death
Indulgence in Death
Treachery in Death

If you like suspense/crime fiction and strong female characters check out this series!

For Lacy

When Laci Peterson disappeared in 2002, I was on a late night crime show stint. I was pulled in by this case immediately. Something about her drew me and I followed the case closely.

When her body was found and her husband was arrested for murder, I continued to follow the story. When I was pregnant in 2004, coverage was still ongoing. I felt very deeply for this woman, so excited about having her first baby, and the betrayal she surely felt at the time of her death.

I recently read “For Laci” by Sharon Rocha. In this book, Laci’s Mom tells about her life. This book was incredibly moving. As a mother I felt for Sharon Rocha and also for all that Laci missed in life. Rocha’s book was a beautiful tribute to her lost daughter. A mother’s love is never-ending!

Secrets Can Be Murder

If you follow criminal cases, “Secrets Can Be Murder” by Jane Velez-Mitchell offers a glimpse into the criminal mind. She provides details on stories that have been high profile over the past several years, including Scott Peterson, Andrea Yates and more.

This book was worth the read, although the analysis provided was sometimes off-putting.

Alex Cross Series

It’s only in the past several years that I have become interested in series. I used to be too impatient to follow the stories through in the proper order.

One series that I highly recommend is the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. The Alex Cross character is well-developed and each book naturally leads me to reading the next. These books are mystery/crime/thriller…somewhere in those genres. If you enjoy police fiction, this is a series to try. So far, I have not gotten bored with the plots as they are all original and not repeats of previous books.

Several of these titles have been made into movies. As always, the book is better than the movie!

Here is the series, in order:

Along Came a Spider
Kiss the Girls
Jack & Jill
Cat and Mouse
Pop Goes the Weasel
Roses are Red
Violets Are Blue
Four Blind Mice
The Big Bad Wolf
London Bridges
Mary, Mary
Cross
Double Cross
Cross Country
Alex Cross’s Trial
I, Alex Cross
Cross Fire
Kill Alex Cross

I am currently on number six, “Roses are Red.”

The Red Thread

One of the many things that changed when I became a mother was my taste in literature. A book that touched my “Mommy” emotions was “The Red Thread” by Ann Hood.

Hood developed characters that approach motherhood in different ways. The mother who lost a child and is afraid to love again, the woman who wants a child but is crippled by the lack of control over her own body, the woman who desperately wants a baby but has miscarried numerous times, are a few. All of the families choose to adopt baby girls from China. Woven into their quest to become mothers are the stories of the women in China who are giving up their daughters for various reasons. And then the overlaying theme of the book is that there is a red thread connecting every mother to her eventual child, even if that child is to be adopted. No one understands this more than a Mother, the love for a child is indescribable, until it is experienced.

This was the first novel I have read by Ann Hood. She made my list of authors to read further, as her writing was enigmatic and true. So many dynamics, but not overdone.

Raw Emotion-Filled Novels

“Every Last One” by Anna Quindlan was a rollercoaster. I strongly associated with the life of a busy mother, and then sympathized when, "wham!", life changes forever. The absolute shock of what happens in her life was shocking. I went from feeling a kinship with the character to feeling horrified and then grateful and appreciative.

I don’t want to give away the details, so just try it out and let me know what you think!

Also pick up Quindlen’s “One True Thing.” Another complex female character struggling with a complicated relationship. This one between daughter and mother, instead of mother and children.

I loved both of these novels and plan to read more by Anna Quindlan soon.

Stephanie Plum Series

I became hooked on the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich about a year ago. These books are currently in the news due to “One for the Money” being made into a movie.

Honestly, I had a little trouble getting into the first few books. I started to get the audiobooks and I love hearing these read by Loralei King. She does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life.

I love the characters Evanovich has created. I'm drawn into the relationships, especially between Stephanie, Morelli and Ranger. Each character is lovable in their own way.

After the first few books I have mostly lost interest in the “mysteries”. They have all become too similar. Lots of bombs, fires, shootings and break-ins. At some point they all begin to run together.

I like that the main female character is independent and hilarious. It’s good to read a story where the woman has two love interests and that’s ok! However, I’m rooting for Morelli to completely win her over. I keep reading the series to see what happens between the characters, I'm bored by the rest at this point.

I just finished #15! Here are the titles:

One for the Money
Two for the Dough
Three to Get Deadly
Four to Score
High Five
Hot Six
Seven Up
Hard Eight
To the Nines
Then Big ones
Eleven on Top
Twelve Sharp
Lean Mean Thirteen
Fearless Fourteen
Finger Lickin Fifteen
Sizzling Sixteen
Smokin Seventeen
Explosive Eighteen