A weird phenomenon

34. Running Hot, Jayne Ann Krentz

... well maybe phenomenon isn't the right word, but ... it is weird nevertheless. Some explanation: Jayne Ann Krentz is Amanda Quick's real name. Some writers are peculiar like that. I mean I understand the desire to have a nom de plume, but she only uses it for her historical novels. (Stranger still is Nora who has one yet her covers read NORA ROBERTS as jd robb -- I know, I know it's to sell more books, but then JUST go with nora. Anyway ...)

The actual weird thing is that I absolutely ADORE Amanda Quick's books. Can't get enough, I've read my favorites of her a million times and my less favorite of hers a hundred thousand. But Ms. Krentz, not so much. There's something about her style of writing for her contemporary novels that just ... feels stilted. It doesn't have the flow or charisma of her historical ones. I learned this a long time ago, when I had run out of Quick books to read. Imagine my joy when I stumbled upon this treasure trove of riches. Ten to 20 books I hadn't read. Well. Not so much. The only reason I tried this one was because I am a huge sucker for series. Like huge. I love nothing more than a good series. And this book was an Arcane Society novel. (See: http://365daysofbooks.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html) Not that it involved actual people from her other books, but it references them, which is almost as fun.

Don't ge me wrong. I still enjoyed it. One major promblem I had with it was the characters got together too quickly, there was no build -- you need a good build. Also I was mentally editing the sentences as I read, which I hate doing, and usually only do when there's word repetition, my major pet peeve. Anyway fun, quick read with decent writing. Only sometimes annoying. I'll probably read the other contemporary A.S. novels, but other than that I think I'll stick with Quick :)

Also delightfully funny conversation with mar today. I recently recommended she read Over the Edge (http://365daysofbooks.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html) SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU PLAN ON READING ANY OF THE TROUBLE SHOOTERS SERIES:

Mar: wtf. starett goes and marries that preggo bimbo ... the end?!

Me (paraphrasing several txts): Sam and Alyssa get their own book, their arc is introduced in the first and builds over 6 books.

Mar: Christ. i have to read 6 books for them to be happy?

HAHAHAHHA this just perfectly embodies the would you enter when you start reading suz. She kills you, but the payoff is wonderful. :D

also i think i'm obviously going to read 40 books ... i think i'll up my goal to ... 52? to average out to one a week.