VBC Beach Reads: Mary picks Karen Marie Moning, Thea Harrison, Cassie Clare and Dakota Cassidy

A Note from Chelsea / VBC: All the suggested poolside reading lists we see online point to cheeky contemporary novels or lighthearted romps. Well, at VBC we know there are plenty of books featuring paranormal elements, badass heroines and sexy heroes that are perfect for reading out under the sun. So, of course, we’ve decided to do our own Beach Reads picks. Each Friday for the next several weeks, we’ll share one VBC reviewers picks for the ultimate beach reads. Today Mary offers up both the sexy and the snarky picks.

MARY’S BEACH

READ PICKS

I can, just barely, remember being in High School and having that list of books to read over the summer.  It seemed like torture to spend the entire summer reading. Now, even though you couldn’t pay me enough money to revisit that time in life, I would love nothing more than to devote hours on the beach and by the pool to working on my reading list. However, the classics may be a little heavy for the beach, so let’s go for some fun, lighthearted tales that are as steamy as the weather! Here are a couple books that Mr. Mulkey never put on his AP list, but really should have!

Kiss of the Highlander (The Highlander Series #4) by Karen Marie Moning
Get the book at: Book Depository or Amazon

If the Fever series is a moody emo kid from the city, Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series is the fun cousin from the country who is always up for excitement and mischief.  Each book in the series is worth a read, but Gwen and Drustan’s book is by far my favorite. The author deviates from her formula just enough in this one to keep you guessing. Time-traveling druids, pesky gypsies, interfering fairies, and the best scene ever written in a garterobe all make this book a must for your beach bag.

Fans of the Fever series will also be interested to know that this book introduces the Keltar clan and Drustan is the first of the five MacKeltars that we meet in those books.

Devil’s Gate (A Novella of the Elder Races #3) by Thea Harrison
Get the book at: Amazon

The Elder Races novellas all stand alone or can be read in order. Each features different characters (some favorites from the full-length novels), but are tied together by a traveling set of Tarot cards playing mystical matchmaker. In good paranormal romance fashion, each book features a set of lonely souls finding their mates.

Devil’s Gate is my favorite of the bunch and involves two characters you already know if you have read the full-length books in the series.  Seremela, the medusa/medical examiner, is leaving in a hurry for a family emergency, but Duncan, Carling’s progeny, won’t let her go alone.  This is a quick read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.  Even if you haven’t read the full-length books, give this one a try.  The author provides enough information that you can figure out what’s going on pretty quickly.

When you read so many books from the same genre, they start to run together after a while.  I felt like I read something new with this book, something that made me go, “wait, what was that?” and then reread it.  Let’s just say that Seremela’s head snakes REALLY like Duncan.  I will leave you to ponder the possibilities in that statement.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
Get the book at: Book Depository or Amazon

I know this post is about summer books, but who doesn’t love a good summer movie? City of Bones is at the very top of my Must-See List, and it’s always fun to read the book before you go see the movie.  If there are any mundanes out there who have not yet discovered Jace’s golden eyes, mysterious runes, and sharp tongue, be sure to pick up the first in this series.

Clary thinks she is just a normal girl with a normal mom living in a normal world, until all hell, quite literally, breaks loose. On the plus side though, she meets Jace. He is the one, not the madman trying to kill everyone or finding out that her life is lie, who turns her world upside down. I think that is part of the ‘Cute Boy’ job description, and Jace believes in job well done.

The Accidental Human (The Accidental Series #3) by Dakota Cassidy
Get the book at: Book Depository or Amazon

I have yet to find another series that takes such a tongue-in-cheek approach to the supernatural.  I consider these books to be literary slapstick.  Wanda, after losing her husband and her job, finds out that she has terminal cancer.  That’s a happy start to a book, if I ever read one.  However, after watching one character sprout fur and tail and another turn into a vampire after a horrible first day of work at a dentist office, you know the author has something good up her sleeve for Wanda. Dakota Cassidy doesn’t fail to bring the goods, or to provide a guy, who also brings the goods, twice, much to Wanda’s surprise.

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So whether you are spending all summer with sand in your toes or are lucky to get five minutes to wipe the spit up off your shoulder, schedule yourself some “me” time enjoy a good book and some quality time with your fictional boyfriend.