I read these out of order because I know I'll like RJ Blain's, so I'm saving it for last. Putting the Chic in Psychic, Diane Pharaoh Francis - interesting! Beck and her friends are worth reading, I think I'll be looking for the previous and next books. The panty-melting bits were rather dull, to me, but there was real character development happening too. Eli and Lily Sitting, Faith Hunter - it's a very weird universe. I like Chewy, hope he survives - and Brute, too. I have no idea where that last werewolf came from - weren't the Dwayyos enough? Not bad, but I'm not hugely inspired to read more (I've only read the first Jane book and a few other short pieces). Magic School for Geezers, Faith Hunter - Cute. I liked the characters better before they all got paired off at the end, and there's a few conflicting details in backstories told by different people. But it's an interesting world and interesting characters; I'd like to read more of them. Hope she writes some more. Oak and Ink, Devon Monk - Oh well. Another Monk series I hadn't known about and now need to read. Not quite as light as Ordinary Magic, not nearly as dark as West Hell Magic (I think that's the one - got halfway through the first book and stalled out). I really like Erica, Card is... Well, annoying, but he's got his reasons. And I want to know more about Val and her other friends. The Crossroads house and magic are fascinating. And while it is a romance (second chances style), they don't interrupt dealing with the crisis to spend time on that question. It melds with what they need to do to survive and succeed. I will be reading this. Heart Stings, Jennifer Estep - Well. I probably shouldn't have enjoyed that as much as I did. It's is very much a romance, and... well, not insta-lust, they did have a sort of relationship first. But plenty of lust, and one rather explicit make-out scene, though the actual sex scene is elided. But these are very rich characters - all of them, even the ones who only show up briefly. And an equally interesting world. Nineteen books in this series? Yeesh. I don't know if I'll like Gin Blanco as much as I do Lorelei, but I'm willing to try. 101 Ways to Die, RJ Blain - Ah, lovely. That's exactly the sort of idiocy I was in the mood for. I like McBain and Alec, it's lovely to see the Quinns again, and there's a gorgeous assortment of puns and burns. And a couple who refuse to give in to lust, and are far more interested in forming a relationship - which makes for a much better story than most modern romances! Overall, an excellent book - the least interesting story was still worth reading. ( )