The Inside Reader: Cassandra Gold
Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends - Silas Weir Mitchell
I know Cassandra Gold as author of very nice, and very romantic, short stories and novellas. She has never disappointed me, and indeed I felt she was a similar soul, someone who believes in romance, always and forever. Reading her Inside Reader list, I confirmed that impression, not only, I discovered we have the same "origins", being stucked with M/M romance by a Stephanie Vaughan's novel. Welcome Cassandra Gold and her list!
Cassandra Gold’s Top 10 GLBT Books
When I volunteered to make this list, I somehow completely forgot how very many books I’ve read over the last few years. As a total, unrepentant book whore, I make it my goal to read as many books as possible in any given period of time, which is fun (and expensive!). Unfortunately, it also makes picking my ten favorites next to impossible.
So I’m going to begin with a disclaimer. These are my top 10 gay / m/m books only and are reflective of the mood I was in when I picked them. On another day, I might have picked different books.
On to the books, in no particular order:
1) Jumping the Fence by Stephanie Vaughan-This was my first purely m/m book, read back in 2005. I actually had to work up the courage to buy it, because I was still fairly new to ebooks and I wasn’t sure how much I would like m/m. I loved the blurb and the cover, though, so I went for it. I purchased Emily Veinglory’s Eclipse of the Heart at the same time, and I adored both books. To this day, I blame Stephanie Vaughan for my m/m addiction.
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (June 17, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=67&products_id=1279
ISBN-10: 1603703853
ISBN-13: 978-1603703857
Amazon: Jumping the Fence
Kevin isn’t into guys at all. He's had a string of girlfriends, done all of the usual things a straight man is supposed to do, so why is he dreaming about guys. And why are his dreams better than any reality with his ladies? When Ben, the IT guy, starts flirting with him, Kevin isn't sure what to think. He knows Ben is gay, knows Ben is experienced in the things he only thinks about when no one is watching. When a computer problem turns into a steamy encounter, Kevin tries to go back to being totally straight. Can Ben convince him that dreams can become reality?
2) Bareback by Chris Owen-Bareback was a tough read for me. I liked Jake and Tor. Their relationship and conflicts felt real to me. I’m reading along, everything’s fine, and then BAM! The second half of the book was so wrenching I bawled my eyes out pretty much the whole time. Chris Owen chose to have one of the characters do something that’s usually a deal-breaker for me as a reader, and yet I still sympathized with him. For that reason alone it stands out in my memory, even though I read it years ago.
Paperback: 372 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (June 16, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=14&products_id=194
ISBN-10: 1933389192
ISBN-13: 978-1933389196
Amazon: Bareback
Jake Taggart’s life was almost perfect--he’d worked hard to overcome his past, and he loved his job as foreman on a ranch in Arkansas. The only thorn in his side was a dark eyed cowboy named Tornado whose stubborn attitude brought frustration and confusion to Jake’s mostly happy existence. A late spring rainstorm brings out hidden passions and unleashes a chain of events neither of them expected--and eventually brings about events that threaten to destroy them and what they worked to create. Strong wills and forceful personalities make for intense encounters....but is it enough to keep love alive?
3) Among the Living (and the whole Psycop series) by Jordan Castillo Price-I love, love, love this series. I stumbled on the first book back in 2006 and was instantly hooked. What’s not to like about a gay psychic cop who sees ghosts? There’s just something about Vic that makes me keep rooting for him despite (because of?) his many flaws.
Publisher: JCP Books, LLC; 2 edition (October 18, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://jcpbooks.com/ebook/among.html
ISBN: 978-1-935540-02-1
Amazon: Among the Living
Victor Bayne, the psychic half a PsyCop team, is a gay medium who’s more concerned with flying under the radar than in making waves. He hooks up with handsome Jacob Marks, a non-psychic (or “Stiff”) from an adjacent precinct at his ex-partner’s retirement party and it seems like his dubious luck has taken a turn for the better. But then a serial killer with a gruesome M.O. surfaces--and no one agrees what he looks like. Solving murders is a snap when you can ask the victims whodunit, but this killer’s not leaving any spirits behind.
4) Whistling in the Dark by Tamara Allen-This historical set just before Prohibition features a richly detailed setting, some great characters, and a lot of realistic conflict. I’m a big fan of historicals in general, and consider this one a must-read.
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Lethe Press; New edition (January 3, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://lethepressbooks.com/gay.htm#allen-whistling-in-the-dark
ISBN-10: 1590210492
ISBN-13: 978-1590210499
Amazon: Whistling in the Dark
His career as a concert pianist ended by a war injury, Sutton Albright returns to college, only to be expelled after an affair with a teacher. Unable to face his family, he heads to New York with no plans and little money-only a desire to call his life his own. Jack Bailey lost his parents to influenza and now hopes to save the family novelty shop by advertising on the radio, a medium barely more than a novelty, itself. His nights are spent in a careless and debauched romp through the gayer sections of Manhattan. When these two men cross paths, despite a world of differences separating them, their attraction cannot be denied. Sutton finds himself drawn to the piano, playing for Jack. But can his music heal them both, or will sudden prosperity jeopardize their chance at love?
5) Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale-Wicked Gentlemen is a difficult book to describe. Part mystery, part fantasy, unusually structured and with brilliant world-building, it’s a book I’d recommend for any lover of gay fantasy.
Perfect Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: Blind Eye Books (May 14, 2007)
Publisher Link: http://www.blindeyebooks.com/wicked.html
ISBN-10: 0978986113
ISBN-13: 978-0978986117
Amazon: Wicked Gentlemen
Belimai Sykes is many things: a Prodigal, the descendant of ancient demons, a creature of dark temptations and rare powers. He is also a man with a brutal past and a dangerous addiction. And Belimai Sykes is the only man Captain William Harper can turn to when faced with a series of grisly murders. But Mr. Sykes does not work for free and the price of Belimai’s company will cost Captain Harper far more than his reputation. From the ornate mansions of noblemen, where vivisection and sorcery are hidden beneath a veneer of gold, to the steaming slums of Hells Below, Captain Harper must fight for justice and for his life. His enemies are many and his only ally is a devil he knows too well. Such are the dangers of dealing with the wicked.
6) Hot Ticket by KA Mitchell-This was my first introduction to KA Mitchell, who’s now on my auto-buy list. It’s a deceptively simple little “opposites attract” story that ended up having a lot more depth and emotion than I expected.
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (January 15, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/hot-ticket
ISBN: 1-59998-863-1
Amazon: Hot Ticket
Love’s the last thing you expect to find in the trash. A Serving Love story. Elliot Graham doesn’t make mistakes. So when he ends up serving community service at a recycling plant for inadvertently buying stolen property, he’s certain it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to him. That is, until he finds tickets to a sold-out concert in the trash, tickets that immediately disappear into the pocket of the hottest-and most exasperating-guy he’s ever met. Cade McKuen has never been one to follow society’s expectations. That’s why he’s serving time sorting trash for destroying his cheating ex-lover’s car rather than apologize. Finding those tickets is an unexpected bonus to an otherwise smelly sentence. But when cute, sputtering Elliot claims a share, Cade decides community service might be the best thing that’s happened to him all year. Cade is determined to keep Elliot off balance and tap into the passion he senses is hidden under that buttoned-down exterior. Elliot is fascinated by Cade’s outrageous way of thumbing his nose at the world. Opposites attract, but can passion be the ticket to something lasting?
7) The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks / Out of the Blue by Josh Lanyon-Okay, I’m cheating a little here by picking two Josh Lanyon books. Honestly, I’ve never read anything by Josh Lanyon that I didn’t like, but these two are my favorites. I think they both showcase Lanyon’s knack for characterization, setting, and whatever that special something is that makes me devour his books as if they were made of chocolate.
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: MLR Press (December 19, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=GHOST001
ISBN-10: 1934531146
ISBN-13: 978-1934531143
Amazon: The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks
His romantic weekend in ruins, shy twenty-something artist Perry Foster learns that things can always get worse when he returns home from San Francisco to find a dead body in his bathtub. A dead body in a very ugly sportscoat--and matching socks. The dead man is a stranger to Perry, but that's not much of a comfort; how did a strange dead man get in a locked flat at the isolated Alton Estate in the wilds of the "Northeast Kingdom" of Vermont? Perry turns to help from "tall, dark and hostile" former navy SEAL Nick Reno--but is Reno all that he seems?
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books (August 31, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&cart_id=22986.36906&product_name=Out+Of+The+Blue&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact
ISBN 978-1-59578-578-7
Amazon: Out of the Blue
France, 1916. The Great War. High above the carnage in the trenches, British and German aces joust like knights of old for control of the skies. The strain and tension of living every day on the edge of death leads to dangerous choices and wild risks. When British ace Bat Bryant's past catches up with him, he strikes out in panic and kills the man threatening him with exposure. But there's a witness: the big, handsome American pilot Cowboy Cooper. Cowboy, it seems, has his own ideas of rough justice.
8) Eye Spy by Drew Zachary-I admit that I usually don’t like stories in which one of the heroes is a ghost, but I really enjoy the Eye Spy series. Gruff detective DB and his ghost sidekick Jesse not only solve mysteries together, but also fall in love. It sounds strange, and it is, but somehow it works.
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (March 20, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=28&products_id=1818
ISBN-10: 1603706429
ISBN-13: 978-1603706421
Amazon: Eye Spy
Private eye DB has a pretty unusual partner. Jesse’s been in his office a lot longer than he has, hanging around like ghosts have to. They do pretty well together, playing chess and solving cases, which Jesse figures is better than an eternity popping in and out of walls. Three different cases keep DB and Jesse jumping in this compilation. In Eye Spy, DB and Jesse end up embroiled in a murder investigation, one that might leave an innocent man in jail if they don’t get it solved. They have a lot more to learn about each other, too, but can a man and a ghost find any common ground to touch on? In My Little Eye, Jesse has the ghost of a little girl named Gwen on his mind, DB has a new informant, Yanya, who disapproves of his life with Jesse, and they have to keep a killer from striking again. Things seem to be going well for DB and Jesse for a change and then Detective Joe Donners shows up. Donners starts pressing DB for the truth about how DB always seems to be one step ahead, and Jesse is convinced that Donners wants even more than that. Can DB solve the mystery, fob off the detective, and keep his love life, such as it is, from imploding right before his very eyes?
9) Lover’s Knot by Donald Hardy-This book has it all: mystery, a ghost story, wonderful heroes, a setting I could really envision, great writing…and it’s a historical! If anyone out there hasn’t read this book, read it.
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Running Press (December 22, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/runningpress/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0762436859
ISBN-10: 0762436859
ISBN-13: 978-0762436859
Amazon: Lover’s Knot
Jonathan Williams has inherited Trevaglan Farm from a distant relative. With his best friend, Alayne, in tow, Jonathan returns to the estate to take possession, meet the current staff, and generally learn what it’s like to live as the landed gentry now. He’d only been there once before, fourteen years earlier. But that was a different time, he’s a different person now, determined to put that experience out of his mind and his heart…. The locals agree that Jonathan is indeed different from the lost young man he was that long ago summer, when he arrived at the farm for a stay after his mother died. Back then the hot summer days were filled with sunshine, the nearby ocean, and a new friend, Nat. Jonathan and the farmhand had quickly grown close, Jonathan needing comfort in the wake of his grief, and Nat basking in the peace and love he didn’t have at home. But that was also a summer of rumors and strange happenings in the surrounding countryside, romantic triangles and wronged lovers. Tempers would flare like a summer lightning storm, and ebb just as quickly. By the summer’s end, one young man was dead, and another haunted for life. Now Jonathan is determined to start anew. Until he starts seeing the ghost of his former friend everywhere he looks. Until mementos of that summer idyll reappear. Until Alayne’s life is in danger. Until the town’s resident witch tells Jonathan that ghosts are real. And this one is tied to Jonathan unto death…
10) Maloney’s Law by Anne Brooke-Maloney’s Law is the only non-romance title on my list. The story follows PI Paul Maloney as he struggles through a case given to him by his married ex-lover. It doesn’t take long for him to realize something’s not right. Maloney’s Law works well as a mystery, but the true strength of this book is the characterization of Paul. Throughout all the intrigue and action, there’s just Paul, trying to do the right thing and dealing with the consequences of his decisions, no matter how painful and difficult that may be.
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc. (June 29, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.pdpublishing.com/maloneyendpage.html
ISBN-10: 1933720484
ISBN-13: 978-1933720487
Amazon: Maloney’s Law
Paul Maloney, a small-time private investigator from London, reluctantly accepts a case from his married ex-lover, Dominic Allen. Before he knows it, Paul finds himself embroiled in the dark dealings of big business and the sordid world of international crime. The deeper he pushes, the closer he comes to losing everything he holds dear. Can he solve the mystery and protect those he loves before it’s too late?
Bonus Books: For those of you who enjoy reading YA, I recommend Changing Jamie by Dakota Chase (a really nice high school coming out / coming of age story) and The Next Competitor by KP Kincaid (a great romance set in the world of Olympic figure skating).
About Cassandra Gold: By day, I am a middle school teacher. I spend much of my time grading papers, filling out paperwork, and trying to get 6th- and 7th- graders to read. When I am not at work, I can generally be found at the computer, dreaming up stories about men falling in love. When I have spare time (which is unfortunately not too often anymore!) I read romance of all kinds. Occasionally I pretend to do housework, but my hubby isn't fooled!
Quinn's Hart by Cassandra Gold
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (February 22, 2010)
Publisher Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/QuinnsHart.html
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-636-9
Amazon: Quinn's Hart
Quinn Delaney has never had much luck with men. Shy and uncomfortable with his height, he's always tried to blend in rather than stand out. When his former foster sister and best friend cons him into going on a singles' trip to Walt Disney World, Quinn is certain he will be miserable. Then he meets Josh. Being dumped by his high-maintenance boyfriend a couple of weeks before a trip to Disney World isn't what Josh Hart had planned, but he's determined not to let it get him down. Rebooked on a singles' trip, Josh intends to make the most of his first trip to an amusement park. On the first day, he meets shy, sexy Quinn, but the man is clueless about his own appeal. If Quinn wants to catch the man of his dreams, he'll have to be willing to risk the one thing he's never put on the line before-his heart.
I know Cassandra Gold as author of very nice, and very romantic, short stories and novellas. She has never disappointed me, and indeed I felt she was a similar soul, someone who believes in romance, always and forever. Reading her Inside Reader list, I confirmed that impression, not only, I discovered we have the same "origins", being stucked with M/M romance by a Stephanie Vaughan's novel. Welcome Cassandra Gold and her list!
Cassandra Gold’s Top 10 GLBT Books
When I volunteered to make this list, I somehow completely forgot how very many books I’ve read over the last few years. As a total, unrepentant book whore, I make it my goal to read as many books as possible in any given period of time, which is fun (and expensive!). Unfortunately, it also makes picking my ten favorites next to impossible.
So I’m going to begin with a disclaimer. These are my top 10 gay / m/m books only and are reflective of the mood I was in when I picked them. On another day, I might have picked different books.
On to the books, in no particular order:
1) Jumping the Fence by Stephanie Vaughan-This was my first purely m/m book, read back in 2005. I actually had to work up the courage to buy it, because I was still fairly new to ebooks and I wasn’t sure how much I would like m/m. I loved the blurb and the cover, though, so I went for it. I purchased Emily Veinglory’s Eclipse of the Heart at the same time, and I adored both books. To this day, I blame Stephanie Vaughan for my m/m addiction.
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (June 17, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=67&products_id=1279
ISBN-10: 1603703853
ISBN-13: 978-1603703857
Amazon: Jumping the Fence
Kevin isn’t into guys at all. He's had a string of girlfriends, done all of the usual things a straight man is supposed to do, so why is he dreaming about guys. And why are his dreams better than any reality with his ladies? When Ben, the IT guy, starts flirting with him, Kevin isn't sure what to think. He knows Ben is gay, knows Ben is experienced in the things he only thinks about when no one is watching. When a computer problem turns into a steamy encounter, Kevin tries to go back to being totally straight. Can Ben convince him that dreams can become reality?
2) Bareback by Chris Owen-Bareback was a tough read for me. I liked Jake and Tor. Their relationship and conflicts felt real to me. I’m reading along, everything’s fine, and then BAM! The second half of the book was so wrenching I bawled my eyes out pretty much the whole time. Chris Owen chose to have one of the characters do something that’s usually a deal-breaker for me as a reader, and yet I still sympathized with him. For that reason alone it stands out in my memory, even though I read it years ago.
Paperback: 372 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (June 16, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=14&products_id=194
ISBN-10: 1933389192
ISBN-13: 978-1933389196
Amazon: Bareback
Jake Taggart’s life was almost perfect--he’d worked hard to overcome his past, and he loved his job as foreman on a ranch in Arkansas. The only thorn in his side was a dark eyed cowboy named Tornado whose stubborn attitude brought frustration and confusion to Jake’s mostly happy existence. A late spring rainstorm brings out hidden passions and unleashes a chain of events neither of them expected--and eventually brings about events that threaten to destroy them and what they worked to create. Strong wills and forceful personalities make for intense encounters....but is it enough to keep love alive?
3) Among the Living (and the whole Psycop series) by Jordan Castillo Price-I love, love, love this series. I stumbled on the first book back in 2006 and was instantly hooked. What’s not to like about a gay psychic cop who sees ghosts? There’s just something about Vic that makes me keep rooting for him despite (because of?) his many flaws.
Publisher: JCP Books, LLC; 2 edition (October 18, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://jcpbooks.com/ebook/among.html
ISBN: 978-1-935540-02-1
Amazon: Among the Living
Victor Bayne, the psychic half a PsyCop team, is a gay medium who’s more concerned with flying under the radar than in making waves. He hooks up with handsome Jacob Marks, a non-psychic (or “Stiff”) from an adjacent precinct at his ex-partner’s retirement party and it seems like his dubious luck has taken a turn for the better. But then a serial killer with a gruesome M.O. surfaces--and no one agrees what he looks like. Solving murders is a snap when you can ask the victims whodunit, but this killer’s not leaving any spirits behind.
4) Whistling in the Dark by Tamara Allen-This historical set just before Prohibition features a richly detailed setting, some great characters, and a lot of realistic conflict. I’m a big fan of historicals in general, and consider this one a must-read.
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Lethe Press; New edition (January 3, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://lethepressbooks.com/gay.htm#allen-whistling-in-the-dark
ISBN-10: 1590210492
ISBN-13: 978-1590210499
Amazon: Whistling in the Dark
His career as a concert pianist ended by a war injury, Sutton Albright returns to college, only to be expelled after an affair with a teacher. Unable to face his family, he heads to New York with no plans and little money-only a desire to call his life his own. Jack Bailey lost his parents to influenza and now hopes to save the family novelty shop by advertising on the radio, a medium barely more than a novelty, itself. His nights are spent in a careless and debauched romp through the gayer sections of Manhattan. When these two men cross paths, despite a world of differences separating them, their attraction cannot be denied. Sutton finds himself drawn to the piano, playing for Jack. But can his music heal them both, or will sudden prosperity jeopardize their chance at love?
5) Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale-Wicked Gentlemen is a difficult book to describe. Part mystery, part fantasy, unusually structured and with brilliant world-building, it’s a book I’d recommend for any lover of gay fantasy.
Perfect Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: Blind Eye Books (May 14, 2007)
Publisher Link: http://www.blindeyebooks.com/wicked.html
ISBN-10: 0978986113
ISBN-13: 978-0978986117
Amazon: Wicked Gentlemen
Belimai Sykes is many things: a Prodigal, the descendant of ancient demons, a creature of dark temptations and rare powers. He is also a man with a brutal past and a dangerous addiction. And Belimai Sykes is the only man Captain William Harper can turn to when faced with a series of grisly murders. But Mr. Sykes does not work for free and the price of Belimai’s company will cost Captain Harper far more than his reputation. From the ornate mansions of noblemen, where vivisection and sorcery are hidden beneath a veneer of gold, to the steaming slums of Hells Below, Captain Harper must fight for justice and for his life. His enemies are many and his only ally is a devil he knows too well. Such are the dangers of dealing with the wicked.
6) Hot Ticket by KA Mitchell-This was my first introduction to KA Mitchell, who’s now on my auto-buy list. It’s a deceptively simple little “opposites attract” story that ended up having a lot more depth and emotion than I expected.
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (January 15, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/hot-ticket
ISBN: 1-59998-863-1
Amazon: Hot Ticket
Love’s the last thing you expect to find in the trash. A Serving Love story. Elliot Graham doesn’t make mistakes. So when he ends up serving community service at a recycling plant for inadvertently buying stolen property, he’s certain it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to him. That is, until he finds tickets to a sold-out concert in the trash, tickets that immediately disappear into the pocket of the hottest-and most exasperating-guy he’s ever met. Cade McKuen has never been one to follow society’s expectations. That’s why he’s serving time sorting trash for destroying his cheating ex-lover’s car rather than apologize. Finding those tickets is an unexpected bonus to an otherwise smelly sentence. But when cute, sputtering Elliot claims a share, Cade decides community service might be the best thing that’s happened to him all year. Cade is determined to keep Elliot off balance and tap into the passion he senses is hidden under that buttoned-down exterior. Elliot is fascinated by Cade’s outrageous way of thumbing his nose at the world. Opposites attract, but can passion be the ticket to something lasting?
7) The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks / Out of the Blue by Josh Lanyon-Okay, I’m cheating a little here by picking two Josh Lanyon books. Honestly, I’ve never read anything by Josh Lanyon that I didn’t like, but these two are my favorites. I think they both showcase Lanyon’s knack for characterization, setting, and whatever that special something is that makes me devour his books as if they were made of chocolate.
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: MLR Press (December 19, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=GHOST001
ISBN-10: 1934531146
ISBN-13: 978-1934531143
Amazon: The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks
His romantic weekend in ruins, shy twenty-something artist Perry Foster learns that things can always get worse when he returns home from San Francisco to find a dead body in his bathtub. A dead body in a very ugly sportscoat--and matching socks. The dead man is a stranger to Perry, but that's not much of a comfort; how did a strange dead man get in a locked flat at the isolated Alton Estate in the wilds of the "Northeast Kingdom" of Vermont? Perry turns to help from "tall, dark and hostile" former navy SEAL Nick Reno--but is Reno all that he seems?
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books (August 31, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&cart_id=22986.36906&product_name=Out+Of+The+Blue&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact
ISBN 978-1-59578-578-7
Amazon: Out of the Blue
France, 1916. The Great War. High above the carnage in the trenches, British and German aces joust like knights of old for control of the skies. The strain and tension of living every day on the edge of death leads to dangerous choices and wild risks. When British ace Bat Bryant's past catches up with him, he strikes out in panic and kills the man threatening him with exposure. But there's a witness: the big, handsome American pilot Cowboy Cooper. Cowboy, it seems, has his own ideas of rough justice.
8) Eye Spy by Drew Zachary-I admit that I usually don’t like stories in which one of the heroes is a ghost, but I really enjoy the Eye Spy series. Gruff detective DB and his ghost sidekick Jesse not only solve mysteries together, but also fall in love. It sounds strange, and it is, but somehow it works.
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (March 20, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=28&products_id=1818
ISBN-10: 1603706429
ISBN-13: 978-1603706421
Amazon: Eye Spy
Private eye DB has a pretty unusual partner. Jesse’s been in his office a lot longer than he has, hanging around like ghosts have to. They do pretty well together, playing chess and solving cases, which Jesse figures is better than an eternity popping in and out of walls. Three different cases keep DB and Jesse jumping in this compilation. In Eye Spy, DB and Jesse end up embroiled in a murder investigation, one that might leave an innocent man in jail if they don’t get it solved. They have a lot more to learn about each other, too, but can a man and a ghost find any common ground to touch on? In My Little Eye, Jesse has the ghost of a little girl named Gwen on his mind, DB has a new informant, Yanya, who disapproves of his life with Jesse, and they have to keep a killer from striking again. Things seem to be going well for DB and Jesse for a change and then Detective Joe Donners shows up. Donners starts pressing DB for the truth about how DB always seems to be one step ahead, and Jesse is convinced that Donners wants even more than that. Can DB solve the mystery, fob off the detective, and keep his love life, such as it is, from imploding right before his very eyes?
9) Lover’s Knot by Donald Hardy-This book has it all: mystery, a ghost story, wonderful heroes, a setting I could really envision, great writing…and it’s a historical! If anyone out there hasn’t read this book, read it.
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Running Press (December 22, 2009)
Publisher Link: http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/runningpress/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0762436859
ISBN-10: 0762436859
ISBN-13: 978-0762436859
Amazon: Lover’s Knot
Jonathan Williams has inherited Trevaglan Farm from a distant relative. With his best friend, Alayne, in tow, Jonathan returns to the estate to take possession, meet the current staff, and generally learn what it’s like to live as the landed gentry now. He’d only been there once before, fourteen years earlier. But that was a different time, he’s a different person now, determined to put that experience out of his mind and his heart…. The locals agree that Jonathan is indeed different from the lost young man he was that long ago summer, when he arrived at the farm for a stay after his mother died. Back then the hot summer days were filled with sunshine, the nearby ocean, and a new friend, Nat. Jonathan and the farmhand had quickly grown close, Jonathan needing comfort in the wake of his grief, and Nat basking in the peace and love he didn’t have at home. But that was also a summer of rumors and strange happenings in the surrounding countryside, romantic triangles and wronged lovers. Tempers would flare like a summer lightning storm, and ebb just as quickly. By the summer’s end, one young man was dead, and another haunted for life. Now Jonathan is determined to start anew. Until he starts seeing the ghost of his former friend everywhere he looks. Until mementos of that summer idyll reappear. Until Alayne’s life is in danger. Until the town’s resident witch tells Jonathan that ghosts are real. And this one is tied to Jonathan unto death…
10) Maloney’s Law by Anne Brooke-Maloney’s Law is the only non-romance title on my list. The story follows PI Paul Maloney as he struggles through a case given to him by his married ex-lover. It doesn’t take long for him to realize something’s not right. Maloney’s Law works well as a mystery, but the true strength of this book is the characterization of Paul. Throughout all the intrigue and action, there’s just Paul, trying to do the right thing and dealing with the consequences of his decisions, no matter how painful and difficult that may be.
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc. (June 29, 2008)
Publisher Link: http://www.pdpublishing.com/maloneyendpage.html
ISBN-10: 1933720484
ISBN-13: 978-1933720487
Amazon: Maloney’s Law
Paul Maloney, a small-time private investigator from London, reluctantly accepts a case from his married ex-lover, Dominic Allen. Before he knows it, Paul finds himself embroiled in the dark dealings of big business and the sordid world of international crime. The deeper he pushes, the closer he comes to losing everything he holds dear. Can he solve the mystery and protect those he loves before it’s too late?
Bonus Books: For those of you who enjoy reading YA, I recommend Changing Jamie by Dakota Chase (a really nice high school coming out / coming of age story) and The Next Competitor by KP Kincaid (a great romance set in the world of Olympic figure skating).
About Cassandra Gold: By day, I am a middle school teacher. I spend much of my time grading papers, filling out paperwork, and trying to get 6th- and 7th- graders to read. When I am not at work, I can generally be found at the computer, dreaming up stories about men falling in love. When I have spare time (which is unfortunately not too often anymore!) I read romance of all kinds. Occasionally I pretend to do housework, but my hubby isn't fooled!
Quinn's Hart by Cassandra Gold
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (February 22, 2010)
Publisher Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/QuinnsHart.html
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-636-9
Amazon: Quinn's Hart
Quinn Delaney has never had much luck with men. Shy and uncomfortable with his height, he's always tried to blend in rather than stand out. When his former foster sister and best friend cons him into going on a singles' trip to Walt Disney World, Quinn is certain he will be miserable. Then he meets Josh. Being dumped by his high-maintenance boyfriend a couple of weeks before a trip to Disney World isn't what Josh Hart had planned, but he's determined not to let it get him down. Rebooked on a singles' trip, Josh intends to make the most of his first trip to an amusement park. On the first day, he meets shy, sexy Quinn, but the man is clueless about his own appeal. If Quinn wants to catch the man of his dreams, he'll have to be willing to risk the one thing he's never put on the line before-his heart.