What Series Do You Re-Read?

[Cf]

I adore Nalini Singh. I continue to re-read the Psy/Changeling series.

[JC]

I love psy/changeling too. I have always planned to read the Huntress series. I have read or listened to Jane Yellowrock and was a little frustrated with the character and path of the series.

[TinaNoir]

Have to agree on the Psy/Changeling series. I have re-read it a couple times. But even so, after reading the last one, Heart of Obsidian, I had to go back and re-read again from the start. I just loved the continuity. Throughout the series she had peppered in so many things about Kaleb that get explained in the last book. Also love the blend of Sci-Fi elements and Paranormal.

[Sheera]

I LOVE the Vampire Huntress series. I've re-read it innumerable times ... literally innumerable!
I've re-read some of the books in the Psy/Changling series several times but not the entire series ... I want to read the Jane Yellowrock series - it's on my TBR list
With how obsessed with series (especially paranormal ones) that I am, I need more!

[M.J.]

I re-read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and The Vampire Huntress series, I am so addicted to these, I am going to have to try these Jane Yellowrock books, I am hearing really good things about this series!

[M.J.]

Deva wrote: "Black Dagger? Man ... I couldn't put up with it's foolishness, especially after that last book. I loved it at first but as the series went on, I started really disliking it and then the last book c..."

I know what you mean about the black Dagger books, I only re-read the 1st 5 they where the best! after that they really fell off for me too.

[Cf]

Totally agree with Deva and M.J. about the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Payne's book was the last for me, which was horrible. The direction she is going, I can't follow. I have a problem with authors who have a long standing series and refuse to bring diversity into the mix (shellans). Seriously, all the rap music they listen to and not one dark skinned shellan for the brothers? Give me a break.

[JC]

I am glad I am not the only one. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series got interesting,then it seemed so convoluted and in some areas of the story forced. I wondered if authors are adding situations into their books b/c publishers are staying this is what is popular.

[M.J.]

It's really very sad b/c those 1st 5 and ever Rehvenge & Ehlena story were really good books and this series had so much potential but just fell off . unlike the Vampire Huntress series which for me was awesome all the way through!

[JC]

I agree, I hate when that happens. That is one the major reasons I write my own stories. I have to find my Vampire Huntress paperbacks, I give almost every series a re-read they are due. Has anyone read the other series by L.A. Banks, I read that it is about werewolves?

[M.J.]

I tried to read the Crimson Moon series by L.A. Banks b/c I loved the Vampire Huntress series so much but I just couldn't get into them.The Dark books where really good but there are only 2.Sadly she is no longer with us.

[Cf]

I read the Crimson Moon series and found it beyond boring. The books were difficult to finish. I haven't read the Vampire Huntress series. It seems for alot of people they either love it of hate it.

[M.J.]

I must say, I love the Vampire Huntress series, it is really very good,with the exception of the Alfonzo series by S.W. Frank (My all time favorite series) the Vanpire Huntress series is the only series I will read again and again!

[Fashionista]

The Dmitry Medlov Series by Latrivia Nelson! YEZZZZZ LAWD!!!! ;-)

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

I could re-read the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost over and over again. I love Cat & Bones and all of the secondary character are strong and interesting as well. The series is complete now so if you haven't read them you can easily binge read the whole series. There are also some novellas that come in between some of the books. There's a spin off series for Vlad that's called the Night Prince series along with the Night Huntress world spin offs.

[M.J.]

Fashionista wrote: "The Dmitry Medlov Series by Latrivia Nelson! YEZZZZZ LAWD!!!! ;-)"

I forgot all about the Medlov series, it is great too.I can't wait for the Scandalous Heroes, it will include a novella Vasilys Revenge By Latrivia with is a part of the Medlov FamilySeries and Rallenti By Siena Mynx which is the Battaglia series which is alo one of my favorites,along withe some other really good authors. I think I will revist these series in the near future!

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

I'm looking forward to July 6th for the Scandolous Heroes set too. There's going to be lots of goodies in that bundle!

[M.J.]

I know, it has some of my favorite authors.. Tiana Laveeen, Sienna Mynx, Latrivia Nelson, just to name a few, It should be great and for $0.99? thats the deal of the year!!!

[JC]

I love this series too and the spin-offs are great as well. My only complaint was what she did with Tate. That is a precarious shifty position to leave characters in. But it worked for the author, so I have to live with it.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

Billy London's Italian Knights series as far as IR.
I used to re-read Ward's BDB series until the last few turned up duds and it became obvious she really IS intentionally excluding us (as far as Im concerned).
And I will admit to having read the Twilight booms more than once...until Pattinson and Bitchella Stewart ruined the very thought of them for me.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

I love my Batagglias but...can I get Mynx's newest without the taint of Medlov? There is no love lost between me and Dmitry's Closet. Nightmare of superfluous and conflicting description THAT thing was. Maybe they got better as the series grew but Im determined not to find out LOL. I've actually thought of doing an annual re-review of that book just because I keep getting reminded of how much I hated it. But I figure that would be overkill(?). No offense to those who *gulp* love it.

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

@Savannah-it always surprises me how much people who don't like the Medlov books REALLY don't like them! I admit to being one of those who enjoyed them but I can't for the life of me figure out what's so offensive about them. PM me if you get a moment and let it rip. I really want to hear what it is that I missed that should have upset me. We enjoy a lot of the same reads so I know that I must have missed something vital or have some sort of blind spot when it comes to this series!

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

Monica- read Tina's review on Closet. Mine is more of a ranting snap. She did a great job of summarizing a good chunk of what rendered me nearly incapable of speech lol. I get so disgusted and dont take time to note things that drive me nuts WHEN they drive me nuts so I lose a lot. I know a lot of folks have issues with Royal. Ya, she was thick as a brick stupid but so are a lot of mob molls. Her character was the least of it for me though, dont get me wrong- I didnt like her l. It was the writing...crap was all over the place with the descriptions and overkill with name dropping to prove how expensive things are, what she was doing, words used incorrectly etc.. Dmitry himself- I didnt have issue with either beyond his abysmal taste in women. I think he sounded hot snd ruthless. But that was the only thing positive for me.

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

@Savannah-LOL-there's no accounting for taste including mine so I'll just chalk it to that for how we experienced these stories so differently! All of the differing opinions is what I love about these groups & it makes me look at things a little differently sometimes. Happy reading girlie!

[The Book Junkie Reads . . .]

Monica **can't read fast enough** wrote: "I could re-read the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost over and over again. I love Cat & Bones and all of the secondary character are strong and interesting as well. The series is complete now..."

AMEN!!!!! Absolutely. The Night Huntress World many, many, many times. Frost world of vamps is ultra sexy and very endearing.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

Monica- I admit it- I have an unreasonable hatred for that book. Yes, hatred LOL! I think its a reaction to all the hype. I feel something similar for Fifty Shades. Nothing worse than a huge build up then a horrid let down for me. Shades was better written to me though, just a hugely annoying lead and a lack of layering. Closet just...((shudder)).

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

And yes...tastes differ! haha! I try to remember that now when using reviews to build my to read list! I take everything with a grain!

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

Deva wrote: "Are those Medlov books erotic? If they are, do you have a great series suggestion that's not erotic?"

They are not over the top erotic but definitely sensual. No BDSM or extreme sexuality but not what I would consider "clean" reads either. If you are sensitive to somewhat descriptive sex scenes I wouldn't recommend them. There is a thread in this group that is dedicated to cleaner reads that you may find some good recs on. Here'sthelink:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Happy book hunting Deva!

[TinaNoir]

LOL @ Savannah's disdain for the Medlov books. Admittedly I don't have quite the hatred for the series that Savannah has, but I do agree with her overall negative assessment of at least Dmitry's Closet.

The author has irrevocably tainted her brand me with on that book, so now I simply can't bring myself to read any of her other stuff. In all honesty, I would be embarrassed to recommend it to other people. IMO, it is just that poorly written.

This is not at all meant to be a judgment on people who do like the series, though. I would never, ever do that.

On subject though: I am doing a re-read of the Kate Daniels series. That is one of my favorites, right up there with Nalini Singh. The last book was so outstanding, I read it twice in a row!

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

Tina- I avoid her stuff like the very plague. AndI DEPEND on the reviews of a lot of the gals who loved the book (Miss Monica included!) I just dont get why they like this one LOL. Confounding. I saw FPD loved it in her initial review but went back and read a couple years later and took off stars. Her summation was that maybe iy was The Thirst that got her under its spell the first go round. Thats not saying that its the explanation for everyone who loved it. I just appreciated her perspective.

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

@Tina-I haven't read the Kate Daniels series, but I am adding it to my to read list if you say it's great!

[Jackie]

I use to be into the black dagger series, but after the last book, I'm done. Not black female shellons or chosens, and Tez is now not black and Selena isn't black. I'm done. The best author to me and I reread both her series is Shelly Laurenston her Pride series and she also writes as G. A. Aikens her Dragon series . Diversity, multi cultural, FUNNY. Give her a try

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

I think Ward has lost a whole lot of black female readers. Doubt she cares, but she has lost us just the same.

[M.J.]

I agree, as much as I loved the 1st 5 books in the Black Dagger Series I cannot continue with it. its seem like Ward is going off in a whole other direction and the fact that there is no diversity at all. Not one black Character, I'm done

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

Deva wrote: "Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "I think Ward has lost a whole lot of black female readers. Doubt she cares, but she has lost us just the same."

I'd say about 7/10 black female r..."

I'm going to have to go back and re-read Lover at Last because I don't remember reading that at all!

[TinaNoir]

Ward is forever on my DNR list. I stopped reading BDB ages ago. I began to get kinda queasy about the series co-opting and fetishizing black and urban culture around book four-ish. And even worse was having to read gushing posts by fangirls who loved 'the brothers' but who would never pick a book with actual black people in it because they "can't relate."

And then one of my GR friends broke down her issues with the series so eloquently -- seriously, she dropped some science in her post! -- pointing out all the problematic ways Ward was playing around and coyly using race and sexuality to appeal to under-represented groups without actually including them.

Apparently, since then the readers who had issues with her wishy-washyness when it came to m/m relationships had a stronger lobby than those who wanted more racial diversity cuz I guess there is now a real m/m relationship? (altho not the one people really wanted). Whatever, she is no longer really an author I will read so tend not to follow what is going on with her stuff to much anymore.

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

Okay Deva & Tina you two win! Maybe I wasn't politically conscious enough when I read this series. If I only read books with diverse characters my choices would be extremely limited. I am not saying that these series shouldn't have more diversity and everyone has the right to their own opinions and sensitivities to these issues. I respect that there are those who find it offensive that Ward has incorporated "urban" culture into her series without having prominent characters that come from diverse backgrounds. However, if I remember correctly it wasn't the fact that Trez's intended was black that turned him off, it was the fact that he would be little more than a means for breeding with no autonomy at all if he were to go back to take his place with his race. As for the shellans & chosen they all came from the "old" world and that was Eastern Europe and they are hundreds of years old. Not many of us black women were living in Eastern Europe at that time. In Ward's world there weren't vampires from other parts of the world introduced-who knows maybe there will be some introduced down the line or in a spin off, but as it stands now there aren't any. I suppose that she could have made Vischous' shellan a black doctor or Rhage's shellan black since they were both human, but I didn't see the offense in them not being of a different ethnic background. Maybe it's just me trying to justify why I enjoyed and wasn't offended by the series since I seem to be the only black woman who still likes some of these series. Until I joined this group I had no idea how much anger and animosity some of these series stir up...

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

The writing went south for me with Ward roundabout Paine's book so honestly it would TAKE a sista being brought in to interest me at this point. Since the writing was no longer grabbing me AND it was becoming so obvious that the exclusion was...well, hard to swallow as being happenstance, I let them go. I mean a eozen books about men who literally BREATHE hip hop and nary a one of them end up with a black woman? Hell, for all intents and purposes, V might as well BE black lol. But then maybe he is like most brothas these days.....lmao!!! Let me quit.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

Monica **can't read fast enough** wrote: "Okay Deva & Tina you two win! Maybe I wasn't politically conscious enough when I read this series. If I only read books with diverse characters my choices would be extremely limited. I am not sayin..."

Sorry, but absolutely wrong.

I always facepalm when the old "historical accuracy" excuse gets tossed about. Europe, including Eastern Europe, was a LOT more diverse than many people realize. Bear in mind the invasions that area of the world went through. The Mongols which were an Asiatic race (and a bloodline which can still be seen on the faces of many). Then there was the Turks/Ottoman Empire (some of whom were dark-skinned since they incorporated the peoples they conquered). Plus there were various traders/mercenaries coming from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Oh and let me not forget about the Crusades in which some soldiers would have brought back slaves as well as treasure. All of this can be easily proven. Google is a writer's best friend and savior, lol. So no, I don't buy the lack of diversity in the BDB books based on "history". The bottom line is Ward failed in her research but she also knows that most of her fanbase won't care anyway. Ward thinks no one's paying attention to her blatant co-opting of urban culture, and I've heard she royally screwed up the M/M romance aspect in the last book.

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

I do understand your point and don't argue it, but it doesn't mean that the entire region was over run with diversity.Yes, she could have made the connection if she had wanted to, but it is still the author's choice to not do that just as it is the reader's choice to not enjoy or continue to buy her work.I realize that I am the lone voice of dissent here so I definitely won't be voicing my like or dislike for certain authors/series that seem to be a lightening rod for anger and disgust in these threads again. It is not my intent to cause upset to others here. My main objective was to find other reader who enjoyed the same genres as myself and if that's not here that's okay. That is what makes these forums interesting even when we don't necessarily agree.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

*raises tiny, silent hand*
Read Qhuinn 'n Blaylock's book (m/m) out of pure loyalty to the pairing and I must say....it sucked.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

Oh and no disrespect to anyone who liked it!

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

I dont think anyone is angry Monica. I DEFINITELY dont feel like you shouldnt express your liking of ...well, anything! Hell, I died HARD when it comes to Ward my damn self and like I said it took the one-two punch of what I felt was lackluster writing on TOP of the lack of diversity. Honestly I probably would have tried to stick it out if not for the writing....and her bullshit excuse when asked about the diversity issue.

I get being the lone voice! *cough*DmitrysCloset*cough.
Ya. Went there again.

[TinaNoir]

Awww, Monica, don't feel bad about enjoying what you enjoy. While I actively search out and tend to enjoy series that do include diversity, there are still some that I read that could do much better.

But yeah, I do think that after reading lily-white romances for over 20+ years, there came a point when I began to develop a more critical outlook at what I felt was a lack of inclusion or erasure of POC. And it just so happened that it came right around the time when I thought I was enjoying BDB but not really sure I was enjoying it... And my GR friend's post just seemed to crystallize and bring into focus all the things I had begun to feel but wasn't sure I could articulate why.

[Monica **can't read fast enough**]

Alright Ms Savannah! Let's not reopen that can of crappy worms! LOL!

Thanks Tina, but it'll be a little while before I wade in these waters again! I'm more comfortable as an observe and take it all in kinda girl!

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

Monica **can't read fast enough** wrote: "I do understand your point and don't argue it, but it doesn't mean that the entire region was over run with diversity.Yes, she could have made the connection if she had wanted to, but it is still t..."

No, Eastern Europe wasn't a melting pot, lol, but neither was it this lily-white world that so many think it was. And this argument isn't just against BDB, but has been brought up with Game of Thrones and other high/epic fantasy works set in alternate medieval Europe. Even video games have come under scrutiny by PoC gamers. The erasure makes no sense considering the mounds of evidence.

As far as liking something others don't, well whyever not? I know for a fact that books I adore aren't everyone's favourites. I'm cool with that. Variety is the spice of life after all and reading is such a personal thing.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

I can't help myself. I think Im obsessed with its awfulness.

[M.J.]

Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "The writing went south for me with Ward roundabout Paine's book so honestly it would TAKE a sista being brought in to interest me at this point. Since the writing was no longer grabbing me AND it w..."

TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "Monica **can't read fast enough** wrote: "Okay Deva & Tina you two win! Maybe I wasn't politically conscious enough when I read this series. If I only read books with diverse characters my choices ..."

I must say could not agree more as a reader of many different types of book by a lot of authors, in many differ genres the BDB books are really the 1st I've read by an author who blatantly uses Hip Hop culture and excludes African Americans in her books. I really tried to continue with the series after book 6 but it just got more ridiculous that there is not 1 black Shellen or Vampire or ever Doggen. its just kind of sad that in this day and age with so much diversity that an author would simply exclude an entire race.

[Sheera]

I finally read the Jane Yellowrock series. I.LOVED.it!

Also, I agree about the BDB series lacking diversity. This actually bothered me for a while, especially with the cultural appropriation that's extremely rampant throughout the series. Then I read the Trez/Iam book and I still have mixed feelings. The first time a character of color had their own book they had to share the romantic plot with another's romantic plot (which, side note: I could've SWORN Xhex was described as brown skinned in one of the first books then became a typical white character later, then there's Sola who was distinctively Latina but she was a thief that didn't even end up with her potential hellren and HEA ... but is that because she wasn't the main character of that book or because people of color don't merit having a HEA or is it that she's thinking long-term and setting up the back plot for Sola's HEA many books in advance like she did the Quinn/Blay and John Matthew/Xhex stories or is it something else?)

[Monique]

So true, Diva! Eastern Europe was a meeting ground for many ethnicities (A large majority of fair, blond-haired, blue-eyes Eastern Europeans have a large percentage of Asian in their DNA). So - at the very least, the writer could have thrown in some 'swarthy gypsies' to the mix!
In any case, I've never read any of the above-mentioned authors, so I can't comment on their work.
With the exception of Anne Rice, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and a handful of other writers, I don't like long, drawn-out series. Call me an oddball...lol!