So, besides the last few weeks (which don’t count) I’ve been keeping up my promise of reviewing one book a week off the backlist of a favorite author. The first author chosen was Mary Calmes and I love that woman’s writing so much. But! The next on the list was Amy Lane, and I gotta tell you, seeing her at GRL this year and actually feeling like I got to know her somewhat has made me want to read all of her books that I casually shoved away before (you know, the Angst & Pain ones). Since it is going to take forever for me to finish Mary Calmes’ backlist by doing one book a week (seriously, something like 6 months), I decided to do TWO books a week, adding another day (I’m thinkin… Friday). And what better way than by alternating with another author.
Now, I should give a poll. But it’s like when you eeny meeny miney mo something and then immediately want what didn’t get picked. I know that I want to read Amy’s books so damnit, that’s what I’m going to do! Starting this week, I’ll be reviewing Timing by Mary Calmes and Gambling Men: The Novel by Amy Lane.
Here’s what I have not read from these two authors. Give me your favorites so I know which ones I should read first please!
The books I need to read after the cut.
Mary Calmes
Timing (Timing #1) currently reading
After the Sunset (Timing #2)
Bulletproof (A Matter of Time #5)
But For You (A Matter of Time #6)
Tooth & Nail (Warder #2)
Heart in Hand (Warder #3)
Sinnerman (Warder #4)
Nexus (Warder #5)
Cherish Your Name (Warder #6)
Honored Vow (Change of Heart #3)
The Guardian
Romanus
The Servant
What Can Be
Any Closer
First Day of Forever
Ice Around the Edges
Story in A Brush of Wings
Story in Wishing on a Blue Star
Story in Three Fates
Treat Not Trick
Amy Lane
Keeping Promise Rock (Promises #1)
Making Promises (Promises #2) need to re-read
Living Promises (Promises #3)
Talker (Talker #1) need to re-read
Talker’s Redemption (Talker #2)
Talker’s Graduation (Talker #3)
Chase in Shadow (Johnnies #1)
Dex in Blue (Johnnies #2)
Curious? anthology (Ryan & Scott #1)
Phonebook (Ryan & Scott #2)
Puppy, Car, and Snow (Ryan & Scott #3)
I Love You, Asshole! (Green’s Hill #2)
Knitter in His Natural Habitat (Knitting #4)
Gambling Men: The Novel currently reading
Clear Water want to re-read
Bewitched by Bella’s Brother want to re-read (again)
A Solid Core of Alpha
Sidecar
Mourning Heaven
Hammer & Air
If I Must want to re-read (again)
Christmas with Danny Fit
Do-over
Carole Lake
I liked the Warder series.
Cole
I read the very first Warder book not too long ago and I really liked it. So I’ll probably finish that series really soon
Carole Lake
Are there four books in Amy lane’s knitting series? Did I miss one?
Cole
No, I keep accidentally shoving Super Sock Man in there, cause “knitting” yes but same series, I don’t think they’re related at all… not that I can remember anyway.
Cornelia
Read all of the Timing from Mary and all of the Promises from Amy.Then go to their other books.I love both authors.
Cole
I’m reading Timing this week
I’m going to have to split up the Promises books though because they’re too heavy for me to read back to back!
BarkLessWagMore
Keeping Promises Rock & Chase In Shadow (but find something to make you happy when you’ve finished them because they are grueling!)
Cole
I am so totally scared to read Chase in Shadow. Keeping Promise Rock too although I know I can handle it. I actually really end up liking those books of hers, but I just really have to make myself start them because I’ll try to put them off
mearias
For Amy Lane, definitely read Sidecar and Hammer & Air. Mary Calmes I just finished Mine for the 4th time, but I don’t see that on your list… I’d go with First Day of Forever.
Cole
Yeah, I started Mary’s books in the challenge last month and Mine was the last one I read. I loved it! Also, Sidecar might be the Amy Lane book I haven’t read yet that I’m looking forward to the most! I heard that Hammer & Air has some girly bits but I’ve been getting better about that, LOL
mearias
I don’t have issues with girly bits in my books (seeing as I have some myself
), but I don’t think it should be too bad. It’s a really lovely story. I hope you enjoy it.
Solid Core of Alpha and Chase in Shadow are monsters… just emotionally heavy. But I’m so happy I read them. Amy Lane is my Tear-Jerker Queen.
Cole
Yes, she is and I love that she totally owns it! I’m really, really excited to read A Solid Core of Alpha, I think that might be one of my soonish Amy reads for the challenge.
Oh well, yes I suppose that would help
Being a gay man, I tend to run screaming from them!
JayHJay
Yikes babe, you are ambitious! I thought you were reading one book from each backlist, not the whole thing! I look forward to seeing your reviews. I enjoyed Gambling Men, but believe it or not I don’t think I have read any Mary Calmes.
Cole
LOL I know, that’s me
But seriously, I really just want to do it because I want to have read all of their books anyway (and the other authors on my list I haven’t talked about yet), so I’m trying to limit one a week. I have to with Amy Lane because most of the books I haven’t read by her are all her Angst & Pain ones, gah.
You should really, really try to read some of Mary’s work. I’m a HUGE PNR/Fantasy fan, but I actually like Mary’s contemporaries best. Mine is really awesome, but still not my favorite, that might go to Acrobat. You should try reading that one. She has a definite style and it seems like most people either love or hate it, but I just surrender all my preconceived notions whenever I pick up one of her books because I know she’ll always take me on a ride
JayHJay
Yes, Melanie just reviewed Mine on my blog and really loved it. And I have heard good things about Acrobat too. I need to pick her stuff up for sure.
Cole
Oooh let me know if you read something of hers! I hope you like them
Lisa
My favorite from Mary Calmes is her A Matter of Time series. I love Jory and Sam! Just read But For You a few weeks ago and then I decided to read Acrobat since it has been in my TBR pile. Loved that one and was very surprised to see Duncan in that story. He makes an appearance in But For You and I am really hoping that he will get his own story soon.
I am a huge Amy Lane fan! The first story I ever read from her was If I Must. I really enjoyed it so I was very excited when Keeping Promise Rock was released. That one blew me away! It is so good, but out of all the books in that series, it is probably the most painful one to read. So worth it, though. You can do it.
Somehow, I haven’t read A Solid Core of Alpha yet. Need to read that one. Right now I am about to start How to Raise an Honest Rabbit. Can’t wait! Also, I think you will really enjoy Sidecar. 
You have picked two great authors. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of their stories. Good luck with your reading list. I look forward to seeing your reviews.
Cole
Hi Lisa
Yes! These are two of my favorite authors ever and when I started going through some back books I wanted to read and making a list I couldn’t believe that there were so many I hadn’t read at all. There are a few other authors on the list as well, including Josh Lanyon, who I’ve still read fairly little of and several others.
With Mary, I just don’t know how I feel about A Matter of Time. First of all, I don’t think I was feeling well when I read them. I don’t really remember but I think I was sick because I didn’t read them very long ago (the beginning of the year I think) and I remember about 2% of the books, seriously. Second, I think that I hadn’t learned how to read her stuff yet. I have to completely surrender to her books (which makes reviewing them hard sometimes) because she really takes you places that you don’t expect the story to go and AMOT does that THE MOST, for sure. It’s totally wacky
I think I might like it better now, so I should read them all again, especially since #5 & #6 are on my list. I might add them.
With Amy, honestly for the longest time my favorite book of hers was Bewitched by Bella’s Brother. Asa just drives me crazy he’s so sexy. Recently of course, she’s written a LOT of really awesome books (this last year has been her best IMO) so some books might give that a run for the #1 position, certainly Gambling Men and Clear Water did, since I loved those so so much. I think you’ll love the Knitting book, it’s the best of the series for sure and I really loved Jeremy.
When you’re finished, go to my review if you want and leave a comment because I’d love to know what you think!