Hi Reader,

Although I read a wide variety of books in March, these are my recommendations for fiction.

I started March with a fantasy/sci-fi romance from Jayne Ann Krentz, It Takes a Psychic. Multi-psychic talent Leona Griffin has had a run of bad luck, culminating in almost witnessing a murder. Thankfully, Oliver Rancourt, another multi-talent, was there to spirit her away to safety. Now, the two of them must solve the mystery of a cult and what to do about all these various murders, mysteries, and mayhem.

Yes, Krentz has a "formula" for these books. The women are independent and intrepid. The men are capable. At first, neither of the pair thinks they could possibly make a relationship work. And they work through all their problems, staying alive as they do. I do not care about Krentz's formula because I enjoy these books. The science fiction/fantasy parts are an added bonus for me.

Then I read a thriller, The Dark Time (Peter Ash, #9) by Nick Petrie. A courageous reporter, KT, stumbles on a hotbed of white nationalists. They appear to be in many positions of power, such as cops and politicians. Peter arrives in time to save her daughter, but not KT. With his team of ex-Marines and his girlfriend, June, Peter manages to expose the dirty cops and other powerful people while he saves KT's daughter.

I devoured this book, as I have the previous Nick Petrie books. They are all terrific thrillers. While there is explicit violence in this book, I find it easier to read than I do to watch some television shows or movies. I'm sure that says something about me.

Then, I read another futuristic police procedural, Framed in Death (In Death, #61), J. D. Robb. If you've read my newsletters for a while, you know how much I love these books. Lt Eve Dallas, partner Peabody, husband Roarke, and the whole team are back.

(As an aside to my fellow writers: Robb is a master at introducing a large cast of characters without confusing the readers. I am studying these books!)

A wealthy artist with more aspirations than talent commits murders. Eve, along with her team, discovers who the murderer is and how his mother supports him. I loved it.

Sarina Bowen writes lots of contemporary romance books. My Kind of Guy (Hockey Guys, #4) is one of her gay male romances where both men play hockey. (The ebook is only available on Amazon.)

I continue to read all of Bowen's books because she sets up situations that seem to be no-win. No-win for the characters' jobs, finances, and certainly not their love lives. Yet, somehow, these people discover they are able to find ways to work, make money, and love.

Even though I am not a gay man (!), I enjoy Bowen's love scenes because they are not just about the act. They are about the emotions.

And that's what ties all of these books together this month. All four of them use emotion to make the stories believable. No, the Nick Petrie book is not about love, but the others certainly are. That's why you can't go wrong with any of these books. I hope you try one or more of them.

Where to Find Me

Please do follow me on BookBub. If you want to see what I'm reading, follow me on Goodreads. (That's almost real-time, unless I'm in a hotel and have insufficient wifi. In this day and age? Yes. Sigh.)

These links are all universal book links and include my affiliate codes.

If you know of a book I should read, let me know. Have a great April and read on,

Johanna