Since I didn’t go to this year’s RWA conference, I thought the books on my TBR shelves would decrease. And they have, but now I’m just adding books to it that have been in boxes until now.

I told myself this would be a great opportunity to read some of those books. I have been reading some of them, but there are so many that I get overwhelmed. Where in the world do I start? Whatever I try, I decide I’m not in the mood for contemporary, historical, or whatever I chose. More often I find myself reading newer books I check out of the library.

I need TBR motivation.

So let’s hear it. What are some good books you’ve read from your own TBR shelves?

After reading the previous books in Elizabeth Hoyt’s The Legend of the Four Soldiers series, I’ve been looking forward to the fourth book in the series: To Desire a Devil.

Reynaud St. Aubyn has spent the last seven years in hellish captivity. Now half mad with fever he bursts into his ancestral home and demands his due. Can this wild-looking man truly be the last earl’s heir, thought murdered by Indians years ago?

Beatrice Corning, the niece of the present earl, is a proper English miss. But she has a secret: No real man has ever excited her more than the handsome youth in the portrait in her uncle’s home. Suddenly, that very man is here, in the flesh—and luring her into his bed.

Only Beatrice can see past Reynaud’s savagery to the noble man inside. For his part, Reynaud is drawn to this lovely lady, even as he is suspicious of her loyalty to her uncle. But can Beatrice’s love tame a man who will stop at nothing to regain his title—even if it means sacrificing her innocence?

Hoyt is one of my favorite historical romance writers around, which also (for good or ill) means I expect a lot from her. Usually she delivers an exceptional story. This time around, I liked the story OK, but wouldn’t consider it an exceptional one.

I liked the way we see how Reynaud’s time in captivity has affected him. It’s no surprise that it would. The scene by the coach where he imagines himself back in battle is painfully vivid. I couldn’t help but sympathize with him.

I had a tougher time with the way he was so domineering with Beatrice. He pushes and pushes and pushes her to become more involved with him. And though Beatrice really knows little about him, she follows his lead. Her trust is eventually rewarded, yes, but I thought she came to trust him all too quickly.

The romance still works, but it doesn’t have the same magic to it as many of her other books, such as The Serpent Prince.

To Desire a Devil: 3.5 out of 5.

When I got a request to review Nemi III, I visited the link I was provided and thought it would be worth reading. “Worth reading” turns out to be a big understatement.

Prepare yourself for some more slacker philosophy. Norway’s coolest and sexiest goth, Nemi Montoya is back with another dose of healthy cynicism and a love of all things fantasy, courteous of Lise Myhre’s frank, irreverent and hilarious cartoon creation.

The book arrived, and I picked it up that day and started reading. I was expecting more of a story that flowed from cover to cover. Instead, Nemi III is a compilation of a comic strip, and most can be read in any order. Once I got into the swing of it, it was just fine.

Nemi features a diverse cast of characters. Though I enjoy Nemi herself, I relate more to her friend Cyan, who has a practical streak Nemi lacks. And this is no one-note collection. The comic covers a range of topics. One image-only strip (no text) shows the role remote controls have taken in the world. Another memorable set of panels looks at stardom and those who don’t achieve stardom in a way that’s both pithy and poignant.

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, Nemi III is always interesting. I’m glad I decided to review this book, and I’ve got Nemi II on order, which is about as high a compliment as I can pay, since I’ve reduced my book-buying considerably. Once I get it, I’m going to curl up on the couch and enjoy returning to Nemi’s world.

Nemi III: 4.5 out of 5.