Monday, February 1, 2010

Monday's Musings

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend, filled with fun and lots of good reads. My weekend was a busy one. I received page proofs for LAST CHANCE Friday morning and immediately jumped into them. For me, reading page proofs is one of the most difficult parts of writing. Well... Actually none of it is easy, but with page proofs, you have to be so careful. After writing the book and then reading it about hundred times, it's so easy to miss something. Every word has to be read...no skimming. You know why? Because it's the LAST CHANCE to change anything! *snort*

So, what did you read last week that you want the world to know about? What great books can you recommend?

We may have a couple of our favorite authors drop by this week, just to say hi, so be sure to stop by frequently to see if they were able to drop in. I know they'll love talking to you as much as I do! (:

Okay, I'm diving back into page proofs since they're due this week. I'll stop in and chat with you throughout the day.

So tell us: What fantabulous book do you want us to read this week?

39 comments:

oklanannie said...

Happy Monday Everyone!

Over the weekend I finished up Stephanie Tyler's "Hold On Tight" and loved it. Excellent wrap-up for the three brothers.

I also read Laura Moore's "Remember Me", the first book in her new "Rosewood Trilogy." It's a contemporary romance set in two different milieus - Virginia horse country and the world of high fashion modeling. If you've never read one of Laura's books, I highly recommend her.

Next up is Elisabeth Naughton's "Stolen Seduction." I'm excited to read the last book in her "Stolen" trilogy. It's been a really good romantic suspense series.

Kara C said...

LUNCH BREAK!
Hey everyone,
Read some great books this weekend. Finished the third Stephanie Tyler book, but then so have a lot of folks I've talked to. If you've been reading this series, you definitely need to get this 3rd book. (And if you haven't been reading the series, you should get started asap!)lol
Also read Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk. Coud not put it down. Definitely recommend it to readers of romance. ALSO finished Carla Neggers' Cold River and Robyn Kaye's Breakfast in Bed, both good. Am now in the middle of the new Lara Adrian book and rereading a Catherine Anderson book. Whew! That's a lot even for me, but then we had that wonderful SNOW DAY Friday so I had a CHANCE to do a lot of reading. Hope everyone has a great Monday.
Christy, hope the page proofs go smoothly. I'd be more than willing to help,you know. I promise not to skip over any words. :)

Unknown said...

I am in the middle of Blood Ties by Kay Hooper. I got it in the mail on Friday so I had to finish (finally) Up Close and Personal by Carla Cassidy (Good book but started slow then got really good in the middle) now I only have a little bit more left of Blood Ties. If you have never read any of Kay Hooper's Bishop series I highly recomend them. This book is tying them all together really nice and refering to events in the earlier books. Last Night I preordered Erica Spindler's new book and Jodi Picoultts. I can't wait for the end of the month when all these books get shipped and Christy's books start to come out...Have a great day all.

Christy Reece said...

Hey Oklanannie, great recommendations! Sounds like you had a full week of good reading. My favorite kind of week!

Christy Reece said...

Wow, Kara. Lots of great recommends. You definitely made good use of your snow day. So glad you had one.

And believe me, if I could, I'd love to have your help on these page proofs. Fresh eyes not skipping over words. Ah, the dream!

Thanks for the offer!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Sarah, looks like you got some good reading done too. Great recommends!

Let me ask you guys something. Do you read more in the winter than any other time, or is it about the same all year long?

Kara C said...

Oklanannie,
I still have the second Elisabeth Naughton on my TBR pile, but it near the top now. Should get to it later this week. Glad to hear you liked it.

Kara C said...

If you ask my kids, they'd say I read way too much all year long. But, given the career I have, I probably read more in the summer. Not that the winter months slow me down much. lol
OK, back to school. I'll check in this evening. Happy reading everyone!

Crystal (cmac) said...

Hey everybody! Hope Monday is going well for all my fellow readers out there! I read If Looks could Chill by Nina Bruhns. Loved it! I can't wait for her next one in March I believe. I also read Nicholas Sparks Dear John. I have to say I didn't like the ending but owell. It was a tear jerker like all of his books. My husband always ask why I put myself through the emotional trauma of his books lol. He just doesn't understand. : ) I also read Mackenzie's Hero's by Linda Howard. (Gotta love those Mackenzie men! Have a great week all!

Crystal (cmac) said...

I would have to say I read about the same all year. I may slow down a bit in the summer but not much. My kids are to young to be in school so I am use to having them around while I'm reading. (Which is usually during nap time)

Jennifer D. said...

Hello All,

This must have been the weekend for Stephanie Tyler's SEAL series, since I also finished the last book - Hold on Tight. I really liked Chris' story and of course, getting to "visit" with the other brothers and their ladies at the end. I totally recommend all three books. Next up, well, I'm looking forward to Knock Me for a Loop (coming out tomorrow) by Heidi Betts. It has a hockey hero! That's all I need to know.

Modokker said...

I re-read a few books last week. A couple Christine Feehan dark series books. I also read Linda Lael Miller's new release. The McKettricks of Texas "Tate" Loved it! I also read a couple Julie Garwood books. The Secret and come the Spring. I just finished Linda Howard's book Heartbreaker and i'm starting Linda Howard's newest book "Ice"

Lisa

Stephanie Tyler said...

Hey Christy & Everyone!

Christy invited me to stop on by to dish books :)

Someone mentioned Howard's MacKenzie books - the 1st - Wolf's book - is on my all-time favorite list!

As for what I'm reading and loving over the past 2 weeks - the first 2 in Robyn Carr's newest trilogy and Tami Hoag's newest. I've finished Lauren Dane's latest (Coming Undone) and Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs. And 3 RITA books, but I'm not allowed to give you the titles :( But I found a new to me author and just bought her entire backlist from the RITA books, so that was cool.

And OMG - thanks to everyone whose read / talked about the trilogy! Am glad you enjoyed :)

Christy, good luck on the page proofs...those always scare me!

Christy Reece said...

Hey CMAC, thanks for the great recommends!

So, not asking for spoilers, but I'm assuming Dear John did not have an HEA? I don't read Sparks, but for those who do, has he ever ended one of his books with a traditional HEA? I admit, I have to have that HEA but he must be an amazing writer to be able to draw out his readers' emotions so well.

And CMAC, you're so right. Gotta love those McKenzie men!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Jennifer, another Hold on Tight reader. So cool! I can't wait to get started on it. Got page proofs and six more Rita books to read, but then I'm on it!

And tomorrow you've got a hockey hero to look forward to. Yay!

So tell me, romance loving sportsfans. We love our football heroes, basketball and hockey too. Even baseball. And I've read tennis heroes. And of course, there's Nascar. But is there any one sport you would not find attractive for the hero to be involved in? Any particular sport that you think just couldn't have a sexy hero?

Got to admit, just for me, that mud wrestling kind of turns me off. What about you?

Christy Reece said...

Hey Modokker! Lots of great rereads for you. And Linda Howard's Heartbreaker is one of my all time favorites of hers. Such a sexy hero!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Stephanie! Thanks so much for stopping by. You'll find lots of mad love over here for your new trilogy. You created such awesome characters and compelling storylines. And I've heard rumors that there's more to come? Can you share anything about that?

And thanks for the good wishes on my page proofs. Deadline's this week, so going to need all the good luck I can get. (:

Come back again when you can. And thanks for the great recommends!

oklanannie said...

Season doesn't make a difference when books are involved. Other than my grandchildren, reading is my biggest over indulgence - winter, spring, summer & fall.

Waving to Stephanie Tyler! Will you share your newly discovered author's name once RITA reads are completed?

Kara C - I'm in 100 pages on "Stolen Seduction" and it's great! Hailey and Sean are perfect together. Lots of witty dialogue and sizzle!

cmac - couldn't agree more on Nina Bruhn's next book, "A Kiss to Kill" in April. It is very high on my "can't wait" list.

Today is my daughter's birthday. As ordered, I'm making her a cheesecake so I must go finish.

Crystal (cmac) said...

No Christy it did not! Well certainly not the ending I wanted. His books are always sad one way or another, but usually the ending is right for the situation. (if that makes any sense) I won't go into Dear John anymore than that, but I will say I hope they change the ending in the movie, (and I never want a movie to very from the book). I have to be in the right kind of mood for a Nicholas Sparks book because he does get the tears flowing. I generally only read the happy, all about thrills, or just your kick butt kinda books but sometimes a change does me some good. I will say after I read his books I always am reminded of how much I love my family and cherish them.

Unknown said...

Mod...You will have to let me know of you liked Ice...I was really disapointed in it.

Kara C said...

Mud wrestling, Christy? LOL
One of my favorite sports series, if not THE favorite, is SEP's series starting with It Had to be You.
Modokker, glad to hear Tate was good. Looked at that this weekend and almost bought it. Guess I'll have to go back now.
Stephanie, Welcome! Hope you'll come back. We LOVE to talk books around here, and yours have been some of our favorites. (Have to say, as much as I loved Nick's and Chris's stories, I think I'm a Jake girl.) :)

Jane said...

Can't believe it's February already. I read Julie James' "Just the Sexiest Man Alive." I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of funny moments, too.

Christy Reece said...

CMAC said, "I will say after I read his books I always am reminded of how much I love my family and cherish them."

Don't laugh, but this made me cry. Yes, I know no one is surprised. Cry baby that I am! But that's just so wonderful that he makes you feel that way. What a lovely compliment.

Christy Reece said...

Oh Kara, love, love, love SEP's Chicago stars books. It Had To Be You is on my 'top ten favorite books of all time' list.

Okay, so no mud wrestling fans here today?

Christy Reece said...

Hey Jane, yay for February! Thought it would never get here.

Thanks for the recommend. Love that title!

So, everyone, here's another question. Do catchy titles make you pick up a book?

Jane said...

Hey Stephanie,
I love your SEALs. Can't wait to read Cam's story.

Alexandra said...

Hey everyone,

I also read Hold on Tight. I loved it!

Now, I'm reading Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis. Hero is a baseball player. I like so far.

I agree about SEP's books. They are my favorite sport romance books.

Cmac - I totally agree with you about the ending in Dear John. I think the Dear John movie trailer is a little misleading.

Crystal (cmac) said...

Thanks Christy I am a very blessed woman! I have a great family all around.

Alexandra I do agree on the movie trailer. I'll watch I know, but I'm not holding high hopes now. lol

Ok everyone I've never read one of Stephanie Tyler books, but I've ordered one because you all have been talking about them all day. I'm super excited now!

Kara C said...

cmac,
Start with Jake! lol

Jennifer D. said...

I think sports heros are right behind SEALS / Spec Ops/ Firefighers for me. I have Jill Shalvis' Slow Heat on my list - I think that comes out tomorrow, too.

I agree with you - Christy - that mud wrestling would be a no for me. For some reason, I think sports like cycling or bobsled wouldn't interest me too much as a series. Although, I'm not a big hockey fan in real life, but as I stated before, I love hockey books (go figure).

Olkanannie and CMAC - I with you on Nina Bruhns' - I'm looking forward to the next book, but I also want to find out what happens with Alex & Rebel. I hope there is fourth book featuring them.

Jackie P said...

I read "Hold On Tight" this past week and CMAC all 3 books are great. I can't wait for Cam's book. I am looking forward to Nina Bruhn's "A Kiss To Kill". I can't wait to find out about Alex and Rebel either. I have been adding in some more recommendations like Robyn Carr and Kara told me about Shannon K. Butcher. Thanks!!! I am so glad it is Febuary. We don't have to much longer to wait on your book.

And Thank You Christy for asking Stephanie Tyler over. That was so awesome. :)

Stephanie Tyler said...

Christy, I'm in the middle of revisions - I so feel your page proof pain :)

As for the next books, I'll actually have 2 more out back to back in Nov / Dec of this year (if the gods of publishing deem it so :) The hero of the 1st, LIE WITH ME, is a Delta Force soldier named Cam (who you'll meet briefly in Hold on Tight) and Zane is the SEAL hero of PROMISES IN THE DARK (he's on Jake's team;)

And I can't wait for covers - Random House does some awesome covers!

Oklanannie - I believe I can...but only after the RITA winners have been announced. So you'll have to wait for summer.

LOL, Kara - I am too, I think. Probably because without him, I could never have told the other's stories. He was always the catalyst.

Thanks Jennifer, Jane, Alexandra and Jackie P for more HOT shout-outs :)

cmac - thanks for taking the leap of faith - I hope you enjoy Jake!

I can't read N. Sparks anymore - he tears my heart out and I cry at like, commercials. I can't put myself through it.

Oh, and I have the Nina Bruhns books downloaded on my Kindle - thanks for reminding me. And soon Christy's trilogy!!!! WOOT!!!!

Okay, back to revisions. And chocolate, because that's very important to the revision process. And life in general...

Ida Brugler said...

*walks in*
Sorry Christy,
Had a trip to the hospital with my daughter lastnight and had to go to the doctor today. Not much sleep. I did get to read almost 1 whole book in the waiting room lastnight.
We were gone for a while today.
Looks like everyone had a great chat.
I still need to get Stephanie Tyler's SEAL series. thanks for reminding me.
Everyone have a great night!!

Christy Reece said...

Sending major hugs your way, Ida! Hope you both get some sleep tonight!

Ida Brugler said...

Thanks Christy *hugs*

Christy Reece said...

Stephanie, thanks so much for coming by and chatting with us today. I know you're crazy busy. But how great that we get two more Stephanie Tyler books this year! Yay!

Please come back and visit when you can.

Mary G said...

Hi Christy & all the girls
I can't believe missed this yesterday. I'm feeling under the weather & haven't been upright too much in the last few days. So nice of Stephanie to drop in. I read Hard To Hold. I won the third one from her & will pick up the second book soon. Oklanannie, I love Laura Moore - so glad she's finally back again. Glad you recommended the new one. It looks like everyone is recommending the books I have on my wish list.

Christy Reece said...

Mary G. We missed you yesterday. Please feel better soon!

Modokker said...

Sarah

ICE was ok. I got it from the library. I use goodreads.com to keep track of what i've read and the reviews were mostly bad. I never go by that though. lol I thought it was good for a book that's 200 pages. You can't expect alot to happen when you have action and romance in that short a time. I've only read a couple Linda Howard books. My fav is Mr Perfect though.

I'd get it thru your local library and read it. I handed it off to my friend i work with before i turn it back in. Quick easy read.