Monday, October 4, 2010

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday Everyone!

How was your weekend? Are you having fabulous weather in your neck of the woods? The weather here in Bama is beyond gorgeous. Low 70's, perfect, azure blue sky, just a slight breeze and sun so bright even the birds are squinting.

Thanks to everyone who commented on Friday's blog. Your comments made me appreciate autumn all the more. I even made a batch of chili yesterday and beef stew or vegetable soup might be on the agenda next weekend. That is, if I can persuade the hubby that he doesn't have to have pizza EVERY weekend! The man does love my semi-homemade pizzas.

SWEET JUSTICE is coming along very well. Seth and Honor are amazing together and I love watching them try to deny their feelings. Last week, I wrote a scene so steamy, I do believe my windows fogged up. Whew! However, there is a villain to catch, so this week, it's time to concentrate on finding this creature so JUSTICE can prevail!

I didn't get a CHANCE to read this weekend, however, I realized that I've read enough great books that I can easily make a recommendation every Monday. What was I thinking? So, this week's recommendation is one of my all-time favorite authors, Judith McNaught and my personal faves are: Almost Heaven, Once and Always, Something Wonderful, A Kingdom of Dreams, Paradise, Perfect and Someone to Watch Over Me. (The last three are contemporaries).

What about you? What did you read or have you read you want the world to know about so they can enjoy it too?

Don't forget to come back on Friday for another Fabulous Fall Friday Freebie. We'll be talking movies and books specifically geared toward October. And I'll be giving away another 'grab-bag' box full of goodies.

Until Friday, happy reading all!

55 comments:

Hope said...

Good morning ladies. I had a very busy week last week with all the fall festivities going on around here. But I did get in a little reading.

I finished the Bodyguard series by Cindy Gerard with Into the Dark. I would highly recommend this whole series.

I also finished the Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery with Finding Perfect. This was my favorite book. I liked the other 2 also, but this one kept me interested more.

I rounded out with a nice westernish book. Linda Lael Miller's Part of the Bargain. I really liked this book. It seems that it might be part of a series cause of some of the character references, but I can't find another book to go with it, but it was very good.

Enjoy the week of reading and fall festivities girls, it is so SWEET to read your recommendations. I have a large list of books to buy based on your ideas. Thanks...

Ronlyn said...

LOVE Judith McNaught! She is beyond wonderful.

This week I read Lori Handeland's "Doomsday Can Wait" which is the second book in her Pheonix Chronicals. It's a fun (and uber HOT) paranormal series.
Then I read Karen Robards BAIT which was great. Robards is pretty much always a winner for me.
And now, at the insistance of my fellow RPs (specifically Mary G is once again beefing up my 'must read' author list), I've picked up Maya Bank's "The Darkest Hour". Good reading! YAY!

My other weekend fun was attending the ECWC book signing. Sadly I didn't know most of the authors there, but I do have a few new books & authors to try as a result of that little trip. I wish I had been able to attend the whole confrence, but I'm making a point to go next year. (You hear that Christy? I think maybe you should make a point to attend too. ;-) )

Gwen Hernandez said...

Hey, Christy. This week I read LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON and MARRIED BY MORNING, both by Lisa Kleypas. She's one of the few historical romance authors I must read.

I'm also with hope on Cindy Gerard. I haven't read her Bodyguard series, but I'm in love with the BOIs of Black Ops Inc.

Glad to hear you're having good weather down south. It's been rainy but pleasant in Northern Virginia. Have a great week!

krisgils33 said...

My weekend was exhausting. I'm still trying to get righted from being across the pond, but didn't have a moments peace. My daughter had a soccer game and then a dance company performance on Sat and yesterday was brunch with the in-laws and then the dance company family fun day.

With the rainy and cool temps today and oversleeping, I decided to have a "me" day. Once the fam was all off to work and school, I started reading Nora Roberts The Search. Not far in yet, but it's really good!

Last week I read Maya Banks The Darkest Hour and Sweet Temptation and Pamela Clare Naked Edge. All were extremely awesome!!!

I love Judith McNaught as well. My favorite is Every Breath You Take.

Hope said...

Gwen Hernandez - the Bodyguard series is kind of the prequel to the BOI series, the last book sets up the BOI's, so it kind of continues on. I read the BOI first, so I was a little backwards, but check them out, I think you will enjoy them.

Crystal (cmac) said...

Hey everyone!!
Sadly I didn't read anything last week. :( Which made for a very long week for me. But I am going to follow Christy's lead and second her recommendation. Judith McNaught is beyond fabulous!!! I am so happy I listened to Christy when she suggested I read her historicals! They are an absolute favorite!!

Hope I'm crossing my fingers that you get your Suzanne Brockmann book this week!

Hey Gwen did you know that the Bodyguard series and the BOI series connect? If you like BOI you'll like the Bodyguards for sure!!

Ronlyn I can NOT believe you haven't read Maya Banks yet!!! Girl move it to the TOP of the list!!! It was great!!!

Gwen Hernandez said...

Thanks, Hope & Crystal. The Bodyguard series is on my ever-growing TBR list. I didn't realize it was connected to BOI though. Guess I'll be reading them backwards too.

I saw Crystal's mention of Suzanne Brockmann. She's always a must-buy. Absolutely love her stuff.

I'll have to check out Judith McNaught. Thanks!

Ronlyn said...

Crystal, I know for a FACT that you have a fairly large TBR pile now. Get reading!!

And I know! (in re: to not having read Banks yet) I'm attributing it to the fact that there are so many wonderful authors out there, I'm bound to have overlooked a hundred or so. ;-)

Alison said...

It sounds like I need to pick up a couple Judith McNaught books!

I read Hidden Fire and Line of Fire from Jo Davis's Firefighters of Station Five series...I thought they were great, very hard to put down once I got started :) Plus who doesn't love firefighters!

I also picked up Jill Shalvis's Simply Irresistable. Its the first book in her Lucky Harbor Series about 3 sisters and it looks to be a good series.

I'm with Hope--The Bodyguard series and the BOI series by Cindy Gerard are great reads! I've picked up her latest Deadly Promises...I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

Kara C said...

Good Monday everyone! (Do I sound like I believe it IS a good Monday? LOL)
This week I finished Jane Porter's She's Gone Country and Sally Mackenzie's The Naked Duke, a series Jackie purposely recommended to me because the sequence of books to be read is SO confusing. ;) I also finished Dee Davis's third ATac book, Desperate Deeds, and the Nauti and Wild anthology. Right now I am reading Deadly Promises, another anthology - this one includes stories by Cindy Gerard and Laura Griffin. WOO HOO! I just started Louisa Edwards' Just One Taste.
@Ronlyn, I agree with you. So many great authors and books, so little time! I am behind on my new release reading, but I'll get to them. There are so many older books I want to get to as well, including Judith McNaught. @Christy, you will be very proud to learn that I now have in my possession ALL of her books you listed in your post. I actually just finished the series that contains Kingdom of Dreams. (That book is SO good.) I'd say I've definitely turned a corner, and can honestly say, "I read historical romance."
Hope everyone has a great day. The weather is BEAUTIFUL here!

Kara C said...

Aly,
I like that series by Jo Davis as well. REALLY looking forward to the new one coming out soon!

Ronlyn said...

I just realized that I think I've been confusing Jo Davis and Dee Davis. Hmmm... I'm going to have to get my hands on each to figure out exactly who it is I've read.

Kara C said...

Ronlyn,
Dee Davis's new series all have titles with two D words in it, ie Desperate Deeds. JO Davis's series is about firefighters. Hope that helps.

Hope said...

Ronlyn, Jo Davis' series is about the firefighters and Dee Davis has the romantic suspense of A-Tac, both are VERY good.

I seem to be in the same boat as most everyone, I bought Maya Banks' The Darkest Hour, just haven't gotten to it yet.

Ronlyn said...

I don't believe I've read the fire firghters. hmm...more to go onto the list. Damn that list is long. LOL

Crystal (cmac) said...

Yes Ronlyn you are absolutely right! You'll be happy to know that I have already started reading Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas (my first by her), but Jackie kindly pointed out I'm reading out of order. So I've got to get to the library to see if they have what I need.

Ronlyn said...

well, I just looked at Dee Davis' website and I'm not sure I've read her either. Is there a mysterious third Davis? LOL. Looks like I'll have to ask my trusty library to get everything for me so I can weed through it all.

Ronlyn said...

yes Crystal, you're reading out of order. But if you can keep it a secret from KK my lips are sealed. ;-) I'm looking for the other wallflower books for you. It's a good series.

Kara C said...

"if you can keep it a secret from KK my lips are sealed" - RONLYN!

And to think, I just sent you a nice message on FB.

Hope said...

Crystal, you are reading out of order. That is a good series. As you know, I am not much on the historicals but she writes a good one. She also wrote a series you will like about a family in Texas (Blue Eyed Devil, Smooth Talking Stranger etc.)

Ronlyn said...

LOL, but KK...*I'm* not reading out of order!! *I'm* being good! :-)

Crystal (cmac) said...

Ohhhh ROnlyn was busted by KK!! Thanks for keeping my secrets though! lol

Hope- The series you are talking about with The Blue eyed Devil is highly recommended by the RP's. I'm having a difficult time talking myself into reading them, because I hate reading in first person. I'm told that it is SOOO good that I'll be able to over look such a minor thing so we'll see if I can talk myself into it. lol

Crystal (cmac) said...

Ohhh KK you'll notice that "I'm" being good too! I put the book down as soon as I realized I was out of order! ..... I sure don't want to be on the bad side of KK patrol this week!! :)

Ronlyn said...

psst: nice save Crystal. LOL

Kara C said...

Do it Crystal, do it! You won't regret it, I promise. I haven't talked to anyone who doesn't like those books, especially Blue Eyed Devil and Smooth Talking Stranger. Some folks haven't liked the first one, Sugar Daddy, as much. I loved them all - AND read them in order. ;)

Ronlyn said...

Crystal, I think I have them in my pile. I'll see if I have *all* of them to send to you. LOL. Wouldn't want to get you in any trouble by tempting you to read out of order. ;-)

Hope said...

I am sorry to say I didn't read them in order, but only cause I didn't know it was a series until it was to late, but they are really good.

Crystal (cmac) said...

lol Shew.... I'm still off the KK patrol list. I was a little nervous there for a minute. :0

Yeah Ronlyn I'm almost to my breaking point having all these books, but trying to wait and read them CORRECTLY!!! Who knew it could be such a temptation!! lol

Alison said...

My favorite of the Texas series is the last one Smooth Talking Stranger. I hope she writes one for the 3rd Travis brother!! I liked that they are in Houston...I know some of the neighborhoods she mentions in the book.

Deb said...

Had very little time to read last week. Off to the beach a couple of days with family, then work was backed up. I have started Silent Scream by Karen Rose and can tell it is going to be good. Also going to start on Brenda Novak's Heat books. I think they are going to be good too. I guess I also will be doing Cindy Gerard series backwards. Have read most of the Black OPs and none of the Bodyguard. For any of you that have read both, which did you like the most?
Christy hope you have a SWEET week and enjoy the weather, it is really nice here in West Central GA.

Ronlyn said...

Deb-you've got some great books you're reading.
In re: to Gerards Bodyguards vs. BOIs, they are all wonderful. Really. The BOIs, however, are a bit deeper and stronger in my opinion.

Crystal (cmac) said...

I agree with Ronlyn on the Bodyguard vs BOI's. All are very good, but the BOI's are stronger and deeper!!

Elke said...

Hi Christy, hi everyone,
I had a great weekend and not much time to read. But I read the the latest release from Suzanne Brockmans "Tall,dark and dangerous" series ( Joe Catalanottos and Blues stories) and I loved them nearly as much as the troubelshooters.

It seems that many of you read Cindy Gerards BOIs and Bodygard series and these are (among Christies books) one of my favourites, especially Gabe`s and Jennas story.

I just got an update for the delivery of Maya Banks` the darkest Hour from amazon and it seems that I won`t have to wait four month as I was told when I ordered it. It will be delivered within the next week and I am thrilled, because it was so highly recommended here.

Hope you all have a great week.

Crystal (cmac) said...

Good news for you Elke!! You'll enjoy it I'm sure.

Modokker said...

Hope we could be reading buddies cause i've read all those books too. lol Well i'm working on the bodyguard series. You should try her black ops series next.

I am currently reading some Johann Lindsey books and Linda Howards latest release i just finished Veil of Neight. It reminded me a little of Mr Perfect.

Lisa

Hope said...

Lisa, I have lots of reading buddies, one of the good thing about this site, I have met lots of really great people. I have read the Black Op series, I just read it before the Bodyguard series. At the time I didn't know they overlap ;o)

Luci said...

Hey Christy so glad SWEET JUSTICE is coming along. Only JMc book i did not read from the list you mentioned is Someone to Watch over Me, but i have it in my piles. LOVED, Loved A Kingdom of Dreams.

I read Cindy Gerard's Bodyguard series way back and i enjoyed them but, I don't know why, i never got to reading the BOI books although I have three or four of them in my piles. Must get to them soon.


Read the first four Jo Davis Firefighter books and enjoyed them and i am really looking forward to the next one coming out in a few weeks' time!

I am reading my first book by Julie Anne Long: Beauty and the Spy and i am really enjoying it. The more I read the better it becomes. I am really glad i finally made the plunge and picked up the book.

I just won a Carolyn Jewel on the Book Binge and she's an author I haven't read yet so looking forward to that.

Unfortunately, since a couple of months I do not have much time to read so I am reading half what i used to read in a month and books keep on being published and my piles keep on growing!

Christy Reece said...

Hey all! Loving all this chatter and great book recommends. I see several here that I'm anxious to try. Keep'em coming! I've got to get back to Seth and Honor but will check back soon!

Modokker said...

Hope i am reading them backward too. The Black ops series i mean. I read them first but what happened is i won 2 copies of cindy Gerards last BOI book Risk no Secrets from two different places. i shared one with a friend then went to my TBR pile cause i although i had read Cindy Gerard i had heard of her and thought i had some of her books. I did i actually had 3 of the other ones in that series and was only lacking one. Found that on paperbackswap and got to reading. Then i looked at her other books and saw the bodyguard series. Ergo i am reading backwards too lol It's all good though. She is writing Doc's book right now for BOI's. Can't wait he's one of my favs from the series.

Lisa

ps do you use gooreads.com?

Hope said...

I have never heard of goreads. I will check it out.

She (Gerard) just came out with an anthology about Cavanaugh. He is the CIA agent that helped a lot in the Reed/Crystal book. I just finished it. It was a pretty good story, although I am not big in to the anthologies cause the stories are to short.

Christy Reece said...

Ronlyn, I've heard great things about the Emerald Coast Writers' Conference. I really would love to attend some day. You never know!

I'm so glad you had a good time and got some new authors to try too. That's always a plus.

Anonymous said...

Hope,
I dont like to read anthalogies as well, because the stories are always too short and just when I´m used to the characters, the story is ending and mostly there are some unanswered questions.
Did you read the other stories in "Deadly promises" als well and did you like them? Because there is a story by Laura Griffin and I read her Glass Sisters books and the tracer series and really liked those. So if you recommend the other stories as well, I might give it a try .

Elke said...

I just posted a comment and it shows as anonymus, but I ticked the wrong button - so it was me,Elke. Sorry

Ronlyn said...

Christy, if you come to the next ECWC I'll make you a D-lish.....

Jackie P said...

@Crystal, Read "Smooth Talking Stranger" 1st and go backwards with the order. I Promise you will get hooked!!!!!

@KK, :) I just Love all the backwards reading order.... ♥

Now on to the important stuff.
IF you like Fun, laughter and some romantic bickering. Not to mention an AWESOME read then grab....drumroll please........ Susan Andersen's "Just For Kicks" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a buy!!!!!!

Hope said...

Elke - I read the Laura Griffin anthology but I couldn't get in to the Sherilynn Kenyon one (which is weird cause it is a B.A.D. series book and I love that series, but I just couldn't get in to that story.) I was just told yesterday that I have to add Laura Griffin to my must read list and was at the book store today and could only find the 2nd in her tracer series, so I will wait, KK gets made if you read out a sequence ;o) I would suggest getting the book because of Cav's story alone, it was pretty good, but short, and the Laura Griffin was good as well.

Nancy B. said...

I've been inhaling anything by:

Jill Shalvis (particularly Simply Irresistible)

Susan Mallery

Robyn Carr

And YOU, Christy. :)

Elke said...

Hope,
the second book in the tracer series - is this "untraceable"?- I´m not quite sure at the moment-but this one is in my opinion the best in the tracer series so far. The next one -"unspeakable" is good too, but i didn´t like the heroine Elena McCord so much, I can`t really tell why.So as the books can be read independently may be you should give it a try and risk to be blamed here for not reading in the correct order ? It seems that some ladies here are quite strict about that. As I am relativly new here - are there any rules I should know about ,lol?

As for the antologie, I put it on my list for my next amazon order, thanks.

Kara C said...

@Nancy B, Great list of authors you've got there!

@Elke, I think UNTRACEABLE is the first book in that series, and I thought it was great too. As for order, the rule is read what you like. Some of us have gotten a bad rap for trying to put order into otherwise chaotic lives, but no more! LOL I'm SO glad you're getting you Banks book earlier than you thought. What great news. I still haven't found it around here and may have to order it online.

Kara C said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hope said...

Elke, there are no rules, just reading and fun and recommending. I too am waiting to read the Maya Banks book, but I have it, just haven't gotten to it. To many books to choose from ;o)

Christy Reece said...

Hey all! Checking in once more. Still loving this chatter. You guys feel free to talk all you want about books you love. It's so much fun to see some of my favorite authors discussed, plus discovering new ones.

And Ronlyn, having a D-lish with you would be worth the trip! Really hope I can make it sometime.

Nancy B, great to see you posting and thanks for the recommends. Also, thanks so much for reading my books!

Elke, definitely no rules here other than recommending good reads for others and talking about your favorite books. LOL You read them any way you like. The key is to enjoy yourself with a good book.

Okay, I'm going back to Seth and Honor. I had planned to spend the whole day with them and then the dastardly villain showed up and ruined my plans. (Well, not really because I'm really enjoying this evil creature!)

Chat later!

Jackie P said...

Elke I promise there are NO rules. I just make fun with Kara about reading in order and she messes with me about backwards order. I welcome you to pick on Kara anytime you want. Just have fun! :)

Mary G said...

Hi All
Yes Ronlyn, The Darkest Hour is awesome. Hope you think so too.

Crystal
No one hates first person more than me, but I devoured the 3 Lisa Kleypas contemps back to back. So many little wisdoms, I wish I'd put sticky notes on the pages so I could go back & read cetain parts again.

I read Burning Up by Susan Andersen & loved it.

Elke said...

Hi, I just checked out the latest comments and I´m really glad that there are no rules (lol), I enjoy the chatter here and Im thrilled that so many of you were happy with me for the update for the delivery of "the darkest hour". I received it
just an hour ago (I expected it not before saturday so it was quite a nice surprise ) and hopefully will start reading it this evening .