Monday, November 14, 2011

Recommend Monday!

Happy Monday All!

How was your weekend? Do anything fun or read anything fabulous? Tell us about it!

My weekend was nice and restful, which was what I wanted and needed. Wrote a little, read a couple of books, watched some television. Just good stay-at-home fun. (:

Don't forget! The SWEET JUSTICE and SWEET REVENGE chat is scheduled for tomorrow night from 7-9 CST. If you're not on the Yahoo loop and want to be involved in the discussion, send your email address to christy@christyreece.com and I'll send you an invitation to join. If you were on the loop last year, you should have received an email reminder from me. And if you don't want to be on the loop anymore, you can delete yourself off or let me know and I can do it for you.

The chat is meant to be a fun time. An opportunity to ask questions about the plot, character or "What in the world were you thinking when you let your character do that!" kinds of questions. There will be spoilers, so be warned if you've not read the books. And there will be prizes, too! Hope you can join us.

Also, if you're on GoodReads, I'm giving away five early copies of SWEET REWARD. Here's the link to enter: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/15967-sweet-reward

Did you notice we're only 42 days away from the release of SWEET REWARD? Time is zooming by at rocket speed! Last week, I posted a couple of links to excerpts, but wanted to point out that an excerpt is now on my website, on the SWEET REWARD page. Hope you enjoy!

This week, I'm going to do a bit more writing, reading and planning. I really hope that I'll be able to talk soon about what I'm writing. Once I can talk about it, I'll explain why I couldn't talk about it before. (:

As I mentioned, I did read a couple of very good books this week. Finally read Virgin River and I can definitely see why the series is so popular. Wonderful characters and Jack is such a sigh-worthy hero. Also, I reread one of my favorite Linda Howard books, Shades of Twilight. It's got some age on it, but still a great read.

Can't wait to hear what you're reading and what you're recommending!

Have a great day all!

26 comments:

Ronlyn said...

Morning Christy! I'm still trying to wake up over here. :-P
It was a busy purging weekend for me. I decided to take on my desk drawers and, well, I found things I'm ashamed to say I've moved at least 3 times. Cards from when I graduated from college (I won't say how old those are). A to do list from my wedding! (Yep, that's about 10 years old now)
It feels good to get rid of all that useless stuff. And I reorganized my bookshelves, so my resource books are right by my desk now and I won't have to go hunting for them. It was a productive weekend.
I finished THE SINNER, which is book 2 of Margaret Mallory's The Return of the Highlanders series and I really enjoyed it. Really. ~dreamy sigh~
Have a good week. I can't wait until you can start talking about your newest project!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Ronlyn, oh, now I have clean desk drawer envy. Of course, it could be because I don't have drawers in my desk and so wish I did. That's why I've got tons of crap...I mean valuable, important papers all over my desk and every available flat surface in my office. So did you pitch your old cards and wedding to-do list? When I'm cleaning, I always start off strong, throwing stuff away and then my overly sentimental side comes out and destroys all my good work!

Have Margaret Mallory on my must read list. Looking forward to them.

Regarding talking about new project...me neither. (:

Have a great week!

Ronlyn said...

I did, I got rid of it all. Now I'll admit that that was one drawer (a dresser sized drawer) and I have another one that I opened and promptly closed without even looking at. LOL. But the desk top is cleaned up and so is the top drawer.

And I understand all too well about all those super valuable items that become strewn everywhere. :-)

TTYL!

Alison said...

Good Morning Christy! I introduced my mom to your first 3 books over Labor Day and she loved them! There's a pretty good CHANCE she'll be getting the next 3 books for her upcoming birthday:)

I read a couple books this past week that I really enjoyed...My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell and Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas. I'm currently reading & liking Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb.

Have a good week everyone!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Alison! Thanks for introducing my books to your mom! I'm so glad she enjoyed them! And if she gets the CHANCE to read more, hope she enjoys those too. (:

Two great historicals! Thanks for the recommend. And is Holiday in Death an actual holiday book or one of the regular In Death books?

Have a great week!

Taryn @MySecretRomance said...

Hey Christy and friends!

Christy, I have been waiting for you to put up Recommend Monday so I can come on here and tell all about the two books I read last week!! First of all, I should say that I normally don't read these kinds of books, but a friend nagged me to death to so I did. Plus, she bought them for me for my birthday so I couldn't really say no. This genre is usually too hard core and rough and I don't want to be cringing when I'm reading, with that being said, I think I am in love (again) with some books. *picture me with a really big dumb grin on my face* I read Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker by E L James. Oh my goodness how I loved them! The hero is such a dark tortured man and I hurt for him in many ways while reading these books. He has so many issues with his life. He struggles with so much and we get to see him work through it all, which was not only not easy for him, but as reader it was difficult to see too. This is a very emotional book. There is one last and final book to this trilogy that comes out in January and I can't wait to see what happens!! These books definitely go on my list of top favorites of this year. I will also say that these books are probably not for everyone. There was one scene in the first book that is a total "WTH DID I JUST READ???" in there. Totally uncalled for in my opinion and not to mention, gross. If anyone reads that part you will know exactly what I mean. But other then that, they are really good books and I can see why they have gotten so popular.

Ronlyn, I am a complete nut when it comes to organizing. I LOVE IT!!! I love it so much it has rubbed off on my kids and they get excited when they think I'm in an organizing mood. I would have loved to tackle your desk, and yours too Christy!

Alison, was that the first book you read by Anna Campbell? Did you like it? I just bought Untouched and Claiming the Courtesean yesterday and now I'm waiting for them to come in the mail.

Hope everyone has a great week!!

Alison said...

Christy - Holiday in Death is a regular In Death book, but it takes place a couple weeks before Christmas and the killer is dressed as Santa Claus! CREEPY!

Taryn - I've read all of Anna Campbell's books. She always has really interesting plotlines, they are not your typical historicals. I really liked Untouched and Claiming the Courtesan.

Christy Reece said...

Hey Taryn, I'm definitely going to have to check out 50 Shades of Gray. I've seen it discussed in several different forums, some loving it and some not so much. When a book is discussed that much, you know it has touched hot buttons of emotions. I tend to love those kinds of reads!

LOL Anytime you want to come to Bama and help me organize, you just let me know!

Have a great week!

Christy Reece said...

Alison, thanks for the clarification of Holiday In Death. A killer Santa? Yikes!

oklanannie said...

Good Monday morning to all!

A very busy weekend but wonderful as well for me. Saturday was wild beginning with a visit to watch Miss Karoline's ballet class. They are so adorable at two in their little pink tutus!! On to breakfast with both grandkids and their mommy! It was such fun and yummy, too! And then we watched the football game and I am happy to report that my Oklahoma State Cowboys are still undefeated and ranked #2!! This is the best season in the school's history. Just hope we can keep up the momentum for the last two games.

I read Shiloh Walker's IF YOU HEAR HER" and I was hooked from the get-go! Can't wait for the next one!

Also started Jaycee Clark's Kinncaid Bros. Series (recommended by Aly) and loved the first book, DEADLY SHADOWS. I'm excited to begin DEADLY TIES, the second one today.

I'm in a romantic suspense mood and wish I had a new SWEET book to read! Won't be long until Jared arrives!!

Going to try and finish up the Christmas shopping this week and begin the preps for Thanksgiving! I can't believe we're just a week away from the beginning of the holiday season.

I hope everyone enjoys some great reads this week!

Taryn @MySecretRomance said...

Oh me too, Christy! I think the emotional heart wrenching reads are the best. Of course, that's my opinion. ;) I have only heard one person say she didn't like 50 Shades. She said she found the hero, Christian, to be creepy. Honestly, at one point I did too. The way his smile was described did make him a bit creepy, but he totally redeems himself so it was ok. Please keep me updated if you decide to read them.

Christy Reece said...

Hey Anne! What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. Thinking about two olds in pink tutus has me smiling. (:

Congrats to your Cowboys again. Fingers crossed their winning streak continues through the season.

I started If You Hear Her yesterday and am already hooked. I hesitated reading it because it's my understanding it has a bit of a cliffhanger ending. With my lack of patience, waiting will be hard for me.

Wish you had something SWEET to read, too. Won't be long now, though!

Yep, it is hard to believe that the holiday season is almost upon us. This year has zoomed by at lightning speed.

Have a great week!

Crystal said...

Hey everyone! Happy Monday. Is everyone ready for Thanksgiving?

Last week I read On the Line and Nothing more to Lose by Kathryn Shay. I love this series. There were several places I had issues with, but even those issues were everyday life issues that I take up problems with when I hear about them. The reason I like this series so much is because all the characters are "real". Each one could be a person down the road from me. Very good series!
Well I am being pulled back into the past so this week I am going to read some historicals. I've started Grace Burrowes The Soldier and plan to read a book by Amanda Forester as well.
Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

krisgils33 said...

Hey all,
Doing a quick drive-by. I am completely swamped and have been for way too many days now. :-(

I've been reading Seal of My Dreams. Not usually a huge fan of the novella, but some of the stories are really good and the proceeds benefit a very worthy cause.

Hope said...

Hey ladies....Happy Monday :)

I started a series by Jaycee Clark this week, it was recommended by Aly (I think Anne is reading them too) The Kinncaid Bros. Series I really loved DEADLY SHADOWS. I'm just finishing DEADLY TIES, and can't wait to start the third one. These are romantic suspense and follows the Kinncaid brothers. I highly recommend them.

Have a great week everyone.

Elke said...

Hi Christy, hi all,

Ronlyn, I share Christys desk envy ,lol.I could use someone to clean my desk - it is a mess right now. The piles are just getting higher and higher- but there is always something more important than sorting through all those papers and stuff.Taryn I could use some of your love for organizing.

We had a nice weekend with really great late autumn weather , but today its been very foggy all day and just right for a cosy evening lighting a candle and reading another great book.

Christy, I think the next book in Shiloh Walkers series will be released in January - so the waiting won´t be too long. I hate waiting too - but I got a lot of practice this year, waiting for three Sweet books to be released, lol.

I read Kat Martins Against the storm this week- quite good but not so fast paced as the first three books about the Raines brothers.

Another book I would like to recommend is " Get a clue" by Jill Shalvis.Its one of her earlier books and kind of a classic "who dunit" story -six people stranded in a big house during a snowstorm and then the heroine finds a body in the winecellar.
It was witty and sexy and I especially liked the chapter headlines (quotes from the heroines journal entries).Two of my favs are "I´ve heard men are like fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it´s up to women to stomp the shit out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with" or " everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to make them when nobody is looking". There are more- but you should see for yourself.

Lots of interesting recommends here this week - I have to make a list to check them out.

Have agreat week everyone!

KC said...

Good afternoon ladies!
I had one of the nicest weekends. I read most of Saturday and Sunday. It was pretty snowy hear to I thought, why not? I have been on a historical kick lately. I read Lynsay Sands Highland series, it was cute and fun. Also read Animal Attraction, the 2nd in Shalvis's series. And Holly Lane by Toni Blake, its the 4th book in the Destiny series, it was good but I had a problem with the main female charcter, she kind of bugged me. But it was still pretty good. I also read The Chief by Monica McCarty it is the first in the series about What else: Highlanders. I do love me some sexy Highlanders! Well thats all for me. See you ladies later!

Luci said...

Hey Christy , haven't been here for a few weeks but I have been extremely busy at work and passed through an extremely slow reading period.

I am passing through a Highlander period and cannot get enough of them. I have had Margaret Mallory's books suggested on Amazon an since i am seeing Ronlyn likes the books will give them a try.

Am reading a new-to-me author of a Highlander series (what else :)) - Amanda Forester's Highlander's Sword. I actually saw the second book of the series reviewed but since I am unable to read out of order I went ot the first book firt. So far so good.

Next weekend its going to be scary busy. Organised a breast cancer symposium with top specialists as speakers. Fingers crossed everything goes well and we get good attendance. Then all through the weekend too the hospital I am marketing manager of is participating in a fair so will be busy with the stand.

I confess I have the first two SWEET books close to my bed but haven't read them yet becasue since the last is released in December I will read them back to back and really savour them because as the months pass my memory is not getting any better.

Christy Reece said...

Hi Crystal! Oh, I love real life characters in books, too. I don't think I've read Katherine Shay...will add her to my ever growing list!

Let me know if you need some historical recommendations. You know how much I love doing that. (:

Christy Reece said...

Hey Kris! Hope things slow down for you soon. You have been so busy! And thanks for the reminder on Seal of My Dreams. I just ordered it. You're right. Fabulous authors and a great cause. Can't go wrong there!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Hope! Thanks for recommending Jaycee Clark again. I meant to get it last week and forgot. Just went to Amazon and bought it. Can't wait!

Christy Reece said...

Hey Elke! Oh, I love foggy, cool days and nights. Hope you get to curl up with a good book.

The Jill Shalvis book sounds like great fun! Love whodunit books!

And not too much longer to wait for a SWEET read! (:

Christy Reece said...

Hey KC! Snowy days and books just go together, don't they. Sounds like a marvelous way to spend a weekend. And I loved Monica McCarty's The Chief. Such a great series.

Christy Reece said...

Luci, we missed you! So glad you got to stop by and make some recommendation. Wow, you've been so busy and looks like you're going to be even busier.

I appreciate you getting the first two SWEET books, even though you're waiting till SWEET REWARD comes out to read them. Hope the wait is worth it for you and you love them all.

I hope all your events next week go spectacularly well!

Crystal said...

Christy you know I am ALWAYS looking for a good historical. I can't get enough.

Kara C said...

I'm SO late, probably due to the fact that, until 3:15this afternoon, I thought it was Tuesday! This kind of thing happens to me way too much. ;-)
I finished a free for the kindle book by Doranna Durgin called Hidden Steel. It was worth the read for the heroine alone. What a crack up, despite the fact she is going through some serious drama.
Now, I've posted this on FB, but seriously? You should all check out the Joe Adams run during the Razorback win this weekend. It may never be reproduced. I know some of you are football fans. It's worth the view.
Hope everyone has a great week, and that Tuesday treats you well. Tomorrow IS Tuesday, right?