Monday, January 9, 2012

Recommend Monday and Favorites of 2011!!!

Good Monday Everyone!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend. Mine went too fast but was excellent. Did some writing, reading, sleeping and eating. The four essentials for a restful and wonderful weekend!

Before we get started on the recommends, I want to thank all of you who have purchased SWEET REWARD, either as paperback or ebook. I got the fabulous news last week that my publisher is printing more books and that the ebook sold extremely well. So thank you, thank you, thank you! If you've not been able to find the book, hopefully with more being printed, you can find it easily now.

Also, thank you so very much to those who have emailed me or sent me messages about SWEET REWARD and how much you're going to miss the Last Chance Rescue gang. I sincerely appreciate your kind words. If you have the opportunity to leave a review at your favorite review site, that's certainly appreciated too! And if you get the chance, would you mind clicking 'like' on the SWEET REWARD Amazon page? Here's the link:

This week, I'm digging deep and hoping Savannah and Zach are ready to share all those secrets they're keeping. Just from what they've told me so far, I'm loving them both already!

With all the holiday craziness now over, I thought it'd be fun to chat about our favorite reads from 2011. Not necessarily published in 2011, but the ones you read and enjoyed in 2011. I won't limit the list to a certain number, so if you have 1000 favorite reads and you've got the energy to type them, go for it! I didn't get to read near as much as I wanted to last year, however, as I was going through my list, I realized I read more than I'd thought and with very few exceptions, enjoyed them immensely.

Here's my list for fun and memorable reads of 2011 (In no particular order)

The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley
Breaking Point by Pamela Clare
Heaven Can't Wait by Pamela Clare
Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare
What Mattered Most by Linda Winfree
Bewitching by Jill Barnett
Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen
Because of You by Jessica Scott
You Belong to Me by Karen Rose
Circle of Desire by Carla Swafford
Face of Danger by Roxanne St. Claire
Hush by Cherry Adair
Virgin River by Robyn Carr

There were many more I intended to read but time ran out on me. They're at the top of my 2012 TBR list!

So what about you? What were your favorites? For extra incentive and to SWEETen the pot, one commenter will win a signed Last Chance Rescue book of your choice and a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. I'll wait until next Monday to announce the winner. That way, you have all week to gather your favorites and make your list.

Okay, I'm headed out for a walk and hope that my characters come along, too. Then it's a day full of writing for me.

Hope you all have a fabulous week. Can't wait to see your 2011 Favorites!

22 comments:

Crystal said...

Christy I agree with several on your top books of 2011! I'll do my recommends from the last couple weeks then I'll gather my top 2011 reads for everyone.
Last week I didn't comment and to be honest I can't remember if I did the week before. Not sure what I was thinking. Anyway... I've read several books lately that wasn't recommend worthy but here are the ones I think everyone should read...
1. SWEET REWARD!!! I really enjoyed this book and like it even more each time I read it. Even though I am sad to see the LCR books come to an end I think this book was a great way to end this wonderful series.
2. A Heart So Wild by Johanna Lindsey. I was in need of a good historical cowboy book and Ronlyn came through with an excellent recommendation.
3. Both In The Air Tonight and Night Moves by Stephanie Tyler. I really enjoy this whole series.
4.It's Always Been You by Victoria Dahl. I didn't like this one as much as the first one, but it was still a cute fun read.
5. I have a few issues with this next book, but I'm going to go ahead and put it on my list because if you like the series then this one should be read to keep up with the story/characters. Whispers In The Dark by Maya Banks. My issues with the book others probably won't even notice. So there you have my list and thoughts. :)

Hope everyone is recovering from the holiday madness and life is returning to normal.
Christy I can't wait to hear more about your characters. Hopefully they are very talkative on your walk this morning.

Karen said...

I have read way to many books this past year to say which ones are my favorite.
I read Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon, it was very different from her other Dark-Hunter books, it was not as good as I expected, but still enjoyed. I started to read Jill Shalvis, and I am enjoying her Lucky Harbor series. Read some Kresley Cole, loved her books, plus some Christine Warren, Lora Leigh, Susan Andersen, Jaci Burton, Sherryl Woods, and I am loving Laura Wrights Mark of the Vampire series. I have way to many regular authors that I read....at least 30+ and then I find new ones all the time! This past year I also discovered Mariah Stewart and Barbara Freethy, just fell in love with them right away.
I am sad to say that I am two books behind on the LCR series, and now sad to learn that the series will be done after I get my hands on the last two. It has been a great series.
I picked up the first one on a whim, I was looking for a new author, needed something to read, and I was hooked in the first chapter. Thank you for a great series, and I can't wait to see what you have in store next!

Nancy said...

I agree with Bewitching, Christy. One of the best books ever and so funny and sweet. I need to reread it sometime.
My favorite historical was Seven Years to Sin, by Sylvia Day.
My favorite romantic suspense was New York to Dallas, by J.D. Robb. You were my favorite discovery of 2011.
Please leave me out of the drawing. I work at a bookstore and get enough perks. So, give the prize to someone who's not as lucky as me. :)

Chrisbails said...

I have read some good books this year. Like Violets of March by Sarah Jio, Lord & Lady Spy by Shana Galen, To Wed a Wild Lord by Sabrina Jeffries, The Seven Year Itch by Jodi Redford and of course your book Sweet Revenge. Have enjoyed the series so far, but still have not read the last book Sweet Revenge yet. I am a big reader(4 to 6 books a week)and could of added a ton more to the list. Have found a lot of new authors this year. Thanks for the chance to win this fantastic prize.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Alison said...

Happy Monday All! Hi Christy!

My only recommendation this week is Whispers in the Dark, by Maya Banks. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, but I hope after the next book Maya is done adding para elements to this series.

As for my favorites of 2011,I read tons of books this year.
My favorites were...
Beg for Mercy by jami Alden
You Belong to Me by Karen Rose, this was my first Karen Rose book and it got me hooked on her books.
Animal Attraction and Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
The LCR SWEET trilogy by yours truly :)
Fatal Consequences & Fatal Justice by Marie Force
Fragile and Broken by Shiloh Walker
Ransom by Julie Garwood
Breaking Point by Pamela Clare
Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
To Love a Thief by Julie Anne Long

Have a good week everyone!

Susan T. said...

2011 was alot of series reading, most notable:Tara Janzen's Steele Street, Christy Reece;'s LCR (on book 5), Deidre Martin's NY Blades, and Rachel Gibson's Chinook's Hockey.

Also read JR Ward's Lover Unleashed, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Retribution, Cherry Adair's Riptide and a bunch of new authors too.

Thanks for the giveaway.

kidsue99@yahoo.com

krisgils33 said...

My last hurrah for 2011 was a re-read of the complete LCR. I adore each and every one of those books, but to be redundant, Seth is still my favorite! I was wondering if my re-read would make me change my mind....nope!!!! And, actually, Sweet Reward was my first book of 2012!! What an awesome way to ring in the new year!!! Loved that book!

I read so many good books in 2011 (and a number of duds, too!). Some that stick out:
Space in His Heart, Roxanne St. Claire
Breaking Point, Pamela Clare
Because of You, Jessica Scott
Beg for Mercy, Jami Alden
Hot Zone, Catherine Mann
Can't Hurry Love, Christy Ridgway
No Place to Run, Maya Banks
The Stolen Trilogy, Elizabeth Naughton
With No Remorse, Cindy Gerard
Lord and Lady Spy, Shana Galen
The Sullivan Bros trilogy, Bella Andre
Animal Magnetism/Attraction, Jill Shalvis

Luci said...

Hey Christy,

I finally received SWEET Reward so i am going to have a back to back SWEET bing!!

2011 wasn't a super reading year for me becaus ei experienced more than one slump. I still managed to read quite a few books - will stick to my 5-star ratings:

No Place To run Maya Banks
When Beauty Tamed the Beast Eloisa James
The Chief Monica McCarty
Claimed by the Highlander Julianne Maclean
Edge of Danger Roxanne St Claire
Just Like Heaven Julia Quinn
Killer Curves Roxanne St Claire
You Belong to Me Karen Rose
Fatal Affair Marie Force
Fatal Consequences Marie Force
To Wed a Highlander Michele Sinclair
Seduction of a Highland Lass Maya Banks
Never Love a Highlander Maya Banks
Scandalous Desires Elizabeth Hoyt


Considering that all your books are 5-stars to me the last trilogy will SWEETen my 2012 list :). Read more historicals last year but also some very good RS.

At the moment am reading a page a day :( of Emma Wildes' Twice Fallen. Unfortunately the fact that i forgot all the details of the first book does not help. which is why i like reading books in the same series back to back if possible.

Elke said...

Hi Christy, hi all,
its good to be back to normal after the holidays.

Christy, congratulations on the fabulous sell of "Sweet reward" - thats great news and I hope the numbers of sold books is still rising. Hope that Savannah and Zach are talking to you - and you can share bits and pieces with us here on Rec. Monday soon.

I thought all week about my top book list - its tough to recall all the great books I read last year, but here are my favs:

All the "Sweet" books, the whole I-Team series by Pamela Clare,
Jill Shalvis Lucky Harbour series as well as Animal Attraction/Magnetism, Marie Forces Fatal series and Gansett Island series,
Jami Aldens "Beg for Mercy" and "Hide from Evil", "The Guardian Angelinos" series by Roxanne St.Claire and "You belong to me" by Karen Rose.

I also loved Maya Banks KGI series and my first recommend in 2012 is "Whispers in the Dark", the fourth book in the KGI series. Although I am not much into the paranormal stuff, Nathans story gripped me from the start and I loved the way Maya banks described his problems after his rescue and his recovery from the horrible things he went through during his captivity by taking care of Shea .

For all fans of Karen Rose: Her new book " no one left to tell" is already out in Europe and I can tell you it is something to look forward to.
Its main characters are Paige Holden - one of Olivia Sutherlands close friends from "Silent Scream" - and Grayson Smith, the states attorney from "You belong to me". But there are also some bits with Stevie Manzetti and Clay Mainard as well as more news about JD and Lucy.

Have a great week everyone!
P.S. Christy I am glad you liked the Christstollen.

Cathy M said...

Great list so far. A couple of my favorites:

Dead, Undead or Somewhere Inbetween by J.A. Saare

Vampire Instinct by Joey W Hill

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Jace by Sarah McCarty


caity_mack at yahoo dot com

KC said...

Most of the books mentioned so far are on my favorite list also.
Virgin River series by Robyn Carr
Highlander series by Maya Banks
Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden
Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis
Sweet series by Maya Banks
Hells Eight series by Sarah McCarty
And so many others I can't name them all.
This week I read a few duds and a few that were so-so, but nothing "Recommens Monday" worthy.

Na said...

This was a wonderful reading year -I discovered many authors new* to me and read great ones from those who are already my favorite. Here are some of them and I'm pulling them out of several different genres.

1. Night Road by Kristin Hannah (women's fiction)
2. The Taker by Alma Katsu* (gothic paranormal fiction)
3. Exposure by Therese Fowler (fiction)
4. My One and Only by Kristan Higgins
5. Until There Was you by Kristan Higgins(contemporary romance)
6.A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness* (paranormal fiction)
7. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning (UF)
8. The Outsider by Penelope Williamson* (historical romance)
9. Cold Dawn by Carla Neggers
10. Justice by Karen Robards(mystery.suspense)
10. Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs (Christian historical fiction)

...and many more! I can't wait to find new authors this year. So far I've read 3 books, all by authors new to me. I also am anticipating some sequeals as well.

Christy Reece said...

Wow, I'm developing a new list based on your lists. Yay! Keep'em coming! Will check back later on this week!

Carla Swafford said...

You're such a sweetheart, Christy, to include my book on your list.

Of course, yours is on mine though I still have the last two to read. And I've already told you Seth has stepped in front of Noah as my favorite.

I also enjoyed Victoria Dahl's Good Girls Don't, Bad Boys Do and Real Men Will. SEP's Call Me Irresistible.

There are several others I'll kick myself later for not remembering, but that's it for now.

Kara C said...

Hey Christy!
Great news about SWEET REWARD! Congrats! Your best of '11 list has some new to me books. I will be checking them out soon! My own list would have to include the SWEET books ( with a quick hello to D&J), Fatal Consequences and Starting Over by Marie Force, although you can't really go wrong with any of hers, Breaking Point by Pamela Clare (another go to author). Oh, and you historicals fans will be happy to know I read, and loved, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and To Love a Thief. :-)
Ok, back to the game. A little national championship I'm guessing you are watching?

Barbara said...

Hi Christy! I read SO many GREAT books in the last year. My favorites are: the SWEET series, Breaking Point by Pamela Clare; Virgin River series by Robyn Carr; anything and everything by Marie Force; Space in His Heart by Roxanne St. Claire, and the KGI Series by Maya banks and A Lot Like Love by Julie James. Have a great week everyone!

Elke said...

Hi, I forgot " Snapped" by Laura Griffin - my fav of the Tracer series.

Crystal said...

Okay back for my best of 2011 reads. I know I am forgetting several great books, but here we go..
Of course the SWEET BOOKS especially Sweet Revenge and Sweet Justice.

Breaking Point....Pamela Clare

The Highlander Series....Karen Marie Moning.

Highland Pleasures series...Jennifer Ashley

In the Air tonight and Night Moves...Stephanie Tyler

The Maiden Lane Series.... Elizabeth Hoyt.

The Highland Guard Series.... Monica McCarty

The McCabe Trilogy...Mayay Banks

Hurst Amulet series, MaClean curse, ....Karen Hawkins

Highlander Trilogy...Julianne MaClean

Hell's Eight.....Sarah McCarty

I've had several re-reads that will always be on my top reads for years to come..
Any an all by:
Christy Reece
Pamela Clare
Judith McNaught
Julie Garwood
Linda Howard

Hope said...

WAVING MADLY.....hello everyone. It feels like it has been YEARS since I have been able to post. I ended up getting really sick while we were at the karate world games with Jordan. And it is taking me a really long time to recover. BTW, my baby (he's 14, but always be my baby) won a world title in traditional weapons....YAY. Ok, on to the book stuff.

I have a pretty long list of books that were hits with me this year. I was introduced to many new to be authors, so I was able to broaden my horizons lol.

I LOVED the LCR trilogy (of course)
Breaking Point by Pamela Clare
Beg for Mercy by jami Alden
You Belong to Me by Karen Rose
Man Law by Adrienne Giordano
Under Fire by Rita Henuber
Shadow Force series by Steph Tyler
Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan (my surprise LOVE)
Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks
Deep Disclosure by Dee Davis
Oh lordy, this list is getting big...
Breaking Free by Teresa Reasor
Underground by Nicole Laurent
Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts (my first Nora books)
I think I am gonna stop there, every one of these books are on my keeper shelf. Some of them I read over and over again and I have started badgering some of the authors to hurry up with sequels lol.

Hope you are all having a wonderful beginning to your 2012.

Anonymous said...

I love several of those books for 2011 :) I absolutely LOVED Sweet Reward and am thinking I might just have to re-read it. I hate seeing the series come to an end but really look forward to your next series. Some of the books I read this year and loved are:
1. LCR series of course...
2. Beth Ciotta's Out of Eden and Into the Wild.
3. Victoria Dahl - Good Girls Don't, Bad Boys Do and Real Men Will.
4. Susan Donovan's Take a Chance on Me.
5. Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Series Only Mine, Only Yours and Only His.
6. Carly Phillips Serendipity and Destiny
7. Marliss Melton's Navy Seal series, the last was Show No Fear.
8. Susan Anderson Playing Dirty.

Hope you have the chance to read some of these. They were all really fun ones :)

Ronlyn said...

Hello!! I'm super late...as in: it's Wednesday night, but this is the first chance I've gotten to post. Gah!
Anyhoo....I don't keep track of when books come out, so I know I'm going to be missing some on my list:
Pamela Clare's Breaking Point of course. Karen Rose...again, of course. The Leslie Parrish books I just finished were wonderful.Margaret Mallory's Highlanders Return series. Stephanie Tyler. Laura Griffen's Tracer series just keeps getting better and better. My list could go on and on!
But I wanted to say hi!! And once again I'm green with envy re: Elke's ability to read Karen's releases before me. :-)

oklanannie said...

Computer virus took over this week so I'm late to the party!

Some of my favorite reads in no particular order except for first place for 2011:

LCR "Sweet" Trilogy - guess who?
Scandalous Desires - Elizabeth Hoyt
Space In His Heart - Roxanne St. Claire
Treading Water Trilogy - Marie Force
Lethal - Sandra Brown
Midnight Rain - Dee Davis
Hide From Evil - Jamie Alden
Breaking Point - Pamela Clare
Yesterday's Tomorrow - Catherine West
"Daughters of Erin Series" - Laurel McKee
"Turner Series" - Courtney Milan
One Was A Soldier - Julia Spencer-Fleming
"Lucy Hatch Novels (4) - Marsha Moyer
Because of You - Jessica Scott
Head Over Heels - Jill Shalvis
Welcome to Harmony - Jodi Thomas

Looking forward to the "best" reads in 2012!!