Recommend Monday with a Guest Reader!

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend. Did you do anything fun or read anything so good you're dying to tell us about it? Here's your chance!

My weekend was filled with writing and taking care of what my hubby affectionately now refers to as our 'livestock'. I did get a chance to take some photos that I'll try to share with you later on this week.

Before we get to Jackie's post, I wanted to mention a couple of things to you. Since I do plan on self publishing future LCR stories as eBooks, I created a Facebook page dedicated to Last Chance Rescue. It's a place you can chat about all things LCR, including your favorite characters, secondary characters you'd most like to read more about or any questions you have about LCR. If you're on Facebook, be sure to go over and 'Like' the page. Here's the link:
https://www.facebook.com/LastChanceRescuebooksbychristyreece?ref=tn_tnmn

Also, I was thrilled to learn that SWEET JUSTICE was nominated for Best Action Adventure/Romantic Suspense for 2011 over at The Romance Reviews (TRR). Voting is going on now and I would so appreciate your vote. Thank you!
Here's the link: http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php

On Friday, I'm going to be over at Romance University talking about saying goodbye to a successful series and starting a new one. I'll post the link later on this week. I thought you might enjoy learning just how insane my muse and I can get sometimes.

This week, since I overcame a major plot hurdle over the weekend, I hope to made great headway with Zach and Savannah. Wish us luck!

Now, for what we've all been waiting for. Please welcome a regular here at Recommend Monday, the lovely Jackie Prince, who's chatting about the things we do for love and some of her favorite funny books. I'll jump on a little later and share mine.

Oh, forgot to add that Jackie is offering a signed copy of an LCR book, RETURN TO ME, to one commenter! (Thank you!) (;

Take it away, Jackie and thanks for making us all smile this Monday morning!
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Have you ever done something for love that you wouldn't normally do?

One of my favorite vacations was to Rock City with my son, who was around 5 then, and some of our very dear friends. My son loved the place.

It has beautiful vistas

All kinds of rocks and caves to walk through, animals to see and best of all it rained the whole time we were there. Puddles!


Oh and beautiful Vistas! Did I mention that?















And cool rope bridges. (That’s NOT me, by the way)













And I am AFRAID of heights. (Yes, that is me)













As you can see, BECAUSE my dear friends (I still love you guys) recorded it down in history for me. I guess at the time I was under the impression that the lower I got, the lower the bridge would get.

Yet each time my son would shine his beaming face up to me. I would jump to attention and beam right back at him pretending to be that fearless Mom he knows me to be.

So take a moment and Stop…and think…. What is the funniest thing you’ve done for love? And while you’re at it, what are your go to funny books to read?

Here are some of mine.

Pamela Clare’s “ Extreme Exposure” part of her I-Team series. She also has a new I-Team novella coming out SOON so be on the lookout.

Jill Shalvis’ “ Lucky Harbor “ series. She has a new book coming out in the series “Lucky in Love” due out June 1^st.

And don’t forget the beautiful vistas. J

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday All!

I'm so thrilled to be home, I'd be doing somersaults if I could. (Hate to start the week with a broken bone!) I had an excellent trip, learned more than I ever anticipated and ate much more than I should have. All and all, a successful, enjoyable, worthwhile experience but I am so glad to get back to a normal routine.

How was your week and weekend? Do anything fabulously fun? Read any great books? Tell us about them!

This week, in between writing, I hope to put all I learned at my meeting together in a plan for the future. Not only am I excited about my new series, but also all the opportunities ahead. Can't wait to put them in place and share them with you. It's such an exciting time for authors and readers these days!

I did read a book last week that I anticipated recommending today. The first half was exactly the kind of book I love and I couldn't wait to tell you all about it. Then, the story went in a direction I didn't anticipate or enjoy. That means no recommend for me. I think I may have to do a reread of a Judith McNaught or Linda Howard book to get me back on track. Do you ever do that?

We're still in the midst of taking care of our rescued fur-kids. Andy is now home. Suzie is coming home today and Tula will be home on Friday. Armani, the puppy, is happily in her forever home with one of the lovely Vet Techs at the animal hospital. So happy these wonderful creatures are out of danger!

Okay, that's it for me. I need more coffee and then I'm getting to work. Can't wait to see what you're recommending this week. And next Monday, one of our regular contributors on Recommend Monday, the lovely and talented Jackie Prince, will be guest blogging about books that make you laugh. Anticipate a lot of fun with this post!

Have a great week everyone. Now, tell us what great books we should be reading!

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a fabulous week and an even better weekend. And really really hope you've got some delicious recommended reads!

Wanted to say a special thank you to Crystal for posting a great blog last week. Loved seeing your auto-buy authors and sincerely appreciate you putting me on your list! Remember, if you'd like to guest blog, email me at christy@christyreece.com and let's chat!

The Reece household is in the midst of new puppyhood and my poor hubby is living the Marley and Me experience. Our new addition, Andy, is about 80 pounds of love, energy and playfulness. Sadly, our two girls, who weigh less than a fourth his weight, can intimidate him. Andy's about a year old and was abandoned and abused. It's going to take lots of loving tenderness and patience to make him feel like one of the family. He has a wonderfully gentle disposition and we're so happy to add him to our family of fur. When I get back from my trip, I'll take some photos and post them.

Writing went well last week and I'm happy to report that Zach and Savannah are fully cooperating. I'm falling deeper in love with these characters. Zach especially! Such a sigh worthy hero!

I finished up my Rita contest reading and since I'm headed to NYC, I'm looking forward to a great plane ride read. Any suggestions?

Okay, that's it for me. I'm headed back to the land of make believe and though there's a murderer afoot, Zach and Savannah are up to the task. Justice will prevail!

Can't wait to see what you're recommending today. Have a great week everyone!

Recommend Monday with a Guest Reader Blog!

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a spectacular weekend. I'm busy writing away and am loving Savannah and most especially Zach so much. Can't wait until I can tell you more about them!

Since I'm so immersed with this story, I'm thrilled that Crystal Scott, lovely lady and a Recommend Monday regular, is blogging in my place today. And I love the topic she chose! I'll check in a little later and share my 'auto-buy authors'. Can't wait to see all your comments and of course, your recommended reads from last week.

Have a wonderful and productive week!

Now, here's Crystal!

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It is Recommend Monday once again!! I thought today in addition to our recommends we would talk about our “Go to authors” or “The auto buy authors” that we all know and love. Why do you love them so much? What is it about that one author that puts them on the “auto buy” list?

Ronlyn has mentioned several times that Karen Marie Moning could write the phone book and she would still buy it and devour it with enthusiasm. Do you have someone like that? Someone who’s voice speaks to you in such a way that it you know you will love it, even before you know anything about the story?

I have a few authors that I would buy without even reading the back of the book. I have SEVERAL books that I run to when I am having crappy reading luck. There are only a few authors that I would buy without knowing anything about the book. Christy is definitely on that list along with Pamela Clare, Linda Howard and Judith McNaught. All four of these ladies are on my list for various reasons. Christy and Pamela are on it because they haven’t put out a book yet that hasn’t captivated me from the first few pages. When I am hooked from the very first page, that is a talented author in my book.

Linda and Judith.... I know with Linda it is her humor. It never fails that I am laughing one minute and crying the next. Judith McNaught’s historicals are the absolute best out there. At one time in my life I wasn’t a historical reader. I’ve more than made up for lost time in the last few years. Judith McNaught’s historicals are fabulous! Thanks to Christy for insisting on me trying them! Once and Always, Until You, A Kingdom of Dreams... Oh there are so many. Julie Garwood is another go to author.

So please go into detail and get long winded; we’d love to hear about all of your favorites. We all have such a wide range of interests that we should all walk away with a list to add to our TBR pile. I know mine is out of control, but what girl doesn’t like an out of control TBR pile?

Have a great week everyone! Hope everyone is looking forward to March. Spring is just around the corner.

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday Everyone!

Hope you had a spectacular weekend and you're energized for a new week. My weekend was super busy but fun. We're preparing for two (possibly three) new fur-kids! My mom lives in a very rural area and innocent little creatures are always being abandoned. My darling hubby, who has the softest heart, was determined to take care of them. So our family is growing. Yay!

Is it springtime where you live? Looks like it is here. Tulip and dogwood trees are blooming everywhere and crocus and tulips are popping up all over the place. Considering our lack of cold weather, I'm thinking that Old Man Winter must have decided to take a break for 2012. (I'm hoping he doesn't decide to come back for a visit!) With this kind of weather, it's hard not to want to go outside and dance in the street. LOL My neighbors wouldn't appreciate that so I'll hold back.

Things are percolating along with Zach and Savannah. They're wary of each other and doing their best to ignore the sizzle and steam that's only a caress away. Right now, they're embroiled in a mystery and have only each other to trust. Makes for some interesting scenes!

I'm still in the midst of reading Rita contest books, so I have no recommends today. However, I'm on the last book so I'm anxious to see what you guys are recommending. Might have to do a bit of book shopping soon!

This week, I'll be writing, writing, writing. I'm going to New York for a small conference in early March which means the writing will slow down considerably until I get back. Must make hay while the sun shines!

Thanks to everyone for your kind words on my television interview last week. Considering my nerves, it turned out better than I thought. If you didn't get a chance to see it, here's the link: http://www2.alabamas13.com/lifestyles/2012/feb/13/local-romance-novelist-36462-vi-118970/

I did get the news last week that we sold the first two books in my new series to a publisher in the UK. So even though we have no official title or release date, it's very exciting to know the series will be available there, too!

Next Monday, we'll have a guest blog from one of our regular commenters, Crystal Scott, who's going to be blogging about auto-buy authors. Very excited about this post and so appreciate Crystal taking time from her busy schedule to guest blog for me.

If you're interested in writing a Recommend Monday guest blog, email me at christy@christyreece.com and let's chat!

Okay, that's it for me. I'm going to take a quick walk with Zach and Savannah. Can't wait to see what they're up to today.

Happy Monday all! Now tell us what great books you read last week!

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday Everyone!

Hope you had a good weekend and you're all geared up to have a fabulous week. Can't wait to hear about all the great books you read last week. I'm still in the midst of judging Rita contest books and am thoroughly enjoying myself. Lots of great romances were published in 2011!

Writing was a little stilted last week as my characters and I got together for a brief conference and couldn't agree on anything. Now however, due to an intervention by a new character, we are chugging along much better. I think, since this is a new series and so different from the LCR plot-lines, my muse and I were struggling with the new cast of characters and different motivations. With the introduction of this new character, we're both feeling better about our direction.

Also, I got a bit of disappointing news last week. The first two books in this new series won't be released until next year. Tentative dates are May and October 2013. In one way, that's not bad news since I'll have more time to write but not having a 2012 release is going to feel so odd. However, I do plan to continue editing some older manuscripts for self-publishing. So even if there aren't any new paperbacks from me, there will be some ebooks I hope you'll look forward to reading. Stay tuned for more on that!

My television interview airs today at 11:30 and I'm quite anxious about it. Seeing myself on camera is not one of my favorite things. (So glad my dream wasn't to be an actor!) I'll come on a little later and post the link if you want to take a look.

Updated:
Okay, just aired. Here's the link: http://www2.alabamas13.com/lifestyles/2012/feb/13/local-romance-novelist-36462-vi-118970/

This week's plans include lots of writing and reading, which to me, is about as perfect of a week as one could get. (:

In celebration of Valentines Day and because I love you guys so much, everyone who recommends a book here today will be entered in a drawing for a box of assorted romance books, including two Last Chance Rescue books of your choice, and a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment so I can get in touch with you.

Okay, that's it for me. I'm headed to my fictional little southern town where it's summertime and the fragrance of honeysuckle is wafting through the air. It should be the perfect atmosphere to fall in love but there's a murderer afoot!

Have a great day everyone. Now, tell us what great books you read last week!

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a good weekend and in between Super Bowl parties found time to read an awesome book or two.

Last week was an interesting one for me. I did my first television interview! I must admit, I was very nervous. Taking a shy introvert and putting her in front of a camera can be an interesting, risky venture. Will she freeze up, look terrified and not speak? Or will she say something incredibly inappropriate and ruin her career? LOL Thankfully the lovely woman who interviewed me put me at such ease, the event went very well. I haven't seen the segment yet...I think it's supposed to air around Valentine's Day. When I can, I'll share a link with you.

On Saturday, I went to a mini conference called Murder in the Magic City. It was put on by The Sisters in Crime, a mystery writers' organization. I spent the day with many incredibly gifted and entertaining authors. I particularly enjoyed listening to the keynote speakers, Erica Spindler and Carolyn Haines. Very interesting and talented ladies!

Yesterday wasn't such a good one as we spent half the day in the emergency room. My poor, sweet hubby has a kidney stone and was in quite a bit of pain. And though the stubborn stone is still there, he has some meds now to ease the pain until the momentous occasion happens. (:

This week I'm all about the writing. Savannah and Zach are becoming embroiled in a little mystery, falling in love all over again and things seem to be going their way. But me, evil author that I am, will soon be throwing a major twist in their new found relationship. I can only hope we survive the fall-out!

Since I'm still reading books for the Rita contest and can't reveal them, I have no new recommends today. However, I'm anxious to hear what you read and loved. Adding to my TBR list is a weekly pleasure!

Have a fabulous week everyone!