Recommend Monday, with news, questions and updates, oh my!

Good Monday Everyone!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend, including some delicious reads.

My week and weekend were very productive. Zach and Savannah, along with my muse, Agatha, cooperated wonderfully. Fingers crossed we can keep the momentum going.

I know I've been silent for a while about what's going on in my writing world. Often it's because trying to rip the words from my brain and get them onto the page doesn't make for pleasant conversation. LOL Writing can be difficult and quite messy! Other times it's because there's so much going on, it's difficult to see the forest for the trees. Today, as my plans for the future coalesce, I thought I'd share what's been happening and what I want to accomplish within the next year or so. Would love to have your input on some of these things, so feel free to comment.

1)I'm in the midst of finishing up Zach and Savannah's story. BTW, my title suggestion for this book is: DARK SECRETS AT MIDNIGHT. This hasn't been approved yet. What do you think?

2)Will soon begin writing book 2, tentatively titled LIES WHISPERED AT DAWN

3)Write/self publish an LCR Christmas E-novella, tentatively scheduled to release near the end of this year.

4)Make major changes to website, including a different brand for this new series. As opposed to Dark Romantic Suspense, here are the four options I'm considering. Tell me your preference: 1)Sizzling Southern Suspense; 2)Sexy Southern Suspense; 3)Southern Heat; 4)Southern Suspense with Sizzle. (BTW, I asked this question on my Facebook page and right now, Southern Heat is winning)

5)Write third book in the new series, tentatively titled PROMISES MADE AT TWILIGHT

6)Write/self publish at least three more Last Chance Rescue books. Characters I'm considering LCR stories for are: Aidan, Angela, Kendra, Sabrina Fox, Anna, Raphael, and Giselle. Did I miss any characters you'd like to read stories about? Let me know!

7)Begin writing a women's fiction novel that's been on my mind.

So, as you see, lots of fun things are going on! This is such an exciting time for authors and readers. Everyday it seems that something else happens to make me more happy and optimistic about the future.

Also, I'm going to be at the Heart of Dixie Readers Luncheon on May 5 in Huntsville, Alabama. Lots of wonderful authors will be attending, including the keynote speaker, the fabulous Lora Leigh! Here's the link for more information. http://heartofdixie.org/luncheon.html

After the luncheon there's a signing that's open to the public. So come on over if you can!

In between the writing and planning, I'm reading E L James' Fifty Shades of Gray. Since it seems people either adore this book or hate it, I decided to see which corner I'm in. So far, though I'm only about three chapters in, I'm enjoying it. I do find it amusing that so many seem to be acting as if erotic romance has just been invented. Wow, for the people who are just now discovering romance novels and all their wonderful variety, what a backlist they have to look forward to! Right?

Okay, that's it for me. I'm headed back to the writing cave to see if Zach and Savannah are going to be nice to me again this week. In addition to your recommends, would love to have your input on some of the items above. Keep in mind that though this is my career and I absolutely love it, I want to please you, my readers, most of all. Be sure to let me know your thoughts here or send me an email at christy@christyreece.com.

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

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday Everyone!

Hope you had a good weekend and you're rested up for a fabulous week. Can't wait to hear about the great books you're recommending.

Last week was one of those weeks that I was thrilled to have over--a comedy of errors that someday (maybe in a few years) I'll look back on and laugh. Here are just a few of the things that occurred: fur angel #4 mistook hubby's cellphone for a chew-toy, a stomach flu had me praying for death and praying I wouldn't die in the same breath, fur angel #1 not getting outside in time and leaving a large round puddle on the rug, our phone went out, a visitor we most definitely did not expect, fur angel #3 and #4 got loose from their leashes and disappeared, scaring us to death. And of course, all the while, hubby and I were trying to do our taxes. Needless to say, I had no fear of Friday the 13th because it had already happened. This week has got to be better!

If you haven't already, be sure to check out my post over at Free Book Friday. Feel free to comment or ask questions. Also, be sure to enter on the left side of the page for a chance to win a signed copy of SWEET REWARD.
http://romance.freebookfriday.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

I'm in the middle of reading a book by an author I've never read before: Girl in the Mirror by Mary Alice Monroe. Anyone read it? The story is a little dated, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It's an ugly duckling into beautiful swan story, which I love. Lots of twists and turns and one very sexy hero!

This week is crunch time for Zach, Savannah and me. I've got major pages to write and they've got enormous secrets to reveal. Seems like every day one of them is telling me something I never suspected. These characters are certainly keeping me on my toes!

Hope everyone has a fabulous week. Now tell us what books we should be reading!

Want to win a signed copy of SWEET REWARD?

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Hope your weekend has gotten off to a great start. Just wanted to let you know that I'm the featured author over at Free Book Friday this week. Come over and learn what my favorite book was growing up, one of my favorite scenes in SWEET REWARD and the first thing I do when I begin and finish a book. Feel free to ask questions. Be sure to enter on the left side of the page for a chance to win a signed copy of SWEET REWARD!

http://romance.freebookfriday.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

See you back here on Monday for Recommend Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday Everyone!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Did you do anything special for Easter Sunday? Have any egg hunts? My Easter was a beautiful, sunny day spent with my family, delicious food and oodles of excited kids hunting eggs. We came home exhausted and full. Then hubby attacked his Easter basket (Yes, he still gets a basket!) and we had a small chocolate feast. Hubby's favorite item was a plastic elephant that bellows (which he says sounds more like a sick goat) and poops candy. Yes, we're silly! (:

Thanks again to Hope Frost for the great blog post last week on surprises in life and books. Lots of great recommendations and interesting discussion.

No new recommends from me today. Lots of writing and planning going on in my house. Starting a new series has given me an opportunity to dream and stretch. Hope to be able to share some major news with you soon, including the final titles of the books and a few snippets of dialogue. Thanks so much for your patience!

This is a critical week for Zach, Savannah and myself. So many things happening in the book right now; I cannot wait to see where my characters lead me next. Wish us luck!

That's it for me. I'm headed back to my fictional little town in Alabama. That's another controversy that my muse (Agatha) and I are having. We still can't decide on the town's name. At this time, it's Mimosa Springs. Will be interesting to see if that sticks.

Can't wait to hear what fabulous books you read last week.

Have a marvelous Monday all!

Recommend Monday with a Guest Reader!

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend. Our weather (with the exception of Friday's thunderstorms) has been absolutely spectacular. If it's not been good where you live, come on down to Alabama. We've got plenty of warm weather to spare. In fact, the high today is supposed to be 89, which is little too steamy, even for me!

No new recommends from me this week. I'm in the midst of creating some intense scenes between Zach and Savannah. When that happens, I don't like to read from anyone else, fearing it will color or influence my thoughts and writing. However, that doesn't mean I don't want to hear what wonderful books you've read. My TBR list can always use more recommends!

One of our regular commenters on Recommend Monday, the lovely Hope Frost, is my special guest blogger today. She's discussing an interesting and fun topic: Surprises in life and in books. Can't wait to read your comments on this post! I'll come on a little later and share mine.

That's it for me. I'm headed into my writing cave where Zach and Savannah are trying to solve a mystery and pretend they're not still crazy about each other. Have I mentioned I'm loving this couple? (:

Have a great week all! Can't wait to hear your recommends from your reading last week and your recommends for great surprises!

Now, here's Hope!

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Happy Monday everyone (insert sarcasm here lol)...

Yesterday was April Fools day, I hope no one was mean to any of you and you had an uneventful day. Thinking of that oh-so-special day, started me thinking about surprises that life has thrown our way. I am one that had my life planned out from an early age, knew what I wanted to do, knew where I wanted to go to college and knew it was going to go the way that I planned....yep, it happened just that way....not so much. I ended up with breast cancer early in life (19 years old) and was told I would probably never have children (surprise #1 & 2). Because I had planned to attend the Air Force Academy, they kind of frown on having a severe illness no matter the recovery, so that was pretty much tossed out as well (surprise #3). Went to college, got my accounting degree and while working my way to the top of the corporate ladder, found out I was pregnant (surprise #4-100).

Life doesn't always go as planned, but what a wonderful ride it has been.

Have you read anything that surprised you? Could be the villain wasn't who you thought it was, or the ending wasn't at all what you expected. Or maybe your hero or heroine didn't end up with whom you thought they would. Or maybe you were just shocked that you actually liked the book. (Please be careful, and don't add spoilers.)


I have a few that surprised the heck out of me...

A-Tac series by Dee Davis - the traitor had me guessing until the end.
Hush by Cherry Adair - the villain wasn't who I expected, though I suspected but I was shocked how it came to fruition.
Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann - I expected the heroes to end up with different heroines based on previous books

I think authors like to keep us guessing, and I love that. I love when I don't really know the outcome until the author decides it is time for us to know. In addition to your Recommend Monday thoughts, share with us books that have surprised you (please no spoilers).

Recommend Monday!

Good Monday All!

Looks like the two days of winter we had is officially over. We're now in the 80's most days and have ventured near 90 a couple of times. I think it may be a long, hot summer. Which is actually great atmosphere for the first book in my new series since it takes place beneath the heat of the hot southern sun. Passion, steam, and murder. Oh my! I do believe I've just inspired myself to write today. (:

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun or read anything wonderful? This is your place to share!

My weekend was incredibly busy but good. I wrote a lot, played a little and read some too. All in all, my favorite kind of weekend.

Thanks to everyone who came by to visit me at Romance University on Friday. Those who read my post now understand who really controls my stories! I'm hoping Agatha will be in a good mood this week.

Oh and I have a recommend! Wife By Wednesday by Catherine Bybee was a fun, quick read--just what I was looking for. I think it's .99 cents on Amazon Kindle right now!

This week, I'm concentrating on writing and also gathering some information to update my website. Things are getting a bit outdated.

That's it for me for this week. Looking forward to hearing about your recommends!

Have a great week everyone!

Romance University Blog

Happy Friday All!

I hope you had a good week and you're ready to let your hair down and have a fabulous weekend! As promised, I'm over at Romance University today chatting about moving from my Last Chance Rescue series to creating and writing a new one. Come over and learn how my muse and I work together (and sometimes apart) to create stories. Be sure to comment for a chance to win a signed copy of an LCR book of your choice!

http://romanceuniversity.org/2012/03/23/writing-a-new-series-after-a-successful-debut-series-by-christy-reece/

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! And be sure to come back here on Monday for Recommend Monday!