Saturday, March 8, 2008

So Many Books ...

By Kate Carlisle

Whenever readers and writers get together, the conversation eventually winds its way around to books. It’s our common bond.

Here in the Lair, we’re always talking about our favorite books and authors.

We’ve had posts that reminisced about the first romance we ever read.

We’ve interviewed wonderful guest authors whose latest books have hit the shelves.

We’ve had fabulous parties to celebrate our own Banditas’ book releases.

We love books!

So today I’m wondering … what are you reading right now? Are you loving it? And what’s coming up next on your TBR pile? Do you read more than one book at a time? Are you always buying more despite the very real threat of an avalanche pouring down from your bookshelves and burying you alive?

Me, too. And despite that, I just finished another book-buying frenzy. I'm not sure where I'm going to put them all. I might need a bigger house ...

But never mind that little detail. Let's talk books! I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Books, I mean! I’ll go first.



I just finished Deanna Raybourn’s Silent in the Sanctuary, the second book in her fabulous Lady Julia Grey Victorian mystery series. I’m sort of hooked on Victorian mysteries lately.

Another favorite is Tasha Alexander, who writes the Emily Ashton Victorian mysteries. Her latest, A Poisoned Season, is next in line for me. After that, I’ve got the new J.D. Robb, Strangers in Death. I just love Eve and Roarke, don't you?

And no list of my recently read books would be complete without mentioning two favorites. Namely, our very own Anna Campbell's Untouched and Christie Kelley's Every Night I'm Yours. I hate to gush so I'll simply say, honestly, they were both absolutely fantastic!!


My latest shipment from Amazon brought me Right Here, Right Now by Helenkay Dimon (I read an excerpt and couldn’t resist!), Much Ado About You, by Eloisa James (I’ve never read her, can you believe it?), Murder Melts in Your Mouth, by Nancy Martin (the latest in her Blackbird Sisters mystery series—I’m so excited!), The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne (a recent guest in the Lair), Maverick Wild by Stacey Kayne (finally!), A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (yet another Victorian mystery by an author I haven’t read before) and A Fiend In Need by Maureen Child (who's visiting the Lair later this month and I can't wait to read this second book in her Demon Duster series).

And if that’s not enough, I’ve ordered more books that I’ll be picking up this afternoon at my local RWA chapter meeting. We’ve got bestselling suspense author Lisa Jackson and her sister, mystery author Nancy Bush, speaking at the meeting and I ordered each of their latest books, plus two new Silhouette Desires by fellow chapter members Maureen Child and Charlene Sands.

So … that should take care of my reading needs for the next few days anyway!

How about you? Read any good books lately? What new authors are you excited about? And how about your old favorites? Does someone have a book coming out that you’d like to recommend? I'm always looking for someone new to read. And I’m giving away a $20 amazon.com gift certificate to one lucky commenter for sharing the news!

69 comments:

Fedora said...

Really? Does the GR want to stay?

Kate Carlisle said...

OMG,is it true? The GR love you!! Congratulations!!

Fedora said...

Wow, how sad am I? ;)

I have to say, the last few weeks have been horrible for reading at our house. Between traveling and taking turns being sick, there hasn't been much reading time... I'm currently working through a couple of Alison Kent's category books, and one of Shannon McKenna's newer releases.

Kate, I've heard nothing but raves for HelenKay's new book--might have to pick that up, too. And The Spymaster's Lady and Maverick Wild are on my to-get list, too! And it's months after these until their next books come out... months! I almost don't want to get these right away, just so that I don't devour them and then have to wait and wait...

Tamera Alexander and Lisa Wingate both have new releases coming out soon (can't remember exactly when) and I'm definitely excited about those! And if you like Blazes, Sarah Mayberry has a couple recent ones--she's fantastic. (I just read Tawny's latest, and am happily waiting for more there, too...)

Anyway, visiting you Banditas has done nothing except exponentially increase the number of books that I want to get and want to read... pretty soon we'll need a separate room just for the books! ;) The GR can hang out there with his snacks and reading...

Annie West said...

Sigh - pipped at the post! I was sure there was no comment when I opened this comment box.

Kate, to answer your question, I've just opened a book called 'Mills and Boon Presents...' which is a UK release. It's an anthology and a box of them lobbed at my front door yesterday. Shamefaced, I have to say that I even skimmed the first story (which is one of mine - The Billionaire's Bought Mistress) - definitely an error as now I'm not sure the current ms is up to the same standard. Oh, why did I look? But I'm happily ensconced now in the second novel in the anthology, by historical author, Annie Burrows. It's called 'The Earl's Untouched Bride' and so far has all the hallmarks of a great regency romance. It's the sort of story I can't wait to get back to, once today's racing around and chores are out of the way. I haven't read Annie's work before and it's lovely to find a new author I enjoy so much.

TBR pile is too vast to catalogue but it definitely includes a non fiction book on harems (research), a stack of contemporary romances, a compilation of Jane Austen's letters, a novel by Louis de Berniers and, fingers crossed, some old favourites (yesterday's post has me eager to pick up some old favourites). I'm also hanging out to get my hands on Christine Wells' 2nd book.

Annie

Helen said...

Flchen he really loves you

Kate a wonderful post yes I know exactly were you are coming from I have just ordered another 6 books and am waiting for them to arrive my TBR pile numbers about 180 at the moment and I am addicted to buying them I never go near the shops without my to get list and must look in every bookstore I go near and in the books depts in KMart and Target.
What I am reading now is a Sari Robins one What To Wear To A Seduction this is the second book of Sari's that I have read and am really enjoying it I have recently read The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie and that is fantastic and I have recently read my first paranormal thanks to you guys by Nalani Singh and have 2 in that series that I loved and of course Anna Campbell's Untouched and Christie Kelley's Eevery night I'm Yours are the best. I really enjoy Celeste Bradleys The Liars Club books as well I am up to no4 in that series I am waiting for no5 to arrive and also the first in her new series. I haven't decided what I will read next I will choose one when I finish this I am hoping that the ones I have ordered will be here and I can read Sophia Nash's The Kiss and Kathryn Caskie's new one.
Have Fun
Helen

Gillian Layne said...

Flechen, you go girl!

Helen, I just finished K. Caskie's newest, How to Pleasure a Prince. It was my favorite in the trilogy. Don't you love it when the last book is the best? I even skipped to the end and read it first cause I just had to know the answer to the "secret", and then I could settle in and enjoy the rest of the book.

I won't read many new ones between now and the end of the year--I mean May, end of the school year, cause I work in the schools and this is now becoming massive paperwork time. I'm carrying around Laurie King's Beekeeper's Apprentice, but I've read it so much I could quote it. It's comfort reading. I have to wait until 09 for new Russell and Holmes.

I'll start to hoard new books to read over the summer (bliss!)Quite frankly, I can't wait for Donna's new one this summer-it looks like so much fun! And Jeanne's looks hot! Christine's will help me over the September trauma of back-to-school...and Anna C's will help me through the holiday madness....who am I forgetting? Boatloads, I'm sure.

Laurell K. Hamilton's got a new one coming in June, I think--love Anita Blake.

No, there's never enough time for reading :)

pjpuppymom said...

Many of my friends have a tbr shelf or tbr pile. Me? I have a tbr room. Seriously! I doubt I'll ever catch up and I just keep adding to the numbers but I'm not one bit worried. Just look at all that lovely reading I have to look forward to. I came home from Celebrate Romance last weekend with 30 more books and *still* I stopped at Walmart to pick up the latest offerings from Sophia Nash, Kathryn Caskie and Nicole Jordan.

Books I've read lately include Christie Kelley's terrific EVERY NIGHT I'M YOURS, Anne Gracie's THE STOLEN PRINCESS (loved it!), Christine Wells' SCANDALS DAUGHTER (eagerly anticipating the next one!), Lori Foster's yummy HARD TO HANDLE and Christina Dodd's fabulous THIGH HIGH. I finished Kathryn Caskie's HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE last night, a very satisfying end to her Royale Sisters trilogy.

On deck are LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE (Sabrina Jeffries), WILD JINX (Sandra Hill), and THE KISS (Sophia Nash) unless NOTORIOUS (Michele Martinez) arrives in the mail. I love Michele's Melanie Vargas mysteries and that one just may jump to the top of my list.

Happy reading everyone!

Gillian Layne said...

PJ, how was Celebrate Romance? I'm on that mailing list but just couldn't make it this year. Did you enjoy yourself?

pjpuppymom said...

Gillian, it was WONDERFUL! It was my first time at the conference and I had the best time. I'm already making plans to attend next year. :)

My roomie and I blogged about it at romancenovel.tv.

Gillian Layne said...

I'm so glad! I think it's a brilliant idea. I'll go check out your comments today. :)

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Congrats flchen1! I think you and Aunty need to be the ones to write the Care and Feeding Manual of the GR.
You guys make me feel so good about myself! Everyone had me convinced I was just a little strange, now I find out I am completely normal, at least here in the lair. I have a tendency to read more than one book at a time. I usually have at least 3 going at any given moment. My TBR is so huge I couldn't begin to put a number down. A lot of the books I have in my TBR are backlists of authors that are new to me. (Most of them "discovered" here in the lair.)
Most recently I have read Double Dare and Does She Dare (Tawny Weber), Spymaster's Lady (Johanna Bourne), Every Night I'm Yours (Christie Kelley), To Bed a Beauty (Nicole Jordan), Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (Sabrina Jeffries), To Catch a Highlander (Karen Hawkins), Lords of Avalon series (Kinley MacGregor, Taming the Highlander and The Earl's Secret(Terri Brisbin),and Secrets of the Highlander (Janet Chapman).
On my most recent buying binge I have bought Dream Chaser (Sherrilyn Kenyon), Guarded Heart (Jennifer Blake), Simply Magic (Mary Balogh), How to Propose to a Prince (Kathryn Caskie), My Immortal Protector (Jen Holling), and Wild and Wicked (Lisa Jackson).

Caren Crane said...

Oh, my. Must we talk TBR piles? I have two TBR shelves and three piles around the house, so something is on hand at all times (should I find a free moment).

I'm in the middle of Deb Marlowe's Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss, (which I read as a manuscript and adored!), Karen Hawkins' To Scotland With Love, Penny Jordan's A Royal Bride At the Sheikh's Command, and Tawny Weber's Does She Dare?. I am SOOOO behind!

On deck are Sabrina Jeffries' Let Sleeping Rogues Lie, Lisa Kleypas' Sugar Daddy, Julia Quinn's The Diary Of Miss Miranda Cheaver and Christie Kelley's Every Night I'm Yours.

My TBRs are intimidating! I HIGHLY recommend Deb Marlowe's Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss. Besides being a wonderful person, Deb is a FABULOUS writer. Always a pleasure to have a new favorite!

Oh, and I am highly anticipating Claudia Dain's The Courtesan's Secret. It will be out in May and she will be guest blogging with us on her release date. More for the TBR!

Kate Carlisle said...

Oh flchen1, I sometimes horde the first book until the second one comes out, too. Especially if I know it's going to drive me crazy waiting in between. That's why I love it when they release a three-book series one month after the other, don't you?

I've loved the Shannon McKenna books I've read. So intense and sexy!!

Hope you and the GR are enjoying your day! :-)

Kate Carlisle said...

Annie, I think I'd be tempted to pick up my own book out of the pile, too. And of course, I'm sure I'd be having all the same doubts you're having. It's just what we do, right? But I have no doubt your latest is fabulous, too!

I'll have to look up Annie Burrows' new book. Sounds intriguing!

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Helen! It's nice to know I'm not alone in my book addictions!

I've heard great things about the Celeste Bradley series. That's going on my To Buy list. Like I need to buy more books...yeesh! Wait, of course I need to buy more books!

Joan said...

Sadly, the only avalanche I'm in danger of is not TBR books but..a REAL avalanche. Kentucky has already gotten 10 in. of snow and it's still coming down...and I don't have donuts!

I'm enjoying TICD's The Marriage Bed I also just finished Shanna Abe's Queen of Dragons and am up to date on all of Lori Handeland's shapeshifter "Moon" series.

I too am looking forward to Donna's new book (the excerpt was FABULOUS)and Nora's next in the "Blood Brothers" series.

But when I go to Ireland next month I'll be taking Nora's Irish "Born In " series. Have I read them before? Yes, many times but to read them IN Ireland....pure joy.

Now, where did I put my shovel?

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Gillian -- It looks like you've got your year mapped out in terms of books to get you through. Very smart!

I completely agree with you on the Bandita books! I read the excerpt to Donna's next one and now I'm salivating to get my hands on it! And I can't believe we've got to wait so many months before Christine's DUKE comes out! That one's going to be a huge hit!!

Jeanne's is coming out soon and I couldn't be happier. I read the excerpt on her website and now I'll be stalking my bookstore to grab it first thing. It sounds really exciting!

doglady said...

Wow Fichen. You most be the hostess with the mostest. He really loves you!

Thank God for the Banditas! Now I don't feel like a freak! I have SHELVES of TBRs. Literally a wall full of shelves. Everyone should have an addiction and romance novels are mine. I have my own shelf at the local book store where the owner keeps the books that I order until I come in to get them. It is NEVER empty!

Just finished Mary Balogh's SIMPLY MAGIC which was just lovely. LOVED Whitleaf, the hero.

Nicole's Bedding a Beauty is fabulous. Finished it a few days ago.

Spymaster's Lady is on top of the TBR stack right now. I have heard so much about it.

I have Kathryn Caskie's newest as well. I won a copy of Anne Gracie's newest on Romance Vagabonds and cannot wait for it to arrive. I have never read her so I am looking forward to it.

Finished the first of Tasha Alexander's and have the second one on the stack. Also on the stack Deanna Raybourn's two.

Caren, isn't Deb Marlowe's book wonderful!! I just loved it. I loved THE COURTESAN'S DAUGHTER so I cannot wait for the next one by Ms. Dain.

Anna C's books just aren't coming out quickly enough for me. I devoured the first two.

Christine Feehan's Predatory Game is winking at me from the bedside TBR stack as well.

Just got a research book in that looks to be a good read THE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN - The Rise and Fall of an Ideal by Philip Mason.

Goodness, I am making myself tired just listing these books! Now, if you will excuse me I need to write down some of the books you ladies listed.

A woman can never be too rich OR have too many books!

Kate Carlisle said...

PJ, that's what I need--a TBR ROOM! Very wise of you. Especially when you stop off to buy more books while coming home from Celebrate Romance. LOL. That's perfect! I heard the conference was really fun!

And you're another who's mentioned Kathryn Caskie's trilogy. That's going on the TB list, too, along with Sabrina Jeffrie's newest. Thanks for that!

Lois said...

Well, I'm presently reading Victoria Alexander's A Perfect Wife, and sure liking it thus far! :) She's always fun!

Up next will be rereading and then reading the books of the School of Heiresses Series by Sabrina Jeffries -- the first, ah, two I believe are rereads, the rest are new ones for me. And of course, just loved her other books (most especially the brother series of hers).

Then will be headed to re/reading the Danvers series by Elizabeth Boyle. I finally got one of the books in that one a couple months ago that I never got, not to mention it's been ages since I read the others, so I'll be visiting those again. She's plenty of fun too! :)

Lois

Deb Marlowe said...

I'm trying to be good and NOT read, as I need to be working on my own! But luckily, I got to read Sabrina Jeffries' Let Sleeping Rogues Lie a good while ago--Ah, Anthony! I do so love a wounded hero!

I also have a couple of Harlequin Presents that Caren gave me that are tickling my curiosity bone--must resist! I did find time to read Anna C's Untouched over the holidays! Again, a wounded hero and fabulous writing. Those great books are going to have to hold me for a while, but I have to say, I can't wait to get at the Bandita books I have in the pile--and to add some more to it!

Deb Marlowe said...

Ack! I just read over the comments and you ladies have me blushing! Thanks Carne and Doglady! I'm still not quite over the fact that people are READING my first book! It feels unreal. Nobody pinch me--I don't want to wake up!

And Doglady--don't get me started on research books! That's a whole 'nuther story! Did you read Amanda Foreman's biography of Georgiana? Amazing!

Kate Carlisle said...

Dianna, you may be right about Aunty and flchen writing the GR Care and Feeding Manual, but we'll need to have p226 write the chapter on discipline. ;-)

Yes, here in the Lair, we are all normal, LOL.

How did you like Janet Chapman's latest? I haven't read it yet but I do love her highlanders!

Kate Carlisle said...

Caren, hi!! I'm such a twit, I meant to order Deb Marlowe's book! Okay, it's on the list for the next book run...maybe this morning! Good grief, not only will I need a TBR room, I'm gonna need a third job to cover the bills!

And ooh, can't wait to read Claudia Dain's new one. I'm looking forward to her visit to the Lair, too. Always a good time!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

I loved Secrets of the Highlander Kate. I would like to move there...LOL.
Yes, P226 would have to have at least a chapter in the Care and Feeding of a Golden Rooster, but so much would have to be classified don't you think??
I am fast moving into a TBR room myself. I have had Deb Marlowe's Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss since it came out, it is sitting there now tempting me as it has since I bought it. This business of having to do housework and feed myself and my angel boy is really getting to be a drag with all those books calling my name. I wonder if I slept with my TBR pile I could just absorb everything by osmosis?

Maureen said...

I am reading The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne. I believe she was a guest here and her book is wonderful. It's too bad she hasn't written any other books because I would buy them too.

sabrina said...

I am reading a wonderful novel which is enthralling. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. Nearly finished and will be starting a mystery historical that I look forward to, The Russian Hill Murders by Shirley Tallman.

Minna said...

At the moment I'm reading Crystal Gorge by David and Leigh Eddings and I have a couple of Blaze books in German on my TBR pile (well, the series is called with another name around there). And I just finished reading a couple of Laura Iding's books in Danish. Now if I only could find someone who would like to get those two books. I only have so much space, so I can't keep every single book I have.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am feeling a little less crazy now for having my occasional book-buying binges! :-) Ya'll have mentioned many of the adult romances on my TBR pile, but I've also got some great YA books in there. I am just finishing The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. Did any of you read that one when you were in middle school/high school? I never did, and it's an absolute classic, so I'm reading it now. I've also got Forever, by Judy Blume in the pile. I never read that one either (too busy with Rosemary Rogers and Johanna Lindsey when I was an actual young adult!).

I'm also a serial library user, particularly for non-fiction, and I have a huge stack of library books on my ledge right now about dreams, shamanism, and the devil.

BUT I'm also at that deliriously enjoyable revision stage of my current WIP that leaves me to wanting to do nothing but WRITE WRITE WRITE. Hard to tear myself away to read right now. :-)

thanks for a fun blog, Kate!

limecello said...

Hm - well I just finished "Hard to Handle" by Lori Foster last night, and I really enjoyed it. I always keep an eye out for all of her books. And Shannon McKenna's - as well as Lora Leigh. I also watch out for Katherine Garbera, Leanne Banks, Emilie Rose, and Roxanne St. Clair, to name a few. Oh - and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

WTG on the rooster, Flchen! We have our secrets on catching him and keeping him happy, don't we? ;-)

Gillian, I HOPE my book will also help you get through the holidays. I FINALLY have a release date of Oct. but still NO "official" TITLE! ARGH!

Dianna, we do not value "normal" here in the Lair, but we definitely value YOU! And all our other readers and commenters!

Kate, I just ordered Silent in the Sanctuary with my latest load from Amazon and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Next on order will be both Jeanne and Donna's books, and yes, both excerpts were DELISH!

Last books I finished were Born In Death coz I can never get enough of Eve and Roarke, and Christie's ENIY which I would have LOVED even if I didn't know the FABULOUS author! I also had to take a long road trip last month and listened to Jenny Cruise's Faking It on Books On Tape.

Joanie, stay warm in all that snow! Make Demetrius share his fur cape. :-)

Happy reading all!
AC

Helen said...

Aunty Cindy I have to wait till October but I am so looking forward to it and Donna and Christines's new books.
Gillian I have loved Kathryns other 2 books and I can't wait to read this one.
I have all of The School For Heiresses series so as I can read them one after the other.
Kate I have loved Celeste Bradleys books they are so good I am sure you will love them as well.
After reading the posts I have more to add to my must get list LOL I need a room like PJ.
Have Fun
Helen

Jane said...

I loved "Shadow Music" by Julie Garwood, "Pandora's Daughter" by Iris Johansen and "Sizzle and Burn" by Jayne Ann Krentz. I'm looking forward to Barbara Freethy's new "Silent" series and a new book by Samantha Graves and "Your Scandalous Ways" by Loretta Chase. I'm also excited by Nicole Jordan's new trilogy.

Kim Castillo said...

Yay, one of my favorite topics *g*

I just finished Kathryn's How to Propose to a Prince. It was great and I loved the twist at the end.

Just started Fast & Loose by Elizabeth Bevarly. I'm SO happy with her pub schedule this year!

Next up is Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas.

Someone mentioned Janet Chapman's newest. Was it good? I loved all the others and this one is sitting here waiting patiently for me.

And I'm planning a trip to Borders. LOL. I NEED to pick up the newest Kim Harrison.

Donna MacMeans said...

Tunneling out of the amazing white stuff to say hi. THis is incredible for my part of the country. About two feet of snow on the ground with drifts to five feet. Great reading weather (if it wasn't for this pile of tax returns - sigh).

I just finished judging paranormal novels for the RITAs. I'm thinking I'm not allowed to publicly comment on them, but there were some great books in that batch. With that behind me I can get back to the historicals that I love. I was just starting ENIY when the RITA books arrived so I'm anxious to return to that one. I have a Sabrina Jefferies calling my name as well, and a new debut - Wicked Woman by Denise Eagan that I'm anxious to consume.

Thank you to the ladies who've mentioned by new June release. The ARCs arrived Thursday which always makes it a bit more real. I've scribbled down the names of lots of the books mentioned in this blog (thank you Kate) and will be placing my after-tax-season order promptly *g*.

Annie West said...

Kate,

Well, I didn't intend to pick up my own book, intending to read my story - just the other two. But this new historical is such fun!

Thanks for the post - I'm enjoying the list of books that people have read/are about to read. My TBR pile has reached an enormous size and I really should be trying to rein it in but...!

Annie

Wendy said...

Right now I'm reading Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry. It's wicked funny and gross and I'm really liking them. I'm thinking of reading Vampires Are Forever by Lynsay Sands next. :)

Wendy said...

Ooooh, I want to read Mckenna's latest book so bad! It's about time Nick gets his turn and I can't wait to get my hands on that book! heh heh.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

TBR piles, huh...Geesh, where to start!

First I have to say I clicked on the books in your post and pulled up Amazon.com. Now I truly was on a mission of mercy. My Mom had over 12 inches of snow, and the drift in the driveway covers their car. SOOOO...I ordered her 3 new hardbacks. Shadow Music by Julie Garwood, Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper and Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz. I've read all three and enjoyed them immensely. If the snow melts a little, she should get them next week!

I just finished Christie Kelley's Every Night I'm Yours. As I said on the private loop.....OMG...great first book!!

I Have Texas Princess by Jody Thomas,
In The Highlander's Bed, by Cathy Maxwell (a favorite author of mine), The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell by Samantha James, and Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle on the top of the huge mound of romances.

And the sorbets to cleanse the pallet?
I have The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry, (just read The Romanov Prophecy by him last month...yummy) and then this western I found... Texas Gundown
by William W Johnstone...the back blub made me chuckle and the book starts off with a bar fight....opening line..."If not for the man with the too long nose, Mat Bodine and Sam Two Wolves wouldn't have gotten in trouble in Buckskin..." I'll let you know if it's good or not.

Anonymous said...

Minna,

You're from Finland, right? Is it difficult to get US author where you're at? Do they come out at different times?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kate Carlisle said...

Joanie, no avalanches, please!! I hope the snow stops soon, if for no other reason than you can finally get some donuts! It's just so wrong that you're without donuts at a time like this.

But lest we forget, soon you'll be in Ireland. And what a treat to be reading Nora's Born In trilogy while you're there. They're three of my favorite books of all time. I still re-read them once a year.

Kate Carlisle said...

Doglady, nope, you're not a freak, you're perfectly normal here!

I love a lot of the books on your list. And how lucky that you won Anne Gracie's! I've got her on my to-buy list.

And while I was out, I took a quick detour to the book store and picked up Deb Marlowe's, so YAY! I hope to start it very soon.

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Lois, I'm a Victoria Alexander fan, too. Her books are so smart and funny, aren't they?

And I can't wait to start in on the Sabrina Jeffries series! The fact that you're re-reading them confirms what so many others have said before -- that her books are truly fabulous.

I really need to quit my job so I can spend my time reading. But then I couldn't afford all these books....

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Deb - Hey, nobody's going to pinch you because it's true, you've got lots of fans here in the Lair! I ran out and got my very own copy today and can't wait to start reading.

And yes, I should be finishing my own book first before I start reading. Sigh. Maybe just a few pages....

Kate Carlisle said...

Dianna, I've got to get the new Janet Chapman book. I do love Maine as a setting, don't you? I have a friend who set her trilogy there and it just adds another dimension to the story, you know? So romantic.

It is so annoying, having to clean the house when you could be reading!! LOL

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Maureen, I got The Spymaster's Lady in my latest shipment and can't wait to read it.

Sabrina, I haven't heard of Garden Spells but I'm going to go look it up. And I've got to start reading Shirley Tallman. The combination of historical mystery and San Francisco is too irresistible! Thanks for mentioning her book.

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Minna! Thanks for visiting today. We love Blaze books here in the Lair!

I don't know what to tell you about giving your books away. I need to do that more often, too. I do take a bag of books to my local RWA meeting occasionally because they have a used book table. I wonder if you could give the books to a local Library. Anyone else have thoughts about this?

Kate Carlisle said...

Kirsten, hi! So glad to see you out of the cave for a few minutes!

I never read "The Cat Ate My Gymsuit" but the title is hilarious!

My current fave YA book isn't really YA at all. It's more middle grade, I think. It's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and it is the funniest thing I've read in a long time. I bought it for my nephew for Christmas and started to read it before wrapping it--and had to go buy my own copy.

I'm so glad you're enjoying your revisions. That's too cool!

Kate Carlisle said...

limecello, I've always loved Leanne Banks. And most of those names you mentioned are auto-buys for me, too. I haven't read Lora Leigh, though. I'll have to check her out.

Hello, Aunty - How great that you've got a pub date! Everybody mark your calendars for the big party in October! Woohoo!!

Kate Carlisle said...

Helen, I think we all need a room like PJ's!

Jane, welcome to the Lair! Your list is fabulous! I love every author you mentioned. Thanks for the reminder that I need to buy even more books. :-)

Hey Kim, you know Sherry Thomas will be visiting the Lair in the next few weeks? I can't wait to read her book! And another rave for Kathryn's latest. I'll definitely pick it up next week.

Kate Carlisle said...

Donna, your weather is getting nationwide coverage. I hope you can stay safe and snuggly warm inside for the duration.

Sorry you have to work when you should be reading! Oh, but your presence is a reminder that all of these book purchases are tax deductible! LOL

And I am impatiently waiting for your next book! How cool that you've got the ARCs in your hot little hands!

Kate Carlisle said...

Annie, I've tried and tried to rein in my TBR pile but clearly, it's not meant to be. ;-)

Hi Wendy - I've heard the Lynsay Sands Vampire books are really funny. My girlfriend is giving me her copy of "The Accidental Vampire" when she's finished.

Suz! What a wonderful daughter you are!! Hope your mom enjoys the books--and hope the snow lets up soon.

I've got a friend who's a real Steve Berry fan. I haven't read him yet but she raves about him. And that western sounds hilarious. Let us know how you like it.

Helen, thanks again for the Celeste Bradley recommendation. I'll be buying her series on my next trip to the book store.

brownone said...

I'm towards the end of "The Boleyn Inheritance" and am enjoying it more than "The Other Boleyn Girl". It's told from Jane Boleyn (Anne's snitch of a sister in law), Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard's perspectives. Even though most if it isn't fact, i just love the little glimpses of court life throughout the book and the desperation everyone must have felt at having a king who could smile in your face and then order your execution for breathing wrong.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

PJ, I just read your and Gannon's blogs on Celebrate Romance. Sounds like A Great Time Was Had by ALL! Be sure to let us know when and where the next Celebrate Romance will be! Ya never know, we might plot a real live Bandit Invasion!

There will be a limited invasion (somewhat larger than a skirmish, probably closer to a pillage and plunder) of the RT Convention in April in Pittsburgh. Keep an eye out here in the Lair for more details coming soon!

AC

kim h said...

love the blazes
love leslei kelly books
read bevery barton new one very good

jenna said...

I enjoyed your lovely blog today. Books hold so much fascination and appeal for me. Reading a few novels right now. Amongst the choices I have are, Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood which I am enjoying greatly, and A Sense of Paper by Taylor Holden which is wonderful as well.

catslady said...

I just discovered Linda Jacobs - read Lake of Fire and loved it so I order the other two books in her trilogy - Yellowstone series - Rain of Fire and Summer of Fire. I also ordered the lastest Jodi Picoult to come out in paperback - 19 minutes - I have all of her books. Oh and I ordered The Spymaster's Lady too (just to name a few lol).

Kate Carlisle said...

Brownone, The Boleyn Inheritance does sound fascinating. And yes, it must've been a very scary time and place to live in, given the King's proclivities. :-)

Aunty Cindy, can't wait to hear the details! I do love a good pillaging.

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Jenna. I hadn't heard of Monica Wood's Any Bitter Thing until you listed it and now I'm going to have to read it. It sounds really good. Thanks so much for coming by today!

Kim H, Beverly Barton's books are great--and very scary. I don't know about you but I have to read them with the lights on. :-)

Hi catslady! The Yellowstone series sounds fabulous, by yet another author I haven't read. Thanks so much for telling us about Linda Jacobs. I'm going to try this series.

pjpuppymom said...

Looks like I missed a lot of great book recs today. I just got home from an all day dance competition.

Aunty Cindy, we'll be sure to let y'all know as soon as we get details on the 2009 Celebrate Romance Conference. We'd love to have a Bandita invasion!

Minna said...

Well it's not difficult at all to get US author in Finland. Not in English, anyway. But there are plenty of authors whose books haven't been translated in Finnish, so I read a lot of books in English and other languages. Do they come out at different times... I'm not really sure what to say about that. But I think you can order books from a bookstore pretty soon after they have come out in the US.

Minna said...

I don't usually just give books away, I'm that much of a Scrooge. I either sell or trade them. My problem at the moment is, that I have a lot of Harlequin books in Swedish (and couple in Danish) and in this part of Finland and in this small village I live in it's not all that easy to find someone who would like to read books in Swedish. Maybe I'll just have to wait until the next time I go to Sweden and take the books with me to some second-hand bookstore in Stockholm....

Nathalie said...

I just heard there was a new Sophie Kinsella book that just came out... Remember Me?

And it seems quite nice!

Lily said...

Thanks for this blog, it was great to read.

I am now revisting all my old favorites, and I am re-reading some old Harlequin... like Violet Wiinspear and Lilain Peake books.

Charlene Sands said...

Hi Kate,
What a great site! I found you from my google alerts. It's amazing what comes up on that thing! It was great seeing you at OCC. I hope you enjoy my Desire!
I'll stop by and visit again. I really like this blog!!
Charlene Sands

Wendy said...

Hey Kate! Lynsay Sands is one of my favorite authors, her books are definitely funny and I just started The Vampire Forever this morning and so far I'm really liking it. :)

Caren Crane said...

Charlene, so glad you found us. Isn't Kate a doll? Come back and visit soon!

Unknown said...

I just finished reading Into the Darkness by Delilah Devlin. It was really good.