Thursday, September 17, 2009

Summer Reading

by Christie Kelley

Yes, you read the title of this blog right. It's time to be perfectly honest with you all. I read nothing over the summer. Nothing! Between real estate, writing deadlines, kids, busy vacations, etc., I did not read one single thing. And I really don't think the newspaper counts.

I didn't even get to a couple of my favorite authors who had releases this summer. This isn't right! So now, I'm craving books. Craving romance! I desperately need to read something that I didn't write.

Now that my copyedits for Something Scandalous are finished and Book 4, (Scandal of the Season) is almost done, I need to read. And I'm looking for guidance from you all.

Fall is coming, except for some of you down under who get to enjoy spring. I love fall. I almost think it's a better time to read anyway. There's nothing better on a cool fall day than a fire in the fireplace and a good book. Well, unless it's raining out. I loooove that!

I started on Janet Mullany's, A Most Lamentable Comedy two nights ago and will probably finish it tonight. It is a very quick, funny and delightful read. But do I read next?
I need suggestions! I read almost all subgenres of romance. Though, I prefer historical and contemporary. A little paranormal is okay too.

So, I need your help! What were the top five books you read this summer? What was the one book you couldn't put down?

72 comments:

Lynz Pickles said...

Mine?

jo robertson said...

Yay, Lynz! He's all yours.

Great topic, Christie. I didn't get to read as much as I'd like to have this summer. I finished several wonderful Banditas books, Christine's and Donna's latest.

I'm reading Anne Perry's SEVEN DIALS and read the fabulous JR Ward's LOVER AVENGED.

I'd love to hear what everyone else is reading.

Lynz Pickles said...

Hmm... top fives - top any number - aren't generally my thing. I hate having to choose! But since you've asked for books I read this summer, I guess I can stick to five. I'd have to go with...

1. To Have and To Hold by Patricia Gaffney - I love this book. Love it. It's in AAR's top 100, and Janine from Dear Author has said that she thinks it's "the most brilliant book ever written in the romance genre." I can see why. I despise rapist heroes, yet Gaffney's storytelling is so brilliant and her characters so interesting that not only do I not mind this book, I love it. I can't recommend it enough.

2. Girl From Mars by Julie Cohen - I was so psyched when I won this (thanks for interviewing Julie, banditas, because I wouldn't have heard of her otherwise and she's awesome!) because I thought I'd like it. I did! It was the perfect portrayal of a nerdy girl falling in love, but the focus is less on romance and more on her development as a character. That development is both realistic and remarkably well-written. I'm generally not the hugest fan of books written in the first person, but this one was an exception.

3. Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins - this one was in the glorious box of books that Nancy sent me and wasn't actually the first one I was drawn to. I read the back cover blurb and thought, meh. Plus it's written in the first person, which won it a second meh. I was so wrong. It was awesome! I couldn't put it down! The characters are brilliant, and the author's voice is so smooth! And such a good ending!

4. Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels - I actually wouldn't recommend this to anyone who didn't already read romance, but since I'm pretty sure everyone here does, that's not a problem. This book is funny. That's my main reason for mentioning it. I was literally laughing out loud for most of it, and when I wasn't laughing, I noticed that the serious parts were pretty good, too. Though not as funny.

5. Anything For You by Sarah Mayberry - this is quite possibly my favourite friends-to-lovers story ever. 'Nuff said. (But in case you wanted me to say more: again, the author has a great voice, the characters are so realistic they could walk out of the book and into your house, and their development is paced perfectly.)

Janga said...

I always read more in the summer, partly because summers are wilder with little ones all over the place--and I do better at reading in snatches of time than I do writing in snatches. Between June 1and August 31, I read 61 romance novels/novels with stong romantic elements. Most of them were good to terrific, so choosing a top five is difficult.

Here are the five I chose after considerable pondering (in no particular order):

A Duke of Her Own, Eloisa James--a superb conclusion to a great series, and maybe EJ's best book yet.

Goddess of the Hunt, Tessa Dare--a wonderful blend of humor, sizzle, tenderness, and genre-convention tweaking in a debut novel.

What Happens in London, Julia Quinn--a charming book with warmth, wit, and some laugh-out-loud moments.

The Shape of Mercy, Susan Meissner--an inspirational that blends the historical and the contemporary, tells three love stories, showcases fascinating female characters,and reveals what great writing readers who dismiss all inspirationals as sermonizing are missing.

Make Me Yours, Betina Krahn-- a late Victorian romantic comedy with a rare heroine, a widow with a happy, sexually fulfilling marriage in her past. Sheer delight packaged as a category (a Harlequin Blaze)

Anonymous said...

OK Here are some book I've loved reading :

LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force. Really loved that book, very emotional, impossible to put down. 2 great characters, a keeper !

GOTCHA : read some bad reviews and can't understand why. It's a very good funny book, full of Christie Craig's usual crasiness. You lough too many times too count... a feel good book.

GODDEDD OF THE HUNT : really nice historica romantic comedy. Reminded me of the early julia Quin's book. Great characters.

MEMORIES OF US : a very good romantic suspense about unrequited love. Very romantic *sigh* loved it too !

LONG LOST : ok not a romance but really Myron and Will are addicitve character. There is a ncie bitter sweet love story too ;-)

One RECKLESS SUMMMER : unrequited love, second chance at love, boy from the wrong side of the track... perfect combination and great book.

That's all I'mm thinking of for now... I'll probably be back later ;-)

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Lynz.

Hi Christie,
I read a lot of romantic suspense, but did manage to squeeze in a couple of historicals. My top five reads of the summer were
Allegra Gray's "Nothing But Scandal"
Kris Kennedy's "The Conqueror"
Allison Brennan's "Fatal Secrets"
Tara Janzen's "Breaking Loose"
Meryl Sawyer's "Death's Door"

Helen said...

Congrats Lynz have fun with him

Christie I am so sorry you didn't get to read anything over summer I don't know if I could cope not reading LOL.

I have to agree that autumn is a beautiful time for reading and yes we are in spring now and today it reached 32 celsius so I think we are in for a long hot summer. I will be turning the air con on and trying hard to make a dent in the TBR pile LOL.

Over winter I read some awesome books

Wicked Little Game Christine Wells Historical an awesome read

Romeo Romeo Robin Kaye this one is contempary and I loved it

The Treasures Of Venice Loucinda McGary another awesome read

What Happens In London Julia Quinn I love Julia's books and this is great

Dark Country Bronwyn Parry this is a romantic supsense set in and Australian country town great read

Then of course there is Nicola Cornick's fortune Follies series I loved these 3 books

The Savakis Mistress Annie West love her heros

Branded By Fire Nalini Singh you might like to read the rest of the series first

Sorry I could go on and on I hope you find some time to read Christie

Have Fun
Helen

Helen said...

How could I forget Tawny's books
Coming On Strong and Going Down Hard and Jeanne's Dark and Deadly

Christie by the time everyone has posted recomendations you won't know where to start and my must have list will get bigger LOL

Have Fun
Helen

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

All of Tawny's books were read and thoroghly enjoyed. I also read and loved:

Eloisa James A Duke of Her Own

Karen Hawkins The Laird Who Loved Me and Sleepless in Scotland

Julia Quinn What Happens in London

Sabrina Jeffries Wed Him Before You Bed Him and Don't Bargain With the Devil

That is just to name a few.

Helen said...

Dianna

I have Eloisa's Sabrina's and Karen's in the TBR pile I really need to find more time LOL

Have Fun
Helen

Christie Kelley said...

Congrats on the GR, Lynz!

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Jo,

Okay, I'm hanging my head in shame. I've never read JR Ward.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Lynz,

I haven't read Julie Cohen's latest yet. But I've loved her other books. I'm going to have to pick it up.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Janga,

All your books look like something I would love. I've heard fantastic things about Tessa Dare's books but I haven't picked one up yet. I may have to head to B&N soon.

Christie Kelley said...

Emmanuelle,

Your list sounds good too. Something tells me I'm going to have a difficult time picking my next book to read.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Jane,

I'm not a big romantic suspense person but every now and then, I'll pick up one and love it. Then I wonder why I don't read more of them.

Christie Kelley said...

Helen,

Romeo, Romeo was written by a friend of mine. It was a great book. I loved it. Phew, that's one off your long list :)

Christie Kelley said...

Helen,

After reading just a few of the posts this morning, I realized my credit card is in big trouble.

Christie Kelley said...

Dianna,

You just named three of my favorite authors. And I can't believe I haven't read any of those book yet!

Nancy said...

Lynz, congrats on taking home the rooster!

Christie, I'm sorry life happened and kept you from reading this summer. I'm sort of in that mode now and am looking forward to getting into my TBR pile and maybe, finally whittling it down. But I'm really glad you made time to get to DC so we had some face time.

I read the new bandita books, which were marvelous, but I assume those are on your horizon anyway. I started listing the other books I read this summer and realized, as the list grew, that I actually read more than I thought. It just didn't seem like much because the TBR pile didn't shrink. Funny how that happens.

The author I read who was new to me, a debut author, was Tessa Dare, whose Goddess of the Hunt lived up to all the raves posted here.

I read the books of all my guests, as well as Ann Aguirre's paranormal, Blue Diablo, which also has suspense elements. I'm thrilled that she's joining us in November to celebrate her foray into "normal" romantic suspense.

My highlights of the RWA conference included meeting Jessica Andersen and Ann Aguirre in person.

I know I read other books, but I'm blanking right now.

Christie Kelley said...

Thanks, Nancy.

It would appear that the Tessa Dare book is moving up in my TBR pile.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Christie, I had a reading binge after a long exile in the deadline cave.

WICKED LITTLE GAME by Christine Wells (oh that beautiful cover!)
HIS CAPTIVE LADY by Anne Gracie (could not put it down)
BUNCO BABES TELL ALL by Maria Geraci (didn't know what bunco was when I started but loved this romantic women's fiction)
DEATH ANGEL by Linda Howard (turned me from an occasional reader into a fan)
MAGNATE'S MAKE-BELIEVE MISTRESS by Bronwyn Jameson (lots of buzz about this Desire, I could see why when I read it)
THE DESERT KING'S PREGNANT BRIDE by Annie West (I love Annie's wonderful sheiks)
Then some creepy thrillers by Tess Gerritson and Nicci French to keep me awake at night!

Joan said...

List only 5? Really?

Dang.

Here in no particular order:

WICKED LITTLE GAME by our own Ms. Wells. One of the BEST historicals I've read.

HOT PURSUIT by Suzanne Brockmann. Suzanne continually AMAZES me in her character development. Such complicated people in those buff Navy SEAL bodies.

MYSTIC WARRIOR by Patricia Rice. Came into this series late and while I love the paranormal in it I applaud loud and long at the different time period it is set in (French Revolution)

This is a combo....STAKES AND STILLETOS AND TALL, DARK AND FANGSOME BY Michelle Rowan. I'd read the first two in this fun, romantic comedy vampire series and picked SS up at National and by the time I'd finished it, TDF was out.

DREAMFEVER. Karen Marie Moning. THIS was the book I could not put down. THIS was the book that had me begging on her group on Facebook to release the next one NOW. The woman does cliffhanging SO good.

She also created my obsession, er, I mean one of my most favorite heroes Adam Black, the darkest elf.

I know this is more than 5 but had to put in Gena Showalter's THE DARKEST WHISPER. Again, an author who does characterization so well. I LEARN from these authors.

Oh, and don't get me started on Jessica Andersen. As a direct result of this blog, I read Nightkeepers...which led to a frenzied trip to TWO bookstores to get Dawnkeepers and Skykeepers. The weaving of the Maya mythology in these books is BEYOND amazing.

So Christie, did you jot those down? Get to it girl...READ

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Kandy,

Thanks for the recommendations! I think I'll skip the creepy thrillers. I'm sleep deprived enough.

Christie Kelley said...

Joan,

Thanks for books! I haven't read KMM's Fever series. Which is weird because I loved her other books, and you're completely right about Adam Black. I loved him!

Claudia Dain said...

Lynz, you win every day!! I think this game is fixed.

My favorite read was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Wow. Amazing book. It's not a romance, but I still heartily recommend it. I read it in one sitting.

Tess Gerritsen's latest The Keepsake was fabulous. Pure suspense.

Can you tell I don't much read romance for recreation?

I did read Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also The Laird Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins and Before The Scandal by Suzanne Enoch, which were both great!

Whew. Made it to five.

Louisa Cornell said...

Way to go, Lynz! He is becoming a regular at your house. Do you have an all night henhouse in your back yard?

Like you Christie I have spent most of the summer either writing or working.

I did, however, get some reading in over the summer. Managed to get all of the Bandita books in there. I searched the TBR stack and they are all on the HBR read stack waiting to be shelved. (HBR = Have Been Read) I have a sticker system so I know when I've read something and when I've put it in LibraryThing.

Loved Karen Hawkins Sleepless in Scotland and The Laird Who Loved Me.

The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley was fantastic.

Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris (But you may want to start with What Angels Fear)

Christie Kelley said...

LOL, Claudia, I knew you could make it to five!

Thanks for recommendations. I'll have to ask my mom if she read the Tess Gerritsen book yet. She loves suspense.

Christie Kelley said...

Louisa,

I can't believe I haven't read Karen Hawkins books yet. (her latest books, that is) I'm going to have to pick them up.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Hmm, top five:

1.) Eloisa James's latest. It's got Duke in the title, you can't miss it. It's Villiers' books, that's the important part.

2.) With Seduction in Mind, LLG--love the tongue in cheek about being a writer (from two POVs) and publishing

3.) I've re-read the Twilight series--and it's one of the more memorable things I've read lately. Sorry.

4.) I Shot You Babe, Leslie Langtry: Coney Island falls in love!

5.) Signora di Vinci: a historical novel about Leonardo di Vinci's mom--very, very good. I can't wait to read Robin Maxwell's nxt book: O Juliet!

Cassondra said...

Oh, Christie.

I read nothing either.

I haven't even gotten to the last couple of bandita books (hangs head in shame) which means I have a great treat ahead, but makes me sad nonetheless.

I hate being this busy. Hate. It.

LYNZ! Congrats on the bird!

Nancy said...

Ms. Hellion--nothing to apologize for in reading Twilight or any other series that grabs you, imho. One of the more disappointing things to me about this year's DragonCon was the freedom with which people on panels and in the audience dissed Twilight, treatment previously reserved for romance as a genre. The con is supposed to be a place where everyone does their own fannish thing and doesn't catch flak for it, but Twilight (which I admit I have not read) didn't get that modicum of respect.

The behavior of some people in that regard was, to me, un-fannish.

Christie Kelley said...

Ms Hellion,

Thanks for the recommendations! But why the sorry about reading the Twilight series again? I know people love that series.

Christie Kelley said...

Cassondra,

I hate being this busy too. I just got an email from my editor asking if I had a dedication/acknowledgment for Something Scandalous. Guess what I have to go do now.

Anna Sugden said...

The benefit of travelling across the Atlantic is uninterrupted reading time *g*! I did it twice this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Can't pick just five, but here are some great ones (Banditas excluded - because we know they are all fab!)

Tess Gerritsen's Keepsake
Allison Brennan's Tempting Evil
Mariah Stewart's Forgotten
Lisa Gardner's The Neighbour
Karen Rose's Die for Me and Don't Tell

Eloisa James' A Duke of her Own and This Duchess of Mine
Liz Carlyle's My False Heart
Sandra Hill's Cajun series
Suz Brockmann's Into the Fire
Lorraine Heath's In Bed With The Devil
Hank Phillippi Ryan's Prime Time
Jessica Andersen's Keepers!
Minda Weber's The Reluctant Miss Van Helsing

That's just off the top of my head!

Hellie Sinclair said...

I'm only apologizing about Twilight because it's not a new series or book. I was hoping to recommend all NEW books. *LOL* Instead of re-reads (and I was tempted to add Harry Potter to the group because I re-read several of those too. *LOL*)

And I was rather underwhelmed at my first read of the Twilight series. It's no Harry Potter--and if you specifically look at the instances of the more "romantic" behavior, he really comes off as a controlling stalker. *LOL* Don't get me wrong--he's tragic, he's gorgeous, he's great...but that whole "I like to watch you sleep" sounds way too Ted Bundy. I mean, how many men do you know could get away saying that and not send you running? Exactly. But a fictional vampire? Oh, that's romantic!

I far more enjoyed my re-read of the books. I still think he's a bit of a stalker; I think Bella's kinda whiney; and I think Jacob brings a lot of his misery on himself--but you can't deny that woman has VOICE and a compelling way to keep a reader engaged. Whatever that magic is: she has it.

KDSGS said...

I read Susanne Enoch's 'The Notorious Gentlemen' series, 3 books, 3 Regency hunk friends.

1. After the Kiss
2. Before the Scandal
3. Always a Scoundrel

My fave? #3. So dark and tortured, and...a scoundrel, LOL!

I loved these so much and went out and grabbed another of hers "By Love Undone"

Also read Teresa Medeiros 'Yours Until Dawn'. A twist I did not foresee! Great plot!

I guess that is five!!

Hellie Sinclair said...

The con is supposed to be a place where everyone does their own fannish thing and doesn't catch flak for it, but Twilight (which I admit I have not read) didn't get that modicum of respect.

My theories are: 1) fantasy lovers get bent any time their genre has "LOVE" as a key plot point. LOVE is for bodice rippers, not world-buildings; 2) fantasy lovers seem to be made up primarily of males, who are jealous of fictional characters who are seeing more action than they are.

KDSGS said...

Oops, was it supposed to be new releases only? Because I didn't really read any new releases this summer!

Joan said...

Lynz,

Meant to comment on your good taste with Kirsten Higgins "too good, too be true"

I LOVE all her books! I'm a big fan and she is just a WONDERFUL lady. She never twitched an eyebrow when I accousted her in SF with a total fan girl moment.

Can't wait for her next one.

Joan said...

OMG!

It's a Cassondra sighting!

Quick! Demetrius! Lucien! Bar the doors.

Cabana boy squads 3 and 7 form a circle and corral her to the bar.

We need us some Cassondra!

Christie Kelley said...

Wow, Anna! I'll never get through that list! Glad you had so much time to read. I'm quite envious.

Christie Kelley said...

MsHellion,

LOL, you're not the first person I've heard to describe him as a stalker.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Drew,

Thanks for book ideas. And no, it didn't have to be new releases. I'm eager to read anything!

Beth Andrews said...

Christie, I didn't get to read as much over the summer as I would've liked, but I did get some reading time in. Here are a few books I've read and loved recently:

Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins.

Tribute by Nora Roberts

Some Like It Wild by Teresa Medeiros

Before The Scandal by Suzanne Enoch

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Some were already mentioned and some aren't new releases but I'm slowly making my way through my TBR pile ;-)

Christie Kelley said...

Beth, my TBR pile is far too big at the moment. And this post is making it bigger. I'm glad you were able to get some reading in this summer.

catslady said...

I dose myself with caffeine and give up sleep so I can read :)

I am ready to start the third book in the Twilight series and love it.
Out of Time by Samantha Graves
Master Highlands by Veronica Wolff
Shadow Rider by Kathryn Dennis
Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett

Christie Kelley said...

catslady, too funny about the caffeine. I must sleep. But thanks for the recommendations!

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Christie--

I just binged on Eloisa James, all those Duchess books. A Duke of her Own was SO satisfying. I've been waiting for Villiers' story for a long time. I also have been digging Jessica Andersen's Night Keepers series. Book Two came out this summer.

Not a long list but it ought to hold you for a couple days. :-)

Christie Kelley said...

Thanks, Susan! I'll add more to the growing list!

Joan said...

Susan,

Jessica Andersen alert...book THREE is out!

Nightkeepers, Dawnkeepers and now SKYkeepers.....

Thus my trip to two bookstores, LOL

Pissenlit said...

With a good bit of cheating, in no particular order...

Top 5 summer books:
1.Georgia Evans- Brytewood trilogy
2.Sherwood Smith- Inda series
3.Julie E. Czerneda- Riders of the Storm (Stratification #2)
4.Audrey Niffenegger- The Time Traveler's Wife
5.Mike Carey- Felix Castor series

Top 5 summer romance books:
1.Audrey Niffenegger- The Time Traveler's Wife
2.Lisa Hendrix- Immortal Warrior (Immortal Brotherhood #1)
3.Kathryne Kennedy- Enchanting the Lady
4.Georgia Evans- Brytewood trilogy
5.Diana Rowland- Mark of the Demon*

*may or may not be considered a PNR...

Nancy said...

Ms. Hellion wrote: My theories are: 1) fantasy lovers get bent any time their genre has "LOVE" as a key plot point. LOVE is for bodice rippers, not world-buildings; 2) fantasy lovers seem to be made up primarily of males, who are jealous of fictional characters who are seeing more action than they are.

I think your first point has some merit, though I've noticed that quite a few books with "fantasy" on the spine have fairly prominent romance subplots.

And actually, fantasy is, overall, more a woman's genre, with science fiction more prone to draw male readers, though the lines aren't as hard as they were some years ago. Many, many, many women go to DragonCon and are fantasy readers and fans.

Things are not as bad as they once were re: romance and fantasy, at least at DragonCon. There's a track for dark fantasy/horror/paranormal fans that books romance authors, and a number of romance authors (including our own Trish Milburn and friend Tanya Michaels) are on panels in the writing track. But there is still a bias out there, definitely.

I thought your take on Twilight was interesting. The boy tried to read it but didn't get into it. Of course, he's not the demographic for which it's meant.

Nancy said...

Cassondra, we're all sorry when you're this busy, too. We miss you!

Nancy said...

Joan, I haven't read the new "Darkest" book by Gena Showalter. I have it, somewhere in the massive and teetering pile labeled TBR, but I haven't read it yet.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Pissenlit,

Thanks for the recommendations. I haven't read The Time Traveler's Wife but I loved the movie. Is the book better than the movie (as it is in most cases)?

Unknown said...

Congrats Lynz on getting that rooster today!

I read all four of the Twilight series which was an awesome read. Another one I had troble putting down was Where The Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe if you like the western type reads.

Pissenlit said...

Hiya Christie,
I've actually put off seeing the movie because I can't figure out how they managed to adapt the book(because of the way it's written) into movie form and whether or not I'll like the result. I'm usually apprehensive when books I really like get turned into movies(I still can't get myself to see Watchmen).

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Virginia,

I do like Western type reads. Is it romance?

Christie Kelley said...

Pissenlit,

I'm the same way with books that have been turned into movies. I did like The Time Traveler's Wife. But I heard someone say it was better to see the movie and then read the book because the book was better.

Caren Crane said...

Ooh, I love this topic! Best books I read this summer:

1. Don't Tempt Me - Loretta Chase

2. Too Good To Be True - Kristan Higgins

3. Salvation In Death - J.D. Robb

4. The Moment I First Believed - Wally Lamb

5. How To Dazzle a Duke - Claudia Dain

Okay, those weren't all romances, but I loved them (especially Claudia's, which I just finished - WOW!!). I also give high honors to:

Her Very Own Family - Trish Milburn

Finger Lickin' Fifteen - Janet Evanovich

Wed Him Before You Bed Him - Sabrina Jeffries

The Diamonds Of Welbourne Manor - Deb Marlowe, Diane Gaston and Amanda McCabe

So many great books, Christie. You'll be busy until winter!

Caren Crane said...

Christie, I haven't seen the movie version The Time Traveler's Wife because I loved the book. The book pissed me off, because of the way it ends, but it was exceptional. You probably should see the movie first so you're not disappointed and can appreciate it for what it is. *sigh*

I love books and I love movies, but they are such disparate media that it is almost impossible for a story to do double duty and be excellent in both.

Caren Crane said...

Sorry, guys, that was The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. It's proof of how brain-dead I am that I wrote a whole blog about how great the book was and a few weeks later can't remember the title. Doh!

Christine Wells said...

Hey, Christie! I'm a little bit in the same boat as you are, having had 2 conferences and a writers' festival to do, besides a proposal for a series, so my reading has mostly been revisiting comfort reads and non-fiction stuff. So I don't have much to recommend but I'll be interested to see what everyone else says.

Christine Wells said...

Oh, Helen, Kandy and Joan, thanks so much for giving Wicked Little Game a mention! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Lynz, congrats on the chook, although I imagine at this hour, he's getting ready to fly the coop again.

Late, I know! Christie, I got a book in a little while ago too and I'm starting to catch up with some of the TBR pile. I'm so glad you're enjoying A Most Lamentable Comedy. I really enjoyed it - Janet has the ability to make me laugh out loud.

Just recently great reads include Pamela Clare's RIDE THE FIRE, Kathleen O'Reilly's HOT UNDER PRESSURE, Sarah Mayberry's SHE'S GOT IT BAD, Loretta Chase's DON'T TEMPT ME, Carla Neggers's THE ANGEL.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, love all the recommendations!

Actually another book I've read in the last few days and really enjoyed is an oldish Liz Carlyle called THE DEVIL YOU KNOW. She's such a fantastically good writer! It's been lovely taking some time to read - when I'm working on a book, I mainly read nonfiction.

Caren Crane said...

Oh, Anna, The Devil You Know is one of favorite of Liz Carlyle's! I adore all her books and saw that someone - Anna S., maybe? - had read her DEBUT book My False Heart this summer! I haven't seen that one about in a long while, so good job finding it, Anna S. I thought it was a bold first book and I was appalled to think anyone might expect me to write a book like that for a first sale. Ack! liz Carlyle is amazing.

Christie Kelley said...

Caren! Too many books! Not enough time! LOL. Great recommendations!

Christie Kelley said...

Christine, you're welcome to steal from the great lists here!

Christie Kelley said...

Thanks, Anna. I finished Janet's book this evening and loved it. She is just so funny.

Fedora said...

Hmm... top five are something like:
- Ann Aguirre's first two Jax books (can I count those as one, please? ;))
- LaVyrle Spencer's The Endearment
- Sarah Mayberry's latest two--her first Super, A Natural Father, and her latest Blaze, She's Got It Bad
- Jasmine Haynes' Somebody's Lover
- Virginia Kantra's Children of the Sea books

Uh, I guess that's kind of five :)

Hope you get to enjoy some great reading, and now I'm going to read everyone else's posts to see what else I need to add to the TBR ;)