Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Book Crack

Please join me in welcoming fabulous Harlequin Blaze author Samantha Hunter to the lair today!

Hello Bandits! Thanks to Beth and the gang for having me by today... I hope we’ll have a lot of fun.

You might find the title of my blog confusing – I’m not talking about that ever present debate of cracking bindings or not, but about those books that we hook into like a drug…when we read them, we have to have more, and the cliffhangers leave us needing a new fix, and soon!

For me, I’ve found two series like that recently, Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series, which I stumbled across completely by accident on Kindle free reads and thought, hey, I’ll try it… I had no idea that I wouldn’t be able to pull my head out of that series until I had read the last line of the most recent book, which ended on a cruel cliffhanger and readers now have to wait a year! In the meantime, I’ve gone back to read her Highlander books, to sort of ease off that addiction.

Before Moning, I was into Richelle Mead’s Dark Swan series… just two books so far, but I read them with rapt attention. I like them much better, even, than the succubus series.

And before that, earlier this year, was Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mystery series, which I again read one after the other until the last, and very happy to find there is a new one coming out in a few weeks.

I enjoy many books, which are very good reads, but there’s something special about a series you get so hooked into that you can’t put it down, and that doesn’t happen too often for me – to have found 3 in one year is unusual. I think whatever makes certain reads “book crack” to each individual reader has to be different, because I know people who get grabbed by books that I couldn’t get halfway into the first in the series. It’s great that we all like different things. *G*



With the series I mention above, there were strong, capable, smart female protagonists who I wanted to root for, lots of action, smart plotting, sexy, intelligent heroes, and a lot of originality. The romance was the subplot in all three series, all were very sexy (though the mysteries not as sexy as the first two) and they all had overarching plots as well as the story of the book. They also had powerful secondary characters who were more than props. So… these are all important qualities to me in making any read book crack.

What about you? What’s the most recent series or “book crack” you’ve read that you just couldn’t pull yourself out of, or the one that you found yourself skipping meals for, staying up far too late, or snapping at anyone who dared to interrupt while you were reading? *G*

And I hope you’ll check out my current Blaze release, Caught in the Act, part of a 4-book miniseries, Dressed To Thrill (revolving around heroines who receive the wrong costume than one they ordered for various events, and that mistake changes their lives) that has been a lot of fun to write. Also, you can catch up with our Twitter Online reads which are spinoffs of the Dressed to Thrill books, one new story each month, written round-robin style on Twitter – for more, check out http://www.tweettweetlove.com/

At the end of today, I’ll give away one set of 4 Dressed to Thrill books to one lucky poster today, along with a Halloween goodie! (since my book, Caught in the Act, begins at a Halloween party).

Let’s talk book crack! *G*

77 comments:

Jane said...

Hi Samantha,
Congrats on the new release. I've really enjoyed Tessa Dare's historical trilogy and Allison Brennan's FBI trilogy.

Laurie G said...

I've discovered Stef Ann Holm. She's hilarious. Her characters
act and talk like real life people. I'm zipping through her earlier works. I'm also reading several of Kasey Michaels' books.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

A series that isn't new but that I was hooked on was J.R.Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood. On a much lighter note was Janet Evanovich's Plum Series.

Helen said...

Congrats Jane it is a while since he has visited you have fun with him

Hi Samantha love that wording book crack they are like that aren't they when I start reading a book especially if it is part of a series I just loose myself in it and often don't get anything else done LOL.

I love books in a series I started many years ago with Johanna Linsey's Mallorys and then Victoria Alexander's Effington series and Stephanie Laurens Cynsters and Bastion Club. A series that I started last year and am always waiting on the next one is Nalini Singh's Psy Changleing series it is so good.

All these series that will be mentioned in this post is going to add to my must have list and then to the TBR pile I love it LOL.

Thanks for inviting Samantha along today Beth. BTW I have read Tawny's Feels Like The First Time and I loved it I really need to get the rest of the Dressed To Thrill series.

Have Fun
Helen

Joan said...

Hey Samantha!

I uusally am not up this early to greet our guests...the cabana boys are still snoozing in their cabnanas :-)

I love the premise of heroines receiving the wrong costume. I've found over the years that the few costume partys I attended, that the costumes I wore "changed" me.

First I went as a Southern Belle who,....morphed into a flirtatious "lady of ill repute" shall we say...it was great fun to hide behind the mask and "become" somebody else....not literally but you know :-)

The second was last year when I was the Goddess Sangria. Oh, wait...that wasn't a costume :-)

I LOVE the Dream Fever series. Love. It. And you are so right about the cruel cliff hanger. You'll LOVE her Highlander series too....esp. Adam Black in Immortal Highlander.

Now, back to bed....

Lynz Pickles said...

Congrats, Jane!

Book crack, eh? That's the perfect term for it. I'd have so much more free time and money if it didn't exist. I wouldn't be all pale and shaky from reading indoors late into the night. I wouldn't constantly be desperate for my next fix, waiting to find the next great book. Book crack, indeed!

I recently finished Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, and all I can say about it is YOU: READ IT NOW. I read the four books that've been released so far in about two days and no, I did not sleep.

And then there's the Suzanne Enoch phase I went through a couple of months ago. I read all but two of her books in a couple of weeks. Even as I felt myself getting sick of her voice, I just couldn't stop! Each new book was so tempting and good, even if the voice was getting old! Something similar happened with Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series. I really, really hate her voice, but I love her characters. Even though I can't stand the writing, I found myself forced to read every book in the series I could get my hands on because the characters - okay, the heroes, though the heroines were okay too - were just so addictive.

Oh, and the other night I stayed up until a positively indecent hour re-reading my favourite scenes from Megan Whalen Turner's The Queen's Thief series, which is simply amazing. Of course, once you start browsing for your favourite scenes, you're bound to run across some you forgot about, and before you know it... you're re-reading the whole book. Or am I the only one who does that?

My biggest book crack series ever was K.A. Applegate's Animorphs. I loved those books when I was little. LOVED them. I read 28 of the books in the main series, plus some of the extras, before I managed to cut myself off.

Buffie said...

Hey Samantha!

I have to say that I just love the idea of your series. I can see all kinds of possibilities with that. Guess I'll be adding your name and books to my TBB list :-)

The last series I fell in love with was Jacquie D'Alessandro's Mayhem in Mayfair sereis. I really LOVE this one!

I too enjoy Karen Marie Moning's writing. I absolutely love her Highlander series. Talk about yummy heroes!

Minna said...

Well, I couldn't pull myself out of in Death books.

Gannon Carr said...

Hi, Samantha! Book crack--a subject near and dear to my heart. :-D

JR Ward's BDB series is most definitely an addiction! As is Nora's In Death series--love me some Roarke!! KMM writes books I just can't put down. Tessa Dare's trilogy.....oh dear, I think I need a 12 step program. LOL

Your Dressed to Thrill series sounds like it could absolutely feed my addiction. :)

Congrats on the GR, Jane!

Beth Andrews said...

Good morning, all! I'd like to once again welcome Sam to the lair! So glad you could be with us today and I love your post :-)

What was the best part about writing for the Dressed to Thrill series? Can you tell us a bit more about Caught in the Act?

Beth Andrews said...

Jane, I've heard great things about Tessa Dare's books! And I think Allison Brennan is fabulous but I'm way too chicken to read her books *g*

And congrats on nabbing the Golden Rooster! What do you have planned with him today?

Beth Andrews said...

Hi, Laurie! You know, I've only read two comments and already I can tell I'm going to be in trouble because of all the new authors I want to read *g* My Amazon wish list just keeps growing and growing :-)

I'll definitely have to check out Stef Ann Holm and Kasey Michaels!

mariska said...

Hi Samantha! Your series sound good.
Twilight Saga series by Stephenie meyer had made me woke up at 4 am and slept at 1 am in the morning! :) I just couldn't put them down.

Beth Andrews said...

Dianna, I love the Stephanie Plum series, too! Unfortunately, I haven't read the last few books *sigh* They are definitely on my list, though!

I've heard such great things about the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I really need to check them out!

Beth Andrews said...

Helen, isn't the Dressed to Thrill series fun? I love the premise *g*

And one of the first series I fell in love with was Joanna Lindsey's Mallory series! The first book of hers I read was The Magic of You and I was so hooked, I immediately searched out the earlier titles in the series and devoured them :-)

Thanks for sharing your favorite series. Glad to see my Must Have List isn't the only one getting longer ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

Good morning glorious Goddess Sangria...er...I mean, Joanie ;-)

I haven't read the Dream Fever series but I loved the Highlander series!

Another series I've been dying to check out is Jessica Andersen's Final Prophecy series. And I have Pamela Palmer's Feral Warriors series in my TBR pile. I can't wait to dive into those books *g*

Beth Andrews said...

I recently finished Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, and all I can say about it is YOU: READ IT NOW.

Lynz, I've added these to my Must Have list! It doesn't take much to convince me to try a new author ;-)

I was definitely addicted to Suzanne Brockmann's Tall, Dark and Dangerous and Troubleshooters series (both of which I came to late). I would literally stalk my local Wal Mart waiting for the next installment.

With one Troubleshooter release, I even went several times a day until they FINALLY put the book on the shelf :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Buffie, I highly recommend Sam's books! They're sexy and edgy and filled with twists and turns. Love them *g*

Mayhem in Mayfair? I'm going to add this series to my Must Have list based on that fabulous series title alone :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Minna! I love Nora Roberts but still haven't read her In Death books. I know so many people who are addicted to them I'm afraid to get started lest I spend every waking minute reading.

Which, to be honest, doesn't sound like a bad idea ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

oh dear, I think I need a 12 step program.

ROFL, Gannon! You're not the only one!

But if loving books is wrong, I don't want to be right ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

Morning, Mariska! I think so many people were addicted to the Twilight series they should've added a warning to those books *g*

What about the Harry Potter books? Anyone addicted to those?

s7anna said...

Hey Samantha,

I loved your post...I can totally relate to being a "book crack"...I have a major out of control addiction to reading...toss in a series and I'm pretty much doomed when it comes to getting anything else done...

I'm really addicted to Kay Hooper's Blood series *absolutely adored her Shadows and Evil series* They were just fantastic! I also really like the Red Rock Pass series from Moira Rogers, the Breeds series by Lora Leigh, the Nauti series from Lora Leigh, the Shifting Dreams series by multiple authors, Granite Lake Wolves series by Viv Arend, Shifting Passions series by Bonnie Rose Leigh and quite a few more...but I can't remember any more right off the top of my head...

Happy Reading!!!
Anna Shah Hoque
s7anna@yahoo.ca

Minna said...

Right now I'm reading Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. I'd love to read it all at once, but it's an ebook and I get cross eyed if I stare at the screen too long. It was a free ebook, courtesy of Mills and Boon:
http://www.everyonesreading.com/

Carol L. said...

Congratulations Samantha on your new release. I agree with you about the cruel cliffhanger from KMM's Dream fever. I wanted to scream right along with Mac at that ending.
Besides Karen's Fever series, I am hooked on the OutLander books which was another "I want to scream " ending. And also Monica McCarty's latest Highlander trilogy. I love Highlanders.. :)And Stephanie Laurens Bastion Club and Cynster books. Love them.
I'll look forward to your latest release.Thanks for the interview post.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Gooood Morning, Samantha! Welcome to the Lair!!

Jane, you snagged the golden rooster for the day. Go easy on him....or maybe I should tell him to go easy on you? :>

Samantha, in answer to your question, I love it when I can find "book crack" kinds of reads. I love the Stephanie Plum series Dianna mentioned. I've not started the Black Daggers because I'm suspecting that I'll plow through all of them with crack-like addiction, so I'm holding off on that until I get this book turned in!

Lynz, I adore Patricia Briggs's work, but its the "other" stuff I like best - Raven's Strike, When Demons Walk, The Hobb's Bargain, Dragon Blood & Dragon Bones, etc. Mercy hasn't grabbed me. Go figure?!

I'm also with Minna on the In Death books. Those suck me in and won't let me go till I'm done.

Beth, Harry Potter is a whole different addiction. It's like speedballing heroin or something. I LOVE that series. I've re-read it and laughed and cried and snorked my way through it several times.

I'm putting Twilight in the same category as The Black Daggers. I just don't have time at the moment to get sucked in and I know I will. Gotta. Wait. Till. The. Book. Is. IN!

Okay...back to the cave! (I've promised my writerly side hot tea and shortbread if I get to it before ten!)

Samantha Hunter said...

OMG... I've only had one cup of coffee and there are 22 comments already! LOL You ladies ARE up early!

And Jane, looks like you are the winner of the Golden Rooster, huh? :) Congrats.

Laurie, I think characters we can relate to on some level are the key ingredient, yes.

Dianna, I just picked up Covet, though I didn't get sucked into the Black Dagger series. I can't explain why, I just didn't, but I have hopes for this new series. :)

Helen, I read the Singh series, too -- yes, that was definitely book crack. :)

Jane! OMG, I was a Southern Belle at my very first Halloween party when I was 17. :) It was such a great dress. :) I think the woman of ill repute would be more fun, though, LOL! (Bring on the cabana boys!). Totally cracked me up on Goddess Sangria!

I am reading Dark Highlander now (which has made me think more about who/what Barrons is)... it is soooo addictive. :)

Lynz, have read all of the Briggs -- yes, definitely book crack! Mercy is another one of those strong female leads, and there's enough romance to keep me going. I do like Moning and Read's treatment of Fae a bit better, I have to admit, but that doesn't keep me from enjoying the Briggs at all.

I see my TBR growing as well. ;)

Buffie, thanks! I have to admit, we had a great time writing the wrong costume series... it was just too much fun. There's something so seductive and playful about the idea of wearing a disguise...

Minna, yes, I was like that with the in Death books, too -- read the first 14 twice, in fact -- but stopped reading them a few books ago...

Gannon, we share a lot of favorites! I hope DTT does become book crack for some folks, not that I'm trying to be a pusher or anything... *G*

Let me end this post here, and I'll respond to more comments in a new one... you guys are a blast!

Sam

Carol L. said...

One more I'd like to mention because there are so many books in this one. J.D. Robbs Eve Dallas and beautiful husband in the books, Rourke.
Thanks
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jane, one chook for you! Congratulations!

Hi Samantha! Lovely to have you in the lair! Your new book sound fantastic.

Oh, I know exactly what you mean about book crack. In fact, I was at a panel recently where someone in the audience described romance as emotional crack. People just keep wanting another fix of the good stuff!

I love Karen Marie Moning although I must say I haven't read any of the Dark Fever books. I adored her Highlanders though - definite book crack. I have a few favorite authors who just can't write fast enough for me - at the moment, I'm toeing for a new Madeline Hunter. Feels like ages since the last one.

Samantha Hunter said...

Carol, thanks for coming by! I hear you on the screaming over that cliffie and the highlanders. ;)

Beth, morning! Thanks for having me by -- this is a ton of fun. :) What a great blog. :)

Yes, LOL on Gannon's 12 step program, though we can't have anything stop us from reading... no way!

You know, I loved the first two Harry Potters, and after that kind of lost interest, though dh read them all. I have to admit, though it's lame, that they got too long for me.

As for Dressed to Thrill -- the best part was writing with my friends, Tawny (whom you know, and her book Feels Like the First Time is an amazing kick off to the series), Karen Foley, and Lisa Renee Jones. We all worked together, were on email constantly, and it was a great experience having that built-in support system for writing the books that I'd never really experienced before. It's not the same as having cps, even, because we were all writing books together, and that was pretty intense. (Also, in the books, there is a separate mini-romance that runs through the Prologues and Epilogues of each book, so we really had to be in sync).

As for CAUGHT IN THE ACT, I loved writing Mason, who is a divorce lawyer who believes in love. He really believes in marriage, and wants to be married, and I loved that about him, and how it changes his idea of his job, how he comes at it, and what he admires about the heroine, Gina. So these two had very strong relationships in common, and that spoke to me, since family is so important, and Gina's sister became the subplot in the book, and Mason's younger brother became the hero of my Harlequin Online read, CAUGHT BY SURPRISE.

But it's also a suspense story, all four characters (main and subplot) find themselves in danger, and I enjoy writing that too -- and I have to admit, two of my favorite scenes are with the heroines' responses to danger -- when Gina is in a house being invaded with bad guys, and her sister is trying to... well, I won't give it away. ;) But much like in the books I read, I love writing strong women, or sometimes, women who discover their strength, even if they don't realize it at the start of the book.

Sam

Minna said...

Well, I've never been able to read ALL in Death books all at once, as I can only get few in Death books from the library at a time. Our local library doesn't have any in Death books in English, so they have to order them from other libraries.

Samantha Hunter said...

Anna, thanks for coming by! I saw Kay Hooper speak a few weeks ago, and she was wonderful. Very down to earth lady. :)

Mariska! I heard so much about the Twilight series, and I know my friend Karen Foley had the same experience as you did, but I couldn't quite connect with them -- I think it's because I am not a YA reader in general, probably why I lost interest in the Potter books, as well. But I know so many people who loved them, and I think that it's fascinating what hooks some readers and not others...

Jeanne, thanks! You know, I don't find this connection with a lot of series or books, so it's really unusual to have had three this year, and I have to say, the really hard part is when they are over. It's so hard waiting for the next book.

Book crack gives me the same feeling as some of my favorite TV shows, when I am so sucked in and can't wait for the next one (or swallow them whole on DVD...). Such a joy when we find it.

Anna C, oh, you have to read the Fever series! LOL It completely dovetails with the Highlanders, which is part of why I am reading them now. You must buy them. LOL

I have had the best time talking about those books online with other readers too -- it's like we can see that feverish gleam in each other's eyes, and we KNOW. LOL

Sam

Samantha Hunter said...

Beth, You MUST buy the Fever books so we can chat about them. :)

And by the way, it's Beth's HIS SECRET AGENDA that is keeping me up late at the moment -- and her sexy cowboy hero in that book even comes to Syracuse, which tickles my imagination. :) Such a great book.

Sam

Minna said...

But some day I just might read them all on one sitting once I manage to get them all. I'm trying to get the books by buying and
swapping. Can't afford to buy them all, anyway. Unfortunately, it seems that some less than honest person who just happens to be working in the mail likes them, too. A bit too much. Last time
when I was sent 2 in Death books, I only got one of them, because someone had opened the envelope and taken away the other one and then closed the envelope again. I was hopping mad.

limecello said...

Hi Sam! Congratulations on the new release and thanks for visiting with us :D

As for book crack... I've been reading and re-reading Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks. Then I sat in my car reading Holding Out for a Hero by HelenKay Dimon... tempted to stay there instead of going to teach. And last night/this morning I was up til 3 AM reading Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas so I'm all groggy and :X maybe a little grumpy now. So... those three are my most recent book crack. Love it, and hate it. [I need a nap]

CrystalGB said...

Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series is the series that I had to read one after another.

Joan said...

Oh! Oh! Beth!

I HIGHLY recommend Jessica Andersen's Final Prophecy books.

I just finished an immersion marathon of the first three books (brought to my attention through this blog of ours!)

The trouble with stumbling on a killer series like this after several releases is...you get to read like 3-4 right away and THEN have to WAIT for the next one!!

It's not fair I tell ya!

Jessica? If you're out there...write faster.

The Goddess Sangria demands it...and the Mayan pantheon has NOTHING on her

Christie Kelley said...

Welcome to the lair, Samantha. Congrats on the new release! I love Blaze books, they are just a perfect combination of hot and short.

As far as recent series, I can't think of any except the Stephanie Plum books. I won't miss one of those!

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Samatha - Love to hear more about some of the costume misdirects. Sounds like fun.

Book Crack - great term! I love it when you get sucked into a world and just live there - even when the book isn't open before you. I find this is a problem when I'm writing as I'd much rather work my way through reading another's series than face my own WIP. I'm in the midst of Tessa Dare's trilogy at the moment and loving it.

Karen Olson said...

I picked up Louise Penny's Quebec mystery series, not sure whether it was my cup of tea. I like darker, grittier books. But her characters caught hold of me and I read all four books in a row. Now there's a fifth! Yay!

Samantha Hunter said...

limecello, LOL -- get some sleep! Though I know what you mean -- I sometimes stay up way too late to read... it's part of the addiction. ;)

Hi Crystal! Good to see you here.

Joan, so true -- the come down after the high is pretty tough, LOL.

Christie, hi! thanks for coming by -- I have read about half of the Plum books -- she's a lot of fun. I think my reading started trending into the paranormal and UF, but I should go back and pick up one of these. :)

Donna, thanks! The wrong costume idea was sparked when our editor said she wanted some kind of miniseries associated with a costume shop. I'd been thinking about a wrong bed book at the time, which I just put in the proposal for, and thought, why not wrong costume?

So, we got together and brainstormed the idea of the online costume shop, and how these 4 heroines all get the wrong costume in the mail -- then, of course, we had to wonder, "who is messing up all of this mailing?" LOL which led to the mini-romance in the prologue and epis, which tells the story of the shop clerk.

I think the theme of how the costume changes the life of the heroine, in more ways than just the romance is common throughout the 4 books. In mine, my heroine finally gets out from under the shadow of her sexier sister, and learns how to be sexy and beautiful in her own right, and to go after what she wants (and you can imagine what she wants, LOL).

Sam

Samantha Hunter said...

Hi Karen! I will check those mysteries out -- I love a good mystery series (like the Cleo Coyle ones, which I love). There are a few others I like, too -- does the Quebec series have any romantic subplots? I can live without them, but I think they really add some spark to the stories.

Sam

The Scarf Princess said...

The series that has me hooked is Ward's BDB. I just can't get my mind off it and the Brothers have actually invaded my dreams. Do you think there's a support group for people like me?

Anna Sugden said...

Welcome to the Lair, Samantha! Great to have you here.

I'm a series addict, I admit it. Find one book in a series and have to go back and read the rest. If I can get in at the start, I often save up books in a series to read them all in one go.

Some of my book crack faves are Suz Brockmann, JD Robb, Lisa Gardner, Tess Gerritsen, Mariah Stewart, Susan Mallery, Kate Angell, Deirdre Martin, Eloisa James etc.

My most recent addiction is Karen Rose - I read Die For Me and had to go and get the rest.

In non-romance, I discovered Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield series (thanks to lovely hubby) and am ready to go through the rest of those!

Unknown said...

Congrat Jane on getting the rooster today, have fun with him!

Hi Sam, the one series that comes to mind that I read was the Twilight series. I really got involved in this one. I didn't think it would be one that I cared for but I was very wrong. It was awesome.

KDSGS said...

Hi Samantha,

I love that, book crack! Wonderful!
I will admit, I kept my romance reading (and writing) focused solely on historicals, but wow, have I branched out lately, and Blaze is one line I have taken to!

On the historical side, Mary Balogh's recent 'Huxtable Sibs' series had me forgoing food, showers, sleep...you name it. Also this summer I was all wrapped up in Suzanne Enoch 'Notorious Gentlemen' series.

Now, am hip-deep in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series, also caught up in Kimberlery Raye's Blaze 'Love at First Bite' series!

And wow, your series 'Dressed to Thrill' sounds wonderful! I will be checking this out!!
I have become a real fan of 'series' books. Obviously.
Cheers~

Beth Andrews said...

Anna, those series sound great! Are they all paranormal or urban fantasy series (I'm asking based on the titles *g*)

I'd love to read a few really great urban fantasy series since I'll be working on my YA idea soon which I'm gearing more toward that sub-genre :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Minna, I've heard wonderful things about Deanna Raybourn! And I also have the ebooks from eHarlequin downloaded. I just haven't read them yet *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Hi, Carol! I used to read tons of Highlander books but somehow got away from them. I'll have to change that!

I think I'll start with Monica McCarty's books :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Beth, Harry Potter is a whole different addiction. It's like speedballing heroin or something.

LOL! I'm not sure I want to be controlled by the HP books *g* My youngest and I haven't read them yet and we keep saying we will but then we start other books and...well...you all know how that cycle works :-)

I'll have to set a goal that we read them over Thanksgiving break!

Hope you got your tea and shortbread! I made chocolate/pumpkin cookies the other day and they are calling my name right now *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Anna! I love romance books being described as emotional crack *g* They are addicting, aren't they? And I wouldn't have it any other way :-)

Samantha Hunter said...

joder, I think this IS the support group, but we're only likely to support your habit, LOL.

Anna, I also prefer series, since I like to get into the world and stay there for a while. It's the best feeling to find a fictional world we can escape to.

Hi Virginia! Thanks for coming by. :) There were three books in that series, right? Will there be more?

I always wonder what the ideal number for a series is. Some authors seem to burn out after 5-6 books, and others go through the 20's, but it can get redundant, kind of the same old thing. I know I am both disappointed, but also happy, that the Fever series ends at 5 books -- I think the stories are strong because KMM knew from the start it would be five books, and where it would end and how it would all work, rather than dithering on.

The Coyle series is still going very strong -- very much looking forward to the new books.

Drew! Awesome to meet a Blaze fan. :) Obviously, I am biased, but I love Kim's vampire series, too, and have Cody waiting on my Kindle. I enjoyed the Dark Hunters as well. I hope you enjoy DTT if you get a chance. :)

I am on Twitter too, if anyone wants to follow @Samantha Hunter

Sam

Beth Andrews said...

I love writing strong women, or sometimes, women who discover their strength, even if they don't realize it at the start of the book.

You do such a great job at this, Sam! I loved Lacey in Hard To Resist and I can't wait to read Caught In The Act :-)

Sounds like you all had a wonderful experience writing the series! And your round robin reads for Twitter are so much fun :-)

Beth Andrews said...

And by the way, it's Beth's HIS SECRET AGENDA that is keeping me up late at the moment

Oh, Sam, thank you so much! I'm fighting with the hero of my current WIP (he's kind of a jerk at the moment *g*) so I really needed to hear this :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Love it, and hate it.

LOL, Lime! Isn't that the way it is with book crack? We love how we feel when we're reading but hate the missed sleep *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Hi, Crystal! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know about your favorite form of book crack *g*

What is it about this series that drew you?

catslady said...

My daughter got me hooked on the Twilight series and I went through all 4 books in no time at all lol.

Karen H said...

Hi Samantha,

Your books sound really fun! Most of the books I read are in series but I think the last series that I couldn't be pulled away from was The Merry Widow trilogy by Candice Hern. All 3 of those books were show stoppers IMO. I'm reading the School for Heiresses series by Sabrina Jeffries right now and so far all of the books I've read have been 3.5-4 stars!

Pissenlit said...

Hiya Samantha,
Your Dressed To Thrill miniseries sounds fun! I love costumes but I haven't much occasion to wear any. Oh book crack, how I love thee! Actually, I'm kind of suspecting that all books are cracktastic in general. :D

Some of my new book crack includes Mark Del Franco's Conner Grey series, L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack series(YA), Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia series, Maria V. Snyder's Study and Glass series and Sherwood Smith's Inda series(kind of reminds me of a fantasy version of LMB's Vorkosigan Saga). I may also be adding Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series to my new book crack list.

Some of my older(but still much loved) book crack includes Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files, Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga, Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, Kim Harrison's The Hollows series, Charlene Harris' Southern Vampire series, Naomi Novik's Temeraire series and lots books by Dick Francis and Julie E. Czerneda.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Okay....I'd love to win the 4-pack...so can I dress up as a Bandita pretending to being a book-Ho for the blog today? huh, huh, huh?

**little pouty face**

OKay, I'll just be me!

Welcome to the Lair Samantha!As you can tell by now, we're a pretty chatty lot. (channeling my Oz friends.)

Over the years I've been hooked by many books and had to read everything that author wrote or read an entire series. There was Julie Garwood (whom I still adore and has a new book coming out after Christmas...come'on gift cards in mama's stocking!). There was LaVyrle Spencer, Johanna Lindsey, Robert Ludlum. Now I'm usually ahead of the game and get new authors one or two books into their series and just slather in anticipation of the next one. (Could SEP please write a book faster? huh? Could she?)

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

I was sucked right in on the Black Dagger series and was really surprised because I didn't expect to be. She creates that world and when you go in you don't want to come back out.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Beth, I've read the Highlander series and loved them. I haven't read the Fever series, although my very, very, very pregnant daughter has devouered them! :)

Pissenlit said...

Suzanne - so can I dress up as a Bandita pretending to being a book-Ho for the blog today? huh, huh, huh?

LMAO!! It took me awhile to stop laughing at "book-ho"...heck, we're already talking about book crack. :D

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Diana said: I was sucked right in on the Black Dagger series and was really surprised because I didn't expect to be. She creates that world and when you go in you don't want to come back out.

That's how I feel about her stuff, too! At least the BDB books. I haven't opened the new series book COVET yet.

Tawny said...

SAMANTHA!!!! Hey you :-)

Everyone, you have to run out and buy Sam's books! They rock. Seriously rock. The Dressed to Thrill series? Hey, I might be a smidge biased (maybe) but IMO, it totally kicks butt. Definitely worth reading ;-)

Book crack. Oh man, anything Nora. The in death books, the paranormals, the category books. Any of them. I'm a major Nora fiend. And like Jeanne, I'm a total Harry Potter geek. I loved those books and still pull them out when I turn in one of my own books and have a week to de-fuse from the writing and let myself fall into that amazing world.

Beth, come on over to the Potter side, sweetie. You know you'll like it. I'll even hold your hand ;-)

Samantha Hunter said...

Catslady, nice to see you!

Karen H, thanks for sharing your book crack recommendations.

I am going to have an awful lot of new titles to check out after this blog, LOL.

Wow, Pissenlit, you know your book crack! We share a lot of the same tastes, I see. :) Maria Snyder, yes -- love the Study series, can thanks for reminding me about the new one!

Suzanne! You can be whoever you want, but being you is perfect, too. :) I am a Ludlum fan as well... I love the Bourne series, of course, which are SO different than the movies, though I did like the movies, too. I liked Jim Butcher, but only lasted 5 books into Dresden Files... it kind of lost something for me at that point, though Harry is a great character. :)

Maybe I have to give the BDB series another try... it didn't grab me the first time through, but sometimes that's timing, mood, etc.

This is a ton of fun. :) I think Beth picks the winner? I'm in no hurry, but whenever she wants to do that, it's good with me. Just so you know, we're waiting on edge for Lisa's author copies to come, which should be soon, so right now I have 3 of the 4, and hopefully the 4th soon!

Sam

Pat Cochran said...

Stephanie Lauren's long-running
Cynster series has kept me rapt
throughout its some 14/15 books.
And there is still more to come!

Pat Cochran

Samantha Hunter said...

TAWNY! ;) Same back atcha!

I have read most of Nora's books, too -- I don't read a lot of the new stuff, but up until maybe 2004, I read *everything* LOL

You have to read the Fever series. Really. I am a pusher for these books, LOL.

Pat, you know, I have never read one of her books (hiding face in shame). So many books, so little time... but have to make a point of it...

Nancy said...

Samantha, welcome! The first books that were like book crack for me were Dick Francis's novels. I sucked down as many as I could find. Shortly after becoming current on those, I discovered Dorothy L. Sayers and Lord Peter Wimsey (way too few of those!) and was dismayed to learn that she was dead, which meant there'd be no more.

Not long after that, I fell into Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles. Anna Campbell also loves these, I know. I read after work and during supper and until the wee hours of the morning and then again while getting ready for work. I ate lunch at my desk so I could read.

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series sucked me in like a black hole, but much more pleasantly.

I tend to react this way, obviously, to series with recurring characters.

I love your picture, by the way.

Jane, congrats on the rooster!

Fedora said...

Hi, Sam!!! Sorry to be coming in late to your visit! (Must have missed your tweet about it ;))

My latest book crack? Hmm... Shelly Laurenston's shifters, and I'm glommed her Aiken dragons but haven't started yet--I need a stretch of reading time so I can race through them :)

I also really zipped through Claudia Dain's Courtesan stories--must get her new one!

Congrats on Caught in the Act--can't wait to read all four!

Congrats on the GR, Jane!

Samantha Hunter said...

Hi Nancy -- thanks. :) We were just talking about Dick Francis novels over dinner this past weekend. Steeplechase and so forth. :) Classic stuff.

My husband actually took that picture when I needed one for my Rita final -- was so funny, he takes great pictures, but we set his stuff up here, and had to go through at least 50 bad shots, until we started goofing around, and that's how we found that one -- I was being silly, since everyone who knows me teases me about looking over the top of my glasses, but it ended up being the best of the bunch. :)

Sam

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, all! Sorry I disappeared - I had to take my parents to the eye doctor (they both had minor eye surgery yesterday) then my son had a cross country meet and I just got home from my daughter's volleyball game.

I sure could use some book crack right now :-)

I just wanted to thank you all for telling us about your favorite series and a HUGE thank you to Sam for guesting with us!!

jo robertson said...

Hi, Samatha, welcome!

Your new miniseries sounds very clever!

A series I HAVE to read as soon as another book comes out is JD Robb's In Death series. I always get them in hardback. Thank goodness Nora Roberts is so prolific and damned fast!

Joan said...

Dianna, I know what you mean about the BDB series. I was put off by their NAMES!

You feel me?

But man...does she create a world or what?

kim h said...

congrats on the series
looks very hot i love the blaze line
whoo
your books osounds hot an c great cover. congrats on teh great reviews
Please count me in the contes
thanks

kh

Michelle Santiago said...

Congrats on the new release Miss Hunter! I love the Blaze line so I'll definitely be checking your new one out! My most recent "book crack" is Larissa Ione's Demonica series. I can't wait till the next book comes out (sadly it's not until Jan. 2010).

Samantha Hunter said...

Hey Michelle and Kim! Thanks for stopping by. :) I hope you will check out the books. :)

I'm waiting to find out if Beth tells me who won the DTT set, but in the meantime, two links:

A review today of CITA: http://www.fictionvixen.com/

And a link to my eHarlequin Online read, which is a spin off of CITA, Mason's younger brother's story ( free online read!):

http://eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1428

Sam

Samantha Hunter said...

Oops was trying to remember everything, and forgot to say, YES, Michelle, on Larissa's books -- I completely agree. She's amazing. :)

sam