Tag Archives: Upcoming

Winners Galore!

So remember that “come rant with me post” I had on Saturday? Winners were drawn via randomizer.org. It’s been a fun giveaway weekend. Yesterday, for Memorial Day and just because, I gave away three copies of HelenKay Dimon’s new sexy short Risqué Business as well. On twitter.

Anyway, the three winners of The Heir by Grace Burrowes are…

gamistress66
Laura K Curtis
Julia Broadbooks

And remember that crazy busy post when Joy guested? Yeah? Well… even though I made a new post with winner’s namesfour of then never emailed me! So, we’ve redrawn names! And the new winners are…

Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell – Sasha Devlin
My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell – StacieDM
A Little Harmless Pleasure by Melissa Schroeder – Donna Marie Rogers
Jamesville Affairs by N J Walters – Tabitha

You know the deal – email me by Saturday. There’s that lovely handy dandy contact form up above.

For the first three – I just need an email address where I can gift you your kindle copy. For you next four? Need a mailing address, please, so the books can be sent to you.

Cheers! And tomorrow, birthday month begins! (Incidentally, my birthday isn’t today. Or tomorrow. It’s the 28th. Which is, just so happens to be the day RWA starts!) And if you didn’t win this time around – don’t worry. Lots of giveaways in June. Every Tuesday, likely every Thursday, and maybe some Saturdays as well! (Oh, and if you’d like a signed Nalini Singh book… check the previous post. Names will be drawn for that and posted on Saturday.)

(I feel like I need to find some sort of great birthday cake image/icon… but it’s too damn hot for that now.)

Winner of Roxanne St. Claire’s Face of Danger!

Everyone wants to know right? Well it’s the incredibly lucky Bobby! Your instructions are to email Rocki: [email protected] with your info to get your book.

And everyone – what to look forward to in the coming month of May? Well the Guest Author & A Giveaway feature is Lynn Raye Harris. Then, my reader feature will be by our very own irrepressible Joy Harris, of Joyfully Reviewed! The Teaser Tuesday features lined up are Jess Dee, and Shiloh Walker – and there may or may not be more/random giveaways. 🙂

Help Japan… Using Swagbucks?

I’ve talked about Swagbucks before in a previous post – but one cool thing Swagbucks does that I really appreciate on a humanitarian/charitable level is… you can donate to various… well things. One being the Japan relief effort, and what with the continued aftershocks (and really, a 7+ point earthquake in most other places would be a huge one on its own) – so they’ve set up a place where you can donate all the swagbucks you’ve acquired, if you so choose. Or, some. Whatever you feel like doing.

Swagbucks is also doing a cool thing where if you sign up now, and use the code “HelpJapan” (you’ll see where to enter it on the sign up page) – you start out with an extra 50 swagbucks. Not bad. If you want to sign up, you can do that here: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/limecello – sorry, you’ll have to do a copy and paste job – WordPress just hates Swagbucks. :

In other news, I’m still sick. Bleh – but! Finally getting a bit better. Swamped with just everything, surprising considering well, everything. And… I watched the film Peacock. And indie ish straight to video one? Anyone ever see it?

It’s got some rather big names – Susan Sarandon, Josh Lucas, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, and I’m sure many others who are just as famous that I simply don’t recognize. I’d love to discuss it with someone. I have the horrible talent of finding psychological thrillers that mess with my head. Can’t seem to quit them either.

Also I’m babbling so that’ll be enough for now. Cillian Murphy is ridiculously talented. I’d share the movie poster but I think it’s a bit too freaky/misleading… and anyway Cillian here is much better. Isn’t he coy, glancing at us like that?

I plan on doing a huge comments blitz and responding to everything once I’ve got this brief written. *crosses fingers* Um… I “just remembered” I’m headed to DC on Thursday… and in the meantime, this coming Tuesday is Maisey Yates’s Teaser Tuesday spot… one of my most favorite people ever, Ali F is guesting next Saturday… and then two weeks later, we have the awesome Roxanne St. Claire providing an exclusive excerpt to one of her books for the last Teaser Tuesday of the month.

And giveaway winners will be posted later (or were already listed in the comments) – as usual, up to you to check 😀

In summary: Swagbucks! Donate! Sick! Gone! Exciting posts! Movies! Discuss!

And since it’s 2:22 AM I’m so done.

 

 

A Winner, A Boycott, and Other Assorted News

I’m not doing this in order. Because I don’t have to. A number of you have heard of Dorchestor hijinks and insolvency issues. Well… it gets worse. I’ve been a bit leery for a while now… and/so keep an eye out/be reminded – there’s a lot going on. Authors aren’t being paid, books Dorchestor doesn’t have the rights to are still being sold under their name… you can read about it here. There are numerous other links and places detailing it, but – you know. Be aware of the boycott, and think about how you’re going to continue on, etc, if you’ve developed a relationship with Dorchestor – authors, readers, and bloggers.

Next, I think everyone knows who Sue Grimshaw is… well she’s moved on from being one of the buyers for Borders to … an editor-at-large with a pub. It sounds very exciting, though nobody’s quite detailed what it means. Any takers?

For this blog… Jill Sorenson will be guesting next week, and Jackie Barbosa two days after. (Saturday.) The following Tuesday, you lucky duckies get Susan Lyons! All three will be generously hosting giveaways. You’ll notice that Teaser Tuesday has started, with Lisa Hendrix being my first guest… more to come – with Maisey Yates and Roxanne St. Claire as my “April Authors.” There may or may not be giveaways – you’ll have to stop by and see 😉

I’m also still super sick – have decided I’ve got a form of the plague. Anyone know where I can go and purchase a new set of lungs? Nothing fancy, just you know, ones that work. Which is also why I’m too lazy to try to hunt down pictures, stock photos, etc.

And… finally the reason you’re all here… 😛 Cuz these days I’m not that interesting… randomizer.org says that Kimberley is our winner! If you’d email me [there’s the handy contact form] – by Tuesday 3/29, please – I’ll get Love at First Flight right out to you 😀

Happy New Year, Bunnies!

Nope – not a typo. Didja know it’s the Lunar New Year? Which is pretty much one of the most amazing holidays ever. Why? You eat a ton of excellent food, and get money. And you don’t have to go to work or school. Ah, wouldn’t it be nice to be in East Asia right now? (Or any Asian country that celebrates it… although wikipedia wants to complicate things…)

So this is the year of the rabbit. In the [Chinese] zodiac you can either be a mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, or boar. It’s based on what year you were born. You can read more about it for really basic stuff. (Cuz we all know everything wiki says is true, and that it’s the penultimate expert yeah?) Anyway, all you rabbits out there, this is your special year. So if you are one, personally I think you should go make a big deal about it. Tell your spouse/significant other, family, friends, etc, that you expect something good for your birthday in 2011 ;).

Anyway, I’m worn out and in light of … well, all recent events – I’m going to cut this short. However, I do have some things to share. Bookwise, my friend Cathie will be posting some of her reviews here, which I’m totally excited about. The first one will go live next week. So now you have something to look forward to 😉

And then, in light of it being the year of the rabbit… I have a question for you. Can you think of any romances that have rabbits? They don’t need to feature them, but it’s got to be more than a single mention. And no, a blip of the characters f*cking like bunnies doesn’t count either 😛

So go on, stay warm for those of you hit by storms in the US; stay dry for those of you in the path of the storm Down Under, and those of you in other various parts of the world… stay safe.

And since I brought up the whole holiday issue… Do you like Chinese food? Or other Asian cuisine? Are you doing anything to celebrate this “holiday?” Did you know about it? Annnndddd imagine you were going to feast. What would you have? I know there are certain lucky or traditional New Years dishes – black eyed peas, pork and sauerkraut… can you think of any auspicious dishes? Or you know- whatever you’d want to eat, because enjoying a meal is always a good thing.

Oh yes – and 恭喜發財, 新禧快樂!!! <3

*ETA: Shiloh Walker is doing a really important charity drive. All you have to do is comment at her blog. I’ll talk more on this on Saturday as well.

News and a Plea… of sorts…

So you obviously know about my fledgling blog if you’re here. (And can I just tell you how jazzed I am that you are? Big sloppy thank yous!) Anyway, I’m trying to make this thing sustainable, and I have the attention span of a two year old (that’s being generous). Those two are rather conflicting purposes? Concepts? Truths?

My point is, I scheduled in advance then. I’ve asked a few authors to guest blog. Not as book tours or anything like that (though I’m open to the potentiality of those  – you can contact me on the nifty form you see above) – just as a… fun thing and a “regularly scheduled programming” type thing for my blog. Also, it keeps me accountable and on the ball. I also didn’t want this to turn into a promo blog because, well that’s not my purpose. I love pimping out authors and sharing the awesome book love, but that’s not my goal so I’ve got guest reader bloggers lined up too. Nearly through 2012. Yes, through. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, so it’s thrilling to get the chance now. I’ve only had one outright rejection, and a few non-responses. [You can see the “schedule” as it were on the nice little calendar page.]

Which takes us to my plea. Does anyone know how to add a widget to a wordpress blog page? The kicker is… this is a free blog. I know if I pay to have it hosted somewhere, then it’d be easy and I’d just edit the HTML/CSS/whatever. (Ok, so I’m not techy but I could figure it out.) The thing is, I’m poor. I’ve got to keep this thing free, unless the magic money fairy visits me and plants a money tree in the back yard that flowers USD perpetually, or I win the lottery, the probability of either of those things happening feels about equal to the likelihood of me finding a job… < / bitterness > You get the point. So… would that be possible? Having a calendar widget type thing in a new page without having to go into CSS editing since I can’t with a free blog? I’d love to have something in calendar view that’s actually a calendar. Anyone? Help?

And, back to your “regularly scheduled programming.” I considered for about 5 seconds doing daily posts. That’s not going to happen. So I thought about three a week, then was scared I’d run out of content, so I’m planning on updating every Tuesday, and Saturday. These Thursday posts – well they serve dual purposes. For me to tell you about how this is all going to go down, and also to have a bit more content since this blog is so very new.

The first Tuesday of every month I’ll be having a “Guest Author & A Giveaway.” February is slightly different because Marie Force will be visiting with us the third Tuesday, because Alexandra Hawkins won’t actually be doing a guest post due to her schedule. June is also different because it’s my birthday month, and if I can’t do it up big on my own blog… well that’s not a concern because I can. The third Saturday of every month will be a guest blog post from a reader. First up, we have Rowena, who was incredibly kind and generous and agreed to be my first v̶i̶c̶t̶i̶m̶reader guest.

Photo credit to Salvatore Vuono & http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

If there’s ever “breaking news” [hah- cuz I’m so on top of things] you know, I’ll toss that in there. Or another fundraising drive like Social Good day. 🙂 So there you have it. Now you know what to expect, and you can keep me accountable! Also come February I expect to schedule posts at say 12:03 AM instead of 11:03 AM EST… Yes, they are arbitrary and random times. Kinda like me! 😉

*Incidentally, if you’ve emailed me but I never responded… I’ve learned from some other people that my email account has been… well, a brat, and rejecting things? Generally a second try works – but… do please try again! I’m not ignoring you, promise! And even though I’m bad with email I’m usually not that bad…

“Best of 2011?” Honorable Mentions

I think there are one or two books I wanted to have on this list and… I lost them. I didn’t copy and paste properly (which is yet another reason why I shouldn’t be writing these posts in the wee hours, like 2:30 AM, and yet here I am at 1:30 clicking away.) I’m sorry for not searching for them again, but I just don’t have the fortitude to go through thousands of titles again. I browsed through something like 200+ amazon pages for my books post. Will not do it again. I am weak. Forgive me.

And, I’d like to remind you, before anyone gets all het up about this list… these are books I think are going to be super awesome. I’m just… explaining why they aren’t on my other post. Because I’m stupid and feel the need to explain and shoot myself in the foot, obviously.

So without further ado and in no particular order… here are the honorable mentions:

The Seduction of His Wife by Tiffany Clare
I LOVE the premise of this book. I’d actually been thinking “I wish there were more books about couples after they’re married.” And here is the perfect set up. I’ve also been meaning to read one of Ms. Clare’s books, because I’d heard so many wonderful things about them. Also, they’re unique. The characters, plot, setting, of her books all stand out in my mind. I had a really hard time taking this off my “10” list.

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Mesmerized by Lauren Dane
I have to admit, the book by Ms. Dane I really really really want to read is Never Enough – which is Adrian Brown’s book. (The setting, his character… *drool*) But I think his book won’t be out til 2012, so I guess I’m not allowed to talk about it. Anyway, this book sounds awesome. Not just because the heroine is bad ass. And yes, these Phantom Corps books focus on the heroes. I’m all for that. but the heroine here, Piper – sounds awesome. And, here comes the confession. I couldn’t in good conscience put this book on the other list because well… I haven’t finished Insatiable yet. Which actually makes me really sad. No, honest. I LOVED his sister Abbie’s story. SO! LOVED! And I thought Daniel was fantastic, and I was so eager for his story. I just… can’t seem to get into it. I’ve started it a few times, from the beginning to make sure I don’t miss anything, and each time I get a little bit further, but I just… haven’t managed to get to the end yet. And I know a big part of it is and was my reading slump. In my defense, another reader friend I was talking to said she LOVED Insatiable but when I asked her about it a few months after she read it she couldn’t remember a thing. So maybe, in the tiniest, darkest, smallest corner… it’s not entirely me.
However, I seem to like Ms. Dane’s second book to a series more than her first – and as Mesmerized is the second Phantom Corps book… I’ve got really high expectations. I’m probably going to read it, then kick myself for not reading Daniel’s book faster so I have all the background.
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Sweet Possession by Maya Banks
This book … sounds awesome to me, and not. I love Conner. He’s an awesome character and I’ve liked him throughout all the other Sweet books. And considering how I feel about series these days, that’s huge. I’ve been waiting for his book. And based on his personality, I expect this story to be more like Sweet Seduction which was hands down one of my favorite books of 2009. What kept it from “the list”? The heroine. Lyric Jones, “outrageous and out-of-control, is a spoiled pop star who lives hard and fast.” This falls way too close to the heiress heroine and I just… no. Just thinking about it now is annoying me. I find it very difficult to like and sympathize with the bratty heroine. “Oh no. I have so much money. Everyone loves me. My life is soooooo hard.” Yes, I bet the story will be great and I’ll enjoy it. But how I feel about the heroine just edges out my “yay Conner!” feelings… And honestly – did you see the ten I posted? All these books were neck in neck!
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Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer
The premise of this book sold me. 100%. Also, on the amazon page, the description of the heroine: Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier’s daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society’s favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?

Grace Fairchild is not beautiful. She has few social graces, having spent her life following the drum with her father. Diccan Hilliard is society’s premiere bachelor. Suave, elegant and witty, he barely notices Grace exists….until she wakes in his bed, naked. The situation might have been orchestrated by Diccan’s enemies, but the outcome is the same. Marriage. Now the two most mismatched people in the ton will have to learn to live together  as they seek the traitors who seek to overthrow the throne.

The whole “traitors seeking to overthrow the throne” might have me rolling my eyes a tiny bit. I’m sure it fits in the plot, but based on the blurb it seems like a bit much. I suspect there will be a lot going on in this book. Also there’s no excerpt on the author’s page, which doesn’t reassure me. But the point is – zomg! The heroine! The hero! He’s going to fall head over feet and it’s going to be wonderful. I just know it!
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Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson
This book is an honorable mention, because hello it’s Rachel Gibson. However, it’s also on this list because I don’t know anything about it. Aside from  a tiniest excerpt. And the whole “my ex wife hates me and I was a jackass but I guess I love her…” : And I really don’t want a re-hash of an already written hockey story. (I felt that the most recent was perilously close to her first book.) As a side note it must be said… I still super hate her website. I just hate it. But the point being, I am excited about this book. I’ll probably be even more excited once I read the book blurb and a longer excerpt. But at this point, knowing so little, it doesn’t get to be a most anticipated book.
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[Cover Not Yet Available] Collide by Megan Hart
For many of the same reasons as Any Man of Mine, Collide by Megan Hart is on this list. I think I’ve seen one line teasers from it, that Ms. Hart tweeted while writing or editing, but that’s obviously not enough. It’s here though, because it’s a Spice book, and an erotic romance. I’m big on those happy endings. Also, I love the song by Howie Day. This book always makes me think of it, and I’m sure the song is like the perfect soundtrack for much of this book. It’s so perfect it’d almost be disgusting if it weren’t so damn awesome. I have to say that Deeper was a bit much for me, and I couldn’t get into it, and I haven’t read Naked yet… but Stranger, Dirty, and Broken are always on my “books I recommend” list. The books just gutted me. What comes to mind first is “guh” – as in my reaction. After finishing them, I’m just speechless and… well… guh. I expect the same thing from Collide and I’m almost as nervous as I am excited about it.
Also, it comes out on my sister’s birthday. Which is exactly one week before my birthday. It’s fortuitous.
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A Lot Like Love by Julie James
I have to say that Ms. James absolutely gets the best covers ever. It’s probably because she’s always so perfect her publisher’s art department is scared to give her anything less. (Have you ever seen her? She’s the cutest thing and always put together. I think I hate her.) But seriously – pretty much everyone and her mom absolutely gushes about Julie James. So much so that I have all her books. Yes, I bought them. (And one I was lucky enough to win in a contest – thanks!) But uh… I haven’t read them yet. :X I discovered her during my reading slump, okay?! Also, I tried to start one, and it was going well, until there was this tiny throw away less than one sentence thing that… stopped me in my tracks. I just… no. And it’s not a big deal and I totally realize it’s entirely a personal thing but I just… haven’t worked up the nerve/will to go back. I have no idea if it’ll even bother me now, but it’s been built up in my head so much… and also with the slump I have a TBR pile/list of like 1,000 books (and I’m actually not exaggerating) so it hadn’t been a priority to race through her books. However, the premise to A Lot Like Love sounds like something right up my alley, so I might just have to move Ms. James’s books up in my pile. Or just read out of order, which totally doesn’t bother me. (And yes, I realize this last statement just horrified a bunch of you more than anything else I’ve said.)
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Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
I have, well not exactly mixed feelings about Regin, but I’m not sure how much I like her. I mean she’s ok, but I’m not dying for her book. The whole reincarnated bit for the hero sounds interesting… also DoaDW didn’t make the “10” because >.< I haven’t read the previous book in the series yet. (Although I have it.) And okay, I’m really starting to hate series. If I keep going, how long will I be sucked in? I’m one of those people who does her best to follow something through. Even to the bitter end. And let me tell you, some ends get really bitter. Not that I’m saying Ms. Cole will write her series into the ground, or even that I expect her to – I mean hello this book is on my honorable mentions list! It’s just… I’m scared, okay? And that’s making me react aggressively and defensively.
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Heat Waves by Susan Lyons
I loved Susan Lyons’s books. The Fantastic Foursome quartet is a set of books I happily recommend to anyone looking for books with some heat. But not only does Ms. Lyons write sizzling stories, there’s so much to them. Amazing characters, all these wonderful emotions, and depth. So much content. It’s delightful. I also have to say, I’m super psyched that she’s writing under the name Susan Lyons again. (She writes under Susan Fox for Brava because I guess they made her change her name – which personally I think was silly…) but anyway. I have to say I’m behind on her Susan Fox books. I just… enh. So… while I am very eager to read this book, I have the tiniest shadow of apprehension. Also there’s the fact that I don’t know a darn thing about it. No blurb or excerpt on her page-  so add the reasons behind Collide and Any Man of Mine to this book as well.

Almost Honorable Mentions…

Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins is a book of interest but … I’m not sold on it. The cover is extremely eye catching, and Ms. Collins has a lovely site as well… but… the premise. It’s… I’m just not sold on it. The hired lover part could be interesting, but the fact that the heroine is still married really gets me. Even though she fals in love with her hired lover… they can have no happy ending. Or, there’s that whole legal/moral aspect that is setting off my spidey sense.
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[Cover Not Yet Available] Merciless by Diana Palmer is another book of interest because… well, in 2007 I started on an almost quest of sorts, to read every book Diana Palmer has ever written. At the time I’d run out of romance authors, and I was really excited to find one who had a back list. Little did I know she has the mother of all back lists. If I had been smart I would’ve checked before decided on my little endeavor. But I didn’t, so now I’m stuck. Nevertheless, she’s something of a romance powerhouse. Like the modern day Barbara Cartland. And some of the books Ms. Palmer has written rank right up there with my favorites. Unfortunately, some of the books she writes make me consider giving myself papercuts on my eyes with the pages. Ok, so none of her books have been that bad [yet] … but close. So this choice is rather personal. I’m a Diana Palmer addict, and that’s not going to change. I don’t expect you to put this book on your list, but it’s here on mine.

Wishful Thinking On My Part

[Doesn’t Exist But Should] by HelenKay Dimon I don’t think Ms. Dimon has any sort of [non category] single title romance coming out in 2011… other than the HCI book and I’m sorry. While I’ll read it, and I’m sure it’ll be good, I just… I just can’t be that excited for a “based on reality” book. I firmly believe “reality tv” can be blamed for a number of society’s ills. However, all too often I’ll be late to the party in reading one of Ms. Dimon’s books and I’ll be kicking myself for the delay. My general thought is “how could I have been so stupid and let so much time pass before reading such an awesome book?” Holding Out for a Hero is a great example. If you haven’t read it, go. Do so. So any publishers, editors, if you’re reading this, please offer Ms. Dimon a contract for a single title.
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[Doesn’t Exist But Should] by Dee Tenorio. Ms. Tenorio has been one of my “people don’t know about her but should” authors since 2009. I recommend her stories, or suggest her as an author to look into, and generally the response is “who?” Or “oh, I really should… sometime….” I really enjoy Ms. Tenorio’s contemporaries – and her writing and stories appeal to a number of different people. What doesn’t work for one person does for another. There’s just something that… seems to be missing, at least in my opinion, this tiny unnamed indescribable aspect that keeps one of her stories from being the best book ever. But you know, I have faith it’ll happen, and in the mean time, her stories are still wonderful. And you know, there’s nothing wrong with wonderful. So I hope she gets to write this book – and that it’s made available to us readers.

~*~

So there you have it. My books that I thought about, and want, and really want… but they’re just a smidgen off. We’ll see though. Maybe I’ll be wrong. I hope so. I hope the majority of all the books I read knock my socks off.

What about you? Am I wrong on any of these? Who would you put on this list?

Best of 2011?

No – that’s not a typo. Bring on 2011! So apparently I do this every two years. This being the second time – so I can say that. I’ve seen a lot of people’s “Best of 2010” posts. Well, I’ve been in a reading slump since 2009. Perhaps this will end it? Anyway, this list is my most anticipated books of 2011. Because I only like following the herd so far.

First, I’d like to list some disclaimers. By no means  was this based on a comprehensive list of all romances to be published in 2011. I did the “best I could” – using an advanced search via amazon, with the parameters of romance, print, and 2011. (You can’t choose more than one format type and I definitely didn’t want to be getting calendars, etc in my search.) I searched through 100 pages, and then amazon cut me off. I ended around March 1, 2011, so I did another advanced search for the same, only limited to March 2011, and repeated it for January and February.

There are some books I considered at first glance, but I’ve had books by those authors and never bothered to read them, and I figured if I had a book that others seemed to like and based on what I read (back cover, excerpt etc) and I couldn’t bring myself to read it, I probably shouldn’t put it on my “most highly anticipated” list.   Sorry, authors, my reading slump hasn’t been any fun for me either. I also admit I looked a lot at author names, titles, and book covers. I never thought book covers would catch my eye quite so much, but when you’re scrolling through thousands of titles, it helps.

I was super excited to learn that I had more than ten books I to look forward to! In fact, paring down the list was extremely difficult. I did my best- and please don’t anyone mention anything about cheating because I didn’t okay?!

The order of the first [two] well, I’m sure you can figure it out. Although they are somewhat chronologically done. And the rest, well, this list isn’t ranked in any way other than date. And the two books that have the same release date I just listed alphabetically. There’s a method to my madness.

1. A Tainted by Temptation by Katy Madison

Yes, the title is less than desirable. (I can’t help it okay? Law school and professional responsibility broke me. Broke me, I tell you!) I can’t help but look at the title and think “oh dear” but the premise is great. And I almost don’t even care that there’s no excerpt because… well… Katy Madison is Karen L. King! I found her! I bloody found her! Karen L. King is an author I’ve long mourned the disappearance of (that sly minx, she’s been around!) I’ve recommended her to many friends, and the response has always been “who?” so now – you can find out for yourself. And I’m going to be absolutely gutted if this book doesn’t live up to my expectations. No pressure, of course, Ms. Madison. :X

1. B An Unlikely Countess by Jo Beverley

This also counts as one because… well the premises are slightly similar, and I couldn’t choose. Also while I’m not 100% sure if I’ve read Ms. Beverly’s books before, the excerpt for this was fantastic. Also, the basis of the book! I love the blurb too, how Prudence is … well, reasonable. Rational. Do you know how very rare that is in a heroine? Especially in a historical romance? And the hero’s name is Cate. Well, Catesby. Which I actually like, much to my surprise. And he drinks gin too! Lots of it. Honestly, I don’t see how this book can go wrong. I’m very excited to read it, and join the masses who absolutely adore Ms. Beverley’s writing and clamor for more.

2. A Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

SEP is one of my favorite romance authors. Although I haven’t been quite as in love with her more recent releases, she has written some of my most favorite romances of all time. And more importantly, this is Teddy’s book. Teddy! The wonderful character we all know and love! I’m totally apprehensive of an entirely grown up Teddy, but I have high hopes. And almost as important, the heroine is not Lucy, and is indeed Meg. Many people don’t like Meg, but I never liked Lucy. Didn’t even like the book she was in – First Lady – though I guess I should give it a re-read. I’m hoping Call Me Irresistible has a heavy romance focus, and it makes me fall in love with SEP’s writing all over again.

2. B The Chase by Erin McCarthy

Evan Monroe hasn’t been my favorite character in the Fast Track series… but Ms. McCarthy has been making me enjoy all these books about NASCAR despite myself. (Still so not my “sport.”) I’m undecided as to how I feel about the heroine. Female race car driver? Pretty cool… though I fear a gimmick I suppose. Also the whole former flame story line is generally hit or miss for me, but considering who the author is, I have high hopes. I’m scared, but I’m still definitely going to read it, and anticipate loving it. I’m sure Evan will grow up and surprise me, and that Kendall will keep him on his toes – after she knocks him on his butt.

3. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

Well first of all, Eloisa James is one of my favorite romance authors. Second of all, who doesn’t love the story of Beauty and the Beast? Then there’s the fact that I was a kid when Disney came out with their animated version, which was still during the “Golden Age” of Disney, meaning I’ll love this fairy tale forever. Forever. Then it’s got a great premise – and… I have to say… a baby daddy scare. A regency royal baby daddy rumor! And a historical House, M.D.! Crotchety men – heroes especially – can be so much fun because they fall so hard, and I know Ms. James is a master at making the men she writes grovel. It’s delicious. I sped through the excerpt and just knew I had to get my hands on this before I’d even finished two paragraphs.

4. Everyone Loves a Hero by Marie Force

I have to admit, this book choice surprised me a little – but I chose it based solely on the author. (And ok, the publisher too – but let me explain.) The cover, the title… almost even the premise aren’t things I’d normally go for, but I’ve learned my lesson with Ms. Force. I absolutely adored both her previous books with Sourcebooks Casablanca. I know I can expect a fantastic story with surprising depth and incredibly well developed characters who come alive while reading. The whole hero pilot bit almost seems too cliche, but I love that his world is going to be turned upside down. (We’re not surprised that I like the hero to suffer a little, right?) Also, this story just seems unique. I’m expecting something surprising and delightful.

5. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

If you know anything about Jaci Burton, you’ve seen this cover. Hell, possibly even if you don’t. She  – and others – have been posting it everywhere. (And with reason, yes?) I’m not usually for the half naked man covers but just… look at this one! And if you know anything about me, you know I’m er, fond of football. (Ok, I’m rather mad for it.) I read romances. A LOT of romances. I watch football. Basically as much as I can. An entire romance novel about a professional football player? You’d almost think Ms. Burton wrote this story for me. If only she had. Then I might already have a copy so I wouldn’t have to wait until bloody February 1st.

6. Deadly Vows by Brenda Joyce

Well first off, Brenda Joyce is a rockstar romance author – she’s written so many books I love. But even if that were not so, this is a new Francesca Cahill book. I’ll say it again so you have time to process. A new Francesca Cahill novel. Francesca is a kick-ass heroine. She’s an amateur sleuth, smart, and really, you just need to read the books. Finally! A new one! We all thought this series would be left hanging forever! This series is also wonderful because it’s a historical romance set in America – which is so rare. We’ve been waiting for years for Francesca and Calder to get married. Of course they still run into delays in this book, but hey – at least they’re one step closer!

7. Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James

First of all, Lorelei James is a fantastic author. But this book is part of my list because I loved the previous book in the series Corralled. It was one of my favorite reads last year. The fact that this book is here is telling because it’s the second book of the series. And… well I’m starting to hate series. So that says something. Also who doesn’t love a book where the heroine is a curvy cowgirl? (Ok, so I haven’t read many – if any – books with that characterization, but I’m looking forward to it.) I also love when the heroine exceeds the hero’s expectations, and makes him eat crow. Based on the premise of this book/the blurb… that’s going to happen. And of course it’ll be a wonderfully written, extremely sexy story as well.

8. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

Well, it’s Jill Shalvis. Really, that should be enough said. But obviously I’ll say more. Wait for it… it’s Jill Shalvis! This is going to be a good book. Then, we have the characters. Sisters are evil, but they can be really entertaining in fiction. All that bickering, the warm fuzzy childhood memories… the way they understand each other. And the big draw for me – the love triangle. I’ve been missing that. I’ve never burnt out on that device, likely due to when I “entered” romance world, so I’m super jazzed to see it. And of course, it’s two guys and a girl. The way it should be. Angst all around, with a difficult decision for the heroine to pick which man is best for her. I expect a lot of humor too, and for this book to be a feel good read.

9. A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran

Well, there’s no cover for it yet – [if I remember] I’ll add it once it’s posted. The premise was awesome. And although I haven’t liked Ms. Duran’s following books as much as her first, others praise them highly, and I still anticipate a fantastic story from her. Who am I kidding. Beyond fantastic. I expect lush settings, interesting characters, and if I’m honest, an unusual story as well. But in the best way possible. Which is why I hope – and believe – this will be one of the best books I read all year.

10. Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day

I love Sylvia Day’s historicals. Love. So excited she’s writing them again and… while I know she has one being released sooner, this is the one that made me squee when I read about it on her webpage. It’s going to be a sexy, emotional, awesome romp. I just know it.

(ETA 5/19/22: And… considering how much I freaking loved Pride and Pleasure I’m totally excited. Especially when *shh* when I read P&P’s blurb I was like “enh, okay…” so I’ve got incredibly high hopes :D)

ETA: #Not Eleven. This list isn’t going over 10, dammit, and … I can’t kick one off now… but… Never Enough by Lauren Dane it’s not even listed on Amazon yet. (Which is how I missed it, and never you mind the fact that I even visited her web page a few times throughout the course of writing these posts to check.) Z-O-M-G. Adrian. Brown. Gah. And… Seattle. And I don’t even so much care he’s an musician. And he’s like selling me on tattoos and… My analytical and intelligent reasons for putting this book on the list are as follows: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, actually, now I kinda hate Lauren for letting me know I can’t have this book for another eight months. Thanks a lot for nothing, Ms. Dane!

So… that’s my list. And there are a bunch of “honorable mentions” but… this post was getting too long, at least in my humble opinion so I’ll talk about them in a future post. And who knows – if one of these books does meet my expectations maybe I’ll buy a copy for one of you! 😀

But my question is – what books are you most looking forward to this year? Have you got one pre-ordered already? What do you think should be on this list that isn’t?

Remember This?

While it’s not any “official” Social Good day… I figure, why wait when there’s a crisis now? I’m thinking about doing something similar for the situation in Africa, specifically the Somali people and refugees. Thoughts? Interest? (I’ll link to articles in the next post – so far I’m only finding… “follow up”/non generalized things, and I want something basic/explanatory. And it’s 1:33 AM.)

I’m also putting this post here, so I can easily link to it – and I’ll be giving more information soon. I’m picking charities now – likely Save the Children, which has a great Charity Navigator score, and Aid grants that will match donations! And, the site says they’re already on the ground helping. I know UNICEF is too – which is slightly lower in rating – and I want to confirm at other sources. I’m being extremely thorough here because I’m going to be asking you to pitch in as well.

If you didn’t see this last year… you might want to start reading after the graphic, and then go back up.

Oh and also? Our final total last year was $1,337.00, because one of the awesome contributors added the number of comments to her donation amount. See? Comments matter.

Do Some Good

Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:52

Final Update: If I have this right… ONE. THOUSAND. ONE. HUNDRED. FIFTY. DOLLARS!

WE DID IT!!! WE DID IT!!!

Our current goal is 260 comments… but I’m holding on hope that more people will step in with donations (of any amount) if we hit higher numbers! <3

Keep it coming! And to think, this started as a ten dollar drive. Rock on, Lovelies!

From $10 to $1,100!!! Incredible!!! (Also, shout out to Mara who already donated $50. As did I – you get this nice email from the UN Foundation, signed by Ted Turner. Which the wonderful Shiloh has gotten to, as well as Liza. :D And an amazingly beautiful other contributor.) Now please comment to make sure Ali, Courtney, Bree, Vivian, Stacy, Tigris, Carly,  HelenKay, Lauren, Donna, and Jennifer have to step up as well! Well, Ali, Courtney, Bree, and Vivian are done for. Cheers, everyone!) Likari, Ann Marie, and our very on C2 stepped in as well! And the very kind and generous Magdalen. And Shelli – and so many more.

Today is Social Good Day. You can see hashtags on twitter with #SocialGood

YOU have the power in your hands to make sure a minimum of $975 on my/our part gets donated to (RED). Please make it happen.

Most of you know about Mashable, which is actually a company/something I know less about. Social media opinions are for another post. (RED) is an organization I’ve kept on my radar for a while, because of my interest in ONE.

(RED) Video

The Global Fund (where all (RED) money goes) invests 100% of (RED) funds into HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. I’m totally cool with giving them my money.

Need or want more reasons to feel good about this?

Why you should feel good about supporting the (RED) cause today:

  • Thirty-three million people in the world have AIDS. Twenty-two million live in Africa.
  • Every day 3,800 people die in sub-Saharan Africa from AIDS.
  • It costs just 40 cents per day for the life-saving medicine someone living with HIV/AIDS in Africa needs to help them live a healthy and productive life.

I’m poor- I have no job and have law school loans, but this is important to me. I wish I could give more… but here’s what I’m going to do. If 10 people comment on this post today, I’ll donate $10 to the (RED) fund. [And let’s hear it for optimism, because if there are a whole slew of comments, I’ll re-assess that amount.]

I included a [multiple links] of the (RED) video too, as WordPress hates me and strips my video code. Anyway – come on Romance Community, I know we can do something awesome. Help me give away my money – and now I challenge you. What are you going to do?

Oh – and here’s something else totally easy for you to do – and where I got/ganked the idea – comment on these blogs, and they’ll donate too! *I copied this list from My Aim is True – wanted to give credit.

  • Bake It PrettyAmanda is one of my favorite clients and best friends! Get inspired to bake some yummy treats.
  • Yuping Liu-ThompkinsYuping, a super smart friend of mine who’s an expert in internet marketing and customer loyalty
  • Reina Communications – my good friend Michelle (this meetup was her idea!) and one of my awesome clients, we are going to Blogworld together in a few weeks! Vegas baby! Look for some videos from that adventure.
  • Greater Good LifeMichelle’s personal blog about how easy it is to live well, be generous, and do social good
  • Powerful Learning Practice – social media enhances education; over 4,000 teachers have been impacted by their brand of professional development. My mom runs this company, I am so proud to be a part of what they’re doing. They’re up for an Open Leadership award too! They’re donating $5 per comment, so please leave one and make a difference.
  • OBX Design WorksWilliam Dodson, a talented Web designer and blogger in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
  • JASE Digital Media – a local digital media design consultancy that employs some of the area’s best designers (hi, Keith!); their blog offers up lots of good tips and resources on social media
  • My Aim Is True – [This is Bake It Pretty’s personal blog] *ETA 12/31/18 – it’s some commercial/spammy blog now so I disabled the link

Really – all you need to do is comment. And you’re doing something awesome. Now get chatty. [*ETA here is “edited to add.”]

*ETA!!! You guys!!! The most awesome Shiloh Walker told me if I get 50 comments, she’ll donate $50. Please! Take our money!!!

**ETA #2: O.M.F.G.! I said to a friend earlier today (when there were only 7 comments for like the longest time, it seemed) that I’d cry if we didn’t hit 50 today. Well I just got a message from Ali, one of my favorite people, who told me that if we get 75 comments, she’ll donate $50 as well. Now I might cry because this is getting to be more awesome than I thought.

And – since we’re nearing 50, which is way more than I thought, I am for sure committing myself to a $25 donation… and we’ll see if my guilt complex pushes me to $50 as well. (I mean, I’ve got to match these incredible ladies, right? So please- spread the word!)

**So to recap: I pledged $10 if I could get 10 comments today. Shiloh messaged to tell me if we hit 50, she’d donate $50. How amazing is that? And I just got word from Ali that if we get 75 comments, she’s donating $50 as well.

At this point, I’ve changed my commitment to $25, and am contemplating $50. How about, if we hit 100 comments, I’ll do $50 as well, so there you go. Simple – 100 comments, and a minimum of $150 gets donated!

***ETA 3: You guys. I might cry. I’m sniffly right now, with good reason. Courtney Milan, who is all around incredible, told me if we hit 100 comments, she’ll throw in $50 as well. That’s $2 per comment that  someone else will be donating!!!

I have no words. And won’t be using asterisks anymore. If you see in the comments, Mara said [she? they?] would donate $50 as well if we hit the 100 comments today goal. Honestly – this is for an amazing cause. And it takes so little effort!

WOW! And the hilarious and great Bree, half of the much loved writing team that forms Moira Rogers told me to put her down for $50 as well if I wanted. And I do. So I did.

! Vivian Arend asked if I wanted to put another $50 down for her. Of course I  have no problem spending other people’s money, so now she’s listed too. ;) This makes me so happy.

Stacy is also getting in on this – come on, if we hit 150 comments, she’ll donate $50! Talk!

And now Tigris Eden has promised to contribute as well if we make it to 150 comments!!! Whee!!!

YES!!! The great Carly Phillips is joining this fabulous cause! She’s also setting the goal at 150 comments!

I have no words, really. HelenKay Dimon is a fabulous author, a fabulous person, and well, pretty much all around is fabulousity. And as incentive to make you comment and spread the word, she’ll go in $50 too if we hit 150. Not a bad deal, right?

Awesome! Liza has said she’ll contribute $10 to the cause as well. <3 Every little bit helps!

More more more!!! Lauren Dane, who is all kinds of fantabulous and awesome as well, is going in with $50 if we meet the next comment goal!

Whee! We haz VOLTRON! Heh – Donna stepped in as well, the other writing half of Moira Rogers – see? I told you that Moira Rogers is awesome! She’s in for another $50!!! <3

I LOVE THIS WOMAN! I think all? Most of you know Jennifer Haymore has been dealing with cancer. She just finished her radiation today. And she just told me if we hit the next level, she’s in for $50 – come on! Help this woman meet her goal!!!

Yes!!! And the duckies have stepped up! The most lovely, kind, and generous c2 has pledged $75. I wheedled her into it. She’s so beyond awesome.

Then, Likari stepped in with $50.

And Mean Marie, Ann Marie, who obviously isn’t that mean, is coming in with another $50 if we meet our goal.

As is Magdalen, with another $50 – BUT only if we hit 256 comments (or more) – how fun, right?

And  – Jackie is now issuing the challenge of 260 comments. For $25.

Shelli Stevens is in with another $50.

And and and!!! You guys are so awesome! Will have a complete list later!

Result? 260 comments = $975 donated to (RED) – come on romance community! Show me you care! (For those of you keeping track, Mara, Shiloh, Liza, and a beautiful silent contributor and I have donated already so that is $225 – and we’re depending on your comments to bring in the rest!)