Never Judge a Book by its Cover -- No, really. Just don't.
Books Read in 2010
(I tend to re-read a lot)
DOGS AND GODDESSES
~Crusie/Rich/Stuart
MOONSTRUCK
~Julie Kenner
KILL & TELL
~Linda Howard
AGNUS & THE HITMAN
~Jennifer Crusie
THE CINDERELLA DEAL
~Jennifer Crusie
TALK ME DOWN
~Victoria Dahl
MIDNIGHT
RESOLUTIONS
~Julie Kenner
BROKEN
~Megan Hart
BET ME
~Jennifer Crusie
More to come -- my mind is mush right now.
Often times, people ask me who I recommend, especially if they've never read romantic comedy or romantic suspense, my two personal favorite categories. So... I thought I'd share with you here on the website what I tell people in person. Now, as you read this, imagine my Texan voice and it'll be almost like you're getting it straight from my mouth and not really just my fingertips.
So who do I read? Looking at my BOOKS READ IN 2010 (and January isn't even over yet), if my list looks quite similar to last year's list, you're right. I'm hugely guilty of re-reading my favorites. Anyway, here are my top six picks. (Do I really have to put a disclaimer in here saying that there are literally tons and tons of writers I adore and read and recommend on top of these? Because we all know that's the case. This is just my CORE sample of recommendations that never, ever fail me.)
My recommendations:
Jennifer Crusie: If I could have a personal goddess, this is the woman I'd want assigned to me (although what hideous sin she'd have committed to be saddled with me, I have no idea, but I digress...) I recommend starting with WELCOME TO TEMPTATION and go forth from there. I just read (for the first time!) THE CINDERELLA DEAL, which was originally released in 1995, and even 15 years later, it oozes of the traditional Crusie style of snark and wit and mayhem. Go forth and read her works and then you may come back and thank me and ponder how you ever managed Life Before Crusie. Also, do not overlook her books collaborated with others:
DON'T LOOK DOWN and AGNUS AND THE HITMAN with Bob Mayer
DOGS AND GODDESSES with Lani Diane Rich and Anne Stuart
THE UNFORTUNATE MISFORTUNES with Anne Stuart and Eileen Dreyer
Janet Evanovich: I am a huge Stephanie Plum fan (and on the BABE team, if anyone wonders). I own all of the Plum Series, including between the numbers, and most of mine are 1st editions because I'm wonky that way. There are 15 out now, plus I think three between the numbers (I can't see them from where I'm typing and don't want to check my library to see right now because I'm lazy... I mean because I'm focused. Focused. Yes... on this webpage right now. Focus sounds much better.) Of course I'd recommend reading this series in order, starting with ONE FOR THE MONEY, however, I always tell people to read at least the first three before making an opinion, because I think it takes the first three to really get engrossed in that world created in New Jersey. After that, I'm pretty sure you'd be hooked. Let me know.
*Side note: I don't read the FULL series with Charlotte Hughes, so I have no opinion on those.
Linda Howard:
She is the mistress of romance mingled with suspense. My all time favorites of hers are
*MR. PERFECT
*KILL & TELL
*ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Read KILL & TELL before ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Bottom line: You can't go wrong with a Howard novel -- swear it.
Allison Brennan:
Another goddess amongst women in the romantic suspense genre. She tends to write in trilogies but each book is stand-alone as well, meaning you don't have to read them in any order if you don't want to or can't. She's crossing over to paranormal too, so if that's your thing, put her on your MUST READ list. I swear you won't regret it.
Lisa Gardner:
Again, all are amazing, but her first one is my favorite: THE PERFECT HUSBAND, so that tops my recommendation list. I'd read hers in order if possible just because she has some reoccurring characters. Her books lean heavier into the suspense/thriller genre and not so much the "romantic" anymore, but let me tell ya -- the chick has a deliciously sick mind. If you like Koontz or King without the sci-fi elements, if you like the pure thrill and creepy situations, then Gardner is the way to go. Trust me.
Lani Diane Rich:
You saw her name up there with Jennifer Crusie books but Lani's books are amazing as well. They will strike at the core of your being. Her first book, TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR, was written in a month during NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and when I read it, I was a slobbering, crying mess. Her words charm and seduce and evoke. Don't say I didn't warn you.
*****
I'll probably update this a bit more. Right now, though, it's time to watch some Dexter.
So who do I read? Looking at my BOOKS READ IN 2010 (and January isn't even over yet), if my list looks quite similar to last year's list, you're right. I'm hugely guilty of re-reading my favorites. Anyway, here are my top six picks. (Do I really have to put a disclaimer in here saying that there are literally tons and tons of writers I adore and read and recommend on top of these? Because we all know that's the case. This is just my CORE sample of recommendations that never, ever fail me.)
My recommendations:
Jennifer Crusie: If I could have a personal goddess, this is the woman I'd want assigned to me (although what hideous sin she'd have committed to be saddled with me, I have no idea, but I digress...) I recommend starting with WELCOME TO TEMPTATION and go forth from there. I just read (for the first time!) THE CINDERELLA DEAL, which was originally released in 1995, and even 15 years later, it oozes of the traditional Crusie style of snark and wit and mayhem. Go forth and read her works and then you may come back and thank me and ponder how you ever managed Life Before Crusie. Also, do not overlook her books collaborated with others:
DON'T LOOK DOWN and AGNUS AND THE HITMAN with Bob Mayer
DOGS AND GODDESSES with Lani Diane Rich and Anne Stuart
THE UNFORTUNATE MISFORTUNES with Anne Stuart and Eileen Dreyer
Janet Evanovich: I am a huge Stephanie Plum fan (and on the BABE team, if anyone wonders). I own all of the Plum Series, including between the numbers, and most of mine are 1st editions because I'm wonky that way. There are 15 out now, plus I think three between the numbers (I can't see them from where I'm typing and don't want to check my library to see right now because I'm lazy... I mean because I'm focused. Focused. Yes... on this webpage right now. Focus sounds much better.) Of course I'd recommend reading this series in order, starting with ONE FOR THE MONEY, however, I always tell people to read at least the first three before making an opinion, because I think it takes the first three to really get engrossed in that world created in New Jersey. After that, I'm pretty sure you'd be hooked. Let me know.
*Side note: I don't read the FULL series with Charlotte Hughes, so I have no opinion on those.
Linda Howard:
She is the mistress of romance mingled with suspense. My all time favorites of hers are
*MR. PERFECT
*KILL & TELL
*ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Read KILL & TELL before ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Bottom line: You can't go wrong with a Howard novel -- swear it.
Allison Brennan:
Another goddess amongst women in the romantic suspense genre. She tends to write in trilogies but each book is stand-alone as well, meaning you don't have to read them in any order if you don't want to or can't. She's crossing over to paranormal too, so if that's your thing, put her on your MUST READ list. I swear you won't regret it.
Lisa Gardner:
Again, all are amazing, but her first one is my favorite: THE PERFECT HUSBAND, so that tops my recommendation list. I'd read hers in order if possible just because she has some reoccurring characters. Her books lean heavier into the suspense/thriller genre and not so much the "romantic" anymore, but let me tell ya -- the chick has a deliciously sick mind. If you like Koontz or King without the sci-fi elements, if you like the pure thrill and creepy situations, then Gardner is the way to go. Trust me.
Lani Diane Rich:
You saw her name up there with Jennifer Crusie books but Lani's books are amazing as well. They will strike at the core of your being. Her first book, TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR, was written in a month during NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and when I read it, I was a slobbering, crying mess. Her words charm and seduce and evoke. Don't say I didn't warn you.
*****
I'll probably update this a bit more. Right now, though, it's time to watch some Dexter.
