Contemporary romance

  • Checking out the e-TBR pile …

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    So I have a shiny new tablet/e-reader now, which I really like. And one of the best things about the tablet is that I can now read e-books.

    Y’all. Downloading e-books is totally addictive. The books! The sales! The money I’m saving!

    Okay, okay, so maybe that last one isn’t quite true, since I could easily download e-books until the cows come home. LOL. But it is really tempting to download an e-book for a couple of bucks … even if I still have about 30 print books in my TBR pile. So far, I’ve been pretty good about sticking to my budget. I only download a new e-book after I’ve read one that’s either on my tablet or one of the print ones in my TBR pile.

    Today, I thought I would share some of the books waiting in my e-TBR pile. Note that the descriptions are from Goodreads:

    Planning for LovePlanning for Love by Christi Barth

    Amazon / iTunes

    I met Christi at the RT convention in Chicago in 2012, and we talked about her Aisle Bound series. I thought this one sounded like a fun, contemporary romance.

    Hopeless romantic Ivy Rhodes and anti-Cupid Bennett Westcott request the pleasure of your company for their disaster of a courtship

    Wedding planner Ivy Rhodes is the best in the business, and she’s not about to let a personal problem stop her from getting ahead. So when she’s asked to star in the reality TV show Planning for Love, it doesn’t matter that the show’s videographer happens to be a recent—and heartbreaking—one-night stand.

    Bennett Westcott admits he didn’t handle his encounter with Ivy very well. But looking at her beautiful smile—and great body—through a camera lens every day? He can’t be faulted for suggesting they have some no-strings fun.

    The more time they spend together, the more Ben realizes Ivy isn’t the wedding-crazed bridezilla he’d imagined. But if he doesn’t trust himself to make a relationship last, how can he convince Ivy to give him another chance?

    Suddenly RoyalSuddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

    Amazon / iTunes

    I saw this book reviewed over at Supernatural Snark a few weeks ago. It sounds like a cute, contemporary, new adult read.

    Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

    Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

    While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

    So those are some of the books waiting on my e-reader. What books are in your e-TBR pile?

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    Holiday gift guide — Books

    Today, I thought I would finish up my holiday gift guide by talking about books. For more holiday ideas, check out my previous posts about music and TV shows.

    HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE — BOOKS

    ACTION-ADVENTURE AND SPY THRILLERS

    SoloSolo by William Boyd: James Bond is back in this new book, which takes him on an adventure to Africa in 1969. This might be good for the spy thriller fan on your holiday shopping list.

    Carte Blanche by Jeffrey Deaver: This is another James Bond book, although this one features Bond in today’s world.

    Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson: This is the latest book in Johnson’s Walt Longmire mystery series, which some of you may know from the Longmire TV show. My dad enjoys these, and they might be a good fit for the western or mystery lover on your list.

    Richard Stark’s Parker, Vol. 1: The Hunter by Richard Stark and Darwyn Cooke: This is a graphic novel of The Hunter, the first book in Stark’s series about Parker, a thief who will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

    FANTASY

    He Drank, and Saw the Spider by Alex Bledsoe: Okay, okay, this book isn’t actually coming out until Jan. 14, but Bledsoe’s Eddie LaCrosse series is a cool mix of fantasy and detective noir fiction. Wheezley and I have both enjoyed the books in this series.

    And hey, Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, right?

    In the meantime, get caught up on the other books in the series, which include The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, and Wake of the Bloody Angel.

    Kicking ItKicking It anthology: This urban fantasy anthology, edited by Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price, features stories from Chloe Neill, Rachel Caine, and other authors.

    I really like anthologies because they let me check out a variety of authors. Plus, they’re perfect for when you only have a short time to read. You can finish a story, put the book down, and then go on to the next story when you have a chance.

    The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch: I actually bought this one for Wheezley when it came out in October, but if you’re looking for a new epic fantasy series for yourself or someone on your list, check out Lynch’s books, which follow two thieves as they have a series of adventures. The first book is The Lies of Locke Lamora, while the second book is Red Seas Under Red Skies.

    ROMANCE

    Dangerous Seduction by Zoe Archer: This is the second book in Archer’s Nemesis Unlimited historical romance series, after Sweet Revenge. The holiday e-novella Winter’s Heat is also available.

    I’ve seen the series described as a historical version of the TV show Leverage. Basically, a group of folks help the helpless against the rich and powerful, and romance blossoms for some of them along the way. This might be good for a historical romance lover on your list who’s looking for something a little different in the genre to read.

    Love IrresistiblyLove Irresistibly by Julie James: If you’re looking for a contemporary romance read, check out James’s FBI/U.S. Attorney series, which is set in Chicago and features the relationships between, you guessed it, FBI agents and US attorneys.

    The books are a lot of fun and full of snappy dialogue. Plus, the couples from previous books make return appearances as the series goes along. As a reader, I always enjoying seeing past characters and catching up with them.

    Other books in the series are Something About You, A Lot Like Love, and About That Night. The next book in the series, It Happened One Wedding, is set to be released in May 2014.

    YOUNG ADULT

    Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George: This is the latest book in the Twelve Dancing Princesses series. I love fairy tale books, and I enjoyed the first book in this series, Princess of the Midnight Ball, which features a hero who likes to knit. (I thought that was really cool.) I’ve got the second book, Princess of Glass, in my TBR pile.

    Crash Into YouCrash Into You by Katie McGarry: If you’re looking for a contemporary read, check out McGarry’s books, which feature teens struggling with a variety of issues.

    Other books in the series include Pushing the Limits and Dare You To. An e-novella, Crossing the Line, is also available. Warning: These books will make you root for and cry with the characters at the same time.

    Poison by Bridget Zinn: This is a really charming, young adult epic fantasy book about Kyra, a potions maker who saves her kingdom with the help of a pig. This might be a good choice for the YA reader who enjoys a mix of fantasy, adventure, and friendship in their books.

    So those are my book picks. What books are you guys hoping to give or get for Christmas this year?

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    Holiday books are here …

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    Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed something becoming more and more common at my local bookstores — holiday books.

    Yep, those snow- and Christmas-themed covers are here, along with the holiday stories that fill the pages.

    Sleigh Bells in the SnowOne holiday book that I’ve been looking forward to is Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan. I enjoy contemporary romance, and I usually read at least one or two holiday stories this time of year.

    But it’s not just new holiday books that are on the shelves now. You can also find many different editions of classic holiday stories like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens or The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.

    For Christmas several years ago, Wheezley bought me a copy of A Christmas Carol, and it was interesting to read the story versus seeing all the interpretations in other books and holiday movies.

    Now, I enjoy a good holiday book, but I am totally addicted to all the holiday romance movies on TV stations like ABC Family, Lifetime, and the Hallmark Channel. I love a good holiday rom-com, and I’m looking forward to seeing what new movies come out this year.

    What about you guys? Do you read holiday books or watch holiday movies? Do you have a favorite holiday book or movie that you read or watch every year?

  • Holiday gift guide …

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    I love buying books to give as Christmas gifts, and I’m pretty good at picking out titles that my friends and family like. Seriously, it’s a weird, random skill that I have.

    So I thought that I’d put my skill to good use and share some of my picks for gifts for the book lover on your holiday shopping list. Here goes:

    Contemporary romance: Nobody writes it better than Lisa Kleypas, so check out Sugar Daddy, which is part romance, part coming-of-age story about a girl growing up in Texas. Another good bet is Kristan Higgins, whose books like Too Good to be True feature lovable dogs.

    Epic fantasy: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch focuses on a group of thieves and a con gone wrong. Also, check out The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe, which features a Sam Spade-type private investigator in a sword-and-sorcery fantasy world. For dragon lovers, you can’t go wrong with His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik. Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin is good for those who like female-focused epic fantasy.

    Paranormal romance: Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series is great for romance readers who like a variety of paranormal creatures and books with a dark, fairy tale feel. Start with the first book, A Hunger Like No Other. For vampire lovers, check out Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost or Dark Lover by J.R. Ward.

    Romantic suspense: Roxanne St. Claire’s Bullet Catchers series is fun, action-packed romantic suspense. Kill Me Twice is the first book in the series. For darker reads, check out Anne Stuart’s Ice series, which focuses on a group of spies and includes Black Ice.

    Thrillers: Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series is a solid choice. The first book is Killing Floor. For more of a vintage read, check out Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks. It features Ian Fleming’s super spy, James Bond.

    Westerns: Although he’s better known for his detective novels, Robert B. Parker has written a couple of westerns, including Appaloosa, which was recently turned into a movie. And there’s always Louis L’Amour. Several of his short story collections are available.

    Western historical romance: Try Jodi Thomas’ Whispering Mountain series, which kicks off with Texas Rain. Also, A Creed Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller would make a great before-Christmas gift. Never Love a Lawman by Jo Goodman is another good western romance to check out.

    Young adult: For teens who like epic fantasy, Graceling by Kristin Cashore is a good bet. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is another great YA read, and for teens who can’t get enough vampires, check out Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

    I could go on (and on … and on …), but those are some pretty good choices when it comes to books. Looking for something besides a book to give? Check out these items:

    Harlequin Notables stationary: I love this vintage line of stationary that Harlequin is offering, which features everything from notepads to collectible postcard tins. Also, watch the site for special deals, like buy 2 books get 1 free. Plus, if you’re a new customer, shipping is free on your first order. (I took advantage of that offer myself).

    Holographic bookmarks: I saw some of these at my local Hallmark store. Basically, they’re bookmarks that you turn this way and that to make the images on them move. Pretty cool and a little more interesting than your typical bookmark.

    Gift cards: Yeah, I know they’re a little boring, but sometimes, it’s just easier to give a gift card than it is to hunt for a certain book. And then, the person you’re buying it for can get exactly what he or she wants.

    What about you guys? What books would you suggest? Which ones are you giving or getting for Christmas? Share in the comments.