J.R. Ward (a.k.a. Jessica Bird), author and personal bitch scribe to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, shares some of her favorite cinematic experiences with us.

Don’t forget that her reader message boards re-open tomorrow, 1 Jan 08, at noon US Eastern! And that her next BDB entry, Lover Enshrined (BDB Book 6) , comes to us June 2008!

My 12 Favorite Christmas/New Year’s Eve Movies

	12. Scrooged. Bill Murray confronting the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future as TV exec.
	11. One True Thing. Okay, not so Christmassy necessarily, but GREAT screenplay.
	10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Not the Jim Carrey one – the animated classic. Not a movie. Still watched it like every year when I was little. Had to go on the list.
	9. Jingle All the Way. The Terminator does Christmas – competes with Sinbad for toy. Does battle with Phil Hartman’s reindeer.
	8. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. Long story. Watched it one vivid Christmas vacation and yeah, now I always associate it with the holiday. Great movie. Ricardo Montalban in a burlap sack suit. William Shattner at the helm. Always magic. Except for those ear worm things. EW.
	7. Elf. Yeah, Will Ferrell. Parts are really stupid and not in a good way. But I still laugh.
	6. When Harry Met Sally. Last scene, New Year’s Eve. “I hate you, Harry, I really hate you…” ‘Nuff said.
	5. A Christmas Story. Ralphie. The Red Ryder bebe gun. The soap in the mouth. The leg lamp. The dogs and the dinner. TBS does a marathon Christmas Day and I watch it every year.
	4. While You Were Sleeping. LOVE it. Yes, it’s chicky for my tastes, but come on- Joe Jr.? With her shoes on? And at the end? Luuuuuucy, I got something to ask you? Awwwwwwwwwww…
	3. Scrooge. The original black and white version that scared the p*** out of me when I was younger. Still love the scene when the old guy goes running out into the snowy street with his night cap on. Tiny Tim and that little crutch. Ugh, gets me EVERY stinking time.
	2. Trading Places. Dan Ackroyd putting a smoked salmon into a grotty santa suit. Eddie Murphy explaining how G.I. Joe with the kungfu grip effects the national economy on Christmas. LOVE IT.
	1. Die Hard. Wherein the following classic line in American cinema was uttered: “Yippee-kyay-motherf***er.” Absolute favorite Christmas movie EVER.

How about you readers – any movies remind you of a time in your life or a holiday?

Fantabulous author of the fun and critically acclaimed Divorced, Desperate and Delicious, Christie Craig, shares with us her tips for coping during the holiday season. Print it out and store it with your decorations so you can follow it next year (yes, I’m a little slow getting this up – yikes – I’m amazed I’m not insane. Oh. Wait…) 

Decorate that tree, and pray the cat doesn’t chew on the cord. Get that shopping done, and find that perfect gift for people who already have two of everything plus the kitchen sink, wrap those gifts and make them Martha Stewart pretty—never mind that you are wrapping impaired—cook that gourmet dinner that takes five hours to prepare and everyone 20 minutes to eat. Attend that party, never mind you feel fat in your holiday attire, and would love to just stay home and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Let’s face it, the holidays are filled with hurry up to-do lists, headache producing events, and moments that make you want to kick Santa’s butt and blow the bulb in Rudolph’s nose.

Because I share your holiday pain, I’ve decided to share my list of twelve tips that can help you have a merrier, less stressful holiday.

12 tips for Having a Happier, Merrier Holiday

1. Go sit on Santa’s lap. That’s right. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas. Hey . . . he might be a gorgeous hunk under that beard, and even if he’s not, it might rekindle your belief in the magic of Christmas. And while you are there, have your picture taken. My family and I have our pictures taken with Santa every year.

2. Buy a jigsaw puzzle and put it out on a card table. You might be amazed how many people will enjoy sitting down and finding a piece of puzzle, especially this time of year. This also allows you and family a moment to slow down long enough to share a smile and a less stressful moment.

3. Go buy a small toy, something totally silly for everyone you love. You’ve probably forgotten how much fun yo-yo’ing or playing darts can be on Christmas morning.

4. Write clues on all your gifts and make everyone try to guess what the gift is before they open it. It makes opening gifts much more fun.

5. Seduce your hubby, boyfriend, or significant other. Hey . . . tis’ the season to be merry. You think Santa’s glow isn’t related to a little holiday bliss with Mrs. Santa before he left for work?

6. Call an old friend you haven’t heard from in a while. While we shouldn’t need a reason to reconnect with old friends, sometimes life just gets too busy. So this season, slow down long enough to say “Merry Christmas!” to some you haven’t seen in ages.

7. Become someone’s Secret Santa. Do you know someone who could use a little extra cheer? Send them a small gift in the mail and don’t sign it. Just say you are their Secret Santa and want to let them know they are special. A small act of kindness can bring someone a large amount of joy.

8. Find a completely different recipe to cook. While we love our old family favorites, go a little wild in the kitchen and prepare something completely different. Who knows? You might be creating another holiday favorite for your family. (Or providing them a funny story to laugh about during future Christmases.)

9. Between shopping, cooking and wrapping, take a breather and spend some time with your pets. That’s right, they deserve a little special holiday time, too. And remember, spending time petting an animal can lower your blood pressure and be a win-win de-stresser for you both.

10. Bring out your old holiday images of you and your family. If you have older children, they will love reminiscing about their childhood holidays. After all, holidays memories from the past can warm your heart and bring you holiday joy.

11. Give yourself a Christmas present and slow down long enough to read a book. May I suggest, Divorced, Desperate and Delicious? Or maybe you might enjoy what I’m reading this holiday, The Salt Maiden by Colleen Thompson

12. Get into the mood by belting out a few Christmas tunes. That’s right, singing is a good stress releaser. So go ahead, it doesn’t matter that if you can’t carry tune even if it was in paper bag. A few lyrics of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and you’ll be smiling.

Merry Christmas!
Christie Craig

How about you guys – what do you do to make it to the other side of the holidays?

Nath, blogger from our Northern neighbor Canada, shares with us a list of 12 authors new to her. Read more from her at Natuschan, Books, Books, and More Books… 

12 New Authors to Me for the Year of 2007

In no particular order…

1. Deborah Smith – thank you for Blue Willow and The CrossRoads Cafe.

2. Meljean Brook - thank you for Demon Angel and Demon Moon. Thank you for Hugh and Lilith – such an awesome couple… and I now want a hellbound as my pet.

3. Robyn Carr – thank you for the town of Virgin River… and thank goodness the Grace Valley trilogy is going to be re-printed.

4. Kate Angell – thank you for the Rogues.

5. Laura Florand – thank you you for having such a wonderful and funny life.

6. Naomi Novik – thank you for Temeraire – such a dear.

7. Elizabeth Vaughan – thank you for the War Chronicles.

8. Jacquelyn Franks – thank you for Jacob.

9. Emilie Richards – thank you for the Shenandoah Album Series.

10. Metsy Hingle – thank you for The Wager and Flash Point.

11. Terri Garey – thank you for Dead Girls Are Easy.

12. Lorraine Heath – thank you for Just Wicked Enough and a very extensive backlist that I get to discover.

How about you – read any new-to-you authors this last year you want to share?

Shiloh Walker, author, blogger, commenter, and one of our favorite people, gives us her list of fellow authors everyone should read… 

12 Authors that everybody should read… in my humble opinion

1. Me.    Hey, I’m lazy with promo, so I figure I’ll just get this little bit in and then I can call myself done with promo for a few days.  Weeks.

2. Lynn Viehl/S.L. Viehl, a.k.a. Paperback Writer. Anybody that knows me isn’t going to be surprised to see this one.  I love this woman’s writing.  Plain and simple.  No matter what the name, I love her stuff.  She writes vamps under Lynn Viehl, the Stardoc books (sci fi) under S.L. Viehl and had some romantic suspenses out under Jessica Hall/Gena Hale.  She’s not using the last two pseudonyms any more… sniffle.  Sob.  But she is just an excellent writer.

3. Nora Roberts.  Hard as it is for me to believe, there are some romance lovers out there that haven’t read her.  I adore Nora Roberts.  Specifically the Irish Jewels trilogy, the Chesapeake Bay series and the Donovans.

4. J.D. Robb. Yeah, I know Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb are the same person.  But the writing styles aren’t exactly the same.  Some people that love the NR books don’t like J.D. Robb.  Some that like J.D. Robb don’t like the NR books.  Futuristic romantic suspense, killer H&H, love them.

5. Shelby Reed.  For those who aren’t sure they’d like erotic romance, Shelby is a great way to start.  She doesn’t write as burn the pages sexy as some other erotic romance authors, but she does write steamy.  She writes some of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, bar none.

6. Joey Hill.  She is to the BDSM genre what Shelby Reed is to the erotic romance genre.  Beautiful stories that can take you places you aren’t sure you want to go, but once you get on the ride, you can’t get off.  But be warned… she isn’t for the faint of heart.

7. Bettie Sharpe.  Right now, Bettie doesn’t have any books out to buy.  Her first book is coming out from Samhain in January.  But yes… she’s on my list.  Why?  Because of Ember.  If Ember is any indication of Bettie’s writing, then I’m a fan for life.

8. Lora Leigh.  Hot stuff.  Be warned.  I love her.

9. Mercedes Lackey.  Fantasy.  Some romantic subplots and I do believe she has some fantasy romances out with Luna, but I mostly love her Valdemar books.  Addicted to the Valdemar books.  And Diana Tregard.

10. Patricia Briggs.  She writes fantasy and urban fantasy, but I’ve only read the urban stuff.  Her Mercedes Thompson books are urban fantasy with some romantic undertones.  Killing stories.  Love them.

11. Marilyn Pappano.  I haven’t read all of her books, actually, I think I’ve only read a couple, but one of them is one of my favorite books, ever.  Passion isn’t in print any more which is a shame.  Because it’s an excellent book.

12.  Holly Lisle.  Fantasy and romantic suspense.  I haven’t read all of her fantasy stuff, but she’s a great fantasy writer.  However, she blew me away with her romantic suspense, I See You.

Who’s on your “must read” author list?

Loonigrrl, reader and commenter, shares a fun list that has my brain working overtime thinking of the possibilities… 

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Imagine that ideal world where movie directors, screen writers,and producers all shared your vision of your favorite book. A world where studios were less concerned about casting a BIG STAR, and more concerned with maintaining the integrity of the production. *cough* Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse?!?!?Are you kidding me?!!? *cough, cough*

Thinking of which books I’d choose to see on the big screen wasn’t hard. What was hard was stopping at just twelve.

12 Books I Want to See on the Big Screen (in no particular order)

1.  Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Ohmigod, I love the romance. I love Edward. I love that he loves Bella, but kind of wants to have for dinner, too. I just love everything about it. I added Twilight to the list, but I actually think it’s already being made into a movie. We’ll see soon enough if it lives up to our expectations, right?

2.  Stardoc by S.L. Viehl. Ok, so it’s not a romance, but it does have a romance in it. And the main character Cherijo is brilliant,witty, strong, independent, and resourceful. It’s got some action, although not as much as the others in the series,but it’s such a clever book that I think it would be a very fun movie.

3.  It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Honestly, this isn’t my favorite SEP book. Does anyone else obsess over Honey Moon? Man,that one makes me cry every time. Love it. But I love this one too, and it’s got the trademark SEP humor, and a wonderful romance. It would need a great screenwriter, but I think there’s some potential there.

4.  Green Rider by Kristen Britain. Green Rider is just so much fun to read that I think a movie would be equally fun to watch. The story starts when our heroine, Karigan G’ladheon, stumbles upon a dying Green Rider- a messenger for the King- and promises to deliver his message for him, risking death and worse to do so. The characters are great, there’s plenty of action, but I think the director is going to be an important choice for this one. I’m not sure who I’d choose, but I do like what Andrew Adamson did with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

5.  The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson. This book is intense! I loved it and I think it would make an equally intense movie.The art direction and cinematography stand out to me as being particularly important.

6.  Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. Right from the beginning, Poison Study sucked me in. Casting is once again huge. Yelena and Valek have got to have amazing chemistry, and let’s face it: Valek must be hot. I’d be willing to make an exception to my no celebrity rule, and allow Christian Bale to be cast.

7.  Ill Wind by Rachel Caine. Of all these book, I think I’d most like to see Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series made into a movie. There’s a lot of action, the heroine’s spunky, the romance is sweet and the idea is just super cool. But the effects are huge, so it’s got to be a director who can direct AND who knows his special effects. I guess that leaves you out, Chris Columbus, sorry.

8.  Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. An amazing story, an amazing world with amazing characters. Has anyone not read Slave to Sensation? Seriously?!? Go. Now. To the bookstore. Go buy it. Ok, that being said: wouldn’t it make a fantastic movie? Well, I’ve got my doubts that anyone could do it justice, but if it could be done right, I’d really like to see it up on the big screen.

9.  Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. I almost didn’t include this because I didn’t think anyone could truly capture Derek Craven, but . . . it’s one of my favorites, so I couldn’t help myself.

10.  The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn. I think this could be such a sweet, funny movie, if it were done right . . . And that means no Keira Knightley. No offense, Keira, you just seem to be everywhere these days.

11.  Into the Dark Lands by Michelle Sagara. I’d love to see someone try to make this one into a movie. It’s one of my all time favorites, and it’s just so tragic and beautiful, I had to add it to the list.

12.  Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody. Actually, I’d like to see the entire series made into movies. I honestly don’t know why it hasn’t been done yet. Everything’s there- a fascinating world, complicated characters,action, etc. Finding enough talented children to fill all the roles would be a problem, but I think it could be done.

Ok, there you have ‘em. Now, what about you? I know I left plenty out so . . . which books would you like to see on the big screen?

Kristie(J), fellow blogger and rambling writer of reviews, shares a sad list with us.  To read more from KristieJ, join her over at Ramblings on Romance. 

*sad sigh* I miss you all!

12 Authors No Longer Writing, or No Longer Writing Romance

12.  Kristen Kyle.  She wrote a couple of books that are Most Excellent. Nighthawk a really good futuristic and The Last Warrior. Sadly she lost her contract and had health problems. I sure wish she was still writing!

 11.  Alexis Harrington.  She wrote some really really great American-type romance books. But she hasn’t had one in quite a while. Her website says she has a couple almost ready – but that was back in August. Come back Alexis, come back!!

 10.  Eve Byron (a.k.a. Connie Rinehold).  *sigh* Another author who just seemed to disappear. One of my favourite books – it’s an oldie though is Letters From a Stranger.

9.  Justine Dare (a.k.a. Justine Davis).  I’m not sure if she is still writing or not. Last time I heard she was writing for Harlequin. But I want more of her older books – like The Skypirate or Lord of the Storm or any of her Hawk books.

 8.  Anita Mills.  Oh she wrote some wonderful medievals. I couldn’t read them fast enough! I heard she retired and one can’t really blame her. But there is a younger reader crowd now who would probably love them as much as me!

 7.  Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas.  She just seems to have disappeared!! She’s written so many wonderful books it’s hard to pick a favourite. Reading Bliss though was just well – bliss!

6.  Penelope Williamson (a.k.a. Elizabeth Lambert).  Yes, she’s another one still writing. But alas, she is writing mysteries now. It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite one of hers. There’s The Outsider (and made into a wonderful movie!), Keeper of the Dream…

5.  Elizabeth Elliot.  Now I think the most common question is “whatever happened to Elizabeth Elliott?” She didn’t write many books, but the ones she did write – oooh lala! My fave is The Warlord. In fact I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but I even kind of like the cover. The good news though is I almost shouldn’t include her since she is writing again. And finally we will see what happens with the assassin brother. But until the book is in print – she remains on the list!

 4.  Marsha Canham.  Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. You left us. You left us at the height of your game. I miss you! She’s written so many great books, but I think my favourite might be her last. Although, like Elizabeth Elliott, I’ve heard vague rumblings she might return. Maybe if we all close our eyes and wish real hard…

3.  Candice Proctor (a.k.a. C.S. Harris).  Yes, she’s still writing as C.S. Harris. But from the moment I read Whispers of Heaven, one of my all time favourite books and one of my most recommended, I’ve loved her romances like, to steal a phrase – a fat kid loves M&M’s. Oh, how I long for other books like Night in Eden, Beyond Sunrise, or The Last Knight…

2.  Theresa Weir (a.k.a. Anne Frazier).  I know she’s writing as Anne Frazier now and quite successfully, so if she continues that’s fine with me. But every so often I want another Amazon Lily or perhaps a Bad Karma.

1.  Laura London, a.k.a. Tom & Sharon Curtis. Oh for the likes of Sunshine and Shadow, Lightning That Lingers and darn it all – Cat’s story. I think we all miss them terribly and long to have more by this wonderful team of writers *sigh*.

Do any of you readers out there know of some defectors, or MIA authors?

Sherry Thomas, a favorite commenter and author, shares with us her “Old Guys I’d Do” list.  By the way, isn’t this a great author pic? 

Don’t forget to catch Sherry’s upcoming books:

 25 Mar 08  &  29 Jul 08

12 Totally Awesome Old Dudes I’d Totally Date if I Were Single and They Available/Nonfictional

 1. The Dalai Lama. Oh teach me the Noble Truths, Your Holiness.

 2. Paul Newman. I like his sauces.  [Ed.: Looks like Paul Newman "dresses to the left."]

 3. Morgan Freeman. Gravitas is hawt!

 4. Kofi Annan. I wanted to be Secretary General of the UN when I was a kid, what can I say?

 5. George Lucas. I’ll always have a soft spot for Uncle George.

 6. Vladimir Putin. Those cold eyes, that KGB past, he scares me shitless. I know, it’s so wrong, so wrong.

 7. Jacques Pepin. He has such a gentle, old-world quality about him.

 8. Nelson Mandela. I cannot admire this man enough.

 9. Darth Vader. See 6. Vladmir Putin. This is about power, ladies. The ultimate aphrodisiac. (Not sure whether he still has the equipment left after his dunk in the lava tank, but I’m willing to find out.)

 10. Aragorn. He is about 90 years old during the time frame of the Lord of the Rings. I’ll take you, Grandpa Elessar.

 11. Stephen King. I like what he says about his wife and his marriage.

 12. Hard to decide. Warren Buffett is rich and smart. Steven Spielberg seems like such a nice person. The Weinstein brothers would be interesting to have to dinner. But you know what, I’ll take Legolas (age approximately 3000) in the end. Because this is my duodecimal, and I’m allowed to be as shallow as a puddle when it hasn’t rained for a month.

What about you – what unconventional and older guy is on YOUR “to do” list?

AKA 12 Books I Should be Reading Right Now Instead of Doing This Post

In no order since I haven’t decided what I am going to read yet and do remember the rule of 12. So if your book is not here that doesn’t mean I don’t have it. Something that speak to my short attention span and how easy I can get distracted… I started this days ago. The first book on the list was Shadow Music by Julie Garwood’s. Note to self: don’t use the book. 

1. Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra
Side Note: Virginia Kantra is one of those authors that I see their name often but never read. I judged one of her RS recently and it was very good – sez I. Her novella in Shifter is the start of a paranormal series (don’t groan, at least wait until you read it). Children of the Sea isn’t vamps/demons/weres or even dragons but Selkies (how do you pural that?). Might be interesting… /sidenote
Paranormal Romance by Berkley, publication date 3/4/08 and proof I enjoy teasing Bev(QB) far too much

2. To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan
I had decided not to read these when I read the summary. Then I read the excerpt (first chapter on site) I soooooooo wanna like this book. I will be so sad if I don’t. Strong choice to be the one I am reading while I should be formating blog things. 1/29/08 release… good month.

3. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
Historical Romance from Berkley, have heard much awesomeness about this. Will post excerpt so you may see awesomeness too, although she did update her blog (click on her name above) with an excerpt as well when I whinedasked for an excerpt to post. This releases in my birthday month so it is uber special, 1/2/08. Wonder why Amazon thinks this is a young adult novel?!?!

4. Traitor’s Kiss by Mary Blayney
Now I am prolly just being mean but my god I love this cover. I haven’t started this because I have built up such hope it will be amazing, I might cry if it sucks. Historical Romance from Dell. Was suppose to come out March 4, 2008 because of scheduling was moved to October 2008. So like I said prolly mean of me to bring it up again…

5. Desperately Seeking A Duke by Celeste Bradley
1st book in her new historical trilogy, The Heiress Brides. Releases March 08 from St Martin’s and will have a back to back release: The Duke Next Door (April) and Duke Most Wanted (May). [I still want to type duck for duke]

6. To Catch a Highlander by Karen Hawkins
This is the third book in a series and releases on my birthday (1/22/08) so it must be amazing! Well really Hawkins can be a hit or miss for me because she tends to be heavy on the funny. And that doesn’t always work with me.

7. Wild Noelle Mack
This is the first book in Noelle’s new Brava series The Pack of St. James. Uh huh… wolves… and even better (sez Lawson, who has NEVER read Susan Johnson) it they have ties to Russia. Check it out here, is a March release so should come out February 26, 2008.

8. A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade
I can’t begin to tell you how sad it makes me that she is currently working on a romantic suspense. I am sure it will be great but ::sniff:: more westerns please. Reason to Sin finishes her great Forrester trilogy:

9. The Devil’s Daughter by Laura Drewry
Not anything up at amazon but you can read the summary here. Don’t think there is anything else I need to say about why I want to read this… NOW. April 08 release from Dorchester.

10. Sucker’s Bet by Erin McCarthy
I heart Erin McCarthy. Even my lil sister hearts her ::note to self find out when book after Demon Envy comes out:: I was soooooooo looking forward to Bled Dry, the book before this one. I haven’t even made it half way through. le sigh… so do I try Bled Dry again, one night stand with a vampire secret baby book! Sort of, eh well not really secret for long. This comes out Jan 2. And soon we shall have more contemps from her. Well sort of soon…

11. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster
There is sex on page one… is that normal for a Foster book? I checked the cover to make sure it wasn’t Nicole Jordan. I really am enjoying this series. Amazon says this is book 3, which I guess works if you don’t count Jude or Murphy. Releases Feb 5, 2008.

12. The Bride by Carolyn Davidson
It is prolly a bad thing I am way amused the heroine is raised in a convent isn’t it…
I loveseses her older HH. I haven’t found as much love for her books since the move to HQN but this one… looks fabulous. No really. Releases February 1, 2008

Any suggestions on where to start? What is next up on your to be read mountain?

Sabrina Jeffries, author and procrastinator, gives us her version of 12 Days of Christmas.  Don’t forget to catch her upcoming (and wonderfully titled) Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (School For Heiresses, Book 4), coming 19 Feb 08.

Much as I adore Christmas (and I do), I find it overwhelming when I’m also on deadline (which I am), since, as any of my friends can tell you, I’m easily distracted by shiny things and chocolate. So here’s my version of 12 Days, dedicated to ADD authors everywhere (note that I would rather write this than work on my novella, which just shows how dysfunctional I am).  I present…

An ADD Author’s Dysfunctional 12 Days of Christmas

 On the first day of Christmas, I started writing this: a book from my inner goddess.

 On the second day of Christmas, I started watching this: two TV shows,
then I wrote to please my inner goddess.

 On the third day of Christmas, I started drinking this: three cups of coffee
while watching reruns
as I tried to soothe my nagging goddess.

On the fourth day of Christmas, I started reading this: four great novellas
while drinking coffee,
then watched some “Cold Case,”
thus ignoring my inner goddess.

 On the fifth day of Christmas, I started answering this: five fan e-mails
then I read a while,
drank coffee black,
watched an hour of “Charmed,”
and I wrote a blog to spite my goddess.

 On the sixth day of Christmas, I started skimming this: six old Publishers Weeklies,
then read e-mail,
read a long novella,
drank lots of coffee,
watched “the Daily Show,”
and I wrote around my inner goddess.

 On the seventh day of Christmas, I started plotting this: seven future novels,
then skimmed PWs,
tossed out e-mail,
read a long love scene,
bought me a latte,
watched “Without a Trace,”
and I wrote the book without my goddess.

 On the eighth day of Christmas, I started reading this: eight Sybil blogs,
then plotted novels,
tossed out PWs,
answered e-mail,
read a short novella,
added rum to coffee,
watched the “Messiah,”
and I lied to my inner goddess.

 On the ninth day of Christmas, I started eating this: nine chocolate bonbons,
then swung by Sybil’s,
plotted my novels,
got a new PW,
answered fan mail,
skimmed a novella,
swilled rum-laced Coke,
watched a sappy film,
and I drank with my inner goddess.

 On the tenth day of Christmas, I started wrapping this: ten Christmas presents,
then ate some bonbons,
read blogs at Sybil’s,
wished my plots were better,
tossed aside PW,
ignored e-mail,
stumbled through a book,
bought some tequila,
watched the ticking clock,
and then whined to my inner goddess.

 On the eleventh day of Christmas, I started baking this: eleven Christmas cookies,
then lost the presents,
ate lots of chocolate,
checked in at Sybil’s,
gave up on plotting,
cursed at PW,
fired off e-mail,
decided not to read,
swigged margaritas,
watched myself implode,
and then yelled at my inner goddess.

 On the twelfth day of Christmas, I started screaming this: “Where’s the tequila?”
then I ate the cookies,
gave up on presents,
stuffed myself with chocolate,
grumbled to Sybil,
swore off of novels,
forgot PW,
ignored e-mail,
tossed the book aside,
drank whisky neat,
cursed at Dr. Phil,
then I killed off my inner goddess.

Dysfunctionally yours,
Sabrina

What about you readers and authors out there – what do you do to procrastinate?

Sula, blogger and reader, shares her “Wish List” with us…

How many times have I picked up an awesome romance novel and been totally turned off by the artist’s rendition of the hero (yeah, Jo Goodman’s If His Kiss Is Wicked, I’m looking at you!) One of the little games I like to play is “match that hot guy with that hot hero”. A little like pin the tail on the donkey, but way more fun. So without further ado, I give you a few holiday treats to spice up your cold winter days. Eye-candy is very low calorie.  

12 Men I’d Choose to Star In a Romance Novel

12. Daniel Craig.  The ice-cold blond killer type that sends shivers up and down your spine (and not entirely from fear, if you know what I mean). An Anne Stuart hero to be sure.

11. Ken Watanabe.  Granted, there aren’t all that many books starring Asian men (and why is that, anyway), but that doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize. He just exudes gravitas and in my book that is sexy.

10. Jason Momoa.  I don’t know which character he’d play, but I include him because he’s just…HAWT! Actually, as I look (um, stare) at that picture, I start to think that he might be Vishous from the BDB series.

9. Kyle Schmid.  This one is easy as he plays a vampire on TV. If you didn’t get the chance to watch the show Blood Ties, you missed out. Funny, romantic and paranormal, but stupid Lifetime looks like they won’t be renewing it for another season. Arg! Anyways, Kyle is my mental image for Christoff from Shana Abe’s The Smoke Thief.  [Ed.: It's depressing how young this guy is.]

8. Johnny Depp.  I see Johnny as the charming, devil-may-care hero in a swashbuckling adventure written by Marsha Canham. Obviously the man looks pretty good on the deck of a ship be it as a pirate or as a river rat.

7. Clive Owen. Yum. I think this man was born to play historical heros. I could see him in any number of roles. Colin in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, Elliot in The Bridal Season, Benedict in Lord Perfect… I could go on.

6. Blair Underwood.  This man is beautiful to look at and beautiful to watch on screen. Smooth and self-confident and sexy. I think he’d make a pretty awesome Rhage, and it would be appropriate to have a brother as a Brother. I’m totally feeling it, true?

5. Gerard Butler.  When I read Karen Marie Moning’s Kiss of the Highlander, this was what I saw in my mind. I think he’d also be great in those good old Garwood medievals. Aye, he’s a braw laddie, d’ye ken?

4. Daniel Day-Lewis.  Last of the Mohicans! ‘Nuff said. A perfect stand-in for any American frontier romance novel…cuz we all know there are SO many of those being published these days.

3. Sean Bean.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: give the man some red highlights and he IS Jamie Fraser for my money.

2. Viggo Mortensen.  A versatile actor who can play anyone from a fantasy hero (a la LotR) to a Viking marauder to a cowboy. I have had a crush on him for eons, so he’s always a standard go-to on my mental cast list.

1. Richard Armitage.  Well, it will come as no surprise to anyone who has cast even a passing glance over my blog as of late that I am head over heels crazy for this guy. As for the hero he would most likely play, it’s none other than Derek Craven from Lisa Kleypas’ Dreaming of You. But honestly, pretty much any dark-haired, intense, British hero who is rough around the edges and not entirely civilized will now be played by Richard Armitage in my mind. Run, don’t walk, watch North & South (BBC) and see if you don’t agree.

Happy holidays!
Sula

Alright readers, what do you think?  Who would you like to see play a character from your favorite book?

Pam P, a faithful TGTBTU reader and commenter, shares with us her favorite Christmas song playlist…

I love listening to traditional Christmas songs to get in the holiday spirit–while putting up the tree, wrapping presents, celebrating with friends and family, to help put on a happy face when dealing with the Scrooges and Bah-Humbugs at work.   

Pam P’s 12 Favorite Traditional Christmas Songs

 1. The Little Drummer Boy

 2. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen

 3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 4. The First Noël

 5. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

 6. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

 7. Joy to the World

 8. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

 9. Angels We Have Heard on High

 10. We Three Kings

 11. O Little Town of Bethlehem

 12. Good King Wenceslas

What about you folks?  What’s your favorite holiday song?  Feel free to share a link to a recorded version.

The authors over at Southern Fried Chicas (Tanya Holmes, Vanessa Jaye, Denise McDonald, Michelle Miles, Amie Stuart, and Raine Weaver) share their pick for the 12 Hunks of Christmas…

Responsible parties listed after the hunkster’s name – so you know who to blame…

12 Hunks We Want To Find Wrapped Under Our Trees

1. Gerard Butler – 6’2″ (actor, singer, Scotsman, Spartan, fantasy) (Tanya)

2. Clive Owen – 6’2.5″ (actor, green-eyed wonderman, The Voice) (Tanya)

3. George Clooney – 5’10.5″ (actor, bachelor, party boy) (Raine)

4. Denzel Washington – 6’0.5″ (actor x 100, dad x 4) (Raine)

5. Gary Allan – 5’11″ (singer, musician, survivor) (Amie)

6. Darren Sharper – 6’2″ (pro athlete) (Amie)
[Ed.:  With a face and body like his (the man is seriously beautiful), he should get some publicity photos done.  All I can find are team pics or paparazzi, and that's no fun!]

7. Boris Kodjoe – 6’2.5″ (actor, Austrian, linguist) (Vanessa)
[Ed.: Now, see.  This guy knows how to do it!  Check this one out - just a pretty photo.]

8. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’4″ (actor, former wrestler, recently divorced) (Vanessa)
[Ed.: Okay so sue me.  I couldn't pick which one! so I used both pics.  I want The Rock to play 'Wrath' in a movie adaption of the BDB.]

9. Taye Diggs – 5’10″ (actor, dazzling smile, Stella’s groove) (Michelle)

10. Alex O’Loughlin – 6’2″ (actor, Aussie, closet vampire) (Michelle)

11. Colin Firth – 6’1.5″ (actor, Mr. Darcy) (Dennie)

12. David Conrad – 6’1″ (actor, Ivy Leaguer, arm candy) (Dennie)
[Ed.: This guy is totally wasted on Jennifer Love Hewitt in that ghost show.]

Who’s your pick for a pressie?

Bloggers Casee and Holly over at Book Binge were bored and started thinking of the worst names for naughty parts they’d read in romance novels… 

12 Worst Names in Romancelandia for the Naughty Bits

1. Poker (stiff as) – Pokers may be ‘stiff,’ but they are very small around.

2. Love-well – Oil- or water-well?  Wells are deep and very large, no? I imagine a poker would get lost in it.

3. Nest – Nests are for birds. I imagine there are lots of unsavory things in nests.

4. Creamy center – That’s the tag line for Cadbury Eggs, isn’t it? MMMMM, Cadbury Eggs.

5. Frothy channel – I like my coffee frothy. I like my channels numeric.  This also brings to mind ocean features like “English” and others – big, wide bodies of water.

6. Button of pleasure – If it looks like a button, I would recommend getting it checked out by a gyno or dermatologist.

7. Man-missile – I’ve seen missiles and they’re huge. I have no desire to be broken in half, thanks.  Or they launch and are gone so fast they break sound barriers - don’t want that either.

8. Love pole – What kind of pole are we talking here? Light pole? Way too big. Flag pole? Way too small.

9. Engorged rod – there’s just something about the word ‘engorged’ that disturbs me.  And, again, ‘rod’ = small, right?

10. Hard enough to hammer nails – Can you imagine the cringing that occurs when a man reads that?

11. Love juice – I’m thinking I wouldn’t want to be drinking that.  Think it comes in concentrate form?

12. Plump as a ripe plum – That’s just wrong and squishy.

I also want to give honorable mentions to:

13.  Hooded, fleshy lintel – Isn’t a lintel one of those little peas you find in soup? Or an architectural thing.

14. (His cock was) the length of pig iron – Is that a part of a pig’s anatomy?  Cuz..YUCK!  Besides, I thought ’pig iron’ was a type of metal, not a measurement.

As we were limited to 12, obviously we can’t go on.  But I’m sure y’all have a few to add to the list.

What are the worst names you’ve heard?

Katharina, blogger and frequent commenter here, shares with us her list of 12 Nora Roberts books everyone should glom (I’m told “glom” means “go buy all the backlist” in book circles)… 

Katharina’s 12 Nora Roberts a’Glomming

After having seen Rosario’s Top 12 Nora Roberts picks, I discovered that my favorites by this author are totally different. And because blog goddess Sybil asked me to, I will do my own Duodecimal of lovely Roberts titles.

1. Hidden Riches (’94 & ’04).  I discovered this book years ago when I still read romance novels in German. It was my first Nora Roberts and instantly hooked me on her writing.

2. The Dream Trilogy: Daring to Dream (’96 & ’06), Holding the Dream (’97 & ’06), Finding the Dream (’97 & ’06).  A totally straight, no “dash of paranormal” series and my most favorite and treasured comfort-read series by this author.

3. The Irish Trilogy: Jewels of the Sun (’99 & ’04), Tears of the Moon (’00), and Heart of the Sea (’00). This one was my very first Nora Roberts trilogy and I devoured the books twice in a row before I could read them like a “normal” person. :)

4. Dance Upon the Air (’01).  This first book in the Three Sisters Trilogy is a story about a woman who fights for her life and finds her magic vocation after fleeing from an abusive husband.

5. Black Rose (’05).  Book 1 of the In the Garden Trilogy.  Yay, this one Rosario, too, has on her list. The couple is in their forties and the secret heroine of the story is a fearsome and willful ghost with her own agenda.

6. Face the Fire (’02). This is Book 3 in the Three Sisters Trilogy. When I grow up I want to be like heroine Mia: different, stunning, charming, magical, self-confident, and in posession of the age old knowledge of witchery and magic.

7. Born in Fire (’94).  Book 1 in the Concannon Sisters Trilogy (a.k.a. the Born In Trilogy). The heroine is a tiny slip of a woman with one of the most original professions for heroines in Romanceland: she is a glassblower.

8. Carnal Innocence (’92 & ’00).  This was my very first Nora Roberts romantic suspense, single title and one of the last books I read in German before I switched to English. This book has everything a romance addict could wish for: strong characters and a grabbing, nail biting plot in a lovingly detailed small-town setting.

9. Honest Illusions (’92 & Jan ’08)is a single title from the early nineties and features one of my favorite plot types, namely about gentleman thieves.

10. Montana Sky (’96, ’97 & ’06).  Sky is a romantic suspense title with a lovely dash of Western and a to die-for cowboy hero.

11. Heaven and Earth (’01).  Book 2 in the Three Sisters Trilogy has a yummi, geeky, professor-ish hero and a down-to-earth no-bullshit heroine.

12. Angels Fall (’06 & ’07).  AF is romantic suspense favorite from Nora Roberts’s more recent single title backlist.

Lucy Monroe, author of the upcoming re-release of 3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys (5 Feb 08, Brava), shares her travel destination wish list with us…  

12 Places I’ve Been and Would Like to Go Again

1. My backyard in the summer – brrr, it’s cold out there!

2. Frankfurt, Germany – wonderful shopping, friendly people and a great public transportation system.

3. Washington D.C. – fell in love in the first five minutes after arrival.

4. My great-grandparents farm – it’s gone now, but the memories linger and so does the desire to return.

5. Victoria, B.C. – it’s a family favorite and we’ll use any excuse to go.

6. Lora Leigh’s Breed world – thankfully, she keeps writing books so I can keep going back.

7. Walking on the beach with my husband – corny, much? Sigh…I’m guilty.

 8. Dancing in Spain at a nightclub – though it would be even more fun now with dh.

9. On a cruise – but this time I’d like to take one around the foot of Italy and into Greece.

10. The Portland Art Museum – it’s less than half an hour away and filled with treasures, so why is it so hard to make it back as often as I want?

11. The Little Store – have no idea what it’s real name was, but it was up the street from my house as a small child and the magic of nickel candy has never left me.

12. England – some people dearest to my heart live there and I’m missing them.

Happy Holidays to all!

Hugs,
Lucy Monroe

So where have you folks been that you want to return, or where would you like to go that you’ve only seen in your imagination?

Alison Kent, author of the soon to be released Tex Appeal (1 Feb 08, Harlequin), lets us in on her dirty little secret – she’s already got piles of books on preorder at Amazon.com.  Well, maybe not so secret (now) and maybe she’s not so alone in this predicament… 

I had to come up with 12 of something!!

Twelve 2008 Books I have already pre-ordered from Amazon

1. Evermore: A Novel of the Darkyn by Lynn Viehl (2 Jan 08, Signet)

2. Twilight Fall: A Novel of the Darkyn by Lynn Viehl (1 Jul 08, Onyx)

3. Tempted by Megan Hart (1 Jan 08, Spice)

 4. Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas (25 Mar 08, Bantam)

5. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne (2 Jan 08, Berkley)

6. The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square by Rosina Lippi (14 Feb 08, Putnam Adult)

7. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson (4 Mar 08, Grand Central Publishing)

8. Extreme Danger by Shannon McKenna (29 Jan 08, Brava)

9. Hold Tight by Harlan Coben (15 Apr 08, Dutton Adult)

10. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult (4 Mar 08, Atria)

11. Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner (15 Jul 08, Bantam)

12. Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown (12 Aug 08, Simon & Schuster)

What about you?  Have anything on preorder you’re willing to share with the class?

Julia Quinn, fantabulous author of the soon to be released two book historical series The Two Dukes of Wyndham (the first, The Lost Duke of Wyndham, comes 27 May 08) tells us which 12 historical novels she’s gotta have…

Twelve Historical Romance Novels I’m Looking Forward to in 2008

1. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne (2 Jan 08, Berkley Sensation). Okay, I’m cheating a little, since I’ve already read this, but it’s so wonderful and unique–I’m looking forward to hearing what everyone else thinks.

2. Duchess by Night by Eloisa James (24 Jun 08, Avon). Because I am completely hooked on this series, which I think is her best. Which is saying something, since she is one of my all-time favorite authors.

3. Private Arrangement by Sherry Thomas (25 Mar 08, Bantam). Because Eloisa James said it was amazing. And I trust her.

4. Some Like it Wicked by Teresa Medeiros (29 Jul 08, Avon). By the time this comes out, we’ll have gone two years between Medeiros books, and that’s way too long. Plus, I happen to know that her editor said this was her best book yet, and I know her editor well enough to know that she does not pass out false compliments.

5. Her Every Pleasure by Gaelen Foley (25 Mar 08, Ballantine). I just read Her Secret Fantasy, and now I’m desperate for Gabriel’s story. Plus, I leave for India in less than two weeks, so I’m loving reading books with a strong Indian influcence.

6. The Wicked Ways of a Duke by Laura Lee Guhrke (26 Dec 07, Avon). Do I need a reason? I buy everything with her name on it. Her books are smart and romantic, and no one can write sexual tension as well.

7. The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie (2 Jan 08, Berkley Sensation). I’m a sucker for royalty stories, and I’ve always liked Gracie’s writing.

9. A Notorious Proposition by Adele Ashworth (29 Apr 08, Avon). Adele’s books are always exquisitely written and beautifully textured.

10. Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood (reprint, 26 Dec 07, Ballantine). She returns to historicals! Now if only we could get Judith McNaught to do the same…

11. Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (School for Heiresses, Book 4) by Sabrina Jeffries (19 Feb 08, Pocket). We’re reading this one for the book club on my bulletin board. I can’t wait!

12. To Taste Temptation (The Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 1) by Elizabeth Hoyt (1 May 08, Forever). Another book club pick. Plus, she’s one of the most exciting new voices in historical romances today. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

13. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by me. Because I’d lying, otherwise.

CindyS, fellow denizen of the Blogosphere, shares with TGTBTU 12 Anne Stuart books that Cindy thinks we just can’t miss… 

12 ‘Don’t Miss’ Anne Stuart Books

1. Lord of Danger (Jul ’97, Zebra).  A medieval romance with Simon of Navarre running a con to keep himself near the seat of power. Forced to choose one of his ‘mark’s’ sisters as a bride he picks the plain, clever one and discovers he has a softer side. There is scene near the end where no words are spoken that always takes my breath away. Perfect.  (KISS Award Winner, 1997 Romantic Times)

 2. Now You See Him… (Apr ’92, Silhouette #429).  An assassin hero and a heroine under suspicion for aiding terrorists. Again, there are scenes that are breath taking. An overseas phone call that shouldn’t have been made tells the reader just how much the heroine means to the hero.

 3. Moonrise (Jul ’96, Signet).  Very much like Now You See Him only the hero is much harder and shows very few signs of cracking under the pressure of love. Dark and moody, the hero constantly pushes the heroine and is surprised when she pushes back.

 4. Shadow Dance (Sep ’93, Avon RT).  An historical with a lighter side and nobody is who they seem.

5. Glass Houses (Aug ’89, HA #311 & Oct ’98, HA Men at Work).  Another one that has a lighter feel although there is a part of the hero that won’t budge until almost all is lost.

6. Blue Sage (Aug ’87, HA #150 & Sep ’95, HA Western Lovers #10).  A woman tied to a town and a nightmare that happened years ago and a drifter who needs to take a deeper look at his past. I loved the small town feel even though it was plain the townsfolk were smothering the heroine and I fell in love with a hero that saw the problem and worked to fix it.

7. Ritual Sins (Oct ’97, Onyx).  A con man hero with next to no good in him meets his match in a woman needing to do the right thing.

 8. Falling Angel (Dec ’93 & Dec ’95, HA #513).  A man who dies has to go back and make up for the wrongs he committed and falls in love with a woman who he knew in his past life but never really saw. (RITA Award Winner: Best Fantasy, Futuristic, Paranormal, 1994 RWA)

9. Cold As Ice (Nov ’06, MIRA).  I have to put this on here because the heroine kicked ass. She has this unflappable spirit and isn’t Stuart’s usual kind of ‘pain filled’ woman. Sure, she needed a break and didn’t care for the path her life had taken but she was at least always trying to escape the hero. The hero in this was really ‘Cold As Ice’ and but you have to love seeing Stuart’s heroes crack.

 10. “Dark Journey” from Strangers in The Night (Anthology, Sep ’95, Silhouette). The very first Anne Stuart I ever read and the hero was Death. Really, do I need to say more?

11. One More Valentine (Jan ’93 & Feb ’05, HA #473).  Another short story that worked magic. The hero was killed in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre but he and those who died get to come back each year on the anniversary of their death. None of them know why they come back and don’t know where they go when the day is over. In the end, the hero falls in love and discovers it’s that that saves him. (Best Harlequin American, 1994 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award)

 12. The Soldier and The Baby (Feb ’95 HA #573).  I had a thing for romances in the ‘jungle’ and this one was outright crazy. Did I mention the heroine is a nun?

Read more from CindyS (a.k.a. CindyL) over at Nocturnal Wonderings.

Rosie, blogger and commenter par excellence, shares with us 12 books she’ll be panting for in 2008… 

12 Books Rosie Can’t Wait for in 2008

There’s a little bit of everything on my list. Paranormal starts the year off. There’s also contemporary, western and straight up historical on my list.

 1.  Tempted by Megan Hart (1 Jan 08, Spice)

 2. The Last Twilight (Dirk & Steele, Book 7) by Marjorie Liu (29 Jan 08, Leisure)

 3. Demon Night (The Guardians, Book 5) by Meljean Brook (5 Feb 08, Berkley)

4. Mine to Possess (Psy-Changelings, Book 4) by Nalini Singh (5 Feb 08, Berkley)

5. A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade (4 Mar 08, Berkley)

 6. Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (hardcover 25 Mar 08, St. Martin’s)

7. Demon’s Fire: A Tale of the Demon World by Emma Holly (sequel to Prince of Ice) (1 Apr 08, Berkley Trade)

 8. To Taste Temptation (Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 1) by Elizabeth Hoyt (1 May 08, Forever)  [Ed.: I LOVE this cover.]

9. Death Angel: A Novel by Linda Howard (hardcover 24 Jun 08, Ballantine)

10. Into the Fire (Troubleshooters, Book 13) (working title) by Suzanne Brockmann (hardcover 29 Jul 08, Ballantine)

11. Sam’s Creed (Hell’s Eight, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty (Jul ’08)

12. Caleb (The Shadow Wranglers, Book 1) – Sarah McCarty (Jan ’09)

Read more from Rosie at Nobody Asked Me.

After a brief hiatus to get some reviews and posts in, we’re back on the Duodecimal Train with this post from one of our favorite people, the incomparable Lisa Kleypas.

Don’t forget to check out Lisa’s new release:

and Seduce Me at Sunrise, coming 2008

Tis the season to eat chocolate, fa-la-la-la-la . . . oh, HELLO DEAR FRIENDS, and Happy Holidays!!! When asked by Sybil for my list of 12, I had think for a while, because . . . I like so many things. I am the least discriminating person you will ever meet. But as I was chowing on chocolate chip cookies to give me extra brain power, I realized . . . my contribution must of course be:

TWELVE WAYS TO ENJOY CHOCOLATE

Because there is just nothing bad about chocolate. It’s beneficial to your sex life and your mood. It’s medicine, really. We should all have LOTS of it. So I give you in no particular order:

1. Chocolate Body Frosting. Make your partner into dessert. It’s worth the calories. http://www.gourmetchocolate.com/

2. Bobbi Brown “Best of Chocolate” eye and lip kit. Pretty and wearable shades of chocolate. http://www.nordstrom.com/

3. Chocolate-colored Duffle Coat. Chocolate brown is the new black! It’s slimming but far less harsh than black. Everyone looks yummy in dark brown. http://www.talbots.com/

3. Laura Mercier “Chocolate Truffle” Candle. Mood lighting that smells good. http://www.lauramercier.com

4. Origins “Cocoa Therapy” Body Butter. Origins says this is deeply nourishing and gives you a feeling of euphoria. I’ll take two. http://www.origins.com/

5. Moonstruck Chocolate “Poinsetta Tingles”. Moonstruck chocolate provided chocolate goodies for the Academy Award baskets last year. They are the best chocolates you’ll ever taste. And really, how can you NOT want to try a candy called “Poinsetta Tingles?” Sounds like a really great romance about a girl named Poinsetta, doesn’t it? http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/

6. Chocolate themed Romance novels. I haven’t read either of these yet, but I know what I’ll be eating while I read them.

7. “Faith In Nature” Chocolate Shampoo. Because all that Chocolate Body Frosting might get in your hair. http://www.thinknatural.com/

8. Chocolate Pearls. Real pearls, the color of chocolate. Can it get any better? And these are only 53 dollars on http://www.overstock.com/!!!!

9. Land’s End Sugar-free English Butter Toffee chocolate-covered candies. The most amazing sugar-free candy I’ve ever tasted. And they only make it once a year, so buy up! http://www.landsend.com/

10. Nestle refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough. Why make it from scratch when you can buy something this good?

11. Stirrings Chocolate Martini. Let’s have a glass while we read our chocolate romances! http://www.greatcorks.com/

12. Chocolate Lab Puppy. Is there anything cuter? I think not.

So there are my chocolate suggestions, dears, and please feel free to share your chocolate related ideas as well! In fact, share a recipe if you’ve got a good one. We’ll all happily drown in endorphins!

Happy Holidays from Lisa!

12 things a girl should always tell herself

 1. The breakup is not your fault. It’s never your fault.  It’s always on the asshole who didn’t realize the good thing he had.

 2. You always need more shoes.

 3. Flirtation is ok because you don’t want those skills to get rusty.

 4. Eating chocolate when you’re PMS’ing is normal, your body needs it and it’s not empty calories.

 5. Cosmo, Glamour, etc., have marketing dollars and advertisers and that’s it. You don’t need to believe what they say about your body because they’re trying to sell you something.

 6. It’s not bitching if it’s to a good friend who’s there to listen.

 7. Boys (or men; though, are they ever really grown up enough to be called ‘men’?) lie. A lot.  All the time.  About stupid stuff.  Believe it.  Deal with it.  Move on.

 8. Having a career and being independent is what those crazy feminists wanted you to have.

 9. Dating rules are a must.

 10. It’s okay to wear that sexy underwear and paint your toenails just for yourself. Though, really, you never know who you might meet in the produce section…

 11. Mental Health Days now and then are a must. Or else you’ll loose your sanity.

 12. Did I mention something about never having too many shoes?

What words of wisdom do you think a girl should live by?

Jenna Petersen, author of LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN (coming June ’08) and SOMETHING RECKLESS (writing as Jess Michaels, coming April ’08), shares her “Brave List” with TGTBTU’s readers… 

 

12 Things I Hope I’m Brave Enough To Do in 2008

 12. Dress the Cat More Often. This year I bought our cat outfits. She doesn’t like them, but she sure looks cute. I have scars to prove the first thing. But pictures for the second. So next year I’m going to brave more pain and find more clothing for her. Because it makes me happy.

 11. Live in the Now! Authors have a strange life. We are forever writing books that aren’t coming out for a year and promoting and talking about books that we wrote a year or more ago. This leads me to always be looking back or looking forward in more and more of my ‘normal’ life, too. So this year I vow to be brave enough to live in this day. Whatever this day is.

 10. Get a Hobby. Every time I do an interview, I’m asked about my hobbies. And every time I answer that question I think, “I really need to get some hobbies.” So this year, I’m going to do it. Any suggestions? I can’t do knitting (it hurts my hands), but I’m open to all other suggestions.

 9. Be Exotic. After a year of travel in 2007, I decided that I’m going to be braver in where I go. This one I already have a little work done on. My husband and I are going to be going to China in March 2008! Which will mean I’ve got 3/7 continents down! One of my life goals is now to visit all of them. But while I’m in China, I also want to be exotic. So I hope I’m brave enough to eat what’s put in front of me, walk away from the group and ask questions.

 8. Fail at Cooking. I can cook, don’t get me wrong. I actually can put together a very nice dinner and great cookies and other treats. But I never try anything exotic and I doubt myself while reading recipes. So this year I vow to try new things when I cook. We’ll see if my husband survives it.

 7. Make Time for Me. This one is one we ALL can do. Especially us women. Why shouldn’t we be brave enough to do a little something for ourselves? Whether its take an extra hour of sleep or play hooky from work or take a bubble bath when we could be doing laundry. This year I’m going to do more things that are just about my pleasure. And I’m going to be brave enough not to feel guilty about it.

 6. Become Bendy. In 2007, I started taking pilates. In 2008, I vow to master the side plank. I will do the star pose and hold it. I will be brave enough to fall over in front of twenty people while I’m trying.

 5. Make Time for Everyone Else. You have to remember that writing is a solitary bit of business. There are actually times where I go days without any conversation (especially if my husband is traveling). So it’s become more and more of a brave thing for me to go out and meet new people and maybe do a little something for the world at large. So this year, I pledge to be brave enough to do all those things.

 4. Paint the Bedroom. Just like with cooking, I’m okay at decorating, but I’m so not Martha Stewart. This means for over five years, I have hemmed and hawed and put off doing anything with my bedroom, which is still blank white walls and a really old comforter and sort of…. meh furniture. So this year, I vow to be brave enough to take a risk and claim my space.

 3. Learn to Say No. And Yes. I vow to be brave enough to say I can’t fit something in. To not lock myself in my office and write for 12 hours every day. To say yes to my friends and my loved ones when I want to. And to say no when I can’t.

 2. Mismatch. This year I vow to wear pink cat socks with a green outfit. To wear funky shoes and new jewelry. To play with what I wear and let if reflect my mismatched little soul.

 1. Let Go. This is the hardest one. I want to be brave enough next year to let go of all the negative things. To stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. To stop stressing about the future. To just be.

So what do you want to be brave about next year? Any fears you plan to overcome?

Ann Christopher, author of the upcoming Sweeter than Revenge (coming 1 Jan 08) and all around beautiful person, shares 12 “squealers”… 

I know how this sounds, but I actually mean it in a GOOD way. Sometimes a book is working so well and my emotions are running so high as I read it that I just can’t stand it anymore. I have to put the book down, walk away for a minute, and try to catch my breath. Alternatively, I like to bury my head in the nearest pillow and just squeal.

Authors, you know what I’m talking about, right? If you’ve made a reader squeal in a good way, you’ve really done your job, the writer’s equivalent of a grand slam home run. You may as well pop open a bottle of champagne and toast your own brilliance.

So here’s my list, in no particular order. Some authors, you’ll note, make the list more than once. You might also notice that I am, ah, partial to the first consummation scene between lovers. But I swear that’s only because such scenes have so much innate emotional potential that, in the hands of the right author, they just explode to life.

12 Scenes That Made Me Put Down the Book

1. V and Jane Make Love for the First Time — J.R. Ward ’s LOVER UNBOUND (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5). Let’s just say that V isn’t quite able to suppress his need to dominate.

2. V Tells Butch How He Feels About Him — LOVER UNBOUND. I waited years for this moment.

3. Wrath and Beth Make Love for the First Time — J.R. Ward’s DARK LOVER (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1). This happened, as you probably know, within minutes of them meeting each other, and this was my first J.R. Ward book. I wasn’t prepared, I have to say.

4. Liam and Katherine Make Love for the First Time — Brenda Joyce’s THE GAME. The thing that really got me about this scene was that Katherine immediately regretted what she’d done and pushed Liam away. Ripped his heart (and mine!) out.

5. Liam and Katherine Make Love for the Second Time — THE GAME. This time Katherine has no regrets and no inhibitions. Need I say more?

6. Calder Confronts Francesca About Their Mutual Attraction — Brenda Joyce’s DEADLY DESIRE (Francesca Cahill Romance Novels). Up until then, Calder and Francesca had been good friends who periodically flirted a little. Now Calder totally calls Francesca on her attraction to him. Figuratively rips her bare. This is one of those moments where the alpha hero reveals himself to be every bit the wolf the heroine always suspected but never really saw/appreciated. Love it.

7. Calder and Francesca Almost Make Love — Brenda Joyce’s DEADLY series. Pick any one of the later installments.

8. Carlos Howls for Damali — L.A. Banks’ THE AWAKENING (The Vampire Huntress Legends, Book 2). Carlos, the newly-turned vamp, and Damali, the slayer, are sharing a, ah, tender moment when Carlos feels himself losing control and has to leave. But he can’t get far. So he stands outside the compound and sort of … I don’t know … howls for and telepathically communicates with Damali. The scene is WAY over-the-top (I love over-the-top!) and WAY intense.

9. Carlos and Damali Make Love for the First Time — L.A. Banks’ THE HUNTED (The Vampire Huntress Legends, Book 3). Talk about a scene worth waiting for. L.A. Banks really works it.

10. Ian and Elizabeth Make Love for the First Time — Judith McNaught’s ALMOST HEAVEN. This scene is so tender, emotional, and rich in sensorial detail that it just boggles the mind. Ah, to write like this. If only I could.

11. Maris Meets Parker for the First Time — Sandra Brown’s ENVY. There’s a little bit of a twist here that I can’t give away, but let’s just say that Parker is one of the most fascinating, complex heroes I’ve ever read.

12. Lilly’s Health Issues Reach a Climax — Sandra Brown’s CHILL FACTOR. I can’t even describe the power of this scene. Lilly and Ben are trapped in this mountain cabin together during an ice storm, Lilly’s asthma attack is getting worse by the second, and Lilly won’t let Ben, whom she suspects may be a killer, help her. I still shudder thinking about the emotional roller coaster Sandra Brown puts readers on here. Amazing.

So there it is. Twelve of my favorite scenes ever. What about you? Feel free to share your favorites, or to disagree with me. Happy holidays!

I hope you are enjoying the Daffy Dazes of Duodecimalness around The Good, The Bad and The Unread. Because there are a ton more.  And because it is amusing the hell out of us.

I wish I could say it was the holidays that sparked the idea. There is much said about the reader/author divide and I often think that is bullshit. It isn’t so much as we don’t get along, understand each other’s wants, or care about one another, as it is some people are just fucknuts.

Without readers, authors would have no one to buy their books and without authors we would have no books! Add in the editors, publicists, reviewers and just about anyone who calls publishing home or a hobby and you have one hell of a force.

No one can mock us without us allowing it, their opinion means nothing more than ours to them. No one needs to stamp “Approved” across a sexual fantasy regardless of if it is male or female. One person’s squick is another’s squee. Fiction doesn’t define us, we define our fiction.

And from here, romance is looking pretty grand. Is it the Holiday Spirit? Maybe… but I don’t think so. We can get our rant on, be too serious, be too fluffy, be too short, be late, be wrong, be silly, have too many events, but most of all we aim to just have much fun. I hope we amuse you too and if we don’t, the great thing is the community has someone who will.

Duodecimal (Gwen’s awesome title) was a 1am idea I had while…

yep, shopping for books….

I thought Harlequin has a swell idea, shook it up, and sent out an email. I sent to a very random mix of people, which sadly seems to have been spamed for some. I expected a decent response but nothing like what we got. Maybe it is because we are silly-fun, short-attention-spanned, distracted-by-the-shiny, avid readers with a love for the genre, and people like that.  Whatever the reason, authors and others, I thank you:

1. For being able to not take yourself so seriously you lose sight of the point of the genre – Happy Ever After.

2. For being willing to put so much work into events, sometimes on very short notice.

3. For loving Romance as much as we do.

4. For being willing to share your time – be it away from writing, work, school, or managing your home and kids.

5. For sharing your thoughts, opinions and views… making the reading experience that much more of a pleasure.

6. For loving the ducks as much as we do.

7. For checking out new authors, in new-to-you genres, and making the time and effort they put into guest author days, posts and contest informative, rewarding and fun.

8. For putting up with our changes in style, format, and being understanding while I try and figure out how the hell to fix the CPU SUSPEND thing.

9. For knowing a review of a book isn’t a review of you.

10. For understanding mocking is fun, there is no ‘art’ to snark, and that Heathers was a movie, not a blogger code.

11. For getting discussion doesn’t have to equal ‘blogwar.’

12. For reading romance and being damn proud of it (man titty and all) because all of the meanie/fangrrl/snarky/asskissing/bitter/happy/smartbitchy/avidduckies makes the romance community what it is and I am thrilled to have a small part of it.

An extra special feather in the cap for all the authors who were guests. I know I expect a ton of people, thank you for coming through again and again.

And to all the people who have helped with the blog, I can’t say thank you enough. The Good, The Bad and The Unread wouldn’t be what it is without you guys. I know I often say I get by with a little help from my friends… but I truly, truly mean it. ::sniff:: I love you, (wo)man.

This is totally a labor of love for me and we aren’t even gonna get into how much time I spend on this thing. But without Gwen, Lawson, Bev, Connie, Devon, Alicia, Sandy M, and all the others, TGTBTU wouldn’t be half as swell as it is.

So we hope you continue to enjoy the blog.

Now, back to the Duodecimally wonderful lists…

Caroline Linden, author of regency historicals including A Rake’s Guide to Seduction (coming June ’08), shares with us 12 books she’d like to see someone write…

 1. An erotic inspirational. RWA has been teasing me with this possibility in their new RITA guidelines, and yeah, I don’t think I’m the only one who’s curious.

 2. A western where the heroine goes west, checks out the cowboys, and then gets back on the train to Philly or NY or whatever eastern (read, CIVILIZED) city she came from.

3. A chick-lit novel that never once uses the words Prada, Manolo, or Ferragamo. Or even references shoes. They’re barefoot the whole time.

 4. Harry Potter 6.75, where Snape and Harry come face-to-face before Snape kicks it, and duke it out. (I am sure this happens in a great deal of fanfic, etc., thanks for not sending me links to it anyway.)

 5. A lawyer hero who doesn’t practice criminal law. C’mon, those real estate attorneys need love, too!

 6. A paranormal hero who isn’t the alpha leader of his pack/tribe/coven/pod/whatever. C’mon, the lesser immortals need love, too!

  7. A book where Suellen O’Hara finally gets—and keeps—a man of her own (and if she hits on Rhett along the way for revenge, I’m down with that, too).

 8. A book where Rick Blaine from Casablanca isn’t walking into the sunset with Capt. Renault at the end.

 9. The Red Stiletto Sisterhood (or the White Mirror Sisterhood or whatever it should be called). Aren’t there some kick-ass female vamps out there? Ann Christopher, I’m counting on you here…

 10. A romantic suspense villain who isn’t a serial killer.

 11. A totally accurate historical romance, complete with details of bathing procedures and habits, location and style of toileting facilities, prevalence of poverty, and high infant mortality.

 12. A tale of mad-hot elf love (follow the linkie).

Jaci Burton, a favorite author and blogger around here, shares 12 highlights from 2007…

Don’t forget to catch Jaci’s new release:

Riding Wild, coming 5 Feb 2008 

I was actually excited to be able to DO some reading this year, something I normally haven’t made much time for with my heinous writing schedule. But this year I vowed to read and read a lot more than I had been doing in prior years. And I was really successful at it.

Here are what I consider the highlights of some authors that, if you haven’t looked at, you really should.

Jaci’s 12 Author Highlights from 2007

1. Jackie Kessler. Wicked naughty and fun urban fantasy. Start with Hells Belles (Hell on Earth, Book 1). Jezebel is the funniest succubus I’ve encountered in years. Love her. I want to go shopping with Jezebel.

2. Richelle Mead. Succubus Blues (The Georgina Kincaid Series, Book 1) – another very funny, engaging urban fantasy about a succubus. Very different kind of story from Kessler’s Hells Belles, though. Try them both!

3. Meljean Brook. If you haven’t read her Guardians series yet, you’ve missed out on some of the best paranormal writing in years. Rich, lush, sink into a chair and get lost for hours, days, weeks. I want to be Meljean when I grow up.

4. Nalini Singh. Her Psy-Changeling series is wonderful. Wickedly smart, sensuous, with characters you fall in love with. I eagerly anticipate each installment of the series.

5. Colleen Gleason. The Gardella Vampire Chronicles – Historical and vampires. Buffy in the Regency period. Beautifully written, compelling storyline, and a heroine you come to love and she grows and changes from book to book. I love this series because it’s so unique.

6. Lara Adrian. Her Midnight Breed series is rich with romance and some of the sexiest men I’ve ever read. And her heroines equal the heroes in internal strength. Ignore the comparisons to J.R. Ward. Lara’s series is unique. I lose myself in each story and can’t put them down.

7. Sydney Croft. The writing duo of Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler have created a hot, sexy and compelling paranormal erotic romance series with a distinctive world and some of the most erotic love scenes I’ve ever read. Start with Riding The Storm (ACRO Series, Book 1). The second book in the series, Unleashing the Storm, releases Feb 26, 2008. You don’t want to miss this.

8. Kristan Higgins. Some of the best romantic comedy I’ve read in years! She has two books out, neither are connected stories. Titles are Fools Rush In and Catch of the Day. Funny, warmhearted and really feel good reads. You think contemporary romance is dead? It’s not. It’s alive and breathing and in these books.

9. J. D. Robb. Yeah. I’m only one of the last people on the planet to get started on her In Death series. (Okay, I think Sybil is too.). And it’s totally Angie’s fault that I started, since she’s been badgering me for two years to read this series. I finally caved because I hate being left out of anything. So far, three done, 900 to go. Slow down, Nora. I’m working at catching up! (These books freaking rock! But they’re killing my deadlines.)

10. Lora Leigh. Her Bound Hearts ménage series is my absolute favorite and I celebrated the return of it this year with Forbidden Pleasure (Bound Hearts, Book 8 ). Hot, sexy alpha men and the women who adore them. It’s like crack and I’m helpless to resist. Love love love this series and Lora is a master at writing erotic romance.

11. Harlequin/Silhouette Category books. Okay, so I’m generalizing. But Blaze, Presents, Desires, you name it. My deadlines are hell sometimes, and that means I need quick, short reads. Category rocks my world for this. I can sit down and read a book in a day or two. Love it! Love Harlequin for giving me this.

12. Julie Kenner. I’m cheating. I read her demon hunting soccer mom before this year, but I still love the series. Demons Are Forever: Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Book 3) released in 2007. Carpe Demon (Book 1) and California Demon (Book 2) came before it. Very funny Buffy-grows-up-gets-married-and-has-kids kind of storyline. One of my favorites and I drool for the next installment.

So readers, who tripped your trigger this year?

Those Bitches at Smart Bitches Trashy Books have shared with us their version of the 12 Days of Christmas.  Sing along, won’t you?

 

The Bitches’ 12 Days of Christmas

 On the first day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the second day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the third day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the fourth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

On the fifth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the sixth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

On the seventh day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
seven angsty vampires
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the eighth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
eight horny werewolves
seven angsty vampires
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the ninth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
nine pebbled nubbins
eight horny werewolves
seven angsty vampires
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the tenth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
ten rakes reforming
nine pebbled nubbins
eight horny werewolves
seven angsty vampires
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the eleventh day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
eleven scheming mamas
ten rakes reforming
nine pebbled nubbins
eight horny werewolves
seven angsty vampires
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

 On the twelfth day of Christmas my Smart Bitch sent to me…
twelve savage thunders
eleven scheming mamas
ten rakes reforming
nine pebbled nubbins
eight horny werewolves
seven angsty vampires
six virgin widows
fiiiiiiive spurts of seeeeeeed!
four throbbing swords
three naked dukes
two gentle rogues
and a well-oiled man-titty.

Okay, I cheated a little listing two or more books along the way. But they wouldn’t be here if they weren’t that good!

My Top 12 Paranormal Picks

	1. Kiss of the Highlander / The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning. The beginning of the MacKeltar family books. Drustan and Daegus are every romance-reading lady’s dream, plus the imagination of Moning is fabulous. And you have to read the two together. No ifs, ands, or buts about that.
	2. Outlander / A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon. If you haven’t read Jamie and Claire, you are definitely missing out. A sweeping epic, sure. But even the time travel is really secondary to the love story of the Frasers, and the rich history Gabaldon weaves throughout their story is an added bonus. Even though there are plenty of books in between these that are just as good and worth the read, these two give us our introduction to Jamie and Claire where we fall in love with them and the latest is the most emotionally fraught of the entire series.
	3. Lord of the Fading Lands / Lady of Light and Shadow by C.L. Wilson. Newcomer Wilson has hit the big time with her four-book series of the fey, mages, good vs. evil, and, of course, Rain Tairen Soul and Ellysetta Baristani, two lovers destined to save a race of huge cuddly cats that fly while fighting evil coming at them from every direction. These books never slow down one iota and once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop. The only downside is the next two books to finish the series will be out late next year.
	4. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard. A terrific time travel taking a modern day woman into the past to a Templar Knight of her dreams. Even though the hero and heroine spend much of the book apart, they are connected by dreams while trying to solve the mystery surrounding an ancient manuscript.
	5. Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. Follow the brothers through their fight with the lessers and watch them fall in love in the process. Alpha heroes to the max!
	6. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. Actually, the entire Psy-Changeling series belongs on this list. This introductory book is simply stupendous. Singh is right up there in the imagination realm with Moning. Be sure to have all the current books lined up ready to go because you won’t be able to stop at just one.
	7. The Smoke Thief / The Dream Thief by Shana Abé. Dragons! Nuff said.
	8. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night by Kresley Cole. No. 3 in her Immortals After Dark series and the best of the series so far. You do meet the characters from the first two books, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to read those first. But when you get to Bowen and Mari, you’ll have the time of your life in all their adventures and their love.
	9. Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith. First book in the The Brotherhood of Blood series. The other books are wonderful too, but this one just has more emotion, a more gripping story. Templar Knights turned vampire and after centuries each are finding their true loves and their lives for the first time since their “deaths.” Simply stellar.
	10. A Dance Through Time by Lynn Kurland. Any of Kurland’s books are worth the read, historical or paranormal, but this is her best. Laird Jamie McLeod is one to be feared, but all it takes is the right woman to bring him to heel and it’s done with love and humor. A Garden in the Rain is sort of a follow-up with Jamie’s brother Patrick as the hero.
	11. Fangs for the Memories / Fangs But No Fangs / I Only Have Fangs for You by Kathy Love. The Young Brothers were all turned into vampires at the same time. They’re now finding love amid mystery and evil and reuniting through that love after years apart. Great humor.
	12. In Death series by J.D. Robb (a.k.a. Nora Roberts). One book may be better than another, but it doesn’t matter if you have to get your fix of Roarke and Eve in futuristic New York. You better start now, though, because there’s 27 books and three anthology entries in the series to date!

We here in Romancelandia are complete series addicts. Once an author writes a well received book, her fans immediately start clamoring for more stories set in the same world. I think it would be correct to state that no two Romancelandians will ever have the exact same entries on their own Favorite Series list. 

Eclectic and fodder for debate, these are the series that leap to mind when I’m asked what my favorite reads are. The order I’ve listed them in is approximate as my preferences change based on my mood and what feels right at the time.

Bev(QB)’s All Time Favorite Book Series

1. Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Ballantine Books) This complex fantasy/urban fantasy showcases Hamilton’s unparalleled world building expertise. (see Review: A Lick of Frost)

2. Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. (Delacorte Press) I consider this fantasy/urban fantasy to be a master’s class in the use of first person POV. Brilliant.

3. Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Berkley) Hamilton is one of the godmothers of what is now referred to as urban fantasy. Unlike most long-running series, I’ve known people to jump in this one – at any point with no problems. I started at book 9, Obsidian Butterfly, then went back and read them all – several times.

4. The Cynsters, particularly the Bar Cynsters (books 1-6) by Stephanie Laurens. (Avon) The crème de la crème of Regency era historical romances. In fact, I consider book 1, Devil’s Bride, to be closer to perfection than any other romance I’ve ever read. Its only glaring flaw is that unfortunate back cover pic (roll over the original cover in the link to see it). What were they thinking?!

5. Skye O’Malley saga by Bertrice Small. (Ballantine Books) The life and loves of an extraordinary woman and her family during the reign of Elizabeth Tudor. To read a Bertrice Small book is to instantly and completely be absorbed into the rich tapestry of the tastes, sounds, sights and lives she weaves together.

6. Breeds series by Lora Leigh(Ellora’s Cave and Berkley). When someone says they are new to ebooks, I recommend they start with this series. No one writes sexual tension and characters consumed by unquenchable need better than Lora Leigh. The intense erotic scenes are woven into the story of a not-quite-human species as they overcome the horrors of their past, and begin a journey to understand themselves as a species and as individuals, while also striving to find love and acceptance.

7. The Highlanders series by Karen Marie Moning. (Jove and Dell) Although they were always a highly enjoyable auto-buy for me, it is the audio books (with Phil Gigante’s swoon-worthy narration) that earn this series a permanent place on my list. (see Aural Pleasures 103)

8. The World of Hetar by Bertrice Small. (HQN Books) In this epic fantasy, Ms Small has created a world that is in some ways recognizable, yet vastly different from our own. Without the constraint of historical fact, she allowed her muse free rein to create this lusty, sweeping saga.

9. Jarheads by Sean Michael. (Torquere and Fictionwise) Sean Michael has a unique voice. He doesn’t give us much physical description of his characters, but somehow paints an emotional picture. We get to know them through their words and actions and I get completely caught up in the lives of these lovable and loving men. Rigger, whom I adore, is the heart and soul of the series and someone I’d like to count as a good friend in real life. One caveat though – there were times when even I said, “Enough with the sex, already! Get on with the story!”

10. The Donovan series by Elizabeth Lowell. (Avon) Still tapping my foot waiting for the rest of this contemporary romantic suspense series – including a look back at the elder Donovan’s love story. You know, I do believe I’m overdue for a re-read!

11. Brothers in Arms by Samantha Kane(Ellora’s Cave). The newest addition to my list. The erotic scenes in these Regency period bisexual manage stories are written in exquisite, excruciatingly drawn out detail. And Kane manages to make each scene feel completely unique to each triad.

12. What series will someday claim this last spot on my list? Is it a series I’ve already started? Maybe Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series or Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. A Gentleman’s Wager by Madelynne Ellis is already on my single title favorites list, but with its upcoming sequels and spin-off, will it land on my series list, too? Or maybe my next favorite series is waiting out there for me to discover it. Maybe it’s not even been written yet and is being nurtured by a muse waiting to bestow it on some worthy author.

Read more from Bev at Cubie’s Confections.

Patrice Michelle, author of contemporary and paranormal novels, shares with us her “peanut butter” authors – you know what I’m talking about.  Authors who stick with you long after you finish the book.  Read on…  

And don’t forget to catch Patrice’s upcoming releases (unintentional rhyme):Â

Scions: Resurrection, January ’08
Scions: Insurrection, May ’08
Scions: Revelation, Fall ’08

Twelve Authors Whose Work Has Stayed With Me

1. Julie Garwood – For The Lion’s Lady.

2. Judith McNaught – For writing A Kingdom of Dreams, the book that inspired me to start writing.

3. Johanna Lindsey – For giving us great alpha heroes.

4. Christine Feehan – For showing me that well-written world building can make a vampire world and its society totally believable.

5. Linda Lael Miller – For my first introduction to sexy vampires.

6. Virginia Henley – For super hot love scenes.

7. Jude Deveraux – For making me cry, not once but three times, while reading Remembrance (great reincarnation story).

8. Linda Howard – For writing FABULOUS heroes, especially when we’re in those yummy males’ heads, and for giving us verra hot love scenes.

9. Patricia Briggs – For writing wonderful urban fantasy that sucks you right in and won’t let you go until the last page.

10. Marjorie M. Liu – For her fantastic voice that I can’t describe, other than to say, “Wow! Just read her and you’ll see.”

11. Stephanie Meyers – For reminding us just how sexy “almost” can be in Twilight.

12. Melissa Marr – For writing an awesome YA. I read Wicked Lovely in one sitting.