Holiday Reading
Reading has been one of my passions since my first library book. As a kid, “Just let me finish this chapter!” was a continual thorn in my mom’s side Saturday mornings when she needed me to help with household chores. Of course, you know what happened, right? At the end of that chapter, there was a hook and I’d have to start the next, and so on until I finished the book. Good thing I’m a fast reader or my mom would probably have grabbed the book and whopped me up the side of the head with it. Well, no, she wouldn’t have done that, but who would have blamed her if she had? That’s how Saturday mornings went from the time I was exposed to a library in the fourth grade until I started working a part-time job that tied up my Saturdays.
You can understand, then, that even though the holidays are hectic, nothing keeps an avid reader like me from indulging in a good book. This year is no exception. It’s hard not to dig into books as I acquire them, but I’m saving a few to pamper myself during hectic holidays preparations. Here’s what I’ve lined up for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas:
IT’S MAGIC is a paranormal contemporary romantic tale by Daryn Cross about Maxwell Magic, Santa’s identity in the off season. Daryn is a friend whose writing is especially well done. I imagine her story holds fun surprises for the reader. I purchased it through Amazon for my Kindle.
MISTLETOE EVERYWHERE by Linda Banche is a humorous Regency romance about a man so in love he sees mistletoe everywhere. Linda’s previous Regency story, PUMPKINNAPPER, was filled with fun. These two are only available in e-download and I bought mine through The Wild Rose Press.
FIRST LOVE COOKIE CLUB by Lori Wilde is the first of Lori’s books to make the NYTimes Bestseller List. Lori is a nice person who mentors less experienced authors, teaches tons of classes, and still finds time to write great books. Wearing her other professional hat of registered nurse, Lori volunteers as a rape crisis counselor at her local shelter for abused women and children. Don’t you love it when a good author is also a compassionate person?
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, by Jodi Thomas, is the next of her Harmony Books. Reagan Truman, introduced in WELCOME TO HARMONY, gets her own story in this book. I love Jodi’s books, whether they’re contemporary or western romances or suspense, and I read whatever she publishes.
HIS CONQUEST, by Diana Cosby, continues her MacGruder brothers saga with Seathan’s story. Diana is a long time friend who is just too compassionate and kind to be human, yet she is. Not only does she tithe a portion of her royalties to the Scottish National Trust, but she is active in so many community outreach activities it would be impossible to list them all here. My favorite is the work she does with Habitat for Humanity. Not only is Diana a super nice person, she writes a terrific tale that reminds me of Julie Garwood’s medieval romances—which is a big compliment from me. My copy of this book came from Amazon, but Kensington is the publisher.
Hopefully I’ll receive more novels for gifts—not that I’ve dropped any hints. LOL Ahem, In case my family missed them, Jayne Ann Krentz has a new book! CAUGHT BY A CLOWN, by my friend and plotting partner, Sandra Crowley, will be released January 21st, so I have to finish my TBR pile before then. Whoever said “So many books, so little time” was correct! And wouldn’t a big fat Amazon gift card make my Christmas merry and bright? Sure it would!
A couple of (modestly said LOL) terrific books for YOUR holiday reading are OUT OF THE BLUE, my contemporary time travel romantic suspense, and THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, my western historical romance set in 1885 Texas. Both are from The Wild Rose Press and the buy link is http://www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html. They’re available in print or e-book from that link, and also from Amazon, Digi-Books, and the usual online sources. To tempt you, here are the blurbs.
Blurb from OUT OF THE BLUE:
Deirdre Dougherty never cursed at anyone, much less put a curse on the potato crop of her remote Irish village. She’d rather take her chances with the Atlantic lapping at the bottom of the cliff than the mob intent on burning her as they have her cottage. Deirdre leaps . . . and plops down over 160 years later in a Texas lake. She doesn’t understand how she’s ended up with the man from her recent visions or why he has the same name as the saint to whom she prayed. She’s in danger of falling for the handsome policeman who rescued her, in spite of the fact that he thinks she’s lying to him. How can she convince him her story is true when she’s finding it difficult to believe the tale herself?
Police Detective Brendan Hunter wants answers. Who shot him and killed his partner? Why? And why does Deirdre know details of the event? Her story has to be a colossal fabrication or else she’s a beautiful psycho. Either way, he wants her gone before he becomes even more fascinated with her. But he can’t let her out of his sight until she confesses to how she learned details no one but he and his late partner knew.
Blurb from THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE:
Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.
Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives crazy.
Thanks, Rachel, for having me as your guest today on or our Christmas blog tour. I hope everyone will hurry to my blogsite at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com and see what Amy Corwin has to say about this subject. Remember to leave a comment to be entered in our prize drawing at the end of the blog tour. Good stuff free is always nice!
If you live in the United States, have a great Thanksgiving! Otherwise, have a great week
Great post, Caroline! Over to you guys, we're waiting to hear about your holiday reading - and don't forget the end of tour contest...
I had to laugh reading about your mother's response to your "just to the end of this chapter", Caroline. I still use those words, and I still can't stop reading. I was lucky that my mother is just as avid a reader as I am - I probably learned it from her to start with!
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline, I was the same way about reading when I was a kid. And I haven't changed! Nice to know I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for mentioning my MISTLETOE EVERYWHERE.
I enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteDay 2, people, Day 2 - Yay!!!
ReplyDeletex
Romy, I learned my love of reading from my dad. At the time, my mom thought reading was bad for your eyes, and the fact I wore glasses verified the fact for her. It was only later in life she became a constant reader.
ReplyDeleteLinda and Liz, thanks for stopping by.
Rachel, thanks for having me on your blog Now, I have to go read. LOL
Great list! My TBR pile is getting bigger!
ReplyDeleteMy father thought reading was a waste of time, but my mother set her foot down and let me read anything I chose. She is the reason I am an avid reader today and am now a fan of The Wild Rose Press and the authors that contribute their books and their blogs.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
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