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I spent the weekend catching up on the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, and finished AMONG THE MAD and THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH. I just love that time period between the World Wars when there was so much change and social upheaval. It's sort of bittersweet since we know that the troubles of the second WW are on the horizon, but I still love it. Now I'm caught up for the new one that comes out in March.

Now I get back to romance and the new SEP is calling my name!

I just finished Sherryl Woods's Driftwood Cottage, which I liked. Today I'm skim rereading Lauren Willig's The Betrayal of the Blood Lily for a review. I'm not starting anything else until I get the new Hoyt and Freethy books tomorrow.

Manda, I'm eager to know what you think of the SEP.

EJ I loved it! Ted is so damn perfect with everybody else, only with Mag is he more "normal". It has the trademark SEP humor in and we see old characters...

I'm re-reading It had to be you by SEP. And started After the Kiss by Suzanne Enoch(and not licking it much) and Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James.

I'm giving up on The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. I'm just not in the mood for that kind of reading. I'm going to move onto some Katie Fforde.

I am halfway through Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. I started it before bed last night and I would have stayed up and finished it, except it was so late. I hope to finish it today.

Cindy, I have been meaning to start THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, but I haven't been in the mood for it either, even though I really liked the first book.

Kasey wrote: "Cindy, I have been meaning to start THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, but I haven't been in the mood for it either, even though I really liked the first book. "

I really liked the first two books, but I don't want to get in that dark place right now. And those books are definitely dark.

Finishing up a massive Vorkosigan reread inspired by Cryoburn and waiting for tomorrows books

Starting on The Stone Maiden by Susan King and The Candidates by Inara Scott.

I liked Inara Scott's book a lot,Okie. I jusy wish we didn't have to wait until next year for The Watchers.

I can't wait to start on it, Janga. I've been looking forward to reading it for a while now.

Speaking of Vorkosigan...I just found this on line about Lois Bujold's next book, from a recent interview with her. I imagine this will come out sometime in 2012 or 13. I can't wait.
"MJ: What’s next? Do you have anything underway?

LMB: I’m working on a series prequel, a sort of bon-bon for series fans (and me) starring Miles’s feckless cousin Ivan. The mode so far is comedy/romantic-suspense or something like that. It ran well last winter, stalled in the summer, was totally derailed by the extended CryoBurn promotional push, and has just undergone corrective surgery in an effort to get it to walk upright once more. We’ll see. No contract or deadline at present, to my immense relief. Some fans recorded the readings I did from Chapter One on the recent book tour, which are up on-line somewhere. No title or pub date yet, either.

Cindy, I completely understand....I am taking a break between the first one and the second one.

I finished Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. Kleypas amazing me that she can write such a compelling story in just over 200 pages. Up next, I am planning to readAs You Wish by Jackson Pearce, which is her first YA novel.

I finished SEP's CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE and loved it. Didn't replace any of my favorites, but was still a great read. I'm biased, though, I've yet to read a book by her I haven't loved.

I think the major complaints I've been reading are it's the same old same old and there were too many characters from the past books thrown in. Those 2 reasons are why I buy SEP. I know what I'm getting and I love re-visiting old friends.

I started HOW TO WOO A RELUCTANT LADY by Sabrina Jeffries and really like it so far. Then I counted at least 4 books I want to go out and actually purchase tomorrow. I rarely buy all the new releases when they come out but I won't be able to help myself tomorrow - lots of winners just waiting for me! LOL

I got halfway through CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE last night before I had to give up and go to sleep. Loving it so far. I love what she's doing with the differences between public perception and reality. Plus I've enjoyed seeing past characters.

Today's a good day: I should be getting new books from Eloisa AND Courtney Milan. Until the FedEx guy rings my doorbell, I'm reading RITA books and also eyeing Kate Noble's debut, Revealed. Have any of you read her books? I've heard nothing but good, so she's moved to the top of the TBR. (Until the FedEx guy rings my doorbell.)

I haven't really been in a reading mood lately. I usually read 3-4 books a week, but I'm lucky to get one in... I must be sick!

I'm just starting Marliss Melton's SHOW NO FEAR.

Just read The Demon Bride by Jo Beverley. A little bizarre ...
And I read Scandal of the Year by Gurhke. She handles the nature of divorce at the beginning of the 20 th century beautifully. And the hero is great. I wasn't as taken by the heroine...but she made it work.

Okay just finished CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE. I loved it. It was funny and sweet and I really felt like Teddy and Meg were perfect for each other. I think this might even be my favorite SEP now.

Theresa wrote: "Today's a good day: I should be getting new books from Eloisa AND Courtney Milan. Until the FedEx guy rings my doorbell, I'm reading RITA books and also eyeing Kate Noble's debut, Revealed. Have..."

Theresa, I *love* Kate Noble's writing! Her last book, THE SUMMER OF YOU, made my "Best of 2010" list. The third book in the series, FOLLOW MY LEAD, comes out May 3rd.

Monica wrote: "I haven't really been in a reading mood lately. I usually read 3-4 books a week, but I'm lucky to get one in... I must be sick!

I'm just starting Marliss Melton's SHOW NO FEAR."

I've had that problem lately too, Monica. It's called "work." lol! I've been working on the same book for two weeks now. Just not enough hours!

Manda wrote: "Okay just finished CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE. I loved it. It was funny and sweet and I really felt like Teddy and Meg were perfect for each other. I think this might even be my favorite SEP now."

I have it on my tbr with high hopes of starting this weekend!

Finally taking the Karina Bliss plunge. Starting "Here Comes the Groom" as soon as I finish writing a review that's due tonight. :)

Hmmm, PJ... you may be onto something! Lol! It could be related to work. We just changed from a private practice to now being "owned" by a one of the local hospital systems, and it has been CRAZY CRAZY for the last two months. *sigh* :-)

I'm an SEP fan, but the reviews that complained about repetiveness made me question whether I wanted to pay hardback prices or wait for the pb release next year. The praise from Manda and Irish, both trusted sources for reading recs, persuaded me not to wait.

Janga wrote: "I'm an SEP fan, but the reviews that complained about repetiveness made me question whether I wanted to pay hardback prices or wait for the pb release next year.

You know, I read all six pages of the thread on AAR about it, and I came to the conclusion (which is nothing new) that no two people read the same book. Even when they are literally reading the same book.

Janga, I'm glad you aren't waiting because I'm curious about what your thoughts will be on this one.

Also, after the fact I learned that there actually is a URL for
Very cute:)

This weekend I'm starting on Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block, and The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card.

I'm rereading favorites from the year for the AAR poll and realizing there are not enough categories. I need a best journey of self discovery for Wicked Becomes You and Best historical about everyday people for Marrying the Royal Marine and best fairytale for A Kiss At Midnight and Best Return of Favorite characters for Last nights Scandal and Best Reuniting of Separated couple for Barely a Lady.....they don't fit any
of the given categories.

EJFan wrote: "Kasey wrote: ...I think the major complaints I've been reading are it's the same old same old and there were too many characters from the past books thrown in. Those 2 reasons are why I buy SEP. I ..."

Hey, EJFan, that was me, not Kasey, regarding SEP's CMI :) I do think that SEP can be repetitive when it comes to using the same romantic tropes in her books. The thing is, though, I love her characters and the way she writes. I also happen to be addicted to series so visiting old favorites is a bonus to me.

So, I guess if those sort of things bother you then this may not be a book you'll love. But if it doesn't matter than don't listen to the negative comments.

Janga - I borrowed mine from the library! I always buy the paperback, but try to get the hardcovers from the library just to get my first read in ASAP :)

Irish, your library must have a better romance collection than mine does. It's rare to find a newly released romance there, and I can't use the state-wide hold system for books that have a waiting list in the library that owns the book. So if it's something I really want to read, I give in and buy the hardback.

Janga wrote: "Irish, your library must have a better romance collection than mine does. It's rare to find a newly released romance there, and I can't use the state-wide hold system for books that have a waiting ..."

I do think my whole library system is pretty remarkable, Janga. I always put hardcover books on hold a month or two before their release date and I usually always get them either on release day or within that week. I know I'm pretty lucky.

I hope you enjoy the SEP, I'd feel bad if you spent all that money on it and didn't like it! Maybe you could get it from Sam's Club, Costco or Amazon. Sometimes they have them for 25-50% off.

Irisheyes wrote: "EJFan wrote: "Kasey wrote: ...I think the major complaints I've been reading are it's the same old same old and there were too many characters from the past books thrown in. Those 2 reasons are why..."

Yeah, sorry it wasn't me. I actually haven't read any SEP books yet, but I did recently order a few of hers online, so hopefully I will get around to reading them soon!

Kasey wrote: "Irisheyes wrote: "EJFan wrote: "Kasey wrote: ...I think the major complaints I've been reading are it's the same old same old and there were too many characters from the past books thrown in. Those..."

I'm jealous. You've got a lot of good reading ahead of you :)