December 20, 2006 • Print This Post
[Note: If you read my entries here or on my blog or at Access Romance, you know that I try to keep blog entries upbeat. Life can be hard enough, right? Blog hopping should be informative and fun and interesting, even a bit provocative sometimes. But - you knew a "but" was coming - sometimes blogs need to be a bit serious too. Stick with me. There's a hopeful part, I think, but the getting there isn't so happy this time around. Sorry.]
Writing a book isn’t brain surgery. That’s not to say it’s easy or unimportant. It’s not even a little easy. While it’s not life or death, it can be meaningful. Some sad news over the last week helped to drive home that point. Reminders that, in the time of holiday celebration, there’s unhappiness out there. And, a small reminder about the power of words and the joy of escaping into a book.
[Note: Here is the sad part...]
First, my great uncle died. He was in his 80s and ill. It was one of those “for the best” situations to everyone but his wife of approximately 50 years. No words can ease her pain. Next, Brava editor Kate Duffy’s uncle, actor Peter Boyle (most recently known as the grandfather on Everybody Loves Raymond), died. Then yesterday, in a particularly harsh blow, fellow romance writer Ellen Fisher disclosed that her husband (who is all of thirty-nine and a father of four young kids) is very ill.
[Note: This part includes some uplifting stuff...]
I happened to talk with Kate Duffy shortly after her uncle’s death. She commented that in times like these she was happy to work in fiction. That sad times made her appreciate great writing, strong sexy romances and guaranteed happy endings. Really, how cool is she?
Likewise, when I asked Ellen what we could do to help, she joked that we should all continue to write great books for her to read so she could pick them up and forget her troubles for a short time. It was one of those comments that made me want to send her 1,000 books. What an amazing thing that during such a hard time she could find some comfort in a great read. Seems like such a small thing, yet it’s so huge.
[Note: This is the part where you can help...]
Ellen’s request for great reads is little enough to ask. I want to send her some. Question is, which reads to send? This is where you guys come in. I know it’s holiday time and busy and all that, but if you recommend some great romance reads for me to send her (remember, the goal is to help her escape and bring her comfort), I’ll pick three books from your comments and send you your choice of WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS or VIVA LAS BAD BOYS! as a thank you.
And, if you can keep these folks and their families in your thoughts during these difficult times, well, that would be great as well.
Posted by HelenKay Dimon @ 5:20 am • Filed under: HelenKay Dimon
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How wonderful you are for doing this. I already have both books, so I will pass on the contest. Here are a few recs:
“Lord of Scoundrels” by Loretta Chase: the passionate banter between the h/h will keep the pages flying
The Stephanie Plum series by Evanovich - light and fun and sexy.
“Much Ado About You” and “Kiss Me Annabell” by Eloisa James - good old-fashioned romances
“Mr. Perfect” by Linda Howard - hot, sexy and laugh-out-loud funny
“Pregnancy Test” & “Mouth to Mouth” by Erin McCarthy, or any of her books really. Fun, sexy reading.
“Undead & Unwed” by MaryJanice Davidson - one of the few laugh-out-loud books I’ve read recently.
“Dreaming of You” and “Where Dreams Begin” by Lisa Kleypas - achingly romantic
Hope these help
Prayers to Ellen & her family.
I’ve gone through my favorites and weeded out anything that might bring a sad thought. I ended up with SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE by Elizabeth Boyle. My prayers are with Ellen.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Kate and Ellen and everyone else going through hard times during this holiday season.
Some books I would recommend:
Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
The Real Deal by Lucy Monroe
The Big Bad Wolf Tells All by Donna Kauffman
Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis
She Drives Me Crazy & She’s Got The Look by Leslie Kelly
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
You, your great aunt, Kate and Ellen are in my thoughts and prayers.
that is great
asking for trouble by leslie kelly
here comes trouble by leslie kelly
after hours by vicki thompson
heriess for hire by erin mccarthy
great books.
{{{HUGS}}} to all. I just read Santa,Baby last night - loved it!
Hugs to everyone! My thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
Books are great comfort…when I lost my grandfather last New Year’s Eve, I escaped with books. Books have also helped me through my own illnesses.
Here are some recommendations…okay a lot of recommendations:
Any of Erin McCarthy’s books…”The Pregnancy Test” is a fave of mine.
Any of Julia Quinn’s books…”Brighter than the Sun” is a fave of mine.
Any of Sandy Blair’s books (historicals with touches of paranormal)
Any of Julie Garwood’s books
“Bad Boys in Kilts” by Donna Kauffman
“The Naked Duke” by Sally MacKenzie
“Love is all You Need” by Lori Devoti
“Ready”, “Willing”, and “And Able” (a trilogy) by Lucy Monroe (one of my fave trilogies)
“Lasso the Moon” by Beth Ciotta
“Master of Pleasure” or “Master of Desire” by Jessica Trapp
“Seducing Simon” by Maya Banks
“The Words of the Pitcher” by Kei Swanson
A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson
The Prize by Julie Garwood
Bad Boys in Kilts by Donna Kauffman
Hugs and prayers sent to all involved!
HelenKay,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your great aunt, Kate, and Ellen. With Ellen, I know it must be difficult beyond words. I think what you are doing is a wonderful gesture to a friend. I assume she has your books, so I would send her:
Ain’t She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
all of The Wallflower Series by Lisa Kleypas (although if I chose just one it would be Devil in Winter)
Out of This World by Jill Shalvis
Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter
The Comeback Kiss by Lani Diane Rich
Bad Boys Ahoy by Sylvia Day
Sleeping With Beauty by Donna Kauffman
I think the old classics Pride and Prejudice or Wuthering Heights are perfect romances for the holidays. With hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire. Heaven
I am so sorry for all of you at this time of the year. My best to you.
I suggest any Debbie Macomber books, they are great.
The Shop on Blossom Street
Christmas Letters
any of the Cedar Cove Series
Hot Dish by Connie Brockway.
My heart goes out to all who are hurting, especially at this supposedly happiest time of the year. But it’s wonderful to think how comforting a good book can be. That’s a big part of why I read and why I turned to writing as well. Nice to know you’re not alone on the path.
For comfort reads, I’d suggest:
anything by Jill Shalvis, but Get a Clue is so warm and hysterical, it’s a personal fave.
Jenny Crusie, again they’re all good, but I have a soft spot for Anyone But You. How can you not love a book featuring a morose basset hound with a fondness for oreoes and red lingerie? Bet Me and Faking It are great, too.
Gabaldon and Moning always read almost painfully slowly to me, but the lush writing and complexity of character and plot are good for getting totally immersed in a story.
Big hugs to all!
I would recommend Fox River by Emilie Richards and Confessions of a Viscount by Shirley Karr.
My condolences to all of them and their familys
Colter’s Woman Maya Banks
Stone Maiden Tina Gerow
Sexual Rx Kassie Burns
Taking The Cake Kate Davies
JR Wards series Lora Leighs Breeds Series
Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie, it’s about strong women.
Out of this World by Jill Shalvis, hysterically funny, also Get a Clue by Jill as well, it’s LOL funny.
ANY of Lucy Monroe’s books, they just touch your heart.
Janet Evanovich’s books, especially the Stephanie Plum books, but all are pretty entertaining.
I am so sorry to hear of all these unfortunate problems during a season that is supposed to be joyous and uplifting. Please extend my heartfelt wishes for peace for all families involved.
My heart goes out to these families at this time. Some recommendations I would have are:
Pregnancy Test and You Don’t Know Jack by Erin McCarthy
Dianne Castell’s - O’Fallon trilogy, Till There Was U, The Way U Look Tonight, I’ll Be Seeing U
Texas Bad Boys anthology with Rosemary Laurey, Karen Kelley and Dianne Castell
A Very Merry Christmas anthology with Lori Foster, Gemma Bruce and Janice Maynard
“Get A Clue” is a fun romantic comedy
“Get A Clue” by Jill Shalvis is a fun romantic comedy
Helen, I will definitely keep these folks in my thoughts. And I love to make recommendations as many of you probably have heard me say so many times so here are some:
Linda Howard - Sarah’s Childs
Jill Marie Landis - Heartbreak Hotel
Marilyn Pappano - any from her Bethelehem Series - Father To be is one
Susan Mallery - The Sparkling One, The Seductive One and The Sassy One, Delicious, Irresistible
Maureen Child - Finding You, Knowing You and Loving You
Deirdre Martin’s Hockey Series - Fair Play, etc.
Susan Eliz. Phillips - Kiss An Angel
Catherine Anderson - Summer Breeze (anything by her is great)
Kathleen Korbel - A Rose for Maggie
Barbara Delinsky’s Three Wishes, and her Dream Trilogy - The Dream Continues etc.
Anything by Rachel Gibson or
Erin McCarthy - The Pregnancy Test
JoAnn Ross - Callahan Brothers Trilogy - Blue Bayou, etc.
Kathy Love - Stepp Sisters Trilogy - Wanting What You Get, etc.
Jill Shalvis - Get a Clue, Her Sexiest Mistake
Donna Kauffman - Bad Boys In Kilts
Lori Foster - Murphy’s Law
Carly Phillips “Hot Zone” Books - Hot Item, etc.
Pink Moon - Stef Ann Holm
The Nerd Who Loved Me - Vicki Lewis Thompson
Hope you can find some winners here.
I am keeping you all in my prayers at this difficult time. Here is a list of some books I would recommend. My best recommendations for a laughing, joyful, romantic time would be,
Jennifer Crusie’s “Getting Rid of Bradley”,funny as can be!
Vicki Lewis Thompson’s “Nerd” books, romance/suspense/laughter a rolled into one!
Sophie Kinsella’s “Confessions of a Shopaholic” This first book was a riot!
Julie E. Leto’s, “Insatiable” fantastic romance book!
Valerie Frankel’s “Smart vs Pretty” a good chic lit with romance in it.
Carly Phillip’s, the Chandler brothers series, “The Playboy”, “The Heartbreaker” and “The Bachelor”,funny and romantic!They were so good I couldn’t stop reading them!
Jill Shalvis, “Out of this World” Love all her books but this one is my favorite.
Debbie Macomber has a wonderful series of “Angel” books, “Touched by Angels”, “A Season of Angels”,etc. that you might like to try. They are very comforting and funny.
Hope some of these might help and comfort you all.
I’m sorry for everybody’s loss, which I’m sure is especially hard during this holiday season when families gather together. HelenKay you are a good friend to turn to during such a time.
Undone by Carly Phillips
Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Bewitching by Jill Barnett
Any of Erin McCarthy Books
Mary Janice Davidson’s Undead and Unwed
Viki Lewis Thompson’s Nerd Gone Wild
My prayers are with those during such a difficult time.
Any Lindsay Sands book- great humor
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. Great heroes and heroines
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Ellen, Kate and all people who are going through difficult times.
I guess she wants to read something that is more on the funny side, so here are my recommendations.
Any books by Erin McCarthy, Deirdre Martin, Susan Mallery, Christina Dodd, Suzanne Enoch
Dianne Castell’s O’Fallon series
Lynsay Sands, Vampires
Great reads are
Anything by Lora Leigh-start with Elizabeth’s wolf
Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
anything by Shannon McKenna
anything by Sarah McCarty
anything by Marjorie Liu
did u pick a winner>
Kim - I’ll pick after the holiday.
Thanks to everyone for all of the great suggestions - those posted here and those emailed to me. Also, special thanks for the kind words for Ellen and the families dealing with these tough days. You are all very sweet.
Happy Holidays!
We have winners! It’s also clear we have quite a few Jill Shalvis fans here. Good job Jill
The winners (please email me at helenkay@helenkaydimon.com) are:
-Liz Denler - Liz, I had to look up some of the books you mentioned, so thanks for showing me some new authors.
-Brandy - Several folks suggested Shalvis books, so I did a random pick from all of you - Brandy won.
-Jennifer L - All great picks.
Thanks to all of you. The suggestions were perfect and actually made me want to pick up a few favorite reads, settle in and enjoy.
wt g winnters
Congrats Liz, Brandy & Jennifer!