SBTB/DA Bestsellers: 20-27 December 2011

Bitchin' Blog Posts

by SB Sarah | January 01, 2012 | Sunday at 10:06 am | 30 Comments

Happy New Year! I hope those of you with the extra day off tomorrow have lots and lots of time to read. That's my plan.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to schedule DEAR time for myself on days when I know I am going to be busy. For some reason, this past December was chock-full of crazybusytime, and judging from your tweets, FB and email it was probably true for you, too.

So let's read more, shall we? MORE ROMANCE FOR ALL. Heh.

Here's this week's Top 10 List, culled from our finest meats, cheeses, and affiliate codes!

Devil's Bride with Bonus Materials by Stephanie Laurens [ Kindle | BN & nook | Kobo | WORD Brooklyn ]
Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare [Amazon | BN | WORD Brooklyn]
A Duke of Her Own (Avon Historical Romance) by Eloisa James [Amazon | BN | Kobo | WORD Brooklyn]
The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham) by Julia Quinn [Amazon | BN | Kobo | AllRomance | WORD Brooklyn] ( SB Grade: B)
Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt [Amazon | BN | Kobo | WORD Brooklyn]
Entwined by Heather Dixon [Amazon | BN | Kobo | WORD Brooklyn]
Making Waves by Tawna Fenske [Amazon | Kobo | BN ] (SB Grade: B)
A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant [Amazon | BN | Kobo | AllRomance | WORD Brooklyn]
A Seduction at Christmas (Scandals and Seductions) by Cathy Maxwell [ Amazon | Kobo | BN ]
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione [ Amazon | BN]

So, what are you reading this weekend? I have three books in progress, which is so not like me, though one of them is a cookbook. (It's called Don't Panic: Dinner's in the Freezer, and it's about having one huge cooking morning wherein you make a crapton of meals to put in the freezer, then you thaw and cook on weeknights. So far, I am intrigued but haven't tried any of the recipes today.)

What's on your reading list today? And are you reading any cookbooks (or am I the only one who reads cookbooks -- gosh I hope not)?

Filed: General Bitching, SBTB/DA Bestsellers

Tagged: romance, dearauthor, cooking, bestseller list, awesomesauce

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Posted by Aurana Books on 2012-03-01 02:38:41 I read "A Lady Awakened" -- I was one of those lucky folks who got an ARC of it from LibraryThing back in early December. It was good fun, and I did enjoy the fact that the doofus of a hero grew up and became interested in something besides drinking, cards, and chasing the skirts of as many "careful courtesans and decent adulterous wives" as possible (am I the only one tired of the hero being a man whore before meeting the heroine but never catching any form of VD?).
Posted by Heather on 2012-01-05 18:54:05 Hi everyone, I am new to this :)
I just started reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's "The Guardian". I think I have burned myself out on her books though. I will call my library tomorrow and request "The Lady Awakened".
As for cook books...I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinets when I came across two of my moms old cook books. She collected a ton of them and when she passed away a few years back my brother the chef inherited what I thought was all of them.
These two were tucked way up and back in the cabinet. Both are missing the covers but I believe one is a Better homes and gardens cook book and the other is a collection of recipes from the locals on Maui. Hawaii and my mom made notes on some of the recipes like "this is a good one" and I actually remember eating those :)
Posted by Cathyrojas520 on 2012-01-05 02:39:43 So I bought the Don't Panic book because it looked so enticing on amazon, and it just arrived and looks...ghastly. It's all faux polynesian and mexican in a way that I thought died out in the 50s. Along with canned vegetables (making a soup with canned vegetables and then freezing it?! or put some canned mushrooms and cream cheese in boneless, skinless chicken breasts and wrap it with refrigerated crescent rolls?!). But it was published this century. The bio says all the women involved are active in their churches. Is this one of those weird pleasure-is-perversion things? I guess I should try some recipes to be sure, but they all seem like such bad ideas. Life is too short for bad food even if it's nutritious, and these don't even look particularly healthy.
I guess I'm going to read a Crusie novel, and panic as usual when it's time for dinner.
Posted by kkw on 2012-01-04 17:17:54 @ cleo - Enjoy, I've liked most of her books I've read. I'd suggest An Accidental Goddess next. :)
Posted by Shel on 2012-01-03 02:43:25 Just finished The Lady Awakened. Reminded me of Rupert in Mr Impossible in the hero's charming character development. The author's voice was like Joanna Bourne's, unique and different and good quality writing. Left room for the reader's imagination. She's on my autobuy list now. Next one out midyear. Highly recommended.
Next up from my TBR pile: The Discovery of Witches, and The Night Circus.
Posted by rooruu on 2012-01-02 23:14:09 I'm so looking forward to A Lady Awakened, the verdict on it seems to be unanimous. But right I'm reading Julianne MacLean's "The Mistress Diaries" and Grace Burrowes "The Soldier" which is the 2nd in a series about 3 brothers, and will probably follow it with "Unclaimed", another 2nd in a series about 3 brothers. Right now it's a tossup which of these sets of siblings I adore more.
Posted by Karin on 2012-01-02 21:41:37 RE: Moneyball - When my son first started playing "competitive" baseball (at 12) he got dropped by his team and was recruited by another coach. This particular coach was a fan of sabermetrics (similar to Billy Beane). This team was comprised of players who were dropped by their select teams, were misfits, or just wanted the opportunity to play competitive ball. This team went from a 2-13 season as 12 years to winning the state championship at age 14! My son was recruited to play collegiate baseball but realized he was never going to be a major league player so is now focused on finishing his econ degree. Being a SF Giants fan, I'm not an A's fan but admire what Billy Beane has accomplished.

As for reading - I'm discovering my kindle fire is smarter than I am so it's been bit of a trial. That whole thing about every book being in the carousal totally 'eeked' me out.

Happy to report I picked up the lastest Nora Roberts today so that's next on the TBR pile.
Posted by dharma on 2012-01-02 14:05:49 I just finished A Lady Awakened and soooo enjoyed it. It's great when the chemistry isn't all hot-bod, animal pheremone pre-destined and sweaty, but grows with the maturation of the characters, especially the hero. Sex is a lot hotter with a grown up! Cecilia Grant has a unique voice. I look forward to more.
Posted by Cecily Horton on 2012-01-01 23:51:07 Just read the latest Markhat book by Frank Tuttle - The Broken Bell:
http://store.samhainpublishing...

I've adored this series and this is the most romantic of the lot.
Posted by Ann Somerville on 2012-01-01 23:19:40 Instead of cooking, I've been losing myself in A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES (Harkness). Can't believe I'm just now picking this one up. It's marvelous.

"When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy..."

I thought I was done with hot vampires, but Matthew Clairmont has made me reverse that position. He's the big yum.
Posted by Jessica (JB) Hunt on 2012-01-01 23:15:46 I'm reading 2 books right now: EIKAL and Secrets of the Heart by Candace Camp.
Posted by Elizabeth Gunther on 2012-01-01 22:57:44 I'm slowly working my way through my huge tbr pile of sale e-books I acquired last month. I started the new Eloisa James but I put it down after a chapter (not sure if it was the book or my mood - I like EJ but have to be in the right mood for her) and picked up Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair and it is SO GOOD. I don't remember if I heard about it here or at DearAuthor or both, but I'm really riveted.
Posted by cleo on 2012-01-01 22:29:59 I've just finished Tell Me Lies at the end of a long Jennifer Crusie streak, not one of her best, so I'm taking a break and looking around for the next thing to read. I'm about to start A Lady Awakened, and I'm hoping it's as good as everyone says!
I love cook books for reading as well as cooking.
I got Tartine Bread for Christmas. I've made one recipe from it (the pate, not one of the bread recipes). The rest is more a fascinating description a monomania. (I used to make sourdough when we lived in England and couldn't get good bread, but now we live in Melbourne and the bread is fantastic. I dream of other things than natural levain now!)
Posted by FairyKat on 2012-01-01 21:12:42 I'm reading Secrets of a Summer Night, the 1st in Lisa Kleypas's Wallflowers series.

For cookbooks, I love One Big Table which collects recipes from hone cooks across the US. Really shows the cultural diversity of our country.
Posted by DBChen on 2012-01-01 16:27:01 I'm reading Bewitching by Jill Barnett. Only a 100 pages in we'll see.

I love reading cookbooks cover to cover. LOVE it. And cooking magazines.
Posted by Cakes on 2012-01-01 15:59:03 I started the Adrian English mystery series by Josh Lanyon just after Christmas and just finished the 5th (and, sadly final book - so far) today. I can't remember the last time I burned through a series that quickly! My first m/m book was Josh Lanyon's short story in the Men Under the Mistletoe anthology about 8 days ago, then I went right to the Adrien English books. I think I have a new favorite author and genre.

On the cooking topic, lately I've been using Pinterest to find new recipes. We have done the freezer cooking before, and it was really awesome. My only issue was that there were a couple dishes we just weren't crazy about... But had 2 more meals of in the freezer. It was also a LOT of work to get a month worth of meals in the freezer. The month of super easy meal prep was AWESOME though. Now we're more likely to make a triple batch of a dish we like and freeze the extras than to do the whole month at one go. Still, I remember that month fondly, and now you've got me considering it again. Good luck, Sarah!
Posted by Carin on 2012-01-01 15:57:41 Karenmc- exactly! It.was.effing.amazing.
Posted by Zara K on 2012-01-01 15:25:20 I'm reading "A Race To Splendor" by Ciji Ware. Loving, loving, loving it. I have "The Heir" by Coulter teed up next although I might hie my hiney to the library tomorrow for another one of Ware's books... I just dusted off my L.A. Times California Cookbook, it fell out on me when I was looking for "A Man A Can and A Plan" for my son. (The series, written for those uninitiated in the ways of the kitchen, are hilarious. Check them out. It gives me hope he won't starve to death next year.) I'm going to re-read the Mark Del Franco series starting with "Unseelie Things" then move on to "A Game of Thrones." Has anyone read it? Happy New Year to all and sundry in the Bitchery!
Posted by MissB2U on 2012-01-01 14:19:26 My favorite cookbook for weeknight meals is Desperation Dinners by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross. Love the meals and the quick tips.
Also reading The Scottish Prisoner by Gabaldon. Happy New Year to all.
Posted by Jan Lo on 2012-01-01 13:54:57 I just finished "Branded" because I was in the mood for a quick paranormal romance and it was a cheap ebook on my new Kindle. Don't recommend it. Lots of typos and wonky grammar errors. The hero and heroine don't ever really get together. Think I'll try a sampling of the list above to cleanse my romance palate.
Posted by Jdecredico on 2012-01-01 13:12:25 I finished the wonderful A Lady Awakened and let it simmer for two days. Debut books that good need to be savored.
Posted by Karenmc on 2012-01-01 12:59:08 I just bought "A Lady Awakened" by Cecilia Grant yesterday afternoon for my reader. I'm very eager to start it but won't be until later this evening. I have cleaning, cooking and errands to do and I'm using this book as my reward to keep me motivated. I have tomorrow off of work so I plan on curling up tonight in my PJs with my decaf chocolate truffle mint coffee, my reader, and a warm blanket...hubby will be in charge of the kiddo since I'm letting him sleep in and its already 11am here.
Posted by msilk on 2012-01-01 12:54:28 I'm reading "Dangerous in Diamonds" by Madeline Hunter as well as a hilarious romance from 1991 called "Lightning that Lingers" about a stripper and a librarian. Both of them are really good so far!
Posted by Librarianette on 2012-01-01 12:02:37 You are most definitely not the only one who reads cookbooks. I love them. I am reading one now called "Make the bread, buy the butter - what you should and shouldn't cook from scratch - over 120 recipes for the best homemade foods" (that's some subtitle!) by Jennifer Reese. It's more of a year in the life story with recipes. :)
Posted by Chris on 2012-01-01 11:54:21 I've been rereading the Arcane Society series by Jayne Ann Krentz aka Amanda Quick aka Jayne Castle.....today I'm finishing "The Perfect Poison". I freely admit that most of the books in the series are formulaic (though her older books not quite so much) but I find that there is something rather comforting in the basic predictability of the storylines.
Posted by Allison Kampf on 2012-01-01 11:49:47 I just finished Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare and started it yesterday. It was a free book a few days ago and now lists for $.79 at B&N nook. Very definitely enjoyable.
Posted by Robin Greene on 2012-01-01 10:56:12 I actually thought of both of you when I first started it. Was going to wait until I finished to rec it (am about 65% in), but knowing him, I think he might enjoy it.
Posted by Angela James on 2012-01-01 10:51:53 I might have to pick that up for Hubby.
Posted by SB Sarah on 2012-01-01 10:44:19 I'm reading Moneyball by Michael Lewis. Despite my love of sports, I don't like baseball (not at all). I also don't like math or statistics. And I only read about 6 nonfiction books a year, if that. So there's really no reason at all this book should interest me. But it is so freaking compelling I can't put it down. I find myself thinking about it when I'm not reading it, and eager to pick it back up. And I've stopped to share interesting things I've learned with my husband, because Lewis has crafted a really great story. Michael Lewis is an amazing storyteller and I'll be looking at his backlist (like The Blind Side) through this year.
Posted by Angela James on 2012-01-01 10:35:22

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SBTB/DA Bestsellers: 20-27 December 2011