THE NEXT BEST THING
HQN February 2010
Lucy Lang isn’t looking for fireworks…
She’s looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who’ll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbeque, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important… someone who won’t inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can’t risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn’t enough either. So it’s goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate “friend with privileges” and hello to a man she can marry.
Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn’t going anywhere. As far as he’s concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?
ALL I EVER WANTED
HQN Coming August 2010
One happily-ever-after rocking chair…
And no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol’ Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track, because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company’s new Miss Perfect. If that isn’t bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a 3-0 birthday bash in the family funeral home.
Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a relationship with the town’s most eligible — yet not so warm and fuzzy — veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark’s attention. So Ian’s more comfortable with animals… So he’s formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it’s time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But, dang — if he doesn’t shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont’s unlikeliest eligible bachelor…
I was recently introduced to a Kristin Higgins a book a few months ago and have to say I am hooked! She is such a fantastic writer and draws you into the characters lives, in fact I am so sad when the book ends I want more -which is always a good thing. Be prepared to laugh and cry and laugh some more.
I loved it so much I ran out and bought The Next Best Thing, probably should have had a little more patience but I am not known for that. Jump to RomCon, where Heather & I were able to help bag the totes for registration and guess what Kristin was so nice and sent tons of The Next Best Thing, which means you have a chance to get your own copy. So it all works out in the end, aren’t you grateful for my lack of patience now?
Heather read All I Ever Wanted and even though she normally does not like books that are written in the first person she could not put this one down, here is what she had to say: I enjoyed watching Callie go through her life and make changes. The best thing I think that happens to Callie is Ian. He is her complete opposite and doesn’t get her half the time and yet she doesn’t him either. One of the best parts of this book I thought was the secondary story line regarding Callie’s family. No I am not going to tell you what happens in that story line, but rest assured it is something that you won’t want to miss. This is a book that no matter your frame of mind and if you hate first person books like I do you will complete enjoy this book.
I was so excited about these 2 books that I got on my Kindle and purchased another one, the first chapter alone was hilarious so I had my coworker read it and she stole it so she could finish the book – needless to say not much work was done that day and we laughed a lot.
If you haven’t had a chance to read a Kristin book I recommend fixing that immediately!
**********Giveaway********
Lets talk about your favorite contemporary romances
I am one of those people who hasn't read a Kristin Higgins yet. Even before her RITA win, 'All I Ever Wanted' was on my to-buy & try list.
I love reading contemporaries because they speak to my modern woman sensibilities, from guy-talk to BFFs & relationships familial or otherwise, contemps touch a different side of my romance-reading heart. I also like that humor is usually present. I love to laugh!
Rachel Gibson is awesome, especially her hockey series…sexy men, LOL humor and storylines with hidden depth that touch the soul. Her latest 'Nothing But Trouble' is one of her best.
Sarah Mayberry, who writes for HQ, is another favorite contemp author. 'Anything For You' is THE BEST friends-to-lovers story I have ever read.
Other favs include, Victoria Dahl & Erin McCarthy.
I love Kristan Higgins, and I think "All I Ever Wanted" might be her best book ever. Her characters are so real you want to call them up and invite them out for coffee. I write contemporary Westerns, and she's an inspiration and one of my favorites. Others are Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Catherine Anderson, Jodi Thomas, and Carolyn Brown…plus so many others I can't list them all!
I,too, have never read Kristin Higgins, but she sounds like someone up my alley. I love a good laugh in a book.
Some other contemporary authors I like are Susan Mallery, Susan Wiggs, Nora Roberts and Linda Lael Miller. All very different in their styles, but all very worthwhile reads!
Cheers,
Sue
sbmason (at) sympatico (dot) ca
For me it is Nora Roberts, Carly Phillips, Christina Dodd, and Julia James, Kasey Michaels etc
Nora is a must read for me, I own almost all of her books, and just discovered Julia James.
Kasey Michaels contemporaries are so much fun. @Scorpio M I am loving that hockey series by Rachel Gibson, she is normally a hit and miss author for me.
I love love love first person books! The storylines sound fun, and I remember Heather telling me about this book after she read and she seems to think I would love these books, and since she is usually spot on about what I am going to like I am going to trust her judgement – and yours as well Melanie, and if I don't win, I may have to go out and buy my own copy!
haha I am a dork, I didn't even put what authors I like – I love Sarah Dessen, she is amazing, Nora Roberts is also an all time classic and fave of mine. I love all authors, all types of books as long as the story sucks me in, I am hooked!