Sorry I'm late today. I overslept and didn't want to be late for church so I delayed the giveaway for this afternoon.
I struggled with what I could say today. Though I didn't lose anyone close to me in the 9/11 attacks, I, like many Americans and people all over the world, grieve for those lost. It's a somber day and even though I'm a writer, I struggle with the right words in something that's so deeply personal and profound to all of us. In fiction, I put my characters through horrific circumstances, but I can control their happy ending and that's one of the reasons I love to read and write romantic fiction. A happy ending is assured. Since no words of mine can create that happy ending here, let's talk about the kinds of reads we like to go to when we're looking for that comfort read.
At least once a year I read the following books: Sarah's Child by Linda Howard, Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Dream Man by Linda Howard, Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught, The Bride by Julie Garwood, It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Some To Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught
The above books bring me comfort. They're like visiting an old, dear friend and sharing memories or snuggling up with a warm blanket and cup of hot tea on a cold day. I have many keeper books on my shelves, but the above books are the ones you'd have to pry out of my hands to take from me.
What about you? What is your favorite(s) comfort read? Share and maybe our comfort read list will grow by one or two. Now there's a comforting thought!
Name at least one of your comfort reads for a chance to win a signed copy of Hummingbird Lake by Emily March or a copy of Absolutely Positively by Heather Webber. Both look like they could be future comfort reads!
I'll collect your comments today and two random commenters will win. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment. Winners will be announced tomorrow on our Recommend Monday blog.
So please share those comfort reads and also, take a moment to hug someone today.
Sending out cyber-hugs to all of you!
Touched By Angels, and A Prince for Jenny by Peggy Webb. These are older books but a beautiful story. There is also a really old book by Constance O'Banyon that I have read several times called The Rebel Temptress that I will fall back on.
ReplyDeleteMost of my comfort reads are those set in small towns and about second chances. They make me smile, laugh and believe. Judith McNaught writes wonderful comfort stories. Another go-to author for me is Susan Wiggs, especially her books "Table for Five", "Summer By the Sea" and "The You I Never Knew". The characters are ones that feel like friends.
ReplyDeleteI read Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Ain't She Sweet and It had to be You as comfort read.
ReplyDeleteforgot to leave my e-mail address: tmhale56@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteComfort reads are a must! I'd have to say the first three Virgin River books by Robyn Carr, Linda Howard's Mackenzie family series, Rescue Me by, well, you, and Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas top my comfort reads list.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with all those directly affected by 9/11 today.
Technically every keeper is a comfort read LOL. It used to be The Flame & the Flower but it's tame compared to what I read now.
ReplyDeleteThere's too many to choose from & I know I'll leave good stuff out but here goes:
Wicked Burn - Beth Kery
Dream A Little Dream - SEP
Edge Of Sight - Roaxanne St. Claire
Just One Taste - Louisa Edwards
Superb & Sexy - Jill Shalvis
Last Chance - Yours truly
Unlawful Contact - Pamela Clare
After all that, don't enter me.
I agree with Mary...all my keepers are comfort reads.
ReplyDeleteJust a few of my favorite comfort reads are...
Lord of Scoundrels - Loretta Chase
Virgin River - Robin Car
No Chance - Yours Truly :)
The Perils of Pursuing a Prince - Julia London
Sweet Liar - Jude Devereaux
Unlawful Contact - Pamela Clare
Simply Perfect - Mary Balogh
I have a few also...
ReplyDeleteRescue Me by some crazy lady
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Sooner or Later by Debbie MacComber
and a new one
Breaking Point by Pamela Clare
I knew I'd forget something. I have to agree with Blue Eyed Devil and Unlawful Contact. NOTHING gives comfort like a bit of Marc time. :-)
ReplyDeleteThese are the ones with the most Xs by them at the moment:
ReplyDeleteRescue Me by Christy Reece
Last Chance by Christy Reece
Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Perfect by Judith McNaught
Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
In Your Eyes by Laura Moore
He Loves Lucy by Susan Donovan
Heart Throb by Suzanne Brockmann
Hey Anne
ReplyDeleteI just bought The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred for $1.49 on Kindle. Thanks for the reminder. You've mentioned that book before.
I can't choose like that! Most of my books are comfort reads. But I do love Sue-Ellen Welfonder.
ReplyDeleteHi Christy -
ReplyDeleteLike you I enjoy reading romantic fiction because a happy ending is guaranteed.
Some of my comfort reads are "Rescue Me" by you, Lisa Kleypas's "Dreaming of You", Judith McNaught's "Something Wonderful", Robyn Carr's "Virgin River", and Susan Elizabeth Phillips's Chicago Stars books and "Fancy Pants".
Amber E.
Anything by Susan Wiggs, Susan Mallery, Debbie Macomber, SEP, Robyn Carr, Linda Lael Miller - need I go on?
ReplyDeletepennsdog@yahoo.com
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie. It's my go to for comfort and one of my all time favorites.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the awesome list of comfort reads! And hugs to those who included an LCR book--that's so SWEET! (:
ReplyDeleteI've already taken a look at a couple of your recommendations and downloaded one to my Kindle. Yay!
Congrats to Tina Hale for winning a signed copy of Hummingbird Lake by Emily March and Kara for winning a copy of Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber!
Ladies, I have your email address and will contact you for mailing info.
Everyone else, be sure to check out today's Recommend Monday blog for another chance to win!
Mary G - I hope you love "The Sweet Gum Tree" as much as I do. It will always be one of my favorite books.
ReplyDeleteTara - I forgot about "Welcome to Temptation" and all the sex, lies and videotape! I'm going to pull it from the shelf and revisit Mayor Phin and Sophie this week.
And thanks to everyone for some new suggestions for me to try.
OMG Anne
ReplyDeleteI'm reading it now just over halfway through. Was just going to email you to thank/curse you because I haven't been able to stop reading it. Nick just came back. Have you read any others of hers? They're all $1.49 on kindle.
Even though it's first person POV I'm so enjoying it.