I took a much needed break from bloglandia.  Trying out some new things, thinking what I want to do — not only with my blogs, but in life in general.  Some soul searching stuff.  And I’ve done the mundane like house sat for my parents while they went on ANOTHER cruise and came down with the crud that seems to be getting people everywhere.

I think I’m going to stick with this blog.  I need to get back into reading in the worst way.  But in keeping the blog, I might not be able to make the rounds as often as I once did.  We’ll see.  Never say never!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

Or should I say my bookcases?  Just for fun as I was straightening up my bookcases I decided to see what I had to read this year — since whittling down my TBR piles is a major goal for 2008.

I have 151 Trade Paperbacks, 42 Hardbacks and 450 Mass Markets.  Ummm.  I gots lots of reading to do!  And my Amazon Wish List is over 11 pages.

My name is Shelly and I’m addicted to books.

Hap, Hap, Happy New Year!!!!!

And to go with the New Year, here’s another design by Luna! Go Over to the Sidebar and Choose Read All Over. She’s fantastic isn’t she? She took my original idea and really made it pop and sing! If you are looking for a new design to start the New Year with, get in touch with her! She’s great!

This is not a paid ad and it’s not a gimmick. Mr. Rebates is a great way to shop online and get a little of your money back. I was introduced to it through work. We order our Staples supplies through their link and get the rebate into our account. I was really bummed that Amazon isn’t a participant but Barnes and Noble is!!! So far I’ve bought stuff through B&N, Proflowers, Staples, Circuit City and a couple of others and got back anywhere from 2-12% of my purchase price in rebates. B&N offers 4% in rebates. So if you are interested, click below and sign-up! They pay you out through check or PayPal — your choice. I’m pretty amazed at the number of stores they have that participate. My sister was happy that Target is one of the stores and a friend of mine was jazzed that The Container Store was a participant. Even eBay gives 1% back on winning bids!  It’s boggling all the ones that do. I’m trying to get my parents to book their next cruise through the site and get 3% back. Anyway, here’s the link.

These last two authors in my 12 days before Christmas are kind of a number 1 tie. I can’t say enough good things about them! Both as people and as writers. Okay, I’ve only met one of them, but anyone who supports who donates large sums to Habitat for Humanity automatically gets two thumbs up! Without further ado…..

Suzanne Brockmann has been a favorite of mine for years. I found her by buying Prince Joe (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 1) in the Tall, Dark & Dangerous line by Silhouette Intimate Moments. She was my first SEAL book (but hardly my last!). I loved the characters, the story and the HEA. I immediately began scouring the local UBS’s to see if I could find her LoveSwepts. I stalked the local bookstore and market at college to grab up Forever Blue (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 2), which turned out to be my favorite in the series. I had her sign it when she came to Tyson’s on tour. She was so nice! Very down to earth and I have to say, meeting her made my year! I started on the SEAL 16 series and I just couldn’t put them down. Hands down she writes the best characters of any author I read. And she’s not afraid to take chances! She began writing in Jules, a gay FBI agent, and she brought us readers all the way through the relationship even though I’m sure it cost her some fussbudget readers. Can you tell that I am in awe of her?!?!? If you have never read her, you can pick up any book (even thought I like to read the series in order) you don’t actually have to. And if you just want to get a taste, you should pick up Body Language or Heartthrob. You won’t be sorry!

My other favorite is of course, Nora Roberts. Her books have always transported me into the lives of her heroines. She writes with such subtle yet vivid descriptions that it is never hard to imagine the scene. Her heroines are always strong and resourceful and her heroes are rarely jerks (and if they start out as a jerk, they grow and become better men!). Some of my all time faves are Honest Illusions, Carolina Moon, The Reef and Sweet Revenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed some of her trilogies. My favorite by far is the Nora Roberts Three Sisters Island CD Collection: Dance Upon the Air, Heaven and Earth, Face the Fire (Three Sisters Island Trilogy) with Nora Roberts Key Trilogy CD Collection: Key of Light, Key of Knowledge, Key of Valor (Key Trilogy) running a very close second. I own a lot of Nora in both book form and CDs. I love listening to her stories while commuting. Speaking of CDs, if you haven’t heard the Eve Dallas in Death series read by Susan Erickson you are reallllly missing out. I tried out Naked in Death (In Death #1) and have bought every one of them for my listening pleasure. One day I’m going to a book signing and have her autograph one for me!

I’ll be back to have my two favorite authors late Christmas Day!

The queen of making me laugh out loud in public thus embarrassing myself is Janet Evanovich. She started out as a romance writer and I’ve read some of her earlier stuff, but her Stephanie Plum series is what has grabbed me by the throat, made me buy the hardback versions and the audiobooks! One for the Money (Stephanie Plum Series, Book 1) introduces us to the wild and wacky world of New Jersey. Stephanie is n accident waiting to happen. Thank goodness she has two hot guys watching out for her. Joe Morelli and Ranger are two of the hottest male characters out there! And I must say that I’m a full on Ranger fan. I highly recommend that you not be drinking anything while reading these books. Really. Snorting a beverage out of your nose is not the way to win friends and influence people. I’ve managed to turn several people on to this series and I will continue to champion Stephanie as long as she continues to make me laugh.

I haven’t really tried her Alex Barnaby series. I listened to it on audio and really couldn’t handle CJ Critt’s voice. I have Metro Girl (Alex Barnaby Series #1) in hardback and fully intend to try again at some point. Plum Lucky (Stephanie Plum Novels) comes out in January and Fearless Fourteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel (Stephanie Plum Novels) will be out in June.

Charlaine Harris is the new darling of my keeper shelf. Her Sookie Stackhouse series has it all. It makes me laugh, it makes me sigh and every once in a while it makes me get a little teary eyed. Sookie is a telepath who has always felt like she was on the outside looking in — until she finds out about the supernatural world. She gets herself mixed up in vamp and were politics on a regular basis and there is always high jinx involved. Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1) begins the series and so far there are 7 Sookie stories (and some short novellas too!).  The Sookie series is supposed to be coming to HBO  and the show will be True Blood.  But the darned writer’s strike has put a crimp in things so who knows when it will actually air!

I’ve tried CH’s Harper Connelly series and I’m not sure it’s my cup of tea. It’s hard sometimes to shift mental gears with an author you love and they write different characters and stories. She also has done the Lily Bard “Shakespeare” series and the Aurora Teagarden series (which I think are cozies but I could be wrong). I do have the first in the Lily Bard series in my TBR pile Shakespeare’s Landlord (Lily Bard Mysteries, Book 1). Maybe I’ll give Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Book 1) a go and see how I like it. The Aurora Teagarden series is being reprinted throughout 2008.

My 5th day author is Rachel Caine. Have you read her Weather Warden series? If not, you need to go out and get Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Book 1). Again, I’m a sucker for books that have a great storyline, excellent characters and wonderful world building. The heroine, Joanne Baldwin is smart, sassy and loves shoes. She can also control the weather. The world revolves around humans and Djinn and really, where can I sign up for my own Djinn?!?! Right now there are 6 books in the series. It’s truly fantastic.

Also, RC writes a vampire series you can find in the YA section. I love this series too as the vampire world isn’t typical. The series started with Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires, Book 1) and it’s up to 3 in the series. Don’t let the YA designation keep you from trying this one out!

Today it’s all about Jill Shalvis. Have you ever read her blog? She’s extremely funny and nice and funny and sweet and did I mention funny?!?! I can’t even remember the first book I read of hers. But I’ve read everything she’s written. Her heroines are always witty, smart and full of zing. Her books give me the warm fuzzies.

Her books also make me laugh. I had a great time reading Get A Clue and Her Sexiest Mistake (Signet Eclipse). The Heroes are always yummy. And who doesn’t want a yummy guy?

I could go on and on about about how much I love her books, but really, do you want me to get sappy? If you haven’t read The Trouble With Paradise or Smart and Sexy or really, anything by her, what are you waiting for? Christmas? Well, it’s here. Go buy a Jill Shalvis book and be ready to have fun!