Monday, December 3, 2012

12 Days of Christmas Books

4 1/2*s! "A tour de force..." - RT Book Reviews
I must be obsessed with numbers right now.  On my current blog tour, I've posted a couple of different posts about the magic and power of the number 3.  How I plot in 3's.  THREE COWBOYS, my current release (written with Dana Marton and Paula Graves).  How 3 has been used for centuries to create magic in stories, movies and television.

But today, I thought I'd give good ol' reliable #3 a rest and focus on the number 12.  Those of you who have blogged with me before know how I love lists.  Since my next deadline isn't until February, and I've planned a week or so off around the holidays, I'm treating myself to catching up on my reading.  I decided to list 12 books I want to try to read in December.  Knowing how busy my schedule gets (still have to do a little teaching; still need to spend my work days writing as much as I can), I probably won't get that much done.  But I do love to dream.  A couple of the things on my reading list are holiday-themed.  And, a few projects are my own (need to read one for edits; want to read one for nostalgia purposes).  But most of these books are just things on my TBR pile that I intend to finish or consume before the end of the year.

1.  THREE COWBOYS by Julie Miller, Dana Marton & Paula Graves.  (Yes, I've read these 3 novellas before--but I haven't seen the finished product for Dana and Paula's stories, and I'm itching to see if those sexy cowboy brothers are still the Christmas present we envisioned)

2.  THE LOST PRINCE by Julie Kagawa  (I'm a big YA fan--and I've loved her Iron Fey books!  I'm anxious to read this latest edition to the series about fey heroine Meghan Chase's younger brother)

Digital Release-Dec. 2012
3.  ACCIDENTAL BODYGUARD by Julie Miller (This is probably my favorite hero I've ever written, if not my favorite story--originally released in 2005, it's finally being issued in digital format this month as part of a 2-in-1 book called KEEPING WATCH--the other book is by Gayle Wilson--I just bought it for my Kindle) 

4.  RUNNING FOR HER LIFE by Beverly Long (I always try to read the first book by an author to see what has most recently captured an editor's eye--and while this isn't Beverly's first book, it is her first Intrigue.)

5.  ALPHA ONE by Cynthia Eden (ditto)

6.  RANCHER'S DEADLY RISK by Rachel Lee (Ms. Lee is one of my all-time favorite romantic suspense authors so how can I resist?)

7.  UNFORGIVEN by B.J. Daniels  (love me some good romantic suspense! and I'm anxious to see how B.J. amps up the tension in her debut single title novel for HQN)

8.  ELF TROUBLE by Sherry James (something a little different for me--romantic comedy!  but this is a holiday extra story in her funny, sexy Studs-4-Hire series, featuring 3 lady bosses who manage several hunky heroes who are experts in carpentry, plumbing or building whatever the client needs--even if it's a big shoulder to lean on)  This will be out later this month, but since I'm her critique partner, I'm getting a sneak peek!

9.  DEATHSCAPE by Dana Marton (I think Dana is one of the best authors out there writing action-suspense romance, so I can't wait to dive in)

Coming March 2013!
10.  TACTICAL ADVANTAGE by Julie Miller  (okay, this one is work related--it doesn't come out until March, but I need to review a couple of continuity facts for the manuscript I'm currently writing--besides, I love to revisit favorite characters)  And don't you love that cover?

11.  ASSUMED IDENTITY by Julie Miller (again, ditto ;))

12.  THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement Moore (What can I say? It's a Christmas Eve tradition in my family.)


So, what's on your reading list this holiday season?
You don't have to come up with 12.  But I'd love to know what folks are reading this time of year.
One lucky poster will win either a signed copy of THREE COWBOYS, or an ebook gift for your Kindle or Nook of KEEPING WATCH.

Happy Reading!
Julie Miller

21 comments:

  1. A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens tops my list (I read it each year) & then it will whichever books I find under the Christmas tree, because I don't think I'll get too much reading done until then.

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  2. That's a wonderful classic for this time of year, Mary. My hubby teaches it in his middle school classroom, and even at that age (despite the challenge of reading Dickens), they love it!

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  3. Hi Julie,

    First of all I was right - 3 time loser last week. Then I went to Walmart to buy it and they still had the November Intrigues on the shelf. So, thanks for another chance to win this book. I plan to read Christmas themed books. First up is Rescuing Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Catherine Mann and Kathie Denosky. I started it last night. Of course, I would love Three Cowboys for Christmas too.

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  4. I put Maggie on the trail. We'll see if she selects your name. If I get lots of readers stopping by, too, I'll give away both the print copy of THREE COWBOYS and the e-copy of KEEPING WATCH.

    RESCUING CHRISTMAS sounds like a great read. Is it from Desire? I love Catherine Mann's books, especially. I know the others will be great stories, too.

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    1. Hi Julie,

      I know Maggie still loves me even when she has only picked my name once, Rescuing Christmas is a Harlequin Special Release. Also on my list are:

      2. Christmas Delivery by Patricia Rosemoor - Harlequin Intrigue
      3. The Nights Before Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson - Harlequin Temptation
      4. Christmas Ransom by Jenna Ryan - Harlequin Intrigue
      5. Christmas Male by Cara Summers - Harlequin Blaze
      6. Snowbound in the Earl's Castle by Fiona Harper - Harlequin Romance
      7. Sleigh Ride With the Rancher by Donna Alward - Harlequin Romance
      8. Nice and Naughty by Tawny Weber - Harlequin Blaze
      9. Christmas Confidential by Marilyn Pappano and Linda Conrad - HRS
      10. On the First Night of Chrismas by Heidi Rice - Harlequin Presents
      11. His Christmas Acquisition by Cathy Williams - Harlequin Presents
      12. The Spirit of Christmas by Liz Talley - Harlequin Super Romance

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  5. I think that you have chosen some good books so will just use your list....oh wait, guess I will have to find a couple of my own since a couple of the ones you have on your list aren't out yet.

    I love Christmas stories and just finished Christmas Dog and Mary Connealy and Linda Goodnight's Candlelight Christmas. Also read Twelve Days by Teresa Hill, and Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge.

    I must have Elf Troubles. I love these books. I think you reccommended them to my son for me. Good Choice.

    Dale and I read and recorded The Night Before Christmas Hallmark book a couple of years ago for our grandaughter and this year.....sh...it's a surprise..... she recorded A Charlie Brown Christmas for her parents and Frosty the Snowman for her Grandpa. I can hardly wait for them to open them!

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    1. Those sound like marvelous gifts, Lilsis!

      My dad used to read The Night Before Christmas to us every Christmas Eve as my brothers and I were growing up. We try to maintain the tradition, although I wish I had a recording of him reading it. I just have to replay it in my memory.

      I'll keep you posted on the release of ELF TROUBLE.

      btw, Sherry and I are doing a joint contest giveaway this month--she interviewed me for her website at www.sherryjames.com, and we're giving away THREE prize packages--books from me and a cover art calendar and cute little elf from her. I hope everyone signs up to enter--you can do it at her site or mine at www.juliemiller.org. Or both!

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  6. SOme of the books I plan to read soon are:
    A Log Cabin Christmas Collection
    The Inn At Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
    Split Second by Catherine Coulter
    Lethal by Sandra Brown
    and a bunch of short holiday reads on my ereader
    Happy Reading & Happy Holidays All!

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    1. Sounds like a great list, Colleen.

      You know, I haven't read Debbie Macomber for a long time--and I used to read everything she wrote. Do her Rose Harbor books have a good romance in them? Or are they more women's fiction now?

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    2. This is the start of a new series... so I have not gotten a taste of it yet, but definitely looking forward to reading it. It has been some time since I last read Macomber too.

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  7. On my list are Jill Sorenson's "Aftershock" and Dee Davis' "Double Danger."

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    1. I've not read Jill Sorenson. Is AFTERSHOCK a good place to start?

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  8. Loves 2 Read Romance - LauraDecember 3, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    Guess what!!! The order I put together for my brother to give me for my B-day came in the mail today and it included...... Three Cowboys! So that is on my list along with the following I am in the middle of The Captain's Christmas Family by Deborah Hale. It came out last year, Switched by Helenkay Dimon, Christmas Conspiracy by Robin Perini and Jana Deleon's newest series Mystere Parish including The Reckoning, The Vanishing, & The Awakening. I also am awaiting another order I placed plus my monthly reader service package and I think something is coming from Tell harlequin. So I have a bunch on my plate and I know I probably won't finish all of this by the end of the year.

    I understand how frustrating it is when Walmart doesn't put out the books on time Tammy. I was going nuts last month and ended up placing an order online at harlequin instead.

    And since no one has pointed it out Julie your number for today is 12 which if added together 1+2= 3!!! Looks like you can't get enough of it. :)

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    1. Very clever, Loves2Read--wish I could say I'd noticed that particular 3. ;)

      What a nice brother to make sure you had lots of good books to read for your birthday! Enjoy!

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  9. Wicked nights by Gena Showalter

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    1. I haven't read Gena Showalter for quite a while. But I used to love her stuff (with the gods & goddesses). Too many good books and not enough time to read them all!

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  10. I am currently reading the final book in Olivia Gates latest trilogy 'The Sheikh's Destiny, this book is going so good. I also can't wait to start the last book in the Desire continuity series 'A golden betrayal' by Barbara Dunlop. Others on the list are:
    Becoming Dante by Day LeClaire
    Oklahoma Wedding Bells by Carol Finch
    Beneath the Major's Scars by Sarah Mallory
    Woman in a Sheikh's World by Sarah Morgan

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  11. Olivia is such a sweetie, AviJ. A classy lady and a talented author. She gave me a hand-beaded purse a few years back as a thank-you gift. It's a beautiful little bag I use for formal stuff. Just something she does in her spare time, she said. Wow. So talented in so many ways.

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  12. And the winners are... Tammy Y. and Lilsis!

    Congratulations, ladies--Maggie was very busy this morning, chasing squirrels in the back yard and picking out winning names from the pile of entries. She selected Tammy as the print book winner, and Lilsis as the ebook winner.

    If you would both send me an email with your contact information, I'll get the books to you ASAP!

    Thanks to everyone for stopping by! And please join all three THREE COWBOYS authors tomorrow on the Petit Fours & Hot Tamales blog with more prizes to give away. http://www.petitfoursandhottamales.com/

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  13. Hi Julie,

    I am laughing so hard that Maggie picked my name - did you put dog food or squirrel scent on the piece of paper with my nameon it? And I came up with a list of 12 books last night posted above under my first comment. Of course I am beyond thrilled I finally won this book - persistance pays off. I will email you tonight

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  14. Give Maggie and extra treat tonight for me! This book will move to the top of my list!!

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