Coming up for air–what should I read?

Whew!  Last Friday, I heard back from my editor re: Book 4, A Lot Like Love, which she is very pleased with.  (Yay!)  She had a couple of minor notes, which I worked on these past couple of days.  I’m happy to say that earlier this afternoon, I emailed the revised manuscript off to her.  (Another yay!)  In theory, I’m done until it’s time for copy edits.  I hope.

Which means that it’s time for me to move on to. . . Book 5!  I’m really excited to get going on the new book–the hero in Book 5 is introduced in A Lot Like Love, and I think his story is going to be a lot of fun to write.  And now that I’m done with A Lot Like Love I finally have time to read again!!

I just finished up my book club book, Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok, which I really enjoyed.  So I’m trying to decide what to read next. . . and thought you guys might be able to help me out.  I pulled a few books from my TBR shelf that caught my eye:

Any recommendations?  I think I might be leaning toward Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis–since it centers around a baseball team that seems like a good one to read before the summer is over.  But I’d love to hear what you guys think!

27 thoughts on “Coming up for air–what should I read?

  1. Colleen says:

    Congrats on sending off the revised manuscript! That’s great news.

    Out of the books above, I read Slow Heat, Crazy for Love and Heaven, TX. I liked them all but I would go with Slow Heat. It’s the perfect summer read. Besides it will help you take your mind off how terrible the Cubs are doing.

  2. Jamie says:

    I just finished “Crazy for Love” last night. It is a cute and light read. I’d recommend it, I enjoy Victoria Dahls books. It kind if reminds me of this whole Stephen Slater thing right now, being thrown into the papparazi.

  3. Nicole mc says:

    I agree with Colleen…Slow Heat. Jill Shalvis is always a pleasure and steamy!! 🙂 Who doesn’t like to imagine an athlete? I’ve also read Crazy and Victoria Dahl is really great. Her last series (contemp) was one of my favs! Oh, and congratulations on the revision…cant wait till its out!

  4. Kathy says:

    I loved Slow Heat, I’d start with that one 🙂 It’s a great book to read during baseball season, too. I also have read and loved Victoria Dahl’s, SEP’s and Sabrina Jeffries’ books.

  5. katie goins says:

    Heaven Texas for sure… LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that book. I’ve read it soooo many times!!! Love Gracie and Bobby Tom.
    Also Slow Heat and Crazy for love are great reads. Just read them both last week.

  6. Aly says:

    WOO HOO on being done until copy edits 🙂

    Although Slow Heat is a good read, I would go with Heaven, Texas first! Gracie and Bobby Tom are the best. The romance is hot but there are so many funny and touching moments too.

  7. Edie says:

    I’ve (re)read “Slow Heat” more than a five-fingered handful of times since its release; I loved it so much, I had to order “Double Play” (which precedes “SH”). And may or may not have badgered poor Ms. Shalvis about whether she’s writing more concerning the delicious and delightful Santa Barbara Heat baseball team. ::sigh:: So, uh, my recommendation would be to start there, then set Duran and Dahl as your “place” and “show” picks. 😀

  8. tennismom mary g says:

    Hi Julie
    You have a bunch of contemps fans here. I rec the same as I read & loved all of them.
    SEP – what can you say about that series? Same with Slow Heat. I was pleasantly surprised with Dahl’s. I did love her other ones & bought Crazy For Love on faith as I wasn’t keen on the premise. I fell in love with Max who is so endearing with his take care of everyone attitude. Sexy & sweet.

  9. kris says:

    Congrats on getting some down time. I have a hard enough time selecting books from my TBR…now I have to select for you as well??? 🙂
    I read Crazy for Love a couple of weeks ago and what a pleasant surprise. It was light and fluffy, which I expected, but it had some really funny bits and the neurotic hero with his need to help and protect everyone was simply endearing. If you need something that just makes you feel good, then pick that book.

  10. Stephanie says:

    I LOVED Slow Heat, read it first!!! I didn’t even know Victoria Dahl had a new book out, now I need to go get that!

  11. Donna Wise says:

    Of the choices, I’ve read The Truth About Lord Stoneville and Slow Heat. I might have read Heaven, Texas, I’ve read some of that series. I liked Slow Heat the best, but you should probably read Double Play by Shalvis first. I liked The Truth About Lord Stoneville as well. It is the first in a series.

  12. Deb says:

    If you’ve read the Other Chicago Star’s books from SEP, you really should read Heaven, Texas. That’s my vote. Excited about your new book. Just did a re-read of your first 3….think I enjoyed them more.

  13. Kim says:

    I’m reading Written on Your Skin right now, but I’d vote for SEP’s book, Heaven, Texas or Deanna Raybourne’s, Silent in the Grave. The later is the first romance/mystery book in a wonderful new series. Think Sherlock Holmes as a sexy leading man and a terrific cast of continuing characters.

    If you want humor, SEP’s stories are so engaging and funny that you can’t go wrong. Plus it’s part of the Chicago Stars series. If you ever do read it, go to her site, and she put up an unpublished epilogue for Heaven Texas.

    http://www.susanephillips.com/heaven_texas_epilogue.html

  14. Kim says:

    Oops – I should have said I’m currently reading Wicked Becomes You (on your TBR list), not Written on Your Skin. Same author, different books.

  15. Julie says:

    Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations! I went with Slow Heat–couldn’t resist the baseball theme during summer. Next, I’m thinking maybe Heaven, Texas?

  16. lilith says:

    You can never go wrong with SEP. Heaven, Texas, is a fun, wonderful read. As long as you’re aware that it’s part of a series. 🙂

    Kim, thanks for the link to the epilogue. I’m on her mb and didn’t know about it.

  17. cories says:

    For a slow summer read, Alexander McCall Smith is good. My boyfriend won’t read this series though as he thinks it’s too slow.

  18. Tori says:

    Okay, I am very biased because I spend WAY more time on the SEP BB than I should each day, but I definitely vote for Heaven, Texas. It’s one of my all time favorite books!

  19. jeantallman says:

    I hate to recommend off your shelf but after you read Heaven, Texas, I would recommend:

    The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O’Rourke

    and

    The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice by Abagail Reynolds

    I am not a Pride and Prejudice fanatic. I don’t read any of the books that “extend” the pride and prejudice novel, and I read a lot of contemporary romance and next to no historical romance. However, these books are just really good books!

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