I leave this weekend for a few days at the beach. This is one of my favorite warm weather adventures. We pack up the car and the dog and head down to North Carolina to take over someone else’s house for a week. It’s a beautiful thing. And, really, the whole not-being-at-work issue is hard to beat. Now, normally sweating and getting sand everywhere sand should not be aren’t items on my Must Do List, but there’s something about being outside and relaxing…and did I mention the part where I’m not at work?
This year’s trip will not revolve (totally) around lounging, eating and fun because I have a July 1st deadline and, well, let’s just say I have a few too many pages to write before then. This will cut into the slug-like pace at which I like to move while vacationing. I’m quite sure eating and sleeping in the sun will be a tad curtailed. Kind of a bummer, but we planned the trip a month out from deadline on purpose so I could write, write, write. And did I mention the good part…how I won’t be at work?
Post-July 1st will lead to a perfect storm of two of my favorite reading activities: summer reading and post-deadline reading. I tend to do each of these with an almost scary abandon. Now that the two will coincide, there’s no telling how slug-like I’ll be for the balance of July. It’s a scary thing to contemplate.
The goal over the next month will be to fight off the urge to grab a book and start reading. No, no, no. The fun part must wait. But, as a break from the deadline pressure (and as a way to feed my procrastination habit) I have started a little list of books I want to read in July. I’ve picked out my first books. All are June and July releases so that I can live in my little dreamworld and pretend I don’t already have a TBR stack 32 miles high.
Here are my first few reads (just a sampling):
-Every Secret Thing by Lila Shaara
-Kitty Goes To Washington by Carrie Vaughn
-The Kept Woman by Susan Donovan
-Hit Hard by Amy Fetzer
-Trouble by Ann Christopher
What about you? Do you have June and July 2006 releases you’re saving or are looking forward to reading? Give me your list. Yeah, this is totally selfish in that I’m hoping I’ll find new books to add to my list. I’ll randomly select a commentor on Saturday June 10th. The winner gets a $25.00 B&N or Amazon gift card, your choice, so that you can go out and buy some of those books on your list. Remember, June and July 2006 releases only.
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I hope you enjoy your vacation. There is something about being on the beach, must be the ocean breeze, that forces you to relax.
Some of my reading picks are:
Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelley
Over the Line by Cindy Gerard
Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
Aussie Rules by Jill Shalvis
The Perfect Stranger by Ann Gracie
Whispers of the Night by Lydia Joyce
Impulse by JoAnn Ross
by Maureen
on June 2nd, 2006 at 6:36 am
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Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter
Undead & Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson
Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelley
Dark Need by Lynn Viehl
Hunting the Hunter by Shiloh Walker
Show Me by Celia May Hart
And even though it’s an 8/1 release, I have to mention Lisa Kleypas’ Scandal in Spring. Can’t wait for that one 
by Stacy ~
on June 2nd, 2006 at 7:15 am
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Oh My, fantastic prize. Will have to get my thinking cap on - back latter.
by Pat
on June 2nd, 2006 at 7:18 am
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Hell on Wheels - Karen Kelley
Ex Why and Me - Susanna Carr
Irresistible - Susan Mallery
Jill Shalvis - Aussie Rules
by Pat
on June 2nd, 2006 at 7:28 am
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Impulse by JoAnn Ross
Ex, Why, and Me by Susanna Carr
THE ART OF DETECTION by Laurie R. King
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
by Carol
on June 2nd, 2006 at 8:11 am
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Jane Graves - Mood Swing & also The Boys are Back
Susan Donovan - The Kept Woman
Surfs UP anthol - Nina Bangs, Janelle Denison, MaryJanice Davidson
Bad Boys of Summer - anthol with Erin McCarthy, Lori Foster and Amy Garvey
Bad Boys Southern Style - anthol with Jill Shalvis, JoAnn Ross, E. C. Sheedy
by Helen Mac
on June 2nd, 2006 at 8:48 am
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This is just the start of my list. I always come across more books as the days go by.
Captive Of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey
Forbidden Pleasures by Bertrice Small
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
Irresistible by Susan Mallery
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning…this isn’t coming out until Sept. But its a must have for me.
I already have Impulse by JoAnn Ross but that came out last month.
by Tammy G.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 9:03 am
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I hope you have a great vacation. I live in North Carolina and love going to the beaches. We usually visit Wrightsville beach in NC and of course Myrtle Beach in SC. The ocean is lovely and I think I’m really a beach bum at heart.
My June & July releases I’m looking forward to reading:
Scent of Roses - Kat Martin
Angels Fall - Nora Roberts
The Vision - Heather Graham
Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
Kitty Goes to Washington - Carrie Vaughn
The Husband - Dean Koontz
Sleeping with Fear - Kay Hooper
The Prodigal’s Return - Anna DeStefano
by Sandra M.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 9:22 am
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At the moment 4 books come to mind and that is because they were just released yesterday.
A Woman Worth Loving - Jackie Braun
The Doctors Proposal - Marion Lennox
Blue Moon Bride - Renee Roszel
Her Outback Protector - Margaret Way
I have made notations of others books that have been posted since some of these authors are must reads and I have just been too lazy to check back with them for upcoming news. Thanks for the wake up call guys!
by Billie Langston
on June 2nd, 2006 at 9:53 am
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I grew up in North Carolina and love the whole coast there — so much history! Have fun and remember me sweltering in this Alabama heat.
I am looking forward to:
Over the Line by Cindy Gerard
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich (of course I really need to find the 11th book and read it — it was ah… misplaced during some cleaning last summer)
Cover of Night by Linda Howard
Killing Time by Linda Howard (paperback version comes out in June)
Never Happened by Debra Webb
The Sheik and I by Linda Winstead Jones
Close Enough to Kill by Beverly Barton
by Marilyn
on June 2nd, 2006 at 9:58 am
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I actually attended law school in North Carolina, but not at the beach. Don’t know how I would have gotten any studying done if I had.:shock: We’re going to Outer Banks, Corolla to be exact. I’m kind of hoping that all of the other tourists and beach lovers are busy this week and NOT heading for NC. One of the great things about Corolla as opposed to somewhere like Rehobeth Beach, is the lack of crowds.
Some of these book suggestions are new to me, so I’ll have to check them out on B&N. But I do have lot of these on my list too. In fact, I got ARCs of Hell on Wheels, Ex Why and Me and Aussie Rules that are just sitting atop my TBR pile waiting for me to finish the book I’m working on.
by HelenKay
on June 2nd, 2006 at 10:43 am
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Books I am looking forward to are:
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
Outsider by Diana Palmer
The Dawn Star by Catherine Asaro
Blissfully Yours by Diann Walker
Her Cinderella Heart by Ruth Scofield
Hearts on the Line by Margaret Daley
Any Man Of Mine by Carolyne Aarsen
The Prodigals Return by Anna DeStefano
Daughter of the Flames by Nancy Holder
Of course, that is after I deal with my overflowing current pile of TBR books.:grin:
by Cherie Japp
on June 2nd, 2006 at 11:36 am
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Scent of Roses-Kat Martin
On The Way To The Wedding-Julia Quinn
Dangerous Tides-Christine Feehan
Her Offer and Gentleman-Karen Hawkins
Hot Item-Carly Phillips
by Crystal B.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 11:41 am
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Bad Boys Southern Style by JoAnn Ross, E. C. Sheedy & Jill Shalvis
Aussie Rules by Jill Shalvis
Hot Item by Carly Phillips
by Susan
on June 2nd, 2006 at 11:47 am
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those are good reads. i am saving to get boys of summer by blaze authors and many blaze books.
i want to get the new one by erin mccarthy, love her books
by KIM H
on June 2nd, 2006 at 12:01 pm
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Touch the Dark Karen Chance
by little lamb lost
on June 2nd, 2006 at 1:16 pm
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I am looking forward to:
Here Comes Trouble - Leslie Kelley
Almost a Goddess - Judi McCoy
Hot Item - Carly Phillips
Viva Las Bad Boys (I know it is coming out in Aug, but maybe it will make its debut early in late July by someone named HKD):lol:
Bad Boys of Summer - Erin McCarthy,Lori Foster and looky looky - HelenKay Dimon
Just loved When Good Things Happen to BB by the way. Please keep those books coming.
by Helen L.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 1:19 pm
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I have a huge list:
June
Ghost Hunter
Touch the Dark
California Demon
July
Primal Heat (Paperback)
by Susan Sizemore
Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
Kitty Goes to Washington by Vaughn
Bring It On (Retrievers) (Paperback)
by Laura Anne Gilman
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There are so many…here is part of my list:
Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelley
Bad Boys of Summer by Erin McCarthy, Lori Foster and Amy Garvey
Bad Boys Southern Style by Jill Shalvis, JoAnn Ross, E. C. Sheedy
The Prodigal’s Return by Anna DeStefano
On The Way To The Wedding by Julia Quinn
The Sea King by Jolie Mathis
A Restless Knight by Deborah MacGillivray
by Jennifer Y.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 3:49 pm
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I am looking forwarding to Catherine Mann’s Blaze of Glory which is a July 2006. She is a wonderful writer.
by Elizabeth
on June 2nd, 2006 at 4:17 pm
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Phyllis - Bring It On (Retrievers)? I have to admit I don’t know what that is. WSill go check it out.
A lot of these are on my list too. It should make some authors very, very happy to see how we’re all waiting for their releases. I haven’t tried Catherine Mann yet. I need to since everyone raves about her. And, yeah, I have to admit that I got JAK/Castle’s book in the mail and read it despite the deadline. I don’t love her futuristics like I do her other stuff, but I’ve always had a soft spot for her and read everything she puts out there.
Helen - Thank you!!! According to the Kensington website, Viva Las Bad Boys! comes out July 25th. That would be consistent with When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys (that title is too long to type, btw) which was an April release but came out in March. We’ll see…
by HelenKay
on June 2nd, 2006 at 4:41 pm
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hi, have fun at the beach. hopefully you will have lots of good books to read when you come back and a great story. these are off the top of my head…
twelve sharp- janet evanovich
the sea king- jolie mathis
hot item- carly phillips
the prodigals return- anna destefano
by melissa v
on June 2nd, 2006 at 5:24 pm
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Jill Barnett - The Days of Summer
Whitney Lyles, Bev Brandt, C. Linz, Pamela Chase - Catch of the Day
:mrgreen:YOU, and a few other authors - Viva Las Bad Boys (am sure it will be as good as your other BB book)
BB of Summer by Erin McCarthy, etc.
BB Southern Style - Joann Roos, Sheedy and Shalvis
You seen a theme going on here? Love those BB’s)
by Karen T.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 5:39 pm
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Touch the Dark by Karen Chance
California Demon by Julie Kenner
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
Red Heart of Jade by Marjorie Liu
Sins of Midnight by Kimberly Logan
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta
Calamity Jayne Rides Again by Kathy Bacus
Ex, Why, and Me by Susanna Carr
Hit Hard by Amy Fetzer
Princess at Sea by Dawn Cook
Thrill Me to Death by Roxanne St. Claire
Vanquished by Hope Tarr
Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover by Alesia Holliday
Love is in the Heir by Kathryn Caskie
Undead and Unpopular by MJD
Dark Need by Lynn Viehl
Catch of the Day anthology
Undressed by Kristina Cook
Dark Protector by Alexis Morgan
Crazy Love by Tara Janzen
Mysteria antho
I See You by Holly Lisle
Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn (almost forgot since I already read it, but it was good)
Ummm… clearly I need help. I\’m even sure there are ones I am missing.
by Nicole
on June 2nd, 2006 at 10:07 pm
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I love letting readers know what I love to read; so here goes my June and July wants to read: (Some of them anyway!:mrgreen:)
Joann Ross - Impulse
HelenKay Dimon, etc. - Viva Las Bad Boys - since it looks like it is coming out the end of July from what I have seen here (hopefully anyway)
Lori Wilde - Destiny’s Hand
Karen Kendall - Midnight Touch
Any other Bad Boy books
And lots that have others have listed like:
Hell on Wheels - Karen Kelley
Susan Donovan - The Kept Woman
by Joanne V.
on June 2nd, 2006 at 10:15 pm
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My to reads are:
Aussie rules-Jill Shalvis
Angels Fall-Nora roberts
Twelve Sharp-Janet Evanovitch
Hot Item-Carly Phillips
by Estella Kissell
on June 3rd, 2006 at 12:09 am
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The main book I”m waiting for is Laurell K. Hamiltons new book Danse Macabre due out June 27, 2006
by Glenna Day
on June 3rd, 2006 at 1:43 am
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Here is part of my summer reading list:smile:
Aussie Rules- Jill Shalvis
Bad Boys Southern Style- Jill Shalvis and a bunch of other great authors
Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
Undressed- Kristina Cook
Love is in the Heir- Kathryn Caskie (last of the series)
Hot Item - Carly Phillips
The new book by Linda Lael Miller and Luanne Rice but I forgot the titles
by Kathleen
on June 3rd, 2006 at 8:33 am
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Oooh, wonderful prize.
Here are some of my upcoming books to read:
Viva Las Bad Boys by HelenKay Dimon and gang - looks like it will be coming out in July (am hoping - the sooner the better).:grin:
Julie Leto - Boys of Summer and A Fare to Remember (catchy title)
Leslie Kelley - Here Comes Trouble
Bad Boys of Summer - Erin McCarthy, Lori Foster, Amy Garvey
Bad Boys Southern Style - JoAnn Ross, E. C. Sheedy and Jill Shalvis
A good weekend to all.
by Maria
on June 3rd, 2006 at 9:55 am
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In no particular order…
Cover of Night (HB) and Killing Time (PB) by Linda Howard
Ex, Why and Me by Susanna Carr
Impulse by JoAnn Ross
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
Whispers of the Night by Lydia Joyce
Over the Line by Cindy Gerard
Dark Need by Lynn Viehl
Blaze of Glory by Catherine Mann
Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh
Angels Fall and Blue Smoke (PB) by Nora Roberts
Crazy Love by Tara Janzen
The Wrong Hostage by Elizabeth Lowell
Now I only need to figure out which bills will go unpaid *grin*
by azteclady
on June 3rd, 2006 at 12:50 pm
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These are all on my to buy list:
Kathryn Shay Ties That Bind
Hannah Howell Highland Lover
Barbara Freethy Taken
Cherry Adair Edge of Danger and Edge of Fear
Christine Feehan Dangerous Tides
Susan Kearney The Quest
Marjorie Liu Red Heart of Jade
Catherine Coulter Born to be Wild and of course
Tara Janzen Crazy Love
by Joyce
on June 3rd, 2006 at 12:58 pm
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Ack!!! I forgot another one!
Kushiel’s Scion by Jacqueline Carey
by azteclady
on June 3rd, 2006 at 1:17 pm
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My look forward to June and July reads are:
Catch of the Day anthol
Any of the BB anthologies
Viva Las Bad Boys if it does come out in July by HelenKay Dimon - that’s you, etc.
Hell on Wheels - Karen Kelly
by Lori D.
on June 3rd, 2006 at 2:28 pm
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Thank you all for the votes for Viva Las Bad Boys! I’m really hoping to see it in July. Yeah, I’m a bit impatient. For those who don’t know, I don’t get to depend on Lori and Erin this time. All three stories are by me.
by HelenKay
on June 3rd, 2006 at 7:32 pm
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HelenKay, I thought Viva Las Bad Boys was an August release? Has that changed?
by azteclady
on June 4th, 2006 at 10:46 am
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I hope you have a great time on vacation. Maybe those words will come to you so fast you will finish quickly.
I just got home in the wee hours of the morning from my vacation in Arizona. It was 115 degrees when we left. Too hot! I was melting. LOL We stayed in a private home and I spent most of the week reading, shopping and eating. No deadlines for me since I can’t write.
These are the books I want to read:
Megan’s Mark by Lora Leigh
Hunting the Hunter by Shiloh Walker
Sinful Pleasures by Mary Reed McCall
Surf’s Up anthology
and a whole lot more.
by KimW
on June 4th, 2006 at 11:17 am
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Bad Boys Southern Style, Ross/Sheedy/Shalvis
Hell on Wheels, Karen Kelley
The Prodical’s Return, Anna DeStefano
Hot Item, Carly Phillips
Patiently waiting!!1
by Robyn
on June 4th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
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It’s not 115 degrees here - thank goodness! That just seems a bit warm to me.
Azteclady - You’re correct. Viva Las Bad Boys! is an August release. The Kensington website is listing the release date as July 25th, so I’m wondering if we’ll see it a bit early. Not sure, but maybe. I’m hoping…
by HelenKay
on June 5th, 2006 at 12:00 am
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Thank you, Helen Kay–for a moment there I thought I had finally gone insane…
by azteclady
on June 5th, 2006 at 8:13 am
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Kim W - Wow 115 degrees - was it muggy. Dont know if I could survive that hi a temp. Hope you had a good time. Was it that hot most of your trip?
by Pat
on June 5th, 2006 at 8:42 am
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Hi HelenKay!
Okay, taking a deep breath, and here we go…
Not So Snow White by Donna Kauffman
Hell on Wheels, Karen Kelley
Viva Las Bad Boys (if it comes out in July) by HelenKay Dimon
Highland Lover by Hannah Howell
Bad Boys of Summer - Erin McCarthy, Lori Foster, Amy Garvey
Hot Item - Carly Phillips
Love is in the Heir- Kathryn Caskie
Aussie Rules- Jill Shalvis
The Prodigal’s Return by Anna DeStefano
I too loved When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys! If you guys have not read it you should give it a try. HelenKay’s story is quite delectable! Of course, Erin McCarthy and Lori Foster do an awesome job too! You gotta love those bad boys!
by Zara
on June 8th, 2006 at 11:24 am
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Thanks Zara!
by HelenKay
on June 10th, 2006 at 8:21 am
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And the winner is…Tammy G. (comment #7). Yay!
Email me at helenkay@helenkaydimon.com so I can get your address and get the gift card out to you.
by HelenKay
on June 10th, 2006 at 8:23 am
