Lori Wilde: Beach Reads

As people head out for vacation, I thought it might be fun to let you guys see what new books are my summer reading list, and why I chose them.

1)     Unexpected Reunions by Carolyn White Greene (Inspirational) Bought it because it’s written by one of my best friends, and because it won two Holt medallion awards. I knew she was a brilliant writer, but now everyone else knows it too!

2)     First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen (Magic Realism) I love Sarah’s lyrical style and romantic storytelling.

3)     Me Before You by JoJo Moyes (Romance) Because I’ve heard so much about Moyes‘ books, I have to see what all the fuss is about.

4)     The Yoga Miracle by Sanjay Patel (Nonfiction) Yoga has completely changed my life. The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know anything.

5)     Suddenly One Summer by Julie James (Romance) She’s one of my favorite new-to-me author. Love her hip urban settings and characters.

6)     Swag by Elmore Leonard. (Mystery) Love the way this man writes dialogue. After binge watching Justified, I’ve started glomming in Leonard’s books.

7)     Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra (Romance) Virginia is up against me in the RITAs’ this year, and I want to know just how screwed I am. She’s so great with character emotions.

8)     Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Mystery) I’ve already read it, and seen the movie, but now I want to dissect the book line by line as a writer, just to see how she pulled off such brilliance.

9)     Once in a Million by Jill Shalvis. (Romance) Same reason for reading Kantra. Plus Jill’s books are just so fun.

10) Surrendering to the Sheriff by Delores Fossen (Romantic Suspense) Delores is another friend of mine who is about to hit BIG. Be on the lookout for her upcoming single titles from HQN.

How about you? What’s on your summer reading list and why did you pick the books you picked?

Lori Wilde: Wedding Crashing 101

After being dumped at the altar a year earlier, the heroine of the next book in my Stardust, Texas series, Jodi Carlyle breaks out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of the word “marriage.”

It’s a phobia she must overcome in order to serve as maid-of-honor at her younger sister’s upcoming wedding. On the advice of her therapist, Jodi crashes a high profile wedding. Only to get busted by a handsome baseball player who promises to keep her secret if she agrees to be his plus 1 for the evening.

In order to survive the night, Jodi makes up a set of wedding crasher rules, all designed to keep her from falling for heartbreaker Jake Coronado. Especially when she learns Jake is to be best man at her sister’s wedding.

Armed with Jodi Carlyle’s Wedding Crasher Rules, you too could crash a wedding and get away with it!

1)     Look the part.

2)     Never use your real name.

3)     Fight the urge to tell the truth.

4)     Don’t linger too long.

5)     If you do linger too long, be gone by sunrise

6)     Smile! You’re having the time of your life.

7)     What happens at the wedding stays at the wedding.

8)     If you get caught, play dumb.

9)     When challenged, keep your cool.

10) Do not have sex in the cloak closet.

11) Watch where you leave your panties.

12) Having a good time is not an excuse for losing control.

13): Don’t get too attached to anyone you pick up at a wedding.

14) You just met him. Of course you don’t love him.

15) Remember the past is gone, and the future doesn’t exist yet, live for today.

16) You can’t save the wedding cake and eat it too.

17) Do bring a gift. It makes you look legit.

18) Go for the gusto.

19) Enjoy the party while it lasts.

20) You’re from out of town, always.

21) Don’t get attached.

22) At some point there’s bound to be drama, have an escape plan.

23) For God’s sake do not fall in love.

24) Always have an exit plan.

25) When it’s your wedding, reserve a spot for the crashers.

Have you ever crashed a wedding? If so, did you get caught? If not, would you ever dare to crash? 

Lorraine Heath: Holiday Harmony

My Christmas cards went into the mail today. I bought a lovely large silk poinsettia. I’ll attend a few holiday parties—my RWA chapter’s, one with friends, one with my bookclub—and that, my friends, will probably be the extent of Christmas at our house, at least in December.

When my boys were little, we spent a lot of time on the road during Christmas. My parents were five hours away so we’d pop south to visit them for a night and then we’d drive three hours east to visit my husband’s parents. Then it was a six-hour drive home. I have to confess that as much as I enjoyed visiting with our families, I also welcomed the two years when it snowed over Christmas because the boys got to sleep in their beds and Santa visited at our house. There wasn’t the stress of driving roads, usually in the cold and rain, filled with traffic as others tried to join family elsewhere.

It was just us—snug in our home.

So when my boys started getting serious about their girlfriends, I encouraged them to spend the holiday with her family. Drive to one destination, relax, enjoy the holiday. We’ll have our “Christmas” sometime in January.

And we’ve done that for five years now. Hubby and I started a tradition of going out to a very nice restaurant on Christmas Eve. Christmas day we catch a movie, then come home and prepare a small turkey dinner. It’s relaxed, it’s enjoyable, and I don’t have to worry about my boys being on the road.

I usually put up a tree but this year we’ll be meeting later than usual—in February—so I’m thinking the tree probably won’t go up. Or maybe it will. I haven’t decided.

I know the holidays can be difficult for those who don’t have family near or friends to visit. I think this is where creating other traditions for ourselves can be helpful, can give us something special to look forward to. After our turkey dinner, I’ll watch a few Christmas movies—Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Then I’ll probably curl up with a good book. What book would you recommend for holiday reading?

Lorraine has a Christmas novella, Deck the Halls with Love, that came out last Christmas. It’s a story of second chances. 

Lorraine will give away a copy of her Christmas novella and her latest novel, ONCE MORE, MY DARLING ROGUE, to one lucky poster.  Leave a comment for a chance to win!

Happy Holidays!

*** Lorraine's winner is Carol L! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!***