WHAT IS THE BEST MOVIE AND OR BOOK YOU’VE SEEN OR READ RECENTLY?
Julie: The best movie I’ve seen lately? Wow, that’s hard. I never go to the movies anymore and I love it! The last movie I saw in the theatre was Ice Age 2, and while it was funny, it wasn’t that great. (This one “went for the funny” at the expense of a formidable villain and a strong plot…even with animation, I’m picky.) There are so many movies I’ve WANTED to see, but didn’t have a chance. I’ve been relying on television for movies lately–old favorites like The Princess Bride and The Preacher’s Wife (the one with Cary Grant, not Whitney Houston). Saturday is my movie day. I usually have laundry and I can sit and watch movies while I fold. I love that! As for books, I just finished Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez’s MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD. Her writing is chick lit (or chica lit, as it were!) The book was a fascinating character study and as a writer, I found her storytelling technique so compelling. As a reader, I was sucked in by my need to keep reading about one particular character, even though I didn’t like her. That always interests me because in romance, we are always expected to write about someone the readers will like. I enjoy something different. The last “couldn’t put down” book I read before that was Allison Brennan’s THE PREY. Most excellent. Awesome characters, amazing plot, flawless writing. She’s highly recommended!
Carly: The best thing about having daughters is being able to see chick flicks my husband would never see. The girls and I have seen Failure to Launch with sexy Matthew McConaughey, under duress I saw She’s the Man where Amanda Bines impersonates her twin brother at college and falls for his roommate. I kid you not! The Benchwarmers was hysterical in a bathroom humor sort of way. I’m still waiting for a movie I’m dying to see though. As for books … I am a contemporary romance reader at heart and I have been trying to find contemporary fun books and authors that I haven’t already read! So. Most recently, I loved Jill Shalvis’ Her Sexiest Mistake, I’ve been reading Lori Foster’s newest Visitation series … and I’m taking recommendations
Leslie: I recently read the latest Christopher Moore book, A DIRTY JOB and, as always, was entirely entertained. Though it didn’t quite measure up to my favorite-ever Moore book, LAMB: (The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal), it was probably in the top three. In this one, the protagonist, constantly described as a “beta man,” takes on the personification of death. In typical Moore fashion, the book is hilariously funny while also, at times, heartbreaking. For instance, in the opening chapter, Moore introduces this paranoid, nervous, slightly whacky man whose wife has just given birth to their daughter. The reader is amused by his insanely over-protective worries about his wife and baby…right up until the end of the chapter when his wife suddenly dies from complications of childbirth. Just one of those things that takes the reader completely by surprise and sets the book going in a different direction. (Kinda like the zombies in The Stupidest Angel.) The juxtaposition of laughter and tears continues throughout as our hero settles into his role as death, raising his equally deadly baby daughter on his own. With Moore, you honestly never know what to expect. He thoroughly entertains my “reader” side and impresses my “writer” side with his use of language and character development. Some of his lines just leave me howling, wondering how on earth he came up with something so very clever. And yes, sometimes things go a little over the top (the suddenly animated stuffed rodents in this book, for instance) but they still don’t take away from the truly dazzling reading experience Moore can provide.
Janelle: I haven’t been to the movie theater in a long while and I honestly can’t remember what I saw last when I was there! Instead, we’ve been renting movies every weekend, and it’s kinda nice to relax at home while watching the movies. And a heck of lot cheaper! This weekend I rented Shop Girl (looks ntriguing), The Family Stone (I did want to see that one when it was out but didn’t make it), and Cassanova with Heath Ledger — which I did see in the theater with Julie when I was in Florida last year and really enjoyed. Karen’s plane was late coming in for our plotting weekend (I think she posted earlier this week about her travel woes, and this was definitely one of them, LOL!), and Julie and I went to the mall for a pedicure and movie since we had extra time to kill. Anyway, I know my 15 year old will really enjoy Cassanova, so we’ll watch it together. There is an older movie I’d recommend that I really love — Wicker Park. I wasn’t too sure about it at first, but by the end my heart was in my throat and I nearly cried (in a good way, LOL). I had to BUY that one on DVD and it’s a movie I watch over and over! As for books . . . Haven’t read much of those lately, but I did pick up Julia London’s latest this week, EXTREME BACHELOR, and so far I’m really enjoying it!
What about everyone else? Got any great movie or book recommendations for the rest of us?
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I havent seen many movies lately; but books….. :p
Debbie Macomber – Susannah’s Garden was wonderful. I definitely recommend it.
Janet Evanovich – Manhunt – A Fun Read – very enjoyable.
Katheleen Long – Cherry on Top – also very enjoyable.
Luanne McLane – Wilde Ride – 3 hot stories – v.g.
Tina Donahue – Close to Perfect – v. g.
Bella Andre – HOT HOT – EXC READ – Take Me.
Kathy Love – Wanting Something More – 3rd book of the Stepp Sisters – exc. read
Pamela Britton – In the Groove – V.G.
Donna Kauffman – BB in Kilts – 3 stories of 3 sexy brothers with the tale of the 4th to come next year. YAY!
Susan Mallery – Delicious – Loved it with a few more books to come in the next few mos. Can’t wait.
These have been read in the past several weeks and are definite recommends.
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I also haven’t been to the movies much, and the last few movies I have seen were just ‘eh’.
Bookwise,
I read Lucy Monroe’s “And Able” (“Ready” & “Willing” are the 1st 2 books in the trilogy) and it rocked. I adore Lucy’s books.
“Animal Instincts” by Gena Showalter is a very funny, poignant, sexy story told in the first person. My first by GS, not my last.
Another funny one is MaryJanice Davidson’s “Dead and Loving It”. I get such a kick out of her writing – she’s very funny and it doesn’t take long to finish her books. Love ‘em.
I loved “Much Ado Above Love” and “Kiss Me Annabell” by Eloisa James which were both wonderful. The 3rd story, “Taming the Duke”, was okay.
I also read “Wild Ride” by LuAnn McLane. Love her stories. She’s good at the sweet and sexy combo.
I’m currently reading Emma Holly’s “All U Can Eat”, which is just as erotic as other stories, but there’s definitely some suspense thrown into this one.
I want to get Janelle’s recent re-release “Naughty” and Julie’s “New Orleans Nights”
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I dont go to the movies much but we rented Derailed and I thought it was good. I little slow at the beginning but by the middle I was on the edge of my sea!
As for books I am a contemp. girl myself. I read Fair Play by Deirdre Martin. I love her hockey series. I read all but one. They are really good reads.
I also Knock Me Off My Feet by Susan Donovan. I love her writing. She is so funny. I can always count on laughs when I read her books.
I read my first historical, it was Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe. She is one of my very favorites so I figured I’d be safe choosing one of her books for my first historical. I really didnt think I would enjoy historicals, but I LOVED this book. Very sweet love story and I always fall in love with her heros. I’ll be picking up the others in this series.
Kelley
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I don’t go to the movies much either. But usually buy some new releases on DVD or rent them. I just watched Walk The Line and enjoyed it.
As for books I have just finished Temperature’s Rising by Karen Kelley and loved it. This was my first time reading this Author and am looking forward to Hell On Wheels when it comes out.
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I haven’t gone to movies in quite awhile, not sure why. We used to go to the Drive-in a couple times a month. The price is about half that of the theater and you get a double feature!
I just finished The Penalty Box by Deirdre Martin. It was terrific, as were her other three books. Before that, I read A Dream Across Time by Annie Rogers. It was a bit different from what I usually read, but I found myself completely engrossed in it and looking forward to A Circle of Dreams the next book in the saga.
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Good movies: WALK THE LINE, THE CORPSE BRIDE, DOMINO.
I just finished Mia Zachary’s AFTERNOON DELIGHT. Excellent read.
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The last movie I saw in the theatre was Brokeback Mountain–interesting but not fantastic. At home I watched Stepmom which I thought was very good & produced tears for me!
I am currently reading Hearts Divided an anthology by Debbie Macomber, Katherine Stone & Lois Faye Dyer. So far I have only read the first which is by Debbie, 5-B Poppy Lane, it was very good. I wouldn’t expect anything else from Debbie. I am in the process of reading the second one now which is promising to be as good as the first. The stories all seem to revolve around a military H. Debbie’s story had some unexpected revelations from the h grandmother. Very interesting. Prior to that I read several Blaze books & prior to that Carly’s series The Bachelor, The Heartbreaker & The Playboy about the Chandler brothers. Yummy all of them. :)
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yes read afternoon delight by mia zachary.
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I just saw the movie RV (Robin Williams) with my youngest. I thought it would be a Vacation (Chevy Chase) remake and though it was a similar concept, I am shocked to say I laughed as hard during this one as I’ve laughed in awhile. I’m not saying it’s rocket science, but for a good laugh, we loved it! (*)
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Don’t watch movies, but read Lisa Jacksons Fatal Burn and Janet Daileys Lone Calder Star—very good books.
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I would have to agree with Susan. Any of Deirdre Martin’s books are awesome. They are more of a “Sports Romance” hockey theme. But they are so good, the kind of book that makes you laugh out loud while reading it. :)
I came by this site because I have been a fan of Carly’s for a while. So that said, I just grabbed a book by each of the other plotmonkeys. I am starting with Julie’s “Dirty Little Secrets” and working my way through the rest.
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The last movie I saw at the theatre was Take The Lead with Antonio Banderas. It wasn’t what I was expecting. My 15 year old daughter saw it a few days before with her friends and loved it. I did enjoy Antonio’s performance. I was hoping for more of a movie like Shall We Dance with JLO and Richard Gere. I loved that movie.
Last week I rented Triston and Isolde. I really enjoyed that movie. Just like reading a historical. It had a sad ending but the location for the movie was beautiful.
I want to see Casanova. I’m a big Heath Ledger fan. I loved him in a Knight;s Tale. I own a copy of that movie.
I just don’t think I can bring myself to watch Heath in Brokeback Mountain.
Like Janelle I rent most of my movies. I enjoy watching them at home. I’m a short person and it never fails for some person tall always find a way to sit in front of me at the show. ;( Or noisy people always love to sit behind me and talk trought the entire movie. Plus if you rent 3 movies at the video rental place we use you get a 4th movie free and you get to keep them for a week. For what it cost to go to the show I rent 4 movies.
I will go see Hugh in XMen 3 on the BIG screen and Johnny in Pirates Dead Man’s Chest. :d I have my priorites
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I have a book recommendation for you all. I’m a Jimmy Buffett fan and had gone to a concert preparty last summer. Where I meet Kathleen Shaputis promoting her book “Changes in Attitude”. I bought the book and loved it, that I went to her website and bought two more for my friends. Its funny and honest read, even if your NOT a “Parrothead” aka Jimmy Buffett fan. You’ll (l) Gillian! As for (~) check out “Friends with Money”, I like the heartwarming relationships the four women had.
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Hi, first time posting, but, buy all of your books, & read the posts & comments regularly.
I have given up movies: they just don’t entertain me any more.
As far as a recommended book, one I just discovered & that stays with me is a 9/05 Berkley Contemporary, entitled Someone To Believe In, by Kathryn Shay (also writes for HSR). I was blown away by its passionate lead characters for whom I was rooting from their first meeting, the story’s natural structure of individuals who really shouldn’t be together (he’s a conservative Senator, formerly, D.A., who prosecuted the heroine for Accessory After the Fact) & the heroine, a woman who works for an organization that intervenes & houses girl-gang members who want to escape their situation. They form part of a ongoing group to allocate Federal social service funds, & their encounters steam up the pages. This story has very gritty elements, & I found the girl-gang happenings rough going, but, the lead characters held me.
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Carly, I’m thrilled you enjoyed Her Sexiest Mistake, thanks so much for mentioning it!
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Thanks to you guys who have read Wild Ride! If you send me your addresses I’d love to send you guys some leather keychains for my August release Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots… a steamy romantic comedy ;-)
Take care!
LuAnn