Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 7!
Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.
Today’s Guest: Julie James, author of the most awesome Contemporary Romance novels. Her books are love letters to old screwball comedies full of strong female characters and great, witty repartee. Her first book was Just The Sexiest Man Alive, reviewed by Ana.
Recent Work: Practice Makes Perfect, reviewed here. You can read the author’s article about the inspiration and influences behind writing the book, here.
Dear all, Julie James:
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Relatively speaking, I’m a newcomer to romance.
As I’ve mentioned before, I began reading romantic fiction when Berkley bought my first book and my editor told me that I had, in fact, written a romance. (With a writing background in screenplays, I’d described Just the Sexiest Man Alive as a “romantic comedy.”) So for the past two years, I’ve been doing a lot of catch up. What a pleasure it has been to have found my way to this wonderful genre.
So as I sit back now and think about the books I’ve read this year, I realize that picking my favorites is nearly an impossible task. 2009 was a great reading year for me, and I know that as soon as this blog posts, I’ll remember a book—or several—that I forgot to mention. But here are a few that really stood out to me:
Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh: Newbie that I am to romance in general, I’m even more of a newbie to paranormal romance. But this book instantly turned me into a Nalini Singh fan. The world-building. The details. Just the descriptions of the angels’ wings alone are incredible. The hero. (Oh yeah, he’s an archangel.) And the climax. . . so visual and breathtaking, I think I was reading with my jaw on the floor. The next book in the series, Archangel’s Kiss, comes out in February and I can’t wait.
Fragile by Shiloh Walker: Dark, intense, and utterly compelling. Shiloh took the heroine and hero on one heck of an emotional roller coaster in this book, and I was right there with them. The hero’s twin brother’s book, Broken, comes out this March and—confession time—I’ve read it and think it’s just as gripping and suspenseful as Fragile. And it features a brooding, angst-y hero who definitely deserves a HEA.
Daring Time by Beth Kery: I’m such a fan of Beth Kery’s writing. Wicked Burn was the first erotic romance I read, and I was sold on Beth’s books after that. What I enjoy so much is that the stories, while sizzling hot, are incredibly romantic. The hero in Daring Time travels through time to save the heroine—what could be more devoted than that? Framing the story is a richly detailed setting—turn of the century Chicago—that made the book enjoyable on every level for me.
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase: I know, I know, what hole have I been in that I just read this in 2009? I thought this book couldn’t possibly live up to all the hype. It did. The scene—and I’ll be vague here for the last two people in Romanceland who haven’t read it—with Jessica and the gun? Priceless.
Beyond the Night by Joss Ware: Okay, so I’m cheating a little with this one, since it doesn’t come out until January 2010. But a little birdie slipped me an early copy of this book and I can’t help but include it in my favorite reads of the year. The world-building is, in a word, incredible. Post-apocalyptic romance with zombies and a Heroes-like twist. Ha—if I had a dime every time I read that. I stayed up late to finish the book because I simply couldn’t put it down. For something off the beaten path, yet still romantic, this is a series worth checking out.
In addition to the above, there are two non-romance books that have to be included in my favorite reads of 2009. First, The Help by Kathryn Stockett—a poignant, sometimes bittersweet, but ultimately rewarding and uplifting story about three women from different walks of life who find unexpected strength in each other, and more important, in themselves. This is one of those books you want to tell all your friends about after finishing it.
Second, Labor Day by Joyce Maynard. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting much from this book. I got it for free at the RWA conference and picked it up on whim over Labor Day weekend. How glad I am that I did. It’s a quick read about love and adolescence and the human need to connect with others and, in the end, is sweetly romantic. This book is probably the one that surprised me most this year because it turned out to be so much more than I expected.
Which leads me to my question. . . of the books you read this year, which one surprised you most? (Hopefully one that surprised you in a good way.) In the spirit of Smugglivus, I’ll give away signed copies of both Practice Makes Perfect and Just the Sexiest Man Alive to one random commenter.
Happy reading!
Julie’s next book, Something About You, will be released by Berkley on March 2, 2010. To read an excerpt, visit Julie’s Website.
Thanks Julie!!
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Giveaway details:
Go forth and comment! The contest is open to EVERYONE and will run until Saturday, December 12 at 11:59pm (PST). To enter, simply leave a comment here. ONE entry per person, please! Duplicate and/or multiple entries will be disqualified. Good Luck!
73 Comments
Katee R
December 7, 2009 at 1:00 amThe most surprising book I read this year was Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs by Molly Harper. I picked it up because I’d seen it around the internet and I saw it at the store. I wasn’t too sure because I’m kind of burnt out on vampires but WOW, this book blew me away. I was laughing out loud (sometimes until I cried) through the entire thing. Great book!
Veronica F.
December 7, 2009 at 2:36 amThe book(s) that surprised me most this year was Frostbite, and the entire Vampire Academy series it’s a part of. I had expected it to be a cheesy vampire read because it’s YA, and picked it up out of boredom and the fact that it was available to me at that moment. Boy am I glad it was, because it’s lead me to one of my favorite authors, Richelle Mead! Not only that, but I now love & gravitate towards paranormal fiction & romance. Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh is totally on my TBR list now, as are the others on Julie James list and I would love to win her series too!
waterfairy
December 7, 2009 at 2:59 amThe book that most surprised me was Bitten by Kelly Armstrong. I was burned out of paranormals – just couldnt bring myself to read them but tried this after a glowing review by SB Sarah. And I liked it. Really liked it. And that is one book I’m glad I liked it.
Jenn C.
December 7, 2009 at 3:59 amThe books that surprised me the most this year are the Night World books by LJ Smith. I picked up the Secret Circle books because I’d read the first one as a kid, and it had made an impression (enough that after one read, I remembered it 15 years later), and was expecting to enjoy them for nostalgia’s sake. What I didn’t expect was the preview for the Night World books, which led to the author’s website and a free download of Secret Vampire, which led to an addiction. I still don’t think that these books are the greatest thing ever, but they are incredibly addicting, and the reissues are cheap and easy to find, thanks to the current vampire trend.
Nadia Lee
December 7, 2009 at 4:13 amThe book that surprised me the most was SALT AND SILVER by Anna Katherine b/c it was super fast-paced and very fun, much more so than I expected. 🙂
Wendy
December 7, 2009 at 5:00 amHi, Julie! I haven’t read the others but Angels’ Blood was AMAZING, loved it! 😀
The book that most surprised me was Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols in the sense that before I read it, I very rarely read young adult books but I loved it so much, it opened my eyes to this genre.
Patti
December 7, 2009 at 5:21 amIn the last three months I’ve started reading Contemporary Romance and I’m surprised at how much I like it! I’d shied away and stuck to paranormal or historical and my SIL lent me a Contmp and told me to give it a try. I’m so glad she did!
blodeuedd
December 7, 2009 at 5:27 amThis year YA surprised me, I didn’t even read much YA 10 years ago when I was teh perfect YA age. But I picked up Scott Westerfelds Uglies which lead me to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and I was hooked. There is some great YA out there
Sarah
December 7, 2009 at 5:27 amI’d say that Demon’s Lexicon surprised me the most. I hadn’t read YA since I was a YA, and I was expecting to like it, because of you all’s review of it, but in a faintly patronizing way. Instead I full on LOVED it. As in started rereading it again immediately after finishing it. I still cannot gush about it enough…
RKCharron
December 7, 2009 at 5:50 amHi Julie 🙂
Thank you for sharing here today. That was an interesting selection of novels and I thank you for introducing me to a few new ones. EYES LIKE STARS by Lisa Mantchev surprised me: It had many literary allusions and characters and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It’s classified as YA but I know it would be appreciated by adults even more than YA.
🙂
All the best,
RKCharron
PS – To all fellow commentors Julie is on Twitter! She’s @juljames
Susan Laura
December 7, 2009 at 6:19 amI am very glad I gave Gail Carriger’s first book, Souless (The Parasol Protectorate) a chance after reading so many good reviews. I was reluctant because its genre of “steampunk” kept throwing me – what is that?!? — but it was a wonderful mystery/sci-fi/funny/romance story!
Jessica Kennedy
December 7, 2009 at 7:42 amMy Wicked Vampire (The Castle of Dark Dreams, Book 4) by Nina Bangs surprised me the most. I never thought I’d think of plants as characters! And I just loved the story and the action. 🙂 It was my first book by her.
Sue R.
December 7, 2009 at 7:59 amThe book that surprise me this year was Gods Behacing Badly. It was funny, witty and had an interesting plot to follow. At first I was hesistant but now I am recommending it to my friends.
Caitlin Usignol
December 7, 2009 at 8:10 amThe book that surprised me the most was Karen Chance’s Cassandra Palmer series. I really loved the first four books and can’t wait for the next one.
Lynette
December 7, 2009 at 8:19 amThanks for running this contest. Every time I see her name mentioned it’s in the back of my mind to pick up her book but I always forget.
One of the things that surprises me is hwo different readers tastes are. I know that’s not what you were exactly asking, but it is in a way. I’ll read a blog and the person writing the review would not like the book, have real thought out reason that make sense on why the book didn’t work for them. I’ll read the review and put of reading the book. Yet, when I read the book, I see none of the issues they had with it and actually enjoy the book alot.
This has happened to me several times over the year. Covet by J.R. Ward (I’m not into her laters books and she stopped being a must have for me but I was shocked at how much I liked Covet when a lot of people didn’t) and Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas. Alot of people didn’t like the heroine thought she was a doormat and didn’t like her hero. I loved Poppy a lot more than her older sister and didn’t mind the hero.
Then their is the books were someone gives a glowing review and I read it and think what the heck were they thinking. But I won’t mention those titles. 😉
On a side note, I just read LOS a couple months ago and while I enjoyed the book, I couldn’t see what the big deal was and why everyone thought it was the best historical ever. Maybe it’s because it was hyped so much, I was expecting more. It didn’t move me as much as reading Morning Glory or something like that.
So if anyone hasn’t read Morning Glory by LaVryle Spencer they defiantly should.
limecello
December 7, 2009 at 8:31 amWow – this is a fantastic giveaway! 😀 Thanks for having it.
As for the most surprising book I’ve read this year… tough question. I was surprised by a number of category books – and yes, in a good way…
But I’ll go with Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. I was apprehensive about it, but I loved it.
Kearsten
December 7, 2009 at 8:46 amBiggest surprise for me this year: Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series. The surprise being, “How the heck did these get past me?!?!?”
Marie
December 7, 2009 at 9:04 amThe biggest surprise for me this year was Nalini Singh’s ‘Angels’ Blood’. I’d read her other books and didn’t think that there could be anything comparable to her Psy/Changeling series.
Jennifer
December 7, 2009 at 9:19 amWell, I can’t pick just ONE book that was a surprise. But I will say that the author who I was most pleasantly surprised by was Victoria Dahl. It took me forever to get to reading her stuff and I am so angry at myself for all that wasted time! I started with her contemporaries and then, even though I despise historicals, because they were by her I read her historicals… SURPRISE! Loved them!!!! 🙂
Raquel Vega-Grieder
December 7, 2009 at 9:52 amThe Book That Surprised Me The Most Was Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series. The Way Each Book Takes A Look At Each Individual Breed Warrior While At The Same Time Giving You Little Updates On Previous Breed Male’s (I.E. Their Own Story) Is Fantastic. A Lot Of Times A Series Will Focus On One Core Set Of Characters And That’s It But Lara Goes One Better In My Opinion. Other Ones To Rock My World Have Been Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy And Succubus Series,J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series,Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire Series,Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Blood Series,Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Intruments Series,P.C. Cast And Kristen Cast’s House Of Night Series,And Of Course Stephanie Meyer Who Re-Awakened My Vampire Love/Obsession.
Frances
December 7, 2009 at 9:55 amI’d love to win this giveaway!
Donna
December 7, 2009 at 10:23 amThe book that surprised me the most was Dan Browns Da Vinci Code as i didn’t enjoy the film & thought the book would be uninteresting. 😳 Boy how wrong was i, it blew me away with its fast paced action & had amazing twists and turns. 😀
Just goes to show books always beat the movies hands down.
Shiloh Walker
December 7, 2009 at 10:36 amGee… am I allowed to mention that I read SOMETHING ABOUT YOU… and loved it… *G*
(don’t enter me in the contest…)
Teresa W.
December 7, 2009 at 10:59 amI absolutely love The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine and also enjoyed Skin Game by Ava Gray!
Alex D
December 7, 2009 at 11:03 amEnter me, please 🙂 The most surprising book for me would be Demon Angel by Meljean Brook. The book is huge and a little confusing but I couldn’t put it down and now own all five main books of the series.
Julie James
December 7, 2009 at 11:07 amHappy Smugglivus everyone!!
Thanks so much to Ana and Thea for inviting me to join in the celebration! And thanks to all of you for all these great book recommendations… what’s really striking me are all the YA books. Another confession: I’ve never read a young adult romance. [ducks tomatoes]. Unless the Sweet Valley High books count. 😉 But that’s just because I haven’t known where to begin, and now I have some great ideas. So keep them coming!
Jackie U
December 7, 2009 at 11:09 amActually, it was Practice Makes Perfect. I normally steer clear of contemporaries because most of them are so formulaic that I can guess what will happen next. Not so with Julie James’ books. I fell in love with her characters, her stories, and her humor.
Paige
December 7, 2009 at 11:12 amThe book that suprised me the most was The Thief by Megan Walen Turner. The book had a big twist at the end and I was shocked and I also really enjoyed the book. I will probably have to buy Angels’ blood after I have seen so many glowing reviews.
MaryK
December 7, 2009 at 11:20 amOh, I’ve been wanting to read Just The Sexiest Man Alive since I read AnimeJune’s review.
I loved Angels’ Blood so much that I preordered Archangel’s Kiss! I’ll definitely be checking out the others on this list.
Donna S
December 7, 2009 at 11:22 amPlease include me.
Danielle Yockman
December 7, 2009 at 11:25 amLara Adrian was my biggest surprise this year! I loved Kiss of Midnight! Reading the whole series now. This was the dues vampire romance I have liked. 🙂
JoyceZ
December 7, 2009 at 11:40 amDear Sir, I’m Yours by Joely Sue Burhart was my most surprising read. I could relate to the heroine more than any other book I have recently read.
Anonymous
December 7, 2009 at 12:00 pmThe Kate Daniels series surprised me this year. I didn’t think I would like it as much as I do. Magic Strikes is one of my favorite books.
Tiah B
December 7, 2009 at 12:01 pmOops, that comment above is from me. 😉
Lisa B.
December 7, 2009 at 12:29 pmI read Karen Chance’s Embrace the Night and Loved it! She was a new-to-me author, now one of my favs.
Szilvi79
December 7, 2009 at 12:34 pmThe book that surprised me the most was Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The story (especially the ending) stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Everone I recommended the book and decided to read it, said: WOW! They felt the same as I did.
Jeanette Juan
December 7, 2009 at 12:36 pmThe most surprising book I read this year was Soulless by Gail Carriger because I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not. And I LOVE it!!!
Kate A
December 7, 2009 at 12:55 pmThe most surprising book I read this year was Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey. The romance in that book was really unexpected but soo awesome. It is definitely one of my favourite reads this year.
Great post and giveaway!
Wanda
December 7, 2009 at 1:49 pmI would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
Stacy
December 7, 2009 at 1:52 pmI just read Vampire Academy and I have to say I was really surprised at how much I liked it.
Emily
December 7, 2009 at 2:12 pmI only started reading Jacqueline Carey this year and I’m cursing myself for being under such a big rock that I’m only reading them now. Grr tons of work I have right now that prevents me from reading more!
Roxy
December 7, 2009 at 3:00 pmI have to say The Name of the Wind. I knew it was going to be good since both Ana and Thea were raving about it but I didn’t know it was going to be that good.
On a side note, I loved Angels’ Blood and cannot wait for Archangel’s Kiss. And I have not read Lord of Scoundrels yet. I really need to check that one out.
morganne w
December 7, 2009 at 4:13 pmthis is sad, its true, but the book that surprised me most was Angles Blood by Nalini Singh. Im was only recently introed 2 raomance, and im loving it. 🙂
Veronica F.
December 7, 2009 at 4:14 pmI love reading everyone’s answers, and I completely agree with Lynette (comment#15) ❗
It’s amazing how different everyone’s reaction to one book can be! It’s really been a crash course in learning how to read a book review, and how to decipher whether someone’s opinion fits my general tastes in books, and how to relay that into advice on what I should just get@library vs buying for my own.
Virginia C
December 7, 2009 at 4:57 pmI received an ARC of “Still Missing” by Chevy Stevens and was blown away! It’s a chilling horror story of abduction, abuse and betrayal that you won’t want to miss when it comes out in 2010!
Mariska
December 7, 2009 at 5:02 pmthe book that surprised me will be ‘ The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins.
It took me forever to finish the first chapter. Coz i think it’s kindda boring for the first – two chapters, but then after pushing my self to keep reading and finish what i had read..WOW..I HOOKED ! i just couldn’t put the book down. The story was so fast and Great. Now i’m waiting for the book three 😉
Holly
December 7, 2009 at 6:10 pmThe Help looks interesting, I think it might end up being a bit like The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella? 😯
Julie James
December 7, 2009 at 7:05 pmJackie U: Whew! Glad PMP didn’t surprise you in a bad way! 🙂
Holly: I haven’t read The Undomestic Goddess, so I can’t necessarily say. Although I have read “Can You Keep A Secret” by Kinsella, and if that’s the same tone as TUD, I’d say The Help is more serious. I’d expected it to be a downer of a book–pleasantly, it was not. There are some bittersweet parts, however.
Jenny N
December 7, 2009 at 8:09 pmOne book I read this year that really suprised me was Willow by Julia Hoban. I’m very squeemish about blood and this book dealt with cutting so was hesitant about reading this book. But I’m glad I did it turned out to be one of the best books I read this year.
katiebabs
December 7, 2009 at 9:50 pmYAY for Julie! I want to have babies with her books she’s such a good author. 😀
One book that came out of nowhere for me was Deidre Knight’s Butterfly Tattoo. Talk about really opening a person’s mind to why people fall and love and why. Very beautiful and poignant read.
NatalieT
December 7, 2009 at 10:39 pmMeredith Duran’s novels surprised me the most this year. I didn’t think they could live up to the hype but I was proved wrong, well and truly! Loved them.
enyl
December 7, 2009 at 10:40 pmThis sounds like a series that will intrest my book club, which has recently discovered romantic comedy/chic lit.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Dottie
December 7, 2009 at 10:40 pmHi Julie!
One book that really surprised me was Catching Fire, I couldn’t believe how good it was or that I read it start to finish in one evening, really blew me away!
Thanks for sharing some of your finds and for a great giveaway!
Dottie 🙂
Courtney
December 7, 2009 at 11:03 pmSomeone else mentioned this above…but the books that suprised me the most were the Vampire Academy. I thought it was just going to be another vampire book that was like all the rest. However they were amazing! I thought they were new and original and I love them now!
Joseri
December 7, 2009 at 11:53 pmI know this one has been mentioned already but my most surprising book of the year was The Hunger Games. It sat in my TBR pile for so long because despite the good reviews I’d read I still wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to read. When I finally did pick it up it wasn’t long before I finished it. It’s definitely gripping.
Eva S
December 8, 2009 at 2:49 amThe book that surprised me was Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas. I love her historicals and didn’t think I’d like her contemporary books but I was so wrong!
Marg
December 8, 2009 at 3:04 amThe book that surprised my most was The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley – so good, right from the first page! If I was going to pick another one it would have been The Hunger Games. All that hype doesn’t necessarily mean that I would love the book, but I did!
Stacie
December 8, 2009 at 6:23 amThanks for the chance!
Anita Yancey
December 8, 2009 at 10:25 amThe one book that I read that surprised me most was Something Borrowed. I didn’t really think it was my kind of book. But it turned out to be very good, and I’m glad that I read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Julie
December 8, 2009 at 10:45 amPatricia Briggs’ Hunting Ground surprised me; I wasn’t expecting it to be part of a series, and I found it so compelling I had to immediately search for the other ones to buy.
Kim
December 8, 2009 at 12:47 pmI was surprised that I thought Lisa Kleypas’s Smooth Talking Stranger was only okay. I liked the first two books in the series, but number 3 missed the mark.
Chelsea B.
December 8, 2009 at 3:01 pmI read a Christmas anthology and I loved it! What suprised me was the fact that I loved it, because I’m not usually an anthology person.
austenfan
December 9, 2009 at 5:56 amThe book that surprised me the most this year is Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Normally, I stay away from books like that (which are heavy with fantasy elements) but I just fell in love with this book! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win Julie James’ books – they look fun fun fun! 🙂
Miranda
December 9, 2009 at 7:48 amI have a deplorable habit of judging books by their covers… and ebooks seem to have worse covers than most. So I was pleasantly surprised by a great read in The Polyamorous Princes by Melodee Aaron.
Thank you for the giveaway – Miranda
GSM
December 9, 2009 at 2:30 pmKim Harrison’s “White Witch, Black Curse,” was the book that surprised me most this year. Harrison’s series is one I read and enjoy quite a bit. This is her best one to date. The way she solved a major plot question was surprising, and both satisfying and gut-wrenching. Good question. Thanks for the contests.
maered
December 10, 2009 at 4:13 amIt was definitely The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I had read some buzz online about it but didn’t really pay attention. Then, when I did read it, I was blown away. This is one of the best YA series out there at the moment. Much better than the Twilight Saga, IMO. 🙂
Gwen
December 10, 2009 at 7:27 pmThe House of Night books by Cast surprised me. I picked them up not expecting much except for a quick read and ended up devouring the entire series.
Hurrah!
Hannah
December 11, 2009 at 11:21 amI was hugely surprised by RJ Anderson’s ‘Knife’, which I thought would be a sweet but fairly simple story and turned out to deal with some pretty huge questions – I read it six months ago and I still keep thinking about the ending and what it means.
Linda Henderson
December 12, 2009 at 7:08 amAnnie Solomon was a new author for me and I really enjoyed Dead Ringer.
Robyn B
December 12, 2009 at 10:54 amMistborn by Brian Sanderson was a welcome suprise to me. I usually have a hard time reading fantasy, but was intrigued from the start!
Thanks,
Robyn
Robyn B
December 12, 2009 at 10:55 amMistborn by Brandon Sanderson was a welcome suprise to me. I usually have a hard time reading fantasy, but was intrigued from the start!
Thanks,
Robyn
Stumbling Over Chaos :: Contest links, book links, knitting links – eeeeeek!
December 15, 2009 at 6:49 pm[…] Can you figure out what the amorphous holiday cookies at Julie James’ blog are supposed to be? Guess by 8 pm CST, December 13, for your chance to win a $25 B&N gift certificate. Speaking of Julie James, she’s over at the Book Smugglers, too – comment by 11:59 pm PST, December 12, for your chance to win signed copies of her excellent romances, Practice Makes Perfect and Just the Sexi…. […]
Almena
July 28, 2011 at 9:45 amI can’t believe you’re not planiyg with me–that was so helpful.