Lisa Carter's Blog, page 43

Contemporary Fiction Picks

I am looking forward to diving into these contemporary novels by some of my favorite authors.

• Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

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• Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate

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• The Mother Road by Jennifer Allee

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• Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler—and then I plan to work my way through to her latest release, A Wedding Invitation.

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Who are some of your favorite contemporary, women’s fiction authors? Any good books you’d recommend?

Historically Speaking—Historical Fiction Picks

Although I have a Master’s in history, I do not read as much historical fiction as I did in my younger years.

But here are a few must-read historical novels I will add to my summer reading list—

• Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Lehmann—about the Titanic

• Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke—about the Titanic

Are you sensing a theme here?

• Roanoke by Angela Hunt—we North Carolinians like to keep up with our favorite history mystery

• anything by Julie Lessman—one of my favorite romance writers who also draws me into her WWI/1920s era Boston world

What about you? Any great historical fiction you’d suggest?

Later this week, my picks for women’s fiction.

Catching Up with the Cozies

My summer reading picks for one of my favorite genres to read and write—mysteries, especially cozy mysteries. Here are a few from the general market.

• A River in the Sky (featuring the unconquerable Amelia Peabody) by Elizabeth Peters—historical mystery series

• As the Pig Turns (featuring the indomitable Agatha Raisin) by M.C. Beaton—contemporary Great Britain

• Mourning Gloria and Cat’s Claw (China Bayles herb mystery series) by Susan Wittig Albert—set in the Texas Hill Country

• Scones and Bones, Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs—Charleston Tea Shop series

• Three-Day Town, The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron—North Carolina setting

• The Crocodile’s Last Embrace by Suzanne Arruda—1920′s Africa

• Spider Web by Earleen Fowler—quilt mystery series

If these series are new to you, the teacher in me says start with number one and read forward. You’ll be glad you did.

Definition of a reader’s bad day? When you catch up to your favorite author’s latest novel and have to wait for the next one to come out.

But until then, happy reading.

What about you? Any mystery series you’d like to recommend?

Later this week, my picks for historical fiction.

My Summer’s Top Reading Picks

So many books, so little time.

During the school year, I’m busy with lesson plans as a teacher and school activities as a mom. As a writer, I’m usually preparing one or more proposals which require a lot of focused market reading for that particular novel.

But during the summer . . . I indulge my varied reader tastes and dig into my TBR (to-be-read) pile—that virtual pile on my Kindle or the literal pile stacked two feet high beside my desk.

Today I wanted to list some of my TBR picks for suspense.

• When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

• Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann

• The Pawn by Steven James (if I can summon the courage)

• Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

• Gone to Ground by Brandilynn Collins

• Plain Secrets by Kit Wilkinson (for those of you who like a little bonnet fiction mixed in with your suspense)

• Injustice for All by Robin Caroll

• Disaster Status and Code Triage by Candace Calvert (medical thrillers)

• Saving Hope: Men of the Texas Rangers by Margaret Daley (Does it get any better than law enforcement and cowboys?)

What about you? Any great suspense novels on your TBR pile this summer?

Later this week, my summer picks for . . . cozy mysteries.