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Now in paperback from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Friday Night Knitting Club
Berkley
April 2009
On Sale: April 7, 2009
Featuring: Augusta Simpson
384 pages
ISBN: 0425226204
EAN: 9780425226209
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Women's Fiction
Shortly before turning 50, TV cooking show personality
Augusta “Gus” Simpson discovers that the network wants to
boost her ratings by teaming her with a beautiful, young
new co-host. But Gus isn’t going without a fight—whether
it’s off-set with her two demanding daughters, on-camera
with the ambitious new diva herself, or after-hours with
Oliver, the new culinary producer who’s raising Gus’s
temperature beyond the comfort zone. Now, in pursuit of
higher ratings and culinary delights, Gus might be able to
rejuvenate more than just her career.
Comments
61 comments posted.
Re: Comfort Food
Hmm, I can't think of a series that's ready to be ended oh, except maybe Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series and hey, that is ending so that's okay. As for series that I really like? Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan series and Julie E. Czerneda's The Clan Chronicles series. I totally love those two.
(Jacqueline Lam 6:55pm April 25, 2009)
Well, so far I haven't read Krentz/Quick's Arcane series...so no comment there, but I know I'm far from ready for Carr to leave Virgin
River or Susan Wiggs to leave Avalon New York the setting for her Lakeshore Chronicles Series.
(Sandi Shilhanek 8:05pm April 25, 2009)
I love the Virgin River series. And like Sandi (in the post above mine) I've really enjoyed Susan Wiggs' Lakeshore Chronicles.
I liked Sheryl Woods' Sweet Magnolias as well.
(Mary Hundley 10:43pm April 25, 2009)
Sara - Did you hear that there's going to be a new Vorkosigan book??!?!
(Jacqueline Lam 11:26pm April 25, 2009)
I like series, but an author who can't successfully do a series can really disappoint! I feel the Chiaverini (sp) quilting books have kinda fallen off track after starting so well! But so many authors out there can make the best worlds that just draw you in...J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Johanna Lindsey, Lynsay Sands, Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn....Just to name a few!!
I guess what I'm trying to say, if it's a fun place to be I want to continue to read...but if it stumbles or takes weird turns that seem out of character in future books, I'll stop reading the series!
(Beverly Bennett 1:35am April 26, 2009)
When I like a series, it feels as though I'm visiting old friends in each new book. That's great when the quality is up, but so disappointing when it falls off (Cornwell's Scarpetta series comes to mind.)
(G S Moch 11:58am April 26, 2009)
I really enjoy reading a series of books. Two that I hated to see end were Julia Quinn's Bridgertons and Lisa Kleypas' Wallflowers.
(Cheryl Castings 1:55pm April 26, 2009)
One of my favorite series is Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. The 3rd book just came out and I hope there will be many more.
(Leslie Gladnick 2:28pm April 26, 2009)
I just finished reading Cara Blacks book Murder in the Latin Quarter and would recommend it to everyone.
(MaryEllen Hanneman 4:32pm April 26, 2009)
When I read a book that I love, I really like the same characters coming up again and again. I really like the Sandra Hill Bayou series. Most of the books are really fun and the setting is great. Just about all of her characters have a great sense of humor. I thought it was fun when the latest character who was just a boy in the first books is all grown up and has his own story while the older characters are in their 50's.
(Brenda Hanseler 5:59pm April 26, 2009)
I totally adore Karen Wiesner's Incognito series built around an organization with people in it getting their own story told. Her Falcon's Bend series is set in a location definitely in this world with central characters who stay with us but others who take center stage at times. The important thing for me is that they always wrap up the story. It's not ongoing, waiting for the next book to come. I read one by MR Sellars once that was a mystery that wasn't going to be solved until some time in the future. That makes me see red. I was really angry and won't pick up another book by an author who does that to me. Many of my favorites have series that I love and wouldn't miss. But each has a beginning, middle and end. I'd rather have a series than a run-on book that bogs down because the author has to finish it by a deadline but has no good ending so lets it slide. Looks like we all have our favorites so there's a lot of great world builders around.
(Dee Dailey 6:52pm April 26, 2009)
Hi Sara,
Great topic! As for me I used to read alot of stand alones, like nora Roberts but I adore her triologys too. As to a series in general I enjoy them and if the writer is awesomeness then you can jump right back in no problems. It is like visiting family or old friends. They make you laugh, cry and happy...they take you away from the blues, the troubles and problems for alittle while. As to series I would cry if they ended...Yasmine Galernorn, Jeanie Frost, Charlaine Harris's Sookie series and if Lora Leigh stopped her shifter stories! As to the series that has burned out for me, it would be with the last Betsy one from Mary Janice Davidson. I have read them all but this one was wow and I got that hard cover...
I just discovered Toni Causey and her Bobby Faye series, omg it is a funny, laugh out loud series that just makes you feel good and I look forward to the third one!
**HAPPY READING TO ALL**
(Chris Jones 2:22pm April 29, 2009)
Maybe next weekins subject should be Stand Alone Books, but for the last month I have been drawn to Series. I hope Robyn Carr writes a few more Virgin River books, and I have been reading the Uncommon Heros' Series by Dee Henderson. She has other series also and I am going to read all of them. But... sometimes I just want that single mystery that stands alone. Keep up the GOOD Comments coming!
(Yvonne Butler 2:23pm May 2, 2009)
I like series - i just have a problem with them when they are released 2 years apart! I've started waiting till at least 2 in the series are out before buying them, then I have a fighting chance of remembering the story. I love the Virgin River series, and am waiting impatiently for Diana Gabaldon and Sara Donati to publish the next in their respective series.
(Sandy Haber 5:25pm May 2, 2009)
Series are great, but sometimes I just want to escape for a while with a stand alone. Then there are those that should never become series, because the first book was great, but there wasn't enough to do two or three more. I love Kenyon, Feehan and Adrian, there series are always great. I also love Koontz, but he has disappointed me by promising books that never materialize (book 3 of Chris Snow series). I guess it just depends on the ending mostly. If theres a HEA, there isn't much sense in stretching it out over more books. If there is stuff to be resolved (lots of stuff) take it to another level in another book. Or tell me more about a character who didn't "star" in the first book.
(Nancy Gilliland 8:03pm May 2, 2009)
Hi Sandi, I can feel your pain. I also do some reviewing and those take precedence over the want-to-read-right-now books on my TBR pile. Luckily the same thing helps me have that perfect excuse to read the newest from my favorites because I 'have to' get the review done. The availability of shorter ebooks by some really special authors helps me get my fix more often. I had twenty years when there was no time for reading. When I got back into it there were all these new genres that I just had to explore. That was a BIG derailment but also allowed some of my favorites to get more books done for me to read!
(Dee Dailey 10:01am May 3, 2009)
Well, the best that I can say that I do, is I basically have a general idea as to what's going to come next, but it of course could change at a whim. LOL The only thing I really know is I always try to alternate between a historical and contemporary, to try to not get too tired of one or the other. But regardless on how big the TBR pile is, I always do plenty of rereading. . . if I'm in the mood for an old favorite, then I'm going to read it. I also do plenty of rereading when I can't add to that TBR pile, much like now. LOL :)
Lois
(Lois Merritt 12:00pm May 3, 2009)
Sandi, it's the never ending problem of "so many books, so little time". I have authors I love and their new releases will always be books I buy immediately. If I've stumbled upon a book that is part of a series, I can hardly rest before I've read them all. (Am I a bit crazy, obsessive, anal? Probably all.) Occasionally, however, the first few pages of a book, or even chapters, don't grab me, so I'll set that book aside and move on to something else and then go back to it. Since I've usually got a book in my purse and one by the bed, I'll eventually get them read.
What am I reading now? I'm re-reading a Karen Kendall book, Open Invitation? It's a quick, easy read and a very cute story. After that, I'm planning on reading Adriana Trigiani's newest book, Very Valentine. Her Big Stone Gap books were wonderful. Of course, I've also got Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Lori Foster in my TBR stack too. As I said.....so little time.
(Jill Hayden 12:02pm May 3, 2009)
I just keep books I-really-need/want-to-read-now on my bedside table and read as I can. I usually also have several e-books open, too.
(Claudia McRay 12:24pm May 3, 2009)
Is there any one of else who doesn't say "so many books, so little time"? This is why I need to win the lottery! I don't have your problem though, because I don't do review books. But I have been derailed a time or two, usually if I'm reading a series and then something else jumps out at me. And there are many a times when a book order comes in, and I want to stop and read them all - right then!
My next book is (hopefully starting it today) the new Nora. Last month I was reading SRS's for the Challenge, but did get derailed when the new Stuart Woods came out. I had good intentions though . . . .
(Amanda Reeder-erdly 12:25pm May 3, 2009)
Ya know, I always THINK I know what's going to be next... BUT then something else comes out, arrives in the mail, gets passed on to me... you see where I'm going. LOL There's a reason why I usually have 3-5 books going at any one time.
Oh, and I have to say - it's SO MUCH easier to go through a TBR list on your Kindle than on a bookshelf! LOL
So, I'm reading THE GREATEST KNIGHT by Elizabeth Chadwick and also DANCING WITH WEREWOLVES by Carole Nelson Douglas. Next up is MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT by Devyn Quinn and A IS FOR ALIBI by Sue Grafton. OH, and usually the only thing that can derail my reading is my kids! LOL
(Amy Inholt 12:32pm May 3, 2009)
Sandi -- I'm right there with you. I went out yesterday and bought a few books, mainly to go get Jaci's newest and JR Ward's new book, but I also bought Sasha White's book, Sexy Devil and tossing the books around I finally read Sexy Devil -- LOL! I was hooked on page one and didn't put it down -- well, I did sleep, then woke up and read some more after some house work! Anyway, I am so overwhelmed by all the wonderful writers out there that I have a hard time just keeping up! And trying to juggle my own writing, parenting and all that goes with that -- well, I'm always just a little overwhelmed! But at least with all the choices in wonderful authors and books I can find some fun and comfort. And of course get swept away with such sweet/hot love stories!
best!
billi jean
(Billi Jones-dimatteo 12:36pm May 3, 2009)
Sandi, I think this is a common problem with us serial readers. We tend to get excited over new book before we are done with our current read.I am in school so my text reading comes first, then promised review books. Sometimes by the time I get to a pleasure book the urge to read it has passed. I have in the past, put down a current read in order to read something that grabbed my attention.
(Sari Nichols 12:38pm May 3, 2009)
since i get most of my books from the library and they all seem to come at once i dont have a pile so to say i have a bag, usually, not always i just stick my hand in and what i pull out is what i read. not to say that there are exceptions, a new robyn carr, julie garwood or any other number of favorite authors comes out with a long waited for new book i have been know to toss what i have been reading and and go for the one i have been waiting for, but i read very fast, usually a book in a day or day and half. lol so even if i do wait, its not that long.
(Becky Kinkead 12:56pm May 3, 2009)
I am also a victim of too many choices. There are my own books, my library books, books for upcoming group reads, books I just got at an author signing that I really want to read when the meeting is still fresh, the ones I hear all my friends recommending, the ones to read for upcoming events, on & on. What can I say I just love books & reading.
(Pam Nolan 1:15pm May 3, 2009)
I have a hard time trying to decide what to read next, sooo many books... so little time... Maybe I need to quit work.... (smiles)
Marilyn
(Marilyn Warner 1:30pm May 3, 2009)
I love this series thank you
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 2:28pm May 3, 2009)
I usually have a book by my bedside to read at night as well as one floating around the house for snips of reading time. I also have a book on tape in my car for when I drive, and another book on tape in the house to get me through housework. Sometimes I confuse the plots in my head with hilarious results.
(Caroline Kolb 2:31pm May 3, 2009)
I have books that are calling to me - but sometimes I don't hear them. Many books I've bought that I really wanted to read that have gotten shoved to the back when I've bought new ones.
I don't have a TBR pile because I'm very much a mood reader. I'll peruse my shelves until I come across one that sounds just right for right then. I'm a relatively slow reader, so it's easy for me to get behind in my books.
Right now I'm reading The Fire Within, the last of Kathryn Shay's wonderful America's Bravest firefighter series.
(Janet Lewis 2:54pm May 3, 2009)
I always seem to be reading several books (of different genre)at one time. In addition, I have a stack of books on my night table that all tell me "read me next". I guess it depends on what I am in the mood for when I start a new book.
(Robin McKay 2:57pm May 3, 2009)
I have a whole bunch of books on my headboard and when i finish one i look through the pile and which ever one catches my eye that is the one i read next. I like Robyn Carr,Johanna Lindsey,Susan Mallery and the list goes on.
(Donna Howard 3:11pm May 3, 2009)
Too many books, and so litle time. I usually read several at a time. One in my purse, one in the car, one on the bedside table and one in the living room.
(Teresa Ward 3:11pm May 3, 2009)
How about you buy the last ones in a series and can't find the first.I do most of an Author and than start a another author I know it is weirde
(Patricia Kasner 3:30pm May 3, 2009)
I usually have more than one book going at a time, but not in the same genre, so there's less chance of confusing. When on the move, I carry light fiction that's easy to pick up and put down as needed for my everyday life and time constraints.
(Alyson Widen 3:55pm May 3, 2009)
Honestly, I need a big pile of books waiting be read. It makes me feel secure. If I had a cd player in my car, I would go for an audio book. IT would make the commute go faster.
(Phyllis Lamken 4:12pm May 3, 2009)
I have about 100 books that I have yet to read and I go and get books from the library each week. So I usually just pick whatever book happens to be on top and read it.
(Mary Kirkland 4:14pm May 3, 2009)
I'm much like Donna (above) - my headboard has it's very PHD! The variety there is quite wide, and I'm never sure which one will call the loudest when I start the search for a new book to read. Although, I must admit, there is one book that I've been reading since November and am only about halfway through. In my own defense, I only read it when I'm playing at church (it's kind of about Biblical archaeology), so in that sense, I'm a very slow reader. For pleasure reading, I can go through 2 or 3 books a day, depending on if I don't have any other plans, and the length of the books!!
(Lynn Rettig 4:18pm May 3, 2009)
Obviously, I can read, but not type!! My first sentence should have read "my headboard has it's very OWN PHD!" Sorry to all!
(Lynn Rettig 4:20pm May 3, 2009)
Are you kidding. My life sounds like
yours. I have one book going at work,
2 at home, and one on CD in my car
(Pillars of the Earth - 32 CDs long- at
the moment). That is the norm. I
work at a small library and do some of
the purchasing so my list of books I
want to read before they go one the
shelf (I wish) is getting longer. Then
there are the 3 TBR shelves in the
family room not to mention the 16 or
so other bookcases in the house and
the boxes of books not yet unloaded.
Then 2 weeks ago, Harper Collins sent
me 5 books to be read and review by
May 1. They were YA and junior books,
but still took all my reading time.
They were really good, so now I have
at least 2 more authors to read. By
the time I finished, I was suffering
withdrawal from my historical fiction.
I really should get started on my
Spring Cleaning, but I just got Deanna
Raybourn's new book, Silent on the
Moor, and it is calling my name.
(Patricia Barraclough 4:30pm May 3, 2009)
Well, I am in the minority! I only have one book going at a time, it is just not in me to be reading more than one. The only exception to that is if a book is left somewhere that I cannot retrieve right away. Only then do I start another book! It works for me & we each have to do what works for us. As far as what to read next...if I am reading a series & I have all the books I pick up the next one & dive right in. In fact, that is what I am now doing! When I finish this series of 5 books I will look for something very different to read. The new Nora Roberts Vision in White is sitting waiting for me. It might be my choice but then I also have a Catherine Mann & a Susan Mallery that I am looking forward to reading!! What can I say? :-)
It is interesting Sandi, to see all the different reading habits. Thanks for an interesting discussion.
(Donna McClure 4:54pm May 3, 2009)
I never finish a book if I stop to read something else. When I am looking for what to read next I will put aside whatever I planned to read for Suzanne Forster, T.J. Macgregor and Suzanne Brockmann.
Ray
(Ray Getzinger 4:54pm May 3, 2009)
I read two books in the last 3 days ... my house is a mess! I have my priorities in order. I hoard books that I want to read ... if I run low I start to panic.
(Sandy Miresse 4:59pm May 3, 2009)
I have a huge TBR pile, so what I read next depends on my mood usually. I do try to switch off between contemporaries and historicals. I also try to read a book's sequel next if I have it. I also find myself rereading a favorite because something will bring it to mind. I have come to the realization that I will never get to the bottom of my TBR pile. My husband will just have to bury me with my unfinished books!
(Cheryl Castings 5:03pm May 3, 2009)
Hello Sandy, I've just recently started reviewing books. So I have to be sure and do those first. Then it is a toss up as to what I read from my pleasure TBR pile. It really depends on my mood as to what comes next. Have a great day.
(Roberta Harwell 5:40pm May 3, 2009)
Comments have been really interesting today, and I want to thank everyone for taking the time to share!
When I come and see all the comments I get a really good ego boost, so thanks for that!
Yesterday I did set aside my book I was reading for a new one I was given. Today I did finish that new one, and it
was hard to finish because I was crying, so for one friend that means she won't like it. (she doesn't like the ones
that make me cry)
Well, I can now go back to the book I started yesterday and set aside!
Hope you all have a great week!
(Sandi Shilhanek 6:06pm May 3, 2009)
I get derailed all the time. I usually always have my books set up for the month and then when a book that I've been waiting for comes in I sometimes have to wait to read it because I'm already in the middle of or just starting on a book. My fault though LOL
(Debbie Beverley 10:21pm May 3, 2009)
I don't often know what's next but I have started listening to books too so I have a hc for reading in the evening, a pb for bedtime and now the MP3 player for cleaning, cooking, ironing and any other times I want. Right now my hc, is an arc, of Linda Castillo's SWORN TO SILENCE - it's great, pb is Susan Mallery's UNDER HER SKIN-great too and the MP3 is NEW MOON, #2 in the Twilight saga--I'm listening because granddaughter loves the series so I need to too LOL Bella has so much angst it's almost funny!
(Barbs Ferris 11:32pm May 3, 2009)
Great blog, Sandi! Too many choices is both a blessing and a curse, isn't it. I wish I had the answer. Possibly you could schedule in more reading time???
Suzanne
(Suzan Forster 12:25pm May 4, 2009)
Hmmmmm, especially since I got my Kindle, I find myself in this position a lot. I am trying to reread all of Louisa May Alcott, but at the same time my favorite authors are coming out with new books that I have waiting forever for. Sigh.... so it is very hard for me sometimes. LOL I just finished Christine Feehan's Burning Wild. Then I picked back up Jack and Jill by LMA, when I finish it, I will mostly start Lover Avenged by JR Ward or Echoes of Darkness by Robin D. Owenes.
This could change in a minutes...... just a plan for the moment. LOL
(Melissa Tackett 3:33am May 4, 2009)
This is becoming increasingly hard! I usually read the back covers or blub, then put the ones that sound the most interesting at the top. If it is a series they get put in the order they are supposed to be read.
When I was only reading print books this was easier, but I would occasionally change my mind depending on my mood, but now that I have an ereader and still have a pile of TBR to read it's almost daunting.
(Carrie Divine 7:40am May 4, 2009)
I typically have review books stacked in the order in which they need to be reviewed, but occasionally will sneak an irresistible book in between them for a hasty read. Sometimes I'll grab a series or two at the grocery store and can't resist taking a peek - which of course leads to finishing. Thank heavens they're quick reads!
(Laurie Damron 9:34am May 4, 2009)
Sandi,
Right now I'm reading one book and I do know what I'm reading next usually. The thing that would derail this is if a book from the library comes in. Otherwise nothing derail the book I'm reading. I'm reading Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier. The next one is going to be Pursuit by Karen Robards.
(Maggie Roso 9:54am May 4, 2009)
Sounds like a wonderful book thanks
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 10:26am May 4, 2009)
I have a hard time deciding what to read
too. There are always so many great
books out there.
(Bridget Hopper 10:36am May 4, 2009)
There's almost always at least one book waiting to be read as soon as I finish the one I'm reading - what often derails that is if a favorite author releases something before I get to the next book - the new book always has to jump ahead!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 11:28am May 4, 2009)
Hi Sandi,
I'm with Donna M -- mostly I only read one book at a time, though I have read more than one if really necessary. I do reviews, too, so those books come first. After that, I usually stack my TBR pile according to which one I want to start next, but that doesn't always work. There is no way my TBR pile would fit on my night table (unless my night table took up half a wall) ;-) I've got over 300 books in my TBR bookcase. I keep telling myself I'm not going to start a new series until I've got all the books. It hasn't worked yet, and by the time I get the next one in line, I'm champing at the bit to get it started. Every once in a while I will put a book down to start a new one, and then go back to the first one, but very seldom. I spend way more time reading than I should, and my house shows it. Right now I'm supposed to be making a salad for a ladies night out salad supper tonight. . .
(Donna Breitkreuz 11:58am May 4, 2009)
I usually don't know what I will be reading next. I am reading about 5 books right now.
If I have library books, they have first priotory, but I am also usually reading one right along with it.
(Michelle Sauer 2:24pm May 5, 2009)
I just finished Thirteen Reasons Why on Audio and am
Reading the last in the Twilight series...I usually
pick up whatever I have that is on reserve first to read so I can pass it on to the next person waiting.
(Joy Hoormann 3:32pm May 5, 2009)
No, I don't know which book I will be
reading next. Sometimes it take me
too long to read one book. I do have a
pile of TBR however. I just finished
Debbie Macomber's The Shop on
Blossom Street for the second time.
Why, you ask? Because I didn't want to
read the second in the series because
I forgot what the first book was about.
LOL I have several of her books but
this is the only series I have started. I
spend too much time on the internet
reading blogs, etc. (don't we all).
(Deanna Whitehouse 12:18pm May 31, 2009)
With all the positive feed back I am certainly going to pick up this book.
(Ann w 4:16pm October 7, 2009)
I am all up to date on the Virgin River Books which I adore and am running right out to get the next one - which may be out now. This Jacobs' book looks v.g. - anything with food. LOL.
(Pat Lieberman 9:21am February 28, 2010)
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