Five Minute Friday - Imagine

It's time for the "Five Minute Friday" blogging post. The inspiration comes from Lisa Jo Baker. 

What you do is set your timer for five minutes and write whatever you want according to the prompt Lisa places on her blog every Friday. Then you go back, link your blog and give support to those who posted before you. And, we connect on Twitter with #FiveMinuteFriday.

Ready.

Set.

Go.

Imagine.

Imagine a world with no hate, bigotry, violence, crime. I do. I think about going to that world some day. Not now. I have too much living to do. But, some day. God's promise is a world of everlasting joy. I look forward to everlasting joy and peace. 

But not now.

I'm not finished yet with this world. I'm not finished yet trying to teach it things about me and Bipolar and Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and I'm not finished learning about my children and my grandchildren.

No, not now.

I have so much living left to do. But, I can imagine what life will be like when I get to heaven. Such a wondrous place. Full of love and peace and harmony. The riches of the kingdom all for me. Just for believing in Christ and taking Him into my heart and becoming a child of Christ.

I'm still waiting.

Still living with my husband and our pets. Still enjoying the gifts God has given to me here.

Stop.

Valentine's Day Goodies and Realities

It's coming to that special time of year again, where we  think of hearts and flowers. Engagements and proposals.

What are the biggies? Balloons, candy, flowers. Oh, and engagement rings. Yikes. How many of you are expecting an engagement ring this year?

Guys like to surprise their sweeties on this day. Some guys pull it off with flair, others not so much.

But, before you go all ga-ga over expecting a proposal, maybe you might want to consider this article about whether or not an engagement could hurt your relationship.

But, let's not forget what Valentine's Day is, and that's about celebrating love.



A Wikipedia search on Valentine's Day is pretty amazing if you'd like to read the history, legends, and traditions of St. Valentine's Day.

The History Channel description of St. Valentine's Day is not as detailed but interesting to learn about as well. Here's an interesting fact from the History Channel site.

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial--which probably occurred around A.D. 270--others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. 

If you are looking for some Valentine's Day quotes you can find 101 of the best at Brainz.

For example, here are the first five:

1. "When love is not madness, it is not love."
Pedro Calderon de la Barca

2. "Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!"
Thomas Hood

3. "Many are the starrs I see, but in my eye no starr like thee."
English phrase on poesy rings

4. "Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction."
Antoine de Saint-Expuery, Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939

5. "Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love."
Albert Einstein

Check out the link for the rest, if you are interested.

For the men who are reading this, or if you women would like to direct your man here, in a subtle way, are some tips for gifts for the woman in their life. The site lists items like flowers, chocolates, perfume, lingerie, and other similar things. I'd like to hear from the women who read this blog. What would your favorite Valentine's Day gift be if you could design it?

Would they include anything from Gifts.com and the hundreds of ideas they have there?

If you're looking for a gift that's more personalized and doesn't cost too much, you might want to consider things like breakfast in bed, or dinner in bed, or even writing a love letter. You can find more easy gift ideas here.

If you're looking to get away and have a Valentine's Day vacation look no further. Here are your 2013 Valentine's Day Getaways. From Bed & Breakfast to Exotic getaways. I hope you enjoy your trip. Wouldn't every one of you want to travel to the beautiful island pictured above for your romantic getaway?

These are the tips I have for Valentine's Day. If you have more, I'd love to hear about them in the comments section.

Enjoy the holiday!

Books Make Great Gifts Part II

Historical Vampire/Werewolf Romance
==============================

THE BLEEDING DUSK - Colleen Gleason - Signet Eclipse (Feb.)

UNDER THE BLOOD RED MOON - Mina Hepsen - Avon A (Oct.)

COME THE NIGHT - Susan Krinard HQN (Oct.)

LET THE NIGHT BEGIN - Kathryn Smith Avon (Jul.)

THE RAVENING - Dawn Thompson - Love Spell (Feb.)

Historical Romantic Adventure
========================

THEFT OF SHADOWS - Naomi Bellis - Signet Eclipse (Feb.)

HER EVERY PLEASURE - Gaelen Foley - Ballantine (Apr.)

THE TREASURE - Iris Johansen - Bantam (Dec.)

TO SEDUCE A BRIDE - Nicole Jordan - Ballantine (Apr.)

THE PERILS OF PLEASURE - Julie Anne Long - Avon (Feb.)

PRISONER OF THE FLAMES - Dawn MacTavish - Leisure (Nov.)

SEDUCED BY A SPY - Andrea Pickens - Forever (Mar.)

Sensual Historical Romance
=======================

A ROGUE'S GAME - Renee Bernard - Pocket (May)

DON'T TEMPT ME - Sylvia Day Brava (Apr.)

DOUBLE FANTASY - Cheryl Holt - St. Martin's (Mar.)

EXPLOSIVE - Charlotte Mede - Brava (Jan.)

JUST FOR HER - Katherine O'Neal - Brava (Jul.)

Historical Fiction -

THE DARK LANTERN - Gerri Brightwell - Crown (Mar.)

THE WINTER ROSE - Jennifer Donnelly - Hyperion (Jan.)

THE TSARINA'S DAUGHTER - Carolly Erickson - St. Martin's (Oct.)

PHYLLIDA AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF PHILANDER - Ann Herendeen - Harper (May)

THE WHISKEY REBELS - David Liss - Random House (Oct.)

Historical Biography
===================

TUMBLEWEED - Jane Candia Coleman - Leisure (Jun.)

THE OTHER QUEEN - Philippa Gregory - Simon and Schuster (Sep.)

THE KING'S FAVORITE - Susan Holloway Scott - NAL (Jul.)

THE KING'S DAUGHTER - Sandra Worth - Berkley (Dec.)

Historical K.I.S.S. Hero
====================

Trevelyn Deveridge - DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS - Emily Bryan - Leisure (Mar.)

Harry Morant - HIS CAPTIVE LADY - Anne Gracie - Berkley Sensation (Sep.)

General Merin - 22 NIGHTS - Linda Winstead Jones - Berkley Sensation (Dec.)

Chance Morgan - MAVERICK WILD - Stacey Kayne - Harlequin (Jan.)

Nicholas Ramsay - THE MIDNIGHT MAN - Charlotte Mede - Brava (Aug.)

Major Harrison - THE SCANDALOUS LIFE OF A TRUE LADY - Barbara Metzger -
Signet Eclipse (Jun.)

Wyatt Yarbro - THE RUSTLER - Linda Lael Miller - HQN (Oct.)

Gabriel MacBraedon - THE NIGHT BEFORE - THE WEDDING - Debra Mullins - Avon
(Feb.)

Historical Romantic Mystery/Gothic
===========================

SEDUCTION BECOMES HER - Shirlee Busbee - Zebra (Jul.)

DARK TEMPTATION - Allison Chase - Signet Eclipse (Nov.)

CONFESSIONS AT MIDNIGHT - Jacquie D'Alessandro - Avon (Jan.)

AFTER THE KISS - Suzanne Enoch - Avon (Jul.)

WICKED INTENSIONS - Lydia Joyce - Signet Eclipse (Dec.)

WHERE THE HEART LEADS - Stephanie Laurens - Morrow (Feb.)

THE SEDUCTION OF THE CRIMSON ROSE - Lauren Willig - Dutton (Feb.)

Best Erotic Romance and Erotic Novels of 2008

Paranormal/Fantasy/Paranormal/Fantasy
=================================

UNDERCOVER - Lauren Dane - Heat (Dec.)

SEDUCED BY DARKNESS - Delilah Devlin - Avon Red (Apr.)

THE MARK OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN - Joey W. Hill - Heat (Feb.)

FULL CIRCLE - Ann Jacobs - Ellora's Cave (May)

ETERNAL DESIGNS - Gracie C. McKeever - Siren (Mar.)

ADDICTED - Lydia Parks - Aphrodisia (Sep.)

Erotic Romantic Suspense
====================

FORBIDDEN FRUIT - Eden Bradley - Delta (Nov.)

RIDING WILD - Jaci Burton - Heat (Feb.)

SHE'S ON TOP - Susan Lyons - Aphrodisia (Apr.)

JADED - Karin Tabke - Pocket (Jun.)

Erotic Romance Historical
==================

MIRAGE - Monica Burns - Samhain (Jan.)

CROSSED SWORDS - Marianne LaCroix - Ellora's Cave (Apr.)

ONE WICKED NIGHT - Noelle Mack - Aphrodisia (Jan.)

BLACK SILK - Sharon Page - Aphrodisia (May)

NATE - Beth Williamson - Samhain (Jan.)

Erotic Fiction
==============

SWAP - Jenesi Ash - Heat (Sep.)

THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW,THE SEX THEY HAVE - Aubrey Leatherwood - Lyrical (Dec.)

SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL - Vanessa Marlow - St. Martin's Griffin (Apr.)

WHIP APPEAL - Méta Smith - Pocket (Aug.)

Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Novels 2008

Science Fiction Novel
=================

DUST - Elizabeth Bear - Bantam Spectra (Jan.)

ZOE'S TALE - John Scalzi - Tor (Aug.)

GALAXY BLUES - Allen Steele - Ace (Apr.)

SATURN'S CHILDREN - Charles Stross - Ace (Jul.)

HALF A CROWN - Jo Walton - Tor (Oct.)

Fantasy Novel
===============

THE HOUSE OF THE STAG - Kage Baker - Tor (Sep.)

SHADOWS RETURN - Lynn Flewelling - Bantam Spectra (Jul.)

SHADOWBRIDGE - Gregory Frost - Del Rey (Jan.)

GOBLIN WAR - Jim C. Hines - Daw (Mar.)

CAST IN FURY - Michelle Sagara - Luna (Oct.)

FORTUNE AND FATE - Sharon Shinn - Ace (Nov.)

KING OF SWORD AND SKY - C.L. Wilson - Leisure (Oct.)

Epic Fantasy Novel
================

PRINCEPS' FURY - Jim Butcher - Ace (Dec.)

THE IMMORTAL PRINCE - Jennifer Fallon - Tor (Mar.)

BLACK SHIPS - Jo Graham - Orbit (Mar.)

HAWKSPAR - Holly Lisle - Tor (Jun.)

THE HERO OF AGES - Brandon Sanderson - Tor (Oct.)

UrbanFantasy Novel
====================

MAGIC BURNS - Ilona Andrews - Ace (Apr.)

BITE THE BULLET - L.A. Banks - St. Martin's (Oct.)

MIDNIGHT'S DAUGHTER - Karen Chance - Onyx (Oct.)

PURE BLOOD - Caitlin Kittredge - St. Martin's (Sep.)

THE IRON HUNT - Marjorie M. Liu - Ace (Jul.)

STORM BORN - Richelle Mead - Zebra (Aug.)

MAGIC TO THE BONE - Devon Monk - Roc (Nov.)

Urban Fantasy Protagonist
=====================

Mercy Thompson - IRON KISSED - Patricia Briggs - Ace (Jan.)

Joanne Baldwin - GALE FORCE - Rachel Caine - Roc (Aug.)

Cat Crawfield - ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE - Jeaniene Frost - Avon (May)

Sookie Stackhouse - FROM DEAD TO WORSE - Charlaine Harris - Ace (May)

Daunuan - HOTTER THAN HELL - Jackie Kessler - Zebra (Aug.)

Marla Mason - DEAD REIGN - T.A. Pratt - Bantam Spectra(Nov.M

Anna Strong - LEGACY - Jeanne C. Stein - Ace (Sep.)

Best Contemporary and Paranormal Romances of 2008

Contemporary Romance
===================

OVERNIGHT MALE - Elizabeth Bevarly - HQN (Jun.)

EVERYBODY LOVES EVIE - Beth Ciotta - HQN (Feb.)

THIGH HIGH - Christina Dodd - Signet (Mar.)

HELLO, DOGGY - Elaine Fox - Avon (Jan.)

ACCIDENTALLY YOURS - Susan Mallery - HQN (Jan.)

FLAT-OUT SEXY - Erin McCarthy - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

UNRAVEL ME - Christie Ridgway - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

Futuristic/Fantasy Romance
======================

MOONSTRUCK - Susan Grant - HQN (Jun.)

SOLAR HEAT - Susan Kearney - Tor Paranormal Romance (Feb.)

HIDDEN - Eve Kenin - Shomi (Jul.)

THE MAGE'S DAUGHTER - Lynn Kurland - Berkley Sensation (Jan.)

COUNTDOWN - Michelle Maddox - Shomi (Aug.)

PHENOMENAL GIRL 5 - A.J. Menden - Shomi (Nov.)

SHADES OF DARK - Linnea Sinclair - Bantam (Aug.)

Vampire Romance
===============

MIDNIGHT RISING - Lara Adrian - Dell (Apr.)

THE DARKNESS - L.A. Banks - St. Martin's Griffin (Feb.)

BECAUSE YOUR VAMPIRE SAID SO - Michele Bardsley - Signet Eclipse (May)

DARK CURSE - Christine Feehan - Berkley (Sep.)

DARKNESS EVERLASTING - Alexandra Ivy - Zebra (May)

SUCKER BET - Erin McCarthy - Berkley Sensation (Jan.)

THE ACCIDENTAL VAMPIRE - Lynsay Sands - Avon (Jan.)

Shapeshifter Romance
==================

THE ACCIDENTAL WEREWOLF - Dakota Cassidy - Berkley Sensation (Feb.)

KISS OF FIRE - Deborah Cooke - Signet (Feb.)

THE DRAGON MASTER - Allyson James - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

THE LAST TWILIGHT - Marjorie M. Liu - Leisure (Feb.)

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Christine Warren - St. Martin's (Jun.)

Contemporary Paranormal Romance
============================

DESTINY KILLS - Keri Arthur - BantamSpectra (Nov.)

TURBULENT SEA - Christine Feehan - Jove (Aug.)

NOAH - Jacquelyn Frank - Zebra (Sep.)

THUNDER MOON - Lori Handeland - St. Martin's (Jan.)

DEMON'S HUNGER - Eve Silver - Forever (Dec.)

NIGHT SEASON - Eileen Wilks - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

Paranormal Action Adventure Romance
==============================

ETERNAL PLEASURE - Nina Bangs - Leisure (Jul.)

DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK - Kresley Cole - Pocket (Jun.)

PREDATORY GAME - Christine Feehan - Jove (Mar.)

DARK MAGIC - Cheyenne McCray - St. Martin's (Nov.)

HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE - Nalini Singh - BerkleySensation (Sep.)

BOUND BY SHADOW - Anna Windsor - Ballantine (Jul.)

Paranormal Fiction
===============

UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY - MaryJanice Davidson - BerkleySensation(UNDEA

PLAYING WITH FIRE - Katie MacAlister - Signet (May)

UP IN SMOKE - Katie MacAlister - Signet (Oct.)

Best African-American Novels 2008

African-American Romance
=====================

THE CRITIC - Dyanne Davis - Parker (May)

SUDDENLY SINGLE - Carmen Green - Dafina (Mar.)

SWEET LIKE HONEY - Kim Louise - Kimani/Arabesque (Apr.)

NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED - Francis Ray - St. Martin's Griffin (Feb.)

THE WAY YOU LOVE ME - Francis Ray - St. Martin's (Sep.)

African-American Fiction Novel
============================

LIFE ISN'T PERFECT HOLLA - Sandra Foy - Genesis/Indigo (Nov.)

HIS FIRST WIFE - Octavia Grace - Dafina (Oct.)

TANGLED WEBS - T.T. Henderson - Parker (Mar.)

YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED - J.D. Mason - St. Martin's (Apr.)

Best Inspirational Novels 2008
=========================

WHISPERS OF THE BAYOU - Mindy Starns Clark - Harvest House (Jan.)

MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE - Kip Gayden Center Street (Feb.)

FOREVERMORE - Cathy Marie Hake - Bethany House (Jan.)

HEALING STONES - Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn - Thomas Nelson (Jan.)

TAMING RAFE - Susan May Warren - Tyndale (Jan.)

Best Small Press 2008

Small Press Contemporary Paranormal/FuturistSmall P
======================================

CALL OF THE HIGHLAND MOON - Kendra LeighCastle - Sourcebooks (May)

HER EYES - Jennifer Cloud &Regan Taylor - Amira (Jan.)

PROMISE FOR TOMORROW - Liz Kreger - Samhain (Oct.)

CLOCKWORK HEART - Dru Pagliassotti - Juno (Apr.)

SHAKING OFF THE DUST - Rhianna Samuels - Samhain (May)

CRY OF SORROW - Holly Taylor - Medallion (Jul.)

Small Press Romance
=================

TAKING FLIGHT - Connie Cox - Avalon (Apr.)

SEALED WITH A KISS - Mary Margret Daughtridge - Sourcebooks (Apr.)

EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE - Holly Jacobs - Avalon (Aug.)

WINDSWEPT - Ann Macela - Medallion (Feb.)

Best Mainstream and ChickLit Fiction Novels of 2008

Women's Fiction
====================

THE SUGAR QUEEN - Sarah Addison Allen - Bantam (Jun.)

FIREFLY LANE - Kristin Hannah - St. Martin's (Feb.)

THE GIRL WITH NO SHADOW - Joanne Harris - Morrow (May)

THE ART OF KEEPING SECRETS - Patti Callahan Henry - NAL (Jun.)

THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING - Joshilyn Jackson - Grand Central (Mar.)

THREE MOTHERS - Sonia Lambert - Berkley (Jan.)

CERTAIN GIRLS - Jennifer Weiner - Atria (Apr.)

SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE - Susan Wiggs - Mira (Feb.)

Chick Lit Novel
=================

THE BRIDE OF CASA DRACULA - Marta Acosta - Pocket (Sep.)

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME - Lisa Daily - Plume (Apr.)

NOTES FROM THE BACKSEAT - Jodi Gehrman - Red Dress Ink (Jan.)

THE HARD WAY - Julie Luongo - Forge (Jan.)

RECONSTRUCTING BRIGID - Lee Nichols - Red Dress Ink (Aug.)

SLIGHTLY SUBURBAN - Wendy Markham - Red Dress Ink (Jul.)

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE MARRYING - Melissa Senate - Red Dress Ink (Jun.)

Young Adult Novel
==================

AUDREY, WAIT! - Robin Benway - Razorbill (Apr.)

WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED - Judy Blundell - Scholastic (Nov.)

THE HUNGER GAMES - Suzanne Collins - Scholastic (Oct.)

PAPER TOWNS - John Green - Dutton (Oct.)

Best Mystery and Suspense Novels of 2008

Contemporary Mystery
======================

THE PRICE OF BUTCHER'S MEAT - Reginald Hill - Harper(Nov.)

SLEEP SOFTLY - Gwen Hunter - Mira (Feb.)

THE GENIUS - Jesse Kellerman - Putnam (May)

IN A DARK SEASON - Vicki Lane - Dell (Jun.)

THE LAUGHTER OF DEAD KINGS - Elizabeth Peters - Morrow (Aug.)

P.I./Procedural Novel
================

DEAD HUNT - Beverly Connor - Obsidian (Feb.)

THE DIRTY SECRETS CLUB - Meg Gardiner - Dutton (Jun.)

TWISTED - Andrea Kane - Morrow (Apr.)

NOTORIOUS - Michele Martinez - Morrow (Feb.)

FRACTURED - Karin Slaughter - Delacorte (Aug.)

Historical Mystery
==============

THE SPIRITUALIST - Megan Chance - Three Rivers Press (Jun.)

WHERE SERPENTS SLEEP - C.S. Harris - NAL (Nov.)

TOUCHSTONE - Laurie R. King - Ballantine (Jan.)

BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDENS - Anne Perry - Ballantine (Apr.)

First Mystery - FREEZING POINT - Karen Dionne - Jove (Oct.)

STALKING SUSAN - Julie Kramer - Doubleday (Jul.)

DEFENSELESS - Celeste Marsella - Dell (Nov.)

WHAT WAS LOST - Catherine O'Flynn - Holt (Jul.)

FIRST TO KILL - Andrew Peterson - Leisure (Sep.)

Suspense/Thriller
==============

KILLING FEAR - Allison Brennan - Ballantine (Feb.)

THE BODIES LEFT BEHIND - Jeffery Deaver - Simon & Schuster (Nov.)

THE ARCHANGEL PROJECT - C.S. Graham - Harper (Oct.)

DARK SUMMER - Iris Johansen - St. Martin's (Oct.)

THE DARKER SIDE - Cody McFadyen - Bantam (Oct.)

SCREAM FOR ME - Karen Rose - Grand Central (May)

Amateur Sleuth
===========

ANTIQUES FLEE MARKET - Barbara Allan - Kensington (Oct.)

QUICK STUDY - Maggie Barbieri - St. Martin's Minotaur (Dec.)

WORKING STIFF - Tori Carrington - Forge (Sep.)

MURDER MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH - Nancy Martin - NAL (Mar.)

TOO PRETTY TO DIE - Susan McBride - Avon (Feb.)

Best Romantic Suspense/Intrigue Novels of 2008

Romantic Intrigue
====================

DARK AND DANGEROUS - Jeanne Adams - Zebra (Jun.)

NO CONTROL - Shannon Butcher - Forever (Feb.)

NO ONE LIVES FOREVER - Jordan Dane - Avon (Jun.)

PURSUIT - Elizabeth Jennings - Forever (Apr.)

MOVING TARGET - Cheyenne McCray - St. Martin's (Jan.)

TO CATCH A THIEF - Christina Skye - HQN (Sep.)

NAMELESS - Debra Webb - St. Martin's (Feb.)

Romantic Suspense
===============

THE MURDER GAME - Beverly Barton - Zebra (Feb.)

WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER - Christie Craig - Love Spell (Jun.)

SHOW NO MERCY - Cindy Gerard - Pocket (Oct.)

LOST SOULS - Lisa Jackson - Kensington (Apr.)

LOOSE AND EASY - Tara Janzen - Dell (Sep.)

CATCH A SHADOW - Patricia Potter - Berkley Sensation (Mar.)

FIRE AND ICE - Anne Stuart - Mira (May)

Paranormal Romantic Suspense
=========================

NIGHT SHADOW - Cherry Adair - Ballantine (Dec.)

TOUCH OF DARKNESS - C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp - Tor Paranormal Romance (Aug.)

BLIND INSTINCT - Fiona Brand - Mira (May)

DEADLY HARVEST - Heather Graham - Mira (Nov.)

ACHERON - Sherrilyn Kenyon - St. Martin's (Aug.)

MERCURY'S WAR - Lora Leigh - Berkley Sensation (Oct.)

DEADLY DECEPTION - Linda Lael Miller - HQN


Guys, some of these you might be interested in as well. So, start your list and hand it to your sweetie!!

Readers, here's your chance. If you have a book to suggest, add it to the comments list. Let's see how many books we can accumulate for our readers!

Books Make Great Gifts

Two pertinent lists from Jessica James, author of Shades of Gray, posted on Amazon:

Top Five Reasons Why Guys Should Give Books as Gifts

5: She can't connect with a new sweater like she can with a book.
4: Hey guys, they're easy to wrap!
3: They come in all sizes, shapes and colors--what could be easier?
2: It's cheaper than a romantic getaway but can produce the same result.
1: Books are gifts of love and joy--and can create everlasting memories.

Top Five Reasons Why Girls Should Give Books as Gifts:

5: They're easy to store--on coffee tables, bookshelves, nightstands or countertops.
4: They never go bad no matter how long they're stored--and they can be used quickly or savored over time.
3: Books can teach, educate, entertain--and distract him from football.
2: It's a small investment that can return dividends for life.
1: Books are the perfect gift of enjoyment that don't require him to leave his chair.

Guys, if you need any help, the Romantic Times Magazine just came out with the nominees for their books of the year. You can't miss with picking up one of these books for your lady. I've listed them out by category.



CAREER ACHIEVEMENT NOMINEES:

Historical\HISTORICHistorical\HIST
===============================
Victoria Alexander - Sabrina Jeffries - Anne Mallory - Patricia Rice -

HISTORICAL STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
====================================
Celeste Bradley - Carol Finch - Susan Johnson - Paula Quinn

INNOVATIVE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
=================================
Lois Greiman - Lorraine Heath - Elizabeth Hoyt - Robin Schone -

Series\SERIES ROMANCE
======================
Roz Denny Fox - Jillian Hart - Emilie Rose - Debra Salonen -

SERIES ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
==========================
Jessica Andersen - Linda Castillo - Linda Conrad - Julie Miller - Joanna
Wayne -

SERIES ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
==============================
Kylie Brant - Kathleen Creighton - Kay David - Sylvie Kurtz - Marilyn
Pappano -

SERIES ROMANCE LOVE & LAUGHTER
================================
Susan Crosby - Lucy Gordon - Marion Lennox - Molly O'Keefe - Melanie
Schuster -

SERIES STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
==================================
Leanne Banks - Jean Brashear - Jackie Braun - K.N./Ken Casper - Eve
Gaddy –

Contemporary\Contemporary\CONTEM
====================================
Carly Phillips - Christie Ridgway - Vicki Lewis Thompson - Sherryl Woods
–

PARANORMAL
===============
C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp - Nina Bangs - P.C. Cast - Katie MacAlister -

URBAN FANTASY
================
Keri Arthur - Simon R. Green - Charlaine Harris - Kim Harrison -

Mainstream\WOMEN'Mainstream\WOM
==========================
Barbara Taylor Bradford - Joy Fielding - Lorna Landvik - Nicholas Sparks
-

Romantic Suspense\ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
=================================
Cherry Adair - Heather Graham - Tara Janzen - Carla Neggers -

Mystery & Suspense\MYSTERY SERIES
===============================
Laura Childs - Joanne Fluke - Elizabeth Peters - Kate Wilhelm -

FEMALE SLEUTH
==================
Nevada Barr - Carolyn Hart - Alex Kava - Nancy Martin -

SUSPENSE/THRILLER
======================
Kay Hooper - J.D. Robb - James Rollins - Karen Rose -

Inspirational\Inspirational
========================
Hannah Alexander - Terri Blackstock - Beverly Lewis - Lori Wick -

African-American\African-American
===============================
A.C. Arthur - Leslie Esdaile - Melanie Schuster - Janice Sims -
Jacquelin Thomas -

FOR BEST BOOKS AND AUTHORS OF 2008 -

Best Series Romance Novels 2008 - Reviewers' Choice Nominees -

First Series Romance
================

HIS MISTRESS BY ARRANGEMENT - Natalie Anderson - Harlequin Presents (Jun.)

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT - Kerry Connor - Harlequin Intrigue (Jun.)

MARRYING THE BOSS - Megan Kelly - Harlequin American (Apr.)

MARRIAGE AT THE MILLIONAIRE'MARRIAGE AT THE MILLIONAIRE'S COMMAND -
(Jun.)

Harlequin American
==================

FOREVER HIS BRIDE - Lisa Childs (Aug.)

RELUCTANT PARTNERS - Kara Lennox (Jun.)

THE RIGHT MR. WRONG - Cindi Myers (Feb.)

THE PILOT'S WOMAN - Ann Roth (Mar.)

TEXAS HEIR - Linda Warren (Sep.)

Harlequin Blaze
================

UNLEASHED - Lori Borrill (Nov.)

RESTLESS - Tori Carrington (Dec.)

MS. MATCH - Jo Leigh (Oct.)

BELOW THE BELT - Sarah Mayberry (Jun.)

PRIMAL INSTINCTS - Jill Monroe (Feb.)

Harlequin Intrigue
================

BENEATH THE BADGE - Rita Herron (Aug.)

NICK OF TIME - Elle James (Nov.)

ARMED AND DEVASTATING - Julie Miller (Jul.)

I'LL BE WATCHING YOU - Tracy Montoya (Apr.)

GUARDIAN ANGEL - Debra Webb (Feb.)

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT - Rebecca York (Oct.)

Harlequin NASCAR
=================

EXTREME CAUTION - Jean Brashear (Dec.)

PEAK PERFORMANCE - Helen Brenna (May)

HITTING THE BRAKES - Ken Casper (Jun.)

HOT PURSUIT - Wendy Etherington (Sep.)

TEAMING UP - Abby Gaines (Aug.)

Harlequin Presents
==================

THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL - Ally Blake (Sep.)

BRIDE OF DESIRE - Sara Craven (Dec.)

BOUGHT: THE GREEK'S INNOCENT VIRGIN - Sarah Morgan (Aug.)

ACCIDENTAL MISTRESS - Susan Napier (May)

BEDDED BY THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE - Kate Walker (Nov.)

Harlequin Presents Extra
===================

THE ITALIAN'S PREGNANCY PROPOSAL - Maggie Cox (Aug.)

ANGELO'S CAPTIVE VIRGIN - India Grey (Sep.)

HOUSEKEEPER TO THE MILLIONAIRE - Lucy Monroe (Apr.)

MISTRESS - Kathryn Ross (Sep.)

THE GIANNAKIS BRIDE - Catherine Spencer (May)

Harlequin Romance
===================

THE BOSS'S UNCONVENTIONAL ASSISTANT - Jennie Adams (Aug.)

HIRED: THE BOSS'S BRIDE - Ally Blake (Oct.)

HER BABY, HIS PROPOSAL - Teresa Carpenter (Jun.)

THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE - Liz Fielding (Jan.)

THE HEIR'S CONVENIENT WIFE - Myrna Mackenzie (May)

HarlequinSuperRomanHarlequ
=====================

SECOND-CHANCE FAMILY - Karina Bliss (Nov.)

FINDING MR. RIGHT - Helen Brenna (Oct.)

TO PROTECT THE CHILD - Anna DeStefano (Jun.)

BABY BY CONTRACT - Debra Salonen (May)

HIS SON'S TEACHER - Kay Stockham (Jul.)

Kimani Romance
================

TENDER SECRETS - Ann Christopher (Oct.)

TAME A WILD STALLION - Deborah Fletcher Mello (Jun.)

MODEL PERFECT PASSION - Melanie Schuster (Apr.)

SECRET AGENT SEDUCTION - Maureen Smith (Sep.)

HER KIND OF MAN - Pamela Yaye (May)

Silhouette Desire
==================

THE DESERT LORD'S BABY - Olivia Gates (May)

QUADE'S BABIES - Brenda Jackson (Dec.)

DANTE'S BLACKMAILED BRIDE - Day Leclaire (Feb.)

DO NOT DISTURB UNTIL CHRISTMAS - Charlene Sands (Nov.)

FRONT-PAGE ENGAGEMENT - Laura Wright (Aug.)

Silhouette Nocturne
===================

VEILED TRUTH - Vivi Anna (Oct.)

LAST WOLF HUNTING - Rhyannon Byrd (Apr.)

LAST WOLF WATCHING - Rhyannon Byrd (May)

WILD HUNT - Lori Devoti (Jun.)

DEADLY REDEMPTION - Kathleen Korbel (Sep.)

Silhouette Romantic Suspense
=======================

COLD CASE COP - Mary Burton (Jan.)

HER BEST FRIEND'S HUSBAND - Justine Davis (Aug.)

A SOLDIER'S HOMECOMING - Rachel Lee (Jul.)

UNDERCOVER WIFE - Merline Lovelace (Oct.)

THE PASSION OF SAM BROUSSARD - Maggie Price (Feb.)

Silhouette Special Edition
=====================

THE SINGLE DAD'S VIRGIN WIFE - Susan Crosby (Oct.)

THE MILLIONAIRE'THE MILLIONAIRE'S MAKEOVER - L

THE CHEF'S CHOICE - Kristin Hardy (Aug.)

BACHELOR BOSS - Christie Ridgway (Apr.)

YOURS, MINE . OR OURS? - Karen Templeton (Jan.)

Steeple Hill Love Inspired
=====================

FINALLY A FAMILY - Carolyne Aarsen (Jun.)

MISSION: MOTHERHOOD - Marta Perry (Jul.)

A COWBOY'S HONOR - Lois Richer (Apr.)

FAMILY TREASURES - Kathryn Springer (Nov.)

TIME FOR GRACE - Kate Welsh (May)

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
=============================

COURTING MISS ADELAIDE - Janet Dean (Sep.)

THE ROAD TO LOVE - Linda Ford (May)

HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE - Jillian Hart (Jul.)

LEGACY OF SECRETS - Sara Mitchell (Apr.)

SEASIDE CINDERELLA - Anna Schmidt (Jul.)

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
===========================

HIDDEN MOTIVE - Hannah Alexander (Apr.)

SHADOWS AT THE WINDOW - Linda Hall (Jul.)

THE PROTECTOR'S PROMISE - Shirlee McCoy (Nov.)

HER ONLY PROTECTOR - Lisa Mondello (Aug.)

THE FACE OF DECEIT - Ramona Richards (Sep.)

BROKEN LULLABY - Pamela Tracy (Mar.)

Best Continuity -

FULL EXPOSURE - Diana Duncan - Mediterranean Nights (
Jan.)

PICTURE OF PERFECTION - Kristin Gabriel - Thoroughbred Legacy (Jul.)

FLASHPOINT - Connie Hall - Athena Force (Apr.)

BREATHLESS - Sharron McClellan - Athena Force (Feb.)

BIDING HER TIME - Wendy Warren - Thoroughbred Legacy (Jul.)

Best Historical Novels 2008

Historical Romance of the Year
========================

SEDUCTION OF A PROPER GENTLEMAN - Victoria Alexander - Avon (Sep.)

SIMPLY PERFECT - Mary Balogh - Delacorte (Apr.)

TRAITOR'S KISS/LOVER'S KISS - Mary Blayney - Bantam (Nov.)

NEVER ROMANCE A RAKE - Liz Carlyle - Pocket (Aug.)

TO TASTE TEMPTATION - Elizabeth Hoyt - Forever (May)

SECRETS OF SURRENDER - Madeline Hunter - Dell (Jun.)

THE SEDUCTION OF AN UNKNOWN LADY - Samantha James - Avon (Apr.)

A DANGEROUS LOVE - Brenda Joyce - HQN (Apr.)

SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE - Lisa Kleypas - St. Martin's (Oct.)

THE BOOK OF SCANDAL - Julia London - Pocket (Aug.)

THE BRIDE PRICE - Anne Mallory - Avon (Nov.)

First Historical Romance
===================

THE SPYMASTER'S LADY - Joanna Bourne - Berkley Sensation (Jan.)

THE DUKE OF SHADOWS - Meredith Duran - Pocket Star (Apr.)

NIGHT FALLS DARKLY - Kim Lenox - Signet Eclipse (Oct.)

MISTRESS OF PLEASURE - Delilah Marvelle - Zebra (Sep.)

PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS - Sherry Thomas - Bantam (Apr.)

Historical Love & Laughter
=======================

DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE - Celeste Bradley - St. Martin's (Mar.)

HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE - Kathryn Caskie - Avon (Mar.)

UNDER YOUR SPELL - Lois Greiman - Avon (Jun.)

THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT - Donna MacMeans - Berkley Sensation (Jun.)

American-Set Historical Romance
============================

GUARDED HEART - Jennifer Blake - Mira (Feb.)

THE LONER - Geralyn Dawson - HQN (May)

A REASON TO SIN - Maureen McKade - Berkley Sensation (Mar.)

TALL, DARK AND TEXAN - Jodi Thomas Jove (Nov.)

British Isle-Set Historical Romance
===========================

A LADY'S SECRET - Jo Beverley - Signet (Apr.)

THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE - Laura Lee Guhrke - Avon (Jan.)

IN BED WITH THE DEVIL - Lorraine Heath - Avon (Jul.)

THE DECADENT DUKE - Virginia Henley - Signet (Nov.)

DUCHESS BY NIGHT - Eloisa James - Avon (Jul.)

VEILED PASSIONS - Tracy MacNish - Zebra (Oct.)

THE CAPTIVE HEART - Bertrice Small - NAL (Oct.)

Regency-Set Historical Romance
=========================

TO WED A WICKED PRINCE - Jane Feather - Pocket Star (Apr.)

WICKED AS SIN - Jillian Hunter - Ballantine (Jul.)

LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE - Sabrina Jeffries - Pocket (Mar.)

TO PLEASURE A LADY - Nicole Jordan - Ballantine (Feb.)

A BRIDE FOR HIS CONVENIENCE - Edith Layton - Avon (Dec.)

NO CHOICE BUT SURRENDER - Johanna Lindsey - Pocket (Jul.)

THE KISS - Sophia Nash Avon (Mar.)

Scotland-Set Historical Romance
===========================

SHADOW MUSIC - Julie Garwood - Ballantine (Jan.)

WILD ANGEL - Sasha Lord - Signet Eclipse (Jan.)

IN THE HIGHLANDER'S BED - Cathy Maxwell - Avon (Feb.)

A HIGHLANDER NEVER SURRENDERS - Pamela Quinn - Forever (Aug.)

BORDER WEDDING - Amanda Scott - Forever (Mar.)

Historical Paranormal
===================

TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT - Elizabeth Boyle - Avon (Sep.)

THE WIZARD'S DAUGHTER - Catherine Coulter - Jove (Jan.)

IMMORTAL WARRIOR - Lisa Hendrix - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

MY IMMORTAL PROTECTOR - Jen Holling - Pocket (Mar.)

DARK EMBRACE - Brenda Joyce - HQN (Sep.)

PHANTOM - Lindsay Randall - Love Spell (Jun.)

MYSTIC RIDER - Patricia Rice - Signet Eclipse (Jul.)

THE SORCERESS OF BELMAIR - Bertrice Small HQN (May)


SEE BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS PART II FOR THE REST OF THIS BLOG ARTICLE