Call These Irresistible

I am a sucker for a good trilogy or series when it comes to books.

Hook me with the first book and I guarantee that I'll read the rest...I just can't resist.

I know most genres have authors who carry characters through multiple books and I don't know about you, but I appreciate it. That's one thing I really dislike about most movies...once it's over, I don't know what happens next.

Did these two stay together and is Gammy still alive and kicking?

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

I'm serious...I really want to know!

I guess that's why I like authors who stick with characters for more than one book. I tend to read a lot of romance...I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Though I am working my way through Stieg Larsson's trilogy, starting with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy).

The Queen of the Trilogies (at least in romance) is Nora Roberts. From the "Born In" trilogy - Born in Fire (Born in Trilogy, Book 1) to the more recent "Bride Quartet" - Vision in White (The Bride Quartet, Book 1) there are only a few of her books that I have chosen not to read over the years.

Lately, I have enjoyed authors who can make me laugh out loud as I make my way through their books. The Fool's Gold series - Chasing Perfect (Fool's Gold, Book 1) - by Susan Mallery does just that. It's about a community in California that is seriously lacking men and run by some very funny, opinionated and strong women. I'm totally excited that Book 7 in this series is coming later this year...I think she can keep this series rolling for a long time.

Speaking of authors that keep a "series" or at least keeps developing her characters over the years, Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a master at this. While my favorite SEP books revolve around a fictional football team in Chicago, including This Heart of Mine and Nobody's Baby But Mine, her latest book, Call Me Irresistible: A Novel, inspired this post!

I picked up the hardcover version at my local used bookstore over the weekend and read it straight through this morning! Its main characters are the children of the antagonists from her earlier novels, Fancy Pants, First Lady and Glitter Baby. While the original books were not my favorite, I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with the characters in this setting.

My one dislike of book series...the length of time between books! Who can wait 2-3 months to find out what happens next?!?

Any suggestions on authors I should try? I'm supposed to be working my way through these books, but I'm always willing to add a few books to my list!

Note: The product links on this page are affiliate links...wanted you to be able to see what I was talking about. Look for these books in your library, local used bookstore, on Amazon or ask a friend to borrow their copy, it's your choice!

Another Round of Random Posting

I'm feeling a bit random today so stick with me here...

1.  I watched two movies over the weekend that I had recorded on my DVR during a free HBO/Showtime weekend. They both disappointed me so I turned to a movie that ALWAYS makes me laugh...

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

"To the windows, to the walls..." Sing with me girls!

What's your go-to movie?

2.  This Facebook post almost made me laugh out loud during a meeting this morning!

If you don't "like" himyf on Facebook, check her out. What are you waiting for, go now! Be sure to check out her blog too.

3.  When is it time to switch from an over-the-counter PM medication to a prescription option? Excederin PM has been the only thing that's kept me asleep for the last week and I'm worried that I may soon grow immune to its power! Right now, I'm writing this post about 30 minutes after taking two tablets...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - just kidding!

4.  Watching my nephews trip and fall over NOTHING - multiple times - this weekend, I realized that lack of grace may just be genetic! The joke when I was growing up was that my middle name was definitely NOT Grace.

Source: None via Megan on Pinterest

In less than 3 hours on Monday, I tripped over a large ottoman that was sitting in the middle of my living room AND ran into a closed door at the office. In my defense, I was in the dark on both occasions, but I should have known better.

5. Did you know that Milwaukee has an area called "old town" (I think) that has several German-style bars and restaurants? They even have their own version of the famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich.

Once I saw this, I immediately called my dad who told me that I had to go in and see if they had the dark beer that he enjoyed so much when we visited the real Hofbrauhaus in Germany earlier this year. Check out more about our afternoon in Munich, including beef and pretzels, here. BTW, I didn't go in. I was by myself and a girl just doesn't hang out in a German-style bar on her own.

6.  Nothing makes a girl feel more on display than sitting in a restaurant alone with not one, but TWO beers in front of her. While in Milwaukee for business last week, I ate at a very nice restaurant and decided to order a Spotted Cow - a Wisconsin brew - with my dinner. It was 2 for 1 night and the waiter brought me BOTH beers at the same time.

No worries, I drank both of them and by the end of the meal, I wasn't feeling like a loser any more! Also, I didn't need my Excederin PM that night.

Thanks for joining me for another of my rambling, random posts!