Hi All!
I'm the member of the FOUR LADIES that had to be dragged kicking and screaming into blogging. Let me introduce myself, I'm Livia and I love to read categories, single title contemporary romances and romantic suspense. My favorite authors? I'll give you the top ten, J D Robb, Cindy Dees, Merline Lovelace, Diana Palmer, Linda Howard, Catherine Mann, Vicki Hinze, Betty Neels, Cheryl St, John and Lindsay McKenna.
You'll notice that five of my top ten authors write military romance and they're the best at what they do, which brings me to what I want to blog about today, Military Romances. Write a romance where one of the main characters is a member of the armed services and it immediately becomes an automatic buy for me. I'll buy it whether the author is well known or not, the only thing I ask is that the author make an attempt at researching to get the background facts straight. With the five authors in my top ten, this is not an issue. Three are ex-military and two have ties close enough that they know the facts. Their books are always exciting to read and you can bet the story line will contain interestings facts and tibits that are authentic. Let's not forget that the romance will always be emotional and intriguing, in short a book that satisfies.
Now, in my opinion, it's not always necessary to be heavily connected to the Arm Forces to write a good military romance. Debbie Macomber did it early on with her Navy series, one that I keep close by to read repeatedly. Suzanne Brockmann did it with a minimum amount of authentiction, but her characters are so fascinating one reads the books and puts the questions of realism on the back burner. We all know that Ms Brockmann creates Navy SEALs that do extraordinary things and whether the scenarios are real or not is just not the issue. There are however some newer authors that have taken up the challenge of writing romances that deal with military characters, and are failing miserably.
SEALs and Special Forces sell but only if the right components are used in creating the characters. If you think it's possible to develop a following by putting the military figure in a romance and ignoring the occupation, it doesn't work; at least not for this reader. I want more military romances on my keeper shelf but I also want a little truth to help the story along.
Okay, as my first blog post comes to an end,I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I'll be back often to share my thoughts and comments on books and I look forward to hearing from you.
Livia
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
American Christian Fiction Writer's Book Club
Announcement:
Want to read some great books and chat with the authors? Then check out the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book Club. The ACFW Book Club gives fans of Christian fiction the opportunity to communicate with each other, chat with ACFW authors, and discuss books.
Book Club participants are invited to join an e-mail group set up to facilitate announcements and host discussions about the current reading selection. Members will be eligible for monthly free book drawings. To join, send a blank e-mail to acfwbookclub- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com or visit http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/acfwbookcl ub and click "join this group." You will receive a confirmation e-mail after joining. Follow the instructions given in the e-mail to complete your subscription to this e-mail list.
Each month, club members have an opportunity to participate in an on-line chat with an ACFW published author. Chats will be announced in advance so Club members have the opportunity to read the featured book. Book Club chats will be held on the ACFW website in the chat room at 7:00 p.m. CST on the first Monday of the month following the month the book is read.
Currently, the club is talking about Rachel Hauck's Lost in NashVegas. And then it's on to Mary Connealy's Petticoat Ranch before tackling sci-fi for some variety. Previous authors have included: Robin Lee Hatcher, Tracey Bateman, Colleen Coble and Liz Curtis Higgs. Check it out.
Want to read some great books and chat with the authors? Then check out the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book Club. The ACFW Book Club gives fans of Christian fiction the opportunity to communicate with each other, chat with ACFW authors, and discuss books.
Book Club participants are invited to join an e-mail group set up to facilitate announcements and host discussions about the current reading selection. Members will be eligible for monthly free book drawings. To join, send a blank e-mail to acfwbookclub- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com or visit http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/acfwbookcl ub and click "join this group." You will receive a confirmation e-mail after joining. Follow the instructions given in the e-mail to complete your subscription to this e-mail list.
Each month, club members have an opportunity to participate in an on-line chat with an ACFW published author. Chats will be announced in advance so Club members have the opportunity to read the featured book. Book Club chats will be held on the ACFW website in the chat room at 7:00 p.m. CST on the first Monday of the month following the month the book is read.
Currently, the club is talking about Rachel Hauck's Lost in NashVegas. And then it's on to Mary Connealy's Petticoat Ranch before tackling sci-fi for some variety. Previous authors have included: Robin Lee Hatcher, Tracey Bateman, Colleen Coble and Liz Curtis Higgs. Check it out.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Series? Do you follow forever?
Okay I gotta know, do you follow a series forever or do you just have to say enough is enough. Doesn't matter if it's a continuity series by different authors or long-running series from one author, is there a time when it's over? When the stories have run their course and you can't take another one?
Do you buy a series completely before you read it? What about a series that is started again after it's been completed? Say the take it from historical to contemporary, do you buy the books without really knowing about them?
Do you hate series and wish all books even if they are connected had the ablity to stand alone or do you love a series that starts at a certain date and keeps going on following the lives of the characters?
How about a series that characters are continually killed off as they age? Is that realistic or too much so for your reading pleasure?
WendyK
Do you buy a series completely before you read it? What about a series that is started again after it's been completed? Say the take it from historical to contemporary, do you buy the books without really knowing about them?
Do you hate series and wish all books even if they are connected had the ablity to stand alone or do you love a series that starts at a certain date and keeps going on following the lives of the characters?
How about a series that characters are continually killed off as they age? Is that realistic or too much so for your reading pleasure?
WendyK
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Meeting My Rockstars
I am such an avid romance fan. I have been reading romance since around 11 years old and I never, ever tire of it. I have always viewed authors as my rockstars! Can you imagine my delight when I found out, admittedly at a late stage, that I could meet them and have them sign my books!?! Even more delight when I got to go for the first time to a luncheon where you could actually sit at the table with them and have conversation over a meal, instead of just that few seconds in line at the signing! How fantastic.
My first time was in Huntsville, Alabama. I went over and met a friend, Tangela, at the hotel where the luncheon was being held. She and I stood in line and were so pleased when we got to sit with Linda Howard - OMG! LINDA HOWARD!! (See, I told ya, she ranks up there with Jon Bon Jovi for me. Not that I want to shag her, but you get the point!) It was so wonderful. She was nice and friendly. I met Stephanie Bond, who was the guest speaker, and several other fantastic ladies. There were gift baskets to be given away and door prizes of having your name in a book. I did not win, but in my mind, I had the best prize of being able to chat with one of my favorite authors. Tan won, she got a tote with a set of Stephaine Bond books, a Voo Doo Doll (from a new series of Stephanie's) and a vintage scarf tied to the handle. How cool was that! I ahd an absolutely fabulous time!
So now I am addicted, as you can imagine! In July, Romance Writer's of America is having their annual convention in Atlanta. Along with the convention, there was a huge author signing on one of the first days. Of course, I live near Atlanta, so I had to go. I planned on this for quite some time! My friend Lori and I trudge through downtown Hotlanta to get to our hotel and walk over to the site of the signing. We were so excited, but I do not think we could have anticipated just how much fun we were going to have. There were so many authors there that we had a hard time deciding where to go first. We met some fantastic ladies and even met a few we had never read that are now on our list of authors that we just have to read. I saw Stephanie and Linda again, and they both remembered me from Alabama, so that was nice. Just to name a few we met: Robin T. Popp, Kimberly Raye, Jane Porter (who is phenominal, btw, she is soooo funny and sweet!), Cindy Dees, Lora Leigh, J.R. Ward (who is a big favorite! Oh, those Brothers!), and the piece de resistance for us - Sherrilyn Kenyon. Sherri was fun! We found out she had connections in our area and we knew some of the smae places. She was the big draw for us and it was so fun to finally meet one of our absolutely favorite people. We left that event with briar-eating grins and hearts warmed with the good times we had.
So, when the chance came in September to attend a Dark Hunter party and attend another reader's luncheon in Atlanta, we jumped at the chance. Lori and I packed up the car and headed for Hotlanta one more time. We stayed at the hotel where the event was held, a very nice Hilton! We get to the Dark Hunter party ready for fun! Fans were dressed in everything from vamp/goth style clothes to everyday street clothes. The overall theme was black and red. We danced the night away and had so much fun.
The next day (yesterday) there was a reader's luncheon. There were about 20 authors that were in attendance, some who were new to us and some that were old favorites. I think Ms. Bond may be beginning to think I am a stalker! Here, in 6 months time, I get to meet her again for the 3rd time. We sat at her table for the lunch. She asked us all to suggest book recommendations and we talked about what we like in books, how we pick which types of books to buy, and all sorts of fun reader type stuff. After the lunch, we went into the booksigning. It was good to see all the author's again. Sherri remembered us and was so very sweet and gratious. We met some new ladies that were fun and had great stories we plan to read. Again, we left with our bags full of goodies and our hearts warmed by all the nice people we had met.
So now, I find myself anticipating the next author event. I find it so exciting and am pleased to know they are regular Janes, like the rest of us. Just amazing! They are still my rockstars and I think they always will be. The best part is that they are so appreciative of us readers and how we feel! They put these gifts together with that in mind. The baskets were awesome and show a real thoughtfulness on their part. It feels great to be a romance reader and I am so proud I could shout it from the rooftops!
Thia
My first time was in Huntsville, Alabama. I went over and met a friend, Tangela, at the hotel where the luncheon was being held. She and I stood in line and were so pleased when we got to sit with Linda Howard - OMG! LINDA HOWARD!! (See, I told ya, she ranks up there with Jon Bon Jovi for me. Not that I want to shag her, but you get the point!) It was so wonderful. She was nice and friendly. I met Stephanie Bond, who was the guest speaker, and several other fantastic ladies. There were gift baskets to be given away and door prizes of having your name in a book. I did not win, but in my mind, I had the best prize of being able to chat with one of my favorite authors. Tan won, she got a tote with a set of Stephaine Bond books, a Voo Doo Doll (from a new series of Stephanie's) and a vintage scarf tied to the handle. How cool was that! I ahd an absolutely fabulous time!
So now I am addicted, as you can imagine! In July, Romance Writer's of America is having their annual convention in Atlanta. Along with the convention, there was a huge author signing on one of the first days. Of course, I live near Atlanta, so I had to go. I planned on this for quite some time! My friend Lori and I trudge through downtown Hotlanta to get to our hotel and walk over to the site of the signing. We were so excited, but I do not think we could have anticipated just how much fun we were going to have. There were so many authors there that we had a hard time deciding where to go first. We met some fantastic ladies and even met a few we had never read that are now on our list of authors that we just have to read. I saw Stephanie and Linda again, and they both remembered me from Alabama, so that was nice. Just to name a few we met: Robin T. Popp, Kimberly Raye, Jane Porter (who is phenominal, btw, she is soooo funny and sweet!), Cindy Dees, Lora Leigh, J.R. Ward (who is a big favorite! Oh, those Brothers!), and the piece de resistance for us - Sherrilyn Kenyon. Sherri was fun! We found out she had connections in our area and we knew some of the smae places. She was the big draw for us and it was so fun to finally meet one of our absolutely favorite people. We left that event with briar-eating grins and hearts warmed with the good times we had.
So, when the chance came in September to attend a Dark Hunter party and attend another reader's luncheon in Atlanta, we jumped at the chance. Lori and I packed up the car and headed for Hotlanta one more time. We stayed at the hotel where the event was held, a very nice Hilton! We get to the Dark Hunter party ready for fun! Fans were dressed in everything from vamp/goth style clothes to everyday street clothes. The overall theme was black and red. We danced the night away and had so much fun.
The next day (yesterday) there was a reader's luncheon. There were about 20 authors that were in attendance, some who were new to us and some that were old favorites. I think Ms. Bond may be beginning to think I am a stalker! Here, in 6 months time, I get to meet her again for the 3rd time. We sat at her table for the lunch. She asked us all to suggest book recommendations and we talked about what we like in books, how we pick which types of books to buy, and all sorts of fun reader type stuff. After the lunch, we went into the booksigning. It was good to see all the author's again. Sherri remembered us and was so very sweet and gratious. We met some new ladies that were fun and had great stories we plan to read. Again, we left with our bags full of goodies and our hearts warmed by all the nice people we had met.
So now, I find myself anticipating the next author event. I find it so exciting and am pleased to know they are regular Janes, like the rest of us. Just amazing! They are still my rockstars and I think they always will be. The best part is that they are so appreciative of us readers and how we feel! They put these gifts together with that in mind. The baskets were awesome and show a real thoughtfulness on their part. It feels great to be a romance reader and I am so proud I could shout it from the rooftops!
Thia
Monday, September 18, 2006
Favorite things about Fall
Okay Fall is coming, even if today it feels like Summer will never leave. So I'm wondering what everyone's favorite thing about Fall is? Do you read more or less? Do you love the cooler temps and changing colors or do you prefer Summer and it's sweltering heat? Do you start preparing for Christmas now?
What about Fall is your favorite thing? What book are you eager to read this fall?
WendyK
What about Fall is your favorite thing? What book are you eager to read this fall?
WendyK
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