Slump Buster

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately.  Every now and then I realize I'm not enjoying books that I know I should be.  Not sure why it happens.  Reading fatigue?  Working too hard?  Sameness?  Probably a combination, but it is really frustrating.  

So to use a baseball saying, I now have a "slump buster":  Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  Excuse me while I gush and have a fangirl moment, but is there anyone more talented in romance today?  The woman is absolutely brilliant at characterization and writes some of the best dialogue around (Julia Quinn is my other favorite for dialogue).  I decided to re-read HEAVEN, TEXAS last night and I loved it just as much the second time around.  I pretty much read it in one sitting, staying up until 2 am to finish.  It's amazing how she can take what should be an unlikeable character and make him appealing.  Bobby Tom Denton is arrogant, selfish, vain, and utterly yummy.   On tonight's reading menu:  NOBODY'S BABY BUT MINE (another re-read).

The funny thing is that I'm more of a historical reader, but SEP has definitely broadened my spectrum to contemporaries.  (Another really fun contemporary author is Christy Ridgeway--highly recommend).   Julie Garwood is another good Slump Buster for me.  

So do you have any authors that you know you can always go to for a good read?  

Reader E-Mail:  Lilly I'm not ignoring you!

I hate when this happens, but every now and then I'll get a lovely email from a reader and when I try to reply it bounces.  Usually it's with AOL.  I tried to send from two different email accounts, but no dice.  

I try to answer all my emails, so if you don't hear from me after a couple of weeks try again and make sure you have the correct email in the "from" box.  Also, make sure there isn't anything too generic in the "re" category.   Things like "thanks" or "for monica" or "n/a" often get caught by the spam filter.  Mentioning the title of the book or series is always good. 

So if Lilly is out there, thank you for your note!  You asked a great question and I thought I'd post the response here in case others are puzzled.  In the Author's note for OUTLAW I mentioned that I would have a link to MacGregor's testament.  Lilly looked for it and couldn't find it.  For good reason.  It hasn't been posted yet.  So sorry!  Because I have so much info in my SPECIAL FEATURES section it is necessary for me to stream it out (to give me time to put it together).  Up next (posted Monday) is the extended author's note for WARRIOR.  OUTLAW's will be posted in July (hopefully).  Until then, here is the link.  You have to scroll down to the appendix at the end.  

Dark Knights Anyone?

Hope you guys have a great Memorial Day. I'm getting close to crunch time with my book, so it was work most of the weekend for me.  On Wednesday I'll be blogging with a Golden Heart finalist buddy of mine TJ Bennett.  Her books, THE PROMISE and THE LEGACY, have earned great reviews on AAR.  I'll be talking about Dark Knights (and Patrick MacGregor), so pop on over if you get a chance.

Any fun plans for summer?

Precocious Little Readers?

I'm blogging over at Mamawriters today about my daughter and her precocious reading tendencies.  Pop on over and let me know what you think is an appropriate age to start reading romance and how I'm going to keep her away from my books until then!

The Clinch Cover

I was reading a book on the romance genre recently, and there was a funny section on clinch covers.  You know, those covers everyone loves to hate, depicting a man and woman caught up a steamy embrace.  (Sorry, couldn't resist one of Joanna Lindsey's old covers--she has some amazing ones).

As a long time reader of romance, my feelings towards clinch covers have evolved.  When I was younger, I used to be embarrassed by them--probably because if someone saw me reading one it made me feel a little naughty, LOL.  Now that I'm an author, I'm more in the "acceptance for those things we cannot change" camp.  I think maybe more than any other type of cover they immediately signal to the reader what she's going to get (usually a sexy historical romance).  And more importantly, they sell!

So how do you feel about clinch covers?  Do you hate them and wish they'd disappear?  Do you love them?  Or are you kind of ambivalent?  

Just a Quick Note . . . 

I'm blogging over at Jennifer's Random Musings today.  Stop by and say "hi" when you are surfing around today.  Have a great weekend!