Guest Reader Blogger, Elpmaxe
by sue on Jan.30, 2010, under Book Chat
Hi! You don’t know me, but I’m an avid reader of romance & my name is Elpmaxe, my friends call me Elxe for short. This post is starting off like an AA class, not that I’ve ever been to one, but from what I’ve heard anyway. I guess in a way, that is partially applicable as I am addicted to romance . . . but I don’t want to go to AA as I love my addiction!
How many of you, like me, pick up a romance & can’t put it down? Well, totally me . . . I have a book with me in the car; at the gym; at the office; by my bed; in the bathroom; in the kitchen; in the livingroom . . . I have a book & read it everywhere. Can anyone else relate?
When I was asked to post I thought, oh my, this is not my gig . . . but, friends said, “you are so passionate about romance & your passion is soooooo contagious, wouldn’t it be fun to share that enthusiasm with others?” Of course it would, I thought . . . but, I can’t write! Well, oddly enough, here I am, writing (urgh) this post as best I can . . . & I must tell you, I am TOTALLY JAZZED about Kat Martin’s Bride series!
I’ve always enjoyed this authors writing, but have drifted away from her over the past year or two. Then, she publishes this new series, THE BRIDE SERIES, beginning with:
ROYAL’S BRIDE; REESE’S BRIDE & the final, RULE’S BRIDE
Each one of Kat’s heroes is sexier than the next . . . Royal is a duke’s son & returns after years abroad to hear his father’s dying wish, to marry an heiress. Royal agrees to his father’s request, however, it is his cousin that he finds he has more of an interest in & so the story unfolds. Kat intertwines a great mystery plot into this story which logically brings the hero & heroine together & if anyone can write a great hero . . it is Kat Martin.
Ok, book two — with Reese, who returns home from war only to find his childhood sweetheart married to another . . . how could she? They promised each other they would wed upon his return. Elizabeth’s husband dies & she fears for her life & her sons, turning to Reese for assistance. Their love rekindles and this is just ohhhhhhhh so romantic!
But book three with Rule . . . .oh darn . . . I just realized I can’t talk about this one . . . comes out April 27th . . but hey, gives you plenty of time to catch up on the other two before it’s release in stores. Believe me, you’re going to love it!
I really love trilogies. I enjoy reading stories where the authors focus on the details of all of their characters lives . . . seems like I can never get enough!
If I could tell the publishing world what I wanted for my romance library, it would be series. Each character would have a separate story where previous characters from previous books reappeared . . but CAUTION: I do not want the same old same old! These stories must be different . . . and move the story forward . . . do not make me read the same story over & over with different characters!
Hey, great question, if you could tell the publishing world what you wanted for your library, what would it be?
I might also tell the publishing world if you start the author in paperback, keep her in paperback, don’t make the last book in the series a hardcover — messes with my shelves, ya know what I mean?
Win a copy of Rule’s book by commenting today . . . only one winner!
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January 31st, 2010 on 6:02 pm[...] - Elxe’s winner GSM; Jill’s 10 winners are: Kirsten; Maureen; Caroline:Jennifer M (NYC); readinrobin; Dana; [...]
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About Sue & Borders True Romance Blog
Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
Borders True Romance Blog is a community, developed for you, the romance reader, to find out more about the books you love; the authors who write them & where to buy them :) Borders.com
Previously published as Wishes No Matter How Fast You Run. . .The newborn baby boy is beautiful, perfect, and hers for the asking. All Kate Summers has to do is agree to one condition--she must disappear from Boston and never breathe a word about the adoption to anyone. Or How Far You Go. . .Fifteen years later, Kate has built a good life for herself and her son, Jon, in Hopewell, Oregon. Still, she is haunted by the fear that he will somehow be taken away. Then Daegan O'Rourke arrives in town and strikes up a friendship with her and Jon. But Daegan has his own past to hide--one with shocking ties to hers. A Killer Will Always Find You. . .Someone is watching Kate, watching her son, and is willing to go to any lengths to claim him. And the one man Kate is tempted to trust has dangerous secrets that could change her world forever. Soon the past Kate thought she could outrun will explode, unearthing a legacy of lies and treachery, and a fury powerful enough to kill. . .
Friend Feed
January 31st, 2010 on 6:34 am
I heard so many good things about this series but haven’t read any as yet. I do love series though, so please keep them coming! I’m now catching up with Stephenie Laurens’s the Cynsters.
January 31st, 2010 on 5:55 am
I would tell the publishing world that heroes do not have to be super strong, super gorgeous and super muscled to be appealing.
January 31st, 2010 on 12:43 am
Great post! I’ve never read a Kat Martin book, but I’ve been hearing fabulous things about her new series! And yes, I would tell the publishing world the same thing! I like to keep all the author’s book together on my bookshelf, but it looks odd when one or two are so much bigger then the others!
January 31st, 2010 on 12:21 am
I use to also read Kat Martin heavily, but at some point I also drifted away. I don’t know the reason, but this series reminds of some of her earlier series that are keepers on my shelves.
January 30th, 2010 on 10:35 pm
Hi Elxe,
You did a great job! Exactly my thoughts about the paperback/hardcover issue. The hardcover sticks out and ruins all the nice, tidy lines of paperbacks on your bookshelves.
January 30th, 2010 on 8:55 pm
Hi Elxe! You did a great job on your post! I love Kat Martin’s books. I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite. I can’t wait to get a copy of Rule’s Bride!
January 30th, 2010 on 7:48 pm
I’m always looking for new series to read, sounds good!
January 30th, 2010 on 4:36 pm
Hi my name is Danielle, and I am a romance book addict. Ha! Ha! It’s true! I read constantly. When I am not reading it I am writing it. I have read a few of Kat Martin’s books before and enjoyed them, so would love to pick up a new one! May have to check these out.
January 30th, 2010 on 4:17 pm
i want more already married h/h getting second chance at love and best friends/old family friends falling in love–really, as long as the h/h have a history together before their began in the book. these are the plot lines i love reading best.
January 30th, 2010 on 3:55 pm
Nicely said. Very happy to “meet” you. I love series books very much, like historical, contemp and suspense books.
Enjoy your reading.
Rosie G.
January 30th, 2010 on 3:11 pm
Hi, Elxe - very nice to meet you. Wonderfully written piece.
I agree - pbs for me - very cost effective - if a book I want comes out in hd cov, I get it from the library.
I love contemps - straight contempts - I must be in minority as I see a lot of historicals, and contemps in the paranormal, vamp, werewolf type.
I adore series books - love to be reunited with characters from past books. Susan Mallery and Roby Carr are 2 excellent series authors to name a few.
Pat L.
January 30th, 2010 on 2:58 pm
I think I want more room for my library! I enjoyed your post. I like series books with strong characters.
January 30th, 2010 on 2:34 pm
Hi Elxe - Great post - I’m in the same addiction boat with you so you’re not alone!!! I think I’d tell the publishing world that we need more science fiction fantasy romance. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of it out there and I love it.
January 30th, 2010 on 2:08 pm
What a gr8 blog! I am with you about series. I want to hear from the characters from the previous books, not a rehash but a what are they up to now. I also hate it when the first books in a series come out in paperback and then a hardcover is thrown into the loop. I want continuity.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
January 30th, 2010 on 6:35 pm
I knew there were others of you that agreed with me — I hate it when my bookshelf has that awkward vertical look with paperbacks & then a big ole hardcover! Urgh!
Thanks for your kind words on my blog — you should try it? email Sue at sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com
January 30th, 2010 on 1:44 pm
Hello,
I think you did a great job with your post. I can only imagine how nerve racking writing a blog could be if writing is not your thing. I’m also addicted to reading, especially romances. I have bookshelves and boxes of books all over my house. If I could talk to publishers, I would tell them to keep the connected series coming, too. I especially like it when the books come out back to back because I’m impatient :-). The Kat Martin bride series is great. I have been reading her books for a while & I look forward to reading Rule’s story in the spring.
January 30th, 2010 on 6:36 pm
Thank you! After I got going I felt I got the hang of it. & Kat is really an author I can count on for a good read.
January 30th, 2010 on 12:47 pm
Ah, if I could tell the publishing world what I wanted. First, please stop making the books smaller but charging more for them. Second, I would love to see more westerns and contemporaries. And I agree I hate when they change to hardcover mid series.
January 30th, 2010 on 6:40 pm
Western contemporaries are happening! Linda Lael of course & Carolyn Brown http://www.borders.com/online/store/SearchResults?keyword=carollyn+brown&type=0&simple=1 for starters
January 30th, 2010 on 12:45 pm
Hey, Elxe! A fantastic post–great job! Kat Martin is a wonderful choice to focus on under the spotlight : ) I agree that series books should be the same size and either hardback or paperback. If if like the books, I will keep the set. It would be nice if they all matched.
To the publishing world: Keep providing high quality, entertaining romantic fiction in a variety of genres. Allow those wonderfully creative and imaginative writers to shine. We still want our comfort zone, but we also want to be taken to where our hearts and minds have not yet dared to venture! Finally, please make sure the front cover image and the back cover blurb match the content of the book. Thank you : )
January 30th, 2010 on 6:41 pm
great points — you must have been a fly on the wall with one of my buy appointments with my reps
January 30th, 2010 on 12:43 pm
Hi! I love Kat Martin’s Bride Series, and can’t wait to read Rule’s book. The first two books of this series are the first books I’ve ever read by her, and definitely won’t be the last.
I agree with your comment. If they start a series in paperback please keep it in paperback and don’t make the other books in the same series hardback. I also like for my books that are part of a series to match, plus paperback is less expensive.
January 30th, 2010 on 11:44 am
I totally agree with the paperback/hardback comment - makes me nuts. I, too, love trilogies and series, but hate when they’re different sizes.
These books sound awesome. Looks like I’m again adding to my miles-long list.
Thanks for the great blog!
January 30th, 2010 on 11:42 am
Hi Elxe!
Thanks for introducing me to this new series… I’m definitely adding it to my Wishlist!
Cheers!
January 30th, 2010 on 11:39 am
I love Kat Martin’s books!!! Awesome post. What a fun addiction to have! (nods)
I’d love for more WW2 romances to be published. I’m also a big fan of romances set in the mafia world! Not sure what that says about me but there ya be. (laughs)
January 30th, 2010 on 11:30 am
I guess if I am going to be a addict this is the kind of addict I want to be!! I also hate when the first books come out in paperback and then the last is a hardback. I tend not to buy the series because of that. I don’t mind some books coming out in hardback first. If it is one of my auto buy authors I will pick up that book, Julie Garwood, Karen Rose, Linda Howard. I just can’t wait for the paperback.
I am going have to pick up the Kat Martain books. She used to be a auto buy for me. So I will have to try her again. Thanks for the post it told me what I ahve been missing.
January 30th, 2010 on 11:12 am
I just ordered Reese’s Bride and looking forward to reading it, haven’t read the others, I should, as I adore series as well.
I have amazing restraint, I will not buy hardcovers unless I have other hardcovers in that same series.
January 30th, 2010 on 10:28 am
Yes, I do agree, I hate mixing hardbacks with paperbacks. That’s the one thing I don’t like about the J.D.Robb books, they always come out in hardback first and it’s like 6 months before the mass market comes out and I usually have no patience for the wait and I will cave and buy a hardback. I like series books too. You get attached to characters in the first book and the secondary characters get your attention so it’s great when we get to find out the after the HEA story with the first H/H and then the secondary characters we enjoyed get their own stories too, what’s not to like about that. So keep those paperback series coming.
January 30th, 2010 on 9:08 am
Elxe,
You did a great job with this blog! And no, please don’t ever get help for your addiction! We writers loooooove to hear that readers are addicted to romances.
Most writers started out as reading addicts themselves. I did, and I still am. Like you, I always have at least one book with me. And if I’m getting close to the end of one, I’ll have to grab a second before I leave the house. Heaven forbid that I finish a book and be left with nothing to read! When I’m driving my car, I often listen to an audiobook.
Thanks for this post! I always want to know what readers are looking for, so I’ll be following the comments today with interest.
January 30th, 2010 on 7:56 am
I have the two first books in the series but I’m waiting for Rule’s Bride to come out to read them.
I sooooo agree with your paperback/hardcover comment. I hate to have my books mismatched. There is also the fact that we, romance readers, usually read A LOT. I buy a lot of books and probably wouldn’t if there were only harcover.
Congrats on your upcoming release !
January 30th, 2010 on 3:33 am
Hi Elxe (hope you don’t mind me calling you what your friends call you!). What a great question to ask.
If I could tell publishers what I want in my library, it’d be this: books where the words matter as much as the story and characters. It drives me crazy when a book’s published with convoluted sentences, misused words, and bad grammar. I love authors who play with language as much as they play with their characters - authors like Jo Bourne and Laura Kinsale.
But then, I was an English teacher for years, so I’m pedantic like that. And I happen to be reading a historical right now that makes me want to get out my red pen and send the book back to the publisher for a rewrite.