trueromance

Well, aren’t you surprised to see me again? Wires got crossed & lucky you all, here I am

Today, I would like to start the discussion on emotion in romance. There have been a couple of books of late I’ve read that had an emotional level of 300% — you know those books, “WOW, that was something”, as you wipe the tears from your eyes. I’m really not that emotional of a person, but if something really hits the mark, or resonates with me in such a way, those feelings start to take on a life of there own

So! to start, I’d like to tell you about what I’ve almost finished reading, ETERNAL HUNGER by Laura Wright — let me qualify this review by saying, even if you are not a paranormal romance fan, this story has characters you & I adore — the heroes are very tortured, set apart from vampire society. The Roman brothers escaped the world of where they were raised. The culture, their family, did not support them & how they wanted to live their lives. Unfortunately, a threat to the Roman brothers emerges & guidance is needed from the higher power. The thing that sold me on this book was definitely the emotion but also the strong heroine - Sara works in a hospital, psychiatric ward, where her brother is a patient. Sara is a strong women, that cares about her family especially after all they went thru. Sara also feels responsible for the fire that killed her father, sent her mother away & is the reason that she has had to hospitalize her brother. The strength she shows as the book develops is one you can only respect, as does Vampire Alexander, the man who literally sweeps her off her feet. Now, Alexander is a very tortured character who finds a connection with Sara, his soon to be mate. Alex sees her strength & respects her loyalty & commitment to her family & in the end tries to help her heal her brother.

Together these characters fight their own battles but also help each find answers to their own demons. The emotion is huge & you feel the depth of Alexander’s emotion immediately which makes you want to fly thru this book.

Characters readers, don’t miss this -

Another book that I’ve recently read is Maya Banks, THE DARKEST HOUR.. The beginning of a new suspense series, The KGI, Navy Seal, Ethan Kelly, finds out his wife is still alive. After a year of guilt, feeling as if he drove her away from him & their marriage, he receives a message of her being alive & how she can be rescued. All works well & she comes home, however, what Ethan is not prepared for is her memory loss & the guilt that just gets stronger & stronger until he finally faces Rachel with his feelings & the truth. OMG, people, talk about emotion! & does this author know how to make you read until wee hours of the morning — each chapter is a clincher to transcend you into the next — WOW! The reader is literally taken on an emotional roller coaster, so if you like that intensity — read this book.

Robyn Carr’s, PROMISE CANYON, is another one! No surprise there, as Robyn’s Virgin River series has taken us on one big emotional ride — well, in PC you meet a man & woman who are of Native American descent & learn a little about their very traditional cultures & families. The reader understands that partially because of their upbringing these characters are very committed people . . to their families, friends, work & in the end to one another, however, both have had pasts where someone has not felt the same way & has badly hurt them. The story is about being able to overcome the fear that comes with learning to trust someone again .. .. & if you’ve ever been there, it is something that is not easy to do. Robyn does a phenomenal job in portraying these characters & how they overcome their pasts. Need I say, this was a verrrrrrrrrrrrrry emotional book!

I could not find a cover but hopefully you’ll enjoy this picture of the grand canyon

So see where I’m going here? I personally have thought, that this level of emotion I’ve described in these books has been missing in the genre. . . not that you want this commitment in every book you read, but you want there to be strong values, feelings . . help me out here . . . Ladies, where do you want the level of emotion/commitment in your books? What author does that for you?

Comment below, 2 randomly chosen will win Sue’s Stash — Thanks for chatting with me,
SueG

Wow… How on earth do I give the awesomeness of this book justice in my review? I think it’s taken me three hours, at least, to finally think of something to say.

I enjoyed SIN UNDONE. I adored Sin and Con and the dynamics of their relationship. I loved the way Larissa skillfully weaved problem after problem into the book without ever making me sick of all the drama. (Let me tell you, there was a lot. I actually gave a sigh in relief when everything was finally resolved.) And most importantly: I love how Sin’s origins–how she’s the only female Seminus demon–is explained. Yeah, it was brief, but it worked.

But primarily? I adored Sin and Con.

I’ll admit, I was curious about how the two were going to connect as a couple and resolve all their issues. Con had to have issues, otherwise, the pairing wouldn’t have been convincing. Not when Sin’s past was so messed up. In this regard, readers are not let down. Con’s got emotional baggage up the wazoo, just like Sin. It definitely made for an interesting read, that’s for sure.

Unlike other paranormal romance series, Larissa continually reconnected readers with her past couples. That is something I find fairly important while I’m reading. Usually, when I’m reading other series, I start to ask myself questions such as: are these past couples dead? Is the current couple living on a deserted island away from civilization? What the hell happened to the past heroes I used to drool over!?  (okay so maybe I don’t think so much about the first two questions… but the last one is fairly important)  I mean, older characters/couples were painstakingly created, why not bring them back for a quick scene or two? Well, Larissa did that, and so much more. They became an integral part of the storyline… much like every other book in this series.

There was sap with the reunions, yes, and usually sap will make me cringe, but I felt it was necessary for SIN UNDONE… especially because this book was also the end. We, as readers, participated in a family’s journey. First with Eidolon, then with Shade, Wraith, Lore, and finally with Sin. And I must say, the journey was draining, heartbreaking, heartwarming, gut wrenching, holy-shit-I’m-going-to-bite-all-my-nails-off dramatic, sappy, lovey dovey, and AMAZING.

For some reason, though, I wanted to see more fighting in this book. Especially because Sin’s the leader of the Assassin’s Den. I mean, there was a lot of fighting, but I wanted a little bit more. I think it’s because I had a True Blood marathon for three days straight. Right before reading this book… Yeeah.

Oh and before I forget: Luc’s in this story! If you’re like me and you were rooting for this poor were’s HEA, prepare yourselves, because you’re gonna get it.

SIN UNDONE is a stellar finish to a wonderful series that I am somewhat sad to see go. I say somewhat because, while I will miss the Demonica series, I cannot WAIT for Larissa’s spinoff series with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. If you buy this book, I highly suggest checking out the preview of ETERNAL RIDER, book 1 of the Lords of Deliverance series coming out in March 2011.

As for SIN UNDONE? Well, I already think highly of this series, and Sin and Con’s story is one you would regret missing out on. All five books were definitely worth their price and time.

Overall verdict: 5/5 Stars

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!

-Tori
Check out my paranormal book review blog, Book Faery (http://book-faery.blogspot.com/).

Abby Gaines -

Let’s hear it for the heroines

Romance readers have strong views about romance novel heroes. We may not always agree, but we know what we like. (For me: no beards, no guys who need mothering, no one who’s had sex with a thousand women)

Heroines don’t seem to get an equal share of the debate. But when I read a romance, it’s just as important (well, almost) that I like the heroine. Love her, even. After all, she needs to be worthy of that fantastic hero, and I want to be sure she’ll make him as happy as he makes her. Which isn’t going to happen if she’s, say, whiny. Or selfish. Or dull. Or pathetic. Ouch! Of course, one reader’s dull is another reader’s sparkling….

There’s a theory that when you read a romance novel, you “become” the heroine. Subconsciously, you put yourself in her place, experience her trials and her delights. Which makes it all the more important for the heroine to be someone you like.

I like my heroines strong, but with a sweetness of character that reminds the hero just how churlish he’s being. A great heroine knows what she wants and is willing to work for it. Intelligent – very! Honest and principled, too (though she may at some stage have to fake an engagement, pretend her marriage of convenience is for real, or pose as a billionaire’s girlfriend…all in a day’s work for even the most honest heroine). Pretty? Hmm, maybe. When you like someone you tend to think they’re nice-looking, so quantifiable prettiness isn’t essential .

What I don’t want is a perfect heroine: never having a mean thought, always sacrificing ungrudgingly for others, endlessly patient. Those gals just show me up! And as for the heroine who refuses to accept the gorgeous designer dress purchased for her by the super-rich hero…what’s that about? No, my kind of heroine is also a pragmatist…one who likes nice clothes even if she’s not always sure how to choose them.

So who are these non-paragons I love to read about?

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written a couple of my favorite heroines, Daisy in KISS AN ANGEL and Jane in NOBODY’S BABY BUT MINE. I loved Maggie in Kristan Higgins’ CATCH OF THE DAY, and Callie, the heroine in Higgins’ new book ALL I EVER WANTED, shapes up well in the preview. Karina Bliss wrote a wonderful librarian in WHAT THE LIBRARIAN DID. Liz Talley’s librarian in VEGAS TWO-STEP is also fun. Try BLACK WIDOW BRIDE by Tessa Radley for a heroine who’ll keep you guessing (and cheering). Sandra Hyatt’s Alexia, in HIS BRIDE FOR THE TAKING, wants to be a princess and ends up just that.

Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood (aka SHOPAHOLIC) is a heroine I loved more in the subsequent books than in the first one, but I’ve adored her through five books. Ruth Logan Herne nailed a compassionate do-gooder who was far from perfect in WINTER’S END. Maddy in FLOWERS FROM THE STORM by Laura Kinsale is a long-time favorite of mine and many other readers. Emilie Richards wrote a fun, real woman called Tracy in HAPPINESS KEY.

Georgette Heyer’s heroines deserve a special mention. She wrote so many delightful women (or girls). Warm and funny Arabella and Venetia in the eponymous novels, Mary in DEVIL’S CUB (feistier than the hero could ever have dreamed), wry and creative Hester in SPRIG MUSLIN, courageous Phoebe in Sylvester.

But enough about my preferences. Recommend a great heroine whose story I can add to my To Be Read pile, and one commenter will win a copy of THE GROOM CAME BACK, winner of the short contemporary award in the Readers Crown Contest and available now in Borders stores. The book’s heroine, Callie Summers, married secretly as teenager so she could escape a custody dispute. Now her groom, Dr. Jack Mitchell, has come home for a divorce—and he doesn’t even recognize his own wife! Unlucky for him, Callie has no intention of signing off on that final decree….

Hope you all enjoyed our ROMCON Winners week - many of you have won various giveaways & to make sure you get your prize please email SueG at sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com — Now, for the winners:

Sunday’s Winners with Sophia are AnneF; Virginia C; MinnChica

Monday with Sandra - MarleneB
Sue’s Stash is for domestic winner only

Tuesday with Jory - Ladytink; JacquelineC

Wednesday with Cindy Gerard - SusanT

Thursday with Jennifer Ashley -Heather

Friday - Robyn’s winners - TracyD

Saturday w/Mary Sullivan - LaurieG; TamsynT

Congrats!

Now for this week — Romcon winners + MORE!

Sunday with Carly Phillips

Monday with Livia Dare

Tuesday with Sheri WhiteFeather

Wednesday is SJ Day

Thursday - Abby Gaines

Friday with Hannah Howell, Alexandra Ivy & Kaitlin O’Reilly!

Saturday is with The Book Faery!

Another line up of fun — hope to C U this week & bring your friends

Happy Romance -
SueG

I was thrilled when I learned that my historical romance, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, won RomCon’s Reader’s Crown in historical. I was very surprised (I saw that list of finalists!), but happy!

I asked readers what they’d like to hear me talk about on this blog, and hands’ down, they requested I talk about Ian Mackenzie and why he is so loved.

When I conceived the series, I wanted to write about the most dark and dangerous men I could think of—rich, powerful, and decadent, they love the best in art, women, whiskey, horses, you name it. They go anywhere they want, and do anything they want. They break all the rules, and no one stops them.

Each brother is a bit obsessed with what interests them, and that obsession manifests itself fully in Ian. I was thinking about autism and started to wonder how even a mildly autistic person, perhaps someone with Asperger’s, had fared before anyone had put a name or diagnosis to the syndrome. In the Victorian age, such a person would be considered eccentric, different, mad, maybe even dangerous.

Ian Mackenzie was born. He’s a tall, handsome hunk of a man, and he knows all about sensuality—in fact he learns it as an art and focuses on getting it just right. His heroine, Beth, doesn’t know what she’s in for. She only knows that Ian is the most intriguing man she’s ever meet, and his determination to have her, even though he claims he doesn’t understand what love it, is both exciting and heartbreaking.

I had to do much research both on Asperger’s Syndrome and how the “mad” were treated in the Victorian age. In Ian’s case, his father gets him locked away in an asylum when he’s ten, both because Ian doesn’t fit into his father’s controlled world, plus Ian knows secrets that his blunt speeches might reveal.

Ian’s brothers, especially the two middle brothers, Mac and Cameron, could do nothing to get him out of the asylum, but they tried to make his time there bearable. The paid him visits and smuggled him cigars, whiskey, and erotic books, trying to make certain that their little brother would grow into a well-rounded man. The day that Ian’s father dies, Hart, the oldest brother, goes to the asylum to bring Ian home.

I did not model Ian from any one person I know; he grew from my research on people with AS. Not all AS people have the same traits, so Ian will not have every single trait associated with AS. I tried to make him as unique and realistic as possible.

Ian has trouble meeting people’s eyes (therefore I couldn’t simply write “His gaze met hers…” No, it didn’t!”). He wanders off conversations or doesn’t respond at all, especially if the topic doesn’t interest him, but he’s very focused on what does interest him. For instance, he collects Ming bowls and can tell a real one from a forgery in a heartbeat. But he collects only *bowls*, not vases, and only of the Ming period. Any other ceramics, he has no clue about.

Ian has trouble with emotions, especially spontaneous ones. For example, he’s not sure why people clap after a performance, but he’s learned to do it when everyone else does. It doesn’t mean he didn’t enjoy the performance; he simply doesn’t equate the response of applause to what he feels.

Likewise, he does not believe he is able to fall in love, but because this is a romance, I and Beth set out to prove him wrong! The entire book is about Ian’s growth, and learning what it is to love another person.

Since the release of Madness of Lord Ian, I’ve received so many letters from readers telling me that Ian reminds me of their own sons, brothers, husbands, friends, children of friends, or students. The outpouring has surprised me—I was fascinated by Ian and wanted him to have a HEA, and it looks like many of my readers did too!

I truly appreciate the response to Lord Ian, and I hope his brothers (who are as obsessed in their own way as Ian), are equally pleasing. Mac’s story came out in July 2010 (Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage), and Cameron and Hart will follow, in that order. (I’m writing the brothers youngest to
oldest.)

To celebrate Madness of Lord Ian’s win, I’m offering a signed copy of the book here to a commenter—and if you’ve already read it, feel free to choose anything else from the books I have out (including Lady Isabella). Simply say hello or talk about why you like heroes who are a little bit different (or why you don’t!)

Thank you so much for loving Ian!

Jennifer Ashley

Hi everybody!

When I was growing up, my mother read me classic fairy tales over and over again: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty. My favorite, hands down, was Cinderella. I grew up on a farm in Minnesota, outside a town of 2,000, and my main plan of escape was to hitch a ride to New York City with an available prince. Perhaps fortunately, there were no princes on the lookout for plump girls with red-haired perms, so I went to college instead.

But I didn’t stop loving Cinderella—and finally I decided to create my own version. I had a wonderful time writing A Kiss at Midnight, but I was surprised by how many decisions there were to make! I knew that my Cinderella couldn’t be a victimized scullery girl, and, in fact, my heroine Kate is a feisty, funny young woman placed in an awful situation, and making the best of it. But what sort of man thinks he can choose a wife at a ball, let alone by the size of her feet? (My Gabriel doesn’t.) How evil should my stepmother be? What should I do with those stepsisters? While I’m at it, what about the rats (my favorite part of the Disney film)? And I’m no paranormal author…how am I going to deal with the fairy godmother? Wait—that glass slipper, how should I cope with possible splinters?

This is one of the most sparkling, happy books I’ve ever written. And yet…like the fairy tale…it doesn’t avoid life’s hardships. As the review in Publishers’ Weekly said, it’s “a candy floss comic romp around a core of heartache.” I truly believe in the story of Cinderella—and I think that comes through.

Sometimes I want to say to my teenage self: “Look, honey! We did it!” These days, I live in New York City with my husband, a genuine Italian knight (not quite a prince, but close enough). For me, the heart of Cinderella is not the shoe, or the wand, but the joy of finding that right person, whether at a ball or elsewhere.

So let me ask you this: what’s the very best part of the story of Cinderella for you, the part that simply can’t be left out? In short, when you read A Kiss at Midnight (which I hope you will), what will you be looking for?

All winners, email SueG, sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com, with your snail mail so we may send you your prize — Good Luck!

Sunday’s Post - Deb Stover was right, that is Heather Graham in the photo

Tuesday Winner - Laurie G

Wednesday Winner (must live in US) - Jami Gold

Thursday Winner (must live in US) - Janese Leon

Friday Winners - Cheryl Lynne; Anne; Wendy Marcus

Saturday with Lisa J - LisaLilmissmolly

& next week we’ve got a GREAT line up of stars

2day, Sunday with Karyn

Monday is Lucy Monroe

Tuesday with Sara & later with Jeanne Stein

Wednesday Carly is in the house!

Thursday is Lila DiPasqua

Friday with Elizabeth
&
Saturday with Leigh from Book Lovers Message Board
Another smashing week!

See you soon,
Happy Romance,
SueG

Thanks to Sue for asking me to guest blog today.

All About Romance has been online since 1996 and, through it all, we’ve seen trends come and go. We remember when historical romance was rumored to be on the wane (believe it or not, that was just a few years ago) and we’ve witnessed the rise of the paranormal and urban fantasy genres. But, with all the trends we’ve seen, there are romance classics – books that stick with us through the years and through changing tastes.

At AAR, we’ve conducted four polls to ask readers to pick their Top 100 Romances, the first time in 1998 and the last in 2007. It’s interesting to look at the choices and how they’ve changed – or haven’t changed – over time. Since it’s just too daunting a task for this totally non-statistically oriented woman to master any kind of evaluation of all 100, let’s take a look at the top 10 and how they’ve changed over time.

Here’s the 1998 list:

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
The Secret by Julie Garwood
Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Dream Man by Linda Howard
Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
The Gift by Julie Garwood
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What does this tell us? Well, besides the fact that SEP did very well with three titles in the top 10, the list represents many of the established romance superstars of the 90s. As for that seventh place showing for Lord of Scoundrels, stay tuned.

Here’s how it shook out in 2000:

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
Devil’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney
The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale

At last, debut appearances by Linda Howard, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, and Mary Jo Putney. And the big news from the 2000? Lord of Scoundrels moved up from number seven to number one – a spot it held in both 2004 and 2007.

And, speaking of 2004, here are the results from that year:

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
As You Desire by Connie Brockway
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
All Through the Night by Connie Brockway
Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Jennifer Crusie and Connie Brockway (two favorites of mine, by the way) make their first appearances followed by Suzanne Brockmann and Nora Roberts. Gabaldon, Kleypas, and Kinsale hold firmly to their top 10 spots.

Ready for 2007?

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Here’s the top news the way I see it. Lord of Scoundrels holds the top spot over three straight polls since 2000. Julia Quinn makes the top 10 for the first time, while Diana Gabaldon sticks with the classic Outlander, and Laura Kinsale holds her own with a groundbreaking romance first published in 1992. And ditto for the great Lisa Kleypas and her non-noble hero in Dreaming of You, a character who first stole our hearts in 1994. Jennifer Crusie also maintains her reader love with two titles in the top 10. And, particularly pleasurable to me, Mary Balogh cracks the top 10 for the first time with Slightly Dangerous, my favorite of all her books.

I was able to interview Loretta Chase recently and I took the opportunity to ask her if she had any theories as to why Lord of Scoundrels continues to resonate with readers to the extent that it keeps taking the top spot. Here’s what she said:
“I’m still waiting for someone to explain it to me. The first win astounded me, and the repeats even more—and no, I don’t have an answer. Um..because it’s funny? I asked my husband why it’s so popular, and he said, “The glove scene.” But you know, when readers email me about it, they don’t all mention the same scenes or story elements, though Jessica is cited quite frequently. They like her attitude. But she works because she’s so extremely balanced and Dain is so extremely unbalanced. If he weren’t as screwed up as he is, I’m not sure she’d work as well. But really, analysis is not my forte. I write intuitively. Which means that, when I wrote Lord of Scoundrels, my intuition somehow worked everything out in a special way. Another way of putting this is, Gift from the Writing Gods.”

That works for me!

Will it hold the number one spot in 2010? At this point, it’s anybody’s guess. We won’t know until AAR readers and visitors have their say when the 2010 Top 100 Reader Poll is held in October. I hope you’ll start thinking now about your choices and join us in the fall to vote for your favorites.

But, in the meantime, I’d love to know your thoughts about the list and how it’s changed over time. Any theories as to why the same romance has continued to hold the top spot for seven years? Any predictions of books you think will show up on the list for the very first time?

One random commenter below will be chosen to win Sue’s Stash! Good luck!

Sandy Coleman is Publisher and Senior Editor of All About Romance, a popular Web site dedicated to romance fiction with more than 400,000 readers every month.

Thanks to a small town librarian with very good taste, she was introduced to the incredible novels of Georgette Heyer and to the wonderful world of romance the summer she turned 13. Like a lot of fellow romance lovers, she’s never looked back.

As a professional writer, albeit one with the 30-second attention span of a true Gemini, Sandy is in awe of those incredibly disciplined and talented individuals who actually create the novels she loves so much. Personal favorites are many and varied, but she’ll admit to a special fondness for Judith Ivory, Connie Brockway, Loretta Chase, Lisa Kleypas, Jennifer Crusie, J.R. Ward, and Lavinia Kent.

Three Nights With a Scoundrel

Meant to be?

This may be a shocking thing for a romance author to admit, but I have trouble believing in romantic destiny and “meant to be.” Okay, maybe it’s not that I don’t believe in destiny…it’s just that I have a hard time believing young girls are any good at predicting it.

When I wrote my first romance novel, Goddess of the Hunt, it was partly a reaction to many romance novels I’d read where the heroine has known since childhood that she was “meant to be” with the hero…and then she is eventually proven right. In Goddess, Lucy is fixated on Sir Toby, one of her older brother’s friends, having adored him since she was eleven years old. She’s dead-set on the idea that they’re made for one another—and in the end, she’s dead wrong. She ends up with hero Jeremy instead, who is much better suited to her womanly self, even if he wasn’t the object of her girlhood dreams. In general, I guess I just had a hard time buying the idea that eleven-year-old girls are good judges of prospective husbands. Thank goodness, or that Bieber kid would be headed for epic polygamy!

But my new release is Twice Tempted by a Rogue—a book where the heroine, Meredith, has had a crush on the hero, Rhys, from a very young age. And lo and behold, they actually do end up together! But were they “meant to be”? That depends on who you ask.

Rhys would say yes. After an abusive childhood and several years of battle, he’s developed a chronic case of fatalism. He’s a hard-core believer in destiny and has given up on trying to change the world. It’s infatuated Meredith who, after many years of hard work and sacrifice, isn’t inclined to rely on blind faith. She’s made her own fate, and she wants Rhys to believe he can choose his destiny, too.

Of course by the end, Rhys and Meredith come to a loving compromise, realizing they’ll need both faith and persistence to get by in the world. That pretty much reflects my own belief. There’s no denying that people can find each other through the strangest of coincidences—Mr. Dare and I are a case in point! But even if two people are destined to cross paths and fall in love, they often have to work for the happily-ever-after.

How about you? When it comes to romance, are you a believer in destiny, or are you mistress of your universe? How about in romances? Do you like a good “fated mate” romance, or do you prefer a couple who fall in love against all odds?

Comment below & you may be randomly chosen for Sue’s Stash — one winner — Good Luck!

I’d like to thank Susan for inviting me to blog at Borders True Romance. When I thought of all the topics I might write about, one seemed to rise to the top.

People often ask me why I write historical fiction. My answer is always the same: I feel at home in the old west. I grew up on the awesome writing of Laura Ingalls Wilder, reading her series more times than I can count. Besides the famous Little House on the Prairie, I recall, Little House in the Big Woods, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, and These Happy Golden Years. There were more, but these were the ones that captured my heart and interest. Each time I read one of Ms. Wilder’s novels, I was swept away to a time and place that fascinated me. I’m sure if one could acquire the check-out cards from the library in my old grammar school, my name would be on every third or fourth line.

I was raised in a household were The Grand Ol’ Opry, Hee Haw, and every John Wayne western played on the television. I doubt we ever missed an episode of Bonanza, The Big Valley, Maverick, or Have Gun Will Travel. If the movie had a cowboy or Indian, we tuned in. What happened to the good old shoot ‘em ups?

When Dancing with Wolves debuted I was so excited. I’ve watched the movie so many times I can probably recite the lines along with the characters. I have a fascination with the American Indian tribes, particularly the Lakota, which I can’t explain. I do believe in previous lives, so perhaps I was Sioux at one time. Regardless, I still get goose bumps when “Wind in His Hair” sits atop his horse and yells out in Sioux to Kevin Costner about friendship. The actor who played the part, Rodney A. Grant, is the perfect image of my Indian heroes in Prairie Peace, White Heart, Lakota Spirit and Sarah’s Journey. I wouldn’t mind being his captive. 

During a lull between novels, a lovely young lady named, Cecile, pushed her way into my thoughts and brought with her a story she wanted told. I decided with all the reading I’d done in my life, perhaps it was time to try writing a novel of my own. In 2003, Prairie Peace debuted, and the rave reviews I received, including 4 Stars from The Romantic Times magazine, encouraged me to write more. Now I’m hooked.

My reading pleasure never migrated far from the historical west, and I’ve purchase enough books by authors like Cassie Edwards, Madeline Baker, Lavyrle Spencer, Jodi Thomas and Cheryl St. John to open my own library. If “Savage” appears in any of the titles, trust me, I’ve read the book. These ladies continue to inspire me today.

Oh, I’ve ventured out of my comfort zone a few times, but I always come back to western historical with a romantic element. The characters seem more real to me, and the writing comes so much easier. I’m not ready to hang up my six guns just yet, so, be on the lookout for more from me. I’ve just finished and queried my latest, Odessa, and I’ll keep you posted on the outcome. In the meantime, please visit my website at http://gingersimpson.com for excerpts and info on all my books. Consider yourself invited to stop by my blog, too. You can find me or someone “Dishin’ It Out at http://mizging.blogspot.com.

Question of the day — what old TV shows did you enjoy & that might have influenced your reading choices today?
2 lucky commenter’s will win a book from Kensington! Good Luck!