Writers Who Read: Annette Bower

The Writers Who Read series continues this week with romance author Annette Bower. Welcome Annette–and read to the end of this post to find out how you can comment here for a chance to win a copy of TASTE ME, TEMPT ME: 8 TALES OF SWEET & SPICY ROMANCE.

Who are you?
Annette Bower here, connecting from the Canadian Prairie Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, City of Regina from a condo on the thirteenth floor where I can see out over the city to the grain fields to the south and east of the city. I often wave to my cousin, Theresa, a farmer near the Blue Hills of Hearne, while she is seeding or combining.

I use this view as an inspiration for my sweet romance novels and short stories where I use urban immediacy and incorporate a wider world view as authors accomplish in books I enjoy reading.

Which book or series was your gateway into the world of reading?
My memory is my aunt passing on her copies of sweet Harlequin romance books when I babysat my cousins. Today, I did a little research by checking through some details in The Merchants of Venus, Inside Harlequin and the Empire of Romance by Paul Grescoe, because I wanted to understand how this happened. When Harlequin expanded into Saskatchewan, “the province had the odd reputation of having the highest per capita readership of True Story, the American confessions magazine—within five to six years. True Story almost disappeared, and Harlequin satisfied the desire for romantic reading more than it ever did.” Harlequin placed their books in department stores. My aunt, at that time, worked at the Woolworth lunch counter. She may have purchased her first books there because Harlequin was then the leading paperback sales company in Canada.

Nowadays, what makes you crack open a book instead of pressing play on your favorite Netflix show?
I continue to enjoy reading sweet, happy, humorous romance. It is not all I read but they are my go-to happy reads. And as an English professor told me years ago, “You write what you read.” I enjoy being an author for readers looking for an escape with a HEA ending.

Which authors are auto-buys for you? Why?
My recent auto-buy authors are Mary Balogh, Ellie Macdonald and Linda O’Connor.

Mary Balogh is a historical writer whose themes often parallel world issues we face today. Her characters and settings are rich and there is a HEA. Mary and I are also part of a group of writers who meet once a month to discuss writing.

I volunteered at the Literacy Autographing event at the Romance Writers of America 2015 conference and Ellie Macdonald was one of the authors I looked after. She writes historical romance about independence and love. She also lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I once lived.

And Linda O’Connor is a doctor and a Soul Mate author who writes doctor romance novels similar to the first Harlequin books I read. I’ve read two of her Perfectly series and am looking forward to the third, released on November 24, 2015. She lives in Kingston, Ontario.

What is your book kryptonite–those unique settings, tropes, or character types that make you unable to resist reading?
My kryptonite is a “fish out of water” and “friends to lovers” and “second chance at love” like Jeanne Ray writes.

What is your ideal time and place to read?
I read anywhere I am because I am first and foremost an e-reader and a recent convert to audio books. Therefore I read in the car, in the bath, and in lineups. I enjoy the beach for a read, a plane, my couch, my dining room table, and of course before I go to sleep. I carry my library and store at my fingertips. I support writers’ royalties.

Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing?
The romance genre is the biggest influence on my writing. This genre covers so many important issues and influences so many people in a positive way. These books discuss problems of job loss, death, family issues, moving, pets, children, all surrounded by love. The authors write about the effects of separation of armed forces personnel and the aftermath of war, whether it is historical or contemporary. They portray the effects of poor lifestyle choices which can be changed. There is always hope in these stories. I like to have hope and love in my life.

What makes a book a satisfying read for you?
I close the book with a smile, when I have laughed and cried with the characters. When the relationship has grown to fruition but the circumstances also teach me something about the world I live in.

What are you reading right now?
I just finished the audio of a 1994 novel which I have not been able to part with, Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennnifer Crusie. It was a pleasure to revisit this book with its humor and heroine.

Right now I am listening to Only a Kiss by Mary Balogh, book six of the Survivors’ Club. I am also on the last chapter of the ebook House of the White Elephant by Byrna Barclay, a historical/contemporary book which spans the 1800s mutiny in India and Northern Saskatchewan as characters search for belonging in family and place. I am waiting for Perfectly Planned by Linda O’Connor.

As a reader I read to inform my world view.

Thank you, G.G. Andrew, for this opportunity to think about and share the books I’m reading as well as my books I’m writing. I’ll be picking a person who comments below to gift a copy of the TASTE ME, TEMPT ME anthology, a collection of food romance stories with all proceeds going towards hunger relief in Canada and the U.S.

You can find out more about Annette on Facebook or Twitter, and check out her books Moving On or Woman of Substance on Amazon.