The Writers Who Read series continues this week with romance author Kelly Bennett Seiler. Welcome, Kelly! 
Who are you?
I’m Kelly – a mom of three exhausting (but beautiful) children, a wife of nearly 20 years, a Jersey girl who’s become a Texan. I love few things as much as sleep. Some people collect dolls or stamps or keychains. I collect people – but not in the creepy sense. I don’t keep them in my basement or anything (In fact, I don’t even have a basement). I’ve just never met a stranger. I write in short spurts – but very, very quickly, once I finally sit down and get to work. My novel, Shifting Time, is about a woman who loses the love of her life when he passes away. Fifteen years later, she wakes up in an alternate universe where he’s never died and she gets to experience how life and the world would have turned out had he lived. My next novel, The Plan, will be released on September 20, 2016.
Which book or series was your gateway into the world of reading?
The first novel I remember reading, alone – cover-to-cover – was The Wizard of Oz. From that moment on, I was hooked and devoured novels. I’d read by the light of my digital alarm clock when my mom would tell me to go to bed. (That’s probably why I needed glasses at such a young age!) I was a huge Nancy Drew fan. I discovered Stephen King in Jr High.
Nowadays, what makes you crack open a book instead of pressing play on your favorite Netflix show?
I hate to say it, but nowadays, I tend to “press play” on audiobooks and don’t crack as many actual books open as I’d like! I find I have the most time to ‘read’ while I’m driving my car or lying in bed at night, in the dark, with my headphones in my ears. I ‘read’ while I’m folding laundry or cooking dinner or putting together an Ikea cabinet. I’m usually involved in two or more books at any given time.
Which authors are auto-buys for you? Why?
If Stieg Larsson were still alive, he would be at the top of that list! I found all the Dragon Tattoo books to be captivating and they linger in my mind, even years after reading them. I love Gillian Flynn, John Grisham, Jennifer Weiner, and Nora Roberts. I’m also a huge sucker for Danielle Steel.
What is your book kryptonite–those unique settings, tropes, or character types that make you unable to resist reading?
I love to read about strong woman or, should I say, women who don’t believe they’re strong, but find an inner strength they didn’t know they possessed.
What is your ideal time and place to read?
If I have time to actually sit and crack open a real book made of paper, then I’d love to do it when I am completely alone – whether that be in bed or on a beach. As a mom of three small children, that rarely happens. At this stage in my life, I find reading needs to be a part of multitasking.
Are you a re-reader? Why or why not?
I rarely re-read. I, generally, feel as if those words/thoughts/stories have already entered my head and there’s no need to put them back in there again! However, I have reread Jane Eyre numerous times. Favorite.Book.Ever.
Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing? 
Every book I have read has had an influence on my writing, whether it be a good or bad one. Some books have a flow to them that I find helps me discover my own current when I write. Some books reveal to me things I do not want to do with my characters or patterns of speech I wouldn’t want to use. I love to see how other authors develop characters and make locations and settings come alive for a reader. I’m always open to a new technique.
What makes a book a satisfying read for you?
If the ending doesn’t leave you hanging! My readers will never be left with an unclear, unresolved ending. Whether it be a movie or a book, I can’t handle uncertain story lines and conclusions. It makes me insane.
What are you reading right now?
I am currently reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, and a number of books I am judging for the Romance Writers of America RITA Awards.
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Kelly Bennett Seiler is the author of The Plan and Shifting Time. A former high school English teacher and school counselor, she has written articles for such websites as The Daily Muse, eHow and Livestrong, in addition to creating questions for nationally standardized exams. She’s been featured by Woman’s Day magazine, NPR and PBS and was on the cover of Military Spouse magazine. Kelly has edited numerous books, including a New York Times bestseller. She received both her Bachelor’s degree and her Master’s degree in English from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. A native of New Jersey, Kelly currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and three children.
You can find out more about Kelly on her website, Facebook, or Twitter (@kbennettseiler).