I’m excited to announce a new series on this blog, Writers Who Read. I’m both a writer and a huge book nerd, and I’m thrilled at the chance to bring these two interests together through a series of writer interviews particularly focused on books and reading. I’ll be interviewing writers–of all stripes, at all stages … [Read more…]
Today I’m welcoming romance author Carol Rose. Carol, a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, has written twenty contemporary romance books–her latest which is Thankfully Yours. Here are her thoughts on heroines (and heroes!) we love. Thanks for joining us, Carol! She may be testy when she’s on her period and she may not have … [Read more…]
You know the old USDA Food Guide Pyramid, the shape that specified the amounts of grains, vegetables, and oils Americans should consume daily? I’ve been wondering if we can adapt a similar concept for reading–at least for those of us who like to consciously plan our reading, or maybe just the next book or two. … [Read more…]
I came late to Sandra Boynton. When my first son was a baby, we were given a copy of children’s author Sandra Boynton’s Moo, Baa, La La La! to read to him. I remember feeling underwhelmed when I first read the little board book. The story was just a bunch of animals, making sounds. Was … [Read more…]
I’ve been looking at tons of romance novel blurbs at online bookstores this year–a consequence of being both an enthusiastic romance reader and writer. Looking at all those book covers and blurbs, I’ve noticed something: if I had a dime for every time I read the words “secret” or “alpha,” I’d be able to buy … [Read more…]
It’s only fair to balance my Top Ten Signs You’re Reading Genre Fiction with a list for those of us with a more literary lean. (Same note as before: this post is meant with much bibliolove; last year I read and enjoyed both The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the newest Bridget Jones.) … [Read more…]
Are you reading books of literary fiction? Or do they instead fit into one of the genres like sci-fi, fantasy, or romance? Here are ten ways to tell if you’re reading genre fiction. (Please note that any gross stereotypes and snark here is meant with a big dose of bibliolove. Proof: last year I read … [Read more…]
Give me a bookshelf of romances, virtual or real, and I’ll show you dozens of manscaped men. Naked torsos totally devoid of hair, sometimes gleaming with sweat, almost always sculpted. When did this happen? Where did all the hair go? Is it being knitted into sweaters? Is it clogging our drains? The other day I saw … [Read more…]
I’ve been reading a lot of posts lately from writers bemoaning the author discoverability problem. With thousands of books coming out each year, it’s hard for any author to stand out and sell books. A lot of these posts have suggested how to be more visible by being the loudest, coolest, or smartest writer on … [Read more…]
Every year brings its share of romantic books, movies, and shows, and this year is no exception. Here’s what’s got me loving 2014 with respect to romance in the book world and beyond, from the beginning of the year to the end: 1.) The Book Vixen Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge Between two book clubs, a sturdy … [Read more…]