With a Splash of Romance

My mom has always called romance novels trash. She loves to read, but doesn't enjoy stories with much romance at all. She loves mysteries - she introduced me to Agatha Christie in grade 6 or 7. She just doesn't understand why anyone would want to read about private lives in books.

Needless to say, I haven't told her I'm writing trash yet! :)

One of these days I'll have to ask her what it is that bothers her about the romance aspect. Her feelings aren't uncommon.

From the responses to my question the other day, most of you don't want the romance to be the central plot to the book, but you enjoy watching relationships develop as a side aspect to the story. A big shout out to the guys btw - not only did you NOT run from the post, but your responses were awesome. Not that I'd expect anything less!

I think most romance books are like that - at least the ones I read. Obviously I don't read them all. For my part, I like a mystery or a suspenseful plot to be added into the mix.

Some people who do this really well in my opinion are Terry O'Dell, Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Julie Garwood, Suzanne Brockmann, Carla Neggers... There are a lot out there. Some of their books sell as romance, others as romantic suspense. Terry's catch phrase on her blog is Romance with a Twist of Mystery. I love that!

The reason I'm thinking about this lately is I'm trying to decide how to classify my ms in a query. It's definitely got a romance & a HEA. There's one sex scene. There's a mystery. There's some violence. There's suspense in the last third. It's set on a ranch.

My options. Romance. Romantic Suspense. Romantic Mystery. Mystery with romantic elements. Western Romance. Contemporary Romance...

But, trash?  I think not! :)

So sorry, mom, but I'm not writing trash. I'm writing about two people who have some tough stuff going on in their lives and who find they are stronger and better together.

Do you have any troubles classifying your genres?

In Death

As a writer, my A to Z challenge is going to be about books, characters, TV shows and movies that have impacted me somehow. Enjoy! Be sure to check out Lee’s blog to find more bloggers taking on this challenge!

In Death series

(source - JD Robb's site)

I talk a lot about kids’ books. They really are a passion of mine. But, my favourite books to read for myself are romantic suspense. Nora Roberts/JD Robb does this extremely well. I love the Eve Duncan In Death series. Eve’s one of the most complex characters I’ve ever met. I also love the setting – 2060ish in New York City. Robb has created a very realistic near future – neither utopian or dystopian. I wouldn’t be in the least surprised that many of her predictions turn out to be right on.

What book or show do you think portrays a realistic vision of our future?

It's Back!

My computer has returned from Repair Land. With a new cord and a new motherboard. Thankfully it was under warranty so it didn't cost me a thing! :) Cue the happy dance!


So far, I've had to let it turn itself on and off about a dozen times while it downloads all the updates for security programmes and other goodies. It feels so good to have it back! I looked at my Google Reader to see how many blogs I have waiting for me...

... about 10 000.

Yup, you read that right. Ten-freaking-thousand. Really don't think that's going to happen. That Mark All As Read command looks pretty good right now!!

Congrats to all those A to Z Challenge bloggers. I obviously didn't catch most of the posts - but the ones I did were terrific! Way to go! I imagine most of you will be doing a bit of relaxing in May :)

I did manage to read a few more great books while I was laptopless...

Earthling Hero by Anita Laydon Miller. If you're looking for a fabulous MG adventure, this is it!! A quiet kid gets sucked into an adventure of a lifetime in which he's got to work with and against some aliens in order to save his parents ... and the world! Tons of fun in this one. I finished it in no time :)

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. If you're looking for an intriguing YA urban fantasy, you've got to read this one. A teenage girl sees faeries, invisible to most people. When she's chosen by one of them, her whole world starts to spin out of her control. Great fantasy with romance, adventure and lots of action. Loved it!

If you like romantic suspense, Reunion in Death by JD Robb & Cold Dawn by Carla Neggers were also fantastic reads! All this bonus reading time was a definite plus! :)

I hear Elliot Grace's book, South of Charm, is now available! I'm hoping the Kindle version's out soon too. Can't wait to read this one. Elliot's got a magical way with words and images! And that cover is perfect! :)

So, tell me, what did I miss? What should I be looking forward to?

How Many???

I've always told people that I read one book at a time. I thought I was a person who finished one book before starting the next.

It's not true!!

I'm blaming the digital age... among other things.

Right now I've got one book on the go on my Kindle (these are usually books by my blog buddies - right now? Life, Liberty & Pursuit by Susan Kaye Quinn). Another on my iPod (I'm rereading some classics here - right now? Sherlock Holmes). Another on my desk at school (usually MG or YA - right now? Linger by Maggie Stiefvater). Another in my packsack (usually another MG or YA - right now? Ranger's Apprentice #2 Burning Bridge by John Flanagan). And another on my nightstand (usually steampunk, mystery, romantic suspense, mystery, sci fi or anything else I'm in the mood for - right now? Kindred in Death by JD Robb)

Do you read one book at a time, or have you succumbed to the multi-tasking digital age as well?

Let's Get Sappy!

In honour of Valentine's Day, let's get a little sappy. Let's talk about our favourite couples in the books we've read. Here are a few of mine...

Favourite Classic Couple: Anne Shirley & Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. These 2 are such fun. Anne is one of my favourite all-time characters. She's fun, feisty, gutsy, kind, and has such an imagination. Gilbert almost loses his chance for good by pulling her pigtails and calling her Carrot Top, but it all works out ... eventually!

Favourite Book-Turned-Movie Couple: Aragorn and Arwen from Lord of the Rings. I was so worried when they decided to make movies from these books. But, they did a great job. They kept the feel of the novels, the characters were all so well done! And who wouldn't want Aragorn to be happy? :)


Favourite Chick Lit Couple: Mattie & Kyle from Talli Roland's The Hating Game! This is such a fun story-line - filled with laugh out loud moments, "I can't believe she did that!" moments and, "Awwww," moments. If you haven't read Talli's book yet, check it out!


Favourite Romantic Suspense Couples: This is a favourite category of mine, so I'm including 3 authors! Eve Dallas & Roarke from JD Robb's In Death series. Frankie & Ryan from Terry O'Dell's When Danger Calls. Jules & Robin (& so many more!!) from Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series. Great stories all of them!


Favourite Couple That's Not a Couple: Alek & Deryn/Dylan from Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan are a wonderful pair! They are so very different and yet have much in common. They're both courageous and willing to learn and take risks. This is an awesome Steampunk read and I HAD to include it! :)

So, maybe not so sappy afterall!

So, tell me about one of your favourite literary couples of all time ... or, of the moment!