About Books

  • To be read … or not

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    If you’re a romance writer, chances are you know what the initials TBR mean — to be read.

    It’s usually used in reference to a pile of books that are leaning haphazardly on someone’s already overflowing bookcase. In other words, it’s books you buy because they sound interesting and you want to read them. But life has a funny way of happening, and those TBR piles have a funny way of growing … and growing … and growing … 

    I have a confession to make. I don’t have a TBR pile. The only books in my cases are treasured gems that I’ve already read — and splurged for in hardcover. There’s not a single book I have that I haven’t read at least twice.

    Weird, I know. But the thing is, I absolutely HATE to see unread books sitting on my shelves. Hate it, hate it, hate it with the burning passion of a thousand suns.

    What about you? How big is your TBR pile? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Thank you, HelenKay

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    A couple months ago, author HelenKay Dimon mentioned my sale to Berkley in her blog. Now, she’s been nice enough to spotlight me in her blog. HelenKay is the author of the just-released “Viva Las Bad Boys” from Kensington Brava. Check it out. I plan to.

    HelenKay’s kindness just proves something that I’ve long suspected — that romance writers are some of the nicest people in the world. Thanks again, HelenKay!

  • To smell or not to smell …

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    I recently read an article that said that out of all the senses, smell is the one used least in books. People look and hear and touch and taste much more than they smell. Authors just don’t describe the way things smell a lot.

    To challenge myself to break the mold, I’ve decided in my next book (a paranormal chick-lit spy thriller) that my main character is going to smell. A lot. She’s going to have magic anyway. Why not give her an enhanced sense of smell? It’s so crazy it just might work.  

    What are some of your favorite smells? Cookies baking? Vanilla? Spices? I’m taking nominations for memorable aromas …

  • ·

    780 and counting …

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    I read somewhere that a person can only read about 3,000 books in her lifetime (on average). This depresses me. Only 3,000? I could probably find that many books I wanted to read in a year’s time. Good grief, every time I flip through Romantic Times I find at least 20 or so that sound interesting.

    After hearing this stat, I started a list of all the books that I’ve read. Right now, I’m up to 780 and hope to hit 800 by the end of the year. The number would probably be closer to 1,000 if you factored in all the Baby-Sitter Club, Sweet Valley High, and other books I read as a kid. But it’s just 780 since I started keeping track.

    Next on my to-be-read pile are some freebies I got from the RWA convention and a couple of fantasy books from the library.

    What about you? How many books do you think you’ve read? What are you reading right now? Inquiring minds want to know …