They Write the Words I Love To Read

I am what you'd call a voracious reader. There is always a book nearby, usually right at my elbow, unless of course I'm on the computer. Reading has been a huge part of my life from the time I was an older teen. I do remember some books I read earlier on that weren't school related and have stuck in my mind all this time. Who out there read Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret? If I remember correctly, this book centered around Margaret's young teenage life and dealing with getting her first period.

The first romance I remember reading as a young teen was also by Judy Blume. This one called, Forever. Ooh-wee! I was introduced to sex scenes in this book, and I remember going back, marking the pages with the most action and reading them over and over again.

For many years after that I became enthralled by Stephen King. What a sick, twisted mind this man has, but a literary genius just the same. He even LOOKS freaky, doesn't he?
I could never recount to you how many of S.K.'s books I have read... there are just too many. But there is one that to me deserves some sort of "outstanding book" award, (and I'm sure it won some that I have no clue about) and that's The Stand.
This epic was pure genius, from page one till the end. Another book of his that was just phenomenal was It.
I remember I was in the middle of reading that in 1993 during my honeymoon. I don't know if it's just my imagination, or if my taste in writing has just changed over the years, but it seems like since S.K. was run over by a car several years ago, he's lost his magic touch. The last few of his books I've read I have barely enjoyed. In fact, I couldn't even make it through 1/3 of Lisey's Story.

About that same time I started branching out more into mystery/murder/thriller books and found some wonderful authors such as James Patterson, John Saul, Stuart Woods, Bently Little, and John Sandford. Of course there were many more, but their names escape me now. I'm sorry, but I've got old lady brain at the ripe old age of 37 3/4. Eek! I'm going to be 38 next month! Say it ain't so!

Back to books. In the past 5-10 years or so I've mostly been committed to romance and paranormal romance, but I'm very picky about my authors of the latter. I don't know why I grew out of mysteries and thrillers. I guess it's kind of like I don't have any romance in my life, so I live vicariously through fictional women. I haven't sunk so far as to read Harlequin and Rhapsody books... I'm more of a mainstream, bestselling author kind of gal. My very favorite author for both romance and mystery? Oh, that one is so easy. Nora Roberts!!!!!
This woman is a phenomena of the written word. There is not one thing she has ever written that I've not enjoyed thoroughly. I've probably read 200-300 of her books and never fail to get a jolt of excitement when a new one comes out. Her "Death" series, written under the name J.D. Robb is beyond words for me. ( Here's a pic of Nora from a J.D. Robb photo shoot, looking much more edgy)
The Death series is a slightly futuristic (but not ridiculously so) detective/romance series with the most incredibly lovable characters I think I've ever come across. From bad-ass Lieutenant Eve Dallas, to her bazillionaire husband, Roarke, to the tight-assed Somerset, to her loony friend, Mavis, to her sidekick partner, Peabody, and her constant need for food and sex talk, there's not a character in this series that you won't fall in love with. And the murder investigations are incredible too! I'm begging all of you in blogland to go out and get a few of these books from the series. If you don't like them, I'll eat... I'll eat... well, I'll eat something nasty for you!

Paranormal romance. I've actually only found two authors that do it for me, and only one does it really well, and that's Christine Feehan. She has an entire series ("Dark") of "Carpathian" stories that are completely amazing. Carpathians are immortal people from the Carpathian mountains that need blood to sustain life, but are not vampires. In fact, they are protectors of the human race, and fight vampires as their life's mission. So if they're not vampires, but they need blood, what sets them apart and makes them a gentle race? Well, they do suck blood from humans, but they put the person in a trance so they won't remember anything, and they never take so much blood as to make a person sick. Okay, Okay, I'm sorry Ms. Feehan, I know I'm not doing your books justice here but I don't know how to synopsize on such an incredible series of books! All of you, just take my word for it. Her books will keep you up till all hours, not only from fright, but because they are so good you just don't want to put them down and go to sleep. But be warned. Carpathian sex is VERY intense and Ms. Feehan isn't afraid to put it all out there. So, if you're a sensitive, modest type these wouldn't be the books for you.



I've found a fairly new and not as yet bestselling author to proudly introduce to you. His name is Patrick Sanchez, and since reading his first book he and I have actually become friends. (Hope you don't mind that I Googled you, Patrick!)
The first of his books that I read was Tight, which I found at my local library. I'd never heard of him before, but something about the book cover caught my eye and I decided to give him a chance. Well! What a surprise I got in reading this awesome book! One of those I-cannot-put-it-down-because-it's-so-good reads. I wouldn't put Patrick in the romance genre, more along the lines of women's fiction. And boy does he know women! You may be asking yourself what a 30-something male knows about women. Well, he's gay. That 'splains it well enough for me! Tight is a story about how plastic surgery affects three different women's lives, one who is so obsessive about it that she'll buy, beg or steal to get enough money for just one more procedure. I love the way all four of Patrick's books (so far!) have had three women that become friends, all from different races and lifestyles. It gives his books lots of flavor and realism. I have to say, if you're looking for a wonderful new author who fills his books with witty, hilarious scenes and warm, loving characters, give my boy Patrick a go! Visit Patrick's web site here to learn more about him, and read a totally hilarious excerpt from his latest book, Once Upon a Nervous Breakdown. Even though I've already read the book, reading the excerpt had me in stitches all over again! His books are listed on my Shelfari widget to the right of the posts. You won't regret giving them a try, I swear!

And now my novel about novels has come to an end. I hope I've introduced you to some new writers to check out, and that you'll love them just as much as I do. Reading is my passion, it's part of who I am. Without a book at my side, I would be lost.

Until next time, Justine :o )