Thirteen Questions About Books, Authors, and Reading

Thirteen Questions AND Answers, of course!

What is your absolute favorite novel to date?  I'll have to go with my sentimental favorite Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I've read it only twice, but I declare I think of the story nearly everyday.

What was the novel that began your reading obsession? As a child I was crazy for The Black Stallion Series by Walter Farley. I read them over and over again. Once I got my own horses I was living my dream and left the horse themed novels behind. The book that seemed to kick start my reading obsession as an adult was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. A customer of the retail store I managed recommended it to me, and then she kept making recommendations. Good ones! (HAH! So, really, it's all her fault!)

Who are your favorite long-term authors? Choosing to list them solely by number of books read, the top ten are: Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb (103), Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick (62), Sandra Brown (53), Barbara Delinsky (38),  Linda Lael Miller (36), Linda Howard (32), Jude Deveraux (28), Karen Robards (23), a tie for 9th between Janet Evanovich and LaVyrle Spencer (21 each), and Sue Grafton (20).  I still read new releases by the five whose names are bolded.

Who are your favorite newly discovered authors? I'll go with the authors I started reading within the last few years whose books I've read number above ten. Marie Force (24), Charlaine Harris (19), Robyn Carr and Kristen Ashley (18 each), and Pamela Clare, Susan Mallery & Rhys Bowen (12 each).

Which books being released in 2013 are you most looking forward to? In alphabetical order by author: Own the Wind (Chaos #1) by Kristen Ashley, The Family Way (Molly Murphy #12) by Rhys Bowen, Entwined With You (Crossfire #3) by Sylvia Day, Out of Breath (Breathing #3) by Rebecca Donovan, Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon, This Girl (Slammed #3) by Colleen Hoover, Being Me and Revealing Us (Inside Out Trilogy Books #2 and 3) by Lisa Renee Jones, Claim Me and Complete Me (Stark Trilogy Books #2 and 3) by J. Kenner, This Man Confessed (This Man #3) by Jodi Ellen Malpas, Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2) by Jamie McGuire, Eyes Wide Open (The Blackstone Affair #3) by Raine Miller, Untitled Gabriel's Inferno Book #3 [Gabriel's Redemption] by Sylvain Reynard, and Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts.

What authors have you met and had books autographed by? Really only one - Nora Roberts. I attended two book signings at her store in Boonsboro, Maryland. And, if all goes according to plan, my husband, daughter, and I will be attending Book Bash in Orlando, Florida, in June, where there will be more than 50 indie authors, most of which I have already read!!! w00t! w00t! w00t! 

What author would you most like to meet?  I would say Kristen Ashley, because I get the feeling she is a hoot and much laughing would ensue! (She's confirmed for Book Bash, so hopefully I will get to meet her briefly, but wouldn't I just love to have a looooooooooong visit?!)

Who is your favorite book boy friend? Gee, let me think...oh, that's right, I made a list! Check it out on Goodreads: Best Book Boyfriends. This list will be updated frequently, I suspect!  

What long running book series' have you read? The Alexandra Cooper Mysteries (12, so far) by Linda Fairstein , the Benni Harper Mysteries (15, so far) by Earlene Fowler, the Fool's Gold Series (12, so far) by Susan Mallery, the Kay Scarpetta Series (read 16 out of 20, so far) by Patricia Cornwell, the Kinsey Millhone Series (20 out of 22 alphabet novels, so far) by Sue Grafton, the Molly Murphy Mysteries (12 titles, so far) by Rhys Bowen, the Rizzoli & Isles Series (11, so far) by Tess Gerritsen, the Southern Vampire (Sookie Stackhouse) Series (11 out of 12, so far) by Charlaine Harris, the Stephanie Plum Series (20 out of 23, so far) by Janet Evanovich, the Temperance Brennan Series (15, so far) by Kathy Reichs, and the Virgin River Series (17 out of 20, so far) by Robyn Carr. 

Which books have you read at least 3 times? Quite a few! The winners in a three-way tie at EIGHT readings are Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James. Yeah, I know...EIGHT BLOODY TIMES!!!  There must be something about Christian and Ana's story that I can't stay away from...for more than two months, anyway. In second place is Twilight by Stephenie Meyer with four readings. And a huge-ass tie with three readings each: Mr. Perfect and Dream Man, both by Linda Howard; the Chesapeake Bay Saga by Nora Roberts; Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts; Breathe and Motorcycle Man, both by Kristen Ashley; New Moon, Eclipse, & Breaking Dawn, all by Stephenie Meyer; and Family Blessings by LaVyrle Spencer.

Do you prefer hardcover, paperback, or digital books?  I prefer hardcover for history and reference books, and in novels, digital only. I read on my iPod touch mainly using the Kindle App; I have nearly 500 Kindle books, but also have 70 Nook Books. I use the Overdrive App to check out digital books through our public library. In addition to the four reading apps, I also have my book database and Goodreads apps.

What genre do you prefer to read and why?  Fairly consistently since the 90's my preferred genre has been romance. Mostly contemporary and romantic suspense, although I used to read a lot of historical romance, and some paranormal romance too. The times they are a changing though and with that the erotic category in romance has become VERY popular. Yes indeed-y! I am drawn to what the romance genre offers: the elevated emotions, flirting, sparring, teasing, sharing, planning, intimacy, romance, sex, and the happily-ever-after endings! When I reach the end of a book I want all tears to be happy ones!

Where is your favorite place to read? My favorite-favorite place is probably on our soft microfiber sofa. I don't need reading glasses or an outside light source while reading on my iPod, and the charge lasts for hours - even if I'm listening to my music while reading. How suh-weet it is!


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