I’m loving my TBR pile today. 
I’m reading Karen Templeton’s latest, Swept Away. (The cover’s over there –> in my sidebar.) In my PDA, I have Sasha’s Gypsy Heart. Today at the grocery store I nabbed Suzanne’s Cole Dempsey’s Back in Town, and Least Likely Wedding? by Patricia McLinn.
Reading Karen’s book, and buying Pat’s book are definitely highlights of my week. Not only are they absolute favorite writers of mine—both of them craft a story like nobody’s business—but they are both wonderful, wonderful ladies, and I think if ever I needed a reminder of how wonderful the online romance community can be, having their books on my desk at the same time is it.
I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Karen in person, but I was able to enjoy Pat’s company at a conference last year. But they’ve both been a big part of my life for several years, through eHarlequin.com’s Writing Romance board. They both dedicate a significant amount of their time to helping aspiring authors with craft and business and more. They patiently answer the same questions asked of them over and over again. They are talented and practical and caring and generous, and they have meant a lot to me in many small ways over the last several years.
Anyway, I’m just thrilled that two writers who I respect and admire so much have new releases this month. :cheesy:
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damn, I haven’t been able to find Suzanne’s book yet! No fair.
So, what shoutbox are you using now??
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Yeah, my Walmart didn’t have it yesterday, but my Hannaford did. But all good things–and smokin hot heroes–come to those who wait.
And the shoutbox is from myshoutbox.com. It’s faster and cleaner than the one I was using from shoutmix.com. :nod:
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I bought Karen Templeton’s Swept Away yesterday because I saw it on your blog. Hopefully I’ll have time to read today.
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:clap: I love Karen’s books! Swept Away is part of her Men of Mayes County series, but it definitely stands alone.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I am!
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Do you find it to be more fun to read the works of people you “know” and chat with daily? Or are your expectations different once you’re more than a distant reader?
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Good question Sylvia! I had a lot of ‘sit and wait’ time this week so I picked Lani Diane Rich’s Time Off For Good Behaviour up from my TBR pile. I think Lani’s a hoot so knowing she wrote it makes reading that much more fun….
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That is a good question. A hard one, too.
I’m definitely more apt to buy the book of somebody I “know”. When friends and acquaintances have a book out, I’m there. There is even one author who’s always been very dedicated to eHQ’s WR board. I buy every one of her books. But I cannot read them. I buy them and donate them, because although they’re not my cup of tea, because I really like her as a person and giving her my quarter and maybe helping get her new fans is my meager way of reciprocating for all the time she’s spend helping new writers.
As for more fun…I don’t know. I do think “knowing” the author does color the reading. Especially when the “person” and the “author”…match? That’s not the right word. But I like reading books by people I “know”.
I prefer it, actually. :cheesy:
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I feel badly when I don’t like the books of someone I know, even if I know them only very slightly, like reading them on eHQ, or if they’re a friend of a friend.
That said, I’m definitely picking up Swept Away and Cole Dempsey’s Back in Town because I’ve had good luck with these authors. And I like Karen Templton’s books when there are a bunch of kids around to show that, yeah, parents have romance, too.
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Yeah, when you read Karen’s books, you can tell she’s got a passel of kids herself. They ring so true, and Karen brings so much humor in with them.
Have you read her Silhouette single title, Playing For Keeps? It’s one of my favorites.
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Yes, I liked Playing for Keeps. I think my favorite is Plain-Jane Princess with five kids. Which is why I have to read Swept Away!
I also really liked the romance in Loose Screws.
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You bought Gypsy Heart!? Yay!!! :clap: Thank you Thank you!
You’re going to READ it?? :eyebrow:
I’m nervous now.
I also love Karen Templeton. :cheesy:
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:love:
Thanks so much for picking up LEAST LIKELY WEDDING?, Shannon!
And I can tell you that you have a following, because I have several people let me know about your blog in the past 2 days :clap:
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ooooh Shan has a following!
And to think, I knew you when…..
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PAT!!! I don’t have a big tackle hug smilie!!! I’m so glad you stopped by, and I’m even gladder Least Likely Wedding?’s out! (grammar schmammer)
So do the Bruins, Jaci. So do the Bruins.
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Yeah, ’twas I who outted you to Pat, LOL (‘cuz someone had linked from here to my website and I’d followed the crumbs back. And I’d dearly love to put one of those great dancing smileys here but I can’t figure out how, sob!)
Karen Templeton
She of Swept Away fame or infamy or something
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Hi Karen!!!
Sheesh, I feel like I should sweep the floor or something! :cheesy:
Congrats on the release! I’m really enjoying returning to Mayes County! :nod:
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Aha! Karen T was only one of the people who told me about your blog, Shannon. :neener: (that’s for Karen T. :lol:)
Jaci, it’s you and Kacey and Tiana and Silvia and Cece and Jori and Sasha knowing Shannon that makes her blog a Hot Spot.
Karen T and I are just freeloaders, should be :type:ing!
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P.S. Good heavens, don’t sweep on my account — I wouldn’t recognize a floor without dog hair on it.
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It’s really my smilies that make it a hot spot. :nod:
I’m okay with that, really.
:rofl:
And Cece’s going to :cursin: at me if I can’t remember where I got :wtf: pretty soon. :neener: