My good friend Amy was kind enough to Roar! me the other day. I’m touched that so many people seem to be enjoying my writing. Not only because it reinforces my desire to write when I’m having a down day, but it’s flattering to know that people are taking a measure of enjoyment out of something that’s come from deep inside me.
Part of this award has me giving three reasons why I keep a book. Well, if you saw my bookshelf you’d see I love my books. But I have a special shelf for those books I re-read.
CHARACTER GROWTH
There is something about watching a character change and grow throughout the course of a book or series of books. They don’t have to be big changes either–in fact the more subtle the change, the more powerful the end result. I tie the emotional journey of the character with this. The more they suffer, the more I love it!
CONFLICT
I have to have a strong conflict in the story if I’m going to keep it. Again, this doesn’t mean explosions on every page (though I tend to do that myself!), but rather that deep emotional conflict that seems to tear a character apart. The end result is them becoming a stronger person.
SEXUAL ATTRACTION
Oh I loves me the sexual tension. The heated looks that aren’t acted upon. The shivers and sighs after a close encounter. I can forgive many, many things if the sexual tension is strong.
Now its my turn to award this to three other writers!
Colleen Gleason. I’m a total fan girl of Colleen’s, but it’s for all of the reasons listed above. The world she’s build for her vampire stories, the sexual tension between Victoria and Max, and Victoria and Sebastian….whoa Nelly! I can reread her books any day!
Kelley Armstrong. Not only is Kelley a kind, generous lady, she’s one hell of a writer. I “discovered” her when she came and did a talk at one of our chapter meetings. Since then, she’s joined us and we have the advantage of her wisdom. The otherworld books are must reads!
Margaret Moore. If you don’t read Margaret’s blog, you are missing out. If you don’t read Margaret’s books…you’re REALLY missing out. I love the emotional depth of her characters, and how her heroines work within the confines of their worlds, but come across as strong, independant women. And I’d take any one of her heroes home with me. Like now!
Who are some of the writers on your keeper shelf?
Wow!! Thank you so much Christine! And what fabulous company you’ve put me with. I’m blushing over here.
As for me and my keepers….Elizabeth Peters writes the most understated sexual tension in her Vicky Bliss books. Love’em.
And I am a big Nora/JD Robb fan, as well as my new favorite, Robyn Carr.
Other keepers…Roberta Gellis, Suzanne Brockmann, Susan E Phillips.
I love certain series written by Nora. I’m a Sylvia Day fan, her books are wonderful. Hmmm…oh! I also really like Jami Alden, she writes for Kensington. Um, I can’t think of any others cos there are so many I like.
Wow! Thanks, Christine! I’m tickled!
Oh gosh… there are sooooooooooooooooo many keepers. Geez… I’d hate to leave out anyone… Hmm… Kim Harrison, Karen Marie Moning, Carrie Vaughn, Dan Brown, Alexandra Ivy, Jim Butcher, Frank Herbert, old Johanna Lindsay, Teresa Medeiros, and J.R. Ward just to mention a few.