Genius!

Romance author Kathleen O'Reilly's idle hands produce a fantastic poem at her blog: A Canto-Buried Tale Be good, be bad & be safe.

YES!

Yay for Yahoo! *laughing hysterically* OK. I need a cuppa. BTW, all links to this blog are no longer working. Will amend those later. Thanks.

Mouse on My Head / Reader Interview

I'm still rebuilding the blog, but, as you see Garfield above, not very well. It should be up and running before this weekend is over. I hope so, anyway. :> Is there a reader blogger out there who would be willing to host a reader interview tomorrow [Sunday]?

I'm such an idiot!

*banging head on desk* A while ago I found a free image hosting site, which had me deciding to gave it a month-long test run. Now it's been a month and I really like it, so I decided to delete the photo blog [a blog that hosted all images for McVane] to use Photo Bucket as the image host. And what did yours truly do? Deleted the wrong blog. Instead of RomPhoto, I deleted McVane. All old blog posts and comments - gone. There's no way of getting them back. *cries* I'm really grateful that I still can hold onto the blog URL. This surprised me, I admit, but apparently with the correct password and username, the blog address is permanent. That's one good thing out of this mess. I need a stiff drink.

Reader interview: Karen

Karen Scott lives in Yorkshire, England, and works in business services. She blogs at: It's My Blog and I'll Say What I Want To! When you were a child, what did you usually read? I was a huge fan of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. To this day, that book will always mean the world to me. I obviously read every single other Anne book in the series. I also loved reading the classics, such as A Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, The Count of Monte Cristo and Lorna Doone, fairly mature reading you may think, but when I was ten years old, our English teacher used to make each student read at least one classical book every month, so we got pretty familiar with Dickens and the like! I loved books that could make me howl with laughter, which would probably explain the Pippi Longstocking fetish I had as a child. Some of my favourite children's stories were:

• Just William - Richmal Crompton I used to cry laughing at William's antics
• Charmed Life - Diana Wynne Jones When I was younger, I read this book too many times to count.
• The Bagthorpe Saga (serial) - Helen Cresswell Just one of the funniest children's books evah!

Sheesh, I just realised that I wrote a whole lot more than necessary, so I better move onto the next question! As a romance reader, what do you usually read? When I was 13 or 14, I discovered Silhouette Desire books, and they absolutely enthralled me. I must admit, I used to skip the sex scenes because half the time, I wasn't quite sure what they were doing. Some things never change I guess. :) One of my favourite romance authors is Sarah McCarty, who writes for Elloras Cave. Her Promises books are bloody fantastic. I love her writing because her characters really have a strength in depth that I find lacking in a lot of mainstream romance. I always feel like I'm visiting old friends when I open one of her books. I also like Vicki Lewis Thompson, and Lori Foster. VLT's Nerd series is excellent, as is Lori's Visitation books. I love Sharon Sala's books, too. Hmmm who else? Oh yeah, I love Lora Leigh and Jaid Black books, both from EC. Jaid Black writes really sexy books that the more prudish amongst us would probably find a little too much, but I think she's great! Katherine Allred, who writes for Cerridwen Press is awesome. Her book The Sweet Gum Tree totally made my year. Apart from romance novels, what do you usually read if any? I absolutely adore crime books. My fave crime writer has to be Patricia Cornwell. Her Kay Scarpetta investigatives are fabulous. The funny thing is, I had Post Mortem on my TBR pile for about two years before I got round to reading it. From that moment, I was hooked. I also love well written, pacy political thrillers. Jeffrey Archer, is still a firm favourite with me (prison or no prison) The first book of his that I read was Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less. This wasn't so politically motivated, but by Jove, I loved it! Frederick Forsyth is another fantastic writer. I'm also a sucker for autobiographies. To date I have most of the famous Manchester United players' autobios including those by Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham (I've got Victoria's Learning to Fly, too) and Roy Keane. I also have Madonna's and Denise Lewis's, and many many more. I'm a celeb whore of sorts. Oh, I remembered someone else. I absolutely heart James Herbert. The year I read The Rats, I turned into an insomniac. I saw rats in my room for the rest of that year. Reading Lair was just as fulfilling. (g) Do you have any weaknesses for certain themes, storylines, settings or such in romances? If so, what are they? I love best friends falling in love plot devices (as long as they are well written). The best example of such a book would be Shiloh Walker's My Best Friend's Lover from Ellora's Cave. It was refreshing to read about a heroine who wasn't afraid to admit to her feelings for the hero from the off-set, rather than the book-long denial that some authors have their heroines engaging in. It was nice to explore the relationship between two people who actually wanted to be together. What are your pet peeves with romance novels?

• Oh God, where the hell do I begin? Hmmm, OK, the obligatory secret-baby plot has to be first on the list.
• What else? Oh yeah, daft bitches. I hate stupid whining, I'm-too-overwhelmed-by-my-feelings-to-remember-I-have-a-brain type females that some authors have made a career of writing about. Yech.
• I also hate arrogant heroes. I like Alpha men who have a touch of the betas, which is probably why I now stay away from historicals, especially the ones set in England. Dude, all those men seemed to have gone to the same 'Let's see how much I can hurt the supposed love of my life' school of courtship.
• I'm also currently hating BDSM books, especially the Dom/submissive ones, personally, I just don't get it, but I suspect this is because I have quite a domineering personality so the thought of giving myself up to a man, makes me break out in hives.

When you buy romance novels, how do you make your selection? Along with everyone else, I have my autobuy authors, but generally, if the blurb sounds good, then I buy, regardless of whether or not I've heard of the author. I've discovered some real gems that way. I have to say though that initially, I'm attracted by the covers, so yeah, I totally judge a book by the cover. I try not to purchase books that everyone else is raving about, I've been burnt far too often in the past when I've tried books other people seemed to hyperventilate over. I rarely ever take notice of reviews, unless I'm looking for someone to agree with me about how much a book sucks. If somebody who I respect suggests a book for me to read, then nine times out of ten, I will try said book. If I find it's rubbish, I take it as a lesson learned, never to be repeated again. When discussing romance novels and/or the Romance genre with fellow readers, which issues interest you most? I'm always interested in the romance vs erotic romance boxing matches that constantly go on in Blogland. It always amuses me how people make sweeping generalisations about things they quite clearly know nothing about. Oh yeah, also, the arguments about relationships being all about lots of emotion, and very little sex, (not in my world) this makes me laugh out quite loudly. What's up with a good balance of both? If an influential romance editor asks you for an opinion on the Romance genre, what would you say? I would say that the genre is fine, my problem is with some of the architects within the genre who need to get with the programme and realise that there is room for all types of romance books in this genre. I would also tell them, that I feel that too many authors constantly seek the approval of the literati. Everybody knows that Nora (bless her cotton socks) sells more books than Stephen King does, yet some authors are constantly wanting to be ranked along with the great unwashed who starve for their art. Go figure. Name up to five romance novels that left you lasting impressions. I have a memory like a sieve, and you expect me to remember books which left lasting impressions? Hmm? Here we go:

• The Way To Yesterday - Sharon Sala This was my very first Sharon Sala book, (I love her, and I'm proud of it) and also I'd never read a book that offered an alternative reality before. It was also a tearjerker, which basically means, if you can make this apparently hard-faced wench cry, I'll be your slave for life.
• Promises Prevail - Sarah McCarty This was a fairly recent book, but as somebody who hates wimpy females, this book made me realise that a heroine's strength is not only defined by being a kick-ass broad. The writer also made me realise that Western historicals could be written beautifully.
• Elizabeth's Wolf - Lora Leigh This was my introduction to Lora Leigh's Breeds, a series that I absolutely love. Her books are generally quite dark, but this was a beautiful love story that moved me.
• Just Joe - Marley Morgan A very emotional read for me, Joe has the honor of being my favourite hero of all times. I just loved the way Marley Morgan dealt with the subject of child abuse. I really liked the heroine too, which just doesn't happen as often as it should.
• The Sweet Gum Tree - Katherine Allred Just because it was such a damned good book!

What do you think of romance novel covers in general? I don't read that many historicals, so I can't say that I have too much of a problem with romance covers. (Sorry, but personally, I find that all the truly horrible covers usually grace the front of historicals, or paranormal books) Do you have any favourite romance covers? If so, which are they? I have to say, I do like Lori Foster's covers. Hers are quite brightly coloured, and no longer have couples in clinches, so for the people who feel embarrased by such things, it makes it easier for them to read in public. Name top five favourite romantic films.

• Pretty Woman I loved the whole hooker and the rich man story, yay for prostitution!
• The Way We Were Barbie Streisand was fabulous in this film. Even without a HEA, it was still an awesome love story.
• Save the Last Dance Another favourite (great soundtrack). It was good to see the subject of inter-racial relationships being brought onto the big screen, without the usual fanfare, and feelings of discomfort from the different factions.
• Dirty Dancing Wonderful, totally cheesy, and with some questionable acting from Patrick Swayze, but I adore it just the same. How can anybody fail to be enthralled with a film which had the unforgettable line of, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner"? Classic. The sound track is never far from my CD player.
• Demolition Man Does it count as a romance? OK, maybe not, but I consider it romantic because that's the first film my (then) un-enlightened future hubby took me to watch as part of our second date. What a guy.
• An Officer and a Gentleman? Hmmm, no, that film sucked balls.
• An Officer and a Gentleman
• Flashdance Oh, yeah, Flashdance was fab--was that even a romance? [Maili: Yes!! Top five only, but I'll allow Flashdance here.] Once again, great soundtrack.

What was the last romance novel you bought? Do anthologies count? If so, then I guess Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, an anthology featuring Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jaid Black, and Melanie George (is it bad that I've never heard of Melanie George?). I read Sherrilyn Kenyon's Captivated By You. It was infinitely putdownable. I haven't read either of the other two yet. The last fantastic book that I read was Katherine Allred's What Price Paradise from Cerridwen Press (the mainstream division of EC). It was a story that totally made want to sigh in satisfaction at the end. Thanks, Karen!

Reader interview: Sybil

In Texas, Sybil works in client services for an insurance company and she allegedly suffers from bibliomania, which can be seen at her blog: The Good, The Bad and The Unread When you were a child, what did you usually read? Oh, my. I don't remember yesterday much less when I was a child. I remember that I was always getting shit for having my nose stuck in a book, instead of playing outside. Lois Duncan was one of my faves and lead me to read The Flowers in the Attic (don't recall the connection). I then read all of V.C. Andrews, at least all that was out when I was 12. Read her until I was 19 and realized the plot never changed. At 12, while babysitting, I raided the bookshelf when I finished my book and fell in love with Jackie Collins and Sidney Sheldon. It was all downhill from there. As a romance reader, what do you usually read? Historical and paranormal, with a touch of contemporary for taste. Apart from romance novels, what do you usually read? Historical fiction and a little of this and that. Love Dennis Lehane, Sidney Sheldon, Faye Kellerman, and her hubby. When you buy romance novels, how do you make your selection? Oh, God, it doesn't take much ;). Blogs and recs are the biggest factor in making my tbr pile grow. AAR is a site I check every day. The reviews themselves might not make me buy something, but it feeds the spoiler ho in me. I can decide I must try a book to see if it is as bad as people think, almost as quickly as a good review or rec will make me get a book. Name top five favourite romance authors if any. Hmmmm, this is a hard question for me because I enjoy so many!

• Elizabeth Lowell Her older books, I haven't read the newer ones yet.
• Madeline Hunter
• Nicole Jordan
• Liz Carlyle An author I tried and really disliked, and went back a year later and found I loved
• Jo Goodman

Do you have any weaknesses for certain themes, storylines, settings or such in romances? If so, what are they? Historicals are such a fave for me and, going along with it, virgin heroines. It is funny because it is completely at odds with how I see real life. I think it is really unwise to marry someone before you have sex with them, honestly forever is a long time. But romancewise - the thought of finding your soul mate who is the only one who will ever touch you, brings a happy sigh. Oh, and to make even more people groan, I like the ward/guardian romances. You know looking at that, it is no wonder Diana Palmer is a guilty pleasure of mine. Westerns! Love em, just about anyway you slice em. Marriage of Convenience. Love Vamps and Werewolves, and just about all things paranormal but not ghosts. What are your pet hates with romance novels?

• Adultery I can handle the stud hero screwing other women before he 'gets' together with the heroine, but it takes a lot for me to love a book where he carries on with a mistress or side entertainment after he has had sex with the heroine.
• Long separations! If I read them, I will most likely skim the 100 pages of whatever when they aren't together. But more often than not, I will just pass on the book if a large part of it takes place without the hero and heroine being together.
• Stupid women Worse being, stupid women the author repeatedly tells me are smart.
• Contemporary virgins It takes a lot to sell me on a virgin in a contemporary.

When discussing romance novels and/or the romance genre with fellow readers, which issues interest you most? Sex or other 'hot' issues. I think it is interesting to hear what other people think and why they think the things they do. If an influential romance editor asked you for an opinion on the romance genre, what would you say? Stop trying to define romance or love and fit it into a box with a label. There is a reader for every book you can publish. No matter what taboo you break or what standard rule you follow. Name up to five romance novels that left you lasting impressions. Hell if I know. This will prolly change tomorrow if you were to ask me again.

• Shadowheart - Laura Kinsale The book that started it all. A friend of mine recommended that I read this book for about two or three months before I did. I laughed off her love of romance novels and really didn't think I would like it. I completely fell in love.
• Only His - Elizabeth Lowell This book started me on reading westerns. Not sure why, couldn't tell you where the connection hit or what switch was flipped. But since reading this book I have had a deep love for the romance western.
• The Last Rogue - Deborah Simmons First 'light' romance I read. I tend to like them hawt but this book just was perfect and sweet with enough romance, lust and love to make a great book. Started me off reading Harlequin Historicals.
• Menage - Emma Holly There can be a HEA with three hearts involved. Who knew...
• Obsidian Butterfly - Laurell K. Hamilton This was the first book that caught my eye and made me WANT to read after a break from reading. At the time I would say I was reading 10 books a year, when you could guess I read a couple hundred if not more from 10 to 21. And it started my love of vamps, weres and the paranormal, oh, my.

What was the last romance novel you bought?

• The Rogue - Celeste Bradley
• One Night of Sin - Gaelen Foley
• The Love Affair of an English Lord - Jillian Hunter
• Her Heart's Desire - Rene J Garrod
• Vanity - Jane Feather
• Wild Wind - Patricia Ryan
• Stargazer - Colby Hodge
• My Surrender - Connie Brockway

Thanks, Sybil. :) Be good, be bad & be safe.

Reader interview: Beverly

Beverly, a Library Clerk and Student from Kansas City, Missouri, has a blog: Unicorns Are in the World Again. When you were a child, what did you usually read? I loved picture books as a kid, but as few adults would read to me, I would usually just look at the pictures and make up stories. When I got to be old enough to read full-length books, I loved books that fall into the "Children's Classics" category. I liked Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, but I loved Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom more. I loved the Anne of Green Gables books by L. M. Montgomery. Anne of Avonlea was the first book I ever bought for myself. I remember reading Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss. The first adult books I remeber reading were actually Westerns because my brother-in-law had a huge collection. As a romance reader, what do you usually read? I started out on the big name authors of the '80s like Sandra Brown, Catherine Coulter, Linda Lael Miller, Heather Graham and Johanna Lindsey. Now I enjoy mostly midlist writers in the historical and paranormal/fantasy sub-genres. I like Judith Ivory, Loretta Chase, Laura Kinsale, Melanie Jackson, Emma Holly, Lisa Cach, and Jo Beverley, and I'm probably forgetting some other favorites. Apart from romance novels, what do you usually read if any? These days I probably read other types of books more than romance:

• Fantasy George R. R. Martin, Anne Bishop, Sarah Ash, Jacqueline Carey, Robin McKinley
• Science Fiction Catherine Asaro, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Wen Spencer, Elizabeth Moon, S. L. Viehl
• Mystery J. D. Robb, Tim Cockey, Kate Ross, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Tracy Grant
• Non-Fiction Especially history and adventure.

My favorite type of fiction right now is the new wave of urban fantasy/paranormal novels like those written by Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, and Simon R. Green. And I'll grab up just about anything with unicorns or vampires. Do you have any weaknesses for certain themes, storylines, settings or such in romances? If so, what are they?

• Marriages of convenience / Cabin romances Only when they're done right. They can throw the hero and heroine together enough that I feel like they actually get to know each other rather than just fall suddenly in love.
• Hero and/or heroine with flaws And not just stupid ones like shyness or always telling the truth, which aren't actually flaws at all.
• Hero and/or heroine who are less than perfect, physically
• Beauty and the Beast I'm a sucker for those stories.
• Retellings of fairy tales or mythological stories
• Bluestockings in historicals
• Just about anything paranormal Vampires, werewolves, demons, whatever.

What are your pet peeves with romance novels? I tend to avoid the marriage of convenience stories that are because someone else forced them into it (I'd rather they chose the marriage for their own convenience and not someone else's). I don't like brand-name dropping books. I usually avoid May/December romances. I can't stand books with animal sidekicks. I avoid secret babies like the plague. I get sick of virgins, virgins all the time though I have nothing against them individually. But mostly, I just want romance that is real. I don't want to feel like I missed out on these two getting to know each other, and learning to love each other. I hate "I hate you, Let's have sex, I hate you, more sex, I love you" stories. When you buy romance novels, how do you make your selection? I do most of my browsing online these days, so I make my selections based on covers and blurbs. I don't usually read any of the book before I buy it, and I don't read excerpts online because then I am antsy for the book for the week that it takes to get it in the mail, and I can't stand that. But a good cover, a good description, and a little bit of buzz will sell a book to me. When discussing romance novels and/or the Romance genre with fellow readers, which issues interest you most? Trends in the romance world (what's being published, which authors are on the rise). Book covers (always, always). The online romance community. How sexuality is presented in novels. And the way real situations in life are dealt with in fiction. If an influential romance editor asks you for an opinion on the Romance genre, what would you say? Stop worrying so much about having a hook and worry more about having great characters. Characters with depth can carry even the most hook-less story. And please, get rid of the clinch covers, or at least hide them in a stepback. Name up to five romance novels that left you lasting impressions.

• The Last Hellion - Loretta Chase This and Black Silk are my two favorite romances. I loved the fact that Chase flaunts the whole "people didn't do that back then" idea that so many have about historicals, and had a heroine with conviction, a hero who started out very not heroic, and made me fall in love with both of them.
• Black Silk - Judith Ivory This was the first romance that I loved, loved, loved. I frequently feel like many romance authors write simplistic stories in simplistic ways, and I loved this one because Ivory showed the little things, the little changes in how you think about another person that can lead you to love where you least expect it, and even would have derided the idea of previously.
• Ravished - Amanda Quick This was one of the first romances I read with a fairy tale theme (Beauty and the Beast).
• Hooked - Stef Ann Holm Holm was very different from any of the authors that I had been reading at the time, and her Americana-type romances felt more real than nostalgic.
• Naked in Death - J. D. Robb This first book in the In Death series showed that a good author could combine genres well and sell it widely. The mix of romance, mystery, and science fiction was great, and it was actually the first Nora Roberts book I ever read.

What do you think of romance novel covers in general? I think they have been getting better. I'm not a huge fan of cartoon covers, but some have been alright. Just as long as the people's faces aren't shown, because inevitably they are terrible. I don't like clinches. I don't like the new trend of bare-chested male torsos either. I prefer pictures of the hero and heroine that make an attempt to look realistic, and I do like some of the sexy (but classy!) photos of couples I've been seeing on contemporaries. Do you have any favourite romance covers? If so, which are they? Come to Me - Lisa Cach Tempting - Hope Tarr Outsiders - Melanie Jackson The Dark Queen - Susan Carroll [click on any to enlarge] Urban Shaman - C. E. Murphy The Pleasure Slave - Gena Showalter Charming the Prince - Teresa Medeiros (with stepback) Almost Innocent - Jane Feather Name top five favourite romantic films.

• Ladyhawke I love this movie, I even love the music everyone thinks is weird. Their devotion over years and despite such a horrible separation is just amazing and moving.
• Strictly Ballroom I love this story of a less-than-perfect heroine finding happiness and love.
• The Age of Innocence This one doesn't have such a happy ending, but I think it is a beautiful love story.
• Hotel de Love Many of you have probably never heard of this one but I like the way the characters don't always fall in love with the one they think they want.
• Somewhere in Time Another star-crossed love, this one just makes me bawl every time I see it.

What was the last romance novel you bought? I pre-ordered the Kick-Ass anthology by Maggie Shayne, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight and Jacey Ford, and the Hot Spell anthology with Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Shiloh Walker, and Meljean Brook. I got Awaken Me Darkly by Gena Showalter in the mail. I bought The Companion by Susan Squires and Lord of Sin by Madeline Hunter Thanks, Beverly!

Reader interview: Marianne

Marianne McA is a romance reader from Northern Ireland and doesn't have a blog. When you were a child, what did you usually read? Everything down to nutritional information on cereal packets in bookless moments. I worked my way through the junior library, and whatever was in the house. In my confused way, I believed that as long as I had read and understood every single word in a book, I had 'read' it. So I read with a dictionary to hand. I've a clear childhood memory of closing the cover of Vanity Fair with some pride at having finished 'reading' it but at the same time knowing that it was somewhat odd that I didn't have a clue what the book had been about. Loved fairy tales. Thought Oscar Wilde must be stupid. How could he not know that fairy stories end happily? As a romance reader, what do you usually read? I don't have an easy defintion 'this is what I like' in my head. So far I haven't read any e-books, romantica or erotica, and I've only read one paranormal romance. I'm a complete wimp, so I can't read anything gory - I couldn't even hack my O-level biology textbook - continually had to be propped against a bench at the back of the lab and revived with a beaker of tepid water. Apart from romance novels, what do you usually read? I like stories. So a lot of genre fiction. And the internet. I read MBs or Blogs in the same way I'd read the musings of Bill Bryson or Maureen Lipman. When I last lost my internet connection I was surprised how much book-reading time I gained. Name top five favourite romance authors if any. Suz Brockmann. The Jules and Robin story in her last book pretty much encapsulates what I'm looking for in a romance. Victorian death-bed angst, served with humour. Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart, both of whom I've read and reread. Jennifer Crusie, with the caveat that I file her mentally as a comic writer rather than a romance writer. Do you have any weaknesses for certain themes, storylines, settings or such in romances? If so, what are they? Constant heroes.

1. Hero has been in love for ages with heroine despite [terrible circumstance].
2. Hero is an adult, and knows we treat those we love well.

If I have both of those in a book, I'm in heaven. When you buy romance novels, how do you make your selection? Authors I've liked before, or internet reviews and buzz. What are your pet hates with romance novels? Tedious sex scenes, and insane covers. When discussing romance novels and/or the Romance genre with fellow readers, which issues interest you most? Book recommendations. But I like the nothing-to-do-with-romance exchanging recipes and seeing pictures of people's pets as well. If an influential romance editor asked you for an opinion on the Romance genre, what would you say? I suppose I don't think the industry works like that. I'd probably try to coax her to tell salacious stories about famous authors. Name up to five romance novels that left you lasting impressions.

• Gaudy Night - Dorothy Sayers It is not a romance novel. It's the only romantic story which ever made me think - 'This is what I want my marriage to be like'. I even (this is embarrassing) brought the book down to the kitchen and read excerpts to my unfortunate mother. Worse, twenty years on, part of me still wants to be married to Peter Wimsey. Sigh.

What was the last romance novel you bought? Glamorous Powers by Susan Howatch, though I'm not sure if it qualifies. I read it after enjoying Glittering Images which was reviewed on AAR. They both are about Churchmen finding relationships but the romance is fairly tangential. Interesting to read stories that take religious experience seriously. Karen Ranney's book is on its way in an order from Amazon - I love epistolary books. (Combine both and you could have an epistolary episcopal book. Checking my spelling, I find 'episcopicide' is the murder of a bishop. How often does it have to happen for there to be a special word for it?). Thank you, Marianne. :>