When Did Your Passion Flare?
Today, I'm happy to introduce one of my favorite people and favorite writers—Terri Brisbin. She's guest blogging for us today and I know you'll all give her a warm Whiner welcome!!!!
No matter what you thought that title meant, I'm asking about when you first discovered and let loose your love of reading romance novels! I didn't always read romances. Actually I spent most of my reading years focusing on mysteries, science fiction and even some horror books. I did like history a lot and tended to find books that had some history in them.
Then, when I was pregnant with son #3 about twenty years ago, I found historical ROMANCES!
And WOW!
At first, after finding THE PRIZE by Julie Garwood, I began to quietly buying her backlist at the time. I somehow felt guilty about buying lots of books then so I bought about one a week until I had all of hers and read them. After the baby was born, I would sit in the near-dark during those late night feedings and read and enjoy the moments of quiet.
I kept my reading aka buying habit under control for some time. Until I discovered a small chain store in a nearby strip of stores. And I probably would have been okay then, too, had it not been for Judy.
Judy, the sales clerk.
Judy, the sales clerk who read and loved romance novels.
Sigh. My first kindred spirit in the world of romance reading. It was magical!
She would suggest books and authors, point out her favorites, tell me about sales, and introduced me to RT magazine. My husband later referred to her as the 'devil who got me hooked,' but I was hooked before meeting her, I just hadn't let my passion flare before that!
Judy taught me what TBR meant, too, and how to build a really, really high one! Each week, I'd go into the store and we'd chat about books for hours. I'd get 'lost' while running a quick errand but hubby knew where I was.
Fast forward to the present day.
I haven't stopped my passion for buying and reading romance novels. Even though I began writing them about fifteen years ago, there's been no slowing down in my passion for them. Well, I may not be able to read as many as I did before I wrote (when a 'good' week meant reading 4-5 books!), but I keep a stack at-the-ready and read whenever I can. Now, as then, it's about 95% historical romances with a smattering of paranormals or author friends' books.
And Judy? Well, when the store closed, we stayed in touch. Even attended a couple of RT Conventions as readers. Went to a couple of indoor soccer games together, too, but motherhood and family and work and writing kept us apart. Then, after not seeing her for a few years, we met up for lunch some time ago.
Guess what? We were still kindred spirits but this time, in addition to our love of romance novels, we also shared a passion for a certain Scotsman named Gerry! Gerard Butler, sigh…..
So, when did your passion for reading romances flare? Was it spurred by anyone else –friends? Sales clerks? LOL! Has it endured or sputtered out? Post a comment and one commenter/visitor will receive a signed copy of my recent Mills and Boon Special Release – ROYAL WEDDINGS THROUGH THE AGES. It's an anthology of seven stories about real historical royal weddings and is only available in print in the UK. But I have some copies to share…and will…with someone who is passionate about romance novels!
Terri is hard at work – no really! the book is due March 30!—on another emotional, historical romance for Harlequin Historicals. She begins a new series in September by going back to the wonderful Highlands of Scotland and her MacLerie Clan. Visit her website – www.terribrisbin.com – to learn more about her books and upcoming events.
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