Sara Edmonds | When It Comes To Location How Much Detail Do You Need?

I was reading Janet Evanovich's Finger Lickin' Fifteen- and after the gut retching laughter- I realized that even though I have never been to New Jersey, Janet's descriptions make me feel like it is a place I have been to many times before. It also made me reflect on how much detail I need when it comes to location in the book I am reading.

I am not normally cognizant of the locations- or even the background description in general- when I am reading a book I really enjoy. When the author does a really good job of pulling me into the story, my mind tends to fill in any detail that isn't readily there, such a location, or even the general skin and eye description of the main characters. Those things I tend to pull from experience and fill in automatically. And I realize that for most authors there is not enough time, or money, to go to every place a book is set. But I realize that for some readers not having this information may be frustrating.

To read more of Sara's blog about location details please click here.

Sara Edmonds | Watching My Favorite Authors Grow...

I was reading the latest by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, WHAT I DID FOR LOVE, last month and as I finished I was so pleasantly surprised at how much she has grown as a writer and how much I have enjoyed reading (and watching) it evolve. The way that she weaves two stories into a single arc, and the way she can develop a character as been a joy to read.

I have the same feeling with Nora Roberts, who I have read for a very long time now. VISIONS IN WHITE starts a new quartet by Nora, which is a step up as the norm is triplets. From way back when with DANCE UPON THE AIR, the strength of her characters and plot lines only gets better each year.

There are a lot more on my list of must haves (Madeline Hunter, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Karen Marie Moning to name a few), but listing them would make this a very long blog.

Click here to read the rest and learn how to win a bundle of books from Fresh Fiction

Sara Edmonds | You Might Call Them Quirks But I Call Them Reading Rituals

I have always had a reading ritual- a couple actually. And I prefer to think of them as rituals and not quirks, although some would debate me on that.

When I am in the "reading mode" so to speak, I gather everything together- I get a pillow, light blanket and gather some snacks so that I don't have to get up for a break. I then open the dog door so I don’t have to get up, get in my favorite chair and turn on some background noise (yes I am one of those people who can read with the tv on). I then settle down for a good few hours of uninterrupted reading time. And it goes without saying, the better the book the more I resent interruptions. Excuses are abound during a good reading session- dishes can wait until tomorrow and I don't need to do laundry. Then there is my favorite thing to say to all who interrupt me-"you can get it yourself." If only my lotto train could come in, I could even blow off actual work to read. I know I have a good book, when I deeply resent real life getting in they way of finishing a chapter. Even after I have procrastinated a day or two, I feel no guilt after, and that is the ultimate sign of a great book. Sometime the ritual varies slightly- I might stay in bed instead of sitting in my favorite chair, or I may only get in an hour or two of reading time if work gets in the way. But I always have the ritual, and I always look forward to it.

To read more about Sara's quirks...no rituals and to comment for a chance to win our weekend prize please click here.

Sara Edmonds | My Favorite Hero--The Bad Boy

I have been spending a lot of time re-reading some of my favorite authors. And while I was re-reading and book swapping with friends, I came across an old Tami Hoag I had not read. After I got over the shock, and started reading, the heroine Genna made a great point. Why do women always go for the bad boy?

In The Trouble With J.J., Genna doesn’t want to be attracted to Jared because she thinks he is. . . well. . . crazy. He is brash, wears weird clothes, has an earring, plays football for a living, and somehow has a love of plastic flamingos. What Genna wants is a stable, normal- corn flakes for breakfast, come home every day at five o’clock- kind of guy. Well this was a Bantam romance by Tami, so we know she goes for a walk on the wild side and takes a chance after all. But it got me thinking- what is up with my love affair of the bad boy.

To read more about Sara's fascination with the bad boy here click here.