April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Trudy Miner

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25 comments posted.

Re: Darius (2:00pm April 4, 2013):

It depends on the problem or situation. I tend to let
things spin around in my mind like a computer until I come
up with a solution. If needed, I will seek additional
information or help. Occasionally, I just freak but that
doesn't help much now, does it? Sometimes the solution
comes easily; I have a lot of common sense. Sometimes it's
more difficult.

Re: The Duke is Mine (4:36pm January 3, 2012):

I have been in love with Mr. Darcy since I was 18! That is now almost 50 years ago. I read "Pride and Prejudice" on a lark during finals my Freshman year at college and by the time he came to propose, I was in love! Mr. Darcy was/is handsome, tormented and decidedly just what an 18-year-old college student needed and still does. Of all the features I've seen produced, the original "Masterpiece Theater" production in the 1970's captured the spirit of Jane Austen's book the best. I've measured every hero of every book ever since against Mr. Darcy, many have fallen short.

Re: Forbidden Falls (10:55pm May 29, 2011):

If I had money, I'd have it all! As it is, most things are just pipe dreams. I do have a micro-MP3 player, still in its wrappings; I have no clue as to what to do with it. Kindles may be a long way away; I love the feel of a book in my hands. I can't afford to text or I'd have a Smartphone for sure. GPS is not accurate where I live and I can't afford it anyhow. I just recently signed up for Twitter but only use it on my computer. And I still love my daily newspaper, hot in my little hands. So what does that make me? A little of both?

Re: Blown Away (3:23pm May 30, 2010):

I like trilogys too but I read them as they come out; too impatient to wait! I like series books as well. I've read some greats of each like "Diamonds Down Under," "Dante's Inferno (have the last book to read)," The Becketts of Romney Marsh," "The Bastion Club," etc. I've kept the last Bastion Club book because it was so moving. So whatever it may be, I like it!

Re: A Thread So Thin (3:22pm May 16, 2010):

I never had an imaginary friend but I've always had books, book, and more books. Been in love with Mr. Darcy since I was 18! My books are my escape and I like too many authors to list. But I started with Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt as a teenager and young mother. Now I've moved on and read a lot of different authors and genres, historicals still being my favorite.

Re: Big Girl (5:29pm March 21, 2010):

Does anyone remember the scandal "Peyton Place" caused? My mother was reading it and hid it in the bookshelves. I would sneak it out and read it when no one was around. One time, as I was reading it, the doorbell rang and it was our minister! Whew! What a close call! I was about 15 at the time. Then I read "Gone with the Wind" in 4 days when I was a sophomore in high school. Been reading ever since.

Re: The You I Never Knew (3:23pm March 14, 2010):

I'd rather laugh while reading a book, usually at a wisecrack by character or a situation she gets involved in. I've read books that are heart-rending too like "The Bridges of Madison County" but don't do that much anymore. My life is serious enough; I want the escape! Besides, I haven't cried in years.

Re: The Edge of Winter (7:00pm February 21, 2010):

At first I was going to say that I don't have a favorite book by season because I don't go looking for books that way. However, I did read "Summer at Willow Lake" and it is one of my keepers as it brought back memories of going to camp when I was a kid (real nostalgia). I like Christmas books too although I personally hate the holiday (you figure it out). Loved the pic of your place covered in snow! I hope it melts soon! And spring comes to all of us!

Re: Down By The River (8:01pm January 31, 2010):

I read a couple of books which had been in my TBR pile for some time: "Once More, at Midnight" (also a new to me author) and "Cinderella and the Sheikh" (also a new to me author). I concentrated on historicals, my favorite genre, my favorite being Lynsay Sands' "The Brat." There were also several Silhouette Desires, and Harlequin Presents and Romances in the mix. I followed the mini-challenge for January and managed to go "Around the World."

Re: Down By The River (7:02pm January 24, 2010):

I like series books too! The first series I ever read was "The Bastion Club" series by Stephanie Laurens which took several years to complete. I also read the entire "Beckets of Romney Marsh" series but waited to read the last book until I read "The Return of the Prodigal" which came before it. I also enjoyed "Diamonds Down Under" which was a multiple-author series. And I have read most of many other series too. Finally, I like stand alone books to read as well.

Re: Forbidden Falls (3:44pm January 17, 2010):

I'm a wannabe geek. I love every kind of gadget there is! Until I had to quit working because of my health, I was fairly computer savy but, that was six years ago and technology has left me in the dust. Even my computer is five years old! If I could afford it, I'd have an iPhone and I'd Twitter, etc. I'd have an iPod too. However, a Kindle doesn't excite me because I like holding a book in my hand (I also like my daily paper). I have two Bose stero systems only because you can't add a CD player to the older one. Maybe someday I'll become a techie again.

Re: Come Hell Or High Water (3:57pm January 10, 2010):

What is a perfect day for me? It could be many things like: getting many things I need to do done; seeing or talking to all my grandchildren; sailing down the Rhone River on a river cruise; or having a lot of energy. Any perfect day needs sunshine though to make it perfect!

Re: Rainwater (7:29pm December 13, 2009):

Very interesting thought... I guess I would agree with some of the others that historical is before 1950, although the 60's definitely would be historical too. I happen to love historical novels, love history, have a degree in it and so, am probably biased as to what is historical. That being said, I bought a used book this summer, "Warrior's Woman" which had "historical" written on its spine and it was actually futuristic! So I guess the term "historical" is in the mind of the author and the plot she/he develops.

Re: Dark Lover (5:56pm November 29, 2009):

Boy, what a lot of questions! First, I think Oreo is absolutely adorable and thanks for getting a rescue doggie.

I had forgotten until I read some of the other blogs but, my first adult novels were "Nine Coaches Waiting" (which I still have) and "Gone with the Wind (which I read in four days during the summer between 10th and 11th grades). I read just about every Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt book published. Now, I my favorite genre is historicals, especially Scottish and Medieval historicals. I also like contemporary romances along the lines of Harlequin's Presents, Blaze, etc. I'm not into paranormal novels at all. I also will read mysteries from time to time. I do have a keeper pile which is on a separate bookcase from my TBR pile; the keeper pile doesn't grow very fast which is good!

Re: Kindred In Death (6:36pm November 9, 2009):

I've enjoyed Stephanie Laurens Bastion Club series which, while there weren't a lot of books, stretched out over four years. I also enjoyed the Becketts of Romney Marsh which also stretched over many years. The only trouble with long-running series is that by the time I get to the end, I have trouble remembering the details of the earlier books.

Re: The Promise (6:54pm October 11, 2009):

The first book I remember receiving was "Heidi" when I was pretty small and it was a Christmas present from friends of my parents. I read and re-read that book many times. Then I moved on to the library at my elementary school where I read every biography they had (do you remember those books with the hideous orange covers). Then it was on to "Little Women" and the like. In college, I read "Pride and Prejudice" just for fun and it remains my favorite book to this day (oh, that Mr. Darcy). I moved on to Victoria Holt and read most of her books and other gothic romances. Finally, in the early 80's, I discovered romance reading and have never looked back since! I was so happy that this month's challenge was Superromance because I have four books from that line from 1983 that I had re-read several times. This month I read them again for the first time in many years and they affected me in the same way they did 28 years ago. Those four books shall remain in my "keeper" pile until they fall apart. My TBR pile is full of new authors that I have discovered since that time and some of those books have found their way to my "keeper" pile after I've read them. There is nothing wrong with keeping favorite books!

Re: Lucky Break (8:38pm October 4, 2009):

Do a chore or read a book? Are you serious? Reading a book wins hands down! However, I only have myself to worry about and live in a condo so I no longer have the chores to do that most of you have. But I am like Theresa, my days are for things needing done and my nights are for reading!

Re: Table Manners (5:55pm September 7, 2009):

Sandi--
Normally, I don't have a life but, this weekend I was really busy. Saturday evening I was at a local event where a non-profit organization, which I'm on the task force for, had a booth. We provide free non-perishable food, clothing and rent/utility money to needy people in our area. True to late summer weather in Florida, it was so hot and humid that you could hardly breathe. Although my job was to bring an oscillating fan, you couldn't tell it was there unless you were standing directly in front of it! Then yesterday, I went to a friend's house for a pool party. Most of the time, some people stay inside while others go outside. Not yesterday! Oh no, everyone went outside and, rather than appear to be a party-pooper, I went outside too and sat in the Florida heat again. When I got home, the pool party in my condo association was still going on and I tried to join them but only lasted 15 minutes until the heat got me. So today, Labor Day, I've spent inside, much to my dog's regret, either sleeping or watching TV! That was my holiday weekend and I'm glad that I was this busy!

Re: Red Hot Lies (5:20pm August 30, 2009):

I can read a first-person book if it's written well, just as I can read a book written in multiple persons if it is written well. I think it's harder to write a good first person book without making it sound self-centered or such. And a book that's all thought and no action is very hard to read as well.

Re: The Fixer Upper (4:33pm August 23, 2009):

Mostly people don't comment on what I read; they know I read strictly romances. I have no family nearby to even care and the friends I have, read books by David Patterson and the like. But who says that what I read is "empty?" I've learned a lot of history from reading historical romances and I'm currently learning about Navajo beliefs from the book I'm reading. I've picked up some self-defense tips from other books and I've seen myself in other characters. I started reading in elementary school and haven't stopped since!

Re: Smash Cut (10:21pm August 16, 2009):

I wouldn't consider myself a "re-reader" per se but, I have books that are "keepers." These are books that I enjoyed immensely and that I intend to read again, someday. This is actually how I got started reading romances; I read some books that I absolutely loved back in the 80's and re-read them a few times too. These books came with me when I moved to Florida after my divorce and have a special place separate from my TBR pile. Over the years, I have added to this pile of books, most recently with "Mastered by Love," by Stephanie Laurens. My original book in this select pile is "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen (I've had to replace that book because the print is now too small,lol). Yes, I do intend to re-read these books someday but, when.........

Re: A Thread Of Truth (4:13pm June 21, 2009):

As a former teacher and college newspaper proofreader, I have to admit that typos really jump out at me! The ones that get me the most are the wrong pronouns; I go, "huh?" Most times I'm able to move beyond the typos and enjoy, or not, the book. I feel that today we rely too much on spell checker and grammatick and fail to proof our own work.

Re: Undead And Unwelcome (10:07pm June 14, 2009):

I would go to meet many authors if they just came to my side of Tampa Bay! Anne Mather, Sabrina Jeffies, Vicotia Holt, Jane Austen (you said living or dead), Monica McCarty, Cindi Dees, Merline Lovelace, Joanne Rock, Deb Marlowe, Kasey Michaels; the list goes on and on. Reading has kept me sane these last six years and I don't intend to stop, ever. A few years ago, there was a woman here who was celebrating a milestone birthday, like 90 or 100 and when she was asked what she attributed her longevity to, she replied, "Reading romance novels." You are never too old for romance!

Re: Pretty in Plaid (1:51pm May 25, 2009):

It is in my genes, I swear. My father was always late; I had to threaten to disown him if he showed up late for my graduations and wedding! However, I do try and be on time for doctors' appointments, etc. but I make them for late morning or afternoon since I don't function well in the morning.

Re: The Warrior (1:46pm May 25, 2009):

I am both. I used to be more impulsive than I am now but hard times have forced me to be very careful when I spend money. However, when it comes to buying books, that's a whole different story, although I don't buy as many as I used to and I looked for "great price" on books in stores. But, coming back from PA, I was browsing an airport shop when I spotted some earrings made by a local artist; I definitely had too much time on my hands because I bought a pair and am wearing them now. Impulsive still but more careful!