April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Susan Lathen

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65 comments posted.

Re: Highland Heat (11:01am March 21, 2011):

Mary, your excerpt is HOT! Your technique of the useage of prose make a reader become the character not a mere observer of a scene. I immediately became enmeshed in the story and give it two thumbs up.

Re: A Taste of Seduction (2:30am March 11, 2011):

I don't know how you managed to create such a compelling hero while stretched out on a hospital bed in pain. You did a great job! I was drawn simply to find out more about Anthony to find about the who, why, and what about his character.

Re: Double Cross (12:07pm December 23, 2010):

I think it would be great to be able to be able to have the power to cause a timid, stressed person to swap their problems with a bold, anti-social person with no fears whatso ever for 48 hrs so each can experience these victims can become the bullies and each can change their lives when they return to themselves.

Re: The Taming Of The Wolf (8:44pm November 21, 2010):

I love your list it is so creative and hits so many of were's highlights!

Re: Runes (11:06pm October 5, 2010):

Em this certainly sounds exciting to have two alpha males. Keep these stories rolling out!

Re: Guardian (1:22am June 7, 2010):

Thank you for mapping out family ties and the plot connections between these Morgan’s Mercenaries/Morgan Trayhern saga series this makes it much easier to pick them up and read.

Re: Blown Away (1:12am June 7, 2010):

I feel humble among so many readers. Right now I am just attenpting to survive June and for the government to finally certify me as disabled. With this stress it is difficult to concentrating on very many books right now.

Re: I Love This Bar (9:07am June 3, 2010):

Carolyn what an amazing book. I loved your snippet from it what a way to meet- a bar slip. I would have been so embarassed I probably made a quick exit blushing!

Re: The Making Of A Duchess (1:42am June 3, 2010):

Back in the seventies the drinking age here was 19 and my girlfriend and I would hit the bars and if we were approached by some losers we would tell them we were undercover narcs.

Re: Ancient Whispers (3:27am June 1, 2010):

Thanks for sharing with us the challenges you had to face to actually see your name in print. As a mom I constantly tell my teen that winning America's Idol isn't just standing on stage for a few moments and you show it is also true for other professions and give me more than just "Mom says so" to show my daughter and send her out on her own for her claim to fame after graduation.

Re: Tressed To Kill (3:00am May 31, 2010):

Thank you for our introduction to Lila Dare this month. I enjoy how these southern belles can speak so gentel yet be sharp as a tack with their observations.

Re: Succubus Shadows (2:43am May 31, 2010):

Your column this month was quite interesting a variety of the paranormal and tales that border on urban legends.

Re: The Cowboy From Christmas Past (2:37am May 31, 2010):

Both my Grandmothers lived to be a little short of a hundred and were as different as night and day. My maternal grandmother referred to my husband as my beau and because she was in her 60's when my parents adopted me she kept me in line while babysitting telling me how the gypsies were going to snatch me if I didn't stay by her side and other stories that would have made Stephen King proud. My paternal grandmother was not as close to me because I wasn't a "real" member of the family and I was constantly being compared to my cousins. But I remember one story that stuck with me I was told right after the wedding where I was told never let my new husband close the house's windows because a gentleman in the small town she was from did it in a hurry and caught a member and had to go through the rest of his life like he invented Viagra and that was 30 yrs ago!

Re: Die Twice (12:22pm May 28, 2010):

Unfortunately I am one of those types that if I read about a delish meal I'll pack a pound on!

Re: His At Night (1:51am May 26, 2010):

I've visited American & European historical areas since I was five years old but always had difficulties connecting the European sites. Your books made the sites come alive for me.

Re: On Folly Beach (6:12am May 18, 2010):

Karen this certainly sounds great. I love ties with the past and it's antiquities. I have never heard of a bottle tree and this promises a great mystery set in the South.

Re: A Thread So Thin (10:33pm May 8, 2010):

I love YA my oldest daughter claims my maturity level stopped at age 21 and somewhere along the way we switched roles. I enjoy YA because I can read the story without worrying my jaw is going to drop over a eye opening passage. Though I am eclectic in my reading habits YA are much more relaxing to me.

Re: The Jaguar Prince (10:18pm May 8, 2010):

Loved how to see the light side when the rest of the world would have been tearing out clumps of hair over those irrating birds!

Re: In Shelter Cove (10:35am May 7, 2010):

Since 911 I really enjoy stories where a ordinary person can reach within themselves and becomes a hero.

Re: The Gift (5:31am December 9, 2009):

Christmas time isn't the greatest time for me. I had lost my second daugher in 1985, followed in the two next suceeding yrs with miscarriages when in '89 I received the greatest news, it's a GIRL. But when we were cruising around town looking at XMas lights I felt the little one performing gymnastics and suddenly nothing. When I got out of the car it felt like I had a bowling ball strapped to my belly. The next am the dr. said little Michelle got the cord wrapped around her neck and she was gone. I was told I should go into labor soon but I carried my lost angel till Jan 5 when they induced.

Re: Ravenous (2:27am December 3, 2009):

I really have to stop these tantalizing recipes recipes late at night sounds absolutly delish.

Re: Scorched (2:23am December 3, 2009):

Hi! I love a stand alone book then I don't feel so left out if I can't find a book in a series. Just will have to add this to my TBR pile.

Re: Ladies Of The Lake (8:44pm November 29, 2009):

Haywood I LOVE this photo of you it reminds me of one of the photos our Southern "Ladies".

Re: The Monuments Men (8:24pm November 29, 2009):

I would love to win this book because my Dad was one of these heroes and I did not realize it till I was a adult. Daddy was a tail gunner on the fifth plane over on D-Day, "The Lady Luck".

Re: Double Take (7:13am November 29, 2009):

Great interview Kevin. You are another example of "handicapped" people are the ones who refuse to conquer the challenges life presented them with.

Re: When Moms Pray Together (6:30am November 29, 2009):

WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT YOUR MINISTRY. TWO OF MY BABIES ARE WITH GOD NOW AND I PRAY THAT THEY WILL HELP THEIR BROTHER AND SISTERS WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RIGHT PATH AND FIND A PLACE IN THEIR HEART FOR THE ALMIGHTY.
Moms in Touch International

Re: The Cowboy From Christmas Past (3:26am November 29, 2009):

Tina shame on you! You were so graphicly detailed on the details of Thanksgiving dinner even though its another eight hours till breakfast I'm sitting here salivating and may make a pecan pie run to the kitchen.

Re: Dark Legacy (7:32pm November 18, 2009):

Your Legacy books Look fantastic! I haven't thought this in years but back in the early 70's I studied in HS how the Russians were studing the paranormal. Your books seem to picking up what was going on back then.

Re: The Cowboy From Christmas Past (1:10pm October 7, 2009):

Tina what a awsome column this month. Talking about starving artists and talking about their works brought back a multitude of memories of forty years as a fan. I started with Laura Ingalls Wilder when I was eight and recently "My Fair Lady" when I added it to my collection of old musicals. You are certainly an amazing woman to weave all this together.

Re: Red Hot Lies (4:16am October 6, 2009):

After you hooked your readers with the dynamic character Izzy I understand why you had to continue on in the two suceeding books.

Re: Fatal Fixer-Upper (4:01am October 6, 2009):

Jennie loved reading about the background for your book. sounds unique and catch wait to get a copy to read.

Re: Evil Without A Face (3:52am October 6, 2009):

OK Jordan you've taken the first step, I'm curious at what the other nine will be. However I do not feel writing crime to be a flaw anymore than your readers reading your books is. This is just the same as people feel akin to turning on the news at 5 voyaurism into reality.

Re: A Little Light Magic (3:39am October 6, 2009):

The jersey Shore sounds fun what with Nick surrounded by women instead of being pampered he's tearing his hair out!

Re: Since the Surrender (3:32am October 6, 2009):

Julie and Patricia in regards to the excerpt I can wrap it up in a single word HOT1

Re: Demon Ex Machina (3:18am October 6, 2009):

Great blog but I always felt myself alone in wondering how things work. I even subscribe to a science website for kids entitled "How Things Work" to ease my frustration over how cell phones work & radio waves. Maybe if I had just blamed these mysteries on Magic I wouldn't have been so frustrated for half a century. Good luck with this new book.

Re: Love You To Death (7:45pm October 3, 2009):

Shannon this new books sounds fantastic! I just Love suspense romances.

Re: Angel Lane (12:33pm October 1, 2009):

Sheila I REALLY enjoyed your blog this am. I'm still sitting here chuckling over your efforts to create Ganache in the kitchen I swear you were peeking when I make the effort except I'm not creative enough to salvage it, I would have run it out to the garbage.

Re: A Dark Love (5:52pm September 30, 2009):

Margaret I have had a spidey sense about everyone execept in the romance dept. I think this is why I prefer stories that are not happily ever after I enjoy heroines I can empathize with.

Re: Oscar Wilde And The Dead Man's Smile (9:08am September 22, 2009):

As Ireread my post I realised I did not mention who the person that did the introduction to Oscar Wilde - it my Mother!

Re: Oscar Wilde And The Dead Man's Smile (9:03am September 22, 2009):

Back in the 60's a off handed comment about "The Picture of Dorian Gray" introduced me to Oscar Wilde. She made a comment that the "Picture" was promentaly displayed in one of our department store's that was from the first motion picture and that it was the most horrifying thing she had ever seen. And of course as a course as any curious teen who adored mysteries and horror I tracked it down and read it for the first time. Wilde's words painted horror just as vivid as the portrait. I had visited Edgar Allan Poe's Grave but never had the opportunity to see Wilde's when I was in Paris in the 70's.

Re: A Christmas Ball (5:03am September 21, 2009):

My choice of your questions was #4 a fondest Christmas memory. Mine was the fourth year I was married. While my sister & parents still lived in the same town as us we would go to their house to join them, and family (my uncle and both grandmothers) for Christmas Eve and to see what Santa had brought for my three year old daughter and open everyones presents. That particular year unbeknownth to us they had called our home to find out when we would be arriving. The reason it was unbeknownth to us was that little Jenny had answered the phone while we were in the bathroom. Thus when we arrived at my parents home we were quite mystified why the chatter came to a halt and everyone stared at our enterance. My Uncle Dick broke the stillness by clearing his throat and asking us if we were experiencing a water shortage on our side of town. We were quite mysterfied. He then proceeded to tell us they had called and Jen answered the phone and they asked her first if they could speak with her Mommy, to which she replied that I was in the bathroom. Then they asked to put her Daddy on. But Daddy was in the bathroom too! And when we came out to dress none of this was repeated to us - 'cause all Jenny could think about was what Sants had brough to her grandparents house for her. So we were no longer mystified why we were the center of attention when we were entered but mortifed at the laughter that ensued!

Re: What I Did For Love (7:08pm September 20, 2009):

I must be odd, none of the commenters mentioned the bath tub. I have plebitus and at night when my ankle is throbbing I head for the tub, light a candle and make the water as hot as possible and stretch out relaxing. Normally I can get in three chapters before the water starts turning me into a ice cube. But I have one rule I always have to finish a chapter before I stop reading and get out and make a mad dash under the covers and continue reading unless something is interesting on TV.

Re: Audrey's Door (4:17am September 18, 2009):

I disagree with the reader that wrote such vile comments to you. People that read and interpret literature with such views are the types that want censorship. I learned years ago to read with an open mind and that all books do not have to be a "happier ever after story. The good books challenge a reader's intellect and to inform. In school as a teen we studied "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair. And novels by Sinclair Lewis. These were not plesant readings but showed social conditions as a result of opening the eyes to atrosities changes have taken place.

Re: I Can Make You Love Me (3:43am September 18, 2009):

Life DOES imitate art. We see it everyday on the news. These wack jobs that steal children are not creative enough to think out their own scenarios.

Re: Beast Warrior (5:00pm September 16, 2009):

Eva loved your post today about wolves/werewolves. I too like one of your other fans got hooked on the paranormal while watching "Dark Shadows" at 13 and my town never allowed ownership of wolves within it's boundaries I had dogs. I was the alpha leader both growing up and after I got married. My spaniels Would stand at my side and growl baring teeth if anyone raised their voice to me and follow me EVERYWHERE even the bathroom! And I swear my last two spaniels spoke not barking or howling but English slurred like Scoobie Doo and I understood them. I now understand my kinship to them after your tale about wolves.

Re: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening And The Struggle (4:07pm September 13, 2009):

Nice blog today, I have two daughters one born in the 70's the other in the 90's. The oldest and I matched similar tastes in literature but other I started out in 1st grade reading with Darren Shan books. Now that she is in high school we have resumed our love for Vamps. We giggled through "How to marry a Vampire Millionaire" and wiped our eyes with the "Twilight" series. So I am no longer the fossil she thought I had become when her birthday present last month was a set of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse. The"Vampire Diaries" now is the new bonding discoveries we share and a TV series as VISA says is "priceless".

Re: The Splendor Falls (7:22pm September 10, 2009):

This is a stunning article about the way Rosemary writes for teen audiences without talking down to them. It's amazing how she brings up topics that are dear to my heart. Nancy Drew to Carl Kolchak the Night Stalker, hit the mark to describe the type of literature I want to direct my daughter to.

Re: Loving Mr. Darcy (4:35pm September 10, 2009):

Sharon from on SL to another I congratulate on your EXCELLANT descriptions of DERBYSHIRE. Your ittenary of where the Darcy's traveled brought back memories back of my trip there in the early 70's. I enjoyed the landscape but what I was in awe of was the lush GREEN. I suppose it's from all the mist from the UK surrounded by water. I have and had come from the Midwest (Nebraska our country's heartland) and have NEVER seen this green anywhere in America!

Re: Furies Of Calderon (4:09pm September 10, 2009):

Heather my suggestion is not only NEW stories to peruse but what we read back in our youth. When books like "1984" & "Watership Downs", and "Animal Farm" where disappearing from library & bookstore shelves I was SHOCKED!! When I run across stories I enjoyed as a teen and in college I pick them up for my 16 yr old and introduce a new generation to their wonder. It interesting to hearing new interpretations of the books and now more mature I see the books differently.

Re: The Splendor Falls (3:51pm September 10, 2009):

Rosemary even at 54 I'm a picky eater and HATE cooking with the kids gone and I'm on my own I'm a free spirit when it comes to food. My meal of the Day maybe is at 1am or I maybe eating an eclare at 10am. I'm rarely driven by reading, what sets me off is scents like a lily of the valley candle or a slight night breeze outside in the middle of the night. And I experience Dejavu of my Grandmother's house and pick up a candle and one of my childhood favorites she made me at a 24hr grocery.

Re: Tie Me Down (9:20am September 5, 2009):

Tracy your remences Of New Orleans took me back to the '60's and a vacation of a child it was so different than the Midwest like stepping into a time capsule. My Mom wanted to see one of the locations that both my Grandfather & Great Grandfather sailed to when they were steam boat captains.

Re: The Cowboy From Christmas Past (2:04pm September 3, 2009):

I ABSBSOLUTELY loved your article today. As you can have guessed I am a DOG person! It would be great if in the future you can post a little about them in the future.

Re: Highland Rebel (9:09am September 3, 2009):

Judith your somments about a muse are all too true. I have read scientists are trying to access why not all the brain is utilized and what can unlock it. You sound like the type of canidate that they study watching brain scans to find what triggers these dormide brain cells and what slams the door again after a glimpse.

Re: The Northern Devil (8:55am September 3, 2009):

Diane I agree with your comments about the type of men in the old west that were hired to escort the freight and valuables. It funny to think about now if we need to place actors in these characters place I imagine John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, but have a hardtime putting Jimmy Stewart or Randolph Scott because they were softer spoken and gentler.

Re: The Cowboy From Christmas Past (2:28am August 23, 2009):

I am glad you talked about macular degeneration that your grandmother had. My mother has the wet form and it is hard to talk about it to other and you did a excellant job of it.

Re: Beloved Vampire (2:06pm August 22, 2009):

Joey I LOVE vampires but never placed the quote by Tom Cruise’s Lestat. Now I can stop wracking my brain about that title. Good luck with this book.

Re: Skykeepers (1:39pm August 22, 2009):

Good choices for cast, I always say who better to cast them than their creater

Re: Skykeepers (1:36pm August 22, 2009):

Good choices for cast, I always who better to cast then their creater.

Re: The Texas Twins (1:45pm June 10, 2009):

Tina received your e-mail today talking about summer, I too shaved my springer spaniel for summers past what Nac loved the most was his yearly baby wading pool. Nac would stretch out in it with his head upturned just watching squirrels and birds with his tail slapping the water.

Re: Darkness Unknown (2:29am May 29, 2009):

Thanks for introduceing to the Paladins it gives me a new source of reading material.

Re: Dead And Gone (2:11am May 29, 2009):

I must confess that I am a dinosaur having never listened to a audiobook. However I can identify with your disappointment comparing two different medias. Mine is compaing books and movies. The BEST I have ever seen was "The Great Gatsby" which was a PERFECT portrayal and the WORST was Ian Flemmings Bond books. After reading the books I realized the only similairities were titles, character names, and locations but the storylines weren't even similar. Poetic licence could not even excuse the disappoint I felt.

Re: Beneath Bone Lake (12:29pm May 29, 2009):

I'm not so afraid of animals & bugs as long as they are ALIVE. But the moment I see a mounted animal head I panic. My heart starts thumping and I freeze. As a teen my friends tried to cure me of my fear and took me blindfolded to UNL's Elephant Hall (NE Natural History Museum) and I started breathing so hard & turned whiter than white that I frighten them and they rushed me out.

Re: My Forbidden Desire (2:33pm May 28, 2009):

You brought up some interesting points but I enjoy the story and don't dwell on the questions.

Re: Unseen (1:28am April 4, 2009):

Tanzey Have a hoppy, hoppy Easter.

Re: The Club (1:27pm March 9, 2009):

I can't put my finger on where I got my live of reading from, just what I started out reading. At 10 I discovered the Nancy Drew collection which lead to Alfred Hitchcock Mystery collection and to finallize my grandmothers Victoria Holt romances. This has continued through the years now at 54 I an still reading mysteries, suspense/romances and regencies.