April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Donna McClure

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44 comments posted.

Re: Don't Cry (7:30pm August 22, 2010):

Yes, I do have a large TBR pile but I'm still buying books! If you don't buy them when they are available you might miss out!! As Sandi says, there are worse addictions. I don't buy as many since I retired as I use the library more. Books are my necessity!!

Re: Ice Cold (3:27pm July 18, 2010):

Sounds like a great Saturday to me, much better than cleaning house. Have a blast at RWA. I'm hoping to go again someday. Meeting several of my favorite authors was a wonderful experience. Everyone was gracious, taking time to talk unless there were several waiting in line. I avoided the big, long lines for Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Suzanne Brockmann & others. It would be a pleasure to meet any of those authors. On my list I'd love to meet would be Jill Shalvis (again), Robyn Carr, Karen Rose, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson and I could go on & on.
I'm hoping you will be kind enough to give us detailed reports on your experience.
Enjoy your Sunday.

Re: Blown Away (6:13pm May 30, 2010):

Hi Sandi,

I love trilogies, connected books & series. Depending on how the books are released, my finances & my mood I will read as released, sometimes I keep them on the TBR shelf until I have all 3 books & someimtes if it is a new to me author I will try to get all copies before I start reading! I'm flexiable!! I also love single title. Can you all tell I just love to read! One of my favorite trilogies is Nora's Donovan series which eventually got a 4th book added. She is an excellent at writing connected books. There are other authors I also enjoy a great deal.
Enjoy the weekend, please take a moment to remeber the reason we celebrate Memorial Day.

Re: A Thread So Thin (4:40pm May 16, 2010):

Hi Sandi.

To the best of my knowledge I did not have an imaginary friend! Maybe my memory just can't dig up that information!! :-) My youngest daughter did have an imaginary friend. Like others here I turn to books to tune out the world or just because I love to read. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors to reread as is Jill Shalvis. I don't reread much as I am to busy trying to keep up with all the new books by authors that I love!
One of my friends has been in my life almost 50 years, I don't know what I would do without her. We have been through marriage, divorce, children, step-children (hers), deaths of parents and or spouse and have remained friends through all the ups & downs. We celebrate big & small things and cry when something saddens us. It is great having a friend like that.
Everyone have a good week.

Re: Live To Tell (5:20pm May 9, 2010):

P.S. I'm glad that you at least got to go to the signings to meet the authors. I don't believe I've ever read either one of them.

Re: Live To Tell (5:19pm May 9, 2010):

You know that old saying: Life is what happens while we are making plans. I think there have been times when we have all had to cancel out at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control. At the moment I can't think of a specific but I know there have been some. We don't get authors in my area, some come to San Franciso & a few to Marin county but the ones that appear in Sonoma county are not ones I usually care about. Lack of authors I would care to meet is what led me to going to RWA when it was in San Francisco. I would love to go to another RWA event but it would almost have to be on the west coast.
I hope everyone is have a good Sunday.
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's & Grandma's.

Re: Think Twice (5:42pm May 2, 2010):

In April I managed to read 13 books! Needless to say I won't list them all here!! I discovered Nevada Barr and her Anna Pigeon books that take place in our National Parks. The first one is Track of the Cat which I enjoyed. Two other books that stand out for the month are Nicholas Sparks, The Lucky One and Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis. This book is her most recent release and did not disappoint. Jill is one of my favorite authors. Both were very good. All the other books were good but there is always some more outstanding!

Re: Big Girl (4:39pm March 21, 2010):

P.S. As an "older" adult I never feel guilty about anything I read. It would just be useless and why should you feel guilty about something that gives you pleasure.

Re: Big Girl (4:38pm March 21, 2010):

Interesting question, Sandi. My mind just doesn't remember that far back!! The first adult book I read was over 50 years ago, it might have been Gone With The Wind or any other book that was around in the early 50's!!! Yea, I'm dating myself but that is okay. I've been hooked on reading since I was very young as I grew up to the ripe age of 13 with no TV and then there was just one channel. Oh, how the world has changed. I don't read Danielle Steele anymore unless someone passes one of her books on to me & then it usually sits a long time before I get to it. Two of my favorite books by her are Thurston House & Fine Things. I also loved Message From Nam and Palamino. I still have several books of hers that I kept partly because they are hardbacks.
As always you have given us something interesting to think about.

Re: The You I Never Knew (5:59pm March 14, 2010):

Hi Sandi,
A good book makes me laugh, makes me cry, makes me sigh! If the author can tap into all the emotions she/he has done a good job in my humble opinion. Jill Shalivs is an author you can count on for something funny to laugh about. I never understand why people are so proud they never cry. I am a firm believer that it does us no good to keep feelings all bottled up and if you don't cry because you are not feeling, how sad. We are human we are suppose to "feel".
A great subject matter for the day.

Re: The Edge of Winter (5:35pm February 21, 2010):

The first seasonal book that came to mind was Boys of Summer, baseball of course, a Blaze anthology that I enjoyed even though I am not a baseball fan! I think that is the right title!! Several mentioned Susan Wiggs seasonal titles, her Lakeshore Chronicles books are very good. So far I don't have The Winter Lodge. I'm also a lover of the books that come out that are Christmas stories, I start reading them right after Thanksgiving Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber is a favorite as are her stories about the angels Shirley, Goodness & Mercy. Those angels are my kind of people!
Interesting subject Sandi. I like how you make us think.

Re: Down By The River (2:15pm January 31, 2010):

After starting January reading the 2nd & 3rd book of Leslie Parrish's Black Cats books I read a Blaze that I had missed sitting on my TBR shelf & then revisited Nora Roberts MacGregor family. I enjoyed each book thoroughly. Now I am reading Victoria Dahl's book Start Me Up. She was a new to me author last year. I'm doing the A-Z Hero/Heroine Challenge and so far so good. The book I am reading will give me a Q on the Hero. Wonder if there will be a Q Heroine down the road?
Last year I read Robyn Carr's Grace Valley series after discovering the Virgin River books and was eagerly reading her backlist. I haven't read any of the new Virgin River books but will buy & read all of them. In fact, in a little bit I am off to do some shopping which will include a trip to Border's with my coupon!
Have a wonderful Sunday to all.
Total books read in January: 13, not great but not bad!

Re: Down By The River (5:29pm January 24, 2010):

Yes, I love series but I also like stand alones! I much prefer to read them in order and will sometimes wait until all of them are published. On the other hand, I do read as they come out. If I discover an older book I try to make sure it is not part of a series or I try to acquire the whole series so I can read them in order. Some of my favorite series: The MacGregors by Nora Roberts, the Donovan's & The MacKade's all Nora books. I also love Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove & her Blossom Street books, Catherine Anderson and Robyn Carr. I'm sure the longer I sit here the more I will remember!!
Great blog as usual Sandi.

Re: Forbidden Falls (4:40pm January 17, 2010):

I hate the way this website just keeps jumping around! Why does it do that? I just lost my whole comment!!

I do have a computer & a cell phone that is about it for my technology! The cell is rarely used as it is mostly in my purse turned off!! Love having a computer. My take is that people are too "connected" and not aware of the world around them. In fact, in the paper today there was an article about how injuries are on the rise due to people trying to text, talk on their cell and play games while walking!! They walk into things because they are not paying attention! Even though people are connected with technology I think they are loosing actually connecting with family and friends in person.

Re: Come Hell Or High Water (6:18pm January 10, 2010):

My day yesterday was also near perfect! Mostly I read, watched enough of the play off games to see who won, spent some time on the computer. It was a quiet pleasant day. A "perfect" day would include phone visits with both my daughters and any good friend that happens to call or maybe a trip to the ocean to just enjoy being there.
I'm glad you enjoyed your day.

Re: Dark Lover (5:53pm November 29, 2009):

Yes, I am a keeper, yes, I try to weed them out from time to time. It is time for me to do that again! Yes, I do re-read which is why I keep the ones I do mostly by favorite authors. When I weed out I usually donate to the library sales so others can enjoy & the libraries benefit.
The first adult book I remember reading was Gone With The Wind, not sure what age I was & not sure it was the first one but it is the only one I can think of at the moment.
Favorite genre: romance/romantic suspense including some women's fiction & chick-lit. I have to confess to sometimes not really understanding the difference. Mostly I read favorite authors but thanks to Sandi & other "friends" I do try new to me authors. This year I have tried several new to me authors and some non-fiction. The non-fiction I get from the library as who can afford those hardcovers? Not me!!
Sandi, the puppy is so cute. Oreo does seem like the perfect name. You are a brave woman with two new pups in the family!

Re: Kindred In Death (4:52pm November 8, 2009):

Yes, I like long running series! Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series, Robyn Carr the Virgin River books & Suzanne Brockmann are authors that come to mind with long running series I love! For some reason I tend to get hooked on series or connected books.

Though I love Nora I do not read J.D. Robb, I read the first two books a long time ago but they just didn't work for me. That was a disappointment. Maybe I should try again.

Re: The Promise (4:01pm October 11, 2009):

Like most avid readers I have a large TBR pile some of the books are aging just like me!! I do go through my keeper books from time to time to weed out ones I've decided I won't re-read and for those I haven't read yet, I don't think it matters how old they are. Lately I've been on a buying spree as so many books I want are coming out now and I have had a little extra money to spend on them. My tastes have evolved, expanded and changed over the years. I will read until I can't! :-)

Good subject as always Sandi.

Take care,
Donna M

Re: Table Manners (6:55pm September 6, 2009):

No cleaning for me on a weekend! I'm retired & save that chore for week days. I'm reading The DaVinci Code! For some reason I just kept passing it up for several years!! It is quite interesting. Recently I read Angels & Demons which was also very good.
Holiday weekends are for staying home for me. I live in northern California in Wine Country, we are over run with tourists on long weekends, any weekend! Fall is the best because the tourist traffic is down. I love being a tourist also but I take my common sense and good manners with me. Enough said!
I hope you are all finding time to read & enjoying whatever you do.

Re: Red Hot Lies (4:01pm August 30, 2009):

Hi Sandi,

If the book/story draws me in, keeps moving along I don't care what pov it is! At the moment I can't think of any books that were 1st person pov. When I am reading I don't think about that.

On Sunday I always look forward to seeing what your subject is that day. You are doing a great job. Thanks.

Re: The Fixer Upper (6:44pm August 23, 2009):

This topic always gets a spirited discussion going. The last person that turned up her nose, to me, about reading romance said she hadn't read one in 50 years! Does she have any idea how much "romance" books have changed in 50 years. I suggested in a nice way she try one again. Personally if what you read pleases you that is all that counts. I do dislike that so many people put down romance books. To me, they are a pleasure to read, I love HEA and seeing how the couple got there. The one I just finished was very intense but still a romance. There are such talented authors out there writing to give us pleasure in reading.

One of my daughters has read several of the books from Oprah's recommendations, she enjoyed them. The one I read that she gave me was so depressing, at least to me, that I may never pick up another one. Someone mentioned that they don't like people pushing books but I think Oprah has encouraged people to read which is a good thing. What I really want to know is what she has against a book that has a HEA and makes you feel good while reading it? I will just keep reading what I enjoy and hope all the rest of you do also.
Take care,

Re: Smash Cut (8:46pm August 16, 2009):

Yes, I am a keeper & yes, I do re-read. However, the last few years since I joined Harlequins Challenge I haven't re-read much. Re-reading is like comfort food or an old friend that is always there when you need them. I have read Nora Roberts MacGregor series several times as I have The Donovan Legacy, The MacKade Brothers and the Night Tales. There is something about each of those series that seriously "speak" to me! There are other authors I have also re-read but right at the moment my little brain is drawing a blank.
When I moved last year it forced me into reducing my keepers and I need to do more weeding out as I just do not have room to keep as much. I do try to weed out from time to time as after awhile I know I will probably not reread those books. So far I have kept the books I have received that are signed. Those are all special.
I can't think of a reason to persuade you to re-read, it is strictly an individual choice of each reader.
Sandi, you always come up with such good topics. I enjoy the Sunday blog. Thanks.

Re: The Perfect Couple (3:12pm August 9, 2009):

Due to the blogs I visit I am aware that the publishing business is being affected by the economy. My book budget is very tiny right now but I do buy when I can. Thank heavens for libraries. Some of my favorite authors are struggling for contracts which I hope ends soon. Many people are switching to ebooks but I want a book in my hands and can't afford those new high tech gadgets. The whole world is being changed by the down turn in the economy.
On the brighter side, several of my favorite authors have new books out or coming out soon. As things pick up maybe new contracts will be signed.

Re: Hot Pursuit (4:29pm August 2, 2009):

Sandi, this is a very interesting subject.

My habits have changed due to retirement and a much smaller income. I am using the library a lot but not for some of my favorite authors. Those books I want for my own! I rarely buy a hardcover, I wait for the paperback to come out. Recently I bought Suzanne Brockmanns Dark of Night.
Our library is the whole county system, it is online, easy to use, make requests, check status, etc., I am loving it!. Suzanne Brockmann's Hot Pursuit has 20 requests but no copies in our system. They have one CD (audio) copy and 1 request.
For Suzanne Brockmann there were 27 results.
Nora Roberts, 260 results! Black Hills 155 requests, no copy.
Vision in White, 65 requests, no copy.
Just out of curiosity I checked out Debbie Macomber, 92 results. Summer on Blossom Street, 1 copy 59 requests. I'm #57 in line. It might come out in paperback before my turn or I may just wait. When I have requested something very popular before I was surprised at how soon it was my turn!
California is in a terrible financial bind which I am sure is affecting funding for libraries state wide. It is a shame because with the economy so bad more of us are using the library. Hopefully this is starting to turn around.

Re: Mackenzie's Legacy (4:10pm July 26, 2009):

It would be fun to see the next generation of MacGregor's with books. Like many others I did like the McKenzie family. If you have been following Robyn Carr you know that her Virgin River series is far from over. It was sad when Doc passed away but that is a part of life. I think it makes the series seems more real. Another series I really enjoyed were the MacKade brothers, another of Nora's families. There are so many series out there it would be impossible to keep up with them all!! :-)
I think that extending some of them might spoil the initial thrill of reading about those characters.

Re: The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society (7:05pm July 5, 2009):

Janet Evanovich Plum series did not work for me. I kept reading how good, how funny so I read the first two books which was enough! I cannot imagine working through 15 of them!! I have read a couple of her other titles that made me laugh and were good very light reading. I am a big Nora Roberts fan but do not care for her J.D. Robb books. I read two or three of them and have not read any more. Her Visions in White was most enjoyable for me. It was reminiscent of the books that got me hooked on reading anything Nora writes.

There are other books by authors I normally read that haven't been as good but I won't go into more than I've already mentioned.

Sandi, good subject matter as always. Thanks for keeping us in good discussions.

Re: The Red Pony (5:04pm June 7, 2009):

High school was so long ago I forget completely what might have been required reading. I do know there were classics we had to read, but I have no idea which ones I might have read. That said, I was an avid reader & by high school had exhausted all children's books at our town library so they let me start checking out adult books! My teachers in school were pretty good about letting me read books off the list for book reports. I think I read Marjorie Morningstar at one time, have no idea what others I may have read. Classics I do remember reading (barely) were Black Beauty, Gone With The Wind, The Merchant of Venice (it was done in an English class). By then I was hooked on romance, mostly ones aimed at teens. They maybe kissed at the end of the book!!
Now I only want to read mostly HEA maybe a good suspense but still with a HEA!! Why do people want to read depressing books & then rave about how good they are?!!
Everyone have a good Sunday.

Re: Believe (12:25pm June 1, 2009):

There are times when an anthology is just the thing because the stories are shorter. I do like there to be a common thread or a connection in some way. I usually only buy anthologies that have an author I already read, it is a good way to try the voice of a new to me author. Somethimes the theme of an anthology speaks to me. I find I don't buy as many as I used to as I do prefer longer books with more story to them.
I love the way you came up with the subject.

Re: The Warrior (8:37pm May 24, 2009):

Like others I am both. The balance in the checkbook dictates wether I dare buy on impulse! Some things are planned, others not so much. My car was an impulse buy!! That is a biggie! I don't have to talk it over with anyone else so it was entirely my decision, to good a deal to pass up & my credit union along with the car dealer made it way to easy! I've never been sorry.
Sandi, I'm so glad you enjoyed the theater. I can imagine humming the music after.
Enjoy the extra day tomorrow.

Re: Pretty in Plaid (6:05pm May 17, 2009):

I tend to be a few minutes early for appointments, meetings, etc. Sometime I go early to get a good seat (movies)or to make sure I get a parking place not to far away. In my area traffic can be very congested so it depends on where I am going. I hate being late, would much rather be early and I always carry a book with me just in case I have to sit awhile!

Re: Comfort Food (4:54pm May 3, 2009):

Well, I am in the minority! I only have one book going at a time, it is just not in me to be reading more than one. The only exception to that is if a book is left somewhere that I cannot retrieve right away. Only then do I start another book! It works for me & we each have to do what works for us. As far as what to read next...if I am reading a series & I have all the books I pick up the next one & dive right in. In fact, that is what I am now doing! When I finish this series of 5 books I will look for something very different to read. The new Nora Roberts Vision in White is sitting waiting for me. It might be my choice but then I also have a Catherine Mann & a Susan Mallery that I am looking forward to reading!! What can I say? :-)
It is interesting Sandi, to see all the different reading habits. Thanks for an interesting discussion.

Re: Behind The Shadows (5:19pm April 26, 2009):

Retail therapy is a wonderful thing, especially in a bookstore!! I am amazed that you got Nora Roberts Vision in White as the release date is on Tuesday, it is her latest. We don't have a Half Price Books in my area. We have Border's (my personal fav) and Barnes & Noble (only ok for me). There are a couple of the independent stores I like but their romance sections are limited.
Sorry to hear things were not well at work.
Enjoy the rest of the day.

Re: The Promise (7:06pm April 19, 2009):

I don't know how old I was when I started reading, in school I guess!! I grew up where there was no TV until I was 12. My family got our first TV when I was 13, there was one channel!! Yes, one channel & we were thrilled. I was already an avid reader by then and have never stopped. The first books I can remember reading were the Bobbsey Twins. I read all of them & couldn't wait for a new one to come out. I don't remember owning books I went to the library. As a young adult I moved into "teen romance" and from there went on to adult books. My favorite books are still romance or romantic suspense. These days I tend to buy more by author but do like discovering a new voice.
This is an interesting discussion Sandi. Nice to see so many comments.

Re: The Accidental Human (3:53pm April 12, 2009):

Hi Sandi,
Happy Easter!
Since I mostly buy books by favorite authors it doesn't matter what is on the cover. That said I still often read the back blurb to see what the book is about if I don't already know. If the author is on the back cover that is the publishers decision & there is still a blurb but maybe on the inside. My favorite covers are ones that suggest what the book is about but lets you fill in the features in your imagination. For instance, Nora Roberts has a new book coming out next month titled " Vision in White" that gives you an idea about the story without any facial details. I do hate covers that depict H/h much different than how the book describes the characters.
Thanks for giving us a place to air our likes & dislikes.
Publishers are you listening?

Re: The Accidental Human (6:53pm March 29, 2009):

Recommendations... At the moment I am reading Catherine Anderson's latest, Star Bright. Excellent reading. It is a connected book but could probably stand alone. If you or Yvonne haven't tried Jill Shalvis Instant Attraction is her latest. Paranormal is not my favorite either but some of them are very good. Julie Leto's two Phantom books, Phantom Pleasures & Phantom's Touch are very good. A third Phantom will be out at a later date, the books are connected. The first Phantom was so good I had to read the second, now I am looking forward to the next one. Among other of my many favorites are Suzanne Brockman, Cindy Gerard, Roxanne St. Claire, Catherine Mann, Cathie Linz. Is this enough selection? :-) Now names are going to keep popping into my brain.
I am surprised that at this point in time you only have one other comment.
Enjoy Yvonne's visit.

Re: Summer On Blossom Street (6:33pm March 8, 2009):

Yes, I do get involved in the characters in a book. Like Judy L. I'd love to be in Virgin River! Not sure I want to live in a town that small but the concept of it & the people are wonderful. I can't wait to read the next book. Catherine Anderson also writes about a small town with caring people, mostly of two families in the area. That is a part of Oregon I'm quite familiar with so maybe that is what draws me in more knowing a place or an area. I like those characters in a book that you would like to know. Yes, I also like Debbie Macomber.
Sandi, I've tried knitting, I wasn't a success!!!

Re: Secret Fantasy (8:00pm February 15, 2009):

Hi Carly,
I didn't know you were blogging here yesterday or I would have stopped by!
True love has passed me by but I believe in it. You are so right that it takes a lot of work, but it so worthwhile. Both people in the relationship have to want to do the work and believe in love.
As someone said, there are always books!!
See you at The Plotmonkeys!

Re: Obama (5:32pm January 18, 2009):

Every once in awhile I am moved to read a biography! I acutally have 2 on request at our county library system. One is Barbara Walters, Audition & the other is Robert Wagner's, can't remember the name! When I put my request in for his there were 45 requests ahead of mine & only 1 copy of the book! The other day I checked to find I am now 43 on the list. Guess they didn't think it would be so popular. He was such a heart throb in his early career. I still love his voice.
Sometimes reading something that is true is interesting. I have the 3 books by Tom Brokaw done about WWII. The books are The Greatest Generation, The Greatest Generation Speaks & An Album of Memories all excellent books and dear to me as my Dad & 4 of my uncles served in WWII. One uncle died of a tropical disease during the war and I never met him. WWII is such a part of the men I grew up with that it is a part of history that interests me. They were the best as were many of their friends that were like extra uncles.

Sorry to carry on!

Hope you are all having a great Sunday.

Re: Smoke Screen (4:59pm January 11, 2009):

Discovering a new author can lead me on a search for the backlist. Often times I discover that a book is part of a series or a connected book then I need all of them! I hate starting a book to find out I'm in the middle of a series. Since I love connected/series books I'm sorta anal about reading them starting with book 1!!!
I've seen lots of good things about Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and I am getting one free so am going to be on the hunt for the books that come before. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy her books.

Re: Thread of Fear (6:58pm January 4, 2009):

Several years ago I gave up making resolutions! That said I am going to try to loose some weight & be as healthy as possible. My weight is way more than I like & my blood pressure is a bit high! That was a surprise as it has always been "really good" normal reading. Since I know how to be & stay healthy there is really no good excuse except bad habits!
Sandi, is the word "snow" in the 2009 Challenge for H/S?

Re: Shadow of Turning (8:51pm December 28, 2008):

Hi Sandi,
I did not reach my goal this year! I just wanted to increase the amount of books I read from last year. It won't happen! My most recent read was just posted on "the challenge"! At the moment my total is 148, hopefully I can add at couple more before the end of the year.
Great subject for the last "blog" of the year.
Happy New Year to all that stop here...

Re: A Virgin River Christmas (11:35pm October 27, 2008):

Hi Sandi,
Although I am a keeper of a lot of books I don't buy reissues just to have every cover! That said I have had a book given to me that I already had & I have bought a book again because I didn't realize I already had it or read it!! Now that I keep track of what I read it is easier to not duplicate. I've also learned to check the issue date in a book, if it is a reissue I am unaware of the orginal issue date is there!
Great subject/blog for this week.

Re: Sweet Talk (12:33pm September 29, 2008):

This is one of those questions that I have to answer "Depends"!. If it is a 3 book series that is being released over a relatively short period of time then I will wait until I have all three books. If it is a series that is spread out over several years then I read them as they come out. As I said, depends! Sometimes I start a book that I don't realize is part of a series then I just have to be patient. Since I am an avid reader that, like Sandi, likes connected books I prefer to have all of them so I can read one, then pick up the next. Either can work!
I'll be starting the "bakery" series soon!

Re: Take Me If You Can (11:36pm August 31, 2008):

Hi Sandi,

Good blog. Sorry I never got to read last weeks.

Belated Happy Birthday. I am so behind on everything due to moving. What a process!

My perfect birthday would be dinner with my daughters & grandchildren. We are very rarely all together. One daughter lives nearby with her son, the other daughter & her family live in another state. More would be indulging in favorite food and going to the coast.