Here it is--the book that started my love affair with romance novels. It was quite an unfair entrapment, I might add. I didn't read romance novels, had no interest in them. I thought they were all about whiny women wanting to trap a super alpha male/grouchy jerk into sex/marriage. The only romance I ever read as a teenager fit this description, and I didn't even make it through the book, discarding it in favor of my mystery and fantasy books.
I was in Barnes & Noble a few years ago, looking for a new author, as I had read all the books by my current favorites. Nothing caught my interest, and I went up to the front of the store to wait for the rest of my family.
And there was the bargain book table. I had nothing better to do, so I started reading the inside covers of the books. All Night Long by Jayne Ann Krentz caught my attention. It sounded like a fantastic mystery, and for $5.98 (cheaper than a paperback these days), I figured it was probably worth the price.I started reading, and boy was I right! Not only did the book contain a fabulous mystery and masterful story telling on Krentz's part, it also had that little spark of romance twined throughout, leading to hot passion, and culminating in the satisfying 'Happily Ever After.' As anyone who has ever been to a movie with me knows, I HATE movies that don't make their way to a happily ever after. I don't care if the critics claim it's the best thing since sliced bread--if the cute little kid helping the town come together dies at the end, I'm gonna complain, loudly, about how horrible the movie is, how much it sucks. If the nice guy who's totally right for the girl does the 'noble' thing and gives her up so she can be happy with the jerk she thinks she loves, I'm gonna stand up in disgust, professing my anger at whomever talked me into seeing that movie.
But this wonderful world of romantic suspense novels ... no one ever told me there was something out there so perfect for me. Mystery, chills, suspense, a strong male who is most often worthy of capturing the heroine's heart, and I know that I'm always going to reach 'and they lived happily ever after' in some form or another.
Krentz has many books available, and I've read most of them. In fact, right now, I'm reading Family Man before going to sleep at night. It's hard to pick a favorite book of hers, but I highly recommend you check out some of her titles.
What are you reading? Have a great week!
Thanks for the author insight. I've never read Krentz but will add her to my to-read list. I recently discovered Shannon Stacey. I love her humor tied in with the "happily-ever-after" romance. Check her out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melinda. I appreciate the suggestion! I'm always needing new authors to read. I like the ones that are funny, too!
DeleteI always loved a mystery growing up, but never liked the sappy pseudo-romances they'd have as a subplot. Romantic Suspense combines the best of both mystery/suspense and romance. Two equal plots intertwined. So fun to read.
ReplyDeleteAuthors? Hmmm... I enjoyed Always and Forever. Mostly I read indie authors these days. So look for me on Goodreads and see what's on my shelf.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5753921.Rachelle_Ayala
I know what you are saying. Seems I mostly read works in progress over at Critique Circle these days, but I'm trying to get back to reading other things as well.
DeleteI'm really glad you enjoyed Always and Forever, and thank you so much for being one of my beta readers. You've helped strengthen it, and I appreciate it very much!