Book Review: That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

Publisher: Revell

Publish Date: June 2013

Paperback, 304 pages
Fiction, Christian, Women's Fiction
 ISBN: 9780800722494

My Review:
While I love Irene Hannon's romantic suspense novels, when I heard she was releasing a women's fiction/general fiction/romantic element novel I had to read it.  Over the years Ms. Hannon has become one of my favorite go-to Christian authors so I will read anything she puts out.  While romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres, I enjoyed her departure (which is not really a departure, she just published mostly romantic suspense of late) to the general fiction genre.  As Ms. Hannon mentions in her afterword for That Certain Summer her focus has always been characters and the characters truly shine in That Certain Summer.

Character Development:
I loved getting to know Karen and Val sisters who have never been really close, but this summer they are thrown together as their Mom is recovering from a stroke and Karen can't do everything in her life and take care of her Mom too.  Val is a teacher so she's off for the summer and heads home to take care of her Mom and some other things on her mind.  Both characters have quite a bit of growth in very different ways and it's very enjoyable to read about.  In addition to Karen and Val who are the central characters, there is also David and Scott who have had difficulties of their own, again very different. One is returning home to Washington, Missouri and the other is trying to make a new start.  Ms. Hannon makes the intersection with the sisters seamless and believable.  It's truly a novel of trusting the Lord and knowing He will place what you need in your life when you need it, at least according to His timing.  Some people would call it coincidence but as both sisters learn it's simply Divine providence.  Two more minor characters are Kristen, Karen's daughter and Steve who's life has also been tragically altered.  While they are much more minor, they offer another realistic look into characters and add the addition of teenagers to the book, without bogging the story down.  I also love the pastor in this book!  He is like a few pastors I have had, very down-to-earth, loving and understanding with a slight injection of humor as well.

Plot:
While the focus of the book is on the characters the plot is very enjoyable as well.  Karen is battling with body image and living up to her sister.  Val has a secret that has burdened her for years.  Scott has been injured in an accident and trying to figure out what to do in life and how to get through his circumstances.  And David just wants a good life for him and his young daughter.  How the four intersect builds the novel plot and makes the book hard to put down.  Since you become so involved with the characters, you can't help turning page after page to find out what will happen next and whether each character will be able to work through their own problems. 

Christianity and That Certain Summer:
The Christian-element of the book is there throughout but not in a preachy way.   Honestly if more people had experiences with pastor's like the one in this book (and I have had several so he is realistic) then I think Christianity would not be put down as much.  The love of Jesus shines through several of the characters and then the others as they find it themselves.  Again not a preachy book, it dwells on the love of Jesus, not judging for past mistakes.  It also does not paint the picture that when you are Christian everything goes perfect which is great, because it is oh so true.  I think anyone could read this book, not just those who love Christian fiction.


Final Thoughts:
That Certain Summer is a perfect feel-good beach read.  Though no character has an easy go of it, you go into the book knowing things will work out. From the wonderful character development to the very enjoyable plot, I rank this as a wonderful start to my summer reading season. 

My Rating: 4.5/5.0

“Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

About the Book:

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, celebrated author Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven and the complicated process of finding love.

Karen and Val are family - yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town – and had a secret to keep – so coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their own relationship and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each sister learn how to forgive, how to let go and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

About the Author (from Goodreads.com): 

Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier Award and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. Booklist also included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Saint Louis, Missouri.

For more information about her and her books, Irene invites you to visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.

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***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Soul Taken Book Blast & Giveaway

I am thrilled to be able to participate in the book blast for Katlyn Duncan’s SOUL TAKEN which released this week on June 4th!

To help spread the word about this awesome first book in the author’s new series The Life After, I have a GUEST POST from Katlyn in which she shares Top 10 Fun Facts About SOUL TAKEN.

There is also a short EXCERPT included in this post which definitely makes me want to read on to find out just what happens next.

AND there’s also a GIVEAWAY included for an eBook Kindle copy of the book to three winners, so be sure to check it out below!

The cover is amazing, the book sounds incredibly exciting and the author is awesome, so I am more than excited to share a little bit about SOUL TAKEN with my blog’s readers.

***

About the Book

Title: SOUL TAKEN (The Life After #1)
Author: Katlyn Duncan
Publisher: Carina UK
Release date: June 4th
Formats: eBook

After-life just got a lot more complicated

Maggie is a Soul Collector. It’s her job to transport souls from the Living Realm to the After – but during a mission to find a stolen soul, she ends up stuck in a teen mean girl’s body.

Trapped, Maggie’s soul is catapulted into Ally’s life – and the human world she hasn’t experienced for one hundred years. But, as a descendant of the most powerful beings in the After, Maggie must rescue Ally before the girl’s soul dies…

To survive, Maggie must uncover devastating secrets – because with one soul taken by a terrifying enemy, Maggie’s could be next!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AMAZON UK | CARINA UK

***

About the Author

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS

***

Top 10 Fun Facts About SOUL TAKEN

1. The inciting incident came about while I was walking into my local CVS about four years ago. And it took those long four years to get it where it is today.

2. Two of the characters are named after dogs that I've had. One is still alive and she is thrilled to be a part of my story.

3. I based the high school after the one I spent four years of my life in. But it had been rebuilt several years ago, now it only lives on in my memory and in the book.

4. Maggie and I share an affinity for cemeteries.

5. It wasn't pitched as a series, but now I get to linger in this world for two more books.

6. I have a crush on two of my male characters, for very different reasons. (And I hope you will too!)

7. Two of the characters (who will have a much bigger role in Books 2 & 3) were never in the original drafts, they came out of left field and I'm so glad they decided to stay.

8. Gate Seven came from much thought about how I would want my after life paradise to look like.

9. One of my family members plays a small role in the novel. I was a bit nervous to select that scene since it nearly made me cry while writing it, but my editor loved it so much it had to stay.

10. It has an amazing cover!

***

I knelt down again next to Ally and reached out to touch her skin. Even though the sensation was unpleasant, I could feel her pulse as it rapidly declined.

“No,” I moaned. I looked up again to see if any of the Guard could help, but no one was around.

I looked back down at Ally. Her face was paling by the second. My soul started to tingle. I leaned closer to her body, reaching my hand out to touch her face again, when her arm moved toward mine.

I jumped back.

Heather pushed through the crowd. “Did she just move? Did I see her move?” Streaks of black mascara ran down her cheeks.

A ringing sensation tickled my ear and I tuned in to the True Soul’s presence. I looked at each human. The True Soul was close, but who had it? They all seemed equally shocked at the tragedy.

An uncomfortable pressure in my chest drew me closer to her body. My soul slanted toward hers until I was practically on top of her. I helplessly watched my hand morph and stretch toward her body.

“What the—?” I tried to pull back but the strength of whatever was happening had other ideas.

My hand disappeared first, then my arm, then my torso.

But before I could call for help, my world went dark.

***

An eBook Kindle copy of SOUL TAKEN to THREE (3) winners!

• Must be 13 or older to enter
• Must be able to accept Amazon Kindle eBook gifts from the U.S.

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Guest Blog and Review: Can't Stop Believing by Jodi Thomas

Can't Stop Believing by Jodi Thomas

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: June 4, 2013

Paperback, 320 pages
Fiction, Romance, Small Town
 ISBN: 9780425250679
Harmony, Texas #6

Today I welcome author Jodi Thomas author of the wonderful Harmony series that I enjoy so much.  I have enjoyed getting to know the people of Harmony, Texas during the first five books and I enjoyed book six just as much as any of the first books.  Ms. Thomas just has a gift for writing small town life and characters that you fall in love with.  But enough rambling, I'll do some more in my review, but for now, enjoy what Jodi Thomas has to say about Can't Stop Believing.

I love stepping into Harmony, Texas.  I’ve been there enough to know the town and most of the people.  In CAN’T STOP BELIEVING, I wrote about some old friends and a few new ones who live in Harmony.  I hope all my readers will come along with me in this visit and feel like they are coming home.

Like a real town, lives flow around one another, changing, influencing, and sometimes helping.   Ronny, a quiet woman who works at the post office, is asked to open her heart and forgive the only man she’s ever loved when he returns.  Martha Q muddles her way through trying to write and accidentally stumbles into a chance for love and Tyler Wright holds to his Kate, his love that came late to his life.

Amid them all, Cord McMillan tries to hang onto his farm in a town where no one will talk to him.  He made a mistake and hurt a deputy when he was 17, and now he believes everyone hates him.  When the first car in three years drives up to his place, he doesn’t trust his neighbor, Nevada Britain, or the bargain she offers him. He has nothing to offer in return, but he knows if he agrees he’ll step all into her plan, with no holding back.  If she doesn’t hold up her end of the agreement, he also knows she’ll break him completely like six years of prison never could.

As you read CAN’T STOP BELIEVING, you’ll find love so deep it’ll melt your heart.  So, come along with me to Harmony, Texas, a place where you’ll find a home.  I promise to keep you up late reading.

Welcome, step on in and meet the folks,
Jodi Thomas

www.jodithomas.com

www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor

www.twitter.com/jodithomas

 
My Review:
Another great installment in the Harmony series.  I am always eager to see who Ms. Thomas brings us next in Harmony and love the fact that while the story concentrates on one romance, there are always other plots going on as well. 

Every time I finish one of these books I always think the characters may be my favorite, and again I feel that way.  Cord and Nevada are two scarred individuals that enter a marriage of convenience, and while that is not one of my favorite tropes to read, I love it in this book.  Ms. Thomas makes it work and makes you believe these two could fall for each other.  It's not overnight either which I respect.  They get to know each other and slowly trust and fall for each other.  And trust doesn't come easy to either of them.  They've both been hurt in different ways and I liked the way Ms. Thomas let me slowly learn about the characters. Motives were unclear and suspicions are raised and this just adds to the drama and plot of the book.

The plot was very intriguing.  Not only is the romance going on, but there is also a suspense plot and several minor plots involving some old characters and some new.  I love how she is able to weave all of this in and make it very cohesive as a book.  You are just watching a span of time in the town.  And that is my favorite feeling about the novels.  I love still seeing townfolk I remember from previous books and ones that are threaded through a lot of the books.  I can't wait to see if some of them get their own romance.

Ms. Thomas has done it again, created a novel that is hard to put down and feels real-to-life while providing a happy outcome that leaves you feeling like there really are good people and love in the world.  I would say for a romance novel that she accomplishes her goals and as a romance reader I am thrilled and sad when I finish the book.  Thrilled because it was another wondrous Harmony book and sad because I have several months to wait until I get to visit Harmony again. If you've enjoyed the Harmony series so far you should enjoy Can't Stop Believing and if you haven't visited Harmony then this is your chance.

**Books do not have to be read in order, some couples are featured in following books, but their stories are never given away.  Though I have enjoyed reading the series in order.


My Rating: 5.0/5.0

Harmony Series (with links to my reviews):
Welcome to Harmony
Somewhere Along the Way
The Comforts of Home
Just Down the Road
Chance of a Lifetime

About the Book:

In New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas’s small town of Harmony, Texas, "there’s always something brewing" (Fallen Angel Reviews). Now, a generations-old feud is about to come to a head—and the stakes couldn’t be higher with two hearts on the line…

Cord McMillan gave up his freedom at eighteen when he went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, ten years later, he’s about to give it up again for a piece of land. Nevada Britain, his neighbor, has just made him an offer he can’t refuse: If he’ll marry her, she’ll sign over a section of property that their families have been fighting over for a hundred years. Nevada refuses to explain why, but Cord knows the bargain is in his favor. He just has one condition—she has to sleep in his bed every night for as long as their doomed marriage lasts. Nevada only wants to maintain her family’s legacy—and redeem herself for a wrong she did Cord years ago. But as she spends more time with her husband by necessity, she discovers something unexpected—a love so deep it takes her breath away.
About the Author: 
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 37 novels and 11 short story collections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY, the first book in the Harmony series, won a RITA, the highest award for women’s fiction. Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

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***I received this book from the publisher and the author for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Book Review: SEAL of Honor by Tonya Burrows

SEAL of Honor by Tonya Burrows

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Entangled Select)
Publish date: May 28, 2013
Paperback, 352 pages (or ebook)
ISBN: 9781620612583
HORNET #1


My Review:
I was excited by SEAL of Honor when I first heard about it and I understood it would be part of a series. After reading it, I cannot wait to get more of the HORNET boys and their stories. Ms. Burrows did what I thought was an excellent job putting this group of men together as an unit. They are a little unorganized and not quite working well together in this book, but I am betting by a few books from now, they will be getting along just fine!

And fine, fine is defined by Gabe Bristow. Wow, this man is hot, yet a little stiff personality-wise. I like him from the beginning, but love watching him lose more and more control around Audrey. Now Audrey is a definite free-spirit with some backbone. Yes she does have her flighty moments, but all-in-all when the going gets tough, Audrey can handle with the best of them. I enjoyed the interplay between Gabe and Audrey and liked watching them fall for each other. I also liked getting a little bit of back story here and there on each of the other team members. I cannot wait for each of their books, they were all intriguing and they definitely have stories to tell besides the romance that will come in each book.

The plot was great, I thought I had figured out who the bad guy was early on, but there is quite a twist I did not see coming, so well played Ms. Burrows! The action and multiple plots going on were fascinating and I loved the setting in Bogota. It was definitely a fast-paced book that was hard for me to put down.

If you like good-mercenary/SEAL books, then this is just the series for you. I can only imagine that the stories will get even better with some of the more complex characters and yet it's hard to imagine anything better than Gabe and Audrey's story. Was it completely realistic? I'm not sure, but it's fiction to me and I enjoyed every minute of my reading experience with SEAL of Honor.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0

About the Book:
It’s a good thing Gabe Bristow lives and breathes the Navy SEAL credo, “the only easy day was yesterday,” because today, his life is unrecognizable. When his prestigious career comes to a crashing halt, he’s left with a bum leg and few prospects for employment that don’t include a desk.

That is, until he’s offered the chance to command a private hostage rescue team and free a wealthy American businessman from Colombian paramilitary rebels. It seems like a good deal—until he meets his new team: a drunk Cajun linguist, a boy-genius CIA threat analyst, an FBI negotiator with mob ties, a cowboy medic, and an EOD expert as volatile as the bombs he defuses. Oh, and who could forget the sexy, frustratingly impulsive Audrey Van Amee? She’s determined to help rescue her brother—or drive Gabe crazy. Whichever comes first.

As the death toll rises, Gabe’s team of delinquents must figure out how to work together long enough to save the day. Or, at least, not get themselves killed. Because Gabe’s finally found something worth living for, and God help him if he can’t bring her brother back alive.

About the Author (from Goodreads):
Writing has always been my one true love. I wrote my first novel-length story in 8th grade and haven't put down my pen since. I received a B.A. in creative writing from SUNY Oswego and I'm now working on a MFA in popular fiction at Seton Hill University.

When I'm not writing, I spend my time reading, painting (badly), exploring new places, and enjoying time with my family. Give me a good horror movie over a chick flick any day. (And, let's be honest, I'll take a bad horror movie too!) I'm a geek at heart and pledge my avid TV fandom to Supernatural and Doctor Who. I'm also a big fan of The Voice. What can I say? Guilty pleasure.​​

I share my life with two dogs and a ginormous cat. I'm from a small town in Western New York, but I suffer from a bad case of wanderlust and usually end up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, my animals are all excellent travel buddies.

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***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Book Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children 
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Hardcover, 336 pages
ISBN: 9780547959108
The Testing Book #1 


My Review:
I requested this book because I was intrigued by the premise and have to admit I love survival type dystopians. However when it arrived, I think I was just about dystopian-ed out. But I picked it up because I was still intrigued and it needed reviewing. Now I am glad I made up my mind to do that. It's just a little slow going for the first 30-50 pages, but after that, it really takes off. I understand the beginning, getting to know Cia and getting feel for her family and the setup of the society The Testing takes place in. I needed to see how Cia was and how fiercely protective she was of her family to set the stage for the rest of the book.

But for me the book really gained my interest when The Testing started. And wow, I must admit I didn't expect the brutalness of The Testing. I was thinking the typical dystopian I have been reading lately, but this is much more like the Hunger Games in it's brutalness. I don't mind it, and I don't have a problem now handing the book to my 12-year-old who read The Hunger Games when he was 10. We can talk about it if he has any problems with it. I will also be handing it to my husband who really doesn't read YA except for The Hunger Games and The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielson, but I think he will love this one.

While it focuses on Cia, there are other main characters, Tomas is obvious, and another one you will have to wait and read about because I don't want to spoil much. Just know the characters are interesting, and trying to figure out who to trust adds a nice twist to the story. It's every person for themselves in The Testing and that's what makes the book interesting. Once The Testing starts, the books momentum seems to grow page-by-page right up until the end, and what an ending! I will eagerly be awaiting book #2 out in January 2014, and I'm thankful I only have to wait 6 months between each installment!

The Testing is a brutal and stark dystopian, in the vein of The Hunger Games but different. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, getting to know the characters and the society they were in. I like the questions that are asked during the book and can't wait to get more answers in the books that follow. This is going to be a great series!

My rating: 4.5/5.0

About the Book:
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

About the Author:
I am a storyteller at heart. I have performed in a variety of operas, musical theatre and children's theatre productions across the Chicagoland area.

While I'm happy to perform for an audience, I am equally delighted to teach private voice lessons and use my experience from the stage to create compelling characters on the page. I am the author of the Rebecca Robbins mystery series (Minotaur Books), The Paige Marshall Glee Club mysteries (Berkley) and The Testing YA triology (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

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***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Book Review: Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publish Date: April 9, 2013

Hardcover, 452 pages
ISBN: 9781250002839
Chronicles of Nick #4
 

My Review:
I love the Chronicles of Nick. Getting the back story on one of my favorite characters in the Dark Hunter novels is really great and Inferno is another good installment.

So Nick is back and he has girl trouble and of course paranormal trouble, but thankfully he has friends at his side to cover his back. I loved seeing glimpses of Bubba and Mark but missed having them more in the book. Caleb plays the most major role besides Nick in the book and it was interesting to see more of his back story. Nick continues to fight his true nature and there is some growth in this book, but it wasn't as much as in the past. Seeing the glimpses into the future was also really interesting and very foreboding. I am intrigued to see where Nick and the others go in the next book and from the ending the next one should definitely be entertaining.

The action is good in this one as well. It lost me a few times, but was well worth finishing the read. Books in a series are like that, one is stellar, the next one not-as-much but again, worth reading and I'm not abandoning this series anytime soon. But for some reason this one just didn't grab me as much as the others in the series did. It could just be me, because it has a high Goodreads rating. But then everyone is different.

Inferno is a good installment in the Chronicles of Nick. While it wasn't my favorite, it was still highly entertaining if just for more of Nick and his smart mouth. There is good action, interesting new characters and definitely a new baddie in town, so if you love Nick and love this series, make sure you grab this one. I just wish it wasn't almost a year until the next one. I love me some Nick!

My rating: 4.0/5.0

About the Book:
The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?

About the Author (from Goodreads):
Sherrilyn Kenyon lives a life of extraordinary danger... as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a fixation on. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she's found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than ten million copies of her books in print in 26 countries, she certainly has many friends to play with.

Writing as Kinley MacGregor and Sherrilyn Kenyon, she is the author of several series, including The Dark-Hunters, Brotherhood of the Sword, Lords of Avalon, Nevermore, BAD (Bureau of American Defense), Sex Camp Diaries, The MacAllisters and Sea Wolves.

Her books have appeared in the top five of the New York Times, Publisher's Weekly, and USA Today lists.

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***I received this book from my local library for my reading pleasure.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  ***

ArmchairBEA Day 2: Genre Fiction

Today's discussion from ArmchairBEA is Genre Fiction, which is one of my favorite types of books to read.  Which genre do I prefer?  Since I've been blogging I think I have read just about everything, but if I had to pick an all-around favorite I think it would be a toss-up between Romance and Mystery/Thriller.  Now I could go one step further and say I prefer contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, erotic romance and romantic suspense.  There are probably a few other types mixed in as well as you know if you are familiar with the romance genre. Just like I lumped together Mystery/Thriller, but there are political thrillers, medical thrillers, cozy mysteries, regular mystery, etc.  Once upon a time I remember it was just called Romance or Thriller or Mystery, but now there are so many wonderful books of all types out there that these additional classifications seem to help narrow down the field for those that aren't scouring blogs, Amazon, Shelf Awareness or have publicists sending them wonderful announcements.

 

But back to the questions from ArmchairBEA:

 

If you’re a reader of genre fiction do you have a favourite author or series? Nora Roberts, Stephen King, James Patterson (yes I still read him for sheer entertainment value) will always be go to authors for me.  I seek out their titles from the library when they release.  Joe Hill is another great one and I still love Dean Koontz as well.  I got my start with horror books, but it seems that slowly my favorite horror authors have gone the way of thrillers.  Has anyone else noticed that?  But then again there are new great horror authors out there as well.

And what keeps bringing you back for more fantasy/sci fi/horror etc?  Well-written books, or just sheer entertainment value.  When I go to read a book, I'm not looking for life lessons unless I read non-fiction. Now if I get one in the process of being entertained, that doesn't bother me.  But I want a pure blissful, fun reading experience when I pick up genre fiction. Yes sometimes the books are heavy, but if I'm in the mood for it then it's perfect.  That's what I love about genre fiction, there really is something for everyone in it.

And if you don’t read one (or more) of these genres what is it that deters you from those sections of the bookstore? I don't think there is a section of the bookstore I am deterred from.  I love to just look and browse.  Now there are sections I will probably never buy from, but I still love to look around.  Who knows a cover or title may catch my eye and one day I may have a new favorite genre!

I’m also curious to hear why you think these genres often don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am hopeful that one day they will get the recognition they deserve.  Just because of the sheer amount of genre fiction these days, I am in hope that one day a high school class will be studying the greats of the current times, the ones that were read and lauded by the masses not the few.  I really feel Stephen King can be there one day, I mean his writing is amazing, he just happens to write genre fiction.  And character studies could be done on Nora Roberts' characters (though the books probably aren't fit for a high school classroom, but hey I read them shortly after high school).  I am pleased to see my middle schooler getting options for his reading program that run from the middle school classics (Hatchet by Gary Paulson) and new YA stuff (the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer).  Kudos to them for engaging the kids and hopefully starting a life time of reading with these choices!

What's your favorite genre fiction?  If you've posted during today's BEA question let me know and I'll hop on by your blog as well!