Romance is the most maligned genre of literature, despite being the highest grossing. How do publishers afford multi-million dollar contracts for first time literary fiction authors? On the backs of romance. We, romance readers, are the most loyal fans. We are powering through the recession, earning even more profits for Harlequin despite the buying downturn through the rest of the economy. Unfortunately, most people who criticize the genre as “bodice-rippers” and “crotch novels” have never read one. I’ll leave the eloquent arguments to Smart Bitches who Love Trashy Books and Dear Author. Check out the stats on romance readers from the Romance Writers of America to see that we’re a highly diverse, highly educated bunch. Escapist fantasies? What book, besides a textbook, isn’t an escapist fantasy? That’s what reading is. That’s what TV and movies are. ENTERTAINMENT.

Romance novels are delicious. Nom…nom…nomnomnomnomnom.

What I want to share with you now is the time honored wisdom: Don’t Knock it till You’ve Tried it

Here are 13 recommended books (all of which I’ve read and loved) in each subgenre of your reading persuasion. Go ahead, try one. I double-dog dare ya.

1. Contemporary: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2. Paranormal: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
3. Historical: It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
4. Regency: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
   
5. Science-Fiction: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
6. Fantasy: The Moon Witch by Linda Winstead Jones
7. Suspense: Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
8. Young Adult: Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith (sigh, or Twilight…but who’s left who hasn’t read it?)
9. Women’s Fiction: Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
10. Erotica: Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston
11. Contemporary Category Romance: Marriage at the Millionaire’s Command by Anne Oliver
12. Paranormal Category Romance: Raintree Inferno by Linda Howard
13. Suspense Category Romance: Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor

Title: Gabriel’s Ghost
Author: Linnea Sinclair
Publication Info: Bantam Spectra, October 2005
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

Yet another hit from Science-Fiction Romance Author Linnea Sinclair. I’m beginning to think she can’t write a bad book! The Lusty Wenches Book Club, which met this weekend to discuss the book, was in agreement: Ms. Sinclair spins a damn fine tale.

Plot:

Space fleet captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren has been committed of a crime she didn’t commit and sent to the prison planet Moabar, a sure death sentence. She survives an attempted rape by one of her guards, only to find herself in the clutches of her smuggler adversary Gabriel “Sully” Sullivan, who supposedly died two years ago. She wouldn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, but Sully claims to have come to Moabar with the express goal of breaking her out. With help from the Englatarian Missionaries, Chaz waltzes to freedom dressed as an Eglatarian Nun. Sully needs her help to uncover illegal genetic labs that are breeding monsters – jukors – on the space station where Chaz grew up.

Can Chaz trust Sully after chasing the rebel/smuggler/mercenary through space for years? Especially when Sully’s best friend turns out to be a mind-ripping Stolorth. Sully’s insistence on keeping her in the dark and refusing to answer her questions doesn’t encourage her confidence in their partnership. Yet something is growing between them, and it isn’t just their need to uncover conspiracy and save the galaxy. With each new trial, a new layer of Sully is uncovered, each terrifying, each fascinating, each revealing a tortured man who is very much in love with one stubborn former-space fleet captain.

With the Empire on their tail, Jukors about to reap carnage and their closest allies threatening to jump ship, Chaz and Sully must face their demons and trust each other enough to get out alive.

Discussion:

None of the other Wenches had read Ms. Sinclair before, and all look forward to reading her again. New fans! WOOT! My job here is done. While GAMES OF COMMAND and FINDERS KEEPERS are still my favorite, GABRIEL’S GHOST comes in a close third of my favorite Sinclair books to date. GG was written in the first person, and I prefer third person for romance. A romance novel is in essence a relationship between two people, and getting into the heads of both those characters gives me the greatest rush living vicariously through their unfolding love. While Ms. Sinclair did an excellent job showing us Sully’s emotions as seen through Chaz’s eyes, I would have liked to get into his head and watch him deal with some of his self-esteem issues. The book club agreed that Chaz’s horror of Sully’s true nature wasn’t quite enough conflict to keep the two apart through the end of the book. I thought to myself, “Dude, he’s a great guy. if you don’t want him, GIVE HIM TO MEEEEE!!!!”

That said, Ms. Sinclair isn’t writing straight romance, but science fiction with a romance plot. Non-romance fans will be quite happy with the amount of non-romance plot in the book. Intergalactic battles, intrigue and adventure.

I love heroes who love their heroines from the beginning. Kel-Patin (Games of Command) was like that. Sully has that same adorable affliction. Makes me melt. I want to steal Sully for my hut. Chaz is a kick-butt, self-sufficient heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to fight for it. Faith is a big struggle for her after all the men in her life (father, brother, ex-husband) have walked out on her.

We could have analyzed the theme of faith or the treatment of religion in the book (the Engletarians) or the symbolism of Chaz’s knife, but we didn’t explore the many layers of Ms. Sinclair’s excellent writing. We liked it. We want more. We want Ren’s story, ‘cuz he almost stole the show.

Are you itching for the competition and camaraderie that spurs you to write 50,000 words in November? Can’t wait 6 more months? Online writers are gathering for a May National Novel Writing Month. I need this push to get back in the saddle after four months of traveling, traveling, traveling. Thanks to author Patti O’Shea who twittered the heads up!

Goal: write 50 thousand words in one month, on whatever writing project you desire. You don’t have to start at ground zero on a new project.

Timeframe: May 1 12:00 am – May 31 11:59 pm

Ciara’s Project: I’m going to be working on the same story I was working on for NaNoWriMo, The Gates of Hell, ’bout that werewolf and those ghosts and stuff. Cherry Adair will yell at me if I don’t finish the damn book by October, and I’m scared.

Our trip to New Zealand, part 3: On Sunday 2 of Mr. Wonderful’s Adobe coworkers rented a car and the 4 of us drove 2.5 hours to the Maori stronghold of Rotorua. The town is built over a mini-Yellowstone of hot springs, mud pools and scalding geysers. A bit too close to volcanic activity for my comfort, but the Maori are a culture of warriors. Balls of steel and all that. Te Puia owns a large chunk of the more active volcanic features and houses a living museum of Maori cultural. We shot video of the big geyser errupting (up to 30 m), saw the endangered Kiwi bird (those suckers move fast!), and took in a Maori cultural performance (poi and warrior dance, again).

I shot some cool footage of the cultural performance. These are really short clips, but enough to give you a general idea. The first is of the opening ceremony, where a man from the tourist “tribe” (in our case a huge guy from Tasmania) stared down a warrior from the host Maori tribe. The second is part of the opening singing number. Note the purdy harmonies.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcPSYzpNzzg]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKtR5Pbof5o]

Monday I wandered around Auckland again and had High Tea at the Langham Hotel. Am considering a new category: High Teas of the World. I might despise monarchy, but, boy!, do I love those Victorian remnants.

Tuesday we flew to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. I stayed in that night and read. After a week one needs a break from the exhausting adventures of vacation. Wednesday Sweetie flew to Australia, and I met my blogging/twitter friend Sarah (AKA rainonroof)!!! It is so much fun having book friends the world over! She showed me around her city. We saw the Beehive and Parliament, climbed up for 360 degree view from the top of Victoria Hill, and strolled through a funky shopping district. She even found me New Zealand yarn. We had a great time chatting about books, books and more books.

After Queenstown and the Routeburn Track, Mr. Wonderful and I flew to the north island (see, Tez, I know there are two!) and stayed on the Viaduct waterfront in Auckland. New Zealand’s biggest city has a similar feel to Seattle, only warmer. Built around the same time and fueled by the gold rush, both cities sport cute Victorian buildings to more modern glass and steel structures. It’s spread out, but the downtown is still walkable (I walked so much my feet nearly fell off). Both cities have skylines dominated by a well-recognized skinny tower. Tourists can’t bunjy off the Space Needle. The vibrant waterfront has a busy harbor with small ferry boats that service the many islands. Sailing is huge in Auckland, and I realized the sailboat-racing hero of my cruise book #2 is a Kiwi.

As usual, Mr. Wonderful had meetings all day, every day, until late at night, so I amused myself exploring the city. I enjoy touring new cities, taking notes on the urban design and special interest in historic preservation. Friday I walked from the Westin on the Viaduct all the way up Parnell Street to the Auckland Museum. The large colonial building lords over the city from the top of a hill, providing great views. It reminded me of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (of Rocky fame). I saw a Maori cultural performance, which was very similar to Polynesian performances in Tahiti. The singing was lovely. The six-member team demonstrated the poi – softball-sized puff balls on long strings that are swung about and bounced off the body – and short and long blades. They finished with the war dance that is widely recognized from the All Blacks rugby games. Afterwards I took pictures of the Maori carvings for future ceramics projects and walked through the giant park grounds of the Domain.

The Domain is 75 hectares in the hollow of an old volcano. It has formal gardens, lawn bowling, and thickly forested paths, like Lovers Walk. A lot of the names in Auckland are English – Albert and Regent streets, I stopped by the Wintergarden, two greenhouses connected by a courtyard with shallow pool, to knit and was photographed by some strange asian tourists. I’m not sure if they thought I was a local or just odd. On the return trip I passed through the Auckland University campus and Albert Park, before finally arriving on Queen Street and locating a Borders. Since I can’t resist a bookstore, I checked out the selection of romance books down under. No Nalini Singh. Mass market paperbacks for $20. AAAAA!!!!

Saturday I took the ferry to the volcano island of Rangitoto and hiked to the top. The volcano rose out of the sea 600 years ago. Trees and brush cover much of the black lava rock. It was hot, but the beautiful 360 degree views were well worth it.

Part I: Queenstown & Routeburn Track
Part II: Auckland (see more photos!)
Part III: Rotorua & Wellington

The winner of the American Title V contest was announced last night at the RT Booklovers Convention in Orlando. For those of you who’ve been following the blog, you know I’ve been pulling for my writing friend, Seattle RWA member Marie-Claude Bourque. The competition was fierce, but she’d survived round after round until only two contestants were left. She did it! She wins a coveted publishing contract with Dorchester Publishing for her book ANCIENT WHISPERS. Inspired by the poem Evangeline (Longfellow, 1855), ANCIENT WHISPERS is the tale of a immortal bold sorcerer and his quest to be reunited with the fiancée he lost tragically centuries ago.

Go Seattle! Go Seattle! GO!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

New Zealand is a beautiful pair of islands of soaring mountains and sparkling blue water, friendly people and not nearly enough sheep. We arrived in the picturesque village of Queenstown, “Adventure capital of New Zealand”, on Easter Sunday. This lovely walkable town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is crawling with international backpackers. A trekking bus drove us 2 hours to the Routeburn Trailhead, where we began a 3-day trek though Fangorn Forest and up rainbow-bedecked mountains. No self-respecting Seattleite would be put off by a little drizzle. Fortunately we made it to the last shelter right before the big guns came out.

I can see why the Routeburn Track was named a Classic Hike of the World. It was gorgeous all around. The hut system allowed us not to pack a tent or stove, though we did have to put up with bear-like snoring. In the future we might reserve spots for both tents and huts so that we can use the indoor gas stoves, but spend the night in a more secluded location.

We took a lot more photos, which you can see here on facebook. If only a camera was able to capture the true majesty of the scenery. You’ll just have to believe me when I say New Zealand is one of the top places you should go before you die. It’s a hiker’s paradise. We would move there in a heartbeat if we could. Mr. Wonderful also captured snippets of the hike on video camera, which you can see on Flickr. My favorite is from the top of Conical Hill on the beautiful, sunny day 2 of the trek.

Part I: Queenstown & Routeburn Track
Part II: Auckland
Part III: Rotorua & Wellington

New Zealand Trip Reads:

• PACK CHALLENGE, GO FETCH, and HERE KITTY KITTY by Shelly Laurenston
• THE LION’S DAUGHTER by Loretta Chase
• KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR by Carrie Vaughn
• WALK ON THE WILD SIDE by Christine Warren
• OH GODDESS! by Gwen Hayes
• JORDAN by Lori Foster
• MEXICAN HEAT by Josh Lanyon & Laura Baumbach
• PRINCE OF MAGIC by Linda Winstead Jones
  

Mr. Wonderful and I set off today for 10 days in New Zealand:

On a hippie trail, head full of zombie

Part 1: Hike the Routeburn Track, one of the Classic Hikes of the World, out of Queenstown, South Island. The 3-day hike is either 45 K or 32 K, according to the Classic Hikes Book or the NZ Gov’t site, respectively. It passes through Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. We will be staying in huts along the way.

The Routeburn Track is…a hike of rich variety and complex beauty that whets the appetite for more. This historic alpine route penetrates the glacier-carved landscapes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps–rain forests, high basins, and mountain peaks. From classic U-shaped glacial valleys to snowy passes, the Routeburn traverses strikingly diverse mountain terrain while delivering botanical surprise, exotic bird song, and scenic payoff on a big scale, (Potterfield, p204)

six-foot-four and full of muscles

Part 2: Auckland (where Mr. Wonderful will be occupied with business meetings) I don’t have plans. My usual pattern is to wander a new city, admiring/criticizing the city planning and browsing bookstores, until I can’t feel my feet anymore. However, after a 28-mile hike, I may chose to take it easy. Maybe I’ll rent a bike.

I’ll most likely have internet connection Thursday, when we arrive in Auckland. Until then, here is your moment of zen————->

I’ve been Tagged on Facebook by Nicola of Alpha Heroes, but I thought i’d share on my blog.

Hello, my name is Ciara, and I’m a bookaholic.

1. What author do you own the most books by?
That would probably be JK Rowling, since Harry Potter has 7 books plus two skinny school books. Though I may have a box full of Nancy Drews in my parents garage….waiting for some distant time when I may or may not have a pre-teen daughter.

2. What book do you own the most copies of?
Peter Pan in all its different forms. I collect them. One original edition (my sweetie is the bestest!) A script of the play. A few beautifully illustrated editions. The Disney version and another picture book in Swedish. Can I count the audio versions?

3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
I am quite openly in love with Adam Hauptman from Patricia Briggs‘ Mercy Thompson series. I would also take Samuel (BABIES!!!).

4. What book have you read more than any other?
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. Fabulous book. I would name my future daughter Cimorene, if it weren’t so weird.

5. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
I think at that time I had just discovered Dealing with Dragons, otherwise it would have been Peter Pan.

6. What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I don’t finish books that don’t keep me hooked. Too many books, too little time.

7. What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Cried like a baby.

8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
only one??? I guess The Time Traveler’s Wife.

9. What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Define difficult. I hated reading books for English class. THE STRANGER by Camus was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. H.A.T.E.D. it. Also ANGELA’S ASHES, which I was forced to listen to on a very long family car ride from seattle to Yellowstone. It was torturous.
Nonfiction – one of my college economics textbooks.

10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
In literature? neither! Talk about depressing. When I was little my dad liked to read me Tolstoy. I was scarred for life. Now I only read happy books.

11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?
Shakespeare, as I haven’t read much by the other two. Though I had to memorize the opening of the Canterbury Tales in 8th grade and can still recite it for you. (but don’t ask me what I had for breakfast, I couldn’t tell you.)

12. Austen or Eliot?
T.S. or George? I haven’t read any. I saw the Jane Austin movies – does that count?

13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
The classics. They’re boring and depressing and I can’t be bothered.

14. What is your favorite novel?
I can’t pick one. Off the top of my head: The Spymaster’s Lady, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Games of Command, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Sabriel

15. Play?
If I can count musicals, I’d go with Phantom of the Opera. The last straight play I watched was PERSUASION by Jane Austin at Book-it Theater.

16. Poem?
The Desiderata, author unknown

17. Essay?
No clue

18. Short Story?
“Thicker than Blood” by Meljean Brook in the FIRST BLOOD anthology

19. Non Fiction
Stitch N’ Bitch

20. Graphic Novel?
Elf Quest

Excited after purchasing DEMONICA book 2 (Shade's story). Currently reading book 3 (Wraith's story).

21. Science Fiction?
GAMES OF COMMAND by Linnea Sinclair

22. Who is your favorite writer?
Joanna Bourne

23. Who is the most over rated writer alive today?
I’m not going to answer this.

24. What are you reading right now?
PASSION UNLEASHED by Larissa Ione

25. Best Memoir?
BOY by Roald Dahl

26. Best History?
WILD SWANS by Jung Chang (it’s a memoir too)

27. Best mystery or Noir?
huh?

Title: Magic Strikes
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels, Book #3
Publication Info: Ace Fantasy, March 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

With this book, Ilona Andrews takes the crown as the new queen of Urban Fantasy.

No one is safe in this captivating post-apocalyptic world where waves of magic render technology useless and monsters roam the streets. Only a handful of brave souls fight to keep back the darkness. Rebel mercenary Kate Daniels is one of them. She has grown into her bad-ass, tough-as-nails persona in this third book. She is a survivor with a honorable streak a mile wide. She’s lost everyone she’s ever cared for, she protects a dark secret she would be killed for, but Kate can’t help putting her life on the line for her friends and the fate of the world. She’s everything I’ve ever loved in an Alpha Hero, with boobs. Forget sugar & spice, this girl is made of pure guts and determination.

Plot:

Shapeshifters are showing up dead and dismembered, but Kate is shut out of the investigation. She’s pissed, but the Pack follows its own laws. Besides, she’s exhausted from solving magical problems around the city. Before she can get any shut eye, her werewolf sidekick Derek is caught breaking and entering her sketchy, sometimes-informant Saiman. Kate to the rescue. Derek refuses to tell her why he tried to steal tickets to the illegal Midnight Games, but he gives her a note to give to a mysterious female gladiator on the Reaper Team. Kate promises to deliver the note, and gives her word she won’t read it. She accompanies Saiman to the Games and discovers a bloody tournament where magical beings fight to the death for fame and fortune. Before the night is through, Kate curses herself for not reading the note.

She discovers Derek at death’s door in a parking lot, and is immediately set upon by shapeshifters. No one may want Kate’s help, but her conscious won’t let her walk away from friends. It’s a race against time to figure out the connection between the Games and the murders, before the Reapers or the Beast King Curran tear them limb from limb. When Kate is forced to become a gladiator in the arena, her dark secret can’t remain hidden much longer. She has trained all her life for the upcoming showdown with Roland, but he’s had centuries longer to hone his eeevil skills. To save her friends, Kate must (once again) make the ultimate sacrifice.

Discussion:

Each book is better than the last. Kate as a character has grown from a rather whiny don’t-you-know-how-bad-ass-I-am into a real mean, lean fighting machine. She gets knocked down, but she gets up again, ain’t nothin’ gonna keep her down. She’s self-reliant, but loyal to a fault.

World-building and plot are what make this series so spectacular. The battles are epic.

The series is Urban Fantasy, not Paranormal Romance, but over the course of the series there a growing attraction between Kate and Curran (the Beast Lord). Ms. Andrews is a master of sexual tension. In each book, she gives the reader one big delicious bite, then keeps us hanging by our fingernails in eager anticipation of more. Inch by careful inch, Curran gets under Kate’s skin until I want to scream “jump him already!!!” The hot tub scene was priceless. The last scene – oh! I cannot wait to read what is going to happen next.

Ms. Andrews has at least two other series debuting soon. Though I am looking forward to reading them, I want her to DROP EVERYTHING AND WRITE ME MORE KATE & CURRAN.

I recommend reading this series in order: Book 1 – MAGIC BITES. Book 2 – MAGIC BURNS. Book 3 – MAGIC STRIKES.

PS: I did not end up receiving an ARC. Best 8 bucks I’ve spent in a long time!