Susanna Carr Blog

My TBR challenge

Susanna — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:01:51 +0000

It’s that time again. The To-Be-Read pile is multiplying. My ebook reader is overloaded. I almost bought more books even though I have books waiting to be read for almost six months.

I’m putting myself on a restriction. I won’t buy, check out, or let a friend loan me another book until I clear out my TBR pile.

Harsh, I know. Especially since there are some great books on my wish list!

So, here’s the deal:

I’m setting aside time every night to read
If I’m not loving the book after three chapters, I give up on the book
No re-reading my favorite books (this will be a tough one!)

I have about 25 books on my e-reader and the same amount in print books. My goal is to get it done by December 31. Wish me luck!

How do you keep your TBR pile in control?

Week in Review

Susanna — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:01:54 +0000

Blogging: This week I guest blogged at A TV and a Girl and discussed how the 80’s TV show Moonlighting made a negative impact on the romantic relationships in current detective procedurals like Castle and Bones.

Facebook: I’m posting links to a lot of helpful craft and business articles for writers at http://www.facebook.com/susanna.carr. If you want to know how one author used Scribd to find readers, how to start a creative mentoring group or get more information about mindmapping, check daily for my updates.

Twitter: I rounded up some links to news and features about reading, books and literacy. If you are looking for tips for a better e-book reading experience, or find movies where librarians save the day, visit my page at http://twitter.com/susannacarr.

What is your reading comfort zone and how often do you read out of that zone?

Susanna — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:01:50 +0000

I heard there was a research study that found most romance readers read a lot of other genres. I’m not like that, unfortunately. My reading comfort zone is contemporary romance. That’s about as far as it gets. It can be sweet or sexy, it can have a light or dark tone, category or single-title, but it has to be a contemporary. I also read non-fiction, but not as much as I read romance.

I’m painfully aware of my narrow reading choices, so I read out of my comfort zone about once a month, and it’s usually based on a recommendation. I might see a book someone recommended on this blog or on Goodreads and Shelfari. My friends have encouraged me to read paranormals and my twin usually suggests a historical romance. I read a romantic suspense this summer because the buzz was good (and it was), and I read an urban fantasy earlier this year because I hadn’t read one before (and probably won’t try another UF for a while).

I should try a different genre entirely, like a mystery or fantasy, but I know that I will always return to my comfort zone.

What about you? What is your reading comfort zone and how often to you read out of it?

What do you recommend to a reader who is new to romance books?

Susanna — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:16:06 +0000

I’ve been reading romances for a long time, but I’m always stumped when someone new to romance asks for a recommendation. Sometimes it helps if I know the person, althought that isn’t a guarantee for matching the perfect book for the reader. Like when you suggest a super hot romance to your femme fatale friend, but it turns out she’s a closeted Jane Austen reader.

If someone approaches me at a book signing or event and is interested in reading a romance, I’ve learned to ask a few questions. Like what are her favorite movies or TV shows. That’s usually your best clue. I may also ask what was the last book she enjoyed, or her favorite childhood book.

But when someone like a journalist (or the other day a researcher) asks me for a recommendation, I suggest Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. It’s unabashedly a romance, but chick lit fans enjoy it, too. It’s vibrant and fun. I love the characters, the friends, the shoes, even the mother. Most of all, this is one of those books that you read in one gulp and then have to tell everyone you know to read this book.

So that’s why I recommend it. It’s a great book and a good introduction to romantic fiction.

Of course, one of the reasons I recommend Bet Me is because I primarily read contemporary romance. Someone who reads historical romance or paranormal or romantic suspense would suggest something different.

What do you usually recommend to a reader who is new to romance books?

Jenesi Ash news

Susanna — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:01:27 +0000

Naughty Bits, the first Spice anthology, is now available in Italy.

Piccole voglie

succulente come ciliegie, una storia tira l’altra…

Una raccolta di racconti ad alto contenuto erotico che movimenteranno i vostri sogni. Sensuali, piccanti, stuzzicanti, garantiscono un progressivo aumento della temperatura a ogni pagina! Scritti da autrici conosciute e apprezzate per la sensualità delle loro storie come, tra le altre, Charlotte Featherstone, Sarah McCarty, Jina Bacarr, Jody Lynn Copeland e Jenesi Ash, sono dieci chicche tutte da gustare, da portare sempre con voi per quando vi prende la voglia…

The Italian edition of Naughty Bits

Have you read a romance novel so emotionally draining that you had to set it aside for a bit?

Susanna — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:01:39 +0000

The other day I was discussing books with my local bookseller. She was telling me about a romance book that was so dark and haunting, and the hero was so emotionally damaged, that she couldn’t consider it a happily-ever-after. It was more of a we-made-it-through-together.

I don’t think I’ve read a romance book like that, unless you count Forever, Amber as a romance novel. And if you count Gone With the Wind as romance, I guess you should also include Forever, Amber because there were quite a few similarities.

This book, which was published in the 1940s, was about an orphaned girl in the Restoration England. She loved one man she couldn’t have, but married or had affairs with other men in order to claw her way up to the height of society.

I was a teenager when I got a hold of this book. It was an incredibly long and difficult read for me, but then Amber went through hell and back several times. By the time we got to the plague—which was written in more detail than I wanted—I had to put it aside. It was just too much. I went back to it, only to be rewarded to read more tragedies and brutal circumstances Amber had to endure.

I don’t know how I would feel if I read the book today, but I’m not taking any chances. It’s been a while since I read the story, and while I don’t remember a lot about the book, I clearly remember that Forever, Amber left me exhausted!

What about you? Have you read a romance novel so emotionally draining that you had to set it aside for a bit?

What author do you own the most books by?

Susanna — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:01:29 +0000

When it comes to authors, I’m kind of a glommer. If I really like or connect with one of her books, I will go on a reading binge and read everything I can that is written by that author. I have one memory of reading an Amanda Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) book from the library. The next day I went to the bookstore and not only did I buy the book I had just read, but I also bought every other Amanda Quick book they had available.

I’m that kind of a glommer.

The most books I own are written by Jayne Ann Krentz if I’m counting her pen names (Jayne Castle, Amanda Quick, Stephanie James). I don’t have all of her books, but I might have to designate a bookcase just for her work. If you saw my bookshelves, you would see that I also have many, many, many books by Lynne Graham and Lori Foster. I’m very thankful that they are prolific authors.

What about you? What author do you own the most books by?

The HEART of Cooking

Susanna — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:00:48 +0000

Are you looking for a gift for someone who enjoys cooking as much as she enjoys reading romance? Here’s a gift idea:

You can find out more here. Quantities are limited, so pre-order now!

Which book would you consider the scariest romantic suspense?

Susanna — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:01:02 +0000

The scariest romantic suspense I’ve read is One Scream Away by Kate Brady.

One would think that the title alone would have clued me in.

It didn’t stop me. I flipped to the first page. It opens up with a gruesome murder. You can read it here.

But did I stop reading right there? No. I still can’t explain why I didn’t. I guess a lot of it was that I wanted to know what was going on and why.

I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense, but this story really grabbed me. The tension and the suspense kept winding tighter and tighter as the bad guy kept getting closer and closer. I had to keep reading even though the bad guy was freaky.

I lost a lot of sleep thanks to this book, so I might take a rest on the romantic suspense for a while.

Which book was the scariest romantic suspense you’ve read?

What made you choose the book you are currently reading?

Susanna — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:01:54 +0000

Right now I’m reading The Secret Child & the Cowboy CEO by Janice Maynard. It has a strong family saga feel. I’m almost halfway through and so far there have been lots of secrets, pain and regrets. Good stuff!

And why am I reading it? One reason is because it’s written by Janice Maynard. I’m thrilled to be in an upcoming anthology with her, and I’m also a fan. One of my favorite books of hers is Suite Fantasy. That was yummy deliciousness all around.

What about you? What are you currently reading and why did you choose it?