Okay…I seriously don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m a writer, for heaven’s sake. Therefore, I should be a reader, shouldn’t I? I used to LOVE reading! I guess it was 5 or 6 years ago now, I became an avid reader. I hadn’t been much of one before — maybe 10 books a year, if that. But then I found the romance genre and started devouring more like 30-40 books a year (which is a lot for me since I can be a slow reader)
When I started writing, it slowed a little bit to maybe 20 books a year. But ever since I had my daughter two years ago, I can probably count the number of books I’ve read to completion on one hand.
Well, that’s not entirely true. I do a good amount of beta reading for my fellow authors, and I have to say, I tend to prefer their work over what I’m buying from Amazon, B&N or iBooks. Granted, all their stuff ends up being at those outlets, since most of them are now well-known published authors, so I’m lucky enough to get sneak peaks.
But every time I open a book sample on my iPad, I get through maybe the first chapter and then I put it down. I don’t know what I’m looking for. A change in genre? Maybe, but that hasn’t proved successful yet. So maybe I haven’t found a genre I like. A return to my younger years? I used to LOVE those YA beach romances or Montana-rancher style contemporary romances, and part of me is craving that now. I just don’t know where to begin to look.
So I’m turning to you, dear readers, to help me get back on track. Recommend your favorite light-hearted, romantic books for me. Help me find the book(s) that will rekindle my love for reading! Please!! 
Ok, it’s not a romance but I loved reading The Help. I also loved The Book Thief again not a romance novel but a young adult read. However, I love reading romance novels and had a ton this past year. I don’t if you have read any from Sarah Maclean, however, I like her books. I also like Mary Balogh the Huxtable Series (I have read that series at least 3 times). I loved Victoria Alexander’s The Perfect Mistress (made me laugh).
Great suggestions, Melody May! thank you! I’m going to download the samples now!
Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn. It is in the fantasy genre (think castles, prince & princesses, etc) but there is romance, intrigue, magic and the most romantic scene in any book I have ever read in the last two chapters….a wedding then a proposal. Highly recommend. It is my favorite book. Shinn does a great 1st person POV narrator.
Ooh! That sounds wonderful, Shelby! Thank you!! Downloading the sample in three…two…one…
comment is not a suggestion to a book but more of what I feel as I read a historical romance. I enjoy the mannerisms of the men, the love and conquest of it, I enjoy the courting, even a forbidden love. I love my heroines to be strong minded women, not easily succumbed to the wiles of men. But mostly, I enjoy the passion and ardor of Mr. Darcy meets Edward Cullen intertwined. That for the love of the one they love, they move mountains of impossibilities from their paths. What I enjoyed about ‘The Wary Widow’ and the ‘Bedeviled Bride’ is that the men were persistent and ruthless in their endeavor for their soul mate. Love is such a powerful thing. And these are but bits of the kind of things I look for in a historical romance book, which I feel is the greatest genre to read.
So beautifully said, LaDiva!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a beautiful and inspiring post
Thanks Jerrica. For me, these books inspire so much hope in my heart, a way to escape your everyday life for a breath of fresh air. It’s as if I myself have been transported to that era of regency. Historical romance authors, such as yourself, make just a few moments of fiction life feel real. And for me it is those moments that I enjoy, the quiet moment, and sudden burst of laughter, even the moments where I cry with the hero or heroine. It makes these endearing characters all the more real, because to me, they are more than just words in a page, they are characters I have come to love and consider part of my family. They become alive to me. And I find myself sharing every moment they are sharing. Lol I could go on and on, but I hope that what I have said inspires you to continue forward with this genre. People such as myself, look forward to our private sanctuary in the form of a historical romance book.
LaDiva, YOU are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for reminding me why I started writing in the first place. I am officially inspired
I look forward to your future books. As always, a faithful fan.