I'm so ashamed of myself. I didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident. Honest to God!
So last Friday I left work early in order to get on the road to Chicago sooner. First, I stopped at the library though. I knew I had to listen to my master, but thought I should have a book on CD just in case. I was in a hurry and grabbed something that looked good. It was set in the time if King John in England and Scotland. Considering my passion for this time period in Wales, it wasn't much of a jump.
I was four CDs into Ransom by Julie Garwood before I started to wonder. "Man are those kissing scenes steamy. OH SHIT! Is this a romance novel?"
I'm not saying anything is wrong with romance novels. I just don't normally read them. I am an avid reader and don't want to be put into a romance-reader category just because I am a woman. It's always weird to see piles of seedy romance novels at garage sales. I like a little romance as much as the next woman, but I stress a little. Admittedly, Jean Auel's Earth's Children series has some pretty hot scenes, but generally, I like a nice little love story mixed in with good action or history. Preferably both.
Garwood is a decent writer. Some things I like and some I don't. Her attention to certain details is refreshing, but then sometimes the scenes move MUCH too slowly. Redundancy abounds. But then, since I looked up the book and read that she was a romance writer on amazon yesterday, I realized this slowness might have a specific purpose. Tension. She's gonna make you wait for it. As I said, the kissing scenes have been steamy. I am on disc 9 now and no more than that has happened.
But here is where I am so ashamed. I listened to it almost non-stop last night from the time I got off work til the time I went to bed. Discman while watering flowers, repotting some plants for a neighbor, eating dinner, cleaning my apartment, doing dishes etc. Of course it was on and off a decent amount as I talked to my neighbor and answered the phone etc. But PUHLEASE! God HELP ME. I AM ADDICTED TO A ROMANCE NOVEL!
I'll let you know how the rest of it goes... and if I plan to read any more of her books.
Posted by kristen at June 22, 2004 12:19 PM | TrackBacki've seen that author's name on the romance shelf. hey, as long as you're enjoying it, that's the main thing. :)
Posted by: tanya at June 22, 2004 12:51 PMnote to self: purchase danielle steele audiobook for k's b-day.
Posted by: c2 at June 22, 2004 01:45 PMWell, I've read many romance novels and I don't really see what the big deal is. I like a nice Chesney every once in a while to take my mind off things.
They ARE hard to put down, though, aren't they?
Posted by: Julia at June 22, 2004 01:51 PMI own one romance novel and I have never read it. In all, I have bought two romance novels in my life.
At the end of senior capstone at Mizzou, Amanda and I and our other presenter team member went to B&N and purchased a romance novel for the prof. We wrapped it in alphabet animal wrapping paper (bright orange) and tried to find a book with the raunchiest cover.
This was a prof. who was educated at Harvard, was addicted to Wordsworth, and didn't own a t.v. He does, however, play in a rock band. Apparently he took the book on vacation that summer.
Posted by: tanya at June 22, 2004 02:29 PMYou know, even though the story moves slowly sometimes, it really is quite good. I still enjoy the historical fiction if immensely. And we have the nice strong female leads. And one of the main characters I picture as Eomer.
Posted by: Kristen at June 22, 2004 02:44 PMKristen is trashy! I mean, reads trashy novels!
*off to go buy one*
Posted by: jenny at June 22, 2004 03:59 PM