As readers and as writers, I think we all have books that were defining moments for us. Books that have touched us or lit a fire under us–either for personal or professional reasons. I can easily remember the first romance novel I ever read–CAPTIVE BRIDE by Johanna Lindsay. I can’t tell you a darned thing about the book other than the hero was a sheik, but I do remember that it was a book that made me fall in love with romance novels. After that, I read Lindsay, Henley, Cynthia Wright! Oh, what she did for the American Revolution in my mind!
(As a writer, the book that really started me thinking about writing was Linda Lael Miller’s CORBIN’S FANCY. Yes, I know…I can’t believe I’m going to be in a collection with her in the fall. It’s mind-boggling.) That book made me want to write…not because I was vainly thinking I could do better (I hate when people say that!) but because she’d engaged me so thoroughly, I couldn’t imagine a better career than telling such romantic, sexy stories for a living. I’d already been writing, but science fiction of all things. I realized about this time that while I loved science fiction stories a la STAR WARS and STAR TREK, the “real” stuff bored me out of my mind. (No offense to sci-fi lovers…to each his own, right? And I did love DUNE. The fact that a character was named Leto had nothing to do with it.) After reading CORBIN’S FANCY, however, I realized that I was writing in the wrong genre. Romance was what I read, what I loved…why not what I wrote as well?
The first books I ever wrote were historical romances. Over time, I realized that my voice was really suited for historicals–though I have to say that I’m working on a secret project right now that is stretching those historical voice muscles again just like in my novella, “Surrender” in ESSENCE OF MIDNIGHT. It’s fun! It’s like going home in a lot of ways. But I’m still a contemporary girl. I remember glomming the Temptation line once I realized that smart, sexy, contemporary books existed in the marketplace. It wasn’t just one book there–it was the whole line.
There are so many more books that shaped what I love as a reader and a writer. Virginia Henley’s THE HAWK AND THE DOVE influenced my need to write strong heroines. Rita Clay Estrada’s THE IVORY KEY and Jayne Ann Krentz’s GIFT OF GOLD whet my appetite for the paranormal. J.D. Robb’s IN DEATH books hugely influenced my desire to tap into action-adventure-suspense. There are so many more! I could take all day looking over my keeper shelf to figure out which ones they are.
What books made a difference to you, as a reader or a writer? And why?
(Oh, and for a slightly more controversial topic, stop by my Marisela blog.)
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I started reading the Good Housekeeping novel (every month) someone left their copy in the break room at the hospital where I worked……I remember several of Laveryl Spencer’s selections which led to her book “Forgiven”. I then branched out …I remember Reading Laurie Mcbain’s “Dark Before the Rising Sun” and “Moonstruck Madness”.. Judith McNaught’s Whitney, My Love” and “Once and Always”, Catherine Coulture’s “Legacy” trilogy. I also got caught up in Linda Howard’s “White Lies” which was told in a diary format (with the hero unable to speak). I then moved on to Sandra Brown, Jayne Anne Krenz,Joan Honl, Elizabeth Lowell,Katherine Sutcliff, Nora Roberts, Heather Graham,Jude Devereaux, Janet Dailey, Diane Palmer, Linda Lael Miller and Barb Delinsky just to name a few!
by Laurie G
on May 18th, 2006 at 7:02 am
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Judith McNaught and Jude Deveraux were two authors that I adored - read all their books. Also LaVyrle Spencer. Later I started reading more category romances, such as Harlequin Temptations and found Lori Foster.
I’m a big re-reader so it’s not surprising that I’ve re-read many of my all-time favorites several times.
by Stacy ~
on May 18th, 2006 at 7:30 am
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My first sorta of romance book was Sandra Brown’s Exlcusive, recommended by my girlfriend. Then I had to get my hands on ALL of her books. Really enjoyed her early romances, Then when I finished hers, found Debbie Macomber - first of hers was Wanted: Perfect Husband.
Then found Nora Roberts, Linda Lael Miller - my first was Glory, Glory; Linda Howard, Diana Palmer and the list just keeps on growing.
It was a mission to find all the older ones but I think I found most of them.
All time favs of mine are:
Barbara Delinsky - Three Wishes
Linda Howard - Sarah’s Child - I have mentioned this before, but the ending is so heartwrenching
Jill Marie Landis - Heartbreak Hotel
Debbie Macomber - The House on Blossom St. and all those related
Kathleen Korbel - A Rose For Maggie - So very Touching
Stef Ann Holm - Pink Moon
I could go on and on!!!!
by Pat
on May 18th, 2006 at 8:57 am
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The one book that changed my reading habits and turned me into a life-long romance fan-girl was…Rosemary Rogers’ “Sweet Savage Love”! 
I had never read anything like it. :shock:
I didn’t even know books like that existed. From that point on, I was hooked.
To me, SSL is a classic, kinda like my own “Gone with the Wind” of romance novels! I must have read my copy a dozen times….. 
by Angie
on May 18th, 2006 at 10:55 am
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As a reader there have been many books. The one that started my love for romance books was the first one that I ever read: For the Roses by Julie Garwood. After that one I was hooked. All of her historicals have been keepers and re-reads for me. The same with Linda Lael Miller, Johanna Lindsey, Julia Quinn, and many others.
I can’t remember the first contemporary romance that I read though.
by Jennifer Y.
on May 18th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
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afternoon delight by mia zachary because it talked about real issues like breast cancer and things that affect woman.
I read a romance book when i was at my aunt’s house because i was bored and i was hooked
by kim h
on May 18th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
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So many amazing books! Thanks to everyone for stopping by!
by Julie Leto
on May 18th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
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When I was younger it was Stephen King, In 10th grade I took a class on Science Fiction and really enjoyed Ray Bradbury then in 11th grade I had a choice between Wuthering Heights or something from Charles Dickens. I’m glad I chose Wuthering Heights because it got me hooked on historical romances. I quit reading for awhile and then caught the bug when my sister gave me Kissing the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning. Christina Dodd, Jude Deveroux, Shannon Drake-aka heather graham-Candace Hern, and Bertrice Small got me hooked on them from the first book I read from them, now when they have a release I have to get it. Along with many more but these got me so hopelessly and happily hooked on romance books I can’t imagine ever not reading them!:smile:
by Dena
on May 19th, 2006 at 9:57 am
