I am a voracious and eclectic reader.
Back in my youth, I’d gobble a book per day. I’d sneak my romance novels under my desk in high school and try not to get caught. I never worried if I had no one to eat lunch with, because I had a constant companion in my paperback.
Today, with a chaotic family life and busy career, I have much less time to read, but it’s still one of my treasured hobbies. Every night, I allow my husband to control the remote and I make sure I read something. At least a chapter of a good nonfiction self-help, or writing craft, or interesting memoir. At least a chapter of the newest horror novel or thriller that makes me shiver when night falls. At least a chapter of romance, whether it be sexy contemporary, erotic BDSM, suspense, paranormal, alien, romcom, or yes, even historical.
So, when I think about choosing three books for this piece and term them my favorite? It’s a lofty task, but one I shall take on!
These are three books that have always stayed with me. Books that are dog-eared or at the top of my Kindle, thought of with a shiver of love and adoration. Books that have stood the test of time for me.
Nobody’s Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
I still say SEP is the Queen of contemporary sports romcom. She is an author who is an auto-buy, and always delivers the full gamut of emotion in her stories. Nobody’s Baby but Mine is SEP at her finest — giving readers a delicious hero as the star football quarterback — Bobby — and a nerdy scientist — Jane — who is his complete mismatch. Our heroine has her sights on having a baby, but she’s terrified of her child being too smart. Enter our hero, who she believes to have a low IQ, and her plan to seduce him begins. The setup is hysterical, but even better is the chemistry once these two are in the same room. The secondary plotlines are just as entertaining. Even better? SEP is a master at the hero grovel, which is one of my favorites in romance fiction. It’s a comfort read that always makes me feel good and laugh.
Dark Lover by JR Ward
Oh, if only I could read this again for the first time! I had no idea what I was unleashing when I read the first book in Ward’s legendary Black Dagger Brotherhood series. All I knew is I was gripped from the first page, with the dark, seductive, and sometimes violent line of vampires introduced. Wrath has always been my favorite hero — a delicious, dark, alpha that delivers all of my fantasies. The way he loves the heroine, his ultra-protectiveness, and his controlling manner have me furiously flipping pages. It is addicting and sets up the entire series. Personally, Ward is my drug of choice in the paranormal romance genre.
Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair
I adore a smartly written, emotional BDSM romance. I had no idea this was another gateway into the Masters of the Shadowlands series that would make me such a raving fan. Sinclair is a mistress of writing heroines who have the perfect blend of strength and vulnerability, and her heroes are so drool-worthy I always finish wishing I had them as my own Dom. Club Shadowlands introduces us to Jessica, our heroine who wanders into this famous BDSM club and is immediately drawn in, especially with Master Z, the owner of the club. Master Z is everything a hero should be: sinfully sexy, alpha, commanding, kind, and ultra-protective. The push/pull of their dynamics is addicting and the perfect kick-off to the rest of the series. Sinclair is extremely capable in all the BDSM scenes, which contain realism and consent that is needed in BDSM romances.
