Monday, July 25, 2011

Kindle love...

Hey kids!  It's been forever since we last visited and I'm sure that you all thought I had thrown in the blogging towel, but it has really just been a case of crazy busy and not in one place long enough to sit down and type something.  In the last month, I've been in NOLA, PA, NYC, and FL for various reasons, all the while battling some silly upper respiratory crud that simply refuses to budge.  Hectic?  Yes. Very. That said, all that traveling doesn't mean I haven't been reading.  In fact, thanks to my beloved kindle, I have read an extraordinary amount whether in planes, trains or automobiles!

Those who know me, know how much I treasure my kindle. I love the ease and convenience of carrying a zillion books with me at all times. I love being able to pick up book number two in a series at midnight in a hotel room somewhere far from home. In fact, there isn't much I don't love about my kindle. I know, I know, I'm going to lose my bibliophile card because we all know that the kindle means the end of books as we know them, except I don't think that is true. If anything, I'm reading more and buying more books than ever. This is true of everyone I know that owns a kindle. Have any of them given up printed books?  Absolutely not. They just enjoy the fact that they now have even more options when it comes to books and reading.  

One of the best things about the kindle and E publishing in general, is that it has allowed me to discover some writers that I probably never would have found in print. E publishing is letting publishers take more chances on new writers and I, for one, think that's a really good thing. I thought I would take a moment and introduce you all to some books and writers that I have found thanks to my kindle.


The Richard and Rose Series - Lynne Connolly
This series was around for quite a while, but it was only after the first book, Yorkshire, was offered as a freebie for kindle, that I discovered it. While I've never been a huge fan of Georgian period romances, this series felt amazingly fresh and unique.  The protagonists fall fast and hard in love and the series allows the reader to watch their relationship grow into a true partnership.  The period details are strong and the sexual chemistry is sizzling and since each of the seven books range in price between $2 and $4 bucks, it's a cheap thrill!  I've since glommed all of Connolly's work and very much enjoy her approach to historical romance.

The Sweet Gum Tree - Katherine Allred
This book got a lot of praise on some of the Amazon romance forums and since it cost less than $2 bucks, I wasn't afraid to take a chance.  Although I feared it might be a bit schmaltzy for me, I ended up really enjoying it. The angst factor was crazy high and I loved the scope of the work which followed the hero/heroine over a couple of decades. Once again, I ended up glomming all of Allred's kindle books and I've found most of her work gloriously angsty and entertaining.


What Mattered Most - Linda Winfree
Another book that was discussed a good bit on Amazon romance forums.  I enjoyed the contemporary romantic suspense elements as well as the crazy high angst level. Ms. Winfree does a fine job creating characters who felt very real and situations that are complex and interesting.  I definitely plan to read more of her work in the future.

So there are three authors that I would never have discovered were it not for my kindle. This list could go on and on. It could also include all of the older titles that publishers and authors are re-releasing in Ebook formats.

So, let's share. I'd love to hear about new writers or books that you may have discovered thanks to your e-reader. If you don't use an e reader have you considered getting one? Do you read on any device, like a smart phone or your computer?  And, in case I didn't mention it before, it's good to be back.  We're approaching the first anniversary of the blog and I am really excited about stepping it up a bit.  Thanks for your patience and to those of you who emailed to check on me, thanks for your concern.  See you soon...