Hi, my name is Ha, and I'm a book addict. I'm of Asian origin but grew up and live in Bavaria, Germany. German is my first language. When I was about twelve, one of my teachers introduced our class to the local library - I remember thinking I've died and gone to heaven

My first romance novel was Velvet Angel by Jude Deveraux, found in the aforementioned, wondrous library. It was love at first page; I've been hooked on the romance genre ever since. Nowadays, the library still is one of my favorite places, besides the local bookstores and Amazon.de. When I realized how many books by favorite authors were not translated into German, I decided to switch languages and read the English originals. I never looked back.

A whole new world opened up - and thanks to AAR, also many, many wonderful, new romance authors. Becoming an AAR reviewer is like a dream come true. I look forward to discussing books with fellow readers at AAR.

Absolute Favorites

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
As You Desire by Connie Brockway
Heart of Fire by Linda Howard

Favorite Classic

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Favorite Short Stories

The Antagonists (Captured Hearts) by Joan Wolf
The Natural Child (When You Wish) by Sharon and Tom Curtis
Lake of Dreams (Everlasting Love) by Linda Howard

What I'm a sucker for in a book: Outstanding writing! Picky and loyal, that's me. Once I have come to like an author's voice, I want to read everything by this author, no matter the genre. Also non-negotiable are memorable, well-drawn characters and captivating plots with real conflicts. I adore Beauty and the Beast stories, forbidden/unrequited love, seemingly insurmountable conflicts, tortured, flawed characters, (black) humor, and the first-person point of view.

What I don't particularly care for in a book: One-dimensional villains, whining, self-pitying heroes, dimwitted heroines with no backbone, adultery, cheating, rape, long separations, and mustachioed heroes ;)

What drives me absolutely nuts in a book: Obtrusive, repetitive writing, unbelievable, sketchy characterization, and illogical, bumpy, boring plots.

Contemporary:

Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Fever by Kimberly Dean
Heart of Fire by Linda Howard
Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz

Frontier or American Historical:

The Endearment by LaVyrle Spencer
Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath

European Historical:

The Bridal Season by Connie Brockway
All Through the Night by Connie Brockway
Angel Rogue by Mary Jo Putney
Dancing on the Wind by Mary Jo Putney

Traditional Regency:

Miss Whittier Makes a List by Carla Kelly
The Rebellious Ward by Joan Wolf
The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer

Medieval:

Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

Alternate Reality:

Now You See Her by Linda Howard
Dream Man by Linda Howard
Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
Dragon's Kiss by Tielle St. Clare
Nemesis of the Garden by Cricket Starr

Category:

The Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis
Prisoner of Passion by Lynne Graham
No Way to Begin by Michelle Reid
The Ultimate Betrayal by Michelle Reid
Frisco's Kid by Suzanne Brockmann
Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann

Favorite Hero

Henry DeTamble, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Jamie Fraser, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Harry Braxton, As You Desire by Connie Brockway
Freddy Standen, Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
Zane Mackenzie, Mackenzie's Pleasure by Linda Howard
Sebastian "Dain" Ballister, Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Vere Mallory, The Last Hellion by Loretta Chase

Favorite Heroine

Jessica Trent, Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Gillian Sherwood, Heart of Fire by Linda Howard
Lucy Waring, Moonraker's Bride by Madeleine Brent
Lily Lawson, Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

Most Tortured Hero

Henry DeTamble, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Derek Craven, Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Dar Cordell, The Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis
Alan "Frisco" Francisco, Frisco's Kid by Suzanne Brockmann

Strongest Heroine

Lucy Waring, Moonraker's Bride by Madeleine Brent
Ghislaine de Lorgny, A Rose at Midnight by Anne Stuart
Liria Valencia, One Good Turn by Carla Kelly

Favorite Couple

Jessica and Dain, Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Henry and Clare, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Vere and Lydia, The Last Hellion by Loretta Chase
Harry and Dizzy, As You Desire by Connie Brockway
Gillian and Ben, Heart of Fire by Linda Howard

Best Villain

Louis Ronsard, All the Queen's Men by Linda Howard

Cabin or Road:

Heart of Fire by Linda Howard
Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann

Suspense:

All the Queen's Men by Linda Howard
Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann
Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
Midnight Man by Lisa Marie Rice

Funny:

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Heart of Fire by Linda Howard

Sexy:

Beyond Innocence by Emma Holly
Fever by Kimberly Dean
Nemesis of the Garden by Cricket Starr
Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna

Least-Favorites

Most Disappointing Books

Dying to Please by Linda Howard
Into the Night by Suzanne Brockmann
Royal Bride by Joan Wolf

Worst Books

The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce
A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey

Purple Prose-iest Book

Rebecca Brandewyne
Virginia Henley

Authors I Have Given Up On

Christine Feehan
Janet Evanovich
Jude Deveraux
Mary Jo Putney

Authors Others Love That I Don't

Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor
Karen Marie Moning
Robin Schone
Catherine Coulter
Johanna Lindsey

Most Annoying Lead Character

Meg, The Defiant Hero, by Suzanne Brockmann
Joan, Into the Night by Suzanne Brockmann
Zenia, The Dream Hunter by Laura Kinsale

Non-Romance Favorites

Favorite Author

Kelley Armstrong
Laurell K. Hamilton
Agatha Christie
Elizabeth Peters
Peter O'Donnell
Charlaine Harris
Jim Butcher
P.N. Elrod
Robin McKinley
Wen Spencer
Nevil Shute
Gillian Bradshaw

Favorite Book

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
The Beacon at Alexandria by Gillian Bradshaw
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
Hawk of May by Gillian Bradshaw

Favorite Classic Novel

Homo Faber by Max Frisch
Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
Judge and His Hangman by Friedrich Durrenmatt
The Pledge by Friedrich Durrenmatt
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Favorite YA Book

Beauty by Robin McKinley
The Black Stallion Series by Walter Farley
The King Arthur Trilogy by Gillian Bradshaw

Favorite Mystery

Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie
The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry

Favorite Fantasy

Anne Bishop
Wen Spencer
Gillian Bradshaw

Favorite Set of Connected Books

The Anita Blake Series by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris
The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters
The Mrs. Pollifax Series by Dorothy Gilman
The Jack Fleming Series by P.N. Elrod
The William Monk Series by Anne Perry
The Modesty Blaise Series by Peter O'Donnell

Book Most Often Reread

Promise Me Heaven by Connie Brockway
Prisoner of Passion by Lynne Graham
Mackenzie's Pleasure by Linda Howard
No Way to Begin by Michelle Reid