I'm in my thirties and married with no kids yet. I live in California and work in the accounting field. When I was young, my class went to the library to learn how to use it, and I picked up a Nancy Drew book. I became hooked on the Nancy Drew series, mysteries, and reading.

I tried a few romances but didn't like them. I didn't identify with perfect, gorgeous women and their flimsy problems. The romances also seemed poorly written, with unbelievable plots and laughable dialogue. However, I didn't mind the romantic subplots in the mysteries I read.

Three years ago, I was burned out on mysteries. I didn't want to read any more killings, bodies, and cynicism. I wanted fiction with a more positive tone. I tried romances again and found the heroines approachable and the quality of writing amazing. I loved the happy endings. I loved reading about how two people fall in love. It may take years for me to read all the great romances published so far, but I'm not complaining.

Absolute Favorites

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn

Favorite Classic

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Anything by Jane Austen

What I'm a sucker for in a book: Great writing, compelling, insightful stories, historical accuracy, historical details, romantic scenes, confessions of love, wit, humor, adventure; stories of intelligent/perceptive heroines and heroes who appreciate them, characters who have admirable qualities and do admirable deeds, plain heroines, outsiders/underdogs, common/working people, marriage between strangers (in historicals only), vampires.

What I don't particularly care for in a book: Forced seduction, depressing stories and sad endings.

What drives me absolutely nuts in a book: Characters who don't talk to each other about any misunderstandings! Stupid/silly misunderstandings, spelling errors, undeveloped/boring characterizations and plots, supposed smart characters that do dumb things.

European Historical:

Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
The Seduction by Julia Ross
The Gentleman Thief by Deborah Simmons

Traditional Regency:

Anything by Carla Kelly, Emma Jensen, and Anne Gracie
The Rake's Retreat by Nancy Butler
Lord St. Claire's Angel by Donna Simpson

Medieval:

The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn

Alternate Reality:

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

Favorite Hero

Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Rupert, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Saxxe, The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn

Favorite Heroine

Elizabeth, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Daphne, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase

Most Tortured Hero

Robert, My Sweet Folly by Laura Kinsale

Strongest Heroine

Bryony, Night in Eden by Candice Proctor

Favorite Couple

Elizabeth and Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Daphne and Rupert, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Lily and Remmington, Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott

Non-Romance Favorites

Favorite Author

Charlaine Harris
Jane Austen
Sarah Smith

Favorite Book

The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
Anything by Jane Austen
Anything by Sarah Smith

Favorite Classic Novel

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Anything by Jane Austen

Favorite Women's Fiction

Bridget Jones's Diaries by Helen Fielding
The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler

Favorite Fantasy Novel

Favorite Mystery Novel

Anything by Agatha Christie
Anything by Sarah Smith
The Alphabet Mysteries by Sue Grafton (up to G only)

Favorite YA Book

The Prydain Series by Lloyd Alexander
Time Travel Series by Madeleine L'Engle
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Favorite Set of Connected Books

The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
The Golden Chronicles by Patricia Veryan
The Hitchhiker Series by Douglas Adams

Book Most Often Reread

Too many romance books to read to do rereads