I might have been born reading. As a social introvert, I preferred books over people in childhood. I read anything I could get my hands on: Comics, kids literature and series, magazines or encyclopedias. My mother blamed my reading habits for two corrective eye surgeries by the time I was 11. While on a family vacation in the early teenage years, my parents took me to a bookshop on a rainy day. The nun behind the counter looked at me, and promptly handed me Jane Eyre. It was my introduction to romance. I stuck to some 'classic' but sad romances a la Thomas Hardy for a couple of years after that. I didn't become truly hooked on romance until I was loaned a Mills and Boon romance by a classmate. I read it in the middle of the night so I wasn't punished for reading 'bad' books - this one had kisses and a sex scene that I would describe as very mild now but was torrid in the hands of a teenager.

My fear of judgement on my reading choices has significantly changed now that I'm older (and hopefully wiser). I now read romances when and where I can. My Kindle is my new best friend, partly because I don't have to worry about stuffing a wheelie full of romances everytime I travel. It also saves me from being lectured by my children on the Public Displays of Affection that I personally like on romance covers.

I enjoy historical romances, especially those set in England or the Continent. There is something about the charm of customs and nobility that transports me to an alternate reality.

When I'm not reading, I love spending time with my family, volunteering for church, or writing. I am also on the board of directors for a non-profit that helps underprivileged kids in third world countries.

Absolute Favorites

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

Favorite Classic

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

What I'm a sucker for in a book:

Intelligent heroines, witty dialogue, characters with a sense of humor, heroes with feelings, heroes who are 'the man', European historicals, bluestocking heroines, Regency house parties, good girl/bad boy plots, gradually falling in love through lots of meaningful interaction.

Big Misunderstandings, Paranormal plots, Gratuitous sex, plots that revolve around gambling clubs.

TSTL heroines, Mean heroines, torture or violence

European Historical:

Bridgerton Family series by Julia Quinn
Most of Malory Family series by Johanna Lindsey
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Honor's Splendor by Julie Garwood
The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood
England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch

Traditional Regency:

Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh

Favorite Hero

Favorite Heroine

Emma Dunster, Splendid by Julia Quinn
Sophia Dalby in the Courtesan Series books by Claudia Dain

Most Tortured Hero

Simon Bassett, The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Robert Carroway, England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch

Favorite Couple

Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Funny:

Educating Caroline by Patricia Cabot
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
The Courtesan's Daughter and The Courtesan's Secret by Claudia Dain

Sexy:

Scandalous Again by Christina Dodd

Least-Favorites

Authors I Have Given Up On

Stephanie Laurens

Authors Others Love That I Don't

Eloisa James