KEEPER BOOKS

By Caroline Clemmons

Do you have favorite books you reread? I have numerous books I read multiple times to study the author’s style, for relaxation, or both. The author I read most for relaxation is Louis L’Amour. He wrote mostly historical westerns, and those are what I reread.

Louis L'Amour at work

Louis L’Amour was an amazing person as well as an amazing author. He once was the keynote speaker at the Romance Writers of America national conference. I wish I could have attended that year!

In that speech, he said he could write sitting in a folding chair with a portable typewriter balanced on his knees at the busy corner of Sunset and Vine in Hollywood. I was amazed when I read that account of his presentation but I am certain he was honest. If you read about his life, you’ll find that he wrote no matter where he was.

I write in my little office I call my “pink cave” where Hero has set up my PC with a large monitor and where I have a good desk chair. I don’t have to have that to write my stories, but these comforts certainly help. I also use my laptop but I prefer a standard keyboard hooked to it. Darling Daughter 1 gave me a lapdesk to accommodate those. I am able to block out sounds around me. Fortunately for me, I don’t have to do so.

Louis L'Amour

Louis L’Amour’s novels are romance in the broader sense of adventure. Many have been made into movies. Most of his books have a hero or heroine who finds love during the story's adventure. His characters speak to the reader, draw us into the story, and don't let go. If you haven’t read one of his books, may I recommend Crossfire Trail, Conagher, Hondo, Fallon, or any of the Sackett novels. If you prefer contemporary—or almost contemporary—novels, I suggest Last of the Breed.

What are your favorite “keeper” books?

If you're looking for a romance that includes adventure, I hope you'll try one of mine. A BRIDE FOR GIDEON will be released next week. It's up for pre-order now. Hint, hint. Isn't that a gorgeous cover by Virginia McKevitt? This book is part of The Proxy Bride multi-author series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R85KZPC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_tQUYCb775WMSQ

Favorite Authors, and a #CoverReveal @JacquieRogers #westernromance

Which Authors Do You Love? 
by Jacquie Rogers

Writing is hard--and it sure makes me appreciate my favorite authors because now I know the dedication it takes to allow a story to bloom.  I'll tell you about the blooming of my latest book, Much Ado About Mail-Order Brides (Hearts of Owyhee #6), in a minute, but first I'd like to indulge in one of my favorite topics...

Awesome Writers 

These are my A-List authors.  These are the writers whose books made a lasting impression on me.

William Shakespeare

To be honest, I didn't much care for his writing style when I was 12, but I always loved his stories.  It seems that he's penned a story for every stage of my life.  My favorite comedy was (still is) Much Ado About Nothing.  What a mix-up!  And mistaken identities.  Of course, that's why I named my Hearts of Owyhee titles "Much Ado About M..."  In each, there's a mix-up or misidentified character--sometimes a major character and sometimes not, but they're there.  I can't say my stories rival old Will's, but he did give me inspiration.  Don't worry about me following in his footsteps and writing tragedy, though.  I'm still mad about Romeo and Juliette.  They really should've had a Happily Ever After, dang it all.

Mary Renault



I loved Mary Renault's books so much that I haven't read her last one.  She died and I know if I read the last one, there will never be another.  Her work was first introduced to me in my college mythology class, where we were assigned to read The King Must Die.  I loved that book so much I read all the others in that series--except the last one, The Nature of Alexander.  It's on my keeper shelf, waiting for me.  Her books brought Greek mythology to life for me, and I've been enthralled ever since.  I wonder if I could get away with writing a series with Greek gods in the Old West.  Hmmm.  Rick Riordan wrote his in contemporary USA, so maybe that would work.

Louis L'Amour

Louis L'Amour introduced me to western historical romance, which is a subgenre I love.  Most people don't think of him as a romance writer but have they read Hondo?  Yes, it's a romance through and through.  Only thing is, once he got to the good part, he backed off and that frustrated me to no end.  I'm not talking about sex scenes--I'm referring to the build-up of the romance and the next thing you know, the woman is serving the main character coffee in the morning.  He skips right over the part where they actually make some sort of commitment.  But I enjoy reading his books--they have great action scenes and he's not above penning a cheap joke, too.  So of course I was hooked.  I've read several of his books and short stories, and have several more on my Kindle waiting for me.

Caroline Clemmons

The first book I wrote was a time-travel to the future.  I'd always enjoyed time-travels so decided to write one.  My second was a western historical romance.  In between that book and the next, I read Caroline Clemmons's first published book and I've been her fangirl from that day forward.  I wore out two copies of  The Most Unsuitable Wife (The Kincaids Book 1) studying the characterization and structure.  Now I'm looking forward to reading the first book in her new series--and OMG it's a time-travel!  Yay, one of my favorite genres.  The new book is titled Texas Lightning (Texas Time Travel #1).  And it's waiting on my Kindle now--it'll be my reward for finally finishing my current book.  I know before I read the first word that I'll love this book because Caroline can't write anything that I don't love.  She's definitely and Awesome Writer.

Cover Reveal!

So far, this book is half-again as long as it was supposed to be and it's still not finished!  Nothing like being two months behind schedule.  But it's coming along and I only have about five chapters left to write, so I'm hoping it's done by the end of next week and ready for the editor.

Much Ado About Mail-Order Brides is the sixth book in the Hearts of Owyhee series.  All these books are in Kindle Unlimited so if you're a subscriber, you can read them for free.  Better get caught up!

And on that note, I better get to writing.  And writing, and writing.  See you next month, and Happy Reading!

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POWER OF WORDS

By Caroline Clemmons, in for Tessa Gray

As readers and/or writers, words fascinate us. Phrases, descriptions, active verbs, words that paint pictures for our minds.

As long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with words and phrases. The first book I remember is a LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK OF PRAYERS. In fact, I think it’s still packed away in a trunk in the garage. I just can’t let go of books, more’s the pity.

The second book I remember is a book of verses by Robert Louis Stevenson. At the time, I had no idea who he was, but I loved that book. Somewhere along the way, it was lost or loved to death. It wasn’t until I purchased A CHILD’S GARDEN OF VERSES for my own children that I realized the title and author of the book. My daughters also loved the book’s poems.

All speech, written or spoken, is a dead language, until it finds a willing and prepared hearer. Robert Louis Stevenson

Neither of those is the book my dad used when teaching me to read. I was thrilled with Bugs Bunny’s antics and Daddy taught me to read using the comic strip in our daily newspaper. To this day I’m not sure whether his greatest motivation in teaching me to read was to educate me or so I wouldn’t pester him the minute he came home from work. ☺ Since he was an advocate for strong education, I hope it was so I would be able to read more diversely.

Now I often reread books I’ve loved in order to study the word pictures the author painted. Do you have favorite authors whose descriptions are so perfect you read them again? I do. One is Loretta Chase in LORD PERFECT. Her descriptions of the hero and heroine are breathtaking. I love that book—as you have already guessed. I enjoy all of her books, but LORD PERFECT and MR. IMPOSSIBLE are my favorites. At least for now, but she continues to write amazing books.

Louis L’Amor is another author whose words paint pictures for me, and for my husband. We have detoured a couple of times while traveling to include a site mentioned in a book. Warning! Skip the town of Mogollon, New Mexico unless you are driving a small car on a weekend. Worst one-way mountain road we’ve ever driven. It’s frightening to look over the side of the mountain and see all the vehicles that didn’t make the turns.

Words have tremendous: power to soothe, power to harm, power to change lives forever. A harsh word cannot be recalled. A kind word never goes unnoticed.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.  Proverbs 25:11  

REVISITING FAVORITE BOOKS

By Caroline Clemmons

So many books, so little time. As an author, hundreds of my friends and acquaintances are authors of fine books. My already long TBR list grows every day. Thank goodness for my Kindle Fire. I'm sure you who love to read have a similar problem.

But do you ever reread books? Among my friends, we’re divided about evenly in this. I’m in the group that rereads favorites. Why?

Each time I read a favorite book I learn something new. How the author phrases description, the emotions evoked, and the setting not only entertain me, but teach me for my own writing. Each read reminds me why this book is one I treasure. I embrace the characters and their story again.

The characters in these books are old friends who I love to revisit. The authors excel in writing a memorable book. I dissect the most memorable passages to discover what about this book made it unforgettable.

Here are some of those I reread:

PRINCE CHARMING – As with most of Julie Garwood’s historicals, this one begins in Great Britain. But Taylor Stapeleton and Lucas Ross move quickly to the United States and their frantic race to rescue Taylor's nieces and escape a truly evil villain.

FOR THE ROSES – Julie Garwood takes a group of orphans from New York west to establish a home. Imagine children caring for an infant and surviving on their own as they escape pursuit. Not only surviving, but thriving to establish a dynasty.

THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES – Maggie Osborne creates the opposite of most governess-type stories when Jenny Jones—a tall, gangly, red-headed muleskinner—give her promise to a dying woman. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, Jenny Jones safely delivers her young ward to the girl’s father to fulfill her promise.  

LORD PERFECT – Loretta Chase always uses vivid descriptions, but I believe this one is her finest. Bathsheba Wingate is a delightful heroine and the perfect foil for Lord Perfect, Benedict Carsington. Ms Chase’s description of the first meeting is especially priceless.

TO KISS A TEXAN – Jodi Thomas. Wes McClain’s story and that of the woman he rescues touches my heart each time. I have long wondered why women captured by Indians and recovered ceased to be human to bigoted pioneers.

Louis L'Amour

FALLON – For some reason, this Louis L’Amour story relaxes me each time I read it. But that goes for all Louis L’Amour stories. The man was one of America’s most gifted storytellers. My husband and I have each of his books from the Louis L’Amour Book Club and reread them occasionally.

MUCH ADO ABOUT MARSHALS – Like all Jacquie Rogers’s books, this one makes me smile while she leads me through a twisting plot. Cole is one of my favorite heroes. By the way, that's her nephew on the cover. She has a new cover, but this is the one on the book I have.

OUT OF THE DARK – Geri Foster writes great romantic suspense filled with sexy adventure. This one, her first of the Falcon series, is my favorite. I can easily picture Geri as the heroine, Emily.

Among other authors I reread are Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, Nora Roberts, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Marjorie Allingham. These authors make us believe that good triumphs over evil and people can live happily ever after. I like that. They write hope in their stories.

MOBY DICK and CRIME AND PUNISHMENT are not on the list. No, these cited are not heavy reading, although I have favorite classics also. Among them are THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Alexander Dumas and A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens. You’ll note that both of those is  romantic, although in a different context than a modern romance novel.  

Those listed as favorites are books that lighten my heart, renew my appreciation for the printed word, and confirm my belief that great writing is not limited to the classics or only in “literary” works. Great writing happens every day with thousands—maybe hundreds of thousands—of writers working alone in their writing caves or on the laptop surrounded by family.

Reading is exercise for the mind. Imagination allows us to visit anywhere in this world or another, to vicariously become any profession. It also sharpens our appreciation for the here and now.  Is it any wonder Smart Girls (and Guys) Read Romance?