Ladies & Gents...Delilah Marvelle!

Yay! Here she is. :)

THE NOT SO SEXY SIDE OF HISTORY....by Delilah Marvelle

Venereal Disease is not really a subject that's usually touched upon in historical romance novels. In ONCE UPON A SCANDAL, my current release, the heroine’s father is dying from syphilis. It’s not pretty and it’s utterly heartbreaking. Because we’re dealing with romance novels, many people don’t want to see the ugly side of the reality most of these women (and men) faced. Which is why I wrote the story. My own editor squirmed and asked me to tone down all the descriptions. Needless to say, I had to do a balancing act.

Except for AIDS, every sexual disease imaginable was passed around in history. And because there was no understanding that REUSING condoms could in fact transfer disease to both sides…there was a false sense of security for men back in the day. An example of what a rake’s life was REALLY like was Casanova himself. The man bed hundreds of women, dined with the finest and the lowest, fought several duels (and lived to tell about it) and suffered from 11 venereal diseases (including gonorrhea, soft chancre, herpes, and syphilis...sexy, eh?). In the beginning, he was getting it from the women (because obviously he wasn’t born with it). Toward the end, he was giving it to the women. Despite the long list of diseases he had…believe it or not, he lived well into old age. What killed him was his inability to piss when his urethra finally closed up on him. Eck. I know. Hey, these were the REAL rakes of the day.

When it came to trying to cure these diseases, these people tried everything. Some claimed eating peacock would cure it, (I joke about this in ONCE UPON A SCANDAL) while some claimed sleeping with virgins would cure it (don’t you just want to KILL these people?). Believe it or not, the whole sleeping with virgins superstition lasted well into the 1900’s. There were actually brothels who specialized in ‘curing’. (Shaking head here…)

Though drinking mercury was the most popular form of cure, although applying mercury in a form of a salve onto the lesions was also done. Most often it was the mercury itself that ended up killing them. For chaffing and lesions linen bandages soaked in narcissus water was used. There were also people who created their own versions of ‘the cure’ (quacks) and tried to sell it and make a profit (of course it never worked).

Syphilis, depending on which region of Europe you were from went by many names. The British Called it ‘French Disease’, The French called it ‘Italian Disease’, The Russians called it ‘Polish disease’ (see a pattern here?). Everyone was freakin calling it according to their ‘enemy’ The reality was, they all had it, British, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, you name it. Because everyone was having sex.

Once a prostitute (or courtesan) contracted any detectable disease, her career was over. For who would pay any good price for tainted goods? Although sadly, that did not stop many of these women from spreading it around (or being in denial). It simply meant they would no longer be in ‘demand’ for they were ‘poxed.’

In respectable society, gentlemen gave it to their wives all the time because of their dalliances. It was a dirty, horrible secret. And once it was diagnosed, respectable society had a tendency to ‘disappear’ as quietly as they could. They ‘took in waters’, they ‘toured Europe’ and called it hundreds of other things it really wasn’t. Which is why when looking over documentation, it’s hard to dig up a lot of facts. People just didn’t want to talk about it. Think of how everyone in the 1980’s reacted to AIDS. It was amazing to see the reaction, the freaking out, the misunderstandings, and the whispers…can you imagine THEN? And yes, if you haven't already figured it out, I like to write about the not so sexy side of history...

PS. She's giving away a copy of her book, Once Upon a Scandal.  Please comment for a chance to win. Contest ends Sunday 1/30/11 (pacific) at 7:00pm Thank you! And thank you, Delilah. I *heart* you, woman. :)

Eep Part 2!

Since I got screwed up on the dates, Delilah will have a post tonight. I feel like such a dunce.

Anyhoodles, I thought I would post today about books. Shocker, right? But when you're moving, it's amazing what books you're willing to get rid of and which ones you want to keep. :)

I gave away ALL of my Nora & JD Robb books. I still have a bazillion books, but those ones took up quite a bit of space. I've gotten rid of books I knew I didn't want to keep and wasn't sure why I still had them. lol. I still need to go through all of the ones I still have and decide which ones I can't live without.

What makes something a keeper? For me it's a book that I know I'll read over and over and over again. Years by LaVyrle Spencer is a perfect example. I've read that book at least twenty times (might even be more) and I know I'll read it again.

Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Ilona Andrews, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas? All keepers.

My ultimate goal with this move is to take no more than ten boxes with me. I know, TEN!!!! But when you consider that I have well over 1000 books, that kind of makes sense...in my head anyway. :)

Once I get back there and settled in my own place, I want to turn one of the rooms into a dedicated office/library. Books EVERYWHERE! *sigh* My bibliophile heart just skipped a beat.

What is your all-time favorite keeper? What could you not give up if you had to get rid of all of your books except one? Curious minds would like to know. :)


PS. Delilah will be giving away a copy of Once Upon a Scandal. It was a great book!!!!

I'm a Mental-Case

Obviously I forgot I'm supposed to post. I can only blame the fact that my life is in absolute chaos right now. My family's moving to Livonia, Michigan from Portland, Oregon. I know, I know...it's cold back there (I've heard it a billion times. LOL!), but it's an amazing opportunity and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm a native Northwesterner, so moving across the country to a completely different area is kind of scary. It's also very exciting. :) It's the opportunity for me to be 100% independent, which is almost impossible here in Portland. The cost of living in Livonia is about half of what it is here, so I might actually be able to buy my own place back there. Wow, what a concept!

In the meantime, while I'm waiting for all of this to transpire, I've been reading and writing a lot. Mostly rereads because they're comforting to me. I've also been able to read some great new books too (Shadowfever comes to mind. What was up with that book?!?).

I've had so many things happen to me that I can't seem to get my mind wrapped around it all. People who move on a regular basis? I salute you. :)

My friend Delilah will be on here tomorrow (she should be anyway). Her books are great! Funny and dark at the same time. I hope you'll enjoy her blog entry. She's always got something great to say.

Ciao!

Favorites

So my first two days were about writing. Today I'm going to talk about books that I've been reading lately. I seem to be glomming e-books which is both good and bad for my budget. I've been looking for good paranormals with an erotic edge and have been lucky enough to come across a couple of goodies. If anyone has any suggestions, please leave them in the comments. I think I've read all the ones I could find.

I was going to go by titles and then realized that I read a lot of books by certain authors. Oops!

Lauren Dane
Shelley Laurenston
Vivien Arend
Dana Marie Bell
Anne Marie McKenna
Moira Rogers
Sydney Somers
NJ Walters


And I know I've said this before, but it needs to be said again, when is Evangeline Anderson going to write the next to books in the Swann Sisters Trilogy? I've waited and waited and waited and nothing. *headdesk* Wishful Thinking was such a good book. The others need their stories told. Just sayin'.

So the above are some authors I've been glutting myself on. Any recs? Please?

My Play List

As I wrote yesterday, I write to music. I recently bought an I-Pod Touch (64G...what was I thinking) and I've been slowly adding music that either catchs my ear or that I already like. Since I was working on an erotic romance, I was looking for music that either was sexual in nature or that fit the mood I was trying to set. Here, in no particular order, is the playlist that I came up with for the story.


I Get Off by Halestorm
Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight
Addicted by Saving Abel
Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Gold Gun Girls by Metric
Dragonfly by Shaman's Harvest
The 50 Most Essential Classical Music


Okay, so the classical doesn't fit, but it's great writing music. LOL! It's been fun trying to find songs that fit and I can't believe I waited so long to get an I-Pod. But, it's pretty and it can hold a buttload of music.

Does anyone else out there write to songs specifically for their stories? Any suggestions for songs?

'Tis a Miracle

Of epic proportions. I finished my first story on Friday. It's the first book I've ever finished...EVER! I know, it's a shocker. It's been my biggest dream/goal/thing since I was a kid that I would one day be a published author. I'll probably never reach the epic greatness of La Nora, but one of these days my books will be on the bookshelves.

Which brings me to my thought for the day. I've been a reader for as long if not longer than I've been a writer and it's always been my hope that I would write something that I as a reader would enjoy. It's been a definite learning experience as I've put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard depending).

I've learned what works for me (music, paper, pencil, quiet) and what doesn't (people, noise, irritants). I write to music. I have to have something playing quietly in my head phones and it allows me to just disappear into the world I'm creating.

I know most writers have a niche where they feel the most comfortable. For some it's writing hot, steamy erotic romances with scorching sex and storylines to match. For others it's epic fantasy with a strong hero or heroine on a journey to find themselves.

I seem to be the weirdo who likes to write everything. The novella I just finished is an erotica dealing with a one-night-stand that doesn't end up staying to just one night. I'm also in the midst of a paranormal romance series that'll end up being a five-book series some day. I also have an idea for this amazing, epic fantasy that'll follow five generations of a family. It seems like my brain is full of nonsense and I like it! :)

So for you writers out there, how did you find your niche where you feel comfortable? I'm always curious what makes someone write what they do.

My Last Day! *sniffle*

I have to apologize to all & sunder about the last two days on the blog. I really & truly wasn't planning on being a downer. *sigh* For that, I apologize.

I was trying to come up with a different way of bringing my time here on the island to a close and was drawing a blank...until about a minute ago. It's amazing how doing something boring or random gets the juices flowing, isn't it?

I decided to write about heroes. When Sarai & Tracy sent the email advising we would have to give up one of our heroes for the new draft, I was heartbroken. How on earth could I give up any of my men? It's like asking me to pull out a tooth without anesthetic or something. :(

So, I've had that on my mind and wanted to share a small tidbit about the kerfuffle that arose immediately thereafter.


*Scene-Sunset in my large, height-accessible tent. I am sitting on the bed reading the paper that someone (I think it's CJ) prints on banana leaves using some strange concoction for ink. I'm afraid to look at the ink too closely for fear that it IS what I think it is. *ahem* *

"My dear, have you heard?"

I glance up from a fascinating article about hygiene and menage that Lisabea wrote.

"Heard what?"

"They've got a new hero draft."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

"You must give up one of us."

"What?!"

I stand up and toss the paper aside.

"I'm going to strangle Tracy and Sarai. What are they thinking?"

"New blood?"

I shake my head.

"No, they're trying to give me a headache!"

"It's okay, baby, I'm good with my hands."

I glance over at the door to see Cadeon standing in the doorway, his cocky grin in place.

"Puh-leeze! They're wanting me to get rid of one of you."

"Oh, hell no! When did that happen?"

"Ask him."

I gesture at Mr. Darcy and sit back down, my mad draining away to be replaced by dread. How on earth am I going to choose between my men?

"Did you hear?"

I look up to see the rest of my men as they come inside the hut. Jules' arms are full of fruit and Bones is looking peaked due to the fact that I know he hasn't eaten yet. The man just woke up. I'm kind of glad I don't have to actually sleep with him. He doesn't breathe as he's at rest and it freaks me out.

"Yes, I have. I'm not going to be able to choose between all of you."

Judd walks over to me and places his hand on my shoulder, his fingers brushing my neck ever so slightly. Great, now I've got shivers going down my spine.

"We can help you, you know."

"How?"

"Do we really need to spell it out?"

"But what about Jules? He doesn't like girls!"

Jules divests himself of his burden and turns to me with a wink.

"I can come up with other ways."

"Oh dear."

The men all turn to look down at me, their intent very, very clear. I won't be getting any sleep tonight...and probably won't be able to walk tomorrow.

As they surround me on the bed and Cadeon crawls up to rest between my legs, I have to be honest and say that I really don't know who I'm going to have to choose and I can't wait to see just how they convince me..



And I'm off. My sleeping pill is kicking in. Night & all that good stuff

I Wrote a Blog Entry

But I realized it sucked and I'm bummed. I just had something happen that has kind of smacked me sideways. I really like someone, but I just found out they like someone else. It's moments like this where I wish I could just hide in a hole somewhere & disappear. I'm glad I didn't tell him I like him because I'm 99% sure of how it would've ended and I would've just ended up horribly humiliated.

I don't know, sometimes I wonder if love, crushes, whatever are worth it. Why can't life be like a romance novel? Why does a person spend their entire life looking for that particular someone & usually not end up finding them?

I'm 32 years old. I've been single for so long I can't remember the last time I went on a date. This guy was the first guy I've been attracted to in a long time and it's truly depressing to realize he doesn't see me in the same light. *sigh*

So, why am I talking about this? Because I think that's why I write romance novels. If I can't have my own HEA, I might as well give it to fictional people who can have theirs. Sure, I have the dating experience of a gnat or a five year old (depending on who you ask), but how hard is it to create a loving, lasting relationship between two people? Ha!

Actually, it's extremely difficult. You want to make it as realistic as possible, but let's be honest here. Are romance novels even close to reality? Let's look at an example shall we?

Here is Sue. She's of average height, kind of frumpy, with dirty dishwater blond hair and green eyes.

Here is Dave. He's tall, dark-haired with a strong physique and no little success with women.

Sue meets Dave at work. He's her new boss. Sue is Dave's executive assistant and though she physically isn't much to look at, he's attracted to her brain.

After countless nights working on a project, Sue comes up with a new & unusual way to showcase Dave's plans for a hotel he's designing. In celebration, Dave kisses Sue.

Sue has a makeover, because she can't believe that handsome Dave is interested in her. Dave is gobsmacked by her radical transformation & starts walking around with a constant hard-on for Sue.

Sue is in love with Dave, but hides it because she just can't see why he'd be interested in her. Due to her idea, they are required to take an overnight trip to the scene of the new hotel and that night Dave seduces Sue. Much sexin' occurs and when they come home from trip, Sue runs away because again, she can't believe he'd be interested in her.

Dave goes to look for Sue and when he finds her, proclaims his love only to find out that miraculously she is now pregnant with his twins and has opened her own business. He proposes, they get married & in the epilogue are as happy as two clams.

The End.

See, nowhere near reality.

And I'm being cynical.

Does love really & truly exist outside of romance? It seems to for everybody but me. *sigh*

And I'm bumming myself out.

Aw well, it's times like these I just wanna run away. I'm thinking my vacation cannot come soon enough.

Trying To Be Clever...

And not really succeeding. *sigh* To be completely honest I spaced about it being my turn on DIK again until Tracy reminded me. Thanks, Tracy! :)

So I've been trying to come up with something to blog about. I mean, there's gotta be something I haven't talked about. I think... Maybe... Man, I don't know! Eek! I hate having moments when I draw a complete blank & can't think of anything to say. For anyone who knows me...that is a very rare occurance indeed. *headdesk*

What to talk about? I could be completely lame & just put up pictures of half-naked men. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. I like the pretty menz. :D

Okay, that didn't hurt. Mmm...pretty. Wouldn't mind waking up beside that in the morning. :)

Here's one for you. If you read my blog (the one under my name...not my review blog), you'll know I'm working on my first book. If you don't read my blog, well, now you know. I've been writing ever since I can remember and let me tell you, those first efforts are HORRIBLE! As in, I'd rather burn them than let anyone read them. They are safely hidden in a place nobody can find, including myself.

It's a 4-book series. It's also a paranormal. *ducks* Yes, I know. Paranormals are dying out, bladibladiblah. But you know what? I love paranormals. I've been a fantasy buff for years and the idea of the fantastical-meets-normal? So totally up my alley.

Weirdly enough, I came up with the idea for book 1 after an exceptionally vivid dream. And when I say vivid, I mean not only could I see & hear what was going on, I could smell and touch too. I woke up, picked up a pen and began writing down what I could remember. I had the basic concept immediately, but it literally took a couple dozen false starts before the idea gelled and became what it is now.

I've come to find out that I am so not a linear thinker and I can't believe it's taken me so long to figure that out. *headdesk* When I told my mom of this epiphany, she rolled her eyes & asked "You just figured that out?" Thanks a lot, mother. :~P

Instead of writing the book from beginning to end, I started out with the end and have been writing it backwards by scene. Amazingly enough, for the first time ever, I am this close to finishing my first rough draft. *hallelujah chorus* I am completely shocked and amazed. And feeling truly confident in myself & my abilities for the first time in my life.

Yeah, confidence has always been my biggest issue when it comes to everything & anything in my life. It's only been in this last year that I realized I'm a big, fat idiot and that if I'd gotten over this major hump years ago I'd be successful. I hate it when that happens. *sigh*

So anyone else out there have a major uh-huh moment & realized their dreams? Or is it just me?

I know, completely random hot guy, but dude! I'd so want him to come steal me away for a weekend...at least. :D

AND THE WINNER IS....

Renee! Yes, it certainly is. :) I've already contacted her to let her know.



Again, I wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Still a very stressful time in my neck of the woods, but I am moving on. *sigh* I think, anyway.





Here's hoping Tracy & Sarai have come up with something super fun for this weekend!



And I'm leaving you with a pretty picture. :) And it is definitely pretty. *sigh*

Wonder what he's thinking?

I'm thinking, why yes that lip

will taste good. Mrowr! :D

My Third & Final Day

Here I had all of these great ideas running through my head on how my 3rd and final day would go, only to come home from work tonight to some really, really bad news. So, I'm trying to deal with it by ignoring it...at least for the moment.

When I first found about DIK and the women who were a part of this blog, my first thought was envy. How I wanted to be a part of something so fun and unique. I'm thankful that they did allow me to join. I've met some truly wonderful people in person (Hi, Ciara) and via email. I've had some of them help me with my writing (Hi, Tracy & Sarai). I've received wonderful things in the mail that were completely and totally unexpected (Lisabea). I've had a wonderful time in all aspects of the DIK and the women here (except for one unpleasant moment...you all know what I mean, but I'm not going to talk about it here).

I've been a lover of romance ever since I read my first. And I can't even remember what age that was. 6-7? It started with the Little House on the Prairie books when Laura first set eyes on her Almonzo. It continued on when Betsy met her man in Betsy Gets Married (if you've never read the Betsy/Tacy books, I can't recommend them enough...especially if you have a little girl). Then Sweet Valley High came along and corrupted me. It wasn't too long before I was reading true bodice rippers (and I'm not being durogatory...they were!) and sinking my teeth into whatever I could get my hands on.

And then I decided to be a writer when I grew up. Ha! I'm bound and determined that 2009 is going to be my year. One of these days I'm hoping you'll see my name on a bookshelf near you. Bridget Locke. *sigh* Has a great ring to it, doesn't it?

Where is this long, rambling blog entry going? I don't know. LOL! But, I do have to say thank you to all of you out there who made me feel so welcome. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, especially after the year I've had. It's enough to make my heart burst...in the best way possible.

And so, in thanks, I'm going to do something a little different. Tonight I stopped by Barnes and Noble and I picked up 2 things: a copy of Years by LaVyrle Spencer and something else (not going to tell you!). All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your first romance was and I'll draw a lucky name sometime this evening (Thursday night), announcing the winner first thing Friday morning (12 AM PST) so as not to interrupt Tracy's special plans for the weekend.

Thank you again and as an aside, I don't know if any of you believe in prayer or good vibes or whatever, but I really and truly could use some right now (as referenced by above bad news). So, that would also be appreciated. Thanks & Much LOVE!!!!

~Bridget

The Heroes & Why I Love Them So

Here's hoping I make sense since I just took some sleeping pills a short time ago. I'm hoping I'm not too loopy and make an idiot of myself. :~)

Today's blog is all about my heroes. *sigh* I'm a sucker for an awesome hero. If the hero is lame or comes across as a jerk, the book just doesn't do it for me. When it came to choosing my heroes it was a tough task, but I finally narrowed it down to the heroes that mean the most to me and why. Fun, fun, fun! :)


My first hero is one I've already mentioned. My favorite books seem to have my favorite heroes. I'm pretty cool like that. *snicker*


Hero #1 is Jules Cassidy from Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters, Navy SEALs, etc. series. I fell in love with him all the way back at the beginning and he's still one of my all-time favorite heroes. I couldn't find a picture that really made me think of him, but I think this one is just awesome for the sheer....whoa moment I had when I saw it for the first time. Enjoy!

This man is beautiful...that's all I have to say.






Hero # 2 is Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Ever since he was introduced in Halfway to the Grave, he snagged my attention. I don't know if it's because of the comparisons I make between him and Spike from Buffy, but I love him so. Snarky and hot. I love that combination. :)













James Marsters...Spike, anyone?











Hero #3 is just sexy; plain and simple. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Honestly, I'd never even read the book until this year, but I fell in love with the movies because of these 2 men. I can't choose which Mr. Darcy I like better, so I'm giving them both to you. Enjoy!

Colin Firth?

Or...

Matthew MacFadyen?

My next hero is 100% my all-time favorite hero. I talked about him yesterday when I was talking about his book, but he deserves major props for being a man of many different facets. He's sexy, tall (excellent for me being so tall and all that), dark, yummy, etc. etc. My 4th hero is none other than Simon Hunt from Secrets of a Summer's Night by Lisa Kleypas. I love this man. If I could find a man in real life who is like him...let's just say I wouldn't let him go. He would be ALL mine! LOL!

And the picture I'm using to depict him is one that I'm sure a lot of you will recognize, but I think, due to the definite similarities between the two, that this pic is appropriate. Enjoy!

Richard Armitage...*sigh*

Last, but definitely not least, is a hero I just came across this year in a wonderful paranormal romance. This hero, to me, is the epitome of a Bad Boy, which is one of my favorite kind of hero. He makes some asinine decisions in his book, but he grovels well and has an extremely talented tongue. :~D If that doesn't make a man a great hero, I don't know what will. So, my 5th and final hero is none other than Cadeon Wode from Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole. All I can say is Wowza!I don't know who he is...

but honestly?

Who cares!!!!!

I am a total ditz! How could I forget Judd Laurens! There must be something wrong with me! Anywho, above pic can go for him too. Mmm...Psy hero.

My Very First Day

Whee! LOL! So I wasn't actually planning on being here quite this early, but I got an email from Tracy asking me if I would step in due to some issues Christine is having. Being the kind of girl I am (yeah right) I said sure and so here I am! I hope you all enjoy some of my all-time favorite books. And I'm sorry about the lack of pictures for this post, but...well, I couldn't find ones that went with the books I'd chosen. I promise that tomorrow...I'll have lots and lots. At least a couple, anyway. :~)

MY DIK BOOKS (and why I love them)



When I was first given the opportunity to join in on the book-loving, men-loving journey called DIK, I honestly wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. I’d read the other ladies choices for favorite books and was really impressed with the overall diversity shown.

And then it came to be my turn to choose my Keepers. I hemmed and hawed and almost ended up pulling out my hair with indecision, but I finally narrowed it down to these 6. And let me tell you, the choices were really, really hard to make.

Book 1 is one of those books that I’d been anticipating ever since the character was introduced way back in Book 1 or 2 of the series. He’d make an appearance in each book, stealing the scene he was in and I’d welcome his arrival with a happy sigh. He’d have his heart broken, he’d move on and I’d feel sad that he hadn’t found the right one for him.

Then he was introduced to someone. At first, I really wasn’t sure if the man chosen for him was the right one, but I kept my peace and waited through the next few installments of the series. When would he get his turn? Finally, it was announced that this book was coming out. I was so excited I could hardly wait to drive to the store and pick up my copy.

What book got me so excited I was literally bouncing up and down when I was buying it? All Through The Night by Suzanne Brockmann! Finally, Jules was getting his man. Talk about a story a long time in coming. Watching as Jules and Robin made their dedication to each other clear and the fact that they were willing to thumb their noses at society because they decided to get married was just awesome. And the letter that Suz wrote about her son and dedicating it to him…well, honestly? It made me cry. I’m such a wuss.

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh is my 2nd book in this epic journey through DIK. CbI is the story of Judd and Brenna. Watching Brenna slowly break through Judd’s icy exterior to the man hidden deep inside was an amazing journey. I’m such a sucker for the dark hero who has a sweet, tender nature hidden deep inside his psyche. For some reason (unbeknownst to me) I find men like that super sexy.

Book 3 is Goddess of the Rose by PC Cast. This book is dark and pretty twisted, but the romance between the hero and heroine is just beautiful, especially when you consider that she’s an uprooted human from Oklahoma who is now living in the world of the Gods and he’s a…well, I won’t tell you, but I can’t recommend this book enough. I love how the reality of Gods & Goddesses and humanity are twisted and turned upside down in this world that Ms. Cast has created.

Book 4 is my all-time favorite Lisa Kleypas book. I know, I know, so many people rave about Dreaming of You and though I agree it’s a great book, Secrets of a Summer’s Night is definitely my favorite and the reason is 100% due to Simon Hunt, the hero. There’s something so yummy about a man who is definitely a hard man, but who has a complete and total soft spot for the heroine. It’s all about how he feels deep inside and to me, that’s sexy.

Book 5 is actually a series. It was a toss-up between this one and the Heralds of Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey, but the reason I chose this one is for one reason…DRAGONS! I chose the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey, because this series transported me when I first read it. It was so awesome to read about people who could ride on the backs of dragons. I so desperately wanted to have a dragon bond to me. *sigh* Unfortunately, that was never going to happen, so I read the books instead. An epic fantasy with some great sci-fi thrown in to tip the balance. I reread this series once every couple of years and I still love it.

And finally, book 6 is one of those books that I reread EVERY SINGLE YEAR and I still love it. I read it for the first time when I was about 12 years old or thereabouts. I fell head over heels in love with the hero and thought the growth of the heroine was very true to life. Also, I wrote my own version of a sequel starring the hero’s son. Unfortunately, it never made it out in the publishing world (like I would’ve actually sent it out), but that is how much this book touched me. What is my 6th and final book, you might ask? It is Years by LaVyrle Spencer, the coming-of-age story of Linnea Brandonberg and her trials and thrills as a teacher in Alamo, North Dakota. Throw in a curmudgeonly hero, his eccentric, but awesome family and you’ve got one of the best historical romances out there, in my humble opinion. It’s based around WWI, so it’s a bit more current than most historicals, but what an amazing tale.

And so ends my first day on this here DIK blog. I hope you enjoyed my look into the books I love. Maybe you’ll give them a try sometime. Enjoy!

Oh, who am I kidding? Here's a picture that you might recognize from my review blog. Enjoy! :~)

About Me featuring Bridget

It's Bridget's turn!! Bridget is from Portland, Oregon, an aspiring writer and happily single!

Favorite Reading Position

Laying on my stomach in bed

Best love song

I have a lot of favorite love songs. The one I've been listening to a lot lately is "Come a Little Closer" by Dierks Bentley. Yes, it's country, which I'm not a big fan of, but the song is sexy and so is the video. :)

Author everyone loves but you don't

Christine Feehan. There's someone else, but I won't list her name b/c I don't want to get beaten up. :)

If you could be in one book/series/world which would you pick

This one goes back to my teen years, but I'd probably say the world of Valdemar created by Mercedes Lackey. Those books are what saved my sanity when I was a teen.

How old is your inside voice

It's a toss-up between a 12 year old boy and me. :)

If you could be a hero who would you be

Roarke cuz I'm sure sex w/ Eve is interesting. :) I'm weird, what can I say? And it doesn't hurt that he's super hot and uber-rich. :D

Favorite Sex Song

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye, anything by Enigma, and When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin (which isn't a sex song, but what a great beat to strip to)

What heroine is most like you

I think it's Jessica Trent from LC's Lord of Scoundrels. She's too smart for her own good and isn't afraid to speak her mind. :)

What heroine would you like to be

Mercy Thompson. She's so strong and able to handle just about anything that life throws at her.

Boxers, Briefs, boxer briefs, kilt (I say we add commando)

I'm a sucker for kilts. Highland Games anyone? :)

Favorite book set on a tropical island

I dunno if I've ever read anything set on a tropical island other than Lord of the Flies & that was NOT a sexy book. Ick!

What hero is most like your significant other

I am completely & totally single, so this question is moot.

What hero would you like to be your significant other

Simon Hunt from Secrets of a Summer's Night by Lisa Kleypas. He was so sexy, rich and powerful, yet he loved Annabelle for who she was. If that's not sexy, I don't know what is. :)

If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring

Sarai already stole Richard Armitage, so I'd have to say a never-ending supply of water, books and toilet paper. :)

Favorite drink to bring to the DIK party

Since I seem to be the only one of the group that doesn't drink alcohol, I'll say a virgin margarita. I can still act like I'm part of the party, but I'll be the only one who is sober. That can make life interesting, I'm sure. :)

You can visit Bridget here or on her blogs (yes, that's plural) Reading, Writing and Life...Oh My! or Good and Bad Books