Author: Shental Henrie

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5 Sizzling Ways to Find Your Next Great Read!

As a romance reader, there’s nothing sweeter than finding a romance book that you absolutely love!!

When that happens, it’s incredibly rewarding you just don’t want to read one book, you want to read them ALL!!

Luckily, avid readers like me, we’re always on the hunt for our next great read! Here’re five sizzling ways you can look for more looks to add to your ever-growing TBR list!

Find Books in Libraries and Bookstores

While shopping online is definitely on the rise, there’s still something special about spending hours wandering the aisles of my favorite library or bookstore, surrounded by shelves and shelves of books.

This is specially true when I’m looking for a new-to-me authors to discover. Seeing a book cover, reading the blurb, and even flipping through the first few pages can be incredibly powerful when it comes to making a decision to read or not to read!

Find Books at Trade Shows or Book Fairs

Trade shows, book fairs, or even conferences are often thought of as event just for publishers or authors, but they can be a great way for us readers to discover new books (or authors) as well.

It’s a great opportunity to meet authors face-to-face and make connections.

It’s also fun when authors offer additional merchandise, such as bookmarks, posters, calendars, journals, or other swag products for us to take home with us.

Find Books from the Movies You Watch

There’s no denying that we all live in a visual age, and we all love to watch movies or binge watch tv! Thinking you’d rather read the book after you’ve watched the movie, it just might give you a deeper understanding of the story and characters.

Check out the list of romance books that’ve been adapted to movies.

Find Books from Recommendations

There’s nothing like word-of-mouth recommendations! They’re valuable because we trust our friends and family, we trust their opinions. So, next time you’re looking for a new great read, ask a friend, family member, coworker, or even the online friends you’ve made in that Facebook group you joined awhile ago!

And don’t forget to share your recommendations with your friends and family too! Be active on social media, get involved in online groups and forums and share your thoughts and opinions. Remember to use Goodreads too!

Find Books Online Yourself

Finally, there’s no denying the power of online shopping when it comes to finding new books to read. You can browse not just one, but as many bookstores without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Websites like BookBub offer daily deals on ebooks, which can be a great way to find new books. I personally have amassed over 2500 books on my Kindle because of BookBub!!

Conclusion

Browsing the physical aisles of bookstores or scrolling endlessly online, us readers are always on the hunt for our next great read! Finding authors who fit that “next great read” are the lucky ones to be found!

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Why It Shouldn’t Be Tough to Find a Decent Romance Book!

There’s no denying that romance books are popular. In fact, they’re one of the most popular book genres out there. But despite their popularity, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a decent romance book.

The problem is that the industry is so saturated with low-quality books that it’s hard to sift through all the dreck to find the books that are actually worth your time.

And author websites are often of little help, since they’re typically just a sales pitch for the latest book with no real information about quality.

So how can you separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to romance novels?

Here are a few tips:

Look for reviews from trusted sources

If you don’t know where to start to find a trusted source, ask your friends or family members if they have any recommendations. Once you’ve found a few titles that look promising, take some time to read some reviews online. Be sure to read a mix of positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded idea of each book.

The two best places to find reviews worth reading are Amazon and Goodreads. Both places are reliable and trustworthy in how they present the reviews and in what they say. You’ll still need to make your own decision on if the book will be worth your time, but it’ll give you enough info to be able to make a more informed decision.

Pay attention to author biographies

A good author will usually have a website that includes information about their experience and qualifications. Reading an author bio can give you a good sense of whether or not they know what they’re doing. If an author’s website is just a sales pitch for their latest book, move on.

Read the book’s story excerpt

Don’t be afraid to sample a few pages before you commit to buying a book. With ebooks especially, it’s easy to download a sample and get a feel for the author’s style and storytelling ability. If you’re not enjoying the sample, chances are you won’t enjoy the full book either.

By following these tips, you should be able to find at least a few decent romance novels amidst all the dreck. And who knows? You might just find your new favorite author in the process!

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Why I Won’t Ever Recommend a Romance Book!

To me, my choice of romance books is a very personal thing. To me, my choice of romance books is decided on the choices I’ve made in my life, the background I’ve grown up in, the people that’ve influenced my life and my likes and dislikes.

So, while I won’t ever recommend a specific romance book, I will, however, let you know about which romance authors that will be worth your time. Authors that write well and aren’t necessarily considered a best-selling author.

Here’s a list of Romance Authors that’re worth your time!

As a romance reader for more than 30+ years, I have come across romance authors that are completely worth your time and some that should never have written a book in the first place.

Please know that I am not going to rate authors. I will let you know of the ones that I think are actual decent writers, the ones are able to weave a story that is compelling and entertaining and keeps you reading.

I think, if I have to say I have a favorite, it would be Sharon Sala. She’s classified as a best-selling author and has written more than 130 books. She has written enough books that she writes in several genres, from romantic suspense, mystery, and western to women’s fiction and even non-fiction. She writes in such a way that you feel and love right along with the characters.

Another author I read all the time is Robyn Carr. Her Virgin River Series is a fav of mine!! I even have the whole series in paperbacks. I found them over the years and coveted them. But I have to admit, I’m not much of a fan of the Netflix series!! The screenwriters took too much liberty in the storyline! Didn’t like that.

Dianne Duvall is also a fav of mine. Her new series, the Aldebarian Alliance, is entertaining and exciting and very much worth your time. I, personally, wish there wasn’t as many sex scenes but the storyline is captivating.

Here’s even more authors that write decent stories and actually write well that their story is worth your time.

  • Catherine Anderson
  • Carolyn Brown
  • Traci Hunter Abramson
  • B.J. Daniels
  • Jude Deveraux
  • Christine Feehan
  • Diana Gabaldon
  • Donna Kaufmann
  • Debbie Macomber
  • Kat Martin
  • Cindy Miles
  • Kerrelyn Sparks
  • Anita Stansfield
  • Susan Wiggs

Needless to say, this is not a complete list!! This is only a fraction of the authors that I’ve read over the years. But you will find books from each of these here on this site with details about some of their books.

Can one person read every single book by all these authors — NOPE!! But I would recommend their books in ways that will entertain you and make it worth your time.

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Why Romance Books Are So Well-Loved

Romance books are some of the most well-loved books out there. In fact, romance is the most popular genre in the United States, with Americans spending $1.08 billion on romance books in 2016 alone. But why are romance books so popular? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why romance novels are so cherished by readers all over the world.

The Heroine’s Journey
One of the reasons why romance novels are so popular is because they often follow what’s known as the “heroine’s journey.” This is a version of the more widely-known “hero’s journey” first outlined by Joseph Campbell, and it describes a storytelling arc in which the main character (in this case, a heroine) goes on a journey, faces challenges and obstacles, and emerges changed (and usually in a relationship with a hero). This storyline is very satisfying for readers, who get to root for the heroine as she overcomes the challenges in her life and achieves her happy ending.

The Power of Fantasy
Another reason why romance novels are so well-loved is because they offer readers a chance to escape from their everyday lives and into a world of fantasy. In romances, anything is possible. The hero can be incredibly wealthy, impossibly handsome, and totally devoted to the heroine. The heroine can be strong and independent or sweet and shy—it all depends on what kind of story the reader is looking for. And while we might not all be able to experience these things in real life, it’s nice to read about them and imagine what it would be like to have our own fairy tale romance.

The Appeal of Happy Endings
Finally, one of the biggest attractions of romance novels is that they always end happily. No matter how Challenges and trials that the hero and heroine face throughout the story, you can be sure that by the end they’ll be together and living happily ever after. In a world that can often be harsh and unpredictable, it’s comforting to know that good things do happen to good people—and that happy endings are possible.

Romance novels are some of the most well-loved books out there because they offer readers an escape into a world of fantasy where anything is possible. They also follow storylines that are very satisfying for readers, with challenges and obstacles faced by the heroine culminating in a happy ending. If you’re looking for some light reading that will transport you to another world and make you believe in happy endings again, pick up a romance novel today!

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What is an Author Booklist and How Do Authors Use Them?

If you’re a romance reader, you’ve probably seen an author booklist before. But what exactly is an author booklist, and how do authors use them?

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what an author booklist is and how they can be used to help authors sell more books.

What is an Author Booklist?

An author booklist is a list of all the books that they have written, either in chronological order or grouped by series. I like to find booklists listed with books in reading order, that way I know which book to read next.

Many authors include their booklists on their websites as a dedicated page where we can see all their books. Some even offer their booklists downloadable, which is awesome!

I’ve even seen some authors promote their booklists on their social media.

What I like to see on Author Booklists?

My favorite booklists have at least two elements listed. The first, of course, is the book titles listed within each book series. Having them in reading order is definitely needed. That way when I get done one book, I can find the next in the series!

The second is the names of the two main characters in each respective book. I like to connect the characters in each book with the other characters in the storyline – connecting them in such a way if they’re siblings or best friends or brothers-in-arms.

These would be the basics that each booklist needs but I’ve seen other booklists with other info included. I’ve seen book covers, published dates, links to purchase, links to more info about each book.

No matter what’s been included, to me, an author booklist is a vital and important piece of content I look for each time I find a new book. I’ve even created many of my own, to the point I have an entire binder full of my own versions!

An author booklist is a list of all the books an author has written, either in chronological order or grouped by series. Many authors include their booklists on their websites or on their social media pages, as a way of promoting their work. Some authors even offer free ebook versions of their booklists, which can be a great way to draw attention to your work.

How Authors Use their Booklists?

There are a few different ways authors use their booklists to sell more books online. One way is to offer discounts on their books if readers purchase them through that booklist. This can be a great way to encourage us readers to buy their books, especially if we’re on the fence about whether or not we want to read them.

Another way they use it is to offer bonus content for readers who purchase their books. This can be anything from extra scenes to character interviews. Finding bonus content is always fun to get from an author BEFORE I read as it allows me to get a taste of their writing style to decide whether or not I’m going to read their books.

No matter what, booklists are a great tool for authors, whether they’re promoting their work or offering bonus content to those who purchase their books.

Tell me what you think!

Do you like finding author booklists? Do they influence your TBR list?? Comment below.

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Everything You Need to Know About Romance Books

If you’re anything like me, you love a well written romance book. There’s just something about a love story between strong man and woman that just can’t be beat. But what exactly is a romance book? And what makes them so special?

Read on to find out everything you’re gonna need to know about romance books!

What is a Romance Book?

A romance book is, quite simply, a book that tells a romantic story. That’s it! Of course, there are all sorts of different subgenres of romance, from contemporary to historical to paranormal, but at their core, they all revolve around a romantic relationship. And we have to say, we are here for it.

Why We Love Romance Books

There are lots of reasons why people love to read romance books, but I think there’re three main reasons. First of all, who doesn’t love a good love story? There’s just something so satisfying about reading about how two people fall in love and overcome all obstacles to be together.

Secondly, romance books are escapist novels par excellence. They allow us to escape from our everyday lives and into a world of fantasy and possibilities.

And last but not least, they’re simply fun to read! So, if you’re looking for a book that’ll make you laugh, cry, and swoon, then a romance novel is definitely for you.

I hope that has helped you to understand exactly what a romance book is and why they’re so beloved by readers around the world.

But how then do you find a romance book? Let’s find out!

How to Find the Perfect Romance Book for You

There are so many romance books out there, and it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, never fear! This guide will help you figure out how to find the perfect romance book for you.

  1. Start with your favorite genre.
    If you’re a fan of historical romances, then start your search there. Don’t like history? No problem! Maybe you prefer contemporary romances or even paranormal romances. Whatever your favorite genre is, that’s a great place to start.
  2. Ask your friends for recommendations.
    Chances are, you have at least one friend who loves romance books as much as you do. Ask them for their favorite titles and authors – they’ll be more than happy to share their recommendations with you.
  3. Check out book bloggers.
    There are tons of bloggers out there who review romance books and they can be a great resource for finding new titles to try. A quick Google search will turn up plenty of options, so take some time to explore and see what looks interesting to you.
  4. Browse your local bookstore or library.
    Sometimes the best way to find a good book is simply to browse the shelves and see what catches your eye. So next time you’re at the bookstore or library, take some time to peruse the romance section and see if anything looks appealing.

With so many romance books out there, it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry – this guide will help you figure out how to find the perfect romance book for you. Whether you prefer historical romances or contemporary ones, there’s sure to be a book out there that’s just right for you. So Happy reading!