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July's FEATURED AUTHOR: Marie's favorite reads...

July 21, 2010
July's Featured Author, Marie Force, stops by today to share some of her favorite reads! Check out what they are:

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!
by Marie Force

I should have titled that my favorite reads rather than my favorite things, but I couldn’t mess with that classic song. Drey asked me to tell you about my favorite books and why they’re so memorable to me. I told her I have a hard time with this assignment because I often remember authors I really like but when it comes to specifics and book titles, I go stupid in the head. I blame that on the day job, the writing career, the two busy kids, the house, the dog, etc. There’s only so much room on the data chip, and I’m always approaching max capacity. So let me tell you about a few books and series that have stayed with me long after I read them (and why).

The Thorn Birds by Colleen Mccullough
I read this book one summer after 8th or 9th grade when I was probably far too young for such a story. As a young, impressionable Catholic girl growing up in the most Catholic of states (Rhode Island) reading about a young girl who falls in love with a priest and then later has a scorching affair with him when he was a Cardinal no less. . . Well, suffice to say that book left a lasting impression. I absolutely adored Meggie and wanted all good things for her, even if she was destined for heartbreak by loving a man she could never really have.

North and South by John Jakes
Over a high school summer, I devoured this amazing three-part series about two friends divided by the Civil War. I’ve never forgotten Orry Main or George Hazard and the epic struggle they endured to maintain their friendship while fighting against each other in the War Between the States. An amazing story!

Some of Danielle Steel’s earlier books have stayed on my keeper shelf for years after I first read them, including: Season of Passion, A Perfect Stranger, and Now and Forever.

I love Nora Roberts’ work. Her recent Bride Quartet has been thoroughly entertaining, and I look forward to the fourth book later this year. I also love the In Death books written under Nora’s J.D. Robb pseudonym, but I read the early ones years ago and don’t remember much of what happened way back when. I have the series on my keeper shelf to be re-read someday.

Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series was a major find last year. I think I read the first seven books in about 10 days time. I adored Jack, Mel, Preacher and the Virgin River gang from the very beginning, but I enjoyed the earlier books most of all.

I’ve saved my no. 1 top favorite author for last. Lisa Kleypas could write the phone book, and I’d run right out to buy it. Her earlier historicals were fantastic, but her recent Hathaway series was sublime. I’m so sorry it’s done! I also enjoyed her recent contemporary series that began with Sugar Daddy, and included Blue-Eyed Devil and Smooth Talking Stranger. I believe there are a few more stories left to be told in that series, and I’m hoping for more! My other favorite historical author is Mary Balogh, who writes the memorable Huxtable series. I’m looking forward to the next installment!

Well, those are a few of my favorite reads. What are some of yours?

Thank you for sharing your favorite reads, Marie! It's nice to see some of the older books on a list--I'd forgotten all about The Thorn Birds, which I should probably pick up again now that some decades have passed since my last reading... And I just started the In Death series, and I'm hooked! Alas, I have other books that need to be reviewed before I keep going with those. And nothing keeps me going back for more like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, if only to see whether she (finally!) ends up with Ranger. Yup, I'm a Ranger kinda girl. *grin*

6 comments:

Lexi said...

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Absolutely my hands down favorite.

Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin. It was just awesome. I would take this on a deserted island with me without a doubt.

Perfectly Saucy by Emily McKay. I'm not a big fan of reunion stories, but this one grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let go.

Absolute Power by David Baldacci. I picked it up on a bus seat, read it, loved it and then left it somewhere else for someone else to love.

Down River by John Hart. I liked the cover, read the back and put it back on the shelf. Of course I kept thinking about it. By the time I left the bookstore I had it in my bag.

44 Scotland Street Series by Alexander McCall Smith. Since I love Scotland, this series touches my heart.

Lexi said...

Oh, and I forgot Outlander by Diana Gabaldon! This was one of the books that set me on my path to pursuing publication!

Marie Force said...

That's an impressive list, Lexi! I haven't read any of them! LOL! I hear great things about Outlander, but I'm so not a fan of time travel, so I don't think it would be for me. Thanks for stopping by and offering up your list. I love to hear what others have on their keeper shelves!

joyh82 said...

Great list! Some of my favs are
Catherine Anderson, Lisa Kleypas,
David Baldacci, Nicholas Sparks,
Nora Roberts and many many more.

drey said...

Wow, Lexi! I will have to check them out. :)

Fedora said...

Great list, Marie! Some of those authors are on my favorites list, too :) A few others on mine: Jennifer Crusie (I especially love The Cinderella Deal, Welcome to Temptation, and Faking It), SEP (Ain't She Sweet is probably my favorite), Sarah Mayberry (I love all her books!), Shelly Laurenston/GA Aiken, Lisa Wingate... And I haven't started Nora's Bride Quartet yet... I'm kinda waiting until all of them are out :)

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