Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer Reading

Do you have favorite authors?  You know, the ones that leave you counting down the days to the release of their latest book?  I’m there with two of my favorite romance authors.

One: Sherry Thomas.  Some of her books are on my absolute favorite list.  Not Quite a Husband and His at Night are two.  I go back to those books again and again.  Her latest novel, Ravishing the Heiress, is coming out tomorrow.  Finally!

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Two: Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  Ahhh!

About a dozen years ago, I went through some dark, dark times.  Years of debilitating depression and mental anguish.  (And can I just say that the midwife/doctor that did the hormone workup on me and prescribed hormone replacement therapy gets my undying gratitude?  She gave me my life back.)  As I struggled through those dark days, I rediscovered romance novels.  And I was truly lucky because I stumbled onto just the right authors – those who wrote books that were laugh out loud funny with heroines who were strong, determined, and capable.  Those books helped get me through, I kid you not. 

Susan Elizabeth Phillips was one of those authors.  I think the first one of hers I read was Breathing Room.  What’s not to like about a book that includes a retreat to a villa in Italy, a self-help guru in need of help, and a drop-dead gorgeous actor?  Natural Born Charmer is another one of my favorites.  Let’s see: a gorgeous football player, a rock and roll star, a recovering alcoholic trying to make amends for the past, a young woman who has never known a true home whose saintly mother just emptied her bank account to help girls kidnapped by guerillas, a runaway teenager, a crotchety old woman terrorizing a small town . . .  and more.  What’s not to love? 

Frankly, the list of books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips that I love is way too long to inflict on you guys.  But her latest, The Great Escape, comes out July 10. 

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Not only that, she’s going to be in town this month for a book signing.  I don’t remember the last time I went to a book signing.  Decades probably.  But I’m going to this one – just between me and you, it’s a little bit of homage where homage is due. 

Because writers who can give you a bit of escape and a bit of hope when the times are truly tough?  It’s a gift.

3 comments:

  1. I love to read for an escape....these books look interesting.

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  2. I'll check them out. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  3. Thanks Terrie, I will check them out!

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