Saturday, July 31, 2010

And Now A Word From A Fan

Since I picked the topic of fans, I thought it would be fun to hear from a fan. Leaundra is one of my FaceBook friends, and I noticed how many of her posts were about books, so I thought, "Hmm, here's a reader! Let's get some insight into her thoughts." She did a great job. My thanks to her for pitching in.


My name is Leaundra and I’ve never done this before, believe me I’m not a writer, I’m just a person who loves to read(I’ll leave the writing to you experts, hehe) I’m from Seattle Washington. I've been married 23 years, have three children, two daughter’s(ages 18,19)and a son(24) and have two granddaughters(3,4). We are a military family and have been traveling our whole marriage. We’ve lived in Washington State, Germany twice (we’re here now), Texas(going back in January 11), Alaska, California and South Carolina.

Just a little background on my love of books. I always get asked the question what is your favorite book and since I read so many books it's hard to pick just one. So how I pick a book, I always pick the book that started my love of reading. "Are you there? God, it's me Margaret" by Judy Blume. I read this book at age 10 and have been in love with reading ever since.

When I was younger I was a librarians best friend. I lived in the library, school library and the neighborhood ones. They always had piles of books picked out for me because I read them so fast. I loved libraries so much that I decided to start my own at home. Right now I have over 1800 paperbacks in my living room. I think since I couldn’t keep them when I was younger I’m making up for it now, lol. Yes they have traveled with me of course I didn’t start out with 1800 but every duty station I’ve add more and more. If you could see the packers faces when they have to pack my books, hehe.

Being surrounded by my books really relaxes me. Since I said I couldn’t pick a favorite book earlier and I have so many, I went to my already read books, books that have a color dot on them, you don’t know how many books I have reread because I forgot that I read them already., lol The authors I’m listing are authors that I have enjoyed and have read their books and are in my home library. Okay here goes... They’re not in any specific order…Karen Robards, Nora Roberts, Jasmine Cresswell, Connie Mason, Nalini Singh, Catherine Coulter, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Annie Solomon, Heather Graham, Dianah McCall, Kathryn Shay, Carly Phillips, Debbie Macomber, Rachel Gibson, Janet Evanovich, Linda Howard, Lori Foster, Lara Adrian, Tina Wainschott, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Shannon McKenna, Lisa Jackson, Julie Kenner, Cherry Adair, Jacquelyn Frank, Mariah Stewart, J.R. Ward, Kay Hooper, Gennita Low, Julie Garwood, Christina Dodd, Christine Feehan, Sandra Brown and Suzanne Brockmann. There are tons more but I’ve already put lots up here and I’m not done, hehe

How I pick an author to read I just go to the book store( I love a good used book store. I only by new books if I have to and only paperbacks) and check out covers and start reading the blurbs on the back and if It sounds good, I get it. The cover can get me to pick up the book but it’s the blurb that will keep me so the book can have a so so cover, but if the books sounds good to me I will buy it. I do have authors now that are auto buys for me so it makes it easier. I only buy paperback because I can get three for one hardback. Even if it continues a series I will still wait until it comes out in paperback, it’s not just a money thing I just enjoy how the paperback looks and fits in my hand when I’m reading. Normally when we’re stationed in the states I can get some books from used book stores but since being here in Germany it’s kind of hard to do since I don’t read German. I also don’t like to order books. So I got into reading e-books here, I started reading m/m books. I’ve read some of the best books. These are some of the authors I love to read, No specific order once again: Lynn Lorenz, Willa Okati, Jade Buchanan, Katrina Strauss, Serena Yates, AKM Miles, Jamie Craig, Stephani Hecht, Z.A. Maxfield, Amber Kell, Devon Rhodes, Cassandra Gold, T.D. McKinney, Ryan Field, Mark Alders, G.A. Hauser, Carol Lynn, Stormy Glenn, Ethan Day, Andrew Grey, Jet Mykles, J.M. Snyder, Cameron Dane, A.J. Llewellyn, Pepper Espinoza, Remmy Duchene, Sloan Paker, Eden Winters, S.J. Frost, Shawn Lane, D.J. Manly, Mary Calmes, and T.A. Chase. Whew!! There are some I probably missed but I it would take too long, lol.

Right now I’m only buying e-books but once we hit stateside again I will be haunting the book stores once again. There are two other things I love besides my family it’s reading and football(Go Seahawks). I just want to thank all of the authors out there for doing what you to so you can keep feeding my reading habit and keeping my life exciting. I can’t forget my husband for having no problem with me buying all my books. He’s the best. I want to also thank Kathleen Bradean for asking me to do this. I always get nervous about any kind of writing but she was so nice and sweet I was like okay you have to do it, hehe Thank you~ Leaundra Ross

4 comments:

  1. Hello, Leaundra,

    First of all, welcome to Oh Get a Grip and thank you for being brave enough to share your thoughts with us!

    I'm a bit overwhelmed by your reading! Not to mention impressed. But I truly do understand your love of books. I remember family trips to the library as huge treats. There's still a special thrill when I pick up a new book and open the cover for the first time!

    Keep reading--and we'll try to keep writing for you. Though I'm not sure we can keep up!

    Warmly,
    Lisabet

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  2. Well written! My collection of paperbacks and e-books has many of the same authors, so I think I'll congratulate you on what good taste you have! LOL

    I also want to thank you for the sacrifices you make as a military spouse. It sounds as though you have handled military life quite well and have a beautiful family. Congratulations. :)

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  3. Leaundra,

    Thank you for an excellent post. It was really interesting to read the perspective of a reader. Especially an avid and articulate reader.

    Ordinarily, the only time I hear from readers is when they send emails saying 'That last book you wrote was rubbish!'

    And I'm delighted to see that you mentioned the title of the first book that hooked you on reading. I haven't read Blume's book. But I know how important that first one is to every reader.

    Best wishes,

    Ash

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  4. Thank you Lisabet, Donna and Ashley for your kind comments. I've never done anything like this before and I figured I needed to step outside my box. It made me a little nervous especially since I knew authors were going to be reading it, LOL. I think all authors rock!! This is a reader who really does appreciate all of your hard work. Also I want to thank Kathleen again...Leaundra

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