Today’s muse: Duke the 80# lapdog who hates thunder

I was tagged on Facebook to list 10 books that have stayed with me. I thought I’d add them here, too. I’m not a re-reader, so when a book sticks to the point where I’ve bought another copy because I’ve thought about reading it again, I figure it’s worth mentioning. And if I can remember where I was when reading it, all the better. I have multiple copies of all of these, print and digital, and know exactly where I was when reading. I forced myself to stop at 10…

1) Outlander – I have the original hardcover, autographed by Ms. Gabaldon. So much love for Jamie.

2) Heart of the West – This is my favorite by Penelope Williamson. I remember being in bed and holding my breath toward the end, waiting for the HEA to happen. I miss that in a lot of romances, the feeling of uncertainty, the tension that it truly might not happen. I wish I could write that.

3) Fire Dancer/Dancer’s Luck/Dancer’s Illusion – The story set up in this Ann Maxwell (Elizabeth Lowell) SF trilogy was left unfinished and I don’t know a single reader who doesn’t want more. I read this at a mall playground when my (now) 35 year old son was about 7.

4) The Flame and the Flower – Per Wikipedia: The first romance novel to detail physical intimacy between the protagonists, the book revolutionized the historical romance genre. I almost named my son Brandon after Brandon Birmingham.

5) The Thorn Birds – I did name my daughter Megan after Meggie Cleary.

6) Slow Heat in Heaven – The Sandra Brown that changed my life. I’d read all of her Silhouette Intimate Moments books as Erin St. Claire, and most of her Loveswepts and even her Candlelights. But Cash Boudreaux. Whoo-boy.

7) Honeymoon – Forever and always this will be my favorite Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Dash and Eric. Sigh.

8) Mystic River – Read this one on the bus commuting downtown to work. My introduction to Dennis Lehane. A forty minute ride each way. Fell into this and almost missed my stop every time.

9) The Wolf’s Hour – This was my first Robert McCammon, and after reading it I wanted so badly to see it as a movie.

10) The Stand – Stephen King, with this book, is probably responsible for my love of all things apocalyptic.

Word count at the end of the day: 65780

Online shopping: I looked. I resisted.

Social media: ::hangs head in shame::