Maci

About me
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How I became a...
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What could you possibly want to know? I am a pretty ordinary, average Jane. I went to college, got married, have two children (the most beautiful in the world, I might add) and a dog. I love reading and writing so much I became an English teacher and got my Masters in Education. I read and write everyday. I love who I am and the person I have become and I look forward to the many chapters that the story of my life is writing day to day.

Reader . . . besides being read to as a child, I independently read my first chapter book (Beverly Cleary's Ramona the Pest) and I was hooked. Haven't stopped reading since.

Writer . . . I wrote my first story in the fourth grade. I knew that writing was what I wanted to do from the last word in that first story. What a feeling. I haven't stopped writing since.

Reviewer . . . I accidentally stumbled upon reviewing. I haven't been reviewing for long, but what a gig! I really like reading a work and having the opportunity to express my opinion in a succinct way.

My taste in books:

Favorite authors:

I love ROMANCE especially historical and regency romance novels. Some of my favorite authors include Judith McNaught, Lavyrle Spencer, Johanna Lindsey, and Elizabeth Lowell. I will pick up any story that looks remotely interesting; I just read a wonderful regency in e-book format by Fanny Delarose. I enjoy contemporary romance, but like CHICK LIT like Jennifer Cruise because I enjoy the humor. I also am a sucker for a great SUSPENSE novel like Dan Brown, Dean Koontz, Tess Gerritson, Michael Palmer, John Grisham to name a few. I also enjoy MAINSTREAM titles like She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard or The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I love ADOLESCENT literature. Holes by Sacher was fabulous and one of my most favorite novels ever is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Finally, I loved the INSPIRATIONAL Left Behind Series by Tim Lahay and Jerry B. Jenkins.

Guess I answered that one already.

What makes a book a keeper?

What makes me throw a book at the wall?

A keeper for me is a book that draws me in and makes the characters so endearing to my heart that I can't separate myself from their story. I feel transported . . . like I am on vacation. For example Judith McNaught's Whitney, My Love , Lavyrle Spencer's Morning Glory, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone, Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights and last but not least, The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkein are all books that exemplify that captivation. There are stories that emotionally grip me and immerse me to thoroughly in the narrative, that even after I've put the book down, or even read the last word, the story continues in my mind and I have to pick the book up again. That sort of book is on my shelves, displayed for all to browse and for easy access to read again.

I hate books that aren't entertaining. I used to be one of those people that would keep reading a book, suffering through it until the end, even if I hated it. Not any more. There are so many books out there why waste time with something you won't enjoy. I hope I spend my time wisely. So now, I read a few chapters. If I can't get into it by those first three or four chapters, chances are I won't by chapter sixteen or beyond.

My favorite genre and why?

My least favorite genre and why?

I can't say that I have one. I love to read, so if someone recommends a great book in pretty much any genre, I will attempt to read it.

I don't care for erotica. I love things to be left to the imagination, so I enjoy the less direct prose used in traditional romance novels.

My bathroom library:

My to be read list:

What a question! LOL. I wish I could say that I have interesting stuff in the bathroom, but my family opts for things like our Entertainment Weekly magazine. It would be a great idea to put a classic in the bathroom and read it then.

Classics (I admit, I haven't read enough of them) and recommendations. I have a shelf stacked with books I have bought or have been given that need to be read. What a treasure!

My favorite links:

My favorite reading snack:

beta.novelspot.com/blog
www.rwa.org
www.amazon.com

I am not a very good surfer. I have always heard that it is very difficult to learn and master, takes a lot of balance. LOL. I use the net for practical use and then move on (Thanks to the rest of you who give me good sites to surf.)

I love sugary snacks (oh that explains the extra weight!J) so I try not to snack when I read. If I am indulging, either a handful of candy corn (yes, you read correctly) or a cup of thick black coffee and a chunk of dark chocolate.

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