A bookseller turned romance author. I'm a writer mom with 4 kids and 2 furbabies and an over-active imagination. Forever dreaming of happily-ever-after.
Fire and Ice... they are two of the most powerful elements known to man.
From the tiniest of sparks to a blazing inferno, fire is an intense energy that
can consume anything in its path.
Ice is it's unrelenting and frigid counterpart that can startle your senses
and make you shiver.
When put together, you'll find a force that is stronger than anything you'll ever encounter.
If you love the paranormal and can't get enough of romance, then this set is exactly what you need in your library.
With mythical creatures, vampires, shapeshifters, and supernatural of all kinds, you're sure to find something that will awaken your senses and set your soul on fire as you tremble with delight.
Including stories from:
USA Today Bestselling Author Laura Greenwood
USA Today and International Bestselling Author, Nicole Morgan
USA Today Bestselling, and Award-Winning Author, Desiree Holt
Award-winning and Amazon Bestselling Author, Nikki Landis
USA Today Bestselling, and Award-Winning Author, Suzanne Jenkins
Two-time EPIC award winner, and Amazon Bestselling Author, Lesli Richardson
USA Today Bestselling Author, Author Candace Sams
USA Today Bestselling Author, Jocelyn Dex
International Bestselling Author, Laurie Treacy
International Bestselling Author, Krista Ames
International Bestselling Author, Deelylah Mullin
International Bestselling Author, Mercer Norris
Author Tricia Schneider
Author Trevann Rogers
Author Jeffrey Bardwell
Author Jessica Ripley
Author Ashlee Nicole Bye
Author Stacy-Deanne
International Bestselling & Award-Winning Author, K.L. Bone
Today's topic: Books I Love that Became Films or TV Shows
It's a general consensus with readers that the book is always better than the movie. Typically, I agree. But, there are some instances where the movie is just as good as the book, maybe for different reasons. Sometimes, things get changed, which I know upsets readers, but the movie and television format is different than the novel. Instead of arguing which is better, I just accept entertainment for what it is...a great story in whatever format suits it.
This is a list of books that I love that became movies or televisions that I enjoyed.
The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris --->
First published 2001
True Blood on HBO (2008 - 2014)
Starring:
Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammel,
Ryan Kwanten, Tara Thornton, Alexander Skarsgard, Kristin Bauer van Straten
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon ---->
First published 1991
Outlander on Starz (2014 - Present)
Starring:
Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe
A Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin
First published 1996 --->
A Game of Thrones on HBO (2011-2019)
Starring:
Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke,
Kit Harrington, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams,
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
First published 1954 --->
The Lord of the Rings
The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Two Towers (2002)
The Return of the King (2003)
Starring:
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom,
Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Sean Bean, Liv Tyler,
Billy Boyd, Viggo Mortensen, Dominic Monaghan,
John Rhys-Davies, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis,
Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
First published 1937 --->
The Hobbit
An Unexpected Journey (2012)
The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Starring:
Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Scott, Graham MacTavish,
William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Dean O'Gorman,
Aidan Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow,
Adam Brown, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee,
Andy Serkis, Sylvester McCoy, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch
The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
First published 1997 --->
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
Starring:
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson,
Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon,
Tom Felton, Warwick Davis, Julie Walters, Matthew Lewis,
Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham-Carter
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
First published 1847 --->
Jane Eyre (1997)
Starring:
Ciaran Hinds, Samantha Morton
Emma by Jane Austen
First published 1815 --->
Emma (1996)
Starring:
Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Toni Collette,
Alan Cummings, Greta Scacchi, Ewan MacGregor
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
First Published 1811 --->
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Starring:
Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones,
Alan Rickman, Robert Hardy, Elizabeth Spriggs
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
First published 1843--->
A Christmas Carol (1999)
Starring:
Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey, Desmond Barrit,
Ian McNeice, Elizabeth Spriggs, Bernard Lloyd,
Saskia Reeves, Laura Fraser, Annette Badland
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
First published 1936
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Starring:
Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Hattie McDaniel,
Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
First published --->
The Princess Bride (1987)
Starring:
Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin,
Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest,
Peter Falk, Andre the Giant
Dracula by Bram Stoker
First Published 1897 --->
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Starring:
Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves,
Richard E. Grant, Billy Campbell, Sadie Frost, Tom Waits
And I know this hasn't been released yet, but the announcement was recently made that Julia Quinn's The Bridgertons will be made into a series to be produced by Netflix. If the TV series is as good as the books, then I'm going to love it!
I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!
The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
IWSG Asks:Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?
Today is the start of NaNoWriMo! For anyone unfamiliar with NaNo, according to their website:
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your pants approach to creative writing
On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel
I've had the great pleasure and hair-pulling torment of having participated in NaNo for several years now. Some years I win, other years I barely manage an oddly mangled outline. However, I usually go on to finish those novels...eventually. I love participating in NaNo every year, despite having to struggle to find time to get those extra words written within this month. I'm not a fast writer. I'm a mother of four children ages 2, 7, 10, & 11. My family loves to keep me busy and on my toes with very little free time to call my own. I don't have the writing time like I used to even when I worked management in retail full-time. However, I love writing and I enjoy supporting other writers with their goals which makes this a fun event for me even if I'm not keep up with my word count goal.
Some writers are blessed to have families and friends who support their writing endeavors. Some writers struggle to find 10 minutes of their day to scribble a few lines. Whether we write 50 words or 5000 words a day, we are all writers. The important thing is to start writing! Equally important, in my mind, is to finish what you start!
That's what I think is so important about NaNo. There are many people out there who have always wanted to write a novel. This is a great time to start! When you have so many others encouraging you to keep going! Don't give up! Write that story!
And among those many people out there who have started writing, how many actually finish their projects? Those are the true winners! Whether they do it in a month or a year, I don't think it matters. To finish a WIP is one of the greatest accomplishments and one of the best feelings in the world.
Having that novel published? Icing on the cake!
I've had two of my NaNo projects published. The Witch's Thief and The Witch's Kiss. Hopefully, I'll have more to add to that list soon.
Do you NaNo? If you do, you can check out my NaNoWriMo profile and we'll write every day this November! Have you finished or published any of your past writing projects? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to check them out!
I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!
The Purpose: To share and encourage.
Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing
foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer
assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all
kinds!
IWSG Asks: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?
There was a time in my life when I could read a 300 page book in a day. I'd absorb every word, engrossed in the tale the author wove in my head, morphing myself into the main character to experience all the wonderful and often life-threatening adventures and if it was a romance, falling head over heels in love with the hero.
Then I started to study the craft of writing. I began to learn how those authors wove those fantastical tales.
I learned how a writer writes.
Instead of reading to lose myself into a book, I began studying the placement of those words, learning how the author created a world where the reader could find those adventures. I learned why they chose to reveal certain characteristics and events at the times they did. How they created the descriptions for the settings and the people in their stories. I discovered how plots work and all the intricacies involved with back story, foreshadowing, hero's journeys and 3-act structures.
Essentially, I'll never read books in the same way ever again.
Now, when I read a book its with a critical editor-like eye. Every story I read has become a textbook for the craft of novel writing. I learn what the author does that makes the story work, but what's worse is that I see the mistakes the author makes, too!
I've begun to anticipate certain actions and plot-points to the point where I can predict what will
happen next (which ruins a mystery, believe you me!). Sometimes I catch grammar mistakes that make it past all those people in the process of creating a book and I cross my fingers with hope that I don't have any of those in my books. Sometimes the author's words don't grip me with that magical wonderment that I had before and no matter how I try, I can't lose myself into the story. I see too much that pulls me out of it. I uncover character faults, badly written dialogue, and head-hopping POV.
Who knew head-hopping point-of-view could be so distracting?! It never bothered me before and now I can't stand it!
Now, that I've learned and practiced how to read a novel from a writer's perspective, its extremely difficult to turn off that mini-editor in my head. I'd love to slap a hand over her mouth to shut her up so that I can finally enjoy losing myself into a novel again, even a badly written one. The pleasure that reading brings is one of the reasons I started off on this path in the first place. However, I'm still learning with every book I read. Whether its written by a bestselling author or someone who is newly published, I'm still learning about the writing craft. And I sincerely hope that reading those books helps my own writing abilities grow.
It's difficult being a writer! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I have list of my favorite authors, the ones that I'm able to lose myself in their stories that keep my internal editor on a leash, and I've put them on my automatic to-buy list. To my extreme sorrow, I hesitate to read new-to-me authors these days. But, that doesn't mean I give up on them. It's one of the reasons that I think book reviews are so important. Those reviews give readers a chance to find out if that author and story is a right fit for them. I read a lot of book blogs and review sites. I chat with people on Facebook and Twitter to discover new authors. And I absolutely love Goodreads! So many great groups on there all dedicated to books. Also, I love reading anthologies. Often, I'll buy an anthology for one of my favorite authors, but those short stories give me a taste of a new-to-me author's writing style. I recently got hooked on a couple of new favorite authors by reading Holly and Hopeful Hearts by Bluestocking Belles this winter.
As a thank you to those fantastic authors, for their talent and hard-work, I started writing reviews. I also want to help fellow readers find those valuable reading gems that are able to magically sweep them off their feet and into another world. I hope to help readers find great books to read, and I hope to help authors find those very special readers. Really, book reviewing feels just like an extension of my old day job as a bookseller. Instead of speaking to a reader face-to-face to tell them what kinds of books are sitting on our bookstore shelves, its the review that helps lead them to virtual bookshelves. And if I can help readers find a way to escape into another world for a short time, with either my own books or another author's books, then I feel very good indeed.
I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter
where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my
works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun
book-related info!
Welcome to the Spring Fling Blog Hop happening March 20-23. For a full list of participants, visit Romance Blog Hops. There are over 100 blogs, so that means lots of great prizes at each stop so be sure to check them out!
Today, I've been thinking a lot about how I ended up as a romance author, meaning the books that influenced and inspired me to write. But more than that, these books inspired me to become a READER first. So, I've dug through my boxes of books that contain all of my keepers. Oh, I wish I had a room filled with shelves to display all these wonderful gems! I love to pull these books out and reminisce. It's like visiting old friends.
The first romance novel I ever read was The Romance of the Rose by Claire Delacroix. I bought it at the Hills Department store that was about a ten minute walk from my house. I can't remember exactly how old I was, somewhere between 12-15. It was after my mom died, which is one of the reasons I picked up this book.
My mother was an avid romance reader and I missed her so much. The only think I could thing of to be closer to her was to read a romance novel. It was something I'd seen her do for as long as I could remember. I used to tease her about the covers of the half-naked men and women (this was the '80s). She never hid the covers nor did she make any excuses for reading them. They were enjoyable stories. So enjoyable, she had a whole room devoted to her books. Yes, my mother had a library in our small four bedroom house. My father built the bookshelves and she filled them completely!
So, I wanted to share something with her since I missed her so much, but I never expected to become like her with my reading! I became addicted! Every week I'd check the store's shelves for more. But, it wasn't fast enough for me, so I subscribed to Harlequin Historicals to have the books delivered directly to my house. What a joy that was to receive that box of books each month! And so began my life as a romance reader. I love romance novels so much that now I write them!
And now, I can share my books with readers! If you're interested, you can find out more about my books here.
Thanks to Jane Wakely for setting up this blog hop! And special thanks goes out to Blushing Books and authors Sue Lyndon, Patty Devlin and Cara Bristol for their contributions to the Grand Prizes!! :)
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