So apparently I’ve gotten a reputation as someone who constantly recommends books. I heard this from a colleague in the industry, no less. And it’s completely true. I love to get other people reading books I couldn’t put down. Lest you think I’m a commercial, never fear; I recommend lots of stuff from other publishers that I’ve read in my spare time. That leads to today’s question:
What’s in your TBR pile?
My TBR pile is massive. I was contemplating how long I could survive on a desert island with needing new reading material; figuring I could read 3 books a day (which is conservative), I could go more than a month. And since I’m not stranded in the middle of nowhere, I’m constantly adding to the pile! Here are some highlights, in no particular order:
galley of Abandon by Meg Cabot
Tangled by Mary Balogh
Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton
Deadly Lies by Cynthia Eden (I am honestly TERRIFIED to read this. I know it’s going to scare me to death, so I’m waiting until summer, when there are fewer hours of darkness.)
A photography how-to book for beginners (I am determined to learn how to actually use all the nice features on my camera.)
Wild Card by Lora Leigh
Hunger Untamed by Pamela Palmer
Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Lover Unleashed by JR Ward
Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Here are some books that were recently upgraded from the TBR pile to Keeper shelf:
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Unveiled by Courtney Milan
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
And of course, all the manuscripts I have from my authors and all the Kensington books I get at the office. I never thought it was possible, but sometimes I actually get sick of reading now! I come home and think, “Can’t I just veg out in front of the TV?”
But enough about me. What questions do you have today?
This is so wild–7 of the books you have listed are waiting in my TBR pile right now. I hope to tackle them this weekend and next week.
And don’t be scared of Deadly Lies! I promise, the hero and heroine live, and that’s all that matters, right?
Well, Deadly Fear scared the living daylights out of me, so I’m not taking any chances :]
How do you (would you, if you haven’t read one) feel about part two-style books?
Okay, maybe not the right terminology, but have you ever read Karen Marie Moning? I’m not talking just a cliff hanger, I’m talking just stopped.
Now, I’m an axious sort of person, and get peeved when a show pulls that and I only have a week until the next epi. But a book? When there is at least 6 months or more before the rest?
Gah-Ack Pfft!!!! (of course in all honesty after I debated a bit, I did end up putting the next on auto buy)
But it was an iffy call. I almost didn’t. Had I known up front the series did this…may not have purchased.
What are your thoughts on these types of endings?
(Let me be clear- she rocks it as a writer. I’m just not sure about the ending in TWO books of a certain series she writes.)
Just curious.
I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean, but I really don’t like cliffhangers, so I assume I would also hate this. I prefer immediate book gratification whenever possible.
Like cliffhangers x 10. Much like…
Jack snatched Jill racing up the jagged hill and.
And that’s it until the next book.
Yeah….no thank you. The story arc needs to be finished.
Looks up and waves hi to another SHE ROCKS it AUTO BUY author.
*Hi Cynthia*
Hi Megan! I love to read and I read almost anything. I don’t read horror or dark paranormal but everything else I love to fill my nook with. Do you ever read ebooks that are not published through a print publisher?
Have a great weekend!
Sayde
Yes, but rarely. I mainly read books I get for free (library or giveaway), and the free Kindle downloads from e-publishers tend to be racier than I prefer :] In fact, there isn’t a single book on this list that I paid for (a few were presents, so they were paid for, just not by me).
In the words of my six year old “That’s rockin’!” Free books are the best!
Hi Megan -
. Oh well, some day I will get caught up – yeah – right 
.
My TBR pile is huge too. Six of the books on your list are currently on mine as well. I really wish I could read faster
In a romance series that focuses on a different couple per book (while still keeping past characters in play) is it all right if some of the couples have sex more frequently than others?
I mean, is it okay if the first book was more of an erotic romance and the second was more just romance (i.e. the couple don’t have sex till the end though they may come close a few times before)?
It seems to me that different couples deal with different characters and those characters would approach relationships in different ways. However, I know a series would likey be desired to stay in one line and thus be identified by a similar “heat level.”
Is this doable or should the stories be made to conform to the same level?
Many thanks for your time,
Jenny
There is definitely a range of levels in each line. Brava has books where they only have sex once, but lots of contact before, and then the other end of the spectrum, where there are “mainstream” toys like vibrators. But yes, all the books in the series do need to fit within the parameters of the one line. For me, I contract your books for a specific line. I don’t contract 3 romances, I contract 3 romances for Brava. Switching lines is really not an option.
Hello Megan,
After researching Kensington Publishing and you as an editor (not in a cyber-stalker way, mind you; just as a way of finding a good fit for my work!) I am very interested in submitting. Independent publishers that maintain print versions as well as eBooks are a rare and wonderful find.
One question – for an email query, do you wish to see the query letter only, or do you want the sample chapters and synopsis pasted in the query as well? The Kensington website led me to believe the former, but I wanted to double check. I remember reading a few admonitions about following directions . . .
Thanks and best wishes!
D.B.