Meljean was supposed to guest yesterday but a lack of power stopped that and then in a true case of the best kind of irony, the power in my apartment came back on as I left for work. When I got to work… you guessed it… no power. It was a lovely day.

The good news is Meljean was nice enough to agree to guest today! And she will be kicking off a grand summer of guests, interviews, contests, reviews and RWA reports. It is gonna be hoppin’ around here. But more on that later *g*. 

I am always sort of taken back by how many romance readers, bloggers, message board posters and website owners are working on ‘books’. The few book signing I have been to, “I am writing this book”, “I have an idea for a book”, “How can I get my book published” is repeated like a the ol date mantra of “What’s your major?”.

More often than not nothing makes me cringe more than the words – “I just finished my first book, wanna read it?” Why do you ask? Because I do want to read it. And if they are asking because they want my opinion, I am going to give it to them. First time writers can run from needy while trying to put on a brave face to flat out oh-my-god how could you hate my baby! Of course this is while they are telling you that no, be honest, I can take it.

I bought Hot Spell, the first book Meljean’s had a novella in and never read it. It sounded very interesting but it also sounded like there was a potential for way too much religion. I had an ARC of Demon Angel for a long while before I finally said screw it. I want to read this and whatever I think, well Meljean will be fine. And if not I will make her suffer until she gets over being a whiny baby.

I know. You are sitting there wishing you had a friend like me too aren’t you. I stayed up all night reading the book. I think I started annoying her for the next one about 4am that morning as well as I started to hunt for Hot Spell because I couldn’t figure out what I did with it. As much as I loved Demon Angel, I am the first one to say it had issues, which I will post more about later.

I can also say, out of all the authors I have spoken with (there have been more than I could count) and out of all the authors I have given my opinion to (some who sadly no longer come around) no one has listened as well as Meljean. No one has made me feel more valued as a reader for my opinion as Meljean. And no one has made me want to like her books before I even open the cover, because I know if I don’t, it is ok.
Many an author has been ‘adopted’ by websites, newspapers, bookstores and many have tried and succeeded in creating a buzz around them and their books. Not many of those authors can cash that check or can stand up to the buzz. Because at the end of the day, no matter what I say or think it is Meljean’s words, world and characters that will keep you reading and will bring you back.

I had dismissed the mummblings that Meljean was only getting ‘great buzz because she is a blogger’ because the marjotiy of the people who were saying it were the same ones that if they had been first in doing it – it would have been great, grand and wonderful.

But I saw a comment the other day from Xina, who is pretty much my reader twin. If she likes it – even if it is the most off the wall thing – I will try it because our taste match that much. And it stopped me cold because if someone as smart as Xina could think that all bloggers many of who don’t know each other, websites and such got together to love an author cuz she ‘had a great personality’ well that makes me sad. Because Meljean is an author I put JR Ward and Lisa Kleypas. These are books I want anyone and everyone to read. Even if you hate them… because I have such a high amount of confidence you won’t.

I have put Demon Angel into more strangers hands than I can remember. I talk about the books because the world building is smart and clever. The characters have a wit about them that make you love them even as you sometimes hate them. She does a hell of a Lucifer and one hot vampire. Meljean’s love of the genre shines through her books and she can poke fun at it without belittling Romance, the readers or other authors. I can’t recall one time that I even told anyone read this book, check out this author or try this novella because the author has a great personality.

But Colin and Savi have an amazing tale. It is painful as it is loving and you completely feel for these two people. You want them together. You want to take this amazingly and egotistical beautiful man and slap him as you pat his head and say there, there you bes ok.

Most of all, you want them to live happy ever after… so stick around. We will learn more about all things Colin, spend some time with Missy and you too can learn how lacking Meljean is in the personality department *g*.

And of course have a chance to win some books. Well not xina because in a total and complete abuse of power she is our first winner of the day.