Spooktacular: Jennifer Estep wants all your candy
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 21:12
What do I want to dress up as for Halloween this year?
Easy. Whatever gets me the most candy. 
Everybody knows that’s the real point of Halloween. The reason we dress up like butterflies and ghosts and superheroes. Sure, it’s fun and make us feel all girly-girl feminine or kick-ass strong, depending on whether you’re a fairy princess or Wonder Woman. But we also expect to be rewarded for it at the end of the night –with candy.
Like the song goes, I want candy. And lots of it.
At RWA this year, someone compared my Bigtime superhero series to “book candy.” I think that’s a pretty cool description for them — and romance books in general. In honor of Halloween and all that sweet, sweet candy coming my way, I’d thought I’d share what I’ll be picking out of my plastic orange pumpkin to read with some popular romance genres.
For the paranormals on my shelf, there really is only one choice — dark chocolate. All those dark, dangerous men deserve an equally dark, luscious treat to go with them. Don’t you think?
Historicals, you say? I’d have to go with something a bit more upscale and refined, like English toffee with chopped walnuts. Or perhaps some chewy caramels with just a hint of vanilla in them.
Romantic comedies deserve to be enjoyed with something just as light and fun as they are. M&Ms come to mind.
When reading a contemporaries, I usually grab a classic Hershey bar. Milk or dark chocolate, you decide.
A sweet or inspirational romance? I’m going for the candy apple, which is all sweet and sugary on the outside. And inside, there’s fruit. Real fruit, so it’s good for you, too. Right? Right.
As for my books, well, I’d suggest a Dum Dum lollipop. Sweet, simple sugar. Nothing too complicated, not too much angst. Just a sugar rush when you finish it.
Of course, I haven’t even discussed half the Halloween candy out there, like Snickers and Three Musketeers and Tootsie Rolls. So many books, so much candy, so little time…
What about you? What kind of book candy will you curl up with this Halloween? What do you hope to get in your pumpkin? Inquiring minds want to know… Comment here and get a chance to win a Karma Girl and a Hot Mama t-shirt.
Yours in nougat,
Jennifer Estep
Little Lamb Lost says:
October 31st, 2007 at 1:59 am
Paranormal book candy really is the equivalent of rich dark chocolate to me. As it happens, that is my favorite candy too. I would wish for chocolate truffles or alternatively Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in my Pumpkin…the latter would likely be the equivalent of romantic comedy to me if it were in book form.
sharmi says:
October 31st, 2007 at 6:15 am
A nice erotic romance….reminds me of a milky way dark…yummmm…aww man, now I gotta go into the Halloween stash! I’ve already been through one bag of candy meant for trick or treaters!
christie Craig says:
October 31st, 2007 at 7:19 am
Romantic Comedies go with M&Ms.
Yum. Can I have mine with peanuts in them?
Christie Craig
Andrea says:
October 31st, 2007 at 7:43 am
Candy corn! I love candy corn at this time of year.
Jennifer Estep says:
October 31st, 2007 at 8:30 am
Okay, you guys are really making me hungry. Truffles, Milky Ways, peanut M&Ms, candy corn. Tell me some more of your favorite candies — book-related and otherwise.
I would add that any book on your keeper shelf should be re-read with only the finest — Godiva, baby! Those dark chocolate bars with the raspberry filling. My favorite …
Gwen says:
October 31st, 2007 at 8:55 am
Jennifer – have you had the Godiva ice cream? They have a dark chocolate truffle with raspberry swirl. It is crazy good. Thankfully, they seem to only sell it in those small pint size containers or I’d have trouble fitting thru a door.
katiebabs says:
October 31st, 2007 at 10:42 am
Give me anything chocolate and I will be a happy lil pumpkin. I use to love getting those McDonalds gift certificates for ice cream cones, fries, pie… yum!
I never liked candy corn through *bleck*
Amy S. says:
October 31st, 2007 at 10:44 am
I read some dark chocolate, milky way dark, and hershey bars. lol. I read almost any genre.
Jennifer Estep says:
October 31st, 2007 at 11:39 am
Gwen — I have tried the Godiva ice cream. It’s a little pricey, but it is so, so good! I also really like the Blue Bunny brand. Their strawberry cheesecake is to die for.
Katiebabs — Candy corn isn’t my favorite thing, but it wouldn’t be Halloween without it.
Amy S. — I’ve switched over to eating dark chocolate now (since it’s supposed to be marginally better for you). Now, the milk tastes too sweet to me.
Susan Helene Gottfried says:
October 31st, 2007 at 11:53 am
Godiva?? Woman, we need to switch you over to the Bay Area’s best-kept chocolate secret: Scharffen Berger. Heaven in a candy bar — something to savor. Slowly.
Hmm. What do I read slowly, to savor? Joann Sfar’s graphic novels. The man’s a genius and the artwork’s incredible.
Laura J says:
October 31st, 2007 at 12:09 pm
For me Hot Tamales or red hots (but only the ones from a local candy shop)! Goes well with all books!!!!!!!
Stacy S says:
October 31st, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I don’t have a certain kind. As long as it’s chocolate whatever works for me.
Gwen says:
October 31st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I can’t quit hitting that youtube clip. I just LOVE that song! Gets me moving every time.
celeber says:
October 31st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I would like some mounds and some of the dark snickers bars. Although almost any chocolate will suffice.
cathy M says:
October 31st, 2007 at 3:13 pm
My hubby makes caramel apples on Halloween, and I love to eat them when the caramel is still warm.
pearl says:
October 31st, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I love Dove Chocolate and Godiva dark especially. Also twizzlers. But most dark chocolate is acceptable.
Lily says:
October 31st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Book Candy… I love to read a historical and eat good dark chocolate – Godiva is always appreciated!
When I am reading a contemporary… it is usually bonbons – the fruit-flavored ones
Nathalie says:
October 31st, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Actually I love all sorts of candy… when it is free!
I never eat while reading… not even candy!
Lis says:
October 31st, 2007 at 10:02 pm
I love the mini Mr. Big bars and the little snickers (which I haven’t found this year), they go well any book
Terri W. says:
October 31st, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I love Crispy Crunch, MM’s, Skors, rosebuds or chocolate covered peanuts.
Christine says:
October 31st, 2007 at 11:21 pm
The thing I love most about Halloween candy is the sampling! Getting to have snack size bites of all kinds of candies I’d never buy at the store. Here are a few that I sampled from my daughters’ pumpkin buckets tonight and their respective genres!
HISTORICAL:
Pixi stix… Bit O’Honey… Mary Janes… PayDay… Oh Henry… Good N Plenty… Ju Ju Be’s
CONTEMPORARY:
Take5… Twix
PARANORMAL:
Fear Factor gummies … you don’t really want to know… very creepy and out of this world!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The Good, The Bad and The Unread » Blog Archive » Hot Mama! Karma Girl! Estep's candy contest winners says:
November 5th, 2007 at 9:33 am
[...] For commenting (and giving a great chocolate tip) . . . Susan Helene Gottfried is our winner! [...]