I live in Chicago, where I work as a social scientist. My earliest memory is sitting on a blanket on a sunny day next to my mother, surrounded by piles of books that she was reading to me. While I can’t remember the titles of any of the books, the reading habit stuck with me. As a young girl I loved to read mystery series such as the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden series.

I love to travel, and like to read romances (or mysteries) set in the places I’m traveling to. Some of my favorite places to visit are London, Paris, and Greece.  I discovered romance novels around twelve years ago by accident, based on a review of a Jayne Ann Krentz book in one of the local papers, and have been reading them ever since. AAR has introduced me to a lot of new authors and has also influenced my reading style. In an effort to make a more informed vote in the AAR yearly reader poll, I’ve started tracking my reading throughout the year. This simple effort has also led me to read across more genres (rather than only reading historical or contemporary romances).

What I'm a sucker for in a book: Books set in foreign countries and intelligent heroines.

What I don't particularly care for in a book: Westerns, American historicals, and vampire books.

What drives me absolutely nuts in a book: TSTL heroines, heroines who have to constantly be rescued by hero, and excessive head-hopping.

What I'm a sucker for in a book: Books set in foreign countries and intelligent heroines.

What I don't particularly care for in a book: Westerns, American historicals, and vampire books.

What drives me absolutely nuts in a book: TSTL heroines, heroines who have to constantly be rescued by hero, and excessive head-hopping.

Contemporary:

Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

European Historical:

Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Castles by Julie Garwood

Category:

Some Men's Dreams by Kathleen Korbel
The Wallflower by Jan Freed
Considering Kate by Nora Roberts

Favorite Hero

Rogan Sweeney, Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
Cameron Quinn, Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
Phillip Quinn, Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts

Favorite Heroine

Jessica Trent, Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Bathsheba Wingate, Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase
Daphne Pembroke, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase

Strongest Heroine

Eve Dallas, Born In series by J.D. Robb
Jordan Cady, Contact by Susan Grant
Blair Mallory, To Die For by Linda Howard

Favorite Couple

Eve Dallas and Roarke, Born In series by J.D. Robb
Anna Spinelli and Cameron Quinn, Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Funny:

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillps
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Suspense:

The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins
The Edge of Midnight by Beverly Jenkins
Black Lace by Beverly Jenkins

Chick Lit:

The Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner
The Manolo Matrix by Julie Kenner

Non-Romance Favorites

Favorite Author

Elizabeth Peters
Jasper Fforde
Laurie R. King

Favorite Book

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Favorite Classic Novel

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Favorite Mystery

He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

Favorite Set of Connected Books

Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters
Mary Russell mysteries by Laurie R. King
Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde