Promises Kept

I did tell you that I would share my book purchases with you and let me tell you, finding 4 paperbacks to buy has never been so hard. I might have to revisit 'the rule' I have for buying books but then, it could be saving me a small fortune.

Yesterday was a hodge-podge of stuff that had to get done, now, now, now so it wasn't like I had time to sit and browse the shelves. I definitely felt like I was under pressure but, a free book?, I'll work through it.

The first book I picked up after going over the section about 3 times (big box store so the section is huge) was Bitten & Smitten by Michelle Rowen even though I recall that Jay had a 'meh' feeling about the book. I read the first page and thought, what the hell, it could be free. However, when I went to Jay's last night I discovered that she had been trying to read the next book by this author and was failing miserably. Thing is I had read this before but I have such a shitty memory that it didn't take. Crap. I now own a book by an author who has received two 'meh' reviews.

Maybe she'll be my new Anne Stuart.

Hey, I will be holding out hope that one day I will find another author that brings me as much joy as Anne Stuart. It's imperitive that this new author have a backlist. In fact, that's non-negotiable.

At this point in my venture I'm beginning to sense that things are not going to mesh and I'm going to be leaving empty handed because it's not like I need this book to breath.

I fan out.

Maybe someone published since the last time I was in the bookstore.

Like LKH - oh she did! Hardcover, huh, I can get that cheaper over their on-line store and I should really be cutting her loose. (Aside, Bam did have a review and Bam's over it and since she read as far as I did in the series I trust that I would also be way over it - Sweet!!! 25 bucks to spend on other books - but that's for another day, we have to finish yesterday's visit).

A Fist Full of Charms? Hey, that's the latest from Kim Harrison! I can buy that! Now, I have only read the first in her series - Hey, settle down, it doesn't break the rule! The rule is I cannot buy any more books by an author I have *yet* to read. I've read her first book and I liked it so now I have three in the TBR pile for back-up. Shut up. It's my rule and I didn't break it!!

Sheesh.

Okay, I've got two books and I'm not going back.

I see Julie Keener's The Manolo Matrix but guess what? I have The Givenchy Code and since I haven't read the book I cannot buy her latest.

See, it works.

Stupid rule.

Ahem.

At this point I desperately head back to the romance section to find two frickin' books by authors who I've either not read before or who's books I have read and enjoyed. This should be like taking candy from a baby (seriously, who would take a baby's candy? Okay, besides me) but it's like pulling teeth.

Sex, Lies and Online Dating by Rachel Gibson. Eh, why not. I read her See Jane Score and there were things that made me nuts but maybe she has grown as a writer and her hero won't come off as a passive-agressive A-hole.

Give me a break. Time crunch people!

And what is that little piece of darkness? Night Fires by Karen Harbaugh. Huh. Didn't she write trads? Is it possible this book contains no sex?

Holy shit!!! On the back, on the back!!! There is a friggin' endorsement by none other than Anne 'she's a goddess' Stuart!

And I quote "Extraordinary...Quite possibly the best book of the year...Completely and utterly divine." -- Anne Stuart

S-old!

Yes, I know how blurbing works and Stuart could have said something ravishingly bad about the book which would explain all those dots but I don't care. Apparently all a publisher has to do is put Anne Stuart on the book somewhere and I will buy it. Could you imagine if Catherine Coulter or Connie Mason had a quote from Anne? Hey, I can call her that - we're like this *fingers crossed* - sure there's that pesky restraining order but...

Anways.

I hope there's sex in the Harbaugh book.

Uh, oh, I think I broke the internet - no pictures in blogger and now I can't get any websites to come up so no links - I'm gonna hit publish and see if I can get this on before I need to go to bed.