~ Symposium - Cool for the Summer ~

Hello Everyone! Welcome to my August Symposium!

Each Symposium, I ask my friends and fellow authors to weigh in on a variety of subjects, but this month I thought I would do something a little different. Because summer is coming to an end, I thought it would be fun to ask some awesome READERS what their favorite genres are right now. Read on to see what they had to say about what their current favs are and why! 

LAURIE ROMA: I may be an author, but I'm also someone who loves to read for pleasure. Just like the music on my iPod, I have eclectic tastes when it comes to reading, and most of my choices depends on my mood. Sometimes, I enjoy a sweet romance or a kick-ass paranormal. Then again, I might pick up a time-travel romance, while other times I like a good murder mystery. That said, I think my favorite genre is romantic suspense, though. I love a layered storyline, where the characters have to struggle through a complex plot while also finding time to fall in love. What could possibly be better than that?

Katra Tesera is a female Dragon Warrior on a mission. Unsatisfied with the life her family wishes for her back on her home world, she seeks something more for her own future. When the opportunity to visit Earth arises, Katra is eager for the excitement and adventure of traveling the stars. She believes she is ready for whatever lies at the end of her journey, but nothing can prepare her for meeting her mate…the dark and dangerous Tarin warrior, Lord Jaden Tor.

Warlord Jaden Tor is a dedicated leader who is fighting a civil war to save his people. He has always known his path in life, but everything changes the moment he meets the dark-haired beauty with glowing silver eyes. Jaden wants to claim her for his own, however, there is more at stake than his own happiness… 

When legacies are challenged, and with Tartarus in turmoil, can Jaden and Katra find a way to be together, or will their love be shattered by the chaos that threatens everything around them?

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SHERI V: My favorite genres right now are contemporary romantic suspense and paranormal romance. I like it with any kind of pairing of characters, so that leaves me with all kinds of books to choose from. I think I like contemporary romantic suspense, because it has the mystery while still being believable, and I adore paranormal romance because it allows me to escape into a whole new world. As long as the story gives me a great setting, a strong heroine(or hero in my MM) and a hero(or a second heroine in my FF) I’d actually fall in love with even if they have to do some redeeming, I’ll read it. I love all things romance and am always looking for more books to read and feature on my blog, For the Love of Bookends.

ALI M: Firstly, thanks Laurie for inviting me.  Summer for me is from November in Oz, but I can do the cool part because its wintertime now. Hmmmm, I must admit to swapping often between genres.  First love is Sci-Fi and in my to read pile is Linnea Sinclair’s Hope’s Folly & Tracey St Clair – Clan & Conviction. Next favorite group, spy/espionage/military stories and in my pile is Kennedy Lane CSA Case Files, also Lexi Blake’s Masters & Mercenaries series I am up to book 5. Tightrope by Bella Juarez is her 6^th book in the Black Ops Brotherhood & Monette Michaels has a new book I’ll buy next. I enjoy Paranormal, I mean who doesn’t love a hunky shifter and Bianca D’Arc’s Matt has just been released, so making time this weekend to read her latest. Then perhaps Madisons Stevens Lucius from Luna Lodge soon after. So many choices from a great group of authors. Thank you all for your hard work.

DARIA B: My favorite genres wow, first it would have to be BDSM, not because it seems like the in thing because of those books/movie, but because I'm in the lifestyle (not active) and yes I know the difference between book and real. BDSM has a bad reputation mostly. I cringed a few times when I heard women say what they thought BDSM was, things like "oh I’m too strong a person do to that or I’m not letting anyone hit me." It was sad in a laughable way. If you manage to read a good BDSM book you will see the difference out there between the quick cookie cutter versions. Menage is my next fave just because it just doesn't get a lot of spot light. People would rather whisper that they like it. (grins) When I say ménage I mean either of MMF or MFM. It’s enjoyable to see the dynamic and how the tri couple grows into each other. The last genre ill pop up here is paranormal anything that shifts I'm all about it, mmm vampires are just hot. It would be fun to see other rare type shifters and no not snakes. I think Faith Gibson has a series with some sexy gargoyles. (smiles) The fight between human and beast or hell just your inner human self is something to nurture. Now an awesome book? Would be if I could get all three of the genre's in one book. *winks* 

JOLANDA L: First of all thanks for asking me to be a part of your August Symposium, Laurie. I feel honored to be a part of it. I like to read different genres, but mostly I love the shifter romance genre, paranormal/vampire romance genre, science fiction/alien romance genre and currently also the genre with mild BDSM and bondage, I don’t know with genre this is. I like this genre’s because the ladies are strong, outspoken and funny woman and the man are arrogant, dominant and bossy. The stories are well written and steamy, at least from the authors I like to read my books from. Don’t know if it is allowed, but here are some of my favorite authors; S.E. Smith, Avery Gale, Celia Kyle, Becca Van, and last but definitely not least Laurie Roma and her co-authors from the series 3013. If those authors ever decide to stop writing I’m going to grieve very very deep, so please everyone don’t do that to me.

ANGELA G: I love almost all genres of books. When readers are pulled into the world of the book, laughing and crying with the characters, stress melts away and the worries and hassles of the day are gone. With that said, I have been leaning more towards the paranormal and sci-fi genres to read. I love the ideas of mystical and mythological heroes and heroines. Sci-fi seems to be the storylines that I am pulled more towards because it allows me to fall into new worlds that I have not read about before. My imagination takes me on a rollercoaster ride from the beginning of the book to the end, which is normally around one a.m. when I finished reading.

JOLANDA L (LovesToRead): My favorite top 3 reads are paranormal romance, science fiction romances and dystopian romances. For years I have been reading contemporary and historical romances. Till Twilight and a whole new world opened for me and then I stumbled on Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright and I was sold for wolf shifters. While looking for wolf shifters I found Laurann Dohner I just love her New Species series & Cyborg series. I love to read not only with these genres but other genres as well, it takes me to a whole other place. I am just in the stories I read. I am the heroine. And if anybody ask me a question while I am reading I don't hear anything so engrossed I am with a story! Thank you Laurie for having me, I am so so honored!

TINA B: First off, I would love to thank Laurie for inviting me to share my favorite Cool for the Summer reads. I personally love to just plain fall in love. It is why I review simple love of the reading. My favorite genres, oh boy that is hard!  I personally love them all, why? Every genre has something to offer. I want to sink into a story and feel a part of that world. I want to cheer for your characters and cry with them too. MM paranormal shifter is a top pick for me. I cannot say no to a good werewolf story. Give me furries and I am happy.  I am also getting more into futuristic sci-fi.  It really surprised me how much I love some of the new authors doing this genre. It was not a favorite of mine for a while so I love the twists and turns some of the authors are bringing to the genre making it fresh and new. Over all I am mostly interested in well written story that makes me forget the real world for just a little while. After all that is what a great story does.

JONELLA M: I've been reading romances for over 40 years, ever since I "borrowed" a Harlequin romance from my aunt in 1973. During these years I have read every genre of romance there is, but I always have had favorites. I really enjoy science fiction romances tremendously, mostly because I have to use my imagination more. Creating a whole new world or environment is much more challenging both for the author and reader. I also enjoy romantic suspense, as I like having some tension in the plot. Some historical novels appeal to me, but I admit that I'm picky about those. I have to have read something by the author that I enjoyed in order to buy one. The only genres I don't care for are horror and very dark romances. I'm also not a fan of vampires. I do want a HEA in books I read. The world is a hard enough place for me without those.

CHERIE C: Hi there, well I am actually experiencing winter on the other side of the World at the minute. As an avid reader of nearly all genres, I have been kept entertained by so many talented authors, throughout these relatively cold months. So Favourite genre to read currently is Urban Fantasy, which some also call paranormal. I am loving escaping into worlds where story lines can be as fanciful as – A Vampire, Faere Prince and Thief living and loving together. Adding in that the Thief’s best friends are a Witch and a Werewolf!!! Reading of Angels, Vampires and Hunters who love each other and take care of New York City. Reading for me is an escape. I am a Dedicated Follower, I follow my favourite authors passionately. Cannot wait for more 3013.

MARIE W: First of all, thanks for having me! I'm here to talk about my favorite genre: paranormal romance. This includes (at least for me) everything from aliens to shifters to vamps to fae. It's a crazy world(s) out there to explore and there's always room for more. As long as the backstory is good and the mythology isn't too overly complicated or obscure, you're good to go. Lately, there has been a well spring of step romance and I've been happy to read and read and read. What I love best about these stories is that the MCs find love in unconventional places. I think that love shouldn't be limited to what others out there think is right/wrong. It is your life to live, not theirs. With that, I can be found writing reviews of many books in the genres I just talked about on my blog, Discussions With Demons.

TINA M: Well first off I want to give a shout out to Laurie Roma, she is one of my favorite authors to read cause she wrote Hammer and it is one of my favorite books. I love sport theme romance books, anything with MMA or football or baseball, and even soccer! I love to read Erotica and BDSM cause I think it is so sexy and fun! I love anything with a military theme cause I was in the Navy and my Husband just retire after 26 years in the Coast Guard and it is something I can relate to. I love reading romance about firefighters and cops and cowboys. I have so many books on my TBR,  I have lost count. Every time I read a book I feel calm and I can zone out and it just relax me and I am home. I just came back from overseas and I hope now I can finally meet some of my favorite authors and tell them to keep up the good work. I guess you can say I like all genres and I just love reading.

CINDY H: I really enjoy reading series like the 3013 series or books by S E Smith or Laura Jo Phillips or Cherise Sinclair. It let's you imagine what life would be like on the different worlds or in space. Or in a world with shifters, etc. It let's you escape into your imagination for a while, and in today's stressful world, that is a must. It helps a lot of people de-stress by reading and I live to read. I love the 3013 series and the different species of aliens everyone gets to meet through the authors' words.

ASHLEY B: First, I would like to thank Mrs. Roma for the invitation to write something for her blog!! It's such an honor and a privilege to be asked to do this. Growing up I wasn't much of a reader, but when I entered High School I had a friend who introduced me to the Harlequin novels. I instantly fell in love with them and couldn't put them down but I've since moved on from the dime novels onto bigger and better genres. So many types of books interest me now!! I love a good BDSM. There is something about a dominant and possessive man that just gets me all flustered!! I used to be all about Vampires, but then I read my first Alien romance and now I'm addicted to them!! I have to force myself to read slow to make them last longer. What I love most about alien romance is that their love spans an entire universe. In all honesty though, I will read just about anything. It just has to be all about romance. I love a good Cowboy romance. I mean come on who doesn't like hard-working, blue jean wearing, muscle rippling hunk and the occasional romp in the hay!! I also love hardcore bikers, ohh and shifters. In fact, put them together and they are yummy. I love how possessive they get and when they love, they love with everything they have!! There are so many I can't possibly list them all, but I'm so glad I have had the opportunity to talk about the ones I love the most!! Thank you so much!!

Come join me, Kali Argent, Susan Hayes, Lacey Thorn, Jenika Snow and Erika Reed in New Orleans the weekend of Oct 9-11th for the Midnight Gala Masquerade Ball and other events! Registration ends Sept 1st, so this is your last weekend to sign up!

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