My first... Vampire

I haven't done a My First post since the very first one so I thought I would give you all another taste of my first time. I'm talking about reading people! Get your minds out of the gutter.

Vampires. They are dangerous and dark. They are strong and sexual. What's not like right? Well, for me, they terrify me. I held off reading paranormals for the longest time because I am scared of my own shadow and the thought of some vampire coming to sex me up was just a bit much. I was never big into Buffy or Angel when I was younger so I never understood the appeal of fangs. That is until someone opened my eyes.

Ok, so let me say this and don't judge. My first vampire was Edward Cullen but this post is not about him or the Twilight books because: 1. Vampires don't sparkle. 2. Bella is an idiot. 3. Jasper was obviously the hottest one. 4. Renesme? What kind of name is that?

Ok, so that list could be endless on why Twilight annoys me but it was a nice way to get my feet wet. But now, the real reason I am in love vampires... JR Ward and her Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Hi, my name is Jamie and I am a BDB addict.

I fought this for a very long time. A friend of mine at work (a man *gasp*) knew I read the Twilight books and laughed at me. He told me if I wanted some real vampires, with some real smexing then I had to look into JR Ward. I promptly looked up her series and her first book Dark Lover. I also very promptly went out and bought Dark Lover. I then allowed myself about 4 months to actually work myself up to reading it.

I know! I know! Dark Lover sat on my nightstand FOREVER! Hell, I even took it on vacation with me when I went to England for the third time. I just didn't want to read it. There were so many other books to read! But when I finally ran out of historicals (I'm pretty sure I just got tired of them and I didn't have a Kindle yet) I decided to give it a try. I then promptly kicked myself for letting Wrath sit unread for months.

As I soon discover, BDB is like crack. Or should I say crhack? Either way I was sucked right into a world where shitkickers and leather were the norm. Where they listened to ganster rap and waged a war with their enemies. I found myself responding 'True' whenever I could and drinking some Goose. My addiction was a hard one because I had six BDB books available to me. The tough park came when I finished Phury's book and I had to wait for book 7. Not to mention that Lover Avenged, Rhev's book, was coming out in hardcover first. Hardcover!

I wasn't buying the hardcover. I could wait another couple of months for the paperback. (I still didn't have a Kindle) Soon the withdrawls set in. I was itching for a fix that only the Brothers could give me. Thank the Scribe Virgin for the BDB Insider Guide!

When Lover Avenged ws finally released in paperback I rejoiced, praised the Scribe Virgin and devoured it. I also knew that as soon as Lover Mine ws released in Hardcover I was getting it. No more waiting for the paperback. It was worth it!

So now my craving are setting in again, especially with the WARDen posting little snippets of the next book. I'm not telling you who's book it is because I refuse to spoil it for those who are just starting reading the series. BUT, I will tell you that I am excited and scared for it at the same time. I think it's going to be a real hard one for all the BDB addicts to read.

So that was my first vampire story. I love those Brother's and I pimp them out anytime I get the chance. I've been telling Kati over at Romancing Rakes to read them for months now and I can tell you that she has read Dark Lover and Lover Enternal in like 3 days. The addiction continues.

SO tell me... What was your first vampire? Have you read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series yet?

My First... Romance Novel

There's a first time for everything and I can remember my first romance novel like it was yesterday. I'm going to let you in on a little secret... I hate to read. Ok, well I use to hate to read. Now I don't think you'll find me without a book, Kindle or iPhone within my reach. So what changed my mind? Graduating college and finally having some free time just for me. Of course I've read books before but nothing that interested me. That is until I found Lisa Kleypas in a box.

I had graduated in May '07 from a little college in PA called Elizabethtown College. During my studies I got to study abroad in England for 6 months. It was the greatest time in my life and where my love of England started. As a present my parents bought me a plane ticket to go back and two of my friends came with. Now, this was my big break from school. I had ideas of relaxing in the beer garden just reading a book so I had to find a book. Enter my Nanny (grandmother) and her box of books.

As I dug through this box that was on her porch I found this book called Scandal in Spring. I glanced at the book cover and opened to the begininng of the story. It was set in England and that's where I was going so it was PERFECT! I found another book too: Out of the Mist by JoAnn Ross. So I packed my books and headed off to England.

Fast foward a few days later and I'm sitting in the back garden at my friend's house. The sun is out (surprisingly) and I'm relaxing in my chair with Ms. Kleypas enjoying the story when all of a sudden Daisy has locked herself in Matthew's room with him and threw the key down her dress. I was intrigued, I was enthralled and I was so into it. Oh the sexual tensions between was captivating, I couldn't wait to see where this would lead. Then I remembered... this came from my Nan!

I ran inside the house and found my friend Georgie and made her read it. Then I told her I couldn't believe that this is what my Nan was reading! Then she looked at me and said "I can. Everyone needs some romance in their life." I went back outside and finished my book. When I got home from my trip I went to the store and bought the rest of The Wallflower Series. I've been hooked ever since and I've never looked back.

So there you have it! The book that started it all! Unfortunately I never really got to thank my Nan for getting me hooked on romance. She had cancer and passed away in December that year but if it wasn't for her and her box of books I wouldn't be here talking about them or reading them. I wouldn't have meet so many friends who share my passion for them.

In the words of a very wise friend "Everyone needs some romance in their lives" and I agree! So what was your first book that made you fall in love with reading?