October is National Romance Writing and Books Month

It is amusing to me that my first published works was a fictional, historical, romance novel. As a kid, I wanted to write children's books and illustrate them. But ha! Time and fate changed that. In college I read my share of good novels and what I call "Brain Candy" or fairy floss books. Not much to them that most people want to remember but it is satisfying for the hour or two that one reads them.

Since my first published books in 2013, in my family saga, I have made some new friends who are authors in similar genres. Our books are so different in writing style, tone, mood, and plots. Yet they are enjoyable to read. My girlfriend from college suddenly popped up on the literary charts as a writer too. So now we are novelists, ahem, romance novelists. We both write with historical emphasis but hers are modern times, both have some fun and scintillating chapters. Both of us add a mystery or an adventure. Yet we are so unlike in everything. I also happen to write Young Adult novels about teens, short stories, science fiction and some fantasy. Coming out soon will be the collection of my short stories and novellas- "Shiver in the Dark" and book five in my Sparrow Wars in the Garden of Bliss series-"Back to Earth."

MY FAVORITE author these days is Diana Gabaldon. I began reading her books in the Outlander series in 2009, after a few of them, I promised myself I would work on my novels and poetry too. I like the historical depth and adventures, but the everyday simplicity of the old life and the frankness of the tales are what inspired me. I like that. Honesty.

But there are many who will mock the fiction writers insisting we are making up stories. Yup. But for me, I've always enjoyed those books dumping the reader into another time, place, or world and have a literary adventure. Ride with Paul Revere, or at least be the stable hand who prepared his horse. Fly across the seas of the world with explorers or warships under full sail. Cross galaxies in the future. Yes, books are filled with so much to excite and allow us to dream.

So in honor of Romance Novel Month, pick up a new flirty, sex-capade or charming Regency novel or Bodice Ripper at your local library, bookstore or e-reader site.