How to get through life

I just received an email about how to "Get through life".

One of the suggestions was to "read books".

I can't imagine life without books. For as long as I can remember I've loved books: dead tree books and electronic books.

I've also loved to write stories of my own.

Some people have a life long goal of selling make-up. Some build computers. Some farm. Some sew. Some draw. Some umpire.

I write.

And I read.

A lot of people read who never write but I don't know anyone who writes but doesn't read.

Reading was easier before I began to write in earnest. Now, when I see an awkward sentence or a plot hole my editor's hat comes out. I start to pick apart the story.

I love it when I get so lost in the story I don't get caught up in critiquing it. I want to get lost in the magic, to forget my life for a space and become someone else. I especially love to fall in love again with a handsome, dashing hero or to laugh out loud or have a grand adventure. I like to visit other times and places. I like to forget myself.

Nothing can do this for me like a good book.

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

What kind of heroes do you like?

A couple days ago, author Katie Reus asked what kind of heroines and heroes do you like (and dislike).

http://katiereus.blogspot.com/

I started to write this post about the heroines and I'll touch on that tomorrow or soon. However, since my release this week was a M/M romance ("Liquid Heat" at Total-E-Bound) I'll focus on heroes.

Do you have a favorite type of hero?

Of course, there's the huge categories of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, but what qualities do you like in a hero you read about in a book? Do you like the same qualities in real life men?

I confess. I used to like Alpha males (in books). I thought they were oh so strong, so sexy. Yum!

However, I found out that in real life, I much prefer a beta male (I definitely married an alpha). I want a man who is a help mate, who is easy-going, one who will talk to me and do things with me.

I want someone who will make me laugh. Someone who is fun to be with and talk to.

He definitely has to be sexy.

I've always found one physical type extremely sexy. I like tall, very dark-haired men, swarthy complected, and dark-eyed men. I love a five-o'clock shadow on a man. I had one boyfriend like this a very very very very long time ago like this.

Thus, I was shocked at my reaction to the most recent "The Bachelorette" with De Anna.

Of course, if you didn't watch "The Bachelorette", you won't know the following people I'm talking about.

When De Anna got down to the final two bachelors, Jason looked like my ideal man, and while he was super cute and sexy, I really wanted her to pick Jesse - which she did. In fact, if I'd been in her place, I would have picked Jesse.

Here's Jesse to the right.

What's up with that?

Have I finally gotten over that physical type? I mean, I still found Jason to be very handsome and sexy, but I liked Jesse better. I loved Jesse's sense of humor and how fun he is and how easy to talk to he is. And, although he's not the epitomy of the physical type I thought I liked, I thought he was super cute.

Here's Jesse with De Anna.

Here's Jason (with the dark hair.) He's cute, too.

I veered, so let me get back on topic.

Although I've always known that looks don't matter, my heart pitter patters for guys that look like Jason.

As I mentioned in the comments on Katie's blog, I like to read about different types of heroes (and heroines). Elsewise, all the books would be the same and I'd be so bored I wouldn't want to read more.

Thus, when I create heroes, I make each one different.

I like men who are responsible, who tell the truth, who have a strong sense of morals, who are fun, easy to talk to, who are fun to be with, who kiss well :) , who have broad shoulders, and who don't take themself too seriously. I like them to be bright and quick and kind.

In real life, I like gentlemen. At work, we have one of these dying breed. He goes out of his way to open and hold doors for us. Last Monday when I forgot my lunch, he shared his grapes and crackers with me. All the ladies drool over him. He is very handsome. However, although I recognized and appreciated this, since he's blonde and blue-eyed, his masculine attraction had to grow on me a little longer. If I were single, now it wouldn't matter to me if he was a blonde, red-haired, or bald.

Eee! I'm rambling.

In books, I want the hero to sweep me off my feet, scoop me into his arms, and carry me off to his lair. Okay, so maybe I still like alpha heroes - at least in books.

What I don't like are bullies, TSTL heroes, ditzy people, sarcastic heroes, or ones that dwell on their past heroines.

Give me Gene Kelly.