Since I started going to Free Comic Book Day with my sister every year, I’ve become interested in graphic novels. This year, however, my interest has spiked, so I thought I’d add reviews here. First up: 30 Days of Night by Steve Niles.

In a sleepy, secluded Alaska town called Barrow, the sun sets and doesn’t rise for over thirty consecutive days and nights. From the darkness, across the frozen wasteland, an evil will come that will bring the residents of Barrow to their knees. The only hope for the town is the Sheriff and Deputy, a husband and wife who are torn between their own survival and saving the town they love.

I don’t read much horror, but when I learned that Steve Niles was signing books at a local comic book store, I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did. 30 Days of Night has a wonderful premise: if vampires come out at night, what happens in places where nights are long? Not surprisingly, the world depicted in such a story is a dark one.

The setting is Alaska. The main characters: Eben and Stella—a husband and wife team who discover something horrible is happening in their town. I won’t say what, or what ultimately happens, because it’s too good to spoil. As someone with roots in romance reading, I enjoyed seeing the relationship between the two. Graphic novels are a different medium, but Eben and Stella’s love for each other is clear in just a few panels.

Ben Templesmith’s art is unlike anything I’ve seen before—both stark and atmospheric. It’s absolutely perfect for the story.

What you get with this book is a powerful story that lingers in the mind long after the reading experience ends. 30 Days of Night: 4 out of 5.

The impossible has happened. I’ve gotten a bit tired of romance novels. I didn’t want to accept it, but the evidence was mounting—feeling restless while reading, starting a handful of books without finishing them. So my reading has slowed down a bit as has the blogging (as you’ve probably noticed). I haven’t completely stopped reading, but I seem to be sticking with autobuy authors for now.

To fill the void, I’ve been reading graphic novels. I’ll probably review a few here in the next while.

Life in general has taken a bit of a downturn. The company I work for has been hit hard this year (following a slow decline of several years). I made it through one round of layoffs, and I’m told there won’t be more this year. That’s the good news. The bad news is my own situation has worsened. I’ve started selling items on eBay—you can see them here—and I’m considering ways to supplement my income. I need to build a nest egg.

So that’s where things stand with me. Not sure who’s still following this blog, but I’m still alive, still reading, and still planning to blog, even if just sporadically.

Anyone have a good book recommendation for me?

I guess it’s no surprise that I’ve been taking a break. I haven’t visited romance blogs in weeks. I just needed to get away from the drama for a while. Several things in my life are in limbo right now, and they’ve had my attention. My writing has slowed down.

So has my reading. I’ve started several books and set them aside. Although I did read Nancy Warren’s Under the Influence (which I liked), and I’m well into Lisa Marie Rice’s Dangerous Secrets.

I’m looking for a book that will really sweep me up in it, and I also want to participate in April’s TBR challenge of a paranormal romance. I’ve picked out three from my bookshelves.

• Jaci Burton: Fall Fury
• P.C. and Kristin Cast: Marked
• Stephanie Rowe: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot

Any suggestions about which to start with?

When I read the category of this month’s TBR challenge, I knew right away which book I’d read. Cheryl Sterling’s What Do You Say to a Naked Elf? has been languishing on my TBR shelf since I bought it in 2005.

Apart from her being a TV-and-movie junkie and a saleswoman extraordinaire of adult lotions, potions and playthings, plain Jane Drysdale’s life was nothing unusual. That was, until a moment of reckless driving catapulted her into a fairytale world like a J.R.R. Tolkien book on crack. From Walker, Michigan, to a place of wacko wizards, sexually repressed elves and dangerous dwarves, Jane was suddenly fulfilling an epic destiny that held certain death—and even more certain love. Even the newly legible tattoo on her shoulder seemed to proclaim the rightness of her transport: “Forever joined, heart upon heart, world upon world.” Everything started with Jane on trial for her life and her Legolas-lookalike lawyer taking his shirt off, and the first thing she needed to know was . . . What Do You Say To A Naked Elf?

Sterling is a new-to-me author, and I liked her style well enough. The story moves quickly, and the world in which the book is set is an engaging one.

But as a romance, What Do You Say to a Naked Elf? didn’t work for me for a number of reasons. Jane and Charlie (an odd name for an elf) spend a bit of time together and fall in love almost immediately. Their internal conflict feels a bit flimsy, especially when it is resolved with one conversation.

Then there are the coincidences. Paranormal romance automatically requires some suspension of belief. The seemingly endless string of coincidences here, culminating in a deus ex machina, can more accurately be described as a complete shattering of belief. For me, this made it hard to sympathize with the characters because I kept waiting to see what the next coincidence would be.

The end result is this: while I kept reading the book to see what would happen next, I felt distanced from the characters and their situation. My rating for What Do You Say to a Naked Elf? 2.5 out of 5.

It’s no secret that I’m jonesing for contemporary romance. So I was definitely intrigued by the description of Eden Bradley’s Forbidden Fruit.

For university professor Mia Rose Curry, it was all academic: her course in alternative sexuality was a safe, socially acceptable way for her to talk about the things she desired most—but had never let herself experience. And while students crammed into her class to learn about fetishes, bondage, voyeurism, and much more, Mia kept her own raging desires, and her most private fantasies, carefully under wraps . . . until one man dared to make her secret passions a brazen reality.

Jagger James is everything Mia wants, and everything taboo: he’s gorgeous, daring—and a student. Yet Mia can’t help imagining his hands, his lips, his skin . . . all the while drawing closer and closer to this forbidden fruit. She soon discovers how much Jagger wants her, demanding that she abandon every inhibition with him. Now they are about to take a dangerous step, tempting each other’s flesh, savoring every touch and breaking every rule—knowing that this dazzling, sensual feast is only a taste of something more to come . . .

OK, the hero’s name is a little over the top. But I’m a fan of the older woman/younger man story, so Forbidden Fruit already had that—and a lot of other things—going for it: 4.5 out of 5.

Mia’s a professor; Jagger’s a student. It helps if this type of scenario doesn’t bother you. But Bradley does a good job of exploring these characters as people who are aware of this conflict. It’s something they struggle with and come to care for each other despite it. In a nice variation, the age difference isn’t the source of the conflict.

Forbidden Fruit is set in San Francisco, a setting I appreciate more since my summer trip there. It was fun to see references to streets I remember. It added a nice connection to the reading experience.

Bradley’s writing is lush and evocative. If you’ve read any of her books, you know that she writes erotica. (In other words, expect the explicit.) But the beauty of Forbidden Fruit is the story—a contemporary romance worth savoring.

As someone who never had a pet before, I’m finding dog ownership to be a bit time-consuming. Worth it? Absolutely. I’m definitely getting more exercise since my boy loves 14-mile walks. (OK, maybe they just seem like 14 miles.) I’m reading less. And I’m online a lot less. So life is changing, but I think it’s in a good way.

I’m trying to reconcile myself to the notion that I may not be going to RWA this year in Washington DC. I usually manage the trip with my tax return. This year, there’s a lot of stuff around the house that needs doing. Actually, it’s mostly my yard that needs doing. I need to create a low-maintenance, attractive, and dog-friendly space. I’ve actually been wanting to do something with my yard for a while, but now I have extra motivation. Anyway, I plan to get estimates once the snow lets up a little.

I haven’t ruled out the trip. In fact, I’m hoping I’ll be able to pull it off somehow. This might be the year I actually have the garage sale I keep postponing. We’ll see . . .

When Kristie recommends something with enthusiasm, I listen. After all, I love Lisa Kleypas’s Dreaming of You almost as much as she does. And I adored North and South. So her recommendation of Judith James’s Broken Wing caught my attention, and I ordered it immediately.

Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, Gabriel St. Croix has never known tenderness, friendship or affection. Although fluent in sex, he knows nothing of love. Lost and alone inside a nightmare world, all he’s ever wanted was companionship and a place to belong. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy’s family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.

Sarah Munroe blames herself for her brother’s disappearance. When he’s located, safe and unharmed despite where he as been living. Sarah vows to help the man who rescued and protected him in any way she can. With loving patience she helps Gabriel face his demons and teaches him to trust in friendship and love. But when the past catches up with him, Gabriel must face it on his own.

Becoming a mercenary, pirate and a professional gambler, Gabriel travels to London, France, and the Barbary Coast in a desperate attempt to find Sarah again and all he knows of love. On the way, however, he will discover the most dangerous journey, and the greatest gamble of all, is within the darkest reaches of his own heart.

I read Broken Wing in a few days, and I enjoyed many of the things Kristie praises—Gabriel’s journey from wounded to warm and loving; Sarah’s acceptance of his past; the slow development of the romance. All of these elements, especially the last, made me read this book quickly.

Then the story takes a turn. Spoiler ahead.

I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of long separations. They don’t usually work for me, and Sarah and Gabriel spend a goodly chunk of the book separated. And I was a little disappointed in the reunion itself—mainly the way that Sarah has to seek out Gabriel after he returns to England.

Also, James’s writing style includes a tendency to tell rather than show. The technique works well in some places, since the story takes place over a long period of time. But some judicious showing would have helped me connect to the characters more.

The end result is that I liked Broken Wing but didn’t love it: 3.5 out of 5. But I’d still read any other book Kristie gets this enthusiastic about.

I’ve heard a lot of buzz about Megan Hart but wavered about trying her books. After several months of seeing Dirty in the bookstore, I decided to give it a try. I’m immensely glad I did. Dirty: 5 out of 5.

I met him at the candy store. He turned and smiled at me and I was surprised enough to smile back. This was not a children’s candy store, mind you—this was the kind of place you went to buy expensive imported chocolate truffles for your boss’s wife because you felt guilty for having sex with him when you were both at a conference in Milwaukee. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

I’ve been hit on plenty of times, mostly by men with little finesse who thought what was between their legs made up for what they lacked between their ears. Sometimes I went home with them anyway, just because it felt good to want and be wanted, even if it was mostly fake.

The problem with wanting is that it’s like pouring water into a vase of stones. It fills you up before you know it, leaving no room for anything else. I don’t apologize for who I am or what I’ve done in—or out—of bed. I have my job, my house and my life, and for a long time I haven’t wanted anything else.

Until Dan. Until now.

Readers should be advised that this is erotica. Yes, there’s a romance here, but the sex is explicit. Don’t let this stop you from reading the book if it sounds interesting to you.

Based on some reviews I read, I wasn’t sure I’d like Elle. I did, though, very much. Yes, she’s flawed, but that’s what makes her so interesting to read about. She’s definitely a challenging character—and it’s easy to see that there is something under the surface that explains why she is wounded.

And Dan . . . oh wow. Dan. Again, not a perfect man, but he feels very real. I love how patient he is. And his declaration of love is one I’ll remember for years to come.

In fact, that’s what makes this book a keeper—I reread bits of it after I finished, and now, months after reading it, many parts of the story remain vivid in my mind.

If Dirty is any indication, Hart’s writing is sexy, emotional, and powerful. I’ll definitely read her other books.

Every December I look for a few good Christmastime romances. When I was out shopping last weekend, I snatched up one I thought I would like: Jennifer LaBrecque’s Yule Be Mine. Harlequin Blaze, guilty-pleasure plot—what’s not to like?

He’s one big no-no. But all she wants to do is scream, “Yes, yes, yes!” This is going to be a Christmas to remember for journalist Giselle Randolph! Especially when she meets her new photographer. Because she’ll be working—in very close quarters—with the man she’s lusted after for years. Sexy Sam McKendrick . . . her former brother-in-law!

Sam’s been in love with Giselle from the first moment he met her. Too bad he was married to her sister at the time. But he’s not married now . . . and he’s going to make sure Giselle knows how he feels. With a little help from a native shaman, he tunes in to her fantasies . . . and makes it a point to fulfill every one! But perfectly taboo sex always has a price. And fantasies can take a guy only so far . . .

With a premise I love and an author I like, you’d think I’d love Yule Be Mine. It was nice enough to keep me reading, but it’s not one of LaBrecque’s best: 3.5 out of 5.

I like both Sam and Giselle, but I wasn’t as invested in their story as I wanted to be. I think this is because the sexual attraction is there from the first—and they are already halfway in love with each other as the main action begins. For me, this removed some of the story’s punch.

But I enjoyed reading about Giselle and Sam’s Christmastime activities in the town. And LaBrecque’s skill with love scenes is excellent.

In short, Yule Be Mine is a charming holiday read even if it’s not one I will reread often.

The holidays are about traditions. I have many fond memories of the holiday traditions I had as I was growing up. Waking up ridiculously early because of the excitement. Christmas-morning pastries. Opening gifts one person and one present at a time, in a youngest to oldest rotation.

Now that I’m an adult some of the traditions have changed. I don’t wake up early any more. In fact, Christmas is a day to sleep in. But I still enjoy the pastries and gift-opening. As I child, I enjoyed opening my gifts; now I take more pleasure in seeing people open gifts from me.

During the past few years, I realized that I haven’t really developed new traditions. After all, as a single adult, there hasn’t been much need for anything new. Writing this blog entry, though, got me thinking. One tradition that fell by the wayside was Christmas stockings. Our family did them when I was very young, but we stopped when we started doing a big breakfast spread.

So this is my new holiday tradition: Christmas stockings. I bought one for myself and one for the other member of my household.

It’s amazing how one new tradition is increasing my excitement about Christmas.