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Published: Wed, 06/09/21

Hi ,

Last year, I started a podcast about romance books and one of the early episodes was on Pet Peeves in Romance. I did the show with my author friend, Ellen Butler, who seemed to think I have a lot of pet peeves.

I'll admit that I'm a picky reader and there are some sub-genres of romance I don't like. But those aren't peeves. I don't like secret child stories, but they don't irritate me. Peeves are about annoyances. Some of mine include:

Obnoxious woman who's behavior is supposed to show strength but it comes out as snark or bitchiness.
Alpha-hole men. I know that these rude, selfish, often skirting-the- edge-of-violence men are popular with a lot of readers. I find them unlikeable.
Weak motivation for the characters' behavior. One bad breakup shouldn't cause a person to give up on love forever. Characters need good reasons that I can buy into for the choices they make and the things they do.
Cliché characters, especially in the antagonist. When I wrote Old Flames Never Die, I could have easily made Liv, Jack's ex, a cliché ex-girlified. But in my mind, he wouldn't have liked a cliched woman. Plus, it's lazy writing to use a cliché readers recognize instead of developing a 3-d person.

Giggle and Chuckle. I recognize that this is an odd peeve to have. To me, giggle is something silly girls do, not mature, grownup, lead characters. When I read "giggle," I picture Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Chuckle has a sinister, sometimes pervy, feel to me. It's something Dick Dastardly does.

Have I ever written something that includes one of the peeves above. I hope not, but it's possible, especially early on.

What about you? Do you have any book pet peeves?

Call for Beta Review Readers

I finally came up with a new title for the rewrite of Worth the Risk >>>> Risk It All.

I know, not very exciting. But risk is an important aspect of this story as Max and Madeleine not only risk their lives, but also their hearts.

I'm getting ready to send out ARC review copies to anyone who will be willing to read and leave an honest review of the book (it's short...just about 47,000 words). If that's you, you can sign up to be on my ARC Review team here or through Booksprout.

ALSO...Death of a Coupon Queen will be ready for ARC readers shortly as well. If you like cozy mysteries, you'll want to sign up to get that.

#amreading

This week I'm still listening to Lauren Blakely's Sex and Other Shiny Objects. It takes me awhile to listen to audiobooks since I only listen when I'm running or doing other exercise. However, I'm still really enjoying it.

Sex and Other Shiny Objects is a friends to lovers romance that involves unrequited love on the hero, Tristian's, side toward his best friend, Payton. Along with loving his best friend, he's raising his teenage brother, who also is in love with his best friend.

Payton sees Tristian as a friend, but hasn't never forgotten the one kiss they shared in college. She owns a lingerie shop and blogs about intimate wear, which her editor friend decides makes her the perfect person to test out viability of sexy scenes in romance books, such as love on a staircase. Of course, Payton enlists her best buddy Triston's help in the experiments, with all intentions of things staying platonic.

What are you reading now?

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Thank you for all your support! I really do appreciate you!

Until next time...Peace, Love, and Happily Ever After

Jenna