Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series ’s, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights of your life to choose love and light.
These days
wanting to relax and shut away the outside world is an almost constant ‘want’
of mine for a variety of reasons. I could fill several blog posts with my
concerns and, at times, fears. However, the purpose of this post is to share
with you who my “go to” author(s) are, authors whose books keep me on a more
even keel.
What I’ve
found interesting as I’ve thought about who and how to write this post is I’m
not buying books like I used to.
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| Image copied from Jo Beverley website |
This year
I’ve purchased three historical fiction (my favorite genres) and only finished one.
I’ve spent some time analyzing why because they are authors I’ve read and
enjoyed in the past. I don’t even remember the books/stories enough to say
anything specific about them. However these are some of the reasons I don’t
finish books or end up reading the last chapter or two before putting the book
aside.
+ The story
didn’t keep my interest.
+ Too much
description of clothing, rooms, etc. I actually don’t care what the hero and
heroine are wearing or what color the drapes are much less the fabric. And I
find that boring to read.
+ Too much
description of the seduction and sexual activities of the characters. I’m even
okay with the fade to morning when
the bedroom door closes on the couple. I’m not a prude. In my own books my
characters make love. For me, it’s another aspect of a story that can actually
become boring if it goes on for pages and pages.
So what
have I been reading this year?
My keeper books. I actually started
rereading all my fiction books during Covid. I also reread my entire series.
I’ve purchased several non-fiction books that I’ve enjoyed and I’m looking
forward to getting to a book store for Malcolm Gladwell’s latest. Hmm, I might
just start rereading the books by him I already have.
My Go To
Author is Jo Beverley. I also have numerous books by Nora Roberts and StephanieLauren’s Cynster series (Bar Cynster books).
Right now
I’ve finished my 3rd, 4th or 5th read of Jo
Beverley’s Company of Rogues. While
I’ve read all of these books at least 3 times, a couple I’ve read more. And I’ve
started on her Georgian period books with the Malloren family as the heroes or
heroine.
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| Image copied from Jo Beverley website |
I’ve reread all of Nora’s books set in Ireland, one of my most favorite places in the world. And when I say “reread” I don’t mean just once. The series she wrote in the ‘90’s have been read at least 3 if not 4 times.
Early on when I started reading romance (1998), I was struck by the norms or expectation of Regency England about what was “appropriate” behavior for a “lady”.
What struck
me?
The vestiges of those “norms” that were alive
and well during the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s, my growing up years.
I will
admit that as I’m reading these books for the 3rd, 4th or 5th time, I am seeing
aspects of the story that didn’t register or stick with me over the years. And
I think that is because, for me, the stakes of how these remaining years of my
life will be lived are higher. I’m in my 80’s now. One of those people living
on a fairly fixed income. I do have book sales but nowhere near the thousand a
month mark.
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| Image copied from author's website |
The
probability of a marriage of convenience
is slim.
The
probability of winning the lottery
even slimmer as I seldom buy a ticket and when I do, checking the numbers
continually slips my mind.
The
probability of inheriting thousands of
dollars is non-existent in that I don’t know anyone that has thousands of
dollars.
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| Image copied from author's website |
So when the
world around me seems dark and bleak and scary, I turn to books that transport
me to another place and time. Once I finish Jo Beverley’s Malloren series and get
Malcom Gladwell’s latest book, I am going to start rereading his books. I doubt
I’ll be transported anywhere and I might be engaged to the point where the
world around me recedes to a mere shadow.
You can find my books at your favorite e-book
vendor as well as through my website www.JudithAshley.net and Windtree Press. Print books are
available at Jan’s Paperbacks in Hillsboro, OR and
Arte Soleil in Portland, OR.
Their addresses are on my website. And be sure to ask your library if you’d
prefer to read my books through that resource.
Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.
You can also find Judith
on FB!
© 2025 Judith Ashley
8 comments:
Interesting blog post! I do not reread books 3-5 times, I may reread a book a second time. But I find if I remember the whole plot I don't care to read it. Unless, I'm searching for words to use in my own novels.
I'm glad you enjoy rereading books 3-5 times and get some comfort from doing that. I agree the sexual scenes often go on for pages, which I tend to skip over. Kudos on an interesting post!!!
Diana, I've found that I may remember the basic plot but there are details about the journey I've forgotten or mis-remembered or in some cases, I just love the characters and enjoy spending time with them again. Nora's books set in Ireland are so "Irish" that it is like traveling there again so that is my payoff rather than the store itself. And the books published in the 1990's that 3 - 5 times s over 20 years or so,
Judith - fun post. I rarely read books over again. But I do have way too many favorite authors, which you'll hear about on my April 15 RTG blog. And then there are ALL the books I buy from authors I know - because - well, because I believe in supporting my writer friends AND I like their writing style, as well. And the numerous books I buy off book ADs of those books on sale - new to me authors. Always good to spread my wings.
Deb, I'm looking forward to your 04/15 post because I know you read widely and support many authors with your blog posts. So you don't have a Keeper Shelf?
Interesting post, Judith. I do reread my favorite books multiple times. Sometimes years apart. Two that I reread once a year are The Shell Seekers, by Rosamunde Pilcher, and Island of Dreams, by Patricia Potter. I also reread Grace Burrowes and Mary Balogh when the mood strikes me. Last year I read 162 books.
The only books I've read more than once were Nora Roberts', the MacGregor Christmas and the trilogy set in Ireland Born of Fire, Born of Ice, Born of Shame.
Barb, I reread Grace's books once but then didn't keep them. While I liked her style, etc., I'm much to linear and her stories intersected too often/much so after the first time, I attempted to organize them and read them but obviously didn't get it right. I may just pick up a couple of her books that I remember I liked so I have them available when the mood strikes.
The "Born In ..." trilogy set in Ireland is one I've read more than once. I'll have to see if I have the MacGregor Christmas book. I've read all the MacGregor books a couple of times. I don't remember a Christmas story though. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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