Guest Blog: Elysa Hendricks: A Book Addict's Lament

I admit it I'm a total book addict. If I don't have something to read I go into withdrawal. My bookshelves are stuffed to the max and my Kindle is about to explode. My husband and I fight for shelf space - he hoards movies and TV shows, I hoard books. The problem is I don't have the time to read them all. If I'm lucky I get maybe an hour a day to indulge in my addition. At this rate (and assuming I don't add any more books to the pile) I'll be reading long after I'm dead. I still have books I picked up at the Romantic Times conventions in 2009 and 2010, as well as the ones from this year. But that doesn't stop me from collecting more. Like a squirrel I'm constantly searching out new books, new authors, and storing them away for that mythical day when I'll finally have more time to read.

In the meantime I've decided to avoid libraries and bookstores the way an alcoholic avoids bars and liquor stores. It's difficult; the lure of all those unread books is strong. They cry out: Read Me! I'm the story you've been waiting for. The one that will enlighten you. Amuse you. Change your life. I must resist! I must be strong! If I'm busy reading I have less time to write.

But avoiding libraries and bookstores doesn't solve my dilemma. I find books at garage sales and resale shops. And now there are ebooks available day and night with nothing more than one click on my computer. Temptation is everywhere. I can't escape it.

Recently hubby and I watched the first season of Game of Thrones. I loved it and decided that maybe I was cured enough of my addiction to venture into the forbidden zone and pick up a copy of the first book in George R.R. Martin's fabulous fantasy series. My heart beat wildly as I crossed the threshold of the library. Thousands and thousands of books called out in one massive voice. The sound was deafening, nearly overwhelming my resolve. But I remained strong, focused. I ignored all the other books and went directly to the shelf where the book I wanted would be. And. . .

It wasn't there. All the copies were checked out. Disappointed and defeated, I staggered toward the door, determined to escape before I succumbed to temptation. I nearly made it. Then something caught my eye. I don't know if it was the color or the title, but I couldn't stop myself from reaching out and pulling that book off the shelf. I tried to resist reading the cover blurb. If I didn't know what the story was about maybe I wouldn't feel compelled to read the book. But try as I did I couldn't stop myself. I read it and was hooked. I had to find out what happened in this book.

At that moment my rational self (the self-righteous bitch) spoke up. "You don't need another book to read. You already have hundreds of books at home. Besides, you need to spend more time writing. Put the book down and walk away."

In typical addict fashion I told her to piss off. Then in an attempt to avoid further lapses I kept my eyes on the floor, clutched the book to my chest and hurried to the checkout counter. Whew! What a relief. I made it out of the library with only one book.

The problem didn't end though. I read the book and even though it wasn't my usual choice of genre I totally enjoyed it. Now that I'd slipped off the "no library wagon" I was in serious trouble. Turns out there are two more books in the series. Though the first book had a satisfying ending, I found myself wanting to know what happened to the characters I'd bonded with. I fought it as long as I could, but eventually I had to return the book to the library.

First I told myself I'd just drop the book in the book drop. I wouldn't go inside. But once I got out of my car the attraction was too strong. I surrendered and ventured back into that pit of hell. I thought I was strong enough to just run in grab the next book and escape unscathed by the flames. I was wrong.

The book I wanted wasn't on the shelf, but the author also has another series. Again it's not a genre I usually read, but I made the mistake of reading the blurbs and ended up checking out all four books in that series. I also discovered the other two books were on the New Book rack and I grabbed them as well. Ended up with six more books to read.

God only knows what will happen when I try to return them. I can only pray that my library has a maximum limit on the number of books a person can check out at one time. Otherwise I'm in serious trouble. 

 

BIO:

Elysa Hendricks is 5'6" tall. She has curly hair and brown eyes. She's an author, a wife, a mother and a daughter. Everything else is subject to change without notice.

 

BLURB: STAR RAIDERS

 

A FIERY ENCOUNTER
Like two ill-aligned stars, Shyanne Kedar and Greyson Dane were destined to collide. She was a smuggler’s daughter, and he, an interstellar lawman. Their affair was scorching, dazzling…and ended like a supernova, in a blaze of betrayal.

A LOVE REKINDLED
Ten years later, the flames haven’t cooled. Shyanne’s lush body, the twist of her lips and the fire in her eyes—all radiate the same magnetism that ensnared Greyson before, and now he’s truly her prisoner. But as much as things have changed, they remain exactly the same. Danger threatens. Humanity’s fate hangs in the balance. And though his tempting captor doesn’t know it, if Greyson’s plan succeeds, it will save mankind…and lose him the only woman he ever loved. This time, forever.

 

Amazon Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/STAR-RAIDERS-CHRONICLES-ebook/dp/B008S0HCG4

Web Site:

http://www.elysahendricks.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elysa-Hendricks-Author/137316289643103