Hello Readers! Today I bring you romance author Anna Hackett. Anna loves action movies, sci-fi shows, short stories, writing her own romantic adventures, her wonderful husband and her little man.
As a teenager, she raided her mother’s romances and her father’s action adventure books, so no surprise that her stories combine both. She especially loves reading and writing short stories—the perfect intense read to fit into a busy lifestyle—and teaches the writing workshop, Short Story, Big Impact. When she isn’t wearing boots and a hard hat, she’s at her computer drinking too much Diet Coke and working on her stories.
In celebration of her newest release, Soul Stealer, Anna is here to talk about her favorite comfort reads. In addition, Anna is hosting a GIVEAWAY for a $25 Amazon Gift Card and 3 Carina Press ebooks of the winner’s choice (details below). Please help me welcome Anna to That’s What I’m Talking About.
Top 5 Comfort Reads
Reading reduces stress faster than any other method of relaxation. Studies have shown that reading reduces stress by 68%! Just six minutes of silent reading lowers the heart rate and relieves tension.
I was a reader long before I was a writer. A voracious, read-whatever-I-could-get-my-hands-on-reader. I worked my way through my mother’s Mills and Boons, my aunt’s collection of Nora Roberts and even my father’s action thrillers.
I’ve found that while reading is always a pleasurable, relaxing experience, it is also my escape from the day-to-day pressures of real life. We’re all busy and we all have our ups and downs, and I think it’s wonderful that reading a great story can whisk us away and give us a little downtime.
Now, for me, that doesn’t mean I like a slow read, just the opposite! I like my reading fast, furious, action-packed and always breathtaking. I especially love my action to come with a big hit of romance. And of course, only happy endings are allowed!
Today I thought I’d share five of my comfort reads. Those books I always come back to…especially on a bad day! Ooh, I feel a little like I’m flashing something private…or baring a little of my soul (-:
Okay, here they are:
Naked in Death by JD Robb – a tough heroine, a to-die-for hero and a thrilling murder mystery. I always love being whisked away to futuristic New York.
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh – Ms. Singh knows how to write emotion and all her Psy/Changeling books grab me. I love this alternate, futuristic world of changelings, psychics and humans.Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs – this is the kick off novella to the series of the same name and I love all the books in this paranormal series. Something so compelling about the hero and heroine in these stories.
Contest by Matthew Reilly – this one is a straight out, non-stop action thriller with aliens. No romance but there is a great father-daughter relationship.
Time to Die by Wilbur Smith – another action thriller but this has a romance and I love every second of this African adventure.
So there they are, stories I’ve read more times than I’m willing to admit! And what about the readers of That’s What I’m Talking About? Want to bare a little of your soul and share your favorite comfort read?
Thanks for sharing with us today, Anna! You can find her at the usual places: Anna Hackett – Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads. Her latest novella, SOUL STEALER, the final book in The Anomaly Trilogy, is out now. Here’s more about Anna’s latest release…
Soul Stealer: The Anomaly Trilogy, Book 3Self-published
February 3, 2013
She just wants her life back. After being kidnapped and forced to kill by a vicious crime lord, Cate Hartmann is now a killer with an addiction to stealing souls. On the island sanctuary of Haven, surrounded by other anomalies with secret abilities, she fights to recover. But only one man calms the dark storm inside and makes her believe she can be whole again…Dr. Gage Walker.
Scientist Gage Walker has spent a decade helping anomalies. But every day, he’s haunted by his previous job for the CIA—where he crossed far too many boundaries and hurt so many anomalies. Including his brother. He vows he won’t fail again and will do everything he can to heal Cate—including fighting his attraction to her.
But when the crime lord comes after Cate again, it’s a race against time to find out why he wants her. Amidst the danger, Gage and Cate drawn to each other, even as they fear that one wrong step will send her hurtling back into the depths of her soul stealing addiction.
And now for the GIVEAWAY…
Anna is hosting a GIVEAWAY for a $25 Amazon Gift Card and 3 Carina Press ebooks of the winner’s choice To be entered, please use the RAFFLECOPTER form below. Anna is hosting this giveaway as part of her blog tour. The contest is open until February 15, 2013. Winners will be announced on Anna’s blog on the February 16, as well as emailed.
You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated.
The SOUL STEALER Giveaway via Rafflecopter
And for another great giveaway… Help me celebrate my 3rd Blogiversary and win lots of books. Details HERE.
I didn’t know that there was proof that reading reduced stress but I know that it works for me. A couple of my favorites are Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas and Dream Man by Linda Howard.
Hi Maureen – yep, now’s there’s proof but I’m with you, I always knew it was my best stress relief. I LOVE Dream Man!! It is one of my fav reads.
Congrats to Anna on her new release! Ohhhh… now I have an even better excuse for turning off the phone and locking the door to read! I’m destressing! 🙂
LOL, Erin. Thanks for the congrats and you’re right…we can use the medical excuse to get away with reading more!!
Interesting to see what is considered a comfort read by others. My comfort reads are Butcher’s DRESDEN FILES books.
Hi Bookbunny68 – I think the Dresden Files would make great comfort reads. I love a little Harry.
I’ll love being able to use the excuse that reading for even six minutes can reduce my stress level by 68%, haha. It will be a great reason to take some time from my constant studying to fit in reading some of the huge pile of books that I’ve accumulated during school!
I’ve been thinking this one over and I have to admit, I don’t really have any go to comfort reads. Ever since I started blogging, I’ve stopped re-reading books. Too many new ones to explore – and of course, a review schedule to maintain. However, there are some books that I have earmarked passages… Dark Lover (JR Ward) is one, Magic Bleeds (Ilona Andrews)is another. Also, just reflecting on how a certain book made me feel when I did read it helps!
Looking forward to reading the book.
I haven’t read this author yet, but her books sound interesting.
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[…] visit with the author. Anna shares her Top 5 comfort reads and giving away a $25 Amazon GC. Details HERE. Purchase Info: Soul Stealer (The Anomaly Trilogy) Reviews in the Series: Time Thief (Book 1) […]