Favorite Things
Because I’m a big believer in share and share alike (and because I’m always looking for something new and different to post), I thought I’d share some of my all-time favorites (you know, in my quest to make sure you know everything about boring ol’ me!).
Favorite movie: I’m certain we’d all say that it is hard to pick just one. I have certain favorites for particular reasons, so I will give you those:
The Terminator. My brother “forced” me to see this movie when it first came out, and I left the theater (admittedly) transfixed. It was then I began my love affair with Michael Biehn. Ah….!
Somewhere In Time. Speaking of ah…Christopher Reeve…now that man is ah-worthy in this movie. Every time I hear the soundtrack, I start to bawl like a baby. One of the best romance movies ever.
Spanglish. Adam Sandler is so darn endearing in this movie. This is one of those that I can watch over and over and never get tired of. Beautiful characters, fantastic acting…and Cloris Leachman is a hoot!
All the Fast & Furious movies. These movies have a certain place in my heart simply because we watch them as a family. For every new release, the hub, kids, & various other family and friends join us for the big event.
Pride & Prejudice. Great Expectations. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights. All wonderful adaptations of the books and movies I will watch again and again.
Favorite book: Like the movies, there’s no way I can possibly choose a favorite. I do have longtime favorites, like the Little House books from my childhood, or the Junie B. Jones books I read to my daughter. Here are some other favorites:
Split by JB Salsbury. Salsbury is one of my favorite authors, having penned an entire series of hunky fighters and their tough gals. This, her first standalone since finishing the “Fighting” series, is by far at the top of my list of favorites. I read it first on Kindle, then ordered the paperback…because it is just that good. One girl…one guy…or is it two guys? Hmm…so darn intriguing. Beautifully written in a way that makes you cry and scream and beg for more.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Colleen Hoover is brilliant. She can weave a story like no one else, and this book in particular left me weeping long after I’d read the last sentence. All her books are fabulous, but this one right here…pure majesty.
Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess. I first read this book years ago, back when my daughter was just a teenager and we were sharing YA books. I’ve re-read it three or four times since then, and it still remains as one of the finest books I’ve ever read. Raw and gritty, this story of a tough girl facing numerous family issues and adversity is well worth your time.
House Rules by Jodi Picoult. Having worked with special needs children before, I can truly appreciate the work that went into this book about a young man with Asperger’s. I love how this book makes you want to cheer for the underdog, and how it shows all the challenges people can face when dealing with a diagnosis such as this.
Him by Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen. This was the very first M/M love story I ever read and I’m so glad it was. This book though…oh my. I’ve re-read it since, and each time I fall madly in love with the two main characters. As the saying goes…love is love is love is love. And this book proves exactly that.
Favorite song: Who am I fooling….I can’t pick just one. How about we try this:
Song I dislike the most: Yeah…this isn’t working well either. There are many songs I dislike for one reason or another. Typically I don’t like songs where I either can’t understand the lyrics or the lyrics make no sense. I also don’t like songs that repeat the same words over and over again.
Music I’m hooked on currently: This one is easy…R & B. My current work in progress has a moody feel, and R & B music (particularly Brian McKnight) is the backdrop. Listening to that genre of music will help me get into the right frame of mind when I sit down and write, although I typically will not listen to music when I do. If I do – and it’s rare – I tend to listen to one song, on repeat, for hours on end. Yeah…I’m weird. You can say it.
Favorite word: Oh boy…my mom wouldn’t be happy to hear what my favorite word is, but I bet you can guess what it is. It starts with an F. I know, I know…that’s not very ladylike of me to say, but come on…I write naughty romance. Of course it’s going to be a favorite.
Favorite male body part: Hmm…there’s so much I could say here (get your minds out of the gutter right now). Seriously though, I have a thing for arms…especially that muscle in the back of the upper arm…when they flex it…yum. And eyes…always eyes. If you’ve read any of my books you’ll know that’s a big deal with all my characters. Eyes are the window to the soul, and all that jazz.
Favorite female body part: I’m an equal opportunity gal, so I’m happy to share the wealth. Eyes …and a great rack. I will not apologize for saying that either. However, what I admire most about any woman is her sense of independence and her strength of character.
Favorite job (other than being a mom and a writer): I worked with special needs preschoolers for 5 years, and it was the best job I ever had. I made NO money and performed the skills of someone with a Master’s degree (I never even went to college), but I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. I learned to be grateful that my hubby and I were blessed with healthy children. I learned to be humble, because sometimes even the easiest task can be a challenge for someone else. I learned patience and understanding and the joy of just sitting on the floor and singing a song. I miss those kiddos…and the job…and my boss/friend/mentor. I even miss the constant sickness, the runny noses I had to wipe, and the tears I cried when one of my students’ moved onto Kindergarten.
Favorite part about being a mom: Watching my babies grow into amazing, smart, opinionated, intelligent human beings that I enjoy being friends with. I adore my kids and I love hanging out with them. We have frank, often loud conversations that most people would cringe at. We are very affectionate and loving toward one another. Every time I look at either my son or daughter, I wonder how the hell my hubby and I made two such extraordinary people.
Favorite part of being married: Always having that one person who backs you, 100%. And marrying my best friend. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Favorite Things to Photograph: I’m certainly no expert at taking pictures, but it is a hobby of mine. I particularly enjoy taking pictures of things, rather than people. Most of the photographs I use on my blog or my website or ones I’ve taken (see above picture, taken at Zion National Park). I’m a HUGE fan of clouds…and love to take numerous photos of such (again…see above).
Favorite book that I’ve written: Hmm…the quick answer is always the one I’m currently working on, because I’m all excited to see where the story is going to go. The long answer is that I have a few favorites…for different reasons. Losing Faith, will always be my favorite because it was my first published book and I wrote it at a time when I was trying to piece myself back together after the loss of my best friend. I’m a better writer now than I was when I wrote it, but it will always be my baby.
Of the 5 Moran sibling’s books, Breaking Roman (book 3) is probably my favorite. Unlike his older brothers Cruz and Marco, Roman is sweet and easy to love, not full of himself or arrogant.
Finally, the very first male/male romance book I wrote (not yet released) will always have a special place in my heart…simply because I went there. I’m going there again with books 2, 3 & 4 in the series. I’ll keep you posted (wink, wink).
Want to know other favorites of mine? Feel free to email me any time. I’d love to hear from you…and I’d love to know some of your favorite things too!
AJ
