Thea Harrison

Leon, thanks for coming to visit on my blog today!  Tell me a little about yourself in a few sentences.  What do you do for a living, and other than reading, what do you do for fun?

I am thirty-seven years old.  I am married and have two boys.  I am a facilities technician for AT&T.  It is a job that requires working outside on telecommunication cables.  I have to say, I am more of an occasional reader.  Some other activities I enjoy are, watching sports, playing poker, darts, horseshoes, video games and watching good movies.

How and when did you pick up your first romance? Was it in a sub genre (as in paranormal, thriller, contemporary etc)?

I started reading my first romance a couple of years ago.  My wife, who is a huge fan of romance novels, was convinced that I would like a series that she was reading.  She was very persistent, and after a bit of pestering from her, I agreed to read the first book of the series.  The series was, The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward, a paranormal.  I enjoyed it and continued to read seven of the nine so far in the series.  I have not read any other romance novels from any other authors or series.  However, my wife is convinced that she has found others she wants me to try.

Why does reading romance “click” for you?  Conversely, do you find room for improvement in the genre in general (or any sub genre in specific)?

I don’t know if I can say romance “clicks” for me.  I did enjoy the books I have read so far.  I have nothing to compare them to.  The books that I read, had quite a bit of action and heroes that were into sports and clubbing as well as fighting and romance.  If there are more series or books like that, I would be interested in reading them.

Who are your favorite romance authors?  Non-romance authors?  Can you give a percentage (just a rough off-the-top-of-your-head guess) about how much you read of each?

I have to say J.R. Ward, only because she is the only one I have read.  My wife has suggested a few others that she thinks I would like.  They are:  You, Laura Wright and Gena Showalter.  I will have to get back to you after I have expanded my library.  As far as non-romance authors, I like Larry McMurtry.  I have read three books by him.

If you could make a wish-list of a story you would like to read but haven’t yet, what would it be?

Hmm…  My mind kind of drifts to the erotic genre.  I would be too embarrassed to suggest a story that I would come up with.

Since I’m approaching this as a conversation, would you like to ask me something in return?

Sure.  Is it important to you and other authors in your genre to attract male readers?  Or, is it more like a little bonus when some of us become fans?

ME:  I can only speak for myself, but what is important to me is hearing from a part of my readership that typically doesn’t speak up much or add their voices to reader discussions online.  I’m pleased at the opportunity to get more acquainted.

Is there anything you would like to add?

It’s funny.  Since my wife suggested that I read my first romance, she has become quite a popular cover artist in the genre.  Now I realize that when she wants me to read someone, it’s not just some author, it’s usually a friend of hers.  I guess I am going to have to dust off my reading glasses and hit the books.

Thank you Thea for including me in your blog interview. I hope to talk to you again after I read one of your books.  (My wife says for me to tell you, she swears it is me answering these, and she is laughing about the erotic part.)

Thank you for taking part, Leon! It’s been a pleasure!