Nina Pierce and the book that started it all for her
April 15th, 2010 | 
Author: Thank you RNS for letting me hang out with you today and talk about romance, one of my favorite subjects! I’ve always been an avid reader and though I bump around from genre to genre, I keep coming back to romance in all its forms.
It all began way back in elementary school. I leaned toward books with strong female characters and usually ones who were on an adventure. I remember reading the story of Sacagawea a half dozen times. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the real life kidnapping had nothing to do with a fourth grader’s romanticizing of her trip with Lewis and Clark, but even now I can recall the pinch of emotion I felt every time I read that story. *sigh* How lucky was she to have two men doting on her? … err … oh sorry, the erotic muse got out of control there.
What was I saying?
Oh, by the time I hit middle school, for whatever reason I skipped right over all the Judy Blume books my contemporaries were reading and jumped right into The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. I read that book one summer when I was about thirteen. I’m not sure what my mom thought of me picking up such a racy book. (I’m old enough to remember when movies didn’t have ratings and the worst you ever saw in a theater was a naked female back.) I wonder if she cringed thinking of some of those stirring love scenes. Me? I was totally smitten by the forbidden love between a priest and a young girl. The idea of love affairs and secret rendezvous on islands completely hooked me. I was lost to romance. I’ve only read that book once, but vivid imagery, the details of the emotion, and the angst of the characters have remained with me to this day. I still consider it my favorite romance of all time. I’m sure it has to do with it being my first romance and not the fact that Richard Chamberlain played Ralph de Bricassart in the movie. Um, yeah, that had nothing to do with it. 
High school and college found my nose glued to English assignments and marine biology text books. It was only in the summer when I allowed myself to find my way back to romance with my newest author, Nora Roberts. There are so many of her books I have loved I couldn’t possibly name them all. I’ve branched out since then, not only the authors I enjoy, but the genres. But as I sit here perusing books the books sitting next to the Thorn Birds on my keeper shelf, I find titles by Tess Gerritsen (medical thrillers), Sandra Brown (suspense) and Anne McCaffrey (science fiction). All these ladies, despite the genre, have at the heart of their stories … romance.
I’ve only been immersed in the writing world for five years and what I’ve learned about the craft has changed how I see some of my favorites, but it hasn’t changed my fundamental love of the romance novel. My own stories, whether they’re set in the future or in the paranormal world of shifters, have at their heart a true romance. My newest book, Bonded Souls will be released April 21 from Ellora’s Cave.
Here’s the blurb:
After finding out her boyfriend is married, veterinarian Jayda Kynslan decides to give up men. She has every intention of planting her feet firmly on the path of celibacy—right after one more night of shameless sex with a stranger. A vacation in Montana would certainly ease the pain of betrayal and offer her anonymity.
Police chief and wolf shifter council leader Cole Takoda needs a break from investigating the murders of shifters plaguing his town. When a beautiful stranger seduces him at the local tavern, it’s more than a tryst…it’s uncontrollable desire. And Cole can’t stand it. To top it off, their quickie becomes a revelation of shifter secrets and unfulfilled prophecies.
The discovery of a dead man in the forest behind Jayda’s rented cabin thrusts her into a foreign world of animal shifters and murder, and the man she thought was only a casual diversion seems to be the only one willing to hear her side of the story. Jayda’s just not sure if Cole’s going to take her to jail—or his bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I want to thank the romance novel sluts again for having me here and letting me share my love of romance. You can find me hanging out on the web:
website: http://www.ninapierce.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ninapierce
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ninapierce
Nina’s Page at Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-535-nina-pierce.aspx
-Nina
Nina’s Blog
Posted in 
Tags:
Thanks for blogging with us!
Your newest book sounds great! Defently need to add it to my To Be Bought pile!
Sounds exciting. I discovered hot romance in junior high, too. Had me hooked right away.
Thanks for having me ladies! I’ll be popping in and out. I’d love to hear how others found their way to romance and keeps them hanging on!
Woah, Have to get to get this one!
For me, it was Mary Stewart, especially My Brother Michael. Then Elswyth Thane’s Williamsburg series.
I read primarily mysteries in my teens as I started out as a Nacy Drew fan. I did read Mary Staewart and Victoria Holt later.
I picked up romance books within the last few years and found erotic romance through e books this last year.
Andrea – If you like shifter stories, Cole and Jayda’s story continues in “Bonded by Need” which is available now from Ellora’s Cave. Hey, who said an author had to write them in order? *g*
Wynter – Sounds like your middle school years were rebellious like mine!
Johanna – It’ll be available Wed, April 21 … I can’t wait for the release. Cole and Jayda were the first shifters stories I’ve written. Now I’m completely in love with them.
Monica – I haven’t heard of either one of those authors. I’ll definitely have to check them out. I love a good romance series. Thanks for stopping by.
Andrea – Ebooks are great! Erotic romance is a lot of fun to write. Of course I have to throw in a dead body or two along the way just to add to the thrill. *g*
Excited to read
Great blog, Nina – love your books!! Many happy sales.
What great memories of thrilling and romantic novels I have from my (often misspent) youth. I loved the gothic suspense novels of Phyllis Whitney and others, but I particularly recall The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart – I’d have to say that set me fairly well on the road to the romantic suspense genre (which I still adore). The next “milestone” would have to be Kathleen Woodiwiss’ The Wolf and the Dove – and after that, I was a romance slut for life! Now, in any form, or genre, from horror to suspense to comedic, historical, paranormal and erotic. I may read tomes like THE MAKING OF THE ATOM BOMB or serious literature or mysteries or Harry Potter, but I always go back to romance. Speaking of which . .
Rubi – Thanks for stopping over
Tina – Thanks! Mwah
Lise – You know, I’ve never read Kathleen Woodiwiss and I understand she is actually one of the classic greats. I’ve got to put her on my list. And you’re the second person to mention Mary Stewart, I’m going to have to check her out as well. Romance is such a “take me away” “forget your troubles” kind of read. *sigh*