Hi Everyone,

Regular readers of my blog know that I like to stripmine my personal dating catastrophes to post blogs. Considering I am an author of erotic romances, it's fair fodder, for sure. Each time I dip my toes into those romantic shark-infested waters, I lose a lot of blood but I do get a good laugh out of it too...eventually.

I mean, I am forced daily to recall being chased around a parking lot by a demented heavyweight boxer because my side mirror is still hanging to my car with duct tape. Hard to forget about that weirdo, right?

So, let me just say that I am sooo glad to have come across somebody with an even more wonky 'picker' than me.

I just reviewed Rick. R. Reed's sensational new suspense novel High Risk and to say his heroine, Beth, has a colossal lapse in judgment picking up Abbott in a store, is like saying my dates come with some assembly required.

Major understatement.

My literary guidepost, Stephen King - and I am referring to his book On Writing, which is my bible, not his mystery novels - says that a writer should read. A writer can't write without reading.

I decided to become a Dark Diva Reviewer because I love the gals in the group and I thought, why not? I need to read. And this will make me do it, dammit. When I picked High Risk, I admit at first I thought, oh, it's not one of his gay stories (sorry, Rick) but once I opened it up, I could not stop reading this book.

I personally spend lengthy moments in the shower casting the role of Abbott in my mind. Viggo Mortensensen? Christopher Eccleston? Hugh Jackman? Daniel Craig?

Beth is the sort of character that will win a courageous actress not only the role of a lifetime, but an Oscar. That's the kind of writing we writers aspire to...the kind that sticks to your skin and won't wash off...

There was a gruesome scene in the house that I still see in my mind...but I won't spoil it for you here, except to say I thought nothing could shock me anymore. I'm glad to be proven wrong.

And that my friends is why Stephen King and Rick R.Reed are men we should listen to...and read.

Aloha oe,

A.J.