National Blaze Readers Appreciation Day
Posted by Kathleen O'Reilly in Kathleen O'Reilly
I bet you guys didn’t know that today, June 24, is National Blaze Readers Appreciation Day, did you? It is, pre-ordained by… me, because honestly, I think all you Blaze buyers out there deserve your own special day where humble authors like me can bow and scrape and say, “Thanks to you, Blaze Readers. I owe you a big debt, and it’s not one I’ll forget.”
As Blaze romance buyers, you endure sanctimonious book-clerks, cover-ogling-smirks, the lurid “oh-youre-reading-romance that means you want to have sex with me” businessman leer, the well-meaning relatives who asks when you’re going to read a real book, and honestly, the list of slights goes on and on. Yet, in spite of such indignities, the Blaze reader is a loyal reader, a trusty soldier who brandishes her covers proudly, and dares the world to question her (his?) reading choice.
As an author, (and a fellow Blaze buyer), I get this, and thus is born, National Blaze Readers Appreciation Day, where I can tip my hat and say: “Thank you, Dear Reader. Because of you, my children have shoes.”
And because I’m not all bluff and circumstance today, feel free to share your favorite put-upon-reader story, or just say, Hello, and I’ve got a copy of Hot Under Pressure (August 2009) Blaze to give away to a random commenter. And if you want a sneak peak at Hot Under Pressure, take a look here:
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I’ve learned here recently that what I read gives me the opportunity to explain to people that if a book is well written with wonderful characters that the sex part is just an added bonus. We shouldn’t feel ashamed of sex or of having it or even reading about it. It to me is a beautiful part of life that needs to be expressed appropriately. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your books. Have a great day.
Oh…I know what you mean. I used to be that customer that would buy everything under the sun before making my way to the checkout to buy my book in fear of “getting the look”. Well, no more. I have a brain, I am my own person, and I know what I like. I just love the covers of Blaze books and don’t deny myself the full pleasure.
Good idea, Kathleen. And it’s funny you mention shoes. When my boys were little, we’d celebrate each book I finished by going shopping for new shoes for them. I wanted them to connect Mommy’s deadline with something concrete. Once, one of them took a look at my writing schedule and asked if he could combine the deadline shoes. He ended up with a pair of hideously expensive shoes that he wore to pieces.
LOL! What a cool story and what a smart kid.
Great post, and yes! Love this new holiday.
I just want to pop in to add my thanks to readers, too — where would we be without you? You’re the reason we do what we do. 
Sam
Armenia, you go, girl!!
Hi!
I enjoy reading all sorts of books, Blaze included! I don’t let what others think bother me anymore.
So true about the looks from the bookstore clerks! I’m always happy I love to read RS and political thrillers as well – there’s almost always a nondescript cover on top of my pile. And how sad is that?
I don’t apologize. My fave Blaze story was a woman in a UBS who was searching Hq.’s books next to me. I picked up an older Blaze to buy, & she says, “oh, I never read those red books”. I said, “well, that’s why there’s all these books–everyone can read what they wish”. She says, “do you know those have sex in them?” I said, “thankfully, yes”–LOL. (I guess she doesn’t read the Desires, or the late (& regretably, to me), Temptations either.)
Great holiday! I’ll be adding it to my calendar so we can celebrate it again next year too. And I don’t worry anymore about the books I buy. Even when people make snarky comments, I just give them the look. Which I’ve been told can be very intimidating.
Wonderful!!! HAPPY National Blaze Readers Appreciation Day!!!
We readers, also appreciate, you the authors for sharing such wonderful stories with us time and again!!!
yea happy blaze day, it should be everyday
everyone go out an d read a blaze
blaze one of my favoite series, th e best seires
congrats on your blaze and 41/2 stars fro m rT whoo an dhot cover
kh!! Thank you. I had NO IDEA, but I went to the RT site and sure enough, there it was, and I got my RT mag today. Thanks for the heads up; I was grinnin’ like a fool yesterday.
This is an awesome day!!!! Thanks for thinking of it Kathleen! We readers should also have a Blaze author day for all you authors!!!!! I LOVE my Blazes. I don’t care what people think when I buy them. I have had people stare at me because I have my kids with me and I’m buying Blaze books. I just can image what they are saying, but do you think I care. NO!!!!!!
Hey Kathleen, this is an awesome idea…I will say you are Welcome now…I don’t have a funny story or anything. I just wanted to drop in and share my thank yous. As a reader, I don’t know where I would be half the time, if I didn’t have a Blaze to read…you guys have helped me through many dark moments…I remember when I first started reading romances, I used to get all nervous when people saw what I was reading…these are the days of Fabio on the cover of every historical romance I came across…he was very yummy…now, I am a Blaze dealer if you will…I don’t care…I even announced in assembly, mind you this a middle school, how much I learned from reading Romance Novels…we were promoting reading…they all laughed, but they got the idea…lol…I hope that you all have fun celebrating…I will drop in again later to check on you guys…be good….hahaha…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
>I even announced in assembly, mind you this a middle school, how much I learned from reading Romance Novels<
Paula, I’m glad you said that. I do a LOT of research before writing my books. Most authors do, even if it never makes it into the book.
Funny, I’ve never gotten that “oh-youre-reading-romance that means you want to have sex with me” businessman leer. And as at least some of my relatives read romance books, I haven’t gotten that “when you’re going to read a real book” thing either.
I like to read in between innings at the ball park and just this past week I was reading a blaze and my grandmother asked me “you’re going to read that here?” like I shouldn’t be seen in public with a blaze book and she’s the one who likes them too. I told her of course I’m going to read it and I don’t care what people think. A few years ago I used to try to hide the cover so no one would see what kind of book I was reading, but now I’m not embarrassed or ashamed anymore. I enjoy reading them and I’m not afraid for people to know.
Hi Kathleen,
I had no idea today was a special day, but I’m all for a celebration.
I’ve been pretty lucky when I buy my Blazes not to get any strange looks or suggestive looks. I buy so many romances, I don’t care even if I do get strange looks. However, when my oldest niece started reading my romances(she is 17 now and turns 18 next month), we did get book covers for her to use so her dad wouldn’t say anything about the covers. My sister knew she was reading my Blazes and other romances, so I figured if she didn’t want oldest to read them she could put a stop to it.
What a wonderful holiday! I’m in full support of it. Celebrating now!
Thank YOU, Kathleen! I’m a fairly fortunate reader–not the recipient of any leers or rude comments (that I recall!) I LOVE reading, and I am so thankful for you authors for making my rich reading world possible!
I love reading Blaze books, they are so hot and such great reads. I hate when people give you the “i dont read those kind of books”. Usually its from someone who looks like she could use some heat in her life, would make her smile more.
I once had anothr pre-school mom sitting next to me, she was reading a thick single title romance. By a very popular author (Think NR), and i asked her what book she was reading. she held it up and said “Trash”. I cant tell you how floored i was that she said that, she’s seemed to enjoy the book but then downed it first thing. Then i pulled out my blaze and smiled and kept reading.
Happy holidays Blaze Babes, we deserve it. Just like we deserve these wonderful books. and the smokin covers.
jody
I can’t remember any particular incident where someone insulted me and if there are store clerks who are giving my books dirty looks then I never noticed and certainly wouldn’t care if I did. In fact, my son went to elementary school with a boy whose father did covers for romance novels and he would go into the classrooms each year to talk about being an artist.
And we have a winner!! #21 jody Allen!!! Jody, send me your snail mail address (kathleenoreilly@Earthlink.net), and I’ll get the book in the mail to you! Congrats!
Congrats Jody!!!
Congrats Jody!
woohoooooo! thanks a bunch