JR Ward signs at The Bookstore in Radclif, KY

May 9, 10:53 PMRomance Novel ExaminerMaddie James

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The Bookstore, Radclif, KY

Whether an avid reader, an aspiring author, or a published romance novelist, there are things to learn from listening to JR Ward speak. And when JR speaks with her down-to-earth, say-it-like-it-is, passionate voice about her books, you do listen. If you are a reader, you get a glimpse into JR's head and where she is going with her characters and stories. If you're an aspiring or published author, you sit back, take it in, and think to youself, "yes, that is what it's all about" and you race home eager to get as deep into your own stories and characters, as you know JR Ward does, with hers.

Earlier today, I drove about an hour south of my home in Louisville, KY to Radclif (very close to Fort Knox) and one of my favorite bookstores in the area, The Bookstore, to see JR Ward and experience her signing.

Now, it's not the first time I've seen the lines to have JR sign books. Nor is it the first time I've witnessed the fans who come dressed the part (by the way, black is the color of the day, when attending a JR signing; vampire attire is optional, but perfectly acceptable) and who arrive with stacks of books in their arms. I do have to say, though, that's it is impressive when you learn of fans who have traveled down from Canada, and up from Shreveport, Louisiana, to see, listen to, and gets books signed by, JR Ward.

At this point I do have a confession to make. I have not yet read a JR Ward book (although there is one sitting in my TBR pile). It's not that I'm not attracted to the genre, I am. It's not that I'm against vampires, because I love a good vampire book. It is as simple as this--it's fear. I'm fearful of getting hooked. And of course, getting hooked on a series of books is not a bad thing, unless you are an author who is producing books of her own, while working a fulltime job, and always seems to be under deadline. But after today, I'm ditching the fear and jumping in head first. I've got a week of vacation coming up, so fear be gone!

Yes, the fear of addiction is strong. And the addiction is evident when you see the lines, the fans, and listen to how they know every character, and their lineage, and question whether they are a part of the Brotherhood, or not, and...

You get the picture.

"It's torture waiting for every book to come out!" says Jayne Lehmer (left), who traveled north from Shreveport to Kentucky for the event. "I have no favorite character, I love them all."

Gina Chabot (right), from Murphreesboro, TN, also drove to Radclif just to see JR. She had a front row seat and books to sign at the ready. She says she loves the books because she can read them as a stand-alone book, and that they all carry the theme "love conquers all."

Sisters Lori and Brie Borie traveled from Louisville with books in hand, and met up with Tara Elliot and LaShonda Moore, from Harrodsburg, while there. Brie said she loved the books because they are "relatable," meaning she can identify with the characters and believe they can be real. LaShonda said she loves "all of the brothers" and then giggled loudly along with the other young women. "Every single one of them!" echoed Tara. Both LaShonda and Tara commented on their favorite scene in the books, "the bathroom scene" which, they said everyone knows about if you've read them. I, of course, do not know about that yet and am wondering if I'll make it to that scene during my vacation. One of the young ladies simply sighed and said, "I just want to live in the brotherhood mansion..."

Isn't that what it is all about? An author writing stories wonderful enough that they sweep you away into another time and place, string you along the edge of addiction so you come back for more, and keep you thinking about the characters and the stories as if they are real people?

Because, in fact, if you believe, they truly are real. Right?

For more information about JR Ward and her books, visit her website at www.jrward.com