Bookstores. New books. Amazon packages on my door step. These are just a few of my favorite things. As November is rounding the bend and the holiday swing will begin to dance its jig, I get to be excited about new books from several of my favorite authors, but I must confess to a certain wicked delight I take when I know a new In Death book is waiting in the wings. Next Tuesday, on November 3rd, J.D. Robb’s 30th In Death is released featuring homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas, her mega-billionaire husband Roarke and their entire cast of characters. Nora Roberts is an extremely prolific writer and while I am a fan of several of her romances, I have to admit, I am completely captivated by the In Death series. Part of the affection is the cast of characters that populates these novels and fills out all the nooks and crannies of Roarke and Eve’s lives. Part of it is journeying with them into their happily ever after and honestly, part of it is the mystery that unravels in each book. Kindred in Death I am such a fan of these books that I rarely, if ever actually read their…

Blind casting is a practice in the film industry of casting for a television show or film without considering the actor or actress’s ethnicity. For example, when originally casting the roles of Grey’s Anatomy, the producers didn’t look for any specific ethnicities, rather they took the best actors or actresses who auditioned and then let them become the role. Can you imagine anyone else playing Cristina or Bailey or Meredith for that matter? Blind Casting Icons I bring up blind casting today because of a conversation revolving around loving an actor or an actress even if you hate the role they are playing and more. Gina Torres, for example, is a brilliant actress who’s played everything from a browncoat (Firefly) to an Eastern bloc spy/assassin (Alias) to a Goddess (Angel) and more. There was a rumor for a while that she might be cast as Wonder Woman. Now the question is: would she make a good Wonder Woman or a bad one? Acting wise, I think she could nail it with both hands tied behind her back. Physicality? She’s got the look, the build and the athleticism to carry it off. Depth of character? Could she be a woman, given…

Please join me in welcoming author Shannon K. Butcher to the Daily Dose to celebrate her newest release: Love You to Death. The novel takes Butcher fans to a new place as she explores romantic suspense. So kick back, grab your coffee and enjoy our little question and answer session. Tell us a little about Love You To Death? Is this a paranormal romance or a nitty, gritty crime drama/romance? LYTD is a romantic suspense, and possibly the creepiest stuff I’ve ever written. It’s about a woman whose sister has gone missing. No one believes Ashley’s disappearance is anything sinister, but Elise knows differently. With the help of hunky, ex-cop neighbor Trent, Elise will stop at nothing to discover what happened to her sister, despite the number of mutilated bodies that are piling up. What is about the romance genre that appeals to you? It’s the relationships between people that intrigues me most. There’s nothing more exciting to me than watching two people fall in love—whether they dive in head first or fight it every step of the way, it’s always fun to witness. Throwing in the complications of monsters, terrorists or serial killers just makes it that much more…