I feel like I have been cheating on a lover.
A few months ago I walked into a bookstore (that chain store, you know the one) to explore while I waited for my wife to get off work.

When it came to reading, my focus – after expanding beyond comic books – has been in the genres of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. Of course, most of that time were flings with short stories where I didn’t have to commit to long term. Reading was a struggle as I have mentioned before.
From time to time, I had found a novel that I threw myself entirely into. Ones where the characters lived in every word and holding me tight. But it was rare.
Then I discovered Romance novels.
No, not the Ripped Bodice style romance novels with Fabio on the cover. (I won’t lie saying I’ve never read erotic romances, but if there aren’t interesting characters in an interesting story then there’s no point.)
I’m talking about more modern tales and their ‘meet cutes’.
We all know there is going to be a HEA (Happily Ever After) or at least a HFN (Happy for Now) ending, but it’s how they get there that matters.
So, let me tell you of the meet-cute that happened in that book store.
I had recently finished reading an anthology of romance stories. I had picked it up as one of my favorite romance authors was included and I discovered another author in it that I wanted to check out.
So, I was in the Romance section of the book store looking for that author. No such luck in finding them. None of their books was on the shelves.
As I turned to go down another isle and leave, I came across two books sitting on display tables. Their covers flirting with me. Both Romance books, but they were unique with a little something else in each. One was a science fiction story, in the oldest definition of the term, and the other a mystery story also heralding back to the origins of the genre.
I bought them both to bring them home with me. I will write about them in the future.
I wanted to start reading both right away, but while I waited for my wife I began to read the science fiction romance.
Over the next days I read the first few chapters.
It is here that my adulterous actions happened.
I blame the temptress Kindle.
I had planned to keep reading this novel but I found the kindle page for the author I had been looking for in the store. I found the series the short story was a part of and read all four of them, then was drawn to another book they had written. (I love time travel stories.) Then one more.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I have read more books in the first half of this year than probably any other year in my life. Other than reading comics, of course.
Which brings us back to the book I had begun and put aside for the ebook mistresses.
I finally picked it up again, and began to read once more. It’s a good book, and an enjoyable story. I take it back in my hands but wonder if the book will have me back.
I think we all have forgotten lovers; a pile of half started/half unfinished books, because we picked up a new one. The covers attractively sit on shelves or and tempted with intriguing back cover descriptions. But for one reason or another you put the book down.
So now when you pick the book up once again, you wonder will it forgive you of your transgressions. If it does you will be able to enjoy the rest of the story, but you still feel guilty and you must not start another book until this one is finished.
Pleasant Reading, your lover is waiting.
Kevin