Darlings, Miranda here. Now, we've all got special books from waaaaay back that have graced our keeper shelves for years. These are the special books that kick-started our romance reading, and which we'll love and adore and remember fondly for the rest of time. Let me share a few of mine with you - and I'd love to hear which book(s) were The Ones that hooked you in. A Man Called Masters by Lucy Walker, an Australian outback romance with a 'manly man' hero, was one of my starter reads. Despite the manly man it was a sweet read, and the exotic setting of the outback was irresistible for city me. I borrowed it from the school library about sixteen million times (no exaggeration), until my sister gave it to me for my birthday. Best! Birthday! Present! Ever! I still have that book, dog-eared and falling apart, but so treasured. Hmm. Maybe it's time for a reread.
Then I studied Jane Austen's Mansfield Park in school. I could not believe we had to read something so wonderful, although there were a few fervent naysayers who did not appreciate Austen anywhere near as much as I did. In hindsight, Mansfield Park was a slightly unusual book to study, but I wasn't complaining. Bliss, bliss, bliss... My sister was given Pride and Prejudice which she hated, and I loved (naturally). Is it time for English class? Fabulous! Race you there! 
Then I discovered Leopard in the Snow by Anne Mather. Oh my. Does anyone remember the film that followed? That visual of her floundering around in the snow with the leopard, and the brooding hero who seemed to appear out of nowhere... Ooh. This book sent me off on a huge Mills & Boon readathon - which continues to this very day.Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer was next, absolute heaven to read; a marvellous gem to discover. Heyer's books sparkle with wit and verve and I delight in reading them still. Then there was Sarah Dane by Catherine Gaskin, a colonial Australian romance which handily tied in with my Australian History class. (I'm reading it for research, Mum, honest!) My reading life just kept getting better and better - and I've simply never stopped. I mean to say, why would I? Not when there's so many wonderful books around; we're so beautifully spoilt for choice. So marvellous.
