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On and Off the Page

/ Olivia Dade / 25 Comments
A picture of Olivia Dade as a relatively young child, maybe 7 or 8, in a ruffled white shirt and mauve vest and skirt. She is smiling, with very chubby cheeks.
Me, around the time I began reading romances

One of the great joys of romance novels is their fundamental optimism. They reassure us that obstacles—everything from lingering childhood hurts to zombie apocalypses—can be overcome. That love can find us even under the most unlikely, humdrum, or harrowing circumstances. That happy endings are still possible, even in a very imperfect world filled with very imperfect people.

I’ve read romances since the age of seven or so, shortly after my mother pointed out the stack of dog-eared books in her closet and declared them off-limits. The next time I found myself unsupervised in the vicinity of her bedroom, of course, there was no stopping me. I basically dove headfirst into that pile of paperbacks.

I emerged transformed.

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Not-So-Easy Rider

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For Fresh Fiction, I wrote a post about the, um, ambivalence toward bikes shared by me and my heroine, Sarah.

“I need to learn to ride a bike.” Sarah didn’t try to hide her grimace. “By the middle of next week. Even though riding one of those things is basically daring God to smite me.”

That’s the opening of Ready to Fall, my fourth Lovestruck Librarians book. Now, I will freely admit that my heroine, Sarah Mayhew, has a flair for hyperbole. She’s earned her nickname DQ (for Drama Queen) among her friends honestly. But in this instance…well…

I can’t help but agree with her.

unhappy woman with defect bike

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My MAYDAY Interview with Cynthia Woolf

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Cynthia Woolf graciously invited me onto her blog and talked to me about my books, my writing process, and my beloved critique partner, Mia Sosa!

Tell us a little about yourself and your latest book.
Hello! My name is Olivia Dade, and my third Lovestruck Librarians book, Mayday, comes out May 10. It’s a contemporary romantic comedy full of sex, banter, and assorted nerdery, set in and around the Downtown Niceville Library. In fact, the heroines of my entire Lovestruck Librarians series all work in the same Maryland library system.

The whole library connection isn’t a shock, considering that I worked at a public library for five years. Before that, I taught high school and led tours through Colonial Williamsburg. So basically, I’ve held lots of jobs that required me to feign a certain level of decorum I don’t actually possess. Now I don’t need to pretend anymore. Such a relief!

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Starting Over

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NOTE: I originally wrote this post for Manic Readers.

Some people sail through their lives, certain from a young age about what they want from their existence and their work, sure where they belong and what they’re meant to do.

I’m not one of those people.

For a long time, though, I thought I was. From seventh grade until the age of twenty-four, I knew I would become a university professor, beloved and wise as I taught in front of rapt students and researched fascinating subjects. I would be intellectually challenged, part of a community, and happy. Above all else, happy.

Then, halfway through my American History Ph.D. program, everything changed.

Girl comforting her friendAs it turned out, I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t sure anymore that I wanted to spend my adult life battling for my place in academia. So I left a semester after earning my master’s degree, moved back home with my mother, and applied for a full-time position at the living history museum where I’d been working during my school breaks.

And I floundered. For years. I had no idea anymore what I wanted to do with my life. I searched for a new calling at an array of jobs: living history interpreter, high school teacher, student tutor, bakery clerk, and librarian. For a woman who’d thought she knew her life path from seventh grade, the upheaval was disorienting and upsetting. Worse, that upheaval didn’t uncover a new calling.

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My Enduring Love for Elizabeth Peters & Her Shameless, Flawed Heroines

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I wrote this post for Deanna Raybourn’s blog, and I did so delightedly. I kind of worship Elizabeth Peters.

When Deanna told me I could crash her online party today, I basically imploded with glee. Here’s why:

1. I adore her writing, both in book and tweet form. In fact—and she doesn’t know this, because I try to hide my rampant fangirling whenever possible—I featured her books in pretty much every display I created as a librarian.

A display to highlight RITA award-winning authors? Check!

A display showcasing mysteries solved by couples? Check!

A display introducing patrons to steampunk? Ch—

Wait. Not that one, I guess. But if I could have figured out a connection, I’d have slapped Deanna’s books up there too.

2. Because I write contemporary romantic comedies, I don’t usually get to discuss my favorite mystery authors. Not even those authors who, like Deanna and Elizabeth Peters, drizzle some romance onto their stories.

3. This post gave me a legitimate, professional excuse to reread Peters’ Crocodile on the Sandbank and Summer of the Dragon for approximately the millionth time each. And by complete coincidence, our daughter needed a chaperone for a classmate’s birthday party the day I reread them.

My husband: “I thought you were working on a blog post? Because if not, maybe you’d like to take our daughter to the birthday par—”

Me: “Totally working on a blog post! Researching so hard.”

My husband [side-eyeing me as I clambered happily onto my reading chaise]: “Hmph.”

So thank you, Deanna. I appreciate any excuse to avoid enclosed spaces filled with screaming six-year-olds! ::clears throat:: I mean, I appreciate the opportunity to talk about one of my all-time favorite authors and two of my desert island books!

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Angela Burrowes: My Filthy, Outspoken Athena

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I wrote a final post about Angie for Romance Divas, one in which I discussed the genesis of her character in the Lovestruck Librarians series. And I got to be nerdy about mythology too!

In Greek mythology, Athena—the goddess of wisdom and so much else—was not born. Instead, she sprang fully grown and armed from her father Zeus’ aching forehead, freed by a blow of the ax to his skull. She experienced no infancy, no swath of time where her goals or personality remained inchoate or indistinct. Instead, she emerged entirely complete and ready for battle.

Angela Burrowes, the heroine of My Reckless Valentine, is my own personal Athena.

To be honest, she’d make a pretty terrible goddess of wisdom. Her decisions…well, they’re often suspect. She’s definitely no virgin. And I suspect she uses her extensive vibrator collection much more than Athena did.

But like the goddess, Angie didn’t require years or even hours to form her personality. She sprang to life vibrant and herself within minutes, a potty-mouthed miracle with a loving, rebellious heart.

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Angie’s List of Kickass Smut

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I had a blast writing this post for Fresh Fiction from Angie’s perspective!

The heroine of My Reckless Valentine, Angie, wrote this annotated guide to some of her favorite erotic romances before meeting straitlaced Grant Peterson, her hero. I think she was planning to use the list in one of her library displays, but then changed her mind after—

Well, I don’t want to spoil the book. Never mind about that.

Enjoy the list!
Olivia Dade

P.S. While My Reckless Valentine is a bawdy romantic comedy, rather than an erotic romance, I still thought my readers might enjoy this glimpse into Angie’s fevered brain.

P.P.S. Presumably, she would have censored some of her saltier language before using the list, but…really, there’s no telling when it comes to Angie. So I redacted a few choice words on her behalf, substituting gentler alternatives in brackets.

P.P.P.S. These are all real books, by the way. I didn’t make up a single title! Not even the one with horny blue aliens!
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