If you notice over in my sidebar, I have started a new book. It’s the latest “Prey” book from John Sanford. I have been a John Sanford fan for a LONG time. He has always been an inspiration to me. His books are the only collection that I have. I keep them put away so that they stay nice. Sanford is an awesome writer who happens to be from Minnesota. His “Prey” books are my favorites. The main character is Lucas Davenport. I fell in love with Lucas early on. It’s okay, my husband knows about it and he’s cool with it. Lucas started out as a Lieutenant in the Minneapolis Police department. He was kind of a rogue cop, rough around the edges and sexy as hell in his Porsche. Intelligent, too, because he designed computer games and programs for the police in his free time. (Okay, it sounds a little far fetched, but it worked for me.)
I guess what has always appealed to me, aside from the gift that Sanford has for writing, is that he writes about things I know. My husband is a cop for a county where a lot of Sanford’s books take place. It always feels familiar. A lot of the time the places are familiar to me. Sometimes he will even interject real things that have happened around here into his stories as little asides. It always makes me feel like Davenport is really someone who walks in my world.
About 10 years ago, my Mom went to a store where Sanford was going to be signing books. My Mom got me a book and while Sanford was signing it, she told him how I was in love with the main character, Lucas Davenport. In my book he signed, “It’s okay, Shelli. Weather is already moving out! Enjoy the book.” (Weather was Lucas’ fiancee at the time. That’s all that I will say about that.) He also told my Mom that if I wanted, I could bring all of my books down to a certain bookstore in Minneapolis and leave them there and, on one of his regular trips there, he would autograph them and then they would call me when they were done being autographed so I could pick them up. I never did it, but I wish I had.
Fast forward to his current book which I am reading right now. So far it’s pretty good. More interestingly, there is a character in the book who has almost exactly the same name as I do. Coincidence? I think NOT!
Did I mention that I am in love with Lucas Davenport and that I also am a fan of John Sanford? John, if you are reading, there are some hard covered books in the series that I am missing. Drop me an email and I will tell you which ones so you can give them to me for my birthday. 
hehe
shelli, you are too cute
but i feel i should warn Jason to also watch out for the shift key…
Which ones are you missing? I love Sandford books also, which I told you already. That is very cool that a character has almost the same name. I started the book, but then stopped. I am going to try to read it on Sunday.
I haven’t read any of his books, but I agree that it’s always more interesting to read books that detail places that are familiar. Makes them more real.
It’s too bad the character with your name isn’t a homicidal maniac or something…
I like that familiar feeling in books and movies. M. Night Shaymalan-a-ding-dong movies are usually filmed in my area.
(His name always does that in my head!)
You and Blue were hysterical on her blog!!!!=))
Shelli! How could you pass up that opportunity?!
I know exactly how you feel about these books though. I feel the same way about Lawrence Sander’s Archy McNally series. It’s set in Palm Beach and all the places are familiar to me.
Maybe I will check him out next time I am at the bookstore.
I am always looking for something new and exciting to read.
If you want Lucas you are gonna have to climb over me to get to him…IM older and I had him first! :d/
Blue–I forgot about that. I will tell him.
Libragirl–I will have to check it out. I think that I am missing the first one and a few others.
Blogarita–If you like crime novels, you should check him out. He is good.
Fab–I know. Wouldn’t that have been awesome?!
metalmom–Hmmm…I never thought that when I heard or said M. Night’s name. :))
Finn–I know. Pretty idiotic. My only excuse is that life was happening then.
Are they crime novels? Something I should check out?
Lynda–I think you would like him. Fab does. You guys are on pretty much the same wave length.
Catch–Oh girl! Bring it on!
I am like this about Alexander McCall Smith I love his books so imagine my delight when in his forum he replied to one of my posts with info on his new book… it blew my mind!!!!
Random Magus–I would totally have flipped out! That would be so cool!