And when I say junkies, I mean antique people. If you like antiques, if you’re into interior design, then Mary Kay Andrews if for you.

I’ve read two of her books and, thus far, have been entertained. However, I find her books…somewhat tedious. In her former life, MK was an antique buyer. Big surprise! I’m sure that they items she describes, the fabrics, chests, rugs, etc. are beautiful…but only if you understand the lingo. Let me give you a quick rundown.

In her books the heroines have been an antique picker-turned-store-owner, and an interior designer. The plots are mildly amusing, though mildly annoying. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for character flaws…as long as there is resolution, growth, maturation. That sort of evolution is pretty forced in these books. The real story, the meat and potatoes of the lives of these women…their furniture.

Yep…its almost as if character development is a second thought compared to the amount of time, detail and PAGES devoted to informing the reader about the best flea markets, how to really shop in antique malls and the best way to combine a rug, picture and dining room table for the proper historical-Southern home. This is Karin…yawn.

I found myself skimming quite a bit through these books. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for a nicely furnished home. But my interior design is more…junk yard – consignment – freebie -chic, ya know? I’m just not that interested. However…if this is something you like, if you truly know the difference between chinz and brocade and Tudor and Victoria, these books are for you.

Be forewarned, there is some swearing, (apparently you can drop the F-bomb a lot more in books than you can in movies), and mild sexuality (depends on which book you read), but the language and “intimate scenes” are nothing to the degree of J.Crusie or J.Evanovich.

In other words, I’ve checked another of her books out of the library, and I’m going to read it. But I fully intend on skimming over the color/texture/olfactory descriptions of each piece of living room furniture.

Check ’em out!