Mainstream romance novels?
Sep. 25th, 2005 07:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I'm interested in reading some mainstream romance novels. I don't want to buy them -- I intend to borrow them from the library, because reading them is more research than anything else. Can anyone recommend specific authors or titles of books that are fairly well-written and won't make me want to claw my eyes out? I'm looking for romance/angst/drama as opposed to comedy.
ETA - Stuff I've read and liked:
LaVyrle Spencer
Diana Gabaldon
Sherry Ashworth
ETA - Stuff I've read and liked:
LaVyrle Spencer
Diana Gabaldon
Sherry Ashworth
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Date: 2005-09-25 11:50 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2005-09-26 01:38 am (UTC)I used to be very fond of Alexandra Sellers in Silhouette, but lately it seems like she writes nothing but shiekhs, or however you spell that.
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Date: 2005-09-26 12:24 am (UTC)But it totally turns the conventions of that particular romance plot on it's head by making the hero a tough but sensitive guy and the girl into an insensitive, blood-thirsty, revenge-obsessed, weapons expert. She is actually a *better* fighter than him. You NEVER see that in a romance novel.
And here's the slashy bit: The hero falls for the heroine, while still believing her to be a boy, and he tries to seduce "him" on at least three separate occasions. ::mind boggles::
I love this novel, and I highly recommend it to romance novel fans and fans of slash.
I also recommend:
By Pamela Morsi- Courting Miss Hattie, Wild Oats and Simple Jess. Pamela Morsi does homespun romance, much like LaVyrle Spencer, with fairly steamy sex and lots of angst. Plus the characters aren't ever stupid.
Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory:
The Proposition-- My Fair Lady with reveresed gender roles; steamy sex.
Sleeping Beauty-- Courtesan is romanced by adventurer 8 years her junior who has far less sexual experience
Finally, check out this website: http://mrsgiggles.com/books/index.html
Mrs. Giggles does romance novel, music, and TV reviews. The woman is hilarious and smart, and she has a strong fannish sensibility.
I'm not up on newer writers
Date: 2005-09-26 12:51 am (UTC)I like Jo Beverly and Susan Johnson's historicals. The hero and heroine "types" each writes are a bit repetitive if you read several of their books, but when I am in the mood for historical genre fiction, I like these two writers. Johnson is more graphic in her sex than many writers, and I like the footnotes she uses for the historical bits of trivia.
I found the book Ritual of Proof by Dara Joy to be unusual in that the roles are reversed in this universe--the women have all the power and the men are kept virginal. It's not the absolute best romance I have ever read, but the premise was so different, I have re-read a few times:
http://freshfiction.com/book.php?id=1677
And if you like the angstier variety of romance, try Judith McNaught. Angst isn't my bag, so I don't consider her a favorite, but I've read several of her books, and they are genre classics.
http://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=7555
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Date: 2005-09-26 12:54 am (UTC)You might want to check this site for reviews: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/
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Date: 2005-09-26 12:54 am (UTC)A harder book to find but well worth the search is Playing the Jack by Mary Brown.
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Date: 2005-09-26 01:13 am (UTC)my second favorite at the moment is Catherine Anderson - she writes modern day cowboy romance, but usually with a angsty twist. In Phantom Waltz the heroine is in a wheelchair because of a rodeo accident.
If you're looking for drama/adventure also try Linda Lael Miller's two books - Never Look Back and Don't Look Now. About a female district attorney I think (or maybe she was a defense lawyer? can't remember ta the moment). But there's mystery and romance and witty banter. very good. Her other books didn't really float my boat, but they're mostly historical romance.
if you're looking for something that's just got the incredibly HOT factor - try Lori Foster's Too Much Temptation and Never Too Much. Both good. I like Too Much Temptation because (just like in Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me) the heroine is not a skinny model. She's chubby (so she thinks) and yet the hero digs her, mostly because she's got curves :) I like all of Lori Foster's books, but those two are my favorite.
If you choose only 1 of recs I gave, choose Suzanne Brockmann. I can't say enough about how much I love this woman. Her writing is excellent and her stories are fast paced, funny, hot, and totally suck you in. Plus, if you like her, she's got a ton of books (she's been writing for over 10 years) so it will be awhile before you read through them all :)
I have other recs that are more funny than drama/angsty so I won't go on any longer. But if you're interested you can always email me and I'll send you even more... :) Or just comment here that you want more and I'll keep on going...
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Date: 2005-09-26 06:27 am (UTC)But oooh, yes, the Blood Jewel series is very much good.
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Date: 2005-09-26 01:35 am (UTC)She'd have 2 or 3 in my top 10. Nearly all the rest would be LaVyrle, whom you've already discovered, although the two authors are very different.
I'm a sucker for the Regency; if you like those, try Catherine Mansfield.
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Date: 2005-09-26 03:02 am (UTC)Read Local Custom and Scout's Progress this summer. Was wrapped in a damp bathtowel stinking of chlorine for the duration of most of one book. Couldn't stop turning the pages to get in the shower.
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Date: 2005-09-26 03:51 am (UTC)Carla Kelly writes very good regencies. I used to like the early regencies of Mary Balogh.
Laura Kinsale wrote some good angsty stories - My Sweet Folly, Prince of Midnight, Seize the Fire.
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Date: 2005-09-26 07:30 am (UTC)Jennifer Cruisie-smart and funny
Susan Elizabeth Phillips-great characters and storylines
Deborah Smith-angsty
And a few not mentioned:
Jayne Ann Krentz(also writes as Amanda Quick)
Nora Roberts (also writes as JD Robb)
but for true rip your heart out angst I would go with
Elizabeth Lowell
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Date: 2005-09-26 10:44 am (UTC)Romance novels IDEAS
Date: 2005-09-26 05:25 pm (UTC)Hunter's Moon by C.J. Adams & Cathy Camp
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (don't let this title fool you it's about werewolves with a twist that's worth it)
Be Mine Forever by Rosemary Laurey
Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning ( Dips into Celtic Mythology and Magic galore with a drop dead gorgious highlander hunk)
Garden of Stones by Jody Offen
Most of these titles are carried by local libraries and I hope this helps you with some ideas. Good luck and have fun!
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Date: 2005-09-26 08:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 05:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 10:47 pm (UTC)I used to read a romance novel a day, but for the last five years or so, I've turned most of my attention to the internet. I've also become very picky about what I buy, since I have three bookshelves stacked double with books I haven't read yet.