Mainstream romance novels?

[wesleysgirl]

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

Comments

I'm not up on newer writers

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

http://freshfiction.com/authors.php has an index of authors with links to reviews, of you want more info on some of the suggestions people make.

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