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

[lockenessie.livejournal.com]

I would highly recommend Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It is a series of novels, and I enjoyed them a lot.

[lockenessie.livejournal.com]

Oops, I see you read those already. That is the only author I have read in the romance genre since I was a teenager. Sorry :(

[cerisaye.livejournal.com]

If you like history then Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles (six books) are a good bet, with an archetypal romantic hero to die for (unless you find him irritating which some people do, admittedly, oodles of angst, and extrememly good writing. The series is set in the 16th C, starting in Scotland & England then moving out to cover a large part of Europe, with a large cast of characters. Even some slashy goodness. The first book is called GAME OF KINGS.

[justhuman.livejournal.com]

It's been years since I've read romance, and I think most of what I remember would be eye-clawing. A romance with a lot more substance is Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey.

[nwhepcat.livejournal.com]

I confess to a weakness for Deborah Smith, from back when I wrote copy for her books. She's been known to get over the top with the angstiness sometimes, but, well, I once even spent my own personal money on one of her books, which I've never done on any other romance-type author.

[eponin10.livejournal.com]

Try Holly Lisle. She's written a few good suspense/paranomal romances: "Midnight Rain" and "Last Girl Dancing". Both are well written :)

[fleurrochard]

Georgette Heyer's regency romances are brilliant - wonderful characters, witty dialogues - I adore them.

[tigs.livejournal.com]

I've really been enjoying Jennifer Crusie's books. 'Bet Me' is my favorite thus far, but they're all very witty, with very crisp writing. Fluffy, crack-ish, but very fun.

[sizequeen.livejournal.com]

Are you a slasher? Because I just read a romance novel that made my slashy heart just about burst from my chest. The book is the debut novel of Jackie Ivie entitled Lady of the Knight. On the surface, it's the typical girl-pretends-to-be-a-boy-but-falls-in-love-story, set in medieval Scotland.

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

[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

[collinwood.livejournal.com]

Roberta Gellis is one of my favorites, especially her medieval settings. She has a website, I believe. She also writes a series of medieval mysteries.

You might want to check this site for reviews: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

If you are a fan of Diana Gabaldon then try Sara Donati. Her first novel (of 3 so far in this series) is Into the Wilderness http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553578529/qid=1127695900/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-0594044-4062563?v=glance&s=books
A harder book to find but well worth the search is Playing the Jack by Mary Brown.

[margarks.livejournal.com]

suzanne brockmann! she is my all time favorite. her books all focus on a team of navy seals. The first is Unsung Hero. There's romance, terrorism, action, and angst. very excellent writing.

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...

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

I adore Georgette Heyer -- hers are the only romances that I keep and read over and over again, instead of disposing after a single binge. They're Regencies, though -- do you need contemporary?

[kristinholt.livejournal.com]

Try Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and for Fantasy/Romance, I can't recommend Anne Bishop enough. All four of them were in my hurricane kit. ;-)

[rakshathewolf.livejournal.com]

Judith McNaught's 'Whitney, My Love' is the best historical romance--perhaps the best of any romance genre--I ever read (I used to read a lot of historicals, "research" that came in handy when writing Angelus).

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.

[annaalamode.livejournal.com]

Susan Elizabeth Philips (especially her middle books) are reccomended as well as Connie Brockway's My Beloved Enemy.

[goddessleila.livejournal.com]

My favorite romance authors are Susan Anderson, for funny, smart, and sexy modern romance, Linda Howard (the newer books, anyway) because of the same that frequently has a touch of the supernatural and a well-done side of dark thrill, and "Lord of Scoundrels" and "The Last Hellion" because the sex is kinda silly, like many romance novels, but the characterisation is not, and they actually feel like real people when you're reading it. I'd reccomend those two books over almost any others.

[boji.livejournal.com]

About eight years ago I went on a romance fic binge. So I've read a lot of the gilded-letter romance type of books. What sticks in my memory? Susan Johnson wrote the hottest sex. Amanda Quick wanted to be Georgette Heyer but wasn't. Fern Michaels Cinders to Satin is a good read. Judith McNaught is a real find (yes I seem to like/prefer books set around some faux Regency in which London was clean and modern plumbing is implied ;-) Kat Martin wasn't bad, Anne Bishop's Blood Jewels trilogy was an amazing read (just amazing!) - And if you like sci-fi/fantasy/romance to try the Liaden Chronicles (http://www.korval.com/liad.htm) by Steve Miller & Sharon Lee.

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.

[juno.livejournal.com]

Judith Ivory is good. I liked her earlier stuff better than her later (lighter) stuff. Beast, Bliss, Dance are all very good.

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.

[jilmac5.livejournal.com]

I will second a few authors already mentioned:
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

[orchid-slayer.livejournal.com]

Suzanne Brockmann! I love her books, and own most of them signed! Also Lynn Kurland does a great series with time travel. Its worth taking a look at.

Romance novels IDEAS

[rowanheart24.livejournal.com]

Aha! Lucky you, I dropped in today. I just happen to work at a bookstore AND read romance novels. It sounds like you like the more select paranormal romance genre. Authors to live by that deal with time travel, magic, beautiful sexy men, shapeshifters, sometimes vampires or great plot twists include:

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!

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Hi, here via flist! My favorite romance novelist ever is Julia Quinn. She writes Regency stories that are touching, deft, and above all hilarious. I'd especially recommend the first two of the Bridgerton series, "The Duke and I" and "The Viscount Who Loved Me".

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

Popping in for a quick howdy! Have you read Misfortune by Wesely Stace? He is a writer not to be missed. This a romance with quite the twist. And his writing is just delicious. So much so - I wrote him and he wrote back. He is wasting his talent as the singer John Wesley Harding! Not really but he did do an album to go with the book. It's just a brilliant read and I can't really even do it justice here.

[phoenix4.livejournal.com]

I recommend any of the Elizabeth Lowell books, the fantasy stuff, western stuff, and modern ones. Lots of angst, and no urge to throw it across the room. Linda Howard does good angst and drama, but all her stuff is modern.

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.