What are you currently reading?

I just started my seventh Bridgerton, It's in his kiss by Julia Quinn, so far I like it but I'm only on page 52.

I like the heroin Hyacinth very much and if she is turning out anyting like Lady Danbury in the end that would be great. The hero Gareth St. Clair looks wickedly promising so far.

More later...

I just finished To Rescue a Rogue by Jo Beverley, and I loved it. Still not my favorite of the Rogues series...that would be An Unwilling Bride, but it was wonderful. I had only a couple of teeny tiny complaints, which I won't even mention. I love the Rogues series, and I hope we see more, although the original 10 of 12 (2 died) have all gotten stories.

I just finished Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. Tonight, I'll be starting Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie.

Julia ~ I love the Bridgerton series. My favorite is Romancing Mr. Bridgerton with Colin and Penelope.

Catherine ~ I just heard of the Rogue series a few days ago. I haven't read Jo Beverly before.

Hi dmwmtgal,

I have to confess, I was a bit disappointed by Romancing Mister Bridgerton. I guess, I was so looking forward to Penelope's story that I had to be disappointed.

I think the relationship between P/C got a bit to short over his issues regarding his meaning in life.

So far When he was wicked is my favorite Bridgerton of the series.

I read one of the Bridgertons, and it was out of order, I need to go back and read them first to last.

I haven't read Jennifer Cruisie's latest. I love her! Bet Me and Charlie All Night are 2 of my favorites (I'd get them from the burning house if I had another 5 minutes!)

I tell you a series I was disappointed with, and that is the Cynster Series from Stephanie Laurens. I really liked the Bastion Club, but the Cynster novels were a real disappointment.

Now a great series, or two great series, are The Royal Four and The Liars Club by Celeste Bradley. I highly recommend all of them. The "Fox's" story in the Royal Four was my very favorite. A ton of tension, smokin' love scenes, humor and strong emotion. She reminds me of Kleypas...just the right amount of everything to make a wonderful read.

CC

Do read the Bridgerton's, they are worth it.

I loved Charlie all night.

I've heard about the Royal Four, but haven't looked to closely into them. Maybe after me TBR pile is a bit smaller then right now.

Charlie All Night was fabulous. It has the best "flow". The chemistry between the hero/heroine made me jealous!

Susan Wiggs is a great author, but I have to say I like her historicals better than her contemporary books. Her trilogy featuring the Great Chicago Fire, The Hostage, The Firebrand, and The Mistress is superb. The Lightkeeper remains one of my all time favorites. I need to go back and add it to the list of books I'd grab if the house was on fire.

(these links may not be to Wiggs' books but other authors whose books are named the same).

CC

I usually read the first 100 pages of a book the night before and finish it on my lunch hour the next day, or if it's a skinny book like a Desire or a Silhouette, I can finish it in 1 lunch hour. I just started The Lighthorseman by Marjorie Jones, a period piece set in Australia in 1895. It's got a troubled war hero and a plucky heroine, and so far, it's great reading. It's a biggie though, no finishing it today. This might take several lunch hours!

CC

Oh wow, I guess compared I'm a pretty slow reader. I'm ususally read in the evening. I takes me 8-9 hours to read a book, divide that up in 2-3 days. That's about right.

But I hope I'm being excused, because English is not my mother tongue. ;)

CC ~

I enjoyed the Susan Wiggs books that dealt with the Chicago fire. The Firebrand was the first book by her I'd ever read and I had to immediately get the series. Her historicals are great.

Devonna

Devonna, I hope you'll get the Rogues books and tell us how you like them.

I'm curious, where do all of you get your books, from bookstore chains, internet secondhand sellers, library sales? Has anyone swapped books on any of the book swapping sites?

CC

CC ~ I get my books everywhere. Mostly UBS or library sales. I do have my "must buy" authors who I'll buy their books the day their released. Also ~ ebay & half.com or amazon.

I haven't tried any of the swapping sites, though I'm considering it...but only on the books that I don't care if I get back or not.

Devonna

CC--- My favorite Susan Wiggs book is, without a doubt, Charm School. It was one of the first romances I ever read, and I think it's what caused me to fall in love with the genre.

Devonna- Anyone But You is my favorite Crusie! Which is kind of like picking my favorite ice cream, lol.

Devonna & Julia- My favorite Bridgertons book is The Viscount Who Loved Me.

Right now I'm reading The Bride of Pendorric by Victoria Holt for the Gothic Romance group, plus Flirting With Danger by Suzanne Enoch, and a Harlequin Married Under the Italian Sun by Lucy Gordon.

Im buying my books online either at eBay or amazon. Since English books in German bookstore are rar you can only find the classics there.

Julia

I finished It's in his kiss by Julia Quinn yesterday. I enjoyed the book and as predicted liked Hyacinth very much.

Started On the way to the wedding last night, but I'm not that far along.

I might as well have my paycheck direct deposited to Amazon! Some books I just have to buy new, especially a long-anticipated sequel. I like to be the one to crack the spine the first time. LOL

I look for series used at ebay. There are a few sellers who will group them together to sell. I found all of Johanna Lindsey's Malory series except the latest for about .50 each. S&H cost varies wildly, though.

Our small library doesn't have a sale often, but they are good to call me and tell me ahead of time. I've gotten several first editions that way.

CC

I'm starting Derik's Bane today at lunch time. It is a werewolf paranormal romance I took out from the library. My mom read it first and she loved it so much she read it twice in one day, so I'm really looking forward to it.

I finished The Lighthorseman today. It was okay, but not the grand, sweeping novel I was hoping it would be. We talked in another thread about having too much conflict in a novel, but this one didn't have enough.

CC

Just finished On the way to the wedding. I cried bucket especially the church scene got the tears rolling.

But I have to say, that I felt the uncle was not very credible. For me in the beginning he was too dispassionate to end up such a evil character. Come on, watching them consumate their marriage was a bit too farfetched for me.

When he was wicked is still my favorite Bridgerton.

Next book is going to be Match me if you can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Today I started Over the Line, the latest (#4) installment of Cindy Gerard's Bodyguard Series. Has anyone read the others?

CC

The next book I'm going to read is Something Sinful by Suzanne Enoch. I'm looking forward to this book as another one in the Griffin Family series.

If it's anything like the other two books I'm going to love it.

I just had a delivery from Amazon. I'm starting Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife by Linda Berdoll. I read the first chapter, and it already looks good! Thanks for the recommendation, Julia!

CC

CC, I hope you like the rest of the book also. Just keep in mind to read it as a romance starring Elizabeth and Darcy.

Let me know what you thought.

I just got Morrigan's Cross from the library, so I'll probably start that next. Right now, I'm reading an anthology of paranormal short stories. The first was Haunted in Death, one of the Eve Dallas mysteries. It was really good! There are 3 more by authors I haven't read before (Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langman, and Mary Kay McComas.

I just finished Something Sinful by Suzanne Enoch and I loved it, loved it, loved it. I can't wait for Sebastian's story. But June 2007 is sooooooo far away.

Next I'm going to read SuzieE's Don't look down.

I read morrigan's cross during the week from the library and I found it very derivative of buffy, only with a group of 6 special people instead of just one.

Not the worst I've read but not her best by a long shot.

Hi, wyvern ~ Darn! I just started Morrigan's Cross and was hoping for a really special read. Oh, well, I'll read it anyway, of course, and let you know what I thought of it. :)

Julia, I finished Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife. It was okay, but after the first few chapters, it got boggy and I started to lose interest...lots and lots and lots of purple prose. I found myself playing a game with myself, searching the pages to see if Berdoll ever actually referred to Mr. Darcy's penis as a penis, but nope, never did find it. Sometimes I had to re-read a paragraph just to see if they'd actually had sex or not...I couldn't tell!

Somehow I just couldn't wrap my mind around this one. I also found myself wishing Sabrina Jeffries had written this sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Maybe I shouldn't have messed with perfection!

CC

CC, I'm sorry you didn't like it that much. I guess it depends on the expectation of the reader, when you read a sequel to a book.

Letters from Pemberley is another one. I think the style is more conservative. IMO it was ok but I liked Berdoll's better.

I really wanted to like it, but oh well. I may check out the other one you've recommended at some point, but I think I'll let it be for now.

Next up for me is Lori Foster's Murphy's Law. She's the best, and I am never disappointed with her books.

After that, I'll channel my inner Jane Austen and get right with the world of Regency romance. :)

CC

I started Table for Five by Susan Wiggs this morning. I'm going slow and steady on it and so far, it's keeping my interest. This is the 2nd contemporary I've read by Ms. Wiggs. Personally, I think I like her historicals better.

Devonna

I did want to say that I finished the Wiggs book last night and loved it. I think it touches just about every emotion you could have ~ I was not disappointed by this one at all.

Devonna

Devonna, I liked TF5, too. She has a nice way of building the emotions in her stories, sort of "slow and steady wins the race". It really sneaks up on me sometimes how good she really is at that. Have you read The Ocean Between Us? It is another example of what I mean.

How would you all feel about a separate "Reviews" thread? We could rate different aspects of books, or do you all fee we pretty much do reviews in all Recommendations thread and here?

CC

I just finished reading Don't look down in my lunchbreak. I liked it very much and look forward to Billionaires prefer Blondes.

CC~ I had a "penis" incident as well. She referd to her breasts a couple of times as "pert tits" and I thought the combination of the words a bit strange, but didn't let it bother me to much. :)

The next book I'm going to tackle is By love undone by Suzanne Enoch. I heard some very good reccommendations and am now impatient to get home.

Julia

I finished Murphy's Law by Lori Foster. Another winner! I go back and forth on whether Foster or Jennifer Crusie is my favorite contemporary romance writer. I am beginning to wonder if they are one and the same person, although I know they aren't. A definite 4.5 on a scale of 1-5.

CC

I was not felling well Friday and called in sick. The only thing I felt like doing was reading, and I churned through 3 in two days. Julia, one of them was Something Sinful, and it was excellent. I will definitely be looking for more of Enoch's books. Thanks for the recommendation!

The others were Cheryl Holt's Too Wicked To Wed and Sabrina Jeffries' Only A Duke Will Do. Too Wicked to Wed was very disappointing. I don't like a book which starts out with the heroine walking in on the hero in bed with 12 women, and it went downhill from there. Only A Duke Will Do was excellent, 5 stars. Very complex, intense, emotionally satisfying, very memorable. More than once while I was reading it, I thought it was as good as Devil In Winter!

CC

Sabrina Jeffries is one of the authors that is on the top of my amazon recommendation list as well as Jessica Benson's The accidental duchess.

I'm eager to try out both authors. There is no question about Jeffries, but has anyone read JB so far? The synopsis sounded promising.

CC, look out for the other book from the Griffin series Sin and Sensibility#1 and An invitation to sin#2. The Duke's story will be out next June according to SuzieE. He is just so yummie. I can't wait for his book.

Julia

I'm starting Sex and the Single Vampire today at lunch. It looks like it will be a cute story.

I just finished By love undone, another wonderful book by Suzanne Enoch. So far I haven't been disapointed by her books. Even her contemp. suspense are wonderful.

Now I'm unsure what to read and that with over 100 books in my tbr pile. Any suggestions?

www.librarything.com/catalog.php?tag=tbr&view=juliakranz

Lately I tended to change the time setting (contemp/historical) after every book. So I guess the next one should be a contemporary.

-Just edited my typos.

Julia

Julia, I see you've got Linda Francis Lee's trilogy, Simply Sexy, Sinfully Sexy, Suddenly Sexy on your TBR list. I'd go for them! They were all smokin'!

Edited to spell the dang things right. Sheesh!

CC

CC,

that is so funny those are exactly the books I couldn't bring myself to read yet. And I have absolutly no idea why. Maybe it's because I have never read her and the dact that it's another trilogy to finish.

I think for this evening I will knit my socks and meditate about the choice of books I have.

Julia

I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I read a lot of things besides romances. And the romances I read are all historical. So I don't have a lot to add to this thread right now, but wanted to let you know I have ordered Devil in Winter and should be getting it any day. It will be my next romance as soon as it gets here! Thanks for the suggestion!

I've decided on Too good to be true by Kasey Michaels.

Wow, I can see my wishlist is going to grow a mile here... :oS

I have just finished off a couple of "retro" Nora Roberts reads. Montana Sky (total guilty pleasure read was needed and I lapped it up and then I discovered they're currently filming it with John Corbett in it yum!) followed by Birthright.

I am pateintly waiting until the entire circle trilogy is available from the library before diving in as I couldn't stand the wait otherwise!

Currently taking a break with a new author to me: Charlotte Hughes - A New Attitude

I have a more retro Nora's on my shelf that I think I shall be visiting soon, but also some books from a new UK publishing venture called Little Black Dress Publishing which includes choice contemporary romance picks plus new signings.

Off to look at your TBR pile Julia to see if there's anything I spot. ;o)

Hey, Mystik, welcome! I'm going to need a 2nd job to cover my wish list! I see you're a Crusie fan, too. Isn't she fabulous?

CC

I'm about to start I'm In No Mood For Love by Rachel Gibson. I'm sure I won't be disappointed. I never am in her work.

CC

Thanks! :oD

Yes I think I have read all her books except that one she wrote with another author recently.

Currently looking forward to the new Rachel Gibson - I'm in No Mood for love

I have to admit a weakness for Ice Hockey themed romance books after reading The Trouble With Valentine's Day then went and read See Jane Score, and after that lapped up a few of the novels by Deirdre Martin, but didn't find them as great as Rachel's.

Please Ladies, I still have to wait another 2 weeks for my copy of I'm in no mood for love. :(

But then, the rest of the shippment will arrive tomorrow. :) Including

The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown
Lady Whistledown Strikes Back
The Marriage Lesson
and
The Devil Wears Prada which will be the next book I'm going to read since the movie just came out in Germany.

BTW, Mystik

Julia

I'm off to the old Kino this weekend to see The Devil Wears Prada, with any luck, with a fellow chick lit junkie, then we are hitting Borders to browse... now that's what I call the makings for a good Saturday! ;o)

Who knows I may see a copy of I'm in no mood for love

Next up for me is To The Limit, the 2nd in Cindy Gerard's Bodyguards Series. It's a contemporary romance, and if it's anything like the first, I'm in for a treat.

CC

Well not much time for Borders browsing, but the film was great! :oD

Recently started Mounting Desire by Nina Killham.

Started Dark Celebration by Christine Feehanlast night after finishing Dancing in my Nuddy-Pants. I'm liking it pretty well, it's basically the main character from the first book, Dark Prince, going and visiting the couples that were featured in many of her other Carpathian novels. It's kind of neat to re-visit characters from other stories I've read.

I just finished reading Too good to be true by Kasey Michaels. It was an OK read. The first half was a bit slow, which it made up in the end. Also it was kind of a romantic suspense, which I am not too fond of or at least I like to know it in advance. The h/h had to solve the family mystery, which of couse they did, but you could already see it coming a long way in advance.

So it's getting a 3 out of 5 from me. I guess that is why it took me so long to finish it.

Next book, as I already mentioned, is The devil wears Prada.

Julia

Has anyone besides me read I'm In No Mood For Love yet, Rachel Gibson's newest? I'm interested in seeing someone else's review.

CC

Nope, haven't even received it yet. :(

Julia

I finished Dark Celebration last night. I'm really curious to read her next Carpathian book now, but I'm sure it will be a while before it comes out. Does anyone else read Christine Feehan?

I maybe taking a Borders run today, not sure. I keep thinking it would be nice to get the next Pamela Britton NASCAR romance. I really liked her last one In the Groove although it was what I would call a G rated romance. My hubby is a huge NASCAR fan and I bought In the Groove because it would be supportive of his hobby LOL I kept picturing Kasey Kahne as the main character which really helped me like the book.

Demon, I bought Britton's first NASCAR book thinking it was going to be hot, and was disappointed to find it was G-rated. For me, it takes a really, really exceptional storyline to make up for the lack of sex in a book. I must have a one track (pun intended) mind. I have only knowingly bought a G-rated romance once, and that was one of Emilie Richards' Shenandoah series, because I am interested in Appalachia. I haven't read it yet, and I've had it more than a year.

We would probably be enemies on the NASCAR front. In my house, #20 Tony Stewart reigns. I do like my bad boys.

CC

I'm not really a big NASCAR fan, my husband is...I just think Kasey is cute and he gives me something to look at when he's watching the pre-race show for like an hour before the race :-) Speaking of the cutie, he was just on the TV!!

I just started the anthology Hot Spell. Oh boy, that Emma Holly really knows how to write the smutty, send you Hell type stories! Really pushes the envelope. I read her story Strange Attractions. That's a book which requires a completely open mind to enjoy.

To The Limit was great, and I read the next two as soon as I finished it. I can't wait to read Dallas' story. I don't recall anyone saying whether they like the military/mercs/special ops romance genre. I guess that would be Suspense. Anybody I can swap reviews with? And how about 19th Century Westerns? Any other fans of that genre?

Demon, I had Hot Spell on my Wish List until I realized it was paranormal. I have really got to give that genre another chance, so many of you like it. I do like Holly's historicals.

CC

Next up for me is Take Me by Lucy Monroe, the third in her Selwyn Family Regency series. The others are Tempt Me and Touch Me. I love Monroe and have all her books. They never disappoint, although I prefer her contemporary romances to her historicals.

CC

I just finished The devil wears Prada and I liked it very much. I could really, really, really relate to Andy since I have two hectic, chaotic and to top it one of them is choleric.

I could picture some scenes so clearly it was almost scary. I just had to tone them down a bit and could easily see a scene which I had run through with one of my bosses.

The next book I'm going to read is Love only once by Johanna Lindsey it's a Malory novel and I'm looking forward to it since I love the family so much. Sadly I read them out of order, which I absolutely hate.

CC, I still haven't received IINMFL, but it's scheduled to arrive within the next days. I'll let you know when it arrives.

Julia

Finally I have acquired all four of the Wallflower Quartet (recommended by several of you). Secrets of a Summer Night was the last I found, but since it is the first in the series and I wanted to read them in order, I have held off, though I've been severely tempted. At last, I can gather all my reading accessories and settle down -- I hope -- to a blissful time with Lisa Kleypas's characters.

Carminow, you have more self-discipline than I do! Please let us know what you think of them.

CC

I finished Devil In Winter and it was very good. Not a favorite, but very good. The characters were likable and I enjoyed the history. I liked most that the h/h were not at each other's throats, except in the best sense. :) Kleypas tells a good story and I wouldn't hesitate to read her again. And it seems to me Cam will be next. I will watch for that one.

I finished Montana Sky by Nora Roberts and it was one of the best books I think I've ever read. I loved it so much.

I started I'm In No Mood for Love by Rachel Gibson yesterday and will probably be finished with it either tonight or tomorrow.

Devonna

Lor, I'm glad you liked it.

Devonna, do you know you share more books with me than anyone? 342!!!!!!! LOL

I was looking to see who else had or reviewed Hot Night by Shannon McKenna, and see that you and TNicky have it in your library. I would like to know if you've read it and what you think about it. I have all of McKenna's books, and I was very surprised how much I disliked this one. I see you have some Sarah McCarty, too. I love her Promises series, can't wait for Promises Redeem to be published. It's taking forever.

CC

I finished Love only once which I loved, even the font size was a relaxation afer reading TDVP, whose font size was miniscule.

I started last last paperback Malory Gentle Rogue again out of order. I am looking forward to that one because many described it as the favorite Malory novel.

RG's IINMFL is on it's way so that's goin to be next after GR.

Julia

All the Suzanne Enoch books I ordered came yesterday, so I'm going to start on them. First up is Invitation to Sin.

Julia, I have and have read all the Malory novels. I'm afraid they all bored me. I bought them all at once and read them straight through after a friend recommended them. The most recent one was the best of the bunch. I was very surprised. I've read lots of Johanna Lindsey's books. In fact, Marriage Most Scandalous is a favorite, but the Malory ones just didn't do it for me.

Of course, that was right after I finished Celeste Bradley's Royal Four and Liars' Club series, which were excellent, so maybe I couldn't help but be let down by the Malorys. I'll have to go back and read one again and see if I feel any differently.

CC

Well I just finished Gentle Rogue and James was a fabules hero. But I still can't make my mind up which one my favorite Malory is. I tend a bit to A loving scoundrel since it was the first I read, but can't really say.

CC, Marriage most scandalous is in my tbr pile and is definately one of the books I'm going to read pretty soon. Probably even after I'm in no mood for love.

I'm also looking forward to Captive of my desires, when it's out as paperback next year.

Julia

I loved Marriage Most Scandalous. I read it nonstop the second I opened it. Couldn't put it down. Captive of My Desires is a different story. I opened it, read the first few pages and just could not get into it. I may try again when it comes out in paperback, but I had too many other things in my TBR that held my attention better.

I finished I'm In No Mood for Love yesterday and started Much Ado About You this morning.

CC ~ 342 books?! That's outrageous. I'm sure if we'll share even more books than that at some point.

Devonna

Currently in the middle of The Reef and loving it. I have a few book rings to tackle next. :o)

Devonna, yep! 342! I read very fast, so I'm always buying books. I average about 20 new books a month, so that number is bound to go higher.

What did you think of I'm In No Mood For Love? I hope you'll review it on the Reviews thread for us.

Eloisa James is another author I've found to be inconsistent. I love one, hate the next. I guess they can't all be perfect.

CC

I started a relatively new book by J.R. Ward which is the third book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series named Lover Awakened. Of course, it is another paranormal vampire romance :-)

I like Ward's Black Dagger Bro'hood too. I've only read the first two and am really looking forward to Lover Awakened.

I finished Lover Awakened last night! It was really good, although I still think the second one is my favorite.

In Lover Awakened you really get to understand why Zadist is the way he is. I felt so bad for him in this story.

Now I'm reading another YA book called I am the Messenger. I'm not sure if I'll like it or not but I'm reading it for a book group.

CC-I am in the middle of reading Hot Night and it is going slow! The hero Zan is acting more like a woman then a man! What man thinks the way he does? It's just so-so, right now.

Sorry for messing up the board. This place is really moving slowly tonight. I refreshed the page 3 times and my message posted three times.

TNick, I reviewed Hot Night at the Review thread, I hope you post yours, too. I checked the reviews at amazon, and it has only gotten good ones so far. I don't understand it. It's almost as if McKenna got someone else to write it. And what's with the hero's name? Does anybody think Zan is a masculine name?

Are you planning to read The Southern Devil?

CC

I had a friend once named Alexander and we all called him Zan. So it has a masculine tone to me. Maybe that is what she was thinking... or not. :)

On the Roswell television show one of the guy aliens was named Zan, so I only associate the name with hunky looking aliens LOL

Just finished I'm in no mood for love by Rachel Gibson. Review in another thread.

The next book is Marriage most scandalous by Johanna Lindsey.

Julia

I finished the Sin books by Suzanne Enoch. They were very good, thanks for recommending them, Julia.

Next up for me is Lucy Gets Her Life Back by Stef Ann Holm. I love her Western historicals, Crossings was superb, so I hope this contemporary is good.

CC

CC, I'm glad you liked them. She has a couple of other "sets".

http://www.suzanneenoch.com

Check out the Lessons in love.

1. The Rake
2. London Perfect Scoundrel Drool :)
3. England Perfect Hero

Julia

Thanks, Julia!

I'm taking a detour from the traditional romance next. I have waited for Thirteen Moons, the second novel by Charles Frazier, ever since I finished the last page of Cold Mountain, and it is finally here!

CC

I just finshed Marriage most scandalous. Although I have to say the "mystery" was a bit twisted for me, it didn't deflect from the lovestory. I liked how Maggies tricked Sebastian into helping her. They were a great couple.

Next one is the final book in Julie Ortolon's PERFECT trilogy: Too perfect.

Julia, off to her island cruise

I have been very busy this weekend and didn't have time for reading, but was able to squeeze in about 2/3 of Beast by Judith Ivory. I like it very much. The story is historically interesting (takes place on board a ship), the characters are flawed, but genuine, and very likeable, the tension is playful (as opposed to them being at each other's throats constantly), and the romance, ahhhhh! It is just a good read. If anyone runs across it, I would definitely recommend it.

cc, I have 13 Moons in my sights, as well, but want a block of time where I won't be interrupted. I am hoping for this weekend. I am so looking forward to this one.

Have just finished Morrigan's Cross so am eagerly waiting for the next 2, but will definitely not read number 2 until I have the last one to dive into immediately after, can't take the angst! LOL

I received a box of Little Black Dress books in the post that I won, and one of them is Rachel Gibson's I'm in no mood for love. So looking forward to starting those once I finish a few book rings, one being Dead And Loving It.

I'm going through the entire Jennifer Cruise oeuvre. For some reason I'm always surprised that I enjoy each new book I try from her. I keep on waiting to be disappointed. Right now I'm reading Strange Bedpersons.

I am never disappointed by Jennifer Crusie. Each one is better than the next.

CC

MystikNat, I have Morrigan's Cross checked out now and intended to read it right after 13 Moons. (I think, though, that I will need to re-read Wuthering Heights first. :) ) I'm glad to know you liked it, though. I wondered if anyone had read it. Book 2 is out, but I can't remember the title.

Mystik ~ So, how'd you like Dead and Loving It? I read it a few weeks ago. No spoiler here if you haven't finished it yet, but I found it surprisingly raunchy, even for MaryJanice Davidson, imho. Of course, that didn't stop me from finishing it. Just that it's a bit more than what I expected. :)

I haven't read Strange Bedpersons yet, but I just looked at it on the amazon.com site and guess I'm going to have to, since I'm a legal secretary and work with many young,
Republican, partner-wannabes. :D

I have Dead and Loving It out from the library right now but I haven't started it yet. I have two or three books I should read before that one, but I might skip ahead if you say it was really good :-)

I have not heard of Morrigan's Cross but am off to check it out on amazon. I'm always so nosey about what other people are reading LOL

I just started You Don't Know Jack and can tell already it is not my cuppa tea. I will read all of it anyway, sigh.

Lor, maybe we can start a thread to discuss Thirteen Moons after we've read it. Is anyone else planning to read it?

CC

Right Morrigan's Cross - yay touch stones working this time - was a bit of a slower start than usual for me and Nora, BUT it left you salivating for more and the characters and story are on your mind for hours as soon as you turn the last page. I reread the last chapter as I usually do when I finish a book I love! I had promised myself I'd not start it until I had all 3 books in my hands. But I saw it at the library and it had just arrived on the shelf, so I was destined to be the first to check it out. LOL
Think 2 is Dance of the Gods and I am now waiting for that to come into the library. Last one is Valley of Silence due out December, but likely January at the library at this rate. :oS

Also Nora has a new stand-alone coming out in 2007 that I spotted on fantastic fiction, so looking forward to that already!

As for Dead and Loving It - I've read the first story, and my oh my the windows on the bus should have been steamed up by the time I arrived at work - hoo boy yes a bit raunchier than usual. Mind I did think the earlier Betsy books were like that, but the last one, Undead and Unpopular, was a bit disappointing on that side, but also how short it was and didn't seem to have much integral plot, read more like a short story... like a few days in the life of Betsy... yadda yadda...

I decided to read Dead and Loving It. I'm up to the last short story in the book. I don't know what it is about MaryJanice Davidson's writing, I like it but I certainly don't LOVE it. I guess maybe she brings out my inner prude because all her heroines seem to swear like truck drivers and have insanely huge chips on their shoulders. I've read two of her other books Undead and Unwed and Derik's Bane and I had the same sense of discontent with those stories.

I definately prefer Katie MacAlister's brand of paranormal/romance/humor.

Hi, Demon ~ I wasn't thrilled with Dead and Loving It either. I'm not sure what it was supposed to be, but I found it almost offensively raunchy (and I'm definitely no prude, either inside or out). :) I do like her Undead series, though, and also her non-paranormal romances set in The Kingdom of Alaska.

I like Katie MacAlister too, but I just couldn't seem to get into the one Aislinn Gray (sp?) I tried to read. Maybe it was just my mood that day.

I finished Too perfect last night. I especially liked that the heroine was a plus size since there are not to much about. Sometimes it's hard to relate to heroines that are wearing short skirts and high heels.

I started Once upon a wedding night by Sophie Jordan. It's her debut novel and so far I like it, but it's to soon to tell what the rest is like.

Julia

Demon, Storee, and anyone else who wants to, could you give me some examples of erotic romance titles you liked? I'm really interested in knowing, because I read a lot of erotic romance, and there are some authors I love and would like to recommend, but I hesitate to do so because I don't want to offend anyone.

I could get Dead and Loving It to see what you mean by "almost offensively raunchy", but I really loathe the werewolf/vampire paranormal stuff, and I thought if you could name some other titles of erotic romance you actually liked, I might get an idea without having to read one which features paranormal elements, because I personally wouldn't like it based on that alone, no matter how hot the sex scenes are.

It may simply a difference in taste, but I'd like to know what you consider good erotic romance what you think is just plain raunchy, how much is too much as far as sexual content goes, what offends you, etc.

I kind of jokingly asked if you all thought romances should come with a sensuality rating on one of the earlier threads, but I'll ask again. Should romance novels have them posted on the cover?

CC

CC, I will preface with "just my opinion," as if that's necessary. Most of the romances I read, I would consider erotica. The authors include Garwood, Canham, Kinsale, Coulter, Mary Balogh, Hannah Howell, Amanda Quick, Eloisa James, Gaelen Foley, May McGoldrick, etc. Do you consider these works erotica? The love scenes are written with a light, tender hand. (I do not like the heavy, abusive ones and when I find one, I stop reading.) I also would not pay much attention to ratings on things. Like reviews, they are all just opinions and I can decide on my own. Usually, I can tell from the first chapter if the book was written merely as a vehicle for the sex scenes or if it is a good story that includes sex, as a good story should. :) Who are some of your favorite erotic writers? I'm wondering if I've read them.

Hi, CC ~ Nah, I don't need a sensuality rating on the novels I buy. I tend to read romances written by the same group of authors, so I'm generally aware of what to expect in that dept. (although sometimes I'm surprised). :) Besides, you can often tell from the blurb on the back whether it's going to be hot or or sweet.

I can't think offhand of any erotic romance authors I've read on a regular basis except maybe Thea Devine, Lori Foster, and Susan Johnson, and I've found with them (esp. Thea Devine) that the writing can be a bit uneven. Some novels are steamy great and others, meh. But for awhile last year I was keeping a journal of romances that I read, and I'll double check and see what other names I can come up with. Oh, I forgot Sabrina Jeffries. Back in the early days of my love affair with romances, I thought Rosemary Rogers topped the heavy sex charts, but now Sweet Savage Love seems outdated (esp. with all the rapes that went on).

My preference in erotic romance is historical ~ modern erotic romances are more...I was going to say pornographic, but I don't really mean that. Just that there isn't as much romance as sex in most of the modern stuff I've read. I prefer my sex with romance, literally and in literature. ;D When the main female character jumps straight into bed with the hero, even though you know he's going to turn out to be her soul mate, it kind of loses something for me. I guess it's seduction I miss in that kind of erotic romance. I like it when it takes awhile to get to the "main event" ~ when smouldering looks are exchanged and fingers twitch to touch but don't because it's forbidden or not proper. Well, that's just my preference. Others may like to get the bedding over with so they can go on to more and wilder sexual escapades, and that's fine. Whatever floats your boat! :D

This is very interesting. Lor, I do not think of any of the authors you and Storee listed, with the exception of Thea Devine, as erotic romance writers, they're just straight romance writers to me. Devine is so inconsistent, I stopped reading her altogether.

I doubt you have read any of the writers on my erotic list, and you probably wouldn't like them. I think you would say they're pornographic. My mother and sister certainly would!

But the list of some of my favorites are Robin Schone, Sarah McCarty, Cheyenne McCray, Lora Leigh, Rhyannon Byrd, Beverly Havlir, Ann Jacobs, Denise Agnew, Jan Springer and Sylvia Day. All these writers write in the fantasy/paranormal genre, too, but I prefer their contemporary and historicals.

Nicole Jordan and Susan Johnson I think of as on the "mild" end of the erotica scale. I love both of them, and Lori Foster and Sabrina Jeffries are two of my absolutely favorite authors, but I don't think of any of them as erotic romance writers.

CC

Emma Holly is the only author I can think of off hand that we might have in common CC. She wrote a book called Strange Attractions I really liked which involves neither vampires nor werewolves. It was pretty comtemporary but did involve a slight amount of sci-fiishness in the realm of quantum physics. This book takes a very open mind and is not for the "straight and narrow" (i.e. there is some bi-sexuality featured). It was a singularly unusual story and I would definately call it erotica.

I also enjoy Angela Knight and her stories enter the realm of erotica also.

The Ellora's Closet books do have sensuality ratings at the front of them and they also define what each rating means. They have a huge selection of these at Borders. They almost resemble self-published stories in the manner of the cover art and the way that the printing inside seems to vary from book to book. I've only read a couple but the ones I read were pretty steamy.

Demon, I would put Holly in the catagory with Nicole Jordan and Susan Johnson. I've read a couple of her historicals and liked them.

Do you mean Ellora's Cave? Most of the erotic writers I list are published by Ellora's Cave. Most of the cover art stinks, though. I figured it was computer-generated art.

As far as sexual content, I'm pretty open-minded about what I read, but there has to be a really good storyline to keep me involved until the end.

CC

Cave/Closet....Geez, sometimes I swear I'm lucky I remember my own name LOL Yeah, those are the books I meant. I think you're right about the computer generated artwork.

If you read Strange Attractions you'll have to let me know what you think.

cc, so it's the definition of erotica that I didn't understand. I always thought it just meant something that arouses. But I guess there is more to it. :) I haven't heard of any of the authors you mentioned, but I'm not surprised, being from a small town. If they are even more risque than the bodice-rippers, I'm sure no on here would carry them. We musn't offend the founding fathers, etc.

Believe me, what people read is their own business and I wouldn't label it anything. Your reading, your choice. Sexual encounters don't bother me. I do mind when characters are basically children and/or if anyone hasn't consented. Otherwise, whatever frosts your cookies. :)

BUT!!! If they have lousy artwork, I wouldn't buy them anyway, because it offends me. &:-D

Lor, by open-minded, I didn't mean that ANYTHING goes, believe me. Only storylines between consenting adults is acceptable to me.

Demon, I picked up Strange Attractions but it didn't appeal to me, but I did get Beyond Innocence, a Regency. I thought it was great.

CC

Lor, I finished Thirteen Moons. I liked it very much but I was a little disappointed. It is lushly descriptive, but does not come close to the heartbreakingly beautiful Cold Mountain.

CC ~ I'd forgotten Nicole Jordan, whom I've read and liked!

I haven't read any of the erotic writers you mentioned. Oh, goody! A whole closet, er, cave full of new writers to experience! *grin*

I started Emma Holly's Strange Attractions and didn't care much for it, but I'll try the Regency you mentioned ~ Beyond Innocence.

About erotica ratings ~ I recently tried a chick lit novel called The Tuesday Erotica Club by Lisa Beth Kovetz. Notwithstanding the name, there wasn't anything erotic about it. Sex, yes, and raunchy dialogue and stuff, but nothing that gave me any tingles, so to speak. :)

I started Touch of the Wolf by Susan Krinard today. I think this is going to be one of those rare occasions I read two books at once because I've also been reading Then he Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison as well. Obviously another Georgia Nicolson story :-) Completely different storylines/genres so I shouldn't have to worry about mixing them up LOL

I would place Emma Holly's contemporary novels firmly under the erotica label. They used to be published by Black Lace, a well-known erotica line, before Cheek scooped them up. Her historicals and paranormals are milder but her contemporaries are much more sexually unconventional.

I didn't enjoy Strange Attractions either (I didn't even finish it) and I find Beyond Innocence to be among her weakest historicals (Beyond Desire is a bit better). For her historical/paranormals I would go with her Midnight series. The best of her contemporaries are books like Personal Assets, Velvet Glove and Menage (a fan favourite). As fair warning they usually feature threesomes and some homosexuality so if that's not one's thing one should probably stick to the historicals. Or try EC authors like McCarty who write very hot books but stick to one-on-one hetero stuff.

There's that word raunchy again. :) Storee, you might want to visit EC's website before you try one of the authors they publish. EC rates all the books they publish, S for Sensuous, E for Erotic and X for Extreme. I have never bought or read an X, most of the ones I like are E, but several have been S. Amarante, I don't know if you'll agree, but I've found the heat level in S titles to be about the same as the mainstream novels of Jeffries, Holt, Kleypas, Foster, McCarthy, Gibson, etc., maybe just a tad hotter.

The following is from the EC website, an explanation of the their copyrighted term "romantica" and their rating system:

Romantica® is the name for the line of erotic romance novels published by Ellora’s Cave Publishing. Erotic romance is defined by us as: any work of literature that is both romantic and sexually explicit in nature. Within this genre, a man and a woman develop "in love" feelings for one another that culminate in a monogamous relationship.

In a piece of Ellora’s Cave Romantica® literature, sexual language is typically expressed in frank adult terms, rather than couched in flowery phrases. In other words, rather than describing lust in a woman's body as "a whirlwind of electricity that jolted through her love valley" as is generally found in mainstream romance novels, an author of Romantica™ might say, "intense desire coursed through her body, making her wet with arousal." (E-rated and above titles typically use much more graphic language than that.)

Romantica® doesn't begin from the premise that women's sexual experiences are dirty and therefore in need of being perfumed up by flowery phrases. The premise of Romantica™ is that women's sexual experiences are legitimate, positive, and beautiful.

S- love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination

E- love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. E-rated titles might contain material that some readers find objectionable—in other words, almost anything goes, sexually. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry in terms of both sexual language and descriptiveness in these works of literature.

X- titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Stories designated with the letter X tend to contain difficult or controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.

Amarante, McCarty is my favorite EC author. I absolutely love her "Promises" series. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the latest, Promises Redeem. Are you a fan of hers as well?

CC

I finished Once upon a wedding night by Sophie Jordan last night. I like the book but sometimes found the hero a bit lacking. It simply took him a bit to long in my opinion, to admit that he is in love with the heroine. Otherwise a nice introduction of Portia, who is the heroine of her next book and who I already like.

Also started You've got male by Elizabeth Bevarly, the second book in her OPUS series. So far it's very entertaining

Julia

Hey, Julia. I really liked Wedding Night, and all the books in that series.

Yesterday, I read Simply Love, the first of Mary Balogh's books published after the conclusion of the Bedwyn series. I was in one of those moods, started and didn't stop until I finished it. I don't think I even moved except to turn the pages until it was over. I don't know how I missed this one, it's been out several months. It was pretty good. I'd been waiting and hoping for Sydnam's story (love those wounded heroes!), and I was a bit disappointed it didn't delve deeper into his pain and the heroine's pain, but still pretty good. It wasn't up there with Slightly Married or Slightly Dangerous, my favorite of the Bedwyn books, though.

CC

I'm not reading anything else until Jodi Thomas' new 19th century Texas story, Texas Rain comes out in a week or so. That woman has got to start writing faster! Anyone else waiting for it? :)

CC

cc, I haven't even started 13 Moons yet. I'm sorry. I am having trouble keeping my mind on anything. Too much going on, I think. But I promise I will read it soon. And I would love to discuss it when I do. Frazier is a favorite. Have you read his first book, Adventuring in the Andes? It's nonfiction, but excellent.

It amazes me that all of you seem to read a book or two a day. Where do you find the time? I usually only get a few minutes at night when I go to bed and I usually fall asleep after only a couple of chapters. I need to revise my life, don't I? I'm definitely doing something wrong.

Lor, I am usually in bed by 10:00 and I read for an hour. I read fast, and can get through half of a fat paperback; then I take it to work the next day and read the other half on my lunch hour.

I have not read Adventuring in the Andes. If it is as descriptive as his novels, I'll be sure to get it.

CC

I usually just when I get home after work. First a bit reading and cuddeling my cat then a bit housework and then reading again.

Tuesdays is the only day I watch a bit TV in the evening because Desperate Houswives is on.

Lately I am also knitting socks for Christmas, it's just 2 months away, so I gotta hurry.

Julia

I do a lot of reading on my lunches too. Plus I read when I put my son to bed. He sleeps on the top bunk of a a bunk bed with a nice squishy chair underneath and I read with a flashlight. I'm usually doing that for at least an hour. I also read at stop lights and occasionally while walking, but not if there are a lot of other people out walking too, that gets kind of dangerous. Yesterday I read all morning waiting for the doctor to call back.

Lately I've been rereading favorites at bedtime (so that I can make myself stop after about half an hour) but was a bit under the weather yesterday so spent the afternoon with Susan Elizabeth Phillips and This Heart of Mine. Often read YA at lunch time and a few pages of nonfiction at odd moments during the day. Not counting the YA I usually manage several books a week with at least half of them being new to me.

After I finish my Georgia Nicolson book I'm reading Tinker by Wen Spencer which is a YA fantasy that sounds interesting, but it looks like it will take me a while. Then I'll have to find another romance to read.

CC:Amarante, McCarty is my favorite EC author. I absolutely love her "Promises" series. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the latest, Promises Redeem. Are you a fan of hers as well?

I'm probably one step down from fan because I do have a few issues with her books. But like you I have read all of the Promises series and they are certainly my favourites from among what she's done. She's one of the better EC authors in my experience.

Amarante, I'm curious now. What do you not like about McCarty's books? I agree, she's one of the best at EC.

CC

I appreciate the fact that she writes about plus-sized or at least full-figured women, but the constant insecurity her heroines have about their weight becomes annoying after a while. I enjoy reading about women of that body type who are accepting even proud of their shape or at least have the author be matter-of-fact of it.

That's my primary quibble. :)

I've just started Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me.

I just started Vixen, a romance by Jane Feather, and there's something about her stories that turns me off. I think it's the colossal age difference in both this story and Almost Innocent, the other book of hers I've read, that does it. I mean, the guy in both stories was in love with her mother, and is more than old enough to be her father. I don't think I'm going to finish this book.

Fortunately, I have another Cynster novel in the wait, All About Love. I haven't started this one yet, but I absolutely love the series. I only wish I read them in order. So far my favorite is Devil's Bride, but that's subject to change.

Oh, and my favorite Bridgerton novel is probably The Duke and I. That could just be because the heroine reminds me of myself, though... I love when that happens.

Amarante, I only remember one of the Promises series that featured a plus size heroine, and her poor self-image was the result of years of physical and mental abuse by her loathsome first husband. I'll have to go back and look at them again, though.

Bet Me also features a BBW heroine. It is one of my all-time favorite books. Let us know what you think about it, too.

Lington, welcome! I am not a fan of Jane Feather either. I remember reading one where the hero watches with a bunch of other men as the heroine is raped after being drugged. I wanted to burn that book on the spot.

CC

I'll join the club. I'm not a big of Jane Feather myself. But what puts me off mostly is the timehopping that she does. From turn of the 20th century to Tudor. Very confusing! I just like my Regencies and Victorian novels.

I guess that is why I have still so many of her books in my tbr pile, which will conclude a series. And I hate to leave a series unfinished more, I think.

Julia

Oh I forgot, I finished You've got male, it was OK but not one of my favorites. The steam was a bit missing although that online sex scene was pretty good.

I started The Heir by Johanna Lindsey. It's supposed to be good and so far I like both h/h.

Julia

I quit reading Jane Feather years ago because something about her books struck a wrong note with me. Sounds like I should keep on passing over her books.

Oh dear, Jane Feather is one of my favorites! I read Vixen so long ago that I don't really remember the story - so I will have to reread it. I find her books very well written and with fully developed characters. Also, her characters are usually willing to ignore many of the dictates of their society or to sneak around them if necessary. I'd like to think that's what I would have done had I lived during that time. Also, I find that the romance/love in her stories develops somewhat realistically over time, rather than this love at first sight stuff.

In both books and real life, I get annoyed when the concept of "love at first sight" emerges. I believe that "love at first sight" is really "lust at first sight", particularly when everyone involved is so beautiful and physically perfect. In my very cynical opinion, "love at first sight" is really the excuse to have sexual relations quickly while still be able to feel that you "don't sleep around". Personally, I have no moral issues with sleeping around, but I like to call a spade a spade!

Sherrilyn Kenyon did a Dark Hunter book about a plus size lady. She also had hangups about her size brought on by her father and past boyfriend. Yes, once again, it is a paranormal romance and the werewolf in it loved her just the way she was, it was very sweet. The name of the book is Night Play. It was a really good book.

Julia, have you heard when we might expect Melbourne's story from Suzanne Enoch? I find I am anticipating it as much as I did Sebastian and Evie's story in Devil in Winter.

What kind of heroine do you think would be a good match for the imperious Duke?

CC

CC, the book is coming out in June 07 Sins of a duke and I am still hoping that he comes together with Caroline's sister Anne. They had so much chemistry together. I was thinking that she will bring him down a peg or two, she wouldn't let him intimidate her. Ohh how the mighty fall.

But till June it's still a long time. Tide it over with SuzieE's Lessons in love trilogy. If you liked St. Vincent, you will love St. Aubyn as well, he is one of the (if not the) most wonderful rakes I have ever read about.

I really enjoy reading Suzanne Enochs book and am glad that her OOP are going to be reissued within the next years.

Julia

CC, when you finished the Lessons in love books you can clearly see, who I have in mind for Peep. ;)

Doesn't she just screem for her own book?

Julia

I finished The Heir last night. It really was a wonderful book, as everybody said. I just wanted to smack Ophelia on the head for being such a bi!.

Also just finished The Playboy by Carly Phillips the second book of the Chandler brothers series.

The Heartbreaker will be my next contemp. book, if I squeeze in a historical beforehand, I'm not sure yet.

Julia

Julia, Carly Phillips' Chandler Brothers was a great series. My favorite of the bunch is Heartbreaker. I'm so glad you're finally getting to them! :)

CC

CC, The Bachelor was actually my first CP book and I like it so much that bought the rest of her books, well most of them.

Body Heat was a bit disappointing because the story was a bit dragging. Also I don't like romantic suspense that much and when I read a RS book I want it to be labled as such so I know beforehand.

I started The Heartbreaker this morning and you know what, Chase reminds me a bit of Melbourne, with his kind of stiff upper lip, always hiding his feelings, putting family first. I hope Sloane gives him a run for his money.

Julia

Hello All!

I'm new to posting and was just invited to be a member of the Romance - from historical to contemporary group.

I personally prefer historical or paranormal romances but I will read just about anything. I have been working on the Christine Feehan dark series and finished Dark Magic just last week.

While I am waiting for the next one to come I am reading A breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon. I love her work and have read all of her books.

I'm also a big fan of Julia Quinn and loved her Bridgerton series. Colin and Daphne's books were the best. I also like the second epilogues that she did.

So, just wanted to put my two cents in. I will likely be back with much more since I am on the internet all day for school. I love all your posts and am getting great ideas for additions to my library.

Love Always - Jessa

Hi to all the new members! :) I just bought a new title simply because it sounded good and wondered if anyone had read anything by the author. It is Secrets of the Highwayman by Sara Mackenzie. When I got it home, I realized it is an Avon. Are they usually G's? It has a paranormal slant, in that the hero has been dead for centuries. He looks a little green on the cover. ROFL.

lorsomething - I saw a the same book and was interested but ended up getting lessons in seduction that sara mackenzie did under the name sara bennett Haven't read it though. Let me know how Secrets of the Highwayman is.

Love Always - Jessa

Jessa- Are you enjoying the Feehan books? My fave ones from the series are Dark Desire with Jacques (I'm always a sucker for dark, haunted types LOL) and Dark Melody with Dayan which I don't think you have probably gotten to yet if you're reading them in order.

demon - Yes I LOVE them! I knew by the second page of Dark Prince (the first one I read) that I would love it and read the rest of the series. I have only read one other author whose writing made me feel that way. (Julia Quinn) Dark Prince was my favorite but that could change because I have only read four since I am reading them in order. I loved Dark Magic as well and Gregori is my favorite hero, possibly ever. I felt for Jacques the most though. (I'm with you on the dark, haunted types. lol) I can't wait to read the rest in the series while I wait for Nick and Ash's stories.

Love Always - Jessa

Lor ~ I almost had a seizure when I read the title of that book by Mackenzie, bec. the NaNo novel I'm writing is based on the poem "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes and I sure don't want to be a "copycat" (or plagiarizer, if there's such a word). I checked Mackenzie's book out, though, and our novels are completely different (besides the fact that hers is published and mine probably will never see the light of day)! :D

Not a copycat-er. The Highwayman is a standard theme in romance writing. What matters is the treatment and, when all is said and done, yours may be much better than Mackenzie's. You never know.

(I posted to this thread once, but I think my cyber-dog ate it. If it shows up twice, please ignore at least one of them.)

I read a book calledLook for me by Moonlight which also drew inspiration from that poem.

dl, what did you think of it? I think I would like to read it.

It was pretty good. Another vampire theme YA story and a quick read. I don't want to say too much about it if you're going to be reading it.

thanks dl. I put in a request at the library today. I love old legends, tales, folklore, all that. I count Noyes' poem in there, maybe because it's old. I will be interested to see what she does with it.

I started This Rake of Mine by Elizabeth Boyle today. I have finally learned my lesson...do not order every single book by an author until you've read at least one first! Just because the cover looks good, doesn't mean the inside is.

CC

CC - that bad? what was it about? what was so wrong with it?

Let us know so we don't make the same mistake.

- Jessa

It was BORING...boring plot, boring love scenes (a couple at the end of the book), boring hero, boring heroine. LOL

CC

Lor-curious to know what you think of the book once you've read it.

CC-Wow, that's too bad. I hate reading a book then feeling as though it was a complete waste of time!

CC-- I read Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle a few months ago. It wasn't horrible. There just wasn't a lot going on, and it gave me the feeling that I had read the whole thing several times before. The obstacles between the hero and heroine didn't seem heartbreaking or meaningful to me.

Just my opinion, though.

I was weak and picked up the anthology Love at First Bite for myself tonight. Can't resist a new dark hunter story!

I also picked up Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor for my mom because she loves those books!

Lington, unfortunately, I bought that one, too. Based on your comments about it, I don't think I'll bother with it, either. These will go in the yard sale pile, or maybe I can pawn them off on my sister-in-law.

JBook, I'm sorry, I didn't tell you what the book was about before, didn't mean to ignore your question...It was about a common but wealthy merchant's daughter who managed to get herself engaged to an Earl, but the engagement went South when she was caught by his mother being kissed by a notorious rake. Of course she is ruined and then she is disowned by her family, and sent to live with distant relatives in the boondocks. She ends up teaching at a girls' school and meets up with the "hero" again 9 years later, but he doesn't remember who she is, even though she has the EXACT same shade of red hair. In fact, I flipped through more than half the book to get to the point he does recognize her. After she and 3 of her young, giggly schoolgirl charges (this storyline in itself was a major bore) are stranded at his home (we're supposed to believe their fathers wouldn't come looking for them if they were stranded with England's most notorious rake?), the girls make a pact to try and get them together. The "let's make them fall in love" thing isn't a big favorite of mine anyway. It was silly and childish. Some of the writing was also silly and childish. The whole thing was just flat and blah.

CC

CC - sounds horrible. thanks for the heads up. I will definitely steer clear of her writing. And no I didn't think you were ignoring me but then again I didn't read it until you had posted both comments.

Demon - I got Love at first bite and My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (I just love saying that) I read the wedding one but have not yet gotten to bite. (LOL) I know how hard it is to resist the DH's they have a spell. I love reading Ash's blog. (so much fun) And yes don't forget Vane. (he could be McDreamy and McSteamy both.)

Love Always - Jessa

I started Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey last night. It's the first in her Sherring Cross series.

Also finished The Heartbreaker it really is a great book, CC, but I think my favorite Chandler brother book is The Playboy. I can't even say why, I just liked it more.

Julia

Just finished reading Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller & really loved it. I's the start of a new series; sorta reminds me of the TV show Ghost Whisper, but on a much lighter note & the main character is not married, but does have a semi-serious relationship developing.

By the way, how do ya'll get your books to appear as links in your posts?

Steff

Jessa- Is it the same DH story in both of the anthologies?

bookbeat- if you put brackets around the title of a book and double brackets around the name of an author it will show up on the sidebar and you can see if it is the one you want. Sometimes you have to click on "others" and scroll down to find the correct book or author.

demonlover - thanks!

Bookbeat, would you care to review Deadly Gamble over on the November review thread for us? Thanks!

CC

Demon - no it is not. Love at first bite has two DH's that are married (the one I have not read) and another is about a DH and squire. (pretty good but to fast for me. I want more!)

Also I know that you like paranormal. A great book club I found is Love Spell by Dorchester Publishing (the publisher for Feehan). with it you get two books a month for 10.50 total plus 30% off all online and telephone orders through Dorchester and 1 free book for every 5 bought plus extra sells like $1 books. It is pretty cool. THought you might like it.

Love Always - Jessa

Texas Rain, Pink Jinx, Dearest Enemy and a whole bunch of other new releases finally arrived today, and I cannot wait to get started on them. It seems like I've been waiting forever for TR and DE. Has anyone else read them?

CC

I am soooo bad. On Thursday night, instead of either sleeping off the last of the food poisoning that laid me low all day Wed. and half a day Thurs. or working on my NaNo novel, I read the latest Mary Balough - Simply Love.

It wasn't as exciting (or sexy) as most of her romances. However, the developing love between the two mcs (both tragically damaged, one outwardly and one inwardly) was lovely and handled with a perception that I thought was wonderful, plus the characters themselves had depths that many characters in romance novels are missing, and they also grew personally in believable ways from where they were at the beginning. It seemed at one point that a lot of misunderstanding could have been avoided with a few simple explanations, but this was back in the day when people didn't go around talking about their innermost feelings, esp. when those feelings included what society considered dirty or disgraceful. Besides, that would have made it a novelette or maybe even a long short story. At the end, though, I cried (happy tears, like those shed at weddings, for example, when I'm feeling a strong emotional release).

I just started Only a Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries. I am about 5 chapters in but I don't really like it as much as I usually like her stuff. The characters have past issues from one of her books from the Royal Brotherhood series and it kind of seems like it will just repeat that. Plus the humor and such seems to be missing.

has anyone else read it?

- Jessa

JBook, I read it and loved it. I sort of reviewed it on the "What's Good" thread back in October.

CC

I am currently on Suzanne Enoch's third romantic suspense Billionaires prefer blondes and as much as I usually don't like them. I love to read about Sam and Rick. This is a series which I can picture as movies, along the lines of Lethal weapon + Thomas Crown Affair. Murder, Thieves, Fun, Sex, everything is there. Maybe even Mel Gibson or Pierce Brosnan as Rick. ;) Sigh.

More later in the November review thread,

Julia

Hi CarolinaCatherine,
I'm new here but I wanted to say I just finished reading Rachel's lastest and I loved it. I had never read her books before and was caught unaware she was from Boise. I just moved away from there and miss it. I felt at home reading her book. You won't be disappointed either.

Hi, romancelover. We're glad you joined us!

I'm afraid I didn't like Rachel's latest much. I think I reviewed it, either on the October or November review thread, can't remember which. This was the first time I have ever been disappointed by her, hope it is the last. :)

Hope you'll explore the other threads!

CC

CC,
I'm sorry you didn't like it. I must say I was swept away in nostalgia, so probably there was some bias as I read about Humpin' Hannahs and remembered the last time I was there : ).

Everyone,
Right now I'm reading A Lady's Pleasure by Renee Bernard. She's a freelance writer from Romantic Times Book Club, but I admit the cover is what really drew my eye. I like to try out a new author every so often so I picked up. I won't say much, but so far I've had several emotions about this book. I haven't threw it against the wall YET though. It's a trainwreck and I can't look away.

I'm currently reading Gibson's I'm in No Mood For Love. I've enjoyed other books she's written more, but this is no slouch. 4 out of 5? Who could have thought Boise could be so much fun?
I had run out of books to read, and went out and bought hardcovers--make that HARDCOVERS!!! Therefore just finished Linda Howard's Cover of Night and Mary Balogh's Simply Love. The Howard sort of sneaks up on you; I thought I was going to be disappointed, but no way. I totally enjoyed the Balogh, although I do wonder how she's going to finish up this series! BTW, I love Crusie, so I dashed out and purchased her book with Bob Massie; a big disappointment.

CC: Amarante, I only remember one of the Promises series that featured a plus size heroine, and her poor self-image was the result of years of physical and mental abuse by her loathsome first husband. I'll have to go back and look at them again, though.

Oh, sorry, my mistake then. :) It has been ages since I've re-read them. It could be that the repetition was really insecure heroines as opposed to anything else? For some reason I'm left with that impression about them. I could be making it up, it's been known to happen. :p

Bet Me also features a BBW heroine. It is one of my all-time favorite books. Let us know what you think about it, too.

I loved it! Perfect balance of natural human flaws/anxieties and sassy assertiveness. And the hero was great. And I loved the great female relationships.

CarolinaCatherine, sorry for not responding before now-just got back to the computer. I have never done a book review before, but will try to post something. However, I'm not really sure exactly where it is you wanted it posted.

bookbeat

Amarante, I think you must be thinking of some other books.

Glad you liked Bet Me. I loved Min and her man. They were perfect for each other.

CC

Yay all around!! First off, I got three new books today plus a great christmas CD (The Definitive American Songbook 'A Vintage Christmas'.) The Struggle, Dark Reunion, and The Shadow Within came.

Also I finished Only A Duke Will Do and LOVED it. It turned out to be wonderful. This is definitley one of those books that you have to read the whole thing to know wheter it is good or not. So with that finished I am on to The Shadow Within. I should be able to finish that tonight and start Dark Challenge tomorrow.

Peace - Jessa

JBL, I'm so glad you loved it. I thought it was almost perfect. It is definitely on my list of books to grab if my house catches on fire!

Sackler, I read Simply Love and immediately read it again when I finished. I was so hoping Sydnam would get his own story, and I was thrilled when it came out. Seeing your post has made me want to go back and read it yet again.

CC

From Message 2: I just finished To Rescue a Rogue by Jo Beverley, and I loved it. Still not my favorite of the Rogues series...that would be An Unwilling Bride, but it was wonderful. I had only a couple of teeny tiny complaints, which I won't even mention. I love the Rogues series, and I hope we see more, although the original 10 of 12 (2 died) have all gotten stories.

CC - what original 12? 2 died? please explain. THanks - Jessa

Jessa, there were originally 12 men in the "Company of Rogues", childhood friends who attended the same school and vowed to stick together through thick and thin. Two died while in the military, and never had their own stories, although they are mentioned occasionally in the books. They were already dead when the first book was published.

There are 10 books in the Rogues series, but "The Three Georges" books are also connected. The dead Rogues' names were Lord Roger Merrihew and Allan Ingram.

CC

Thanks CC. I was just wondering because it kind of sounded like two of the heros had died and I have never had that in a book so my curiosity was peaked. Sounds interesting. I think I will check it out.

cc, you mentioned By Arrangement by Madeline Huntersomewhere here. It sounded familiar, but I wasn't sure I had read it. I put in a request for it at the library and also for By Possession, the second in the series. (They didn't have the third.) When I got them, I recognized the cover of Arrangement and remembered reading it and liking it very much. So I brought home the second one and I love it! I started it late last night and read for about an hour. And I didn't want to put it down. It's medieval, of course, rich in detail, but not bogged down in it, and so far the characters are very likable. Now I will have to find the third in the trilogy! Very good series.

Lor, I hope you can find the third, By Design (which apparently does not have a touchstone).

Lord of Sin and Lady of Sin were very good, too.

CC

I just started Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Kasey Michaels. I'm only a few chapters into it, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Devonna

I just finished Love me forever second book in Johanna Lindsey's Sherring Cross trilogy. Wonderful book!. Once in a while I love to read a good Scottish romance. And this one did not disapoint.

Next one is the #3 Sherring Cross book The Pursuit.

Julia

I am currently reading Tennessee Moon by Norah Hess. So far my only complant is the hero's horrible brother and the heroine's blind eye to said brother. Otherwise it is okay. A little different though because I rarely read western romance, my favorite being Regency.

Jessa

Julia, I've read both and they were very good. Lindsey's older work never fails.

I bought three books yesterday on a trip ostensibly taken to get milk and bread. Two by Kleypas (Scandal in Spring and Devil in Winter) because I've only read one by her and I've heard good things about this series. I also got Only a Duke Will Do. Anyone want to let me know what to expect?

(Also, I had a funny conversation with a friend from China-- she asked me why I hadn't grown out of romance novels yet. I laughed. Apparently the romance novels she's used to are very different and concern young teenagers. She was a little surprised by what the books I am always buying are actually like.)

Based on some of your (collective) recommendations, I just read my first Emma Holly novel: Beyond Seduction. Phew! Hot stuff! And a very good story. Thanks for the good advice. (I also bought Personal Assets but will leave it waiting in the wings a bit since I usually don't read two of the same author in a row unless its a series.)

Ling- I really liked the Kleypas series, each heroine interesting in her own way. If you enjoyed the first book you read in the series, you will likely enjoy the other 3.

JK, I agree with you on Love Me Forever. It is the best one I've read by Lindsey.

lington, I had a friend, Rose, who was 95 when she died. Her leg had been removed years before and she had a prosthesis (sp?). She was up early every day, dressed beautifully, put on her makeup, and read romances one after the other, right up until the end. I thought of her when I read the line from your friend about growing out of romances. I think they kept Rose young. I hope none of us ever grow out of them, don't you?

lington - I recently read Only a Duke Will Do and LOVED it. It turned out to be wonderful. This is definitley one of those books that you have to read the whole thing to know wheter it is good or not. If you are not the type to give up on a book quickly, you should find it wonderful by the end. But you may not dislike the beginning as much as I did because I don't know if you read the previous book the hero and heroine were in from Jeffries Royal Brotherhood Series called To Pleasure a Prince. That was a series I highly recommend also.

On the Kleypas books, I have two of her Wallflower books with one on the way but have yet to read them so I can't really say.

Jessa

Lington and Jessa, I read and reviewed Only A Duke Will Do on the November review thread. It was a disappointment to me, but to each her own! :)

As I have said many times on several of the threads, I think Kleypas' Devil In Winter might just be THE perfect romance novel. I would really read all the books in the Wallflowers series in order, but if you read only one, read DIW.

CC

I read and reviewed Only A Duke Will Do on the November review thread. It was a disappointment to me,

CC - I'm kind of confused because in mes. 180 you said I thought it was almost perfect. It is definitely on my list of books to grab if my house catches on fire!

Did you like Only a Duke Will Do?

Jessa

Second try.

Is there some confusion between Only a Duke Will Do by Jeffries and A Duke of Her Own by Heath?

My bad! I am so sorry! I got them mixed up. I loved Only A Duke Will Do and was very disappointed in A Duke of Her Own. All these Dukes...sheesh! :)

CC

Ling and Lor,

don't you just love when they say:

Och mon! LOL

Julia

Yes, Julia! LOL. I love the Scottish brogue, I keep waiting for one of the heroines to say awa' an' bile yer heid. ROFL

CC - it's okay, I was just curious where you stood on Jeffries Duke and I think I will stay away from A Duke of HER Own.

:) :) - Jessa

Julia, Yes! That is amazing. There's nothing quite like a rugged Highlander haha.

Hi there! Am new here (but not to romance reading!) and saw your comments on Sarah McCarty. I checked her out and wondered if any of you have read Conception: the Others yet? It's rather expensive, so I thought I check first before investing in it.

Also, I'm currently in the middle of The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe - what a great book! Can't wait to get back to it!

Just finished this thread and noted the inclusion of The Heartbreaker in some people's favourites. Confused me at first, because I'd read two other Heartbreakers before: Julie Garwood's (excellent) and Linda Howard's. If you click on the touchstone it gives you 19!!!! different options!

Can't believe how many authros used the same title!! Anyone aware of other titles used by several authors (and therefore creating much confusion)?

Lucky, I haven't read Conception because it's vampire/fantasy genre, which I don't like. I actually bought it in e-book form, but sent it to the recycle bin before I read it!

CC

Currently reading book 3 in Cindy Gerard's bodyguard series To the Brink. First time I've read anything by her. Anyone else read her?

bb

storee, you asked me to let you know about Secrets of the Highwayman. I've finished about half of it and, so far, it is just cute. And that's pretty much it. It doesn't have much depth. The hero isn't so bad and has possibilities, but the heroine is carrying a little too much baggage. She's starting to annoy me. I will probably finish it. If it should get better, I will let you know.

P.S. I just looked outside and it's snowing!!! I love it!

Book, I loved Cindy Gerard's Bodyguard series! The next one should be out in a month or two.

CC

CC, I'm enjoying them so far. Was kinda waiting to see how many were coming out so I could read them all together, but I was getting too far behind. Do you know how many she's planning to put out in the series?

bb

Book, I believe she has only committed to do one more, for a total of 6.

CC

Lucky-If there is a Borders near you you might be able to check out the Conception book there and get a better idea if you want to spend the money on it. They carry a lot of Ellorah's Cave books. I haven't read that particular one yet, although it sounds like it would be right up my alley.

Thanks, Lors ~ it doesn't sound like it's anything at all like mine (I hope). ;D

I just looked outside and it's snowing!!!

I want snow too. BUAHWAHA

Julia

I'm putting aside my A NASCAR Holiday book and think I'll start Once a Wolf by Susan Krinard next.

I wish the weather here would just stay normal. Up until Saturday it was unseasonably warm in the 70's and today it's down in the 40s-50s which is more normal for this time of year.

Storee, If I didn't have so much time invested in it, I would just quit. I'm thinking of going to the last page to get me out of my misery, though I don't do that usually. You supernatural folks might like it better; it has a witch, an evil something-or-other (it hasn't really taken shape yet), and the hero is dead, though he takes on the mortal coil by riding on her shirttail, so to speak. But that doesn't stop our dauntless heroine from lusting after him. Personally, I would have gone back down the road. :)

Julia, You don't need to be envious. The snow didn't stick. :( But the shower was lovely! Soon, though, I hope!

All I want for Christmas is a white Christmas and guess what, the last time we had a white Christmas in Germany (2001), I was in the USA. That sucks!

Julia

I am starting Karen Ranney's An Unlikely Governess. It's been so long since I read the other books in her Governess series, I may need to read them again first, but it looks good so far.

CC

Secrets of the Highwayman was a romantic mockery. :) I finally just quit, didn't even look at the last page. I didn't care any more.

I'm going to start Heaven's Fire by Patricia Ryan tonight. It looks really good.

I finished The Pursuit last night. While I loved the book and Meli's and Linc's lovestory, the uncles got seriously on my nerves. I think about in the middle of the book I just wanted to clobber them over their heads incl. Lachlan.

But nevertheless I enjoyed it and would love to read Justin St. James, Ian One's... stories.

I also wondered why Kimberly and Lachlan had just one child, it probably wasn't lack of trying. LOL

Julia

Lors ~ too bad about Secrets of the Highwayman. It sure was an intriguing title. Oh, well, one more book I don't have to keep on my TBR pile. :)

Off subject, I'm only at about 23,000 words, but I plan to do nothing at all for the next three days (after today, of course) except write, sleep, and eat, so I hope to have at least another 20,000 words going into the final stretch. Then I'm off on Thursday the 30th (doctor's appointment in the middle of the day) and plan to give it one last herculean effort to get to 50,000. Talk about padding! I am an inveterate adjective/adverb abuser, but I have NEVER used sooooo many of them before! :)

Storee, I think this is so exciting!! Pad it all you want; you can rehash it later. Way to stick with it!!

I started Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey last night. Still on chapter 2 because I couldn't resist watching The Thomas Crown Affair.

Julia

I am re-reading Lord Of Scoundrels because it's one of my favorites and I'm waiting for all my new author's books to arrive. I think I'm going to buy Judith Ivory's Black Silk, has anyone read it?

Ah, Lord of Scoundrels is my absolute all time favorite. Enjoy it again RL!

RL, I just looked Black Silk up again. I gave it 4 stars so it must have been good, but now I can't remember it! What does that say?

Julia

Happi and RL, have you read Loretta Chase's Mr. Impossible? It is the perfect combination of comedy and historical romance, not something many authors can pull off, but Chase does it every time.

I love all the Carsington brothers, but Rupert is my very favorite, and Daphne is a great heroine. The adorable Marigold almost steals the show from both of them. I also loved the unusual setting, 1821 Egypt.

CC

I just finished BAD Attitude which was great. I am starting Secrets of a Summer Night which is my first Kleypas book ever. I hope I like her because I have like 5 of her books.

Jessa

Julia,

Sounds like maybe it's on the re-read list? I don't know though, I don't re-read very many books and the funny thing is I rarely re-read my real favorites like For MY Lady's Heart. I usually re-read the ones that I would be embarrassed to admit that I read in the first place. (Notice I'm not listing them here) ;)

CC,

I haven't read Mr Impossible but I love Chase, so I'll check the used book store asap.

This morning I finished You Slay Me which is the first Aisling Grey, Guardian Novel by Katie MacAlister. I really enjoyed it. Paranormal, but no vamps or werewolves. A very different premise surrounding demons and dragons :-)

RL, with over 120 books in my TBR pile there is NO thinking of rereading.

I finished Captive bride last night. The story itself was a bit unusual.

He meets her at a London ball falls instantly in lust and wants to marry her. She refuses, because he said some nasty things about women. He sets wheels in motion so that her brother arrives early in Egypt for his next stunt with the army on which she accompanied her brother. From there he kidnapps her the first night and holds her captive. The ususal struggles appear none of them watn to be the first to admit that they love the other. After 4 (happy) months she receives a note from his jealous brother, in his name, saying he is no longer interested in her so the jealous brother brings her back to her own brother. She realizes that she is pregnant so she leaves for England. He thought she left him because he received a not from his brother, in her name, himself.
On his return to England he finds out that he has a son so he seeks her out again. A few more struggles ensue but in the end they make up.

Although in the end I really loved the book, at the beginning the writing style appeard a bit unpolished. JL introduced ne characters simply by stating there names and who they are eg. brother-in-law. That was a bit strange at first. But considering it was her first novel published in 1977, it makes a bit of sense.

So an overall 4 stars.

I started reading The care and feeding of unmarried men by Christie Ridgway a Caruso family book.

Julia

Julia, I love The Thomas Crown Affair, too. One of my favorites! :)

Also, I have no time for re-reading either, considering the list I have brewing, but was wandering through my historicals yesterday for another reason and ran across Moning's The Dark Highlander, picked it up and read the prologues, just trying to remember it, and I was off and running. I'm close to finishing it up for the second time. I need to read her others, I think.

I finished Heaven's Fire by Patricia Ryan. I liked it very much. It was remarkably well researched and set in Oxford, one of the few places I've actually seen. I was able to wrap my imagination around it. There were a couple of spots that I wish I could have skipped in it, though. It became a little too graphic in the villainy department. But, I was past them before I realized where I was. So that was good. Overall I would give it a 4 out of 5. It's definitely a keeper.

I finished The care and feeding... it was another great Caruso book. Now I hope she will write Joey's story as well.

Only drawback was the short ending, but I guess it makes sense if she want's to write Joey's story some day. So we will find out about Eve's paretage, where they will settle down...

I started The Accidental Duchess by Jessica Benson this morning. A historical romance written in the heroine's POV. Something that you find not very often in a romance, at least I can't remember one right now. It's also the forst book I read by her. So we'll see how I like it.

Julia

I just finished reading Karen Marie Moning's latest, Darkfever and I enjoyed it well enough, I'm now starting a book by Janet Chapman entitled, The Seduction of his Wife ...has anyone read this one?

Thanks for the invite!

-Dylan

Hey DB, welcome to the group! I haven't read anything by Chapman. Why don't you give us the blurb from the back cover, the title sounds intriguing!

CC

I'm currently reading J. D. Robb's Born in Death and as soon as I can get to the bookstore & get my hot little hands on it, I'll be reading Linda Howard's Drop Dead Gorgeous.

bookbeat

I remember thinking Darkfever sounded really good, but now I can't recollect what it is about. My brain is like a sieve lately. Is it like her highlander books?

I've heard great reviews about Howard's Drop Dead Gorgeous. I'm planning to get it a.s.a.p. too!

CC

Hey CC,

Here's the blurb from the cover jacket of The Seduction of His Wife by Janet Chapman. This book has been recommended to me by 3 of my friends and so I decided to go ahead and read it, I haven't read anything by her but so far, so good.

Alex Knight is dead--or so everyone thinks. A widowed logger baron with a risk-taking streak, he took on a South American engineering project and was reported dead after a rebel attack. So when he turns up back in Maine very much alive, his grieving family is shocked. Bu tthe biggest shock is Alex's, when he discovers he's now married--to a woman he's never met.

Sarah Banks is ready for a change from running a wuit Bed & Breakfast, and working for the Knight family offers not only a bigger oppoturnity, but also the family life she yearns for. So she's glad to help secure custody of Alex's orphaned children, whom she's come to lvoe, by marrying their father by proxy before he's legally declared dead. But when Alex returns, the sexy, determined woodsman upends all of Sarah's plans. Because suddenly she's married to a passionate stranger with an easy smile...and tumbling headlong into a fiery dance of seduction.

Sounds good, huh?

IT IS! =)

Darkfever is the first book in the new series that KMM is writing. It introduces a new world of magic to KMM readers and though there is NO romance in this first book, I still enjoyed it.

It's totally different from anything she's ever written before so if you're looking for some more of the same stuff from KMM, you won't find it in here. The story is written in first person and the main character's name is MacKayla Lane. Her sister is murdered while abroad in Ireland and she journeys over to Ireland to try to find out what happened to her. What she finds out while over there, changes her life forever.

And I loved it! =)

I've heard the same thing, CC...I can't wait to read LH's newest.

TSOHW sounds very interesting. One more for my Wish List. I think I hear it groaning, or is that my TBR stack? It is teetering dangerously...

CC

I just finished Glad Tidings by Debbie Macomber. It is a reissue of two Christmas stories. My wife bought it for me cause I was upset with her and she wanted to make up to me. I've read several Debbie Macomber books and I find them very inconsistant. And these two works were just that. The first was There's Something About Christmas and it was terrible. The heroine should have punched the guy's lights out the first time they met and never looked back. The second was Here Comes Trouble and it was ok. I'd give it about 2 1/2 out of 5.

Richard

I tried a couple of Debbie Macomber's books. They bored me silly.

Richard, have you read anything by Lori Foster, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, or Catherine Anderson? I think you would also like them, since you've read Carly Phillips. I bet you'd love SEP's Bonner family/Chicago Stars Series.

CC

I won't buy any more of Macomber's books myself, but I had to read that one because my beautiful bride gave it to me.

BLT (Before LibraryThing) I didn't keep up with what I had read very well, so I usually have to go to Amazon.com and read the publisher's blurb to help me remember if I've read a book before. I know I have read Jude's Law by LF, and her novella in Santa Baby. Although I'm familier with both SEP and CA, I don't know any books I've read by either of them. I have looked on their websites and I'll try to find some of their books.

Richard

I am now on my third Wallflower book in three days and I am loving it. I can't wait to finish this won and read Scandal in Spring. I am going to the bookstore today to find more of her books because I just love her writting.

Any recommendations as to which of her non-wallflower books I should buy?

Jessa

ALL OF THEM! LOL

CC

ALL OF THEM! LOL

I'll second that! LOL

Try Suddenly you, very delicious.

Julia

I'm starting the Goddess Summoning books by P.C. Cast. I've heard they're wonderful, especially Goddess of Spring. So I'm going to read it first, even though it's not the first. Has anyone else read them?

Thanks CC and Julia. I ended up getting Stranger in My Arms and Suddenly You. Can't wait to read them.

Jessa

Those were my first two too.

Julia

I received several new releases yesterday, including Pleasure for Pleasure, Eloisa James' latest Essex sister book. It's the story of the youngest sister. In the past, I've found James to be very inconsistent, but so far, this one is a winner.

CC

I finished The accidental duchess I found it a very odd book, mainly because it was told in the heroines point of view. Which I don't think goes along well with a historical romance. Her thoughts and feeling s felt just too contemporary, if that makes any sense to you.

Additional to that came that the book was rather plot driven, which I don't prefer.

The idea of marrying the wrong twin brother and finding out on your wedding night sounded promising, but the book didn't hold up to my expectations.

So just 3 stars from me.

Julia, off now to read a naked elf

Something really weird is going on with this site ~ it takes two or three clicks to get anywhere, and then it's taking a long time to bring up the right page. Maybe a lot of us are online now, posting messages. Unless my computer is having a post-NaNo breakdown. ;D

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I had the hardest time during November reading all your posts about wonderful books and fabulous authors and not being able to read any of them all month! So, right after I clean my house (which fell into ruin the last week of NaNo), I'm going to go back to the beginning of this thread and make a list of all the books you all have recommended and begin reading them in order. In the meantime, though, maybe each of you could post the title and author of JUST ONE book that is your absolutely top favorite of all the romances you've ever read. I know that's almost impossible to do, but I want to go to the book store as soon as I put the laundry in, start the dishwasher, and get dressed to buy a few books to read this weekend, and it would take me too much time to make the full list from all the earlier posts and then decide which to buy. Anyway, I'd appreciate it if you've got the time. Thanks!

Julia - I'd love to hear what you think of What Do You Say to a Naked Elf?. I hope you like it :-)

Stor - my favorite romance ever, which is tied with the naked elf book I just mentioned, is Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Suddenly You was my first Kleypas and made me a rabid fan. I really hope you like them JB. :)

I really want Emma Holly's Prince of Ice. For some reason the bookstore closest to me doesn't have *any* on order. And I'm looking forward to the latest In Death book by Nora Roberts.

Storee, I have wrestled with this answer for a couple of days now and I just can't pick one out of all my favorites as "the best" I've ever read, BUT these three are way, way, way up at the top of the list: Flowers From The Storm by Laura Kinsale, Magnolia Creek by Jill Marie Landis, and of course, Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. Immediately, three more come to mind, but you didn't ask for top 10 or top 100, so I'm resisting the urge to type more!

CC

Amarante, I stumbled across Lisa Kleypas only recently, about 3 years ago. The first of her books I read was Someone To Watch Over Me. It was among a bunch of Regency novels I bought on Ebay. I hated the black and white cover, and set it aside until I'd read all the others. I almost tossed it.

When I did get around to reading it, I was hooked from the first paragraph and I immediately went out and bought everything else she'd written. I had been looking for an author who could compare favorably to Kinsale, who I think is the best historical romance author ever. I went through a lot of "fluff" to get to Kleypas, and she was the first author after Kinsale whose books had real substance. They are all complex and emotionally compelling. I have never read a bad Kleypas book. STWOM was also the first time I'd seen Bow Street runners portrayed favorably. I love her stories of the lower-middle classes. I hope she never stops writing.

CC

Re: 251

I agree with CC about Flowers From the Storm being one of the best ever. Another one I really liked was The Rake and the Reformer though it was revised and republished as The Rake. My third historical, other than most anything by Heyer, would be One Perfect Rose.

Of course, you could just copy the touchstones but a few 'I don't know why I'm reading this' books might creep in!

Haile, which version of Putney's book do you think is better, the original or the revision? I want to add it to my wish list.

CC

I haven't read the revision but Romantic Times gave both versions their very rare (and no longer given) rating of 5 stars which were reserved for ground breaking or "transcending the genre" books. I think the revision was because the original had some constraints on its length and content since it was part of the Signet Super Regency line. It was published in 1989. The later version will probably be easier to find.

Thanks, Haile. Ebay has several copies of The Rake, so I'll read it first.

I can't believe I have never read anything by Putney. I googled her and found her website, and now I'm also looking for the books in the Bride Trilogy and the Fallen Angels Series. Dearly Beloved and The Bartered Bride in particular look very intriguing. Have you read either?

CC

Dearly Beloved is one of the first Putney wrote after moving beyond the standard Regency type of book. I thought it was good at the time and have reread it at least once. The Battered Bride came out at a time when I was buying very few books and I never had it from the library. However I did like The China Bride.

Thanks for your top 3, CC. I've already read most if not all of Kleypas (I agree she is one of the best!), but I don't remember reading any of Kinsale so I'll try Flowers from the Storm.

I read The Bartered Bride awhile ago and, though I don't remember much of it now (memory loss brought on by age plus too many books read in the interim), I do remember that I enjoyed it. I've read most of Putney's romances, though, and have enjoyed most of them a lot. I know you're not into paranormal, but I really enjoyed her magician series. Give me a minute to check Amazon.com and I'll give you the name of the first one in that series.

Hi, Haile ~ Thanks for your suggestions. I've read One Perfect Rose and (I think) The Rake and the Reformer already, though I suppose I could dig them out of the stacks in my garage/family room/storage area and read 'em again! :)

So far, my list includes What Do You Say To A Naked Elf and Flowers from the Storm. Maybe Fantasy Lover by Kenyon.

I'm also thinking of picking up the latest J.D. Robb Born in Death.

Hi, DL ~ But before I read any of the suggested romances on my list of TBP (to be purchased), I'm going to read your very intriguing YA novel The Shadow Within. :)

Romancelover-#246 - I think I have 2 or 3 of PC Cast's books. If I recall correctly, I quite enjoyed them and would definitely read her when a new one is published. Still, I would not give her "favorite" status, a compliment I am fairly stingy with.

Re 263:
For those that like the 'In Death' books Born in Death is similar to the others and we see the characters moving forward in their lives. I enjoyed it but I'm trying to avoid saying too much!

#251 storeetllr

It's extremely hard to pick just one book. If I had to it would probably be Laura Kinsale For My Lady's Heart. I liked Flowers from the Storm but didn't love it (dodging the rotten vegetables hurled at me).
I have to quickly add The Windflower and Lily.

happilyeverafters,
I haven't had a chance to start the Goddess Summoning books by P.C. Cast yet, did you read those? I never picked up her books because I wasn't interested in centaur romance, it just seemed too squicky to me.

rl, For My Lady's Heart is one of my fire books. I loved it!

cc, I am more than half-way through Angel in a Red Dress by Judith Ivory. If you haven't already read it, I think you should. I could be wrong, but I think you would really like it. It's different from anything I've read before. The characters are flawed, very real, and likeable. It's going on my fire list. And I will, from this point, buy all of Ivory I can find. :)

Storee, I think I would recommend Midnight Honor by Marsha Canham. It had too many battle scenes, but was based on a true story and she really did her research. I was sorry when I finished it and that doesn't happen to me often.

CC I feel the same way! Her Bow Street Runner series is probably my favourite one from her, even over the Wallflower series (although I really like Secrets of a Summer Night so I might change my mind tomorrow). From that series I think Worth Any Price is my favourite. Or Lady Sophia's Lover. Or STWOM. :D I can't choose!

She's the only historical author I read these days, besides Madeline Hunter. I got very nervous when she revealed that her next big book for next year was going to be a contemporary. Thankfully she's not abandoning the historicals.

I've never tried Laura Kinsale before although I've heard a lot about her on one of the romance blogs. I should try her out. Can't have too many historicals.

I finished What do you say to a naked elf? last night, while it was a fun read somtimes I thought there was too much going on.

But I can unstand why Jane was captivated by Charlie's wings. It always made me think of Star Trek's Ferengi's BIG sensitive ears. LOL

Stars I'm still a bit undecided, while it made me laugh/cry and it was fun to read, the mystery/task got a bit to much attention in the story. But that's probably just because I like my romances charater driven.

So, I waver between 3,5-4 stars. I would give it 3,75 if I could, I guess.

Julia

Julia - You watch Star Trek too? I loved TNG when it was on, but didn't watch DS9 as much. I kind of lost track of it after Worf showed up which was too bad because I really like Michael Dorn a lot.

I love the whole thing with Charlie's wings too. It was a more plot driven story than many of the romances I've read. I usually prefer a character driven story too. I think I liked Naked Elf so much because it kind of blended the fantasy stories I used to read in high school with the romances I love as an adult. I actually had a reviewer criticize my book because she said it was too character driven (too much romance) with not enough fantasy. Stor-I'd love to hear what you thought of it :-)

What I liked was that the feeling and names was a lot like Tolkien like the fairy forrest, Isleghag (Did I spell it right?) sounds like Isengard. LOL

Julia

DL ~ am reading it now. I'll let you know, but so far (going into second chapter), I like it.

I picked up Ain't She Sweet by SEP and Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie this weekend and finished both of them. Ain't She Sweet was a very hard read for me because all the main characters are so flawed you don't know the good guys from the bad guys. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. Charlie All Night was a light, easy read and a good complement to Ain't She Sweet. Overall a very good weekend. I hope to pick up some Lisa Kleypas books soon. It seems she gets almost universally excellent reviews. An interesting note, from looking at her website I find she may live near me. My house barely missed the big flood of 1998 that took her house and her mother's house.

Richard

I finished the fantasy novel I was reading, Wolf Who Rules. Now it's a toss up between Beauty by Robin McKinley and Once a Wolf, which is the book I was going to read a little while back. Both of them plus one other are all due back at the library next week.

I'm just finishing up Imperium by Robert Harris who wrote Pompeii and starting The Shadow Within by our very own DL Jenine Wilson.

Next up: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks (a new author for me); A Taste of Darkness by Nina Bangs (another paranormal romance); In the Prince's Bed and One Night With a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries; and Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter. I got them all from the library today at lunchtime, along with a bunch of reference and history books about London and other places in England in the late 1800s for my NaNo novel.

A brief explanation for deviating from the plan to buy Naked Elf and one or two of Laura Kinsale's: I just ran out of time this past weekend to go to the bookstore, and during the week I'm usually too tired after work, and there aren't any bookstores near my job, so...it's going to have to wait until this coming weekend. But I think I'll be all right in the reading dept. until then. lol

BTW, I nearly broke my back carting all those books (some were hardcovers and really really BIG) back to the office from the library. I only meant to return two reference books and pick up a few more reference books. Ha Ha Ha.

Hi, Richlib ~ If you liked Charlie All Night, you might also like Welcome to Temptation, which is my very favorite Crusie. As far as Phillips goes, I read Hot Shot years ago and was hooked. I think I've enjoyed all of hers, but I really liked Breathing Room, It Had To Be You, and Dream a Little Dream.

Stor-I frequently have that problem when I go to the library too! I go to return one and leave with a stack!

BTW-I decided to start Once a Wolf. Only got to read a couple pages last night but I'm hoping to make headway on it at lunch :-)

Stor- Welcome to Temptation is on my list as the next Crusie book. And I read Breathing Room last night. The problem is that once I get started I can't stop. I started it just after dinner and didn't finish it until after 11:00. So maybe I can sleep during my lunch hour.

Richard

I hear you, Richard ~ I did the same thing last night with The Shadow Within. I thought I'd read it for an hour or so and then go to sleep; I was still up at 11:00, bargaining with myself for "just to the end of this paragraph/page/chapter." ;D

BTW, it's really good! (Well, obviously, since I read for two hours longer last night than I had planned.)

Any book worth reading makes you stay up past your bedtime. If that isn't an old proverb, it should be!

Stor-so glad you're enjoying the story!

I was up late Sunday night reading Wolf Who Rules which is a fantasy/sci-fi story. Last night I was practically falling asleep standing up because I only got about three hours sleep the night before.

I just finished A heart so wild by Johanna Lindsey and again it was a wonderful book. Differents setting then her Regencies, a post war Kansas/Texas setting, which was a wonderful change.

Now I'm going to read the second book of the Straton series, featuring Chandos and cateyes daughter, All I need is you.

Julia

Julia,

What would you think of re-starting this subject maybe under What are you reading for December? This has gotten pretty long & takes a while to load-at least for me. Just a thought, because I REALLY want to read ALL the posts ;)

bb

I second the suggestion of a new topic. Maybe 'What are you reading ? 2' It takes forever to load.

Maybe we should do a "What are you reading this week?" and add it each week. Whatcha think?

Sounds like a good idea. Some of the other groups have "What are you reading the week of December 4, 2006"....we could do that if you gals/guys think it's a good idea.

DL - I've seen that & that sounds good; so what do ya'll think - should the week start on a Monday or like on a Friday?

bookbeat

Thats fine with me. For me weeks always starts with a Monday but don't care either way.

Julia

Since I began on this thread, I will end it here. I finally finished Angel in a Red Dress. Up until the last 40 pages, it was an excellent story. The last 40 pages were horrific, deriviative, and exasperating. I skimmed them just to get it over with. Add to that the fact that the heroine became one of those no/yes/no/yes people and it lost most of its appeal. Ivory is a great storyteller, imo, and I regret she let that one slip through her fingers. Maybe some day, she will revise it. I will give it 3 stars and the last 40 pages get 0.

Right now I'm reading InkSpell. BoY is It lONg.