Romance Novels

[sarabear]

They're my secret reading pleasure. My husband is always amazed at how quickly I'll reject books by reading their backs or glancing at their cover art. Set on a ranch in the modern-day U.S.? Pass. Set in Regency England? Gimme. Cheesy clinch cover with a prominently displayed shirtless man? Probably not for me. Misty watercolors of landscapes? Classical-looking paintings of women that don't necessarily show their faces, just their great period clothing? Count me in.

I'm not saying I'm reading these openly in public. I am saying I can purchase them with a relative lack of shame, then read them in my comfy armchair.

I hope other romance readers have ventured here from the site-that-shall-not-be-named. Anyone? Bueller?

[preciosa]

Yeah. You got me. I tend to prefer the modern day ones over the lords bursting their breeches and ladies heaving bosoms in corsets. Give a cellphone and a f**kfest in a car anyday. I know. It's kinda slutty.

[alyosha]

I go in phases...several Regencies in a row, then some modern suspense, then back.

I just read Claudia Dain's The Temptation, which was waaayyyy too interested in the heroine's period. Reminded me why I don't really read medievals anymore.

What do you guys think of the reviews on mrsgiggles.com or likesbooks.com??

[sarabear]

I dunno. Mrs. Giggles is funny, and she has some great rants on her site aobut genre cliches and whatnot. But she sometimes dislikes books that I enjoyed perfectly well, which makes me wonder if she reads so many books that they become redundant or ridiculous faster for her than for the average reader. Nevertheless, I enjoy reading reviews from someone who reads the things I do. Ya know?

As for likesbooks.com, which I know better as All About Romance, I'm pretty much only in it for the cover contests. I don't care how many times I read the "worst" results for a given year, I usually laugh myself into weeping upon rereading the results.

By the way, alyosha, it sounds like we could trade readings lists. I often devour several Regencies, followed by modern suspense or mystery or Jennifer Crusie. Sometimes you just need a break from the ton, I guess.

[sparkie]

Ah, my favorite topic has been resurected. I like them all but I prefer supernatural over all others. The other-site-that-broke-my-heart turned me on to Lisa Cach. Her books are awesome. In looking for her books I found a used book store here in town that's been feeding my addiction on the cheap.

[aims]

Yes this is my guilty pleasure too. I read mysteries and other novels but I always return to romances.

I have been trying to track down a book that I read way back in high school. Can anybody help me? Here's what I remember.

It was a Harlequin silhouette. It had a red cover(at that time) and a man and women on the front with lightening behind them.
Anyway, the book was about a woman that worked for this new boss that was, of course, gorgeous. But here's the unique part. They shared dreams. When she would dream of him he would be having the same dream. This went on for a awhile until he said something to her that he could have only found out in one of the dreams. And she realizes that they both dreamed the same dream. They both even fell asleep at the same time. Has anyone read this?

[preciosa]

No. But now I want to!

[tamaradixon]

I go in phases.
I was hooked on Jude Devereaux for years, but she's really gone down hill and I'm in need of a new author.

I prefer historical romance, the trashier the better.

[aiders]

I prefer historical romance, the trashier the better.

May I reccomend Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins, or Lisa Kleypas to you? I actually really enjoy these Regency romance authors, there isn't too much ridiculous cheesiness. I do still sometimes pick up the monthly six Harlequin Presents novels at the grocery store though . . .it's a habit I picked up from my Mom.

[pepper67]

I love Georgette Heyer's historical romances (and her detective fiction with a sidedish of romance as well). It's not just the romance, I really like her humour. Her heroines are never simpering, pathetic misses who can't tie their own shoelaces (hello, Barbara Cartland) but come in a variety of shapes, characters and ages. As a plus, quite a few of them are sarcastic.