Romance Novels

[Deleted]

I agree with the disappointing quality of most romances published nowadays. Robyn Sisman has written a few good books, most notably "Just Friends" (though maybe her books would fall into the chicklit category). To reiterate, both M.M. Kaye and Tracy Grant have written quality historical romances if you are looking for recommendations.

[tinyshoes]

I have to admit, I could never get into romance novels, even in junior high and high school. The closest I ever came to was Jackie Collins. That said, I have a ton of friends who love them as their guilty pleasure, a friend who's writing one, and (from what I've heard) their publishing houses take new authors under their wing and help them in crafting better prose.

[foxyepicurean]

After several weeks of spouting factoids and answering trivia questions with information gleaned from years of devouring romance novels (both historical and disposable modern Harlequins), I've realized that all those hours weren't as wasted as everyone thinks. I've taken to informing people whenever I use facts from the romance novel section of my brain--I'm hoping that my husband will stop making fun of my book collection so much if he realizes there's more to them than "greasy Frenchmen ripping bodices and drinking tea with their pinkies sticking out."

[nitenurse]

Might be time to bump this one up -- beach time reading is drawing near!

Philllipa Gregory and her Wildacre series. Good reads, but the incest story line was creepy....

[Witchie]

I loved Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn, but like so many others have noted, their work has gone down. Another favorite is Amanda Quick. I recently discovered Jennifer Cruisie. Definitely reccomend her mid-career works. Her books are great reads that will leave you grinning and snickering at her wicked humor and real heroines.

[stillmecholo]

witchie said:

I loved Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn, but like so many others have noted, their work has gone down. Another favorite is Amanda Quick. I recently discovered Jennifer Cruisie. Definitely reccomend her mid-career works. Her books are great reads that will leave you grinning and snickering at her wicked humor and real heroines.

I would like to NOT recommend the new Crusie book Don't Look Down. It was cowritten by her and some ex-Green Beret and it just sucked. It takes place on a movie set and was so disappointing compared to her other books - like it was trying too hard to be wacky and funny and just fell flat. I'm gonna have to dig up one of her other books to wipe away the bad taste.

I also read the new Jayne Anne Krentz book and I loved it - though I love everything she writes, even the stuff as Amanda Quick and I'm not a big historical novel fan.

[Witchie]

I would like to NOT recommend the new Crusie book Don't Look Down. It was cowritten by her and some ex-Green Beret and it just sucked. It takes place on a movie set and was so disappointing compared to her other books - like it was trying too hard to be wacky and funny and just fell flat. I'm gonna have to dig up one of her other books to wipe away the bad taste.

It was a total disappointment. It didn't even read like one of her books. I got another JC book to cleanse the pallate so to speak.

[Deleted]

I just read a really good Regency romance by Joan Wolf, The Gamble. It was actually very decently written, with fairly well developed characters, an engaging enough plot (well, it is a regency novel, so there is your expected kidnapping scandal, etc) that did not have to rely on explicit sex scenes to keep the reader engaged. I also liked that it was written in a first-person narrative which is unusual for most romances.
Sort of like a Marion Chesney, but less silly and fluffy, and the developing romance is not just based on physical attraction.

It's been a long time since I read a good romance without just skimming to get to the end. I'd sort of given up on them, but now I'll work on tracking down more of her books.

[Deleted]

I don't know why but I've never read any romance books. Seems like they'd be right up my alley, especially the historical ones. Any recommendations? The more unbelievable the better!

[twodollars]

stillmecholo said:

witchie said:

I loved Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn, but like so many others have noted, their work has gone down. Another favorite is Amanda Quick. I recently discovered Jennifer Cruisie. Definitely reccomend her mid-career works. Her books are great reads that will leave you grinning and snickering at her wicked humor and real heroines.

I would like to NOT recommend the new Crusie book Don't Look Down. It was cowritten by her and some ex-Green Beret and it just sucked. It takes place on a movie set and was so disappointing compared to her other books - like it was trying too hard to be wacky and funny and just fell flat. I'm gonna have to dig up one of her other books to wipe away the bad taste.

The new Cruise book is tied with "The Hornest's Nest" by Patricia Clarkson as the worst book I've ever tried to read. It was awful. I refuse to buy any more books that are authored by a famous author/unknown author pairing. I've been burned too many times (see Janet Evanovich/Charlotte Hughes books as well). I really think that the unknown author writes the entire book and the famous author just sticks their name on the cover to sell it.