Romance Novels

[Deleted]

Snowberry, M. M. Kaye wrote a few long, really sweeping historical romances. Sort of Gone With the Wind, but set in India or exotic lands. Sort of haunting books, but extemely absorbing.
For fluffy but pure fun, Marion Chesney has written a lot of Regency books--they're also fairly short. My sister loves Georgette Heyer--also Regency books, but written in a more old-fashioned style.
For contemporary romances, I've liked some of Susan Anderson's books.

[starskin]

I don't really have anything to add, other than I found this in the Absurd and Humorous Websites Thread, and felt compelled to post it here.

[stillmecholo]

Man, do I hate Stella Cameron. I picked up her newest crapfest from the library (the title escapes me) and got about 5 pages in and couldn't stand to read anymore of it. Her characters all have cheesy names, like Guy Touissant and speak in exaggerated N'awlens accents. I think the last book of hers that I got thru included a threesome where one of the guys was drugged by his girlfriend and included the use of a strap-on. It was even worse than you could imagine.

[kelly9480]

Philippa Gregory is my addiction, though Earthly Joys threw me for a loop. I also like Posie Graeme-Evans and Anya Seton. I defend these to my family as "historical fiction" not romance novels. I'm sure they buy it. ***nods to self***

[garnet927]

kelly9480 said:

Philippa Gregory is my addiction, though Earthly Joys threw me for a loop. I also like Posie Graeme-Evans and Anya Seton. I defend these to my family as "historical fiction" not romance novels. I'm sure they buy it. ***nods to self***

I'm also an Anya Seton fan, & was thrilled when Chicago Review Press started reissuing her books (in the U.S.). Katherine is probably my favorite novel, ever.

[kelly9480]

Oh, Katherine is just the best book in the history of the world in my eyes. I want to read Dragonwyck, but I saw the creepy Vincent Price film that was based on the book and am scared that in the book Price's character will be even more deranged.

[thesurlymermaid]

The only romance novels I really got into reading (as in, read more than one by a specific author) were these historical romance novels written by a woman named Cynthia Wright. She used to write all about early America and a French/Russian family...the Beauvisage family. Anywa, I've been rereading some of her books lately and I find them absolutely hilarious. The woman is always a gorgeous virgin who has no need for a man, until she meets the raven haired, rakish pirate-type love interest. Sparks ensue!

They're out of print, but I got a bunch from a used bookstore. Good times.

[Deleted]

Sounds just like Victoria Holt books, surly mermaid.

[thesurlymermaid]

stargirl said:

Sounds just like Victoria Holt books, surly mermaid.

Perhaps I should check those out. I kind of enjoy the reading....it doesn't make too many demands of me, and occasionally, the historical aspect of it is somewhat interesting.

One other thing this Cynthia Wright woman always does plotwise....there is always a woman the man has loved in the past...sometimes she's evil, sometimes she was just a heartbreaker, but she was always the reason th man decided love was not for him, despite the fact that his parents have this perfect marriage.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the suggestions, stargirl! I'll have to look for them.