tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post2997710577314246548..comments2024-03-29T04:15:38.341-07:00Comments on Writing About Writing (And Occasionally Some Writing): Best Romance Novel (or Series) [NOTPoll]Chris Brecheenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819138776404280633noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-76778123158039033672021-03-10T18:56:31.427-08:002021-03-10T18:56:31.427-08:00I'm too young inside to be here with this sugg...I'm too young inside to be here with this suggestion. And I fear getting shot. The Sweet Valley series. Sometimes it was pure high school romances that lasted school breaks (Super Editions of anything really), deaf girls getting verbal shit flung at them from Nazi style bullying (SVT It Can't Happen Here) or plain old drinking and driving murder on Homecoming/Prom night turned crazed psychopathic twin killing plot comes to life at Christmastime (SVH A Night to Remember + the next 6 books).<br /><br />My husband likes Nors Roberts are JD Robb because she gets laid in every book.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08679007496420862606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-4422081725871341882021-03-10T13:11:49.089-08:002021-03-10T13:11:49.089-08:00No Nora Roberts so far? Diving in, then. I love No...No Nora Roberts so far? Diving in, then. I love Nora Roberts' romances. She writes archetypal HEA, man-woman romance, true, and a few series were a bit formulaic (even though I loved the Bride Quartet, I could feel, okay, here comes the Quarrel and Big Breakup). But the stories develop organically, the characters are well drawn, she has a way with dialogue and her characters don’t all speak in the same way (something I’ve noticed in other authors). I like the rhythm of her prose, I enjoy the way she sneaks in lovely images between two commas, the near-poetry at times. It was very interesting how you can track social change in man-woman relationships over 40 years through her stories (“Irish Throroughbred” was published in 1981.) I'm usually not so strongly enamored of fantasy or paranormal series, but I'd probably devour her grocery list if I happened to find it, so I'm OK with hers. And I thought that the final battle in the Circle trilogy had the most moving symbolism (forces of good banding together in thought, bringing the sun to rise in the middle of the night to burn vampires).<br /><br />My problem is that Chris's rules prescribe nominating ONE book or series. And I'm at a loss: (in no particular order) The Chesapeake Bay series? The Search? Under Currents? Shelter in Place? Northern Lights? Angel Falls? The Hideaway? Black Hills? Blue Smoke? <br /><br />Nominating Northern Lights for no particular reason besides a weakness for wounded male heroes. <br />No, no The Search, for the way the heroine uses her knowledge of psychology to face and beat the Villain.<br />No, no…Hélènehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14346365807930177957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-9787754254333778542021-03-10T03:43:08.948-08:002021-03-10T03:43:08.948-08:00I will third! I came here to nominate These Old Sh...I will third! I came here to nominate These Old Shades, and was delighted to discover that someone else had done so. Each of the leading characters is so beautifully drawn, and in finding one another they also find their better selves. I love all of Georgette Heyer's Regency romoances (and am trying to write a sequel to one) but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest for romance.Chroniclerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07044681410080671646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-73062217270087285962021-03-09T17:17:58.361-08:002021-03-09T17:17:58.361-08:001. BEST historical romance. Wild by Jill Barnett, ...1. BEST historical romance. Wild by Jill Barnett, I just learned it was the 2nd book of a 3 part series but it can be read as a stand alone. It is my all time favorite of the hundreds of romances I've read since I started stealing my moms and reading the naughty bits aloud on the back of the bus in grade school. Its about a young woman living apart from society in the woods with animals as her only friends when she comes across a seriously injured knight and nurses him back to health. There's quite a few laugh out loud moments and some that really pull on your heartstrings<br /><br />2. UNDERSUNG HERO. Rise of the Iliri by Auryn Hadley. I stumbled upon reverse harem books a couple years ago. I've read some good ones and some not so great ones. I passed on this Kindle Unlimited recommendation several times because of the admittedly bad cover art. Finally gave it a shot and was totally blown away. Even if you're not a fan of reverse harem or even romance period it's totally worth the read. There's so many different elements to the series and they're all really well done. The military and stealth tactics alone are incredibly fascinating. You know that feeling of despair when you finally finish a series? When you've thoroughly enjoyed the journey but it's finally come to it's conclusion and "that's all, folks" so you walk around in a funk for a few days, wishing you could've seen the Happily in the Ever After? This author actually gives you that in a whole separate book and it was the most satisfying thing ever.Elley Morelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09863943213045941888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-28596057614328442562021-03-09T16:12:26.529-08:002021-03-09T16:12:26.529-08:00A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott
It&#...A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott <br />It's just realistic. ANOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07606781107759446060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-13129593371707579902021-03-09T15:31:42.810-08:002021-03-09T15:31:42.810-08:00Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, beautifully wr...Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, beautifully written and always leaves me wishing that more men were like Mr Darcy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09333104351471236394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-67134745336029901822021-02-24T19:20:32.698-08:002021-02-24T19:20:32.698-08:00I'm finding many favorites on this comment thr...I'm finding many favorites on this comment thread and now I'm fighting the urge for a re-read marathon. I think I should just give in and read Caressed By Ice yet again, haha.S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-19912685667939690502021-02-24T19:18:29.402-08:002021-02-24T19:18:29.402-08:00Johanna is a staple of the genre for very good rea...Johanna is a staple of the genre for very good reason :) What a great recommendation!<br /><br />I've seen the cover for The Lion's Bride, it's beautiful, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I really should!S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-46523998794674805702021-02-24T19:16:55.171-08:002021-02-24T19:16:55.171-08:00I can't second Tessa Dare enough times. When a...I can't second Tessa Dare enough times. When a Scot Ties the Knot is so beautiful. I will never look at lobsters the same way, for starters ;)S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-28809505149970392922021-02-24T19:14:52.910-08:002021-02-24T19:14:52.910-08:00"Enough sexual tension to start a fire" ..."Enough sexual tension to start a fire" BAHAHAHA I see what you did there.S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-20018327412856223682021-02-24T19:14:04.183-08:002021-02-24T19:14:04.183-08:00Both so good. I'll second both. Courtney Milan...Both so good. I'll second both. Courtney Milan is so good at writing low drama with, somehow, still high stakes? High emotional stakes, I guess, or else she's just very good at characters. I don't know how she does it, I just love it.S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-51905724078354524082021-02-24T19:12:10.986-08:002021-02-24T19:12:10.986-08:00I haven't actually read it, but this sounds am...I haven't actually read it, but this sounds amazing. I love a good mooshy-goosh and adding biting satire of rural America to it? SOLD.S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-78300254596301492002021-02-24T19:11:03.825-08:002021-02-24T19:11:03.825-08:00Yes! The Raven Prince is always a re-read. To be h...Yes! The Raven Prince is always a re-read. To be honest I love the Four Soldiers series a *touch* more than Maiden Lane. The fairy tales woven through the chapter headings are my favorite, favorite thing in that series. Although it's like comparing sapphires to diamonds, LOL.S.E. White Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705782871423395468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-76283949107634046582021-02-24T04:05:55.124-08:002021-02-24T04:05:55.124-08:00Second Mary Balogh, even though I'm not usuall...Second Mary Balogh, even though I'm not usually fond of historical romance, for her complicated menHélènehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14346365807930177957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-47189690519271324672021-02-23T18:14:03.923-08:002021-02-23T18:14:03.923-08:00I also recommended Tessa Dare below, though “Roman...I also recommended Tessa Dare below, though “Romancing the Duke” is probably my favorite. Doubt not!Alexa Santihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03998795814733529004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-41198560575708254992021-02-23T18:12:37.213-08:002021-02-23T18:12:37.213-08:00Gotta go with three beloved authors with their mos...Gotta go with three beloved authors with their most beloved series:<br /><br />Tessa Dare and her Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After series<br />Lisa Kleypas with her Wallflowers and Ravenels series<br />Mary Balogh with her Bedwyns and Survivors Club seriesAlexa Santihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03998795814733529004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-16387313513776715572021-02-23T18:10:04.055-08:002021-02-23T18:10:04.055-08:00Seconded! I liked “Duke By Default” because I also...Seconded! I liked “Duke By Default” because I also have ADHD, but I think I loved Johan and Nya as a couple more in “A Prince On Paper.” Alexa Santihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03998795814733529004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-17861467283958501592021-02-23T17:47:56.059-08:002021-02-23T17:47:56.059-08:00Second! This was my first foray into romance and I...Second! This was my first foray into romance and I enjoyed every one I read.Emeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17962822043175991536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-81112595908009535862021-02-23T16:44:17.073-08:002021-02-23T16:44:17.073-08:00Oh yay another m/m romance reader! I haven't r...Oh yay another m/m romance reader! I haven't read these 2 yet, but they're on my tbr list though.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16228708048369967783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-63880884242372281762021-02-23T16:32:38.479-08:002021-02-23T16:32:38.479-08:00I second Nalini Singh. Her Guild Hunter series is ...I second Nalini Singh. Her Guild Hunter series is my absolute favorite, with the Psy/Changeling series a quick second. My favorite book of the first series is Angels Blood, and the second is Heart of Obsidian. Both beautifully written. Anna Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15760423416125418759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-55645759098014523502021-02-23T15:36:05.228-08:002021-02-23T15:36:05.228-08:00Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (and th...Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (and the whole Sevenwaters series, really) is a beautiful historical fiction/fairy tale retelling/romance. Whenever I think of my favorite love stories, this one comes to mind. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15927764833609209434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-29555168490015388712021-02-23T15:25:32.896-08:002021-02-23T15:25:32.896-08:00Yes!!!Yes!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15927764833609209434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-41608171885108770342021-02-23T13:06:34.962-08:002021-02-23T13:06:34.962-08:00The Psy/Changeling Series by Nalini Singh (15 book...The Psy/Changeling Series by Nalini Singh (15 books in the main series, 10 novellas within those 15 storylines, 5 in the Psy/Changeling Trinity series, 23 short stories and 8 deleted scenes). She and the series are absolutely prolific. The series focuses on the Psy (people who have conditioned themselves to live without emotion because of the Silence Mandate that they thought would save their race), Humans, and Changelings (shapeshifters).<br /><br />My favorite book, by far, in the whole series, is Kiss of Snow (Psy/Changeling #10). It is broody but emotional men mixed with very strong, fiery women and how their worlds change and coincide. <br /><br />Underdog? Oh, gosh. I think Caressed By Ice (#3) is quite possibly the most heartwrenching. I will also say that the whole storyline that follows through all of the books is worth the read too. <br /><br />But the first book, Slave to Sensation -- It grips me every time I read it. Rereadable, emotional, funny, insightful -- Nalini Singh is by far one of my favorite authors and this series shines a spotlight on her talent in the most beautiful way.Rusty Starlighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15493594825759423160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-49260075122383439732021-02-15T17:18:17.584-08:002021-02-15T17:18:17.584-08:00These two books are super popular right now, but I...These two books are super popular right now, but I promise you they live up to the hype. Both are m/m and just make me so happy. <br /><br />Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinton. Lots of graphic sex, if that isn't your thing. Within the story are absolutely gorgeous love letters (emails) back and forth. I bought the book as a paperback after reading it as a library ebook just so I could flip through the letters. Not much suspense, which can be a nice respite these days, mostly the two men falling madly, passionately, literately in love and deciding how to manage their relationship in light of the political climate.<br /><br />The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. He wrote on the Tor blog that many of his readers describe his book as a hug. It's the story of a well-meaning but beaten down bureaucrat who literally lives under a gray cloud (a very dreary London) and is never able to make a difference to the children in the orphanages he inspects. Then he's sent to said house, which is full of "dangerous" magical children (the Antichrist, a homicidal gnome, the cutest little wyvern etc) and a delightful quiet man with a big heart. The children are at least as much of the focus, and it's just . . . wonderful. A hug is exactly what it feels like.Caitlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06394222583256858826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-3974560737176537562021-02-15T16:57:18.349-08:002021-02-15T16:57:18.349-08:00I love them so much! B & L are my favorite pai...I love them so much! B & L are my favorite pair.Caitlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06394222583256858826noreply@blogger.com