Romance Novels

[Guest Robin Winter]

So one of Carolyns topics got me thinking about how much I'd like to invest in some Romance novels. I'm kind of hoping some of you gals(or guys ) can recommend some?

I'll tell you what I'm interested in....I like stories that take place in the past, like Victorian era or earlier.

I never thought I'd ever find them interesting...but lately I just feel a need to explore that kind of thing. My sister had a bunch when I was younger, like high school age. I thumbed through one at the time that I think I would really enjoy now, but I don't remember the author or title or any significant information, so I guess that's why I'm hoping I might get some recommendations.

Anyway, thanks in advance

[VickySGV]

The only author I can think of at the minute would be Nora Roberts who did a number of historic romantic novels involving the Scottish emigrants to Nova Scotia. I'll check with my two experts tomorrow, and see if they left anything behind. (I had two daughters, both of whom loved that genre of book.)

[Guest Roux]

I'm kind of right there with you: just started reading trashy paranormal romance novels, and surprised by how much I love them (and love laughing at them).

I haven't read much historical romance, but I'm generally a fan of Georgette Heyer. According to some, she's the one who really got historical romance off the ground decades ago. She's mostly does Regency England stuff, and I've loved everything of hers that I've read except for one story, which I hated so much I didn't bother finishing it.

Dear Author is an amazing website that reviews romance books in the most wonderful (and often hilarious) ways. They grade the books A through F, and you can either read straight through all the reviews or go to the "Book Reviews" tab and choose which grade you want to look at. I spend a lot of time reading the F reviews just for fun--but their A and B reviews always make great recommendations. (There's also DNF reviews, which stands for Did Not Finish. They're about as fun to read as the F reviews.) So check that site out for tons of great recommendations, and also a good number of giggles.

I work for an ebookstore website, and our most popular historical romance authors tend to be (in no particular order): Nora Roberts (as Vicky suggested), Eloisa James, Grace Burrowes, Stephanie Laurens, Tessa Dare, Maya Banks, Julie Anne Long, Gaelen Foley, Delilah Marvelle, Laura Lee Guhrke, Nicola Cornick, and, uh, I'll guess I'll stop there. These all link to the authors' Goodreads accounts, by the way. (And if the links don't work, go to Goodreads and search for each author's name.) If you don't know of that site, it's amazing. Every author's books are listed and categorized, then rated and reviewed by readers, so you can browse an author's works and see how many stars each book rates. And Goodreads also has a bunch of romance discussion groups that could give you reading ideas: here's the main listing of romance groups, and you can do more specific searches within there if you like, like for historical or Highlander or pirate or whatever.

Sorry to overwhelm you with info, but I hope you find something you like in there!

[Guest Robin Winter]

Wow, thanks !!

[Guest Roux]

Glad to help! And if you decide to venture into the murky realm of paranormal romance, let me know and I'll share some stuff there too. =D

[Guest Holly S]

Umm, lets see.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Poison Study by Maria V. Synder

Twilight saga - I know you've probably already seen the movies, but the books are way better

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I highly recommend this

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

I think that's all the ones worth reading. Some may not be your style, but at least it's something to read - which is always better than nothing.

[Guest Robin Winter]

Umm, lets see.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Poison Study by Maria V. Synder

Twilight saga - I know you've probably already seen the movies, but the books are way better

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I highly recommend this

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

I think that's all the ones worth reading. Some may not be your style, but at least it's something to read - which is always better than nothing.

Thanks for the tips, but I have to tell you, I thought the twilight saga was absolutely vile lol. My wife liked them though.

[Guest Roux]

Umm, lets see.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Poison Study by Maria V. Synder

Twilight saga - I know you've probably already seen the movies, but the books are way better

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I highly recommend this

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

I think that's all the ones worth reading. Some may not be your style, but at least it's something to read - which is always better than nothing.

Thanks for the tips, but I have to tell you, I thought the twilight saga was absolutely vile lol. My wife liked them though.

"Absolutely vile" is right. But I second Holly's suggestions for Maggie Stiefvater, Maria V. Snyder, and Suzanne Collins. I wasn't really a fan of Becca Fitzpatrick or Lauren Kate, but I've heard awesome things about Cynthia Hand, and have Unearthly on my bookshelf right now. They're all YA, though; not sure if that's the kind of romance you're going for. If it is, I bet a lot of us can add more to Holly's list!

[Guest Robin Winter]

I don't know what you mean by YA.

[Guest Roux]

Oops, sorry. YA = Young Adult (teen-oriented).

[Guest Robin Winter]

Oh, no thank you lol.