Which books (and stories, because a few of these aren't in book form) have the Wenches been exploring and enjoying in April? Read on to find out . . . .
Jo Beverley:
Not quite What We’re Reading, but I reckon audio counts. I just listened to this BBC programme based on letters written during World War II: My Dear Bessie. Chris Barker, a solider in Libya, and Bessie Moore, a Morse code interpreter at the Foreign Office in London, have only briefly met, but he starts to write to her and she replies. Most of the surviving letters are from him, as he often had to destroy those she sent him, and the frank passion and longing in them is remarkable. It made me think that in today's steamy romance we sometimes miss the breathless longing that has been a natural part of falling into love and desire throughout the ages. Perhaps we also sometimes fall into the error of thinking our parents and grandparents didn't feel passion "that way." I believe it can be listened to anywhere in the world, and Chris's letters are read by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Patricia Rice:
I’ve been having a bad reading month, hitting too many mysteries with TSTL protags who spend more time worrying over the many men in their lives rather than paying attention to the fact that someone is trying to kill them.
So in the mood for something wildly different, I picked up Swans Are Fat Too by Michelle Granas. Hania, the main character, is a brilliant but obese pianist returning to her family home in Poland for her grandmother’s funeral. The book is her journey, and it’s a fascinating one. I love that—unlike all the chicklit characters who stuff their faces daily and never pay the wages of poundage—she knows she’s fat because she eats too much, recognizes the damage she’s doing as she does it, and works her way through why she can’t stop. Her weight is actually not a big deal but just one small part of her exploration into what life has to offer.
While she’s working her way through her own problems, she’s acquired worse problems in her absentee family who dumps two thoroughly neurotic children on her and disappear. Weave in a hereditary Polish prince who’s writing a bloody history of his country—an allegorical trip for those readers who read the snippets— and a light romance, and I was highly entertained. Hania manages all with grace, decorum, and real smarts—and by the end, I was confident that she’s gained the tools needed to fix herself. It’s currently .99 cents, so it’s worth a try!
Nicola Cornick:
I’ve had a quiet reading month as I’ve been head down finishing revisions to my latest book but I did have chance to sit down with By The Sword by Alison Stuart. I enjoy Alison’s historicals very much and this is book 1 in a new series set during the 17th century. Usually books with a background of the English Civil War are set whilst the conflict rages and this is a bit different as it begins in 1650, after the execution of King Charles I. Through the vividly drawn characters and background it gives a wonderful picture of a country divided and a time when loyalties are tested to the limit. Kate, the heroine, is drawn in a rich and complex way that I found fascinating. I saw her conflicts and challenges vividly through her eyes and was engrossed. Jonathan, the Royalist hero, is a very attractive, strong character. Beyond the central relationship, though, there is a family story with a great supporting cast, and some very poignant scenes between parents and their children. It’s a lovely read.
Cara Elliott/Andrea Pickens:
I’m way behind my fellow Wenches, but finally got to Susanna Kearsley in my TBR pile several months ago. I liked The Firebird so much I recently picked up one of her earlier novels that sounded intriguing, (Anne is way ahead of me and is talking about her latest release!) and enjoyed it very much.
The Splendour Falls isn’t a timeslip story, but does weave together a present day mystery with two wartime tales of hidden treasures from the past. Set in an ancient French town steeped in medieval history, the story features a very interesting cast of characters who meet by chance . . . or do they? The heroine has come to meet up with her historian cousin, who is researching an ancient legend involving a hidden cache of royal jewels. When he doesn’t turn up, she finds herself drawn into a local murder, and a tangle of old grudges and tragedies from the Nazi Occupation during WWII. Kearsley weaves together atmospheric descriptions, fascinating history and richly nuanced people. I found it a wonderful read and will likely be reporting on more of her books in upcoming “What We Are Reading” columns.
Mary Jo Putney:
In a mood for intelligent fun, I recently scarfed down the most recent Beth Kendrick novel, New Uses for Old Boyfriends. If forced to classify, I'd say her books fall at the intersection of chicklit, romance, and women's fiction. Her heroines generally have just had their lives exploded, and they have to rebuild themselves in new and better ways.
New Uses is Kendrick's second book set in Black Dog Bay, a tiny seaside town in Delaware where women often go to recover from major break ups. Lila Alders fits that category since she's lost her marriage, her job, and is dead broke, but unlike most of the lovelorn who come to the town, Lila grew up in Black Dog Day, and everyone has known her forever. Plus, as a former bouncy and popular cheerleader, she runs into a lot of old boyfriends!
As Lila and her recently widowed fashionista mother struggle to stay afloat, they both learn a lot about life, dreams, and what they're capable of doing. There are women at all stages of life in the book, and I enjoyed watching their interactions. And while eventually Lila finds a great guy who is a keeper, he doesn't rescue her–she rescues herself. And I had a lot of fun watching it happen. <G>
Anne Gracie:
My most recent read this month was Susanna Kearsley's A Desperate Fortune which I dived into as soon as it arrived. As usual with Susanna Kearsley's books, a modern tale intertwines with a historical story, so you get two stories in one. This time it's not a time slip, however, but is a story of a modern young woman, an amateur (but brilliant) code-breaker. Her task is to unlock the mysteries of a diary almost three hundred years old, the private encoded journal of Mary Dundas, an innocent young woman caught up in a dangerous Jacobite adventure. A wonderful read and two very satisfying endings. Other books I read included an old Loretta Chase novella, now available for download — The Mad Earl’s Bride, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and Ridiculous by D. L. Carter (which was recommended by a few Wenchly readers in the comments on the first Chick-in-Pants blog) which was entertaining, as promised.
Joanna Bourne:
I don't know what it is about this month, but for some reason I couldn't concentrate on new reading at all. So I went back to the old soothing favorites. I plunged into Dunnett's Game of Kings for another reread. Lymond is such a great, wicked, intriguing, scoundrel of a man. And I took down four or five of the Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan books from my keeper shelf. Mirror Dance was the one that gave me the most to think about. It's a character study, looking at the core of what makes us, us.
But new stuff …? I'm going to cheat and call up a TV series. I've recently come across BBC's production of Hamish MacBeth, based on the detective novels of M.C. Beaton, better known to Romance readers as Marion Chesney. Hamish is the police constable of the Scottish hamlet of Lochdubh, sorting out murder mysteries and village politics. The charm of the series lies in Hamish MacBeth himself — thoughtful, level-headed and delightfully unbound by the rules of proper police procedure. The array of local eccentrics provides everything from subtle irony to broad humor and the scenery of Western Scotland is a delight in the background.
Susan King:
Recently I tried something a bit different – in audiobook – Dan Harris’ 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story. Harris, a TV news journalist for Nightline and Good Morning America, writes about a personal journey that led him to explore, question and finally practice meditation. His account of the steps that led him to making changes is fascinating, funny and brutally honest about the ups and downs along his path. Beautifully written, filled with information and insight (and some very juicy, great bits about some very well-known people), it’s smart, refreshing nonfiction that really made me think about meditation, something I've done on and off for years. Though I read other books this month, this the one I’m highly recommending to everyone I know. Even better, Harris’s narration of his book is fresh, wry, and beautifully done. I didn’t want this one to end.
What have you read lately? We're always looking for new titles for the TBR stack!
I loved Hamish McBeth when it was first in TV and have always enjoyed watching it again when I can. I think Robert Carlyle was superb in the lead role, and I love the whole atmosphere and slightly anarchic characters. It’s a case of preferring the version you know first, because I didn’t take to the books.
I’ve read one book by Susanna Kearsley and must read more!
I loved Hamish McBeth when it was first in TV and have always enjoyed watching it again when I can. I think Robert Carlyle was superb in the lead role, and I love the whole atmosphere and slightly anarchic characters. It’s a case of preferring the version you know first, because I didn’t take to the books.
I’ve read one book by Susanna Kearsley and must read more!
I loved Hamish McBeth when it was first in TV and have always enjoyed watching it again when I can. I think Robert Carlyle was superb in the lead role, and I love the whole atmosphere and slightly anarchic characters. It’s a case of preferring the version you know first, because I didn’t take to the books.
I’ve read one book by Susanna Kearsley and must read more!
I loved Hamish McBeth when it was first in TV and have always enjoyed watching it again when I can. I think Robert Carlyle was superb in the lead role, and I love the whole atmosphere and slightly anarchic characters. It’s a case of preferring the version you know first, because I didn’t take to the books.
I’ve read one book by Susanna Kearsley and must read more!
I loved Hamish McBeth when it was first in TV and have always enjoyed watching it again when I can. I think Robert Carlyle was superb in the lead role, and I love the whole atmosphere and slightly anarchic characters. It’s a case of preferring the version you know first, because I didn’t take to the books.
I’ve read one book by Susanna Kearsley and must read more!
I need to add Susanna Kearsley to my TBR pile. They sound like the kind of stories I love to read. Dan Harris’ book also sounds very interesting (I just skimmed the preview). Much of the research on the neuroscience of meditation has been done in my hometown, and I would like to know more.
I just acquired a totebag full of romance novels, including Jade Lee’s 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, which I’m looking forward to reading (though I probably won’t get to it until May, since April is nearly over).
I need to add Susanna Kearsley to my TBR pile. They sound like the kind of stories I love to read. Dan Harris’ book also sounds very interesting (I just skimmed the preview). Much of the research on the neuroscience of meditation has been done in my hometown, and I would like to know more.
I just acquired a totebag full of romance novels, including Jade Lee’s 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, which I’m looking forward to reading (though I probably won’t get to it until May, since April is nearly over).
I need to add Susanna Kearsley to my TBR pile. They sound like the kind of stories I love to read. Dan Harris’ book also sounds very interesting (I just skimmed the preview). Much of the research on the neuroscience of meditation has been done in my hometown, and I would like to know more.
I just acquired a totebag full of romance novels, including Jade Lee’s 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, which I’m looking forward to reading (though I probably won’t get to it until May, since April is nearly over).
I need to add Susanna Kearsley to my TBR pile. They sound like the kind of stories I love to read. Dan Harris’ book also sounds very interesting (I just skimmed the preview). Much of the research on the neuroscience of meditation has been done in my hometown, and I would like to know more.
I just acquired a totebag full of romance novels, including Jade Lee’s 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, which I’m looking forward to reading (though I probably won’t get to it until May, since April is nearly over).
I need to add Susanna Kearsley to my TBR pile. They sound like the kind of stories I love to read. Dan Harris’ book also sounds very interesting (I just skimmed the preview). Much of the research on the neuroscience of meditation has been done in my hometown, and I would like to know more.
I just acquired a totebag full of romance novels, including Jade Lee’s 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, which I’m looking forward to reading (though I probably won’t get to it until May, since April is nearly over).
I loved listening to the Hamish MacBeth books on audio tape (I think the one’s I listened to were read by Davinia Porter – an excellent reader.) But when I tried reading the books themselves – I just couldn’t get into them.
It really is funny how your perception/experience of a book differs when you read a book with your eyes or listen to it with your ears.
I loved listening to the Hamish MacBeth books on audio tape (I think the one’s I listened to were read by Davinia Porter – an excellent reader.) But when I tried reading the books themselves – I just couldn’t get into them.
It really is funny how your perception/experience of a book differs when you read a book with your eyes or listen to it with your ears.
I loved listening to the Hamish MacBeth books on audio tape (I think the one’s I listened to were read by Davinia Porter – an excellent reader.) But when I tried reading the books themselves – I just couldn’t get into them.
It really is funny how your perception/experience of a book differs when you read a book with your eyes or listen to it with your ears.
I loved listening to the Hamish MacBeth books on audio tape (I think the one’s I listened to were read by Davinia Porter – an excellent reader.) But when I tried reading the books themselves – I just couldn’t get into them.
It really is funny how your perception/experience of a book differs when you read a book with your eyes or listen to it with your ears.
I loved listening to the Hamish MacBeth books on audio tape (I think the one’s I listened to were read by Davinia Porter – an excellent reader.) But when I tried reading the books themselves – I just couldn’t get into them.
It really is funny how your perception/experience of a book differs when you read a book with your eyes or listen to it with your ears.
I’m getting a little sick of reading the same tropes over and over, and have been putting down a lot of books. However, I did recently finish a review copy of Anne Gracie’s The Spring Bride! THAT pulled me out of my depression. 🙂
Heh, I was in eighth grade when Hamish Macbeth first aired! Now the actor is back on television (in Once Upon a Time) playing the romantic interest to a girl who was in my ballet class that same year. It’s a little creepy to think of…
I’m getting a little sick of reading the same tropes over and over, and have been putting down a lot of books. However, I did recently finish a review copy of Anne Gracie’s The Spring Bride! THAT pulled me out of my depression. 🙂
Heh, I was in eighth grade when Hamish Macbeth first aired! Now the actor is back on television (in Once Upon a Time) playing the romantic interest to a girl who was in my ballet class that same year. It’s a little creepy to think of…
I’m getting a little sick of reading the same tropes over and over, and have been putting down a lot of books. However, I did recently finish a review copy of Anne Gracie’s The Spring Bride! THAT pulled me out of my depression. 🙂
Heh, I was in eighth grade when Hamish Macbeth first aired! Now the actor is back on television (in Once Upon a Time) playing the romantic interest to a girl who was in my ballet class that same year. It’s a little creepy to think of…
I’m getting a little sick of reading the same tropes over and over, and have been putting down a lot of books. However, I did recently finish a review copy of Anne Gracie’s The Spring Bride! THAT pulled me out of my depression. 🙂
Heh, I was in eighth grade when Hamish Macbeth first aired! Now the actor is back on television (in Once Upon a Time) playing the romantic interest to a girl who was in my ballet class that same year. It’s a little creepy to think of…
I’m getting a little sick of reading the same tropes over and over, and have been putting down a lot of books. However, I did recently finish a review copy of Anne Gracie’s The Spring Bride! THAT pulled me out of my depression. 🙂
Heh, I was in eighth grade when Hamish Macbeth first aired! Now the actor is back on television (in Once Upon a Time) playing the romantic interest to a girl who was in my ballet class that same year. It’s a little creepy to think of…
Susan, I love these monthly posts. So many lovely new books to try! I bought the fat swans book instantly–it looks like such fun! Maybe I should try watching Hamish Macbeth, anarchic Scots also being fun. *G*
Susan, I love these monthly posts. So many lovely new books to try! I bought the fat swans book instantly–it looks like such fun! Maybe I should try watching Hamish Macbeth, anarchic Scots also being fun. *G*
Susan, I love these monthly posts. So many lovely new books to try! I bought the fat swans book instantly–it looks like such fun! Maybe I should try watching Hamish Macbeth, anarchic Scots also being fun. *G*
Susan, I love these monthly posts. So many lovely new books to try! I bought the fat swans book instantly–it looks like such fun! Maybe I should try watching Hamish Macbeth, anarchic Scots also being fun. *G*
Susan, I love these monthly posts. So many lovely new books to try! I bought the fat swans book instantly–it looks like such fun! Maybe I should try watching Hamish Macbeth, anarchic Scots also being fun. *G*
Sonya, I was just thinking the same thing — same old, same old. I am wondering if perhaps the regency in particular is getting played out. I have put down a dozen this month because I couldn’t get past the first page — I knew it was going to be just like every other regency historical with a flowy dress cover and I knew exactly what would happen in it: lots of fantasy sex, virgin orgasms, impossibly perfect heroes with all the individualism of sex toys.
I seem to be hungry for books with real people in them. No more sex toys. No more characters with no life context.
I did read Madeline Hunter’s latest book and I enjoyed it at the time but, if I’m honest, I couldn’t tell you who was in it or what it was about. Some authors I continue to read only because I enjoy their writing style.
Is it me? I don’t think it is. I hear similar things from other people too. Is it publisher pressure, writers being told “what we readers want”? Is it sex-starved spinsters who have no time for story or character and skip to the sex scenes (I know they’re out there, I run into people in bookstores who ask me how hot a given book is)? Or is it just the times we live in? Cause I can’t believe that so many good writers can’t do it right anymore, or that all the good writers are dead (whimper).
I have shifted to rereading old favorites, to reading historical fiction in more recent times (WW1 and WW2), and more nonfiction. I hope for better days.
Publishers should note that I used to buy a lot more new books than I do now. A lot more. I used to go into a bookstore every week and walk out with anywhere from 2 or 3 to a dozen new books. Now I go once a month and sometimes I’m hard put to find even one new book that I want to try.
Sonya, I was just thinking the same thing — same old, same old. I am wondering if perhaps the regency in particular is getting played out. I have put down a dozen this month because I couldn’t get past the first page — I knew it was going to be just like every other regency historical with a flowy dress cover and I knew exactly what would happen in it: lots of fantasy sex, virgin orgasms, impossibly perfect heroes with all the individualism of sex toys.
I seem to be hungry for books with real people in them. No more sex toys. No more characters with no life context.
I did read Madeline Hunter’s latest book and I enjoyed it at the time but, if I’m honest, I couldn’t tell you who was in it or what it was about. Some authors I continue to read only because I enjoy their writing style.
Is it me? I don’t think it is. I hear similar things from other people too. Is it publisher pressure, writers being told “what we readers want”? Is it sex-starved spinsters who have no time for story or character and skip to the sex scenes (I know they’re out there, I run into people in bookstores who ask me how hot a given book is)? Or is it just the times we live in? Cause I can’t believe that so many good writers can’t do it right anymore, or that all the good writers are dead (whimper).
I have shifted to rereading old favorites, to reading historical fiction in more recent times (WW1 and WW2), and more nonfiction. I hope for better days.
Publishers should note that I used to buy a lot more new books than I do now. A lot more. I used to go into a bookstore every week and walk out with anywhere from 2 or 3 to a dozen new books. Now I go once a month and sometimes I’m hard put to find even one new book that I want to try.
Sonya, I was just thinking the same thing — same old, same old. I am wondering if perhaps the regency in particular is getting played out. I have put down a dozen this month because I couldn’t get past the first page — I knew it was going to be just like every other regency historical with a flowy dress cover and I knew exactly what would happen in it: lots of fantasy sex, virgin orgasms, impossibly perfect heroes with all the individualism of sex toys.
I seem to be hungry for books with real people in them. No more sex toys. No more characters with no life context.
I did read Madeline Hunter’s latest book and I enjoyed it at the time but, if I’m honest, I couldn’t tell you who was in it or what it was about. Some authors I continue to read only because I enjoy their writing style.
Is it me? I don’t think it is. I hear similar things from other people too. Is it publisher pressure, writers being told “what we readers want”? Is it sex-starved spinsters who have no time for story or character and skip to the sex scenes (I know they’re out there, I run into people in bookstores who ask me how hot a given book is)? Or is it just the times we live in? Cause I can’t believe that so many good writers can’t do it right anymore, or that all the good writers are dead (whimper).
I have shifted to rereading old favorites, to reading historical fiction in more recent times (WW1 and WW2), and more nonfiction. I hope for better days.
Publishers should note that I used to buy a lot more new books than I do now. A lot more. I used to go into a bookstore every week and walk out with anywhere from 2 or 3 to a dozen new books. Now I go once a month and sometimes I’m hard put to find even one new book that I want to try.
Sonya, I was just thinking the same thing — same old, same old. I am wondering if perhaps the regency in particular is getting played out. I have put down a dozen this month because I couldn’t get past the first page — I knew it was going to be just like every other regency historical with a flowy dress cover and I knew exactly what would happen in it: lots of fantasy sex, virgin orgasms, impossibly perfect heroes with all the individualism of sex toys.
I seem to be hungry for books with real people in them. No more sex toys. No more characters with no life context.
I did read Madeline Hunter’s latest book and I enjoyed it at the time but, if I’m honest, I couldn’t tell you who was in it or what it was about. Some authors I continue to read only because I enjoy their writing style.
Is it me? I don’t think it is. I hear similar things from other people too. Is it publisher pressure, writers being told “what we readers want”? Is it sex-starved spinsters who have no time for story or character and skip to the sex scenes (I know they’re out there, I run into people in bookstores who ask me how hot a given book is)? Or is it just the times we live in? Cause I can’t believe that so many good writers can’t do it right anymore, or that all the good writers are dead (whimper).
I have shifted to rereading old favorites, to reading historical fiction in more recent times (WW1 and WW2), and more nonfiction. I hope for better days.
Publishers should note that I used to buy a lot more new books than I do now. A lot more. I used to go into a bookstore every week and walk out with anywhere from 2 or 3 to a dozen new books. Now I go once a month and sometimes I’m hard put to find even one new book that I want to try.
Sonya, I was just thinking the same thing — same old, same old. I am wondering if perhaps the regency in particular is getting played out. I have put down a dozen this month because I couldn’t get past the first page — I knew it was going to be just like every other regency historical with a flowy dress cover and I knew exactly what would happen in it: lots of fantasy sex, virgin orgasms, impossibly perfect heroes with all the individualism of sex toys.
I seem to be hungry for books with real people in them. No more sex toys. No more characters with no life context.
I did read Madeline Hunter’s latest book and I enjoyed it at the time but, if I’m honest, I couldn’t tell you who was in it or what it was about. Some authors I continue to read only because I enjoy their writing style.
Is it me? I don’t think it is. I hear similar things from other people too. Is it publisher pressure, writers being told “what we readers want”? Is it sex-starved spinsters who have no time for story or character and skip to the sex scenes (I know they’re out there, I run into people in bookstores who ask me how hot a given book is)? Or is it just the times we live in? Cause I can’t believe that so many good writers can’t do it right anymore, or that all the good writers are dead (whimper).
I have shifted to rereading old favorites, to reading historical fiction in more recent times (WW1 and WW2), and more nonfiction. I hope for better days.
Publishers should note that I used to buy a lot more new books than I do now. A lot more. I used to go into a bookstore every week and walk out with anywhere from 2 or 3 to a dozen new books. Now I go once a month and sometimes I’m hard put to find even one new book that I want to try.
There were three stand outs for me this month, Barbara Hambley’s Those Who Hunt the Night which is the first of an early 20thC vampire series by an author I’d never heard of before. Very good writing and the vampires are really creepy. The hero is an Oxford don and his wife is a doctor.
The second was The Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey about the zombie apocalypse with a twist. Like a lot of zombie novels it’s a road story but has a very interesting premise.
The third was The Captive Prince vol 2 by CS Pacat. A gay male fantasy romance that has a feel of Game of Thrones with lots of political intrigue and sexual tension. Very good writing.
I’m reading Sarah Mayberry’s Anticipation at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it.
There were three stand outs for me this month, Barbara Hambley’s Those Who Hunt the Night which is the first of an early 20thC vampire series by an author I’d never heard of before. Very good writing and the vampires are really creepy. The hero is an Oxford don and his wife is a doctor.
The second was The Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey about the zombie apocalypse with a twist. Like a lot of zombie novels it’s a road story but has a very interesting premise.
The third was The Captive Prince vol 2 by CS Pacat. A gay male fantasy romance that has a feel of Game of Thrones with lots of political intrigue and sexual tension. Very good writing.
I’m reading Sarah Mayberry’s Anticipation at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it.
There were three stand outs for me this month, Barbara Hambley’s Those Who Hunt the Night which is the first of an early 20thC vampire series by an author I’d never heard of before. Very good writing and the vampires are really creepy. The hero is an Oxford don and his wife is a doctor.
The second was The Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey about the zombie apocalypse with a twist. Like a lot of zombie novels it’s a road story but has a very interesting premise.
The third was The Captive Prince vol 2 by CS Pacat. A gay male fantasy romance that has a feel of Game of Thrones with lots of political intrigue and sexual tension. Very good writing.
I’m reading Sarah Mayberry’s Anticipation at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it.
There were three stand outs for me this month, Barbara Hambley’s Those Who Hunt the Night which is the first of an early 20thC vampire series by an author I’d never heard of before. Very good writing and the vampires are really creepy. The hero is an Oxford don and his wife is a doctor.
The second was The Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey about the zombie apocalypse with a twist. Like a lot of zombie novels it’s a road story but has a very interesting premise.
The third was The Captive Prince vol 2 by CS Pacat. A gay male fantasy romance that has a feel of Game of Thrones with lots of political intrigue and sexual tension. Very good writing.
I’m reading Sarah Mayberry’s Anticipation at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it.
There were three stand outs for me this month, Barbara Hambley’s Those Who Hunt the Night which is the first of an early 20thC vampire series by an author I’d never heard of before. Very good writing and the vampires are really creepy. The hero is an Oxford don and his wife is a doctor.
The second was The Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey about the zombie apocalypse with a twist. Like a lot of zombie novels it’s a road story but has a very interesting premise.
The third was The Captive Prince vol 2 by CS Pacat. A gay male fantasy romance that has a feel of Game of Thrones with lots of political intrigue and sexual tension. Very good writing.
I’m reading Sarah Mayberry’s Anticipation at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it.
I read most of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily books (I’ve got one left to go but my book budget for April was left completely empty…and then some!). I learned long ago that if one of my favourite authors recommends a book, it’s probably a good read! So on that note, thank-you for these monthly what have you read blog posts! They certainly help me spend that book budget!
I read most of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily books (I’ve got one left to go but my book budget for April was left completely empty…and then some!). I learned long ago that if one of my favourite authors recommends a book, it’s probably a good read! So on that note, thank-you for these monthly what have you read blog posts! They certainly help me spend that book budget!
I read most of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily books (I’ve got one left to go but my book budget for April was left completely empty…and then some!). I learned long ago that if one of my favourite authors recommends a book, it’s probably a good read! So on that note, thank-you for these monthly what have you read blog posts! They certainly help me spend that book budget!
I read most of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily books (I’ve got one left to go but my book budget for April was left completely empty…and then some!). I learned long ago that if one of my favourite authors recommends a book, it’s probably a good read! So on that note, thank-you for these monthly what have you read blog posts! They certainly help me spend that book budget!
I read most of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily books (I’ve got one left to go but my book budget for April was left completely empty…and then some!). I learned long ago that if one of my favourite authors recommends a book, it’s probably a good read! So on that note, thank-you for these monthly what have you read blog posts! They certainly help me spend that book budget!
Two stand-out books for me this month were Take Me Home, the first book in Nancy Herkness’s Whisper Horse series, and Carolina Blues, the fourth book in Virginia Kantra’s Dare Island series. I’ve mostly been reading non-fiction, particularly Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, which Andrea/Cara recommended a couple months ago, and Waterloo: The Hundred Days by David Chandler.
Two stand-out books for me this month were Take Me Home, the first book in Nancy Herkness’s Whisper Horse series, and Carolina Blues, the fourth book in Virginia Kantra’s Dare Island series. I’ve mostly been reading non-fiction, particularly Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, which Andrea/Cara recommended a couple months ago, and Waterloo: The Hundred Days by David Chandler.
Two stand-out books for me this month were Take Me Home, the first book in Nancy Herkness’s Whisper Horse series, and Carolina Blues, the fourth book in Virginia Kantra’s Dare Island series. I’ve mostly been reading non-fiction, particularly Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, which Andrea/Cara recommended a couple months ago, and Waterloo: The Hundred Days by David Chandler.
Two stand-out books for me this month were Take Me Home, the first book in Nancy Herkness’s Whisper Horse series, and Carolina Blues, the fourth book in Virginia Kantra’s Dare Island series. I’ve mostly been reading non-fiction, particularly Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, which Andrea/Cara recommended a couple months ago, and Waterloo: The Hundred Days by David Chandler.
Two stand-out books for me this month were Take Me Home, the first book in Nancy Herkness’s Whisper Horse series, and Carolina Blues, the fourth book in Virginia Kantra’s Dare Island series. I’ve mostly been reading non-fiction, particularly Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, which Andrea/Cara recommended a couple months ago, and Waterloo: The Hundred Days by David Chandler.
Barbara Hambly got her start back in the day by writing Star Trek paperbacks and then fantasies for Del Rey. They were essentially fan fiction. Hers is a case where a writer plays in other sandboxes until she develops her own voice and then she moves out with her own characters. The series you mention is not well known but I think it’s quite a good one.
Barbara Hambly got her start back in the day by writing Star Trek paperbacks and then fantasies for Del Rey. They were essentially fan fiction. Hers is a case where a writer plays in other sandboxes until she develops her own voice and then she moves out with her own characters. The series you mention is not well known but I think it’s quite a good one.
Barbara Hambly got her start back in the day by writing Star Trek paperbacks and then fantasies for Del Rey. They were essentially fan fiction. Hers is a case where a writer plays in other sandboxes until she develops her own voice and then she moves out with her own characters. The series you mention is not well known but I think it’s quite a good one.
Barbara Hambly got her start back in the day by writing Star Trek paperbacks and then fantasies for Del Rey. They were essentially fan fiction. Hers is a case where a writer plays in other sandboxes until she develops her own voice and then she moves out with her own characters. The series you mention is not well known but I think it’s quite a good one.
Barbara Hambly got her start back in the day by writing Star Trek paperbacks and then fantasies for Del Rey. They were essentially fan fiction. Hers is a case where a writer plays in other sandboxes until she develops her own voice and then she moves out with her own characters. The series you mention is not well known but I think it’s quite a good one.
These are very interesting points you raise, Janice and Sonya. I don’t read a lot of Regency historicals any more for exactly that reason. A lot of the tropes don’t work for me at the moment so I stick to those authors I know will write something with more depth (as I perceive it). I don’t think all the good writers are dead (!) but I do think that publisher pressure can be very inhibiting. I too hope that times will change as both an author and a reader.
These are very interesting points you raise, Janice and Sonya. I don’t read a lot of Regency historicals any more for exactly that reason. A lot of the tropes don’t work for me at the moment so I stick to those authors I know will write something with more depth (as I perceive it). I don’t think all the good writers are dead (!) but I do think that publisher pressure can be very inhibiting. I too hope that times will change as both an author and a reader.
These are very interesting points you raise, Janice and Sonya. I don’t read a lot of Regency historicals any more for exactly that reason. A lot of the tropes don’t work for me at the moment so I stick to those authors I know will write something with more depth (as I perceive it). I don’t think all the good writers are dead (!) but I do think that publisher pressure can be very inhibiting. I too hope that times will change as both an author and a reader.
These are very interesting points you raise, Janice and Sonya. I don’t read a lot of Regency historicals any more for exactly that reason. A lot of the tropes don’t work for me at the moment so I stick to those authors I know will write something with more depth (as I perceive it). I don’t think all the good writers are dead (!) but I do think that publisher pressure can be very inhibiting. I too hope that times will change as both an author and a reader.
These are very interesting points you raise, Janice and Sonya. I don’t read a lot of Regency historicals any more for exactly that reason. A lot of the tropes don’t work for me at the moment so I stick to those authors I know will write something with more depth (as I perceive it). I don’t think all the good writers are dead (!) but I do think that publisher pressure can be very inhibiting. I too hope that times will change as both an author and a reader.
I’ve been stuck in the middle of a book slump recently, and then I read the blurb for Jen J Danna & Anne Vandelaar’ s
Dead, Without A Stone To Tell It… & I was hooked. They have written a cracking pair of protagonists in Lowell & Abbot; & the books are crime novels set in Boston, and they are excellent.The books are “staying” with me, and I found the novella No One Sees Me When I Fall, which deals with a so called “honour” killing very moving .So 3 books & novella later,I now have to wait a year for the next book !
I’ve been stuck in the middle of a book slump recently, and then I read the blurb for Jen J Danna & Anne Vandelaar’ s
Dead, Without A Stone To Tell It… & I was hooked. They have written a cracking pair of protagonists in Lowell & Abbot; & the books are crime novels set in Boston, and they are excellent.The books are “staying” with me, and I found the novella No One Sees Me When I Fall, which deals with a so called “honour” killing very moving .So 3 books & novella later,I now have to wait a year for the next book !
I’ve been stuck in the middle of a book slump recently, and then I read the blurb for Jen J Danna & Anne Vandelaar’ s
Dead, Without A Stone To Tell It… & I was hooked. They have written a cracking pair of protagonists in Lowell & Abbot; & the books are crime novels set in Boston, and they are excellent.The books are “staying” with me, and I found the novella No One Sees Me When I Fall, which deals with a so called “honour” killing very moving .So 3 books & novella later,I now have to wait a year for the next book !
I’ve been stuck in the middle of a book slump recently, and then I read the blurb for Jen J Danna & Anne Vandelaar’ s
Dead, Without A Stone To Tell It… & I was hooked. They have written a cracking pair of protagonists in Lowell & Abbot; & the books are crime novels set in Boston, and they are excellent.The books are “staying” with me, and I found the novella No One Sees Me When I Fall, which deals with a so called “honour” killing very moving .So 3 books & novella later,I now have to wait a year for the next book !
I’ve been stuck in the middle of a book slump recently, and then I read the blurb for Jen J Danna & Anne Vandelaar’ s
Dead, Without A Stone To Tell It… & I was hooked. They have written a cracking pair of protagonists in Lowell & Abbot; & the books are crime novels set in Boston, and they are excellent.The books are “staying” with me, and I found the novella No One Sees Me When I Fall, which deals with a so called “honour” killing very moving .So 3 books & novella later,I now have to wait a year for the next book !
I’m actually rereading (for the 100th time in twenty years – I had to buy a new copy!) the “making of” book about the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and it’s actually renewed my interest in all things Regency. I don’t actually *love* Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (he does nothing for me physically!), but the book is worth reading just for his sections about how he approached the character, the era and the manners. It’s brilliant.
I do think publishers have gone overboard with encouraging anachronisms. I just scheduled a blog post based on something an Avon editor recently wrote about what she wants from Regency romances. Basically: No historical accuracy. Anachronistic heroines who do everything people of the era would have considered appalling. No following social rules. Heroes who are aggressive…
If I wanted all of that, I’d pick up a contemporary romance…
I have been really enjoying Erica Monroe’s historical romances recently. She writes historical romantic suspense about lower class characters in the 1830s. She’s self-published, has quite a few distracting Americanisms in her (English) stories, but she is definitely worth a try. I just bet she’d never get picked up by a publisher because her characters are working class.
I do think changing genres when you’re in a rut is a good idea. However, I still get drawn back to historicals at least every second book!
I’m actually rereading (for the 100th time in twenty years – I had to buy a new copy!) the “making of” book about the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and it’s actually renewed my interest in all things Regency. I don’t actually *love* Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (he does nothing for me physically!), but the book is worth reading just for his sections about how he approached the character, the era and the manners. It’s brilliant.
I do think publishers have gone overboard with encouraging anachronisms. I just scheduled a blog post based on something an Avon editor recently wrote about what she wants from Regency romances. Basically: No historical accuracy. Anachronistic heroines who do everything people of the era would have considered appalling. No following social rules. Heroes who are aggressive…
If I wanted all of that, I’d pick up a contemporary romance…
I have been really enjoying Erica Monroe’s historical romances recently. She writes historical romantic suspense about lower class characters in the 1830s. She’s self-published, has quite a few distracting Americanisms in her (English) stories, but she is definitely worth a try. I just bet she’d never get picked up by a publisher because her characters are working class.
I do think changing genres when you’re in a rut is a good idea. However, I still get drawn back to historicals at least every second book!
I’m actually rereading (for the 100th time in twenty years – I had to buy a new copy!) the “making of” book about the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and it’s actually renewed my interest in all things Regency. I don’t actually *love* Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (he does nothing for me physically!), but the book is worth reading just for his sections about how he approached the character, the era and the manners. It’s brilliant.
I do think publishers have gone overboard with encouraging anachronisms. I just scheduled a blog post based on something an Avon editor recently wrote about what she wants from Regency romances. Basically: No historical accuracy. Anachronistic heroines who do everything people of the era would have considered appalling. No following social rules. Heroes who are aggressive…
If I wanted all of that, I’d pick up a contemporary romance…
I have been really enjoying Erica Monroe’s historical romances recently. She writes historical romantic suspense about lower class characters in the 1830s. She’s self-published, has quite a few distracting Americanisms in her (English) stories, but she is definitely worth a try. I just bet she’d never get picked up by a publisher because her characters are working class.
I do think changing genres when you’re in a rut is a good idea. However, I still get drawn back to historicals at least every second book!
I’m actually rereading (for the 100th time in twenty years – I had to buy a new copy!) the “making of” book about the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and it’s actually renewed my interest in all things Regency. I don’t actually *love* Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (he does nothing for me physically!), but the book is worth reading just for his sections about how he approached the character, the era and the manners. It’s brilliant.
I do think publishers have gone overboard with encouraging anachronisms. I just scheduled a blog post based on something an Avon editor recently wrote about what she wants from Regency romances. Basically: No historical accuracy. Anachronistic heroines who do everything people of the era would have considered appalling. No following social rules. Heroes who are aggressive…
If I wanted all of that, I’d pick up a contemporary romance…
I have been really enjoying Erica Monroe’s historical romances recently. She writes historical romantic suspense about lower class characters in the 1830s. She’s self-published, has quite a few distracting Americanisms in her (English) stories, but she is definitely worth a try. I just bet she’d never get picked up by a publisher because her characters are working class.
I do think changing genres when you’re in a rut is a good idea. However, I still get drawn back to historicals at least every second book!
I’m actually rereading (for the 100th time in twenty years – I had to buy a new copy!) the “making of” book about the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and it’s actually renewed my interest in all things Regency. I don’t actually *love* Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (he does nothing for me physically!), but the book is worth reading just for his sections about how he approached the character, the era and the manners. It’s brilliant.
I do think publishers have gone overboard with encouraging anachronisms. I just scheduled a blog post based on something an Avon editor recently wrote about what she wants from Regency romances. Basically: No historical accuracy. Anachronistic heroines who do everything people of the era would have considered appalling. No following social rules. Heroes who are aggressive…
If I wanted all of that, I’d pick up a contemporary romance…
I have been really enjoying Erica Monroe’s historical romances recently. She writes historical romantic suspense about lower class characters in the 1830s. She’s self-published, has quite a few distracting Americanisms in her (English) stories, but she is definitely worth a try. I just bet she’d never get picked up by a publisher because her characters are working class.
I do think changing genres when you’re in a rut is a good idea. However, I still get drawn back to historicals at least every second book!
Just noticed how many times I said ‘actually’ in that post…
Just noticed how many times I said ‘actually’ in that post…
Just noticed how many times I said ‘actually’ in that post…
Just noticed how many times I said ‘actually’ in that post…
Just noticed how many times I said ‘actually’ in that post…
Your reads all sound very interesting and I suspect most of them will end up on my TBR. I was inspired by the “Chicks in Pants” posts to reread “Angel Rogue” by Mary Jo, which was a delight. I also read “To Charm a Naughty Countess” by Theresa Romain which is a great book with a totally inappropriate title! The hero is not charming at all(he suffers from social anxiety and is almost a recluse) and the heroine is not naughty. I am really looking forward to the next in the series by Romain, “Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress” because it features an Anglo-Indian hero.
And I was thrilled to find “Almost Perfect”, an e-book compilation of Isabel Mere’s “Almost” series(4 books) on sale for Kindle. I read the first one, “Almost Taken” years ago but never got around to the rest. Although they are set in the Regency, her books are anything but typical in plot and characters.
I did read the first 2 books in Kris Tualla’s “Discreet Gentleman” series which I mentioned last month, and they were real page turners. I recommend them to anyone who is burnt out on the Regency era.
And speaking of Barbara Hambly, she is quite versatile. I never read any of her sci-fi, I know her for her wonderful Benjamin January mysteries, whose hero is a free man of color in pre-Civil War Louisiana.
Your reads all sound very interesting and I suspect most of them will end up on my TBR. I was inspired by the “Chicks in Pants” posts to reread “Angel Rogue” by Mary Jo, which was a delight. I also read “To Charm a Naughty Countess” by Theresa Romain which is a great book with a totally inappropriate title! The hero is not charming at all(he suffers from social anxiety and is almost a recluse) and the heroine is not naughty. I am really looking forward to the next in the series by Romain, “Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress” because it features an Anglo-Indian hero.
And I was thrilled to find “Almost Perfect”, an e-book compilation of Isabel Mere’s “Almost” series(4 books) on sale for Kindle. I read the first one, “Almost Taken” years ago but never got around to the rest. Although they are set in the Regency, her books are anything but typical in plot and characters.
I did read the first 2 books in Kris Tualla’s “Discreet Gentleman” series which I mentioned last month, and they were real page turners. I recommend them to anyone who is burnt out on the Regency era.
And speaking of Barbara Hambly, she is quite versatile. I never read any of her sci-fi, I know her for her wonderful Benjamin January mysteries, whose hero is a free man of color in pre-Civil War Louisiana.
Your reads all sound very interesting and I suspect most of them will end up on my TBR. I was inspired by the “Chicks in Pants” posts to reread “Angel Rogue” by Mary Jo, which was a delight. I also read “To Charm a Naughty Countess” by Theresa Romain which is a great book with a totally inappropriate title! The hero is not charming at all(he suffers from social anxiety and is almost a recluse) and the heroine is not naughty. I am really looking forward to the next in the series by Romain, “Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress” because it features an Anglo-Indian hero.
And I was thrilled to find “Almost Perfect”, an e-book compilation of Isabel Mere’s “Almost” series(4 books) on sale for Kindle. I read the first one, “Almost Taken” years ago but never got around to the rest. Although they are set in the Regency, her books are anything but typical in plot and characters.
I did read the first 2 books in Kris Tualla’s “Discreet Gentleman” series which I mentioned last month, and they were real page turners. I recommend them to anyone who is burnt out on the Regency era.
And speaking of Barbara Hambly, she is quite versatile. I never read any of her sci-fi, I know her for her wonderful Benjamin January mysteries, whose hero is a free man of color in pre-Civil War Louisiana.
Your reads all sound very interesting and I suspect most of them will end up on my TBR. I was inspired by the “Chicks in Pants” posts to reread “Angel Rogue” by Mary Jo, which was a delight. I also read “To Charm a Naughty Countess” by Theresa Romain which is a great book with a totally inappropriate title! The hero is not charming at all(he suffers from social anxiety and is almost a recluse) and the heroine is not naughty. I am really looking forward to the next in the series by Romain, “Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress” because it features an Anglo-Indian hero.
And I was thrilled to find “Almost Perfect”, an e-book compilation of Isabel Mere’s “Almost” series(4 books) on sale for Kindle. I read the first one, “Almost Taken” years ago but never got around to the rest. Although they are set in the Regency, her books are anything but typical in plot and characters.
I did read the first 2 books in Kris Tualla’s “Discreet Gentleman” series which I mentioned last month, and they were real page turners. I recommend them to anyone who is burnt out on the Regency era.
And speaking of Barbara Hambly, she is quite versatile. I never read any of her sci-fi, I know her for her wonderful Benjamin January mysteries, whose hero is a free man of color in pre-Civil War Louisiana.
Your reads all sound very interesting and I suspect most of them will end up on my TBR. I was inspired by the “Chicks in Pants” posts to reread “Angel Rogue” by Mary Jo, which was a delight. I also read “To Charm a Naughty Countess” by Theresa Romain which is a great book with a totally inappropriate title! The hero is not charming at all(he suffers from social anxiety and is almost a recluse) and the heroine is not naughty. I am really looking forward to the next in the series by Romain, “Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress” because it features an Anglo-Indian hero.
And I was thrilled to find “Almost Perfect”, an e-book compilation of Isabel Mere’s “Almost” series(4 books) on sale for Kindle. I read the first one, “Almost Taken” years ago but never got around to the rest. Although they are set in the Regency, her books are anything but typical in plot and characters.
I did read the first 2 books in Kris Tualla’s “Discreet Gentleman” series which I mentioned last month, and they were real page turners. I recommend them to anyone who is burnt out on the Regency era.
And speaking of Barbara Hambly, she is quite versatile. I never read any of her sci-fi, I know her for her wonderful Benjamin January mysteries, whose hero is a free man of color in pre-Civil War Louisiana.
I’m trying to reply to Janice but Typepad keeps throwing me out. But I want to say that I totally understand her complaint–it is the reason so many good authors have gone the indie pub route. Major publishers want authors who write great sex because apparently that’s what the majority of readers want to read. Those of us who prefer character and setting and plot are left to flounder where we will, hence my inability to find good reads so often. I love these posts because I know I can find a few good books to last me another week or two. But I miss historicals with great characterization and the wenches don’t write fast enough. 😉
I’m trying to reply to Janice but Typepad keeps throwing me out. But I want to say that I totally understand her complaint–it is the reason so many good authors have gone the indie pub route. Major publishers want authors who write great sex because apparently that’s what the majority of readers want to read. Those of us who prefer character and setting and plot are left to flounder where we will, hence my inability to find good reads so often. I love these posts because I know I can find a few good books to last me another week or two. But I miss historicals with great characterization and the wenches don’t write fast enough. 😉
I’m trying to reply to Janice but Typepad keeps throwing me out. But I want to say that I totally understand her complaint–it is the reason so many good authors have gone the indie pub route. Major publishers want authors who write great sex because apparently that’s what the majority of readers want to read. Those of us who prefer character and setting and plot are left to flounder where we will, hence my inability to find good reads so often. I love these posts because I know I can find a few good books to last me another week or two. But I miss historicals with great characterization and the wenches don’t write fast enough. 😉
I’m trying to reply to Janice but Typepad keeps throwing me out. But I want to say that I totally understand her complaint–it is the reason so many good authors have gone the indie pub route. Major publishers want authors who write great sex because apparently that’s what the majority of readers want to read. Those of us who prefer character and setting and plot are left to flounder where we will, hence my inability to find good reads so often. I love these posts because I know I can find a few good books to last me another week or two. But I miss historicals with great characterization and the wenches don’t write fast enough. 😉
I’m trying to reply to Janice but Typepad keeps throwing me out. But I want to say that I totally understand her complaint–it is the reason so many good authors have gone the indie pub route. Major publishers want authors who write great sex because apparently that’s what the majority of readers want to read. Those of us who prefer character and setting and plot are left to flounder where we will, hence my inability to find good reads so often. I love these posts because I know I can find a few good books to last me another week or two. But I miss historicals with great characterization and the wenches don’t write fast enough. 😉
I think if you have a favourite genre you will get drawn back hoping to find something that engages you. There are still “different” books out there in historical romance and it’s good to hear about Erica Monroe. I will take a look at those.
I think if you have a favourite genre you will get drawn back hoping to find something that engages you. There are still “different” books out there in historical romance and it’s good to hear about Erica Monroe. I will take a look at those.
I think if you have a favourite genre you will get drawn back hoping to find something that engages you. There are still “different” books out there in historical romance and it’s good to hear about Erica Monroe. I will take a look at those.
I think if you have a favourite genre you will get drawn back hoping to find something that engages you. There are still “different” books out there in historical romance and it’s good to hear about Erica Monroe. I will take a look at those.
I think if you have a favourite genre you will get drawn back hoping to find something that engages you. There are still “different” books out there in historical romance and it’s good to hear about Erica Monroe. I will take a look at those.
Sadly, Janice, it isn’t just you. The changing publishing business has publishers grasping for sales with ever-narrowing paramenters derived from what sells best. Authors who have been writing longer and have established audiences can generally keep writing what they’ve been writing (I’ve never gotten pressure to write more sex or alpha jerk heroes), but newer authors don’t always have as much choice if they want to sell to the big NYC publishers. It’s really sad that a serious reader like you is having so much trouble finding historical romances that aren’t too predictable. Luckily, there are plenty of other kinds of books out there, but the more varied stories may need to be independently published.
Sadly, Janice, it isn’t just you. The changing publishing business has publishers grasping for sales with ever-narrowing paramenters derived from what sells best. Authors who have been writing longer and have established audiences can generally keep writing what they’ve been writing (I’ve never gotten pressure to write more sex or alpha jerk heroes), but newer authors don’t always have as much choice if they want to sell to the big NYC publishers. It’s really sad that a serious reader like you is having so much trouble finding historical romances that aren’t too predictable. Luckily, there are plenty of other kinds of books out there, but the more varied stories may need to be independently published.
Sadly, Janice, it isn’t just you. The changing publishing business has publishers grasping for sales with ever-narrowing paramenters derived from what sells best. Authors who have been writing longer and have established audiences can generally keep writing what they’ve been writing (I’ve never gotten pressure to write more sex or alpha jerk heroes), but newer authors don’t always have as much choice if they want to sell to the big NYC publishers. It’s really sad that a serious reader like you is having so much trouble finding historical romances that aren’t too predictable. Luckily, there are plenty of other kinds of books out there, but the more varied stories may need to be independently published.
Sadly, Janice, it isn’t just you. The changing publishing business has publishers grasping for sales with ever-narrowing paramenters derived from what sells best. Authors who have been writing longer and have established audiences can generally keep writing what they’ve been writing (I’ve never gotten pressure to write more sex or alpha jerk heroes), but newer authors don’t always have as much choice if they want to sell to the big NYC publishers. It’s really sad that a serious reader like you is having so much trouble finding historical romances that aren’t too predictable. Luckily, there are plenty of other kinds of books out there, but the more varied stories may need to be independently published.
Sadly, Janice, it isn’t just you. The changing publishing business has publishers grasping for sales with ever-narrowing paramenters derived from what sells best. Authors who have been writing longer and have established audiences can generally keep writing what they’ve been writing (I’ve never gotten pressure to write more sex or alpha jerk heroes), but newer authors don’t always have as much choice if they want to sell to the big NYC publishers. It’s really sad that a serious reader like you is having so much trouble finding historical romances that aren’t too predictable. Luckily, there are plenty of other kinds of books out there, but the more varied stories may need to be independently published.
Patricia: I was just complaining yesterday that the Wenches (and my other favorite authors) don’t write fast enough! (Of course, I frequently read a book a day, and no one can write that fast — but why let facts get in the way of a good complaint).
To everyone who has contributed ahead of me — So many good suggestions. I too, just finished Kearsley’s “The Splendour Falls” and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Anne, because I didn’t know there was a new Kearsley available.
In order to stay within a reasonable budget, I tend to avoid falling for a new-to-me author — your recommendations are leading me to bend that resolve.
Patricia: I was just complaining yesterday that the Wenches (and my other favorite authors) don’t write fast enough! (Of course, I frequently read a book a day, and no one can write that fast — but why let facts get in the way of a good complaint).
To everyone who has contributed ahead of me — So many good suggestions. I too, just finished Kearsley’s “The Splendour Falls” and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Anne, because I didn’t know there was a new Kearsley available.
In order to stay within a reasonable budget, I tend to avoid falling for a new-to-me author — your recommendations are leading me to bend that resolve.
Patricia: I was just complaining yesterday that the Wenches (and my other favorite authors) don’t write fast enough! (Of course, I frequently read a book a day, and no one can write that fast — but why let facts get in the way of a good complaint).
To everyone who has contributed ahead of me — So many good suggestions. I too, just finished Kearsley’s “The Splendour Falls” and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Anne, because I didn’t know there was a new Kearsley available.
In order to stay within a reasonable budget, I tend to avoid falling for a new-to-me author — your recommendations are leading me to bend that resolve.
Patricia: I was just complaining yesterday that the Wenches (and my other favorite authors) don’t write fast enough! (Of course, I frequently read a book a day, and no one can write that fast — but why let facts get in the way of a good complaint).
To everyone who has contributed ahead of me — So many good suggestions. I too, just finished Kearsley’s “The Splendour Falls” and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Anne, because I didn’t know there was a new Kearsley available.
In order to stay within a reasonable budget, I tend to avoid falling for a new-to-me author — your recommendations are leading me to bend that resolve.
Patricia: I was just complaining yesterday that the Wenches (and my other favorite authors) don’t write fast enough! (Of course, I frequently read a book a day, and no one can write that fast — but why let facts get in the way of a good complaint).
To everyone who has contributed ahead of me — So many good suggestions. I too, just finished Kearsley’s “The Splendour Falls” and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Anne, because I didn’t know there was a new Kearsley available.
In order to stay within a reasonable budget, I tend to avoid falling for a new-to-me author — your recommendations are leading me to bend that resolve.
One reason I like this site so much is that so many writers of whom I am a fan also hang out here. I wouldn’t have grumped as I did if I thought any author here fell into that “same old” category.
Sonya, I went all around the barn not to knock Avon specifically (because they still have, by my standards, one or two good authors) — and then you went and did it. Well done. They *should* be called out for their editorial policies.
One reason I like this site so much is that so many writers of whom I am a fan also hang out here. I wouldn’t have grumped as I did if I thought any author here fell into that “same old” category.
Sonya, I went all around the barn not to knock Avon specifically (because they still have, by my standards, one or two good authors) — and then you went and did it. Well done. They *should* be called out for their editorial policies.
One reason I like this site so much is that so many writers of whom I am a fan also hang out here. I wouldn’t have grumped as I did if I thought any author here fell into that “same old” category.
Sonya, I went all around the barn not to knock Avon specifically (because they still have, by my standards, one or two good authors) — and then you went and did it. Well done. They *should* be called out for their editorial policies.
One reason I like this site so much is that so many writers of whom I am a fan also hang out here. I wouldn’t have grumped as I did if I thought any author here fell into that “same old” category.
Sonya, I went all around the barn not to knock Avon specifically (because they still have, by my standards, one or two good authors) — and then you went and did it. Well done. They *should* be called out for their editorial policies.
One reason I like this site so much is that so many writers of whom I am a fan also hang out here. I wouldn’t have grumped as I did if I thought any author here fell into that “same old” category.
Sonya, I went all around the barn not to knock Avon specifically (because they still have, by my standards, one or two good authors) — and then you went and did it. Well done. They *should* be called out for their editorial policies.
HJ that’s how I responded to the books of Hamish Macbeth — I adored the TV series, and found the books were quite different, and was disappointed. But friends who started with the books first didn’t like the TV series because it was too different. I guess it depends what you start with.
HJ that’s how I responded to the books of Hamish Macbeth — I adored the TV series, and found the books were quite different, and was disappointed. But friends who started with the books first didn’t like the TV series because it was too different. I guess it depends what you start with.
HJ that’s how I responded to the books of Hamish Macbeth — I adored the TV series, and found the books were quite different, and was disappointed. But friends who started with the books first didn’t like the TV series because it was too different. I guess it depends what you start with.
HJ that’s how I responded to the books of Hamish Macbeth — I adored the TV series, and found the books were quite different, and was disappointed. But friends who started with the books first didn’t like the TV series because it was too different. I guess it depends what you start with.
HJ that’s how I responded to the books of Hamish Macbeth — I adored the TV series, and found the books were quite different, and was disappointed. But friends who started with the books first didn’t like the TV series because it was too different. I guess it depends what you start with.
Thanks, Sonya. 🙂
Thanks, Sonya. 🙂
Thanks, Sonya. 🙂
Thanks, Sonya. 🙂
Thanks, Sonya. 🙂
DB, I devoured the CS Pacat books when I first found them — and that was despite my being certain I would hate a male/male book. I didn’t. And I decided she couldn’t have written the very fine story she did if the characters were male and female, because it’s about men and power. The writing is stunning and the characterisation superb. I can’t wait for volume 3 to come out. I attended the Australian launch of Volume 1, and CS Pacat read the first scene of Volume 3 and there was such a hush, as the audience was plunged right back into the moment that Vol 2 had ended with. Mesmerising. There’s some confronting violence and sex in the books, but they’re brilliant, IMO.
DB, I devoured the CS Pacat books when I first found them — and that was despite my being certain I would hate a male/male book. I didn’t. And I decided she couldn’t have written the very fine story she did if the characters were male and female, because it’s about men and power. The writing is stunning and the characterisation superb. I can’t wait for volume 3 to come out. I attended the Australian launch of Volume 1, and CS Pacat read the first scene of Volume 3 and there was such a hush, as the audience was plunged right back into the moment that Vol 2 had ended with. Mesmerising. There’s some confronting violence and sex in the books, but they’re brilliant, IMO.
DB, I devoured the CS Pacat books when I first found them — and that was despite my being certain I would hate a male/male book. I didn’t. And I decided she couldn’t have written the very fine story she did if the characters were male and female, because it’s about men and power. The writing is stunning and the characterisation superb. I can’t wait for volume 3 to come out. I attended the Australian launch of Volume 1, and CS Pacat read the first scene of Volume 3 and there was such a hush, as the audience was plunged right back into the moment that Vol 2 had ended with. Mesmerising. There’s some confronting violence and sex in the books, but they’re brilliant, IMO.
DB, I devoured the CS Pacat books when I first found them — and that was despite my being certain I would hate a male/male book. I didn’t. And I decided she couldn’t have written the very fine story she did if the characters were male and female, because it’s about men and power. The writing is stunning and the characterisation superb. I can’t wait for volume 3 to come out. I attended the Australian launch of Volume 1, and CS Pacat read the first scene of Volume 3 and there was such a hush, as the audience was plunged right back into the moment that Vol 2 had ended with. Mesmerising. There’s some confronting violence and sex in the books, but they’re brilliant, IMO.
DB, I devoured the CS Pacat books when I first found them — and that was despite my being certain I would hate a male/male book. I didn’t. And I decided she couldn’t have written the very fine story she did if the characters were male and female, because it’s about men and power. The writing is stunning and the characterisation superb. I can’t wait for volume 3 to come out. I attended the Australian launch of Volume 1, and CS Pacat read the first scene of Volume 3 and there was such a hush, as the audience was plunged right back into the moment that Vol 2 had ended with. Mesmerising. There’s some confronting violence and sex in the books, but they’re brilliant, IMO.
Janice, have you tried the excerpt booklets that the Historical Romance Networks are putting out? It’s an effort to help readers find work they’ll enjoy, perhaps in books they wouldn’t normally find or try. They’re e-books and free.
There are three here
http://historicalromancenetwork.com/excerptbooklets/
And another that isn’t up there yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Identities-Nineteen-Excerpts-Beverley-ebook/dp/B00UVYSTLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1430507494&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+identities
There will be more.
Janice, have you tried the excerpt booklets that the Historical Romance Networks are putting out? It’s an effort to help readers find work they’ll enjoy, perhaps in books they wouldn’t normally find or try. They’re e-books and free.
There are three here
http://historicalromancenetwork.com/excerptbooklets/
And another that isn’t up there yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Identities-Nineteen-Excerpts-Beverley-ebook/dp/B00UVYSTLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1430507494&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+identities
There will be more.
Janice, have you tried the excerpt booklets that the Historical Romance Networks are putting out? It’s an effort to help readers find work they’ll enjoy, perhaps in books they wouldn’t normally find or try. They’re e-books and free.
There are three here
http://historicalromancenetwork.com/excerptbooklets/
And another that isn’t up there yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Identities-Nineteen-Excerpts-Beverley-ebook/dp/B00UVYSTLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1430507494&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+identities
There will be more.
Janice, have you tried the excerpt booklets that the Historical Romance Networks are putting out? It’s an effort to help readers find work they’ll enjoy, perhaps in books they wouldn’t normally find or try. They’re e-books and free.
There are three here
http://historicalromancenetwork.com/excerptbooklets/
And another that isn’t up there yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Identities-Nineteen-Excerpts-Beverley-ebook/dp/B00UVYSTLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1430507494&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+identities
There will be more.
Janice, have you tried the excerpt booklets that the Historical Romance Networks are putting out? It’s an effort to help readers find work they’ll enjoy, perhaps in books they wouldn’t normally find or try. They’re e-books and free.
There are three here
http://historicalromancenetwork.com/excerptbooklets/
And another that isn’t up there yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Identities-Nineteen-Excerpts-Beverley-ebook/dp/B00UVYSTLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1430507494&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+identities
There will be more.
Barbara Hambley has a lot of great back list to explore.
Barbara Hambley has a lot of great back list to explore.
Barbara Hambley has a lot of great back list to explore.
Barbara Hambley has a lot of great back list to explore.
Barbara Hambley has a lot of great back list to explore.
Love hearing this, SusannahC! Thank you for the wonderful compliment!
Love hearing this, SusannahC! Thank you for the wonderful compliment!
Love hearing this, SusannahC! Thank you for the wonderful compliment!
Love hearing this, SusannahC! Thank you for the wonderful compliment!
Love hearing this, SusannahC! Thank you for the wonderful compliment!