Mid-Continent Public Library discussion

What is your guilty pleasure in romantic fiction? Or the theme you just love to read the most?

I tend to really enjoy the 'grow to love' type of stories rather than the 'insta-love', which I find annoying.

I like my heroines to be brave, smart, and witty. And though not a rule, prefer them to be 'experienced' (typically they are widowed or scandalized in historicals), which is not much of an issue in contemporaries.

I would say that I enjoy the reformed rake trope the quite a bit since I read a lot of regency historicals in which that is prevalent (so I must enjoy it).

As with anything, I think I could easily point to a favorite book with almost any trope and it's easier to point to things I don't enjoy. Like wishy-washy idiotic heroines who can never make up their mind. Or gross mis-understandings that needlessly create the entire drama in the book. Mis-understandings are definitely a big pet peeve of mine in romance novels.

I recently discovered "town stories." (That is just what I call them.) It is a series of books with overlapping characters that can be read out of order but still keep you involved in all the characters. My two current examples of this are the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr and the Hometown Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery.

I like books that are tongue-in-cheek with witty dialogue and steamy love scenes. Some of my favorite authors are Michelle Bardsley, Mary Janice Davidson, Katie MacAlister, and Kristan Higgins, to name a few. The heroines must be plucky, snarky, and take nothin' from no one (bad English, I know).

Jessica wrote: "I recently discovered "town stories." (That is just what I call them.)

I now think in the term "town stories" and have used this in day-to-day conversation.

Anna wrote: "I like books that are tongue-in-cheek with witty dialogue and steamy love scenes. Some of my favorite authors are Michelle Bardsley, Mary Janice Davidson, Katie MacAlister, and Kristan Higgins, to ..."

Can you give a rec on a favorite of one of those? I have not read anything by those authoresses! :)

Courtnie wrote: "Anna wrote: "I like books that are tongue-in-cheek with witty dialogue and steamy love scenes. Some of my favorite authors are Michelle Bardsley, Mary Janice Davidson, Katie MacAlister, and Kristan..."

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you Courtnie! Ok, favorite books by these authors---

Michelle Bardsley: I'm the Vampire, That's Why, first book in the Broken Hearts series about a town in Oklahoma full of vampires, lycans, and romance. Lots of sass here.

Mary Janice Davidson: Best known for her Undead series, you could read this or dive into her awesome (and better) Wyndham Werewolf series, featuring five novellas and a full-length novel, Derik's Bane. Known for her quick and snarky dialogue.

Katie MacAlister: This miss writes everything from contemporary to historical to paranormal, so there's something for everybody. Favorite book to date is The Trouble with Harry.

Kristan Higgins: Who doesn't love animals? Who doesn't love...love? She combines the best of both in her contemporary novels, set in small towns. Just a funny, laugh out loud, make you cry, make you sigh kind of author. Try All I Ever Wanted.

Can anyone (Anna, I'm lookin' at you, Rom RA Queen) recommend excellent romance reads with virgin heroines? They can be spicy or not!

Mariah wrote: "Can anyone (Anna, I'm lookin' at you, Rom RA Queen) recommend excellent romance reads with virgin heroines? They can be spicy or not!"

Is 'virgin heroine' your only criteria? How about sub-genre? Always find historicals with virgins...here are some of my favs...

A Week to Be Wicked - steamy, funny & quirky

A Rogue by Any Other Name - steamy, romantic with a bit of humor too. Amusing situations.


Kiss of the Highlander - Prob my fav of this list...time travel is involved, so you get a little contemporary w/ historical (although not heavy like Diana Gabaldon), humorous moments, swoonworthy moments.

I'll keep my thinking cap on for contemporaries...

Courtnie wrote: "Is 'virgin heroine' your only criteria? How about sub-genre? Always find historicals with virgins...here are some of my favs..."

NICE! Thank you Courtnie (^-^)

I guess sub-genres would help, wouldn't they?? Yes, let's say contemporary rom with virgin heroines. However, I'm definitely going to check out these historical romances you recommended as well!

SWEET! And we have them in Overdrive. That always makes for the best day ever! Holds placed <3

Mariah wrote: "SWEET! And we have them in Overdrive. That always makes for the best day ever!"

Isn't it the best when you find what you want over there? That happened to me today, I was finally in the mood to read Ready Player One and voila! It's on my Kindle ready for my reading enjoyment - I like.

Anna wrote: "Courtnie wrote: "Anna wrote: "I like books that are tongue-in-cheek with witty dialogue and steamy love scenes. Some of my favorite authors are Michelle Bardsley, Mary Janice Davidson, Katie MacAli..."

Thanks Anna! I didn't get a notification on this for some reason, but have moved your recs over to my to-read :) :)