Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Finishing up from another group read. Didn't read the previous books so it was a little hard to get into the novel it is an okay read so far.

Starting a new series by Elizabeth Hoyt

Currently reading in our BR this group. Really enjoying it. We're at 79% and still haven't figured what the heroine is up to.

On audio I am listening to #6 Jane Yellowrock series. Fabulous UF.

I'm not reading much HR right now, but I'm about to start Say Yes to the Marquess, by Tessa Dare for an October challenge I'm doing

I'm keen to read the final Maiden Lane novel by Elizabeth Hoyt that is coming out tomorrow. Duke of Desire Otherwise I've been reading the latest Nia Forrester book in her fantastic Commitment series (CR). The Takedown . I really liked it. (But it's best to at least read The Come Up before that one.)

Are they very different from the Kylie Scott series Stage Dive, Jan?

Yeah, quite different. I love this series. It's set in the US hip-hop industry, behind the scenes. So NOT MY SCENE! Weird, huh! But Nia Forrester is a fantastic writer. Her characters are real, grown-up, very human people with fascinating and complicated lives. The first one I read was The Come Up, and I really liked it, but I love the other books too. My favs are Afterwards and Afterburn. OMG I'm in love with Chris Scaife.

And I liked her Acosta books too. I know it's not HR, (well, you did ask, Ally, LOL) but more people need to read Nia Forrester.

Jan130 wrote: "Yeah, quite different. I love this series. It's set in the US hip-hop industry, behind the scenes. So NOT MY SCENE! Weird, huh! But Nia Forrester is a fantastic writer. Her characters are real, gro..."

Does her Commitment series have to be read in order?

Jan130 wrote: "Yeah, quite different. I love this series. It's set in the US hip-hop industry, behind the scenes. So NOT MY SCENE! Weird, huh! But Nia Forrester is a fantastic writer. Her characters are real, gro..."
They sound great- and I do like hiphop, weirdly enough. It's on in the house all the time (my kids) so I actually "get" a lot of it. Tho I am not a Kanye fan. LOL. I will definitely investigate this series. Thanks for the tip, Jan!

Kathy wrote: "Does her Commitment series have to be read in order?"

Not necessarily. I actually randomly read The Come Up first, which is book #6. That was the book that hooked me in, then I went back to the prequels. But I guess for maximum enjoyment they should be read in order. Afterwards certainly should be read before Afterburn, and The Come Up should def be read before The Takedown.

Hope you enjoy. I love sharing fav authors with my book buddies. If any of you get as much enjoyment as I have from this series, that will be great! :)

I'm reading - it's cute!

Ally wrote: "Ursula wrote: "J Tho I am not a Kanye fan. LOL. I will definitely investigate this series. Thanks for the tip, Jan! "

Thank god for that. I was going to have to unfriend you if you were."
LOL. He is such an arrogant, shallow jerk. There are far better hip-hop artists who actually walk the talk.

Ally wrote: "Jan130 wrote: "IForrester book in her fantastic Commitment series (CR). The Takedown The Takedown by Nia Forrester. I really liked it. (But it's best to at least read The Come Up before that one.) ..."

Haha. Believe me, I'm not a hiphop fan. Rarely listen to it or know much about it. (Except I have heard of Kanye..... I don't really live under a rock!) But it doesn't really matter in the least when reading these books. They totally stand up on their own as really well-written, interesting, engaging CRs. I'm rereading the series as we speak.

Have also started Duke of Desire. It's going OK so far. Big focus on the Lords of Chaos in this one.

I'm reading one of the few Mary jo Putney's books I haven't red yet, The bargain...and once again I must admit that the story is compelling, characters are strongly defined and she is one of my favourite always!

Just finished reading "Fool Me Twice" by Meredith Duran. I don't like the cover. It was too fluffy for what the book was. It needed some dark Duke..handsome of coarse. I believe I read it because of the Title. Her story line was great. The detailed sex was unnecessary or it should have been toned down. I believe this is so because I can't really remember them...to me that means they were not needed and could have been described differently. It was a great story though... Loved the way she saved him and he saved her!!!Fool Me Twice

I borrowed Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James from the library. This is the last of her fairytale retellings. So far, good. H is a Virgin and a Scot and I like that.

Just finished Twice As Wicked by Elizabeth Bright and I loved it! The hero was awkward/virgin/beta, which was a nice change from all the rakes and dukes (which I also love, don't get me wrong!). And it was surprisingly funny.

Now I'm moving on to something completely different: Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt. I really don't want to say goodbye to the Maiden Lane series. *sniffle*

Ally wrote: "Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "Finishing up from another group read. Didn't read the previous books so it was a little hard to get into the novel it is an okay read ..."

@Ally It was a good read although I should have started with books in series before this one. HR is my comfort zone so I decided to try a romantic suspense for a change Was quite different

Priya wrote: "I borrowed Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James from the library. This is the last of her fairytale retellings. So far, good. H is a Virgin and a Scot and I like that."

Priya I think you will like I audio'd and really enjoyed the listening

I am currently listening to The Black Hawk on my commutes.

I am reading Romancing Mister Bridgerton and Winter since the YA book is not holding my interest like the prior three books did.

I am also listening to Running Out of Time with my 6 year old daughter.

Hailey wrote: "Just finished Twice As Wicked by Elizabeth Bright and I loved it! The hero was awkward/virgin/beta, which was a nice change from all the rakes and dukes (which I also love, don't ge..."

I am going to add this to my list of books to read. Sounds like my type of hero!

Because I really enjoyed Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage, I continued on with the series. I'm up to The Seduction Of Elliot McBride and I'm stuck, like, I'm up to Chapter 4 and I'm not enjoying it at all! And, to anyone who's read this series, is it okay for me to skip this book?

Ally wrote: "I'm attempting in audio. Had to stop at the halfway point today. Just needed a break from it.

Just started [bookcover:How the Marquess Wa..."

I adore the Pennyroyal Green series! :) I don't think I've read the last book yet though!

Ally wrote: "Priya wrote: "I borrowed Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James from the library. This is the last of her fairytale retellings. So far, good. H is a Virgin and a Scot and I like that."

..."

They got married just now and Layla(heroine's mother) left to visit her parents. At this point, I am more interested in Layla than the MCs😬

That's one I had my eye on, Ally. Good luck! I just finished At the Christmas Wedding for some goodfeels. And I got them (no Sherry Thomas Angst here). Got it for the Caroline Linden and Katherine Ashe stories, too. They were all sweet, but I liked Ashe's the best. These girls regularly put together anthologies under the moniker The Lady Authors. Girl Power!

Ally wrote: "Jean wrote: "Just finished reading "Fool Me Twice" by Meredith Duran. I don't like the cover. It was too fluffy for what the book was. It needed some dark Duke..handsome of coarse. I believe I read..."

So you didn't like A Lady's Code of Misconduct? It's one of my favourites.

I like to think of my reading choices as a seesaw between romance and SF/F. Because that's how I feel about it emotionally.

The romance end is occupied by
1. Delicious. I adore Verity so much. But I'm halfway through and getting really freaking impatient about the reveal delay. This is just needless and artificial plotting tension.
2. The Duke's Holiday. Re-read. Exactly as funny and irrelevant as I remember it being the first time around. Prose is a little clunky, but the characters more than make up for it.
3. Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances: Slowly working my way through the first story.

SF/F has
1. Remember the Dust and The Brightest Fell, both lovely books I was forced to stop halfway through because of irl issues and am struggling to pick back up again.
2. Malice, for a buddy read. I have barely started this one.
3. Humans Wanted

Others, placed precariously at the centre of the seesaw;
1. Deadly Class #1
2. The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat (mutters vaguely about reading challenges due in October)
3. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. At the rate I'm going I'll probably finish this one in 2019.

Just started my read of How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days by Laura Lee Guhrke

Reading and enjoying it quite a bit...I had heard mixed reviews

is finished

Now reading by Laura Lee Guhrke so far it is a good read

I couldn't wait till november haha for November BOTM

Also reading

Guilty Pleasure Reads wrote: " I couldn't wait till november haha for November BOTM

Also reading

"

LOL That will be a re-listen for me enjoyed Shadow Music by JG read some time ago

Ally wrote: "Just started - first Christy English read for me. Have you read this author or this.."

I have not read Christy English before, but I thought The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen slow going at first. The heroine was difficult to like, but I ended up really liking her.

Ally wrote: "Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "Just started my read of How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days by Laura Lee Guhrke"

Love this book! It took ..."

Hi Ally as a matter of fact I did enjoy it very much

Reading and so far the heroine is not to my liking and probably has good cause but Hoping she lightens up soon lol

I’m listening via Hoopla to The Crusader's Bride by Claire Delacroix.

This is my first experience with this author. I’m enjoying it!

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I’m listening via Hoopla to The Crusader's Bride by Claire Delacroix.

This is my first experience with this author. I’m enj..."

Oh, how fun! I look forward to your updates! I am going to start listening to The Crusader's Heart, the next in the series, today.

I have also started The Right Kind of Rogue, which will complete my run of over-requesting ARCs from NetGalley. That has been an overwhelming problem, entirely of my own making.

@ Andrea (Catsos Person) and Joanna: I'm so glad you are enjoying Delacroix's books. I bet they are fun read aloud. Yay :) I have the final two in the series to read yet.

Right now, I'm reading by Katharine Ashe. I am taking forever, but it isn't the author's fault. Ashe's lush writing style is perfect for the gothic castle setting. I just need to set aside time to read!!

Reading my first book by Betina Krahn (an ARC I snagged) A Good Day to Marry a Duke

I'm only at about 20% but really liking it. Kind of different from my usual choice with an American heroine.

Ally wrote: "Love this book! It took me two reads to love it, but finally, I got it. Hope you are enjoying."

Ally! That happens to me too! I go back for a second read and when I know/understand the characters better sometimes find I like the book much better overall. e.g. with Lisa Kleypas and Sherry Thomas.

Moving on to , I was marking the previous book read when I found this one is about the Duke of Leighton :)

Finished by Laura Lee Guhrke....2.5 - 3 Stars
my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now Reading Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

and listening to Thief of Shadows...a re-read on this one and will probably love it still.

I started reading Wilde in Love.

Ally wrote: "Joanna wrote: " The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen slow going at first. The heroine was difficult to like, but I ended up really liking her. "

Good to know. I'm keeping on an..."

I am actually starting The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen today. I am going to listen. That usually works best for me when it starts out slow.

Ally wrote: "Priya wrote: "I started reading Wilde in Love."

I'm curious to see how this one goes. I've sworn off EJ but you have me curious. Please share what you think."

I recently read all her fairytale retelling and liked all those books. So, I didn't have trouble picking up this one and I am not disappointed so far. Love the heroine.

Winterblaze - All hail Callahan for a little PNR HR.

and

I keep staring at In For a Penny and The Governess Affair, but haven't started. Anyone want to shove me?

And for an author some think should stick to HR: Blue-Eyed Devil I began reading this today as well.

Feeling a little all over the place...

Sam (AMNreader) wrote: "Winterblaze - All hail Callahan for a little PNR HR.

and

I keep staring at In For a Penny and The Governess Affair, but haven't started. Anyone wa..."

shove shove LOL

I loved The Governess Affair! The next in the series, The Duchess War, is my all-time favorite romance.

For myself, I'm starting Wilde in Love later today.

I am reading a novella, A Lady's Guide to Skirting Scandal by Kelly Bowen, and am listening to The Crusader's Heart by Claire Delacroix. I have also started At the Christmas Wedding, an anthology of novellas by Caroline Linden, Katharine Ashe and Maya Rodale. I am on the first, which is Linden's.

Renae, Lady Disdain wrote: "I loved The Governess Affair! The next in the series, The Duchess War, is my all-time favorite romance.

For myself, I'm starting Wilde in Love later..."

Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "Sam (AMNreader) wrote: "Winterblaze - All hail Callahan for a little PNR HR.

and

I keep staring at In For a Penny and The Governess Affair, but ha..."

Thank you both. I will definitely be checking out the novella soon.

I'm listening to The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn. According to the reviewers, Sir Richard Kenworthy is not a likable hero, which is why I've been hesitant to begin it. Since the audiobook was available at my library, I'd thought, "Why not?" Plus, I will finally get to finish this series.