All About Romance discussion

I'm currently reading "Prince of Magic" by Anne Stuart. I've been on a horror kick for a minute but now I'm craving a bit of romance. =P

Mine current read...so far, so good; The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt. Gotta say I love her writing style thus far, and the story is keeping it's momentum! (Absolutely LOVE Edward's character, to a T!)

Finishing off Vision in White by Nora Roberts. It's ok. I started it to take a break from Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran.

I'm reading Dessert Heat by Kat Martin.

Now I'm reading Nicole Jordan's, The Seduction...Very good read thus far :)

I'm reading Tongue In Chic by Christina Dodd and Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen. Tongue in Chic is doing a great job of keeping my interest.

I love Christina Dodd. Ironically, I can remember/recognize that author enough to remember I have enjoyed other books by her :). Don't think I've read Tongue in Chic...title doesn't sound familiar. Must run and examine book! *Dashes away to do just that!*

Me too. She's one of my favorites. I felt like reading a contemporary after enjoying Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas so much. I really like it.

I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lot of good things about this author since then. Ironically, until buying it, I've never heard of her. *Crosses fingers and prays this book is as good as it sounds!*

Mine Till Midnight is very good. LK is a spectacular author. I hope you enjoy her, Jacqueline.

I can't wait to get to it, then! Many have said she's great, and I can be a bit picky at times, sadly, but I will definitely give her a fair shot! (As always, lol.)

Who knows WHEN I'll get to it, though. My TBR and wishlist piles explode every day like they're treated with miracle grow! :)

Oh, yes. My tbr pile has a population control problem!

*Dies laughing* I love it!

Although I'm very thankful for your TBR pile's population issues. I spy on your book shelves quite often! (I SO wish I had the ability to organize my shelves to the detail you do. Sadly it would be impossible for me, since my memory is absolutely horrid! I'm 20 with the memory of an 80 year old :( )

Feel free to spy. I don't get around to putting all the books on shelves, but I try to put the newer books on the right shelves. It's kind of fun to come up with wacky shelf names.

Thanks :)

Actually, that's one of my favorite pasttitmes on goodreads- spying on your creative shelf names! It really helps those us who are picky as to our themes, or are looking for one specific theme. Your shelfs come in exceedingly handy, without question!

I'm glad to hear that. I'm a theme-oriented reader, as you can tell!

Great mind think alike, as I say too often enough!

Although, the comical thing is that while I have been reading for ages, it is only recently that I realized (as a result of one of the threads in this group) I was a "theme reader." Didn't even consciously realize it :)

I think it occurred to me over time, I like certain kinds of stories. What really got me started on theme reading was the All About Romance special title listings:

http://www.likesbooks.com/lists.html

It's totally awesome!

I LOVE this place! I recently found likesbooks a few nights ago and stay up SO late reading older blogs and exploring the site!

...Ooooooo....

*Stares in awe at web page.* I hadn't found this section of the site yet. There goes the rest of my day, LOL! :)

It is terribly addictive. I blame this site for many of the romance novels I own!

I agree! I thought goodreads was bad enough! Man, I kid you not I probably added 50 the first night I browsed around on that place! *Smiles*

I love both these sites, and I love that they both keep me from being bored while online. I think the only frustrating part about it is that, as much as I love goodreads bookswap, a lot of my books on my wislist are simply not available.

But between two sites, that's not bad for there only being one down side between the two of them :)

Right now I'm reading Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas. I love LK and im starting to run out of books of hers to read!

Jacqueline wrote: "I agree! I thought goodreads was bad enough! Man, I kid you not I probably added 50 the first night I browsed around on that place! *Smiles*

I love both these sites, and I love that they both keep..."


I agree with you, Jacquie.

Katie, LK is a divine writer, isn't she?

*Whimpers* I SOOO want to start a Lisa Kleypas book! I swear, ever since I bought Mine Til Midnight as a to-read, I've been seeing praises for this author everywhere!

(Although, I am thankful, that I am enjoying my newest book. After suffering through 206 pages of Kat Martin's Heart of Honor, I've 130 pages since last night of Mary Balogh's At Last Comes Love. I am L-O-V-I-N-G this story thus far!

Although...I just wish I could figure out how to pronounce this author's last name. Ba-LOG? Ba-LOW? (I know, I'm a bit weird to really obsess over a last night pronunciation in my head, but seriously. It be a buggin' me :( )

Either way, regardless, the book rocks! Thus far anyway, and let's keep out fingers crossed it stays that way, because nothing bothers me more when a great story starts sinking faster than the Titanic!

Good Morning, currently reading Shanghai Girls by: Lisa See in the wings waits "A Lady's Scret" by: Jo Beverley.

This is my first time on your group blog, I have enjoyed reading through everyone's comments. Does this group do a romantic book of the month read?
I will continue to enjoy everyones comments, have a wonderful day.

Angel Creek by Linda Howard.

Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lot of good things about this author since then. Ironi..."

Hi Jacqueline, you've got a partner in not knowing of her. I didn't know about her until recently when I joined the HR group. Need to read her much loved work, desperately!

Currently reading One White Rose by Julie Garwood. Its my first Julie Garwood read and am not a happy bunny about it. Hope it turns out as good as the reviews. *fingers crossed*

Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lot of good things about this autho..."

Sonia, Not the best Julie Garwood to start with... For the Roses is the first of that "series" and introduces the orphans and Mary Rose. I enjoyed it quite a bit but her Medievals are by far the best (and that's not just my opinion :))

Laird's Fiances
The Bride
The Wedding
Highland Lairds
The Secret
Ransom
Other Medievals
Saving Grace
Honor's Splendour
The Prize

These are not all her novels just some I really liked and highly recommend

Pamela wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lot of good things ab..."

Thanks Pamela, for the recommendations. Haven't given up on Ms. Garwood as yet. One White Rose just fell into my marauding hands from the romance pile at the second-hand bookfair. Wasn't a deliberate choice *hand on heart* for first read. As you pointed out, one has to know Clayborne history a bit to care for their individual story. I missed that bond.

Have ordered The Secret and The Bride. If they got me glued, you bet I'll lap up the list you shared. And will get back to you with a huge thanks.

Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lot of good things about this autho..."

I'm very glad to know, Sonia, that I'm not the only one! It is amazing to me how many authors I've apparently missed out on. I've since read two of Lisa Kleypas novels, Mine Till Midnight and Someone To Watch Over Me.

I think it's pretty amazing how GR can really open up a reader to so many more authors and themes than they could ever discover on their own. Maybe that's just the nature of the internet, I suppose, but still- goodreads is just plain addictive like that! :)

Jacqueline wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lot of good things ab..."

Hi Jacqueline, I haven't read any of Lisa Kleypas work as yet *sigh*. Am dying of the misery! It would be interesting for you to know that even though she is highly acclaimed and well-loved authoress, I never saw a single title of her at any bookstore in any city that I inhabited. After knowing of her at GR, I found her absence from the shelves rather odd. Romance shelves in my part of the world are a Fabio cover territory it seems *rolls eyes* oh please!

You nailed it with the word addictive! GR is absolute magnetism. I am a regular at some other reading/writing/author sites too but nothings like GR when it comes to people. What lively crowd! And there's always something to learn. Love it here! :)

I'm readingy Then You Hide (Bullet Catcher, #7)
by Roxanne St. Claire. So far it has me hooked. The hero starts off being bad. No, he's not a "bad guy", but he's a good bad boy.

Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I've heard a lo..."

Wow, Sonia, that is very strange indeed! I'm surprised that you hadn't heard of this author, either. I'm not sure where you live in comparision, but I live in a VERY small town. Seriously- it's so small that I have to note myself as living in a town about 5 miles away for anyone to know just where the heck I am. As such, it's merely a few houses plopped together and called a town, so for necessities, I need to go to said 5-mile away town.

Problem is, that town, too, is only just a bit bigger, and in it the only thing close to a bookstore we have is Wal-Mart and a little Hallmark store that sells a pathetic assortment of books. But, thankfully enough, they have one section of romance, so before my introduction to PBS and GR, that was my main squeeze for books. *Laughs*

As such, in either place, I never once spotted a Lisa Kleypas novel. I'd remember, because like you, I'm not fan of the stand-alone Fabio-clones on cover. I want something romantic, original, creative, imagination-inducing. Not Fabio's brother :|. (As such, I feel extreme pity for your poor eyes having to deal with said Fabio-ness-nessing!)

Give me art, or give me death! LOL

Aw, thanks, *smiles.* And I really do believe GR is a place for addicts, and as such, it's equally addictive! In a way, I have three sites that are my go-to every time I'm online. GR, PBS, and AAR.

I look at PBS like my Used Book Store, my AAR like my streaming CNN coverage of the romance book world, and GR like my own personalized library! LOL That, with all the wonderful features this place has, it's absolutely like a "myspace" for book junkies!

My favorite aspect, though, is that I can message other GR friends with questions as to their personal thoughts, or a synopsis of the book (if one is absent) of one I'm interested in that they haven't read. It really has helped me in giving me a better chance at avoiding first-person written books. (I can't get into FP, so through GR, I'm able to find out more information on a book long before buying it.)

I'm like you, Sonia, for I'll tinker around at other book sites, and explore around on places, seeing what's out there. But in every comparable example, GR still holds far better organization and structure than any site I've ever found! :)

Jacqueline wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've actually bought a Lisa Kleypas, Mine Til Midnight I believe, for I liked the sound of the synopsis. I've yet to read it, but I..."


Hi Jacqueline, its lovely to know about you. I guess we have to move our disscusions someplace else before the mods block our ongoing "Jacqeline wrote: Sonia wrote: Jacqueline wrote: Sonia wrote" thing! *Chuckles*

My town isn't as small for the obvious reason that am from India. In my country even the hamlets are larger in 'hut numbers' than moderately inahabited towns in Europe or NA, courtesy: ever growing Indian population. But I miss out on books because there is no decent library around. The bookstore is more of a techical/medical bookshop, so... :(

The feeling of finding GR is mutual *shakes hand*. I like to take a peek at AAR once a day too, mainly because of the author interviews. The other two regular bookmarks are Romantic Times, love the writers articles there and Judith McNaught Forum, the girls there discuss McNaught line by line! Even Ms. McNaught used to write and interact there regularly, but its been long. Best place to be if you are McNaugtised.

But like you said, nothing beats GR in structure and organised overflow of info. *Hail*

Thanks for the sympathy over lack of non-fabio covers. *Flutters eyes to get rid of the image it creates instantly!* You know, I so love step-back covers! With a beautiful scenery or some artwork on the outside, and hero & heroine in an heartwarming, dreamy embrace on the inner flap. Rare it seems nowadays, but worth the price even if the novel turns out duh! :)

Aw, thanks Sonia! LOL And it's lovely to know about you, as well :).

*Laughs* I hadn't realized it was turning into a Sonia wrote:Jacqueline wrote continuous post! But I bet if the mods aren't too keen on it, they'll tell us! :) LOL

*Chuckles* Kind of ironic, isn't it? You live in a large town, while I live in a tiny one, and we are book deprived. That has got to suck not even having a decent library! Ours is a joke, but its somewhat doable as far as a selection goes. I can definitely relate in regards to the bookstore fiasco goes. It's as frustrating as it is depressing, no doubt!

You are 100% right about goodreads! I swear this place is addictive! It really is the idealistic stomping ground for book lovers.

I, too, love AAR and Romantic Times! I've been a memeber of AAR for a while now- LOVE their blogs! As for Romantic Times, I've only recently discovered that site but, from what I've seen, it's awesome!

I'm actually not sure I've read many Juith McNaught novels. The author doesn't sound familiar, but with my memory who knows, lol. The only two authors I know off-top are Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward (the only two authors I consider myself a fan of.) That's not to say I don't enjoy others, such as Lisa Kleypas, Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn, Jo Beverly, etc., it's just that I don't consider myself a "fan" of their works :).

*Nods in agreement* Yep, yep- Fabio covers had their place and time, no doubt, but they're not necessarily favorites of mine, no doubt! I love wistful covers, unique, breathtaking covers. And while I love couple-embracing covers, I'm more for the understated, more believable covers. Some of the covers from the 80s and 90s were just so over the top, in my opinion, that they were almost comical! :)

Hey Jacqueline have you been to Library Thing? I discovered that one recently and its quite similar to GR. Guess its the matter of where you stumble upon first. Am a sworn GoodReader, period. :)

Oh I know what you mean by those comical ones!*laughs* Would you like to share some of your fav covers? Here's a new thread devoted to them:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

You would be surprised, I haven't read a single title of any of the Authors you mentioned :( But I'll rectify the shortcoming at the first break of oppurtunity! :) Have heard a lot about them though.

About Ms. McNaught, well that's my territory! *head high with 'atleast I know McNaught' at last* Her writing style is engrossing. Also I love Virginia Henley. Even though I have read other famed authors like Stephanie Laurens, Johanna Lindsey, Amanda Quick and some more, am not much impressed as a HR addict. What more to say, I have read their awardwinning work and had to force myself to finish the book! What's that kind of cruelty is called? :D

Sonia wrote: "Hey Jacqueline have you been to Library Thing? I discovered that one recently and its quite similar to GR. Guess its the matter of where you stumble upon first. Am a sworn GoodReader, period. :)

..."

Actually, I think believe I had. The place is no doubt familar, and I had stumbled onto GR first- but I remember thinking either way that goodreads seemed more organized and detailed compared to librarything.com

*Laughs* Like you I am a dedicated Goodreader! :)

As for the covers, none come to mind immediately. Sadly enough, I have a rather bad memory- which is why I'm so thankful for goodreads. Otherwise I'd have forgot half of what I've read in my short little 20 years! *Laughs* But whenever I stumble across one, or remember, I'll definitely contribute! :)

Oh, good Lord! None of the authors?! Wow, hon, you are deprived! But I was once there, and still have a lot more authors to try out! But I think those types of things make reading so fascinating. It's incredibly fun to try new books and writing styles, and ensures its never boring!

Actually, I vaguely remember Wicked by Amanda Quick, and I refused to finish Stephanie Laurens book To Distraction. As such, I tossed it into my tried and failed book shelf, and didn't finish reading it. I'm dead-set against finishing a book I hate- there are too many other books I'm dying to get to for me to waste my time on a book that I'm not happy with :).

And, to answer your question, that kind of cruelty is known as Round Two of Spanish Inquisition :). It's very much not widely advised. LOL

Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart.

One Reckless Summer (Destiny, #1)
by Toni Blake (Goodreads Author)

I`m doing a reread of All the Kings Men by Linda Howard

Kathy Anne wrote: "I`m doing a reread of All the Kings Men by Linda Howard"

How's the irresistible sexy man - John Medina, is doing a second time around?

I'm reading Something About You by Julie James. This is a new author to me. I'm going to try to finish this book and then write my review. I might write one on Goodreads.