Aussie Readers discussion

August is our ROMANCE month! That's right, for everyone who loves a romance, and even those who don't, there's lots to interest you all. Romantic thrillers, love and romance, romantic suspense, historical romance, classical romance, vampire romance, paranormal romance, YA first love, poetry of love...



Who hasn't been swept away with a wonderful romantic novel/book, curled up in front of the fire or sitting in a favourite chair warmed by the sun, it's those times when reading can be most pleasurable.

But not everyone wants to read Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook), Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind), Stephanie Meyer (Twilight series) or even William Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet).

SO...for those who can't bear the thought of reading a romance novel, and you have a passion/a romance for a topic, could be cooking, craft, dance, mechanics, art, travel, architecture etc, perhaps select a favourite book you've been meaning to get your teeth into.. OR choose your favourite author of all time, doesn't have to be Aussie...and read her/him, just for the love of it!!


Some links to choose from:
http://www.goodreads.com/search?query=Ro...

http://www.theromancereader.com/top100.h...

http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=parano...

http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=vampir...



Also August is the month that the From Here to Eternity - Romance Writers Conference 2011 will be in Melbourne - Aug 11th to 14th Website: http://www.romanceaustralia.com/conference_melbourne.html
So if you wish to support one of our local talent here's a list of Aussie Romance writers - http://www.romanceaustralia.com/authors.html

We've seen some amazing novels transformed into movies, check out the list, you may find one you've been meaning to read:)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fi...





What's romance without some beautiful words/prose, these are some lovely quotes, hope it gets you into the mood for Romance Month in August!!!

"You have absorb'd me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving." John Keats, poet

"Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."
William Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet)

"Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they're gone." Nicholas Sparks

"When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one's self, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance." Oscar Wilde (The picture of Dorian Gray)

"Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music; perhaps . . . perhaps . . . love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath." L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Avonlea)

ENJOY YOUR READING FOR AUGUST

Ohhhh love a good romance - so I'll be in ! just in case someone wants to try a "new" auhtor *cough cough* ... my book will be out mid August :-)

Carmel wrote: "Looks sweet Brenda!!"

Thanks to you and Laura as well, Carmel...:)

Thats wonderful! Im not one for romance books myself, but right now Im in love with Neil Gaiman. Im going to read his book, Anansi Boys for this challenge.

*Not long ago I found out he is happily married. Damn it.

Iris wrote: "Ohhhh love a good romance - so I'll be in ! just in case someone wants to try a "new" auhtor *cough cough* ... my book will be out mid August :-)"

Great news Iris...do a plug...put the link up so we can see:D

★ Jess ★ wrote: "Thats wonderful! Im not one for romance books myself, but right now Im in love with Neil Gaiman. Im going to read his book, Anansi Boys for this challenge.

*Not long ago I found out h..."

Ooohh..that's always the way Jess!!! Maybe he has a son???
Great choice of book too, by the way!!

Brenda wrote: "Iris wrote: "Ohhhh love a good romance - so I'll be in ! just in case someone wants to try a "new" auhtor *cough cough* ... my book will be out mid August :-)"

Great news Iris...do a plug...put t..."

thanx - i'll add the details as soon as i get them :-)

I will be reading the Stray series by Rachel Vincent and The Geek Job by Eve Langlais.

Carmel wrote: "Oh Jess, first it was the biscuits, now it's one of you favourite author's you can't have! Now if that's not a tragedy I don't know what is!!! "

PATRICK NESS IS STILL SINGLE AND HE SHALL BE MINE.

I'm in, not sure what I'll read as it is my main genre. LOL. I could probably just do a list of the 30 odd books I read each month. :D

Great Gabrielle and Sandra....

Sandra, the list of 30 books would be great...give others some ideas ;D

★ Jess ★ wrote: "Carmel wrote: "Oh Jess, first it was the biscuits, now it's one of you favourite author's you can't have! Now if that's not a tragedy I don't know what is!!! "

PATRICK NESS IS STILL SINGLE AND HE ..."

You go girl!!!!! ;D

Iris wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Iris wrote: "Ohhhh love a good romance - so I'll be in ! just in case someone wants to try a "new" auhtor *cough cough* ... my book will be out mid August :-)"

Great news Iris...do..."

Can't wait to see it Iris!!

Weeeheee..another challenge is already here..gaahh..where does the time fly?!

Laura wrote: "Weeeheee..another challenge is already here..gaahh..where does the time fly?!"

Very scary, how time goes so quickly!!!

★ Jess ★ wrote: "Thats wonderful! Im not one for romance books myself, but right now Im in love with Neil Gaiman. Im going to read his book, Anansi Boys for this challenge.

*Not long ago I found out h..."

...and straight.

Oh wait, that's just me, right? :p

Anyone after Australian M/M romance let me know. There's a few out there--including my own: The Secret of Talmor Manor

Michael wrote: "Im in chaps.

Will be reading this one

Fits the bill nicely even if its a long one. Oh well got plenty of time to read it."

Good one Michael...

I read the blurb before, when you first put it up...it sounds goooood...I've added it to MT TBR!!! Up to 208 now....as if...O.o;;

Matthew wrote: "★ Jess ★ wrote: "Thats wonderful! Im not one for romance books myself, but right now Im in love with Neil Gaiman. Im going to read his book, Anansi Boys for this challenge.

*Not long ..."

What you going to read Matthew?

Matthew wrote: "..and straight.

Oh wait, that's just me, right? :p."

Bloody Neil breaking hearts.

Brenda wrote: "Iris wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Iris wrote: "Ohhhh love a good romance - so I'll be in ! just in case someone wants to try a "new" auhtor *cough cough* ... my book will be out mid August :-)"

Great n..."

thx Brenda .... can't wait either .... LOVE the cover already :-)

Oh dear. I don't know about this now. As an avid 'anti-romance' reader, just reading some of the titles of the books on that Top 100 list is making me cringe.......
Oh well, here goes nothing I guess....

I shall cough modestly like Iris... I have two romances available, both as e-books and paperbacks.

Blueprint For Lovewr/as Monya Clayton. Contemporary, set in resort area of Queensland, sexy but not erotic. Hero Paul and heroine Cathy clash!

wr/as Mary Clayton. Historical set in the British colonies of the now-USA. Sweet rating, though there's a few hot kisses and one single fondle. Often described as "unusual". Maybe that's because Mercy, the heroine, can't talk. And the reluctant pirate Edmund has a heart.

I can off the cuff recommend a few of Australian romance author Lindsay Armstrong's older novels: A Difficult Man, An Unsuitable Wife, and Unwilling Mistress.

Brenda's right, of course, check the links.

And Michelle, romances are a different cup of tea these days from when they received the "rubbish" and "bodice ripper" reputations. Dive in!

Monya (aka Mary)

Brenda wrote: "Matthew wrote: "★ Jess ★ wrote: "Thats wonderful! Im not one for romance books myself, but right now Im in love with Neil Gaiman. Im going to read his book, Anansi Boys for this challen..."

L.A. Boneyard by P.A. Brown I think :)

Michelle wrote: "Oh dear. I don't know about this now. As an avid 'anti-romance' reader, just reading some of the titles of the books on that Top 100 list is making me cringe.......
Oh well, here goes nothing I gue..."

Same. I stay well away from romance, and cringe when I walk through the romance section in bookstores, thats why Im reading a book by an author I love, not a romance genre...

ok the only romancy novels I have read are the sookie stackhouse ones...and have been told they are not that romancy lol

But I'm up for something new I shall hunt one down that looks interesting :D

Hmk i'll get one step closer to finishing Austen with Emma

I can't really say what I will read - am going to New Zealand for a month and have 27 books in my kindle with a further 69 in archive if I should run out of reading material - quite a few are romances - I have 3 'Virgin River' books by Robyn Carr which will fit the bill nicely, also Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy which is western with romance :)

Will post what I read when I get back :)

I don't normally read romance but apparently The Scarlet Pimpernel fits into this genre, So I'll probably read that.

OK, here goes - 'How Do I Love Thee? Stories to Stir the Heart.' edited by Valerie Parv.

Call me crazy but I will attempt to read Gone With the Wind

I don't really read romance but I think I might like this one.... if I ever get through it. It's a very big book for Dot to stay focused on. LOL

I'm not sure which books I'll choose yet, but I'm going to commit to reading three Aussie authors published with Mills and Boon. Fiona Lowe for Medical, Nikki Logan for Sweet and Kelly Hunter because I loved "With this Fling".With This Fling...

your crazy dot lol

I loved the movie...I want all her dresses

Melanie wrote: "your crazy dot lol

I loved the movie...I want all her dresses"

You sound like my daughter Melanie. LOL

I'm going to read and probably :)

Michelle wrote: "Oh dear. I don't know about this now. As an avid 'anti-romance' reader, just reading some of the titles of the books on that Top 100 list is making me cringe.......
Oh well, here goes nothing I gue..."

Michelle, and all the others of you who don't read 'romance' as such, don't forget this offer for you to think about.....

SO...for those who can't bear the thought of reading a romance novel, and you have a passion/a romance for a topic, could be cooking, craft, dance, mechanics, art, travel, architecture etc, perhaps select a favourite book you've been meaning to get your teeth into.. OR choose your favourite author of all time, doesn't have to be Aussie...and read her/him, just for the love of it!!

There's some awesome mixtures chosen here...Dot, you are very brave with your choice!!!!

I'm going to read these 2 books for this challenge

Knowledge Lost wrote: "I don't normally read romance but apparently The Scarlet Pimpernel fits into this genre, So I'll probably read that."

Wow, KL. The Scarlet Pimpernel isn't strictly romance, it's historical fiction with a bit of romance along the way. But very skilfully written and a famous story. I read it many years ago. Enjoy!

Monya (aka Mary)

Dot wrote: "Call me crazy but I will attempt to read Gone With the Wind

I don't really read romance but I think I might like this one.... if I ever get through it. It's a very big book for Dot to..."

Hi Dot - it's a big book, yes, but your interest won't fade, I assure you. A masterpiece of historical fiction. As I just mentioned to KL of The S. Pimpernel, there's romance in the story so it qualifies. You'll love it.

Monya (aka Mary)

Mish wrote: "I'm going to read these 2 books for this challenge

"

Mish - "Outlander" is superb. Also long, but a great story.

Ever tried M.M. Kaye's "The Far Pavilions"? Brilliant. Also I'd class it as historical fiction with a romantic element.

Monya (aka Mary)

I'll try Shadowlands and / or Faro's Daughter.

:O does that count as a Romance book Carmel!
If so well I to shall be reading plus its part of my winter challenge :D

Monya wrote: "Knowledge Lost wrote: "I don't normally read romance but apparently The Scarlet Pimpernel fits into this genre, So I'll probably read that."

Wow, KL. The Scarlet Pimpernel isn't stri..."

it was one of the first books on the http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=rom... list, so I'm guessing it will count :)

Great choices everyone!!! Carmel, you'll love your choice!!! :)

Christina wrote: "For anyone looking for a book for the challenge I'd recommend David Nicholl's One Day. I am thinking either Possession by A.S. Byatt or Colleen McCullough's The Th..."</i>

I loved [book:The Thorn Birds when I read it many years ago:)

Monya wrote: "Mish wrote: "I'm going to read these 2 books for this challenge

"

Mish - "Outlander" is superb. Also long, but a great story.

Eve..."

No I haven't read The Far PavilionsMonya but i will look into it. Thankyou

Well, doesn't it all come down to Romanticism vs. Realism? No? Not taking that wide a view of romance for the challenge?
How about... which I spotted the other day when blogging about the GoodReads Dude, Where's My Forehead? list. The title made me laugh.
Hmmm, I may have to go with a serendipitous selection of something suitably heart-marked at the library. Or re-read a Georgette Heyer - can't go wrong there. Maybe or or
Yep, I'm up for this challenge

I just got a tweet from Anna Campbell -- lovely author! -- saying I'd won a copy of Midnight's Wild Passion so that's going to be my challenge read! I can't resist a rake -- and I blame Georgette Heyer :)

Jenny wrote: "I just got a tweet from Anna Campbell -- lovely author! -- saying I'd won a copy of Midnight's Wild Passion so that's going to be my challenge read! I can't resist a rake -- and I bl..."

Congrats Jenny! That's wonderful! Enjoy!!

How does the challenge work? Do we have to read 'x' number of books in the month?