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LizzieAnn
Posts: 2,344
Registered: 10-19-2006
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Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I always enjoy making & receiving book recommendations. Therefore, I thought it would be good to start a thread on contemporary romance book and author recommendations.

Among my recommendations are:

Meg Cabot's books (such as)
• The Boy Next Door
• Boy Meets Girl

Katie MacAlistar's books (such as)
• The Corset Diaries
• Hard Day's Knight

Debbie Macomber

Mary Janice Davidson

Shirley Jump

Jacquie D'Allesandro
Liz ♥ ♥


Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. ~ Francis Bacon
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willofthewisp
Posts: 3
Registered: 11-16-2006
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

If you like fantasy, I just ordered The Snow White Rebellion. It's a lot of action, but that made the romance more realistic to me. In this one, Snow White is actually Michela, and she's fighting back. It's so interesting to have a woman with such a domestic personality serve as a soldier. Yep, she joins the dwarf army and tries to overthrow her stepmother queen. What really made it for me, though, was the romance between Michela and her spy Luca. He's the queen's huntsman, and he's a very clever, very double-dealing kind of guy, almost a cross between Han Solo and Snape from Harry Potter. Only he's also hot. Or that's how I imagined him, lol.


SPOILERS DOWN THE PAGE. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK, READ NO FURTHER







Abigail Rouse, the author, did a really neat thing in making the huntsman a werewolf. He keeps it a secret for a long time and the part when he actually tells Michela is just heart-wrenching. I didn't think I could believe something like that, but I was completely taken in and was rooting for him the whole time.
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Beeku
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-20-2006
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I am not sure if he falls into this category, but... Nicholas Sparks is a fantastic author. The first several books he wrote (dating back 10 years ago) all followed the same "plan." However as he has become a more experienced writer, the flow of the book has become more unexpected as well. His books really go right to the heart and get to the core of the meaing of love. I just finished reading his new novel "Dear John." I defintely recommend this!
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Wrighty
Posts: 1,761
Registered: 10-19-2006
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Richard Paul Evans


Beeku wrote:
I am not sure if he falls into this category, but... Nicholas Sparks is a fantastic author. The first several books he wrote (dating back 10 years ago) all followed the same "plan." However as he has become a more experienced writer, the flow of the book has become more unexpected as well. His books really go right to the heart and get to the core of the meaing of love. I just finished reading his new novel "Dear John." I defintely recommend this!




I really enjoy his books as well but haven't read the newest one. How about Richard Paul Evans? His books remind me of Nicholas Sparks'. I'm almost finished with his newest book "Finding Noel". It's a very easy read and just in time for the holidays. I've been anxious to discuss it and it's a book that's featured here but no one is participating. It's very frustrating.
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willofthewisp
Posts: 3
Registered: 11-16-2006
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Re: Richard Paul Evans

I have to respectfully disagree. I only read "The Notebook," but I didn't care for it too much. His writing seems to simplistic, and I just don't care for that style.
Contributor
alexandria
Posts: 11
Registered: 10-29-2006
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

[ Edited ]
There is that stereotype of men not being able to write really great romance. In this sense, I think that authors like Nicholas Sparks does great romance, but he doesn't connect with readers because of his gender difference. The romance genre was originally created for women, so when a man writes a romance, he usually doesn't touch upon issues that universally women would agree with. For contemporary romance, I would suggest to all contemporary romance readers Sandra Brown, Julie Ortolon's 'Perfect' trilogy, Lori Foster, Susan Donovan, Janet Evanovich, Meg Cabot, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Susan Anderson. For contemporary, I personally would perfer romantic comedies, but some of these authors have written more serious contemporary romance.

Message Edited by alexandria on 12-11-200609:03 PM

Frequent Contributor
shannon_burke
Posts: 87
Registered: 12-20-2006
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I love to read and i don't think i could go a day without reading. So i've read a lot of different authors. Here are some of my favorite.

-Nora Roberts
-Lori Foster
-Johanna Lindsey
-Janet Evanovich
-Jennifer Weiner
-Sandra Brown
-Jennifer Crusie
-Christine Feehan
Shannon~
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willofthewisp
Posts: 3
Registered: 11-16-2006
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I've read plenty of books with healthy amounts of romance by men and women, and I can promise you Mr. Spark's gender has nothing to do with it. John Passarella is a wonderful writer who writes intensely romantic relationships that are realistic. In fact, I would go so far as to say that sometimes men have the advantage when it comes to writing romance. They naturally don't make it overly sappy, and according to psychologists, men fall in love harder and stay in love longer than women typically do. I appreciate their takes on romances. Mr. Sparks, like I said, writes too simply for me. I think it's a little cliched, but no offense to anyone who likes his books. He's successful and I have to respect that.

Anything by Abigail Rouse, John Passarella, and the great Jane Austen are high on my recommendation list.
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CathieLinz
Posts: 18
Registered: 01-27-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

Shannon, have you read Linda Howard's new DROP DEAD GORGEOUS? It's funny and fast-paced. Another good read is MURPHY'S LAW by Lori Foster. You know that Susan Elizabeth Phillips new hardcover NATURAL BORN CHARMER will be out in Feb. right? Cathie
ps my own book BAD GIRLS DON'T is a contemporary romantic comedy that has been getting rave reviews - just got 4 stars from Affaire de Coeur and the Chicago Tribune called it "irresistible."


Learn more about Smart Girls Think Twice.
New User
artiste
Posts: 2
Registered: 01-27-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations


LizzieAnn wrote:
I always enjoy making & receiving book recommendations. Therefore, I thought it would be good to start a thread on contemporary romance book and author recommendations.

Among my recommendations are:

Meg Cabot's books (such as)
• The Boy Next Door
• Boy Meets Girl

Katie MacAlistar's books (such as)
• The Corset Diaries
• Hard Day's Knight

Debbie Macomber

Mary Janice Davidson

Shirley Jump

Jacquie D'Allesandro


Over the holidays I received "Fools Rush In" and found my new favorite author - Kristan Higgins. I wiped away tears when I said good bye to this one because the heroine Millie was so real. The jogging and poison ivy scenes were laugh-out-loud funny and, oh, so painfully real. That sense of humor combined with romance - it was more than worth the price of admission! The down side, its Ms. Higgins first book so I guess I have to wait until the summer for another.
DJK
New User
DJK
Posts: 1
Registered: 01-28-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I like many of these authors also. I would add

Linnea Sinclair (2006 RITA award winner, an absolute favorite!)
Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb
Robin Owens (Heartmate, Heart Thief..etc)
New User
HUMMELL
Posts: 4
Registered: 01-27-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I have Nora Robert from the very beginning, but I was afraid to try DJ Robb, because of it being in the future. I picked up one and now have them all. I can't wait for the next one. I have re-read them all several times and have gotten to know the charaters. Great Stories
brady
New User
HUMMELL
Posts: 4
Registered: 01-27-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I just finished Drop Dead Goregous by Linda Howard, again. She makes us almost sorry for Blair. Linda can make you feel that you are in the story with her chartures I started reading Linda because nothing new was out at the time from my favorite authors. I started with the Mackenzies and tried to get anything else she had written. I feel that I missed some of the Mackenzie's stories, as I could not find a story for Michael and Josh, but they are mentioned in the storeie of Chance and Zane.
brady
New User
Lizziebeth_21
Posts: 4
Registered: 01-29-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I agree with most of the authors that have been suggested, but I have to add one that I didn't see. I really enjoy the Glass Slipper, Inc. books by Donna Kauffman. I like the theme of the modern fairy tale that runs throughout the books. My favorite would be "The Cinderella Rules."

Also, I agree with the Meg Cabot recommendations with the Boy Meets Girl books, but I haven't read the newer ones. I think the title is something like "Size 12 Isn't Fat." I'm not a big fan of the repeat main character in multiple books like that. When I first picked up Every Boy Has One, I was skeptical because I didn't know if I would particularly like reading a series of emails and such. But after I read that, I went and bought all the other ones because I just flew through the first one.
Contributor
Sherrill_Lee
Posts: 14
Registered: 01-29-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

Cathie Linz wrote:
Shannon, have you read Linda Howard's new DROP DEAD GORGEOUS? It's funny and fast-paced. Another good read is MURPHY'S LAW by Lori Foster. You know that Susan Elizabeth Phillips new hardcover NATURAL BORN CHARMER will be out in Feb. right? Cathie
ps my own book BAD GIRLS DON'T is a contemporary romantic comedy that has been getting rave reviews - just got 4 stars from Affaire de Coeur and the Chicago Tribune called it "irresistible."
>>>>>>>>>

I have to recommend Cathie's book, but first read her Good Girls Do. It's such a fun romp with a bad boy on a motorcycle and a librarian with a family you are happy aren't yours! Bad Girls Don't is even better.
Cathie is a pro, and she can juggle humor with sexy like no one else. "Irresistible" is correct!
Sherrill
Frequent Contributor
mayumithrasher
Posts: 103
Registered: 01-27-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations


LizzieAnn wrote:
I always enjoy making & receiving book recommendations. Therefore, I thought it would be good to start a thread on contemporary romance book and author recommendations.

Among my recommendations are:

Meg Cabot's books (such as)
• The Boy Next Door
• Boy Meets Girl

Katie MacAlistar's books (such as)
• The Corset Diaries
• Hard Day's Knight

Debbie Macomber

Mary Janice Davidson

Shirley Jump

Jacquie D'Allesandro




Nora Roberts is my hands-down all time favorite author across all genres (and I have A LOT of books by different authors). I've read and own almost every book (including anthologies) that she's written except for Angels' Fall and Book 2 & 3 of the Circle Trilogy Series. I'm trying to find other authors who can hold my attention the way she has.

Can anyone provide suggestions of specific books to try as opposed to just authors? It's been really hard for me to find a book I enjoy and when I've chosen something randomly I always seem to pick poorly! I've read a lot of Linda Howard but she's getting (a little) boring for me (no offense to any Howard fan) and I no longer seem to be enjoying Barbara Delinsky. I'm looking specifically for contemporary romance.

I'm reading through the replies already posted to find some titles but thought I'd ask just to spark some more suggestions.

Thanks!
Mayumi
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever" Gandhi
New User
Apryl
Posts: 1
Registered: 01-29-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

I just had to list some of my all time favorite authors:

Carly Phillips
Kelley St. John
Debbie MacComber
Susan Mallery
Jane Austin
Kay Hooper
Tess Gerritsen
Nora Roberts

these are just a few of my favorite authors.

Apryl
Apryl

Don't confuse fame with sucess, one is Madonna, the other is Hellen Keller -Emma Bombeck
New User
Pollero
Posts: 3
Registered: 01-29-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

Hi Mayumi (and anyone else who enjoys humor along with their romance): Karen Kandall's single titles are laugh out loud funny. Someone Like Him and I've Got You Babe are 2 of my all time favorites.

Fun and heart-warming? Leanne Banks'Footloose

Action? Cherry Adair's T-FLAC series or Cindy Gerard's Bodyguards

Continuing Character Series: Kate White - funny, witty mysteries - also LOL funny.

Thriller? Tess Gerritsen - Body Double is one I read again and again, but all her stuff is wonderful.

Mystery; Lisa Scottoline - Mistaken Identity is my personal fav, but all her books have been great reads.

Regards,
Rhonda

www.RhondaPollero.com
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Lizziebeth_21
Posts: 4
Registered: 01-29-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations



Pollero wrote:
Hi Mayumi (and anyone else who enjoys humor along with their romance): Karen Kandall's single titles are laugh out loud funny. Someone Like Him and I've Got You Babe are 2 of my all time favorites.

Fun and heart-warming? Leanne Banks'Footloose

Action? Cherry Adair's T-FLAC series or Cindy Gerard's Bodyguards

Continuing Character Series: Kate White - funny, witty mysteries - also LOL funny.

Thriller? Tess Gerritsen - Body Double is one I read again and again, but all her stuff is wonderful.

Mystery; Lisa Scottoline - Mistaken Identity is my personal fav, but all her books have been great reads.

Regards,
Rhonda

www.RhondaPollero.com




I also just picked up the first 4 of Cindy Gerard's The Body Guard series...they were really good. I'm just unsure of whether I want to pick up the one about Manny....he was introduced earlier in the series, but I wasn't too interested in him so I don't know if I would be too interested in his story. Has anyone read it?

I can't wait until the next one comes out...the D of E.D.E.N...I can't recall right now his first name.
Contributor
Sherrill_Lee
Posts: 14
Registered: 01-29-2007
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Re: Contemporary Romance Book & Author Recommendations

Lizziebeth wrote:
I also just picked up the first 4 of Cindy Gerard's The Body Guard series...they were really good. I'm just unsure of whether I want to pick up the one about Manny....he was introduced earlier in the series, but I wasn't too interested in him so I don't know if I would be too interested in his story. Has anyone read it?

I can't wait until the next one comes out...the D of E.D.E.N...I can't recall right now his first name.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I just read the one with Manny, by Cindy Gerard, (Under The Wire, wasn't it?) last week and it was wonderful! Love her books! I couldn't put them down.
Also love Suzanne Brockmann. The first one I ever read was Heartthrob, then read Bodyguard. I really loved them, have reread them. I especially enjoy the Navy Seals ones (and her other ones!) I'm a huge fan :-)
I did take a class from Suzanne, one on writing sequels. That woman plots these sometimes six books in advance! If you are interested in the craft part of writing, Just take one of her books in a series, read it, then immediately read the one before it. I did that by accident and it really brought out how meticulously she plots her books. I am in awe!
So many books, so little time . . . I could go on and on with fav authors and books.
Sherrill