Comments on: If You Like Judith McNaught, Historicals . . . Hosted by Loonigrrl

By: Beverly

Beverly — Sun, 20 May 2012 23:23:20 +0000

To all Judith McNaught fans looking for another great author
try Monica McCarty books, you will not be disappointed.

By: Marisa

Marisa — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:43:44 +0000

I absolutely adore Judith McNaught…wish she would write more historical books. I have read her books over and over. I am a historical romance reader but like most of you have tried to find an author similar to her with plot and writing style. Linda Francis Lee has a set that is my second favorite under Judith’s books. She wrote “Dove’s Way”, “Swan’s Grace” and then “Nightengale’s Gate”. The books are about three brothers who find love in very different heroines and circumstances. Very similar character traits to Judith’s books.

By: marylou mawson

marylou mawson — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:02:27 +0000

thanks for this website! I am always looking for new authors. The only author I have ever found to equal JM is Laura Kinsale. She is also incomparable. I become obsessed with her books and the characters in them in the same way as I have with JM. I love all JM books without exception only because after trying other authors I found that my least favorite of JM’s books to be far superior to other authors, especially on subsequent readings. For me it is the same with Laura Kinsale they get better with subsequent readings. With that said, I will just mention my other favorite authors – Sandra Brown-Sexy suspense can’t put down page turners
Karen Robards-ditto
Kat Martin
Amanda Quick
Jennifer Crusie
and still in my keeper pile Katheleen Woodiwiss and Jude Devereaux
P.S. Also loved Mac Taggerts story in Simple Gifts, and have reread it several times!

By: Margie

Margie — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:52:08 +0000

I’m so glad to have come across this blog post. Thank you, Jane, for creating this very helpful post. Well done in analyzing Judith McNaught. I first learned of her in high school (early 90s) and decided to re-read her books recently. More than a decade later, she is still by far, my fave author when it comes to historical romance. I wish she’d go back to writing historicals. The suggestions here on similar authors are brilliant. Thank you so much for this post.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:27:08 +0000

I highly recommend Pamela Clare’s McKinnon series starting with Surrender. Her writing will have you wanting to read every book she has written. She also has a suspense romance that is absolutely out of this world. Her book Breaking Point was phenominal but begin reading the first book in this series. Go to Goodreads and put in Pamela Clare in the search section. You won’t be sorry.

By: Dominika

Dominika — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:32:22 +0000

I looove Judith McNaught and she is by far my favourite romance author, I love both the historical and contemporary books. There are a few books that I like to re-read as much as JM. But here are a few:
Sweet Liar – Jude Deveraux (apparently under the guidance of JM), contemporary, I like Jude and have a read a lot of her books but only go back to a chosen few
Say you love me – Johanna Lindsey (I have 5 copies of that book because I keep moving it and need a re-read fix every so often), heroine isn’t a stunner
Saving Grace – Julie Garwood, for the feel good factor
Meredith Duran – really been getting into her books recently but Duke of Shadows is the best
Thunder and Roses – Mary Jo Putney – looove this book – the rest of the Fallen Angel series isn’t as good IMHO but still worth a read
Plus there are a few short story gems:
Jude Deveraux – Invitation, the story from Cale, is a hoot
Jude Deveraux – Simple Gifts – The story of Mac Taggert
Would love to read some more Judith McNaught but will have to cope with re-reads.

By: Gladdylyn

Gladdylyn — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:52:19 +0000

I love JM’s novels! First one I read was Until You. I thought
that was the greatest, until I’ve read the rest of her books. I have no favorite after that. Each one holds a special place in my heart.

After I ran out of her books to read, I ventured out into reading other authors’. And if I actually like them, I’ll buy all their books. So far, here’s a list of the authors I watch out for:

Susan Elizabeth Phillips – angst is so high for Kiss An Angel and Lady Be Good…This Heart of Mine was also fabulous! Her series about this football players are really hot too…
Lisa Kleypas – I would say out of all the authors here, she’s pretty close with the angst and the humor is also good. Love scenes are tastefully done.
Julia Quinn – I find myself constantly laughing while reading her books. She’s got a sense of humor…
Kat Martin – she writes awesome historical romance, most of them with angst too…
Johanna Lindsey – hit and miss, but her earlier books are fanatastice. I especially loved Fires of Winter, Secret fire and So Speaks the Heart
Tracy Anne Warren – The Byron Series, especially Seduced by His Touch
Sarah Maclean – new author, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake…stumbled on it and it’s very good!
Jude Deveraux’s Velvet Series is a must read too!

By: lurvchocolate!

lurvchocolate! — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:21:47 +0000

@Patricia: June Lund Shiplett’s books sound great!!! But I can’t seem to be able to find the books anywhere. Care to give me a link??? I really want to read her books!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:46:59 +0000

The only other author who grabbed me with emotional heartstrings as Judith McNaught was June Lund Shiplett. Although June’s books are not regency historicalromance, they are based on the American colonial period with so much emotion, the characters stand out but don’t let this dissuade you from reading any of her books beginning with Reap the Bitter Winds and all other books completing this series. You will feel every gut wrenching emotion but what is more poignant is that you become so involved and engrossed in the adventure that you feel you are one and part of the story.

June Lund Shiplett…what can I say. She is gone but never forgotten. Her writings just stay with you because you get so involved with the story that you imagine yourself being the heroine in each of her books which was so powerfully written. Her series beginning with the Raging Winds of Heaven began my journey of wanting to read everything written by this author. You felt every adventure and lordy, there were adventures to be had. You laughed. You felt every heart wrenching tear. You felt pain and you felt love. You felt every injustice. You felt every victory. You just felt every emotion because you became so involved in the story line from beginning to end. That’s just how powerful this woman captured her audience, the reader. The only other author who captured me in such a way was Judith McNaught. June’s writings were the journey of one woman’s life which transpired over time through every book in this series from when she was young to when she was old. You pictured yourself right there at that moment aging along with her, feeling along with her. I can not describe further the impact you’ll feel after reading her books. She was one powerful author. Thank you June! You have begun a new journey in heaven!

By: Scarlett

Scarlett — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:53:25 +0000

Hello!
I also love JM’s books especially Almost Heaven. This is the first book I’ve read it and the one I like the most.This book made me feel even more sorry that I wasn’t born in that period of time. At the time I found the book I didn’t even know there are other books preceding this one and I was pleasently surprised when I discovered that Something Wonderful is the story of Alexandra and so on. I do hope I find here other books in the same style.
As someone said before, I’m glad I’m not alone and that there are others in search of romance in their lives.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:15:39 +0000

@abby: You might like Madeline Hunter's Rules of Seduction. The heroine is very pragmatic. Also Joan Wolf.

By: abby

abby — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:12:51 +0000

JMcnaught, is one of my first romance authors that and i must say she is a hard one to beat. i’m kinda bummed about the whole thing since i keep comparing all books that i’ve read ever since. and though none have come at par (in my opinion) with her, i like SEP’s book, esp aint she sweet, nobody’s baby but mine, natural born charmer and etc. i also like julie garwood’s laird fiancees series, i like kisa kleypas’ wallflowers series.

i’m a real hard reader to please, i want the books i read to have a sense of practicality in them not with too much male bravado and certainly none of those dull witted female leads. sooo i’m really please to have stumbled upon this site. gives me a sense of peace that i’m not alone.

By: Joie

Joie — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:01:07 +0000

Just discovered this site/post while searching for recommended reads similar to Judith McNaught. Great forum and excellent post (loonigrrl)!! Thanks for the recommendations!
I do have to say that I cannot understand, for the life of me, how JM can be “comparable” to Julie Garwood. I love the intelligence and wit that JM brings to her stories and the depth of character and plot that she weaves. Garwood’s heroines alone make me want to shake some sense into them. Sorry to those fans of hers, but I really did try to like her!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:33:24 +0000

I DO hold all books to the standard of Judith Mcnaught,in fact I can’t think of another author whose books I dream of even after I’ve turned the last page, I will read some of the above noted material. I have actually left the “romance arena and began reading my teenage daughthers books. I highly recommend “The Hunger Games” I haven’t liked a book this well since “Paradise”. Happy reading and Thx for all the suggestions. Amy

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:05:46 +0000

Hi Jane,

I found the new info on THE ASSASSIN that is it being published in Spring 2012 here:

http://www.rnovelaromantica.com/index.php/component/content/article/10252

This Romance website in Spanish interviewed her June 207 2011. I hope you understand Spanish. :)

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:12:10 +0000

@Jenny: I love Elizabeth Elliott. She has a book coming out called the Assassin. Not sure when the release date is. Her website (it's flash with auto music so beware) says Spring 2011. Whoops. I see you have more up to date information than I.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:09:37 +0000

Elizabeth Elliott’s writing reminds me of both Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood, though more of McNaught. It has some of the humor and sweetness of Garwood’s as well as Mcnaught’s angstyness

Medieval trilogy by Elizabeth Elliott

1. THE WARLORD by Elizabeth Elliott – favorite of the favorites for me.
2. THE SCOUNDREL
3. THE ASSASSIN is supposed to be published in May 2012, hopefully.

THE BETROTHED is set in regency times and it is about the descendants of THE WARLORD.

By: Aimzster

Aimzster — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:38:28 +0000

Glad I stumbled upon this website.

JM will always be my favourite historical romance author. Something Wonderful set me on the path of my historical romance obsession and I’m devastated that JM has stopped writing them. I’m not a fan of her contemporaries unfortunately.

At the time I was reading JM’s historicals, I also fell in love with Jude Deveraux’s Montgomery series, although not on the same scale.

It’s been tough finding an author like JM. Julia Quinn is probably at the top at the moment and while I know that she’s renowned for her witty interaction between characters, I find it a bit too ‘fluffy’ and I get impatient, waiting for something – anything – to happen!

At the moment, I’m going through Teresa Medeiros’ books. Her ‘After Midnight’ really struck a chord in me and I am reminded of JM’s sensual, charismatic heroes. While TM is my favourite author of historical romances at the moment, she doesn’t compare to JM.

By: mookles

mookles — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:27:05 +0000

If you liked Kingdom of Dreams you should definitely read Whitney, My Love and Until You. Once and Always is also good but not one of my favorites. JM’s contemporary Paradise is also one of my all time favorites.

By: Iggie

Iggie — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:09:52 +0000

Try Johanna Lindsay ( esp. the Malory series). They are quite hilarious and entertaining as well.