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

By: charlotte

charlotte — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:40:10 +0000

Thank you very much for the replies!! I will try looking up those British authors you mentioned. I don’t mind ‘tagged on’ romance ’cause I avoid strictly romance books like Harlequin and Silhouette. ‘Wintercombe’ is a must read. Check your local libraries for details!! Again thank you.

By: Gini

Gini — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:12:17 +0000

Hi Charlotte,
I like British Authors!
I do find however that the romance is secondary or tagged on to the story with British Authors so I mainly buy American Published books that give me all the romance I want.

The British authors I like to read are Melissa Nathan, Jill Mansell, Cindy Blake (excellent books why is she not more famous??) Belinda Jones, Catherine Alliot and Joanne Harris so if you like the majority of these authors then you might enjoy the same American authors I do, which would be (to name only a few):
For historicals; Julia Quinn, Lorretta Chase, Mary Balogh, Sherry Thomas and Joanna Bourne
Jude Deveraux for good plots, interesting characters with a huge range of eras and story lines.
For paranormals/fantasy; Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thomson Series although romance is secondary in these), Kresley Cole (Immortals after dark series), Shana Abe (Drakon Series she also writes historicals),.
For comtemporaries; Jennifer Crusie and Susan Elizabeth Phillips (I don’t seem to be reading many comtemps. at the moment so I’m drawing a bit of a blank on this one).
Not read any Pamela Belle though.
Hope you discover some new authors to glom!
Gini (in England)

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:24:10 +0000

@charlotte: Welcome! Blab away. That is what the comments are for. I don't think I've ever read Pamela Belle but the name "wintercombe" sounds very familiar. One of my favorite chic lit authors was Elizabeth Young.

By: charlotte

charlotte — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:20:56 +0000

Does ANYBODY here like British authors? I’m very biased against American female authors. I feel their stories and plot lack imagination, depth and I find myself skipping pages towards the end of their books. Really dislike Danielle Steele, Nora Roberts, Barbara Taylor Bradford( used to like her but some of her recent works are in same ordinary style as the others), Lavryle Spencer etc. But I;m open to persuasion but proof is in the pudding.
I love British authors like Patricia Veryan(for Regency fiction), Catherine Cookson( for romance and adventure, love her!!) and Katie FForde for Contemporary romance. Has anybody heard of Pamela Belle? Loved her Wintercombe series!!
So those are more my style. I hope I’ve not blabbed too much but I’m new here and like this site. Thanks all.

By: Gladz

Gladz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:29:52 +0000

Until You was the first book I read of JM`s books.. It was the very first book I read with angst in it, and I instantly loved that feeling.

I started reading every JM book i could get my hands on after that. I LOVE every book she`s written, except for Tender Triumph. That book seemed very unrealistic and lacking in some way. But other than that, I have no comlpaints.

I`ve been trying to find books similar to hers since I finished JM`s last book, Every Breath You Take. Unfortunately, it`s always been a miss for me and never a hit. I`ve jotted down some recommendations and i`m going to check them out as soon as possible.

For my own recommendation, works of SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS are packed with angst, comedy and a really good dose of Romance. I love her Kiss an Angel, This Heart of Mine, Lady Be Good, Nobody`s Baby But Mine and It Had To Be You.

Some of Jude Deveraux`s works are not as good as her so I just personally recommend the Velvet Series (Mongtomery books), her characters are always somewhat connected to each other, so there`s continuity in it. Her Montgomery Family Chain is very cool, too…All those rich men (insanely rich by the way, like richer-than-the-queen rich) with their own love stories.

Julia Quinn`s terrific, if you prefer light romance with a heavy dose of comedy. Not pretty much angst, though. Her plot`s kinda light, so it`s good for just light reading. But if you want angst, it happens at a particular moment in The Secret Diaries of Ms. Miranda Cheever,which is similar to what happened with Alex and Jordan at the end of JM`s Something Wonderful.

These books are not at par with JM`s works, but they`re pretty good reads while waiting for JM’s next book.

By: Anita Chax

Anita Chax — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:11:04 +0000

@ Purple

May I suggest Jude Deveraux… her recent contemporaries are not up my alley. But her historicals — and she’s written quite a few — made for an addictive read, starting with the velvet series. Glom-worthy, imho.

By: purple

purple — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:58:22 +0000

I am a JM fan and I have not been able to find a better author despite trying desperately. I love the mixture of angst, humour and joy in her romances. I love the voice in her stories and the light breeziness contrasting with deeply gut wrenching passages. I have read and reread most of her novels at least half a dozen times each and read WML / Something Wonderful at least once a year. I envy anyone who has yet to read her as you are in for a real treat. Other authors who have elicited a similar reaction for me in order of enjoyment include
1. Diana Gibaldon – Cross Stitch / Outlander
2. JR Ward – Black Dagger Brotherhood series (early ones)
3. Julie Garwood – Castles, The Prize and early work
4. Mary Balogh – The Secret Pearl
5. Julia Quinn – Bridgerton series
IMO these are cult books in the romance genre. I am slowly reading through bodies of work by Lisa Kleypas, Teresa Medeiros, Laura Lodon (ie Tom & Sharon Curtis) but have not been able to add them to my ‘cult’ list as yet. I have read the first part of Lisa Valdez’s Passion but the graphic language is hard for me to get past despite trying on two sittings to get into the story. I would love to know of other cult works out there.

By: Anita Chax

Anita Chax — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:17:23 +0000

Thanks a zillion Elaine and Iggy,
Gosh, it’s wonderful to have some more new names to sate my appetite. I’ve read and enjoyed J R ward… Will try the other writers too!

By: Iggie

Iggie — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:06:39 +0000

@ Anita & Elaine

Thanks Elaine, i’ll check out those authors. i have already read some of j.r ward’s books and they are good. i am also reading lara adrian, jacqueline frank, lori handeland (nightcreatures) and kelley armstrong.

Anita, you could try these authors and see if you’d like any of them as well.

By: Elaine C.

Elaine C. — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:09:07 +0000

Anita & Iggy,

If you enjoy Nalini Singh, KMM and Kresley Cole I HIGHLY RECOMMEND:

Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series)
Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series)
Gena Showalter
J. R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood)
Lisa Kleypas has outstanding Historical Romances!!
Sylvia Day (great contemp and Paranormal)
Vicki Pettersson (Zodiac series)
Lora Leigh (Breed series)

The closest to Judith McNaught as far as historical romance, gentle, witty, tears, joy and shouting with laughter is:
Diana Gabaldon
Laura London
(especially her out of print pb “THE WINDFLOWER” a must read!)
Lisa Kleypas