Archive for the 'If You Like' Category
I recently reviewed His Lordship’s Mistress by Joan Wolf. It features a young woman who, instead of marrying, decides she will try to sell herself for a short time to earn enough money to pay off the mortgage on her family home. This book prompted commenters to reminisce about their favorite books using the fallen woman, mistress, or courtesan theme. As Moth said, “I know I like it when the heroine isn’t totally squeaky clean.”
So bring on the mistress, courtesan or fallen woman recommendations. Please note if the book features a woman who pretends to be a fallen woman and is not (Bel, from The Duke, I am looking at you).
It has come to my attention via a reader in email that I’ve never done an “If You Like Werewolves” post (and frankly, I need to start up the series on a regular basis. The fact is that there aren’t a ton of werewolf stories in paranormal romance. Werewolves are prolific in the Urban Fantasy subgenre but in PNR, the wolf is more rare.
Nalini Singh’s Pys/Changeling series has focused more on the cat shifter than the wolf shifter although the Snow Dancers will likely play a bigger role in future books. Caressed by Ice features a she-wolf/Psy pairing but it didn’t delve into the shifter culture as much as it was focused on the emotional trauma suffered by Brenna and the thawing of Judd, the Psy Arrow.
 I fell in love with the wolf shifter myth with Kelley Armstrong’s Bitten and Stolen which are told from the point of view of Elena who became a werewolf when Clay bit her. Armstrong’s latest work, Frostbitten, is a return to the world of Clay and Elena.
Kinsey Holley’s Kiss and Kin is a sexy werewolf shifter story but it’s …
I know I haven’t posted this one yet (unlike the repetitive medieval If You Like). Jayne reviewed Blue Gold by Lindsey Townsend a month ago and many commenters bemoaned the lack of Ancient World settings. Blue Gold is set in 1560 BC. As Jayne said, the choice of the setting was clever because the canvas is more open:
Choosing this particular age, 1560 BC, in Egyptian history is quite clever. With the upheavals and the scarcity of historical records, you’ve got a more wide open canvas upon which to paint the story you want to tell. “Blue Gold” gets me doing what I love for historical books to do and that’s research the people, places and things used to tell the story. I learned all kinds of things about Hyksos rulers of Lower Egypt, the god Set, the f’ed up family of Sekenenre, the land of Punt and kedeshahs.
I would love to read more Ancient World settings. Have you got any recommendations. (Thanks to MoragtheScot for the idea of this post and for reminding me about it).
In continuance of the If You Like series of reader recommendations, I bring you the Medieval. I love medievals but I wonder if that is because some of the first romances I had ever read were medievals. In my list of favorite medieval authors are Julie Garwood, Madeline Hunter, and Claudia Dain. The Holding by Claudia Dain is the first romance I got Ned to read (and he enjoyed it). More recently, I enjoyed Kris Kennedy’s The Conqueror.
What are your favorite authors and titles in the medieval time period.
A couple of weeks ago, we posted a call for your favorite vampire romance recommendations. The post generated 106 comments and even more recommendations. This post is directed toward medievals. Kris Kennedy recently released her first book, The Conqueror, set in England, 1152. The first romance Ned, my DH, read was Claudia Dain’s, The Holding. Madeline Hunter started out writing name writing lush, gorgeous medievals in the 2000 and 2001 with her “BY” series: By Arrangement, By Possession, By Design.
Some of my favorite medievals are by Julie Garwood (no comments from the peanut gallery, Jayne). Who can have read Honor’s Splendour and not sighed aloud when Madelyne warms Duncan’s feet? (If you read it and didn’t sigh, you have a cold, cold heart. Also, refuse to link to Garwood’s website as I find it almost unuseable and certainly unfriendly to readers).
What are your favorites?
A girlfriend of mine just recently read the whole Twilight series on her iPhone. She doesn’t want to read more Meyer but she does want to read more Vampire Romances. I recommended the first book in the JR Ward series, Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) , which she bought via the Kindle App on her iPhone. I plan to recommend Kresley Cole’s Warlord Wants Forever (in Playing Hard to Get) and No Rest for the Wicked .
I thought it would be great to build a recommended list here for various tropes. Give us your best recommendations and I’ll update this post.
We hosted a series of posts by guests last year called “If You Like”. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular author and what other authors have books like the author. If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
Val Kovalin who writes about fantasy fiction at ValKovalin.com and m/m fiction at Obsidian Bookshelf is hosting this If You Like entry on Jordan Castillo Price. Val Kavolin did a great piece on Julia Spencer Fleming, a favorite of author of mine.
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It’s with great interest that I’ve read the comments of many DearAuthor readers, already fans of traditional m/f romance, who are venturing into m/m fiction. I happen to be doing the same thing, but coming from the opposite direction (m/m to m/f) so maybe I can help.
Jordan’s strong points include the following:
- Comedy. This is so rare and so worthwhile! I deeply appreciate the author who can make me laugh.
- Creative genre-blending. A typical piece by Jordan can contain romance, erotica, comedy, horror, mystery, and paranormal elements.
- Male characters who
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We are starting a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. Elizabeth penned this awesome entry regarding Lois McMaster Bujold.
If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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If you like Lois McMaster Bujold …
Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most acclaimed authors in speculative fiction still writing today. Her first book Warrior’s Apprentice was published in 1986 and she’s published 20 more books since then. Her latest book,The Sharing Knife, Volume Four: Horizon comes out the beginning of next year. (I can’t wait!) She’s been nominated and won scads of awards- multiple Hugos, Nebulas and one World Fantasy Award for best novel. With her large and diverse backlist Prolific is her middle name.
Warning: There are spoilers in this post
Lois McMaster Bujold currently has three ongoing series:
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We are starting a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. Val Kovalin who writes about fantasy fiction at ValKovalin.com and m/m fiction at Obsidian Bookshelf is hosting this If You Like entry on Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. Val Kavolin did a great piece on Julia Spencer Fleming, a favorite of author of mine.
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If you like Jacqueline Carey …
 Jacqueline Carey writes the Kushiel’s Legacy epic fantasy series (six books: Kushiel’s Dart, Kushiel’s Chosen, Kushiel’s Avatar , Kushiel’s Justice , Kushiel’s Scion , Kushiel’s Mercy), which may appeal to fans of historical romance and fantasy romance. To see why, please read on and rest assured that I don’t include any plot-spoilers.
Setting (era): Medieval.
Setting (geographic): Action takes place in Terre d’Ange (Land of the Angels), loosely based upon medieval France. The epic plotlines range across recognizable equivalents to …
We are starting a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. Today’s feature is brought to you by one of my favorite people, Jill Myles. Jill was my long suffering roommate at RWA in San Francisco. She is also an up and coming author with her first story to be released in January 2010. (I know, so far away). We’ll be shamelessly pimping her in a year or so. Until such time, enjoy her account of the wonderful books that Julie Garwood contributed to our romance community.
If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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If You Like…Julie Garwood
For as long as I can remember, Julie Garwood’s historical romances have been on my re-read shelf. I have a lengthy list of enjoyable authors, but no one captures my heart quite like Julie Garwood does. About once a year, I …
Welcome to our series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. This week, we are featuring Allison Brennan whose latest release, Playing Dead, was released on September 30, 2008.
Author Mary-Francis Makichen put together this wonderful contribution for us to read, appreciate, and use as a reference point for the future. Thanks Mary-Francis.
If you would like to host an If You Like piece, please email me at jane at dearauthor.com
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If You Like Allison Brennan
 I can’t remember where I first heard about Allison Brennan. What I do remember is reading the The Prey and being captivated by heroine Rowan Smith—a former FBI agent turned bestselling author. Rowan gets pulled into the search for a killer when people start turning up dead just like the victims in her book. To further complicate her life, her bodyguards turn out to be two hunky brothers who both vie for her affection.
It was …
 Welcome to our series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. This week, we are featuring Julia Quinn whose latest release, Mr. Cavendish, I Presume, is on sale September 30, 2008. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume and the earlier release, The Lost Duke of Wyndham, form the duology of The Two Dukes of Wyndham. In a creative writing feat, the two books have overlapping scenes and plot lines. Stephanie and Mary of A Place for Originals put this marvelous homage to Julia Quinn’s books together for us to read, appreciate, and use as a reference point in the future.
If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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If You Like Julia Quinn…
 Once, in the far away land of Austin, Texas, there were two young romance readers. And by young, we’re talking before high …
We are starting a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. Val Kovalin who writes about fantasy fiction at ValKovalin.com and m/m fiction at Obsidian Bookshelf is hosting this If You Like entry on Julia Spencer Fleming.
Julia Spencer-Fleming’s latest release, I Shall Not Want, is the 6th book in her Clare Fergusson / Russ Van Alstyne mystery series.
If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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If you like Julia Spencer-Fleming …
Julia Spencer-Fleming writes the Clare Fergusson / Russ Van Alstyne mystery series, which has strong crossover appeal to fans of romance and romantic suspense. To see why, please read on and rest assured that I don’t include any plot-spoilers.
 I first ran across this series when I checked a list of mystery award-winners for reading suggestions. In the Bleak Midwinter won both an …
I started reading Jennifer Crusie’s books after reading reviews on this blog and at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Until then, I’d never heard of her.
A brief history of the Crusie oeuvre: her first nine books, starting with Sizzle published in 1994, were category romances. Then came Tell Me Lies (1998) followed by five more single-title novels. In 2004 she began collaborating with Bob Mayer, a former Green Beret and the author of more than 30 books. Together they wrote Don’t Look Down (2006) and Agnes and the Hitman (2007). She also co-authored The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes with Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart; this is her only paranormal book.
Setting (era and geographic): Contemporary, USA
Crusie’s books are always in the here and now, set in America, and the action often takes place in small Midwestern towns. There are no exotic locations, no foreign parts, no travelogue scenes. In some of her books the insularity and peculiarity of small communities are integral plot elements, as in Manhunting, Charlie All Night, Welcome to Temptation, Tell Me Lies, and Crazy for You. In a town where everyone knows you and your business, other people’s expectations can be …
This is a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email Jane at dearauthor.com.
Please be aware that the post below may contain some spoilers.
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Laura Kinsale
 My first experience of Laura Kinsale was the riveting Seize the Fire. The story of the cynical, out-for-himself Sheridan Drake and the idealistic dreamer Princess Olympia of Oriens was so gut-wrenching that I was afraid to finish it. It was clear that Olympia’s idealism and Sheridan’s cynicism were on a collision course, and that things would get worse for them before they got better.
Yet, though I dreaded what might happen to Sheridan and Olympia with the turn of each page, I also could not put the book down. The ultimate shattering of Olympia’s innocence was painful — but it was one of the most powerful things I have read in any book, in any …
 We rarely post letters from male authors on the blog but mostly because we read female authors but when I learned of this C.W. Gortner’s quest for publication, I thought it was particularly inspirational. After all, rejection knows no gender. While The Last Queen is Gortner’s debut novel to most the world, he actually first self published after thirteen years of snubbing from New York.
Gortner has an M.F.A. in writing from the New College of California and has taught university courses on women of power in the Renaissance. The Last Queen tells the story of Juana La Loca who many people believed was insane. Gortner’s story, however, told through Juana’s eyes, suggests that insanity was the pretense by which she held power and saved her country. P.S. Jayne, I asked for a review copy for you. It’s on the way.
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In May, 2007, I received a phone call from my new agent, the fabulous Jennifer Weltz at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. She told me my historical novel, THE LAST QUEEN, had gone into auction. A few days later, Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, …
This is a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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If you like Mary Balogh
In 1996, Beth Pattillo did me a great favor when she told me that I must read a Mary Balogh novel. It was love at first read. At that point, Mary Balogh had been published for ten years. Since then I have read at least 55 of her nearly 70 novels to date and several of her novellas. I would have read all of them if I could have found copies. Some of the quotes in this piece may include spoilers.
Setting (era and geographic): Mostly Regency England
 Mary Balogh has set the vast majority of her stories in Regency England (early nineteenth century) – in London or the English countryside with …
We are starting a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. Dr. Sarah Frantz, Assistant Professor of Literature at Fayetteville State University, and regular contributor to the awesome blog called Teach Me Tonight, is hosting  this If You Like entry on Suzanne Brockmann. Suzanne Brockmann’s latest release, Into the Fire, is the 13th book in her famed Troubleshooter series.
If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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Suzanne Brockmann
Once upon a time, I was browsing in a Waldenbooks and saw a two-for-one deal: Suzanne Brockmann’s The Unsung Hero came free with a re-issue of her one and only time travel, Time Enough for Love. TEFL looked intriguing, so I bought the other book so I could get it. It was intriguing, but TUH, one of the most exquisitely plotted books I’ve ever read, truly rocked …
We are starting a new series called “If You Like” which will be hosted by various readers, authors and bloggers of Dear Author. The purpose of the post and the comments is to explore what we like about a particular iconic author and what other authors have books like the iconic author. We’ll leave this up for one week at the top of the blog so that ruminators have time to contemplate the author and the recommendations. Loonigrrl did such an awesome job with this and I am thrilled to have her kick off what I hope to be a great new series here at Dear Author.
If you would like to host an “If You Like” post, please email me at Jane at dearauthor.com
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Judith McNaught
Fifteen years ago, I fell in love with an author. Her books had plucky heroines and sophisticated men. They were so skillfully written that the characters nearly jumped off the page. If you were like me, you were so captivated by the story that you almost wished you could transport yourself back nearly two-hundred years and be Whitney Stone or Elizabeth Cameron, even if for a …
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Open Threads at Dear Author. Want to know what new releases are out this month and what readers are excited about reading? Check out the threads below. 
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