I recently reviewed Caught Running by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux based on a simple, “I loved this book,” from a fellow reader. I passed that recommendation on, and received another recommendation back, Matthew Haldeman-Time’s self-published book Off the Record.
Jane and I frequently trade “OMG SQUEE” email messages about books we like. Because of her happy recommendation, I’m now reading Kristan Higgins’ Just One of the Guys, and I am loving it. It’s another “Dammit I stayed up too late reading” book that totally followed me out of the bag onto the treadmill. I’m loving it.
So I got to thinking – what books are you totally loving right now? Hook us up with your latest fave – and please, don’t recommend your own book. This is word-of-mouth love it “OMG SQUEE” time for someone else’s book. It doesn’t need to be a gay romance – could be anything that you just love, maybe that doesn’t get enough attention. I’ll be picking a comment at random in 24 hours to win a paper copy of Haldeman-Time’s book (which I haven’t read yet but have been told it’s just majestically good like holy damn hell). So, what’s your pleasure romance read of late?
I just finished the Knights Miscellany series by Gaelen Foley (based on what I read about it here) and loved it. My first foray into historical romance.
I also just read Moose: a memoir of fat camp by Stephanie Klein that was disturbingly like my own life (except I never went to fat camp).
My other recent favorite has been the House of Night novels by PC Cast – super fun YA vampire stories! I think my love of series books come from my previous relationship with Sweet Valley and the BSC.
Right now my favorite would be the the 4th book of the currently 4 book Enchanted, Inc. series by Shanna Swendson. It’s a very funny, cool and engaging story!
http://www.shannaswendson.com/
I second the Bujold books, I’ ve started them on a SB recommendation.
I squeed over The Wing and the Wall and The Chaos King, YA books by Laura Ruby. They are set in a New York City where people can fly. It starts off with a little girl in an orphanage. But Ms. Ruby takes all the cliches and then turns them around. I particularily liked the professor who due to a miscalculation has grass growing on his head.
But I would suggest reading WW before CK, because CK gives away the surprises in WW.
They’re not romances, but I’m totally hooked on O’Brian’s Aubrey and Maturin series right now (which starts with
Master and Commander
). So hooked I’m forcing myself to go slowly and read two non-O’Brian books in between each book in the series, so I can draw out the pleasure as long as possible.
Another book I loved to pieces earlier this year (YA, not a romance) was Sherman Alexie’s
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
. Made me laugh, made me cry.
As for romance, I’m a sucker for Elizabeth Hoyt’s
The Raven Prince
, which has become my happy comfort reading book. When I had a medical emergency last spring and wound up in the hospital with no time to pack anything, that was the book I requested my husband bring to me.
Another YA (college years) series to pimp: Diana Peterfreund’s Secret Society Girl series. There are three books thus far, Secret Society Girl, Under the Rose, Rites of Spring (Break) , with one more coming next spring. I LOVED this series, and in each book the writing got even better and better. The books revolve around the heroine’s induction into a secret society at “Eli” (Yale), where intrigue and romance ensue. The third book was sizzling, and I’m drooling waiting for the next. Please please please check it out!
Nora Roberts, you just might be the Oprah of romance. (It is a compliment!) If you weren’t so busy writing and being fabulous, I would suggest you host a book club…I’d read anything you recommended.
I looked up the book “Silent in the Grave” and the sequel and I plan to pick up both at the library today. I have been hankering for a good mystery/thriller lately, and I specialized in Victorian Lit in college, so I have a feeling this will be the ultimate treat, thanks for the tip!
And I can definitely add my pimp to Linnea Sinclair. Vividly drawn characters you can care about – what more do you need?
Nefertiti by Michelle Moran. I bought it maybe a month ago and I’m in the midst of reading it for the third time. That’s never happened to me before. Ever.
I second Shades Of Dark by Linnea Sinclair, one of the best books I read recently. it is so gut wrenching , and a couple of months after reading it, I still feel very emotional about it.
I am on a Nalini Singh binge lately , her books are amazing. Fantastic sci-fi aspects in a well developed world without losing the most heart warming aspects of a good, pure romance.
I’ve been reading the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine. It starts with Ill Wind and is about people who have the ability manipulate the weather. They work with Djinn to help them manipulate the weather and the relationship between the wrdens and the Djinn is pretty interesting. I really love that this is an urban fantasy that has nothing to do with your typical witches, vampires, and werewolves. It’s a completely new and refreshing concept. I devoured the first few books in the series in a week!!
Just finished His Wicked Sins by Eve Silvers—Gothic / Romance—hadn’t read one of those in a long time and enjoyed the heck out of it.
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre and waiting impatiently for Wanderlust – Scifi/Fantasy—Yesss!
The Traveler (Book 1 of the Fourth Realm); The Dark River (Book 2 of the Fourth Realm); Unknown (Book 3 of the Fourth Realm) Due in 2009 by John Twelve Hawks—Love these books, can’t wait for the 3rd one.
I believe she will be writing a few other books in this world with Philip Guthrie as the main character altough she has no contract
(yet) for another one about Chaz and Sully. (but we do hear about them in Hope’s Folly – even if slightly.) You can read an interview with her here
Jennifer Armintrout’s Blood Ties series is ALWAYS at the top of my list. More recent reads that I’ve stayed up too late or put the baby to bed too early for are:
Personal Demons by Stacia Kane—it’s dark and sexy without a lot of fluff.
One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost—second book in the seires, and again, dark and sexy, but it has it’s lighter, more humorous moments.
Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake—the least Romance-y books of the three, but it’s well worth it for one scene on a couch filled with more sexual tension than an entire erotica book.
I know there’s more, but so does work.
JackieB, good call on Nightwalker and I couldn’t agree more about that scene in the couch. whoa.
This thread is going to start pissing my Kindle off. I keep sending samples of books, like the teacher ghosts in Maine series and the Weather Warden series, and in a minute it’s going to jump out of my bag and slap me.
I just finished reading Trial by Fire by Jo Davis. Hot firefighters, I loves them! Also, Jo Davis writes a heck of a sex scene! Sure, there’s sequel bait galore in the books, but hey, that just means more hot firefighter stories for me.
Last night I read The Courage to Love by Samantha Kane, who I now am going to build a little shrine in my house to.
Sarah, I also finished Just One of the Guys on vacation last week. I kept howling with laughter. At one point, I read an entire scene (the first date scene with the basil) to everyone I was on vacation with. And then, when I got home, I immediately ordered both books in her backlist. Kristan Higgans is my new author crush.
I have to second the recommendation for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society I picked it on a whim from the Amazon Vine listings and I knew, well before I finished, that it was going to be one of my all-time favorite books. I can’t even begin to recall how many times I laughed out loud while reading it. And yeah, I cried a bit, too.
This isn’t a wild, passionate, tear-your-clothes-off romance. Rather it’s a quiet, thoughtful, bittersweet one. Highly recommended.
The Raised by Wolves series by WA Hoffman.
Holy crap these books are amazing. I cannot even begin to describe the extent to which I am in love with them. I will say, though, that I preordered the paperback versio of the 3rd book and then bought the ebook version so that I could read it 4 days sooner. Which should say something about my level of obsession.
The characters are amazing, and the concept and the conflicts and just everything about it is fabulous. Plus there’s so much room in them for discussion and just making you sit and go huh, I hadnt thought of that. So very, very good.
*Edit*
I have no idea what I was trying to say with that last sentence! But I did remember one more and I feel awful for not including it in the first place:
Improper English by Katie MacAlister was one of the first Romance novels I ever read and it STILL makes me laugh my ass off!
Sadly, I don’t remember the exact last time I truely felt OMG SQUEE over a book. Probably a few months ago? I remember being squee over Bet Me. I DO have Shades of Dark on my TBR though. Which I sense could be the next one. I was rather happy with Sinclair’s Games of Command when I was reading that. I also have Ironside by Holly Black which I’ve been wanting to read for a LONG time. I finally broke down and bought those two a couple of days ago. Been trying pretty hard to keep the TBR decreasing in size instead of increasing. Seem to be around 125 right now.. Which is good (went down a bit), but bad me thinks: ok it went down, I could buy another book, I could enter another contest, that book looks good…
Well, Matthew Haldeman-Time. OMG so amazing. 😉
And I’m going to have to go with Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux. Picked up their Love Ahead after reading Caught Running, and Jaysus, it’s super incredible. Just wish they’d written more together.
Well, just read and adored My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson. Damn you KarenS, she doesn’t have any other books out in the US. And it does have some romance in it.
Like many others, am reading Shades of Dark by Sinclair. I started it a week ago and realized that I’d somehow missed reading Gabriel’s Ghost, so I immediately bought the ebook and tore through it. Very good. Now I’m reading SOD and enjoying it immensely.
Also read a Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Dangerous to Touch by Jill Sorenson. Who knew SRSs could be so damn hot?
Cry Wolf by Briggs was read awhile ago, but very good. I like that it’s a new series set in the same world as the Mercy books. And has romance.
I just finished The Neddiad by Daniel Pinkwater – children’s book, male protagonist, quirky screwball comedy plot. Absolutely loved it! A shaman gave 11 year old Neddie a turtle, because he’s the hero that will save the world, but no one can explain exactly how he’s going to do that. He just needs to relax, because heroes always figure it out eventually. You can tell because the world always gets saved, so no worries.
Grown up book wise, I’m plowing through Kate Bridges Mountie books and greatly enjoying them.
I used to read Matthew Haldeman Time’s fanfiction with mixed feelings. My best friend and I just finished one of her longer stories, seven years after first reading it, though, and thought her characterization was strong and the story just as fun and interesting. So I guess I’m in the mood to try out her original fiction now. *grin*
Oh, wow….let’s see…some older titles, some newer titles…in no particular order
Brawing Blood by Poppy Brite – it’s horror and has one of my favorite m/m pairings/romances ever.
Letters to Montgomery Clift by Noel Alumit – Wonderful debut novel about a gay asian man who—instead of praying to dead ancestors as his family did—writes to the departed matinee idol, Montgomery Clift. Incredibly touching
Fixer Chao by Han Ong – Dark humor with a gay protagonist…a guy who is convinced to take on New York’s posh-posh elite by becomming a feng shui media sensation.
The Night Listener by Armistead Maupin—Forget the horrible movie, this novel is Maupin’s best. Dark, disturbing, and a novel where Maupin manages to take readers through just about every emotion out there.
King of Cats: A Life in Five Novellas by Blake Fraina: Excellent, excellent m/m fiction focusing a rock star on the edge and the people he’s weaved into his very messy life.
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert – Really well researched and written historical fiction about an Hawaiian girl who is separated from her family when she is 8 and sent to live in Kalaupapa, Moloka’i’s leper colony. Moving story of a life spanning 60 years.
[More later as my brain works through the morning.
Heh…I knew I wasn’t awake…
Drawing Blood by Poppy Brite. Not Brawing.
Sheesh!
It was actually a while back that I finished this, but I gotta recommend Kelly McCullough’s Codespell and the Ravirn series in general to urban fantasy fans. Although actually you might call it urban science fantasy: Ravirn is the (many times great) grandson of the Fate Lachesis, and a computer hacker who casts spells via code. I’m not very computer literate, but the tech lingo wasn’t hard to follow, and the take on Greek mythology was really fun! More people should read these books!
Just wanted to add to all the Pratchett love—my favorites are the City Watch books and The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents.
Oh and Shelley mentioned Daniel Pinkwater! I still have fond if fading memories of one of his YA novels I read about 2 decades ago: The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death. It had something to do with a theater that showed old classic movies and an avocado from outer space and a girl named Rat. Great title, sadly out of print.
Oh and this isn’t a new read but is probably my favorite SEP novel – Ain’t She Sweet – Sugar Beth was the popular mean girl from high school who comes home after leaving her small Mississippi town and life had handed her let down after let down. It made me cry at the challenges that Sugar Beth has had to face, and her spunk at learning how to over come the bad things her life to get her HEA. Like all SEP books, there’s humor and wit.
Not a romance, but this a great opportunity to talk about it…
My favorite book (actually I listened to the great Simon Vance read it) was Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik, 5th book in the AWESOME Temeraire series. It’s historical fantasy, with the Napoleonic Wars replayed with dragons. For the poster who was loving Patrick O’Brian (I do too!), this series is an excellent readalike. The fighting dragons are similar to Anne McCaffrey, but more more developed and complex characters, particularly Temeraire who is undoubtedly more intelligent than his Capt, Will Laurence, since he enjoys having mathematical treatises read to him and speaks several languages. I want everyone I know to read this series, it is so great!
His Majesty’s Dragon
Black Powder War
Throne of Jade
Empire of Ivory
Victory of Eagles
All by Naomi Novik. And Simon Vance does an outstanding job reading these in the audio versions – so good, I’ll probably never read them in print again, just listen.
For urban fantasy, my most recent squee is Patricia Briggs “Cry Wolf”.
For ebook m/m, I second Ann Somerville on “Bad Case of Loving You” by Lainey Cairo, and raise with “On Fire” by Drew Zachary.
I’m bookmarking this page for all the recommendations.
First, I must add a fangirl squee to Wee Free Men. Nac Mac Feegle forever!
Second, and with more decorum, I highly recommend Ilona Andrews Magic Bites and Magic Burns. Dystopian new future Atlanta where magic ebbs and flows. When techno works, magic is down. When the magic is up, all technology ceases and you never know when it will change. Fantastic world building, ass kicking heroine, full realized supporting characters—and a scary, sexy love interest who would need to kill her if he knew who she truly was.
Book 3 isn’t due out until next April. I may die of the anticipation.
Spamaway: Care29—Yes! Yes, I care that much on a scale of 1-10! :cries:
I cannot believe this, but I just recently got hooked on Nora Roberts’ (or J.D. Robb’s) Death series – I went through 4 books in 2 weeks. Considering how detailed the writing is, and the length of each book, and my slow, slow pace in reading, you can say that this is one captivating series.
I am 23, so I’ll take that as a reason to not reading Ms Roberts’ books before this. When I was growing up, she was already a household name, my mom and aunts were reading her and none of my friends were, and I assumed (yes I know what they say about assumptions..) that she’d be for the older generation.. boy, was I wrong or what. I’d have to say though, if I read her books when I was 18, I don’t think I would have appreciated it as much. So thank you mam, for teaching me, albeit inadvertently, that newer might not necessarily mean better. It was like a slap on my romance patooshie.
Also, another author that I read before but didn’t appreciate, Mary Balogh. From Dear Author I picked up A Precious Jewel by Ms Balogh, and I was hooked hooked hooked. A whore who’s not remorseful? A hero so believable I can probably pick a man just like him walking down the streets even though the story is set on Regency times? SOLD. Please, if there are younger readers out there who have not picked up J.D. Robb or Mary Balogh, PLEASE do yourself a favor and do it.
Damaris, if you like mysteries/suspense/thrillers, I highly recommended Lori G. Armstrong’s Julie Collins, PI series. I’m also reading Brenda Novak’s new trilogy – Trust Me, Stop Me, Watch Me. These books came out in June, July, and August – a very smart marketing trick. Novak blends thriller with romance with a deft touch.
But the one book that has me staying up nights and going OMGWTFBBQ isn’t a romance at all, though it is romantic.
The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss is absolutely amazing. This review pretty much summed up my feelings on it
For anyone who reads Fantasy and hasn’t read this, RUN right now to get it! For anyone who doesn’t read Fantasy, RUN right now to get it! I can’t wait for the next installment coming next spring.
The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn. I read this book when it was released and fell in love with it hard. It’s one of my favorite books ever.
I’m late to the party as always, because this book has been out for ten years:
Garnethill by Denise Mina
It’s a mystery/suspense – compelling story/ies, great writing, and a flawed but smart and sympathetic heroine.
Now I must do a print screen of this whole comments section… 🙂
Here be another Pratchett fan! I love, love, love Guards! Guards! and Witches Abroad. And Nanny Ogg’s Cookbook!!! (I want to be Nanny Ogg when I grow up. *ggg*)
And another whee! to Gaelen Foley’s Knight Miscellany series. Lord of Fire is one of favourite romances (love, love, love that scene when Lucien discovers that the goody-two-shoes heroine has managed to break into his den of iniquity).
Two recent, fabulous discoveries are Norbert Davis’s The Mouse in the Mountain and Edmund Crispin’s The Moving Toyshop, two quirky mysteries. (Actually, The Mouse in the Mountain is one of the strangest books I’ve ever read.)
Oh, and of course, James Patterson’s Sundays at Tiffany’s, one of the sweetest romances I’ve read in a long time: “What if your invisible friend from childhood was your one true love?” Awwww!
NOT Romance, but I received an ARC of “The Lace Reader” by Brunonia Barry. It’s a great family tragedy story. The characters are very deep and you just want to spend more time with them when the book ends.
This book looks laid back since the cover is of the ocean and cliffside, but trust me it’s not.
Another Love Story/“Not a Romance” choice:
THE GARGOYLE by Andrew Davidson.
I read the ARC a few months ago and loved, loved, loved it. It’s the story of a severely burned man and the woman—who may or may not be insane—who shows up in his hospital room claiming they loved each other in medieval Germany. There are also tangential tales of a widowed Victorian lady, plague-stricken lovers in 14th-century Italy, a clever young maiden in feudal Japan, and Vikings in 9th-century Iceland. It is visceral, romantic, caustic, literary (but not pretentious), and completely mesmerizing.
I now have my sister (who very rarely reads anything other than Cosmo) hooked on it. The hardcover is now available, and I plan to nab one next time I’m in a bookstore.
Beautiful Girl, by Shiloh Walker. A really well-written contemporary romance. I usually stay away from romances where the hero and heroine had a prior relationship and catch up with each other years later, but in this one, the characters obviously grew and changed but could still love each other. I cried when reading this one.
This year my OMG everyone should read this book is actually a kids title, but as I’ve told half my co-workers who I’ve convinced to read it—Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy is the BEST book adult or kids I’ve read all year.