Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Classic Romance - Which One First? Judith McNaught Reading List

Judith McNaught is one of the romance authors whose books have been read by so many, for so many years, she's a mainstay in terms of reader best-of lists. Some readers couldn't say enough amazing things about McNaught's novels, while others struggle with the old-skool heroes, particularly those who rely on the "all women are evil" trope to justify some really shitful behavior.

So compiling a list of reader favorites and recommendations for someone who hasn't tried McNaught proved a bit tricky. Based on reader comments, there are some that are loved without reservation - while those same titles are equally hated by other readers. Here's the list of recommended books, and one caution.

Almost Heaven Goodreads | Amazon | BN

Recommended by Daisy, Lauren Willig, and many others. Noelle says, "I cannot live without Almost Heaven, A Kingdom of Dreams and Remember When. I adore most of her historicals and many of her contemporaries, but these three are tops for me!" Kiersten wrote, "McNaught was one of my first keeper authors. I knew… read more »

Penny Jordan

Penny Jordan passed away from cancer at age 65 on 31 December 2011. She was the author of over 200 novels, and a name that many, many readers saw frequently on the covers of Harlequin Presents. Jordan's most recent book, Passion and the Prince, was just released at the end of December.

Jordan is more remembered, aside from authoring a metric ton of novels, for being a generous person who eagerly helped new authors navigate the path to publication.

The Romantic Novelists Association collected remembrances from its members, many of whom are grieving for the loss of a close friend. penny jordan

Lynne Connelly also wrote a very moving post about Jordan, and how much she'll be missed.

So, which Jordan novel would you recommend for someone curious about her books? It's an impromptu "Which one First?" though Jordan was on my list for this feature, as her backlist is very impressive. Which Jordan book do you recommend above all others? Please share your favorite and why. 

Classic Romance - Which One First? Judith McNaught Edition

When I was in high school, I signed a somewhat-friend's yearbook, and I noticed that her best friend had signed the inside cover with a huge paragraph wherein she'd somehow included the title of every Judith McNaught novel (this was in 1993 so there were plenty of them) because they loved those books and read them over and over. That was my introduction to McNaught, and I started with Once and Always.It was all downhill from there.

I love Once and Always for the tortured hero, even if he's a big ol' jerkface in some scenes. Also, I think that's one of the very few times I've encountered a historical hero named "Jason."

Classic Romance - Which One First? Julie Garwood Edition

Julie Garwood's books are so beloved by many readers, and your recommendation list was a big one! Some readers called her books "comfort reads" and others said that Garwood was their first introduction to the historical romance genre. And MANY readers said the discussion in that thread made people want to read Garwood right now - many a library request was made that day, I hear!

Here's the list of recommended titles from your recommendations.

Classic Romance - Which One First? Julie Garwood Edition

Julie Garwood is a romance author whose books often are mentioned along with my very favorite noise, “Good Book Noise.” There are MANY of them, too! She used to write historicals, and now her focus in on romantic suspense. So if you’re looking at Garwood’s books and trying to pick one to read, it can be daunting.

My favorite Garwood’s are all historicals. I love The Bride like nobody’s business, and could re-read that book any time, even when I have 2 minutes before the world ends. My copy is in two large pieces. I think it might be time for another copy. Or some duct-tape, as I love the gold cover. It was my standard for what bridal gowns should look like, ever since I read that book as a young teenager.

So, let’s build a recommended list, shall we? We’ve done lists for Jude Deveraux and Johanna Lindsey. Let’s do a Garwood list, shall we?

Which Julie Garwood novel would you recommend first? Which would you pass to a curious reader? Feel free to recommend both… read more »

Classic Romance - Which One First? Jude Deveraux Recommendations

The interesting thing about Jude Deveraux novels is that for every book someone adored, there’s a nearly equal number of readers who didn’t like it. So it’s difficult to create a recommendation list for early Deveraux books, and I’ve tried to include the balance of comments so that readers who are curious about her backlist can get a sense of what might appeal to them.

So, let’s get started!

A Knight in Shining Armor [Amazon | Kindle | BN & nook | Kobo | WORD Brooklyn]

You can’t be surprised this made the list! This time-travel romance is a little unorthodox in the ending, but it is among the most beloved romances. Some don’t love the ending - as Karen said, “I have to say that I didn’t really like KISA—the ending just didn’t quite work for me as a true HEA (but I feel that way about a lot of time travel books).” But yet, it is one of those romances readers still talk about.

Classic Romance - Which One First? Jude Deveraux Edition

Jude Deveraux is one of the classic names in historical romance, and is one of the first authors I glommed when I discovered romance. I still re-read her books, but for someone who is curious about Deverax’s books, which one would you recommend first?

Knight in Shining Armor is among her most-beloved titles, and one of the best time-travel romances I’ve ever read. I never understood why the heroine’s shopping spree only included formal clothing in that one scene (though I still think wool challis skirts are the HEIGHT of posh fashion because of that scene).

But then there’s also Wishes, where there’s almost two heroines - one, the cranky ass old lady who is sent back to earth to repent and learn from her life’s mistakes by helping a lonely woman find happiness in historical Chandler, Colorado. I love that one, too, especially the scene with the People magazines.

So many beloved romances people still talk about were written by Deveraux.

The thing is, once you learn her… read more »

Johanna Lindsey: Which One First?

So many of you posted recommendations as to which Johanna Lindsey romance a curious reader should read first. When you’re confronting a hella-backlist, it can be intimidating, so here’s a breakdown of what was recommended, why, and by whom.

The challenge with Lindsey titles is that she was one of the biggest names in old skull romances, and many of her titles are of the “fight then fuck” variety, with a sprinkling of forced seduction and/or rape scenes to be found in some.  As deputman wrote, “there are some I would really recommend modern readers against, unless they are prepared for Old School, hair-pulling misogyny. That list would include Captive Bride, Paradise Wild, Glorious Angel, and A Pirate’s Love.”

Overquoted describes what she sees as “The Two Types of Lindseys:” “One type is the Mallory and Warrior series. These JL books are usually amusing, consensual and filled more with banter than with manhandling. The other type is Prisoner of My Desire, Silver Angel, Fires of Winter, etc. Your standard bodice ripper novels where the hero and heroine spend 90% of the… read more »

Johanna Lindsey: Which One First?

More ebooks have been released from Avon, including Hearts Aflame, which is their current .99c offering (Amazon | BN | WORD | Kobo). This book is a classic medieval Lindsay.

While I am not as big a fan of medieval -set romances, I know this book has some fans.

ESPECIALLY since the original cover looked like THIS: