Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Historical angst? - Robin Schone’s “Gabriel’s Woman.” Her style is so distinctive it’s not to everyone’s taste, but here she wrote a sex scene that made me cry - it’s the one at the end, when Victoria tells Gabriel a story. If you’ve read it, you’ll know the one I mean.

Contemporary - when I thought about the various angsty contemps I’ve loved, one stands out. Linda Howard’s “Cry No More.” Tears me apart, that one.

BTW, any historical romance that uses “Baron” as a title rather than “Lord,” or mentions divorce in a careless way tends to put my historical hackles on alert. Not to mention the dreaded “g” word.

I’m afraid my favorite angsty romance is pending in SBSarah’s HABO folder. . .

But if we can talk movie for a minute, The Mirror has Two Faces is a lovely angstfest, with humor . . .

Old skool Elizabeth Lowell is satisfyingly full of angst. (Or I found it satisfying years ago when I last had my hands on the books… My taste for angst might have changed in the meantime though, who knows?)

I’m pretty thrilled to be sharing this month with Jo Beverley, who is a writing inspiration for me.

Lynne, I’m not responsible for the cover copy. :) But I can assure you the topic of divorce is anything but casually treated in the book. *smoothing hackles down*

Then I owe you an apology. I should know better to think that cover copy, the art or the blurb, has anything to do with the inside of the book! (no, that’s not sarcastic, it’s the honest truth - thank heaven for Amazon samples!)

@Lynne—yes to hating it when books use “Baron” as a title!  And “Baron Firstname Lastname” is even worse.  But I usually check inside the book and see if it’s the author making the mistake (in which case the book goes right back on the shelf) or just bad marketing copy, since the author often has little say in the cover blurb.

My favorite romangst is Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca.  I love how miserably uncertain and self-flagellating the heroine is, and how callously the hero, Maxim, treats her in his self-absorption. There are great passages in which the heroine (the poor thing doesn’t even get a proper name) creates complete dialogues in her head about how painfully embarrassed everyone else must be for her.  And then it turns out Maxim is screwed up, too.

Argh, I wish I hadn’t taken so long to compose my post.  I promise Maggie/Margaret hadn’t responded yet when I wrote what I did about the cover blurb.  Now it sounds like I’m trying to school Lynne on a point she’s graciously acknowledged.

(And this post makes me sound as insecure as the heroine in Rebecca.  Nevermind, nothing to see here…)

I think we all need another cup of tea. :) It always works in historicals.

One of my favorite romangst books is JoBev’s To Rescue a Rogue. Loved Dare.

I have a few favourite “romangsty” books, but the first one that came to mind was Laura Kinsale’s Flowers from the Storm.

A favorite of mine that is very angsty, I think - Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone

Romangsty!  I love it!

One book I can think of offhand is ‘The Missing’ by Shiloh Walker. I read this when I need a good, cathartic cry…

Romangsty: Broken Wing by Judith James. Sigh, love.

I totally hope I don’t sound like a douchecanoe since Maggie is one of my critique partners and I love everything she’s written, but I’m so excited that Mistress by Mistake is chosen for book club. I loved this book SO MUCH.

Obviously don’t enter me in the drawing. :)

Oh, I’m up for a good historical discussion! LIke Cecilia, “Romangsty” immediately made me think of Flowers from the Storm.

Ooooo, I loved Robinson’s Mistress by Mistake! 

I think my favorite angsty romance is “His Lady Mistress” whihc was a Kindle freebee.

I think my favorite romangsty novel would have to be Teresa Medeiros’ Yours Until Dawn, even though it’s not as romangsty as some. I also like some of Nora Roberts’ books, because the “angst” usually ends up being both characters’ faults, instead of just one-sided.

This is easy since I just reread it: “Demon Moon” by Meljean Brook. That why don’t we just see what comes next line kills me every single time.

Definitely Robin Schone for historical angst and Laura Kinsale :)

I shared a book with Maggie and Virginia Henley and can confirm that Maggie is a wonderful writer and a lovely person too. :)

Wow, @Lynne:  I totally love those Robin Schone books…and Gabriel’s Woman is probably my fave.  I’ll have to go dig that one out and re-read it.  Angst and smut together—it’s like chocolate and peanut butter, or maybe Bugs Bunny and a hangover…

I guess I’ve been reading too much urban fantasy, because I can’t think of a “romangsty” title to nominate.

But Mistress By Marriage sounds very intriguing.  I’d certainly love a copy!

I think a lot of old-school historicals were romangsty, but I think one of the more recent ones that I’ve read is Sinful, by Charlotte Featherstone.

I totally hope I don’t sound like a douchecanoe

OMG!  I love it.  I will have to use that today!

Mistress By Mistake is in my TBR pile.  I guess I’ll have to move it up a little.  *grin*

Looking forward to Mistress By Marriage!

I don’t think I have a favorite angst book.  Two of them I can think of are Sinful Surrender by Beverley Kendall and To Desire A Wicked Duke by Nicole Jordan.

Well, Gee Sarah you never had print book option when you picked a Digital book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this is so unfair! If I can suffer through trying to figure out how to get a digital book without an e-reader the e-readers can swing by a book store and buy a print book for a change.
God forbid Kindle not be able to turn a profit from SB Sarah’s book club. Of course I will never have a Kindle because their sexist advertising is a real turn-off.  (I hate the so called Kindle Friends, which feature ditzy stupid woman with book and smart superior man with Kindle. There are like three of these commercials at least)
Also I can’t afford an e-reader at this time.
Next time you pick a digital book how about picking a print book too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sherry Thomas’ Not Quite a Husband. Every time I read it I have a lump in my throat the whole time.

re Emily - I don’t know anything about Kindle advertising so can’t speak to that, but re the basic point re it being silly that we have to have a digital option after many picks that were digital only - WORD.

angst, how it does us in sometimes…. Honestly I think it’s a version of the P&P story - Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife. It’s all post-wedding and she’s just so….filled with angsty wrong steps. She’s got the guy, but now has to figure out what to do.

Definitely old school here. The one that twists my heart and still can make me cry ,laugh and smile is ‘Gone With The Wind’. I’ve read it about 25 times. I’ve seen the movie once and even though I know what’s coming, the tears still flow, the laughter and smiles are still there.  I have tons of favorite authors of today’s books, but ‘Gone with the Wind’ is special cause my mother named me for Melanie in the book. Mellie as some friends call me. *grin*

My favorite angst book is Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas

I’m conflicted.  I agree with Melanie on Gone with the Wind (which is indeed angsty as hell and also one of my favorite books/romance starters), but in terms of more “current” genre romance - Whitney, My Love.  Swoon swoon swoon SWOON.  That book was so angst-filled and crazy, and I think Judith McNaught was purposely making it to be the most addictive thing ever.  I read it months ago and I’m still thinking about how much I loved it.

My vote is for “Gone With The Wind”, too. Romangst is the perfect description!

I can only think of Broken Wing by Judith James at the moment. Loved it! Thanks for the giveaway!

Well the first romangsty book I picked up that really got to me and tied me in knots would have to be Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. That started a trend to being the first of many, many more books after that with romangst. What can I say? I’m a sucker when it comes to the will they or won’t they storyline:)

Thanks for the giveaway!
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I would love to win Mistress By Marriage. Sounds Like a great read.

AN AFFAIR BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Eloisa James is one of my favorite romangsty stories. Loved it!

Most romance books have some level of angst, unless the author is going for full blown humor.  I remember the first historic romances I read were by Barbara Cartland and they all had a lot of angst in them.

I’d love to participate in the discussion!  I’ve enjoyed every one of Maggie’s books that I’ve been fortunate to read.  I have not read Mistress by Marriage yet… but it’s on my list to read and I’d LOVE to win a copy!  Picking a fav book is very difficult… I just finished The Bride by Judy Garwood and I thoroughly enjoyed it… so perhaps I should just go with it…
Thanks for the giveaway!

My first thought was Flowers of the Storm by Kleypas but then I remembered I haven’t read it yet. I’m just looking to track it down.

So my real answer is Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard.

Also @Emily and @CarrieS
Add my name to the list of people who want print book options. I’m still working out if I even really like having a pocket telephone so committing to an e-reader is kind of a long way of.

I was just looking at this book on Amazon this afternoon! I had purchased Mistress by Mistake a while ago for my Kindle and it’s languished in my TBR pile :(

Now I’m moving it up so I can start MBM for the book club!

As far as romangsty… I’d have to say anything by Julie Garwood (her earlier historicals which I’ve read them all) and I’d definitely agree with Sherry Thomas’ Not Quite a Husband… that book… sigh… sooo good but I was wanting to bang their heads together… Thomas saved me from hating the whole miscommunication trope by an excellent reason for why they don’t talk.

I guess I’m on the fence about e-book vs print. I love both (have a huuuuge physical TBR pile as well as an electronic one) However, the Kindle has actually allowed me to start reading more Historical romance b/c 1) I can usually get it cheaper, much better pricing and sales 2) I have to admit I usually hate any and all HR covers… sorry… love the stories but haven’t run across any that aren’t really cheesy. I’m not ashamed to read HR but it’s distracting to have a book that you hate the cover. So e-books have re-opened that genre for me.

Ok… didn’t mean to sound like a HR hater stereotype (the bodice ripper covers and all) but that’s what kept from reading when I was younger (plus I came from a very religious household so I wouldn’t have even gotten them in the door).

I have to admit the covers have come a very long way and are much improved but I can’t shake that earlier dislike. I do buy them now in print, especially if I can find a good deal at my local 1/2 price bookstore. But… I’m an unabashed cover whore :) Just prefer my HR on my kindle :) Which I’m half way to convincing myself to go ahead an buy MBM on…. hmmmm…

lol… my first security code was back36 and this one is recent 32…

The proofreader in me has to point out that Jo Beverley’s name is misspelled in the blog text and in the tag. (I think it must happen a lot to her—unfortunately, I have often seen Jo Beverley’s name misspelled in library catalogs when I’m looking for her latest book.)

~~~

As for my favorite “romangst” book, I’d have to go with “Almost Heaven” by Judith McNaught. I just love a book that makes me cry (usually because the hero is being unspeakably cruel to the heroine), and I fondly remember weeping over this one. Yes, I love me a two-hanky (or three-hanky!) read.

I loved Mistress By Marriage because the h/h are so very human and flawed and likable. I have to admit that of the suggestions so far the ones I’ve tried have made me tell the h/h to get over themselves already and/or fling said book at wall. But Maggie’s characters have a ring of truth to them.

Another Eden by Patricia Gaffney.  That book is so full of angst and worry and I just eat it up.

And basically anything by Mary Balogh.  Especially Tangled.

Both choices for Sept are appealing- I am a print reader still- have trouble with cozying up to a screen. So my old school votes are for Gone with the Wind, lots of titles from Barbara Cartland, and JoBev’s story about Dare. I would so appreciate a print copy of mistress by marriage.

Just popping in to thank those of you who’ve read my books and commented on them, especially Elyssa, Janet and Kate. Of the three Courtesan Court books so far, Marriage is my favorite because it blends the romp of Mistake with the angst of Midnight. I guess that would be “rompangst.” :)

My top two romangsty books are probably:
This is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland
and
His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls

I’ve read both more times than I can count.

It’s so hard to choose my fave romangst but would have to go with Paradise by Judith McNaught. I think I’ve read that one more times than is healthy. Can I also second (third?) Gone with the Wind? That’s been a favorite since I was a teenager.

Just off the top of my head, I’m thinking Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas.

for me, i will call romangst “devil in winter” by lisa kleypas and “tender rebel” by johanna lindsey, because i like “bad boy” =D

Just wanted to pop in and say for those who prefer, Jo Beverley’s AN UNWILLING BRIDE is available on audible.com and is a great listen. Simon Prebble does an excellent job of reading steamy romances, and of putting emotion into the story. 12 1/2 hours of listening fun!

I haven’t really read much romangst.  But, I love Lisa Kleypas’s Blue Eyed Devil and Sugar Daddy.  I think there is some pretty good angst in both stories!  I hope I’m not too late for the giveaway!

I just reread Judith McNaught’s Paradise this week and it’s full of throbbing pretzel heartedness. While I was reading, it occurred to me that Paradise (which is one of my favorite “contemporary” romances) is incredibly similar to MicNaught’s Almost Heaven (which is one of my favorite “historical” romances). My only problem with these books is that once the couples get over the initial horrible misunderstandings, they plunge right back into misery and doubt again. I consider myself to be a romantic, but even I would give up after all that fuss!

Probably Laura Kinsale’s Flowers from the Storm.

I just finished the book.  I absolutely loved it.  I have to say I love all the Courtesan Court books.  I can’t wait for Andrew’s story. 
Are you going to write Neddie’s story?  I found I felt sorry for him with Edward demand he does his family duty.  I would love to see what happens with him, if he would fall in with his cousin or disregard the marriage contract that his father made for him and find love with someone else.

Ora, thank you so much! I felt kind of sorry for Neddie, too, LOL. Right now I have no plans for him—he’d have to grow up another decade before I would find him old enough to be an interesting hero, and that would get me out of my Regency-era niche. (Even though George IV is king in Marriage, he hasn’t has his coronation yet, so I cheat a little and think of the book as “late Regency.” Very “late Regency.” *g*)

On the angst front:  definitely agree with “Not Quite a Husband.”  I get weepy so many times during that book.  It’s angst with a lighter touch but Lisa Kleypas’s “Love in the Afternoon” I think does a lovely job.  For heavy angst, “Broken Wing.”  Also “To Have and to Hold” by Patricia Gaffney.  That is a dark hero and I’m not quite sure about the turnaround but the darkness of that gets me every time.  Oh, and “All Things Beautiful” by Cathy Maxwell.

Oh, and this is a sidestep from romance novels (unless you want to count fan fiction?), but Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer does unrequited love like nobody’s business.

I just finished re-reading LaVerle Spencer’s “Bittersweet” and enjoyed it again—