The Bookmatcher: Adults in Romances

Bitchin' Blog Posts

by SB Sarah | by SB Sarah | April 15, 2010 | Thursday at 10:08 am | 85 Comments

Billie Bloebaum, romance book buyer for Powell’s in the Portland Airport, is exercising the power of her handselling abilities online, and fields requests for books to read. Thanks, Billie!

Today’s request is from Cara: I’m looking for some help finding romances with a particular kind of pairing.

I would like books with heroines who are smart, rational, and happy, and generally unconcerned with “proper” social behavior, and heroes who are equally smart and rational as well as kind. Basically your anti -angry boner man. Books where these two pair up because they both problem-solve in adult and unconventional ways, and where the sexy bits are clearly driven by genuine respect and admiration between the protagonists.

Any setting works, and any time period, with the exception that I would prefer no cowboys, no vampires and no werewolves. Additionally, lesbian romances are totally welcome, so long as the two protagonists adhere to the same character requirements

For context, my favorite examples of this have been in Amanda Quick’s post 1993 books and Candace Camp’s “Suddenly”.

It seems like these would be very standard sorts of romances, but every time I walk into a bookstore lately, I’m inundated with dark, scary looking books, with a few rapey-sounding historicals scattered about for variety.

Billie says:

Billie says: “Off the top of my head:

Jill Shalvis
Julie James
Jennifer Crusie
Joanna Bourne
Lauren Willig (Or should that be “Jauren”?)

[Fortunately] I haven’t come across a lot of rape-y historicals recently.Yeah, there are nine bazillion paranormals out there and plenty of historicals with flibbertigibbet heroines and/or super-Alpha heroes, but the rape-y types seem to be thin on the ground. (Not that this is a bad thing.)”

What are your grownups-in-love go-to romance recommendations, where the conflict is character driven, not role driven or paranormal wtfery driven?

Filed: General Bitching, Good Shit vs. Shit to Avoid, Billie Bloebaum the Bookmatcher

Tagged: wtfery, shalvis, romance, recommendations, powells, heroines, billie bloebaum,

| |

Ben P said on 04.15.10 at 10:42 AM • [link]

I completely second Cara’s request for some mature, respectful, anti-angry-boner romances.

My 2 cents: Some of Katherine Korbel’s books may fit the bill (Although I thought the whole Vietnam vet genre would be horribly cheesy or somesuch, “Soldier’s heart” proved to be really moving and did a great job of addressing the issue of PTSD among women)

Other than that I’ve had difficulty finding a novel that hasn’t involved some combination of furry, dead, angry and control freak of late.
aphasia said on 04.15.10 at 11:58 AM • [link]

I found them in mystery (not romance), but I found Deanna Raybourn’s Silent in the Grave trilogy to be a great example of this genre. As an Amanda Quick fan, I enjoyed the spunky historical heroine.
Cara McKenna / Meg Maguire said on 04.15.10 at 12:41 PM • [link]

I’m a different Cara…I think. Maybe I e-mailed this whilst asleep. At any rate, I want what the other Cara wants! Some rational non-vampire-non-shifter characters would hit the spot nicely—a love story that might actually happen in real life, only, you know, swoon-worthy enough to warrant a book. I wish I had some recommendations to make myself, but none are popping into my head at 6:39 in the morning. I eagerly await the Bitchery’s collective wisdom.
Cheryl McInnis said on 04.15.10 at 01:08 PM • [link]

Victoria Dahl and Beth Ciotta write some great grown-up, and funny, stories for HQN~
spam word is own89- I don’t own 89 of Victoria Dahl’s books, but I’m working on it ;-)
Bethany said on 04.15.10 at 01:21 PM • [link]

I just have to chime in with another vote for Jill Shalvis. Instant Attraction would be my pick to start with - hands down my favorite first chapter of all time!
Katrina said on 04.15.10 at 02:04 PM • [link]

I can second (and third) everyone on Jill Shalvis. I’m reading Slow Heat right now, and the characters definitely deal with their emotions in a mature, realistic way.

Also, I find Susan Donovan’s books great for these types of characters, especially Take a Chance on Me. The hotness comes from their emotional connection.
Jennifer Estep said on 04.15.10 at 02:05 PM • [link]

I love Lisa Kleypas’ conteporary romances, especially Sugar Daddy and Blue-Eyed Devil. She gets my vote. Her historicals would also fit the bill.
Barb said on 04.15.10 at 02:21 PM • [link]

Amanda Quick’s alter ego, Jayne Ann Krentz, is always my go-to for smart modern romance. Her Arcane Society books (written under both names) are great fun. A second here for Julie James—loved, loved Something About You. Across the store in the mystery aisle I can agree on Deanna Raybourn’s Julia Grey books and I have to put in a plug for Julia Spencer-Fleming (though her books may be a bit fraught for our requesting Cara).
Virginia Kantra said on 04.15.10 at 02:55 PM • [link]

Totally agree on Jennifer Crusie and I’m loving Nora Roberts Wedding Quartet books.
What about Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track books, Hard and Fast and Flat Out Sexy?
lina said on 04.15.10 at 02:56 PM • [link]

I have to say that in historicals, Loretta Chase’s _Not Quite a Lady_ fit the bill for me. Smart protagonists who respect each other and a welcome lack of those annoying misunderstandings that could be resolved with one adult conversation.
Jody W. said on 04.15.10 at 03:09 PM • [link]

I read a Kristen Higgens book recently that would fit that bill. Also Linnea Sinclair (sf romance, not contemp), Ellen Hartman, and Trish Milburn don’t write angry boner romances. I have been doing more beta reads and crits lately, so lots of books sans the furious phallus are coming to MIND, but they’re not exactly available to the public, so that won’t help :)
emdee said on 04.15.10 at 03:10 PM • [link]

Lina, I was going to suggest Chase as well. Quite a few choices here. Easy34! LOL
Susan Blexrud said on 04.15.10 at 03:16 PM • [link]

I second Jennifer’s vote for Lisa Kleypas. Loved Sugar Daddy.
anais7475 said on 04.15.10 at 03:20 PM • [link]

Julie Anne Long historical romances are really really good, Eloisa James as well.
Dr. Ann Voisin said on 04.15.10 at 03:25 PM • [link]

Second Try to Submit this Information

Believe it or not, for me, this kind of book was written back in the seventies by an author who just recently passed away.

His name is Richard Stark.

His books span the spectrum, but two of his strengths are comic crime (which I don’t care to read), and the other serious relationships of the kind you describe between the women in his novels and professional gangsters with a heart (these fit your description perfectly).

I found particularly the relationship between Mary Deegan and Grosfield to be just the ticket for me.

You can find them in two of Stark’s short novels.

1) Lemons Never Lie

2) The Score
Dr. Ann Voisin said on 04.15.10 at 03:27 PM • [link]

Hi, I’m afraid when I used our web site in the website box provided on this site, I was white paged….completely blocked by Akismet.

So, I erased the website designation and the comment was accepted.

In the spirit of being neighborly, if you accept the comment would you reinstate the website. http:///www dot ToysPeriod dot com.

Then come on over to ToysPeriod for a backlink. ToysPeriod is a do follow blog. Google Page Rank 4.

Please let me know if you reinstate the website name above.

Thanks

Dr. Ann
Kristi L. said on 04.15.10 at 03:50 PM • [link]

Totally off topic (kinda). I"m an Amanda Quick fan, she’s kind of a dirty little secret in that I have to read every one of her standalones when they come out, despite myself.

Has anyone noticed, however, that her books ave become cookie cutter versions of themselves? I used to enjoy her characters, but I’ve come to notice that they’re essentially the same bookish girl with before her time ideals and glasses attracted to the hero against her will (and she either dives in head first, or fights it terribly for the first half of the book, both actions a way to shun what’s expectd of her) and the hero has some kind of dark terrible past, he’s either broke or eccentric, and has some kind of phsical deformity.

It’s like she takes the same characters and throws them into some random murder/theft mystery, but changes their names, hair and eye color.

Anyway, rant aside, am I the only one noticing this, or are others seeing it with me.
Stephanie said on 04.15.10 at 03:59 PM • [link]

I don’t know it they are romance or just romantic, but the Sophie Kinsella books are nice.
Beki said on 04.15.10 at 04:06 PM • [link]

I used to read all of LaVyrle Spencer’s books for the same reason: nobody was overly fraught or angry and the romance was heavy and sweet. Though not sweet as in non-visible. Plenty of on-the-page loving in an LS romance. I always liked her historicals better than her contemporaries, though.

For modern-day sensible grown-up romances, I second Crusie and also LOVE Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She may well be my new go-to comfort read.
Zarrin said on 04.15.10 at 04:07 PM • [link]

I would strongly recommend Anne Gracie’s “A Perfect Rake”! Great characters, awesome humor, and just a bit of adrenaline. By far one of the best examples of the type of novel you described that I have found.

Would also like to join the Jennifer Crusie bandwagon…her new book, Wild Ride, is fantastic!
Kristin said on 04.15.10 at 04:36 PM • [link]

I just read At Last and Caught In The Moment by Lisa G. Riley and I loved them. I think they would both fall into this category. Also, Rock Star by Roslyn Hardy Holcomb would fit the bill.
Donna said on 04.15.10 at 04:39 PM • [link]

Totally with you on Jennfer Crusie. Her recent books with Bob Mayer totally fit the bill. In the historical market I’m watching Evangeline Collins. Definitely a different perspective.
Mfred said on 04.15.10 at 04:46 PM • [link]

I think if you are looking for lesbian romance featuring sensible, average people, Karen Kallmaker is a go-to author.

I’ve only read one of her books, so I can’t really make recommendations, but she’s quite profilic and beloved.
Barb said on 04.15.10 at 04:52 PM • [link]

@Kristi L re: Amanda Quick. Yes, AQ’s characters do seem interchangable of late, but it is less noticable if you are only reading them at the rate of one a year (as each new one is released). If you read a bunch of them in a row—wow, you sure can get that impression. In all honesty, though, I have been reading her since the dawn of time and she (like any author who has been writing for 30 years plus) has a finite set of character traits that she like to work with and a finite set of plot devices that she does well and she mixes and matches as she chooses. You read enough of them and you begin to recognize all the characters and plots. Depending on your mood, it either annoys you or you roll with it. And I’ve been both places with AQ(and JAK) and Nora. But she is still on my “gotta get immediately” list and that is unlikely to change.
Cakes said on 04.15.10 at 04:54 PM • [link]

Smart protagonists who respect each other and a welcome lack of those annoying misunderstandings that could be resolved with one adult conversation.

THIS! This is what drives me crazy. I would love more of these books. And yes, grownup characters. I really enjoyed Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray. A very sweet romance about middle aged love.
JoAnn Chartier said on 04.15.10 at 04:56 PM • [link]

If you like historicals, you can’t do better than Jo Beverly; wonderful research to back up the locations and truly wonderful characters and dialogue. One caveat, her most recent did not ring my chimes. The Georgian period is my favorite era, and has not been done to death as regency has.

Loretta Chase! Yes! More!

further84 encourages me to stick up a hand and say yes to some of the paranormals—Marjorie Liu and Lynn Viehl take action, adventure and characters into an interesting realm without drowning in fur or blood. Well, some blood.
Lori said on 04.15.10 at 04:57 PM • [link]

Loretta Chase. I’m reading her backlist now and all the heroes and heroines are smart, brave, equally met and perfect. She’s also just a damned good writer and I love everything she does.
KristenMary said on 04.15.10 at 05:00 PM • [link]

I agree with Barb. Amanda Quick/ Jane Ann Krentz can be cookie cutter but they are good. And they usually skip the really annoying Big Misunderstanding. Nora Roberts is the same for me. I love her. Both are auto buys for both me and my sis.

Lately I’ve been glomming Stephaine Laurens, no rape-y historicals there but there is the occaisional misunderstanding (usually a small one). I really enjoy Sabrina Jeffries as well for smart historicals where the gal isn’t a pushover and the hero is not an ass-hat.
Lauren Willig said on 04.15.10 at 05:09 PM • [link]

Thanks so much, Billie! I’m laughing so hard over the “Jauren” comment, because when I was a young ‘un, dreaming of being a romance novelist, it hit me that all my favorite romance novelists had “J” names: Johanna Lindsey, Jayne Ann Krentz, Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood…. Clearly, there was something in a “J”! Oh, the hours of my teenage life I spent trying to come up with a “J” pseudonym.

I’m so thrilled to get to be an honorary “J”!

Going back to the main question, I second the recommendation of Loretta Chase!
Randi said on 04.15.10 at 05:10 PM • [link]

Virginia Kantra’s right. The new NR series (Vision in White and Bed of Roses are the first two of the quartet that are out) so fulfill your requirements. In fact, everyone is such a super adult in the new NR books, that there’s no conflict. It’s a bit boring, IMO, although, as usual, the writing is superb. (Also, the packaging of this series is just beautiful. Even if I don’t like the books, I’m buying them for my collection and because they’re so pretty! ;) I just like more tension in my stories. NR’s Black Hills would probably suffice, as well.

I’ll second Zarin’s Anne Gracie suggestion. She writes Regency historicals (I’ve been getting mine from paperbookswap.com) which are really witty with tight plotting. But the hero and heroine are total grown ups.
Kristi L. said on 04.15.10 at 05:18 PM • [link]

@Barb: Yeah. I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy her, and I too have read… I think nearly all of her books. A lot of them were in quick succession during a specific few years in there, and I had to take a break. Not just from her, but from Regency’s in general. *grin* I still love her, and still buy most all of hers (except, her Acane series, I tried one and wasn’t thrilled by it). I don’t really care for contemporaries, so I don’t read her JAK, and I haven’t read any of her Jayne Castle because… I don’t know. I just haven’t.

I don’t read Nora either, but my favorite book of all time is one of her few Medieval ones, ‘Mystique’ I usually read it once a year, and after the debacle that was ‘‘The Cative Heart’ by Beatrice Small, I need a good book to recharge my brain. Part of me is dreading writing up the scathing review because it wasn’t even an entertaining book if I detatched myself from reality. I just sucked.

In short… I love Amanda Quick, and will always, I just wish I couldn’t predict each outcome of each book I read. It makes me sad.
Carin said on 04.15.10 at 05:35 PM • [link]

I’ve got nobody new, just want to put in my vote for Victoria Dahl’s contemporaries, Erin McCarthy’s Fast Books, Jill Shalvis, Loretta Chase, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I think they all have what you’re looking for, and I love them! I’d also add Sarah Mayberry - I love her books!
abschli said on 04.15.10 at 06:00 PM • [link]

Totally agree with the recommendations for Jill Shalvis, Lisa Kleypas (contemporary and historical), Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Jennifer Crusie. In romantic suspense, Linda Howard’s Cover of Night, To Die For, and Up Close and Dangerous all feature intelligent, rational, non-angry H/H’s who come together through problem-solving, with only minor misunderstandings.
Rhian said on 04.15.10 at 06:08 PM • [link]

I just have to add Georgette Heyer and her Regency historicals - her heroes and heroines are almost always wonderfully level-headed and sensible. In particular: Frederica, False Colours, Lady of Quality, Black Sheep, The Quiet Gentleman, The Reluctant Widow and The Nonesuch. All contain couples that I think I’d genuinely like in real life.

I wholeheartedly second the recommendations for Jennifer Crusie, Erin McCarthy, Jill Shalvis, SEP and Sarah Mayberry. You can’t go wrong with them - although I prefer Crusie’s earlier work, before she partnered with Bob Mayer.
Madeleine Conway said on 04.15.10 at 06:10 PM • [link]

Am huge Crusie fan, but my other go-to for grown up characters are Janet Mullany’s books - they are all terrific.
Heather said on 04.15.10 at 06:16 PM • [link]

I’m currently in love with Jill Shalvis—or at least her books since I’ve never met her—so I want to echo that recommendation. And that of Nora’s wedding series.

Other authors that I think are pretty straightforward are Sheryl Woods and Susan Wiggs. They both do the small-ish town books.
schambers said on 04.15.10 at 06:39 PM • [link]

I’m another huge Crusie fan. I’ve also recently discovered Cathy Linz. I love her series, “Good Girls Do,” “Bad Girls Don’t,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Smart Girls Think Twice.” Both Crusie and Linz cause me to choke back laughter when I read in bed after my hubby has gone to sleep.
Liz said on 04.15.10 at 07:59 PM • [link]

I’m going to join the crowd of Crusie fans and most of the Nora Roberts books work, although I do not think that the first book in the wedding quartet really fits. I thought Mac was very childish in how she dealt with her feelings for her mother and for Carter. The second book is a little more grown-up, and i don’t think that there was a big misunderstanding. I’m looking forward to the third. If you don’t mind futuristics, her JD Robb series would fit as well. Both Eve and Roarke are smart and usually adult in their feelings.

I would like to add Karen Rose’s books. Her heroes and heroines are all smart, and rarely is there a big misunderstanding (that wasn’t there from the beginning—i.e. characters knowing each other before the book started), and if there is one it actually helps the book progress. Also, Alison Brennan books come to mind. (I haven’t started her new series yet, but it seems like it is going to be “save the world-ish” so it won’t fit. Her other series are really good, and her characters are generally smart and adult. I really enjoyed the first 3 about the Kincaids.
donna said on 04.15.10 at 08:08 PM • [link]

I forgot my newest love Susan Elizabeth Phillips! I’m glad others didn’t!
jody said on 04.15.10 at 08:17 PM • [link]

Gosh. These suggestions came at the perfect time.

I just finished my first (and last) Twilight book and desperately need something to stop the bleeding. SRSLY. GAH!
A said on 04.15.10 at 08:40 PM • [link]

These might not be quite right, because they are also fluffy-happy-silly, but most of the Bridgerton series come to mind—Romancing Mister Bridgerton is probably my absolute favorite because it doesn’t start out with blind passion; that sort of builds over time.

Also Mary Balogh’s Slightly Married?

I’m not sure if these fit the bill, since I’m an amateur romance reader, but no one had mentioned them, so I figured I’d throw them out there…
Randi said on 04.15.10 at 09:51 PM • [link]

@Liz re Bed of Roses: yeah, I’ve heard that complaint before about Mac and how she deals with her mother and Carter. I tend to disagree-I think how Mac handled (or not handled) her mother was in line with her character, as well as in character with people who have mothers like hers. My mother’s mother is a lot like Mac’s mom, and it drives my mom nuts. I’m always telling my mom to ignore her or let her go, but you know..moms. Can’t just set them aside. LOL. As for her feelings for Carter-eh. I don’t have an opinion on that either way. No, that’s not true. I think Carter was really easy on Mac. Mac = way more grovel required. Yet, her behavior wasn’t unrealistic, IMO. But it does seem that Mac’s mother split readers one way or the other.

Either way, I do hope that Cara checks the series out. I’d be interested in her response. ;)
Randi said on 04.15.10 at 09:53 PM • [link]

@Liz: Did you read Black Hills? If so, what did you think of that one?
Becca said on 04.15.10 at 10:19 PM • [link]

second (or eighty-second) Julia James and Georgette Heyer. I’m of mixed emotions about the Bride quartet so far, but normally love Nora Roberts (Blue Smoke is one of my all-time favorites).

I’m currently on a JAK kick - love most of her books (except one with such an over-controlling stalker-ish hero that I can’t stand even remembering the title), love the Jayne Castle books, but can’t read Amanda Quick: there’s a preciousness about the writing style that drives me up a wall.
Beth said on 04.15.10 at 10:34 PM • [link]

I just started reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I’m loving her stuff. I haven’t read much Nora Roberts, but I have read her bride Quartet (well the 2/4 that are out) and they are going on my keeper shelf :)
Ben P said on 04.15.10 at 10:37 PM • [link]

One for the road:

Reading Marie Feraella’s “Christmas Every Day” and enjoying it. Great dialogue and an appealing lack of angry wang.
Cath Bilson said on 04.15.10 at 10:45 PM • [link]

Try Candy Halliday if you’re looking for category romance. I’ve just finished two books she wrote for Harlequin’s (sadly) short-lived Romantic Comedy Imprint, Are Men From Mars? and Venus, How Could You? and they were both excellent.

I also love Elizabeth (Liz) Young - Asking For Trouble was damn straight the funniest book I ever read - a few misunderstandings in there but you could easily imagine yourself making them. Don’t judge the book by the ghastly movie (The Wedding Date) made from it.
Liz said on 04.15.10 at 10:46 PM • [link]

@Randi, I loved Black Hills. Its been awhile since I read it, so i don’t remember all the details, but the characters were less childish than most romantic pairings. What I really liked about it was that although the hero made some mistakes at 20 (who doesn’t imo) that they were able to get passed it, and you can see that he has grown since then. I hate it when characters make mistakes when they’re young and expect everything to get back to “normal” because they realized they were a jackass as a teen/young adult. This is why I had trouble with Sam Logan in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy. He dumps Mia because he needs to see what he can be without her, and then when he realizes that he made a mistake he goes back to the Sisters expecting her to welcome him back with open arms, not understanding why she doesn’t or why she doesn’t appear to be angry with him. His Mia was a spitfire. This new Mia was different. I kept thinking “Of course she is different! Eleven years have passed! If she was the same at 28 that she was at 17 then something is wrong with her!”
Janet Mullany said on 04.15.10 at 11:15 PM • [link]

Am huge Crusie fan, but my other go-to for grown up characters are Janet Mullany’s books - they are all terrific.

Thanks, Madeleine, I’d have to agree! Joining almost everyone in the Crusie and Phillips lovefest and adding a shoutout for Nita Abrams’s fab books about an Anglo-Jewish family involved in espionage during the Napoleonic Wars—ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances.
Alpha Lyra said on 04.15.10 at 11:17 PM • [link]

This is the kind of romance novel I like too. A few of my fave authors are Jennifer Crusie, Suzanne Brockmann, and Linnea Sinclair.

Also I think the recently reviewed Julie James novel, “Something About You,” would qualify.
willa said on 04.16.10 at 12:30 AM • [link]

A Harlequin contemporary writer I’ve recently discovered and quite like is Jamie Sobrato. First category romances I’ve liked in a long time. Recently read Baby Under the Mistletoe because of the interracial couple on the cover and was astonished at how much I liked the book. Am now glomming her back list. So far it’s all mature adults falling in love, with mature adult problems.
Deb Kinnard said on 04.16.10 at 01:26 AM • [link]

Surprised Eileen Wilks’ pre-paranormals haven’t been mentioned yet. She writes flawed characters whose choices still end up making sense…and rational is all over the continuum, isn’t it? Her characters respect one another both in & out of the sack, and that’s why I like her classic romances.

Her name doesn’t start with “J” though—is that all right?
Lin said on 04.16.10 at 01:28 AM • [link]

My favorite kind of romance! Intelligent heroine & hero with intelligent relationships - and I love when the author can write with humor, too. My must reads: Loretta Chase. Madeline Hunter, Liz Carlyle, all JAK/AQ/JC; most Mary Balogh, Betina Krahn, & Jennifer Crusie ... can’t wait to read some the recommended authors posted here that are new to me: Julia James, Jill Shalvis, Elizabeth Young
cate said on 04.16.10 at 02:01 AM • [link]

Am also amongst the throng recommending Crusie, also second/thirding Anne Gracie & Liz Carlyle. You might want to try Mary Jo Putney, Janet Chapman & Elizabeth Hoyt. All of them write blissfully sane, well written, thoroughly enjoyable romances. Rule of thumb…Not one of these writers has produced a wallbanger yet (At least, not for me!)
Also, the Blessed Nora as JD Robb, technically crime, but who cares,they’re too good to miss out on.
ks said on 04.16.10 at 02:22 AM • [link]

I’m with the others on Amanda Quick—those are some of my favorite books ever, but they do get a bit predictable after a while. And JAK also writes some of the only contemporaries that I really enjoy—I very much prefer historicals, although I don’t have a particular favorite time period. Also, no first person writing, because that really irritates me (and I couldn’t make it through the newest Lisa Kleypas, who I also usually love, because of that).

And I agree with the recommendations for Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, and Jo Beverly. I would also say that most of Stephanie Laurens’ books are entertaining, but I don’t care for the first two of her newest quartet. The characters are starting to get really repetitive and the newest heroine is highly annoying.
orangehands said on 04.16.10 at 03:00 AM • [link]

Kristi L.: I’ll second you on that her stories all seem the same, but my main problem in her Arcane series is how being a 9 or 10 is off the charts and EVERY freakin hero and heroine is. It’s not rare when all of your characters have it. *breaths* That felt good to get off my chest. :)

Cakes: Yes!

Hmm, no real suggestions beyond some of what’s been listed. (Crusie especially.) There are very few contemporary romance authors I consistently like. Dammit.
Kilian Metcalf said on 04.16.10 at 03:08 AM • [link]

I love Georgette Heyer and Amanda Quick, too. I also love Rosamund Pilchur and Maeve Binchey because their people are so sensible. Since I’m ancient, I can remember DE Stevenson and buy up any of her used books that appear. I wish they would reprint her and Elswyth Thane. I know some of her Williamsburg novels aren’t politically correct, but they sure are good
Lisa said on 04.16.10 at 04:04 AM • [link]

As a huge Amanda Quick fan, I’ll second what Beki said about LaVyrle Spencer.
KS Augustin said on 04.16.10 at 06:13 AM • [link]

No limitations on time period, you say? What about SFR (Science Fiction Romance)? No cowboys or vampires or werewolves. Promise.
Tawna Fenske said on 04.16.10 at 06:25 AM • [link]

Another vote for any Jennifer Crusie book (Welcome to Temptation and Faking It are my favorites). I also love Kristan Higgins (Just one of the Guys and Too Good to be True).

Recently picked up my first Laura Kinsale (Lessons in French) and that might fit the bill for you as well.

Good luck!

Tawna
Kristi L. said on 04.16.10 at 06:26 AM • [link]

Orangehands: The real reason that I didn’t start reading her Arcane series has to do with a lot. I really don’t care for contempoaries. They don’t feel as much like escapism to me. I heard that they were weird. When they first came out, Paranormals weren’t my thing and I hadn’t read any since I was 14. Even still I’m heavily into historicals and light on the paranormal. I’m picky. Now, it drives me up the wall because I know that she’s going cross-generational with them. For some reason I can’t stand it.

Mostly though, I find that I’m so totally not into SMUT. I was fine with it when I was younger. When I was 14 it was forbidden and naughty and kinda dirty so it was automatically on my ‘awesome list’. Then I just kind of accepted it as part of the romance genre. Now, I find myself skimming over he sex, reading th dialogue because I keep thinking I’ll miss something plot related and getting annoyed that the author has to throw them between the sheets for any old reason. Now, I"m more into the either there but not tactful sex scenes, or even perferring the fade to black kind. I don’t need to read about his throbbing phallus in her velvet sheath. It’s kinda gross.

But having gone completly off subject, I still love her. She’s one of my favorites. I just want some new unpredictable plot lines. *grin*
Cait said on 04.16.10 at 06:55 AM • [link]

Brand new author for me….Katie Fforde. English author, contemp english locations - not London.. Also Sophie Kinsella. not the Shopaholic series..Try UNDOMESTIC GODDESS, CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? , Mary Kay Andrews - american, antiquing, thrifting, adult.; AnnaJeffrey, Chrietie Ridgway ( WISH YOU WERE HERE, if you can find it), Elizabeth Bevarly. Jul;ie Ortolon,
I agree with all the above suggestions, but I didn’t see these authors suggested. Big fave is SEP, but the old ones please. The last 2 - not so much.
I almost forgot - Jeanne Ray: ROMEO AND JULIE, STEP BALL CHANGE, EAT CAKE, ROMEO AND JULIE GET LUCKY, seq. She said she had 4 books in her, wrote them and walked away. I revisit her - ALOT!!!!
Judith Ivory…love her romantic historicals, have not read her aka Judy Cuervas. But I own them Karen Ranney - nhistoricals too
Enough. If you get half the suggested author, you’ll be busy for years. Please find Jeanne Ray. Any body else read her?
Cait
too many nbooks, too little time and the just keep writing!!! I’ll never get caught up
ps. My Mom’s all time fave BOUQUET BY sHIRL hENKE. She re-read all the time until her eyes gave out.
Carahe said on 04.16.10 at 07:37 AM • [link]

My goodness, my goodness! I am the Cara in question, and I thank you all so much for your many great suggestions (I think I will be powell’s favorite customer tonight!). It’s very reassuring to hear (see?) that there are so many books and authors out there catering to the ‘sensible, adult’ market with really delicious romances. Call me crazy stingy, but I really prefer it when happy endings are achieved by characters I respect and like, characters who see their own romances as bonuses rather than entitlements or rescues.
Janet Mullany said on 04.16.10 at 02:00 PM • [link]

One more—Anna Maxted, a brilliant, funny English writer. Love her.

[rather92. I should say so, old chap.]]
quillwillow said on 04.16.10 at 02:34 PM • [link]

Nobody, but nobody, mentioned Kate Noble. Her first two books were lovely, but The Summer of You, reviewed here with an A-, was WONDERFUL. I actually sat in my car, in a parking lot to finish this one. And I am not talking a few pages, I am talking chapters. When I finally resurfaced, an hour had passed.

Thank goodness I remembered to turn the car off.
darlynne said on 04.16.10 at 06:56 PM • [link]

Nancy Thayer’s Hot Flash Club series is contemporary, funny and mature—literally. I like the relationship-solving aspects and problems that aren’t just between men and women. Watching this group of women come into their own, singly and together, over the course of the series, was fresh, fun and unexpected.
megalith said on 04.16.10 at 07:37 PM • [link]

Candice Hern’s Merry Widows series is a nice example of adults getting together, although I do seem to recall a few misunderstandings involved. Not contrived enough to bother me, but YMMV.

Overall, the intelligent, realistic romance between adults is also a staple in both women’s fiction and general fiction. In these romances, the larger page count allows for less telescopic characterization of relationships and the amped-up alpha heroes and supernatural elements are few and far between. Think Nicholas Sparks, but done well instead of male-fantasy awkward slash insipid. The only caveat is that occasionally you will encounter a more bittersweet ending than the typical romance HEA.

Some authors I like: Joanna Trollope, Kristin Hannah, Barbara Delinsky, Elizabeth Berg, Jennifer Weiner, Susan Wiggs, Anthony Capella (historical), Lisa Scottoline (suspense). Lots of others, but can’t bring them to mind right now.

Not all of their books appeal to me, but enough of them do that I’ll generally pick up their latest when it appears in my library. Some of these authors are regularly shelved in Romance, but not always. It pays to look up your favorite authors on Amazon, click on their name to bring you to their author page, and check out the “customers also bought” links on the right hand side of the page. It’s often as good as a reader’s advisory for finding similar authors.
jody said on 04.16.10 at 08:37 PM • [link]

The characters in the late Laurie Colwin’s few novels are adult, sophisticated and charming.

Happy All The Time, Goodbye Without Leaving, Family Happiness and A Big Storm Knocked It Over, three short story collections and two volumes of cooking essays are her legacy. Colwin died in 1992, and her books have never been out of print.
orangehands said on 04.16.10 at 09:15 PM • [link]

Kristi L.: While I wouldn’t call it Smut, I am with you; I usually skim most sex scenes. They are just…well, boring for the most part. There are a few exceptions, I don’t mind that books have them, and its not necessarily that they are badly written, I just don’t usually want to read them anymore.

I have the opposite problem with her doing the trilogy through her names (though I like the marketing ploy) - I love contemporaries and paranormals, but I am not a fan of historicals. Now, the two I’ve read of hers I liked, but I don’t even reread my favorite historical romance author (Loretta Chase) very much.

And to finish off our derail :) I do like her stories, I still reread some of her books (the ones from the 90s that I own especially), but I don’t mind if I don’t read her newest right away.

And she needs to have a damn character who is not “off the charts.”
alligatorsmith said on 04.16.10 at 11:33 PM • [link]

I recommend Robyn Carr—her heartfelt Virgin River series is filled with wonderful characters who you will care about. The leads are always intelligent and strong people who care about others, and there’s romance a plenty (10 books now for a small town population of 600.!)
Emily Elizabeth said on 04.17.10 at 12:02 AM • [link]

I like Mary Balogh a lot.
AM said on 04.17.10 at 12:27 AM • [link]

Hee, hee no one will read this because I’m posting so late..but what the hey.

Vicki Lewis Thompson does an excellent job with anti angry boner man, especially in her Nerd series. They are very funny, too.

Let me preface next thought by saying that everyone should read what they prefer. Its’ no fun to slog through what other people think you should read, including me.

Ahem, anyway, here it is after my disclaimer: Please never let me get so old that sex is boring and/or gross. (It’s certainly gross but so is everything of interest in life…) Thanks in advance.
Steph said on 04.17.10 at 02:23 PM • [link]

The Korval series from Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Try The Dragon Variation as a great place to start
Patty said on 04.17.10 at 05:34 PM • [link]

I would also suggest Linnea Sinclair as an author who writes strong, intelligent women and men who use their considerable mind power and strong personalities to problem-solve. Her books use strong characterization, great thrill rides, and wonderful romance.
Melissa, in New Orleans said on 04.17.10 at 07:07 PM • [link]

Marianne Stillings writes fun contemporaries. I just wish there were more of them!
orangehands said on 04.17.10 at 10:38 PM • [link]

AM: If that’s after my comment, I’m 22. ;) (It’s not that sex is boring, it’s that reading it can get boring.) But yep, to each their own.
Maddie Dawson said on 04.17.10 at 11:42 PM • [link]

I agree with the commenters who’ve mentioned Jennifer Crusie, and was so pleased to see Jeanne Ray talked about here. Her books are marvelous! Did you know she’s the mother of Ann Patchett?

Also, one not mentioned here but which I loved was “Kissing Games of the World” by Sandi Kahn Shelton. An intelligent heroine and hero, both brought together by the fact that their kids are best friends—and she shared a house with his late father. It’s funny and smart, both.
Pamela said on 04.18.10 at 12:27 AM • [link]

I’m amazed J Crusie has been recommended so many times so it MUST be me, but my 2 cents worth anyway—her characters are anything but “sensible” as the original inquiry asked.

Look to Loretta Chase. Her writing is lovely and her H/H are always, always different people with different personalities. Nevertheless, they’re usually smart in varying degrees, they act rationally, I can’t remember a drama King or Queen among them anywhere, and they aren’t repulsive rakes or arrogant assholes, aren’t wimpy or simpering misses.

Good luck! I’m looking for much the same thing with an additional quality—heroines who have a lot of self possession and/or independence.
Liz said on 04.18.10 at 05:17 PM • [link]

Long time reader, first time posting…

Tracy Grant’s Charles and Melanie Fraser books are made of awesome! and fit the criteria as well. Hard to find but worth the search.
ninjapenguin said on 04.18.10 at 05:39 PM • [link]

I second (or whatever) the recommendations for Loretta Chase, Georgette Heyer, and Deanna Raybourn. If you don’t mind non-urban fantasy, then I liked Sharon Shinn’s Mystic and Rider. For SF, you might try the last couple of Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan books, particularly A Civil Campaign (I love all of them, but they follow Miles as he grows up, so you may not like the first couple).
Eva_baby said on 04.18.10 at 07:20 PM • [link]

I have to put in a plug for Lynne Connolly’s Richard and Rose series (begins with Yorkshire) and follows the couple as they become engaged and get married etc. They are set in Georgian England and I think Richard and Rose are refreshing as a couple. They talk to each other. They fall in love early in the series, they try to work rationally through their obstacles. Five books into the series and they are one of my favorite fictional couples. They kinda remind me of Eve and Roarke a bit.
Rudi said on 04.21.10 at 03:50 AM • [link]

I got into trouble because of this post. I’ve recently been put onto a three month ban from historical romance due to over exposure (as if there is such a thing) but once I heard about Lauren Willig I couldn’t help myself. And now I’ve been busted.

Oh well. It was worth it.
Liz said on 04.21.10 at 04:38 AM • [link]

@Randi, was it interfering with school work? I had that problem with soap operas when i was in 7th grade (or at least that is what my Dad blamed getting an 80 in history on).
Randi said on 04.22.10 at 09:51 PM • [link]

@Liz:

@Randi, was it interfering with school work?

Crap! I can’t figure out what you’re referring to. Help! LOL.
tracyleann said on 04.23.10 at 12:52 AM • [link]

Julie Anne Long historical romances are really really good, Eloisa James as well.

I would be careful w/ Eloisa James if you want to avoid angry heroes and extended misunderstandings. You will definitely want to avoid Potent Pleasures anyway.

Btw, I really enjoy some of Candace Camp’s novels also. Have you read Scandalous or An Independent Woman yet?

Also, I second/third/fourth/etc. the Crusie, Ray, and Quinn recs. I’ve been enjoying Christie Ridgway lately, too.