Behold, the excitement! I am containing myself to one exclamation point (not including the title) and that was it. Please appreciate my restraint, here.
I have A Pile Of ARCs to give away of my October book, Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels, which so very, very many of you helped create.
From the depths of the box on my dining room table currently being fought over by my cats, I have 10 shiny copies to giveaway.
But that is Not All.
This book is all about the lessons we’ve learned from reading romance novels, and it includes stories from romance readers and authors. My goal with this book was to show that the romance community is filled with incredibly smart and thoughtful readers and writers, and to put to rest the tired idea that romances create unrealistic expectations of love, relationships and sex. Romances, as many of us know, are more often a road map of What To Do and What Not To Do in real life relationships.
So many people contributed, and so very many people went above and beyond to make suggestions and provide stories and lessons learned that this book really isn’t about the genre so much as it is about the women who read and write romance, and how much we have learned from our favorite books. Therefore just giving away the ARC isn’t really enough.
Here’s my plan. Leave a comment and please tell me the one romance novel you want to recommend above all others to someone who hasn’t tried the genre (yes, just one) (yes, I suck) and you are entered to win.
What can you win? Awesome stuff!
Ten winners will be picked at random and each winner will receive an ARC of Everything I Know About Love, I Learned From Romance Novels (Which I refer to as “EIKAL” because there is nothing I love like a REALLY LONG TITLE, BABY, YEAH!).
The winner will also receive one of the following titles from these authors who also appear in the book:
But wait, there is still more. I have 10 copies of a special Jennifer Crusie omnibus edition that contains both Bet Me and Welcome to Temptation in one book – and each winner will receive a copy of that book, too. Each of these authors, plus many many more, appear in the book, providing stories and advice or landing a spot on one of the recommended reading lists in the book.
There will be more chances to win, do not worry. I’m giving away 10 here, and a few on Goodreads and on Twitter. (Any possible giveaways on Facebook will have to be random like a semi-drunk fairy landing on the keyboard and highlighting someone’s comment by chance while I’m half-looking at the screen to stay in line with the Facebook Terms of Service. Then I have to contact the winners by semaphore with hot pink flags while facing the eastern skyline.)
Standard disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Do not wear a pelisse in the rain. Stirrups are required, but boots are optional. We’ll sell you the whole seat but you’ll only need the edge. Stripes and plaid are rarely a positive fashion statement.
Comments will be open until noon on Friday, 20 May, and I will announce the winners then. Contest is open to international readers, and since my stats indicate no readers in Greenland, if someone enters from Greenland and wins I’ll send them extra stuff. Come on, Greenland!
Honesty time: I am enormously proud of this book, and humbled by the number of people who shared how much their romances mean to them, and how valuable romances have been in their lives. This book wouldn’t be what it is without the authors and readers who contributed, so I can’t send out the ARC by itself. It has to have company.
Only For You by Hannah Howell.
Congrats on the book. Choosing just one was hard but I went for my favorite.
I loved reading the comments.
Congratulations Sarah!!!!!
The Best part is I haven’t read most of the books you are giving away!
Anyway if I had to recommend one book it would be Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Because Jane Austen is Jane Austen and everyone is “the next Jane Austen.”
picking one book out of such an amzing genre is HARD!! I think i’d have to go with Honeymoon by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, one of my all time fav’s
gotta go with Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz- One of the first romances I ever read and I still love it:)
Congratulations on your book !
Oh! Exciting. I’d rec Stephanie Laurens’ first Black Cobra Quartet! Murder! Intriquge! and a little romance too.
My “one romance novel to recommend above all others” would have to be The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer. Well, almost anything by Heyer, but you did say to just pick one. (I waffled back and forth about which one to pick.)
I can’t wait for your book to come out!!
I always pick “Mr. Impossible” by Loretta Chase to recommend to first-time romance readers. It’s fun, it’s sexy and it’s action-packed ^^
Flowers from the Storm, Laura Kinsale.
Ideally, which book I would recommend would depend on whom I was recommending it to. For a general pick, however, I’d have to go with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s The Blue Castle. It’s one of the sweetest, most romantic books I’ve ever read—and completely devoid of sex scenes, Alpha heroes, or anything else my new reader might assume romance novels are all about.
Once my reader was entranced, I’d hand over the more intense books (Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels, Laura Kinsale’s Flowers from the Storm, and, come to think of it, Chase’s The Sandalwood Princess). And then there would be no turning back!
I would recommend any of Julie James’ books because they read like hilarious laugh-out-loud rom coms and they show that Romance has great characters and fun dialogue! (Oh, and great Alphas!)
I’m pretty new to the romance genre (thank you, Smart Bitches, for starting me on that path!) but the one that got me started was The Spymaster’s Lady. Guess I get no points for originality there. But really: snappy dialogue! danger! adventure! networks of spies! Plus, both the hero and heroine are smart and resourceful, and it has well-rounded secondary characters. I liked The Forbidden Rose almost as much, but was sadly disappointed by My Lord and Spymaster.
Clearly, I need to read Bet Me.
I think I’d recommend Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight. I cried more when I read it than any book in recent memory. My husband was actually concerned. It’s a beautiful story about love conquering all.
Just one? That is the height of cruelty!
Well. Shards of Honor, by Lois McMaster Bujold. I dever get tired of any Bujold book, and that one is the most clearly Romancey of her books!
Hm. age29 – Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety. Very appropriate!!
Congrats! I would have to recommend Gaelen Foley’s Prince Charming. Best Book EVER!
Congrats on the book!
For my one (nooo…only one?!?!) I would probably say “The Viscount Who Loved Me” by Julia Quinn. It dispells all those icky stereotypes about historicals, and is funny and irreverent enough to make people giggle in delight (The Mallet of Death, anyone?) And then once they’ve been hooked by this book, they’ve got the entire Bridgerton series to help them grow in their love/obsession with romance!
I haven’t read much Romance, just started in December. But so far the book that had everything I love in heroines, heroes, time period and level of sexuality is Emma Holly’s Beyond Innocence.
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase. That book demonstrates all the best stuff about the genre, and proves that romance novels can be smart as well as sexy.
Yea yea yea yea on your book! And I LOVE your extra long title. It is awesome. 🙂
I pick Spirited Away by Cindy Miles—because it is one of the sweetest, quirkiest, most swesomesause character filled romances I’ve ever read. Read it, y’all!
Best with the new book!
I’ve been nodding my head and thinking “oh yes, that one” as I’ve read the choices. Many old favorites on the list but I think I would have to go with Mary Jo Putney “Petals in the Storm” from her Fallen Angel Series for historical. Or Suzanne Brockman “Unsung Hero” because of Seal team six.
One of my top fave books is Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz. Yes, I know it’s an oldie, but it’s so golden it blows newies out of the water! Also a fabulous introduction to a superb author. Gorgeous fun.
I was actually going to say “When Beauty Tamed the Beast” by Eloisa James, as I just finished it today and thought “wow, a lot of people could really love this book”, then promptly recommended it to most of my Goodreads friends list. Or “9 Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake”. They’re kind of similar, in that the leads have witty, genuine affection for each other and they make you laugh and cry.
I’d suggest SEP’s It Had to Be You, or Match Me if You Can. Humor, heart, smart banter…a great example of fab contemporary romance, imo.
Lord of Scoundrels (i know im probably the billionth person to say this book, but its just SO GOOD.)
IN IT TO WIN IT!
My pick is “Gone Too Far” by Suzanne Brockmann. I like that Sam and Alyssa make mistakes and learn from them. They are flawed yet also morally strong. What I learned from Alyssa “Don’t Call Me Baby” Locke is how much the overuse of the so-called term of endearment “baby” annoys me in romance novels. I like that Suzanne Brockmann has crafted a suspenseful story that includes a parallel WWII storyline. I think Sam and Alyssa are one of the great modern romantic couples, and I enjoy how their story continues (in glimpses) in subsequent books.
Too hard, but since you are making me do it for swag…
Brazen Virtue by Nora Roberts
A bit of mystery, fun dialog and sex. What more could you ask.
I was going to say one of my favorite Crusoe stories, but as everyone else did I will go another way. Johanna Lindsey’s Love Only Once, the first Mallory novel. This was my gateway drug into romance-land. At 10 when i got tired oflids books I started “borrowing” my mom’s books ( i.e. stealing). I have very clear memories of staying up all night because I couldn’t put down her books. The Mallory saga really does have something for everyone. I missed slot of school due to those books and my mom weirdly understood because she is a diehard romance reader as well. Also thanks to whoever mentioned Persuasion which is my favorite Austin and the only non Crusie I reread on a regular basis.
What Happens in London, by Julia Quinn will always be my first suggestion. Not only is it hilarious, I love that the characters actually get to know each other and fall in love through conversation. It’s a brilliant novel in any genre.
And well done on the book! 🙂
“It would depend on the person” but Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught. Oohhhh, happy sigh. 🙂
I’m so excited for you!
Congrats and yay its here!!! WooHoo!
God this is hard…. o.k I’ll go with a newbie which I finished a few days ago but am rereading already. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison, funny, sexy, action packed. I’m head over heels for this book and Ms Harrison is now an auto buy for me!
Oooh! I would love a copy of your newest book…sounds full of awesomness!
The one novel I’d recommend would be Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland. I just loved the story and the characters & think it’s a great intro into the romance genre.
You’ve got it. I was having trouble trying to decide between Bet Me and Welcome to Temptation, so now I’ll just say that omnibus!
The Secret by Julie Garwood
Congrats on the book!
I would recommend To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn. It’s funny and sweet and makes all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
I tell everyone to read Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale. 🙂
I’ve got to go with a Nora Roberts. Daring to Dream, I think – the start of a great trilogy.
I would recommend Dark Angel by Meredith Ann Pierce. Why? because I was such a horrid cynic of romance novels, and this one turned my mind to the thought that I might enjoy more. It a turning book 😀
Huge congratulations on the book, Sarah! If I don’t win I will absolutely be buying a copy.
To someone who’d never read romance, I would probably recommend a Georgette Heyer, most likelyFrederica.
Congrats on the book! It’s too hard to pick just one, but Julie James’ “Something About You” would be a good place to start.
I would totally recommend “The Cigarette Girl” because it has that lovely faux-sheen that all books set in LA seem to; as if an underemployed writer could afford Prada!! The heroine is strong and witty, and all the minor characters are just outrageous enough that you say to yourself ‘yeah, I know people like that’ every other page or so.
I would have to say Lorraine Heath’s Never Love A Cowboy. It was a beautiful story that left my heart full and my soul feeling at peace.