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First I have to start off by thanking those of you who recommended the movie “August Rush” to me a couple weeks ago. I watched it this week and LOVED it. Thinking how much I loved this movie made me think of all the wonderful romance novels that I’ve read over the years.
And, it brought to mind a pet peeve of mine. Why, oh why, when romance readers and worse yet, romance writers, are asked to name a favorite book do they name a book that’s not a romance?
Well, not today. Today let’s pretend we’re at a function and we’re each asked to recommend one romance novel to the group and to say a a few words about why we like the book. I’ll draw a winner from those who play along and offer a romance novel recommendation. The winner will either win a copy of Claiming the Rancher’s Heart or one of my other books (if they already have my latest release)
I’ll start first. My book is an old one, but one that’s on my keeper shelf.
Bittersweet by LaVryle Spencer is a fabulous novel. What I think you’ll like about it is the wonderful characters. I don’t know who does characters better than this author. They are so real…so human…so easy to identify with. I saw my own strengths and weaknesses in almost every character.
The setting (Door County) comes alive and adds to the story. I highly recommend this oldie but goodie.
Okay, your turn… and don’t you DARE give me a literary novel 
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Apr 11th
2009
7:02 am
MJ Said:
Winter Roses by Anita Mills.
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Apr 11th
2009
8:22 am
Cindy Kirk Said:
MJ,
I love the title…what did you like most about the book?
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Apr 11th
2009
8:31 am
Shana Said:
I liked August Rush, too.
Anything by Julie Garwood because her characters are so much fun and every chapter is a page-turner.
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Apr 11th
2009
9:14 am
eap Said:
I recommend Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer (actually I recommend all her novels) because this is a book where a reader feels they are a character in the book and can know what it was like to live in 1940′s small town Georgia where an ex-con and a pregant young widow (the towb misfit for some reason) with two little boys fall in love–a love that neither expected to ever find. The book is one you will never forget.
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Apr 11th
2009
10:08 am
cheryl c. Said:
There are so many good ones, but one that invariably comes to mind is LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase. Dain is the tortured bad boy, and Jessica is the determined, fiesty heroine. Dain has truly met his match in her. There are few stories where the heroine marches in and shoots the hero! It was a great story.
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Apr 11th
2009
10:25 am
Teresa W. Said:
I enjoy anything by Nocholas Sparks with The Notebook being my favorite!
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Apr 11th
2009
10:33 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Eap, I love Morning Glory!!! Such a great book, man I miss her.
If I had to only recommend one romance novel, Cindy, that’s sooo hard to do. I guess I’d go with A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss. It remains my favorite romance novel, though I will say I’ve never re-read it. I’m always afraid it won’t hold up with time, but my memories of it are so wonderful.
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Apr 11th
2009
10:47 am
catslady Said:
I just picked up a book by her – The Gamble but it sounds like all her books are good. I too recommend any Garwood and Woodiwiss as sure to love books.
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Apr 11th
2009
11:51 am
Joyce Said:
Catslady, I loved The Gamble, but I think my favorite is Garwood’s Honour’s Splendour.
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Apr 11th
2009
12:16 pm
RachieG Said:
My favorite book would have to be by one of my favorite authors…Rachel Gibson. I simply LOVE “The Trouble with Valentines Day” It’s fun, I love the characters, there are several laugh out loud moments, and also a few that make ya sigh and go aww
Everything I love all wrapped together.
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Apr 11th
2009
1:23 pm
Jane Said:
My favorite and first romance is “The Bride” by Julie Garwood. I love that the heroine is strong and independent and a great complement to the gruff Scottish hero.
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Apr 11th
2009
2:14 pm
Margo Maguire Said:
One of my all time favorites is SUNSET EMBRACE by Sandra Brown. One of her earlier westerns.
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Apr 11th
2009
2:35 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
I simply LOVE seeing all these romances recommended! Sounds like a lot of you like Julie Garwood. Like LaVryle, she’s another author whose characters practically jump off the page.
But I’m liking all these other suggetions, too. While we’re waiting for others to make their recommendations, would anyone like another glass of wine? Or perhaps a refill on their soft drink?
Shana, could you pass the appetizers around?
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Apr 11th
2009
2:55 pm
Romantic Girl Said:
One of my all time favorites is Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath. The hero, Houston, is just so human. My heart breaks and soars reading that book. The Gamble is a great one too. I haven’t read Morning Glory in a long time, might need to revisit that one. Hummingbird is my favorite of hers.
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Apr 11th
2009
4:07 pm
Crystal B. Said:
The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt. I loved the hero, Edward.
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Apr 11th
2009
4:37 pm
Emily McKay Said:
Cindy, I never, ever mention lit fiction, ’cause I almost never read it!
Man, so many great books were mentioned. I think Bittersweet is the only one I haven’t read. But I loved Morning Glory, Texas Destiny, and Lord of Scoundrels! Just fantastic books! I also really enjoyed Raven Prince, but I think the Leopard Prince was my favorite in that trilogy.
Okay, since most of the books mentioned have been pretty old school, I’ll stick with that trend. I love Judith McNaught’s Paradise and Perfect. Those were just darn fun books. Great topic, Cindy!
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Apr 11th
2009
5:45 pm
kristan higgins Said:
The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman. Brilliant writing, hilarious, and yes, romantic though completely unconventional.
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Apr 11th
2009
6:56 pm
Solveig Said:
My absolute favorite book is unfortunately one none of you know. It´s called “Housekeeper wanted” by a woman called Snjólaug Bragadóttir. It´s about a woman who has a small daughter who needs a change in life and so she moves from the city to a farm and becomes the housekeeper for an old man and his son. Of course she and the son fall in love but there are obstacles and misunderstandings on the way that that make your heart ache and tears flow which is what I absolutely love about it. And of course everything works out in the end :Ö) If I had to choose one you all know it´s “The Leopard Prince” by Elizabeth Hoyt. The heroine, George, is so plucky and the hero, Harry, is the strong silent type everyone can count on. I just love it (have read it about 10-15 times)
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Apr 11th
2009
7:43 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
This is one of the best parties I’ve been to in a long time. I mean, talking favorite romance novels with a group of friends…what could be more fun?
The parties is just getting started, so I’ll bring out more dip and another bottle of wine and let’s hear from the rest of you…
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Apr 12th
2009
2:49 pm
Quilt Lady Said:
My absolute favorite book of all times would be Gone With The Wind and it speaks for itself as to why I loved it.
Another one that comes to my is Elizabeth Hoyt’s The Leopard Prince. I loved the hero Harry Pye in this one and his name has stuck with me.
Another one that I loved was Elaine Lavine’s Rachel and the Hird Gun. I just loved the story line in this one.
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Apr 12th
2009
3:58 pm
Fedora Said:
Yeesh, only one? Welcome to Temptation, by Jennifer Crusie–she always makes me laugh, and I can always use some of that
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Apr 12th
2009
4:26 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
Sounds like there’s a lot of buzz in the room about The Leopard Prince. I read that book and liked it too…
Have you noticed all the variation in the recommendations? Probably because there’s so much to chose from in this genre. So many good books, so little time.
I’ve just refreshed the spinach dip and am bringing out some of the “Madeleines” that Nancy Robards Thompson blogged about the other day. Now, don’t rush the table. There are plenty for everyone.
While we’re munching away, anyone else have another favorite romance you’d like to bring up?
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