I think I mentioned Monday that I'm starting a new contest today that will run through December 20. The winner will receive a price package filled with books, goodies, gift cards and oh yeah, more books! Each day, starting today, I'm going to post a discussion question. You can comment as much as you like, but your name will only be counted once each day. If you're able to comment each day, that means your name will go into the drawing eighteen times, increasing your chances of winning.
So let's have some fun discussion today. And tomorrow, I'll post a new question.
Today's Question:
If a friend confided in you that she'd never read a romance novel and you wanted to bring her over to the bright side of love, what book would you suggest she read? (LOL, no extra credit for suggesting one of mine).
See you tomorrow! And don't forget about Recommend Monday!
Have a fabulous Friday!
34 comments:
Wow! That's a hard question. It would depend on what she normally reads.
If she is into suspense, then I would definitely recommend one of yours. If she likes general feel-good, small town novels, I would recommend one of the Virgin Series by Robyn Carr. If she likes funny, happy reading then I would recommend a Kristen Higgans. Sci-fi fan, I would recommend Sherrilyn Kenyon's League novels. If she was into deep, book-club like books, I would recommend something a bit more mainstream like Nicholas Sparks. For paranormal, Larissa Ione.
That's my $.02...
Fun question! I can't wait to see what everyone else says!
smiles....
That is a great question!
I am with Christi it would depend on what kind of romance she likes. I would encourage her to try Romantic Suspense for sure and you would be at the first I would suggest. Also I would insist she try Linda Howard, Stephanie Tyler, Cindy Gerard, of course Pamela Clare... Historicals I would recommend Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, Elizabeth Hoyt and Karen Hawkins.
Hi Christy, hi all,
first I want to say I am really sorry I was not able to attend the book club yesterday - I had a somewhat crazy day - nothing went as I had it planned and then our central heating broke down (and its freezing outside). Its fixed now thanks to our great heating engineer and the houes is warm again.
But I read the blog today and it triggered a reread of Rescue me - its been awhile since I read it.
As to your question Christy, its really a tough one - there are so many great books. I think I would not suggest a special book but some great authors as Christy Reece (lol), Cindy Gerard , Karen Rose or Allison Brennan and - as I have books from all these writers -I would let her pick the one she is most interested in.
Have I great day everyone and I am looking forward to tomorrows question.
hmmmm...it depends on what the friend typically reads. I have converted several friends by having them read Karen Marie Moning (most of them read sci fi).
Those who like mystery I'd have them read Karen Rose. Suspense? You or Pamela Clare.
I can find something for pretty much everyone on my shelves. LOL.
I find that it's the cover more often than the genre that keeps a lot of people from reading romance, so ebooks help. But there are several options if someone doesn't mind the covers.
that is really hard...i would definately tell her about your series...which in fact i have already (tina ;o)) and then nicholas sparks' books if she likes to cry...or jane eyre or nora roberts public secrets ;o))
For suspense, Definitely your books, but if she is into paranormal romance then JR Ward's Blackdagger Brotherhood. I have converted many with that series.
Great question Christy!!
I would have to say Nora Robert's Chesapeake Bay series. If you have read it, I am not sure I need to say anything else about it!
If you haven't read it...WHY NOT? Even if you don't like Nora, I think this is one of the best contemporary series I have read!
I agree it depends on what type of books she normally reads. I'd probably point her towards authors rather than specific titles.
If she likes feel good books I would probably suggest Rachel Gibson or Susan Donovan, but if she's into more mystery books then I would suggest Christy of course, Stephanie Tyler, or Pamela Clare.
I'm thinking Linda Howard is a good place to start. Not for any particular reason other than that was someone I read alot of in the early days. There are just way too many awesome authors out there that would easily hook a newbie in.
I actually had this happen recently. A close friend loves fantasy and scifi, but was hesitant to jump in the romance pool. I suggested Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series and Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. That hooked her, and now she is branching out
WOW, great question Christy. I agree with everyone in that it depends on what they like. I am not always in the mood for RS, so I go to my cowboy guys, in that case, I would recommend Linda Lael Miller's Creeds & McKettrick's series. If I just wanted her to read a good "fluff" book, I REALLY enjoyed Jill Shalvis' Simply Irresistible. But, for RS, I would recommend series of 3 of my top favs Christy Reece LCR books, Dee Davis' A-Tac series and Cindy Gerard's BOI series...for starters lol.
Great suggestions everyone! This is kind of like Recommend Monday, only not (:
Christi, I'm going to start Virgin River very soon. I've heard so much about this series and I think I may be one of the the last romance readers on earth who hasn't read them yet. Everyone seems to love them.
Crystal, I remember recommending Judith McNaught's Paradise to a woman once who'd never read a romance. She quit in the middle and called it tedious. LOL I was insulted. It just wasn't her cup of tea (so to speak) but I was astounded that she didn't love that book. It's one of my favorites, by one of my favorite authors. Sigh...to each her own.
Hey, Elke! Missed you yesterday, but wow, bet you were cold. Glad you got the heat fixed. Definitely the wrong time of year for that to be out. Hope you enjoy your reread of RESCUE ME!
And you named authors I would definitely recommend too. Hope your mom got out of the hospital and is feeling better!
Ronlyn, I have never read KMM. What would you suggest I start with? And thank you so much! You just gave me an idea for tomorrow's question! (:
Bianca, thank you so much for recommending me to Tina! Oh, Nicholas Sparks will definitely bring some tears. When I worked at Borders, I had people ask for recommendations for books that would make them cry (for some reason). Anyway, I'd always take them to his books. They were always happy, if tearful, campers. (:
And I've read NR Public Secrets. Great book!
Jennifer, thank you! And I've not read JR Ward either. What should I start with?
Hey Aly, I've not read NR's Chesapeake Bay. What's the first book I should read?
AlysonP- Thanks for including me in that list of awesome authors you'd recommend. (:
Kris, you know how much I love LH books! I think, along with Judith McNaught's, I recommended Linda Howard more than any other author when I was working at Borders. They were the two authors that I'd read everything they'd published (at least twice) and I felt like an expert. (:
Heather, that's so cool to have an actual experience. Your friend will be forever grateful to you, I'm sure!
Hope, thanks so much for including me in that awesome list!
One of my friends who just started reading asked me about some books. So I gave her all my hook me books in the genres. Christy I mention you twice, Kleypas, S. Brockmann,ect.
OMG, Christy, JM's Paradise is absolutely my favorite book ever...followed closely by Perfect! I can't imagine anyone not loving that book?!?!
Robyn's series is amazing, but if you haven't read JR Ward's Brotherhood series, drop everything that you have planned for 2 weeks (unless it's writing ....that takes priority!) and read them ALL. AMAZING! Every single one of them!!!
hmmm, I have the KMM Fever series sitting in my tbr pile...they may just need to be moved to the top.
I am loving reading everyone's recommendations!
That's a tough question. There are so many wonderful books to choose from. It would depend on what genre of books she usually reads. I think I would pick Judith McNaught's Knight in Shining Armor. As a matter of fact, I have recommended that book to a friend.
Jackie, I love your term 'hook me' books. So aptly descriptive! And thank you so much for including my books on your 'hook me' list! (:
Christi, I remember being speechless when she told me that. I just couldn't imagine anyone not loving that book. Do you read historicals? If so, have you read Almost Heaven? It's my favorite of all her books.
I do have some writing to get done, but I promise to start on JR Ward as soon I get some reading time. I know I'm really missing out on some amazing books. So many people have recommended them.
Susan, I love that book too. I was thinking that was written by Jude Devereaux though. Is that right?
I haven't read that book in years, but I still remember sobbing. LOL One of the marks of a great book.
I would recommend any of Julie Garwood or Lisa Kleypas' historicals like "The Bride," "Saving Grace" or the Wallflowers series.
It all depends on what kind of romance she likes and how ummmm.... much romance she wants in it.
The easy choice could be Nora Roberts, but..... really that is kinda ummmmm.... "soft" these days.
Paranormal I would go with Sherrilyn Kenyon or Larissa Ione or JR Ward or the Dark series by Christine Feehan....
Suspense I would go with of course Mrs. Reece, Stephnie Tyler, or Lucy Monroe.
Well, you're quite welcome for my unknowing brilliance to inspire you. LOL.
For KMM....for you, I'd start with Kiss of a Highlander, and go through the last of the Highlander series, which will lead you into the Fever series, which is not tranditional romance but more fantasy (and written in the first person.)
Oh Jane, The Bride is my favorite Garwood...followed closely by Honor's Splendor, which is also completely wonderful.
Hello everyone, I just finished a 2 hour call with a very sweet and determined internet service tech. I was unable to get on the internet. Everything he asked me to check was operating correctly! He ended up uninstalling everything and reinstalling new stuff! LOL
I love a variety; so I would offer my friend the same; Kylie Brant, Christy Reece,Cindy Gerard, Shannon K Butcher, Shelly Laurenston, Christine Feehan Sharie Kohler and Eve Silver.
....If she is not hooked after reading these, she is beyond helping....LOL
Tanya! Great suggestions and thanks for including me in them. Love Feehan's Dark series (though I'm about five behind). And I AM going to read JR Ward soon!
Thanks, Ronlyn!
Wow lots of good stuff. I got my sister started with one of your books Last Chance and then the Bride Quartet Nora Roberts, but I could name so many like if you want suspense and funny there's Karen Kendall. I recently started the J.D. Robb series also. I couldn't name them all here LOL I have a little note book so I don't get the same book twice. Sorry I missed you yesturday had to work. I got the first three books together because that's how they put them out at Walmart when they first came out.
Ellen
Oh Linda, I so sympathize on the Internet problems. I hold my breath every time I get on. Glad you got it fixed!
That's a very nice variety to recommend. I'm familiar with everyone except Sharie Kohler. What type of romance does she write?
Hey Ellen, thank you so much for recommending me to your sister! And a book notebook is a fabulous idea. I need to do that myself. LOL I get so excited when I'm in a bookstore, I completely forget what I already have and end up buying doubles.
And thank you for buying my books!
Wow good question. and i think like some of the other posts it's according to what kind of stuff the person likes...Nora Roberts is good. Definitely Nicholas Sparks...the Notebook is such a tearjerker.
So really just according to what they like. I tend to like tons of different stuff and genre.
mhay@panhandle.rr.com
Most of my friends know I don't know when to stop gushing over books that I enjoy and they also know that I'm a romantic suspense addict. However, my reading ventures have taken me into most every genre and I'm pretty certain that Aly will remember the challenge I took to read all the J.D. Robb "In Death" books about 2 years ago. At that time, I think there were 30 books. And then came the J.R. Ward "Black Dagger Brotherhood" challenge. I accepted and completed it as well. I am not a lover of the vampire genre -- but I do love the J.D. Robb "In Death" series.
So, if I was approached with this challenge, I would probably make up a little "care" package and add a little of this and a dash of that which would probably include RESCUE ME by you know who! (gotta start with the good stuff RS), Pamela Clare's RIDE THE FIRE, Marie Force's LINE OF SCRIMMAGE (one of my all-time favorite contemporary romances), THE SWEET GUM TREE (Katherine Allred), PERFECT by Judith McNaught, NAKED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb, Laura Moore's IN YOUR EYES, Suzanne Brockmann's HEART THROB, the first book in Robyn Carr's VIRGIN RIVER series, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips' THIS HEART OF MINE and HONEY MOON.
And if my care package did the trick, well I would inundate that friend with so many others that she wouldn't know what hit her!!!
Thank, Christina! Between Sparks and Roberts books, there would be plenty to choose from.
Anne, oh my goodness, that's a nice selection (thanks for including RESCUE ME) in there too.
It's been years since I read Brockmann's Heart Throb. I need to find it again. I remember that I loved it.
What a fabulous list!
Christy,
Re: Sharie Kohler, I have only read her paranormal books, however, she also writes Young Adult fiction and Historical romances as Sophie Jordan....these are on my TBR.
I would start them with a Jill Shalvis, Marie Force, Julie James Louisa Edwards or Rachel Gibson for contemps.
You, Pamela, Cindy Gerard, Stephanie Tyler for rom. susp.
Beth Kery or Shiloh Walker for erotica.
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