i have been a book snob. For years i simply refused to read paperback romance novels.Then i ended up with about 350 of them.
This summer i decided to read them...
I found few authors I actually like and I also found that I enjoy the easy reading,perfect for hot summer evenings.

The  problem is that there are so many out there that makes it difficult to know where to start , especially  since I only like those that : have some humor (even better  if i laugh out loud  ); historical (possibly believable);without many sex scene (they get repetitive); no time travel, or predictable mysteries (although suspense is OK)...

 Can you suggest any author or book?
Which is your favorite and why?

Thank you :)
 

 

Julia Quinn , Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas  -- all  good  historicals but they do have sex scenes.   The ladies over at the romance forum can tell you which ones are best to start with - Carla Kelly 's books have less sex scenes but some of her books are not as easy to find... Do try the romance forum though. They are quite knowledgable over there. ;D

@ Kathleen

I don't mind sex scenes as long as there isn't one every two pages. I read Julia Quinn and liked it.

I'm following your suggestion and repost this on the Romance Forum.

Thank you :)

Well, what genre do you normally read?  What I'd suggest is finding a romance that is subcategorized as your preferred genre (or the opposite).  To me sex scenes get pretty repetitive, as well (I normally skim them actually, haha).

I loved the Warprize trilogy by Elizabeth Vaughan!  I haven't attempted any of her other books because they just don't interest me.

Thus far, I've enjoyed Tairen Soul series by C.L. Wilson.  The first book was nothing special, but the second book really drew me in!  I have the 3rd on my TBR list.

I've read a few of Juliet Marillier, which are fantasies and historic fantasies with some mild but good romance thrown in.  Daughter of the Forest , Wolfskin , and Foxmask are great!

I enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife , but a lot of people get squeaked by the fact that the man travels back in time and has contact with his future wife as a child.

I'm not sure if you're at all into the YA, but I've liked Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent.  The main character finds out she's a supernatural creature and things just go from there.  It deals with some obscure lore, which I've really enjoyed.   Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead isn't the typical vampire fare.  The author did research on old Russian tales of various vampires and includes other creatures.  So far Witches War by Andrea Cremer has been pretty good.  The first one is only so-so and I wasn't too sure about it, but the climax got me hooked, reserved and read the second one from the library, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.

@Jennifer I addedthose to my RL...  thanks :)

Juliet Marillear is one of my favourite authors

I don't know that they qualify as romances, but Robyn Carr wrote the "Virgin River" series.  I enjoyed the first one and have the second one on my shelf TBR.  Some romance, but with a storyline.... No time travel, mysteries or gratuitous sex.  Easy read.

I agree with the Robyn Carr series.  Nice stories, easy to read, great characters.  I also like Janet Chapman's books though there is time travel and wizards and such involved.  These are also well written, nice romance stories with some good humor. 

Robyn Carr is a must her Virgin River series is a must !  A new author to me but very good is  Mariah Stewart, The Chesapeake Diaries, Comming Home, Home Again, Almost Home.  Suspense - Dee Henderson The O'Malley series ,Sherry Woods , Cheaspeak Shore series,Debbie Macomber , A Turn in the Road. Nora Roberts' her older books I liked more.

Good Luck ther is alot out there....  

I'm not normally a romance reader (usually read mysteries), but have found that I really like Kristan Higgins books.  I love the characters she creates and there's quite a bit of humor in her books.  I've also listened to a few of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove books on audio and enjoyed those as well.  I'll be reading/listening to more of her as well.  And I've liked almost all the Nora Roberts books as well.

Everyone needs to try Sharon Sala !!!

Joyce,

 I agree Sharon Sala is one of my favorites.    Whippoorwill series was fantstic 

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