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Topic: linda howard

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Subject: linda howard
Date Posted: 1/4/2008 10:46 AM ET
Member Since: 2/8/2006
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I am reading Mr Perfect right now..and am really enjoying it. Are there other books by her that are simialar to this style that anyone can recommend?

 

I am not really into historical books (and whats the difference between regency and historical)

Thanks

RomanceLVR avatar
Date Posted: 1/4/2008 10:52 AM ET
Member Since: 8/12/2006
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I have all of Linda Howard's books and really liked most of them.  I don't think there are any others that are just like Mr. Perfect, but she does use police or investigators as heros in quite a few of her books.  Those are always my favorite.

The Blair Mallory books are kind of similar, To Die For and Drop Dead Gorgeous.

I really liked the John Medina books as well, Kill and Tell, All the Queen's Men and Kiss Me While I Sleep.

I like a lot of her single novels and the Mackenzie series.

 

Hope that helps!

 

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Date Posted: 1/4/2008 10:54 AM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
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The only LH book I've read it To Die For. I didn't like it at first but then it drew me in after about 50 pages or so when the plot really kicked in full gear.  I have Drop Dead Gorgeous in the TBR pile. This is the sequel to To Die For.

ETA: I forgot, I also read Lady of the West. It's an old bodice-ripper western.  It's on my shelf I think.



Last Edited on: 1/4/08 11:00 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
rubberducky avatar
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Date Posted: 1/4/2008 11:12 AM ET
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Here's a breakdown of romance sub-genres from Romance Writers of America:

Sub-Genres According to RWA (Romance Writers of America):

  • Contemporary Series Romance - Series romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and typically set after 1945.
  • Contemporary Single Title Romance - Romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, not as part of a series and set after 1945.
  • Historical Romance - Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location.
  • Inspirational Romance - Romance novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship.
  • *Novels with Strong Romantic Elements - A work of fiction in which a romance plays a significant part in the story, but other themes or elements take the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries. (*An example of a publisher that handles this would be Harlequin’s Luna line; elsewhere such fiction is sometimes labeled 'Womens' Fiction')
  • Paranormal Romance - Romance novels in which the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot.
  • *Regency Romance - Romance novels in which the majority of the story is set against the Regency period of the British Empire. (*What was once considered the ‘Traditional Regency’ romance, of the kind Mary Balogh and Carla Kelly once wrote – with a shorter word count than longer format historical romances - is considered if not dead, then on life support, and published mostly by smaller presses or as reprints of classics. Therefore, in most cases ‘Regency Romance’ simply refers to romances set in the Regency period.)
  • Romantic Suspense - Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
  • Young Adult Romance - Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers.

Two More to Consider:

  • Category Romance - Mostly Harlequin romances, books in a numbered series identified by ‘line’. Eg: Harlequin Presents, Silhouette Desire.
  • Erotica - Romance novels with a powerful erotic element, but still following the guidelines of an HEA - Happily Ever After ending.

Blended Sub-Genres:

But it isn’t quite so simple, nor so cut and dried. Many romance novels commingle aspects of more than one category. In other words, you can set a paranormal romance in a known historical period and it becomes a Paranormal Historical Romance. Most categories can be set in the past and have the ‘historical’ designation, i.e. Historical Inspirational, Historical Romantic Suspense.

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Date Posted: 1/4/2008 12:37 PM ET
Member Since: 7/31/2006
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Kimberly is John in all 3 of those titles? I know he was in all the queen's men but haven't read the other 2...

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Date Posted: 1/4/2008 6:26 PM ET
Member Since: 11/13/2005
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My sentemental favorite of her's is Duncan's Bride, I love that book! But if you want something similar to Mr. Perfect,  I would try After The Night or Open Season.

She only had three books that were historicals, IIRC. And they are all set in the American West.

Amsamfa avatar
Date Posted: 1/5/2008 8:42 AM ET
Member Since: 5/26/2006
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Other Linda Howard books along the same page as Mr. Perfect are Dying to Please, Now You See Her and Dream Man.

Although it's not  excaltly the same type of book, you might want to check out Shades of Twilight as well.

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Date Posted: 1/5/2008 2:31 PM ET
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Susanna, John is just briefly in all three books.  He is the main hero in only one, but I forget which one off hand. 

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Date Posted: 1/5/2008 6:34 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
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John Medina is in Kill and Tell and then the hero for All the Queen's Men...he is really only mentioned in Kiss Me While I Sleep (which comes after his book - I think she just wanted readers to know he was still ok).  Dream Man, Mr. Perfect and Open Season were really good and I also liked Cover of Night even though the hero seemed atypical...at first.  Ok, honestly I enjoyed every single one of hers I read but definitely start with the ones people have listed so far.

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Date Posted: 1/6/2008 2:36 AM ET
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thanks! I don't think I have the other 2 so gonna look for them!

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Date Posted: 1/7/2008 7:41 AM ET
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Sorry -- only book I've read by her is Son of the Morning and I absolutely HATED it!

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Date Posted: 1/7/2008 3:23 PM ET
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Claudia - Son of the Morning was very different from most of her others and probably my least favorite...though it did have its moments.  It is definitely worth trying one of the others listed here - they are much better.

kijero avatar
Subject: My Favorite
Date Posted: 1/16/2008 3:28 PM ET
Member Since: 3/9/2007
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She is one of my favorite authors and I like any thing she does so far that I 've read. Mr. Perfect is good and I think there is a series she does about the Mckenzies called like Mckenzies Mountain, Gold etc. Might want to check those out as well.

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Date Posted: 1/16/2008 8:34 PM ET
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Open Season by Linda Howard is similar- the classic repressed librarian meets brash town sheriff ( contemporary). Their run-ins are pretty funny.

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Date Posted: 1/17/2008 7:13 PM ET
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I absolutely loved Son of the Morning...it was one of those books that took me by surprise and when I'd finished it all I could say was OH WOW!

pamelap avatar
Date Posted: 1/18/2008 12:03 AM ET
Member Since: 11/16/2007
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i'm new to linda howard myself and got a few from the library. currently reading Now You See Her.  I like it and I read Open Season recently too and liked it.  I'll be looking for others to check out.

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Date Posted: 1/18/2008 9:15 AM ET
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I recommend you stay away from Son of the Morning.  Downright awful.