hi all, I'm thinking of getting into mary balogh, the only book I read of hers was secret pearl. I know that books is popular, but it was.....slow to me. any suggestions? I like books that have dark themes/heroes. thanks!

I much prefer her earlier work.  Those traditional smaller paperback-sized Signet ones. But, the Secret Pearl is an earlier one(or at least a re-issue) so that may not be of much help.  Her Welsh set books are favorites.  The Longing is another.

10 years ago I would have said I adore everything she's ever written; now, while I like them, she hasn't "knocked it out of the park" for me for awhile.

I will say that on the whole, at least for me, Mary's books are quieter; not a lot of "here-and-there-in"; more character development-which I like.

I used to read her in the 80's and 90's when she wrote smaller series romances... Her more current books are not always my favorites some better than others.  I really liked the whole "Slightly" series about the Bedwyn's and my absolute favorite was Wulfric's and Christine's story in Slightly Dangerous.  It's good to read the others as they appear throughout eachother's books building up to that one and even in some of her titles after that. Couldn't even tell you how many times I reread it. 

thanks you two, the slightly series looks good, better than the mistress ones. I'll have to check them out. I've been having trouble finding good books lately.