Seeking recommendations for some great romance novels/authors from the 70-80s, maybe even the 90s.  Who was your favorite, a book you can't forget?

My complaint from the romance books you see lately have no depth to them.  Everything feels rushed, the comic plots makes the love between the H/H seem weak, seems like authors main conern lately are how fast they can write rather then the quality of the novel.  In addition,  call me shallow but I am sick of realitic events/ characters you see lately in a romance novel.  I like my heroines very beautiful, and my heros handsome ,rich, I am tired of H/H being just too plain old, normal people!  Wheres the escape in reading a romance novel?  Who wants realism when you're living it everyday?! 

And so I personally just feel BLAH after reading books that were written these days.  I remember reading Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, now theres a talented writer. I miss feeling like I am on clouds after reading a wonderful love story that pulled all my emotions and left me feeling glowy for hours after I closed the book. 

Please, Please suggest a  book from the past that you still remember til this day.  I am interested in some meatier novels, I adore all of Susan Wiggs( older novels),  Shirlee Busbee,  Laurie McBain, I thought Rosmary Rogers, Sweet Savage Love a great tale but personally would'nt read it ever again, since infedelities in a story usually ruins the whole book for me.  These authors, mainly tell a wonderful epic love story filled with twists, great character AND steamy love scenes!~ 

Bodice ripper novels are ok, too much infedelties ( mainly by the hero ) are a no-no for my enjoyment, although if I know before hand what to expect I still might enjoy it with an open mind.  Thank you!  ^_~

I loved Phoebe Conn's Captive Heart.  I used to like Shirlee Busbee and Rebecca Brandewyne (Love, Cherish Me was one I re-read many times- anything after the Jacaranda Tree I really didn't like).  Catherine Coulter's early bodice rippers were pretty good, though a few of them had rape scenes (even one of her regencies had the hero rape the heroine). 

I do have to disagree that all the newer romances are lacking depth.  If you like paranormals, JR Ward's books are very well done.  Great characterization and interaction between the H/H, and the men are powerful and tortured. 

If not, Lisa Kleypas' books are good.  I also liked most of the Eloisa James books I've read.  She also does some great characters. 

You were right Mimi, I was surpised by Valorie Sherwood's picture.

I have Through a Glass Darkly. By Karleen Koren. I have not started it yet but it looks really good and like something you are talking about.

I agree with Cindy...Lisa Kleypas has some good books.  I really love Brenda Novak Books too.  I only have 2-3 more of hers that I need to get and then I will have read ALL of hers.  I have never done that with an author before.

One of my all time favorite books though is Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveroux....awesome book!!

Mimi, the Valorie Sherwood's  picture, thanks for the notice, I  almost freaked out at first glance thinking some strange person was playing tricks to this post lol.  I ordered one of Valorie Sherwood's  book, I've never heard of her so I'll gladly try her out. Wasn;t sure which of her books were a hit or miss so I ordered These Golden Pleasures, the first none series on the list.  :)

I agree, Lisa Kleypas has always been one of my all time fav romance authors, I've read every sinlge book and loved every one of them except for her last contemp novel..  Knight in Shining Armor is also another great one.  I've been reading romance for 14 years so all the well known authors I am aware of... Johanna lindsey, JD, JG, JMcN, etc etc...I like their old novels best.  Julia London is turning into one of my fav, her hist novels are enjoyable. 

Really, you guys have mentioned so many authors I've never even heard of, thanks for all the suggestions!  :)

Try the Angelique series by Anne Golon or the Marianne series by Juliette Benzoni. They're harder to come by but well worth the effort.

Although she writes mostly contemporary stories the past several years, I used to enjoy Fern Michaels historical romances  in the eighties and  nineties especially her Captive series. Some others---Victoria Holt, Anya Seton, Julia Fitzgerald, and Constance O'Banyon.

Holy Crap MOM!

Apparently Sherwood is not a member of PETA?!

Celeste DeBlasis ... she wrote a series which I loved and used to reread. 

bump

I actually went back last month and reread all of Kathleen Woodiwiss books.  I still consider them one of the best romance novels of our time.  Although it may seem too wordy and less steamy then what people are used to, you can't doubt her talent for weaving such a romantic tale that sucks you into the story. 

The book I remember reading in the 80's and loving was The Black Swan by Day Taylor.  It's a looonnng one, though.  But I just looked it up, and the members have given it 5 stars.

ISBN-10: 0440106117

I'm actually thinking about ordering it and seeing if I like it as well now.  I was prob. 18 when I read it.

The Kadin by Beatrice Small (1978) will always be my favorite romance novel.   I compare it to Outlander  - not because it's set in Scotland (although the last part of the book is) - but because it's such a meaty novel - an epic full of history and politics and friendship in additon to a wonderful lifelong romance - and has a great strong female lead character.

I used to like Beatrice Small( read about 5-6 books, including Kadin), Skye O'malley being one of my fav by her.  However, I think she lost me as a fan years ago because her books were getting way too historically detailed.  Felt like I was reading a history text book... >_<

Please send me a PM or post here if The Black Swan was a good book if you do decide to re-read it.  Actually, I am thinking about ordering it anyways if I can be sure there are no mass amount of infedelities involved.  I've just read an old romance with tons of cheating in it ( spent hours being pissed off at the hero, not my idea of having fun ) , so I am cautious now of reading older books by authors I've never heard of before.  Thanks!  

Actually, I am thinking about ordering it anyways if I can be sure there are no mass amount of infedelities involved.

Gosh, I can't really remember, but I don't think I would have been so in love with the hero if he wasn't faithful.  I just looked on Amazon.com to see if any reviewer comments maybe said anything about that, and they didn't although the 8 people who reviewed it all have given if 5 stars as well.  Might not be many reviews, because it's been out of print for quite a while I believe.

Thanks Carih!  I'll check her out

The Valerie Sherwood novel, " THESE GOLDEN PLEASURES " was astonishingly good!  I havn't slept ALL night because of that book lol.  And before crashing ( as soon as I hit summit button here)  I just wanted to THANK YOU for recommending this author to me.  I can't wait to read the rest of her stuff  Truly,  what a great writer!


One question though, does anyone know if  her ( Valerie Sherwood )books in series read like Ginny and Steve ( Rosmary Rogers)  trilogy/series?   You know, happily ever after that really doesnt end happy til5 books later that just aggravates you because you KNOW Steves gonna cheat again?!  ... or are her books more about people in her family?

If her books are not like one couples pain and suffering that last for 8 books, then which of her series would you suggest?