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Topic: Looking for a Good New author of historical romance

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BrokenWing avatar
Subject: Looking for a Good New author of historical romance
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 8:17 PM ET
Member Since: 1/11/2007
Posts: 1,698
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I'm looking for a new author.  To give you an idea what I like; I like steamy, emotionally intense historical romances with a good plot and a lot of historical detail.  I'm especially fond of a good tortured hero.  O.K. if they're a little dark or controversial, but no vampires or too much fantasy/paranormal.  Don't like too sweet (yech!)

 Favorite authors so far:

Diana Gabaldon

Galen Foley

Robin Schone

Liz Carlyle

Lisa Kleypas

Mary Jo Putney

Karen Moning

Laura Kinsale (Shadowheart)

 Elizabeth Hoyt( Raven Prince, Leopard Prince)

 

Any suggestions on new authors?   No contemporaries--historicals only and please suggest titles along with the authors.  Thanks for your help.



Last Edited on: 6/21/07 9:02 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 8:45 PM ET
Member Since: 12/6/2006
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Have you read Kat Martin or Mary Balough?  I like them both and they fit your criteria, I think.

BrokenWing avatar
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 9:04 PM ET
Member Since: 1/11/2007
Posts: 1,698
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I've read martin's gypsy lord which I liked and just got the devil's necklace and dangerous passions.  What balough titles do you recommend?



Last Edited on: 6/21/07 9:43 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Dawa avatar
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 10:06 PM ET
Member Since: 12/14/2006
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Well, I don't think you'd like her more recent books, but the first two novels that Eloisa James wrote are very emotionally intense and dark.  She's an excellent writer with tons of fascinating historical detail, but after those first two she stopped writing such dark books.

They are Potent Pleasures and Midnight Pleasures.  The heroes and heroines aren't twisted or tortured, but they sure know how to hold onto a grudge.  Ouch.  I cried like crazy when I read those two.  You know, that little hitch in your chest?  That kind of cry.  Definitely try them, but don't expect the same tone from the rest of her books.  She lightened them WAY up.  They're still good, just not cry-worthy.

Those first two, though?  Completely wrenching.

I'll report back later if I can think of some by authors you haven't already mentioned.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 10:08 PM ET
Member Since: 10/7/2006
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how about celste bradley's liar's club.  I have the whole series i would be willing to send you.  I really really liked them.  They are historical and they are about spies.  now she did take some liberties with some things but all in all good.  my secret pal in my yahoo group sent me the series to try as a new author request and she picked well for me.  I am starting her royal four series after i finish what price love by stephanie laurens (part of the Cynster series).

BrokenWing avatar
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 10:10 PM ET
Member Since: 1/11/2007
Posts: 1,698
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Kitty,

It would be great if you could send me some.  How many in the series?

Generic Profile avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 6/21/2007 11:04 PM ET
Member Since: 1/20/2007
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Claudia- one book by Mary Balogh I think you might really enjoy is The Secret Pearl. I was so impressed by the emotion that filled this story without the obvious loud lamentations. It was quiet, desperate and intense. Another good one was One Night For Love. Not quite as intense as the other, but still pretty good.

RedWingHockeyFan avatar
Date Posted: 6/22/2007 10:17 AM ET
Member Since: 3/25/2006
Posts: 240
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I would have to second Eloisa James and would have to also throw out as a possibility Julia Quinn.  Oooooh, I know who else, Candice Hern. 

 

 

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/22/2007 3:24 PM ET
Member Since: 10/7/2006
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Sent you a PM regarding the lair's club series.  I agree with Eloisa James and Julia Quinn..... Like her Bridgertone series.  I personally would like to try the two James books mentioned in Dawa's post. 

BookShopGal avatar
Date Posted: 6/22/2007 4:28 PM ET
Member Since: 7/5/2006
Posts: 4,669
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I really like the Gail Ranstrom "Wednesday League"s eries.  Women solving crimes against other women, with a white slavery sub plot through the series.

WILD JUSTICE
July 2002
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-37329-217-1

SAVING SARAH
June 2003
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-37329-260-0

THE RAKE'S REVENGE
December 2004
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-37329-331-3

THE MISSING HEIR
May 2005
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-37329-353-4

THE COURTESAN'S COURTSHIP
January 2006
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-37329-383-6

 

Also, I think the Stephanie LAurens Bastion Club series is better than the Cynsters (the astion CLub is all made up of former spies, so you get intrigue with good hot romances)

 

HTH :)

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/22/2007 4:54 PM ET
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I like James and Quinn too, and I've enjoyed every Balough I've read so far.  Isn't this great, Claudia?  You're getting lots to choose from!  I'd not heard of Gail Ranstrom -- someone new for me to try.

Dawa avatar
Date Posted: 6/23/2007 2:10 AM ET
Member Since: 12/14/2006
Posts: 1,007
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Check out, if you haven't already, Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell.  Here's a link, I can't even describe it.  Link

The reviews on amazon are very mixed, but she's served up a dark and tortured hero with an apple in his mouth.  This is worthy of the controversy surrounding it, but Claudia, I think you should give it a try.

nympherella avatar
Date Posted: 6/23/2007 12:06 PM ET
Member Since: 8/3/2005
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I read alot of Bertrice Small novels.  They are historically acurate as well as romantic to the point of tears at times. 

 

I recommend the O'Malley Saga/Skye's Legacy (12 Books) or The Kadin/Love Wild and Fair

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/25/2007 7:59 PM ET
Member Since: 8/28/2005
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Claudia you and I have to same favorite author list.

Julia Quinn is always a good read.  She has a new one out now "The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cleever" I have to buy this weekend (can't wait for it to be posted). 

Another new favorite is Samantha James.  I love a good storyline and a good cry.

Generic Profile avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 6/25/2007 9:32 PM ET
Member Since: 1/20/2007
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Sarah, loved the description of Claiming the Courtesan and ordered it. It sounded very intriguing...

msdamgoode avatar
Date Posted: 6/25/2007 10:29 PM ET
Member Since: 11/13/2005
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A few of my favs that you didn't mention and that are on are par with what you like...Loretta Chase, Connie Brockway, and Lydia Joyce.

purrkitties avatar
Date Posted: 6/25/2007 10:51 PM ET
Member Since: 5/15/2006
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Have you tried Kathleen E. Woodiwiss? She's a little wordy at times but they are rich stories.



Last Edited on: 6/26/07 10:27 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
romanceaddict avatar
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Date Posted: 6/26/2007 6:51 AM ET
Member Since: 12/8/2006
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Johanna Lindsey has a Viking series, "Fires of Winter", "Hearts Aflame" & "Surrender My Love". She has a lot of other good ones, but most of them are american west or england.

Hannah Howell is good with the scottish books, and I can say that most, if not all of her books, are Scottish.

Julie Garwood has "The Bride" and "The Wedding", both 1100's Scottland.

That's all I can think of this early in the am.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/28/2007 10:41 PM ET
Member Since: 2/19/2007
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My absolute favorites are Jo Beverly, Madeline Hunter, and Mary Balogh.  I also just finished The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt and it was EXCELLENT!  I can't wait to read more from her.

BrokenWing avatar
Date Posted: 6/29/2007 1:23 PM ET
Member Since: 1/11/2007
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I read the Raven Prince and loved it.  The Leopard Prince was also great.  Serpent Prince is next.  I have it on pre-order with amazon.com.   Unfortunately, LP is on my keeper shelf, so it's not going into circulation.  I'm sorry I let RP escape!



Last Edited on: 6/29/07 1:24 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
BrokenWing avatar
Date Posted: 6/29/2007 1:25 PM ET
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I ordered Claiming the Courtesan too. 

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/30/2007 12:22 AM ET
Member Since: 5/19/2007
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I like all of the authors mentioned...Teresa Medeiros is another fave of mine...she has some good historical romances.  Her last couple were Vampire romances, but her others weren't. 

Just about any of hers are good ones...some of my faves include Charming the Prince, Yours Until Dawn, and One Night of Scandal.



Last Edited on: 6/30/07 12:29 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Sarah-tena avatar
Date Posted: 7/3/2007 4:34 PM ET
Member Since: 5/15/2007
Posts: 125
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I need to re-read it, but if you're looking for a tortured hero that makes you get choked up, you might try Blue Moon by Jill Marie Landis.  It's not super steamy, but it's been on my keepers shelf since I read it.  I also agree with some of the other mentions, especially the early Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn.  Just bought her new book and need to try to read it this weekend.

wiserightwinger01 avatar
Date Posted: 7/3/2007 5:50 PM ET
Member Since: 12/27/2006
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Sorry but I'm going to have to warn you away from Eloisa James.  She is AWFUL.  The first book I read by her, which I think is the first book she wrote (Potent Pleasures or something like that?) made me want to gag.  The "hero" screws the heroine within like, the first two chapters of the book.  I say 'screw' because he literally sees her at a party, takes her outside, and screws her without knowing one thing about her.  The heroine is like, 16 years old at the time (perhaps 18, can't remember).  Anyway, throughout the rest of the book they fall in love of course, but all I could picture the whole time was this 16 year old getting it from the horny hero.

I ordered all EJ's books off eBay but sold them after reading only 4 because I couldn't stand them.  She is by far the most boring author I've ever read.  And she just writes...weird stuff.  In her third book, Enchanting Pleasures, the heroine's dress falls down in public, exposing her boobs. (don't worry, I'm not giving anything away.  The author is so proud of this little piece of brilliant literature that she puts it in the summary on the back of the book.  Wha??)

Anyway, just don't get your hopes up for Eloisa James.

BrokenWing avatar
Date Posted: 7/3/2007 7:24 PM ET
Member Since: 1/11/2007
Posts: 1,698
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thanks for the warning.  I think I want to avoid EJ.

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