Here we go! I’m so excited to share with you all the very first guest blog post! Please welcome Rowena:
First and foremost, I’d like to thank the wonderful Limecello for allowing me to invade her space for today. For those of you guys who don’t know me, I’m Rowena and I blog over at Book Binge (for romance) and The Book Scoop (for YA fiction). Yes, I have two blogs and yes I have a lot of time on my hands.
It was hard trying to come up with topics to post about today because there are a lot of bookish topics out there that have been talked to death. Currently, I’m in the middle of doing yet another quick re-read of an old favorite because I’ve been lazy to start a new book and I thought I’d talk about comfort reads. The book that I’m currently re-reading is Double Standards by Judith McNaught.
No matter how many times I read this book, I fall more in love with John Nicholas Sinclair. I absolutely adore this man. I know that he’s a jerk. I know that he’s a smoker and I’m not a fan of smokers but every time I read Double Standards, he knocks me on my ass. The whole story does. Judith McNaught has a special ability to make me sit up and pay attention to her stories and that’s why I re-read a lot of her books all the time. They’re comfort reads to me. Whenever I’m having a bad week and I can’t get into any of the books I’m reading, I’ll pick up a Judith McNaught and she’ll knock me right out of my slump.
The romance, the drama, the heroes, I love it all.
Some other books that are comfort reads for me are:
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve re-read the opening chapter in Honor’s Splendour when Madelyne warmed Duncan’s feet. The scene in Perfect by Judith McNaught where Julie tries to escape Zack and he thinks she’s drowned and he’s trying to save her? O.M.G. and don’t even get me started on the letter. *sigh* The ever famous window scene in Mr. Perfect and then the shower scene in Heart of Fire and who can forget the scene in Over the Edge when Senior Chief Stan gets up on stage and sings a Natural Woman? There are so many reasons why I keep going back to these books over and over again. They make me smile and they make me laugh and they just all around comfort the heck out of me.
So now it’s your turn…what books do you consider your comfort reads? The books that you’ve re-read more times than you can count and the books that are still on your keeper shelf? Share your thoughts with us!
Thanks again Limecello for having me here on your blog, me likey what you’re doing over here and I will gladly cyber stalk you over here as well as on Twitter. =)
And you guys- how sweet is Rowena, I didn’t even tell her to say anything nice! <3
My favorite comfort reads of all time are Georgette Heyer’s romances. Some of my copies have been read so many times they’re falling to pieces. Same goes for many of the mysteries of Margery Allingham and Dorothy Sayers.
Right now I’m reading Connie Willis’s Doomsday Book for the second time and enjoying it even more than the first.
Hi Barbara, I have a little confession to make :X I’ve never read a Georgette Heyer romance. Think I’m going to have to air that dirty laundry some time… I tried one but didn’t like it Would you recommend a particular title?
Also, don’t you love it when a book is only better the second time around? π
Which one did you try? Some are better than others, and you also have to bear in mind that they were written quite a while ago. There’s no explicit sex, for one thing, and although the dialogue is often marvelous and even hilarious, the pace is different from what one often sees in more recent romances.
My favorites… well, there are a lot, but in Regencies I’d say Venetia, Sylvester, and maybe The Reluctant Widow and The Talisman Ring. The Toll-Gate is good, too. Devil’s Cub takes place a little earlier, and is a fabulous story. It’s the sequel to These Old Shades, which is also very good. The Grand Sophy is a fun story, too.
I also loved Beauvallet, which has lots of adventure as well as romance, and takes place in Elizabethan times.
I also loved, loved, loved The Conqueror so much that I’m dying to write a story that takes place in England just after the Norman Conquest.
Gah, Barbara – sorry, for some reason your comment doesn’t have a “Reply” link for me… but at least the time stamp will help…
I tried to read The Black Moth. The premise sounded interesting. I think it’s one of her earliest books? I made another friend try it as well and she couldn’t go on, and another friend told me she also DNF’d it. I felt terrible though. I do know her books are older, and actually, it’s a quirk of mine to check the copyright dates of books.
I don’t know if it’s the language, or what, but most people say they LOVED Sylvester… and I’d like to try it at some point, but am a little gun shy after the Black Moth – which I know is probably my fault.
Also, it sounds like you’re passionate about that time period (after the Norman Conquest) and you *should* write that story! There’s definitely the market for it and I feel like there are more and more books set in that period being published. π
Your comment didn’t have a reply link either… ah, well.
I’ve become fascinated with the 11th and 12 centuries, and I even started a short story that takes place in 1067. However, it’s in second place… no, maybe fifth place right now behind regencies and contemporary paranormals. So many stories, so little time. π
Why not see if you can borrow Sylvester from a library? That way you won’t invest any money — just a little time. Be patient if it starts slowly, though. I don’t remember how it begins, but there are some hilarious bits once you get into the story.
Faro’s Daughter is another one I loved. So is Arabella.
lol Barbara, apparently wordpress doesn’t want people talking to each other beyond a certain point π At least, that’s why I’ve decided it took out the “reply” links/options.
As for Sylvester… hm I will look into it, thanks. I’m 99.99% ebooks these days, but I may’ve seen a digital copy at an e-library… or Georgette Heyer could be in my 0.01% exception since she’s Georgette Heyer…
I love Regencies and Contemporaries and Paranormals… and time periods a bit earlier than the ones you’ve listed – more like Ancient Greece/Rome π
I’m interested in stories about ancient Greece and Rome, too, and your comment reminded me of the books by Rosemary Sutcliff that take place in Roman Britain – actually, at around the time Rome was leaving Britain (The Eagle of the Ninth, The Lantern Bearers, and one other– can’t remember the title now). They’re young adult, I guess, or at least middle school reads. Excellent stories — must read them again some day. When I have time. Argh.
Limecello, congrats on your first guest blogger, and I have to say Rowena got me at hello. Judith McNaught’s historical ALMOST HEAVEN was the first romance I ever read. I loved her historicals. When she switched to contemporaries, I was stunned, but I loved her writing so much, I had to try them. And of course, loved those books just as much.
Have a great weekend, ladies!
You too, Vicky – thanks so much for stopping by! Also, second shameful confession :X I don’t know that I’ve read Judith McNaught before. … Do I have to turn in my romance reader card? *hides*
LOL on the romance reader card. She wrote books in the late 80s & early 90s, so the style is quite different than what we’re accustomed to now. But I loved her books. Her heroines were the sort of women you’d like to have as best friends.
My comfort reads are Julia Quinn’s older books, as well as Lisa Kleypas’ books. I’ve started my “addiction” with them 10 years or so ago and I love going back to these times where I used to read every romance that came between my grubby little hands. π I didn’t know the romance community was so big and that there are so many authors out there by then. Now I’ve got so many to choose from so many categories that I sometimes don’t know where to start first! π
Hi Claudia, it can be daunting, can’t it, with all the busy aspects of the online community – but I love Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn, and am especially with you on the older ones, though I heard her newest 2? Are great as well. I’m behind reading-wise.
And Twitter sometimes doesn’t make it any easier, very time consuming and that means less time to read. So, one NY’s resolution for me was less time online, but I’m not doing very well at the moment with that (as you can see)! π
I haven’t read the latest JQ, I’m still a bit “anxious” about it. I don’t want to get disappointed again!
I’m really curious about Delilah Marvelle, though. Her books did get you out of your reading slump, didn’t they? Definitely want to give her a try!
Hey Claudia, I’m a total twitter addict – it’s helped me find a lot of books though, so that’s nice…
I totally understand what you mean with the JQ thing – I’m doing the same thing/have put them off for the same reason!
As for the last on Delilah Marvelle… er, now are you talking to me or Rowena? :X Cuz… that wasn’t me. I picked up Alexandra Hawkin’s new Lords of Vice series… I can’t say anything about Ms. Marvelle’s books, but I’ve heard there good, so I hope you enjoy them π
I’m with Barbara; some of the Heyer’s are unforgettable. I really love Devil’s Cub most of all.
I also love Jenny Crusie’s Welcome to Temptation. Everyone in that book is a mess and I love them all.
Julia – you know that’s the second Jennifer Crusie book I ever read – the pool table … heh. Have you ever read Fast Women? The women there are especially well… sad awesome messes π
Yeah, Devil’s Cub is wonderful.
Agreed re Welcome to Temptation, although I think my favorite Crusie is Faking It. Hard to say, though — she’s written so many good books.
Kiss of the Highlander by KMM. I love that story. Zinnia by Jayne Castle. Dark Prince by CFeehan. My latest are Angels Blood by N.Singh and Touched by an Alien by G.Koch. They all have wonderful yummy sexy male heroes. The more you read them the more you love them.
Marnie – isn’t that fun when it happens? Gotta love the ideal heroes. I’m behind on the Guild (is that the name of the series? partially?) books by Nalini… I’m such a slacker >.<
I have a steady rotation of three series that always work for me. Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series, aka the Cat and Bones books. I have to interject here that Eternal Kiss of Darkness isn’t actually in that series, it’s a spin-off, but, Mencheres tops all romantic leads for me, no matter who they are. I also regularly indulge in the Kate Daniels books by Ilona Andrews. Curran is an irresistible combination of humor and sexiness. Jim and Dr Doolittle are very close seconds from those books. And, the Mercy Thompson books by Patty Briggs. The fabulous Adam, Bran and Darryl have never, ever disappointed me.
It’s been a while since ordinary humans have attracted me. I seem to be doing fine with it!
Ooo Wont – I’ve had Eternal Kiss of Darkness near the top of my TBR file as well – I’ve only read First Drop of Crimson, which I know is the first of the spin-off, but I totally crushed on Mencheres.
Heh, and lucky you – definitely glad there’s a thriving PNR etc market for you!
Love Honors Splendour — it’s one of my fave comfort reads too. Most of Garwood’s historicals & a number of Johanna Lindsey books are. Been having trouble getting into a new book too (despite the several sitting here that I want to read) so maybe I’ll go dig it up and enjoy it once more as it’s been a while since I last read it.
Limecello you’re not alone on never having read Heyer. I never heard of her till I started following romance blogs this past year.
gamistress – you make me feel so much better! Thanks π I tried reading the Black Moth and was like “… O_o no. Just… no.” I think it’s a bad one :X One of her earliest, I believe.
I’ve only read a few Johanna Lindseys – I think I go into cycles for/with her books. π
Yes, The Black Moth is an early Heyer. The Masqueraders is another early one which I enjoyed more. There’s something about the language in the earlier ones that doesn’t ring as true or read as smoothly, perhaps… I dunno. I enjoyed them all. π
I don’t re-read novels as often as I used to, but in more recent romances, my favorite re-read is Loretta Chase’s Lord Perfect. I also re-read all three of Joanna Bourne’s romances. They’re absolutely fabulous.
I never reread a book on purpose.
Estella – your comment just made me smile. I definitely understand that, and heck, you’re probably in the majority when it comes to [not] re-reading. It’s just so foreign to me though :X Although, I’m sure – especially recently- it’s why I’m so behind on new releases.
I find that historicals tend to be my comfort reads. England’s Perfect Hero (Suzanne Enoch) and Worth Any Price (Lisa Kleypas) are still 2 books I read at least once or twice a year, and they are still powerful each time for me.
How could I forget Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn? Those are other books that I love to re-read. Oh well, thanks for making me feel so welcome over here guys.
I was in the process of moving this weekend so I had no access to the internet at all except on my phone but it was being super slow so I quit trying to comment on here through my blackberry. I need a new phone so bad!
@Lori: Worth Any Price…that book will always remind me of you.
@Estella: Wow, really? I don’t know too many people that don’t re-read ever. That’s kind of cool though. Everything will always be fresh with you which is great.
Rowena – thanks so much for guesting! And oh noes! I didn’t know you were moving :X You shoulda told me so I could’ve rescheduled you!
<3
p.s. – get an iphone π
I have never read any of your comfort reads. *hangs head in shame*
My comfort reads are AND THEN HE KISSED HER by Laura Lee Guhrke, ROMANCING MISTER BRIDGERTON by Julia Quinn and LESSONS IN SEDUCTION by Melissa Schroeder.
Its funny to me that my comfort reads are historical since the vast majority of my TBR happen to be contemps. I guess there’s something to be said for reading something not close to my life.
lol don’t feel bad, Brae – I’ve never read any of the books Rowena mentioned either. But shhh π
I super love And Then He Kissed Her and… I think my favorite Quinn is Brighter than the Sun. I’ve only read Mel’s Harmless books I think :X Am behind.
Would you believe I’ve never read McNaught or Garwood? I know, it’s practically a crime in romance land!
For a long time I rationed out my Jennifer Crusie books to save as comfort reads, but these days, since I edit erotic romance for a living, anything light on sex and romance is a comfort read to me. I’ve had a lot of fun reading cozy mysteries lately.
I also find myself grabbing category romances and fluffier historicals when I need something sweet and easy.
And I love Westerns too. Anything sweet that’s set in Texas. π
lol JenB, dunno if I should tease you about having to turn in your romance card, or sit in the back of the room with you π
Have you read the Texas Cattleman’s Club books? There are a bunch of miniseries from Silhouette Desire – some great authors.