Hi All!

We're talking romantic suspense here, but we haven't really discussed one of my favorite authors yet--Linda Howard! She's written some great romantic suspense books over the years, and I was wondering what your favorites are. Two of my favs are "Dying To Please" and "Cry No More". Any opinions?

Well...I don't think I've read anything by her. I'm going to look for the two you recommended. Thank you.

I haven't read anything by her either BUT I do have OPEN SEASON on TBR (hey now there's a surprise!) I've been told that's a good one. I never picked up CRY NO MORE because I think it involves children and I don't like romance novels where children figure in the story--unless it's very minor.

"Open Season" is another great one--really, you can't go wrong with any of the earlier Linda Howard books! Some people don't like her latest stuff, though.(I still have her last 3 books in my TBR pile, so I can't really comment on that yet) She has an amazing backlist--a LOT of winners--so if you like her style, you're going to have a lot of good reading ahead!

As for "Cry No More", children do figure in the story line, but not as much as you would think. (Really, just in the very beginning and at the end) It's much more a steamy romantic suspense (loved the hero and how he took care of the heroine). It's also a bit of a tearjerker at the end (but I loved that), but a very satisfying read--one of my favorites! If you get a chance, enjoy!

Hi, I'm kinda new here but I wanted to put my 2 cents worth in on Linda Howard...she is one of my favorite authors. "Cry No More" and "Open Season" are two of my favorite books. She is an excellent author and at the end of most of her books, I'm always a little in love with the heros. Like Auntee, I loved the hero in "Cry No More"...he was so compelling and mysterious and kind of scary (in a sexy way)

Hi Lisa,

Good comment about being 'a little in love with the heroes' at the end of her books--well said! That's what makes her books such good reads!
And the hero in "Cry No More", Diaz (wow), he really came into his own near the end of the book. I loved how he took care of Milla in N. Carolina--really touching.

Linda Howard is a newer author for me but I've been grabbing everything I can find of hers and have yet to read one I don't like. Mr Perfect and Dream Man are often listed as faves. I liked them. I'm currently reading Mackenzie's Mountain and tho it may not qualify as romantic suspense, I'm loving it so far.

Hi Pamela,

Loved Mackenzie's Mountain too! Actually, I loved all the books featuring the Mackenzies, and most of the others are romantic suspense. Just a great series!

I have only read 2 of hers, 'Cover of Night' and 'Heart of Fire'. Loved them both. I did find that the plot of 'Cover of Night' was a little far fetched but because the one hit man used it to his personal advantage it worked for me.

Hi Marnie,

How could I forget "Heart of Fire"? That was the one that took place in the Amazon, right? Loved the H/H in that one--great book! Haven't read "Cover of Night" yet--it's in my TBR pile--I know it's had mixed reviews, but I'm going to give it a chance, eventually! :)

If there was such a thing as a romance reader's curriculum, Mackenzie's Mountain should be required reading.

I've read and adored everything LH has written. That said, I am not thrilled with her last couple of books. They really read more like wilderness survival guides than romantic suspense. Up Close and Dangerous and Cover of Night come to mind immediately. The danger factor is amped up so high they really seem to pass out of the realm of romance altogether and enter thriller territory. I miss her slow developing relationships and the deep emotional stuff she wrings out of her characters.

Although (just to totally contradict what I just said) I must say I loved Son of the Morning. Just loved it.

Linda Howard writes more "thriller theme," eh? I like thriller's.

Have you read "Die for Me" by Karen Rose? That one had me tied up in knots until the end....It's intense and very graphic/serial killer.

I went to my local library today and they have one (1) Linda Howard book, "All the Kings Men." I've found that our library doesn't usually carry too many mainstream romances...

My all time favorite is Now You See Her. Followed closely by Shades of Twilight, Open Season, and Mr. Perfect. I agree that the last two have been more wilderness survival than romance. But I eagerly await the next book.

Hi Morgan,

"Now You See Her" was another great one--had a little bit of paranormal to it. Loved both "Open Season" and "Mr. Perfect"--two of her better ones, I'd have to say! You mentioned "Shades of Twilight" and I know I've read it, but I can't remember it! I even read the synopsis and it doesn't ring a bell! That's one I'm definitely going to have to re-read! I think the brain is on overload--too many books... :)

The only thing that bothered me about Shades of Twilight was that the 2 main characters were cousins. I don't remember if it was by marriage or just distantly but that always kind of icked me out. So I would just completely block that detail from my mind and its an amazing read.

Their grandmothers were sisters. So they were second cousins, if that is any better.

My favorites are Cry No More, Open Season - which kept me in stitches the entire time, Dying To Please, To Die For and Drop Dead Gorgeous.

Ok, I love Linda... a lot. But I have to draw the line at Drop Dead Gorgeous (not to knock your fav). I was really disappointed with the villain. I felt like it was just way to easy and exactly like To Die For, they just switched the ex-spouse.

However, I loved To Die For and was super excited about the sequel. So maybe I just built it up in my head and by the time I got my hands on it there was no way for it to live up to the hype.

Anyone else's thoughts?

I do agree with you, Morgan about the villains. There was no thought put into them whatsoever.

I finished Cry no More the other day. Wow. What an intense story. Loved Diaz. I don't think I have cried more during the last 100 pages in any other book. IMHO Diaz can show love better than any love interest I have ever read about. This book was gut wrenching and full of emotion and I felt it to the core. It was starkly honest about how a woman really feels in Milla's situation. (Trying not give the book away here)

I agree with you about Diaz, Marnie. He's gotta be one of LH's best heroes! Anyone who likes LH should definitely read this book--and you're right, it's a real tear jerker towards the end--I went through lots and lots of kleenex! :)

I am brand new to Linda Howard too. I just finished Mr. Perfect and absolutely loved it! Are all of her books suspense? I heard she has a historical series too. Mr. Perfect was the perfect (no pun intended!) blend of suspense, comedy and romance for me.

Tammy, she has a lot of romantic suspense, but she also has contemporary romance, and a few western romances. I don't think she has any historicals--I may be wrong though. She even has one that has a paranormal twist, called Killing Time.
The westerns are "A Lady of the West", "Angel Creek", and "The Touch of Fire". All good stuff!

I used to read a lot of Linda Howard, but her recent books totally turned me off as they shifted more away from romance. I don't mind a great thriller, but not at the expense of the romance.

My two favs of her are "Shades of Twilight" and "After The Night"

Though "Mr. Perfect" was a great read as well.

Tammy,
If you liked Mr. Perfect and are new to LH I think you should read Open Season next. I really think you'll enjoy it, it has that great blend you mentioned.

Another one with a paranormal twist would be Now You See Her.

Have read Cry No More--great book
Also To Die for and Drop Dead gorgeous
Open Season
Mr Pefect
Currently Reading Kill and Tell
all very good for romantic suspense and lots of humor.

Loved "Kill and Tell", Karen! Especially loved the hero in that one, Marc Chastain!
Linda Howard's got a ton of good ones! :)

I just finished OPEN SEASON and that was just excellent! It was sooooo funny and creepy in some parts. I loved the h/h--totally believable without the sap that you sometimes get. Gotta go Howard book buying now after all the great recommendations from everyone :D

Just finished Mr. Perfect! Absolutely LOVED it! Laughed and cried.

I finished Up Close and Dangerous the other day and I loved it! I started Under Cover yesterday and it seems kind of slow. I saw some other reviews today, that said it wasn't the best, but I'll keep on reading..

Good to know about "Up Close and Dangerous". I've had that one and "Under Cover" in the TBR pile for ages--it's about time I dig them out before her latest comes out this month (or is it next month?)

Have read so far. Drop dead gorgeous,To die for, Mr Perfect, Cry NO more, Open Season and Kill and Tell...All very good ---She's got a new one? I'll have to look it up.

It's a hardback called "Death Angel: A Novel" and will be out July 1st! :)

Linda Howard is one of my all time favorites.Dream Man,Open Season and Mr. Perfect are my favorites. A lot of people didn't like Up Close and Personal but I liked the way they had to change their opinions of each other as they got to know each other.

Oh Auntee! Thanks for the tip on the new one coming out in July. I'm still on my Linda Howard kick and just finishing up TO DIE FOR - love Blair and her blonde moments. I still haven't been able to bring myself to read CRY NO MORE.

I'm off to check out the new one (too bad it is in hardback tho!)

Tammy, is "To Die For" the one where she makes that dessert that involves Krispy Kreme donuts? :)

Yes, Auntee! In fact, I just did some quick research and someone posted the recipe online. Sounds yummy. Here's the recipe if anyone is interested:

Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding

1 doz glazed doughnuts-pinched into bite-size chunks
2 beaten eggs
1 can condensed milk
Pinch salt
Cinnamon- ~ 1 tbsp
More milk- ~ 3/4 cup
Vanilla- ~ 1 tbsp

Mix in pan-- I used a 8X12 pyrex

Bake 30 min at 350. Cool in refrig.

Butter Sauce
½ Stick of butter
½ box of confectioner’s sugar
Rum flavoring- ~ 2 tsp
Melt together, pour over bread pudding.

Can you imagine the calories in that creation...?!

No kidding! But I'm going to give the recipe a try this weekend if I can find rum flavoring at the store. I might make adjustments (ie. using rum - lots of rum! - instead of "rum flavoring". LOL!)

Umm, yum! You've got to tell us how is comes out! :D

definutely have to try that.

I'll letcha know if I try it this weekend Auntee, provided I can tear myself away from these naughty websites you keep posting. = )~

I was wondering if anyone had read the new book Death Angel. I read the description and it sounded kind of .... completely stupid. I'd love to hear from someone who's already read it.

Hi Morgan,

I read Death Angel by Linda Howard. I absolutely loved it. After I read the synopsis..I was worried I wouldn't like it. Because what I read in the synopsis isn't the usual of what I read in romances. But ohhh.. Linda Howard really made this book a thrilling book!

One of the things I loved about this book is that I didn't know what was gonna happen from one moment to the next. So often when I read romances they are so predictable. Not this book.

The chemistry between H&H is so strong. Once again Linda Howard has worked her magic in this book.

There have been a few books in Linda Howard's collection that I wasn't into. But this book I was completely into and didn't want it to end!

I never got bored once in this book. (Normally I get bored in romances and skip to peek at the ending. Not this book!

It was so worth every penny I spent on this hardcover.

I didn't go into specifics cause I didn't want to spoil anything so if there is something particular you would like to know about this book, just let me know.

Susan <---absolutely recomends Linda Howard's Death Angel.

Thanks for the info. I will add it to my list.

I recently finished MR PERFECT and I didn't really like it :( I didn't think there was enough focus on the romance and I didn't really get a feel for the h/h as a couple being that they weren't really in a lot of scenes together. It seemed to be more about the 4 women and "the list".

Ok ladies, I need some help here. I've read Open Season, Dream Man, After the Night and Kill and Tell and liked them a lot . What Book would you suggest I buy next?

Stamatia,
I think you'd enjoy "Now You See Her"

Stamatia, you've got to try "Cry No More" and "Dying To Please", two of my favorites!:)

I vote for CRY NO MORE too.