Oh, you're right! Sorry, Pamela! Thanks to you too!

Glad you were able to find some good suggestions in the post, but have to give credit to starting the post to Pamela. = )

My thanks as well Pamela, this was a good discussion!

Wow, gotta love the hostility. I have to thank you, Carolyn, for starting this post. Aside from the entertainment value, I've got new books to add to my list! Always a plus. I look forward to trying out them all. Happy reads!

Carolyn wrote: "Arthur: Obviously you missed my sarcasm at your heavy-handed approach, considering you choose to then LECTURE me about my reading order of books. Kindly go stuff yourself."

You have some insecurity issues. Get rid of them ASAP.

Arthur: Obviously you missed my sarcasm at your heavy-handed approach, considering you choose to then LECTURE me about my reading order of books. Kindly go stuff yourself.


Pamela: I am so glad you're enjoying them! You are most welcome. = )

You're right about Fitz, of course, because while he was trained as an assassin, at heart he never was. (Which is of course why I loved him as a character!)

On your side note - I'm already a member of that group, so I will also see you there! I just a minute ago posted on a thread about authors who do both YA and adult books - I'm usually the only one adding in science fiction authors. = )

Carolyn!

I have been meaning to write...

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

I am on the sixth book of Vlad Taltos and it is SPECTACULAR! Exactly what I was looking for.

There has been a discussion (rather I have made a many post) regarding the Vlad series. http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2350...

Robin Hobb. It’s funny because even though the books refer to Fitz being an assassin, in the end he really wasn’t. He went out and killed those half dead people but he never really assassinated anyone. Any attempts he made were usually blundered! But this series was one of my favorites. Another note, it was written in first person which I usually prefer. The Vlad series is the same up until the sixth book.

Thanks again Carolyn for the introduction.

Another side note: Brust next Vlad book is coming in January 2010.

Another side note!: Carolyn, I know you are interested in YA. Here is a group I found for Grown-Up YA readers. They had two of my favorite YA books up for the month! Graceling and The Knife of Never Letting Go. http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1794...

Carolyn wrote: "
Oh, and thanks for telling me in advance that the Liveship Traders will be 'spoiled' for me, maybe I'd better save myself the trouble of reading them, since you've already decided for me - NOT."

..."

Sorry about it.
You were supposed to do some research before reading Tawny Man.

Arthur wrote: "Violence and Love
How Robin Hobb got into this list, I don't really know. Let's put it this way: Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie are so different as white and black. Go figure..."

The only reason I suggested Robin Hobb was because her series is about an assassin - apparently called it right for the OP, since she has already read (and loved the series.)

Oh, and thanks for telling me in advance that the Liveship Traders will be 'spoiled' for me, maybe I'd better save myself the trouble of reading them, since you've already decided for me - NOT.

Pamela - enjoy the Brust series!

Pamela wrote: "Tell me you hate the Fool too?!?!."

No. I liked him quite a lot. And Fitz.

I just disliked the story. I don't want to give away any spoilers here. You might read my reviews here for Fool's Errand and Fool's Fate or here: http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showpost....
Although I did make a mistake and confused her with Anne Rice at some point. Otherwise it is a pretty fresh summary :)

Side Note: An independent film company has purchased the rights to the Nightrunner series. The writings are asking for her input but look how that turned out with the Legend of the Seeker! Please be good. Please be good. Please be good.

I love the Nightrunner series. Lynn Flewelling is the reason I purchased tickets to ComicCon 2010! Hoping she will be there (and she can tell me how to say her last name).

I think the Farseer trilogy made it on the list because oddly enough those books are almost as gut wrenching as Abercrombie’s just in a different way. Hobb torn my heart into itty bitty pieces and Abercrombie made my teeth hurt.

How in the world can you hate The Tawny Man series?!?! Tell me you hate the Fool too?!?! Ahh the Fool, next to Glokta, he may be my favorite character. If it wasn’t for those books, I think I would carried a deep seeded hate for Hobb and what she did to Fitz. Forgive me, it has been a while since I read them but I don’t recall a weak plot. I remember him having to travel to to find the dragons and walking through the pillars, oh and the lady in the ice caves. I find her stories more character driven rather than by the plot, granted I never found her plots weak.

I am on the last book of Tamir and then it’s onto Steven Brust. The book as been staring at me, flapping it’s pages (it’s been windy in Florida) waiting for me to pick it up. There was a short story on his website that I posted here and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the sarcasm I read there also appears in this series. After this I will look for the Outlander series.

I will be sad to break up with the Tamir series but I am highly anticipating the one night stand I will have with The White Road come May of 2010!

Thanks again for the suggestions everyone!

Pamela wrote: "Arthur wrote: Is the Nightrunner series finished?"

Nope! The next book will be out at the end of May! I am just finishing the Tamir series and holy crap I love this lady! Again, I wish for a bit m..."

Ta!

Ronda wrote: "Pamela - I recommend the following:

J.R. Ward - The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
Gena Showalter - Lords of the Underworld
Lara Adrian - Midnight Breed Series

All of these have very vidid..."

None of them finished though :(

Arthur wrote: Is the Nightrunner series finished?"

Nope! The next book will be out at the end of May! I am just finishing the Tamir series and holy crap I love this lady! Again, I wish for a bit more bloodshed BUT I love the romance in her novels. So much fun! I feel sad for Tobin/Tamir and Ki but still love em!

Violence and Love
How Robin Hobb got into this list, I don't really know. Let's put it this way: Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie are so different as white and black. Go figure...

I read The Farseer and Liveship Traders twice and loved them. I absolutely hated The Tawny Man trilogy. A pile of rubbish. Some cheesy, unbelievable love, weak plot, absolutely unacceptable ending.


Carolyn
I plan on reading her LiveShip books at some point, because many have mentioned that they tie into the story somehow. Have you read those?

Liveship Traders is as good or maybe even better than The Farseer, however/unfortunately it will be spoiled for you because you know some key things that happen there after reading Tany Man. Tawny Man is full of spoilers. You will loose some mystery when reading Liveship Traders, because you know how some of the very important plot lines are going to end, although not all of them.

Pamela wrote: "I am looking for books similar to Lynn Flewelling"

Is the Nightrunner series finished?

The Outlander series came to mind first, and one other doesn't classify itself as fantasy but I recently read and loved it. The Collector by John Fowels didn't often make me say aww, but the depth of love (of a sort) is quite powerful. Also by the same author, The Magus is a slightly more traditional fantasy yarn.

OK, most anything with dragons and I'm in, so I'll definitely be reading the LiveShip books now!

Haven't read Graceling yet, it's another on my immense tbr list, as is the Ness book. I'm a big fan of YA (done well) also. Looking forward to getting the Weeks trilogy soon, moved it up my list based on your glowing recommendation. = )

Since you like 'darker' reading, do you read much in the post-apoc/dystopian genre? That is one of my favorites subgenres. One of my other groups is reading/discussing Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale this month. Have you read it? It's one of my all-time favorite books. The discussion is just starting to kick off, a bunch are still reading the book. If you'd like to join us we're in the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club .

Brent Weeks trilogy is probably in my Top 5 List. It starts out jaw dropping and left me cleaning up the drool at my feet. To me, it seems he has no fear when writing. Which gives us, the readers, an incredible story and characters that are unforgettable. He plays with the hearts and minds of his readers like no one I have read.

I have not read the LiveShip books. But I am pretty sure they bring together the girl-on-dragon story. Girl-on-dragon, I love the name.

Graceling! Love it! She just came out with a prequel called Fire. I have read great reviews about it and will eventually pick it up. From what I have read her next books will be a continuation of Graceling. Not sure if Katsa and Po will be back. In the condition Po was in when we left him, who knows how that panned out. I loved her use of abilities in this book. It wasn’t as though the characters were “magical” they just possessed a sixth sense. Love YA. Something else to recommend YA wise, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. It took a chapter or two to get into the writing but I LOVED it.

Glad to be of help! = )

I have the Brent Weeks trilogy on my tbr list, they look very good, as well as the Korre series by Holly Lisle.
The Cast series is one of my guilty pleasures, can't really define just why I like it, but snarf each one up in a day or so. = )
I love the Assassin and Tawny Man books by Hobb, I've read them at least twice now. I plan on reading her LiveShip books at some point, because many have mentioned that they tie into the story somehow. Have you read those?

Thought of some other fantasy series that you might like:
one by Sharon Lee - it begins with Duainfey, continues with Longeye and is still ongoing.

another (YA) series by Kristin Cashore, beginning with Graceling - another assasin series = )


On another topic, whatcha stitching? Always fun to see what others are doing - I'm working on Little House Needleworks' 'Yesteryear' right now.
I've been thinking of starting a group for cross stitchers on GR, mostly to review xs publications - I hate buying an xs book online and then finding out I don't like most of the content. What do you think of the idea? (not to hijack your thread, you can send me a pm if you'd like. = )

Oh, and another really good book is Talyn (Korre, #1) by Holly Lisle. The romance was well done, I felt and the violence is pretty good too. I also second the The Pillars of the Earth recommendation. Any of Ken Follet's epics are really well done and incredibly detailed. The romanaces are wonderful in them and really leave you content if not downright giddy. Oh, and the villians? Def some of my favorites.

The Quickening Trilogy by Fiona McIntosh. The books are well written and the romance takes a while but there are some amazing scenes including a torture scene and a beheading. Not to mention the fact that the villian is freakin' psychotic in the best possible way. I defy anyone to not like these books.

Any way, the series starts with Myrren's Gift

Steven Brust

http://dreamcafe.com/firefly.html

I found the above on his website. Read the first 100 pages and I am hooked!!!

Thanks for the introduction Carolyn!

I loved the Outlander Series, I couldn't put them down. I haven't read the Kushiel series but heard it was very good - I will have to put that on my wish list. I will have to check out the other books Carolyn mentioned too along with the other books mention as well. Thanks guys

Carolyn wrote: "Stephen Brust's Vlad Taltos series - beginning with Jhereg "

I have Cast in Shadow on my book shelf. I started reading it and something drew me away. Can't remember if I grew bored of the book or something else caught my attention. Nevertheless, I will revisit it.

The Assassin series was one of my favorite. Poor Fitz. A friend had to persuade me to read the Tawny Man books because my heart was wrenched already from The Farseer series. I am so very glad I sucked it up and read it!

But your post brought to my attention Steven Brust. Never heard of him before this but I found him on Goodreads and not only do I love his picture but this quote..

"No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style."

.. has me thoroughly interested. I will be at B & N tomorrow to pick up the first three books (they come in one edition now). I love assassin stories! Even in the description they speak of a love story. Right up my alley!

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks is a GREAT assassin series. Highly recommend it.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone!

P.S I love to cross stitch too! (saw that in your profile Carolyn)

Well, I highly recommend the Outlander and Kushiel series - they are among my favorites!

In addition I'll add:
Michelle Sagara West's series beginning with Cast in Shadow

Robin Hobb's Assassin series (and followup Tawny Man series), beginning with Assassin's Apprentice

Stephen Brust's Vlad Taltos series - beginning with Jhereg

books by P.C. Hodgell

Dave Duncan's Kings Blades series, beginning with The Gilded Chain

Barb Hendee's Noble Dead series beginning with Dhampir

Some of these are heavier on the violence, lesser on the romance, but all are 'dark'.

Pamela - I recommend the following:

J.R. Ward - The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
Gena Showalter - Lords of the Underworld
Lara Adrian - Midnight Breed Series

All of these have very vidid killings along with romance

I read the first book in that Landscaper thing, Sebastian, and it was okay. I thought The Black Jewels trilogy (well, now series) was much better.

I read Belladonna by Anne Bishop I enjoyed the concept of Landscapers but I was bored by the book overall. I will check out the Daughter of Blood though.

Thanks!

I haven't read the books you mentioned either, but The Black Jewels series might fit what you're looking for. It begins with Daughter of the Blood.

LOL Yes. It's very good. :D

I will check out Diana Gabaldon. Just read a description and sounds interesting enough. Thanks!

Phedre and Josscelin, loved their story. I clapped (Yes I clap when I feel the need) when she finally ran to the Queen and claimed him as her consort. Awwww!

The Pillars of the Earth
Is the the book you were typing about? I like the cover :)

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Oh, hmm... Sorry Pamela, I just realized that I recommended you two HF books in the Fantasy group. O_o

I should pay more attention. LOL

Well, I haven't read any of those books, but two that MAY fit what you're looking for come to mind.

First is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which is a historical fiction story and has a fair amount of violence and a swoon-worthy romance.

Second is Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, which is about a heroine who gets pleasure from pain, so she endures a LOT of pain. There's also a very nice romantic interest in that one as well.

Another just came to mind, which I just finished actually, but it might be a bit off from what you're looking for because the romance is not a major point of the story. There is a LOT of violence though. That one is Pillars of the Earth. (It's historical fiction as well, and requires a bit of patience, but it is totally worth it in the end.)

I just completed the Nightrunner series Luck in the Shadows and fell head over heals in love. The Tamir Triad The Bone Doll's Twin is another series which should get there on Saturday, couldn't find the books anywhere!

But my reason for the post... I am looking for books similar to Lynn Flewelling in the sense that she has a strong story with a decent (could be more) amount of violence PLUS a love story that make me say awww. There was just enough of both to make me feel satisfied after reading. I have tried a few "fantasy" romances and they leave me feeling too dirty after reading them. Not to mention they usually lack an actual story.

I want something that's a cross between the violence portrayed in Ambercrombie's books (having every other tooth in your mouth chiseled out) and The Notebook (like rowing through a sea of swans)?

Any ideas? Am I asking for to much?