New member introductions and group read planning Showing 51-100 of 1,039

[Misfit, Moderator]

I've heard a lot about Kearsley and waiting for The Winter Sea to come into the library. I did have The Shdadowy Horses out at one time but for some reason (I think M. Dumas was calling me) I couldn't get into it and returned it. I intend to try more at a later date though.

[Hannah]

I don't think you'll be disappointed in Kearsley if you like writing in the vein of Barbara Michaels.

[Rosie]

Hi everyone,

So nice to see so many MS fans in one place. I am currently building a collection of first editions of the Morrow/Mill hardcovers. I'm not too fussy about condition so I'm finding them pretty cheap. I just love the 50s and 60s covers and the spines look so pretty on my shelf.

I have to say that Touch Not the Cat is my all-time Stewart fave. I re-read it whenever I need cheering up! There's more romance in it than in many of the others, and I just adore the (surprise) hero. And the scene under the pear tree is just swoon-y!

[Misfit, Moderator]

HI Rosemary, I agree about the hero in TNTC. I never would have guessed, and oooh that scene under the pear tree.

[Rosie]

Misfit, I have always thought that the BBC could do a lovely adaption of Cat.

Re: other romantic suspense--Ever read Brat Farrars by Josephine Tey? It has lots in common with Ivy Tree, and the BBC DID do a version of this in the 80s.

And I can't find Kearsley in our library, but I'm working on it. She sometimes comments on the Mary Stewart blog and on Dear Author.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Thanks Rosemary I'll have to look up the Tey book one of these days. Don't be afraid to try for an interlibrary loan if your's participates in the program. Its amazin what they can find.

[Lorraine]

Hello: I'm a little late introducing myself, but since no-one has mentioned it, I want to say my favourite book is Stormy Petrel, which was one of her last to be published. I was delighted to find a beautiful, almost pristine hard cover at a book sale a few years ago. The first book of MS I read was This Rough Magic and it was always my fave until I read SP. Also love The Ivy Tree - have always wanted to sit up against Hadrian's Wall since I read that one. I'll be reading the Moonspinners soon. I remember the movie very well (LOVED Haley Mills) - the scene of them escaping from the windmill by climbing out on the sails. But it doesn't really follow the novel except that it's set in Greece!

[Hannah]

Hi Lorraine, and welcome!
Although most fans tend to like Stewart's suspense books better then her later "cottage" books, I lean with you on enjoying the slower pace of the cottage trilogy (i.e. Stormy Petrel, Rose Cottage & Thornyhold). In all 3 of these, Stewart really crafted some lovely books exhorting the natural world, along with the hearth & home-loving aspect of life. They are truely comforting books to read.

I also enjoyed This Rough Magic and The Moonspinners. My favorite of her suspense books is Wildfire at Midnight.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Hi Lorraine, glad to have you hear. I haven't tried her cottage books yet, I still have the suspense backlist to work through (I got side tracked). I loved Moonspinners but I'd be curious to see what you think of the movie once you've read the book. I loathed it (the movie).

[ToniS]

Hi there. I was just re-reading this thread looking for author recommendations. I finally read a Susanna Kearsley book a couple of months ago and I wanted to comment. I read Mariana. It's a flashback/past life kind of thing. I didn't think it was anything groundbreaking, but the settings and the characters were very compelling and richly detailed. It was a good comfort kind of read. I kept it because I can imagine myself reading it again.

I also tried Phyllis Whitney and I'm really sorry I did. Maybe I just chose the wrong book, but ugh. The writing was terrible.

I'm on to Victoria Holt next.

[Hannah]

Hi Tony!
I'm so glad you enjoyed Mariana by Kearsley. I really love her style of writing.

Agree with you on Whitney. I read some of hers many years ago, and she never did anything for me. I much preferred Holt, although it's been many years since I re-read hers, so I'm not sure if they will stand the test of time for me. As for Holt, I remember really liking "On the Night of the Seventh Moon" and "The Spring of the Tiger".

[Misfit, Moderator]

I'm with Hannah as well. I read Whitney in my younger days but I tried one a few years ago and it was so-so. I like Holt but spread them out, if you pack them one right after the other you'll get burn out as her formula is a bit similar. I believe On the Night of the Seventh Sun has just come out with a shiny new cover.

[ToniS]

The Victoria Holt I bought was Mistress of Mellyn. It's a re-release also.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Toni wrote: "The Victoria Holt I bought was Mistress of Mellyn. It's a re-release also."

I liked that one a lot as well as Bride of Pendorric.

[Annie]

Toni wrote: "Hi there. I was just re-reading this thread looking for author recommendations. I finally read a Susanna Kearsley book a couple of months ago and I wanted to comment. I read Mariana...."

Toni, I find Phyllis Whitneys later book very dissatisfying. She got into some new age weirdness during her last 15 years or so. Her older books are the best, although Mary Stewart is still the queen. For Phyllis Whitney, my favorites are the Trembling Hills and Skye Cameron.

[Annie]

i have to agree with Misfit as well. I think the biggest reason I liked Phyllis Whitney was because I discovered her in high school. Her writing is eminently suited to the adolescent reader. Victoria Holt is one of my all-time favorites. Mistress of Mellyn and Bride of Pendorric are wonderful. I'm not sure if I can come up with a favorite, but King of the Castle and Menfreya in the Morning are right up there. And the Shivering Sands--very suspenseful. Some of them don't stand up to multiple re-reading, though, like your best novels do--like Mary Stewart does, for example.

[Gabriele]

Annie wrote: "i have to agree with Misfit as well. I think the biggest reason I liked Phyllis Whitney was because I discovered her in high school. Her writing is eminently suited to the adolescent reader. Vic..."

I agree about Whitney, and was addicted to Victoria Holt for a while when I was young. Mary Stewart was the best of them, but I don't think I'll try to re-read any. Too many other books on my TBR shelf!

[Annie]

Gabriele wrote: "Annie wrote: "i have to agree with Misfit as well. I think the biggest reason I liked Phyllis Whitney was because I discovered her in high school. Her writing is eminently suited to the adolescen..."

Yeah, I hear that! I do enjoy going back to my favorites every 5 or so years, though. I think it may be about time to re-read Madam, Will You Talk, or Marry in Haste (although I think that may be Jane Aiken Hodge, not Mary Stewart--either way its a great book!)

[Laura]

Hi, I've just joined the group. I have to say, I've never actually met anyone (in person) who has read any of Mary Stewart's books, so to find this group is rather exciting!
My favs are The Ivy Tree and Touch not the Cat. Oh, and Airs above the Ground. Ok, and Thornyhold and the Moonspinners. Well, really they're all pretty good.

[Dottie]

Laura wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group. I have to say, I've never actually met anyone (in person) who has read any of Mary Stewart's books, so to find this group is rather exciting!
My favs are The Ivy Tr..."

Laura -- your post gave me a giggle -- I have the same problem when I start to say which Mary Stewart book is my favorite. Your list includes many of my own favorites -- I juat tend to juggle them into first place on some kind of rotation it seems.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Hi Laura, and welcome. Things get quiet at times but feel free to jump in anywhere and stir the discussion pot.

[Dottie]

Exactly -- I got here via Laura's intro and just trolled through all the various topics catching up -- and threw a comment in -- I love people finding Mary Stewart because of this group, Misfit -- I really believe nearly all of hers hold up well over time and are fine reading.

[Hannah]

Laura wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group. I have to say, I've never actually met anyone (in person) who has read any of Mary Stewart's books, so to find this group is rather exciting!
My favs are The Ivy Tr..."

A big welcome, Laura! We need to liven this board up a bit with fresh faces. Glad you found us!

[[deleted user]]

My favorite Mary Stewart books are probably the Merlin ones but I am just reading Rose Cottage again. Long ago I also loved The Ivy Tree. It seemed so romantic at the time.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Alice wrote: "My favorite Mary Stewart books are probably the Merlin ones but I am just reading Rose Cottage again. Long ago I also loved The Ivy Tree. It seemed so romantic at the time."

Hi Alice, you've reminded me I need to finish off reading Mary's backlist. I keep getting distracted. And yes, Hannah's right things get quiet around here. Don't be afraid to stir them up.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks Misfit! There was something I was wanting to ask about Rose Cottage but now I forget what my question was due to taking Ultram. I will try again when it comes back to me.

Is there already a discussion here on it? I was looking last night but foggy here.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Alice wrote: "Thanks Misfit! There was something I was wanting to ask about Rose Cottage but now I forget what my question was due to taking Ultram. I will try again when it comes back to me.

Is there a..."

I don't recall seeing one and that's not one I've read yet. Hannah?

[Pat]

I'm reading this book "Rose Cottage" right now, Alice. I thought I would be finished today, but looks like it will be tomorrow instead. Let's discuss it tomorrow. I'm pretty sure Hannah has read it....any others?

[[deleted user]]

Hi Pat, I thought I would finish today too but maybe late tonight. Should a new discussion thingie be opened for it? Since this is the introduction one? I will see if I can do it.

[Hannah]

Hi Alice! New to the board? If so, welcome! It's fairly quiet around here, but I'm always up for discussing some Stewart.

I personally liked Rose Cottage, but it wasn't one of my favorites. Since I'm such a sucker for old English cottages and houses, it couldn't fail to appeal to me, but the mystery element wasn't as strong as in her previous novels. I guess Stewart's "Cottage" novels suffer in comparison to her earlier novels in that they are less suspense-y and romantic and more focused on the natural world and are more comfy/cosy. I'm due for a re-read of this one.

Pat - how are you liking it? Can't wait to discuss.

[[deleted user]]

Hannahr wrote: "Hi Alice! New to the board? If so, welcome! It's fairly quiet around here, but I'm always up for discussing some Stewart.

I personally liked Rose Cottage, but it wasn't one of my favorites. ..."

Hi Hannah, I had joined long ago but then deleted my account and then came back to goodreads. My favorite's are the Merlin Trilogy. I like Rose Cottage as a "comfort read". August is a very rough month for me due to ragweed so I need something kinda relazing to read.

Alice

[Melanie]

Hello everyone. Mary Stewart was my gateway into the world of gothics and paranormals... I always said that when I grew up and became a real author that I would write like Mary Stewart. So, now I am an author but this goal eludes me. And it should. There is, after all, only one Mary Stewart.

[Hannah]

Melanie wrote: "Hello everyone. Mary Stewart was my gateway into the world of gothics and paranormals... I always said that when I grew up and became a real author that I would write like Mary Stewart. So, now I a..."

Hi Melanie, and welcome! It's great to see some new faces on the Stewart board!

It's great you're an author. What kind of books do you write? I think if I could be an author I'd like to be one like Stewart, Daphne duMaurier and M.M. Kaye, but like you said, they are all in a class by themselves.

[Melanie]

I write mainly paranormal (goblin spythrillers and such), some historicals (mostly of the Scottish flavor) and have just started with mysteries A Curious Affair -- I would be plenty happy to write like MM Kaye or duMaurier, but alas! I am as God made me :-).

[Misfit, Moderator]

Hi Melanie, wouldn't we all like to write like Dames Stewart and Du Maurier as well as MM Kaye? Jump in anywhere you want to start the chat going. I'm a bad mod and I've not been reading M.S. lately. Must rectify that.

[Hannah]

Misfit,
You are NOT a bad mod. You've just got your reading priorities a bit schewed:

You're reading books like:


when you should be reading gems like:


LOL! Just kidding! You know how I love your status updates on the more (ehem) "juicy" books.....

[Hannah]

Melanie wrote: "I write mainly paranormal (goblin spythrillers and such), some historicals (mostly of the Scottish flavor) and have just started with mysteries A Curious Affair -- I would be plenty ..."

Melanie,
I think it's great you're a published writer, and I'm sure you have plenty of excited fans. I have to admit that paranormals aren't my big thing unless they're in the vein of the old 1970 gothics. I personally prefer my paranormals to include ghosts and haunted houses to vamps and the like.

As for being the caliber of writers like duMaurier, I read somewhere that when she was actively writing, her novels were poo-poo'ed by the literary critics as being "fluff". That's incomprehensible to me.

[Misfit, Moderator]

Hannahr wrote: "Misfit,
You are NOT a bad mod. You've just got your reading priorities a bit schewed:

You're reading books like:


when you should be read..."

Hehe, yes but I do make you ladies laugh :)

[[deleted user]]

Hannahr wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I write mainly paranormal (goblin spythrillers and such), some historicals (mostly of the Scottish flavor) and have just started with mysteries A Curious Affair -- I ..."

I never pay attention to the "critics" as I learned long ago I almost never agree with them especially about movies. But about books also. That is interesting about paranormals. I guess she might have been my "gateway" too but I had not realized it until now. I like them all except for the "immortal" in one I read a few months back. That one really bored me.

[Melanie]

Dickens was considered a hack too. Critics don't necessarily have the best grasp on what stories will endure.

I hear you about the paranormals-- no vampires for me either. I've done a couple gothics. I call them my reluctant psychic books. There are few writers doing 'gothic' but not many. Lillian Stewart Carl is one of the few. And none of them are Mary Stewart.

[Christine]

Misfit, LOVE the group, thank you...and also, i ADORE that picture from Nine Coaches Waiting you shared! ty!

I just finished reading all of the Mary Stewart novels written in her golden age of suspense novels...LOVED them...enjoyed reading them all at once like this...it really gave me a great impression of her and the time period of which she wrote them, and England, France, Greece, Vienna, and Lebanon during this time frame, as well!

My least favorite was Airs Above the Ground, my personal favorite was Madam Will You Talk, and the one that simply blew me away, and I have to admit is imo her best most masterfully written novel of the period is The Ivy Tree...

I am hoping to get a chance to post a few polls sometime soon...

by the way, I'm Christine, love gothic novels, suspense novels, romantic suspense...

I recommend On the Night of the Seventh Moon, and Bride of Pendorric by Victoria Holt, Black Amber and Sea Jade by Phyllis Whitney, (but I agree about her, she is good when she is good, and just BAD when she is bad)...I just bought a Jane Aiken Hodge and am looking forward to it...is she any relation to Joan Aiken?

Anyway, I just finished reading Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey...another book MS fans may enjoy...



anyway, hugs everyone! Nice to meet you all!

[Hannah]

Christine wrote: "Misfit, LOVE the group, thank you...and also, i ADORE that picture from Nine Coaches Waiting you shared!..."

Glad you made it over, Christine!

Looking forward to your polls :D

[Misfit, Moderator]

Hi Christine, thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself. Looking forward to what you come up with on the polls. I love Mary Stewart, but I've been side tracked this year and reading other authors/genres.

[Kelly_Instalove]

Hi - I'm Kelly, I'm from Iowa ("Is this heaven?" "No, it's Iowa"), and I just spent 20 minutes updating all my Mary Stewart editions to the new UK covers.

My first book was My Brother Michael because it kept showing up at the top of my Amazon recommendations. Then Nine Coaches Waiting, which after about 17 readings is likely to have a permanent spot on my "desert island" list.

Other faves are Touch Not the Cat, Madam Will You Talk, and This Rough Magic. Thanks to my obsessive/compulsive tendencies and Half-Price Books, I own them all in various in various formats, but I'd love to get them on my Kindle too!

Kelly (who keeps changing her mind on who she'd cast as Raul in a movie version....)

[Misfit, Moderator]

Ooooh, Raul. Lucky UK readers can have them in Kindle.

[Jemidar]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a complete MS newbie having started my first book (Rose Cottage) by her this morning, but I'm totally hooked already by the wonderful writing and can see myself desperately needing to read every last thing she's ever written.

I came to Mary Stewart through discovering Susanna Kearsley earlier this year and saw that she was recommended as someone similar, you know the old "if you enjoyed this you might like..." I know, most people do it the other way round and read MS first then move onto Kearsley.

Anyway, I'm Jenny and live in Oz. I know a few of you already know me. Nice to see so many friendly and familiar faces :-).

[Misfit, Moderator]

Hi Jenny, she's a wonderful author. I haven't read her cottage books (Hannah has), but I adore her romantic suspense books. No time slip like Kearsley does, but pretty darned good anyway. Her exotic settings are tops.

[Jemidar]

I just couldn't resist the title Rose Cottage :-).

[Hannah]

Jemidar wrote: "I just couldn't resist the title Rose Cottage :-)."

If you like Rose Cottage, you'll probably also love Thornyhold

I envy you just starting to discover Mary Stewart. But be warned, if you happen to really enjoy her brand of romantic suspense, it's going to be hard to find similar books by this crop of current writers (with the exception of Kearsley, IMO). No one else comes close.

[Jemidar]

I'll probably read Thornyhold next.

That's the problem when you start to discover some of the older authors because they certainly spoil you for the current ones. There are very few who newer ones who can meet the standard.