Need a good historical romance. Other genres too. discussion
General
>
Discussion of HR and other books. And recs.
Mod
Snow and ice in Ohio. People are unofficially encouraged to stay home.
HappyBookWorm2020 wrote: "Hey, where is everyone? ETA I am re-reading the 2nd book in the St. Mary's series. It has a lot of humor and I need that right now. I have laughed out loud several times. Not historical romance but..."When my husband was terribly ill and bedridden, I used to read to him to pass the time. Book 1 of St. Mary's was one of the books we read together. After he died, I couldn't seem to read anymore of the series. Maybe I'll try the series again sometime.
Mod
Sweet that you read to your husband. Hearing a voice can be so soothing. I'm sure he appreciated you.
Read that EJ Beauty book yrs ago- sorry- can't recall anything about the story.
HR-ML wrote: "Carol---Sweet that you read to your husband. Hearing a voice can be so soothing. I'm sure he appreciated you.
Read that EJ Beauty book yrs ago- sorry- can't recall anything about the story."
Remember the TV series House, about the cranky doctor? This was E. James' Regency version, more or less, of that character.
Mod
When Beauty Tamed the Beast is one of my all time favourite books with a fantastic epilogue. Perhaps the best book by this author.
Mod
Thanks for your comments.
Hello you lot. I’m still alive. I imagine you wondered if I had died. I’ve been busy, with farewells, deaths and funerals around many corners and not able to chat about anything much. Last funeral was yesterday and I hope to get back to a more normal life - Covid willing (although, as yet, I know no-one who has died from it).Hope you are all well. I have no idea what has been happening with you all, so excuse my ignorance.
In recent weeks, I have tried to get back into HRs with little success. Instead, I’m reading historical biographies (yes, I remember Janet Malcolm’s theory about the lies, damned lies of biographies and autobiographies - but I enjoy them).
I’m currently reading a biography by Anna Marie Roos - Dr. Martin Lister and His Remarkable Daughters. I’m a great lover of the rediscovered history of women, so it’s right up my alley....
Next on my list will be a biography of Queen Victoria, by Australian author, Julia Beard. Erin Satie (whose writing I generally admire) just posted a hugely positive review and rec on Goodreads.
Finally - I enjoyed that Dr House themed James book. Still remember the horrifying scene where he finds her in the chicken coop. I remember talking about it with OLT when it was first published. I may try a re-read.
Danker wrote: "Hello you lot. I’m still alive. I imagine you wondered if I had died. I’ve been busy, with farewells, deaths and funerals around many corners and not able to chat about anything much. Last funeral ..."So, Danker, I tried very much not to wonder if you had died. Thought perhaps, like for many of us nowadays, your life was just too fraught to bother with lesser things (like discussion groups on GR). And it was lovely to hear from you again. Enjoy your biographies. I've been doing historical mysteries mostly, because romance is annoying me too much. BTW, I just found Karen Odden's Down a Dark River for $1.99 yesterday and snapped it up. It may be my favorite of hers so far.
Hi Danker. Trying times. Nice to see you here again. OLT, I didn't know Odden had another book out. Picked up a library copy for my Kindle. Thanks
Mod
Sorry for your loses. You are strong, but must be mentally/ physically
exhausted? We have missed you.
I too like bios. Am almost finished with Jack & Jackie: Portrait of
an American Marriage. A main theme: did they have a MOC only vs
they loved each other?
Carol, the book came out in November of last year. I'm hoping it will be a multi-book series because these are my favorite characters of hers so far, flawed and complex people, and the mystery was perhaps her best so far also.
Thanks everyone for your kind wishes.OLT. Just bought the Odden, after seeing your comment here. Thanks. For just over $AUS3 so a bargain. I check in on A Trace of Deceit from time to time, but it remains $AUS16.99, so it looks like I won’t be reading it for a while.
HR-M - Everything I’ve read about Jack Kennedy’s father has convinced me that, not only was he an unprincipled thug in his work life, but that he had a ghastly attitude to women. It seems that Jack Kennedy did not escape that influence. And Jackie’s father was a shocker as well, not even turning up for her wedding. Not a recipe for a HEA. If it was only a MOC they did a fine job of portraying it as so much more in public - although the media let him get away with his infidelities in a way that wouldn’t happen today. I will be interested in your conclusion, once you’ve finished it.
Carol wrote: "HappyBookWorm2020 wrote: "Hey, where is everyone? ETA I am re-reading the 2nd book in the St. Mary's series. It has a lot of humor and I need that right now. I have laughed out loud several times. ..."Lots of memories associated with those books. :hug:
Danker wrote: "Hello you lot. I’m still alive. I imagine you wondered if I had died. I’ve been busy, with farewells, deaths and funerals around many corners and not able to chat about anything much. Last funeral ..."Welcome back, Danker! I'm so glad to see that you are okay and so sorry for your losses.
OLT wrote: "Danker wrote: "Hello you lot. I’m still alive. I imagine you wondered if I had died. I’ve been busy, with farewells, deaths and funerals around many corners and not able to chat about anything much..."Got the Odden book. Thank you for the recommendation.
I am thoroughly enjoying Down a Dark River. It's my kind books with lots of interesting characters folded into an interesting story with an on going mystery. I'm going to rec The Skylight Room again. It's similar in feel, although it takes place in the 1950-60's. Hope y'all picked it up when it was free.
Finished Dark River. I was a really good mystery. Had both the ebook and audio so I did both. The reader was excellent.It's nothing like Skylight, which is more about the characters.
Mod
Looks good but $12.99! Too much!!
Down a Dark River
Got this one instead. Looks good. Carol, this one you referenced.
HR-ML wrote: "A Counterfeit SuitorLooks good but $12.99! Too much!!
Down a Dark River
Got this one instead. Looks good. Carol, this one you referenced."
Yes, I read her first two books that were pretty good. OLT mentioned that the Odden had a new book out, Dark River. I think you really have to concentrate because there are a lot of suspects and events, but I followed along and solved it "with" the H.
Mod
Glad you solved it.
I need to renew my library card, haven't yet. Our local
library expanded. Library allowed 5 patrons inside at
a time, b/c of COVID. Unclear if this is still the case?
I was never a big user of my library because I'm finding books, even ebooks are getting pretty expensive, so my library has become my solution. I can get DTB from my library and have access to ebooks and audio books through hoopladigital.com and Libby by Overdrive. Go on your library website. You may be surprised how they are trying to keep up with our modernized world.
Danker, It is so good to hear from you. I am sorry you have had so many funerals to get through. I hope things will get better for you.
OLT, Thanks for the Odden rec. I downloaded it. I am all about getting kindle books as cheaply as possible right now. I found a Judith Landsdowne for 0.99 and read it yesterday. It was okay. I haven't read a good HR in a while. I also downloaded the new Fresina--looking forward to reading it.If the prices of these kindle books keep increasing so much, I am going to use my library too, Carol. I have my library card around somewhere. I haven't been to the library in 2 years.
I hadn't been using my library much either, but I'm loving it now. I've even sent in a contribution. I can't get every book I want, some I have to put a hold on, some take a while for the library to get it in, and some, like new Fresina's and Kingswood's, aren't carried at all.
Roberta2, Amazon has several romances on sale today as part of a Valentine's Day offering. They are contemporary romances, not historical, for the most part, but a couple of them are good read. I actually enjoyed Duke, Actually and Mhairi McFarlane has some good CRs.
HR-ML wrote: "A Counterfeit SuitorLooks good but $12.99! Too much!!
Down a Dark River
Got this one instead. Looks good. Carol, this one you referenced."
Book prices for some of the big publishers have gotten over what I am willing to pay, particularly for a kindle ebook. You don't even own it - it is just a license to read the book. Unless it is one I must, must read as soon as it is published, I'll wait for the price to go down.
I know it’s not romance but CJ Sansom is an author we have often praised on this site and he has just won the most prestigious award - the Diamond Dagger. Crime author, Sara Paretsky, another crime author I admire, mentioned it today on her Facebook site.https://thecwa.co.uk/news/c-j-sansom-...
Forgot to mention - for many moons I thought Sansom was female! And it’s his Shardlake books that I think we have discussed.
Good for Sansom, Danker. I enjoyed all the Matthew Shardlake novels but am still waiting for the last one to be offered at a bargain rate before I buy it. BTW, C.S. Harris's #15 in the Sebastian St Cyr series is on sale in the US today for $1.99: Who Speaks for the Damned
Danker wrote: "Forgot to mention - for many moons I thought Sansom was female! And it’s his Shardlake books that I think we have discussed."I thought he was a woman also. I have his first book and will hopefully read it soon.
Thanks OLT - just bought Who Speaks for the Damned at $AUS5.95, which is a bargain at my end. That will be it for this month. I’m trying to buy from anywhere but Amazon, but it’s very tough - so I’ve decided 2 books a month is permissible. I’m also back at my public library, as well as reading on Internet Archive and buying from my local bookseller.
I read Dance with a Deverell yesterday and really enjoyed it. While my husband and son were watching the Superbowl, I reread True Story to refresh my memory about all of his children. I didn't remember much about Justify whose son is the H in Dance with a Deverell. I am thinking I may read some more of Fresina that I had skipped over before. Her okay books are probably so much better than anything I have tried recently.
Mod
Down a Dark River
Thanks for your + comments on this one. I'm trying to sort out
who's who of the characters. You are likely smarter than I am?
I have ID'd 3-4 murder suspects.
I had to check twice but, no, it’s not a misprint. $30 for a Kindle book that the purchaser will never own.https://www.amazon.com.au/Betrayal-Bo...
Danker wrote: "I had to check twice but, no, it’s not a misprint. $30 for a Kindle book that the purchaser will never own.https://www.amazon.com.au/Betrayal-Bo......"
That is only her 2nd book. Good grief. The first one is only 18.00 or so.
HR-ML wrote: "Hi Carol---Down a Dark River
Thanks for your + comments on this one. I'm trying to sort out
who's who of the characters. You are likely smarter than I am?
I have ID'd 3-4 murder..."
HR-ML wrote: "Hi Carol---
Down a Dark River
Thanks for your + comments on this one. I'm trying to sort out
who's who of the characters. You are likely smarter than I am?
I have ID'd 3-4 murder..."
I also found it difficult to keep track of the characters. maybe write down a list that you can refer to. Just follow the detective as he reveals the clues and ponders who could have done it.
Keep guessing because you're probably wrong.
Carol wrote: "HR-ML wrote: "Hi Carol---Down a Dark River
Thanks for your + comments on this one. I'm trying to sort out
who's who of the characters. You are likely smarter than I am?
I have I..."
I just realized you finished the book. Did you guess the murderer or did you figure it out when the inspector did?
Roberta2 wrote: "I read Dance with a Deverell yesterday and really enjoyed it. While my husband and son were watching the Superbowl, I reread True Story to refresh my memory about al..."Roberta2, there must be something wrong with me, well, apart from the living in despair in Florida, because I was disappointed in Dance with a Deverell. I was expecting her unusual and special way of writing and this one felt like a nicely written historical romance but nothing special. Maybe I need to read it again.
OLT wrote: "Roberta2 wrote: "I read Dance with a Deverell yesterday and really enjoyed it. While my husband and son were watching the Superbowl, I reread True Story to refresh m..."I'm getting a tad tired of the usual Regency. Having a difficult time finding something else to read that's not too deep and maybe a little romantic. Dark River was perfect. Now what?
Carol wrote: "OLT wrote: "Roberta2 wrote: "I read Dance with a Deverell yesterday and really enjoyed it. While my husband and son were watching the Superbowl, I reread True Story ..."I'm enjoying historical mysteries much more than the romances nowadays. Have you tried Ann Swinfen's Oxford Medieval Mysteries? About a young widower bookseller with two children (lost his wife to the Black Plague) who gets involved in solving murders? The Bookseller's Tale is the first in the series.
I just downloaded The Bookseller's Tale. It is only $0.99. So, grab it if you are interested.
OLT, Dance with a Deverell wasn't a special Fresina. I just enjoyed it because it wasn't the usual dreck. Even when Fresina is off, she is so much better than most other HR authors.
And, I don't think Dance with a Deverell will be a reread for me.
$30 for a kindle book? I can't bring myself to spend $10 on the new Mimi Matthews.
OLT wrote: "Carol wrote: "OLT wrote: "Roberta2 wrote: "I read Dance with a Deverell yesterday and really enjoyed it. While my husband and son were watching the Superbowl, I reread [book:True St..."I just picked it on hoopla. It looks like they have the entire series. Thanks.
I feel for you OLT. You are sounding increasingly sad. And no wonder.As I’ve shared here many times, disappearing into HRs with guaranteed HEAs had been my alternative to anti-depressants for years, but even some of my old favourites no longer soothe the savage beast. And that’s because (since Me Too) I’m much more judgemental of rakes, brothel owners etc than I was previously - let alone lazy plotting and lacklustre writing.
So, fortunately, I’m no longer reviewing. I do, however, follow HR author, Sarah MacLean, on Twitter and she was going to town this week, lambasting (some) reviewers for criticising the historical accuracy of HRs, implying they are ignorant, because they see Regency England, in her judgement, only through the prism of Heyer’s stories. I thought of responding, but told myself to shut up. She suggested that these readers should follow the Twitter site, Whores of Yore, to understand just how “spicy” people really were. I’ve followed that site for months and find it amusing, illustrative, but certainly not reflective of how everyone lived. MacLean sure is right that Heyer’s world was not a 100% accurate depiction of Regency England (she was a snob, an elitist) but MacLean’s depiction isn’t always, as well (one of her books comes quickly to mind).
I do agree with her that some reviewers get it wrong, but, in my experience, HR authors do as well, especially the self-publishers, and some of their critics are surely as well educated as MacLean. Anyway, I can’t see her tweets changing anything.
OLT - here are my current alternatives to using HRs as mood-enhancers:
Watching and laughing at Family Tiktok dance challenges, listening to melodic music, reading/watching stories about ordinary people being kind to one another, more ordinary people saving animals and stories about geniuses and champions who care/d for others more than their own pockets. I actively search for something positive every day before trying to meditate to calmness. Hope this helps.
.
Danker, thanks for the mood enhancers. I guess I am feeling a bit more down than usual, but I've been traveling downwards since 2015. I'm starting to see why some people don't read about or listen to the news and just watch sports or keep up with the Kardashians and such. Politics may be driving me mad. Whether or not MacLean is correct about historical accuracy in romances, that isn't my biggest turnoff about them at the moment. I'm just bored by the sameness of everyone's plots and the sex serving as filler and titillation rather than as something important to the relationship. And the uninspired conversations the characters usually have are mind numbing. If Meredith Duran or Cecilia Grant or even Mia Vincy surprised us with a new HR, I'd be there.
I'm still doing my glass of wine at night but feeling proud that it hasn't increased to a full bottle. So there's hope for me yet. But when Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio are reelected in November, that may very well be a full bottle night.
Need a good historical romance. Other genres too.
Books mentioned in this topic
Dragon Bound (other topics)A Waltz on the Wild Side (other topics)
Someone to Romance (other topics)
Every Summer After (other topics)
One Golden Summer (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Allison Goodman (other topics)Allison Goodman (other topics)
Darcy Burke (other topics)
Erin Langston (other topics)
Nancy Bilyeau (other topics)
More...
The series is about a British institution named St. Mary's that investigates past events in contemporary time. Don't call it time travel. In this book, St. Mary's is breaking in new historians by sending them to capture some dodos (extinct birds) and bring them back to St. Mary's where they will breed and no longer be extinct.
A Symphony of Echoes