Need a good historical romance. Other genres too. discussion
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Discussion of HR and other books. And recs.
HR-ML,Thanks for the rec. for The Girl in the Shadow. I read it yesterday. It was quite timely, even though it is a historical, when one considers that there are many in this country who think a woman's only purpose is that as a breeder. I didn't find the descriptive passages about surgery and treatments too much. That is probably because I have been listening to my husband talk about gross stuff for almost 40 years. lol
Mod
OLT had a favorable review of Girl.... and that's how I found it.
When I worked in a nursing home, the nurses did a 15 min report
each AM. They got gross- the color of secretions and so on, but so be it.
Another recommendation from me, if anyone is interested. Historical fiction taking place in England and France in the 1760, with some intrigue and mystery and a good historical base. The Blue and The Fugitive Colours
OLT, Thanks for the rec for the Seeker books. I read the first in the series yesterday and was hooked. Downloaded the second one already.
I found a debut historical romantic fiction book that takes place in 1870s Portugal. A wine-making background and a romance between a slightly jerky Brit and a Portuguese widow. I'm about 20% in and feel it's worth the 99 cents I paid for it.The True Purpose of Vines
Well, I finished the Chronicles of St. Mary's series and now have to wait for the next book. I love to binge read series. They are so much better read close together. Thirteen books and all of the shorts (I think). I'm not sure about My Name is Markham but plan to read it just in case. I still have the Time Police series to read.
She's written other series too, plus a historical romance I think several of us have read and liked.
A Bachelor Establishment
Maybe ignore my message #1012. The book is deteriorating into a predictable and uninteresting romance. I thought there would be more history and winemaking than I'm getting.
You can get a bundle of the first three Poldark books for only $2.99. Considering that if you buy them separately each costs ten or more dollars, this is quite the bargain.The Poldark Saga: Books 1 - 3
Wait a sec. This is a bad link. This one costs $29.99. I just downloaded this from Amazon for $2.99. Don't know what's going on.
Thanks, Carol. I just noticed that if you click on that GR link that says $29.99, it will take you to the $2.99 bundle on Amazon.
Just stopping in to wave hello. I have nothing good to report. I know this is the wrong place to post this, but I have some hopes that Finland and Sweden are able to join NATO. It's a nice smack in the face to Putin if nothing else.
The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau sounded familiar, but my memory has been so flawed recently that I didn’t trust it. I just checked and it seems that I purchased/read it in Dec 2018. I do remember being impressed with the plot of this book (and also Ian Rankin’s praise on the front page, as I’m a huge fan of his) but not much else. Don’t know why I didn’t buy the next in the series. So thanks for mentioning The Fugitive Colours, which I’ve just found and am able to read on Kindle Unlimited. Her Joanna Stafford trilogy is not cheap - 2 of the titles are $Aus12.95, while one title is only about $Aus5.00 - but the full package is well worth reading.When I have more time, I will work my way through everyone’s recs. Thanks for them.
Here's an HR I've been hoping would be offered at a bargain price and today it is. The second in Betina Krahn's newest series:White Knight Needed
$1.99 seems reasonable. I have trouble getting myself to pay out $6.99 or more for an HR nowadays.
Danker, I noticed that too about Bilyeau's other series. How much more expensive it is. Guess I'll just keep checking periodically to see if those books go on sale at some point.An interesting note about her Genevieve Planche series is that the author herself is the descendent of a French Huguenot who emigrated to the (U.S.) Colonies in 1661. She must have been doing some genealogy research about her roots and became inspired to write the series.
Mod
Thanks, got the B Krahn book you linked. I've liked most of her books that I've read.
It took me a few days to read Uncovering the Merchant’s Secret by Elizabeth Hobbs. Been on holiday in Wales for a few days in camper. We went on a few long walks. Walked 10 miles one day. Nice country roads and along the beach. Not bad for two over 60. 😂 Our little dachshund was very tired and went straight to sleep when we got back to camp site
Just finished A Duke in need of a Wife by Annie Burrows. This was a nice read.
Shaz wrote: "It took me a few days to read Uncovering the Merchant’s Secret by Elizabeth Hobbs. Been on holiday in Wales for a few days in camper. We went on a few long walks. Walked 10 miles one day. Nice co..."
I've never been to Wales but have watched four or five TV series that take place there. It looks beautiful although there are a few areas that seem a bit forbidding, but that's another kind of beauty, isn't it?
Just bought Bettina Krahn’s new book. As usual, it’s not offered to non-US readers at a discount. Cost me $AUS10.91 - may as well say $AUS11.00. It was a deliberate choice. Krahn has given me loads of laughs over the years and she is one of the few HR authors who, IMV, continue to turn out books worth reading. I’ve decided that I need to open my wallet for those few authors, in recognition that they deserve an income. Eleven dollars is the price of 2 1/2 cups of latte nowadays and, as I’m staying away from cafes now that it’s getting too cold to sit outside comfortably, I will continue using my espresso machine at home and buy the occasional full priced book. I’m not reading much of anything anyway, so my spending has once again more than halved in recent months. So thanks for rec.
Love Wales. Around Caerphilly, in particular. Wonderful landscapes and great cheese.
Wales is beautiful with its green lush valley’s and the Snowdonia mountains. With lovely small village’s. Some of the roads are scary with only roads big enough for one car. While driving on them you are hoping another car is not coming towards you. And that there is a inlay to pull into while the other car passes. 😱😱 I always let my husband drive 😄
I missed the window on White Knight Needed. That will teach me not to check in with all of you each day.I finished The Seeker series, OLT, and really enjoyed it. It kept my mind occupied and away from current events. I looked at her other series, but I don't know if it appeals.
Shaz, Envy you your trip to Wales. Have never been, but it's on my list of places to visit. The driving on the narrow roads reminds me of when we went to Scotland and driving on Skye. I let my husband drive the entire trip. I was lookout for when a car was coming from the opposite direction and we needed to wait in the pull out.
I have been spending a lot of time in the last week investigating the various Medicare supplemental plans. Not a lot of fun.I think I need more historical mysteries. I can't seem to find any recent HRs that look interesting/good.
Roberta2 wrote: "I have been spending a lot of time in the last week investigating the various Medicare supplemental plans. Not a lot of fun.I think I need more historical mysteries. I can't seem to find any rece..."
Try author John Pilkington. I'm reading his Martin Marbeck series at the moment. Marbeck is a spy for the Crown. Elizabeth is queen in the first book but after her death it's James. Doesn't much matter to Marbeck. He just goes around doing his thing.
.Roberta2 wrote: "I have been spending a lot of time in the last week investigating the various Medicare supplemental plans. Not a lot of fun.I think I need more historical mysteries. I can't seem to find any rece..."
How about Lady Violet Investigates. Easy reading and has lots of follow up books.
ETA: I just thought of The Memory House: A Love Story in Two Acts. Kept me interested all the way though.
Roberta2, here's a few more historical mystery books or series that I've read and enjoyed:Sharon Kay Penman's Justin de Quincy Mysteries. Justin is a right-hand man of Elinor of Aquitaine.
Abir Mukherjee's Wyndham and Banerjee series. Takes place in 1919+ Calcutta.
Iona Whishaw's Lane Winslow mysteries. Take place in post WWII Canada.
Vaseem Khan's Malabar House series. 1949+ India. Female police officer struggling to survive against all odds and prejudices.
Paul Doherty's Brother Athelstan mysteries. Not a top favorite but they're not expensive and have some history to them.
Mark Wightman's Waking the Tiger. As far as I know, it's not part of a series. Policeman in post-WWII Singapore.
The suggestions by Carol and HR-ML are fun light mysteries, although Messina's stories are feeling very wordy and in need of pruning lately.
Almost forgot Kate Moss's Julian Kestrel Mysteries. Excellent writing. If I recall correctly, they take place during Regency times. The author is deceased (as is Sharon Penman) so there will be no more to the series.
Roberta All the country side roads in UK are small . Even the two lane roads, just about get two cars passing each other. I don’t mind driving on the ones I know.
My sister lives in Australia and she won’t drive on our normal roads as she says they are to narrow. 😂
I will be having a look at the book recommendation 👍
Shaz wrote: "Roberta All the country side roads in UK are small . Even the two lane roads, just about get two cars passing each other. I don’t mind driving on the ones I know.
My sister lives in Australia and..."
Luckily the cars are small. Americans seem to e obcessed with gigantic SUV's. They can't be very happy with gas prices going up right now.
Just got back from the grocery store. I am going to have to back into spaces from now on. In my Prius, I can't see when there are SUVs next to me, and I have to inch out and hope no one is driving fast in the parking lot.
Ooh. Thanks for all the recs, everyone. This weekend, my husband is working, and it is supposed to reach 97 F tomorrow. I am definitely turning on the air and staying inside and reading.
MrsPearl wrote: "It is snowing in Denver."Global warming sure makes the weather crazy. It's supposed to be in the 90's this weekend in NJ.
Roberta2 wrote: "I have been spending a lot of time in the last week investigating the various Medicare supplemental plans. Not a lot of fun.I think I need more historical mysteries. I can't seem to find any rece..."
Roberta2, my husband and I have a Humana Gold Plus HMO plan and so far it's working out well. But we are fortunate to still have good health. Don't know how well it would work with lots of surgeries or cancer treatments. I mostly just stumble through life with little planning.
Mod
Hi Mrs. Pearl---
I only went to Colorado once in 1973? Denver, Boulder, & Colorado Springs. There were so many conifers they looked like blades of grass. So beautiful. We went to the sand doons. I doubt I could drive in the snow in Denver or near there. The snow seemed packed tighter.
Mod
HR-ML wrote: "MrsPearl wrote: "It is snowing in Denver."Hi Mrs. Pearl---
I only went to Colorado once in 1973? Denver, Boulder, & Colorado Springs. There were so many conifers they looked like blades of grass..."
Hi HR-ML
I've lived here for over 40 years and I still don't like driving in the snow in winter. But I still like our weather better than Chicago weather. I was raised there and I think it is the worst weather.
OLT wrote: "Roberta2, here's a few more historical mystery books or series that I've read and enjoyed:Sharon Kay Penman's Justin de Quincy Mysteries. Justin is a right-hand man of Elinor of Aquitaine.
Abir ..."
OLT-thanks for this great list. I have been planning to read the mysteries set in India but haven't gotten around to it. I have enjoyed the mysteries by Elsa Hart set in early 18th century China. The first is "Jade Dragon Mountain." The main protagonist is Li Du, the imperial librarian who is exiled for supporting someone said to be a traitor. There are only 3 in the series so far. I get them at the library.
Right now I am reading and enjoying Jenny Hambly's latest, "Ormsley," It is part of the Confirmed Bachelors series. She writes traditional regencies.
MrsPearl, I have many more recommendations in the historical mystery category. It has always been my very favorite escape genre, much more so than historical romance. BTW, I read the first Elsa Hart book but never checked to find more. Thanks for the reminder.
Mod
Years ago my boss and I were to meet in Columbus for a seminar.
It was snowing then freezing rain so I went the long way at 6 AM.
My boss called me at 630 AM & said : stay home. This was
before cell phones were popular/ affordable.
I arrived in Columbus- and car's radio antenna was drooping w/
ice. Where was my boss who grew up in the 'snow belt?' Warm
@ home. I count this as one of my stupidest things I ever did
to impress a supervisor. She laughed when next I saw her.
One of the best things about retirement is not having to decide whether or not to try to get to work in bad weather.
Mod
I'm also retired-our winters are not as severe in Ohio as they once were.
HR-ML wrote: "Mrs. Pearl----I'm also retired-our winters are not as severe in Ohio as they once were."
Neither are ours here in NJ and not as long. Our summers are terribly hot though. Global warming!
Mod
🌏Global warming has been going on since the earth began . We did start with the ice age 🤔. And we are not getting it here, we play spot the sun. ☀️. 😂
Shaz wrote: "🌏Global warming has been going on since the earth began . We did start with the ice age 🤔. And we are not getting it here, we play spot the sun. ☀️. 😂"We started as a hot, burning planet that cooled over millions and millions of years. The earth has gone through various warming and cooling cycles. They happen over millions of years, except for when that nasty meteor hit the earth and now. They temperature is rising at an alarming rate. Rising temperatures, droughts, floods, fires, rising sea and change in sea salinity, and loss of ice covering is happening at a startling fast pace. Where you live might not very affected but most of the planet is.
https://www.climate.gov/news-features...
I just put off retirement but am rethinking it again.
Need a good historical romance. Other genres too.
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IMO not as good as book #1."
I'm reading it but not rushing through it. So far I agree with you.