We all started somewhere.
I recently met a wonderful woman who has a very busy creative career and a family. She found RNTV on the web and thought, “Hey, I might enjoy reading a romance novel.” So, she asked the question I’ve heard a few times, “If I were going to read a romance novel, which one should I read?”
I really didn’t have an answer. There are so many great ones to choose from in every sub-genre imaginable. I dug a little deeper and asked her what types of books she like to read. Well, with work and family, she hasn’t had much time to read lately. So ladies, we’re starting with a blank slate. I do know there are many romance readers that started reading romance by picking up Julie Garwood’s “The Wedding”. So the question is – What book would you recommend to a romance novel virgin?
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Marjorie
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 9:45 am:
The Wolf & the Dove!!!
Elyssa
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 10:25 am:
A selection of choices…
Historicals:
Dreaming of You (Lisa Kleypas)
Lord of Scoundrels (Loretta Chase)
The Duke and I (Julia Quinn)
Much Ado About You (Eloisa James)
The Raven Prince trilogy (Elizabeth Hoyt)
Contemporary:
Kiss an Angel (Susan Elizabeth Phillips)
any trilogy or anything by Nora Roberts
Welcome to Temptation (Jennifer Crusie)
Paranormals:
The Passion (Donna Boyd)
Other:
The Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
The Warlord trilogy by Elizabeth Vaughan
Maria Lokken
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 11:15 am:
These are some damn fine choices. I was thinking about “Outlander” myself as a recommendation – who can resist Jamie and Claire.
Marjorie – you seem very definite about your choice – any particular reason?
Buffie
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 11:24 am:
I was one of those who cut my romance teeth on Julie Garwood. You really can’t go wrong with her.
I would also say anything Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas.
For paranormals, I would have to say Christina Dodd or Karen Marie Moning.
Buffie
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 11:50 am:
I totally forgot to say anything (historical or contemp) by Jacquie D’Alessandro. A definite must read!
heidenkind
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 12:13 pm:
That’s really hard to say if we don’t know what she likes. Most people prefer something… sci-fi, historical, etc. The book that really got me into reading romance novels was Lisa Kleypas’ Stranger in My Arms, but I like historicals.
For contemporary, I’d recommend Julie Ortolon’s Drive Me Wild.
Hmm, what else… Sunshine & Shadow by Tom & Sharon Curtis is a good, old-skool romance.
AndreaW
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 1:15 pm:
I would recommend THE DUKE AND I by Julia Quinn. Why? Because when my sister told me that she would finally give reading romance a shot, she told me to recommend one and she’d give it a try. After much thought, I let her borrow TDAI. She loved it and was hooked! Plus, it made her want to read about the rest of the Bridgerton siblings and the rest, as they say, is history!
PJ
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 1:31 pm:
I have to agree with Andrea. My best tool for hooking people on romance has been JQ and, specifically, The Duke and I. In my experience, nothing reels them in like the Bridgertons.
For contemporaries, I’d go with Nora Roberts – probably either Jewels of the Sun (first book in the Irish trilogy) or Sea Swept (first in the Chesapeake Bay series).
For romantic suspense I’d suggest Roxanne St. Claire’s Kill Me Twice, first in her Bullet Catcher’s series.
Paranormal would be Christina Dodd’s Darkness Chosen series beginning with Scent of Darkness.
bungluna
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 3:26 pm:
I have categories I use to reel ‘em in:
1. Classic mystery lovers: “Gaudy Night” by Dorothy L. Sayers
2. Sci-Fi: anything by Lois MacMaster Bujold, especially “A Civil Campaign” and “Paladin of Souls”
3. Romantic suspence: “Mr. Perfect” by Linda Howard
4. Traditional Regency: anything by Laura London
5. Historical romance: “Lord of Scoundrels” by Loretta Chace
6. Futuristic romance: “Naked in Death” by JD Robb
7. Paranormal romance: “Undead & Unwed” by MaryJanice Davidson
8. Contemporary romance: “Bet Me” by Jennifer Crusie
Romances are so rich and varied that there is always some sub-genre that will lure the unwary reader.
heidenkind
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 4:07 pm:
Dorothy L. Sayers is a classic–good rec.
Clavie
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 6:52 pm:
The first romance novel I consciously read was Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas, so I would recommend that.
For something more contemporary, the first contemporary novel I read was Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson
I loved both books and they made me want to keep reading
Another two I love are Kiss and Angel by SEP and Anyone but You by Jennifer Crusie
…
Yeah, of historicals I also love Laura Lee Guhrke (And Then He Kissed Her) because her books are funny and smart and drip with tension between the characters
Pam
on Aug 23rd, 2008
@ 11:50 pm:
Elyssa mentioned several of my top favorites for historicals, and I’d add Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase and As You Desire by Connie Brockway. The Wolf and the Dove was the one that got me into historical romance way back. And, of course, Garwood and Quinn are so popular with many.
For paranormals, if she’s into pyschic elements, Nalini Singh, starting with Slave to Sensation, great world-building and characters and emotions.
For contemporary, older titles by Jane Krentz, some of her best – Perfect Partners, Trust Me and Absolutely, Positively.
PJ
on Aug 24th, 2008
@ 10:34 am:
Pam listed some great contemps. Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz is one of my all-time favorite books.
Jenniffer
on Aug 24th, 2008
@ 6:00 pm:
I would suggest : Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsdale. I think this is probably the best romance novel I have read so far. Also anything from Judith McNaught. She is an excellent writer.
Maria Lokken
on Aug 25th, 2008
@ 5:29 am:
Wow – some great titles here for any romance novel virgin.
Aya
on Sep 13th, 2008
@ 11:34 am:
i think anything by judith mcnaught is worthwhile! judith and Johanna lindsey’s novels about the Malorys
Tammi
on Nov 25th, 2008
@ 9:00 pm:
One of my first books was The Wolf & the Dove. I loved it.
But no one mention any of Sandra Brown books. I have read the all..
I haven’t read a lot of these authors that was mention. I’ll give them a try.
Frimmy
on Dec 28th, 2008
@ 4:23 am:
Paradise by Judith McNaught. A classic tearfest!
Pyxie
on May 5th, 2009
@ 3:56 am:
I Love reading all genres. My friends who are male like to make fun of me when I read them in front of them. My husband reads the back covers dramatically to make light of it and that is all fine. When I challenge them to read one, I let them borrow the Velvet series written by Jude Deveraux. They get hooked. I now have several male friends that quietly ask my recommendations for books.
I would also add Mary Balogh and Stephanie Laurens to this list on general principle, though they and the above-mentioned series (The Velvet Promise, Highland Velvet, The Velvet Song, and The Velvet Angel) are all historical romances.
I stick to Kleypas and Roberts and Garwood for contemporary romance as, sadly, Deveraux feels like she’s phoning it in there of late.
I am definately going to try a few of the authors mentioned above as I am constantly looking for things to read while I await new releases from my favorites. I often make new favorites via this process.