What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

Does a different romance book with relate-table characters, funny/witty comments, a sugary romance and a constant substantial plot really exist?

If it does please let me know!

I don't want a typical 'teenage romance' or one of those novels that teenagers are devouring. I want something with a little more substance.

I'd like something with a little more.. 'omph'.

I hope that makes sense.

Thank you!

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark hunter Series is a must read. There are some witty bantering, plenty of hot and sweet romances, kick butt characters and an epic plot that is sustained through several books! This is definitely not a YA series
First book is Fantasy Lover

Oh yeah, there is also Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series with its amazing world building!
First book is Slave to Sensation

My favorite romance book (which is also one of my favorite comedy novels) is this obscure title:
What Do Women Want? a total hoot by Dan Greenburg.

Its not a current bestseller so that will probably deter most of you reading my recommendation; the book is filled with references you probably won't get (Marlon Brando movies, pre-911 jet travel) nevertheless its worth seeking out if you want to meet one of the few 'laugh-out-loud' books in this whole genre. I only know about a dozen of these...books that *actually* make one put them down in order to guffaw and slap the arm of your chair, very rare.

A couple of others (not mirth, but ooomph)

Inside Moves
Louie and Women
Sister Wolf

Some romance-minded women used to also rave about this: Possession
It was the 'big thing' for a while (in the days before Ann Rice and all these other pop-lit darlings) But I personally was unmoved by Byatt's prose.

Instead, I highly recommend:
The French Lieutenant's Woman

You can also go back to a classic:
Frenchman's Creek

Try Murder With Peacocks. There's a lot of story, amazing characters, and a sweet romance.

Rest You Merry, by Charlotte Macleod. A wonderful mystery along with the romance, and it's the first in a series. (As is Murder with Peacocks, which I agree is very good.)

I like Ruthie Knox for contemporary romance - she is a bit quirky - but her books are only available in ebook (don't know if you have a kindle or not)

Molly Harper also writes quirky romances - she has both contemporary or lite PNR - pretty good one-liners in her books

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. It's definitely an adult book and it had me giggling through the whole read. The romance has a build up to it which is much more realistic in my opinion.

I'm not a romance reader, which I say so you don't laugh at my suggestion if it's wrong, but I just happened to read, and enjoy, One Perfect Rose. Very sweet, and hot, with honest, smart & good characters struggling to make things work out. Sprinkled with Shakespeare, interesting lineages, and a bit of history. Oh, and you totally do not need to read the others in the 'series' first.

Oh good heaves so many good suggestions I cannot wait to taste each one! (Excuse my reference please, I am quite hungry.)Thank you all so very much, and know that you have helped a poor soul begin her hunt for the perfect novel... or something of the sorts (; Thank you again!

Mrs. Mike

Landing
Maybe?