Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn discussion

This week I'm reading #FinishLine by Cambria Hebert, Fever Pitch by Heidi Cullinan, and One Last Try by Kari Gregg.

This week I've got an arc of The Hot Shot which I'm excited to start. Mister Moneybags and Twist come out this week and I enjoyed both of those.

I'm on deadline this week and will be reading less than usual, but I hope to find time to read ARCs of Madeline Hunter's The Most Dangerous Duke in London and Julia Quinn's The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband--both May 30 releases.

I'm not reading anything at the moment. Wonder what gets released tomorrow!

I'm on a mystery jag right now. And currently trying to get past a disappointing romance arc in Every Pretty Thing, book 7 in a series I've followed for years now. I dont like to generalize, but male mystery writers can be so awful at romance arcs. (Though I know of two female ones who've killed off love interests out of the blue, so maybe it's just a mystery thing.) Twice now, the heroine has worked herself up to confess her love to her BFF, and twice his (heretofore unbeknownst to her) fiancee has shown up out of the blue to ruin things.
It's a deus ex girlfriend, and it stinks! He should at least come up with a new conflict. I think I'm done with this series.

In happier reading news, I've found a new mystery author to glom in Sarah Hilary. Who does the romance right. I feel like I'm in such a minority as a mystery reader who cares about the romance element, but dang it ruins my day when my favorite series character can't even have five minutes of HFN.

I've got Julia Justiss, The Rake to Redeem Her going now. It has several sequels that I will read next.

I finished up Band of Brothers by Cheryl Reavis after a quick re-read of The Marine. Awesome read - both of them (Thanks Janga!). And then I kind of went a little crazy buying up some of her older titles re-released as ebooks. I just love her writing style. So, I'm going back and forth between her books and finishing up Kelly Bowen's first historical series.

Leigh-Ayn wrote: "I'm not reading anything at the moment. Wonder what gets released tomorrow!"

I don't think tomorrow is a big release day. I have only two books on my list: Kylie Scott's second Dive Bar book, Twist and Robin Lee Hatcher's You'll Think of Me--an inspy. Neither is a must-buy.

Manda wrote: "I'm on a mystery jag right now. And currently trying to get past a disappointing romance arc in Every Pretty Thing, book 7 in a series I've followed for years now. I dont like to ge..."

I'm with you on this, Manda, even though I like my mysteries cozier than the ones you read. I really want Julia Spencer-Fleming's ninth book and more of Clare and Russ, but there is not even a pub date for it yet. Despite this, the book has five five-star, three two-star, and one one-star reviews on Goodreads. How is this possible?

Irisheyes wrote: "I finished up Band of Brothers by Cheryl Reavis after a quick re-read of The Marine. Awesome read - both of them (Thanks Janga!). And then I kind of went a little cr..."

I know what you mean, Irish. I moved Little Darlin' and The Long Way Home into my reread collection yesterday.

Janga wrote: "Manda wrote: "I'm on a mystery jag right now. And currently trying to get past a disappointing romance arc in Every Pretty Thing, book 7 in a series I've followed for years now. I d..."

Those reviews long before a pub date is even set are so crazy-making! And I feel your pain. I think maybe we're so invested and eager for these romance arcs because there's so little to go on. And yes, when there's a delay in the next installment it's excruciating. Because you know you're not even going to get a big chunk of romance so what little bit of movement on that front you get becomrs really important. I think that's why I was so mad at the feint in the series I was reading. You need some payoff at some point or it's not worth it. Fingers crossed that JSF posts a publication date soon.

Manda wrote: "Janga wrote: "Manda wrote: "I'm on a mystery jag right now. And currently trying to get past a disappointing romance arc in Every Pretty Thing, book 7 in a series I've followed for ..."

I read a comment somewhere that was talking about the one star reviews before release date. Turns out, some Goodreads users don't understand how the system works and are putting one star ratings to hold or remind them of books they want to read in the future. Drives me bloody bonkers. :/

Leigh-Ayn - you're not alone, I'm in a thorough book hangover and nothing is really getting me excited at the moment to read

Stacey, I saw that somewhere too. It's soon frustrating. As an author especially!

I'd like some advice. LOVE Julia Quinn, have read all of her books multiple times. I'm in the minority, but I don't care for Eloisa James. Can anyone recommend other authors along the lines of Quinn? And if you have specific books in mind, the names would be greatly appreciated! I'm desperately searching for a book to love!

Michelle wrote: "I'd like some advice. LOVE Julia Quinn, have read all of her books multiple times. I'm in the minority, but I don't care for Eloisa James. Can anyone recommend other authors along the lines of Quin..."

Lisa Kleypas, Kelly Bowen, Grace Burrowes, Elizabeth Hoyt, Tessa Dare, Anna Campbell, Jennifer Ashley, Kaitlin O'Riley, Sarah MacLean and of course Manda Collins are a few of my favourites. For a little bit darker I turn to Kerrigan Byrne. Most of the above authors write series and if I was to say the closest to Julia Quinn, I'd go with Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean.

Hope that helps Michelle. :-)

If you haven't read Jenny Crusie she will make you laugh out loud much the way Julia Quinn does although she writes contemporaries.
My absolute favorite contemporary ever is her Bet Me.
I think some Laura Gurhkes would work for you too. And try Connie Brockway especially My Dearest Enemy and the one about magic--I forget the name --it has enchanting in it
Tessa Dare and Alyssa Johnson and Lauren Willigs the pink carnation series might all work for you.

Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'd like some advice. LOVE Julia Quinn, have read all of her books multiple times. I'm in the minority, but I don't care for Eloisa James. Can anyone recommend other authors along ..."

I've read all of Tessa Dare, Jennifer Crusie, Laura Gurhke, and I think Connie Brockway. I'll have to check my log. Thank you for the recommendations. I'm off to find books!

Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'd like some advice. LOVE Julia Quinn, have read all of her books multiple times. I'm in the minority, but I don't care for Eloisa James. Can anyone recommend other authors along ..." I've read All Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean (you are right on about them being in that same area!). However, some of the other authors you mentioned I haven't tried. Thank you so much for your recommendations.

Michelle wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'd like some advice. LOVE Julia Quinn, have read all of her books multiple times. I'm in the minority, but I don't care for Eloisa James. Can anyone recomm..."

Happy to help. :-)

You should check out Sherry Thomas too, she has the ability to both make me hate & love a character all at the same time. Loretta Chase, Julie Ann Long, Elizabeth Boyle and Michelle Willingham are all great too!