Like most romance readers, I'm very nosy about what everyone else is reading. Mainly so I can get some recommendations for my TBR pile!
So I'll start by telling you what books I've read recently and then ask you to share your lists.
First up is the book I'm currently reading, THE DUCHESS WAR by Courtney Milan.
I'm about halfway through this and loving it. And best of all, it's free on kindle which is why I picked it up. But let me tell you, I'll be buying all the rest of the books in this series as soon as I finish this one - it's smart, it's funny, and it's original. Here's the blurb:
Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly--so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don't get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.
But that is precisely what she gets.
Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he's up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he's determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match...
So I'll start by telling you what books I've read recently and then ask you to share your lists.
I'm about halfway through this and loving it. And best of all, it's free on kindle which is why I picked it up. But let me tell you, I'll be buying all the rest of the books in this series as soon as I finish this one - it's smart, it's funny, and it's original. Here's the blurb:
Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly--so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don't get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.
But that is precisely what she gets.
Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he's up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he's determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match...
The book before this one was another free kindle read that is the start of a series (do you get the sense of a pattern here with my reading lately?). It was SATISFACTION by Sarah Mayberry. Again with the smart, funny and original. I can't wait to dive into the second book in this series! Here's the blurb:Maggie Hendricks’s life is exactly the way she likes it—except for one small problem. She’s never experienced the big O. She’s had good times, definitely. But so far, nothing and no one has delivered the fireworks. She tells herself she can deal…until a friend shares the details of a steamy one-night with an extremely talented lover. Suddenly good times are not enough and Maggie vows to seduce this man. If he can’t make her forget her own name…
Within minutes of meeting Rafel Oliveira, however, Maggie knows she’s in over her head. As he takes her on a sensual journey toward the ultimate pleasure, frustration has a new, delicious texture and he exceeds all her expectations. When she craves more than his beautiful body, she realizes she needs something else to be truly satisfied: his heart. But is that something Rafel will ever be able to offer her?
So now it's your turn - tell me what you're reading. My buying finger is ready to click! :)
Thanks for the recommendations, Rachel. Just downloaded both! I love a good series. My latest reads have been Eloisa James's Three Weeks with Lady X, which I loved, and "Four Nights with the Duke", also a great read. My next one will be Anna Campbell's new release; I cannot wait to dive into "A Scoundrel by Moonlight". Read the first chapter and was hooked!
ReplyDeleteSusanne, I haven't read an Eloisa James book in a few years, but I absolutely devoured her series about the Essex sisters. It's about time I jumped back in, and Three Weeks with Lady X sounds like the perfect place to do it!
DeleteOh, Anna Cambell's books - I love them! Isn't her writing just delicious?
Delicious indeed, with a wicked sense of humour! :)
DeleteWell, aren't you two lovely? Sue, thanks so much for picking up Scoundrel! Rachel, thanks so much for saying such nice things!
DeleteSo many books, so little time....I really must get me some Courtney Milan, I haven't read her yet! And Sarah Mayberry is an auto-buy, so must download that asap! Mind you, I'm not sure I need to start more series!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading Sarah Morgan's First Time In Forever, which is the first part of a trilogy set on Puffin Island. As with all Morgan's books, you're guaranteed some humour, some smexy bits and a good happy cry... 'le sigh'
Louisa, that's a good CM to start with since it's free. :)
DeleteOh, I loved Sarah Morgan's Rita winner, so I've had it in the back of my mind that I should track down some of her single title books. First Time in Forever sounds like a perfect place to start - thanks!
Rachel
ReplyDeleteI too love seeing what people are reading I do have Sarah's book on my kindle but I need to get the other one :) I have just finished Louisa George's Tempted by her Italian Surgeon and I have to say WOW I want me a Matteo :) thank you Louisa I also read Highwayman's Hostage Erin Grace also very good and one by Joss Wood Her Boss by Day and Avril Tremayne's The Millionaire's Proposition these are the first 2 in a series and the next one is by Stefanie London and is awaiting me to pick up Oh I do need more time also Season's of Shadow and Light by Jenn J McLeod all good
Have Fun
Helen
Ooooh, what a lovely list of recommendations, Helen! Very cool about Louisa's book - I haven't read that one yet. And all those other titles are also ones I haven't read. Lots of lovely reading ahead of me, thanks, Helen!
DeleteThank you, Helen for mentioning my book- I'm so happy you liked it.
DeleteI have Satisfaction on my iPad waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading Anna CAmpbell's What a Duke Dares and am thoroughly enjoying it!!
Next up is Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies. Love the last one of hers I read...The Husband's Secret.
Another Anna Campbell reader - her books are so rich, I'm not surprised how popular she is. :)
DeleteI haven't read a Liane Moriarty book, but I've heard such great things that I've been meaning to. Maybe now is the time - thanks, Jen!
Jen, tickled pink you're enjoying my duke! Thank you!
DeleteIsn't Courtney Milan amazing?? I went and downloaded a bunch of her books after reading Unlocked.
ReplyDeleteSatisfaction is also on my iPad too - can't wait to get to it as I love Sarah's books!
I'm currently reading Shades of Earth by Beth Revis because I have a horrible habit of starting trilogies/series and not finishing them. This is the last in the Across the Universe Trilogy and it's a YA Sci-fi/dystopian. Very cool and totally gripping.
Stefanie, I'm loving Courtney Milan's writing! I have a couple of others of hers that I haven't read yet, so I'll be diving into them next.
DeleteInteresting on the YA sci-fi/dystopian. I'll go check it out right now!
Rachel, I haven't read that one of Courtney's but I've really liked her stuff in the past. Have you read This Wicked Gift which was part of a Christmas anthology a few years ago? One of the best novellas I've ever read. And you can't go wrong with Sarah! I loved Satisfaction and Anticipation is wonderful as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently on a bit of a trad Regency binge courtesy of M.C. Beaton who writes the Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Before she wrote mystery, she wrote trads as Marion Chesney that apparently everybody else in the universe knew about except me. I'm currently on her Waverley Women series and loving them. The offbeat humour you get in her mysteries really makes her Regencies a delight.
Anna, I haven't read This Wicked Gift - must go hunt it down. Thanks!
DeleteOh, nice tip about M.C. Beaton / Marion Chesney. I'm going to look at the Waverley Women series straight away.
Rachel, I've read and loved both The Duchess War and Satisfaction. Two of my favourite authors and auto buys. Even though I don't always get to read them straight away, I know they're just there on my Kindle waiting when needed, any time.
ReplyDeleteI adored Three Weeks with Lady X. Thoroughly recommend that one. And my latest "loved it" from last weekend is Jo Goodman's This Gun For Hire. (I think that title's correct, or something like that.) It's a historical western set in a mining town in Colorado, with a bounty hunter heroine who is everything. As is the hero. Their banter is wonderful.
And thanks for this blog. I've found a few new books to download and have waiting.
Bron, I'm glad the comments have given you some new books to read!
DeleteJo Goodman's This Gun For Hire sounds awesome! The fabulous Sandra Antonelli is a fan of JG and got me started, but I haven't read this one. Must track it down!
Thanks for the CM rec, Rach! It's downloaded and waiting on my Kindle. Sarah's was already there (though heaven knows how long it'll be before I get to either of them). A romance that I just finished and really enjoyed is Grace Burrowes A Single Kiss -- the first in a trilogy which has me eager to read the next two.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any Julie James? I read It Happened One Wedding at the end of last year, and it's really stayed with me. Would highly recommend it. :-)
Hey, thanks for the Grace Burrows recommendation. I read one of her historicals and really liked it, so I'll check this one out.
DeleteI love Julie James - I read her first two, but haven't picked up any since, which is purely an oversight. Will definitely try this one!
(I second the Julie James rec. It Happened One Wedding was my fave contemporary ST of last year.)
ReplyDeleteBron, that's a pretty good recommendation. The other JJ books I have are in paper, so I'm thinking this one might be nice in paper too. I've just added it to my Book Depository wish list.
DeleteI'll read through other's comments later after I've eaten dinner, but I'm much the same with reading those free reads at present Rachel. Aside from my must-read authors (of which the list is too long for my budget) I have absolutely no excuse to buy books at present as I have an insane number of unread books on my ereader at present - to the point I should probably look at unsubscribing from BookBub.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing lots and lots of reading lately. Within the last fortnight, in order of reading, I've finished Jaci Burton's Hope Burns, read Jaci Burton's Love After All, read Yvonne's The Wife He Couldn't Forget (my review is on Goodreads if you don't mind spoilers, which I normally avoid), read Jaci Burton's Holiday on Ice, read Jaci Burton's Quarterback Draw, read Cora Seton's The Navy SEAL's Email Order Bride.
I'm currently reading Vivian Arend and Elle Kennedy's All Fired Up - book one of their Dreammakers series.
The Cora Seton title was a freebie and I found it ok. I'm not going whinge since it was free but not completely sure if I'll read the rest of the series.
Will definitely be reading the rest of the series that All Fired Up is part of, however not sure why the fact that I'm loving this book surprised me as both Elle and Viv are must-read authors for me. I absolutely love Vivian Arend's Six Pack Ranch Series and Thompson and Sons series - but am up-to-daye on those so do anything other than re-read those.
Lyn, what a lovely long list of suggestions! There are lots of Jaci Burton books on your list - I haven't read any of hers before, so I'm thinking I should check her out. Is there one of hers you'd recommend starting with?
DeleteAlso interesting about the others - I'll go check them out at Amazon.
Not any one title that I'd recommend starting with for Jaci Burton. I stumbled across her books when she was a guest blogger on a blog for the beginning of her Play-by-Play series, which Holiday on Ice and Quarterback Draw are part of. Only thing I would say is if you are going to read both the Hope series and Play-by-Play series, read the Play-by-Play series first as there is mention of the son of the heroine from the first book in one of the Hope series books (can't remember which one). It won't ruin any of the other books but it may seem strange if you read about him playing college football and then read a book where he's still in high school.
DeleteHadn't actually intended the list to be so long, it was purely accidental.