Some of the Books I Love
Jan Cox Speas’ three historical romances:
- Bride of the MacHugh
- My Lord Monleigh
- My Love, My Enemy
My Lord Monleigh is my favorite and was originally published in 1956. Her books are emotional, evocative, and beautifully written. I was so disappointed not to find other books from her, and truly sad to learn that she’d died at the age of 46. Not only was she my idol in the early days, but she wrote Scottish historical romances, and was published by Avon.
The In Death books by J.D. Robb (Roberts). The woman’s talent consistently amazes me. Yes, I think she has a formula- Roarke thinks about his father’s fists – check. Eve thinks about the cold room in Dallas with the red light – check. Eve and Summerset snipe at each other – check. Peabody talks about sex – check. Someone steals Eve’s candy – check. There are about 70 stock plot points that I’ve found so far. But you know what? Her books are never old, like the Evanovich debacle I recently read. Her dialogue is wonderful. Plus, Roberts has never forgotten the Writer’s Golden Rule – please your readers.
Bittersweet by LaVyrle Spencer – this is one of those non-PC books about adultery that people either love or they hate. I love this book because I can feel the angst and the characters’ questioning of themselves.
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters – what great characters!
e by Matthew Beaumont - the first book, I think, written entirely in emails and uproariously funny.
Jim Butcher’s Dresden series – my one and only keeper paranormal series. Butcher not only has one of the greatest imaginations of any writer I’ve ever read, but he expresses emotions beautifully. I think I’ve written 5 star reviews on Amazon for most of his books.
House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons - a truly spooky, spooky book. I didn’t want to read it all the way through, but she caught me by the throat and dragged me into the book. Siddons has a way with words. Sometimes, she overwrites and I just get tired of it. This book is somewhat restrained in the overwriting, thank heavens. The story is wonderful, and it ends with the reader questioning what happened in the book. Great suspense book – and spooky! (Yes, I know I’ve already said that, but it bears repeating.)
Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top Rated Marine Sniper by Jack Coughlin – I started reading this book for research, because of an idea I had for a book, then kept reading because it was compelling. It felt as if Coughlin were talking to me about what happened to him, with an openness I hadn’t expected. It’s a must read for any woman who wants to read – or write – about an alpha male.
How about you? Have you read Speas, Robb, Spencer, Butcher or the other authors I’ve mentioned? If so, what do YOU think about their books?
I have read the Speas books. I loved them and know I have at least two of them in my keeper bookshelve. When I was younger I loved DESIREE by Anna Marie Selenko, set during the Napoleanic era, true persona as well. I will always cherish the hours I have spent reading and rereading KATHERINE by Anya Seton. For those who love Scottish historicals/romances I love Barbara Erskine’s THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS and CHILD OF THE PHOENIX. She mixes real historical personas with fictional ones tying them together with paranormal glue. But if you want a really fantastic Scottish historical ( there is romance but this is more a love story) try THE WINTERY SEA by Susanna Kearsley. Wow!! set both in the present and 1707 Scotland, the protagonist is a fictional writer who has been taken over by a person from 1707 Scotland as she tries to write about this person and begins to see paralellels in her own life. Not sure it is out in the US yet but well worth the read but have the hankies ready, you will need them.
I haven’t read The Wintery Sea, but I’ll have to find it.
I read a book a million years ago – I think it was called Below the Salt – if memory serves. For some reason, after reading that book, I thought that it would be a fascinating premise to have a character go through a series of adventures, then realize she was in a coma. I just noticed that there’s a book coming out with that premise.
Sometimes books requiring hankies are the best, aren’t they? Oh, and I loved Katherine as well.