Saying Hello!

Connie · Member

Saying Hello!

Jenn on the Island · Veteran Member

Hi Connie,

Welcome back! What were you up to for 5 months that kept you away from the board??

I agree that it is a great site, and we have been lacking in activity. I was thinking about starting a new post, but I was afraid I would just go on and on about Karen Marie Moning.

I have only recently found her books and I am totally in love with her style! And Adam Black too. Oh, my, gawd! (I need to stop here to prevent myself from rattling on and on ...)

Jennifer

HRC Editor · Expert

Greetings Everyone!

I thought I'd get in on the conversation as I loooove romance. Or else I wouldn't have started HRC.

I do have something to say about Karen Marie Moning. Just this year I discovered her and read both her first and second books (superb!!!) and now I'm being forced to read both The Immortal Highlander and Spell of the Highlander for HRC. Oh, the heartbreak!

Jennifer, don't you dare tell me anything about The Immortal Highlander!

Right now I'm in the middle of reading Sue-Ellen Welfonder's latest: Only for a Knight. I have read all of her books and if you like sexy, gritty Scottish romances with handsome brawny Highlanders who's love is forever you will love her books.

I also recommend Teresa Medeiros' After Midnight (which will be reviewed in September). I am a sucker for good vampire romances. Her latest is a vampire romance and is great!

Also one of the most romantic stories I have ever read is The Romantic by Madeline Hunter. I can tell you it took my breath away. The funny part is when I sat down to read it, I didn't know if I would care for her books or not. I can't wait to read her latest, Lord of Sin.

Have either of you read any authors or books which surprised you in their quality?

Besides Karen Marie Moning, who are some of your favorites Jenn?

Connie · Member

Good Evening & thanks for replying!

Jennifer, in response to why I've been absent for 5 months it was kind of a bargain. I took the cable away from the kids, so I gave up internet...$$$ Poor me. The kids had a much easier time than I did. I felt so disconnected. Anyway it's over, I won't look back. It was a pretty good experience though, I have had so much reading time.

Web Mistress you had asked if we had read any authors or books which surprised us in their quality. I have to be honest and tell you both that they all do. I'm very new to the romance genre of books, I have a friend that gave me the Nora Robert's Three Sister's Island Series ((WONDERFUL)), She said by 29 I should be reading Grown-Up Books not Anne Rice, JR Tolkein, etc.. I'm really glad she did, don't get me wrong, I still love Rice, but now when I read it, I find myself pining for a hot & juicy love scene with a half souix.

My biggest surprise was one day picking up a Shannon Drake book called No Other Man ((Also Wonderful)) and getting the shock of my life. The same Shannon Drake that I'd been reading that wrote the Awakening & Deep Midnight, also wrote what my friend calls Grown-up Books. I was stunned and excited, because I've always loved her more Gothic books.

Since my initiation into this Romance Genre approximately 4 months ago I have read about 40 books. But I don't recognize many of the authors names you two have mentioned. So please bare with me. I'm learning. I do think I need to check out this Karen Marie Moning though!

Well Enough is Enough, I tend to babble. My house is quiet, I'm going to read!

Goodnight all! Connie

P.S. Have either of you read Susan Johnson? Comments?

-- Edited by Connie at 21:40, 2005-08-22

Jenn on the Island · Veteran Member

I think I'd rather go without cable.

Mind you, I do have the internet at work. ....

I don't think I've ever read Susan Johnson.

I don't really keep track of the books I've read. I don't usually buy them and if I do I trade them at the used book store for the next one. I am the farthest thing from a pack rat you can get. I've been thinking about teaching myself how to build databases and I think I'll build one about books.

The first author who comes to mind is Bertrice Small since she is the first I ever read (who ever forgets their first? ) I know she is considered part of the old school and I've seen her shot down for her "Pruple Prose" but that's exactly what I love her for.

I have a few books on my shelf that I've kept: Johanna Lindsey, and Rebecca Brandewynn and a couple others I can't remember right now.

Outside of the romance genre I love Anne Rice. Whoever told you it was kids stuff is nuts. She is brilliant. I've read all of the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, and I love Bernard Cornwall's Grail series.

As for what really surprised me I can't remember the author other than she has a "Mc" in her name and the books have a real fantasy slant to them. One of the hero's names is Dain or Dane and he's an alchemist...... Hmmm maybe I should post this on the Help board.

Jenn

Claydreamer · Member

Hello!

I've been lurking around the site for a while now, but just discovered the forums. I thought I'd drop in and say howdy.

Romances are one of my favorite genres to read, and to write. I've a passion for all thing Irish, so I particularly enjoy ones set there. She's not a romance writer, but my favorite books are by Morgan Llywelyn featuring Irish history and mythology. I just started reading Scottish set books (there aren't nearly enough Irish ones) and am getting into that as wel.

I like fantasy stories as well, though I haven't read as many as I'd like yet. I sculpt fantasy figures in my "real" life, so faeries, leprechauns, dragons, etc are really interesting to me.

I'll be looking over the discussions for some good recommended reading, since I'm always on the look out for more good stuff.

Connie · Member

Claydreamer welcome! I totally agree with you on the Irish thing. I've always loved it too. Three of my favorite romance books are the Irish Trilogy by Nora Roberts (Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon & Heart of the Sea). I would recommend them to anyone.

I think it's pretty awesome that your a sculpture, that's got to be one of the best jobs in the world, next to book reviewer.

Well Welcome, we're glad you're here!

Jenn, Susan Johnson is totally naughty. (Not that that's a bad thing.) But that's why I wanted to get comments from others. I told you I didn't recognize many of the authors mentioned on this site, so I wanted to get a handle on someone I could compare them to. I checked out the rating system, but since I hadn't read any of the authors, I had nothing to go by. My next trip out I'm going to pick up a Karen Moning book, since she seems to be a big hit with just about everyone. That is one thing I have gathered.

Connie

Claydreamer · Member

Thanks for the welcome!

I love Nora's Irish Trilogy, too. I identified with Jude from "Jewels of the Sun" quite a bit. Though I've yet to find my Aidan, sadly.

Sculpting is fun, though that depends on how the muse is behaving and who is buying on Ebay lately. Book Reviewer would be my choice of career, too. I'd love it if someone would pay me to read all day, lol. Or even not pay me. Reading and talking about books is a joy.

Connie · Member

So Will you tell us all where we can veiw your art on the web? You mentioned Ebay, what would I look for there? Any specific search to get to your items.

Connie

Claydreamer · Member

I always forget to add links, lol, some promoter I make. I have a little website at http://people.delphiforums.com/dawndove/index.htm

I don't have anything on Ebay right now, maybe later this week. There's a l ittle blueberry thief faerie on my desk awaiting wings, and a half-dressed pixie, so I've got some work to do.

joyh82 · Newbie

Hi I love to read historical too but that is not all I like to read

Guess it just depends what kind of mood I am in. I love Dorory Garlock,

Lorraine Heath, Mary Balogh, Christina Dodd, Cheryl Holt, Madeline Hunter

just to name a few...lol

Jenn on the Island · Veteran Member

Hi Joy!

Welcome a-board!

Jennifer

Connie · Member

Good Evening all! I'm so happy that the site is picking up, I hope it continues. I wish there was chat though, I can't get into the book I started. So that would keep my mind off it for a while. Does anyone IM-aol?

Joy, Welcome, Welcome, Welcome, hope you enjoy your stay with us!

Claydreamer You rock! I checked out your site & I envy your talent; "Cashlen is adorable" & I love the dragons...

Well I suppose I'll say goodnight, wish you all well.

Connie

Claydreamer · Member

Claydreamer You rock! I checked out your site & I envy your talent; "Cashlen is adorable" & I love the dragons...

Thank you! I'm glad you liked them. I haven't done any dragons in a while; I should do more soon. I'm fighting right now trying to get the arms right on a pixie and it's getting on my nerves. The clay sometimes fights back, you know, lol.

I finished the book I was reading (the ending was so good it made up for the blah middle) and just got started on Outlander, only a couple pages last night, but I have a feeling i'm going to love it. And I got The Eyre Affair by Fforde from the library today and think that will be fun. It's not a romance, but everyone I've known has been commenting and recommending his books so I couldn't resist.

Connie · Member

Ok well I have been sooooo outrageously busy lately. I thought things would calm down now that summer was over, but it just won't stop! I'm going insane ! Since my last post, I went on a family camping trip for a weekend, I went to Girl Scout Camp the following weekend, my in-laws were here this past weekend (They went home now ) I'm sure that I'm not the only one on here that is stressed, so I'm sorry. I just needed to vent & now I'm better

I have been reading though; a whole lot. Favorites: Anne Stuart, Hidden Honor; which was totally great. She was an unknown author to me before this, but I will be searching out all of her books now. I also read Tempest in Eden, by Sandra Brown (Quickie). Also a great book!Though I do prefer Historical, than modern times.

Anyway hope all is well with everyone, Goodnight!

Connie

Jenn on the Island · Veteran Member

Hey Connie,

Sounds like you've been busy! I can totally relate. We finished building our dream home at the beginning of the summer and we've had house guests ever since. In-laws have been twice, a girlfriend and her family of five, two other couples, and my youngest brother who ate and ate and ate! I am dreading my grocery bills when my boy is 16!

Anyway.....glad you're back. I've been trying to add a new question to the discussion every week or so to keep things fresh and new. I can't wait to see your replies.

Jenn

ChrisG · Member

I am jumping in a bit late, but I just found this site a bit ago. Connie you are the first person who list the authors I am very familiar with. I am glad to have found this place to learn of even more authors. I just picked up Nicole Jordan's Wicked Fantasy. I will be starting that today, then I also picked up Paula Quinn's Lord of Desire. Can't wait to finish those. I also found Melody Thomas I like her writing, Connie Mason write's some pretty good stuff, I have only read two of hers, but I could get hooked! Seems everytime I read one good book with a new author I need to read everything they have ever written.

Connie · Member

Chris I am so with you on the "Author Addiction"! I do it all the time. Have you read other Nicole Jordan's? The Prince of Pleasure? ((Yummy)) I just bought Ecstacy by her tonight, but I have priorities. I have been hunting for Connie Brockway's McClairen Isle: Passionate One for what seems like forever ( I had the 2nd & 3rd in the series already)& B&N FINALLY got a copy in!!! I'm pretty darn excited. I haven't read anything by her yet, but I'm anxious to. Maybe it's a Minnesota thing! Support your locals.

"Big Welcome" to the site. I've been dozing for a while & haven't been posting, but it's a good place to come back to. When I first came here, I hadn't heard of any of the authors anyone was posting about, but I'm slowly catching up! I will never get through my TBR list if I keep going at the rate I've been going though. I think it's at like 146 now & growing! Scary.

I'm exhausted, I must sign off, but "Have a Great Night", Connie

ChrisG · Member

Thank you for the welcome!

No I have not read any other from Nicole Jordan, but I am finishing Wicked Fantasy now and I loved it! I will probably hit up ebay and see what else I can find from her. Our public library here isn't to stocked up, I have read most of what I want from there, so I have to do the bargain shopping now!!

I look forward to hearing the reviews here and learning of more authors and books I will HAVE to read.

Connie · Member

Chris,

I totally recommend "Prince of Pleasure", by Ms. Jordan. Very energetic book... Hot picture too. I have like 5 of her books on my TBR list. I really need to quit buying! If you do the ebay thing check out seller: tiffany263, she's a friend of mine who sells books on there. Her books are usually in really great shape & she has a ton. She doesn't have anything posted right now, but I think she's in the process of putting together a bunch of lots. What fun... Anyway, I don't know if that kind of talk is allowed but if so there you go.

Hope you have a good day, Connie