Top Ten Romances

by Christine Wells

Recently, the lovely Kate Cuthbert, editor of the fabulous romance-focused instalment of a monthly newsletter called Booktopia Buzz (go here to subscribe) asked me to list the ten romance novels that have influenced me the most.

This was a tough question to answer and no doubt I've missed some wonderful books, but here goes:

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen--unmatched wit, keen observation and a fairytale ending--my introduction to the Regency world

2. Venetia by Georgette Heyer--one of the best 'rake's redemption' stories, ever

3. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase--no one does the battle of the sexes quite as well as Loretta Chase. An extraordinary romance..

4. Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale--exquisite writing, deep passion, magnificent storytelling. Sheer brilliance

5. Welcome to Temptation by Jenny Crusie--snarky, subversive, a fantastic community novel...and some of the hottest love scenes around

6. The Devil to Pay by Liz Carlyle--Carlyle marries sophisticated sizzle with wit, deep emotion and a feel for the period which few surpass. Her heroes are particularly fabulous.


7. Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell--deep, dark, wrenchingly emotional, Campbell took a risk writing a courtesan heroine that paid off in spades

8. Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney--Putney can plunge a reader into the pit of human despair and then fling her to the skies in triumph.

9. A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh--Mary Balogh's sensual story of a very proper and repressed young lady's slow awakening should be required reading for historical writers.

10. The Desperate Duchesses series by Eloisa James--I love the duality of James's novels. On the surface they are all wit and sophistication, but underneath is humanity--love and longing, desire and pain.

Now, I've just remembered approximately a dozen authors who should also be named here, not to mention a hundred more books!

But I'd love to hear your lists. What romance novels do you read over and over? Have any influenced the way you think or act? Have any given you particular comfort in tough times? If you're a writer, what authors or stories have influenced you?

I'm giving away a signed copy of WICKED LITTLE GAME to one lucky reader!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/favorite%20books
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It's That Time Again...

By Kate
RITA and Golden Heart calls are going out today! Somebody's going to get THE CALL!!!

If it's you, we want to know! Leave us a comment and we'll celebrate with you!!

But meanwhile, the Banditas are on edge. Even if we don't have an entry in the contests this year, we're nervous for our friends. How can we pay attention to anything but the telephone? Will it ever ring?

We can all relate, right? After all, we Banditas met when we all finaled in the Golden Heart in 2006. I'll bet we all remember that day, right? Good things happen on RITA/GH Day, right? But it’s very stressful! It means so much! Who has time to blog???

Deep breaths, everyone.

Since we're all in a tizzy and unable to concentrate, today's post won't be about the weather (It’s a sunny 74 degrees today and I wore a wool jacket. *sigh*) or deadlines (Ack! Don't ask! The book’s due this week!!) or the core emotional theme of my book (huh?) because nobody cares! We're all staring at the telephone!

I think we need a small distraction while we wait for the phone to ring, so I've got a pop quiz for you! You’ll like this quiz. It’s all about our favorite books and authors.

I’ll go first.

What book is on your nightstand now? Jennifer Lyon’s BLOOD MAGIC

What was your favorite book when you were a child? Cinderella

Who are your top five authors? Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Pat Conroy, Robert Crais, Julie Garwood

What book did you fake reading? One Hundred Years of Solitude

What book did you buy for the cover? Hmm. Have I ever done that?

What book changed your life? Catch-22

Favorite line(s) from a book: I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Any suggestions?

What book would you most want to read again for the first time? The Prince of Tides


Whether you take the quiz or not, one random commenter will win a $15 Amazon gift certificate!

And don’t forget to let us know if you GOT THE CALL!!!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/favorite%20books
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