All tagged Sherry Thomas

List-O-Rama: Authors I Heart, Romance Specialists Edition

For the next installment in the series about my favorite authors, I thought I’d write about some of my favorite Romance writers.

These three authors all have specialties, ranging from novels set in Australia to books about spies. They’re not unlike Ocean’s Eleven, each with an expertise in something unique. I picture them dressed in black with Batman-style utility belts, prepared for anything.

Karina Bliss

Karina Bliss

Her expression shut faster than a poked clam. “I’ll just get a cardigan.”

He might not be a hellraiser anymore but Devin valued his reputation. “Haven’t you got anything sexy?”

“Yes,” said Rachel, “my mind.”

I  own every single Karina Bliss book. I have shelled out for them all. As I’ve mentioned before, I  will continue to do so until one of us dies—this commitment is that serious. That pretty much sums it up.

Bliss specializes in contemporary category  romance set in her native New Zealand and Australia. Her books  are consistently engaging and- dare I say it- heartwarming. I’ve already  mentioned Bring Him Home and What the Librarian Did (here and here)  but next up would probably be Mr. Unforgettable. The plot centers around Liz, the mayor of a small beach community, and Luke, a retired Olympic swimmer. Liz is slowly recovering from the death of her late husband, trying to redefine her identity. She’s thrown into contact with Luke in his attempt to found a camp for underprivileged kids. Their journeys from difficult childhoods to happiness become inextricably intertwined.

Note: those of you who  understandably dislike Alpha Male Syndrome should probably avoid Like Father, Like Son.

Editor’s note: As our Official Romance Correspondant, Rebeca aka “Renegade” has put together a little primer for the romance-curious. 

Romance gets a bad rap.

Actually, most of my favorite book genres get a bad rap: Fantasy, YA, Science Fiction, Romance. I guess you could say I go for the ‘bad boys’ of book genres. Of course, if you actually said that out loud, I’m pretty sure you’d be thoroughly mocked.

But I digress.

In the spirit of not assigning value judgements to our reading, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite Romance Novels for the Romance-curious. They are big-R Romance in the fullest sense of the word: they are about relationships and include hopeful endings. (Jennifer Crusie has a wonderful essay on what makes a book a romance novel, which is really required reading.)

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

For Fans Of: YA

Any Dessen book is guaranteed to rock. I think she must put it in her contract or something. Anyway, this is my favorite of her books in a large part because of Wes, the love interest. Trust me when I say that he is perfect in a completely three dimensional, I-am-not-Edward sort of way. Perfect. Okay, now I have to go read about Wes again… *sigh*