Slump Buster
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately. Every now and then I realize I'm not enjoying books that I know I should be. Not sure why it happens. Reading fatigue? Working too hard? Sameness? Probably a combination, but it is really frustrating.
So to use a baseball saying, I now have a "slump buster": Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Excuse me while I gush and have a fangirl moment, but is there anyone more talented in romance today? The woman is absolutely brilliant at characterization and writes some of the best dialogue around (Julia Quinn is my other favorite for dialogue). I decided to re-read HEAVEN, TEXAS last night and I loved it just as much the second time around. I pretty much read it in one sitting, staying up until 2 am to finish. It's amazing how she can take what should be an unlikeable character and make him appealing. Bobby Tom Denton is arrogant, selfish, vain, and utterly yummy. On tonight's reading menu: NOBODY'S BABY BUT MINE (another re-read).
The funny thing is that I'm more of a historical reader, but SEP has definitely broadened my spectrum to contemporaries. (Another really fun contemporary author is Christy Ridgeway--highly recommend). Julie Garwood is another good Slump Buster for me.
So do you have any authors that you know you can always go to for a good read?
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13 comments:
Thanks for the heads up! I too am in a "reading slump" so I'll check her out. Also, thanks for the lovely email. :) I recently read "Some like it Wicked" and "Some Like it Wild" by Theresa Medeiros. I think you'd like them.
SEP is a favorite of mine too, Monica. My slump buster is Saving Grace, a historical by Julie Garwood. It's also my favorite comfort read - when my spirits need lifting.
Have you read any books by Kristan Higgins? Her latest, Too Good to Be True is terrific - a guaranteed slump buster sure to make you laugh, cheer and sigh.
I recently reviewed a new contemp by Robin Wells called How to Score. It's funny, quirky and guaranteed to keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Kresley Cole and Gaelen Foley!
KC has stuck her fingers into 3 different subgenres of romance and has done fabulous things with each!
GF is just pure enjoyment. Her characters are loveable and she captures the times very well!
Amazing authors.
Monica, SEP is definitely fabulous. A couple other writers I can count on for a consistently good read--Sarah Mayberry (she's mainly written for Harlequin--their Blaze and Superromance lines), Stacey Kayne (Harlequin Historicals--mainly westerns), Lisa Wingate (they kind of border on women's fiction, but they're just wonderfully written)... I'm sure there are more! That's just a couple off the top!
Glad you've found something to break through the slump, Monica!
Lauie,
Right back at you about the email. :) You are right--I've read both wicked and wild and LOVED them both--she's such a great writer.
PJ,
Thanks for the recommendations. I've heard some buzz about Kristen Higgans, but haven't tried her out. I'll definitely pick it up. Julie Garwood is one of mine, too. The Bride is probably my favorite historcial romance of all time. I should re-read saving grace.
Natalie,
Kresley and Gaelen are two of my favorites. I'm really looking forward to Gaelens next book. I think it comes out soon. I LOVED Kresley's historicals. I'm not much of a paranormal reader so I wish she'd go back. Sigh.
Thanks flchen! Thanks for the recs, too. Stacey is awesome. We were actually Golden Heart finalists together in 2005. I'd hoped to see her a couple of weekends ago when I was doing a workshop in Fresno, but she didn't make the meeting.
haha yeah I wasn't a fan of paranormals until I read Karen Marie Moning... annnnnd I got hooked. I think Gaelen's comes out June 19th-ish. I'm excited.
I love KMM's time travel Highlander novels. Some of my favorite Scottish books. Yeah about Gaelen, I can't wait either.
I have been on a Georgette Heyer kick lately. I adore her writing style, characters, and tangled plots. (Shhh... sometimes I think she is better than Ms.Austen herself! :)
Hey, Tara! I used to LOVE Georgette Heyer, but I haven't read her in years. Thanks for reminding me. :) Maybe I'll re-read the Grand Sophie. That was my favorite. (And I won't tell Jane! :))
For me it's Jill Shalvis. I always know I'm going to love her books.
Lexi,
I've never read any of Jill's books--what does she write again? I think you've told me before...
I'm working my way through re-reading SEPs backlist. The woman is BRILLIANT. Sigh. I can't decide who my favorite is, but I love Cal from Nobody's Baby But Mine.
Jill writes contemporaries and they are AWESOME!
I've got to give her a try. I've only got a couple more SEPs to go...
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