All time best romances...According to Jenna
For women, books are like purses; choosing them is very personal. Not just any old purse will do. And not just any book, even just any romance book will do. So I know that my list of favorites will vary greatly from yours.
I have always been particular about what I read. In fact, unlike most writers, I was not an avid reader as a child. I was a latch key kid so the television is what occupied my time. I read Stephan King and that was about it. My sister introduced me to romance fiction. I read Tami Hoag's Cry Wolf and was hooked (you'll see it on my list). My first Nora Roberts book was The Reef, not on the list but a good book. But I don't like all romance fiction. I don't much like historical romance. I don't usually like a pregnancy or babies unless its on the last page or epilogue. I prefer those that show everything ... if you get my drift as opposed to the "sweet" books.
What do I like? I like romantic comedy. I like stories with angst. I like dark brooding hero's although I enjoy the light hearted men as well.
How does a book get on Jenna's Best Romance Book List? It has to be a book I'd read again or at least read parts of again. I don't reread my books in general. In fact, I give many away. So if I keep it with the intention of reading it again, its on the JBRBL (Jenna's Best Romance Book List). By the way, these are in no particular order:
1) Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag - Tami writes crime fiction now but as she made the transition from romance to mystery, she wrote several great books. This is one of them. Jack Boudreaux is THE romantic lead...tall, dark, brooding, haunted. Tami has wonderful description that greatly adds to her stories. This story takes place in Louisiana and Tami does a tremendous job at immersing you in the Cajun language and life.
2) Lucky's Lady - Tami Hoag. Like Cry Wolf this takes place in Louisiana. Etienne "Lucky" Doucet is a great romantic lead too.
3) The Return of Rafe MacKade - Nora Roberts. This is one of Nora's category romances. It is part of a four book series that includes stories about Rafe's brothers Jared, Shane and Devin. All the books are good but Rafe's story is my favorite. Rafe is the bad boy who returns home. I also really like the female protagonist, Regan. This story has a few ghosts which I thought would be dumb but actually adds an interesting element to the story.
4) Mr. Perfect - Linda Howard. I have read several of Linda's books and enjoyed them but this was my all time favorite. Both protagonists are interesting and likeable. The book is witty and fun. The qualifications for "Mr. Perfect" are great and are made even better when Jaine sees her annoying neighbor in the buff and discovers he comes close to meeting at least one of the criteria. Can you guess which?
5) In Death books - JD Robb. Technically, these are not romances. These books are found in the mystery section of book stores but I love Eve and Rourke for their intensity. Unlike traditional romances that end with the couple getting together, the In Death stories follow Eve and Rourke's relationship's complete with ups and downs but always intense and hot. I recommend reading them all but if you have to pick a few (I can't pick just one) I suggest Naked In Death (first book), Glory In Death (second book), Conspiracy In Death and Portrait in Death .
6) Envy - Sandra Brown. This is one of the few books that had me saying "oh wow" at the end. Most books, even when they have a great ride, you pretty much know where you are going to end up. In Envy, you get there too but there is a fantastic twist that has you saying, "All right!".
7) Welcome to Temptation and Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie. I have enjoyed most of Jennifer Crusie books I've read. Her characters are regular people. In Crazy for You, the protagonists are a teacher and a mechanic. Here characters also end up in some interesting predicaments. In Getting Rid of Bradley, the female protagonist ends up with green hair and still gets the guy. Its actually hard to pick a favorite so I chose two...because I'd read them again! I really liked Bet Me because the female protagonist is carrying a few extra pounds and still gets the guy!
8) Too Much Temptation - Lori Foster. Rumor has it that the Blaze line at Harlequin was created for Lori's books. They push the envelope so if you don't like explicit intimacy, you'll want to stay away. If you are looking for a quick read, Lori's "Bad Boy's" books are great too. I chose this one because we have a woman who is overweight and sees herself as frumpy who gets the guy!
9) Match Me If you Can - Susan Elizabeth Philips. This is actually the latest of her books that involve a professional football team. I like this one about a sports agent and a match maker because the characters are interesting and in the end, when he's lost because she won't believe he loves her and the moment she does realize that he does, is really great. I can read that scene over and over. Other good choices are Ain't She Sweet and Breathing Room.
10) Roan - Jennifer Blake. This is the third book in Jennifer's Louisiana Gentlemen series (Benedict clan). Unlike her other books, these books take place in modern time. This was the first in the series I read and probably why I like it best. It also has a great opening in which Sheriff Roan Benedict shoots Tory.
11) Absolutely Positively - Jayne Ann Krentz. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Jayne. This is my favorite. Again, its Harry the hero that makes the story for me. Other good choices are Trust Me and Sharpe Edges. What makes Jayne fun is some of her protagonist have very unique names like Desdemona and Eugenia.
12) Every Waking Moment - Brenda Novak. I listened to this one on audio tape and found myself coming up with reasons to go somewhere so I could finish listening to it. It offers a suspenseful, edge of your seat read.
I think I'll stop there although there are many more great books. These are the few that stood out. Sometimes it was a single scene that made the book one of my favorites. Sometimes it was the characters. But all of them had great stories.
Leave me comments on your favorites!
Jenna.
I have always been particular about what I read. In fact, unlike most writers, I was not an avid reader as a child. I was a latch key kid so the television is what occupied my time. I read Stephan King and that was about it. My sister introduced me to romance fiction. I read Tami Hoag's Cry Wolf and was hooked (you'll see it on my list). My first Nora Roberts book was The Reef, not on the list but a good book. But I don't like all romance fiction. I don't much like historical romance. I don't usually like a pregnancy or babies unless its on the last page or epilogue. I prefer those that show everything ... if you get my drift as opposed to the "sweet" books.
What do I like? I like romantic comedy. I like stories with angst. I like dark brooding hero's although I enjoy the light hearted men as well.
How does a book get on Jenna's Best Romance Book List? It has to be a book I'd read again or at least read parts of again. I don't reread my books in general. In fact, I give many away. So if I keep it with the intention of reading it again, its on the JBRBL (Jenna's Best Romance Book List). By the way, these are in no particular order:
1) Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag - Tami writes crime fiction now but as she made the transition from romance to mystery, she wrote several great books. This is one of them. Jack Boudreaux is THE romantic lead...tall, dark, brooding, haunted. Tami has wonderful description that greatly adds to her stories. This story takes place in Louisiana and Tami does a tremendous job at immersing you in the Cajun language and life.
2) Lucky's Lady - Tami Hoag. Like Cry Wolf this takes place in Louisiana. Etienne "Lucky" Doucet is a great romantic lead too.
3) The Return of Rafe MacKade - Nora Roberts. This is one of Nora's category romances. It is part of a four book series that includes stories about Rafe's brothers Jared, Shane and Devin. All the books are good but Rafe's story is my favorite. Rafe is the bad boy who returns home. I also really like the female protagonist, Regan. This story has a few ghosts which I thought would be dumb but actually adds an interesting element to the story.
4) Mr. Perfect - Linda Howard. I have read several of Linda's books and enjoyed them but this was my all time favorite. Both protagonists are interesting and likeable. The book is witty and fun. The qualifications for "Mr. Perfect" are great and are made even better when Jaine sees her annoying neighbor in the buff and discovers he comes close to meeting at least one of the criteria. Can you guess which?
5) In Death books - JD Robb. Technically, these are not romances. These books are found in the mystery section of book stores but I love Eve and Rourke for their intensity. Unlike traditional romances that end with the couple getting together, the In Death stories follow Eve and Rourke's relationship's complete with ups and downs but always intense and hot. I recommend reading them all but if you have to pick a few (I can't pick just one) I suggest Naked In Death (first book), Glory In Death (second book), Conspiracy In Death and Portrait in Death .
6) Envy - Sandra Brown. This is one of the few books that had me saying "oh wow" at the end. Most books, even when they have a great ride, you pretty much know where you are going to end up. In Envy, you get there too but there is a fantastic twist that has you saying, "All right!".
7) Welcome to Temptation and Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie. I have enjoyed most of Jennifer Crusie books I've read. Her characters are regular people. In Crazy for You, the protagonists are a teacher and a mechanic. Here characters also end up in some interesting predicaments. In Getting Rid of Bradley, the female protagonist ends up with green hair and still gets the guy. Its actually hard to pick a favorite so I chose two...because I'd read them again! I really liked Bet Me because the female protagonist is carrying a few extra pounds and still gets the guy!
8) Too Much Temptation - Lori Foster. Rumor has it that the Blaze line at Harlequin was created for Lori's books. They push the envelope so if you don't like explicit intimacy, you'll want to stay away. If you are looking for a quick read, Lori's "Bad Boy's" books are great too. I chose this one because we have a woman who is overweight and sees herself as frumpy who gets the guy!
9) Match Me If you Can - Susan Elizabeth Philips. This is actually the latest of her books that involve a professional football team. I like this one about a sports agent and a match maker because the characters are interesting and in the end, when he's lost because she won't believe he loves her and the moment she does realize that he does, is really great. I can read that scene over and over. Other good choices are Ain't She Sweet and Breathing Room.
10) Roan - Jennifer Blake. This is the third book in Jennifer's Louisiana Gentlemen series (Benedict clan). Unlike her other books, these books take place in modern time. This was the first in the series I read and probably why I like it best. It also has a great opening in which Sheriff Roan Benedict shoots Tory.
11) Absolutely Positively - Jayne Ann Krentz. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Jayne. This is my favorite. Again, its Harry the hero that makes the story for me. Other good choices are Trust Me and Sharpe Edges. What makes Jayne fun is some of her protagonist have very unique names like Desdemona and Eugenia.
12) Every Waking Moment - Brenda Novak. I listened to this one on audio tape and found myself coming up with reasons to go somewhere so I could finish listening to it. It offers a suspenseful, edge of your seat read.
I think I'll stop there although there are many more great books. These are the few that stood out. Sometimes it was a single scene that made the book one of my favorites. Sometimes it was the characters. But all of them had great stories.
Leave me comments on your favorites!
Jenna.
posted by Jenna Harte @ 8:14 PM
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