Posts Tagged ‘loretta chase’
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013
Hi, I’m Cindy, I have been doing AAR Reader polls with LinnieGayl and Lee for the last 7 years, and now I help with the updating of the Special Title Listings with Rike and LinnieGayl. It would be fair to say I love reading lists, my favorite lists being AAR Readers’ lists of favorite books. Now, ask me to rank my favorite romances and I freeze up. But I’ve learned from the best how every list created by a reader may have some caveats attached. I loved reading Jenna and Maggie’s lists because each came at it in different ways. Jenna took Pride and Prejudice off the table – it is just her very favorite book, it’s a classic and almost always ends up on a reader’s top romance ballot, so she posted it as a given. Maggie spoke of the books that created a journey to her reading preferences today and she mentioned the very first series book she read that would be considered an emotional favorite but left it off her final list.
In listing my favorites I originally made the rule that no author could be on the list more than one time. It forced me to think in a different way. Ask me to list my top 10 favorite Anne Stuart books and it would be agonizing, but to only allow one book made me look for the very best of each author’s work. I then promptly broke my rule because one author surprised me and showed me she could make any situation work. And finally, knowing this list wasn’t etched in stone helped me to move forward because I know tomorrow I can change my mind. With that, my list: (more…)
Tags: All About Romance, Anne Stuart, J.R. Ward, Katherine Sutcliffe, Kresley Cole, linda howard, loretta chase, Nalini Singh, Pamela Clare, Suzanne Brockmann, Top Ten lists
Posted in All About Romance, Books, Cindy AAR | 18 Comments »
Tuesday, January 8th, 2013
It looks like 2013 will be one of the best years yet for historical romance listening with many popular print books finally scheduled for audio release.
Julie Garwood
It starts this month with the release of Julie Garwood’s The Secret, a book that has made every AAR Top 100 Romances Poll since it started in 1998. It’s classic Julie Garwood and one many recall from their early days of romance reading with its original 1992 publication date. And it is being narrated by one of my favorites for historical romance – Susan Duerden.
Brilliance has scheduled the majority of Garwood’s backlist (that is not already in audio format) for release in 2013. A month ago, we saw the release of Prince Charming (Rosalyn Landor) with projected release dates for: (more…)
Tags: All About Romance, Audiobooks, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julie Garwood, Karen Marie Moning, Laura Kinsale, loretta chase, Nora Roberts, Pamela Clare, robyn carr, speaking of audiobooks, Thea Harrison
Posted in audio books, Book news, Lea Hensley, Uncategorized | 26 Comments »
Monday, November 19th, 2012
My favorite of all the Special Title Lists is the Special Settings List. I can’t begin to say how many times I’ve scoured through that list looking for books to read in different exotic locales, paying particular attention to the Europe and the Middle East and Africa sections of the list.
I’ve written here before about my fondness for romances set in Greece. But in reality, I’m a sucker for romances set in any exotic or unusual location. Sure, like many of you, I love romances set in the U.K. But as a travel lover — both armchair and in real life — I long for variety in settings. (more…)
Tags: All About Romance, connie brockway, Deanna Raybourn, Lauren Willig, loretta chase, romance settings, susan elizabeth phillips
Posted in LinnieGayl AAR | 10 Comments »
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
Sometimes I take away more from a beloved romance novel than the love story, or fond memories of the hero and heroine. Sometimes other aspects of the book not only stick with me, they actually influence my life.
Art glass is something I never thought about, let alone collected, until I read one of my favorite romances of all time, Nora Roberts’ Born in Fire.
The heroine Maggie Concannon is a glass artist. Her work comes to the attention of wealthy gallery owner Rogan Sweeney. He wants to show her work in one of his galleries, and when she fails to respond to his inquiries, he goes in search of her in her rural home. Rogan first encounters Maggie – mid work – in her small studio behind her home. She barks at him to close the door, and then immediately turns back to her art:
(more…)
Tags: art glass, loretta chase, Nora Roberts
Posted in LinnieGayl AAR, Reading, Romance reading | 13 Comments »
Monday, June 20th, 2011
Every month, the staff here at AAR send me their lists of books on the new release list that they are eager to try. Going over the July list was extra fun because there were four new releases that clearly caught the attention of many. As I went through my emails, I wondered which book was going to hit the top slot. Would it be the new release from Loretta Chase or would it be Anne Stuart, Mary Balogh or Meredith Duran? In the end, Mary Balogh’s book won out with 11 AAR staffers declaring their anticipation of its arrival, but the books by Loretta Chase, Meredith Duran and Anne Stuart followed closely on its heels. In addition, as you can see from checking out the release list and our picks, July is looking like it could be a pretty good month.
|
Title and Author |
Reviewer |
 |
The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh |
Blythe, Dabney, Rike, Heather S., Jean, Heather B., Maggie, Lee, Sandy, Pat, Jacqueline |
 |
Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase |
Sandy, Rike,Leigh, Dabney, Lee, Heather B., Wendy, Jean. Heather S., Jacqueline |
 |
300
A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran |
Lynn,Jean, Blythe, Jane, Wendy, Heather B., Rike, Lee, Heather S. |
 |
Shameless by Anne Stuart |
Jean, Sandy, Lea, Jacqueline, Dabney, Lee, Pat, Heather B., Wendy |
 |
Heartless by Gail Carriger |
LinnieGayl,Maggie, Blythe, Jean, Rike
|
 |
The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn |
Rike, Lee, LinnieGayl, Jean |
 |
One Summer by JoAnn Ross |
Leigh, LinnieGayl |
 |
This Perfect Kiss by Melody Thomas |
Dabney, Lea
|
 |
Give Me a Texas Outlaw by Jodi Thomas, Linda L. Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and Dewanna Pace |
Pat |
 |
Cold Touch by Leslie Parrish |
Lynn |
 |
Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix |
Wendy |
 |
Sunset Bridge by Emilie Richards |
Leigh |
 |
Just Let Go… by Kathleen O’Reilly |
Rike |
 |
Inside by Brenda Novak |
Lynn |
 |
A Summer Reunion by Kasey Michaels, Sarah Mayberry and Teresa Southwick |
Leigh |
 |
Bayou Bodyguard by Jana DeLeon |
Rike |
 |
The Creed Legacy by Linda Lael Miller |
Pat |
Tags: All About Romance, Anne Stuart, Eagerly Awaited, Eagerly Awaiting, loretta chase, Mary Balogh, meredith duran
Posted in All About Romance, Lynn AAR, Romance reading | 12 Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
On Tuesday Royal Weddings, a new Avon Impulse digital anthology featuring Loretta Chase, Gaelen Foley, and Stephanie Laurens is released. The authors pull out their charm, wit, and passion to tell three stories set amidst grand historical royal weddings, including those of Princess Charlotte and Queen Victoria.
Of course, the timing of this digital anthology is perfect since anticipation is building for the royal wedding between William and Kate on the horizon. Avon wants to make the wait until April 29th a bit easier with a fun giveaway.
Grand Prize Valued at $225:
One electronic copy of Royal Weddings
One set of William and Catherine Wedding China: On the day of the wedding you can feel like you are right there withWilliam and Kate as they eat their first meal as a married couple. Partake of a light repast from replicas of the official set of wedding china William and Kate will use. Sip champagne from a William and Catherine tankard, nibble on cucumber sandwiches from a William and Catherine plate, and daintily dry your fingers with a beautifully embroidered William and Catherine tea towel. The set also includes a William and Catherine pill box and wedding decoration.
Three Runner-up Prizes
(more…)
Tags: Avon, Gaelen Foley, loretta chase, Royal Weddings, Stephanie Laurens, William and Kate
Posted in Authors, Contests, E-books, giveaways, Sandy AAR | 113 Comments »
Friday, February 25th, 2011
I’ve been thinking lately about what is it about some writers that make their books magical for readers in ways that others aren’t.
First, a confession: I read contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormals, but historical romance was my first love and remains my absolute favorite. So, with my bias fully admitted and setting aside the continuing gush of wallpaper historicals in which you can’t even tell the time period a book is supposedly set in unless the author tells you, there are some talented writers out there I’ve come to admire and who have become auto-buys for me. Still, the ones I’m watching have yet to come up with one of those scenes.
I’m talking about those hit-you-in-the-heart scenes. The kind you remember. The kind you share with other readers who very often respond “Yes!” The kind that make you feel what the characters are feeling.
I love the scene in which Bobby Tom realizes that Gracie made an “X” over his heart in Heaven, Texas. Equally, the “you are my Egypt” scene from Connie Brockway’s As You Desire has to rank as one of the greatest declarations of love in all of romance. And I’ve sighed since I was 14 over the scene in Devil’s Cub in which Mary attempts to break up hotheaded Vidal’s sword fight by stepping in the middle of the action. Vidal’s reaction makes Mary realize for the very first time that her spoiled and haughty Devil’s Cub really loves her. I felt it too and I will never forget the first time I read it.
But, for me, three scenes stand out that perfectly exemplify just what I’m talking about.
(more…)
Tags: connie brockway, Georgette Heyer, judith ivory, Lisa Kleypas, loretta chase, susan elizabeth phillips
Posted in Authors, Books, Characters, Heroes, Heroines, Historicals, Reading, Romance, Romance reading, Sandy AAR | 50 Comments »
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
I sat down to write something kind of snarky about language use in historicals after having come across some particularly heinous examples lately, but I soon found myself thinking about something entirely different: Are we in the midst of a renaissance of the historical romance?
I think we may be getting there. Recently I read – and was blown away by – Anne Stuart’s Ruthless. The novel is a great one any way you choose to judge it, but it’s also noteworthy for taking place in 1765 in France. Yes, that’s right, I said France. But, refreshing as that different time and setting may be, I loved this book because it is a voluptuous (and, yes, I really think that word applies), full-bodied (yes, I like it, even if it is redundant), lush romance between a truly dissolute rake and a strong, self-reliant woman. And, even better, it reminded me of a classic of the author’s from a l-o-o-o-o-n-g time ago that I have saved since I first read it – Lord Satan’s Bride. And I am excited – oh, my, am I excited – about the remaining two books in the trilogy.
(more…)
Tags: Anne Stuart, historical romance, Joanna Bourne, laura lee guhrke, Lisa Kleypas, loretta chase, meredith duran, Sherry Thomas, Tessa Dare
Posted in Authors, Books, Historicals, Reading, Romance, Romance reading, Sandy AAR, Settings | 24 Comments »
Monday, June 14th, 2010
It’s tough to write an introduction for someone who is on the very short list of Authors Who Need No Introduction. And, yes, I’m talking Loretta Chase.
The wonderful (really) Last Night’s Scandal hits shelves on July 27th. For those who haven’t heard the news, it is, indeed the story of Peregrine and Olivia and, though my review is still to come, I’ll tip my hat here and say that I loved it. A lot.
At AAR, we’re celebrating the release with a new interview and a giveaway courtesy of those nice folks at Avon. To enter for your chance to win one of five advance copies, simply comment to this post by Thursday, June 17th at 11:59 pm eastern time. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by email on Friday. The announcement will be made here on Saturday. The usual caveats apply: This contest is open only to readers in the U.S. and Canada and, since this contest is designed to get advance copies into the hands of readers who wouldn’t otherwise have access, please don’t enter if you review for another Web site or blog.
But first, sit back, relax and enjoy the interview.
Loretta, you have now delivered the perfect summer reading confection in the long awaited story of Peregrine and Olivia. Ever since the two appeared as children in Lord Perfect, I’ve read online appeal after appeal from readers begging for their story. And, I don’t think I’m giving too much away when I reveal that the book includes another road trip. Could you tell AAR readers a bit about the story?
(more…)
Tags: Last Night's Scandal, Lord of Scoundrels, Lord Perfect, loretta chase, Mr Impossible
Posted in Authors, Books with Buzz, giveaways, Interviews, Sandy AAR | 230 Comments »
Friday, November 13th, 2009
Rike’s post yesterday on plotlines that could use a break got me thinking. I’ve got plenty of kvetches, believe me – many of them mentioned already by Rike – but, to put a Pollyanna spin on things (and, okay, so I am not often Pollyanna-ish, but let’s just run with it) there is at least one plot device that works for me always every time. Put an uptight brainiac seriously in need of having some pins pricked in his or her pretentions together with a casual, laid back type who knows how to deliver a zinger and I’m done for. Totally done for.
A friend of mine says I like “goofball” heroes and, to some degree, I think she’s right. But humor takes fierce intelligence (Jon Stewart, anyone?) and I find it incredibly attractive when someone is confident enough in himself that he doesn’t need to hit others in the face with his brains. It’s fun (not to mention sexually exciting) to discover that someone you initially underestimated is w-a-a-a-a-y smarter than you thought, right?
So, forthwith and with no more verbal diarrhea, here are my fave brainiac/goofball romances:
(more…)
Tags: connie brockway, loretta chase, Mary Balogh, susan elizabeth phillips
Posted in Books, Characters, Heroes, Heroines, Reading, Romance reading, Sandy AAR | 20 Comments »
