book suggestions, perhaps a challenge?

orientalbelle · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

A bit of an odd request but can you recommend any good romance novels that don't contain sex/purple prose in them?
I know, I know, a bit of an odd request given the subject material of romance novels. I'm finding that lately I just want to settle down with a good romance (not Danielle Steel, sorry) and not have to flip through pages of purple prose. I've looked in the rating section and most of the "kisses" authors are either inspirational writers or regency writers. I have no problem with regency, but I would LOVE a book that was longer than 200pgs. I've had my fill of inspirational romances for the time being as they sometimes tend to get preachy; although if there's a great one I'm missing please include it. I'm not that big into the paranormal genre, but if you have one that is just dynamite, please mention it. Otherwise, I like just about everything else, though I am partial to medieval, americana, and westerns. :)
Thanks for stepping up to my challenge.

Yulie · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1053 Location: Elsewhere

Orientalbelle - check out Eva Ibbotson's books - they're light on sex and really well-written (and not inspirationals). I read The Countess Below Stairs and A Company of Swans in the last few months (both were reviewed at AAR) and really enjoyed them. The setting is early 20th century for both books. Ibbotson's writing style is lovely, and A Countess Below Stairs in particular is fantastic.

Elizabeth Rolls · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1027 Location: Australia

What about Mary Stewart? Hers were mostly set in the 1950s and 1960s. Brilliant writing. Mostly what we would now call romantic suspense I guess. One, Nine Coaches Waiting is really a gothic. I've raved about her here before but I'm quite happy to do so again. Mostly first person (heroine POV) and fabulous, fabulous settings. You'll want to go to France, Greece, Austria etc Very Happy

Elizabeth

cheri · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1350 Location: michigan

I've been reading alot of Cheryl St.John. She writes shorter warm books. I don't recall any purple prose or preachyness. And most are set in America/Frontier. I loved Secondhand Wife, The Doctor's Wife, Joe's Wife, The Preacher's Daughter and The Tenderfoot Bride. I recently gave one to my sister and she devoured it. I hope you enjoy them if you try and then let me know. Happy reading. cheri

msaggie · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 632

xina · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 6630 Location: minneapolis

Are you asking for romance novels without a lot of love scenes, because purple prose can describe an overwrought style that is flowery and filled with way too many descriptions and adjectives. I would suggest Mary Balogh, Tracy Grant, Elizabeth Chadwick and Susan Carroll. All write prose that flows beautifully and doesn't have an excessive amount of love scenes. Good luck!

Tinabelle · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 853 Location: SE Wisconsin

The first person who pops into my mind is Lynn Kurland. Her stories are very romantic but don't include the graphic sex scenes so common these days. There is sexual tension and kisses, but the rest is implied. She's kind of a throwback to the "behind closed doors" approach of earlier romance writing. Some of her books are straight romances and others include a bit of time travel. I always enjoy her stories and the characters. You can check out my Shelfari shelf for titles by looking under the "lynn kurland" tag. I would give her some consideration.
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graceC · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 441

I would second Lynn Kurland. She writes mostly time travel romance with no sex scenes to speak of (very PG 13). My favorites by her are:

- Stardust of Yesterday
- The More I See You
- If I Had You
- This Is All I Ask
- A Garden In The Rain

I would also suggest Judith McNaught. Mind you, there are sex scenes in her books but they're tasteful and never graphic. Some of my favorites by Judith McNaught:

- A Kingdom of Dreams (Medieval)
- Something Wonderful (Regency)
- Once & Always (Regency)
- Almost Heaven (Regency)
- Paradise (contemporary)

I almost forgot: you might want to check out The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnely. IIRC, the sex scenes were just warm but the story was really really good. It's also been reviewed here.

Kayne · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 795

Sandra Dallas writes good westerns over different time periods, my fav being Alice's Tulips (I think it took place at the end of the Civil War, but this setting is out west) and the book she is probably best known for and read by book clubs, Persian Pickle Club. Ms. Dallas has said her characters turn off the light at night and she doesn't write the details. They are emotional books.

No Place Like Home is a contemporary by Barbara Samuels, got an A-, warm rating here and takes place out west.

The Monk Downstairs by Tim Farrington is also good and I keep hoping I'll see it made into a movie. It got a subtle rating here.

What the Heart Knows by Kathleen Eagle, got an A, warm review here, and is a contemporary that involves an investigation on an Indian Reservation and a retired NBA star.

If Andy Warhol had a Girlfriend is a contemporary chick lit book with a rating of Kisses here that I loved for the characters and travel. It made me laugh and cry.

Lastly, Still Life With Murder by PB Ryan, is a historical mystery which got a B+ review here with N/A rating but has lead characters that are attracted to each other. I think its a series but I haven't read the more recent books in the series.

Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1613 Location: Washington, D.C.

Manda · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 522

Karen Kendall's Fit to be Tied

JulieR · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 181

Elda Minger's The Kiss. It got a B grade here at AAR; here is the review:

www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=5616
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orientalbelle · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

[quote="xina"]Are you asking for romance novels without a lot of love scenes, because purple prose can describe an overwrought style that is flowery and filled with way too many descriptions and adjectives. [/quote]

I don't mind sexual tension, but I would actually prefer the romance novels to be without love scenes. I know, I'm a bit of an oddity. For example, I really love Katherine Sutcliffe, Meaghan McKinnely, medieval Julie Garwood,an d I'm okay about Deveraux, McNaught, even some of Johanna Lindsay, Elizabeth Lowell, and Catherine Coulter, but I'm just tired of flipping pages. Actually, come to think of it, I like Lori Copeland's style a lot and she is pretty mild, but even with her love scenes, I find myself flipping through pages.

I'm looking more for romance novels than chick lit. While they're still entertaining, I'm just seeking a good romance.

Thanks for the help so far. Any other suggestions? Keep 'em coming.

JulieR · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 181

Connie Willis's Bellwether. She's more known for her science fiction, so that's where this book would be shelved at the library or book store, but this really isn't sci-fi. The H/H are both researchers at a think tank who end up working together. I don't think this is the strongest romance ever, but it's an enjoyable, humorous, satiric read.

Or if you don't mind some sci-fi, her To Say Nothing of the Dog has more romance (along with time travel) and is an even better book. It got an A review here at AAR:

www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=378
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