Here is a
partial list of my TBR. All of these were purchased prior to 11/2002 when I started keeping a spreadsheet. I got most of them from the King County library used book sale (25 cents each). I picked out some of them because I had read something by that author or had vaguely remembered reading about the author on AAR, others I just tossed into the shopping bag just because... I have no clue. I have heard good things about some of these books (e.g. Flowers From the Storm, Shattered Rainbows) but I'm too lazy to look up reviews.
So any gems here? Or some real stinkers I should get rid of?
Andersen, Susan / All Shook Up (10/19/07, B)
Andersen, Susan / Be My Baby (12/26/06, B-)
Andersen, Susan / Baby, I'm Yours (4/1/6, B)
Andersen, Susan / Exposure (2/7/07, B+)
Ashworth, Adele / My Darling Caroline (11/5/2007, B+)
Austen, Jane / Persuasion
Beverley, Jo / Dragon's Bride
Beverley, Jo / Devil's Heiress
Beverley, Jo / Hazard
Beverley, Jo / Forbidden Magic
Brockmann, Suzanne / Body Language (11/29/06, A-)
Brockmann, Suzanne / Freedom's Price (11/24/06, B+)
Brockmann, Suzanne / Undercover PrincessCanham, Marsha / Pale Moon Rider (DNF)
Chase, Taylor / Heart of Deception (4/29/06, A)
Crusie, Jennifer / Getting Rid of Bradley (4/21/06, B-)
Crusie, Jennifer / Manhunting (8/22/06, A)
Deveraux, Jude / The Black Lyon
Dodd, Christina / Candle in the Window (12/29/2007, B)
Dodd, Christina / Rules of Attraction
Dodd, Christina / Rules of Engagement
Dodd, Christina / Runaway Princess
Evanovich, Janet / Manhunt Farr, Diane / Fair Game
Farr, Diane / Falling for Chloe
Feather, Jane / The Least Likely Bride
Foley, Gaelen / The Duke(1/19/2008, A-)
Foley, Gaelen / The Pirate Prince (8/3/07, C+)
Foster, Lori / Caught in the Act Garwood, Julie / The Gift Garwood, Julie / Castles Garwood, Julie / Saving Grace Garwood, Julie / The WeddingGibson, Rachel / It Must Be Love
Gibson, Rachel / True Confessions (2/9/07, B)
Gibson, Rachel / Simply Irresistible (10/30/2007, B+)
Gracie, Anne / Gallant Waif
Grant, Tracy / Shores of Desire
Grant, Tracy / Rightfully His
Holly, Emma / Beyond Innocence
Holt, Cheryl / Love Lessons (4/3/06, C+)
Hunter, Madeline / By Possession (2/13/07, B+)
Hunter, Madeline / By Design (2/21/07, A-)
Hunter, Madeline / By Arrangement (4/15/07, B)
Hunter, Madeline / The Protector
Ivory, Judith / The Indiscretion (7/30/06, B)
Jensen, Trish / Stuck With YouJohnson, Susan / Forbidden
Johnson, Susan / To Please a Lady
Johnson, Susan / Wicked
Johnson, Susan / Pure Sin
Jordan, Nicole / Heart Breaker (5/8/06, B+)
Justiss, Julia / My Lady's Pleasure
Justiss, Julia / The Proper Wife
Justiss, Julia / A Scandalous Proposal
Justiss, Julia / The Weddng GambleKauffman, Donna / Dark Knight (4/22/06, C)
Kauffman, Donna / Tease Me (4/2/06, DNF)
Kelly, Leslie / Night Whispers (3/31/2008, DNF)
Kinsale, Laura / Flowers From the Storm (10/26/07, A)
Kinsale, Laura / The Shadow and the Star
Kinsale, Laura / Seize the Fire
Kleypas, Lisa / Because You're Mine
Kleypas, Lisa / Midnight Angel
Kleypas, Lisa / Only in Your Arms
Krahn, Betina / Caught in the ActLandis, Jill Marie / Day Dreamer
Law, Susan Kay / The Bad Man's Bride
Law, Susan Kay / Marry Me
Litton, Josie / Dream of Me
Litton, Josie / Believe in Me
Litton, Josie / Come Back to Me
Lowell, Elizabeth / Untamed
Lowell, Elizabeth / Forbidden
Lowell, Elizabeth / Enchanted
Lowell, Elizabeth / Granite Man (4/19/06, C-)
Lowell, Elizabeth / Warrior (4/30/06, B-)
Lowell, Elizabeth / Sweet Wind, Wild Wind (DNF)
Lowell, Elizabeth / A Woman Without Lies (DNF)
Martin, Kat / Innocence Undone
Navin, Jacqueline / Meet Me at Midnight (DNF)
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth / Hot Shot (4/25/06, B-)
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth / Just ImagineProctor, Candice / The Bequest (4/19/06, C)
Proctor, Candice / September Moon
Proctor, Candice / Whispers of Heaven (2/5/07, A-)
Putney, Mary Jo / Angel Rogue
Putney, Mary Jo / Shattered Rainbows
Putney, Mary Jo / The Bargain (4/5/06, B)
Ryan, Patricia / A Burning Touch
Ryan, Patricia / The Sun and the Moon
Ryan, Patricia / The Return of the Black Sheep
Sawyer, Meryl / Unforgettable (4/7/06, C)
Simmons, Deborah / The Devil Earl
Simmons, Deborah / The Fortune Hunter
Simmons, Deborah / The Last Rogue
Simmons, Deborah / The Gentleman Thief
Simmons, Deborah / My Lady de Burgh
Simmons, Deborah / My Lord de Burgh
Stuart, Anne / The Widow (5/13/06, B-)
Sutcliffe, Katherine / Darkling I Listen (3/2/07, B)
Sutcliffe, Katherine / Hope & GloryVeryan, Patricia / The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake
16 comments:
Gems:
Deborah Simmons--all of them.
Adele Ashworth's My Darling Caroline.
Tara Marie and Kristie, I think, will say Proctor's Whispers of Heaven (Tara sent me a copy).
Have you read Beverley or Putney before? Because they are never truly meh, so if you like one, chances are good you will like more.
My .02.
I thought Anne Stuart's The Widow was meh, even though I am a frothing Stuart fangirl.
Ok, looooooong answer. The ones I've read:
Andersen, Susan / Be My Baby - ok book.
Andersen, Susan / Exposure - didn't like it. The heroine's daughter is the most annoying child character I've ever read.
Ashworth, Adele / My Darling Caroline - Gem. Not as perfect as Winter Garden, but I liked it very much.
Austen, Jane / Persuasion - not my fave austen, but it's good.
Brockmann, Suzanne / Body Language - Really good! Very sweet, and a wonderful friends-falling-in-love story. I've reread it a few times, but then, I love Brockmann's books, especially the Non-SEAL ones.
Brockmann, Suzanne / Freedom's Price - Er, to what I said above, add "except for Freedom's Price". This one especially annoyed me for the very simplistic view of the situation in the heroine's homeland (reminded me too much of our military dictatorship).
Brockmann, Suzanne / Undercover Princess - Surprisingly good. I can't believe I liked a book about a princess going undercover as a nanny, but I did.
Chase, Taylor / Heart of Deception - Gem, gem, gem!!! Fascinating setting, fascinating, strong, heroine. Can't recommend this one enough.
Crusie, Jennifer / Getting Rid of Bradley
Crusie, Jennifer / Manhunting - both worth reading. Neither is among my fave Crusie's, but they're good.
Dodd, Christina / Candle in the Window - Very meh. I just don't like Dodd's style, though.
Foley, Gaelen / The Duke - I've stopped reading her now, but The Duke was ok. Purple as hell, though.
Gibson, Rachel / It Must Be Love
Gibson, Rachel / True Confessions
Gibson, Rachel / Simply Irresistible - All 3 are ok.
Gracie, Anne / Gallant Waif - Gem. Made me cry. Best one of hers that I've read.
Grant, Tracy / Shores of Desire
Grant, Tracy / Rightfully His - LOVED Rightfully His. Not as much as Daughter of the Game, but it was great. Haven't read Shores of Desire, but if you decide to get rid of it, keep me in mind!
Holly, Emma / Beyond Innocence - Interesting erotic historical.
Hunter, Madeline / By Possession
Hunter, Madeline / By Design
Hunter, Madeline / By Arrangement - Absolute gems, all 3. I'm not usually a fan of Medievals, but these were just so fresh and original and full of energy!
Hunter, Madeline / The Protector - This one I didn't love as much.
Ivory, Judith / The Indiscretion - Fun book.
Justiss, Julia / My Lady's Pleasure - I liked this one. It's different, because it reverses the balance of power. Here it's the hero who is living at the brink of disaster.
Kinsale, Laura / Flowers From the Storm - Didn't like it much, but everyone seems to adore it.
Kinsale, Laura / The Shadow and the Star - Great book.
Law, Susan Kay / The Bad Man's Bride - Meh for me, but you are more into Westerns than I am, so you might like it better.
Litton, Josie / Dream of Me
Litton, Josie / Believe in Me
Litton, Josie / Come Back to Me - Pretty good trilogy.
Lowell, Elizabeth / Untamed
Lowell, Elizabeth / Forbidden
Lowell, Elizabeth / Enchanted - I read the first one in the trilogy (can't remember which of those it was), and though I hated some things, the ending is so wonderful it's worth reading the rest of the book.
Osborne, Maggie / I Do, I Do, I Do - Same as the Susan Kay Law. Meh, but you might like it better.
Putney, Mary Jo / Angel Rogue
Putney, Mary Jo / Shattered Rainbows
Putney, Mary Jo / The Bargain (4/5/06, B) - If you liked The Bargain, you'll probably like her other books.
Simmons, Deborah / The Devil Earl
Simmons, Deborah / The Last Rogue
Simmons, Deborah / The Gentleman Thief
Simmons, Deborah / My Lady de Burgh
Simmons, Deborah / My Lord de Burgh - I've at least liked all of Simmons' books that I've read. If you want to try one of those, The LAst Rogue was the one I loved best.
Stuart, Anne / The Widow - Ok book. Liked the contemporary european setting.
Sutcliffe, Katherine / Darkling I Listen - I must be the only exception here, but I didn't like this one at all.
Megan: I have mostly liked Beverley and Putney. Thank you for the feedback!
Rosario: WOW, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are are awesome and have saved me some time since we share the same tastes *most* of the time :)
Like Rosario's this will be real long...
Andersen, Susan -- I don't like SA, it may just be me..
Ashworth, Adele / My Darling Caroline--Gem
Austen, Jane / Persuasion--Gem
Beverley, Jo--I like Jo Beverley in general, these were all good.
Canham, Marsha / Pale Moon Rider--good
Chase, Taylor / Heart of Deception--good
Crusie, Jennifer / Getting Rid of Bradley--good
Crusie, Jennifer / Manhunting--good
Deveraux, Jude / The Black Lyon--an oldie, but goodie, but "old school" in style
Dodd, Christina / Candle in the Window--gem
Dodd, Christina / Rules of Attraction--okay
Dodd, Christina / Rules of Engagement--okay
Evanovich, Janet / Manhunt (reading now)
Feather, Jane / The Least Likely Bride--good
Foley, Gaelen / The Duke--good
Foley, Gaelen / The Pirate Prince--gem
Foster, Lori / I don't read Foster
Garwood, Julie / I liked all the Garwoods when they were new, but I'm not so sure now.
Gibson, Rachel / I like Gibson, each is probably worth reading
Holly, Emma / Beyond Innocence--okay not great
Holt, Cheryl / Love Lessons (4/3/06, C+)--boy do I agree C+ might be generous
Hunter, Madeline / By Possession--gem
Hunter, Madeline / By Design--gem
Hunter, Madeline / By Arrangement--gem
Hunter, Madeline / The Protector--okay
Ivory, Judith / The Indiscretion--gem
Johnson, Susan / I love SJ's early books these are all good.
Jordan, Nicole / Heart Breaker--okay
Kinsale, Laura / everything she's written is a gem, IMHO.
Krahn, Betina / Caught in the Act--I loved this book when new, but haven't reread in years.
Landis, Jill Marie / Day Dreamer
Lowell, Elizabeth / Untamed
Lowell, Elizabeth / Forbidden
Lowell, Elizabeth / Enchanted
Lowell, Elizabeth / Granite Man
Lowell, Elizabeth / Warrior
Lowell, Elizabeth / Sweet Wind, Wild Wind
Lowell, Elizabeth / A Woman Without Lies--I loved these when they were new, but once again, may be a little too old school in style.
Osborne, Maggie / I Do, I Do, I Do--not my favorite Osborne, but not bad
Proctor, Candice / I love everything by Proctor!!
Putney, Mary Jo / Angel Rogue--good
Putney, Mary Jo / Shattered Rainbows--good
Putney, Mary Jo / The Bargain (4/5/06, B)
Ryan, Patricia / The Sun and the Moon--good
Sawyer, Meryl / Unforgettable-just okay.
Simmons, Deborah / all the Simmons' are good or very good.
Great list
Tara
Woah! Did you score some good ones! Megan's right - the best ones of all those on your list I've read are the Proctors - specially WOH - since Tara's favourite isn't there. Also loved a lot more but the best of the best -
Exposure by Susan Anderson (as opposed to Rosario *grin* I liked the little kid)
The Pirate Prince - Gaelen Foley
FFTS & TSATS by Kinsale
all of the Hunters (read them and you'll see why so many wish she would return to medievals
My Darling Caroline - Adele Ashworth
If you're interested in trad Regencies, then I can recommend Farr's Falling for Chloe (how much do I love this book?) and Gracie's Gallant Waif.
Treasure or trash?
So any gems here? Or some real stinkers I should get rid of?
Andersen, Susan //Never Read Her
Ashworth, Adele / My Darling Caroline// GEM
Beverley, Jo / NRH
Brockmann, Suzanne / NRH
Canham, Marsha / Pale Moon Rider - OK
Chase, Taylor / Heart of Deception/ eh
Crusie, Jennifer / NRH but have three tbr
Deveraux, Jude / The Black Lyon/NRH
Dodd, Christina / Candle in the Window - TBR
Dodd, Christina / Runaway Princess//didn't finish
Evanovich, Janet / Manhunt// NRH
Farr, Diane // NRH
Feather, Jane / The Least Likely Bride//To be read
Foley, Gaelen / The Duke - eh
Foley, Gaelen / The Pirate Prince - GEM
Foster, Lori / Caught in the Act/ haven't read this one but I do like some of her stuff
Garwood, Julie / The Gift - GEM
Garwood, Julie / Castles - TBR
Garwood, Julie / Saving Grace - eh
Garwood, Julie / The Wedding - GEM
Gibson, Rachel / NRH
Gracie, Anne / Gallant Waif - eh
Grant, Tracy / Shores of Desire - who?
Holly, Emma / Beyond Innocence - gem
Hunter, Madeline / By Possession
Hunter, Madeline / By Design
Hunter, Madeline / By Arrangement
Hunter, Madeline / The Protector --le sigh... read these
Ivory, Judith / The Indiscretion - eh but not much on Ivory
Jensen, Trish / Stuck With You - who?
Johnson, Susan / Forbidden
Johnson, Susan / To Please a Lady
Johnson, Susan / Wicked
Johnson, Susan / Pure Sin - can't remember
Jordan, Nicole / Heart Breaker - GEM! western!
Justiss, Julia / My Lady's Pleasure
Justiss, Julia / The Proper Wife
- can't remember
Justiss, Julia / A Scandalous Proposal - have tbr
Justiss, Julia / The Weddng Gamble - loved this
Kauffman, Donna / Dark Knight
Kauffman, Donna / Tease Me - never read
Kinsale, Laura / Flowers From the Storm - eh
Kinsale, Laura / The Shadow and the Star - I didn't like but so many love I have rebought to reread since I LOVE the one before it
Kinsale, Laura / Seize the Fire - GEM!
Kleypas, Lisa / Because You're Mine - GEM
Kleypas, Lisa / Midnight Angel - tbbought
Kleypas, Lisa / Only in Your Arms -tbr
Law, Susan Kay / The Bad Man's Bride
Law, Susan Kay / Marry Me - GEMS
Litton, Josie / Dream of Me
Litton, Josie / Believe in Me
Litton, Josie / Come Back to Me - GEMS! but haven't been able to get into anything else she has written
Lowell, Elizabeth / Untamed
Lowell, Elizabeth / Forbidden
Lowell, Elizabeth / Enchanted
Lowell, Elizabeth / Granite Man
Lowell, Elizabeth / Warrior
Lowell, Elizabeth / Sweet Wind, Wild Wind -- happy sigh... love love love... way over the top alphas though
Lowell, Elizabeth / A Woman Without Lies - haven't read
Martin, Kat / Innocence Undone - ::pooh bear think:: I have this. OH! I think LLB loveseses it. I bought because of her review. I think.
Osborne, Maggie / I Do, I Do, I Do - I haven't I haven't I haven't but she is a good western writer so I prolly will some day
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth / Hot Shot - never read her
Proctor, Candice / The Bequest - liked this one! My first proctor
Proctor, Candice / September Moon - TBR
Proctor, Candice / Whispers of Heaven - liked this too!
Putney, Mary Jo / never read her
Ryan, Patricia / A Burning Touch
Ryan, Patricia / The Sun and the Moon
Ryan, Patricia / The Return of the Black Sheep
--- hmmmm I dont' have these and have never heard of them! aka send to sybil ;)
Sawyer, Meryl / Unforgettable - never read her
Simmons, Deborah / The Devil Earl
Simmons, Deborah / The Fortune Hunter
Simmons, Deborah / The Last Rogue
Simmons, Deborah / The Gentleman Thief
Simmons, Deborah / My Lady de Burgh
Simmons, Deborah / My Lord de Burgh -- sqqqqqquuuuueeeeeee
The Last Rogue is wonderful!!! first one is grand... The Fortune Hunter? must be hard to find cuz I don't have it! the last three are good but the other series is better.
Stuart, Anne / The Widow -- if I say never read her cindy would kill me. OH! I did read the one cindy sent! Rose at Midnight is good. Yes I am helpful. Never heard of this one.
Sutcliffe, Katherine / Darkling I Listen
Sutcliffe, Katherine / Hope & Glory
-- have the second to be read the first I didn't care for..
Veryan, Patricia / The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake - who?
yeah I know no help ;) but it was fun!
As one of your reading twins you can take this with some salt ;)
Andersen - Exposure - heroes name was Elvis, I believe there was the horrible smattering of french and yeah, a kid. I think the hero had a hook. I closed the book at that point.
Early Brockmanns - gold
Dodd - an author I just don't get
Garwood - those are good ones
Gibson *shudder*
Gracie - Gallant Waif was excellent and would have been a keeper but there was this door thing that I hate ;)
Kinsale - FFTS - yes, can't remember the others
Simmons - the best of hers was Maiden Bride, the others range from good to meh - helpful, no?
Sutcliffe - Darkling I Listen was a keeper.
CindyS
Here we go:
Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth - I didn't luv it like many readers, but it is very good. I think I rated it around a B+
I Do, I Do, I Do by Maggie Osborne - now I loved this one! Other authors have tried to do multiple romances in one book but they tend to read thin and watery to me. Not this one. I thought it was great.
Darkling I Listen by Katherine Sutcliffe - meh. To be fair, I was blown away by her later romantic suspense novel, Bad Moon Rising, and I read this one after the fact. Blame it on high expectations. I think I rated it around a B-.
Forgot to add:
Flowers From The Storm by Laura Kinsale - got to page 150 and was so bloody bored I gave up on it. But others seem to gush endlessly over it and love it to pieces.
Everybody: Thank you, thank you! I'm keeping all of your feedback and putting it in my spreadsheet. I'm definitely getting rid of the Foster because the last one I read almost made my head explode. So that's 1 down and ?? to go. I'm determined to make my way through this pile, or die trying. But it sounds like there are many gems so it should be fun! Thanks again.
LOL what was the foster?
hmmm wendy likes I Do? so make that a read. She has great taste in westerns and I agree on Flowers I still have it but it will go at some point because I can't see ever reading it again.
LOL what was the foster?
Caught in the Act.
I like a good western (St. John is one of my favs). I read one other Osborne I liked too.
oh I thought Caught in the Act was the one you had to read not the one you hated ;). hee I think I have it. I will have to look.
Do say if you like Heart Breaker. I think the two in that series are two of Jordan's best. We still don't have the third in what was to be a trilogy because they decided the west was won, I mean done.. And the big reason I want The Savage and Wildstar.
Only chiming in to say that I don't recognize any clunkers on your list, so I'm not help at all in whittling this down. (Except that I didn't like Evanovich's Manhunt.)
In re: Kinsale. Of the three you have I'd read The Shadow and the Star first of the three.
Deveraux, Garwood: you've got some good examples of why they were so good --at that time-- recognize that they're likely to show their age and enjoy the ride.
Of the Putneys I'd probably read Shattered Rainbows first of these three, understanding that there will be references to the other "Fallen Angels" books.
I enjoyed the two Christina Dodd "Governess Bride" books, haven't read Candle in the Window.
Keep meaning to read Candice Proctor. Damn, I'm so disorganized.
Sybil: The Jordan sounds good. I'll let you know.
Suisan: I finished Manhunt and it was OK. The dialogue/banter was very funny and clever and I liked the setting. But I didn't buy the heroine and her situation in the isolated cabin.
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