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November 27, 2008

A Contemporary Read

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Contemporary Romances I’ve Read Recently

I’m going through a contemporary blitz at the moment and thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. I enjoyed all the following books but have noted my extra favorites. I’m also after some sympathy. I did a header over the handle bars of my bike yesterday and collected almost enough ouchies to do a separate TT. I even have a very impressive black eye and a dashing cut above my eye. I need virtual hugs!

1. Sexiest man Alive by Diana Holquist.

2. Catch of the Day by Kristin Higgins. This was written in first person and hooked me in from the start. I thought the heroine made a few stupid decisions but it was still a good read.

3. Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I love this series and can’t wait for the three back-to-back releases coming out early next year. I loved the characters and really invested in them. I feel like they’re family.

4. Irresistable by Susan Mallery. This is also part of a good series. I have two more books waiting on my to-read pile.

5. The Laws of Attraction by Sherryl Woods. This was a category. I’m going to pick up some of her single titles when I get a chance.

6. Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks. I really enjoy Maya’s writing and can’t wait to pick up some of her others.

7. Rough, Raw and Ready by Lorelei James. I mentioned this book in my menage a trois TT. Lorelei did an awesome job with this book and it’s one of my favorites of her series.

8. Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke by NJ Walters. This has just come out in print. I fell in love with Shamus. He’s such a great hero!

9. Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis.

10. The Darker Side of Pleasure by Eden Bradley. I love Eden’s writing. I’m a huge fan.

11. Asking for Trouble by Leslie Kelly.

12. Sarah’s Seduction by Lora Leigh. I read the first in this series, Marly’s Choice a while ago. It’s not an easy series to read because it deals with abuse, but Lora does a great job making the reader care for the characters.

13. The Stranger by Portia Da Costa. This is what I’m reading at the moment. I’ve read a couple of Portia’s books and always enjoy them.

As you can see, I read a real mixture. Some hot and some not. Some are category while others are single title. Do you like contemporary romance? If so, have you read any good ones recently?

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20 Comments

  1. R.J. Lebeau

    Ouch! I hope you’re feeling better soon. (((hugs)))

    I prefer contemporary romance, but I’ve been reading mainstream thriller novels lately because I can read them at the office.

    Happy T13 & Happy Thanksgiving!

  2. Shelley Munro

    Thanks, RJ. I’m certainly looking pretty colorful at the moment!
    I haven’t read any thrillers for a while. Do you have any recommendations?

  3. Ms Menozzi

    Much sympathy to you in regards to your recent spill on the bike. Hope you get to feeling better real soon!

    I have to confess, though, that I don’t read any romances. At least, they aren’t defined by that genre. I don’t remember who said it now, but a wise person did say “It’s all romance” in the end.

    And isn’t it?

    :)

    Ciao!
    Happy TT!

  4. JK Coi

    Oh my. I haven’t read any of these. :blush:

    Unfortunately, I haven’t had a lot of time to read…although I have a nice list on my ereader and a pile of paperbacks that I want to get to at Christmas time.

    If you like thrillers, check out Lisa Scottoline.

  5. Adelle Laudan

    I’ve been so busy writing, I haven’t had time to read soon though. The last romance was Tribute by Nora Roberts (not her best by far) Happy T13!

  6. Amy Ruttan

    OH (((HUGS))).

    Poor you.

    I have a hard time reading contemporaries unless they are Funny Chick Lit with some weird paranormal element or an EC version. LOL.

  7. N.J. Walters

    Ouch! That has to hurt! ((((hugs)))))

    I’m so glad you enjoyed The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke. I love Shamus and I’m happy that readers do too. :-)

    Hope you’re feeling better soon.

  8. Alice Audrey

    Whoah! What did you do? Hit a car door someone suddenly opened? Last time I had a really bad fall off my bicycle it was because someone threw they door open just as I was passing.

  9. Shelley Munro

    Ms. Menozzi – I like to think romance is everywhere.

    JK – I try to make time to read, although when I’m writing full-out the reading slips away. I read heaps when I was in America on holiday.

    Adele – I haven’t read that one. I understand the writing/lack of reading thing. That happens to me, too.

  10. Shelley Munro

    Amy – I just had this urge to read contemporary. Maybe I’m a bit burned out on paranormal?

    NJ – I’m a colorful patchwork of scrapes and bruises. Luckily I had my helmet on or it could have been worse.

    Alice – I cycle on pavement trails. The heat has caused the pavement to lift up into a huge ramp in one place and it’s hard to see. I was miles away and didn’t see it. One minute I was riding along and the next I was airborne. The next minute I was down on the ground. I remember swearing. :eek:

  11. Shelley Munro

    Paige – Happy TT. :grin: That’s the only one of Diana’s books I’ve read so far. I see on her website she has others out.

  12. Ashley Ladd

    I love contemporary romance, in particular those by Sherryl Woods. I’m reading a very good one now by Merline Lovelace – The CEO’s Christmas Proposition. She’s always very good, too.

  13. Jennifer McKenzie

    I LOVE “The Darker Side Of Pleasure” by Eden Bradley. It’s one of my favorites.
    I’ll have to check out that Portia DeCosta.

  14. Nicola O.

    Hi Shelley!

    Found your blog via T-13 and it’s going on my regular-read list! I’m a big fan of Robyn Carr, Sherryl Woods, & Susan Mallery.

    A great resource for thrillers of any genre is http://www.thethrillionthpage.blogspot.com – a very fun blog.

  15. Shelley Munro

    Ashley – do you have any particular recommendations for Sherryl Woods? Have you read her recent single title ones? I’ve heard good reports. :grin:

    Jennifer – Eden is an amazing writer. I’m eagerly awaiting the 21st Century Courtesan. I think that’s the title. Anyway, it’s out next year.

    Nicole – hi! I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to my blog. I’m very new to Robyn Carr and have turned into a real fan.

    Thanks for the link. I’m off to check it out. :grin:

  16. julia

    Here’s a big hug – ((hug))

    Take it easy, too – make sure you let yourself heal up.

    ‘Sweet Surrender’ and ‘The Darker Side of Pleasure’ look very good to me.

  17. Amy Gallow

    Hi Shelley,
    That sounds like a pretty thorough bingle on your bike. Lots of sympathy from both of us. We ride a lot now the weather is improving and are fortunate in the quality of the bike tracks around our home.(Most of them seem to pass this delightful French patisserie that serves superb coffee–undoing all the good of the ride)
    I’ve been doing more writing than reading of late, although a train journey to Mildura for a friend’s seventieth birthday inveigled me into rereading Gerald Seymour’s “A Line in the Sand” and I enjoyed his plotting and characterisation.
    I seem to be in a nostalgia frame of mind lately, browsing through my library and skimming through books I haven’t read for years rather than reading anything new.
    Heal well
    Amy

  18. Christina Phillips

    Ouch, (((Hugs))) Hope you’re not feeling too sore today, Shelley. That sounds like a very nasty fall (and scary too – going over the handlebars like that)

  19. Shelley Munro

    Julia – thanks. I highly recommend both of your chosen reads.

    Amy G – I’m looking very colorful at the moment. The aching has subsided. A French Patisserie would be a bit of a distraction! Luckily I don’t have one of those. There’s something about a train journey. I always enjoy them.

    Christina – It wasn’t my finest moment. And it was quite a distance from home so I rode home with blood pouring down my face! I’m feeling a bit better now thankfully!