If you dig through my blog, you will notice I never talk about contemporary romances – that is because I never read them! I love paranormals, historicals, urban fantasy, I’m even adding young adult into the mix now, I just never pick up a contemporary. I have been trying to think why that is and the only reason I can come up with is that they do not provide enough escapism for me. In a paranormal or urban fantasy, there are creatures roaming about that create a unique world. In a historical it is set in a time that I can lose myself in. Whenever I think of contemporary romance I relate it to a soap opera, which I know is ridiculous and I need to get over my preconceived notions!!
So, I am having a contest! Help me pick a contemporary to read, and you will have the chance to win:
Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas. You are probably wondering why I don’t just read this one, but it is more fun to have a contest, isn’t it? :)
Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas. I have to give some love to Lisa Kleypas’ historicals because they are some of my favorites!
Both books are new and in paperback. To enter, simply leave a comment with a title and author of one of your favorite contemporary romances. Mention this contest on your blog for an extra entry.
I will be awarding two winners – the first winner will have a choice of book. The second winner will be sent the other book. Please make sure to leave your email address if you do not have a blog. This contest is open to all. Winners will be chosen at random.
The contest will close at midnight on Sunday June 14th and I will announce the winners on Monday.
Because You Are Mine – definately…
Very good book..
Good choice to start your reading off
E.H>
If you really haven't read any contemporaries, start with Jennifer Crusie–my faves are Welcome to Temptation and Faking It, but most people seem to enjoy Bet Me the best. Great contest! (says the chick who writes contemporaries, lol–I'd be shamelessly reccing my own, but the first one's not out until September.)
I don't read many contemporaries but one author that I do love is Jo Davis. She has some hot hot firefighters!
I am the same as you when it comes to my reading. Unless it's more on the erotic side I very seldom ever pick up a contemporary. I like different :).
No need to enter me since I have B-ED, and would likely not read the other.
Contemporary….oh no why is my mind blank?!
Can I go with my beloved chick-lit Bridget Jones by H-Fielding :)
Hmmm, I happen to love contemps. I have a whole slew of books I could recommend. Since you like Lisa Kleypas, I am guessing you would like Linda Howard. Generally fans of Kleypas are fans of Howard. Give Mackenzies Mountain a try.
I have to 2nd Jennifer Crusie, she's hysterical! And her books with Bob Mayer (Agnes and the Hitman) are equally great. I don't read a lot of contemporaries, but Nicole McCaffrey's The Model Man was good, and, oh, I just saw a new author yesterday, who was it? Let me search, but her stories sounded great. Leah Braemel, her books look funny, sexy, and well done. I've added her to my list, but since I haven't actually read hers, I can't really reccomend them. :)
So many books, so little time!
Wicked Ties & Decadent – Shayla Black brought me to my knees!
A little Harmless Sex – Melissa Schroeder are smokin hott.
You can never go wrong with Lora Leigh's – Tempting Seals.
I haven't read much romance period, but I like contemporary best. I seem to be in the minority somehow with this? Not sure. Anyway, I liked Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, anything by Melissa Nathan (though that could go into chick lit – favorite it Pride and Prejudice and Jasmine Field), and both of Julie James' books (preferred Just the Sexiest Man Alive though).
Oh such hard choices. I would pick Jude's Law by Lori Foster. Its a cute book.
I have mentioned your contest on my sidebar.
I just read Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye which was really good. Also anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Mallery, Deirdre Martin and Jo Davis. I'm know there are more I just can't think of them :-)
Please don't enter in your contest. I have read both books :-)
Hi Mandi!
Many choice would be Practice Makes Perfect Julie James, her books are just fun….but if you want something steamy hot – Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick is a great choice too.
Dottie :)
Oh my fave is Sandra Brown… Breakfast In Bed. That was my very first and will always have a place in my heart. It is a quick read and very well done!!!
Try "See Jane Score" by Rachel Gibson. Good story, hot hero.
Just the Sexiest Man Alive is great and my favorite contemporary of the year.
How about Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown? This is the first contemp. I read, after only reading historicals. The hero is very alpha.
Hey Mandi
One of my fave contemps that I read every year is 'Truly Madly Yours' by Rachel Gibson. The hero is yummy and the heroine is amazingly identifiable. Plus it has my favorite romance theme of reunited lovers.
:D VFG
Anything by Jill Shalvis or Christie Ridgway would be my recommendation. Of note: Shalvis' Smart and Sexy, Get A Clue, or, if you can find them, her South Village Singles series with Harlequin Temptation.
By Ridgway: An Offer He Can't Refuse or Must Love Mistletoe, two of my favorites!
Both books from Lisa Kleypas a second in a trilogy. You should start with the first
Kleypas, Lisa – [Logan Scott 01] – Somewhere I'll find you
Kleypas, Lisa – [Logan Scott 02] – Because You're Mine
Kleypas, Lisa – [Logan Scott 03] – I will
Lisa Kleypas – [Travis 01] – Sugar Daddy
Lisa Kleypas – [Travis 02] – Blue-Eyed Devil
Lisa Kleypas – [Travis 03] – Smooth Talking Stranger
Whatever you choose, they are all great.
Mandi! I love that you want to branch out into contemporaries. I love all romances equally. Lets face it. I'm a junkie. For contemporaries I have several auto-reads…and even more boyfriends…I mean keepers…(sigh)
If you're worried about a contemporary seeming like a soap opera Nora Roberts would probably be a good jumping off point. Most of her books (the ones that don't contain paranormal elements) have a basis in legend or have an element of suspense. She writes like a demon. You can escape into the book even without it being a fantasy world. Hot Ice is my favorite…I've read it about 20 times. Three Fates is another that I've read repeatedly. There are THREE equally delicious heroes in this one. All sinfully yumm-o. And all of the heroines are likable.
Or…
Jennifer Crusie is always great…My faves are Anyone but You and Getting Rid of Bradley. Crusie is a hilarious writer.
I love Kristan Higgins too…also hilarious. Faves: Too Good to be True (I'd eat Callahan the hero alive) and Catch of the Day.
I just finished Animal Instincts by Gena Showalter yesterday and Royce is my boyfriend.
See Dick Run, by Jane
I guess I should try contemporary uh? I have to say you are getting me very interested in some of these boys;)
My first suggestion would be Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas. My all time favorite contemporary.
Though if you like funny books, Natural Born Charmer is a great one!
Good luck! :-)
You don't need to enter me into the contest, but I thought I'd offer up Just The Sexiest Man Alive AND Practice Makes Perfect. Both are by Julie James and they're great. :) Funny and sweet.
I don't need to go into the contest either! I already have Blue Eyed Devil and borrowed because you're mine from a friend…did you change your background??? The layout looks the same but those pink and orange swirlies look different. I LIKE it…but its new right? I'm not crazy?
Rachel Gibson is a great contemporary romance author. There's also Susan Donovan and of course, Susan Elizabeth Phillips but Gibson is my favorite!
Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake OMG–I don't read many contemps but I COULD NOT PUT THAT BOOK DOWN!!! BTW, you don't have to enter me because I'm an LK nut and already have those, lol! But good luck to everyone else.
PS GET THE BOOK YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!
Erin McCarthy writes some great contemporary romances. I like them all but I started with Heiress for Hire.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I know your contest has ended, but I do have some titles to recommend! I'm not into contemporary romances much, but I do enjoy romantic suspense as well:
1. Dangerous Lover by Lisa Marie Rice
2. Dangerous Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice
3. Play by Janice Maynard
4. Simon Says by Lori Foster
5. Desire After Dark by Amanda Ashley
6. Switched, Bothered and Bewildered by Suzanne MacPherson (you definitely don't want to miss this!)
7. Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also– Any book by Cindy Gerard, Cherry Adair, Linda Howard, Meryl Sawyer, Meg Cabot, Jayne Ann Krentz, Penny McCall, Lucy Monroe and Christina Dodd :)