Nicole from the fab The Book Pushers blog, is here today to tell us why we should all be reading Julia Quinn! Take it away Nicole.
With Mandi off at the beach, I figured now would be a good a time as any to put my true book pushing nature to use! So while Mandi sits on a lounge chair, sipping on some chilly and delicious cocktail, reading a very dirty book, I am going to push my historical romance addiction onto all of you!
About a year and a half ago my good friend and fellow bookpusher E almost had a heart attack when I told her I didn’t really read historical romance. I was totally comfortable and content in my paranormal and urban fantasy world. I would occasionally pop my head out and pick up a contemporary romance, but was pretty set in my genre.
Well, E pulled me kicking and screaming out into the broader world of romance (thanks E! I owe you one!) and demanded I read Julia Quinn. After much grumbling and mumbling about my lack of book budget and how I was still behind on all my favorite paranormal series, I bucked up, went to my local library and checked out The Duke and I, the first book in the Bridgerton Series by Quinn.
Oh.My.God. It took me about a month, but I devoured Quinn’s entire back list, and can’t think of even one of her books I didn’t fall head over heels in love with.
Here are the top three reasons I love (and assume you will too) all things Julia Quinn:
1. She dedicates every book to her husband Paul. And the dedications are usually HILARIOUS!
Case and point:
“And also for Paul, even though his idea of dancing is standing still while he holds my hand and watches me twirl.” – The Duke and I
“And for Paul, even though he seems to think he can get out of just about anything by saying, “You’re very cute, though” – How to Marry a Marquis
“And also for Paul, even though when I went to him for medical advice to save my ailing hero, he replied “He has to die.” – Just Like Heaven
“And for Paul, even though he kept asking, “Where are all the minks?” -Minx
I mean really, after reading these dedications, who wouldn’t want their very own Paul?? He’s accomplished, funny, and obviously very supportive.
2. She writes fun stories. I think the few historical romance books I had read before Julia’s were ones that I stole off my grandmother’s book shelf, and they were never very fun. Just listen to some of these hilarious plots she has:
In The Viscount Who Loved Me, our hero and heroine are forced to marry because Anthony’s irrational fear of bees had him trying to “suck the poison” from the swell of the heroines breasts.
In Just Like Heaven, the series focuses on the Smythe-Smith cousins who put on a musical every year. And they are awful musicians. The fact that some of them know it and some don’t, make it all that much better.
In Romancing Mister Bridgerton, my personal favorites Colin and Penelope finally get their chance at ever after, even though Penelope has been waiting over twelve years, and Colin dragged his heels the entire time.
In Minx, Dunford inherits a title, land and a ward. He doesn’t want to deal with Henry, but when Henrietta emerges in pants and smudges on her face, what else could follow except a great romance with lots of jokes?
Not only does she write great stories that are fun to read, but they are filled with beautiful romances between hilarious heroes and heroines. If you don’t believe me, then believe in her three RITA awards and her introduction into the RWA Hall of Fame!!
3. Last but not least, she has created one of the most timeless, funny, and sarcastic characters OF ALL TIME: Lady Whistledown. The London society pages wouldn’t be nearly as engaging to read without the regular updates and quips from Lady Whistledown.
“It is recommended, however, that all safety-minded people stay far, far away from the latest crop of unmarried men when Bridgerton daughters E, F, and H come of age. Lady B is not likely to look both ways when she barrels across a ballroom with three daughters in tow, and the Lord help us all should she decide to don metal-toed boots.” – The Duke and I
“It does make one wonder what the late viscount and (still very-much alive) dowager viscountess would have name their next child had their offspring numbered nine. Imogen? Inigo?
Perhaps it is best they stopped at eight.” – An Offer from a Gentleman
“Men are contrary creatures. Their heads and their hearts are never in agreement. And as women know all too well, their actions are usually governed by a different aspect altogether.” – The Viscount Who Loved Me
In fact, Lady Whistledown was such a popular character that Quinn teamed up with other historical romance greats Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins and Mia Ryan to write TWO anthologies featuring the different observations of Lady Whistledown. I can only keep all my fingers and toes crossed that maybe… maybe another book of Lady Whistledown’s hilarious quips will come to be. *fingers crossed*
So there you have it my dears. The top three reasons why you MUST, and I repeat, MUST pick up a Julia Quinn book if you have not yet done so. Trust me, they will be worth your while!
I’d never noticed the dedications, LOL! Thanks for bringing them to our attention. Paul kind of reminds me of my own husband.
I just discovered JQ a year or two ago, so I’m still working through her backlist. Yay me! I keep passing on her books to my friends and family, and everybody has loved her so far. She’s fabulous.
Her dedications ALWAYS make me smile. I just <3 <3!!
Great post Nicole. I adore Julia Quinn. Been reading her for years and she’s hilarious!! Romancing Mister Bridgerton is a fav or mine.
YAY!! Colin is my favorite too! I love him and Penelope together!! *sigh*
Wonderful post Nicole, thank you! I am grateful because even though I LOVE historical romances somehow to this day I’ve never read any Julia Quinn novel *gasp* I know shocking! Especially as everyone keeps praising her, no idea how come her novels eluded me until now. Will have to discover her writing if it was enough to convince even you a not HR fan!
Finally! I love and always read dedications and acknowledgments and finally found someone who also does. (whispers: have to confess you sold me there, those dedications and heartwarming one minute then make you chuckle the next :-D)
and this quote: “Men are contrary creatures. Their heads and their hearts are never in agreement. And as women know all too well, their actions are usually governed by a different aspect altogether.” this one made me roar of laughter! :-D
I have to have a Julia Quinn novel! :-))
So as I said, thank you Nicole!! :-)
Oh Stella, you are in for such a treat!! I can’t believe you have gotten away with not reading her books, they are so amazing!!! I hope you enjoy!
My number 1 reason for reading Julia Quinn is: Colin Bridgerton.
The end. :D
I recommend her to EVERYone and no one ever takes me up on it. I don’t understand. She’s just incredible.
*sigh* Who doesn’t love Colin?!?!?!
Yes, Colin Bridgerton is SOOOOOO dreamy. lolz. I adored him in all the Brigerton books (the ones I’ve read thus far, anyway, including his). His book and Simon’s (The Duke & I) are my favorites.
And let’s not forget about “What Happens in London”. SOOO great.
Like I said, I don’t think she’s ever written a BAD book. I love all her stuff! How to Marry a Marquis is another one of my favs!!
I had no idea all those dedications were to her husband either – I LOVE that, and now I want my own Paul too. :)
I wanted to add another reason she’s awesome: When her dad published a middle grade book this past spring, she donated 50 copies to schools across the country. (It was originally supposed to be two copies, but she upped it to 50!) As a lucky recipient of one of the copies, I wish I could give her a hug on behalf of my students. She’s awesome. I love this post!
She is awesome. I think I remember hearing something about her donating a bunch of books. How exciting that you were one of the recipients? I had the pleasure of meeting the fab JQ at the Tucson Festival of Books a year ago or so, and she is SOOO nice in person too.
Oh, I just finished Just like heaven yesterday… LOVE IT!!! I adore Lady Whistledown, but I think Lady Danbury and her blunt ways are also a treat to read…
OMG how could I forget Lady Danbury?? She really is almost as equally awesome as Lady Whistledown. I love when she uses her cane on people. *snort*
Omg I’m so buying one of her books tonight. Pinky swear!
YAY!! I hope you loves! Good luck picking one!! I can’t imagine choosing just one!!
OK you guys have my attention. So any suggestions on what book to start with when it comes to Julia Quinn.
AHHH hard question!!! *bites nails* Most of her books are linked. I LOVE the Bridgerton series, and if you’re like me and OCD about reading in order, start with The Duke and I. Otherwise, some of my favorites are: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Book 4 in the Bridgerton Series), Minx (Book 3 in the Splendid trilogy), or How to Marry a Marquis (I don’t remember which book in which series, but it’s great!) Hope that helps!!
I don’t read historical romances-but your obvious love of this author is kind of contagious! I love to see a reader gush about an author that she loves! Awesome post!!!
Thanks Helyce! If you are ever thinking about branching out into the historical genre, I think JQ is a great starting point!
I love JQ! Avon had The Duke and I available as a free online read at one time and I’m so glad I took a chance on the new to me author (I had heard nothing of her at the time *gasp*). I had only read a few chapters when I quit reading and immediately went out to buy a copy of that book plus her entire backlist! My favorite series of hers is the Bridgerton (how can anyone resist them?!) and I’ve been a fan since!
Jennifer Eis, I recommend The Duke and I. It’s the first book in the Bridgerton’s series and it’s an awesome start!
Did you see that Avon is doing a $1.99 special on the ebook copy of The Duke and I starting the beginning of July? I think it’s supposed to have some bonus content as well! So those who are thinking about starting with a JQ book, that might be a good option!! The Bridgerton books really are just AMAZING!
LOL. I’ve never noticed her dedications but I totally agree Julia Quinn is a must read!
The dedications crack me up! I love to go back and re-read them every now and then. Does that make me crazy?! *wink*
Yes I saw the 1.99 preorder copy of the ebook. I pre-ordered mine even though I have a pb copy already. I want to collect all her books in eformat so that price is a sweet deal! Hopefully the price doesn’t change once it’s released. It never happened to me before but I read on DA that it happened to Jane….
Oh, I love Julia Quinn. She’s an all time fav author, and definitely an auto-buy. The Duke and I was the very first Regency historical that I read. I stumbled upon it at the library one day (….many years ago) and decided to give it a try. It got me hooked on her books and on the time period. So Daphne & Simon ultimately lead me to write naughty m/m Regency romances. ;)
Loved The Duke and I, though my absolute fav of hers is When He Was Wicked. …Michael…*sigh*
Daphne & Simon… Love them!! I recently got my little sister hooked on JQ, all b/c of Daphne & Simon!
I have only read the two anthologies, and have a whole stack of unread JQ books on my shelves. I promise to start them soon, my best friend has been nagging me as well.
I promise you won’t be disappointed! Get crackin’
Lol, you do not have to convince me, I am quite the fan. But now I have to go and look at the dedications to Paul and read the B books
I think I’m going to be doing a Bridgerton re-read as well. Starting with Colin…. *sigh*
Hi! I heard about this blog post and thought I’d stop by to say–THANK YOU!!!!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my books (and I’m sure Paul is, too, although he is very busy today saving the world from antibiotic resistant disease, the very same sort he thought ought to kill poor Marcus in Just Like Heaven.)
Anyway, I saw someone mention the bonus content in the upcoming e-book sale for The Duke and I, and I wanted to make it clear that the bonus content is actually three bonus excerpts. One from one of my books, one from Elizabeth Boyle, and one from Caroline Linden. There is no new original content. I’ve asked my publisher to try to make some changes to the descriptions to make that more clear because I don’t want anyone re-buying thinking they are going to get some special Bridgerton tidbit.
But still, it’s a great deal at $1.99!
Cheers!
Julia Quinn
Thank you so much for clarifying Julia! And thanks so much for stopping by! I’m officially dancing around like a fan girl!! :)
I agree 100% with you. Julia’s books are great. I just got a couple for my nook and have almost all of them in paperback. Anyone that likes her books should check out Just Like Heaven. Great read.
I have most of her books on my nook as well. It’s so convenient to read any of the Bridgerton’s whenever I want, even if I’m on the go!
Great post. Looks like I have been missing out!
You haven’t read Quinn??? O_O
*join the Julia Quinn Love* I adore her books! BUT…I still haven’t finished the Bridgerton series. *hides* I will though, I will!
The Duke and I was just so awesome. And of course I agree about Lady Whistledown being hilarious.
Julia Quinn is on my Auto-buy list. *g*
You really need to finish the Bridgerton books. Which one did you leave off on??
Ok, as much as I love to read Historical Romance, how have I NOT read anything by Julia Quinn?!?! Thanks for the rec Nicole…Im on my way to the Kindle store now!
I hope you enjoy!!
Another JQ fan girl here although there are still a few books I haven’t read yet. I just read Just Like Heaven a couple of weeks ago and it inspired me to read two more of her books straight afterwards! So much fun, and perfect weekend reads!
I’m glad you’re loving JQ Marg. Isn’t she the perfect summer read??
Well, it is winter here, so I guess that makes her a perfect any time of the year read!
I have always enjoyed this author but I hadn’t focused on Paul, that is so funny :)
I stumbled on “The Duke and I” a couple of years ago, and after finishing the book, immediately went on a quest to read anything Julia Quinn. She is definitely one of my must-read authors and I’m always happily anticipating her next book. :)