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If you use SUBSCRIPTIONS, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE.

I made the Archives link larger than the rest in the heading. Click on the Fiction and Literature folder or the Nonfiction folder to see the individual book discussions.

I have been reading "light stuff" for some time now. A few months ago I signed up for the Harlequin Superromance "club" and get 4 books a month sent to me automatically. My only problem with it is that I am so anxious to see what the books are that I have forgotten on at least 2 occasions to open the attached envelope and then don't mail in my payment. They don't like that.

Then when I find authors I like I go try to find other books by the same author in an online used bookstore. There have been times when my shelves of unread books have been empty but right now there is quite a backlog. I have also been getting books from http://www.booksfree.com. For a monthly fee they send 2 books with a postage free envelope. When I return the books, they send out 2 more on my list. It may be a little more expensive but it saves the hassle of having books I would not want to keep.

What are you reading?

When the previous Romance discussion is Archived it will be available in the General and Generic Discussions that have been Completed folder.

Hi, Marjorie. I got your message in the old folder and am now subscribed. I finished the Susan Wiggs Passing Through Paradise last night and would give it 4 stars out of 5. Sue

I have some Susan Wiggs on my "To Read" shelves. Can't remember the titles.

Hi SUE and GINNY ANN.

I have been thinking about when I first got to Books & Literature and went to the Archives to find the first discussion I led. Some of you were there. It was Crystal Flame by Jayne Anne Krentz. The link in the title takes you to the first post of the discussion.

I wanted to call your attention to my post in the archived discussion where I ask a question that is still relevant today. What is a romance novel? Is it necessary to describe them using subcategories?

Marjorie, I read your archived post and some of the others with great interest. I had never heard of "The Romance Reader". I bookmarked it and will look at it when I have more time.

I think a romance novel means different things to different people. To some people, it's "gothic", to others it "modern" and to others, a romance author is Danielle Steele, Sandra Brown, Debbie Macomber as examples.

To me personally, a romance novel is a Harlequin Super Romance or Sillouette Special Edition. They are a quick read, most have a fairly decent plot and I can relax and don't have to really think. When I want to think, I'll pick up a good mystery.

Mary in TX

Marjorie, I used your link to go to your post and was surprised to see that Faith and I responded to your post. I didn't realize that I'd started in this discussion that far back. I missed the Crystal Flame discussion I think, but I am going back to reread it when I have some time. I'll also go back to the discussion with your post and reread the whole archived discussion. I think that would be helpful as we continue to discuss Romance novels here. Sue

SUE: I enjoyed going back to the archived discussions and finding out what was happening way back then.

REDBUD: I like the Harlequin Super Romance or Sillouette Special Edition for the same reason you do. Sometimes I don't have the energy for a novel that requires me to think a lot. Right now seems to be one of those times.

We had a busy 2005 (there were ups and downs all year long). I sure hope that 2006 is better.

I have moved our previous discussion to Archives as Romance Books ~ 6/02 through 1/06. There is one other Romance discussion there and it is for 2 years ending 6/02.

Does anyone here ever refer to the old Romance discussions?

I am just starting Susan Wiggs' The Horsemaster's Daughter. This is an historical romance. I don't remember if her other books were also historical romances or were more contemporary. This one is MIRA books and I definitely think they are romances.

Marjorie, I do go to the archives when I have time to browse. I like to see what we were discussing or new authors I can look for.

I didn't know that Susan Wiggs wrote Historical romances. The 3 books I've read by her are all contemporary romances with family issues. Sue

There are definitely family issues in this historical romance that I am reading now. I am enjoying it. I guess when I opened the book and found it took place in the late 1800s in Virginia I was surprised because I didn't expect a historical novel. I was previously my experience that authors that wrote historical novels wrote them almost exclusively and vice versa. I guess almost is the operative word here.

I am glad to hear that you use the Archives. I was particularly interested in whether or not you ever go back to old posts in the Romance discussion. Do you use it to find the title of books that have been mentioned? Any other reason?

I do look for titles I haven't read, but I like to reread discussions to see if I've missed something or if I can get a different insight on the book--especially if it's a keeper that I like to reread. I really enjoy this discussion. I monitor a lot of the Books Discussions, but don't comment in some of them as they often get too technical about genre, characterization, plot, etc. and I lose interest in that. When I read, most of the time I just want to get the story--and enjoy it, not labor through it. Sue

SUE: Thanks for your fast response to my question. I can see that archiving the Romance discussion is helpful to you.

Just for Information: The Archives were recently reorganized into folders so that it will be easier to find things. The folders include: Fiction & Literature, Nonfiction, PBS, Curious Minds, General/Generic Discussions (like this one), etc. This way if you look for a particular discussion you don't have to go through as many titles to find it.

Thanks for the heads up on the new folders in the Archives section, Marjorie. That should really help locate things quickly. Sue

Hello I am new to this discussion. Have any of you read Luanne Rice`s books. She writes wonderful stories with a little twist that keep you wanting to not lay the book down til you read the last page, but please google her name and read them in order as she slips some of the same people into the next book and you want to remember the books as it flows along.

Now my favorite writer is Curtiss Ann Matlock. She is a resident of my state of Oklahoma. She writes the way we talk down here in the mid west,southern part...LOL Read her books from her first too. She is in google too. I google all my authors and learn about them.

Hi Roseda. We've discussed several of Luanne Rice's books here in this discussion. You can find them in the General/Romance folder in the archives. Her books were popular here in this discussion group.

I've heard others mention Curtiss Ann Matlock's books here, too, but I haven't read any. Right now my favorite contemporary romance authors are Susan Andersen and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Jayne Anne Krentz (and her alter egos, Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) are also favorites. Sue

Welcome.

As SUE mentioned if you check the Archives in Romance Books ~ 5/01 to 6/02 and Romance Books ~ 6/02 through 1/06, you will find many posts about Luanne Rice's books. Just do a Search in This Location and you will find them. We also had a discussion devoted to The Perfect Summer in the summer of 2004. Click on any of these links and you can find out more.

I have read most of Luanne Rice's books and really enjoy them. I have only read one of Curtiss Ann Matlock's books. I will have to look for more of them. Thanks for the suggestion.

I love, love Luanne Rice.

I just finished a book called "Hearts Divided" - three short stories by Debbie Macomber, Katherine Stone and Lois Faye Dyer. The stories are interconnected - three grandmothers who were war brides (WW2) and friends for 60+ years and their 'sutle' matchmaking of each of their granddaughters.

It was a good read - typical but enjoyable.

Mary in TX

I just finished Susan Wiggs' The Horsemaster's Daughter. It is set in Virginia in the 1850s. There was the usual byplay of misunderstanding (lack of self confidence) that I often see. Either the man or the woman is sure they are not good enough for the other and the other one is not ready to make a committment. Love, of course, triumps in the end.

A wonderful story surrounded this bit of sameness. There was a description of the attitude of one class of people to those they considered servants or "beneath them;" a sense of how children are raised to hide their feelings, etc.

I just listed the book on the Book Exchange.

In the heading of the Book Nook there is a rotating picture of some of our "Books Family." The "Books Family" includes anyone who participates in our discussions, not just Discussion Leaders.

Do any of you have a picture you would like to have included? If so, email Patwest or Joan Grimes for details.

I just finished reading the book "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Brenda Novak. It is a superromance novel set in the fictional town of Dundee, Idaho. I had read another in this series already and liked it so I got it from http://www.booksfree.com. For a monthly fee they send books that you can then return to them postage paid. I think they may also send individual books now. But that isn't the point at all.

At the beginning of the book the author had a letter to the reader indicating that she was really interested in hearing from readers about the characters in the book and about which ones deserve a happy ending in a future book. I wrote to her and she wrote back and responded to my questions about why certain characters behaved certain ways.

I know that one of the characters, who I liked, will have her own book soon. I suspect that the other character she asked about will also have his own book. I didn't like him at all and don't think he deserves the happy ending that a book about him would create. Oh well! That is me. He was a bigamist. He had married his childhood sweetheart right after high school and they had been married 11 to 13 years (I forget). 9 years prior to the story he married someone else. He has children in both marriages. Neither wife knew of the other because he travelled on business and was only at each place 2 weeks out of each month. I don't like him. I sympathize with the wives.

Hi Marjorie, the book sounds interesting, but I agree. I wouldn't want to read a book with a Bigamist as the hero. Sue

Have you every read any online books? Harlequin.com has one chapter each week to read and I find they are fun to read. I have several books going at a time at different places. I just love to read about anything.

ROSEDA: Welcome. I hadn't thought of reading only one chapter a week. I might try it sometime. I try to read a Harlequin in no more than 2 days, often it is one day. Since I am retired I spend more time reading than I used to.

Marjorie, you are to be congratulated. Six years, almost to the day, that you have been discussion leader for romance. Good for you.I rarely have been back here to see what is going on, but wondered about you so stopped in. What a surprise to see you talking about the archives etc. My husband and I have moved from our home in the city and are here in a village in senior housing. Love it. The librarian comes to us once a month with our books for a discussion. Then, a daughter and I go to the library (just six blocks away) for another discussion once a month. Keeps me busy trying to read two books and remember what they are about and time it for the discussion.Keep up te good work and I'll peek in once in awhile.

O'SHARNY: It is good to see your post. Thanks for your congratulations. I am so glad that you were there with the Romance discussion when I first found Books and Lit. Do you remember the book Silent Spring by Danielle Steele? I enjoyed that discussion a lot. Books is now like a second home to me. I have found a niche doing much technical work and a little bit of leading a book discussion. I don't even get here as often as I like. Time does fly doesn't it?

O'Sharny, we miss you here. Are you no longer reading Romance books?

Marjorie has been a great replacement for you. She keeps bringing up authors or books that she enjoys and others then join in. I have found lots of new series from this discussion.

I appreciate both you discussion leaders. You help broaden our horizons and make reading fun. Sue

Thanks Marjorie and Sue for your kind words.

No, I don't remember Silent Spring. Sorry.

No, I don't read romance either. I am reading as much James Patterson as I can in between the two book clubs. Seems I have a lot of catching up to do with his writing. I guess I should look in on the mystery discussion.

I know the feeling of a second home in books as the Central Library in Milwaukee was my second home. I was a volunteer there for 17 years before we moved here. We miss each other. Good talking to you both.

O'SHARNY: I misnamed the book. It is "Silent Honor." The author is correct. I thought you were the DL for that discussion in 1998. I guess I am mistaken. It is the story of a Japanese-American family during WWII and the internment camps were a big part of the story.

I'm reading a Catherine Anderson that I picked up at the local used bookstore. It's a good story with a mystery aspect and a special sort of ESP as well as a romance, Only by Your Touch. This is a bit different from her usual plots, but good. She has a way of writing that keeps you involved in the story. Sue

SUE: Your post made me go to my bookshelf and grab Only By Your Touch from the area of books saved to be reread. I read it 2 years ago. I guess it is time to read it again. I always enjoy Catherine Anderson's books. I should go look and see she has written any new ones. I have read 13 of her books, including last year's My Sunshine. There is one that was published in 1997 that I did not read because I didn't like it. All the others I really liked a great deal.

Have you ladies read any of Billie Letts books. I have read her books and can not wait to read her next. I like Curtiss Ann Matlocks books also and eaglerly await her new one. These ladies are living in Oklahoma as I do at present, but that isn`t why I read their book. One of Billie Letts books was made into a movie. It was about a girl dumped and gives birth in a Walmart in Oklahoma and what happens to her, you probably have seen it. At present I am reading books by Jan Karon, starting with "At Home in Mitford". I can hardly lay them aside and eager to dive into each next one. She is outstanding. Glad I found this discussion. Roseda

What is the title of the one you didn't like, Marjorie? I haven't read all her books, but have enjoyed the ones I have read. Sue

Hi Roseda. We must have been posting at the same time. I haven't read any of the Billie Letts books, but that one sounds interesting. I have read most of the Jan Karon Mitford novels and have enjoyed them. Sue

SUE: Simply Love was published in 1997 and the only thing I noted was that it was about Colorado mines and that I didn't read it because I didn't like it. I have no idea when that was or if I might like the book if I read it now. My tastes do change.

I recently read the book Lies That Bind by Barbara McMahon. It was a very interesting story and I enjoyed it.

However I was puzzled because Chapter 2 ended at the bottom of the page with the words "She hated not" and that was it. I could infer what she hated but really thought the proofreading left something to be desired. I wrote to the author who put the rest of the paragaph on her website. She said Harlequin would not do anything about the books already in print but would see that any future printings were correct. The words were in the final manuscript copy.

Are there people out there deliberately making errors when books are printed or is it just not enough qualified people?

On the author's website http://www.barbaramcmahon.com she writes:

At last, I have joined the ranks of authors who have sections missing from the final copy of their books! I've heard about this before, paragraphs, pages, even entire chapters, missing from books. But this is the first for me.

If anyone wants this book, please email me and I will count it in the Book Exchange. I have been sending books to the Prison Library Project but don't think that this one should be sent because of the error. I have a post-it inside with the missing words.

Marjorie, how kind you are to place a "post it" in your book for future readers. I don't remember ever coming across something like that. The book club I am in will meet next week to discuss "Rebecca." I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book again after many years, and after seeing the movie years ago. I noticed something I had not thought of before: Do you realize Mrs. De Winter was never called by her given name? I was talking with a friend about that, and she was surprised also. As I was reading, I was sure someone was going to call her by her first name, but nope, no one ever did!

Wasn't Mrs. De Winters the housekeeper? That would be the reason she wasn't called by her first name and yes, I had noticed it. Probably because I do genealogy and want to know the womens first names. To be called Mrs.--- was a form of respect, I believe. Could be wrong tho.

Yes, Marjorie, I do remember Silent Honor and how upset we were about the situation. That was a good book. I'm now reading COLONY by Anne Rivers Siddons but it wouldn't be considered romance.

BETTY ALLEN: Glad to have you here. I don't remember ever reading "Rebecca," although it sounds like I must have at some point.

O'SHARNY: Nice to see that you have been able to get here and post a few times. You are one of the people who got me started in Books after being in SeniorNet for a year or so. Thanks for your encouragement.

I get a lot of used books (mostly online). Yesterday two arrived and they smelled of smoke. We are both non-smokers here so I took them out to the garage immediately. By bedtime I didn't smell smoke when I picked up the books. However, if I opened the pages, the smoke smell was very strong. Does anyone know of a way to successfully remove a smoke smell from books? I guess I will have to discard them unless I find a solution. They are both paperbacks and the shipping cost more than the books themselves so it wouldn't be a great loss.

Lay your smokey books out in the sun. My Al and I are allergic to smoke so we do this often.

ROSEDA: Thanks for your fast response. Do you prop the books open so that the sun gets to the pages? How long do you leave them in the sun?

I do prop them so the pages are flaired open and check theem about an hour after placement and your nose will tell you if they have aired enough or you need to riffle the pages again.

ROSEDA: Thanks your suggestion sounds like a simple one to follow.

Marjorie, the question of smokey books recently came up in the Mystery Corner discussion. There were several suggestions made in Messages 308 thru 320. Maybe one of these suggestions will help.

Thanks, REDBUD. I will go check out the Mystery Corner.

I checked out all the things for smokey books and tried a few. I put a dryer sheet with the books in a bag. I put cat litter in the bag also and on a few of the pages. However, the winner (for me at least) is ROSEDA's suggestion to put the books in the sun. Thanks ROSEDA. My books are now readable.

O'Sharny, no, Mrs. de Winter was the wife and for the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the housekeeper. It was Mrs. something or other. Don't you just hate it when you cannot think of a name? I'll probably think about it in the middle of the night, if I wake up.

Marjorie, you really should read "Rebecca" for it is quite good, I think. I am presently reading Mary Alice Monroe's "Sweetgrass." It is novel with its setting being near Charleston and deals with houses being built everywhere, and in particular, this plantation (Sweetgrass) is in danger of being invaded with condos. That seems to be true all over these days. Here in SC, houses are being built everywhere.

BETTY: You might be interested in looking at our archived discussion of Sweetgrass. We had the discussion shortly after the book was published last year. I like Mary Alice Monroe. However, this was not my favorite of her books. I really liked The Beach House. The story includes a description of the turtles that come to the beach to lay their eggs and the volunteers to watch over the eggs until they hatch.

Marjorie,

I bought a romance yesterday. It's by Stephanie Laurens. I loved the cover. The title is "Truth about Love.

Stephanie Laurens

This is my first book by this author.

Betty - I think the housekeeper in "Rebecca" was named Mrs. Danvers?

I loved "Beach House", but havn't read "Sweetgrass" yet. I gave both books to my dil for her birthday present last summer, and was hoping to borrow back "Sweetgrass", but forgot al about it till now.

Marilyne,

"Sweetgrass" is wonderful. Ginny invited the author, Mary Alice Monroe, here for the discussion.

I haven't read anything by Stephanie Laurens but the blurb on Amazon.com sounds intriguing. Thanks for posting the link. Sue

We saw a turtle laying eggs one year. It was well over 100 eggs and the small group of us watching it kept counting out loud. I don't know what the book said about it, but after a certain number of eggs, she would cover them with soil and continue laying eggs. When she was done and had them all covered, she backed away, watched us, and then slid into the water where she continued watching us. She must have been afraid that we would disturb her nest. I'm glad I was able to see this happen.

HATS: I hadn't heard about Stephanie Laurens before. Please let us know what you think of the book after you have read it.

O'SHARNY: Have you read "The Beach House" yet? What you describe is just how it is described in that book. It sounds like a thrilling thing to watch.

Hi MARILYNE and SUE.

No, I haven't read THE BEACH HOUSE yet but there is a spring sale of library books this weekend. Maybe I will find it there and of course I can check out the library upstairs. I love book sales.

James Patterson and Peter De Jonge`s book "The Beach House" is one of my present books placed where I can read a chapter or two as my days go. I am finding an interesting read as I do most of James Pattersons books. I am on chapter 12 but it moves along fairly well, as I had just started it. Is there a special reason you ask about it?

They are talking about Mary Alice Monroe's The Beach House. It's a romance/environmental novel about the turtle ladies on Isle of Palms, SC. Sue

Am reading Christina Skye's newest, Code Name: Blondie. It's just as good as her others. Still don't understand why it's classified as romance as it has more mystery and adventure than romance in it so far

Mary

My book club discussed "Sweetgrass" Thursday night and I was surprised to learn that two of the ladies did not care for this book. I, of course, did not agree with them. Next month, we are discussing "The Reader" by Bernard Schlink...definitely not a romantic book, as such.

I didn't care for Sweetgrass either. I usually finish a book when I start it, but couldn't finish this one.

Mary

Hi BETTY and REDBUD. I was disappointed with Sweetgrass because I didn't like it as much as Mary Alice Monroe's other books. However, I did like it. I guess that is why there are so many authors and books to choose from. We don't all like the same thing. Isn't that just great! What would we have to talk about if we all agreed on everything?

This isn't a romance but I was quite impressed with the audio book of Small Change ~ The Secret Life of Penny Burford by J. Belinda Yandell. I doubt that I would have picked the book up if I had seen it but I really enjoyed the audio tape. It is the story of how a woman uses the change that her stingy husband leaves lying around. He doesn't find out anything about what she was doing until after she dies. It is a very short book. Maybe a good story for summer reading. One of the things I liked about the story is that I felt very good all the time I listened to it.

P.S. I just looked at the cover and the book won a short story contest.

appartently the second of a "Donovan" series. I was really disappointed. It was a nice story, but she had just transported Roarke and Eve from her J.D. Robb books to this book, same characters, different names and occupations - well, almost, this female character is a cop turned private detective. Entertaining, if i had nothing else to read, but very thin plot. I think she's burned out, how many books can one woman write? Do you think she writes them all her self, or does she have a stable of writers? .......jean

I recently finished Catherine Anderson's newest book Summer Breeze. I have read most, if not all, of her books and liked them all.

This book is set in the late 1800s and at the beginning of the book there is a chart showing a family with the titles of the books about each couple. There were 5 children of the main couple and the first book set in the 1800s was about the brother of the hero in Summer Breeze. It says "Story yet to come" for each of the other 3 children. Then 3 generations later there are 6 children of one couple. Only one of those children says "Story yet to come" and I have read all that have been written.

Until I saw this chart I didn't realize that the youngest generation was related to the older one. The first book was the first brother in the oldest generation and that last name is Paxton. The last name of the youngest generation is Coulter. I am delighted that there are 4 more stories to be published about this family.

I always like when I read books where the characters are connected in some way.

For all of you who went to the beach and loved the loggerhead turtles and MAM's book I have discovered a new author. She has written a book called The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden. I got the book and loved it.

Thanks for that suggestion JUDY. I will have to look for Maryann McFadden.

Me, too, Judy. Thanks. Sue

Happy 4th of July for all of you in the U.S. and Happy Canada Day for those of you in Canada.

I just finished reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Honey Moon. It was published in 1993 and was one of her books I hadn't read so I bought it.

Frequently when I read earlier works by authors I enjoy they are disappointing. This one was just GREAT!! Quite a story. I am left with a feeling of wanting to hold onto the characters forever.

The story begins when Honey is 16 years old living in a run-down amusement park in South Carolina with a strange family. She ends up winning an Emmy with a wonderful group of family and friends. The journey from the beginning to the end is traumatic to say the least. She is a very strong character who hides her fear with bluster and only wants people to love her.

Marjorie, I liked Honey Moon, but it is not my favorite of SEPs novels. Sometimes when I was reading it the first time I just wanted to shake Honey or at least call her on the phone and give her some advice. I was glad at the end, though, that it worked out the way it did. Like all of Phillips' books, I've kept it and reread it a couple of times. Sue

SUE: My favorite of SEP's books is First Lady. I wanted to shake Honey also but the book kept me enthralled.

I love First Lady, too. My favorites are the Chicago Stars football players novels, though. The women are so independent and fiesty and I love the way they are able to work things so that the Macho guys become sensitive and loving. Sue

I loved First Lady is one of my favorites by Phillips. Is there another one titled "Ain't She Sweet?" I haven't read it.

Aint She Sweet is the newest Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I think. It is out in paperback. I read it and it's a keeper if you like funny, determined sassy women and heroes you'd like to know (after they straighten up and fly right). Sue

Sue, thanks. I will give it a try. I love funny romances.

I am presently reading Belva Plain's "The Golden Cup." I have read several of her books but somehow missed this one. So far, I am enjoying it. Have any of you read it?

BETTY: Welcome. Sorry I haven't read The Golden Cup. It has been a long time since I read any of Belva Plain's novels. I think I look for different authors at different times. I hope you enjoy the book. I like to read most or all of the books by an author I like too.

I just got a copy of Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Just Imagine The book was originally published in 1984 and reissued in 2001. I haven't started it yet but it is set in the Civil War. The story line seems familiar but the book is not on my list. I have been keeping that list for the last 5 or 6 years. I guess, even if I have read it, if it has been that long it will read like it is new to me.

Marjorie, I think Just Imagine might have been her first book. I have it and read it some time ago. It's not quite up to the standard of her more modern, recent stuff. Not humorous, which is what I like about her contemporary novels--and they have intricate plots, too, with believable characters. Sue

I just discovered why my subscriptions hadn't been bringing me here. A new home was set up and I hadn't subscribed.

When I went to pick up my new glasses today, the tec saw my book, one by Suzanne Brockmann. (Hot Target). Well we went on a talking streak about romance books with each of us suggesting books to the other. One she really liked is The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey. Has anyone read it?

No GINNY ANN. I haven't read that book or any others by the same author.

I read Nora Roberts "flower" trilogy while I was on vacation last week. The Blue Dahlia, The Black Rose, and The Red Lily were really compelling mysteries with a ghost, haunted house, gardening, and great heroines and heroes. Roberts hasn't lost her touch. I had given these to my DIL for her birthday and she offered them to me for my trip. I rode Amtrak from New Orleans to Memphis and back after a week in Memphis, so I had plenty of time to read all three. Very enjoyable.

I'm also reading Geralyn Dawson's Sizzle All Night, the sequel to Simmer All Day. Entertaining light romances, both. Not up to Roberts, but good fun reads. Sue

SUE: I read the two Dawson books some time ago. I enjoyed both of them. I haven't read Nora Roberts for quite a while. Not sure just why.

MARJORIE: I hadn't read Roberts in quite a while, either, also don't know why. Someone in the Book Nook suggested that she couldn't possibly write all those books and that she has other writers doing it. In the forwards of these books she explains her own love of gardening and I think she also lives in Tennessee where these novels take place. She knows her gardening, also lots about Memphis, which is near the setting for the novels. Sue

Hats, I was looking in this room for a book to read and took your suggestion to read Phillips' "Ain't She Sweet." I'll let you know how I like it! I asked for "First Lady" but it was out on loan. Maybe I can read that one next time.

I just read a 2 in 1 Silhouette by Nora Roberts. Night Shield which was written in 2000 was a good story and the third in her Night Tales trilogy. I haven't read previous 2 double Night Tales so can't vouch for them, but this was an interesting mystery/romance with plausible characters.

The second book in this 2 in 1 was Night Moves written in 1985. It was thrown in to make a second short book with a Night theme. I found this one to be far less interesting and not as well plotted. There were too many sex/love scenes that really did not fit in with the plot. So evidently Roberts has learned a good bit about writing a better book in the 15 years between the books. BTW, I learned that she first published for Silhouette in 1981. She's been churning them out for a long time--and very successfully, too. Sue

Hi BETTY and SUE.

I just finished a Harlequin Superromance by Inglath Cooper (A Gift of Grace). Interesting plot line. I think this author is one to keep track of even though a few months ago I read one of her books and it didn't work for me. Her characters are real and the plots are unusual.

I also just finsihed Susan Wiggs' Enchanted Afternoon. I think she writes mostly historical novels and this was set in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. There was no date given but I would guess it is the late 1800s or early 1900s. The woman takes charge of her life and defies society. Another good story. I have enjoyed all of hers that I have read.

I have the Night Tales by Nora Roberts. It is a 4 in book. It has Night Shift ©1991 -- Night Shadow ©1991-- Night Shade ©1993-- Night Smoke ©1994. Night Shift was ok but not edgy enough.

Currently I am reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Side of the Moon. it is a very edgy book.

I am enjoying "Ain't She Sweet," but am glad I wasn't such a bad little girl. It is really sad that a child can grow up, having so many "things," but not receiving what they really want, in this case, the love of a father. My own father died when I was only six years old so I don't remember such love. However, I did have four older brothers who, I like to think, made up for the lack of a father's love.

I posted this in Fiction Old and New Bestsellers and it was suggested I post it here.

"I just finished Debbie Macomber's latest Cedar Grove book 6 Rainier Drive. It was good as usual and I hate to have to wait a year for the next one. I have been a fan of hers since she first started writing for Harlequin/Silhouette 20+ years ago and she is one of my favorite authors."

Mary

I also just finished 6 Rainier Drive and liked it. September 26 Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber will be out so I intend to buy it. October 31 will be Glad Tiding. She has a new one every month.

Ginger

Thanks for the recommendation REDBUD and GINGER. I put 6 Rainier Drive on my list.

Marjorie I read a book of Debbie Macomber when You were a DL in romance and we discussed it on line I contacted her so she sends me literature on her books.

GINGER: That is great that you hear from Debbie Macomber regularly. I appreciate it when authors respond to emails we send them.

I'm also on Debbie's email list and get a newsletter from her monthly.

As I said before, I've been a fan of her's from the beginning.

Mary in TX

If you like to knit and also like Debbie Macomber's books with a knitting theme, I just saw a book, Knit Along with Debbie Macomber, at http://www.frugalhaus.com. Search under new products for a description. I've ordered knitting needles from them and they arrived promptly. Sue

I get the WriterSpace New Releases Newsletter and today it said that Susan Elizabeth Phillip's book, Match Me If You Can, will be out in paperback for the first time this month. Has anyone read this one yet?

WriterSpace New Releases Newsletter is a great source for new books.

I haven't read any books by Susan Elizabeth Phillip. What type of themes to they follow?

Gosh, GinnyAnn, you must try SEP's novels. She is my current favorite of contemporary Romance novels. I particularly enjoy the series about the Chicago Stars/Bonner Brothers series and the Golf series. Her heroines are smart, sassy, and the plots are funny--and the guys are handsome, smart, and don't have a clue until the women get them whipped into shape! Fun reading! I think Marjorie's favorite is First Lady which stands alone. Match Me if You Can seems to follow the football theme. I want it today! Sue

I went to my library's web site and reserved First Lady. They had an excerpt from the first chapter. Sounds very good.

GINNY ANN: SUE is correct. My favorite is First Lady. Her books are lots of fun to read.

Marjorie, I just finished reading "Match Me If You Can" and enjoyed it. I also read Jodi Picoult's "Perfect Match" and liked it also. We have a new library and it is presently closed due to moving from the old building, but I look forward to visiting it, hopefully next week, to pick up Phillips' "First Lady." Many of you seem to have liked that one.

BETTY: Match Me If You Can is on my list of books to get soon.

Got notice today that these books are waiting at my library! I am reading a Cherry Adair book. I have these from the library waiting to be read

The Grail King by Joy Nash

Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick

Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper. They are sitting on my keyboard tray. Just recently found them at the the library.
The library notified me that these are waiting to be picked up.

Ricochet / Sandra Brown. Pickup by:10/4/2006

Under orders / Dick Francis. Pickup by:10/4/2006

First lady / Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Pickup by:10/4/2006

Marjorie and Betty Allen, I had a gift card from Books A Million, so I picked up and read Match Me if YOu Can by Phillips last week. It's a great continuation of the Chicago Stars football series. One cute thing is the football players have started a book club! However, only Darnell is serious about it. SEP really does clever dialogue and funny conversations.

GinnyAnn, is Lie by Moonlight a new historical by Amanda Quick? I have most of hers, also Jane Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle--Krentz's other alias. Although I haven't bought the last few Quicks as I don't see them in paperback at my used book store. I've been reading library copies.

My library is having a book sale, most for $1.00, tomorrow from 9-12. I'm going to see if I can find any of my favorite authors and also look for gardening books and maybe a cookbook or two. Sue

Sue the Amanda Quick is a historical set late in the Reign of Queen Victoria.

I like the Quick books also, actually more than I like her Krentz work. In this genre, I like Nora Roberts best of all, mainly because she does such great repartee...

I would love to think there's someone else here in order to discuss books...?

Sugarcat, I'm here looking, but I'm in a foul mood. My Auburn Tigers are getting whooped up on by Georgia--and it's only the first half.

I am also a fan of Amanda Quick, Jane Ann Krentz, and her futuristic Jayne Castle novels. Nora Roberts is a favorite, especially in her recent trilogies. I think her writing has improved in the past 20 years I've been reading her.

My current favorite is Susan Elizabeth Phillips with Susan Andersen running a close second. They have witty repartee, interesting heroines who are plenty smart. I've been rereading both their books recently as I've lost my mood for mysteries which I'd been checking out of the library. Sue

I am currently reading the third book of Cherry Adair's trilogy: Edge of Danger ©July 2006...Edge of Fear ©August 2006...Edge of Darkness ©September 2006. They are light reads with magic and wizards and love.

GinnyAnn, I've never read a Cherry Adair, but her name reminds me of the Nancy Drew type books about Cherry Ames (was that it?). I've been looking for you in BB today, but no go. I hope you're feeling well and got to Mass this evening. Sue

Hi Sue, Yes I got to Mass tonight! I'll have more to say at BB.

More on Cherry Adair's Edge series. This is from RomanticTimes.com

Here's a trilogy that goes out with a very satisfactory bang. Themes of love, duty and sacrifice are expertly combined with a hefty dose of magic. As in the previous books, Adair's potential lovers have their own particular strengths and weaknesses, which play off the ongoing elements of danger and sacrifice. With this phenomenal series, Adair demonstrates how the wonderful power of love can carry dangerous consequences when turned to hate.

Welcome SUGARCAT.

I have been reading a lot of Susan Wiggs' books lately. Today I finished The Firebrand which is set in Chicago in the early 1870s at the time of the Great Chicago Fire and before women had gotten the vote. The heroine was very active in the movement for equality for women. At the time of the fire she rescues a baby that is dropped from a burning building. Five years later she discovers who the father is and he learns a lot about women's rights from her.

Many of Susan Wiggs' stories are historical romances. Since I was born in Chicago, this one was very interesting. Some day I will follow up on it and check out links that show the streets where the fire went. I remember the name of streets mentioned in the story but had thought that the fire was in a different place.

Apparently Chicago was all wooden buildings and wooden sidewalks and it had been very dry. There was no electricity so there were flames around for light and also warehouses that had lots of flammable material just waiting for ignition.

By the time I grew up all buildings in Chicago were brick (or, maybe, none were wood). It was strange when I moved out of the area to find buildings that had shingle siding.

I like her characters and the plots of her stories.

Oh Boy Susan Wigg's I am reading Summer at Willow Lake and just loving it. I was looking at the pictures of all her covers last night and deciding which ones I can put on my list that I am sure I have read. Losing ones many year list is devestating and trying to recreate is even worse. But love her books.

JUDY: I can't even imagine your frustration at losing the list of books you have read. My list goes back to before 2000. Oh my what a job you have unless you don't mind rereading things.

{{{{{{{Judy}}}}}}What a tragedy for you!

I have a list of books read that goes back to my high school days. In fact I better back it up again so I don't loose mine.

The worst part about it is I think that my memory is so bad that there will be literally hundreds of books that I can't remember, so t hey will never make the new list.

JUDY: There is no way I could create my list from my memory and I think my memory is pretty good. I could find some of the authors I had read and check their book lists and most likely pick out the books I have read. However, there is no way I would know the name of all the authors and certainly not whether or not I liked the book (and to what degree). At least with the Internet it is possible to find an author's home page and see what they have written.

Wow - this is great. Just what I was looking for - people who read a lot, as I do... Already I've got a whole list of authors to check out, just from reading what ya'll have posted. Now that I finally have a library again (mine died with Katrina & it took 13 months to get it open again, so I've either had to use the Bookmobile once a month, or drive clear across town to another branch) I can hardly wait to take my list and get acquainted with some new (to me) authors. I've been doing Romance a lot lately because they're light and not depressing. Depressing I can get from the newspaper... Thanks, all of you!

I just finished another Susan Wiggs' book. This one is titled Home Before Dark. This is a contemporary novel and very different from The Firebrand. Both of them are excellent. I am looking to figure out what they have in common and the main thing I can think of is that both were books I didn't want to put down. I didn't stay up all night reading but did finish Home Before Dark before turning the computer on today. I only put it down for a while this morning because I had an appointment and then had to fix lunch.

Has anyone, besides JUDY and me, read Susan Wiggs? Has anyone read both of these books that they could come up with some commonalities? I wonder if there are anything.

Think of your favorite authors. If you read a new book by one of your favorite authors AND there was no indication on the book who had written it, do you think you would know the author?

I think I might be able to tell a Luanne Rice book but I doubt I could tell a Susan Wiggs book under those circumstances.

I would know Luanne Rice because of her location of her setting of the book and how she mingles her people as neighbors or friends. I adore her writing.

I might recognize Danielle Steele's writing.

My daughter subscribes to the Superromance series and gives them to me to read first. I've been busy and am not reading as much as usual so I am behind.

I just finished Roz Denny Fox's Angels of the Big Sky. I've read all her books and this is a really good one. The second one in the Cloud Chasers series, On Angel Wings came in December's shipment and since the first one was so good, I dug it out and read it immediately. It was also very good.

I quit reading Danielle Steele several years ago as all her books seemed the same to me, just the names changed

Have any of you ever read any of Emilie Loring books? I first started reading them back in the late 50s and early 60s and she got me started on "romance" books. They were set in the late 30s and WWII era and were pure romance back then. Another good author of that era was Lutz, I can't remember her first name.

Mary in TX

I have been subscribing to the Superromance series. I found it was easier than hunting for books all the time and, occasionally, I find a new author. Those that I don't keep for rereading I send to the Prison Library Project. I was surprised that even the men's prisons take some of the romances.

I always know I will be delighted by anything by Roz Denny Fox. I have read "tons" of her books and some of them are on my "reread" shelf.

Sugarcat: You say you lost your library to Katrina-------so you must be from the New Orleans area.I am in Baton Rouge, and would be interested in hearing about your loss. joynclarence@aol.com

JOY

JOY: From the news I got in California Baton Rouge was hard hit too. Did you lose a lot?

Joy and Sugarcat ~ Let me know if you need any titles to replace what you lost.

No, not in NO, I'm in Mobile, AL, but we got I guess you could say - side-swiped by Katrina and it left me in a rather bad mess that wound up costing me some big bucks - but hey, I'm in better shape than those who did live in NO, at least I still have a house. Just happens I don't have the "big-bucks"... Now I'm loving finding people who read and from whom I can get some new authors. I've just read the newest Dick Francis, which is probably more in the in the Mystery category, but he's really great. Thanks to all of you. Gotta say, I still love Nora Roberts best of all...

I didn't realize you were in Mobile. I live in Auburn and have been down to Ocean Springs, MS, twice with our church group to help out. We're hoping to come back in the spring. I'm glad you didn't lose your house, but know that damage was bad in your area, too.

I love Nora Roberts, too, but right now my favs are Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Susan Anderson. I also like Patty Berg, Jane Ann Krentz, her alter egos, Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick. Dick Francis is a favorite--and I like mysteries almost as much as I like romance novels. Sue

Kind of not talked to you great folks for a while. Having some icky problems with fleas in my house, possibly another K. goodie. so had to spend a number of days working on that...but, sure love hearing about all the other authors that sound like work I'd love to read. So great to have found this site, and the readers of books.

SUGARCAT: I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I am busy reading Irving Stone's Depths of Glory for a discussion that will here start on December 1. I wouldn't classify that as a light book. Very different than my normal reading material. [Normal is defined as to how I have been reading for the last couple of years.]

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We did here.

Neighbors are moving out so we are fighting cockroaches. Ugh, we hate them, only see them when someone moves. Al is death on any bugs but these freak him out. My sister came for Thanksgiving and brought lots of books. She wants some back but many will go to a library in a small town in Nebraska that just built a library. (After I read them). I love helping small libraries get started. Al`s favorite are Westerns and Mysteries. I read everything as does my sister (retired teacher).

ROSEDA: What a wonderful thing to do -- help a small library get started. I live in a city and never have an that kind of opportunity. Good for you.

Thanks ya'll. So good to hear from folks who love reading as I do. I started remembering some of the books I loved years ago, and one author came to mind...Frances Parkinson Keyes, who wrote so many great books. For instance, do ya'll remember "Dinner At Antoines", "River Road", Queen Annes Lace", and many more. I just discovered that my library has only 2 of her books, and neither are the ones I truly wanted, but I'll take 'em... I've learned that I don't like very many of the newer authors of that genre, since they tend to spend most of the book in somebody's bed and I'm not big on being a voyuer....

Sugarcat, I don't recall her specifically, but I loved Emilie Loring's book. They were set in the late 30s/World War II era - no spending time in someone's bed, just per romance

She wrote at least a dozen books, but unfortunately, my library doesn't have any of them.

Mary

Hi SUGARCAT and REDBUD. I also prefer books that have more romance and plot than detailed sex scenes. I imagine that each of us would have a different definition of that.

I just finished two more of Susan Wiggs' books: The Hostage and Passing Through Paradise. Each of her books is so different in terms of the plot.

The Hostage is another book about the Chicago fire. Apparently there were 3 books about the Chicago fire and I have The Mistress (the middle one) waiting to be read. In this case the three books start at the exact same point in time. Each book follows a different young woman. They are friends getting ready to go out for the evening at the beginning of each story.

Passing Through Paradise is about the widow of a politician in a small town where she is accused (in spite of the ruling) of causing his death.

I am reading Barbara Delinsky's Cardinal Rules. It was published in 1987. She is a market analyst (she handles surveys) and he is the owner of multiple hotels. He decides he wants her to do a survey of the tourists in the town with his latest hotel. She goes to the library to try to get background about the town. She doesn't find very much.

I was amused because if the same story were set today all the research would be done on the Internet and there would be a lot of information available. Then she would not have to go visit him for a tour of the area!

Sounds like Delinsky wouldn't have a story if it were happening today, Marjorie! I really like her novels and don't remember reading this one.

I've been so busy lately that I haven't been to the library since before Thanksgiving. I've been rereading some of my oldie goldies, such as Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Andersen, and Patty Berg. As soon as I get my Christmas stuff organized I'm going to look for something new to read. Sue

Ray stopped at the library today and brought home a book that I had on reserve. Nora Robert's First Impressions. It is ©1984 and is in a new hardback.

I just finished a Harlequin Superromance by Kimberly Van Meter, The Truth About Family. It is, apparently, her first published novel. [At least for Harlequin. I checked her website and it was the only one listed.] I liked it a lot. I like the plot. It was difficult to put down. I liked the characters. They were real and likable. I am going to save this to reread and watch for future books by this author. She is a young woman who is the mother of 3 children. She has another Superromance coming out in July. I will check google if I can find out she has written anything else.

I am finding the nice easy writing of Nora Roberts to be relaxing.

I've been so busy that I've just been reading magazine articles when I go to bed, but last night I started David Baldacci's The Collectors. My sister, Anne, bought it when we were out shopping at her home during Thanksgiving. She sent it to me to read and then pass on. I'll probably give it to my son, Tim, next week. I've finally completed almost all my Christmas preparations so hope to get back to more reading soon. Sue

Sue ~ There is a David Baldacci's The Camel Club that came before The Collectors. Ray loved it so I got it from another paperback trade group.

GinnyAnn, the members of the Camel Club are the leading characters in The Collectors as you probably already know. I haven't read much of it yet. B. keeps switching from the crime and Camel Club members to a group doing Cons. I don't yet see where he's going with this. Sue

Sue ~ Yes the characters are introduced in The Camel Club. I haven't read it yet so can't much about it. lol

Happy New Year !!!

I hope no one thinks of this as spam because I have repeated it a couple of places.

I recently upgraded my browser to AOL 9.0SE and would appreciate it if people would send me emails so that I know I have my spam controls set correctly. I don't want to miss emails that you might send me.

Thank you.

A test message is on the way.

Last night I finished Jennifer Crusie's Fast Women for the second time. It was quite good for a reread. It has mystery, murder, women's issues, and romance all rolled into one. It'd been a while since I read it, so I didn't guess everything while reading. Sue

I finished reading Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood. It was a very good book with mystery, with murders,and with the best part:)romance.

The Camel Club was a VERY GOOD read.

I have received emails from Faith and Sue. If anyone else sent an email, please post here.

Right now I am reading Luanne Rice's Silver Bells and I don't want to put it down. I am sure it will end just fine but I am feeling the emotions of the characters very strongly. By mistake I ordered two of them from half.com. I keep track of the books I have received but always seem to forget to keep track of what I am expecting and sometimes I get more than one copy. I will put it on the Book Exchange when I finish it.

Marjorie

Marjorie, let me know when you put the Rice, Silver Bells in the Book Exchange. I'd love to have it. She's one of my favorites. Sue

She is one of mine also. I will check her out at the library. If they don`t have it they will order it as they know we love to read the latest. My Al seems to be one of their best customers with me a close second.....LOL

Marjorie, I loved Silver Bells by Luanne Rice.

ROSEDA: Silver Bells was published in 2004. I hope your library has it.

SUE: I will send you Silver Bells and count it for the Exchange without listing it. It is the people in this discussion usually who want my books anyway.

Hi HATS.

Thanks, Marjorie. I'll be looking for it. Sue

Am reading "Silver Bells" I feel I read the first chapter in another book. Am I wrong? I have read most all of Luannes books, so neat she writes od the North Eastern coastal regions. I fell in love with Vermont while my son lived up there.

ROSEDA: I don't remember getting that feeling about the first chapter. Maybe someone else here will remember.

some books have part of the first chapter of an up coming book, maybe that is where I read it.

ROSEDA: I have seen those parts of books but generally don't read them. I am not sure just why but you have provided a wonderful reason not to. I figure they want me to buy the book by giving me a "teaser" but I don't think I would do that. I don't want to read something and not be able to finish it if I like it.

Hello, all you book lovers: I have been doing quite a bit of reading lately, and not writing to you all about it. I have just finished reading "First Lady" by Susan Eliz. Phillips and thoroughly enjoyed it. Someone of you had recommended it. Another, by Rosamine Pilcher, is an oldie: "Snow in April" and "Mourning Glory" by Warren Adler. I picked that one up by mistake but enjoyed it.

Hi BETTY. I might have been the one who posted about First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I have already read it at least twice and it is still on my reread shelf close to the top. A really great book.

I just finished Susan Wiggs' Halfway to Heaven. Another great book!

Unfortunately Susan Wiggs is spoiling me for the other (mostly Harlequin) books I have. I have been impatient with authors that I generally really like. Since it happened more than once, I don't think it is their writing but what I am now expecting from a book that can't possibly be as good. A book needs to have enough pages to develop characters and plot the way Wiggs does.

I just saw that Catherine Anderson has a new book out -- Sun Kissed. I haven't read it yet but it is on my list of books to get.

I can't remember if I mentioned that I read First Impressions by Nora Roberts? It was a light read,refreshing read. I have been reading many edgy stories.

I know I own at least one Susan Wiggs books. Not sure what I have read by her.

I read Luanne Rice's Silver Bells the day after it arrived. Marjorie sent it to me through SN Book Exchange. It was entertaining and did keep my attention, but was not as long and had less character development than I expect from Rice.

I like Susan Wigg's stories, too. I thought Halfway to Heaven was a great read, and I learned quite a bit about astronomy and the social mores of D.C. society in the post Civil War period. I have the Charm School and can't remember if I've read it. I think I have read the The Horsemaster's Daughter, too. Her characters are convincing and her plots have enough tangles to keep me interested. Sue

Hi SUE and GINNY ANN.

SUE: I am glad you enjoyed Silver Bells. I agree with you that it wasn't one of her best.

Went to the Library today to get "The Richest Season" by Maryann McFadden only to realize when I got home that I had read it! I did enjoy it though. I have also recently read a book by Susan Eliz. Phillips:"Lady Be Good." I liked it, too.

I do that, too, Betty. I'll get through the first 25-50 pages and think, "this sounds familiar". I read lots of books and I don't write the titles down, so I sometimes reread by mistake. Other times I reread favorites because I'm in the mood.

Now that I've watched the first episode of Jane Eyre I want to get a copy from the library and read it again. It's always been one of my favorites, but I let my copy go to the bookseller who took my paperbacks when I downsized. Sue

Thanks Betty, for reminding me about the The Richest Season. I got it when it first came out, put it on my stack and it got buried

Mary

I went back to the library this morning and checked out "The Black Swan" vy Mercedes Lackey. After lunch, I settled in my chair and started to read. I didn't go many pages to know that I did not like it. I am NOT into sorcery and I got "turned off" rapidly. It goes back tomorrow. This book had been recommended by someone in this group, but I confess it is not my kind of book.

BTW, some books by Nora Roberts have been made into films and they start tonight (Monday) on Lifetime. The one tonight is "Fallen Angel," and I plan to watch it.

BETTY: Thanks for the alert on the Nora Roberts' films on Lifetime. I will have to check the TV guide. I am not a fan of the paranormal romances either. But each of us has different tastes.

I'm re-reading Jane Eyre, one of the earliest romance novels written in English. I have watched the PBS production last week and this and went to the library to pick up a copy to read. I'm more than halfway through and enjoying it. The PBS program was very good, but my favorite movie of Jane Eyre was the one from the 70s with George C. Scott. Wonderful acting in that movie--and close to my idea of Jane and Mr. Rochester. Sue

I watched the Lifetime production of Nora Robert's Angel Falls. I know I had read the book, but I was lucky to not remember who done it. It was a little slow. I am really interested in next weeks. It is the movie of the book that Janet Dailey plagiarized.

"Montana Sky"

It was interesting that when Montana Sky was published I read it, either as my own copy or library copy, can't remember which, and enjoyed it very much. Later I read Janet Dailey's book, and kept thinking I read it before but when I checked my books read database, I didn't find the title, so read the whole book. Can't remember if it was an owned book or library book. lol

I just finished reading Danielle Steele's "Toxic Bachelors" and I really enjoyed it. I think her more recent books are quite different than those she wrote years ago. I, personally, think the title is a bit misleading.

I could not remember if I had read Nora Robert's "Montana Skies" but went to check "my library" and there it was. I plan to watch Lifetimes on Monday night also.

I started on "Northern Lights" this afternoon. Oops, I had not gone but a page or two when I realized I had "done it again," i.e. get a book from the library I have already read. Here I go again!!

BETTY: When I get a book that I have read before, it is usually OK because I have read so many in between that, although somewhat familiar, the story is still good. I hope that happens for you. Since you got it at the library, you can always return it. I buy most of my books so for me it is more annoying if it is a repeat.

I just finished 2 more of Susan Wiggs' books -- The You I Never Knew and An Ocean Between Us. I just have the worst time putting her books down unless I have an appointment. Trying to do things around the house or put my taxes together or getting on the computer just keep getting pushed further and further away until I finish the story.

An Ocean Between Us is about Navy families/lives. New to me. Engrossing.

The You I Never Knew is, as the title suggests, one of those stories about going back to where you grew up and reconnecting in unexpected ways. Her plots may be similar in broad outline but her books are not similar to others at all.

Marjorie, thanks for the information on the 2 Susan Wiggs books you've read recently. I like her books, also, and am going to a sale on Friday at the used book store and will look for both. I'm especially interested in An Ocean Between Us because of my family's 20 year trek around the U.S. when Bob was on active duty. Sue

I have just completed reading "The Stranger at Stonewycke" by Michael Phillips et al and at first did not particularly care for it, but I rather enjoyed it. "Shadows Over Stonewycke" follows it and I have now started reading it. I hope it gets more appealing.

BETTY: I haven't read the books you mention but I have had a similar experience with other books. I can't remember specifically which books but it has happened more than once that it took me time to "get into" the story enough to want to continue reading until the end. I hope you find the second book more interesting than the first.

How many people put a book down at a certain point if you don't enjoy what you are reading? I found it difficult for a long time to do that. I always somehow felt that I "should" finish a book once I started it. In the last few years I have been able to put it down and not finish it if I just didn't like it. I don't know that I have a specific number of pages to read before making that decision.

I also sense that what I read one year I might not like a few years later (even if I thought it was particularly good). The reverse is also true for me. I have a list of books I have read that I have been keeping for about 6 years now and noticed that one of the books I marked as no good, I got again and have in my book stack. It will be interesting to see what happens when I read it 3 years after putting it down. I believe I got it because I particularly like the author now.

Marjorie, I, also, have found it difficult to put a book down if it's not so interesting. I just went ahead and finished, but now that I'm older I'm beginning to put one aside for maybe later reading when I'm in a different mood. Sometimes I just need to read something fast and not think much while I'm reading it. So if the present book doesn't grab my interest by the first 50 pages, I sometimes am able to set it aside and go on to something else. Sue

There was a time when it was rare for me to not finish a book. Now, it just depends on my mood. If I am not in the mood for the book I am reading, I set it down and start one I am in the mood for.

I have now finished Michael Phillips et al book "Shadow Over Stonewyck" and though there is one more in this trilogy, I think I will pass on that one. "Shadow" is a lot about WWII, in France, spy work, etc.and at the conclusion, it seems all was well and I think I will leave it at that.

BETTY: Thanks for letting us know how you felt after reading the second book in Michael Phillips' trilogy.

I noticed in the drugstore that there is a new Susan Wiggs' book out -- The Winter Lodge. I believe it is the second in a series. When I get a copy and read it, I will let you know what I think about it. I expect it will be quite good.

I just finished Susan Wiggs Table For Five and loved what a good author she is.

Marjorie, I did not "leave it at that" but did, indeed, read "The Treasure of Stonewyck" and am so glad I did. Puzzles were revealed, and indeed, the treasure itself. Maybe I learned my lesson in this one! I went to the library today and picked up Maeve Binchy's "Echo." I have read many of her books, but this one had escaped me. "

Echo I don't remember seeing it either. Betty please let us know what you think of it.

GinnyAnn

Good morning. I'm new to this group. Have any of you read the Nora Roberts Circle Trilogy? I absolutely loved it and wondered what you think.

Welcome irishmom46, I have a Nora Roberts book half read on my table, Read first part on plane etc. Think I have read Irish dreams before but forgot about it at the airport when I bought :)have you ever done that?

I see you live in Indiana I live on the Indiana/Michigan border about thirty miles from Michigan city, neibor.

I've read lots of Nora Roberts' trilogies, but I don't remember reading the Circle trilogy. I usually keep hers in my permanent reread collection. They're really good to read on rainy days or when I'm not feeling well with a cold and am staying inside except for walking my dog.

Are you one of the new "Bookies" who came here because of Bookmarks Magazine? I am the one with the orange Auburn sweatshirt in the picture.

Welcome to SeniorNet. There are a great bunch of readers here. Sue

Ginny Ann, I have mixed emotions about "Echoes." I always give a book at least 100 pages and am now up to page 150 and am finding it more interesting. There are a lot of different characters in this book, different families, starting out in Ireland and now "we" are in Rome to attend a wedding.

Right now I am listening to an Irish CD. :)Is Echo's main setting Ireland? Is it a new book or a reissue of an older book?
GinnyAnn

Ginger, where do you live? If you live that close to MC, you must be familiar with Lighthouse Place, the outlet mall where our store is located. It is an independent store call The Bookstore. Maybe you've even been in to see us! What a small world..six degrees of separation! The Circle Trilogy is new...it came out either at the end of last year or the beginning of this one. It is really good, I'm telling you. lol It's light, but very entertaining. I love the way Roberts develops her characters. This one has romance, intrigue, and VAMPIRES. lol At the age of 61, this is the first book I ever read that had a vampire in it. The rest of the staff at work (I'm the oldest, of course, lol, laughed and laughed at me. But don't misunderstand or be put off by that...it's an excellent storyline. I bet you'll enjoy it.

Sue, I found the site by googling, (what a weird term). lol, book discussions. THEN I read the article in Bookmarks. I am very impressed with the entire site, and have particularly enjoyed the very warm reception I have received from each and every discussion I've particiated in thus far. Some years ago I joined an email list just for friendship, chat, etc., and it went on for three or four years. Two of the people on the list met, on the list, and subsequently married. A good sized group of us met them in North Carolina and attended their wedding. It was great fun, and I correspond with a couple of the members to this day. The list fell apart as a result of some bad blood, inbiting, etc., so along with several others, I left. I have enough problems in my every day "real" life without that nonsense in my "cyber" life. lol. Anyway, while it lasted, it was good. Thanks again for the welcomes.

Ginny, what Irish cd are you listening to? Enya by any chance? She is one of my very favorites.

I am not sure which CD I had in my DVD/Rw drive. lol It might have been the Weavers A Jig A Jog And A Magic Dog.

Sue I have lots of Nora Robert's books on one of my keeper shelves. I haven't read her vampire books yet.

However, I have read many Paranormal novels. They need to have an edginess to them. Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon are favorites.

IRISHMOM:

Welcome. We have fun in this discussion. I am not a fan of Paranormal stories as GINNY ANN is and Nora Roberts is an author I haven't read for a few years. I may find that I pick her up again one day.

We discussed Nora Roberts' Jewels of the Sun, part of a trilogy in May of 2000. If you click on the title you will get to our archived discussion if you are interested.

Wow! I didn't realize it was that long ago that we discussed that book. Time flies.

That's the neat thing about The Circle Trilogy. I would never classify it as a paranormal romance. It has a lot of Irish history and the general theme, of course, is the battle with the vampires for who dominates the world, but I wouldn't put a paranormal tag on it at all. It was just plain fun.

IRISHMOM, Sent you an email letting you know where I live. We used to get together for dinners but the gal had a stroke who was in charge, she is not able to continue.

Thanks, Ginger. I'll look for it.

Irishmom46, I'm new to the SeniorNet book groups too. I thoroughly enjoyed Nora Roberts' Circle Trilogy. I also like the futuristic mystery series she writes as J.D. Robb (which also includes plenty of romance). I've been posting to the Mystery and Science Fiction discussions, and your post about the Circle Trilogy inspired me to add my two cents' worth to the Romance group too.

Welcome JOEGREYFAN!! Glad to have you join us.

Hi joegreyfan. I like Nora Roberts as herself, not as J D Robb. Have you tried any of Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle? They are futuristic. Haven't read them myself yet.
GinnyAnn

GinnyAnn, I've read most of the Jayne Castle books and I really like them although I am not ordinarily a fan of the supernatural. The JC books are set on a planet where a group of Americans were stranded long years before and the present civilization has lost the memory of their ancestors. All the ones I've read have mysteries to be solved, so are mysteries as well as romance and sci fi. They are not as edgy as the J.D. Robb futuristic detective novels. Sue

Welcome joegreyfan! I can assure you you will have fun here. Am glad you, too, enjoyed the Circle Trilogy. As I said, I haven't read a lot of Nora Roberts...oh probably more than I realize over the years, but I do think she's a good writer. I read an article about her one time, and she was such a nice person. Very down to earth. Again, welcome.

Betty: Stephanie Hochuli, who posts frequently,said that the only book by Maeve Binchy that she was not especially fond of was Echo Lake. I assume that is the book you name as Echo????? The subject came up (Book Nook) because I had asked if anyone had read her new book, Whitethorn Woods. I can't even get on the library hold list for it,so it MUST be good. JOY

I just finished Susan Wiggs' latest book -- The Winter Lodge. In my opinion she has another winner.

I also recently read a book by Melinda Curtis (one of the Harlequin Superromance authors) and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. This one is titled The Best-Kept Secret.

I also picked up a couple of books lately that I didn't like at all.

What are you all reading?

Marjorie, I just finished Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Natural Born Charmer. It is the newest in her Chicago Stars series and it's a keeper to read again. I love her sense of humor and the way she pairs up the hero and heroine.

I'll be looking for the new Susan Wiggs. I really like her writing, but have read all the ones my library has, plus a couple which I own from the used book store. Thanks for the recommendation.

Sue

I just finished Barbara Delinsky's The Summer I Dared. Wonderful book. It is sent on an island in Maine where the primary occupation is lobstering. One of the characters raises angora rabbits. Barbara Delinsky researches carefully before she writes and her stories provide me with new information all the time. In this story the main characters almost drowned after a ferry accident and the changes that they make in their lives are what it is all about. I recommend this book highly.

Marjorie, thanks for the recommendation of Delinsky's The Summer I Dared. It sounds like another winner from one of my favorite authors. I wonder if Delinsky lives or has a summer home in Maine. She has written several good novels about that area. Sue

I just finished Catherine Anderson's Sun Kissed. This is one of the books in her series about members of different generation of the Coulter family. Her books are always difficult to put down. This one is a keeper.

I don't often read the books on my keeper shelf. It was nice when I did reread another one of her books to find on my list that the last time I read it was 5 years ago. No wonder the story was fresh.

I know a number of you also like Catherine Anderson. Could one of you provide a clear picture of why her stories and characters are so compelling?

Here is a link to Catherine Anderson's official website
http://www.catherineanderson.com/


I am reading Nora Roberts' Morrigan's Cross. It is the first book of her Circle Trilogy. When I get reading one of her books I remember why she is one of my favorite authors.

I think her stories are so compelling because her characters seem real and have real problems which take a while to resolve, but because of the closeness of family and friends the resolutions are plausible and heart warming. I find her books emotionally satisfying.

I like Nora Roberts, too. GinnyAnn is Morrigan's Cross a new one or a republished one? I haven't read anything of hers in a while. I've been mostly reading mysteries lately. Sue

Sue ~ Nora Roberts's The Circle Trilogy are new books. The first 2 are now in paperback, but I am not sure about the 3rd. My library copy is a hardback.

I just finished Carolyn Davidson's Nightsong published in 2007 by Harlequin Historicals. It is set in the Dakota territory in 1988. I haven't read any of her books for a long time. The ones I have read I enjoyed. It seems I moved from reading historical novels to current ones.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed her characters and the way she makes their lives real even though I haven't lived through any of the hardships her characters face.

A good book. I am going to look for more of her more recent books. A nice change of pace for me.

I am into the second book in Nora Roberts Circle Trilogy. Great light reading.

Marjorie, I am sure you are right about the Nora Roberts book (Echo whatever). I went on a bus tour to NYC (you can read about it in "trips in the USA" or something like that. We did more walking than I had thought we would and I have really been tired since getting home (I'm 80 now) and for some reason, I haven't read a thing since my return. I plan to go to the library in the morning to change that! You have all given me some good suggestions!

The Summer I Dared" was good. I recommend it highly.

If you have gotten here to read this it may not matter. MARCIE has given this explanation of what is going on at seniornet.org at the moment.

The http://www.seniornet.org and http://www.seniornet.com urls will be working for some people and not for others as the links to our new server are populated throughout the various regions across the country and the world. Both links should work for everyone after a couple of days. The http://discussions.seniornet.org link should continue to work for everyone.

Also, please ignore strange things you see, for example: messages at the bottom of the page instead of a banner; graphics that are missing; etc. Everything will go back to normal when the switch is complete.

You can check out Problems or Comments Re Discussions or Web Site to report what you see and read messages from MARCIE.

You can pass this on to anyone you know who is having trouble getting here.

I hope all of you have taken the opportunity to try the new SeniorNet site. At this time, there will not be a Romance discussion on the new site. You can still go to the Book Nook and Fiction when they are open. We are working as hard as we can to get the discussions ready for all of you.

You don't have to be an expert to enjoy the new site. In some ways it is easier than it is here. It is defintely different.

At this point the only discussions open are for Questions and Answers and for Practice. They can both be found in this board (folder).

If you haven't already done so, you will need to register on the new site. You can go to the Home Page there for that.

Your user name can not have any spaces or punctuation marks and your password must be 6 characters.

After registering, log in with your new name and password. (If your current name fits the requirements and is not already taken, you can use your current name.)

Unless you logout, go to a different computer next time, or do not accept cookies, you shouldn't have to login again.

Enjoy!!

Nuts no Romance discussion at the new place! Is it because this discussion has slowed down? So many at some of the book discussions to look down on romance books. To me they can be a wonderful escape from everyday. Will new discussions be opened if there is a need? I have enjoyed posting at the new place and agree once you get the hang of it it is easier to use.

GINNY ANN: I know what you mean about the reputation of romance books. New discussions can be opened on the new site if needed but for now, largely because this discussion has been so slow for so long, Romance Books will not be there. Most of the people who come here post other places also. There are discussions all over SeniorNet that are being consolidated. There are a lot of discussions to be moved.

I, for another, would like to see a Romance section there. I just finished Far Pavilions again although it's not particularly of the romance genre.

However, as soon as I finished that I started to reread all of my Susan Elizabeth Phillips novels, started with Nobody's Baby, But Mine and also finished Dream a Little Dream and am now on It Had to Be You. Although I know the outcome of her books, they always seem like fresh reads as the characters and plot are so well written and I love the humor she injects into the plots.

BTW, how did you know that some of the book discussions have been moved already? When I checked last night, all I saw were Practice sessions. Sue

I would like to see a Romance discussion group on the new site also. There have been several times on the regular Fiction discussion that some authors whose books that have been either best sellers or "popular fiction" that have romance in them have been "shot down" by some members as not worth discussing in the folder.

I read all types of books but like romance books as a means of escape from "the real world" at times.

Mary

Everyone is voting on keeping (or not) the Romance discussion. I do not believe that that is up for discussion at this point.

There is some question that only Practice and Q&A is open for people to post at this time. That is true. Everyone involved is working as hard as they can to get our discussions in place for the new site.

I did not say anything is open now just that the Book Nook and Fiction are other places to post about romance books WHEN the discussions are open. They are not open yet. I will be posting here when the discussions are open.

One of the things that has happened here on a regular basis is that a new discussion is created when the current discussion reaches 1000 posts. That may appear to be automatic but there are people who are making it happen. Now consider what it is like to recreate over 500 discussions in a very short time.

Each discussion has to be set up fresh. Discussions (topics) on the new site will start with post #1. The webmaster's list of things to do includes moving archived discussions to the new site so that we can read all the old posts. That will take a while I would expect.

The new site is open now so that you can get registered, login, and look around at the changes. Things will feel more like "home" when the many discussions are in place and open. For now, you can post in the Practice and Q&A discussions to see how the new software works. You will meet some new people in the process I bet.

Thanks, Marjorie. I've been practicing a bit and also reading the other posts over there. It seems like a HUGE job for the webmaster and the SN Hosts! Sue

SUE: It is a huge job. You are correct. It will definitely take time to get everything the way we want it. Just like other times there were changes to the software there will be fixes after we start using the new discussions. Right now there is a place on the new site (by the practice discussions) for questions and comments. http://www.seniornet.org/jsnet/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=125.0

Marjorie - Where do you go to look-see what discussions are going to be in Books & Lit, or any other Senior Net board? It seems to me I saw a preview of the new Books forum a couple of weeks ago, but I can't find it now?

MARILYNE: I don't know where you can see a preview. I think there will be some discussions up soon. I am not sure which ones or how soon exactly. Everyone is working hard to get discussions for everyone to participate in. We want the new site to feel as much like home as this one does now.

The New Site is now OPEN

Just click HERE to get to the Book Nook on the New Site.

Just click HERE to get to Fiction on the New Site.

Just click HERE to get to All Books & Literature on the New Site.

You must login on the New Site before you can post. You must be registered on the New Site in order to login. You only need to register once. Please scroll to the top of the page and you will find the place to register or login.

JANE provided a wonderful list TIPS for getting around this new site

Hope to see you there !!!! If you have any problems, post them here.