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Starting the week with Banished by Sophie Littlefield and Lisa Kleypas Blue-Eyed Devil

Right now I am reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I am doing the goodreads Jane Eyre challenge. Since I haven't read it before I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

I found a copy of Katie MacAllister's Noble Destiny at our local Big Lots for $2, so I am going to read that one starting today. The first few pages are very funny.

I started

I'm finishing my reread of Balogh's Simply series and looking forward to some of the new releases tomorrow: the anthology It Happened One Season, (particularly looking forward to the Candice Hern novella; Eileen Dreyer's Never a Gentleman; Jill Shalvis's The Sweetest Thing (Lucky Harbor Book #2);
Roxanne St. Claire's Shiver of Fear (The Guardian Angelinos #2); and The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs.

Janga wrote: "I'm looking forward to some Eileen Dreyer..."

Janga, did you read E. Dreyer's Barely a Lady? What did you think of that one?

Oh, I'm waiting for the Dreyer, the anthology and the Shalvis too! Ithought they were out April1. How perfect--I can take my nook and read during a couple of long waits between meetings tomorrow...
Susan, I thought the Dreyer was good, although emotionally hard to take--it took a long time to like the hero and get past his treatment of the heroine. The teaser for this next book looks really interesting.

Susan, I'm a long-time Dreyer fan. Two of her categories--A Rose for Maggie and A Soldier's Heart.both written as Kathleen Korbel--are on my all-time fave list. I love her style and voice. I expected to like Barely a Lady, and I did. But it wasn't an A read for me for the reasons that Dls mentioned. I never got completely past my problems with the hero. But I still trust Dreyer and I'm eager for the new one.

I'm reading two books at once right now, I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman, which is a straight up suspense novel, and Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr. When the suspense gets too dark I go back to the Robyn Carr. But I have a feeling I'm going to just pick one and finish it soon.

I have fallen in love with a brand new author. Lecia Cornwall's debut,
Secrets of a Proper Countess releases today and it is wonderful! I read the entire book in one day and then wanted to immediately read it again. Instead, I sat down and wrote the author an email, gushing like a total fangirl (grin) and asking (okay, *begging*) her to guest at The Romance Dish. She's there today, blogging about what really goes on in a day in the life of a romance author and giving away two copies of her book.

Not sure what's up next from the tbr. I have to edit a lot of photos from last weekend's dance competition before I can get back to my books.

I just finished 2 of the 4 stories in the anthology, IT HAPPENED ONE SEASON. The two I read (Balogh and Hern) were fabulous. I wish they were both full blown historicals.

It makes me miss Candice Hern's voice more and more. I really wish she had something new in the works. I think I read somewhere that she is no longer under contract. I'm not sure how that all works but these publishers sure are missing the boat! She has a fabulous talent that is definitely not being utilized.

As with everyone else I'm looking forward to Eileen Dreyer's newest, NEVER A GENTLEMAN, and THE SWEETEST THING by Jill Shalvis.

I enjoyed Eileen's BARELY A LADY. I was prepared not to like it due to some reviews I read about the hero. To be honest it grabbed me from the beginning and kept me reading. I think Eileen did such a wonderful job with the characterizations and the world building that the quibble with the hero became minor. I also remember Diccan and Grace from the first book and anxiously awaiting their story.

I'm reading The Mistress of Mellyn.

I miss Candice Hern's books too, and I keep hoping for news of a new contract for her, for Marianne Stillings, for Loucinda McGary--all writers whose work I loved. At least with Candice, her trad Regencies will soon be available as new ebooks, including A Proper Companion, A Change of Heart, An Affair of Honor, A Garden Folly, The Best Intentions, and Miss Lacey's Last Fling. Some great reading there!

Cindy wrote: "I'm reading The Mistress of Mellyn."

Wow, Cindy! Blast from the past! I remember reading that one in the 9th grade. Victoria Holt was one of the only romance-ish authors my high school library held.

Janga wrote: "I miss Candice Hern's books too, and I keep hoping for news of a new contract for her, for Marianne Stillings, for Loucinda McGary--all writers whose work I loved."

It really is disheartening when authors you KNOW are good writers can't get a contract. But I'm glad for the novellas and the re-releases from Candice Hern.

Manda wrote: "Wow, Cindy! Blast from the past! I remember reading that one in the 9th grade. Victoria Holt was one of the only romance-ish authors my high scho..."

I've been borrowing a lot of books from the library lately, and pick up a lot of recommendations from here and All About Romance, or author websites. Connie Brockway listed it as one of her favorite books. I'd never read it before, and I was in the mood for Gothic. It was a quick read.

Manda wrote: "Janga wrote: "I miss Candice Hern's books too, and I keep hoping for news of a new contract for her, for Marianne Stillings, for Loucinda McGary--all writers whose work I loved."

It really is disheartening when authors you KNOW are good writers can't get a contract. But I'm glad for the novellas and the re-releases from Candice Hern."

I know what you mean, Manda. I'm excited about the new trend that seems to be popping up of authors taking matters into their own hands and self-publishing. I would love to see what kind of stories we would get if our favorite authors could write what they want, the way they want without publishing houses putting restrictions on them.

I forgot about Marianne Stillings, Janga. I loved and purchased all of her books and was eagerly awaiting a new series when I found out she lost her contract. Very frustrating!

I am reading The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter and then I think I'll read the last 2 boos from BDB by Ward...

I'm joining Kasey in reading Jane Eyre for the first time.

Cindy, it is going well, but I am having a hard time reading more than a couple of chapters at one time. How are you liking it?

Kasey wrote: "Cindy, it is going well, but I am having a hard time reading more than a couple of chapters at one time. How are you liking it?"

I just started, but I'm finding the same thing. I don't think it'll be a quick read.

Cindy wrote: "I just started, but I'm finding the same thing. I don't think it'll be a quick read."

Me either.

I had forgotten how dark and sad the beginning of the story is. I think I always focused on the romance. I always take longer reading dark books. I have to do gloom in smaller doses. The book is beautifully written though.

Just finished Never a Gentleman which I really liked. Looks like she has the next one out this summer. Also read The Sweetest Thing. That didn't work for me. Loved the hero but wasn't crazy about the heroine and the meet/get to know long lost child stuff didn't ring true to me.

It is a good book. I think your right with it being slower because the first part is so dark. I am about twelve chapters in right now and I am starting to get into it more. I am hoping it will start moving faster now.

That's funny, I'm at chapter 12 as well, and I got sucked in too.

It must be because that is about when Mr. Rochester shows up. :)

Their chemistry is amazing. I'm loving this novel. And I wish I could take a holiday from all responsibilities, because I just keep getting interrupted. :)