Romance is the most maligned genre of literature, despite being the highest grossing. How do publishers afford multi-million dollar contracts for first time literary fiction authors? On the backs of romance. We, romance readers, are the most loyal fans. We are powering through the recession, earning even more profits for Harlequin despite the buying downturn through the rest of the economy. Unfortunately, most people who criticize the genre as “bodice-rippers” and “crotch novels” have never read one. I’ll leave the eloquent arguments to Smart Bitches who Love Trashy Books and Dear Author. Check out the stats on romance readers from the Romance Writers of America to see that we’re a highly diverse, highly educated bunch. Escapist fantasies? What book, besides a textbook, isn’t an escapist fantasy? That’s what reading is. That’s what TV and movies are. ENTERTAINMENT.

Romance novels are delicious. Nom…nom…nomnomnomnomnom.

What I want to share with you now is the time honored wisdom: Don’t Knock it till You’ve Tried it

Here are 13 recommended books (all of which I’ve read and loved) in each subgenre of your reading persuasion. Go ahead, try one. I double-dog dare ya.

1. Contemporary: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2. Paranormal: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
3. Historical: It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
4. Regency: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
   
5. Science-Fiction: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
6. Fantasy: The Moon Witch by Linda Winstead Jones
7. Suspense: Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
8. Young Adult: Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith (sigh, or Twilight…but who’s left who hasn’t read it?)
9. Women’s Fiction: Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
10. Erotica: Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston
11. Contemporary Category Romance: Marriage at the Millionaire’s Command by Anne Oliver
12. Paranormal Category Romance: Raintree Inferno by Linda Howard
13. Suspense Category Romance: Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor

Title: Raintree: Inferno
Author: Linda Howard
Series: Raintree book 1
Publication Info: Silhouette Nocturne, May 07
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

The chemistry is burning between these two strong protagonists in Linda Howard’s first book of the Raintree Trilogy. Their quick repartee is strongly reminiscent of Ms. Howard’s MR. PERFECT (another highly recommended read), complete with short, feisty, sharp-tongued heroine and tall, totally Alpha, arrogant, domineering hero. I often find “Alpha” is short for “A$$hole,” but Dante’s intelligence, protectiveness and humor helped balance his domineering tendencies. Besides, I’m a sucker for a man who says those three little words: “Have my baby.”

There are two groups of magical beings that live among the humans: the Raintree, who use their powers for good, and the Anasara, who use their powers for evil. These powers range from psychic abilities to control over the elements, similar to the paranormal protagonists in Jacquelyn Frank’s Nightwalker series. Dante, the king of the Raintree, controls fire, so when his casino bursts into flames he can’t control, he immediately suspects the strange woman who has been cheating him out of money. She must be an Anasara in disguise. Lorna Clay doesn’t know anything about magic or psychic abilities. All she knows is that she’s always been uncommonly lucky with numbers and that this powerful man poses an extraordinary danger to her. Unfortunately, she seems to have been hypnotized to obey his every command. Don’t move. Don’t talk. Follow me. How can she trust a man who would force his will on her? She may have to, because someone is trying to kill them. Risking her life is terrifying, but it’s a walk in the park compared to risking her heart.

The writing in this book is, as typical of Ms. Howard’s work, flawless. Her prose is quite plain, but it gets the job done with a fast plot and engaging, well-rounded characters. The dialogue between the hero and heroine is excellent. My favorite passage:

That was a dirty game of pool he was playing, saying Have my baby as if he meant it. He couldn’t mean it. They had known each other two days. That was something men said to seduce women, because hundreds of centuries ago some cunning bastard had figured out most women were pushovers for babies, (p238).

Yeah, I know it isn’t true for all women, but, boy!, is it true for me. *grin*

Can’t wait to read the next two in the trilogy!

Book 1: Linda Howard Raintree: Inferno – May 07
Book 2: Linda Winstead Jones Raintree: Haunted – June 07
Book 3: Beverly Barton Raintree: Sanctuary – July 07

The ladies who have been playing the Desert Island Keeper game and fighting over our favorite romance heroes have joined together for the Next Big Thing in Romancelandia by setting up our own blog:

Desert Island Keeper: The island where women can go to escape their everyday lives. Where their favorite books are waiting. And the heroes are nekid….(or at least they are in our huts~)

The lovely island ladies: Ana and Thea, Aymless, Bridget Locke, Christine, CJ, Jen B, Kristie J and Katie(babs), Lesley W, Lisabea, little Alys, Mary Kate, Nadia, Samantha Kane, Sarah, Sarai, Shannon, Sula, Tracy

We each have selected 6 books and 7 heroes that we would take if stranded on a deserted island, without overlaps. We share our books but not our men. The resulting list is a fabulous resource to expand my To Be Read pile (not that I needed help, but I always appreciate great recommendations!). We will have author interviews and book reviews and contests and lots of fun, so stop by in the coming weeks with your bottle of rum and your favorite book.

Thirteen Books I plan to read from the DIK list, in no particular order:

1. Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (started it!)
2. Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
3. The Windflower by Tom and Sharon Curtis
4. Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
5. The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
6. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
7. Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
8. Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
9. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
10. By Arrangement by Madeline Hunter
11. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
12. Whispers of Heaven by Candice Proctor
13. My Fair Captain by J.L. Langley

The Desert Island Keeper Hero round-robin game is over. It was fun. No one got any work done. But we got a fabulous list of our favorite heroes. My To Be Read (TBR) list is HUGE. Based on the final composition of the island, I have compiled a list of the 13 authors who had the most heroes make the DIK hero list. J.R. Ward tops the list with 8. (9 if you count Carolyn Jean’s pick of the Omega.) (edited- sorry Christine!!!) Authors 8 through 12 each had three heroes make it to the island, so they are listed in alphabetical order. Josh Lanyon had 3 heroes, but they were fought over so I listed him at the top of the 3-hero authors. Patricia Briggs has 2 heroes, but made the list over the runners-up because Adam was fought over. Viciously. You know it’s gotta be love.

Authors who Rock and their Heroes:

1. J.R. Ward: Zsadist, John Matthew aka Tehrror, Rhage, Qhuinn, Vishous, Wrath, Rehvenge, Butch O’Neill, the Omega *coughCarolynJeancough* (edited – sorry Christine!).
2. Meljean Brook: Hugh Castleford, Colin Ames-Beaumont, Savitri Murray, Michael, Ethan McCabe *coughMineHahahacough*, Belial.
3. Nalini Singh: Lucas Hunter, Hawke, Vaughn D’Angelo, Judd Laurens, Clay Bennett, Dorian
4. Suzanne Brockmann: Tom Paoletti, Sam Starrett, Max Baghat, Stan Wolchonok, Mr. Jules Cassidy
5. Laurell K. Hamilton: Doyle/The Queen’s Darkness, Rhys, Nathaniel, Barinthus
6. Lisa Kleypas: Cam Rohan, Sebastian St. Vincent, Derek Craven, Gage Travis
7. Josh Lanyon: Adrian English, Taylor MacAllister, Jake Riordan
8. Linda Howard: Gray Rouillard, James Diaz, Sam Donovan
9. Kresley Cole: Cadeon Woede, Bowen MacRieve, Conrad Wroth
10. Sherrilyn Kenyon: Zarek of Moesia, Acheron, Vane Kattalakis
11. Stephanie Meyers: Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, Ian
12. C.L. Wilson: Gaelen vel Serranis, Rain Tairen Soul, Kieran Vel Solande (I forgot mine!)
13. Patricia Briggs: Adam Hauptman, Dr. Samuel Cornick.

Runners up:

• Kelly Armstrong: Jeremy Danvers, Clay
• Anne Bishop: Lucivar Yaslana, Daemon Sadi  (edited to add)
• Jennifer Crusie: Calvin Morissey, Phineas Tucker
• Janet Evanovich: Joe Morelli, Ranger
• Patricia Gaffney: Michael McNeil, Sebastian Verlaine
• Judith Ivory: Mick Tremore, Graham Wessi
• Samantha Kane: Derek Knightly, Ian Witherspoon
• J.L. Langley: Nate, Jake Romer
• Linnea Sinclair: Branden Kel-Paten, Gabriel “Sully” Sullivan