Okay, new [temporary] rule. I bitch talk so much about my WIPs that I think it’s part of why I’m not getting done all I want to get done. Well, that or it’s because I’m reading too damn much, but let’s not blame the books. 
So I’m going to lay off it for a while. See what happens. (Not to mention I think I sound whiny.)
I’ve been discovering Nora Roberts, arguably the reigning queen of romance. Sound the trumpets, roll at the red carpet, cue the screaming fans. *Grins* About ten years ago, I decided to find out what all the hype was about Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts, so I grabbed a couple of their books each. At the time, I didn’t read much romance; I was deeper into the suspense/thrillers. The gorier the better. Go figure.
Anywho, I discovered that Danielle Steele’s not so much for me (though you gotta respect someone with talent enough to gain such a broad following), and while I liked Nora Roberts’s books, they weren’t at all what I was expecting. I don’t remember which ones I read, and I haven’t picked stumbled over them again, but I know one was a time travel when all I was prepared for was a straight-up contemporary. So I patted myself on the back for trying something new, returned the library books, and went back to the serial killers who cut off victims’ eyelids or shaved and plucked every single hair from their bodies.
Fast forward, and I’ve phased out of the blood, death, and imminent destruction into romantic comedy a’la Jennifer Crusie. (What can I say? I’m a contradiction of extremes.) From there, I decided to try all the different subgenres, with La Nora considered a subgenre unto herself. I’ve only scratched the surface of her backlist, but I’m getting addicted fast. With a greater appreciation not just for her talent and kick-ass work ethic, but for the books and genre as well, I’m starting to have trouble settling on my favorites, though Montana Sky will always have a special place in my heart.
Midnight Bayou is a definite must-read for all the Romies out there, and I’m almost done with the Circle trilogy, which I’d heard recommended over and over and over again. Man, is it good. If you haven’t given her a try, maybe it’s time you do.
June 12, 2009 at 5:44 am
Hi, I too have an obsession with Nora Roberts books, I always look for them in the library and sometimes I pick them up even if I’ve read them before. I do prefer her more ’suspense-y’ books, like Three Fates (which is one of my many favourites), but her supernatural ones are quite awesome too. I really really LOVED the Circle Trilogy; I especially liked that it was quite different from her usual style—the creepy factor in those was quite amped up, I thought. But then, I’m something of a chicken, not a big blood-gore-and-guts book fan, so..