Guest Post: 5 Great Indie Romance Books
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 7:02AM For Indie Tuesday this week, we have a guest post and five recommendations from Amy at IndieReader.com.
5 Great Indie Romance Books
First thing, I want to thank Kristyn for allowing me to suggest some great indie books for her readers.
But why should you try indie?
Well, if you’ve ever seen an independent film or listened to an indie band, you know that choosing indie is kinda like wandering off the beaten path or watching an episode of “American Idol”. In other words, you’re not quite sure what you will find, but often it’s even better than you expected because rather than reading (or listening or watching) something that’s been created by “committee”, with indie you’re getting one artist’s vision and voice.
And while there’s nothing wrong with books that have been traditionally pubbed, it’s always nice to try something new every now and then.
Here’s five to choose from. We hope you enjoy!
1) Letters from Pemberly by Jane Dawkins (Historical Romance)
The inspired letters are created by a young woman who has been elevated through marriage and transported from her predictable life as a sister and daughter, to the role of wife and mistress of the Pemberley estate and a new lifestyle of elegance and grandeur.
With each letter, Jane Dawkins constructs a delicious story line that might very well have been the continuation of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet’s relationship as close sisters, finding themselves living apart and each navigating the newness of the state of marriage.
Filled with youth, innocence and wit, their connection through written correspondence is picturesque, as if they were still whispering gossip, side by side in the parlor of their home. Through Elizabeth’s ingenuity we become acquainted with a new cast of characters at Pemberley and some we revisit from Jane Austen’s previous literary works.
In her letters to Jane, we find Elizabeth evolving out of a homesick young lady into a confident and masterful woman, in charge of her new home, and fully aware of the delicate behavior needed to exist in an elite society while maintaining her wit and subtle sense of humor.
Jane Dawkins has done a remarkable job creating a continuation of Pride and Prejudice with a cleverly woven story line that satisfies our curiosity about the ongoing lives of our most beloved Jane Austen characters.
2) Love Me by Bella Andre (on “The List Where Indies Count” IndieReader’s best-seller list).
It's been five years since Lily Ellis and Travis Carson got married and fell in love in TAKE ME....now it's finally time for Janica Ellis and Luke Carson to get their very own happy ending.
If there's one thing that Janica Ellis is absolutely certain of, it's that she and Luke Carson are totally wrong for each other. She's a wild, artistic and outspoken fashion designer. He's a type A, workaholic trauma surgeon (who just happens to be sizzling hot and her brother-in-law!). But Janica is about to be proven wrong when opposites attract...in the sexiest possible way. After a life-changing night in the ER, Luke is desperate for escape - and relief from his personal demons.
For five years he has fought his attraction to his sister-in-law, but when he's pushed too far, he can't fight it another second. He needs her. Desperately. He's spent his whole life doing the right thing. For one night, he's going to follow desire instead. Straight into Janica's arms. Janica can't believe Luke is finally at her front door...and that he's kissing her like he's been waiting his whole life to touch her. But even as their sensual connection deepens with every touch of skin on skin - and the man she always thought was such a good boy turns out to be sinfully, toe-curlingly bad between the sheets - Janica soon realizes she wants more than Luke's body. She wants his heart too. But what will Luke do when one night of extreme passion turns into an all or nothing proposition?
3) Maid for Love (The McCarthys of Gansett Island) by Marie Force (Contemporary Romance)
Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long.
When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.
4) Jane I’m-Still-Single Jones by Joan Reeves (Contemporary Romance)
What could be worse for a former high school beauty queen who never landed the only man she ever loved than attending a 10-year high school reunion in a small town teetering on the edge of a time warp?
At least that's how successful textile designer Jane Louise Jones views her situation and her hometown, just south of nowhere in the rolling hills of Louisiana, where a woman is still looked at as a failure if she isn't married. At least, that's what her grandmother and all the other blue-haired women of the Vernon Ladies Bridge Club would have her believe.
Jane is used to dealing with challenges, but she's decidedly nervous about her reunion. What if Morgan Sherwood, the town boy-wonder who made good in a big way, shows up? Morgan was once her secret love, a geeky teen who stole her heart and then broke it before leaving town forever.
Fortunately, her best friend assures her that Morgan will be a no-show. It's terrible when you can't trust your BFF! Morgan arrives with his entourage in a stretch limo. He's not a geeky kid any more. He's six feet of tanned, rippling muscles, and he plans to focus his high-powered brain and use every masculine charm he possesses to seduce the lovely Miss Jones.
With a former classmate intending to claim him as husband number four, a Hollywood starlet who shows up to party with him, and an old boyfriend intent on stealing Jane's affection, Morgan has more obstacles than he'd expected.
Throw in the Ladies of the Bridge Club, lots of southern charm, and a ten-year old betrayal, and you have all the ingredients for a heartwarming, funny, sexy romantic comedy. Can Jane and Morgan get it right this time?
Jane wants to resist. She really does. Her brain says no, but her body says, oh, baby! Yes, yes, yes. Smoldering desire, thwarted for ten years, explodes into passion.
Will it burn away their doubts or turn their love into ashes?
5) Eye of the Beholder by Emma Jay (Historical Romance)
Sarah Dusenberry is enduring her fifth season, and is tired of her mother pushing her toward a husband, when it’s clear no man wants her. Why can’t she just travel with a companion, lead the life of a well-off spinster? But her mother wants her to have the protection of a man and will not part with the funds Sarah needs for her dream of travel. In search of her own funds, she answers an ad for an artist’s model, never thinking of how she’ll be modeling—or how much she’ll enjoy it.
Grayson becomes entranced with his new model and pursues her in society as he struggles to keep his distance in the studio. What will Sarah do when she learns the truth?
THIS BOOK CONTAINS EROTIC CONTENT.
Head over to IndieReader.com to find more great Indie romance novels. Thanks to Amy for the great recommendations and post!
Indie Tuesday, List, guest post, romance reading list in Indie Tuesday, general, top 5
Reader Comments (3)
Thx Kristyn!
I'm honored to have JANE (I'm Still Single) JONES included in this list of romantic books by such amazing authors. I've actually read each of the other 4 books and agree wholeheartedly that they are wonderful. I not only write romance--I read it avidly.
I admire these other authors, and, to be in their company, is immensely flattering!
Thank you, Amy! You made my day.
Best wishes,
Joan Reeves
Thanks so much, Amy! I so appreciate you including Maid for Love on your list!
Marie