Last week
SBTB asked readers which Johanna Lindsey book a new romance reader should read first. I pretty much agreed with the resulting list except maybe
The Heir. That is one of three Lindsey books that I have never been able to finish. The other two being
Heart of a Warrior and
Home for the Holidays.
If I were to recommend which books of Lindsey's to read, I think it would go like this:
1.
Hearts Aflame - the first ever JL book I ever read and the beginning of my historical romance love.
2.
Tender Rebel - Tony Malory's story in the Malory family. There is something about Tony that appeals to me, the description of his looks, his attitude, and his personality.
3.
The Magic of You - another Malory story, this time it's Tony's niece, Amy and Warren Anderson. A hot story with lots of humour.
4.
Defy not the Heart - a medieval romance with a twist - the hero has trouble pleasuring the heroine at first because he is worried about his size.
5.
When Love Awaits - another medieval, this time a man marries to gain land.
6.
Once a Princess - an ordinary person suddenly finds out she is a princess from a far away land, and her prince is hot!
7.
Prisoner of Desire - some people have been turned off of the story line of forced seduction, but for some reason it works in this book.
8.
Love Only Once - the first book to start the Malory series - is there any other reason needed?
9.
Secret Fire - a Regency era book with a kidnapping and Russian setting.
10.
Fires of Winter - the story of Kristen's (Hearts Aflame) parents
11.
Surrender my Love - another Viking era story, this time it's Selig's story
12.
Paradise Wild - a little old school, but I enjoyed the story with a different setting (Hawaii)
13.
Man of My Dreams - Megan is determined to land herself a Duke, Ambrose St.James. Ambrose, hiding out as a horse breeder is determined to change her mind.
14.
Gentle Rogue - this book would be higher on my list, but James is so revered in subsequent books that he begins to annoy me.
15.
A Gentle Feuding - warring clans and Scotland, what else is needed?
I tried to keep the list to my top ten, but just couldn't do it. Sadly, my favourite Johanna Lindsey books were all published before 1995. I continue to read each book that is released, but none seem to have that magical something of the old books.
It's that time of year again. I have found the title for Johanna Lindsey's 2012 release. The book is called "Let Love Find You". Once again I find myself hoping that this will be it. That this book will be the one with the magical something that the old Lindseys contained. So although I have given up on a lot of authors over the years, I think Lindsey is one that I will continue to read in hopes of catching a glimmer of the chemistry and rich stories her books had prior to 1995.
Alana Farmer enjoys a privileged life in London. She spends her time either in fencing lessons with her uncle, or helping out at an orphanage. Everything changes on her eighteenth birthday, Alana discovers that her uncle is not a relative, but the assassin hired to kill her. She is also the princess of Lubinia and must return to reveal herself to her father, the king, and help stop a rebellion.
Assassin Leonard Kastner agrees to commit an abhorrent crime for an astronomical sum - kill the infant heir to the European kingdom of Lubinia. Just as he is about to carry out the heinous deed, the baby awakens.and smiles at him. Losing his heart to tiny Alana Stindal, Leonard sweeps her out of their homeland to safety in England where he conceals her true identity from her and gives her an education fit for a queen. Eighteen years later, when the king of Lubinia faces a revolt because he has not produced another legitimate heir, Leonard knows he must take Alana home to prevent a civil war. But at the Lubinian palace no one believes Alana is the missing princess. Christoph Becker, the captain of the palace guards, arrests Alana because he suspects she is a pretender or a seductive assassin. When the king recognizes Alana as his long-lost daughter he proudly betroths her to the one man he believes is capable of protecting her and eliminating the shadowy figures who are determined to destroy his dynasty - Christoph Becker.
A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey. This book was written in the time of forced seduction and rape being romantic. I first read it when I was about 14, I still like to read it, but cringe at the "love" scenes. More than likely if this had been any other author or if I read it for the first time in the last 15 years it would have been a wall-banger.
Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey is my favourite title for two reasons. One, because I love this book, Stefan is hot, hot, hot, and Tatiana is feisty enough without being too over-bearing or bratty. And two, because I am a princess! Alright, not really, I have to work for a living, and I have no servants, tiaras, or castles. But I want to be a princess dammit!
For anyone who loves a free deal, check out the website Pocket After Dark. They offer sneak peeks of the first two chapters in upcoming releases. As well as two free books to read once a month. This month, Johanna Lindsey's Marriage Most Scandalous is one of the free reads.
This was really hard. There were a couple of quotes I could have picked. Some gave insight into Kristen's personality and behaviour. While others were very emotional but were spoilers for anyone who has not read Hearts Aflame yet. Finally I decided to go with this:
I didn't even have to think about today's book, it is Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey. It's a medieval historical with Vikings and one of the first romances I bought. I have to admit, I was drawn to this book at first because of the cover. It was also this book that got me hooked on Johanna Lindsey. This book was written before the popularity of the female warrior in historicals. Kristen Hardraad, the heroine, is a strong woman taught to fight and use weapons by her mother. But she is also still womanly, and enjoys her feminine side. I find now that the heroine in historicals are too modern in their thinking and their actions. They can do it all and want nothing to do with or listen to the hero. Sometimes to the point of being TSTL. I'm not asking for a heroine who is timid and lacks the ability to think for herself. Instead, I want a heroine who is smart and strong while still being true to her time. Kristen, in my opinion fits that description. Oh, and Royce of Wyndham is hot! If the Viking era is one of your favourites (it's one of mine) check out the Hardraad series. It actually starts with Kristen's parent in The Fires of Winter and continues with Surrender My Love. I am still waiting for more books from this family.
