UPDATE: CONTEST NOW CLOSED. It’s 5:06 PM on Sunday…and the winner is Jenny Marks!! Thanks to all for playing, and for the great suggestions. I’m excited to get started on this new “to be read” list.
What does one do when she wakes up to a foggy December morning with a case of the blahs? Decide to play Santa, that’s what! 
It’s been quite some time since I’ve offered a giveaway on the blog, so let’s fire one up for the holidays. How about a $30 gift card from Amazon, Kindle, or iTunes (winner’s choice)?
I think this contest should involve some give and take, and what I’d like from you is a good book recommendation. When it comes to romances reads, it’s all about the heroes to me. Personally, I’m a sucker for somewhat troubled heroes who have a lot to overcome. I also like the introverts and heroes with a clever sense of humor. I’m not so enthralled with the popular billionaire alpha-males dominating the contemporary romance scene these days. Guess it’s no wonder I tend to prefer historical romance.
Given my peculiar taste, my all-time favorite heroes (off the top of my head) are Jamie Fraser (Outlander/Diana Gabaldon), Winter Makepeace (Thief of Shadows/Elizabeth Hoyt), and Viscount St. Vincent (Devil in Winter/Lisa Kleypas). If forced to look at contemporary heroes, I’d probably pick Hardy Cates (Blue Eyed Devil/Lisa Kleypas) or Oliver Rain (Wildest Hearts, Jayne Ann Krentz), and in the paranormal realm, I loved vampire Prince Trehan Daciano (Shadow’s Claim/Kresley Cole). Each of these guys had a unique sense of honor (despite mistakes made) and abiding love for their respective heroines.
Now that I’ve shared my list, I’d like to meet some new heroes! So, to enter the contest, leave the name of a good book and/or romance hero in the comment section. I don’t care if the book is fifteen years old…it may still be “new to me.” Also, while I prefer historical romance, I read just about everything (including non-romance) so don’t be shy to introduce me to something unexpected.
I’ll close the contest at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 8th. Once the winner is selected, I’ll announce it here and on my Facebook page. The winner can contact me privately with his or her mailing address (or email address).
Thanks for playing! Can’t wait to add to my “to be read” pile! xo-Jamie
Just read Barbara Freethy’s “Between Now and Forever”. Great interaction between the couple
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest.
Patti
You know, I only hear great things about Ms. Freethy’s work, but I’ve actually never read her books. Guess I’ll have to finally give one a try. Thanks for playing!
I just read Inez Kelley’s new book, Take Me Home, and while it’s a contemporary romance, it hits every other point on your list. In some ways, Matt is almost a man from a different century, noble and pride. The 20th century was hard on his family, and he’s overcome that for himself, but he can’t quite outrun the memories. Meeting Kayla makes him want more, but it means facing up to his demons, and that’s an impossible ask. It’s short, and from your favourites list, I think you typically like a longer book, but this is a good, quick read.
One of my favourite books of the year is a historical, Sarah MacLean’s One Good Early Deserves a Lover. But really, anything MacLean writes is worth looking at! Earl is the second in a series, and the third one just came out as well, if you to glom a trilogy of tortured noblemen-gone-rogue.
Finally, because I’m a contemporary romance addict, my last suggestion is another from my top 10 list of the year: Flirting with Disaster by Ruthie Knox. Stuttering hero, and it’s awesome. I’m sure there are excerpts on Ruthie’s website. This is a standalone novel, but it’s book 3 in a 4 book series about a family. The heroine’s brother and sister each have their own books.
I loved Chasing Nikki by LAcey Weatherford. It was sweet with a shocking turn of events….I loved it
Lauren Blakelys The Thrill of It. She is an indie author and i loved the book. Its pretty much about two lost souls trying to overcome everything in their past and move forward.
My all time favorite series is by a Indie Author who is amazing, It’s The Remembrance Trilogy by Kahlen Aymes. The first book is The Future of Our Past, Don’t Forget To Remember Me and A Love Like This. It’s a raw, emotional, amazing love story .
Ok, troubled heroes! Have I got the book for you!!!! Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy, this is the only book this year I rated 6+++ stars. Yes, it’s that good. I truly want everybody to read this book, It is beautiful and poignant. Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://amzn.to/1b9yMw5
If you’re looking for a hero with a great sense of humor, you could try just about anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Everything I’ve read from her is chock-full of wit and sarcasm. I especially loved Natural Born Charmer.
What about the Janet Evanovich Plum books? They’re more chick-lit than anything, but they are FUNNY! I laugh so hard while reading them, that my 14 y.o. son wants to read them now. Um, no. Too much naughty stuff for that. 😉 (Not really, but for him…for sure.)
Oh, and I know…how about something my Zoe York? 😉 Her stories are heart-warming contemporaries with great heroes and heroines and lots of snappy dialogue. 🙂
I highly recommend The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders! I absolutely loved that book! I read it in one day because it was ‘that’ good. 😀
Reading it in one day is a good endorsement! Thanks for the recommendation!
You know I love Jamie Fraser from Outlander too! He is an all time favorite hero for me – but as you and I have discussed him at length, I am not officially listing him.
I have to say, another of my favorite heros is still Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Pride and Prejudice that was my portal into historical romance and I guess I never got over him!
Going back to the classics. Yes, they can be hard to beat. 😉
I would recommend ANYTHING written by Kristan Higgins, I just love her books so much. Also if you are looking for a great series to read try the In Death series by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) its absoltely amazing!!
Kristin is in my CTRWA group. She’s as lovely in person as you’d expect her to be from her writing/stories. And, despite her wild popularity, I’ve actually never tried a JD Robb book. I’ll start with one from this series, thanks.
Incarnations of Immortality (series) by Piers Anthony. It combines time travel, romance, mystery, adventure, and religion.
I have a cousin who would LOVE these based on your description, so I’m going to share the recommendation with her. Thanks.
2 recent reads I loved – Jake Undone by Penelope Ward and Bully by Penelope Douglas.. Though I probably have a top 10 list from recent reads alone!!
I don’t know either of these authors, so I’ll check them out on Amazon. Thanks.
Something happened to my reply? Hmm…second try. I’ll add these to my list, thanks.
Non romance I would say Iris Johansen..the Eve Duncan Series I live all if the books! Romance books I really love Jill Shalvis just read Rumor Has It not to long ago and loved it. Barbara Freethy is awesome too!
ANother Freethy recommendation. I’ve read Shalvis, but not Johansen. More for my ever-growing list, thanks.
If you like Jamie, meaning some tortured hero types, I have to recommend Aral Vorkosigan of Lois McMaster Bujold’s book, Cordelia’s Honor. (Which is actually two novels in one.) It’s SF but, man, the characters in those books. Aral. ::sigh::
The second book is a SF romance recommendation: Philip Guthrie of Hope’s Folly. The book is part of Sinclair’s Dock Five series, and Philip shows up in the previous books as the heroine’s ex. But I loved him right away…(I understand some prefer Gabriel Sullivan and he’s not too bad either!)
SF isn’t my favorite, but I do love any book with great characters…so I’ll have to look into these.
Hi Jamie,
I love Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series…kiss of Crimson…Dante and Tess was my favorite, but the last one I read of hers was Edge of Dawn..Mira and Kellan….childhood friends turn into so much more…Love there story…each book in this series, if you read them in order which is the way I like to read series has the same characters in them…
You don’t have to read them in order…I just did…
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon League Series…Born of Night…hybrid human and predatory alien race…It’s exciting…there is more in the series…the characters continue in Born of Fire and Born of Ice…
I love my contemporary romance, and my thrillers but these two authors are different and really are a great read…
I’ve read S. Kenyon, but never L. Adrian. Thanks.
I liked Kristine Raymond’s ‘Here to Stay’…or Jennifer Probst’s ‘Searching for Someday’
Both are really great
I’ve read one of Probst’s books, but am not familiar with K. Raymond. Thanks.
No not easy since everyone is different. I am almost finished reading Susan Wiggs’ Candlelight Christmas and am enjoying it very much. If you want a nice Christmas read about people you really hope exist out there, I would suggest that.
We can also use a little Christmas cheer…and hope that good people still exist! Thanks.
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Is Meg Cabot a YA author? I’ve heard a lot of good things about her, but have never tried her books. Thanks.
I think you should read the consequences series by Aletha Romig! Absolutely amazing author and must read books!!!! I love love love this series!!!!
I hope Ms. Romig knows what a fan she has. What an endorsement. I’ll put it on my list.
The broken by Ker dukey
I’m intrigued by the lack of description…but I like the title! LOL Thanks!
Not romance, but the young adult book Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer is one of the best books I have read in awhile; it is a retelling of Cinderella that is well written and has a twist you don’t see coming.
Sounds good. I’m up for non-romance now and then.
The Most Unsuitable Courtship by Caroline Clemmons is a great historical romance. For action/ romance I recommend The Falcon Security Series by Geri Foster
I’ve never read Caroline Clemmons, but I love historical romance, so this goes on my list too!
My all time favorite, while not a romance, is incredibly romantic; The Leopard, by Giuseppe di Lampedusa. A thrilling read.
Will put it on the list! Thanks.
Ohhh the Chase brothers from Lauren Danes books!
I checked these out…seem very sexy! Thanks.
It’s much older the 15 years but its been reprinted in the last few years and that’s Green Darkness by Anya Seton. A fabulous read indeed.
I’ll see if I can get a copy. Thanks.
I just read Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck and it was an amazing read I could read this over and over again and I also found out that this book is becoming a movie and it’s coming out in 2015!I am so excited!You should definitely read this book before it comes out as a movie!It has romance,adventure,magic,and dark forces and even a curse that needs to be broken!I really recommend this one!
This sounds intriguing! Thanks for the suggestion.
Loved chasing dreams by nicole edwards hot cowboy
Someone else recently recommended some cowboy stories, too. I’ll have to take the plunge!