Ive seen a lot of trends and authors come and go and my personal opinion is that lighter books- in historical romance, not necessarily in other genres like paranormal etc. I believe its Return To Christmas. The articles are there, but the design isnt. Cant wait to get my little paws on this one. I do agree that self publishing is churning out a lot of very different types of novels and trying out Kindle Unlimited over the past month has opened my eyes to so many more authors, novels and genres that werent on my radar before that large numbers of readers are consuming. I would love to read a great historical romance set in some time period other than the 19th century for a change! I loved her work. the ask@AAR: What are the very best love scenes in romance? Refresh and try again. $j("#facebookRegPrompt").hide(); Blind faith, he feels, gives a free pass to those who would abuse and use your love and give nothing in return for it. I may take a few of these recommendations. Another historical! Clearly shes quite supportive of risk-takingThe Duke of Shadows was far bloodier, not to mention considerably farther-flung, than most historicals. I was seconded some years ago by my company to Kiev in the Ukraine and I took them with me to read again during what was a very long and very cold winter. But like music or film or any business the artists with big PR campaigns and money behind them are the ones easiest to find. P.S: Sandy, I dont live in the U.S. so please do not enter me into the ARC contest. Hi Meredith! I must say I miss Laura Kinsale- though her missing status isnt so recentI understand that her research, writing and resolutions all took much out of her-but WOW, so did they take much out of me, as the reader. Thank you for your kinds words! Her website had an under construction notice the last time I tried to access it. Theres always a bit of a grieving process for me as I let a favorite author go. This is probably the last Duran book I'll buy, even if the glowing reviews . I think McKenna said writing wasnt fun anymore and took a job in another field (I know her children are still fairly young too, so perhaps the decision to stop writing was also driven by family concerns). It might also account for stories that, about a decade ago, would have been one big volume now being broken down into duets or trilogies. Left: Giving lectures and workshops on scientic writing. As I pointed out above, Meredith Duran is younger than I am but her work reminds me and others of authors who were publishing at least 10 years earlier or more. Im definitely with you on this issue. Plots that have kept fans on their toes, wondering what this sly author has in store for them next! Nowadays my fav hr authors are Julie Anne Long and Mia Vincy. Still love them, but esp THATC. Id really like to know what it is that you find hard to cope with and also what the Amazon scam authors are as I havent a clue what this means. London will still adore him in the morning. And thats a good thing. And what a waste of narrators! Its just hard to see them go and take their unfinished stories with them. Many CR writers are jumping on the mm bandwagon, its pretty lucrative right now. So, at Pocket, at least, it seems that historicals are free to range across the globe. Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers. I am not angry with the authors because they are not the reason this has happened and I am angry at the editors and publishers who have decided that this is what sells without asking what readers really want because if they did it might suprise them. I do not mind small/e-press but I do not want to self publish my first novel on my own because I want to have an editor because I want somebody else to help me to improve the book and also to help me deal with some of the backlash that may result from the novels setting. On the flip side, new generations of writers emerge every year to follow in their footsteps. She is not a fast writer but her books are well worth waiting for! You arent pleased by certain narratives, so you dont have to read them. // logged into Facebook user but not a GR app user; show FB button Sandra Antonelli, a romance author who is reviewed here, wrote her doctoral dissertation on ageism in romances and blogs about it frequently and has lots of great insight on the issue. Every time I search I only can find polls or best books lists which arent the same thing. And sometimes, an author just gets sick and tired of running on the treadmill- especially if she has been forced by multibook contracts or need of advances to crank out a book a month. Im glad theres Elizabeth Kingston, whose writing style I found to be similar to Laura Kinsale. Now, as I said, none of this was planned; it emerged organically, in the process of trying to figure out Lydia. So sad to hear she's not writing anymore! Thered probably be a lot more originality in writing if authors quit chasing after trends and just told the stories itching to burst out of their imaginations. I hope so! Now a doctoral student in anthropology, she is happy to report that all three goals have become her favorite things to do. One more: Eve Dangerfield. (What can I say? Cant wait to read both books. } else { Also the was the place where Jeannie Lin published her first books set in China, so they are willing to look at different settings. Just a small irritant: Several of you commented how much you miss her work and shared your hopes that she'll return to writing romance. ), https://allaboutromance.com/participant/dgrinnan/. Fans of Julia Quinn, Jane Feather and Eloisa James will delight in Meredith's trademark headstrong heroine, cunning hero and tale of deep emotional intensity! They need to make a living, but I expect a fair value for my money. I help organizations walk their DEI talk on the person-to-person level. Their lyrical writing is full of sensual detail and they really linger over words. Alas, Lydia Boyce has no interest in being charmed. My favorite book thus far from 2020 is from Sarah Hogle, who I recently learned is in her twenties, and yet her book displayed far-reaching wisdom about what it takes to make relationships work. After reading this 50 times I am getting tired of it. I hear that the pusbliers what diversity if they want that they want that to take place need to allow the longer books because you can do things like have diverse settings more context to explain things and to explore issues that can come up and to have more interesting stories with richer storytelling in general. I love her books {Fool me twice by Meredith Duran} especially. (Torie was a genealogist, and she had an entertaining supporting cast.). Covering theory, applications, and research, this comprehensive book has become the gold standard of health behavior texts. And, in the meantime, Ill console myself with all the wonderful contemporaries that have come out recently and hunt down every obscure, out-of-print historical I can get my hands on. I have been looking at this book for a month or two, then apparently all of my GR friends read it at once, because there were updates everywhere. I suspect the many fans of the author and narrators, many of whom have never read/listened to m/m before will be squeeing to the hills. I looked everywhere for your first book. Laura Kinsale and Judy Cuevas aka Judith Ivory. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. And since there are few things we love more around here than the chance to put great books in the hands of readers, she was kind enough to offer an ARC of Bound by Your Touch to one lucky reader. I dont think writers necessarily use quantitative data when chasing trends either. There are too many variables to make that claim, not to mention Amazon isnt the only game out there (believe it or not). Ive never listened to them. Keep writing great books! I relisten to the books periodically, I hope they come back someday. Ill be honest once again. (I have a bad habit of dog-earing pages with breathtaking description or particularly clever dialogue. What a wonderful interview thanks for giving us a peak into your ideas, influences, and future plans. Now, the problem with this rule is that you will find a huge range of $2.99 stories anywhere between about 3,000 and 20,000 words. Romantic Times calls it a "fascinating, Hi, yall! I loved her books. We all do it. Just trim away all the fat and floweryness from your writing, and youll do fine. Maybe shes done with IAD? new books! There are wonderful books out there Getting Schooled by Emma Chase comes to mind as an example that have multiple characters of multiple ages, and both genders, flashbacks, several different settings, humor, drama, even pathos, that are utterly perfect as both audio and print books. The decisions up to you. Id call it a variation of the young person interviews old person rather than letting the old person tell her own story trope. Joanna Bourne is not a young girl and tends to write about quite young heroines, but their voices are anything but immature so its not about the age of the protagonist either. I also didnt know until this discussion here that Julie James had stopped writing. Not the authors fault. Looking forward to what sounds like an incredibly good book and a new-to-me author. Even though I absolutely adored the last Meredith Duran book I read, my experience with her writing has been pretty erratic to date. Not saying this to brag, just making a point about the screwy Amazon chart system that favors new work rather than sheer numbers of sales. Ruthie Knox went into publishing I believe, Brainmill Press? }); Congrats Meredith. Im back to devouring romances after a several year dry-spell and this sounds like just the sort of author whose books I really want to read. Also, their blog, So You Think You Can Write, occasionally posts wish lists for submissions, which tend to skew in the direction you mentioned. Before Amazon separated Top 100 sales lists from Top 100 free books, the system was even crazier. At the very least, shed probably have to change the title. At thirteen years old, she made a list of life goals that included writing romance novels, trying sushi, and going to London to see Holbein's portrait of Anne Boleyn. so maybe I have missed something somewhere. Do contemporary-in-corset authors have a younger audience? But I think its fair to say that she liked it! Shes amazing. So great to meet you! Laura Florand, especially since she took a hiatus (which I understand, life happens and is complicated, but I want to maaaaybe have a tentative year for that book) before the final book in her La vie en Roses series, which also has a twist Ive been wanting to read about for a while,now. Again. I know that is one of the big reasons why a lot of authors dont want anything to do with someones unpublished manuscript and I dont blame them. But still sad for me. Its hard not to make food metaphors their stories have a meatiness or a metaphorical fat that seems to be have disappeared from the genre. Where are the next installments of the famous IAD series by Kresley Cole? Its my personal observation that the books publishers are choosing and pushing are more generic titles with lighter themes set in mostly 19th century England or Europe.. But looking at Avons recent catalog, I can see youre point about endless Regency. The first 10 pages of their catalog is mostly Regency, some Westerns, some contemporary, and a smattering of other options. Her last novel, Shadows, was published in 2013. What a walk down memory lane! I have reservations I wont go into here, and quite honestly, think LB is simply jumping on a band wagon. 2012 A Lady's Lesson in Scandal. Or should I just scroll and ignore? The hero is one of the sexiest and most seductive Ive ever come across and the heroine forthright, likable, sympathetic, and believably damaged. In addition to the authors already mentioned, I miss Ruthie Knox. I would like to win this. She had outlined the Spymaster books pretty thoroughly before she had even written them because she knew what was happening in Forbidden Rose etc before it was published. Another fan commented on Tor.com in 2019 that Robin has suspended her blog and was working on the sequels to Pegasus. These are four of my very favorite writers, all of whom wrote strong, intelligent, thoughtful characters and great romantic stories. To make a foolish example, if there is a pothole on my street thats clearly visible, I dont need to wait for an official report from the Department of Transportation to tell me the hole is actually there. I read contemporaries, non-fiction, myteries pretty much everything but the staple of my reading diet is historical romance. What I find particularly remarkable about the authors youve named is that they each have such a distinctive voice that if you put an unlabeled excerpt of each of their books in front of me, I would know instantly who had written what. So, with that said, what were your goals for the book in other words, what did you want to make absolutely certain came through to the reader in the pages of the novel? Cant stand them. and re-read her books often. This is fine and Im certain other readers have enjoyed it. The second is the shrinking word count. My main concerns are always the same: to make sure that these characters capture a readers interest; that their romance is gripping and develops believably; and, last but not least, that the world in which they live seems engaging, absorbing, and real. if (hash === 'blog' && showBlogFormLink) { Id love to win a copy. There are definitely Amazon scams out there, including plagiarism as you mention. I miss HR author Adele Ashworth. Once readers know the bios of an author, it can be tricky to interpret their writing through that lens, however accurate or inaccurate it might be. Sometimes success brings a whole new batch of troubles, and any artistic decision you make can affect the income of hundreds or thousands of people. Sigh. Maybe that helped with the relative speed then (even though she was never the fastest writer) or she had some already written. For many years the books that make the big cardboard displays at stores or that RWA and other groups often touted as the best books are not the ones I read (in general). !" concerns from creatives. My miss list includes names already mentioned Meredith Duran (who I hope is merely on hiatus) Cecilia Grant, Laura Kinsale I miss Sherry Thomas historical romances ,(although Im enjoying Lady Sherlock) and I miss the days when Courtney Milans romances were actual romances rather than exercises in didactics. I miss new books from Meredith Duran and Meg Maguire/Cara McKenna. Ah, I didnt know that she was no longer writing. Someone above said literary sensibility which is probably the better descriptor. I also think that perhaps the lack of meatiness may, at least now, have something to do with the fact that most authors in the genre are putting out at least two books a year. I simply cant recall the last time weve had this kind of consensus. Like others have mentioned, her books, along with Judith Ivory and Laura Kinsale, are so grown up, I suppose. Heaven Sent, Marrying Stone, Simple Jess, Wild Oats, The Love Charm these were the books that made me realize hey, romance is wonderful. I think the great talent Barbara Metzger has/had is that she can make me laugh. I havent been reading romance long enough to miss a particular author, but I can definitely understand why a number of them disappear. :). I miss Alice Clayton who wrote Wallbanger. If there is one thing I have learned about publishing, if one person does something successfully you can guarantee the market will be flooded with knock offs. Holy Roman Empire which is modern day Germany which can be tiggering to some people and the last thing I want to do is spend sereval hours day on social media defending myself because someone is pissed off I would rather have the marketing department of a publsiher deal with it. I read historical romance because I like history. Try not to be discouraged. Hopefully, the authors who have stopped writing will return or new authors will appear on the scene to fill this void. Through his deepening relationship with Lydia, he begins to soften his stance, but he does hold fast to the idea that love doesnt come freely. Meredith Duran is the best selling author of over a dozen historical romances. Its always hard for me to decide when to break up with an author Ive followed for years. It often feels like a money grab on the part of these CR authors, and I resent that.. Order of Meredith Duran Books Meredith Duran is an American author best known for her Rules for the Reckless series of books. Total immersion, fascinating experiences and interesting points of view from our heroes and heroines, even amazing and difficult and heartrending Redemption of thorough villians-dang, may have to go start re-reading.. Id like to see Deanna Rayburn continue the Lady Julia Gray series! She was the Pulitzer Prize-finalist TV critic for the San Francisco Examiner, and a founding staff member of Salon. I havent had this joy to read you. A few are able to work at that pace while retaining quality, but most arent. Privacy Policy. For me culture is dialectic in that ideologies and belief systems give rise to cultural products and customs, which then influence culture in return. There are beloved authors from years ago who have switched genres or retired but I know those old favourite books would bore me now. The same with books for many a reader. But I want to listen to novels, not plays. She is writing. The most important character in Taylor Jenkins Reid 's novel Daisy Jones & The Six? I love Roberta Gellis. So, Im getting pickier, avoiding the Lauren Blakley-type writing, and doing a lot of relistening because Im not finding much that appeals. Deborah Smith has written some books I loved (Gentle Rain and When Venus Fell are my absolute favorites!) This is true in a number of genres, and especially striking in traditionally published juvenile literature. Definitely something to add to the TBR list. The Investiture Controversy would be an amazing setting and I wish you great luck with your story. Sherlock clones have been done to death, and Im surprised that she chose that character to base her series on. Thats just a sin. Fool Me Twice (Rules for the Reckless, #2) By: Meredith Duran | Published: 2014. A lot of authors also wont read fanfiction of their work for fear of being accused of plagiarism. She has a stable of narrators that she rotates through her books, bringing in new ones on a regular basis. This button displays the currently selected search type. Always at the center of the crowd, widely adored despite his own best efforts to scandalize, he can do as he pleases and face no consequences for it. Several of you commented how much you miss her work and shared your hopes that shell return to writing romance. . Ho-hum. I think a lot of books would not be published as easily today. I havent been able to find anything about the latter but I wonder if Edith Laytons death led her to stop writing. I remember back before the days of the internet being so frustrated when I couldnt find new books by a favorite author or having to look up in the giant books in print volumes to try to see what an authors entire canon was and if I was missing anything. One main difference though is that they are based out London and that may mean that their view on what is historical is different than in North America. Amazing that I hadnt read anything of hers before. The book is just plain encouraging; sometimes its easy to think all the really good books have been written already, and theres nothing else out there.. Cyber dating abuse represents a new form of dating violence that has been gaining worrying dimensions. I love reading historicals. Id love to read more by Judith McNaught, Deborah Simmons and Lyn Viehl as well. And I miss authors who may be an image of my youth, they might not work for me anymore, maybe: Iris Johansson (I do not like her crime books, same for others that come up), Judith mcNaught, Catherine Coulter, Tami Hoag, Elizabeth Lowell, Suzanne Brockmann, I just remember my enchantment when a new book came out . But I do think that this debate underpins the basic conflict between the hero and heroine, and I hope it comes through, if only because Lydia might seem awfully stubborn if you dont take her conviction seriously. She blames Anne Boleyn for sparking her lifelong obsession with British history (and for convincing her that princely love is no prize if it doesn't come with a happily-ever-after). Theres damn lies. Its a bit of the chicken and the egg in my mind. You should see my copies of Not Quite a Husband and The Spymasters Lady. Error rating book. I think people are getting more skeptical of mainstream publishing somehow signifying a benchmark for quality. But the roles they play have begun to suffocate them. I had been waiting and hoping for years that Judith Merkle Riley would publish again and was so saddened years ago when it was announced she had passed on. I think that the two of you along with Elizabeth Hoyt and Joanna Bourne represent a true return to a golden age of historical romance. , Three of AARs publishers are buzzing literally about Bound by Your Touch, Meredith Durans new historical novel to be released at the end of June. I have not read Ms Duran yet. The entire time I was reading Bringing Down the Duke, I kept thinking, Yeah, this is exactly what I want more of in historical romance! but ultimately, that story hit me more in the head than the heart so Im excited to try the second book in the series. Jael Wye (sfr, five years since a new release) facebook, twitter, etc. I found myself skipping too many parts or throwing them in irritation. I miss Lynn Viehl, too. Were they ever in large numbers? MEREDITH DURAN blames Anne Boleyn for sparking her lifelong obsession with British history. It is so wonderful. Written on Your Skin marks a shift in tonefrom spinster to femme fatale, and from reckless libertine to cool-tempered spy.The story opens in Hong Kong.Mina, who has mastered the art of hiding desperation behind batting lashes and a pretty smile, discovers that her stepfathers houseguest is not who he says he is.In fact, Phin Granville secretly works for the British government.Dragged against his will into an international game of espionage, he has long since given up on prospect of freedom. As for books priced less than a dollar, again, thats not too uncommon for the kinds of shorts that self-pubbers crank out. Does anyone know if Karyn Monk and Isolde Martyn are still writing? Although I suspect narrators covet working for her because of her high profile in CR. Lydia thinks not.She believes that having faith in someone is part and parcel of loving that person.In her view, if you break faith with someone, you cannot claim to love him. (Au contraire, I am wholly flattered that you compare James to Nardi! Why has the dominant voice in HR become so modern? MetPublications is a portal to the Met's comprehensive publishing program featuring over five decades of Met books, Journals, Bulletins, and online publications on art history available to read, download and/or search for free. Bound by Your Touchhas one of my favorite set ups of therake hero and the spinster heroine. Likewise, Im not pleased by certain narratives, so I dont have to read (or write) them. After that, whats next for Meredith Duran? MEREDITH DURAN grew up enamored of British history. It often feels like a money grab on the part of these CR authors, and I resent that.. Youve got my mouth watering for this book! You mentioned in your last post that your word count would be about 100,000 125,000. Book Overview In a debut romance as passionate and sweeping as the British Empire, Meredith Duran paints a powerful picture of an aristocrat torn between two worlds, an heiress who dares to risk everything.and the love born in fire and darkness that nearly destroys them. Bound by Your Touch book by Meredith Duran Romance Books > Regency Books ISBN: 1416592636 ISBN13: 9781416592631 Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran See Customer Reviews Select Format Paperback $15.39 - $21.37 Mass Market Paperback $5.49 - $6.39 Select Condition Like New Unavailable Very Good $6.39 Good $5.69 Acceptable $5.49 New --