In any case, I took a short break today to look at all the contest entries, in which you all took the time to send me some fabulous historical romance titles. Many I’ve already read (and yes, I loved all the ones you mentioned–authors like Loretta Chase, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julie Garwood, Laura Kinsale, Judith McNaught, Sarah McCarty, Diana Gabaldon all of whom I’ve glommed in the past. ) and titles like Outlander, Gone With the Wind, and Wuthering Heights. Many of the above titles/authors were listed more than once!

Some additions to the list:

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (I’m in the middle of this one right now! So good!)
Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
Shana by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (2 recommendations!)
A Rose at Midnight by Anne Stuart
Scandal by Carolyn Jewel.
Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth
Dreaming by Jill Barnett
Tender Is The Storm by Johanna Lindsey
A Kiss in the Dark by Kimberly Logan
Candle in the Window by Christina Dodd
The Heart’s Desire by Gayle Wilson
Dr Zhivago by Boris Pasternak (we have the movie and I love it, but I haven’t read the book!)
Rosamund by Bertrice Small
Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small
The China Bride by Mary Jo Putney
A Knight In Shining Armour by Jude Deveraux (2 recommendations!)
The Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux
anything by Hannah Howell
Kresley Cole’s MacCarrick Brothers Series (I actually have the first one at the top of my TBR!)
After Innocence by Brenda Joyce
The Fulfillment by LaVyrle Spencer
Night Fire and Rebel Bride by Catherine Coulter
Persuasion by Jane Austen (also on my list–I have 2 more Austen books to read and this is one of them)
Stormfire by Christine Monson (I looked this one up…wow! I don’t have the fortitude to read it now, but maybe someday! LOL!)
Cambridge Fellows series by Charlie Cochran
Lady Jane’s Ribbons by Sandra Heath
The Merry Widow Trilogy by Candice Hern
Rhett Butler’s People by Donald McCraig
Marry in Haste by Jane Aiken Hodge
The Wicked Ways of A True Hero by Barbara Metzger

Today’s winner, selected by random.org:

First Name: Bonnie

Last Name: F.

Email: bonnieferguson@r…

Congratulations, Bonnie! Please go to my contest page and select the two books you’d like. Then email me with your books and your snail mail address.

This week’s question is:
Name one of the authors Jennifer is currently reading and enjoying.
(Hint: check the the top ten lists at the bottom of the About Jennifer page.)

Please head on over to my contest page and enter! Have fun!

Thanks for all the book recommendations, everyone. I adored Passion by Lisa Valdez (loved it and it’s on my keeper shelf!), and I’ve read a few of the other authors mentioned (Pam Rosenthal and Jane Lockwood are great) and Laura Kinsale is my absolute idol. But I’m definitely going to check out some of those other authors! I can’t wait! I love me some spicy historicals…

For today’s dose of cuteness–
My 10-year-old son has just discovered email. Allowing him internet access is a little scary, but I know it’s a skill he needs, and he’s obsessed with building his own website. So…we’re working on the parental controls, lol. But anyway, he sent this to me yesterday. It’s so fun watching your kid develop a sense of humor…

P.S. Just showed him this entry and his response: “Mommmmmmm!! Why’d you have to put that on your blog??” Hehe.

It was really fascinating reading everyone’s responses. Sometimes I was nodding my head thinking, “Yes, yes, yes!”, and sometimes I was thinking, “Well, I took a little time to warm up to that author, but I’m a big fan now!”

Some other authors mentioned who had me at “hello”:
Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julia Quinn

Some of the mentioned authors I adore now, but might have taken me a few pages to warm up to:
Laura Kinsale, Julie Garwood, Nicole Jordan, Joanna Bourne, Stephanie Laurens, Shelly Laurenston

But see, my evil plan in this post was to get some suggestions for new-to-me authors. And now (insert evil cackle) I have several to add to my TBR pile. So thanks to everyone for your responses!

Looking above at my list, I’m seeing a pattern, at least in my own response to authors. All of the “had me at hello” authors have very strong, witty voices. The others on my “favorites” list have characters and plots I found ultimately compelling and memorable.

Would you say your keeper shelf consists of books with stronger characterization, stronger plots, or stronger author voice? (I know they’re probably mostly “all of the above,” but which element do you find to be most important?)

One commenter will win an early signed copy of A HINT OF WICKED! I’ll post the winner on Monday.