AAR

[RichMissTallant]

I've been reading romance for years, but there are a few authors I haven't really explored that seem to be part of the romance canon, and one of those authors is Amanda Quick. I know she writes under different names, but I really love historicals, so I'm thinking of those specifically (although JAK recs also welcome). I've gotten the impression from reading reviews and such that she favours the Big Mis, which I hate. Does she write any really good ones that avoid a Big Mis/long separation, TSTL heroine, lust-at-first-sight (as in, kiss before they even know each other), disguise, or similar frustrating plotlines? I know she must write some good romances to be so well-loved, but I'd love to avoid the ones that will give me a headache in the meantime.
_________________
"Excuse me," said an icy voice from the bed. "I'm frigging bleeding to death. Mathilda can go tip a pike." -- Derek Craven, Dreaming of You


http://dreamingenigma.livejournal.com

[Cheryl AAR]

Here's a link to our poll results for favorite book by Amanda Quick, so you can see what AAR readers reccomend:
http://www.likesbooks.com/favesbyauthor4.html#quick

I like her a lot, but you have to read her sparingly, for all her books tend to all sound alike if you read too many in a row - all her heroes and heroines are similar, their vocal cadences rarely change from book to book, etc. But, if you like her stock characters - and I do - then she can be a real comfort read. My personal favorite is Ravished.

[Elizabeth Rolls]

It's a matter of taste, Miss Tallent. I enjoy her books, but you may not if her style is not to your liking. I found Seduction particularly good fun, but the best thing to do is to try two or three and see if she works for you. I can't think of any major misunderstandings or long separations in the AQ books, although there are a few where characters either deliberately or accidentally mislead each other. None of which bothered me in the least.

To be honest, without knowing someone well it is difficult to recommend books which they might like . . . had to laugh at my hairdresser yesterday - she informed me in tones of loathing that she had just read ALL the Chronicles of Narnia and hated them. Despite the fact that I love them I wondered why she had even bothered to pick them up let alone finish since she is a committed pagan. Knowing her I would have advised her to steer well clear! A great deal of what we enjoy reading depends on what we bring to it and our expectations.

Elizabeth

[Mark]

I don’t think JAK is normally associated with big mis plots. She is better known for h/h who cooperate to solve problems. If you prefer romances with humor as I do, consider the list below with my humor ratings for Castle (futuristic), Krentz (contemporary) & Quick (historical).
castle, jayne
curtain series:
amaryllis***
zinnia***
orchid****
(** see charmed anthology)
after dark***
after glow***
ghost hunter***.5
silver master***
krentz, jayne ann
sequence:
the pirate****
the adventurer***
the cowboy**
series:
eclipse bay****
dawn in eclipse bay***
summer in eclipse bay*****
series:
light in shadow****
truth or dare***
series (see quick):
white lies***
non-series:
absolutely, positively***
all night long***.5
between the lines***
deep waters***
eye of the beholder***
falling awake****
family man***
the family way***
flash***
full bloom***
ghost of a chance***
the golden chance***
grand passion***
hidden talents***
joy***
lady's choice***
lost and found***
the main attraction***
midnight jewels***
perfect partners****
the private eye***
smoke in mirrors***
soft focus***
sharp edges***
sweet fortune***
too wild to wed?***
trust me***
uneasy alliance***
wildest hearts***
a woman's touch****
quick, amanda
series:
second sight***
the third circle**.5
series:
slightly shady****
don’t look back****
late for the wedding**.5
non-series:
affair***
dangerous***
deception****
desire***
i thee wed***
lie by moonlight***.5
mischief***
mistress***
mystique***
the paid companion****
ravished*****
reckless***
rendezvous***
the river knows***
scandal***
surrender***
wait until midnight***.5
wicked widow***
with this ring****.5

[Tee]

[KayWebbHarrison]

Mystique and Desire are two Amanda Quick Medievals. The latter is set on an island, administered by the heroine, who has a thriving scent business, a precursor of Bath and Body Works.

My favorite Quick books are Seduction (the first one), Rendezvous, Ravished and With This Ring.

My favorite JAK book is The Golden Chance, Dreams 1, Dreams 2, A Woman's Touch, The Family Way, Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, Sweet Starfire, Crystal Flame, A Coral Kiss and Midnight Jewels.

My favorite Jayne Castle books are Amaryllis, Zinnia and Orchid.

The only Amanda Glass book is Shield's Lady, a paranormal futuristic, which is also a favorite of mine.

Kay

[Yuri]

[RichMissTallant]

Thanks so much for the replies, especially for correcting any misunderstandings I may have had about the type of books she writes. I picked up Ravished, and I'm going to give that one a try first.
_________________
"Excuse me," said an icy voice from the bed. "I'm frigging bleeding to death. Mathilda can go tip a pike." -- Derek Craven, Dreaming of You


http://dreamingenigma.livejournal.com

[Tee]

[LinnieGayl]

[Tee]

[dick]

I like them all, but I add a vote for "Mystique" as the best--and it's laugh-out-loud funny.

[Tinabelle]

I really love JAK/AQ and she is still an auto-buy for me. People's opinions are typically all over the board no matter what book/author is named. I think the best thing for you to do is try a couple and form your own opinion. And i agree with others who recommend reading her in small doses, not all of her books right in a row. That said, these are some of my favorite Amanda Quick's:

Ravished
Deception
Reckless
Rendezvous
Surrender
Dangerous
The Paid Companion
Affair
_________________
So many books; so little time!
www.shelfari.com/tinabelle

[Niftybergin]

I read MISTRESS a few months ago (for the first time, even though it was published in 1995) and thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroine pretends to be the hero's mistress in order to gain access to society so she can investigate who is blackmailing her aunt. Great plan, and it works swimmingly -- she becomes quite the thing...an Original...and she begins to compile a list of suspects. Only problem is that she's been operating from the belief that the hero is dead -- he's a bit of a recluse who never comes into town -- and, of course, he isn't.

But I loved the way Iphiginia and Marcus related to one another. Huge respect there, and a real appreciation for each other's intellect, etc. They're very much attracted to one another sexually, but you also get the sense that they're relationship is built on friendship and very real respect for one another.

Great story.

[Susan/DC]

My personal favorite of her books is Deception. I loved that the hero looks like a pirate and is surrounded by relatives who are pirates, yet has the soul of a Regency accountant. His relatives are sorely disappointed in him and his need for order and schedules, but his inner adventurer comes through when he meets the heroine. A fun book.