Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

Hmmm--she might like Laura Kinsale, or Loretta Chase, or Mary Balogh for straight historical with sex.  In terms of romantic historical erotica, some of Emma Holly’s stuff might be good, especially Beyond Seduction and Beyond Innocence.

What a nice guy, to want to get his wife what she wants!  I always tell my DH he can either buy me expensive jewelry or bookstore gift certificates.  I like both, and it keeps it easy on him, not having to guess.

I’m a fan of Pam Rosenthal myself.  She writes historical romances that manage to be both smart and hot.  A personal favorite is the “Bookseller’s Daughter.”

Jean Plaidy’s historicals
Mary Jo Putney
Suzanne Enoch

Susan Johnson was pretty much a pioneer in the erotic historical market.

I love Lynne Connolly’s work but her historical books are all ebooks, I believe, and unavailable at this time as she had to switch publishers. But I highly recommend her Richard and Rose series for in the future when it becomes available (at Mundania Press, I think). Not that that’s helpful now ;)

I’ll second Pam Rosenthal (esp. ALMOST A GENTLEMAN) and toss in Julia Ross (esp. THE SEDUCTION). Buy her those two and you’ll have one HAPPY wife. *GRIN*

I am fond of Nicole Jordon’s historical novels. The Notorious series is believably written and not skimpy on the “encounters.” They all have a good measure of adventure in them to boot; spies and pirates and the like.

I wish my husband would buy me romance books instead of mocking me for reading them! Whenever he sees me curled up with a book he asks how my “warm area” is doing whether the cover says “Nora Roberts” or “Gabriel Garcia Marquez.”

First - Heh!  He’s gonna stuff her stocking.  Heh heh! 

Second - Aaaaaaawwwww!  The Bride by Garwood was my first romance novel when I was 16.  I’ve had a thing for the Scottish ever since.

Third - Her tastes seem to be similar to mine, so I’ll go ahead & second Darlene’s suggestion of Emma Holly.  I’m reading Beyond Seduction right now & really loving it.

Oh yeah, I second the Julia Ross recommendation.  Even have her latest sitting on my TBR shelf.  She’s an autobuy for me.

Oh yeah, sure, “my wife” can’t stand to buy romance for herself. Uh huh.

‘Fess up, now. Men can be Smart Bitches too.

I would go for some of Madeline Hunter’s medievals. _By Possession_ or _Lord of a Thousand Nights_.

How about Stephanie Laurens?

If she likes the sex, she might enjoy Robin Schone, though I haven’t been able to read her with a straight face since I read this.

Hmm… Except for the sex part, I would think that Jo Beverly’s The Shattered Rose woudl work, it has an unconventional story. I don’t remember very many “encounters” (love that usage, will have to remember it!).

It mainly came to mind because my husband liked it. Yes. He’s a SB, and proud of it.

ooh. My word is just12. That’s kinda creepy, in a kiddie porn way.

I’ll second the Susan Johnson.  Her books introduced me to erotica.  Her “Blaze” series, especially “Silver Flame,” was fantastic.  Her new stuff...not so much.  But her older historicals (NOT the russians!) were wonderful.  Although American with no castles.

1st-kudos for the great big rocky mountain oyster set ya have there

and now IMHO...if ya like queens, (non flaming ,of course) and super masculine men,lots of royalty you should try Bertrice Small...anything by her...specially the sex scenes(fanning self)..my , my...fond memories of The Kadin...but to get her started the Skye O’Malley Saga would deffinately keep her going ...quite a few books in that saga too...good luck ..happy hunting

Candice Hern’s two most recent books (Just One of Those Flings and In the Thrill of the Night) are very well-written and -characterized, hot, and historically accurate.

I can’t stand Bertrice Small, myself--I don’t find her characters sympathetic, and some of the euphemisms during the sex scenes are just, well, unfortunate.

I second those Candace Hern books! I loved the scene at the masquerade in Just One of Those Flings. Yay for hot anonymous costumed sex!

I’ve developed a new love for Loretta Chase, so I’d definitely recommend her and I’ve recently picked up some Gayle Callen that isn’t too shabby.

I really like Julia Quinn for historicals, but I can’t for the life of me recall how much sex is in those books.

Judith Ivory - although they are hard to get.

Lisa Kleypas immediately leaps to mind, although one of the reasons I enjoy her books is because she doesn’t write about titled folks all the time.  So if wifey needs the hero to be a Duke, Earl or SomeSuch then maybe she’s a no go.

Also, I think Kathryn Smith writes very good, hot, and frequent sex scenes - although her newest series is historical vampire.  So hubby would need to hit her backlist.

And ditto on Nicole Jordan.

I also read ‘The Bride’ when I was 16, and I still read it every year or so...it’s the bestest!  I also remember Judith McNaught’s “A Kingdom of Dreams” being similar thematically.  I also liked Karen Marie Monings Highlander series, but they also happen to be time traveling Druids, so that might not work...however, I remember the, ahem, “encounters” being awfully steamy.  So, perhaps his wife might be willing to fudge reality a bit for, well, the naughty stuff. ;)

I’m a fan of the earlier Amanda Quick novels-Scandal in particular. The more recent ones have been more paranormal so I’d stay away from those. Also second the Mary Balogh recommendation.

Anything by Galen Foley

Laura Kinsale for sure. I’ve been reading the wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas and some of the men are titled, some are wealthy industrialists who marry titled women. It Happened One Autumn has a titled man as does Devil In Winter. The characters are memorable and the sex is pretty good--no marble truncheons of love here. Her heroes are masculine, witty, and smart; the heroines smart, funny, strong, and have skills that their men recognize and appreciate. Unfortunately, some of her novels with the best sex have weaker plots (the Bowstreet runners ones).

I’d stay away from Amanda Quick in general. I’ve tried three of hers this year, each more ridiculous than the last. I threw Mischeif.

I’d have to throw my lot in with Jo Beverley’s Malloren series. They fit the smart and hot criteria quite nicely. Pardon me, but I’m off to count the number of encounters to be sure.

She might enjoy Meg/Patricia Cabot’s old stuff--An Improper Proposal, etc. 

Julia Quinn is always great for this stuff, and her later books have some better “occurences” than the earlier ones.  However, you can’t beat her for story!  Plus, the entire Bridgerton series is out now--if she likes it, she can read the rest!

Husband envy here...keep that one on your keeper shelf.  I don’t read alot of historical…

If she hasn’t read Windflower, by Laura London (Sharon & Tom Curtis), it’s worth the effort to find a copy.  Also endorse Laura Kinsale (Princess in Seize the Fire?), Emma Holly, and Lisa Kleypas (ie Irresistible).

If she would enjoy contemporary with lots of discriptive encounters, I HIGHLY recommend Susan Lyons...Start with Champagne Rules and then read Hot In Here.

No time travel or paranormal stuff?  OK, pass on Prince Of Time...but it has a princess and is really good.  And if she is in the mood to experiment...GAIL DAYTON!

Happy Christmas, and happy reading!

These are the ones in my “read this year” list that ought to fit the criteria: Jo Beverly, THE ROGUE’S RETURN and TO RESCUE A ROGUE; Eloisa James, KISS ME ANNABEL; Loretta Chase, LORD PERFECT and CAPTIVES IN THE NIGHT (which is a reprint and Very well worth getting); Lisa Kleypas, DEVIL IN WINTER (loved the “bad boy” in this one); Anne Stuart, THE DEVIL’S WALTZ (another bad boy); Liz Carlyle, TWO LITTLE LIES (loved this one--in fact, all the Liz Carlyle’s would be good) and THREE LITTLE SECRETS; Madeline Hunter, LADY OF SIN and RULES OF SEDUCTION; Tracy Anne Warren, THE HUSBAND TRAP; Edith Layton, HOW TO SEDUCE A BRIDE; Nicola Cornick, DECEIVED; Claire Thornton, THE DEFIANT MISTRESS (it’s a Harlequin Historical, and so maybe not available, but it’s REALLY good); Judith Ivory, ANGEL IN A RED DRESS (a reprint of a really good older book); and Julia Quinn, ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING.

If she’s willing to read historicals set in China, she might like the Tigress books by Jade Lee...but they do have some “fantastical” elements, so maybe not. They ARE really hot tho.

I left off all but one of the Harlequin Historicals because they’ll probably be too hard to get hold of, but couldn’t resist including that one. Also, he should look for the Lydia Joyce books. MUSIC OF THE NIGHT is one that comes to mind, but they’re all good, and all hot.

(Yes, I have a list of the books I read in a year--I’m up to 185 and still have a big pile of books that still need to go onto the list)

I would definitely go for the Madeline Hunter medievals. “By Arrangement” is an excellent one.

Someone mentioned Bertrice Small up there, but I don’t know how well she’d like those. I consider her to be the VC Andrews of historical romance. Tons of overwrought drama and rape, not very romantic at all. One of the most endearing romances I’ve ever read was Saving Grace by Julie Garwood. I’ve read it several times and I never get tired of it. I also really like Kathleen Woodiwiss, but I’m not sure if she’s considered a good writer or not. I don’t mind fluff, so I don’t consider myself a very good judge of romance writing. lol

How about Susan Carroll’s latest trilogy - Dark Queen, The Courtesan and The Silver Rose?

Ask him to try to find Christina Dodd’s Candle In The Window.

I second (or third) Madeline Hunter’s medievals.

Maybe Virginia Henley’s books too.

I’m sorry to offend any of the suggesters here, but I’m gonna throw my hat into the ‘For God’s Sake Don’t Buy Your Wife Beatrice Small Books if You Love and Respect Her’ ring.  Also I find the scenarios in Gaelen Foley’s books to be LOL implausible, especially her endings.  Alot of people do love the Foley books here though, so it might be just me.  I’m reading my first Enoch book right now, and it is pretty crappy, believability-wise.  (An Invitation to Sin - not digging it).

Judith Ivory - you’ll need to read the back covers to determine which ones have royalty action, Loretta Chase, Jo Beverley’s Malloren series, Emma Holly’s ‘beyond’ series, Kinsale - again, read synopses to see which ones fit the bill best, Barbara Samuel, Candice Hern’s latest series, all good imo.

Madeline Hunter, Laura Kinsale and Roberta Gellis write in the time period, and they won’t annoy her with historical error.

I love Lisa Kleypas’s books, but the stories of the people who are not titled tend to be her best.  (If you look for her under the link for the reviews, Candy & Sarah review a good number of her books.)

And for God’s sake, avoid Stephanie Laurens like the damn plague.  (I just want to punch every single one of her “heros” in the nuts.)

I’m assuming if she’s prefers kings, princes, castles and stuff Smart Husband is looking for medievals.

Laura Kinsale, Madeline Hunter, Juliana Garnet and Marsha Canham are some of my favorites.

oops, sorry I forgot to close my italics.

I read a really good book but damned if I could remeber the title. Its a scotland historical romance novel, and there are two feuding families, and in the begining the enemies son comes to live with the family and the daughter doesnt really get along with him but when they grow up.... you know what happens. i think the title is something like, “The Glass Rose” or something with rose in the title. Any who, it a really good novel.
any who, A Blaze of Light by Robyn Crane is a time travel/viking, but its pretty good and also Runaway by Heather Grahams is pretty darn good too. It’s a historic. Hope this helps
:smirk:  :red:

I also like Lynsay Sands. I love her vampire stuff, but I find her historicals have that same sense of humor that I so enjoy.

Karen Ranney writes some great historicals with wonderful occurrences.  After the Kiss, for example, has a scene that will have you looking at ribbons in a new way.  Also loved her A Promise of Love, a Scottish historical where I liked both hero and heroine (an all too rare occurrence of a different sort).

Oh, and--Sharon Shinn doesn’t tend to do explicit sex, but Summers at Castle Auburn would fit all the other requirements. It’s well plotted and completely charming.

The description sounds a lot like the books I used to read - the older Amanda Quick’s, historical Judith McNaught’s, the “Velvet” series of Jude Deveraux and some of the Johanna Lindsey

hmmm ... I’m very late, but would like to add in a few recs, besides those mentioned by mouse, Arethusa and Tara Marie.

Susan Wiggs’ Kingdom of Gold
Sabrina Jeffries has pretty sexy scenes too, although Virginia Henley is a rauchier read.

I’m late to this one, too, but your wife sounds like me, so I’m going to offer my two cents.

Gaelen Foley is my newfound favorite author.  There are plenty of explicit encounters, and that woman knows how to create sexual tension that sizzles.

Julie Garwood is another timeless favorite.  Like a few others, I read The Bride when I was about 16.  Her books are steamy, and the plots are interesting.

I’d recommend Emma Holly for the number and explicitness of encounters.  I tend to get bored with the rest of her books, though, and skip right to those good parts.

Hope this helps.

Some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read lately are in Donna Kauffman books - try Cinderella Rules.  It is set modern day, though.  Johanna Linsdey has some unique and interesting sex encounters in her books (in Savage Thunder they do it on a horse while it’s moving and, I believe, on a giant rock).  I will warn you, though, that there are at least three JL books with Fabio on the cover. 

~Amalia~