Today we have paranormal and contemporary romance author, Carrie Ann Ryan, here to share her Five (ish) list of books. I find it interesting how certain books come up again and again. Several of my favorites are on this list, proving once again I have excellent taste in Twitter friends. 🙂
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I’m a late bloomer when it comes to reading romance. I didn’t sneak them when I was a teenager and didn’t find them until Twilight back in 2009. So I didn’t get the first time love affairs with the classics like others here when they first came out. I’ve gone back and read them—especially since reading everyone’s lists here—but my journey was a bit different. I love that we all have such different ways into romance and it just lets me know that I have so much more to read! I couldn’t pick just 5 because I read a book a day still, but I totally cut my list down from 100 to 6 LOL. Each book means something different to me because where I read it and what I felt while reading it. Each book showed me a new genre, a new author, or a new way of writing. I fell in love with these characters; these stories and I try to recommend them each time I have a chance.
This book is one of my favorites because I fell in love with not only the hero, the heroine, and some of the side characters, but the entire family. Oh Brody Brown. I love bearded tattooed men and I write them because I can’t help falling in love with them. But Brody was one of my firsts. He is such a Beta too. He can be Alpha when he needs to, but he’s so laid back, that I freaking love him. I really enjoy this entire series and all the series that connect to it. Lauren Dane is one of my all time favorites and I reread her often—this series in particular. I could have picked the first book with Erin, but Brody made me want to write fanfiction for him! LOL This book was sexy and an easy read, even with the tension from the outside conflict. Of course, the heroine Elise was just fantastic. She was strong, a little broken and one fierce momma. I loved her.
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
This was the book that showed me the true talent and beauty of words of my favorite author of all time. I could have chosen Angel’s Blood or any of the other books in any of her series, but this was the first book I’ve read of Nalini’s. This is the only series where I will STILL go back and read all 12+ books when a new one comes out. The brilliant layering and utter beauty of descriptions make me feel as if she’s in a different level when it comes to writing. I realize that others out there write beautiful as well, but she was my first taste. Lucas was my first taste of danger in a shifter. Where before I had read mostly vampires and their shifters were more…second class, here it was all about the unique blend of animal and man. The fact that this entire world is in a league of its own makes me smile each time I reread it. I’ve broken my paperback of this and had to buy it in kindle because I reread it so much. I love the entire series, but this was my first.
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
This was the first book that I read where a former villain was redeemed. Sure, Sebastian wasn’t a pure villain, but he was darn close for a historical with kidnapping and near-forced marriages. I adored Sebastian and the way he slowly fell in love with Evie and didn’t know it. I loved that he wasn’t pure and perfect but used the traits he’d honed in being a Casanova not only with Evie, but with finding his place in a world where people told him he was only worth his title. Evie was so strong and yet I didn’t know someone with a such a tiny waist and a lisp could be that strong. She was the one to approach him and show him what he could have. She was the one who wouldn’t leave and who tore apart the devil in winter. The chemistry was off the charts and yet so delicately and wonderfully written that I reread this book first before going back and reading all the other books in the series and the spinoff.
The Reckoning by Kelly Armstrong
This book was what I wanted YA to be and showed me the adult romance world as well. I started reading YA and went to UF and then romance. It changed my life and I even write because of it, but this book was a spin off of an adult series by Kelly Armstrong and gave me the backdoor view into a whole new world. So thank you, Kelly! As for this series in particular, I adored the heroine and how she didn’t think she was strong but totally was. Derek…oh Derek. I was totally his “team” from page one, even when he was a butt. I loved their connection and the fact that they realized their connection needed to breathe because of their ages. When he comes for her and sniffs her, needing her scent to calm his heartbeat, I about died right there. I know others do this, but again, this was my first. I still reread this series even though I don’t read YA anymore. I should totally go back and reread now in fact.
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
I couldn’t make a list about romance without Nora Roberts. I reread all of her trilogies often because I feel like I can go right in and find my place. The Bride Quartet was actually my first series from Nora that I read. I told you I was late to romance! LOL I have my favorites with Nora and I love many of her trilogies, but again, this was my first. I actually picked book three in the series because this was the one that gave me the most chills. I loved the subplots in this one the most and I truly enjoyed the trope of best friend’s older brother. Plus, oh boy, I wanted to eat so much cake after this book!
I’m actually rereading this book right now thanks to this list. When I look for historicals, I find myself looking for Julia Quinn. Often. Her way with words, characters, and hope make me smile and want to turn the page. I enjoyed most of the books in this series but I still think the first book is my favorite. This book had the one scene where I felt chills and my hands shook as I read it. It was where Daphne realizes that she’s lost, that she knows she isn’t good enough for those who should have loved her. Of course that wasn’t the case at all, but I felt those feelings. I reread this book for that scene alone, though I love so much more about it.
Well there you have it. My 5..er…5 books I think everyone should read. I love series. I love romance. I love ALL genres. I count myself lucky that I’m able to immerse myself in different worlds daily and still get an HEA no matter what. I hope you get a chance to check some of these out!
About Carrie Ann:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.
Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets grins) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.
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What fun to read your list, Ms. Ryan. I’ve actually read five of your … five books. I’ve enjoyed all of them except for the Kelly Armstrong title which I haven’t read.
Your list is probably one of my most favorite lists we’ve had all year. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. Fantastic list!!