My reading tastes have changed drastically, yet really haven’t changed at all in some ways. Still, there are some books that really make me wonder wtf I was thinking. These are some of those books.
Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard
Release Date: July 1996
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 384
Roanna Davenport was raised a wealthy orphan on her grandmother’s magnificent Alabama estate, Davencourt, where she had a passion for horses, a genius for trouble, and a deep love for her cousin, Webb. But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna’s desire became no more than the stuff of dreams — until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death.
After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoning the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job….
Roanna and Webb are COUSINS. Cou-sins. Cousins. Blech. Not to mention Webb is a total asshole. I don’t know what I was thinking to like this book in any way, shape or form.
A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland #1) by Judith McNaught
Release Date: May 31, 1991
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 438
Abducted from her convent school, headstrong Scottish beauty Jennifer Merrick does not easily surrender to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Known as “The Wolf”; his very name strikes terror in the hearts of his enemies. But proud Jennifer will have nothing to do with the fierce English warrior who holds her captive, this handsome rogue who taunts her with his blazing arrogance. Boldly she challenges his will… until the night he takes her in his powerful embrace, awakening in her an irresistible hunger. And suddenly Jennifer finds herself ensnared in a bewildering web… a seductive, dangerous trap of pride, passion, loyalty, and overwhelming love.
Jenny was a total bitch. Honestly, the woman undermined Royce time after time, plotted against him and didn’t care if he died. Then a switched flipped and she loved him. WTF.
Gone Too Far (Troubleshooters #6) by Suzanne Brockmann
Release Date: July 1, 2003
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Military
Pages: 536
In her sizzling, award-winning novels of suspense, bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann delves into the adrenaline-rushed world of counter terrorism–and taps into the real passions of its brave men and women. Now in her widely anticipated hardcover debut, she spins a story of action, intrigue, and romance, as a U.S. Navy SEAL and an FBI agent race to unravel a mystery–while confronting their own unresolved feelings for each other.
In his career as one of America’s elite warriors, Lt. Sam Starrett can do no wrong. In his private life, Sam–the king of one night stands–has done little right. Now, he’s waiting for a divorce and determined to stay active in his young daughter’s life. But when Sam shows up at the door of his ex-wife’s home in Sarasota, Florida, he makes a grisly discovery. His daughter is gone and the body of a woman lies brutally murdered on the floor.
FBI agent Alyssa Locke’s relationship with Sam has been overwhelmingly intense and nearly catastrophic, yet it refuses to end. The last time she saw Sam was six months earlier, when they worked together to stop terrorists from assassinating the U.S. President. Much to her dismay, Alyssa is assigned to lead the murder investigation and once again the two are face to face. When explosive information surfaces linking Sam to the still unsolved assassination plot, the stakes are raised. With her reputation hanging in the balance, and her loyalties in question, Alyssa is faced with an impossible dilemma:arrest a man she believes to be innocent, or risk her career.
While Alyssa tries to fight their intense attraction, Sam is determined to heat things up between them once again. And the complex case pushes them both to the wrong side of the law–and on the run to discover the truth. As more agents step into the chase, and with Sam’s daughter still unaccounted for, neither Alyssa nor Sam can predict just how deadly hot this situation is about to become. . . .
A thrilling novel that ranges back into the days of World War II, into friendships, families, liaisons, betrayals, and the code of honor that binds the U.S. Navy SEALs, Gone Too Far is an electrifying experience in suspense–and a brilliant tale of lives lived on the edge.
Oh Lord. Sam Starrett. AKA Crybaby. I don’t think I could read this book without rolling my eyes. I understand that he was supposed to be a hero that was super in touch with his emotions, but really?
Heaven, Texas (Chicago Stars #2) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Release Date: April 1, 1995
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 384
Come heck or high water, Gracie Snow is determined to drag the legendary ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton back home to Heaven, Texas, to begin shooting his first motion picture. Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby Tom has reservations about being a movie star — and no plans to cooperate with a prim and bossy Ohio wallflower whom he can’t get off his mind or out of his life. Instead, the hell-raising playboy decides to make her over from plain Jane to Texas wildcat.
But nothing’s more dangerous than a wildcat with an angel’s heart in a town too small for a bad boy to hide. And all hell breaks loose when two unforgettable people discover love, laughter, passion — and a match that can only be made in Heaven.
I don’t hate this book per se, but if I reread it I think I would almost hate Bobby Tom Denton. He was a total ass to Gracie although it was under layers of charm and humor. Still, an ass is an ass.
Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood #5) by J.R. Ward
Release Date: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 502
The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn’t choose takes him into a future that does not include her…
I didn’t particularly like this book after I was done reading it, but I know I would hate it if I re-read it. Jane literally dies and comes back as a ghost. Seriously, JRW? Where do you get this stuff?
Dark Prince (Dark #1) by Christine Feehan
Release Date: April 5, 2005
Publisher: Leisure Books
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 447
Carpathians are an immortal race of beings with animal instincts. Every Carpathian male is drawn to his life mate: a Carpathian or human female able to provide the light to his darkness. Without her, the beast within slowly consumes the man until turning vampire is the only option.
Raven Whitney is a psychic who has used her gift to help the police track down a serial killer. Now she is determined to escape the glare of recent publicity for the peace and quiet of the Carpathian Mountains.
Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky is the leader of his people but, as his ancient Carpathian race grows ever closer to extinction, he is close to giving in to the heavy weight of loneliness and despair.
From the moment their minds touch, Raven and Mikhail form a connection. But there are those who incorrectly view all Carpathians as vampires, and are determined to give their extinction a helping hand.
I will never, ever re-read this book because it holds a special place in my heart. It’s the first paranormal that I ever read. I know I wouldn’t like it now because of how Mikhail virtually forced Raven into his world. Not cool.
So looking at this list has me like WTF.
Oh hell now. Don’t you start talking your shit about my Sam Starrett. Haha, you and Holly are both assholes!
SEP is the one author that I haven’t been able to bring myself to read again because I don’t think I’d be able to get over how shitty the heroines are treated in the beginning of every single book. I couldn’t deal with that shit now.
And do we really want to get into the Jenny debate AGAIN? Sheesh.
I really need emojis and gifs to get my point across here, but I’m going to have to use my words.
The Jenny debate will be like the Did Jason Cheat debate (he did)…never ending.
I haven’t re-read SEP for a long time. I couldn’t decide if I should put Heaven, Texas or Anybody’s Baby But Mine up there. Seriously, they were both total dickwads.
As for Sam, I’m not saying I hate him. Just saying I would hate his book if I re-read it. Calm down, girl.
With you on the BDB book – that finished JR Ward for me. Never, ever again! The whole book/romance/ghost thing was a joke and the never ending product name dropping got old really quick.
YES!! I read my review again and I can’t believe I gave that book a 3.5/5. I don’t know what I was thinking.
Lover Unbound STILL pisses me off. A fucking GHOST?!?!? What is that about?? I haven’t read another book in the series since then because I was kind of over it all. One day I will go back to the series, but I will always be pissed about that book.
What a fun post, especially as I’ve read many of these books. Admittedly, I’d be afraid to read MANY of my old favorites starting with those 100 or so Barbara Cartland books that I cherished as a young teen.
Barbara Cartland??? That is plum crazy – you needed an intervention! 😀 😀 😀