Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Thursday Thirteen: Which Smutty Book should I pick now?

As we wind down our week of tributes to Rhea of Word Tangle...let's chat about something that Rhea and I have in common. Our love of smutty books. So, here is another post dedicated to her. And today, Rhea...you have to share the dedication. Because today's post is also dedicated to my Aunt Elizabeth. Who sent this in an email to my mom:

A very good friend of mine here in town was looking for a good book list so I directed her to Trina's blog...and then Trina decides to share her smutty side!

Oh, do I ever have a smutty side. As I noted in this post:

It’s painfully obvious that I love to read. I read all the time. I like just about everything. But, I must admit that I am addicted to smutty books. And not your momma’s romance novels…not the Sweet Valley High of your tween years…not the bodice rippers of the 80’s…but the “modern” romance novel. The ones with an edge. The ones that you need to read with a fan and a big glass of cold water. Ice water. The ones that you read and then later your husband might be heard to say “what the hell got into you? How did you learn to do that? And when can we do it again?”

Did you know that when you list your interests on your profile…you can click on those terms and see other people with similar interests? Apparently, I am the only one on blogger that admits to liking smutty books. There are 8 of us with an affinity for trashy books. But…if you were to put sex as one of your interests…you know just for scientific research purposes… there are over 18,000 people who say that is one of their interests. Just sayin’.

And that is what this post is about. Sort of. IF you are here looking for other kinds of books - you can check out my 888 list on the left side bar. You can read this post about books that influenced me the most. Or this one about how to discuss books with your child (and please note that the author commented on my post!). There is also this one about Young Adult books.

My first romance book was "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. It was recommended by a friend at my book club. I didn't know it was a romance...and actually the book store where I purchased it, had it in the fiction section. It is a great book - historical fiction with a little time travel thrown in - over 800 pages - riveting story - and a tall red-headed Scotsman. So...when I finished it, I had to find the sequel (there are now 6 books in the story with 2 more to come). Now, I looked at a different bookstore for the sequel, and I could not find it on the shelves. When I went to ask about it...they sent me to the Romance section. What?! I dont' read romance! All I could think of was Barbara Cartland bodice rippers. Well...let me tell you, Romance has come a long way since the '80's.

So, if you'd like to dip your toes in the River Smut...may I suggest these authors:

1. The entire "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon.

2. Anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - but especially her series about the Chicago Stars Football team - the first book in that series is "It Had to be You." Through this author, I discovered that I needed a comic touch to go hand in hand with my romance.

3. Erin McCarthy. She has a Vegas Vampire series - first one is "High Stakes;" other favorites: "Heiress for Hire," "Pregnancy Test," and "Houston, We have a Problem." She also writes young adult books under the name Erin Lynn

4. Julia Quinn's books were my first foray into Regency Romance novels. She has such a fun style - and I would suggest starting with her Bridgerton series (there's 8 of them) - "The Duke and I." (I even got my mom hooked on this series - even though she swears all Romance is drivel.)

5. Julie Garwood. I'm not a fan of her contemporary stories - but her Medieval Scotland books are great: "The Bride," "The Prize," and "Saving Grace" are favorites.

6. Lisa Kleypas is probably one of the best writers in this genre. The first books of hers that I read were the Wallflower series (start with "Secrets of a Summer Night") - but a very hot one is "Dreaming of You."

7. Jacki D'alessandro is an author that is often hit or miss for me. But, you must read "Red Roses mean Love." It is a laugh out loud romp full of crazy secondary characters, a free spirited heroine and an obtuse, yet endearing hero.

8. Rachel Gibson has really fun and quirky characters - snappy dialogue - and of course great steamy romance. I really like the series she just completed about four writer friends - start with "Sex, Lies, and Online Dating."

9. Susan Donovan is another author that makes me laugh. Her books are smart, sexy, and sizzling. Suggestions: "He loves Lucy," "Take a Chance on Me," and "Knock Me off my Feet."

10. JR Ward is a more recent find. It's difficult to categorize her work. Is it urban fantasy or romance? Maybe a little of both. Her series is about vampires - but don't let that dissuade you. I *love* the mythology she has in place for her series. That vamps and humans are different species. You cannot be converted to a vampire with a bite. Vampires eat real food, not just blood. There are rich vampires. Civilian vampires. And warriors. The warriors are the heroes of her books. And delectable they are. The series starts with "Dark Lover" and Ward has just released the 6th - "Lover Enshrined." My favorite is the third in the series "Lover Awakened."

11. Suzanne Enoch is another Regency author that I love with her fast paced stories and strong wit. My favorite book of hers is the third in the "Lessons in Love" series (The Rake, London's perfect scoundrel, and England's perfect Hero.) She also has a great contemporary romantic suspense series centering around a cat burglar as the heroine - "Flirting with Danger" is the first.

12. Jennifer Cruise - I haven't liked some of her more recent titles - but you must read "Welcome to Temptation" which is hilarious - and "Bet Me" which is one of my top five romance books ever.

13. Maya Banks is the queen of the menage. And plot is overrated. Check out: "Colters' Woman" (Rhea...this one is on it's way to you), "Overheard," "Brazen," and "For her Pleasure."

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21 comments:

Barbara Doduk said...

Ummmm some steamy topics haha, thanks for the tips.

Happy TT.

B @ The Love Blog

Mom said...

I loved the Diana Gabaldon series. You might also like reading Virgina Henley, Lois Greiman, Lynn Kuriand, Christina Dodd and Hannah Howell just to name a few authors I like. I normally read historical steamy romances that take place in Scotland during the 1100 - 1400.

Happy TT!

Rhea said...

I'm loving have a tribute week! Thanks, Kat!

And, it just wouldn't be complete without a hot and steamy smutty book post. :o) I love smutt. And urban fantasy. And romance. Roll it all into one, and I'm a happy camper.

You rock!

Rhea said...

And, I LOVE the song you chose to go with this post. It's on my iPod. hehe

Debbie said...

Ummmm...hmmmmm....uh....I don't know what to say....I have to go read Curious George to my son right now.....

Lula! said...

KAT! You are killing me...my to-read list is literally piling up on the hearth in my bedroom. I'll have to add your choices asap.

And hello, I just reread the Twilight series for the...well, I'm not admitting how many times. I just can't not read them every few months or so.

And I wonder why I have no time to scrapbook?

Angie's Spot said...

Ok, I can't believe I'm admitting this in a public forum, but I own hardcover editions of The Sleeping Beauty Chronicles by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice's pen name). I would classify them as pure smut set in the medieval era. VERY racy material. Since I have nothing to compare them to, I don't know how they stack up to what you're reading, but proceed with caution on this set of 3 books. Ok, now I need a cold glass of water. LOL.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Rhea--The books went in the mail to you last night. I wasn't sure how to answer the question in the automated post office: "does this box contain flammable material?"

And the too hot for Borders books - can you believe I have gotten emails about what the titles are? Here they are: "Colters' Woman" by Maya Banks (about three brothers that want to find one woman to share as wife. Have ice water near by); "Voyeur" by Lacey Alexander. Not her best. But my other Alexander books have been loaned out. And it's steamy, steamy, steamy. Did I say it was steamy? And finally "Strength in Numbers" by Rachel Bo. Another menage...with a little hot nekkid man love thrown in the mix.

Debbie--You are too funny. I believe you had the same response last time I posted about this! I hope Curious George can help to cleanse you from this reading experience.

Lula--My give away and contest tomorrow has your name written all over it. And have you read e-books? Go check out ellorascave.com and you can thank me later. Or Scott can. :-)

Angie--I have not read Anne Rice's foray into S&M...I need to. Wanna more modern "bondage" novel? Try Annemarie McKenna's "Blackmailed." That's another too hot for Borders number...

Elena said...

Oh!!! I have been trying to get my hands on Outlander for a few weeks now. I have been trying to be patient, waiting it out on the library wait list, but my patience is waning. Especially now after you talked about it too. I've been biding my time by reading the Twilight books again and taking in every detail to get ready for the movie. I'm kind of nerdy like that, I like to get my own mental image and then see how far off I was from the movie. Sigh....I might cave and go buy Outlander from the bookstore tonight.

Qtpies7 said...

We are so opposite, lol! I like my Amish romance novels. You know, where they almost never even kiss! LOL

Kelly said...

This tribute week has been great...Thanks for the books suggestions; I was a hardcore 80's bodice ripping romance novel fan. I have yet to branch into this realm...happiness ahead for my husband ;)!

Anonymous said...

wow--I'll have to bookmark this for later when my dh is not on travel.

Trooper Thorn said...

Are there legitimate erotic novels for men? Probably not since we need pictures, and there are plenty of those books with pictures and few words. Some of the most popular men's erotic novels have almost no text at all.

One of my favorite Peter Sellers radio bits included an governess reading to her young charge from a book in the park. "With one bound he was by her side. Nora felt his hot breath against her cheek as he ripped the thin silk from..."

I felt it was important to memorize that passage when I was 11.

Insane Mama said...

I love smutty books also, but then again you and I are pretty much on the same path in the smutt/ sex area of life.

Shannon said...

My summer reading list just got a whole lot longer!!!!

Elena said...

Okay, me AGAIN. (Sorry for comment hogging lately.) I just had to tell you the funny my hubby said tonight. We were out on a date and he said, "I need a new book, let's go to Barnes & Noble." Me- "Yes, I've got to buy Outlander. I've been wanting it for weeks and Kat gave it a good review on her blog today." Him- "Well, if it was on Kat's blog, we'll give it two boobs up." LOL! I thought it was so funny. Hope it's as funny to you as it was to me. Anyway, I finally got my hands on the book. Here's to happy reading tonight.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Elena--I am sooo glad you got Outlander. Your hubby will be glad too. I cannot wait to hear what you think of it. Just remember that Twilight is completely chaste. And Outlander. Not so much :-)

Kelly--So...what have you been reading? You'll have to let me know what you try.

CindySue--Looks like I have now sold two copies of Outlander tonight. If only Diana Gabaldon would stop by and say "hello."

Trooper--You are a trooper for reading this post! Or any of my mommy drivel. Welcome. Hope I didn't scare you off. Trooper? Trooper? Anyone there?

IM--I'm still waiting to hear what smutty books you like. And yep. Same place. Same path. Just not quite as out there. Cause my mom, daughter, aunt Elizabeth read this stuff...Do your kids still not know about your blog? Or Chris'?

Shannon--I wanna see this summer reading list - and especially what you culled from this list!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Elena--I love the two boobs up. And that talking about a blog comes up just as naturally in your conversations as it does with me. I refer to you guys as my close friends. Elena's kids did this...Rhea is getting these books...Lula likes m&ms like me...and he just goes along with it :-)

The Joye of Teaching said...

Thanks for sharing the smutty books! I better get started, I have to go back to work soon. But we can use sizzle on our journey this year :)

John Deere Mom said...

Have you read the Chandler Brother books (there are three of them) by Carly Phillips? You must. The first is The Bachelor.

Tiffany said...

dip your toes in the River Smut - hee hee