When winter weather starts I always feel a pull towards my old favorite books; many series that I read while I was younger and there was nothing to do but watch the snow fall claim space in my memory this time of year. My mom had bookshelves full of books that she read when she was young and these were my favorites:
can you guess who this is?
Georgette Heyer! Who published her first book at the age of 19. Who married a few years later and managed never to leak to her fans her new married name. Who never gave an interview, never did any publicity. Her private life was her private life, she said. And she didn't need publicity to sell her fantastically clever and detailed novels of regency England. Pretty much nobody ever knew who she was until she died.
The Grand Sophy is my favorite. I have read it more than any other of her novels (like I said, every winter..) and I always chuckle at the antics of her characters.
Lady of Quality is also a good one. Other favorites are The Masqueraders, These Old Shades, Frederica, and Arabella.
Next up, the incomparable Mary Stewart.
Her extensive travels with her husband enabled her to write perfect descriptions of places all over the world. When she describes Greece, you feel as though you could go without any guidebook but the novel you are reading. Suspense, adventure, romance! I want to be Mary Stewart when I grow up.
This one has a slightly paranormal bent to it. It's pretty eery in places and very suspenseful.
I have read this book more than any other book in the history of books that I have read. My copy is falling all to pieces.
My second favorite of hers - the romantic story in this one reminds me very much of Hitchcock's "Charade". And it's possibly the best car chase scene ever written. (I say, with my um, extensive knowledge of car chase scenes. That have been written)
This last author tricked me. And I didn't appreciate it. But I still very much enjoyed their books and so I shall share:
Another author that does settings all over the globe. Some a little over dramatic, but can I say I don't like that? no. No I can't. Golden Urchin is the story of a white girl raised by Aborigines who has to travel halfway across the world and back to find out where she really belongs. Love story? Duh.
have I ever posted a book that wasn't? oh, well, maybe that one...
Love this book, love it love it love it. Girl runs away to join the circus. Enough said! Okay I'll say more. After an attempt is made at her life, she goes back to her roots to find a safe haven and some answers. But is she
really safe there? Dum, da dum dum!
I'd been reading Madeline Brent's work and thoroughly enjoying it for years before I came across a photo of "her".
"Madeline Brent" being the pen name for Peter O'Donnell, who was most famous for a series he wrote called "Modesty Blaise" - which was basically a female James Bond. Touche, Peter. I'll still read your books. But I'm annoyed with you on a permanent basis. Call me sexist.
Star Crossed was written by the same lady who wrote A Curse Dark as Gold. I didn't read her earlier work, but I enjoyed Star Crossed more than I have enjoyed a YA Fantasy for a LONG time! There is magic in her world, but no unicorns or fairies - it's more like a magical tale set in dark-ages earth. Not too fantastical, for you non goblin story lovers.
The plot of Secondhand Charm made a turn around 1/3 of the way through the book that was interesting and fun to read and completely unexpected. Loved the book! This one seems to be set in a very earth-like world, with christianity and place names being the same. But there are some fantastical creatures and some magic.
