Let me introduce Ms. Julie Garwood

36.Honor's Splendor, Julie Garwood
35. Lyon's Lady, Julie Garwood

So after reading JAK's book I discussed with mutti how strange it was that her historical novels are so much better than her contemporary ones. And then she brought up Julie Garwood, one of her all-time favorite historical writers. Like AQ/JAK she writes in both historical and contemporary (though uses her name for both, a point for rationality there.) Mutti ferverently believes that there is a huge disparity between the two. And while I don't have as strong of feelings on her contemporary novels, I agree.

Most writers have a mold they use for their hero/heorine. If you read enough of the same author you'll notice a pattern. The most obvious abuse of this is Nora (I do criticize her a lot don't I?) Julie Garwood is not an exception. Her (historical) heroines are always ridiculously courageous, demure when appropriate, skilled at something unusual and enchanting just to name a few characteristics. I do however think she varies these basics well enough that I never tire of reading her books in a row. Her characters are very loveable. And you kind of wish you had their hutzpah sometimes as well.

Something unusual she does is have the characters admit they love each other about 3/4 the way through at the latest. Most romances-centric novels wait til the end. But still her plots are intriguing enough to carry it along anyway.

Another thing that sets her apart is that she doesn't write in one historical time period. Most romance writers who set their characters in the past tend to stick to one time period. The most common being the Regency Era -- replete with rakes and misses and the ton. High society. The second most common is Scotland during the middle ages -- 1400s ish. Anyway they tend not to deviate. She sets hers throughout the ages, which is disconcerting at times only because it's unique.

Julie Garwood is a lovely writer. Both books sucked me in to the point I'v spent the last two days straight reading them -- or thinking about finishing them. I love that feeling. That excitement to pick up my book, the nagging desire at work for the clock to tick by quicker so I can get back to reading. That might make me a little silly. Oh well.

I've read both these books before, but it had been a while for Lyon's Lady. Enough that I'd forgotten most of the story. I read Honor's Splendor all the time because it's one of my favorites by her.

I get a lot of flak for rereading books -- yes i know there are a ton out there -- but I was thinking about that while rereading these. It's not necessarily that I enjoy reading the same book twice. Save for a few I don't usually crave a certain story, usually I just want that type of story. That type of writing. That type of character. Unfortunately writers don't pump out books like tv shows -- a new one every week. Usually they only come out with two a year. So, since I've been reading so voraciously for so long I've not only discovered the authors I like I've caught up on all their work. Hence the rereads.

Anyway enough blathering. Happy thanksgiving!