This is the first post in my new section, “Favorites.” And I have been SO excited to share these amazing things with you! I mean, what kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t pass along some of my all-time favorite finds?? Okay, here we go!

These are my top 5 favorite romance authors. What I love most about them is that they all write CLEAN romance (meaning there is no sex or pornographic scenes in their writing). I remember one author (I think it was Keddington actually) describing it as “protecting the integrity of [her] characters.” I love that! And best of all, you feel happy and even uplifted by the time you finish reading these books! So let’s get started so you can check out these awesome authors and their books!

1. Dorothy Keddington

Dorothy Keddington has been one of my all-time favorite authors from the time I was a young girl. Two of her books continue to be my favorites of all-time. #1 favorite: Jayhawk #2 favorite: Return to Red Castle. Both of these books were written in the 80’s (so you know, there were no cell phones back then), but let me tell you, they are TREASURES!! Her books are a mixture of romance and mystery/suspense that will make them difficult to put down! She also has some of the sweetest romance stories that I’ve read thus far, and the best part is you’re not having to wait to the end of the story for things to click for the characters, that realization happens early on! Yea! 

I still remember the summer months reading these books over and over. In fact, Jayhawk was such a family favorite (between my mom, sister and myself-my brothers could care less) that the binding to our copy had completely fallen apart and if we ever found ourselves reading the book at the same time our conversation would consist of, “Who has page ___??” One of my younger brothers is also named after the main character, Jay. 😉 If that is any indication of how much we loved the book. Many of Keddington’s books are coming out again to be republished. 

Some of her other books are: Mermaid’s Purse, Flower of the Winds, Shadow Song, Aisling of Eire, The Fairy Thorn, and Hearth Fires!

        

2. Julianne Donaldson

Julianne Donaldson is a newer author, but her first book Edenbrooke quickly became my absolute FAVORITE Regency Book (I read it 4-times in the first month)! The love story makes your heart stop at times, and her writing is witty and entertaining the whole way through! She has a second book out called Blackmoore which although I didn’t enjoy as much is still definitely worth the read and has one of THE BEST climaxes I have EVER read in a romance novel (in fact I think I gasped out loud when I read it)! I can’t wait to see more from this author!

 

3. Stephenie Meyer

Yes yes, I MUST add in Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Series! I have to admit however, when I heard everyone raving about the Twilight books years ago, I remember saying, “I’m not going to read those books just because everyone else is.” (I know, it’s the stubbornness in me I guess), any of you who HAVE read them would think me instantly crazy. In fact it wasn’t until I was stuck in the airport with an 8-hour layover with absolutely nothing to do but look for a book to read that I finally broke down. I remember seeing Twilight on the shelves and reminding myself of my vow to not read that series as I walked past it and bought a different book that looked decent, only to return it 15-minutes later after realizing the first two pages were littered with profanity and a myriad of other things that I don’t find enjoyable in my reading. I remember hearing that Twilight was a clean saga so I finally conceded and purchased it. I laugh now because I’m pretty sure I had my nose stuck in the book from that moment on, including the moments as I handed the flight attendant my ticket and boarded the plane. It was so intriguing I couldn’t put it down! 

The writing is light hearted and entertaining, and Meyers gets right to the heart of the relationship of the main characters causing you to love the story and the world they live in. You aren’t having to wait to the end of the book for the characters to realize their feelings for one another which was a refreshing twist that you often don’t find in other romance books. I felt like by the end there was an overall feeling of old-fashioned gentlemanlike etiquette that I loved!

I know there are still a few of you out there who haven’t read this saga (including my sister!! Grrr!!!) So take a chance with this one, I know you’ll LOVE it!! The four books in the saga are Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. You can also buy them all together here. Meyers also has a book out called  The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (related to the Twilight Series), and The Host (a stand-alone book), as far as I understand, The Host was written for the purpose of making it into a movie (which it has been). I’ve seen the movie (which is pretty good), but have not read the book.

      

4. Tracy Hunter Abramson

Tracy Hunter Abramson is a fabulous author! In fact, I’ve read over 15 of her books multiple times. Her romance stories are interwoven with adventures involving CIA and Navy Seal Operatives. Most of her books interweave characters from her previous books which is always fun, because then you get to hear more about your favorite characters after their story is complete.

You can read her books in any order but if you want to read them in order I’d start with The Undercurrent Series: Undercurrents, Ripple Effect, and The Deep End (these 3 are her first books and their characters will show up in the next set of books). This is about an Olympic Swimmer Hopeful who is in the witness protection program, and how she learns to trust and love again.

The next set is called Saint Squad Series (albeit my favorite set so far!): Freefall, Lockdown, Crossfire, Backlash, Smokescreen, Code Word, Lock & Key, Obsession, Drop Zone, and Spotlight. This series is about a group of Navy Seals, their adventures and how each one falls in love. Obsession is technically not part of the Navy Seals but you already know the characters that are in Obsession from the previous books, so I stuck it in there in the order it would technically fit with all the stories. 

She has a shorter series called Royal Series: Royal Target and Royal Secrets.

Other books that have not been made into a series (as far as I know), are: Deep Cover, Failsafe, and Chances Are. (Deep Cover was action packed from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I’ve heard that Failsafe is exactly the same way!)

There are only 4 books on this list that I have not yet read, but am anxious to do so very soon! Also, Abramson is an LDS (Latter Day Saint) author and she does include religion in her writing (i.e. the characters pray or they strive to have faith during trials, etc.), but if anything, I feel it adds to getting to know her characters all the more. 

  

        There is no image for Spotlight, but follow the link above.

 

  

5. Sara M. Eden

Sara Eden is a lovely regency author who’s books are lighthearted, clean, witty, and fun to read. Everyone that I’ve shared her books with have loved them as well.

Her characters also interweave into her other books, so if you want to read them in order, here’s the order you want:

The Lancaster Family: Seeking Persephone and Courting Miss Lancaster.

The Jonquil Family: The Kiss of a Stranger (one of my favorites!!), Friends and Foes, Drops of Gold, As You Are, and A Fine Gentleman (Release Date: TBA). 

Stand-Alone Novels: Glimmer of Hope, An Unlikely Match, and For Elise (although, For Elise could also be read after Drops of Gold, since you know the characters from that book too).

19th Century American West & Irish Settlers: Longing for Home: A Proper Romance, and Longing for Home, Book 2: Hope Springs.