The Romance Evangelist

I adore getting my friends and colleagues hooked on Romance. We all have very high stress and emotional jobs and so pleasure reading is so important to our mental health. 

What I recommend as the gateway drug varies widely depending on the person 

For a friend suspicious of romance due to feminist concerns I recommend: A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer, Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews or Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs 

For a friend doubting the quality of the writing in the genre, I recommend 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon or Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer

For a friend who loves history, I recommend The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran  or Night in Eden by Candice Proctor 

If the friend needs to laugh, I recommend,  Shelly Laurenston, Penny Reid, Alice Clayton, or Kresley Cole (a lot of laughter is needed(

For a friend who loves psychology, I recommend, The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers  or A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

For a friend worried about all that sex, I recommend Christy by Catherine Marshall  or Lord Carew's Bride  by Mary Balogh 

For a friend who wants more sex, I recommend  Sheltered by Charlotte Stein, 

The Lady's Tutor by Robin Schone or  The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost 

For a friend that loves to travel: Laura Florand or Rosalind James.

For a friend that needs a good sob, I recommend Dream a Little Dream by

Susan Elizabeth Phillips or To Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

For an animal loving friend, I recommend  the Heartmate Series by Robin Owens or Nalani Singh's Psy/Changling Series. 

Anyone of these wonderful writers is addictive. 

What romance books to you recommend to a first time romance reader?

Then, once I have them hooked or back into reading romance, what do I recommend next? 

For Linda, my animal loving friend who is all caught up on the Heartmate Series and its talking cats, I am going to recommend

1. Protector of the Flight by Robin Owens (start with the first book but this one has flying horses)

2. Nalani Singh's Psy/Changling Series. 

Enjoy!