Jill Barnett- An Amazing American Author...

Another of my all-time favorite authors is Jill Barnett. Mrs. Barnett has written several historical romances, but she has two wonderful contemporary fiction novels as well. I know, people hear 'historical romance' and think, oh, here we go.... bosoms heaving and lips quivering.... but you know what... I like a good bosom heave every now and then. But with Mrs. Barnett's books, it's not like that. She one of the most talented authors I've ever read. Her books are not just well written but are heartwarming, and funny, and her characters become real as you read them.

The first book of hers I read was Carried Away, and I loved it. I went back to the book store, but had forgot to write down the name of the author. I described the book briefly, and the lady said, "That sounds like one of Jill's books. Funny, great heroes, love scenes to die for? Try Jill Barnett." I bought all of the books they had of hers at the time, read them one after another, and loved them. That was over a decade ago. At the time, we didn't have Internet, so I was stuck waiting to see what books of hers our local used book store got in stock. But then we got the Internet, and I discovered Amazon and half.com, so I got to load up on all her earlier books.

The books I loved the most were Just a Kiss Away, with Lollie LaRue and Sam, a more unlikely couple couldn't be found, or a more likeable heroine. Lollie is the quintessential Southern Belle, and Sam is the slum-kid turned soldier of fortune. This is one of those books where I laughed out loud as I read it, and I've re-read it several times over the years.
Also, the W trilogy, Wonderful, Wild, and Wicked, which isn't exactly a trilogy. What I mean is, you don't have to read all three to enjoy them, they each stand on their own, it's more a link of characters than anything, and they are all three magnificent, so if you read one you'll end up wanting to read the others.
And of course Bewitching and Dreaming. Bewitching gives witches a whole new outlook. Dreaming was the first books that made me cry so hard that I had to put it down for a moment, and I had been so involved in the book that when I put it down I was actually surprised to see I was sitting in my own home. It had grabbed ahold and pulled me right into the pages, and of course Richard is one of the best heroes to ever find his way onto a page.

I have read every book Mrs. Barnett has written, and I have not found one I didn't love, or one I didn't hold on to so I could re-read it again later. Even if you think you are above historical romances (you know who you are), give one of Jill Barnett's books a shot. You'll be hooked.

Here is a reading list of Jill Barnett's novels:

Historical Romance
Wonderful
Wild
Wicked
Carried Away
Imagine
Bewitching
Dreaming
Just a Kiss Away
Surrender a Dream
The Heart's Haven

Anthologies
A Season in the Highlands
That Summer Place
A Stockingful of Joy
A Midsummer Nights Madness
A Holiday of Love

Contemporary Novels
Sentimental Journey
The Days of Summer


Some sites about Jill Barnett and her books:
www.jillbarnett.com
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/jill-barnett/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Barnett
http://www.likesbooks.com/int5.html : an interview with Jill Barnett



P.S. :For those of you who enjoy a good romance novel, but use a book cover so people won't be staring at the cover and thinking "Ah ha, she likes to read about you-know-what", don't let anyone judge you or make you feel ashamed of your reading choices. Everyone has different tastes in food, colors, styles of clothes, and none are any 'better' than the next (except for 60 year old women in mini-skirts and halter tops, that's just not right). So, if you love Historical Romances, be proud, show that book cover, cleavage and muscles and all.
Reading doesn't have to just be about learning. It's also about taking you out of your life and depositing you in another, even if only for a few hours or minutes at a time. The world you choose to get lost in is your business, and whether it's a true to life biography or a historical romantic comedy, whether it's Shakespeare or Stephen King, whether it's 1600's England or the planet Pern, it's your right to enjoy whatever you want without anyone passing judgement.