Friday, November 14, 2008

Hanukkah/Jewish romances, anyone?

So, Jessica and I have been having this conversation about Jewish romances, or at least a romance with a Jewish hero or heroine.

Hanukkah is fast approaching, and I would love to read a story without a stereotyped family. Just a great Jewish romance. And I'm looking for traditional romances (or erotic romance), but none of the "not really a romance, but..." type. Oh, and I'm not a huge chick lit fan, either... There's no "Love Inspired" line for Jewish romance, so...

Any suggestions? (not really picky, am I, LOL!)

And what I really want is one where not just one of the characters is Jewish, but both are. A book about a H/H who just happen to be Jewish, just like in most novels they happen to not be Jewish. No stereotypes, no loud, obnoxious parents, no dysfunctional Uncle Arthurs or Aunt Selmas. Just normal people falling in love, who just happen to go to temple on Friday night instead of church on Sunday morning. I challenge you authors out there to write this novel.

Having said that, here's what we've come up with between us:

Never Deceive a Duke by Liz Carlyle
A Candle for Nick by Lorna Michaels
Hostile Makeover by Wendy Wax (a meh read for me)
Love in Bloom and Blooming All Over by Judith Arnold
Lick and a Promise by Jo Leigh
Fallen From Grace by Laura Leone
Crooked Hearts by Patricia Gaffney
Eight Nights by Keira Andrews (note - this is M/M. Thanks to JenB for the rec!)


Please!!! Add to my list!

Please note that I have deliberately left Chasing Stanley off my list, as I was so completely offended by that book that I refuse to recommend it to anyone at all. So don't even bother mentioning it in the comments. Click through the link to read my review and find out why I disliked hated this book so much.

3 People Gabbed:

Kristie (J) said...

Bed of Spices by Barbara Samuel has a Jewish lead character. I'm pretty sure it's the hero. This one might be hard to find though - it was published way back in 1993. It's a real good book though - I gave it a 4.5.
And I'm not sure - but I think both lead characters in Love in Bloom by Judith Arnold are Jewish. But I could be wrong.

Angelia Sparrow said...

I have one coming out on 24 Dec: Eight Days Ablaze.

It's more erotica than romance, although it does end on a romantic sort of note.

Adina is an up-and-coming lawyer with no time for a love-life or a family. Her papa gets her the VirtualClone, a box that gives a "Fully Integrated Sensory Experience." He suggests she use it to practice for work. Adina decides to fill the gaps in her life. But Papa is five steps ahead of rest of the world, including Adina, and has another couple of presents planned...

Jeanne said...

Hi, Lori!
My first m/m story, "The Sweet Flag" is most defintely about Jewish characters where the fact of their religion is part of the story line.
It's from Loose Id and crosses several genres - contemprary, paranormal, historical and multi-cultural.
Even the paranormal aspect is a different Jewish twist.
Also coming out from MLR Press next year will be an historical Jewish gay romance, "Bend in the Road".
You should really check out EM Ben Shaul's stories, too. They are told with a unique perspective.
Happy Chanukah!