Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Conquer Historical Romance Reading Challenge

Do you want to conquer Historical Romance? Then you can do so by signing up for this challenge. This challenge is actually pretty simple, read at least one novel from each Historical Romance subgenre from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

*Americana
Bodice Ripper
Civil War
Elizabethan
Georgian
Highlander
Medieval
Native American
Pirate
Regency
Time Travel
Tudor
Victorian
Viking
Western

Choose your level:
Level 1: read ONE of each (15 books)
Level 2: read TWO of each (30 books)
Level 3: read THREE of each (45 books)
Level 4: read FOUR of each (60 books)
Level 5: read FIVE of each (75 books)

Rules:
- Sign up as early as now but only the books read starting from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 will be counted.
- Books of the Month can be counted.
- Novels, novellas, and short stories are acceptable.
- Create a post in this thread to serve as your tracking post. Don't forget to keep them up to date. Feel free provide your star ratings in the post as well. Here is an example.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Good luck, have fun and happy reading!

Participants:
1. Kat - Level 3
2. Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder - Level 1
3. Priya - Level 1
4. Seffra - Level 1
5. Mariana - Level 1
6. Giaghazal - Level 4
7. Leslie - Level 1
8. Ally - Level 1
9. Martha - Level 2
10. Midniteillusion - Level 1
11. Sue - Level 1

*Americana are HRs that are set between 1880 and 1920 in the United States, usually in a small town or in the Midwest.

If you need suggestions, you can ask for them from your fellow group members at Suggestions for 2016 Year Long Reading Challenge - Conquer Historical Romance.

I'm going to start with Level 3.


Level 3: 45 books

Americana
-
-
-

Bodice Ripper
-
-
-

Civil War
-
-
-

Elizabethan
-
-
-

Georgian
- Desperate Duchesses - 1/19/16 - ★★★☆☆
- These Old Shades - 1/20/16 - ★★★★☆
- A Wild Night's Bride - 5/22/16 - ★★☆☆☆

Highlander
-
-
-

Medieval
- Claiming-A Medieval Romance - 1/23/2016 - ★★★☆☆
-
-

Native American
-
-
-

Pirate
- The Pirate Next Door - 5/2/2016 - ★★★☆☆
-
-

Regency
- The Seduction of Lord Stone - 1/3/16 - ★★★★☆
- The Viscount's Christmas Temptation - 1/15/16 - ★★★☆☆
- Cold-Hearted Rake - 1/17/16 - ★★★★☆

Time Travel
-
-
-

Tudor
-
-
-

Victorian
- The Shadow and the Star - 2/18/16 - ★★☆☆☆
- The Hunter - 5/7/16 - ★★★☆☆
-

Viking
- The Viking Queen And Her Warriors - 1/26/16 - ★★☆☆☆
-
-

Western
- The Rancher Takes A Bride - 1/26/16 - ★★★☆☆
-
-

Total books read: 12/45

Level 1: 15 Books + 1

7/15

Americana: Vows by LaVyrle Spencer

Bodice Ripper

Civil War: Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath, completed 3/4

Elizabethan: Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small RIP--need to order published 1981?

I own kindle Elizabethan Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham

Georgian: Danger Wears White by Lynne Connolly Completed 1/23 4 stars.

Highlander: The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne

Medieval: Tabor's Trinket by Janet Lane (reccoed by Dawn) completed 3/22

Native American

Pirate

Regency

Time Travel: Intertwine by Nichole Van 5-stars. Competed 4/18

Tudor

Victorian: The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale, Competed 2/28

Viking

Western: Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O'Connell (I own) --reechoed by Sapphire.
Completed 3/29

level1 : 15 books

Americana - Morning Glory - Feb 27, 2016
The Fulfillment- May 13, 2016

Bodice ripper - Sweet Savage Love - Mar 3, 2016

Civil war - And One Wore Gray - April 10, 2016

Elizabethan - A Woman of Passion - Mar 8, 2016

Georgian - This Duchess of Mine- Jan 28, 2016
Jane Eyre - Apr 24, 2016
Because of Miss Bridgerton- Apr 20, 2016

Highlander - Saving Grace - Mar 14, 2016
Ransom Apr 29, 2016

Medieval - Midnight Eyes - Mar 4, 2016

Native American - Comanche Heart - April 13, 2016

Pirates - Guardian Angel - Feb 13, 2016

Regency - What Happens in London - Jan 4, 2016
Northanger Abbey - May 23, 2016
Dreaming of You - May 4, 2016

Time travel - Beyond the Highland Mist - April 11, 2016

Tudor - Blaze Wyndham - Mar 18, 2016

Victorian - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie - Feb 7, 2016

Viking - Lord of Raven's Peak - Mar 11, 2016

Western - The Texan's Wager - April 4, 2016

Total books read: 15/15 +6

Level 1: 15 books

Americana
-
Bodice Ripper
-
Civil War
-
Elizabethan
-
Georgian
-
Highlander
-
Medieval
-
Native American
-
Pirate
-
Regency
-
Time Travel
-
Tudor
-
Victorian
-
Viking
-
Western
-

Pardon my ignorance (especially since I'm from the Americas) what is "Americana" HR?

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Pardon my ignorance (especially since I'm from the Americas) what is "Americana" HR?"

HRs set between 1880 and 1920 in the United States, usually in a small town or in the Midwest.

Oh dear! I'm going to have to really "challenge" myself to read Americana and Western HR. HR with a US setting I usually avoid, and when I do read them, I REALLY avoid westerns and Americana.

There is one era in US HR I'd like to read if there are any--if they exist, and that's Old New York high society during the gilded age.

Well, I have one "Americana" HR that I (re) bought recently that I read/owned when I was in college in the late 80s.

It was really good. I couldn't recall the title or author so I described it in a thread in Kathrynn HR group and asked for help identifying the book and someone responded right away with the information and i promptly bought a used copy.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Oh dear! I'm going to have to really "challenge" myself to read Americana and Western HR. HR with a US setting I usually avoid, and when I do read them, I REALLY avoid westerns and Americana.

Ther..."

This is what I love about reading challenges besides meeting your reading goals--getting out of your comfort zone! ;) Hope you can find ones that you will enjoy.

That is fun about challenges--trying books you might not try under normal circumstances.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "That is fun about challenges--trying books you might not try under normal circumstances."

I agree, it's because of these reading challenges too that I became a more voracious reader.

Reading challenges and joining GR have both multiplied the number of book I read per month to an exponential degree.

However I don't read nearly enough from my shelves bec I seem to have become addicted to group reads and buddy reads!

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Reading challenges and joining GR have both multiplied the number of book I read per month to an exponential degree.

However I don't read nearly enough from my shelves bec I seem to have become a..."

I know what you mean! :)

Level 1: 15 books

11/15

Americana
- For Such a Time as this by Ginny Aiken, 3⭐

Bodice Ripper
- Her Wicked Ways by Darcy Burke, 4⭐

Civil War
- Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath, 5⭐

Elizabethan
- Across a Moonlit Sea (Dante Pirates #1) by Marsha Canham, 5⭐

Georgian
- The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt, 5⭐

Highlander
- When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare, 4.5⭐

Medieval
- The Winter Promise, 4⭐

Native American
- Comanche Heart by Catherine Anderson, 4.5⭐

Pirate
- Chance The Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBaim, 4⭐

Regency
- Venetia by Georgette Heyer, 5⭐

Time Travel
- Juliet by Anne Fourtier, 4 ⭐

Tudor
-

Victorian
- Luck be a Lady by Meredith Duran, 4.5⭐

Viking
-

Western
-

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "There is one era in US HR I'd like to read if there are any--if they exist, and that's Old New York high society during the gilded age."

Off topic for this thread, but this may fit the bill Lions And Lace.

Hot dog! JaneA! This is just what I want ! I'm going to order a copy right now!

Thanks!

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Hot dog! JaneA! This is just what I want ! I'm going to order a copy right now!

Thanks!"

Yay! It's been a long time since I read it, but I loved it back then. Hope you enjoy. :)

(eta) There is a sequel about the sister Fair is the Rose that would qualify as a western for this challenge. If you like this book maybe you'd like to try that one even tho westerns aren't your cuppa.

Okay I will try this .... Good luck to all of us ... I will start with level 4.

Welcome to the challenge! Soooo excited to start! :)

Okay, I plan to read and check off the list in order. Based on the "Americana" description above, I have only read one ever--Highland Flame by Stephanie Bartlett. It is set in Arlington, TX, (near where I live) during the 1890s. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend reading for this genre. Anyone else have an "Americana" recommendation?

I will do level 1 though I may have to get recommendations for some of these topics. I will probably have to use some of the book of the month reads too.

Americana

Bodice Ripper

Civil War

Elizabethan

Georgian

Highlander

Medieval

Native American

Pirate

Regency

Time Travel

Tudor

Victorian

Viking

Western

Mariana wrote: "Okay, I plan to read and check off the list in order. Based on the "Americana" description above, I have only read one ever--Highland Flame by Stephanie Bartlett. It is set in Arlington, TX, (near ..."

Hi, Mariana. Here's a listopia for Americana HRs.

Best Early American Historical Romance

Mariana wrote: "Okay, I plan to read and check off the list in order. Based on the "Americana" description above, I have only read one ever--Highland Flame by Stephanie Bartlett. It is set in Arlington, TX, (near ..."

I think LaVyrle Spencer and Pamela Morsi have books that fit this category perfectly.

Thanks for the advice!

Before the recommendations, I was thinking of For Such a Time as this by Ginny Aiken from the library. It is set in a small town in Oregon in 1879. Now I am reconsidering Marrying Stone by Pamela Morsi. It is set in the Ozarks (Arkansas) in 1902, free on Amazon right now...or maybe I should take a visit to Half Price Books with the listopia at hand....

Can I just read from 1 Sub Gen? LOL
You know I am addicted to men in kilts...
x

Welcome to the challenge!

Ally wrote: "Question, do we just continue to update our challenge as we read books in each category? That's what I have been doing and wanted to make sure I was on the right track. Moving on to my Highlander c..."

Yep! :)

I update on my phone and cannot figure out how to insert the book cover art/link. Tips?

Mariana wrote: "I update on my phone and cannot figure out how to insert the book cover art/link. Tips?"

Mariana, I don't believe the GR app has the ability to do that. You should be able to do that on your phone's browser however.

You can't insert book covers via the app or create book titles into hot links via app either.

Try using your browser on your phone.

When I want to crate book covers or linked book title text, I go into Safari via my phone.

Anyone started an Elizabethan book yet?

No I haven't. Do you know of an Elizabethan book?

Level 1: 15 books

Americana
-
Bodice Ripper
-
Civil War
-
Elizabethan
-
Georgian
-
Highlander
-
Medieval
-
Native American
-
Pirate
-
Regency
-
Time Travel
-
Tudor
-
Victorian
-
Viking
-
Western
-

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "No I haven't. Do you know of an Elizabethan book?"

I don't. I was hoping for a recommendation.

Well have to find some Elizabethan romances then.

There must be a couple.

Thanks for posting that link Ally.

I think I'm going to order "Skye O'Malley" by Bertrice Small.

Amanda McCabe seems to have more elizabethan books than only mentioned in shelf. I think I choose one of them. They are reviewed higher (mostly).

Ally wrote: "Elizabethan Ctd

You can also check out Likes books and type in Elizabethan under "time settings".

Right now is free on Amazon and received good review.

..."

4.01 rating and free sounds good to me. I think I'll read Across a Moonlit Sea.

Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "4.01 rating and free sounds good to me. I think I'll read Across a Moonlit Sea. "

I'll be anxious to hear what you think. I have three books ahead of this in my TBR pile. We should..."

This is MHO only, but anyone who loves classic historical romances should read Across a Moonlit Sea. Marsha Canham is wonderful, I love all her books.

Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "4.01 rating and free sounds good to me. I think I'll read Across a Moonlit Sea. "

I'll be anxious to hear what you think. I have three books ahead of this in my TBR pile. We should..."

I would love to buddy read! I have four other books I could read first (notice how many books are on my "reading" shelf).

Ally and Mariana, you're fine. Feel free to start a new thread for a Buddy Read under this folder.

I'm going to try this at level one.

*Americana
Bodice Ripper
Civil War
Elizabethan
Georgian
Highlander
Medieval
Native American -
Pirate
Regency
Time Travel
Tudor
Victorian
Viking
Western -

Midniteillusion wrote: "I'm going to try this at level one.

*Americana
Bodice Ripper
Civil War
Elizabethan
Georgian
Highlander
Medieval
Native American
Pirate
Regency
Time Travel
Tudor
Victorian
Viking
Western"

Welcome to the challenge!

I understand Ally about some categories seeming unattractive.

I personally dread "Western" and "Time-travel."

Level 1 for me 15 books

Americana

Bodice Ripper

Civil War

Elizabethan

Georgian

Highlander

Medieval

Native American

Pirate - Price Of Pleasure

Regency - The Shadow and The Star by Laura Kinsale 3/5

Time Travel - The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Tudor

Victorian - Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick

Viking - Golden Surrender by Heather Graham

Western - Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Ally wrote: "I'm struggling with some of these categories. Does that make me awful? Like I tried Tudor (and summarily rejected ), and am slowly working my way through Civil War / ..."

If it's a genre-blended novel, you can choose either Civil War or Western. Both works.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I understand Ally about some categories seeming unattractive.

I personally dread "Western" and "Time-travel.""

That's the beauty of reading challanges! ;)

Sue wrote: "Level 1 for me 15 books"

Welcome to the challenge, Sue!

Ally wrote: "Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I understand Ally about some categories seeming unattractive.

I personally dread "Western" and "Time-travel.""

I'm feeling like I need..."

Yeah, I only joined at level one and have already read 7/15 books. I'm going to take a break and come back to Medieval in a couple weeks. I started a couple ( Morganna by Jackie Ivie and Findley's Lass by Suzan Tisdale), but I couldn't get through the first chapter. The only medieval book I remember reading and enjoying was The Bride and the Brute by Laurel O'Donnell. Maybe I'll try another one of her books.