Historical Romance Book Club

message 1: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (last edited Jun 01, 2020 08:42PM) (new)

Dec 04, 2019 07:43PM

Joanna Loves Reading (joannalovesreading) | 4120 comments

Mod

Welcome HRBC members to the third annual Romance Across The Ages challenge!

In this challenge, we have 24 subgenres to choose from and you get to choose how many books you want to tackle this year, with the minimum being 12. There are some changes from last year based on the challenge feedback.

We have selected 2 random subgenres per month and we will be reading the same subgenres together. We will be tracking challenges here on the thread and on a challenge shelf. Instructions below.

We have 24 subgenres to choose from this year and the participants choose at least 12 subgenres. The goal is to read at least 12 books from at least 12 subgenres, one per subgenre. However, you can also choose as many subgenres as you want to read.

Participants
Joanna - message 4
Darbella - message 5
Georgina - message 6
Priya - message 7
Shaz - message 8
Mariana - message 9
Tanya - message 10
Jo - message 11
Jan - message 12
Jennie-Lee - message 13
Merry Jewelhound - message 14
Debby “Piene Raven” - message 15
Sha - message 16
Midniteillusion (Desiree) - message 18
Cath - message 21
Karma Bites - message 43
Jessica T. - message 48
EsquiredToRead - message 50
Cat - message 54
Ashleigh - message 250

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message 2: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (last edited Dec 04, 2019 07:51PM) (new)

Dec 04, 2019 07:43PM

Mod

Subgenres & Schedule

January
World Wars I to WWII
Western

February
LGBTQ
Scottish / Highlander

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Time Travel

April
Native American
Viking

May
Bodice Ripper
Renaissance

June
Edwardian
Medieval

July
Restoration / Stuarts
Your Choice

August
Americana/Gilded Age
Regency

September
Civil War / Antebellum
Victorian

October
Georgian
Pirate

November
American Revolution
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

Tracking Instructions

To participate in this challenge, post a comment on the thread below with a list of your chosen subgenres. If you're not sure on some, please note that you can adjust throughout the year as suits. This comment will be your "tracking post" and it will be the one you edit throughout the year.

Each participant can also create their own 2020 challenge shelf and link to the challenge on this group's homepage (will be posted by the January 1.

Your tracking post should keep track of:

No. of Books: ##

Subgenres chosen:

Note that you do not have to read at the exact month indicated. The monthly schedule is meant to help us keep track and keep pace.

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message 3: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (last edited Jan 15, 2020 08:12PM) (new)

Dec 04, 2019 07:43PM

Mod

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message 4: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (last edited Jan 14, 2020 08:56PM) (new)

Dec 04, 2019 07:48PM

Mod

My tracking post - edit January 14, 2020

No. of Books: 12

Subgenres & Schedule

January
Western - Texas Glory - READ - 4 stars

February
LGBTQ

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)

April
Native American

May
Bodice Ripper

June
Medieval

July
Restoration / Stuarts

August
Americana/Gilded Age

September
Victorian

October
Georgian
Pirate

November
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

December
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

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message 5: by Priya (last edited Sep 19, 2020 06:37AM) (new)

Dec 07, 2019 07:24PM

Priya (priyachennareddy) | 1544 comments

Priya's challenge

No. of subgenres: 12

JANUARY
1. Western - The Texan's Wager - 3 stars

FEBRUARY
2. Scottish/Highlander - Highland Secret - 16th Feb, 2020; 4 stars

APRIL
3. Native American - Lord of Hawkfell Island - 4th April, 2020; 4 stars
4. Viking - Comanche Moon

JUNE
5. Edwardian - Barbara Cartland book/ Abandoned at the Altar book

JULY
6. Choice - Georgette Heyer - Black Sheep - 22nd Aug; 4stars

AUGUST
7. Regency - Simply Unforgettable - 2nd August; 3 stars
8. Americana - Marrying Stone

SEPTEMBER
9. Victorian - Chasing Cassandra - 19th Sept; 3 stars

OCTOBER
10. Georgian - Born to Be Wilde or Moonstruck Madness

NOVEMBER
11. The Charade

DECEMBER
12. TBR - GH

No. of books read: 6/12

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message 6: by 🐝 Shaz 🐝 (last edited Dec 16, 2020 01:00PM) (new)

Dec 08, 2019 12:01PM

My Challenge
Jan
Western
The Honour-Bound Gambler by Lisa Plumley--Completed 6/Jan/20
------------------
Feb
Scottish/Highlanders
Secret by Julie Garwood---Completed 24/Feb/20
--------------------
March
Diversity
Destiny's Surrender by Beverly Jenkins --Completed 5/March/20
----------------
April
Native American
Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson--Completed 18/April/20
------------------
Viking
The Viking takes a Knight by Sandra Hill--Completed- 14/April/20
------------------
May
Bodice Ripper
Highland Warrior by Monica McCarty-- Completed-15/May/20
----------------------
Renaissance
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards--Completed-10/June/20
------------------------

June
Edwardian
Beast by Judith Ivory---Completed 4/April/20
---------------
Medieval
Shadow and Lace by Teresa Medriros----Completed 23/June/20
_____________

July
Restoration/Stuarts
Your Choice
Ransom by Julie Garwood--Completed --5/May/20
--------------
Aug
Americana/Gilded Age
Apart from the Crowd by Jan Turano Completed 2/Aug/20
Regency
The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale Completed 9/Aug/20

Sept
Victorian
Scandal by Amanda Quick -- Completed 6/Sept/20

Oct
Georgian
The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn--Completed 15/Oct/20
Pirate
Pirate by Connie Mason--Completed 17/Oct/20

Nov
American Revolution
Sweet Release by Pamela Clare-- Completed 28/Nov/20
Around the World
Spaniard's Innocent Maiden by Greta Gilbert--Completed 12/Nov/20

Dec

Any Historical Romance on TBR
Miss Lottie's Christmas Protector by Sophia James --Completed 16/12/20
--------------COMPLETED------------- 18/18

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message 7: by Mariana (last edited Dec 16, 2020 08:35PM) (new)

Dec 08, 2019 12:27PM

Mariana's Tracking Post

~~January~~
World Wars I to WWII
Tabitha by Vikki Kestell - completed 1/31/2020, rated 3 stars
Western
Sweet Annie by Cheryl St. John - completed 1/2/2020, rated 4.5 stars

~~February~~
LGBTQ
An Officer's Honour and An Impromptu Adventure by Vivienne Cox - completed 2/22/2020, rated 2 stars
Scottish / Highlander
The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands - completed 3/2/2020, rated 2.5 stars

~~March~~
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
A Hope Divided by Alyssa Cole - completed 4/3/2020, rated 4 stars
Time Travel
The Legend of the Bloodstone by E.B. Brown - completed 3/13/2020, rated 4 stars

~~April~~
Native American
A Chance In Time by Ruth Ann Nordin - completed 4/10/2020, rated 3 stars
Viking
Lured: Call of the Vikings Book 1 by Alan Austin - completed 4/4/2020, rated 2 stars

~~May~~
Bodice Ripper
The Bride by Julie Garwood - completed 5/25/2020, rated 3.5 stars
Renaissance
Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn - completed 5/26/2020, rated 4 stars

~~June~~
Edwardian
~~The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly~~ - dnf
The Capricorn Stone by Madeleine Brent - completed 7/31/2020, rated 4 stars
Medieval
Desire by Amanda Quick - completed 6/20/2020, rated 4 stars

~~July~~
Restoration / Stuarts
The Scottish Rogue by Heather McCollum - completed 7/3/2020, rated 3.5 stars
Your Choice
A Duke Too Far by Jane Ashford - completed 7/23/2020, rated 4.5 stars

~~August~~
Americana/Gilded Age
An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale - completed 8/26/2020, rated 4 stars
Regency
Never Doubt a Duke by Regina Scott - completed 8/12/2020, rated 4 stars
Lady of Mystery by Ellie St. Clair - completed 8/13/2020, rated 3 stars

~~September~~
Civil War / Antebellum
~~Tattered Hearts by Kathleen Ball~~ - dnf
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler - completed 10/1/2020, rated 4 stars
Victorian
Keeping Katerina by Simone Beaudelaire - completed 9/24/2020, rated 3 stars

~~October~~
Georgian
~~Heartless by Mary Balogh~~ - dnf
The Crown Spire by Catherine Curzon - completed 10/18/2020, rated 3 stars
Pirate
The Ransom by MaryLu Tyndall - completed 10/29/2020, rated 3 stars

~~November~~
American Revolution
The Imposter by Melanie Dobson - completed 11/8/2020, rated 4 stars
Around the World (other than Britain or American)
As You Desire by Connie Brockway - completed 11/9/2020, rated 5 stars

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Taken by the Barbarian Princes by Lily Reynard - completed 12/14/2020, rated 4 stars
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

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message 8: by Tanya (new)

Dec 10, 2019 08:01PM

Tanya Sridhar (angellus08) | 343 comments

Count me in! :)

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message 9: by Jan (last edited Dec 15, 2020 05:26PM) (new)

Dec 20, 2019 10:20PM

8/12 read plus one DNF.

January: Western

The Wives of Bowie Stone by Maggie Osborne. I started this ages ago but never finished it. Not sure why. I want to try to finish it this time.
Finished Feb 3 2020. 3 stars.

February: Scottish / Highlander

Highland Rebel: A Tale of a Rebellious Lady and a Traitorous Lord by Judith James

Finished Feb 22, 2020. 3 stars.

March: Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)

Forbidden Jewel of India by Louise Allen

Forbidden Jewel of India (Herriard, #1) by Louise Allen

Finished 31 March, 2020. 2 stars.

April: Viking

Father's Sun by Susan Fanetti. I started reading this book in 2019 but never finished it. I want to read the whole thing this time.

Father's Sun (Northwomen Sagas, #4) by Susan Fanetti

May: Renaissance

Behind Closed Doors by Betina Krahn

June: Edwardian

The Bachelor List by Jane Feather

The Bachelor List (Matchmaker Duncan Sisters, #1) by Jane Feather

July: Restoration / Stuarts

A Sprig of Green: A tale of romance and rivalry during the English Civil War by Felicity Luckman.

DNF I didn't like the writing style or the early promiscuity shown by a married character.

August: Regency

Someone to Honour by Mary Balogh

Finished August 9th, 2020. 3 stars.

September: Victorian

True Story by Jayne Fresina

True Story (The Deverells, #1) by Jayne Fresina

Finished September 10th 2020. 4 stars.

I was going to read One Wore Blue by Heather Graham for Civil War/Antebellum, but found the writing and characters too old school for my taste and decided not to read it.

October: Georgian

My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley

My Lady Notorious (Malloren, #1) by Jo Beverley

Finished 1st October 2020. 3.5 stars

November: American Revolution

The Wayward One by Danella Harmon.

Finished Dec 16th. 3 stars.

I was going to read Into the Wilderness By Sara Donati, but it's been on order from my library for weeks and still hasn't come in (by mid-December). So I swapped books.

December: Ancient World/Prehistorical

Battle Eagle by Jayne Castel

Battle Eagle (The Warrior Brothers of Skye #3) by Jayne Castel

Finished Dec 7th. 3.5 stars.

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message 10: by Jennie-Lee~abookishwonderer~ (last edited Jun 17, 2020 09:31PM) (new)

Dec 26, 2019 09:38AM

Jennie-Lee~abookishwonderer~ (abookishwonderer)

Romance Across the Ages 2020
Read: 1/24

January
World Wars I to WWII~ A Passion Most Pure|Julie Lessman

A Passion Most Pure (The Daughters of Boston, #1) by Julie Lessman

Western~ Texas Princess|Jodi Thomas

Texas Princess (Whispering Mountain, #2) by Jodi Thomas

February
LGBTQ
Scottish / Highlander

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins▪️6/7/20▪️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rebel (Women Who Dare, #1) by Beverly Jenkins

Time Travel

April
Native American~Cherokee Storm|Janelle Taylor

Viking

May
Bodice Ripper
Renaissance

June
Edwardian
Medieval
Temptation in a Kilt by Victoria Roberts

Temptation in a Kilt (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #1) by Victoria Roberts

July
Restoration / Stuarts
Your Choice

August
Americana/Gilded Age
Regency

September
Civil War / Antebellum
Victorian

October
Georgian
Pirate

November
American Revolution
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

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message 11: by Merry (last edited Dec 08, 2020 04:22PM) (new)

Dec 26, 2019 12:14PM

My Tracking Post: 2020

January
World Wars I to WWII In Farleigh Field Finished 1/14/20 Slow start good finish. More spy/mystery than romance. I gave it a 3.5 to 4

Western Healed by Her Soothing Sight: A Historical Western Romance Book finished 1/20 Did not care for the book. Would not have finished it if not on my list.

February
LGBTQ
Scottish / HighlanderCaptured by a Laird Enjoyed it and will read next in the series. I am continuing to try to read all the freebies that I can for this challenge.

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)Necessary Sins I am about to give up on the free reads. I only got 1/3 of the way through the book and called it quits.
Time Travel Dreams of a HighlanderEnjoyable book. 3*No real surprises in it. Time travel back in time 500 years to Scotland. I don't think I have read one before. I am not sure if all would be as accepting of finding a woman dressed in jeans, with a modern attitude and a language with current slang.

April
Native American
Viking Dear Viking finished it. Gave it 2.5 stars.

May
Bodice Ripper The Devil's Luck I give it 3.5 stars. Trigger warnings there is rape and humiliation and smut. Her bodice actually does get ripped and all else.
Renaissance You and No Other I give this a 3

June
Edwardian The Governess of Highland Hall I started listening this week and finished it. I enjoyed the positive nature of the heroine. I give it 4 stars.
Medieval A Lily on the Heath

July
Restoration / Stuarts
Your Choice Slightly Married 4.5 stars

August
Americana/Gilded Age
Regency An Unexpected Bride for the Betrayed Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel 1* This book was a dead bore! NOTHING happens until almost half way into the book.

September
Civil War / Antebellum A Heart on Hold
Victorian The Winter Companion

October
Georgian Heartless I really enjoyed the book. The love story built over time after a FAST courtship. I was kept interested throughout the book. The ending had a twist that I didn't see coming. I enjoyed reading a bit about Georgian fashion of the characters as they differ greatly from Regency romances. I will continue with the series in the future. Some Mary Balogh books I thoroughly enjoy and others are a miss. This was a hit with me!
Pirate

November
American Revolution
Around the World (other than Britain or American)Some Far Elusive Dawn 2*I started out really intrigued with the book and the foreign setting. I enjoyed the build up with the characters. The book takes place after WWI and there is a lot of angst. It just never goes anywhere. I ended up not liking anyone in the book. The romance was plodding and the main characters seemed in love but not very convincingly.

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Any Historical Romance on your TBR Accidentally Compromising the Duke

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message 12: by Debby *BabyDee* (last edited Dec 06, 2020 06:24PM) (new)

Dec 30, 2019 06:35PM

Romance Across the Ages 2020
Read:9/12+

January
Western - Capital Bride

Capital Bride (Matchmaker and Co., #1) by Cynthia Woolf

-------3 -Stars

February
Scottish - The Gift

The Gift (The Return of the Highlanders, #4.5) by Margaret Mallory

-------3 -Stars

Highlander - The Highlander’s Dark Secret

The Highlander’s Dark Secret (Scottish Highland Romance) by Blair Keith

-------3 -Stars

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Teaching the Cowboy

Teaching the Cowboy (Storafalt Stories #1) by Holley Trent

-------3.5 -Stars

April
Native American - Surrender

Surrender (MacKinnon’s Rangers, #1) by Pamela Clare

------- 4-Stars

May
Bodice Ripper - The Wolf and the Dove

The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

-------3 -Stars

June
Edwardian - The Governess of Highland Hall

The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

------- 4-Stars

July
Your Choice -The Courtesan Duchess

The Courtesan Duchess (Wicked Deceptions, #1) by Joanna Shupe

-------2 -Stars

August
Regency- The Duke's Lost Wife

-------3 -Stars

September
Civil War - Everlasting Light

-------3 -Stars

October
Georgian - Heartless

--------5 Stars

November
Around the World (other than Britain or American)
The Taming of Mei Lin

The Taming of Mei Lin (Tang Dynasty, #.5) by Jeannie Lin

---------4 Stars

December
Any Historical Romance on your TBR
The Study of Seduction

The Study of Seduction (Sinful Suitors, #2) by Sabrina Jeffries

---------3 Stars

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message 13: by Sha (last edited Apr 03, 2020 08:29PM) (new)

Dec 30, 2019 08:19PM

I've been signing up for romance challenges and then forgetting all about them. I'll try doing this one more time; if that doesn't work I'm going to give up.

Sha's Tracking Device:

January: Lost Among the Living (WWI-WWII)
February: The Secret (Highlander)
March: His Wayward Bride (Diversity)
April:
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:

Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James

The Secret (Highlands' Lairds #1) by Julie Garwood

His Wayward Bride (Romance of the Turf, #3) by Theresa Romain

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message 14: by Mariana (new)

Dec 31, 2019 09:00PM

World War again already! After my 800+ page and many teared WWI book in October that took me over a month to read, I think I'll start with the Western.

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message 15: by Midniteillusion (last edited Feb 10, 2020 01:02PM) (new)

Dec 31, 2019 10:33PM

Okay I'm trying to get back on track with this challenge for 2020.
Here is my tracking post.

January
World Wars I to WWII
Western

February
LGBTQ
Scottish / Highlander - The Highlander

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Time Travel

April
Native American
Viking

May
Bodice Ripper
Renaissance

June
Edwardian
Medieval - Charming the Prince

July
Restoration / Stuarts
Your Choice

August
Americana/Gilded Age
Regency

September
Civil War / Antebellum
Victorian

October
Georgian
Pirate

November
American Revolution
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

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message 16: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (new)

Dec 31, 2019 10:41PM

Mod

Mariana wrote: "World War again already! After my 800+ page and many teared WWI book in October that took me over a month to read, I think I'll start with the Western."

That’s a big book for this challenge!

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message 17: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (new)

Dec 31, 2019 10:45PM

Mod

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Mariana wrote: "World War again already! After my 800+ page and many teared WWI book in October that took me over a month to read, I think I'll start with the Western."

That’s a big book for this ..."

The order is randomly generated for the most part, besides keeping July & December with a freebie.

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message 18: by Cath (last edited Dec 29, 2020 05:29PM) (new)

Jan 01, 2020 08:05AM

Okay after totally failing at this challenge last year, I'm going to be optimistic and try again!

Cath's challenge tracking post:
4/15 read

January
World Wars I to WWII

The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1) by Paullina Simons

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - finished 1/5/2020; rating 4.5 stars

Western

February

LGBTQ

Maurice by E.M. Forster - completed 2/27/20; 4 stars

Scottish / Highlander

Bride of the MacHugh by Jan Cox Speas - finished 2/12/20; 5 stars

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)

An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League, #1) by Alyssa Cole

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole - DNF @ p. 91

Time Travel

Green Darkness by Anya Seton - finished 3/26/20; 3 stars

April
Native American

Blaze (Braddock-Black, #1) by Susan Johnson

Blaze by Susan Johnson - DNF

Viking

Season of the Sun (Viking, #1) by Catherine Coulter

Season of the Sun by Catherine Coulter - DNF

May
Bodice Ripper

Sweet Savage Love (Brandon-Morgan #1) by Rosemary Rogers

Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers

Renaissance

The Serpent Garden by Judith Merkle Riley - finished 4/19/20; 4 stars

June
Edwardian

Dance (de Saint Vallier Brothers, #2) by Judy Cuevas

Dance by Judy Cuevas - finished 6/25/20; 2 stars

Medieval

A Bed of Spices by Barbara Samuel - finished 7/8/20; 3 stars

July
Restoration / Stuarts

Garland of Straw (Roundheads and Cavaliers, #2) by Stella Riley

Garland of Straw by Stella Riley - finished 7/27/20; 4.5 stars

Your Choice

August
Americana/Gilded Age

Lions and Lace (Van Alen Sisters #1) by Meagan McKinney

Lions and Lace by Meagan McKinney

Regency

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - finished 7/29/20; 1 star

September
Civil War / Antebellum

Glorious Angel (Southern, #1) by Johanna Lindsey

Glorious Angel by Johanna Lindsey - finished 9/1/20; 1 star

Victorian

The Painted Lady by Lucia Grahame - finished 9/6/20; 4 stars

October TBD
Georgian

My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley

Pirate

Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham

November
American Revolution

Love Not a Rebel (North American Woman Trilogy, #3) by Heather Graham

Love Not a Rebel by Heather Graham

Around the World (other than Britain or American)

The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye - finished 12/19/20; 5 stars

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical

Enslaved by the Desert Trader by Greta Gilbert - finished 12/29/20; 2.5 stars

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message 19: by Mariana (new)

Jan 01, 2020 09:25PM

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Mariana wrote: "World War again already! After my 800+ page and many teared WWI book in October that took me over a month to read, I think I'll start with the Western."

That’s a big book for this ..."

Yes, it was. Fortunately, it was also a good one; but I can't read books that long very often.

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message 20: by Sha (last edited Jan 03, 2020 10:15PM) (new)

Jan 03, 2020 10:08PM

I saw a Simone St. James book in one of the WW lists and I was wondering if her books count for this challenge? They usually feature a very strong romantic element, but there's arguably more focus on the horror elements.

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message 21: by Mariana (new)

Jan 04, 2020 10:59PM

Sha wrote: "I saw a Simone St. James book in one of the WW lists and I was wondering if her books count for this challenge? They usually feature a very strong romantic element, but there's arguably more focus ..."

The only book I have read by her was Silence for the Dead. I would definitely consider it WW material but not really a romance. Many do shelve her work as HR though.

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message 22: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (new)

Jan 05, 2020 06:33AM

Mod

Mariana wrote: "Sha wrote: "I saw a Simone St. James book in one of the WW lists and I was wondering if her books count for this challenge? They usually feature a very strong romantic element, but there's arguably..."

I think it’d be fine to count it. It seems like many books set during that time period are more saga than one particular genre.

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message 23: by Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels (new)

Jan 05, 2020 06:40AM

Mod

I decided to stick to one a month this year. This month I am reading a Western. My choice is Texas Glory, next in series of the BOTM last year, Texas Destiny.

What is everyone else reading?

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message 24: by Sha (new)

Jan 05, 2020 07:24AM

WW - St James' Lost Among the Living seems to have a strong romance element, and I've already read like four HRs this year so a variation would be good.

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message 25: by Sha (new)

Jan 05, 2020 07:31AM

If it isn't romance-y enough I'll just read an extra book. :D

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message 26: by Mariana (new)

Jan 05, 2020 08:59AM

I read Sweet Annie for my Western. I really enjoyed it, so I'm going to read the three book series for the series challenge as well.

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message 27: by Priya (new)

Jan 05, 2020 09:42AM

Darbella wrote: "For January I am doing the Western only also. The Texan's Wager."

Ditto

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message 28: by 🐝 Shaz 🐝 (new)

Jan 05, 2020 10:00AM

I have started to read a Western. Don't normally read them. But I have no interest in WW2 books of any kind. ( Husband watches WW1&2 Documentary's on TV that's enough for me LOL)
The Honour-Bound Gambler by Lisa Plumley.
Hansom Gambler and the minister's plain wallflower daughter.

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message 29: by Cath (new)

Jan 05, 2020 10:06AM

I'm reading The Bronze Horseman for WW2. Really enjoying it so I might add it to my Series challenge, since there are 2 more books after this & I already know I'm going to want to read them as soon as possible.

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message 30: by Mariana (new)

Jan 05, 2020 07:43PM

The Bronze Horseman seems like a love it or hate it kind of book. See a lot of triggers and one star ratings but also quite a few marked it a favorite with 5 star ratings.

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message 31: by Jan (new)

Jan 06, 2020 02:16AM

I'm doing one per month also. This month will be The Wives of Bowie Stone by Maggie Osborne for Western.

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message 32: by Cath (new)

Jan 06, 2020 06:42AM

Mariana wrote: "The Bronze Horseman seems like a love it or hate it kind of book. See a lot of triggers and one star ratings but also quite a few marked it a favorite with 5 star ratings."

Finished, and I would give it 4.5 stars. I can see how it is a love/hate book. It was long (800 pp) but went fast for me b/c I kept turning pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Also the sentences tended to be shorter, more direct - kind of had a YA vibe to me, which makes sense since a lot of the POV is from the h who is 17 at the start.

I would say it is a love story (maybe not so much a "romance," as I typically think of category romance) with a lot of major obstacles (don't want to say too much & give things away). Because the setting is largely during the siege of Leningrad (circa 1941-43), I found the book to feel grim and heavy a lot of the time; at times, I admit, I was reading with a sense of dread. I know nothing of this time period in Soviet Union but it felt very authentic to me, especially as far as what the h went thru. I thought the love between the H and h was beautiful, in terms of what it brought out in both of them - their character traits and the choices they made b/c of their love for one another. Both the H and h had personality-types that I tend to like in love stories/romance; H very noble & honorable, while the h had a kind of grounded determination & resilience and she matured a lot during the story, also.

For myself, I find that love stories that are surrounded by a lot of darkness and anguish have a certain kind of beauty and appeal, but I do have to be in the right mood. This is not a book I would read if I was looking for a feel-good pick-me-up type of read!

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message 33: by Mariana (new)

Jan 06, 2020 06:26PM

Cath wrote: "Finishe..."

Glad you enjoyed it and kudos on the length of 800+ pages.

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message 34: by Jan (new)

Jan 06, 2020 08:12PM

Congrats on getting through this blockbuster, Cath! I've read reviews ranging from 1 to 5 stars. I did start reading it once, but got sidetracked by some other shiny new book and never went back. It's on my 'maybe, one day' list. LOL.

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message 35: by 🐝 Shaz 🐝 (new)

Jan 07, 2020 05:25AM

January done. Western read. 3 stars. 1 down, 17 to go.
Highlander next,

Well done Cath. I could never read an 800+ book. I would get bored.

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message 36: by Merry (new)

Jan 07, 2020 05:42AM

Cath wrote: "I'm reading The Bronze Horseman for WW2. Really enjoying it so I might add it to my Series challenge, since there are 2 more books after this & I already know I'm going to want to read them as soon..."

You know what is really bad. Is when you think that book sounds interesting and you go and look on Amazon and you own it! Now to make time to read. it.

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message 37: by Jan (new)

Jan 07, 2020 01:54PM

Merry Jewelhound wrote: "You know what is really bad. Is when you think that book sounds interesting and you go and look on Amazon and you own it! Now to make time to read. it."

Ha ha ha. Yes.

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message 38: by Jan (new)

Jan 07, 2020 01:55PM

Shaz wrote: "January done. Western read. 3 stars. 1 down, 17 to go.
Highlander next"

Well done Shaz! I'm still reading BOTM and haven't started my January Western read yet.

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message 39: by Karma♥Bites ^.~ (last edited Feb 25, 2020 05:51PM) (new)

Jan 07, 2020 02:15PM

Karma♥Bites ^.~ (karma_bites) | 24 comments

Karma♥Bites ^.~ Romance Across the Ages - 2020 Challenge

Subgenres: 12
Books read: 0/12

(view spoiler)

JANUARY
World Wars I to WWII
Western

FEBRUARY
LGBTQ
Scottish / Highlander

MARCH
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Time Travel

APRIL
Native American
Viking

MAY
Bodice Ripper
Renaissance

JUNE
Edwardian
Medieval

JULY
Restoration / Stuarts
Your Choice

AUGUST
Americana/Gilded Age
Regency

SEPTEMBER
Civil War / Antebellum
Victorian

OCTOBER
Georgian
Pirate

NOVEMBER
American Revolution
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

DECEMBER
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

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message 40: by Sha (new)

Jan 08, 2020 11:05PM

This Simone St. James book was definitely more romance heavy than the rest I'll take it.

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message 41: by Mariana (new)

Jan 09, 2020 09:06PM

Sha wrote: "This Simone St. James book was definitely more romance heavy than the rest I'll take it."

Sounds like you are enjoying it! :)

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message 42: by Sha (last edited Jan 12, 2020 05:36AM) (new)

Jan 12, 2020 05:36AM

Mariana wrote: "Sha wrote: "This Simone St. James book was definitely more romance heavy than the rest I'll take it."

Sounds like you are enjoying it! :)"

It was very fun. Here, I have a review- there's a lot of spoiler tags because it's a suspense plot though.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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message 43: by Cath (new)

Jan 12, 2020 09:27AM

Sha wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Sha wrote: "This Simone St. James book was definitely more romance heavy than the rest I'll take it."

Sounds like you are enjoying it! :)"

It was very fun. Here, I have a review- ..."

oh this sounds good! I'll have to put it on my tbr list

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message 44: by Jessica T. (last edited Dec 16, 2020 07:45AM) (new)

Jan 13, 2020 09:01AM

Romance Across the Ages 2020 Tracking Post

Read So Far: 5/12

January
World War I to WWII
Western

Forbidden (Old West, #1) by Beverly Jenkins

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins (01/20/20) (4.5 Stars)

February
LGBTQ
Scottish / Highlander

In Bed with a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy, #1) by Maya Banks

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks (02/24/20) (4 Stars)

March
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Time Travel

April
Native American
Viking

May
Bodice Ripper
Renaissance

June
Edwardian
Medieval

July
Restoration / Stuarts
Your Choice

Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, #1) by Lisa Kleypas

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas (07/19/20) (4.25 Stars)

August
Americana/Gilded Age

The Rogue of Fifth Avenue (Uptown Girls, #1) by Joanna Shupe

The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe (08/28/20) (3 Stars)
Regency

September
Civil War / Antebellum
Victorian

October
Georgian
Pirate

November
American Revolution
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

December
Ancient World / Prehistorical
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3) by Julia Quinn

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (12/11/20) (4 Stars)

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message 45: by 🐝 Shaz 🐝 (last edited Jan 13, 2020 10:00AM) (new)

Jan 13, 2020 09:46AM

Mariana wrote: "Mariana's Tracking Post
Shock
Don't know what happened , this just appeared. Probably hit the wrong button

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message 46: by Harisa- EsquiredToRead (new)

Jan 13, 2020 11:46AM

Hello! I am joining this year. Cannot wait, this is the challenge that made me join this group :)

January

Edwardian: The Governess of Highland Hall

Read, 4 stars.

Gilded Age: Rebel

Currently Reading!

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message 47: by Jan (new)

Jan 13, 2020 01:45PM

EsquiredToRead wrote: "Hello! I am joining this year. Cannot wait, this is the challenge that made me join this group :)

January

Edwardian: The Governess of Highland Hall

Read, 4 stars.

Gilded Age:..."

Hi Esquired,

Our January genres are World War 1 to World War 11 and/or Western. We have Edwardian planned for June and Gilded Age for August, so you're well ahead there!

See post #2 for the schedule. Although as it says, nobody minds if we don't keep strictly to the schedule. But the idea of the challenge is to read one or two books from the scheduled genres each month.

This is a great group with lots of interesting book ideas and discussion. Welcome.

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message 48: by Harisa- EsquiredToRead (new)

Jan 13, 2020 03:12PM

Jan wrote: "EsquiredToRead wrote: "Hello! I am joining this year. Cannot wait, this is the challenge that made me join this group :)

January

Edwardian: The Governess of Highland Hall

Read..."

Thank you! I can definitely read one from what you guys are reading too this month. The month is still young. Thanks for letting me know.

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message 49: by Jan (new)

Jan 13, 2020 09:24PM

I've started my January book - The Wives of Bowie Stone by Maggie Osborne for Western. SFSG. How is everyone else going with their challenge books?

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message 50: by Cat (last edited Mar 03, 2020 08:38PM) (new)

Jan 13, 2020 09:47PM

Hello everybody! I’m starting tad a bit late but looking forward to it.

JANUARY
Western Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath (Texas Trilogy #2) Read 01/16/2020 4 stars

FEBRUARY
Scottish/ Highlander
Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks Read 03/03/2020 3 Stars
LGBTQ
The Gentleman and the Rogue by Bonnie Dee Read 02/29/2020 3.5 stars

MARCH
My choice

APRIL
Native American
Viking

MAY
Bodice Ripper

JUNE
Medieval

JULY

AUGUST
Regency

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER
Pirate

NOVEMBER
Around the world

DECEMBER
TBR

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