Historical Romance Book Club discussion

For the month of April 2021, we will be reading HRs that feature a theme of GOVERNESS/HOUSEKEEPER

VOTING IS NOW OPEN!

Please vote using this VOTING FORM. This requires that you put your Goodreads name.

You can vote for up to three books. Here's how the points work:

> First (or only) choice = 3 points
> Second choice = 2 points
> Third choice = 1 point

To see which books are nominated or if you prefer to vote in-thread, check out the Nomination Thread.

You can view the current vote tally HERE.

Please vote by FEBRUARY 28. At the end of the voting period. the top two vote-getters will be the BOTMs. If we have a tie, we will use number of first place votes, or if that doesn't work, number of second place votes as a tie-breaker. If we need another tie-breaker, we will discuss in thread and add to rules in future.



Rules of Nominations :(view spoiler)[
Not more than 2 nominations per member.
No book we have read as a group read in the last 2 yrs. (Please check the group's Bookshelf)
No author we have read in the last one year.
We will follow the 'In thread voting with point system'

Lists:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

Nominations end on February 15th. (hide spoiler)]

Authors Not Eligible for April 2021 Group Reads:

Loretta Chase - March 2021
Teresa Medeiros - March 2021
Tessa Dare - February 2021
Julie Anne Long - February 2021
Stacy Reid - January 2021
Eloisa James - January 2021
Vivienne Lorette - December, 2020
Candace Camp - December, 2020
Jennifer Ashley - November 2020
Jayne Fresina - November 2020
Ivory Lei - October, 2020
Lisa Kleypas - October, 2020
Anna Campbell - September 2020
Beverly Jenkins - September 2020
Sherry Thomas - August 2020
Elizabeth Hoyt - August 2020
Mary Balogh - July 2020
Meredith Duran - July 2020
Suzanne Enoch - June 2020
Anne Mallory - June 2020
Julie Garwood - May, 2020
Lorraine Heath - May, 2020
Judith Ivory - April 2020
Gaelen Foley - April 2020
Elizabeth Rolls - April 2020

Nominated Books

The Dragon's Bride by Jo Beverley

The Outlaw Bride by Kelly Boyce

Mr. Gardiner and the Governess by Sally Britton

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

An Affair Downstairs by Sherri Browning

Ethan: Lord of Scandals by Grace Burrowes

Worth: Lord of Reckoning by Grace Burrowes

The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne

The Duke in Disguise by Gayle Callen

The Governess by Christi Caldwell

A Deal With the Devil by Liz Carlyle

One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle

The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen

Governess Gone Rogue by Laura Lee Guhrke

Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke

Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Listen to the Moon by Rose Lerner

The Naked Earl by Sally MacKenzie

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Night in Eden by Candice Proctor

September Moon by Candice Proctor

An Unlikely Governess by Karen Ranney

The Governess's Earl by Regina Scott

Never Kiss a Rake by Anne Stuart

-Ethan: Lord of Scandals
by Grace Burrowes

-The Governess
by Christi Caldwell

-The Highlander
by Kerrigan Byrne

Amy wrote: "-Ethan: Lord of Scandals
by Grace Burrowes

-The Governess
by Christi Caldwell

-The Highlander
by Kerrigan Byrne"

We’re limited to two nominations per person so let me know which two.

I nominate
One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle
The Dragon's Bride by Jo Beverley

I nominate

1) Worth: Lord of Reckoning by Grace Burrowes and

2) An Affair Downstairs by Sherri Browning

Night in Eden by Candice Proctor (aka C.S.Harris). (Housekeeper/nanny)


and also
September Moon by the same author. (Governess)


Both books are set in the early days of colonial Australia, and both are very enjoyable with fabulous settings.

The Duke in Disguise by Gayle Callen

and

An Unlikely Governess by Karen Ranney

Id like to nominate
1. The Naked Earl
2.The Governess's Earl

The Governess Affair
Is also eligible

Ooh the classic Jane Eyre! I wouldn't mind reading that again actually. It's been years but I remember it as a powerful book.

I nominate The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan (I don't know why I can't link it) and and Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Ghurke

Ok, I want to put a question to the Jane Eyre nom. I think this is the first time we’ve had a nom of a classic. Do we want to consider classics? I guess I think they are read a lot by different groups so plenty of opportunities to read with others, but many less opportunities for the typical nom.

I'm fine with nominating a classic as long as it fits into historical romance, but I'm also good with whatever the majority of the group wants to do.

For me, although I'm sure there are many groups who buddy read classics, I am not a member and typically only participate in this group's BOTM. (I am in a book club outside of goodreads, but we are very different people and take turns choosing the books. They are quite varied but no classics so far.)

I have no problem with classics being nominated, but I personally wouldn't read Jane Eyre if it was chosen as a BOTM.

Thanks for the input!

I don’t have a strong opinion on it, but it seemed like it ventured into new territory. I am happy to go with consensus, and we can revisit if needed at a later time. To clarify, I am not suggesting any sort of ban in challenges or buddy reads, but I wondered if the BOTM should have a narrower definition.

Jane Eyre obviously fits the category, and I imagine some of our nominees were influenced by it. I would probably not reread as I did reread it not too long ago, but I would join in the discussion. I have been in several groups that read classics, still am in at least one, and Jane Eyre is one of the most popular reads it seems. It’s a well-loved classic and deservedly so, in my opinion.

Ana wrote: "I nominate The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan (I don't know why I can't link it) and and Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Ghurke"

Without the link is fine! I know what you mean :)

I'm going to nominate one of the books I nominated last month:

The Making of a Gentleman

It fits this theme. Not sure if I am going to do a second one or not. This is a theme that can definitely have an ick factor for me, so not my favorite, but there are some good ones for sure.

Darbella wrote: "Joanna, it is the number one choice on the first link you provided above for this trope. My impression is it is also set in the historical time period, is supposedly about a governess and is a roma..."

It depends on how you view or define it. It was written as a contemporary of it's time, but that time is now one we read about in Historical Romance. It's the same as Jane Austen books, and I think they appear on our lists at times too.

It does have a romance component and certainly fits the trope.

Darbella wrote: "I do not even know if I will like it. I am usually not a fan of plain heroines, first person, and gothic ish stories. Just thought it would be neat looking at it with 2021 eyes because it fit the t..."

The trope questions are the main reason why I asked the question. I'd rather discuss now than have it come up right before of during the vote. Rather than does it fit the trope, this time the question is: does it fit the genre? There's plenty of arguments on both sides, but I'm just pointing out the argument does exist.

A Deal With the Devil by Liz Carlyle - I think this was my favourite by this author

The Outlaw Bride by Kelly Boyce - a Western just to deviate from the usual Regency/Victorian HRs. Kelly Boyce is an exceptional writer and her Regency series is highly recommended.

As for Jane Eyre, as long as it fits the HR tag and the trope (yes to both), I can't see why it can't qualify for this BOTM. I reread it not too long ago, so I don't think I'll read it again anytime soon, but of course it's highly recommended for those who have not yet had the pleasure.

Sorry but Jane Eyre not a book I would read. Seen to many TV and Films versions of it,

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Darbella wrote: "Joanna, it is the number one choice on the first link you provided above for this trope. My impression is it is also set in the historical time period, is supposedly about a govern..."

I think we can let the voting do the work around jane Eyre. Genre classification is always problematic and this will fit many people's definition of "historical romance." I always have similar problems with what we mean by tropes:

I almost mentioned that if we are looking for the GOVERNESS/housekeeper/employer dynamic then THE GOVERNESS AFFAIR is similarly fraught in that is not a romance between the governess and a person in the household exactly (which is how I think of it the trope but also one reason I don't really love the trope) but also it's one of my favorite novellas so I mean I'm not going to discourage anyone reading it.

All this babbling brings me to my nomination:
LISTEN TO THE MOON. By Rose Lerner (housekeeper& valet yay working class romance)

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I think we can let the voting do the work."

I agree. I understand the comments that in its day Jane Eyre was a contemporary rather than a HR, but otherwise it fits the brief. But yeah, the voting would show whether the group wants to read it together or not. So I'm comfortable if it's left in as a nomination.

As for The Governess Affair, I wouldn't vote for it just because it's a novella. It may be a good one of its kind, but for me personally, I would rather read a full length novel for our BOTM than a novella.

Since 1.) I don’t read this trope often, 2.) 2 of the 3 that I have read are already nominated, and 3.) I don’t have the mental energy to look for books with the trope, I’m just going to enjoy looking at everyone else’s noms and then vote for the three I find most interesting. It should be fun.

Btw, the 2 noms that I’ve already read are top favorites of mine - Night in Eden by Candice Proctor and The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne. Great picks that might even garner the rare re-read from me.

I nominate Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens.

Jan wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I think we can let the voting do the work."

I agree. I understand the comments that in its day Jane Eyre was a contemporary rather than a HR, but otherwise it fits the brie..."

I concur with with comment on Jane Eyre and The Governess Affair...both I've already read.

I like Missy's noms:

1. An Unlikely Governess
2. The Duke in Disguise

I agree with Jan in that I don't nom nor vote for a novella, because I don't think it will provide enough discussion for a whole month.

Shaz wrote: "Sorry but Jane Eyre not a book I would read. Seen to many TV and Films versions of it,"

Same here

I would like to nominate:
Never Kiss a Rake by Anne Stuart

Missy wrote: "I have no problem with classics being nominated, but I personally wouldn't read Jane Eyre if it was chosen as a BOTM."

Second that.

are we still nominating?
Christy Caldwell has another one from the same series - The Bluestocking . even though the title isn't indicative, heroine is the guardian for her adopted brother Stephen. also I've to admit I love this book

I saw your reply about only being able to nominate 2. Did you take any of Amy's off? If you want, I can nominate

Either way, I Def wanna nominate . I've been wanting to start that series.

Mamacita wrote: "I saw your reply about only being able to nominate 2. Did you take any of Amy's off? If you want, I can nominate

Either way, I Def wanna nominate [bookcover:Gove..."

Thanks Mamacita— that’ll work.

Leena wrote: "are we still nominating?
Christy Caldwell has another one from the same series - The Bluestocking . even though the title isn't indicative, heroine is the guardian for her adopted brother Stephen. ..."

Thanks Leena. Yes, we’re still nominating til the 15th.

One more day to nominate!

Here are the Nominated Books, let me know if I missed anything:

Ethan: Lord of Scandals by Grace Burrowes

The Governess by Christi Caldwell

The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne

One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle

The Dragon's Bride by Jo Beverley

Worth: Lord of Reckoning by Grace Burrowes

An Affair Downstairs by Sherri Browning

Night in Eden by Candice Proctor

September Moon by Candice Proctor

The Duke in Disguise by Gayle Callen

An Unlikely Governess by Karen Ranney

The Naked Earl by Sally MacKenzie

The Governess's Earl by Regina Scott

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Mr. Gardiner and the Governess by Sally Britton

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke

The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen

A Deal With the Devil by Liz Carlyle

The Outlaw Bride by Kelly Boyce

Listen to the Moon by Rose Lerner

Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Never Kiss a Rake by Anne Stuart

Governess Gone Rogue by Laura Lee Guhrke

Looks good to me!

Since I didn't nominate any choices, I'm going to have fun researching these and picking my top 1-3 books to vote for.

Mama's 1st Choice - 3 points
The Making of a Gentlemanby Shana Galen


Mama's 2nd Choice - 2 points
The Naked Earl by Sally MacKenzie


Mama's 3rd Choice - 1 point
Governess Gone Rogue by Laura Lee Guhrke

1. Night in Eden by Candace Proctor - 3 pts
2. A Deal with the Devil by Liz Carlyle - 2 pts

Ok, the form for voting is up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

And because the Form has an output as a spreadsheet, I think we can just use that to keep track. Can you check it out and see how it views for you:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I'm hoping it directs to the tab that has the tallies.

Mamacita & Cath - I used your votes to test the form to make sure it was working properly, so they are already in there.

Thanks!

It all looks great. Initially, the spreadsheet was really odd and jumbled, but I clicked on it a second time and the tally spreadsheet looked perfect.

T. wrote: "It all looks great. Initially, the spreadsheet was really odd and jumbled, but I clicked on it a second time and the tally spreadsheet looked perfect."

I made one edit to where that tab is on top after posting so that's probably why

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "T. wrote: "It all looks great. Initially, the spreadsheet was really odd and jumbled, but I clicked on it a second time and the tally spreadsheet looked perfect."

I made one edit to where that tab..."

I had been playing with this before and couldn't get to the solution I wanted-looks great.
#datanerds

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "T. wrote: "It all looks great. Initially, the spreadsheet was really odd and jumbled, but I clicked on it a second time and the tally spreadsheet looked perfect."

I ma..."

I essentially updated what you started. It was a bit of deja-vu, though, because I had definitely thought about trying this and then the structure was there, lol.

Done ✔