Historical Romance Book Club discussion

OK…by popular demand we are doing a smaller Bingo challenge for those who need some more inspiration before the end of the year.

This one only has 9 categories. In each novel one of the main characters should fit the description given. So one of the main characters in each novel should be a duke, earl, governess, soldier, bow street runner and so on.

Rules. There are not many…..
1. You can only use a book once. It can only be used for one category, even if it fits many.
2. The books need to be started and finished in 2023



Have fun :)

Susan, you're the best! Thank you!

Mariana's Tracking Post

Yay!

Duchess: When the Duke Returns by Eloisa James -completed 9/29/2023, rated 3 stars

Governess: The White Governess of Hudson Manor by Hazel Linwood - completed 10/12/2023, rated 3 stars

Courtesan: A Gentleman's Wish by Vlad Kahany - completed 11/30/2023, rated 2 stars

Soldier: Courting Miss Emma by Linda Broday - completed 9/17/2023, rated 4.5 stars
Her Traitor's Heart by Colleen Hall - completed 10/8/2023, rated 4 stars

Vicar: A Gift of Daisies by Mary Balogh - completed 9/29/2023, rated 3 stars

I like the sound of this one 👍. Better than having to look for certain categories. Unless you are reading a story with them in. They are hard to find. Then I would forget , what I was looking for.🤦‍♀️
I still have one to do on the other bingo. Starts with a funeral.

Thank you Susan for all your hard work. It’s much appreciated 👏👏👏

Thank you!

The category of Vicar is going to be hard for me.

Reckless by Anne Stuart, has a vicar . But he and his lady love do have a romance . They are not the main couple. Don’t know if it will count though.

What are the 9 categories. I can only see three on my phone.

Top row: Duchess, Governess, Courtesan
Middle row: Bow street runner, Duke, Prince/Princess
Last row: Soldier, Vicar, Dressmaker

Thank you Missy.

☺️ you’re welcome

Yes, the Vicar was the one category that I included as there had to be some challenge to this.

That said, here are some lists which may help"
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

Thanks Susan! When I read Vicar in the synopsis, I tend to skip the book. This will be hard bc I also prefer a rogue.

I am reading a book about a Duke , but the title doesn’t have Duke in it. Is this okay. ??

I didn't think the title had to have the name in it, just the character. Otherwise, I'm in trouble.

No need for the title to have rhe word in it. The challenge is to read a book where one of the main characters fits the description....duke, governess, vicar....
It is your challenge so please feel free however to make up the rules as you go!!

. Duke
Vicar
Duchess
Soldier

I think I would like vicar heroes as long as they are not hypocrites since I like the good guys. However, there are not many options. I enjoyed Liberty for Paul by Rose Gordon, but I just read it earlier this year. I decided to read A Gift of Daisies by Mary Balogh, but not loving it so far. It's slow, and I don't like the hero or the heroine yet.

Thanks Susan. This is interesting

Mariana, looking at the vicar list. Liberty For Paul popped up. It looks good. I've enjoyed this author's other books. I was also leaning towards To Love And To Cherish by Patricia Graffney. I read the 2nd book in the series and loved it. I've heard good things about the 1st book as well, but I skipped bc it has a vicar.

I thought about To Love and to Cherish but didn't like the idea she was still married.

If done right, I wouldn't have a problem with infidelity (normally I do). Have you ever read To Have And To Hold? If not, I highly recommend reading it. That book had dark elements, but the author manages to brilliantly pull it all together.

No... that does seem a difficult read for me, but I would consider it. The only book I have read by Patricia Gaffney is Wild at Heart, and I did enjoy it.

That book sounds a little too modern for me. I rarely read books that take place after the Victorian era.

I have started to read
Dangerous Lord Innocent Governess by Christine Merrill.
Book no 2 for this challenge.✔️✔️

I had already read the The Dangerous Lords Innocent Governess. So will have to find another book.

Duchess read is Lucinda Brant Duchess.

Vicar read is Lady Joane’s Forbidden Vicar by Grace Austen

Way to go Shaz!

How did you like Lady Joane's Forbidden Vicar?

I'm reading The White Governess of Hudson Manor by Hazel Linwood for Governess. It's my first book by the author. So far, it's definitely unique.

Any good courtesan recommendations?

Mariana wrote: "Any good courtesan recommendations?"

Have you read More Than a Mistress/No Man's Mistress? I think either one would fulfill the challenge. Happy reading!

Mariana wrote: "Any good courtesan recommendations?"

One of the November BOTMs involves a courtesan - The Duke by Gaelen Foley

Thanks! I will wait for that one.

CC, it's been years since I read More Than An Mistress. I think it's time for a reread. Thanks for the suggestion

Mariana, sorry I am a bit late answering, been away on holiday for a week.
I enjoyed Lady Joane’s forbidden Vicar. It was a nice short clean read .
Hope you like it if you decide to read it.

I'm looking for bow street lord books. I'm guessing secretly working for the government doesn't count?

I think Lisa Kleypas wrote a bow street series. I read them a few years back.

That's right, she did. Thanks Shaz

Lauren, Murder at the Seven Dials light on romance at the start of the series. To Catch an Earl
A Dangerous Seduction

Shaz, glad you enjoyed it! I will mark it for next time I need a vicar hero.

Merry, Murder at the Seven Dials looks good! I may try that one.

Lauren, I really enjoyed A Heart Worth Stealing. He is a Thief taker but used to be a Bow Street Runner.

Thank you for the suggestions

Mariana...this one is a bit different for Vicar Melissa and The Vicar

Instead of a vicar, does a female missionary count? Her father is a radical vicar. I was going to read Wicked Angel by Shirl Henke

I am reading. Captain Jones’s Temptation by Audrey Harrison , for Soldier .

A1. Duchess: How To Lose A Duke In Ten Days by Laura Lee Guhrike
2. governess: The Highlander NY Kerrrigan Byrne
3. courtesan: More Than A Mistress by Mary Balogh (reread)

I need two more to finish the rest of the bingo . YAY!

Courtesan read.
Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

Courtesan read ✔️ enjoyable story.

B
1. Bow Street: The Earl Of Mine by Kate Bateman
2. Duke: The Duke's Unwanted Wife by Marcia Skye (easiest category)
3. Princess/Prince: My Dark Prince by Julia Ross

Another category bites the dust:) Now I'm going to have to find a dressmaker book that I haven't read yet. hmm