Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

Which historical romance authors are your favorites and why? Do you have any authors whom you love, but perhaps are not so well known now? Please share! :o)

I'd have to say Teresa Medeiros is my favorite historical romance author, and one of my top fav authors overall.

Really? She is one of my favorites for sure, but I'd have to say Shannon Drake. Have you read one of her books? WOW! Most of her HR (for me) are 4-5 stars!

I haven't read anything by Shannon Drake yet. I do have a few of her vampire novels. I'll to get my hands on a few of HR novels.

In addition to Teresa Medeiros, I'll add Loretta Chase to my list. How could I not, after reading Lord of Scoundrels?

LOL- but you haven't read anything else by her!? I think I'm going to add Lord of Scoundrels to favorite HR books!

Megan wrote: "LOL- but you haven't read anything else by her!? I think I'm going to add Lord of Scoundrels to favorite HR books!"

I am just that impressed with her writing style, lol! Very descriptive, but not as wordy as KEW. I have Not Quite a Lady by Chase, and I think I'll make it a point to get a few more of her books whenever I get back to the ubs.

Yeah, I agree with you, her writing style if amazing! You'll have to let me know if her other books are just as good!

I love Diana Gabaldon, Julie Garwood (I've only read her HR books though), Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs and Eileen Wilks. I'm sure I'll think of a ton more later.

I have yet to read any Julie Garwood, but I have some of her books. I agree with you on Charlaine Harris. I also have some Briggs books that I have yet to read as well.

I've only read one Julie Garwood novel, but after reading The Secret, I'm going to add her to my list of favorite HR authors. She seems to have just the right balance of romance, humor, and suspense in writing. Judging by the reviews here on goodreads, all of her novels are pretty good.

A very good "older" writer is Georgette Heyer. She writes historical romances with a good bit of humour, plus cozy country house murders that are set in the 30's 40's and 50's. For many years she was the only romance writer I'd read. Now I've branched out a lot with the romances--probably because of all the PNR stuff (which not only includes vamps, weres etc but time travel as well)

I've heard very good thins about Georgette Heyer. Hopefully I'll get a chance to read one of her books one day.

I've read quit a lot of authors over the years that I've enjoyed. Teresa Medeiros, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Amanda Quick- all names that immediately stick out and come to mind when I think about "good authors"...but here's the irony.

I LOVE historical romance, probably more than I love paranormal romance, especially as of recently. However, what's strange is that I only consider myself a TRUE fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon- and second to her is J.R. Ward. Two authors who I've loved enough to proclaim fan status- and yet in the PR genre, rather than the historical!

This is so strange because, really, I can't name one single author in the paranormal romance genre that I even liked enough to go "SHAZAM! THEM!" as a favorite author...and yet, I read historical romance enough to pop off several immediate names!

The way I figure it, though, is that with the historical romance authors I've named, and others I haven't, I've enjoyed some of their books- or something specific about them, but not every book- so I don't consider myself a fan as a result...*laughs* Either way you look at it, though, it's kind of funny and definitely weird.

I know what you mean, Megan. I've heard a LOT about Heyer over the years and I've never read one of her books. I did have one book that was probably a reissue of hers that I started, but for some reason couldn't get passed the first few pages. *Shrugs* Oh well. Maybe one day I'll be able to start her again, and perhaps enjoy.

I know what you mean Jacqueline. I think it's harder to come up with favorite authors of PNR because we have such HIGH expectations of PNR these days and we might like a few books by an author, but not all. However, for some reason HR is just different... it feels like most HR fans have AT LEAST ONE HR author that is their favorite. In my opinion I think it's that way because HR by their very nature are more "warm and fuzzy" than PNR.

I do get what you're saying, but I don't necessarily think HR is at its basic nature "warm and fuzzy." Not that they can't lean towards that way, but I've been noticing, at least recently, that a lot of my HRs have been dealing with some pretty serious dramatic issues that came close to zapping out the "warm and fuzzy."

But I guess it really just boils down to the authors particular taste and how they deem to write the story.

Although I'm glad to know that I at least made some sense as to what I was talking about in the author department. From what I've experienced, it seems like most of the PR writers I've read are getting so caught up in the "paranormal" that they completely abandon the human emotional story that I so love to see. The characters are no longer relateable because the author doesn't try to ground their characters in any emotional context. Simply because they are focusing so hard on the paranormal feel to the book.

LOL That's my theory, anywho! :)

my favorite author is Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz, I also like Julie Garwood, Christian Dodd, Mary Jo Putney just to name a few!

jane austen


alexandre dumas


henry james


charlotte bronte


george eliot


catherine cookson


barbara taylor bradford


elizabeth gaskell


lynn austin


yours truly :)

I've read all, except Catherine Cookson, Lynn Austin... and you!

HR authors I like to read are (listed in no particular order)... Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Teresa Medeiros, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Christina Dodd, Jo Beverley, Jennifer McQuiston, Lori Austin, Sarah McCarty, Elizabeth Hoyt, Karen Hawkins, Jane Feather... and probably more :)