Happily Ever After Cafe discussion

List favorite Historical Romance novels...

I'm a big fan of "older" historical romance writers that have been around awhile... such as Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (RIP), Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, to name a few. But I am finding some wonderful newer authors that are finding places on my keeper shelves.

Its always hard to name my faves because the list is long but I'll try to list some I have reread and will reread again.
Honor's Splendour Julie Garwood
The Flame and the Flower Kathleen E Woodiwiss
Gentle Rogue Johanna Lindsey
Tender Rebel Johanna Lindsey
Dreaming of You Lisa Kleypas
Devil in Winter Lisa Kleypas
The Duke Gaelen Foley
Ransom Julie Garwood
The Wolf and the Dove Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
The Black Lyon Jude Deveraux
Once a Princess Johanna Lindsey
An Offer From a Gentleman Julia Quinn

Ransom / The Secret - Julie Garwood
Not Quite A Husband - Sherry Thomas
Maiden of Inverness - Arnette Lamb

Oh my! This is my favorite genre, so I could probably go on and on. I'll try to curb myself.;-)

Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson
A Rose in Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
The Texas Trilogy by Lorraine Heath
The Knight Miscellany Series by Gaelen Foley
The Princes Trilogy by Elizabeth Hoyt
The Bow Street Runners Trilogy by Lisa Kleypas
Anything by Liz Carlyle. All of her books that I've read so far have rated 4-5 stars, but I'm particularly partial to The Devil You Know & Beauty Like the Night

There are a bunch more, but I'll stop for now.:-)

I am going to list books that are new to me first.


A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
What I Did For a Duke


And then Books you should read if you have not lol

The Windflower
Hummingbird
Devil in Winter (Wallflowers #3)
Castles In The Air
The Rake
Winter Garden (Winter Garden #2)
Desire Amanda Quick

great lists!

My all time favorites are:

Until You by Judith McNaught
The Outlaw Hearts by Rebecca Brandewynne
Forever in His Arms by Penelope Neri
Twin of Ice (Taggert , #2) by Jude Deveraux

Ooh reading these lists makes me want to do a massive re-read. So many old faves on here! I went off Stephanie Laurens cos I found the Bastion Club books a bit dull. But then I rearead Sebastien & Helene's story and remembered that I loved the Cynters so much. So I gave Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue a go and quite enjoyed it. There's still something about the classics though.

Broken Wing by Judith James
I thought this was quite an amazing read. An unusual premise, setting, and characters I was sad to part with once the read was over.

Bailey wrote: "Broken Wing by Judith James
I thought this was quite an amazing read. An unusual premise, setting, and characters I was sad to part with once the read was over."

I've noticed a lot of ppl loved tht book. I didn't but I guess I'm one of the weird ones ☺

I'd like to add a few to my list.
The Prince Trilogy and
Legend of the Four Soldiers by Elizabeth Hoyt
The Hathaway series by Lisa Kleypas
McCabe Trilogy by Maya Banks

I honestly haven't read any historical romances in quite a while but that used to be all I read. I loved reading anything by Johanna Lindsey but I think my all time favorites were Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss-which was my first historical romance making me fall in love with the genre and reading in general. Also Saving Grace by Julie Garwood and The Black Lyon and Velvet saga by Jude Devereaux. Hmmm...writing about these books is bringing back so many fond memories I may have to pick the genre up again!

Some of my faves, Sharon! Nothing like the old stuff!!

I remember when Shanna came out, I was stirring something on the stove in one hand and holding the book in the other. I was "glued to the page" - LOL!

lol @ lk. Don't remember trying to cook and read but I remember trying some other places. Like stoplights and the tub... lol

Some of my favorite Historical Romance novels are Julia Quinn's Bridgerton Series. I just fell in love with that family and don't think there was a one of them that I didn't like!

The Duke And I
The Viscount Who Loved Me
An Offer From a Gentleman
Romancing Mister Bridgerton
To Sir Phillip, With Love
When He Was Wicked
It's In His Kiss
On the Way to the Wedding

That is a great series, Melissa. I think my personal faves of the series are the first 3 books.

The tub? LOL!

Yeah, I could do a re-read of that series. I wonder if it is on audio.

**scurries off to check**

Hmmmm... mostly the epilogues.

There was another series I read that I really liked but I cannot remember the name of it or the author. I believe there were 7 brothers and the first one started out right after the civil war when the oldest brother married a woman to help him take care of his brothers. Each book was about one of the brother's and they all married women who were named after flowers. All the books were named after the women, I think the first one might have been Rose....anyone know what series or author I'm talking about?

@Melissa, Seven Brides series by Leigh Greenwood? I haven't read them but I know there are 7.

That is what I was thinking too, Pamela. However, I haven't read them either.

Melissa wrote: "There was another series I read that I really liked but I cannot remember the name of it or the author. I believe there were 7 brothers and the first one started out right after the civil war when..."

I just added Rose to my to-read list. I haven't read any of this series, but it sounds like an interesting one.

Alyson wrote: "Melissa wrote: "There was another series I read that I really liked but I cannot remember the name of it or the author. I believe there were 7 brothers and the first one started out right after th..."

I like books that link together like this. I've always loved Jude Deveraux's linking series.

Would Amanda Quick's Arcane Series count as Historical Romance?

yes, they do ☺

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "@Melissa, Seven Brides series by Leigh Greenwood? I haven't read them but I know there are 7."

Thats it! I have to write that down on my list of books to reread!

Melissa wrote: "Some of my favorite Historical Romance novels are Julia Quinn's Bridgerton Series. I just fell in love with that family and don't think there was a one of them that I didn't like!

The Duke And I
..."

I love this series. One of the best in the entire series of romances in my opinion.

A series(s) i find quite good is the Rouges/With this Ring series by Karen Hawkins.

The Abduction of Julia
A Belated Bride
The Seduction of Sara
An Affair to Remember
Confessions of a Scoundrel
How to Treat a Lady
And the Bride Wore Plaid
Lady in Red

Oh, yes. I've read most of those, Melissa.

I know I read one of them ☺

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I'm a big fan of "older" historical romance writers that have been around awhile...

Me too! The lot of you are doing terrible things to my TBR list. All of my favorites are listed here and lots and lots of what I'm sure will become favorites.

My first romance was
The Wolf and the Dove. I didn't have any problem with the "dubious consent" that bothered some readers. I accepted it as part and parcel of the times. Loved the story. I did spend a couple of days rewriting the second half of The Flame and the Flower in my head because I didn't feel the hero suffered enough for being an ass. But for me to invest that kind of energy after I've finished a book tells me how much it sucked me in.

two of my faves. I did come to love Brandon eventually but it would have been nice for him to suffer a little, eh.

Oooh, these lists are just what I needed. Thanks!

I am going to a rural location for a month and need to stock up on reading material to take. I plan to take Diane Gabaldon's wonderful Highlander series, but I do not want to run out of books so the more suggestions the merrier!

Rhea wrote: " I did spend a couple of days rewriting the second half of The Flame and the Flower in my head because I didn't feel the hero suffered enough for being an ass."

LOL! Good idea, that.

PM wrote: "I am going to a rural location for a month and need to stock up on reading material to take."

Oh, yes! Got to have plenty to read, PM. I always pack books for vacation. Don't read them all, but they are like "security" for me.

PM wrote: "Oooh, these lists are just what I needed. Thanks!

I am going to a rural location for a month and need to stock up on reading material to take. I plan to take Diane Gabaldon's wonderful Highlande..."

The Outlander series are pretty long books, so you might have plenty with them. However, I don't classify them as true romance/HEA books. I did love the four I read. The romance factor is intense.

You might want to bring at least a couple from this list to take care of the HEA/satisfying ending factor. Good luck! There are so many wonderful choices.

Gah! So, am I to expect no HEA? LOL WAIT! Don't tell me!!!!!

Lisa Kay - I totally agree, books are like security for me too. I try to always have a book with me, in my brief case, or purse...If I don't have one and I have downtime, it feels like I am wasting my time.

PM, I remember once I went somewhere for an activity where I couldn't carry anything (purse, etc). So, I printed out a chapter of a book I was reading, folded it up, and put it in my jeans pocket. I was glad I did, as I had "downtime". LOL!

lol, I never would have thought to do that.

Lisa Kay wrote: "PM, I remember once I went somewhere for an activity where I couldn't carry anything (purse, etc). So, I printed out a chapter of a book I was reading, folded it up, and put it in my jeans pocket...."

Now, that's thinking ahead!

I love this discussion - I'm going to try quite a few of the books you have all generously listed - thank you, I read about 12 books a week - I travel alot, I really should try to print out my list from amazon - better yet, maybe not - I've bought a lot of e-books.
Thanks
Janice

lol. Happy to oblige.

Lisa Kay wrote: "PM, I remember once ...."

That sounds like something I'd do. LOL I have audio books in the car for when I am driving alone, books for when I get there, and back-up for each in case I don't like them once I start reading/listening. Dang, I forgot, I even have books on my phone in case I still find myself in need.

LOL! Yes, PM, I have a couple of books on my iPod/Touch and have had people say, "Isn't that too small to read?" Answer: "Nope!"

My bestie was asking me for book recommendations today and I immediately thought of Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas and Pamela Clare. Those are my top 3 HR authors.

Georgette Heyer is good writer of romance novels.My favorites are Sprig Muslin and Cotillion

I haven't read any Heyer yet, though I hear she's amazing. I've been meaning to try Bertice Small, too.

I haven't read any Heyer yet, either, Dhes. I keep shuffling her around in my challenges. I'll probably read her soon, though, as I'm doing the Lifetime of Books Challenge over in RRRC.

I wonder if she's on the Lisa's Ladies' Favorites list. I haven't read even a single book off that list yet.