Historical Fictionistas discussion

I am looking for, great HF, with a romantic element. I love a big read, smart and engaging. After reading many genre's, including Historical Romance, (which I enjoy, as an easy read once in a while), I need something with more substance. Can anyone recommend any books for me? I've read the entire Outlander series, as well as Into the Wilderness. Whenever I ask this question, these two seem to be the most recommended.
There must be more though, I just don't know where to start looking. Your recommendations, are most welcome. :)

I've never read Into the Wilderness, but one of my favorite HF Romance books is Push Not the River, which is about Poland in the late 18th C during their revolution.

You should check it out. :D

I read Through a Glass Darkly: A Novel recently and thought it was pretty good. There's a sequel I haven't read yet.

I'm currently reading The Tea Rose, which has romance in it. In the past I've been recommended The Bronze Horseman. I've enjoyed Helen of Troy and even though I couldn't get into The Memoirs of Cleopatra others here have enjoyed it.

It's harder than I thought to come up with a good rec.

I really liked Blackstone Key, though it is more a mystery about Plymouth smugglers. Also a YA historical I particularly liked is Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter

If you feel like getting back to romance Jude Morgan has two Heyer-like historical romances that might do - An Accomplished Woman and Indiscretion. (Do you like Georgette Heyer, btw?)

I really enjoyed Memoirs of Cleopatra, and also Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles.

Covering all sorts of different cultures and time periods, I'd recommend:

Warlock: A Novel of Ancient Egypt and it's sequel River God: A Novel of Ancient Egypt
Morgan's Run
pretty much every book Judith Merkle Riley ever wrote, but especially
A Vision of Light and The Oracle Glass
The Far Pavilions
The Crimson Petal and the White
The Midwife: A Novel and it's sequel The Midwife's Advice
Year of Wonders
Horses of Heaven
Queen: The Story of an American Family
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

and for lighter fare:
Lauren Willig's series starting with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
and The Tenth Gift

Hope you find something you like!

Wow.. Thanks guys so much. Lots to look up. Awesome!!!!

One of my favorite all-time books (only second to Outlander) is Queen of Camelot. It's amazing!

I would have to second Queen of Camelot. I also love Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman

Yea! Another fan of Queen of Camelot! :-D I would also have to second anything by Sharon Kay Penman. I have only read The Sunne in Splendour so far by her but Here Be Dragons is on my TBR.

Those look awesome. Thx Guys. This is perfect, although my bank account will be grossly depreciated soon... Lol. I'm one of those weirdo's whom havent discovered the usefullness of a library card, and compulsively buys all the books I read.

Sorry just to add even more in The Other Boleyn Girl, The Pillars of the Earth and I have put in a push for Gone With the Wind.

Lol. Thx Lindz. I have Pillars of the Earth, I haven't read it yet, but it's on my TBR list. I should read Gone with The Wind. I'm not sure, why I have never thought of that one.

I read The Bronze Horseman last year and really enjoyed it. It is a series but I hear the others are not as good and it stands alone well.

What about Memoirs of a Geisha? I thought it had a romance element to it.

I'm going to look up a few of these recommended also.

I would second A Vision of Light,plus Katherine, The Valley of Decision by Marcia Davenport, Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow. Good Luck and Happy Reading!

I loved the movie Memoirs of A Geisha