Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers discussion

Although I love history in general, I am unquestionably drawn to the 17 and 18th centuries. I adore the opulent decadence of Louis XIV and Charles II, as well as the courtly intrigues of the Georgian era. I think I would probably love Renaissance Italy but have never read anything in that era.(Suggestions anyone??)

I've never been too crazy about the middle ages. It's very much romanticized but I just can't seem to get past the mental images of Bubonic Plague. I've decided that Elizabeth Chadwick is probably worth it though. I do have Knight in Shining Armour on my TBR and a copy sitting patiently by my bedside.

have you triedThe Ruby Ring: A NovelorI, Mona Lisathese are done in the renaissance time. the ruby ring is about renaissance artist raphael I love this artist! and a keeper book of mine..The Sidewalk ArtistI LOVED this book! I have others on this period..III go threw my list & find some for you .this is my favorite period!

ah..another one..Signora Da Vinciand I belive Sarah Dunantall her books are done in this period..I havent read any by her..and if anyone else can help emery & I let us know:)

Emery, I love your post! How true...the Bubonic Plague really puts a damper on the middle ages...:) Of course, I am in love with the 12th century...part of this love no doubt comes from writing about the wealthy powerful and privileged few. I think regular folks had a much harder time of it then...it is hard to be a peasant in any age.

I loved The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick. And some of the best Middle Ages fiction is by Sharon Kay Penman. I think she may be a genius.

Sandi, I am reading The Devil's Queen by the same author who wrote I, Mona Lisa and I am loving it. I will have to get I, Mona Lisa next...

Sandi and Christy - Thank you both!

I too am a lover of all things historical and I'm open to trying books set in just about any time period. For a short time, years ago, my husband and I were involved in a Medieval re-enactment group, so that era still holds a lot of romanticism for me. I just love the castles, armor, dresses, chivalry and courtly love that were all a part of the Middle Ages.

My current favorite historical eras are the Regency and Victorian periods in Great Britain, and the time of Westward Expansion in American history. I like each for very different reasons. The Regency/Victorian eras I enjoy for the fashions, balls, and parties as well as the societal restrictions and manners. I like American frontier and western stories for the adventurous spirit and courage it took for settlers to move to a new and unknown land.

I agree christy! elizabeth chadwick & sharon kay penman have great books! I have them all!
Did you know The Scarlet Lionis the sequel to the greatest knight? has more romance in it too.and tryThe Borgia Bride: A Novelby the same author if you like the devils queen..I have all hers too..LOL too many books! too little time! :)

Sandi, they both sound great...both The Borgia Bride and The Scarlet Lion are on my TBR list...I just need to get my hands on them and settle down to enjoy...

Sandi wrote: "ah..another one..Signora Da Vinciand I belive Sarah Dunantall her books are done in this period..I havent read any by her..and if anyone else can help emery & I let us..."

I think the only books I have read from this period have been by Sarah Dunant. I really enjoy her writing and her stories. They alway have some weird little twist in it.

jackie..Ive picked up her books to look at many times because of the period...is there any romance in her books? and aren't they a series? and they do seem like there is something "different " about her books as I glanced threw them..I hesitate

I can't say I really have a favorite historical period. I read anything that comes my way and if it's historical and has some romance I'm even more drawn to it. I have found though in the past that I gravitate towards the Victorian period and anything featuring the Tudors. I think because these periods are so readily available at the library.

Rather than historical period I tend to have favorite locations. I recently read The Heretic's Daughter and Nefertiti, both of which I love. I would like to read more books based in Egypt, but I can't seem to find anything that is not the size of a brick. Any recommendations would be nice. :)

Also, right now I'm reading Cleopatra's Daughter, which is making me more interested in Rome. So I guess anything I'm reading at the moment can be labeled as a favorite. lol.

yes these are ALL so good too! these authors I buy the hard cover cause it takes SO long for the paperback to come out..and I cant wait!

Sandi wrote: "jackie..Ive picked up her books to look at many times because of the period...is there any romance in her books? and aren't they a series? and they do seem like there is something "different " abou..."


They're stand alone books.
In the Company of the Courtesan doesn't have any romance.

The Birth of Venus does have romance, but it's not a happily ever after type of romance.

Sacred Hearts also has romance, but its subtle. The young nun has a lover who she wants to marry. The story does talk about it, but its more focused on the life of the older nun and her relationship with the younger nun.

I can't recommend them based on the romance factor, to be honest, because even though there maybe some romance it's not the focus of the book. Her stories tend to be on the dark side and seem to have a twist that makes them I guess a bit gothic. She's not like anyone one I've ever read, so I don't have anyone to compare her too which makes it hard to describe her work. hehe.

thanks jackie! I see these books at the used book store sometimes..so I know now what to expect! so I might give one a try for something different..

Jackie, I love Michelle Moran's books too!

Sandi wrote: "thanks jackie! I see these books at the used book store sometimes..so I know now what to expect! so I might give one a try for something different.."

Glad I could help. :) I think she's worth a try. There is something I find compelling about her stories and writing.

Christy wrote: "Jackie, I love Michelle Moran's books too!"

She's a really good writer. She's part of the Historical Fictionistas Group, since we chose her book as a monthly group read last month. She's been very nice and informative.

I'm listening to Cleopatra's Daughter on audio since I couldn't find the book at Target. I'm not loving the narrator but the story is so good I'm willing to listen to her read it.

Jackie wrote: "Christy wrote: "Jackie, I love Michelle Moran's books too!"

She's a really good writer. She's part of the Historical Fictionistas Group, since we chose her book as a monthly group read last mont..."

Cleopatra's Daughter is my favorite so far, but I love all of her books, so that is really saying something. :)

Jackie wrote: "I can't say I really have a favorite historical period. I read anything that comes my way and if it's historical and has some romance I'm even more drawn to it. I have found though in the past that..."

You might also be interested in Mistress of Rome. It's a newer release I haven't yet read but it got great reviews.

I have that book too emery..havent read yet but It does look good!
I dont have a favorite period either..tho I really like the renaissance period.some books that I have read...have intoduced me to artists of that period..and I love the art work of certain artists. I like roman period..some books have been hard to get into..so Ive set aside..love the egyption times.I can get tierd of tudor history..as it seems the most used..would like to see more of queens or princess, kings, less talked about.Im really looking forward to reading christy's novel..The Queen's Pawnas I havent read much on princess alais. I like stories of the "lesser known" people living in the times of the more important ones. one of my favorite authorsC. W. Gortner is coming out with a book next on isabella of france..not much on her.anyone read something from a different period we could explore?

Thanks Emery! I actually own that one. I bought it at Borders based on the cover alone. lol. Kate Quinn is also a member of our group and has agreed on an author discussion so if anyone who has read it is more than welcome to join us over there to discuss it.

I read that one too...I loved it. Rome is fascinating...

Christy wrote: "Emery, I love your post! How true...the Bubonic Plague really puts a damper on the middle ages...:) Of course, I am in love with the 12th century...part of this love no doubt comes from writing abo..."

Hi Christy- is The Devil's Queen a candidate for our list? (Does it have enough history and a strong romantic plot?)

The Devil's Queen might be a good choice...Catherine de Medici certainly loves her husband, King Henri II, though the novel depicts her life, her survival as a child and her life as Queen and as Dowager Queen and ruler. Still, it is so good, I think we should add it to the list. I also love The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner, and I mean to read Courtesan to get the POV of Henri II's longterm mistress, Diane de Poitiers...

Christy wrote: "The Devil's Queen might be a good choice...Catherine de Medici certainly loves her husband, King Henri II, though the novel depicts her life, her survival as a child and her life as Queen and as Do..."

Great! I'll add it to the list!

Early 20th Century (through mid 40s)
Victorian
Medieval (10-14th century)
I admit I'm a bit partial to Elizabethan if done well
Georgian is winning me over.

I do like Regency, but it's way overdone.

I love Old West United States (1860s-1900s)

I enjoy reading a good historical in any setting.
but I wanted to add, Ancient Egypt and Mughal India, books with romance that I would recommend from these settings are:
The Twentieth Wife, set in Mughal India, a great historical with romance, along with it's sequel, The Feast of Roses: A Novel
Can't wait to read more from the same author.
and as for Ancient Egypt:
The Heretic Queen, the best Nefertiti book that I read, I also have more of the author in my TBR.

Jewel wrote: "I enjoy reading a good historical in any setting.
but I wanted to add, Ancient Egypt and Mughal India, books with romance that I would recommend from these settings are:
[book:The Twentieth Wif..."

Hi Jewel-
Thank you so much for your recommendations. I have added these three books. Please don't be shy about posting links to your ratings and reviews. I am so excited about the variety of historical settings on our list!

Jewel wrote: "I enjoy reading a good historical in any setting.
but I wanted to add, Ancient Egypt and Mughal India, books with romance that I would recommend from these settings are:
The Twentieth Wif..."</i>


[book:The Twentieth Wife and The Feast of Roses: A Novel are two of my favorite books.

I find the Tudor period fascinating, especially the time of Anne Boleyn but I also like reading about Elizabethan times. The gay nineties is another period that interests me although I don't know how the women living then could stand those choke collars! I also like ancient Egypt. I love reading Regency Romances and the Native American books told from their point of view.
Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Young Bess & Elizabeth, Captive Princess by Margaret Irwin.
Philippa Gregory's books and all the books by Rosanne Bittner.

I forgot to mention I love Michelle Moran's books too.
I am just learning to navigate this site and still feel somewhat awkward. I started The Scarlet Lion but put it aside when I realized The Greatest Knight was supposed to be first.
I just finished The Confessions Of Catherine De Medici and now its one of my favorites!

Jackie wrote: "Jewel wrote: "I enjoy reading a good historical in any setting.
but I wanted to add, Ancient Egypt and Mughal India, books with romance that I would recommend from these settings are:
[book:The..."

These will be a great addition to our bookshelf. unusual

Gaile wrote: "I find the Tudor period fascinating, especially the time of Anne Boleyn but I also like reading about Elizabethan times. The gay nineties is another period that interests me although I don't know h..."


Hi Gaile-
Do any of these titles you mentioned have a strong enough romantic thread to add to our group bookshelf? Do you have any other recommendations that would be a good fit for us?

Gaile wrote: "I forgot to mention I love Michelle Moran's books too.
I am just learning to navigate this site and still feel somewhat awkward. I started The Scarlet Lion but put it aside when I realized The Grea..."

I also have these two Elizabeth Chadwick titles on my list- actually on my bedside table! Just haven't had enough time for personal reading lately. Hope to get to them very soon.I'll look forward to hearing your comments.

As an author I love writing about the Napoleonic Era, specifically the naval aspect of the of the late 1700s and early 1800s. As a reader I will go anywhere, basically preferring to get lost in history than face anything contemporary. I am an escapist, and time-traveler when I read. It is exciting to think I have read books from prehistoric to well into an imagined future time (sci-fi being another love). But my heart belongs in the past!

I would love to get recommendations on prehistoric books, other than The Clan of the Cave Bear.

hi jewel..tryJoan Wolfshe had a trioligy ( the add book couldnt find these) daughter of the red deer,the horsemasters, the reindeer huntress..I have them..read many years ago..just cant remember the story...but I know it was prehistoric times...thats the only ones I can think of.try alibris to find them. if I think of others III let you know..I was into them at one time.

Deb wrote: "As an author I love writing about the Napoleonic Era, specifically the naval aspect of the of the late 1700s and early 1800s. As a reader I will go anywhere, basically preferring to get lost in his..."

He Deb-
Although I have not yet read any of the Forrester books, I adored A&E's Horatio Hornblower. Fell in lust with Ioann Gruffudd. I think he'd make a wonderful Philip Drake (My HIGHEST STAKES wishful thinking)LOL.
I didn't realize before that you also write and visited your blog yesterday. If your novel is a good fit for this group (i.e. must have accurarate history AND romance)Please feel free to tell us a bit about it.

Sandi wrote: "hi jewel..tryJoan Wolfshe had a trioligy ( the add book couldnt find these) daughter of the red deer,the horsemasters, the reindeer huntress..I have them..read many years ago..just c..."

Hey Sandi and Jewel-
Found them! Do you recommend that I add these to our list? Can you tell us a bit more about the series and why you liked it? Is the "history" accurately portrayed?
This does sound like a fascinating and unique series.

Emery,I am totally in love with Ioan too! What great casting. He was so perfect for the role. I also loved the man who played his captain. Great series, I am lusting after it on my Amazon wishlist. If you loved Forrester, try O'Brian if you haven't. Jack Aubrey remains to this date one of my dearest loves of fiction!
Thank you for visiting my blog, etc. Inspired by O'Brian's books I wondered what it would be like to put a woman aboard those small wooden worlds. And not just any woman, the daughter of the captain's nemesis, no less. The adventures on which Johanna and Hal embark after their first voyage together make up the body of Magician's Spell. Magician, a 40-gun frigate plays a role in their ever growing relationship. Lots of adventure and romance. It's available at Red Rose Publishing.
Again thanks for the op to tell you all about it.

thanks Emery! I read these many years ago..I do rememeber I didnt care for the clan of the cave bear..I found it too detailed..or maybe I didnt give it a chance. but I came across one of joans books saw it was a triolgy..& hunted the other 2 down.I do remember it had more romance in it..it didnt stay on just the 2 main characters for all 3 books..but they remained in them. so that held my interest.yes I belive the history was correct. Im not an expert on those times..but nothing "modern" was used otherwise I wouldnt have kept them.yes I think they would be good to add to the list..we need something a little more different to try & I would love to refresh my memory! would they be hard for others to find?

Sandi wrote: "thanks Emery! I read these many years ago..I do rememeber I didnt care for the clan of the cave bear..I found it too detailed..or maybe I didnt give it a chance. but I came across one of joans book..."

HI Sandi-
I added these three Joan Wolf books to our group book shelf and also did a search on Amazon. Copies are still available. Thanks very much for the suggestion.

great! I hope to re-read & share with others...

Emery, the ones I recommended date back to the fifties.
I still own copies of them because I love them so much.
My latest recommendation would The Confessions Of Catherine De Medici by G. W. Gortner, The Tailor's Daughter by Janice Graham,the mystery series by Lauren Willig. Confessions Of A Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings Of A Jane Austen Addict both by Laurie Viera Rigler. A Knight In Shining Armour is one of my great Favorites! Of all the books by Bertrice Small, A Moment In time is the one I love best! There is also the new release of The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. If you check my reading list, you will see a very long list of historical fiction but I haven't listed every book I have read!

Sandi wrote: "thanks Emery! I read these many years ago..I do rememeber I didnt care for the clan of the cave bear..I found it too detailed..or maybe I didnt give it a chance. but I came across one of joans book..."

I think I might check out these recs too. I read Clan of the Cave Bear last week and I didn't care that much for it either. I felt the same way...just to detailed and sometimes to tedious to read. I'm used to plot driven stories and this was very character driven. I found myself skipping passages because of the amount of research included.

Emery..how will this "chosen book" for the group read work? if its A book..its a month? but what if the book has a sequel or is a triolgy? do we only read the 1st one together?..leave the rest up to the reader to continue? or extend the time period & read all books? then discuss each as we go along? so far the selection looks good!

Hi Sandi-

I hadn't really thought to designate a group read, but just an offering of books that have been "vetted" by others in the group. I think it might be great for those of you with a particular interest in a book or books to read it together, compare notes and share with the group. Your thoughts??

UMM..sounds good..that way no one has to read a "picked" book if its not to their liking and no pressure to start & finish like other groups.but I think spoiler rules are needed..I hate when Im reading comments about a book I thinking about reading and a person lets the "cat out of the bag" spoils it..
so would members set up their own thread & have a spot for that book..so its only in that place to talk about?

Sandi wrote: "have you triedThe Ruby Ring: A NovelorI, Mona Lisathese are done in the renaissance time. the ruby ring is about renaissance artist raphael I love this artist! and a keepe..."

I have read The Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan by Dunant and enjoyed both. They would fit nicely on our book shelf.

Emery wrote: "Although I love history in general, I am unquestionably drawn to the 17 and 18th centuries. I adore the opulent decadence of Louis XIV and Charles II, as well as the courtly intrigues of the Georgi..."