Early 20th Century Historical Romance discussion

I am very fascinated with this time period. I love reading about it. Can you suggest some books set during WWII (1939-1945) or around that period?

Right now, I'm reading and I'm pretty impressed!

I too love this time period danielle, so glad you started this group! I will enjoy seeing new books that fit in this time.

Thanks, Heidi!

I could only find two books on my read shelf that qualify. Even then I'd probably call them romantic historical fiction rather than historical romance, but I'd definitely recommend both.

- This is a self-published novel in which the editing was pretty rough around the edges, but otherwise, it was very romantic and a keeper for me. I'm usually a big stickler for editing, so if I still enjoyed it considering all those issues, it had to have been a good story.;-) I learned a lot about the German POW camps in American during WWII and what it was like in Germany after the war.

- This is a young adult novel that I picked up on a whim from the library sale, but loved. There were some great details in it about the only Jewish refugee camp that operated on American soil during WWII.

Thanks for the recommendations. If you get a chance before I do, can you add them to the group bookshelf?

TBH is one of my all time favorite books!

Not too much romance, but I also loved

Thanks, Christine. I have The Bronze Horseman and I'm excited about reading it, since I love All Things Russian!

I also have The Bronze Horseman in my tbr. I'll have to start it soon!

I just finished Dangerous Allies and it very much met and exceeded my expectations. This is an inspirational romance, but I still think it can be enjoyed by those not of the Christian faith.

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Thanks for the recommendations. If you get a chance before I do, can you add them to the group bookshelf?"

They're on the shelf now.:-)

Thanks!

I read The Widow's Daughter last week, and I'd recommend it, although it's not quite a romance. It's more of a historical fiction work about a painter who happens to be a surgeon in the US Marines stationed in New Zealand during 1944. He falls in love with a mysterious woman who is a British expatriate, although there are some aspects of her family that don't ring true. I really enjoyed it. Don't read it looking for a HEA kind of romance though.

Very early Saturday morning, I finished Letter from a Stranger, and it contains a diary that the grandmother of the MC wrote during WWII. The book itself isn't really my cup of tea, but I found the WWII parts enthralling and heartbreaking.

Lady Danielle kindly allowed me to post a little bit about my just-release novel Lovers in Arms - an m/m erotic romance set around the end of WWII. I know m/m erotica might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the story has a clear emphasis on the romance aspect and takes a lot from the historic background. So maybe it is interesting for some of you here on this list.

Here's the blurb for Lovers in Arms, in case I managed to make you curious:

US Army Captain Frank Hawthorne returns to Germany, against orders, to testify at the Nuremberg trials. He’s attempting to save the life of Johann von Biehn, a former Nazi Officer. No one at the trials knows that three years ago, at the height of the war, Frank had been sent to kill the very man he is now defending—and that Johann is the love of his life. Frank must not reveal what happened between them during the war, but that leaves Frank with hardly any evidence to counter Johann's notorious career as a Nazi. (M/M)

Please do not hesitate to ask if you'd like any further information, I'd be more than glad to reply, and thanks to all who are still reading!

Thanks for letting us know about your book, Osiris.

Hearts in Hiding by Patty Smith Hall
released this month from Love Inspired Historical

Engineer Edie Michaels loves her life—she has a good job, close friends, even a chance at romance with former soldier Beau Daniels. But she could lose everything if her secret comes out…that she's the German daughter of a devoted Nazi.

And when her father sends spies to force her loyalty, everything Edie values is at risk.

Time in a Nazi POW camp changed army medic Beau Daniels. When he discovers a letter of Edie's written in German, he can't help his suspicions. Is she truly the woman he's started to love? Or has she been the enemy all along? With Nazis on Edie's trail, the pair must fight for truth, for survival—and for love.

Thanks for posting this, Kim. I added it to the bookshelf.

NP, Hearts in Hiding is the next book in my TBR pile. Looking forward to reading it.

Sarah Sundin has several excellent novels (inspirationals) that take place in WWII:

Wings of Glory Series:
A Distant Melody
A Memory Between Us
Blue Skies Tomorrow

Wings of the Nightingale:
With Every Letter
On Distant Shores
In Perfect Time (Aug. 2014)

I love this time period and will post more books when I get a few minutes.

Hi Maggie. Please add these book to the bookshelves. We appreciate the suggestions!

Hi Maggie. Please add these book to the bookshelves. We appreciate the suggestions!

Oh, I see you did. Thanks!

HI guys

I love this period. There are some fantastic UK authors who wrote great books - here is a list of books I love:

Elizabeth Elgin (RIP) She served as a wren in the second world war. Her Suttons of Yorkshire series covers the same characters (the kids are in WW2) from world war 1 right through to world war 2.

I'll Bring You Buttercups
Daisychain Summer
Where Bluebells Chime
Windflower Wedding
The Linden Walk

They could benefit from better editing in that the back storyline gets repeated from book to book (you are reminded who is who and who died previously etc) - they must think all readers have short memories but it doesn't detract from story at all. I read the paperbacks so not sure how it translated onto the kindle. Well worth checking out though.

Thank you, Ellie. I hope you were able to add these to the bookshelf.

Danielle The Book Huntress (Angels Weep For Goodreads) wrote: "Thank you, Ellie. I hope you were able to add these to the bookshelf." Yes I was (I hope lol)

Thanks :-)

Forgot to post about "Once we were brothers" Excellent fiction book set partially in modern day and partially in Poland during the Nazi atrocities. Excellent and easy to read - I finished it in one night. Has romance and suspense. Bit of John Grisham style about it.

Hi, I'm new to your group. I've read two novels from this genre that I enjoyed: The Shell Seekers and The American Lieutenant. The first is a reflection of a romance during the war the second follows the romance of an American GI throughout the war. Both are mainly set in England.

Peggy wrote: "Hi, I'm new to your group. I've read two novels from this genre that I enjoyed: The Shell Seekers and The American Lieutenant. The first is a reflection of a romance during the war the second follo..."

Hi Peggy - I think that Rosamund Pilcher has written some of the best books for getting a real understanding of what it was like day-to-day at home in the UK during WWII. Your mention of her books reminds me of Mary Wesley, as some of her books also cover that period very evocatively. The first which comes to mind is The Camomile Lawn.

Hi guys, I love reading WW2 books and have written my first one. Its on special offer at Amazon.com at 99 cents but I am happy to provide free copies in return for a review. I can only give ebooks as haven't yet got it created in printed format. I hope it's ok to post it here. Thank you.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gracie-Women-...

London 1938 - Gracie Thompson has a job, a loving family, a twin brother who drives her insane and a great friend. A chance meeting introduces her to the love of her life. But the storm clouds are gathering, Europe is teetering on the verge of war and threatening to destroy everything Gracie holds dear. When war arrives her family are split up, her lover is in daily danger and her life is threatened. Her father and boyfriend believe a womans place is in the home but she is equally determined to do her duty for King and Country.
She succeeds in her ambition to do her bit but at what cost? Will she ever see her twin again? And can she live with the knowledge her actions may have led to the loss of the one man she loves. Not only could he die, but he may do so believing she never loved him. Is she brave enough to pull the life she wants back from the abyss?