Read a Romance Book: Historical Romance

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A Beginner’s Guide to Romance Novels

I started the Read a Romance Book series on this blog as an introduction to the world of romance books.

OTHER POSTS IN THIS SERIES

• Historical Romance
• Contemporary Romance Part 1

 

What is a Romance Novel

There are many genres and subgenres of a romance novel but essentially, it is defined as a fictional story with a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. Romance writers and industry experts (based on what I have read in the past and heard romance writers talk in panels) say that if the romance is taken out of the plot, the book will not make sense.

Romance readers usually say that a romance novel has to have an HEA (happily ever after) or an HFN (happy for now). There has been some debate over this, but as a romance reader, I personally define romance novels as having an HEA or an HFN.

A lot of genre fiction novels may have romantic elements, but if romance is not a central plot and it does not end in an HEA or HFN, it is not considered a romance novel. There are also other genres with strong romantic themes, but it is still not considered a romance if it does not meet the romance novel definition.

The very first romance novel The Flame and the Flower written by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss was published by Avon Romance in 1972.

 

Old Skool Romance

If you are a romance reader, you will know that Old Skool Romance or Old School Romance are those romances of any genre written and published in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Some of these romances are very problematic if written today.

Some of my favorite romances are Old Skool Romances and I always keep in mind the time that these books were written. While I believe that these books are problematic, I try to keep an open mind when reading it and judge the book based on the time it was written.

 

Heat Levels

There are varying heat levels in romance novels – from closed-door, to fade to black, to all-out sexytimes, there is a book for everyone!

I personally prefer sexytimes on the page, so most of my personal recommendation will have a heat level ranging from 3-5.

 

I have been reading romance novels since I was 11 years old. I was first attracted to it when I saw a book with a lady on the cover with a gorgeous gown. This was a Harlequin Historical romance, and I have been reading romance ever since.

This feature will go over each general genre of romance. I will try to include all possible genres and subgenres. While I have not read all the books, I have asked other romance readers to recommend their must-read romance per genre and I will include those.

 

Historical Romance (HR) are romance novels set before the 1950s. There are many HR subgenres including Regency, Victorian, Medieval, Scottish, Western, etc. Arguably, the most popular subgenre is Regency Historical Romance, and it is one of my favorite subgenres in historical romance.

Click on the links to be taken to each category

MEDIEVAL | REGENCY | VICTORIAN | PIRATE | WESTERN | GILDED AGE 

Books marked with * are those that I have read.

 

Medieval Historical Romance Novels are set during the middle ages or the dark ages. The most popular novels in this genre are Viking, Arthurian-themed, and Highlander romances.

I haven’t read a lot of Medieval Romances but I distinctly remember reading a few books in this genre in high school. Medieval Romance has fallen out of style in the traditional romance publication sense, but it has gained popularity through indie publication or self-publication.

I recommend reading Medieval Historical Romance if you are a fan of movies like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Braveheart, and  Excalibur.

 

Old Skool Medieval Romance

Medieval Romance* Published December 1991 Amazon | Goodreads	Medieval Romance Published 1989 Amazon | Goodreads	Medieval Romance* Published 1986 Amazon | Goodreads	Medieval Romance Published July 1989 Amazon | Goodreads
Viking Romance Published September 1980 Amazon | Goodreads	Viking Romance Published September 1993 Amazon | Goodreads	Viking Romance Published 1991 Amazon | Goodreads	Viking Romance Published December 1994 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Modern Medieval Romance

Highlander Romance Published August 2011 Amazon | Goodreads	Viking Romance Published June 2017 Amazon | Goodreads	Medieval Romance Published October 2010 Amazon | Goodreads	Highlander Romance Published January 2009 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Favorite Medieval Reads

	Betrothed has a plot very similar to Prisoner of My Desire where the heroine is kidnapped by the hero when he thought she conspired with her evil uncle and entrap him in marriage. *Trigger: Problematic themes   Medieval Romance Published 1996 Amazon | Goodreads | Review		The Heiress was the very first mistaken identity book that I read in high school! The hero is tasked by the heroine’s father to take her to her betrothed. The hero, Jamie, an impoverished Knight, mistakes the beautiful companion as the heiress but falls for the woman he thinks is the “poor relation”, Axia, instead! Medieval Romance Published 1996 Amazon | Goodreads
Surrender is another throwback that I read high school, that I absolutely love! It took me a while to find the title of this book because I forgot. I had to do artful Google search using descriptions that I remember from the book. I really love how strong the heroine is – going to battle to defend her home from the warrior claiming her home as is own. *Trigger: Problematic themes Medieval Romance Published 1988 Amazon | Goodreads		Lady of Conquest is another book very similar to Surrender that I read in high school! Again, we have a warrior heroine who was bested in a fight by the hero who is trying to take her home! *Trigger: Problematic themes       Medieval Romance Published 1998 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Romance Readers Recommend

Recommended by @addictedtoromance	Recommended by @reads_romance*	Recommended by @fortheromantic	Recommended by @romanticallybookish	Recommended by @f.and.f.mom

 

Click on the links to be taken to each category

MEDIEVAL | REGENCY | VICTORIAN | PIRATE | WESTERN | GILDED AGE 

Regency Historical Romance is arguable the most popular historical romance subgenre. In fact, I have more Regency Romance novels compared to other subgenres. It’s also one of my favorite sub-genres in romance! Regency Romance novels are usually set between 1811 and 1820, mostly set in London featuring the aristocracy.

There is also a fine line between Regency Romance and Victorian Romance since some of these books overlap genres.

Georgette Heyer is known as the author who established the Regency Romance subgenre. She started publishing romance books in the late 1920s and published the first romance set in the Regency period Regency Buck in 1935.

There are a few notable series set in the Regency period that I highly recommend. I really had a hard time narrowing down this subgenre because there are a lot of amazing romance novels written in this time period. I have tried my best to not repeat author books.

Lisa Kleypas is one of the popular romance authors in this category and is one of my favorite authors of all time. This is a special shout-out to her because she has written a lot of romance novels that I highly recommend if you haven’t read her already!

I recommend reading Regency Historical Romance if you are a fan of period movies/shows like Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, and Les Miserables.

 

Notable Regency Romance Series

The Wallflowers	Bridgertons	Hellions of Havisham Hall	Scoundrels of St. James	The Rules of Scoundrels
Regency Romance* Published November 2006 Amazon | Goodreads	Regency Romance* Published June 2006 Amazon | Goodreads | Review	Regency Romance* Published January 2011 Amazon | Goodreads | Review	Regency Romance* Published June 2008 Amazon | Goodreads	Regency Romance* Published June 2017 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

 

Notable Regency Romance Novels

Regency Romance Published January 1995 Amazon | Goodreads	Regency Romance* Published January 1994 Amazon | Goodreads | Review	Regency Romance Published 2003 Amazon | Goodreads	Regency Romance Published September 2016 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Favorite Regency Reads

	Again the Magic is one of my favorite romances of all time! This book and Dreaming of You are the books that I remember reading first by Lisa Kleypas. This features a second-chance, childhood romance between an aristocrat and her stable boy. This is also a book the spun-off into one of her popular series The Wallflowers. Regency Romance Published 2004 Amazon | Goodreads		I’m not sure if this book was indeed pubbed in 2003 because I distinctly remember buying this book in 2001 when I was dress shopping for Nursing school! This is another of my favorite romance novels of all time featuring a heroine who is preparing to step into her role as a demimonde and an aristocrat-spy investigating her or treason. He goes undercover and ultimately falls in love with her. Regency Romance Published April 2003 Amazon | Goodreads
Lessons from a Courtesan is the very first book that I read where the sexytimes was very steamy! This was also the first book I won in an author giveaway in 2008! This book features an arranged marriage, where the hero is trying to seduce his wife who is masquerading as a courtesan! Regency Romance Published June 2008 Amazon | Goodreads		Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed is one of my favorite unrequited romance books where the hero is the one who was in love with the hero for a long time. This is a marriage of convenience romance with an angsty alpha hero! Regency Romance Published August 2010 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Romance Readers Recommend

Recommended by @michlimjiayi	Recommended by everyone!*	Recommended by @abookishcatlady*	Recommended by @romancelibrary	Recommended by @wildandwonderfulreads & @onthesamepa9e*

 

Click on the links to be taken to each category

MEDIEVAL | REGENCY | VICTORIAN | PIRATE | WESTERN | GILDED AGE 

Victorian Historical Romance has gained popularity in recent years and it generally features darker themes and anti-heroes. Victorian Romance is set during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837-1901.

Victorian Romance usually is mashed up with Science Fiction and Steampunk. This will be featured in another Read a Romance Book post!

 

I recommend reading Victorian Historical Romance if you are a fan of period movies/shows like Downton Abbey, Whitechapel, Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd, and Corpse Bride.

 

Notable Victorian Romance Novels

Victorian Romance* Published September 2015 Amazon | Goodreads	Victorian Romance Published May 2009 Amazon | Goodreads	Victorian Romance Published May 2010 Amazon | Goodreads	Victorian Romance* Published June 2007 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Favorite Victorian Reads

The Hunter is my favorite in Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series. The prologue alone killed me! It was so emotional and heartbreaking to read! The Hunter is about an assassin whose target is the heroine, who he ends up falling in love with. Victorian Romance Published February 2016 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

The Secrets of Mia Danvers really surprised me in a good way! The heroine is blind and witnesses a Jack the Ripper type of murder! Now, the murderer is after her to silence her! The hero is a Lord helping her figure out who the murder is. Victorian Romance Published September 2015 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

 

Click on the links to be taken to each category

MEDIEVAL | REGENCY | VICTORIAN | PIRATE | WESTERN | GILDED AGE 

Pirate Historical Romance does not necessarily belong to a specific time period in history per se, but it does feature romance in the high seas or if there is any smuggling as a main point in the plot! This was also a popular subgenre of romance back in the day!

I used to read a lot of Pirate Romance novels, but sadly I read them in high school and college and wasn’t really tracking the books I read back then. Some of these books, I can’t remember reading at all!

I recommend reading Pirate Romance if you are a fan of period movies/shows like Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Sails.

 

Notable Pirate Romance Novels

Regency Pirate Romance* Published 1990 Amazon | Goodreads	Regency Pirate Romance Published May 1994 Amazon | Goodreads	Victorian/Regency Pirate Romance Published 1982 Amazon | Goodreads	Victorian Pirate Romance Published September 2009 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Favorite Pirate Reads

Mistress of the Seas is one of the first books of Harlequin romance that I discovered in High School. I recently reread this last year and I did find a few things I had issues with, but I still add it as one of my favorite reads. This book features a female pirate, masquerading as a Lady In Waiting who fell in love with one of her prisoners. Medieval Pirate Romance Published September 1988 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

 

Click on the links to be taken to each category

MEDIEVAL | REGENCY | VICTORIAN | PIRATE | WESTERN | GILDED AGE 

Western Historical Romance is usually the subgenre/category that refers to romance novels with a western setting, particularly the American Frontier. There are also some Western Romances that are set in Australia and Canada, around the time of the American Frontier. The contemporary version of Western Historical Romance is called Cowboy Romance.

Harlequin Historicals had books specifically in this category. I remember reading a lot of Western Historicals when I was in high school but I sadly can’t remember all of them.

I recommend reading Western Historical Romance if you are a fan of period movies/shows like Last of the Mohicans, Legends of the Fall, and True Grit.

 

Notable Western Romance Novels

Western Romance Published November 1996 Amazon | Goodreads	Western Romance Published 1989 Amazon | Goodreads	Western Romance Published 1986 Amazon | Goodreads	Western Romance Published June 1997 Amazon | Goodreads	Western Romance Published March 2017 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Favorite Western Reads

Fair is the Rose is one of my favorite Western Historical Romances! This book features a heroine on the run, masquerading as a widow, and gets kidnapped by an outlaw. *This is book 2 in the series, I suggest reading book 1 Lions and Lace, first. Western/Gilded Age Romance Published November 1993 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

Nobody’s Darling is another book that I read when I was in college. This is a road trip romance where the heroine hires the hero to look for her missing brother.     Western Romance Published April 1998 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Romance Readers Recommend

Recommended by @theliteraryaffair	Recommended by @theliteraryaffair	Recommended by @now_booking	Recommended by @reads_romance	Recommended by @romancelibrary

 

Click on the links to be taken to each category

MEDIEVAL | REGENCY | VICTORIAN | PIRATE | WESTERN | GILDED AGE 

Gilded Age Historical Romance is a historical romance set during the Gilded Age in the United States – 1866 – 1919. This genre usually overlaps with romances set in during Post-Civil War Era, Reconstruction Era, and WWI.

I recommend reading Gilded Age Historical Romance if you are a fan of period movies/shows like Gangs of New York,

 

Notable Gilded Age Romance Novels

Gilded Age Romance Published August 2019 Amazon | Goodreads	Gilded Age Romance Published October 2017 Amazon | Goodreads	Gilded Age Romance Published June 1988 Amazon | Goodreads	Gilded Age Romance Published January 1996 Amazon | Goodreads

 

Favorite Gilded Age Reads

I read Lions and Lace in college and this was my very first Gilded Age romance! Prior to this, I had mostly been reading Regency romances! I absolutely love this book! This is one of my favorite romance books of all time! Gilded Age Romance Published 1992 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

Baron surprised me in the most wonderful way possible! This romance features a heroine who is posing as a medium! The hero, a railroad magnate, thinks that she is a fraud.   Gilded Age Romance Published October 2016 Amazon | Goodreads | Review

 

What are your must-read historical romances?

Have you read any of the books recommended here?

 

 

Resources:

• Romance Writers of America
• Wikipedia
• Goodreads

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