Romance Across The Ages - 2019 Challenge

[Mariana]

Here in Texas, I've only heard of it referred to as The Civil War. I never even think of civil wars in other countries unless more specifics are mentioned. Interesting.

[Mariana]

Finally finished my Viking book for March!

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "Finally finished my Viking book for March!"

Ha ha. Better late than never. What was it, and did you enjoy it?

[Midniteillusion]

I was surprised when I saw all of these "Civil War" comments.
Here in the US, yes we just know our civil war as The Civil War, but civil wars are fought all over the world, past and present.
I've read some great historical romances about or during wars in other countries. I think it's a great idea to pick any civil war and not just the US civil war for reading. A great way to learn so much.

[Tanya]

Just started reading The Least Likely Bride for the March Sub-genre (I know I'm way behind). And I must say I'm not enjoying this book as of now.

It all seems so implausible; the characters are taking shocking developments in stride like no biggie, the heroine seems to be going through Bi-polar disorder - one minute she's enthralled by Anthony, the next she starts quipping about him having no honor - like make up your mind Olivia! Also consent seems to have taken a dive off this ship long before we got on board.

[Mariana]

Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Finally finished my Viking book for March!"

Ha ha. Better late than never. What was it, and did you enjoy it?"

It was Sunset Fire. I enjoyed some things about it, but it was too slow for my taste. That's what took me so long. I rated it two stars, but I know others loved it.

[Mariana]

Tanya wrote: "Just started reading The Least Likely Bride for the March Sub-genre (I know I'm way behind). And I must say I'm not enjoying this book as of now.

It all seems so implausible; the ch..."

Hope it improves for you.

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Finally finished my Viking book for March!"

Ha ha. Better late than never. What was it, and did you enjoy it?"

It was Sunset Fire. I enjoyed some thing..."

Thanks. I haven't read that one, and might not bother. I've got plenty to read at the moment anyway, LOL.

[Jan]

Tanya wrote: "Just started reading The Least Likely Bride for the March Sub-genre (I know I'm way behind). And I must say I'm not enjoying this book as of now.

It all seems so implausible; the ch..."

Hmm. Not sounding good, Tanya. Bad luck.

[Tanya]

Marianna and Jan - Yeah I DNF-ed it. It was definitely a bodice ripper disguised in a not so subtle HR feel.

[Jan]

Tanya wrote: "Marianna and Jan - Yeah I DNF-ed it. It was definitely a bodice ripper disguised in a not so subtle HR feel."

Better luck next time.

[Mariana]

Tanya wrote: "Marianna and Jan - Yeah I DNF-ed it. It was definitely a bodice ripper disguised in a not so subtle HR feel."

Not my kind of book either. Odd that it was published in 2000.

[Jan]

Wow. I'm completely up-to-date with this challenge. Miraculous for me. I always start the year full of ambitious reading plans, that often dribble away to not very much as the year goes on...... But this year I've cut back on the number of challenges I'm tackling, and that seems to be working for me. I'm being more realistic about my reading habits LOL.

I finished my May read (Regency), When a Duchess Says I Do, a new Grace Burrowes. It wasn't my fav by her, but I did finish it. 3 stars. I was going to read a Loretta Chase for May, but I'd preordered the Grace Burrowes, and when it landed on my kindle, I decided to change to that one for my challenge.


For June I'm reading a new-to-me author, Maya Rodale, Duchess by Design for Americana/Gilded Age. Fingers crossed I like it. It has a pretty cover LOL.


How are you all going with the challenge? Did anyone read a great book for May? What have we all got in mind for June?

[Tanya]

Ah wonderful Jan! I'm two months behind, halfway through The Pursuit Of... for April. Enjoying it as of now but it's not Milan's best.

My choice for may thankfully also happens to be the BOTM for the month - A Rogue by Any Other Name but there are only 5 days left and I don't know how I'll be able to sneak that in!

June I'll be reading Years by LaVyrle Spencer!

[Jan]

Tanya wrote: "Ah wonderful Jan! I'm two months behind, halfway through The Pursuit Of... for April. Enjoying it as of now but it's not Milan's best.

My choice for may thankfully also happens to..."

Ooh. I loved Years! Hope you enjoy.

[Georgina]

For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like a great story and it was written by an author who knows the subject matter well.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Georgina wrote: "For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like a great story and it was written by an author..."

Enjoy! There is a miniseries that I enjoyed, and I believe it’s one of the authors happier books. Some are very tragic.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

How did everyone do with their May books? I still need to listen to one but have it queued up.

What are your plans for:

Americana/Gilded Age
Time Travel ?

[Priya]

My May book is Mistaken Kiss for Regency subgenre. I realised this is the second book in a series of 3 books and I already read the third book about a year ago. So, I decided to read the entire series. I finished first book, Lady Fiasco second book Mistaken Kiss and started reading the third book Cut from the Same Cloth.

I liked the witty conversations and funny scenes, but there isn't much romance except for a few feelings and an occasional kiss. The story is good and both are quick reads.

[Priya]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "How did everyone do with their May books? I still need to listen to one but have it queued up.

What are your plans for:

Americana/Gilded Age
Time Travel ?"

I initially planned to read Runabout for Americana, but I read it for Native American.

My next choice is Lavyrle Spencer. Any recommendations?

[Alice]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Georgina wrote: "For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like a great story and it was wri..."

Technically, it's happier because Wharton never finished the book. It was picked up by others who gave it that kind of ending. Based on Wharton's other stories, I think this would've ended very differently had she lived to finish it.

That said, this is also on my reading list!

[Tanya]

I'll be reading Years this month. I previously read Morning Glory by the same author and completely fell in love with it, so looking forward to this one :)

[Jan]

Georgina wrote: "For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like a great story and it was written by an author..."

Hope you enjoy. I've never read any Edith Wharton.

[Jan]

Priya wrote: "My next choice is Lavyrle Spencer. Any recommendations?"

An old fav author of mine. I've reread a few in the last couple of years, and they still stand up well. A few are a little cheesy and dated now (her CRs, mainly, I'd say). But the following are IMO all well worth a read:
Years, That Camden Summer, Forgiving, Then Came Heaven, The Gamble, Hummingbird, The Endearment.

She was a very talented writer.

[Georgina]

Jan wrote: "Georgina wrote: "For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like a great story and it was wri..."

I've read The House of Mirth, The Age of Innocence and The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton.

Usually her books are more tragic, but I heard good things about this one. I just thought that Edith Wharton would have an interesting perspective on romance in the gilded age because she experienced it first-hand. She was born into one of those golden families; she was a Jones from the family who inspired the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses".

[Jan]

Georgina wrote: "I just thought that Edith Wharton would have an interesting perspective on romance in the gilded age because she experienced it first-hand. She was born into one of those golden families; she was a Jones from the family who inspired the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses"."

Sounds interesting.

[Jan]

Oops. I just started reading One Little Sin because I finished the book before it in the series. Then I saw I had it marked for my July book for here. LOL. I haven't even started my June book yet. Hmmmm. If I keep going with One Little Sin, I might choose another book for July.......

[Priya]

Jan wrote: "Priya wrote: "My next choice is Lavyrle Spencer. Any recommendations?"

An old fav author of mine. I've reread a few in the last couple of years, and they still stand up well. A few are a little ch..."

Thank you for the recommendations, Jan. I read The Endearment and loved it. I will see if I can get ‘Years’ on amazon.

[Tanya]

Oh Yay! I'm reading Years as well Priya :)

[Priya]

Tanya wrote: "Oh Yay! I'm reading Years as well Priya :)"

I bought the kindle edition! Would you like to Buddy read?

[Tanya]

Yes absolutely Priya! I'm in :)

Would be so fun.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Georgina wrote: "Jan wrote: "Georgina wrote: "For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like a great story an..."

I will be interested in your thoughts on it. I have read a couple reviews indicating that the author who finished the book did a good job at keeping tone and style. I agree, due to her unique perspective, that will be an interesting choice.

I have read The House of Mirth, The Age of Innocence, and The Custom of the Country and found them all worthy reads if sadder than I typically prefer.

Jan - if you want to check out a short story to see you’d like to try Wharton, I recommend Xingu. I read it for an ABC Challenge last year and found it very amusing. It is in the public domain and was a quick read.

[Georgina]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Georgina wrote: "Jan wrote: "Georgina wrote: "For the Gilded Age theme I'm going to read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton. It looks like..."

I'm three-quarters finished. At this point I really like the book. If Mainwaring gives me a happier ending than Wharton would have I'll be fine with it.

Regarding the cover; I have to admit that any book with a Sargent portrait is bait for me; I can't resist.

[Jan]

I finished my June read for Gilded Age: Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale. My first book by this author. It wasn't bad, but not very engaging either. 2.5 to 3 stars.


I'm up-to-date on this challenge - yay!

I've cheated a little and already started my July read for 'Your Choice', One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle. I started it a little while ago, forgetting it was my July challenge book. LOL. Oh well, it's not grabbing me that much and I've slowed down on it, so possibly won't finish it till July anyway.

[Georgina]

I finished The Buccaneers and gave it five stars.

So far this has been my favorite book of the challenge.

[Mariana]

Yeah, I've been having a difficult time finishing my Time Travel story as well. Fortunately, it is a short one. Hopefully, I can knock it out today.

[Pamela]

2/24

January:
Around the World (other than Britain or American)
Georgian

February:
Edwardian
Ancient World / Prehistorical: All Our Yesterdays, Janet Lane Walters; 191 pgs; Jul 23-24th

March:
Restoration / Stuarts
Viking

April:
LGBTQ
Native American

May:
Regency
Civil War / Antebellum

June:
Americana/Gilded Age
Time Travel

July:
Your Choice: Gift of Desire, Samantha Kane & Kate Pearce; 108 pgs; Jul 24th
Pirate

August:
Medieval
Western

September:
Victorian
Bodice Ripper

October:
World Wars I to WWII
American Revolution

November:
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)
Renaissance

December:
Any historical from your TBR/already own pile!
Scottish / Highlander

[Tanya]

I know how you feel Mariana. I start my book and get distracted by something innane. Anywho - I finally finished my May book - A Rogue by Any Other Name and loved it!

Sarah Maclean is one of my favs and this is one I enjoyed a lot. However, I'd like one book by her to not have such heart-wrenching angst. And also a little less Manpain - she sure loves her broody, pain riddled heroes.

[Priya]

Mariana wrote: "Yeah, I've been having a difficult time finishing my Time Travel story as well. Fortunately, it is a short one. Hopefully, I can knock it out today."

I had trouble completing my Time Travel books in the last two challenges. This time I simply skipped that subgenre.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I got started late for my June picks so am finishing up my gilded age read: Some Like It Scandalous and then I will need to start my time travel book.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

What does everyone have lined up for July? This has an easy one with “your choice” and Pirate as the themes.

I plan to just use whatever I am reading for your choice, and I am not sure on Pirate yet.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Just finished reading my June book .
Angel by Johanna Lindsey. I was not looking forward to this book, but did enjoy reading it.

[Mariana]

I finished my time travel book after all (2 stars). I plan to read The Texan's Wager for my choice, but I haven't chosen my pirate book yet.

[Priya]

I have A Pirate for Christmas on my kindle for a long time. I picked it for 'Pirate' and I haven't decided anything for 'Your Choice'. If I don't get time to read a new book, I will consider our July group read, Just Like Heaven, for this.

[Georgina]

I'm going to read Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen. it takes place in the early 18th century, in England where the House of Hanover has just replaced the House of Stuart on the British throne.

[Jan]

Eek! Just read your spoiler, Darbella (cos I don't think I'm gonna read that book anyway so I thought I'd peek at the spoiler). Sounds gross! I dislike reading that kind of thing in my escapist romance reading. LOL.

I'm not usually a fan of the pirate trope, so I'm just going with my own choice for July - as I mentioned in #255, One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle, which I've already started but kinda stalled on. But hey, I've got nearly a month to read it. I can do it!

Good luck with your July reads, everyone.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Pirate is a tough one, but I have liked some before. I may just count I Kissed an Earl since it fits and I recently finished it at the end of June.

I like the ones you mention Darbella too, and I enjoy Jennifer Ashley’s pirate series.

[Jan]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Pirate is a tough one, but I have liked some before. I may just count I Kissed an Earl since it fits and I recently finished it at the end of June.

I like the ones you mention Darbella too, and I ..."

Yeah I didn't mind I Kissed an Earl, but I read it last year so I don't think I can count it LOL.

[Georgina]

Darbella wrote: "Georginia, I took a peak at your next book Through a Glass Darkly. I hope you will have time to come back with a review of it. For me, I can not usually get into historical fiction. I do try...rece..."

I'll do that and post a link here so you can find it. There is a sequel to this one, so there's always a chance that if the first book doesn't have an hea, maybe the second one will.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Darbella, the pirate next door is fun, I think. I particularly enjoy the ballroom scene towards the end ;-), very fun. The third book in the series is probably my favorite and the most piratey.