Historical Romance Book Club discussion
Gaol/Buddy Reads & Challenges
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Romance Across The Ages - 2019 Challenge
Already read my Bodice Ripper Wicked by Susan Johnson.
Shaz wrote: "Already read my Bodice Ripper Wicked by Susan Johnson."Good for you! I have not started either book yet.
Duke of Shadows is really good. Hope you enjoy, Tanya.I've been busy and not reading as much lately, and I've fallen behind on this challenge. Have not read my August book yet, The King's Man.
The King's Man looks intriguing. Hope you enjoy.
Mariana wrote: "The King's Man looks intriguing. Hope you enjoy."Thanks. I started it ages ago then got sidetracked by something else and put it aside. But it has good reviews and I do want to read the whole thing.
I haven't read my August books, yet and not in a mood to read those now. I decided to move on to September reads and come back to August books later, if time permits. I planned to read only Victorian subgenre this month, initially. Then, I happened to find a Stephanie Laurens audiobook in my library, which is listed in Bodice Rippers list on goodreads. I haven't read any of her books, but I saw many people raving about Stephanie Laurens' books. So, I decided to give it a try.
My chosen September reads are:
Victorian - Brazen and the Beast
Bodice Ripper - All About Love
Mod
Not sure on Victorian yet. It’s an era Iread frequently so I am not going to make a pick yet. Will just use what I have in queue or have already read.
As a newbie can I join in the Sept read? Do I choose my own books? PS what defines a Bodice Ripper.
Jewelhound wrote: "As a newbie can I join in the Sept read? Do I choose my own books?"Hi, Jewelhound!
You are welcome to join anytime.
We have 2 subgenres set for this month, Victorian era and Bodice Rippers. You can choose to read either one or both. Yes, you get to choose your own books that fall under these subgenres.
You can take a look at the list of subgenres for each month in the first page of this thread and plan your future reads too.
Just make sure you add your tracker post here and keep it updated as you read.
Hope you like the challenge:)
Darbella wrote: "Mariana and Tanya, just fyi, the bodice ripper Night Fire I selected for September is not mild. Trigger warnings alert: Prologue:[spoilers removed] I do not know if I can handle readi..."Oh dear. I read your spoilers, Darbella. Sounds pretty horrid......
Darbella wrote: "Mariana and Tanya, just fyi, the bodice ripper Night Fire I selected for September is not mild. Trigger warnings alert: Prologue:[spoilers removed] I do not know if I can handle readi..."Oh, yuck! Thanks for the warning. I will not read this one.
Jewelhound wrote: "As a newbie can I join in the Sept read? Do I choose my own books? PS what defines a Bodice Ripper."Hi Jewelhound, welcome! Yes, please join in for the September read. You do choose your own books. Sometimes more than one of us choose the same book and do a buddy read. I am not an expert on bodice-rippers. In fact, I am pretty sure something I counted as one in my first RATA challenge was not truly. However, from my understanding, it has to have been written in the 70s or 80s. The heroes are jerks and it is likely the heroine was raped or coerced into sex with the hero. I have read some articles that say women didn't feel like they could be sexually open in the 70s and 80s, so the readers really related with a heroine who was a part of a variety of erotic scenes without the guilt of feeling like they chose it.
Mod
Hi Jewelhound, welcome! Yes, please join in for the September read. You do c..."
I think I have seen pre-1995 as a cutoff.
Merry- on the first page of this post, there’s links for suggestions for each category. Also, you can count books retro actively. The months aresuggestions so you don’t have to stick to them. They just help us stay on track and be able to have general discussions as we go. Welcome to the challenge!
Darbella wrote: "Jan, and now the bonehead hero is driving me crazy. she is having trust issues with men, and he has been trying to court her for a few days now so what does he decide to do? Yup, meet Laura, as the..."Ha ha ha. Glad I'm not reading that one. LOL.
Oh dear, I'm definitely not reading that one. Thanks for the heads up! I agree with you Joanna, usually if anything says published before 1995 I quickly close the browser and forget about it.
Thank you for the great advice. I have wanted an outlet for all the audio credits I have and this is it! Then throw in Kindle Unlimited and I have found a great place to be. I have always enjoyed reading. Which is funny as I have never enjoyed writing. I finished The Lost Letter. It was enjoyable with a basic plot of sweet governess and wounded soldier and how they reconnect.
Darbella wrote: "Mariana and Tanya, just fyi, the bodice ripper Night Fire I selected for September is not mild. Trigger warnings alert: Prologue:[spoilers removed] I do not know if I can handle readi..."That is gross! Catherine Coulter is on my author tbr. Thanks for the heads up.
Darbella wrote: "Finished Night Fire. 2.5 stars if you love gloom and doom things happening all the way through the book this one would probably be higher scored. Next year, I am going to find one that perhaps only..."You are generous. I am almost positive I would have given that book one star.
My bodice ripper is A Kingdom of Dreams I went to the library to look for a book on the list and found it to be thin on this genre. So I went through the list and kindle unlimited and came up with this choice. I start tonight.
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "My bodice ripper is A Kingdom of Dreams I went to the library to look for a book on the list and found it to be thin on this genre. So I went through the list and kindle unlimited and..."I have actually read and enjoyed that one. It is a mild bodice-ripper. Hope you enjoy it as well.
Mod
Hi Merry, can you create a tracking post? I can add you to the participant list and link your post.
I think that is well loved book, so hope you enjoy!
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I am 30% of the way through A Kingdom of Dreams I am not seeing much bodice ripping going on."Yeah, it's a mild one. Probably why I liked it.
I stayed up last night and finished reading Kingdom of Dreams. I enjoyed the book and would give it a 3.5. I thought it a bit long in the build up to any action. The heroine was very young with a lot courage, ingenuity and a kind heart. I would have to say the Aunt was my favorite character.
Mod
I finally got Morning Glory by Lavyrle Spencer back off hold, so great timing for the WW eras. Not sure on the Other book.
What are you all reading this month?
Oh Morning Glory is one of absolute favorites! I was going to read The Soldier's Wife this month but kinda almost finished it last week itself. It was more about the effects of war than the romance, but still I enjoyed it.
I have nothing planned for this month, but I haven't finished one of my September reads, yet. I am planning to read it this month.
Morning Glory is great! I finished my September books, but have not even begun thinking about what to read this month.
I'm doing more hours at work at the moment and have fallen behind on all of my reading challenges :( But I have picked up my August read (which I started ages ago and then put on hold) and am making good progress. It's The King's Man by Elizabeth Kingston for medieval. I'm at 54% now. Yay me.
I haven't yet started my September read (Victorian). Forever & Ever by Patricia Gaffney
or my October read (American revolution) Into the Wilderness by Sarah Donati.
Hope to get to them before too long LOL.
Oh, I've been wanting to read Into the Wilderness by Sarah Donati. Maybe I'll use that for American revolution too.
Mariana wrote: "Oh, I've been wanting to read Into the Wilderness by Sarah Donati. Maybe I'll use that for American revolution too."Yeah it's supposed to be pretty good. One of those books that's always intrigued me but I've never actually read. Maybe this year is the time.
Darbella wrote: "Jan! Good to see you. I hope work calms down for you soon."Hi Darbella. *waves* Thanks. I've got about 6 more weeks of busy time, then things will slow down again.
I did just finish my August medieval The King's Man, and it was pretty good, actually. A beautiful love story at its core, with a very satisfying ending. Not my usual read, but I guess that's part of the point of this challenge - to get us out of our comfort zone a little.
What is everyone planning to read for World Wars I to WWII?
I have started the The Alice Network I hope it is a romance. Sigh this was a hard one for me. If it is not allowed I understand. I bought this a year ago thinking it was a spy romance. I am having second thoughts after reading recent reviews. Oh well I own it now.
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Yeah, Alice Network is highly rated. Looking forward to finding out how you like it.
Finished my September read while on holiday. Never Dare a Duke. by Gayle Callen.Petals on the River by Kathleen E Woodiwiss . For this month.
I just finished The Alice Network I thought it started off a bit slow but I could see the growth in the characters and really enjoyed the last third of the book. Sometimes I find myself impatient with building the foundation for the story. The spy aspect was stronger than the love story. But I would read it again. A book that shows the spirit and determination of women.Now to find my next read . American revolution I think.
Mod
I think I am reading Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances for the American Revolution one.
For some rediculous reason, I chose Caroline, a bodice-ripper, for my American Revolution. Fortunately, I was stuck on a plane for 3 and a half hours each way with nothing else to read; so I finished in two days. It was okay and pretty mild; so I would recommend to others who are not huge fans of bodice-rippers for next year's RATA challenge.I picked Song of Songs for WWI, but I haven't started it yet.
I finished Traitor's Legacy and would give it 2 stars. It is not an era that I normally have an interest in reading. The romance was love at first sight with the hero on one side of the war and the heroine on the other. Nothing made me think these 2 would fall in love by dinner.
What does everyone plan to read for Renaissance?
Mariana wrote: "What does everyone plan to read for Renaissance?"I'm planning to read Forbidden Jewel of India by Louise Allen for the diversity theme. An author I'm not familiar with, but the book has some good reviews.
I finally finished my September book LOL. I changed my Victorian to Bringing Down the Duke which I give 3 to 3.5 stars. A new author who has potential.
I haven't read my October one LOL. Will try to catch up before the end of the year.....
Mod
I believe I will be reading:
The Devil to Pay
Another that was recommended to me: The Wind Dancer
Mod
I'm planning to read Forbidden Jewel of India by Louise Allen for the diversity theme. An author I'm not familiar ..."
I still need to read one for October.
The Forbidden Jewel is on my TBR also so it’s on my radar.
Historical Romance Book Club
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Glad you are enjoying Annie's Song thus far. I would like a buddy read of Duke of Shadows, but it would have to be toward the end of the month.