Historical Romance Book Club discussion
Gaol/Buddy Reads & Challenges
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Romance Across the Ages - 2021 Challenge
Mariana wrote: "Padma wrote: "Finished The King's Courtesan for Restoration/Stuarts theme Set in 1762.
Was a good one"
Did you read book 1 in the series?"
I've read book 1 and liked but didn't love it. 3.5 stars. I started this second one a while ago but put it aside for later - can't remember why. I should go back and finish it some time.
Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Padma wrote: "Finished The King's Courtesan for Restoration/Stuarts theme Set in 1762.
Was a good one"
Did you read book 1 in the series?"
I've read book 1 and lik..."
Thanks! I always have a difficult time finding a book I enjoy set during this era. I'm going to mark this series as a possibility for next year.
Mariana wrote: "Padma wrote: "Finished The King's Courtesan for Restoration/Stuarts theme Set in 1762.
Was a good one"
Did you read book 1 in the series?"
No.
Will check it out Mariana
Finished my March read - yay! The Countess and the King: A Novel of the Countess of Dorchester and King James II by Susan Holloway Scott, for Stuarts. Based on real life people - King James II and his mistress Katherine Sedley. Very enjoyable read. 4 stars.
Mod
That's great! Glad you enjoyed!
Jan wrote: "Finished my March read - yay! The Countess and the King: A Novel of the Countess of Dorchester and King James II by Susan Holloway Scott, for Stuarts. Based on real life people - Kin..."Great!
Is it a HEA or a tragedy since you mentioned its based on real life people?
Padma wrote: "Is it a HEA or a tragedy since you mentioned its based on real life people?"(view spoiler)
Jan wrote: "Padma wrote: "Is it a HEA or a tragedy since you mentioned its based on real life people?"[spoilers removed]"
Thanks Jan
I also finished my Restoration / Stuarts book - The Boundary Stone by Gail Avery Halverson. I enjoyed it more than I thought I might. It is a love triangle with Catherine Abbott, daughter of a wealthy and influential merchant who was part of the East India Company, her betrothed who is heir to a Dukedom, and a very intelligent Doctor. The time covered the Black Plague, which is very relatable now. The author is a playwright, and this is her first novel. This style was obvious in the many scenes and secondary characters. It all fit together nicely though, and I would recommend as a good option for this era.
Mariana wrote: "I also finished my Restoration / Stuarts book - The Boundary Stone by Gail Avery Halverson. I enjoyed it more than I thought I might. It is a love triangle with Ca..."Glad you enjoyed. I haven't heard of this one before.
Mod
Goal - read at least 12 books
Books read: 0/24
January
Around the World (other than Britain or American) - Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Dura..."
Hi Ashleigh, sorry for the delay, but there is now a link to your post in message 1 so you can get to it easier. Thanks!
Mod
I also finally updated my tracking post, lol.
I changed my mind on the WW book. I am going to read The Princess instead of my originally planned novella.
Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Padma wrote: "Finished The King's Courtesan for Restoration/Stuarts theme Set in 1762.
Was a good one"
Did you read book 1 in the series?"
I've read book 1 and lik..."
I just finished Book 1 Libertine's Kiss I also liked it but didn't love it. By the time I was becoming caught up in the characters and the story....it ended.
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I just finished Book 1 Libertine's Kiss I also liked it but didn't love it. By the time I was becoming caught up in the characters and the story....it ended."I had a very similar experience with it. Liked but didn't love, and it ended suddenly.
One of the problems that I have with a book like Libertine Kiss...is that the love of a good women cure. I know many books and maybe a few real life marriages are based on this. But I like to know that it really works out.
After all my indecision, I ended up doing a World War romance anyway. Daughter of the Reich was very moving and stayed up late to finish it. 
I am reading The Maid of Honour
for this months read. It takes part in the Court of King Charles ll .
Kind of quiet here so will post my review of The Confederate It is a combo of the end of Civil War, Western and a tad bit of a love story. Not my usual type of book so I am grading it very liberally and giving it 4*. The story kept my interest but does remind me of a TV western. Very few surprises and a hea.
I have just read Sunset Fire for this months Viking read. I found it a good read for me. 4 stars .
The ending of this story was quite a surprise.
Shaz wrote: "I have just read Sunset Fire for this months Viking read. I found it a good read for me. 4 stars .
The ending of this story was quite a surprise."
Glad you enjoyed, Shaz. I must get on with my Viking read! Father's Sun by Susan Fanetti.
Mod
I found it a good read for me. 4 stars .
The ending of this story was quite a surprise."
Oh good deal..l couldn’t get through it a couple years ago but I think it was just not a good reading time for me!
Mod
April really took me by surprise. I am still catching up. Glad you found a good read.
Mod
I found it a good read for me. 4 stars .
The ending of this story was quite a surprise."
Glad you enjoyed, Shaz. I must get..."
Hope you enjoy! I need to get with it and finally try Fanetti.
I think April is a strange month here as Spring has started and its been a wet one, so I have been reading more. I just don't like Viking so I read Civil War instead.
Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Hope you enjoy! I need to get with it and finally try Fanetti."Thanks :) IMO her best HR is Carry the World, set in the Appalachians during the Depression.
Her Viking series is pretty full on with some violence etc. The best one of the series so far is Soul's Fire, which is a beautiful love story of a Viking shieldmaiden and an English Prince. Clash of cultures. It does have a very dark section, but the final resolution is all the more sweet and powerful because of it.
I was not ready for April either. It's over halfway down, and I haven't even chosen my books.
im.feeling so.guilty. ive read so many books but none of fit the requirements. ive shaken myself and am going to get down to it.
Leena wrote: "im.feeling so.guilty. ive read so many books but none of fit the requirements. ive shaken myself and am going to get down to it."I understand completely! I am still working on my pirate book ;-) The reason I enjoy this challenge is it breaks me out of my rut. I will read the same type of books over and over.
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "The reason I enjoy this challenge is it breaks me out of my rut. I will read the same type of books over and over."Yeah me too. The challenge has opened up some really good books for me that I might otherwise not have tried.
Finished Season of the Sun for Vikings theme.Overall was a good one though was difficult to digest slavery and forced sex.
But I guess it was the scenario in those times roughly 1200 yrs back.
Jan wrote: "Merry Jewelhound wrote: "The reason I enjoy this challenge is it breaks me out of my rut. I will read the same type of books over and over."Yeah me too. The challenge has opened up some really go..."
Completely agree.
Leena wrote: "Romance around the world 
My rating : 10⭐
NATIVE AMERICAN
"It's interesting that you read Mandu! I have that on my TBR.
Have to mention that I loooove my library! Realized it has
, so will be reading that for Vikings.
I loved Mandu. its beautifully written. if you can get your hands on try Durgeshnandini by Bankim Chandra Cbatterjee. its around the same historical period..
IPirates on sea i've zeroed onto
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "Leena wrote: "im.feeling so.guilty. ive read so many books but none of fit the requirements. ive shaken myself and am going to get down to it."I understand completely! I am still working on my pi..."
An it helps me window shop books. My saved list on Scribd is ever increasing and catching up is always so hard. Im so way behhind. Its shameful.😁
Finished One Wore Blue for Civil war theme. Was a poignant read where loyalties were divided between love and patriotism.
Padma wrote: "Finished One Wore Blue for Civil war theme. Was a poignant read where loyalties were divided between love and patriotism."Glad you enjoyed it. Might have to consider for next year.
I'm in the middle of my civil war book Kentucky Bride. It's okay so far but not one I can't put down.
Hmm. I didn't get my Viking one read for April. Oh well. I might come back to it at some stage. For May I'm planning to read The Dance of Love by Angela Young for Edwardian. A new-to-me author. It's on KU, which is nice, as I recently joined KU.
I read Beloved Viking. It was just a novella, but I quite liked it. I think I will read more from the series.Gotta finish my civil war book before starting on May.
Jan, please let us know how you like The Dance of Love. It looks interesting.
Here and Then After: Book 1 of the Taylor SeriesI don't usually enjoy time travel books but this one is well written. The romance seems preordained and held my interest. Beth is an intelligent and resourceful woman who has lived before. Sam has suffered a tragedy that he has not recovered from. Beware at the beginning it does have a sexual assault before the Beth time travels. I look forward to book 2. Some of the themes are a bit modern for the time period but they were easy for me to overlook. I give it a 4.5 as this is a newer author
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir I read this for my Edwardian even though it spans many years.4*The book spans many years of Mrs. Muir and the Captain as she raises her children. It is a hard book to describe. I listened to audio version and it was a very pleasant read. Mrs Muir, Lucy, is a not a strong willed woman and has often let others take charge of her life until she moves in with the ghost of the Captain's cottage. They develop a friendship that last decades that becomes deeper. Still a rather timid woman she is often guided or battles with the captain. A sweet ending to an a book written many years ago.
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir I read this for my Edwardian even though it spans many years.4*The book spans many years of Mrs. Muir and the Captain as she raises her children. It is a ha..."
I have vague memories of reading that one years ago. I think there may even be an old movie of it?
Jan I goggled the movie. It came out in 1947. Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. I remember the last scene from it. I am afraid to watch the movie again as sometimes it destroys the magic.
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "Jan I goggled the movie. It came out in 1947. Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. I remember the last scene from it. I am afraid to watch the movie again as sometimes it destroys the magic."1947! Wow. Yes, I understand not wanting to destroy the magic. I know what you mean.
Mod
I have seen the movie and remember liking it. It’s in black and white, if I recall correctly.
I love old movies but it’s been awhile since I have had access to TCM.
Finished
for Time Travel theme. Was a very enjoyable read.This is my first time travel novel. Was always doubtful about it.
But thoroughly enjoyed.
Mariana wrote: "I am planning to read Alice and Gabby's Excellent Adventure by Maya Rodale for Time Travel."That looks like a really fun idea for a time travel book.
Padma, Glad you enjoyed your first time travel book. They are hit or miss for me, but I am going to add The Reluctant Viking to my list for next year.Merry Jewelhound, yes, I am quite excited. I like Maya Rodale, and I won my copy on Goodreads. :)
Historical Romance Book Club
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Set in 1762.
Was a good one"
Did you read book 1 in the series?