Historical Romance Book Club discussion
Gaol/Buddy Reads & Challenges
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Romance Across The Ages - 2022 Challenge
I finished Enslaved by the Viking by Harper St. George for my September Viking read. I liked it and gave it 3 stars. St. George did not do much world building in in the book, but luckily I had lots of visuals in my mind from "The Last Kingdom" (Netflix show in ~ this same time period) to fall back upon. The hero and heroine in this one were both kind and the heroine managed to help the hero through the burden that he carried as a result of emotional/physical trauma in his childhood. I cannot say that the context of slavery is my favorite for a romance, but it was better than expected.
SunnyCAGirl wrote: "I finished Enslaved by the Viking by Harper St. George for my September Viking read. I liked it and gave it 3 stars. St. George did not do much world building in in..."That one sounds interesting! I'm a bit ahead of my October read as I've read The Surviving Trace (there's cheating in the spin-off, so I stopped reading it, but I enjoyed Surviving Trace as it was set in the 1920's). I also read the first two books in a Stitch in Time series by Kelley Armstrong, which is different from A Rip Through Time, but all of her books would make good Fall reads. I also read the later, but there wasn't any romance (maybe in the later books). If you're looking for more time travel options, you can check out my list: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
For my Viking book I read:Flame from the Sea by Kathryn Kramer. I enjoyed this fun adventurous book!
I read A Touch of Flame by Jo Goodman for Americana for September. Although it's set in the old West, it's not really a Western or cowboy story, more a small town romance between the local sheriff and the town's new doctor, who (controversially) happens to be a woman! I enjoyed it and gave 4 stars.
For October Bodice Ripper I am going to read Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught. It's also October BOTM so double whammy :)
For my October Bodice Ripper I am reading You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne Long. I just started it. The cover of this one is off. The woman model from the waist up appears fine. Where the male model put his arm around her waist she is beyond tiny. The way the dress is draped it appears fine but if you really look at it does not make sense. Now instead of reading the book - I keep staring at the cover -
Jo, You made me look lol. I have read the first book in the series and have the second on my list.
Merry Jewelhound wrote: "Jo, You made me look lol. I have read the first book in the series and have the second on my list."I did not realize that this is #5 in the series. I hope I can just jump in.
I've read too many bodice-rippers to name. The most recent I reread was Courtly Love by Lynn Bartlett, The French Passion by Diane Du Pont, The Unwavering Miss Winslow by Emma Lange, and Wind Rose by Krista Janssen. I read this book just this week. I have a weakness for bodice-rippers.I'm going to skip time travel. Not really my kind of books, unless I by miracle find one that is subtle.
I went ahead and read a book for the Restoration/Stuart early: Silver Deceptions by Deborah Martin/Sabrina Jeffries. I enjoyed the 1st book in the series but this book was bad
Hi all- Any suggestions for time travel?
@Padma I totally thought I had left this link for my time travel suggestions, but maybe I didn't :p. Here you go: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Starting to read my book for Bodice Ripper. From 1986.When Love Awaits by Johanna Lindsey.
For the October Bodice Ripper, I read both Tender Rebel and Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey. I Iiked them both more than the first book in the series and decided that Uncle Tony is my favorite of the crew so far, even though the second half of his book (Tender Rebel) dragged a bit.
I am now reading the second book for this month. Time Travel Truly Madly Viking by Sandra Hill.
This is a book with good humour, which I like. Though I don’t think it will turn me into a time travel reader.
I read The Magic of you by Johannah Lindsey for Bodice Ripper and Remembrance by Jude Deveraux for Time Travel. Both were great reads
@Padma Magic of You is on my TBR:). I'm looking for possible Native American reads similar to the new Walker:Independence show or Dr.Quinn Medicine Woman if anyone knows any, but don't know if I'm being too specific or too broad lol.
I am thinking of reading The Darkest heart by Brenda Joyce for Native American which has been in my TBR
So, I'm late for this one. I tried Libertine's Kiss for the Stuart/Restoration Era.It was fun until the one horse trope (not a huge fan), so looking at books during the Mayflower time period since it coincides with it.
Christine L. wrote: "So, I'm late for this one. I tried Libertine's Kiss for the Stuart/Restoration Era.It was fun until the one horse trope (not a huge fan), so looking at books during the Mayflower time period."I read Libertine's Kiss 2 or 3 years ago and gave it 3 to 3.5 stars. It wasn't bad, but the characterisations felt a bit flat and I didn't get drawn into the book as much as I wanted. Hope you find something you like better.
I read Love me Forevermore by Madeline Baker for Native America. I have finished my Challenge. As this months is our choice. I will add a Christmas read for it.
For native American I read
5* I loved it! We have been taking many of the trips that were postponed during the shutdown so my reading (as much as I love it has been lagging)
I read Libertine’s Kiss as well for November. I agree, it was difficult to find books for this era!I wasn’t wild about the start, and I almost set it aside after their first meeting but it did grow on me a bit.
I am glad I read it for the challenge though because while the story/romance might have been so-so, it seemed pretty well-researched so I did learn about a time in history I’m not super familiar with. I also thought it was neat that the hero was based on the Earl of Rochester who I didn’t know a lot about other than that he is a bit of a cautionary tale. 😂 And that King Charles II featured prominently.
The next book in the series looks pretty interesting, so I’m going to keep it on the back-burner for the next time this era comes up in a challenge.
Shaz wrote: "I read Love me Forevermore by Madeline Baker for Native America. I have finished my Challenge. As this months is our choice. I will add a Christmas read for it."I like the idea of a Christmas read. I might do the same. Good thinking, Shaz :)
I have a few Christmas reads , so Will add one of them. Hope you find a nice one to read.
I read Devil's Mistress by Heather Graham for Restoration/Stuarts era set in 1688 AD. Was a good one.Planning to read The Darkest Heart by Brenda Joyce for Native American
The Darkest Heart by Brenda Joyce for Native American set in 1861 was very good
For any hr on my TBR I read:
by Judith James. I enjoyed this book with an unique plot
now, I just need a civil War book. Heather Graham has some good ones I hear.
I have finished my last read of the year and really enjoyed it.
Read Glorious Angel by Johannah Lindsey for Civil War theme. A good one!
Jan wrote: "Christine L. wrote: "So, I'm late for this one. I tried Libertine's Kiss for the Stuart/Restoration Era.It was fun until the one horse trope (not a huge fan), so looking at books during the Mayflow..."That's why!! I was trying to figure out why I didn't like it as much, beyond the one horse trope. I've been a bit of a moody reader lately, so I'll try to catch up with this challenge. I think the problem is I'm not as well-versed in the events that happen during the Stuarts as much as the Tudors, so will have to familiarize myself with them to find some more choices.
@Padma, That sounds good. I want to read more Lindsey.:-)
Lindsey is old school . Is usually a good read @Christine
Padma- she sounds pretty solid. I've only read Captive of My Desires so far and and loved it.I was going to suggest swapping the Stuart's for something else next year like Retellings since they're hard to come by, but I know Laura Frantz is coming out with a romance during that period in January, so I could make it still:p. Although Retellings would be fun!
Read Tempt me not by Eve Byron for December "our choice". Was a good one. She is a new author for me.It's a brother's best friend trope. Enjoyed it
@ Christine, I love the Stuart era! I've never had a problem finding books for this era, though I understand if I'm in the minority. What is retelling? Is it a reread?
Lauren wrote: "@ Christine, I love the Stuart era! I've never had a problem finding books for this era, though I understand if I'm in the minority. What is retelling? Is it a reread?"
I seem to have a hard time...Lorna Doone's the main one I've come across for Stuarts that my library has. It's possible that since I've been a moody reader, the few that are available like Ondine by Heather Graham just aren't my cup of tea right now.
Historical retellings as in fairy-tale retellings like The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard was based off of Beauty & the Beast.
Read Into the Wilderness for Native American- quite an epic romance!
Christine, I understand even though I love Ondine ;)
Finished my challenge. Hope you have all enjoyed doing it, I have. This challenge gets us to read books we may not have read.
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Finished my challenge. Hope you have all enjoyed doing it, I have. This challenge gets us to read books we may not have read."
I agree with you, Shaz. I love it for that reason. Looking forward to it next year. Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year to you!!
I finished the challenge too, and have enjoyed participating.For December I read a book from my tbr, That Scandalous Summer by Meredith Duran. I had read it five years ago and didn’t enjoy it at the time, but I usually like Duran’s books and wanted to reread. Glad I did because this time around it was 4 stars :)
I didn’t finish my May medieval book, Fair Bright and Terrible. Must go back and finish that one off some time :)
I also missed out on my November read, as November was a very busy month for me.
Otherwise all good. My fav read was probably my January read for American Revolution, The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr by Susan Holloway Scott. 4 solid stars. My least fav was Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore for Scottish/Highlander. 2 to 2.5 stars :(
Like Shaz and Jo, I also like that I ended up reading and enjoying some books I may not otherwise have read. I look forward to participating in next year’s challenge.
I'm finished too. I really enjoyed this challenge. I think I read every era but 2. I'm proud of myself! I look forward to the challenge next year!
Merry Christmas all! I finished the challenge too. Read books from 23 themes. Thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to the 2023 challenge. Thanks moderators for coordinating it. Really appreciate it. 🙏
Thoroughly enjoyed this challenge, too! I feel kind of silly as I'm realizing the Jacobites happened during the Stuart time period, so I'm all prepared for next year's! Special thanks to the moderators.
Hello, all!I finished the challenge and enjoyed it.
For November, Stuart/Restoration I read,Highland Warrior (4 stars),Highland Outlaw(3 stars), and book Highland Scoundrel(4 stars) all by Monica McCarty from her Campbell Trilogy.
For December, I read, Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase from my TBR. 5 stars on that one...just so much fun. I liked both audio and e-book as I switched off between them.
Happy New Year, everyone!
I was looking for Romance Across the Ages for 2023. ?
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "I was looking for Romance Across the Ages for 2023. ?"Me too. Can someone pls share the link? Thanks
Historical Romance Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Midnight Confessions (other topics)I Want You to Want Me (other topics)
Highland Warrior (other topics)
Highland Outlaw (other topics)
Highland Scoundrel (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Candice Proctor (other topics)Catherine Anderson (other topics)
Judith James (other topics)
Louise Allen (other topics)
Johanna Lindsey (other topics)
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Glad you enjoyed Padma. I'm not sure I'd have the patience to get through it!