Romance Across The Ages - 2023 Challenge

[Lauren]

I'm not much into mysteries, but I think I might try In Love's Time.

[Lauren]

Oh Damn! I just say the In Love Time is $15.82 on kindle. That's way too high for a book for me :(

[Christine]

Lauren wrote: "Oh Damn! I just say the In Love Time is $15.82 on kindle. That's way too high for a book for me :("

Oh pooh! Does your library have the hoopla app, or something similar? That's how I got a copy so fast.

[Lauren]

I've never heard of hoopla. I'll definitely give it a try

[Mariana]

Hoopla is great! My previous library had it until budget cuts. I moved to a new town, and now I have it back. Some also have CloudLibrary. Definitely check with your library for their ebook option. Most have something. Some even offer inter library loans for books you can't get any other way.

I am already finished with my February reads. Regency is easy, and I love the Eduardian time period.

Regency - His Jilted Bride by Rose Gordon - completed 2/20/2023, rated 5 stars
Edwardian - That Would Be A Fairytale by Amanda Grange - completed 2/3/2023, rated 4 stars

[Christine]

I haven't heard of Amanda Grange before, I shall check her books out. Borrowing Across the Blue from the library and buddy reading Sanditon with a friend although that one will be quite quick!

[Mariana]

Amanda Grange was a new author for me also. The story was clean. It seemed historically accurate to me. I enjoyed it and would read more.

[Christine]

I love finding newtome authors! It's quite sad Austen never finished Sanditon, but am grateful for the show. I think I'd have really loved Sanditon if it had been finished.

[Christine]

I picked up An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason and would recommend it for the Tudor period (NA).

[Mariana]

Thanks for the recommendation! I always have a difficult time finding a Tudor book.

[Christine]

Mariana wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation! I always have a difficult time finding a Tudor book."

Agreed, and I think it's because these are unfortunately categorized as medieval romances on Goodreads and Amazon. Marsha Canham and Eve Edwards have a few and I've also discovered Royal Blood, but apparently there are vampires so not sure if it counts :-). There's also Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain.

[Lauren]

ooh, I didn't see that Laura Mcbain book. Thanks for the suggestions, Christine! I'll skip vampires, though ;)

[Padma]

I read Duchess by chance by Wendy Vella for Regency and Titanic Affair by Amanda Grange for Edwardian. Amanda Grange is a new author for me. Liked her writing style and the book set in the Titanic was very good . The author seems to have done her research.

[Christine]

Padma wrote: "I read Duchess by chance by Wendy Vella for Regency and Titanic Affair by Amanda Grange for Edwardian. Amanda Grange is a new author for me. Liked her writing style and the book set in the Titanic ..."

The Titanic Affair sounds good. Please tell me it doesn't pull a "there's no room, Rose" at the end :p!

Has anyone read The Gods of Newport by John Jakes? Not sure if it's considered a *true* romance, or just a drama since I've watched the miniseries of his North & South series and that's more of an epic drama. Might read The Widow of Rose House or A Match in the Making for Gilded Age. Hotel of Secrets sounds really good, but it's set in Europe so I don't know if it counts as Gilded Age/Americana?

[Padma]

It doesn't Christine 😀

[Mariana]

I read The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin by Gail Ingis for Gilded Age. It's only the author's second book, but the writing seemed seasoned to me. I would recommend if you enjoy clean HR with a lot of adventure and a little mystery.

I read The Widow of Rose House in a prior year and enjoyed it as well.

I'll have to check out Titanic Affair. I also recently was introduced to Amanda Grange and enjoyed her writing.

[Christine]

Mariana wrote: "I read The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin by Gail Ingis for Gilded Age. It's only the author's second book, but the writing seemed seasoned to me. I would recommend if..."

Gail Ingis is new to me! By the way, I was looking at Amanda Scott's backlist and she has a romance, The Rose at Twilight set during the War of the Roses that may be of interest for Tudors as Henry VII is mentioned in the summary.

[Lauren]

Does it count if I read the Gilded Age book 2 months ago? Normally, I read the theme on the same month. Also can the LGBT book have a secondary character that's gay or does the whole book need to be in that category?

[Padma]

I am planning to read Sunset Embrace by Sandra Brown for Americana

[Christine]

Lauren wrote: "Does it count if I read the Gilded Age book 2 months ago? Normally, I read the theme on the same month. Also can the LGBT book have a secondary character that's gay or does the whole book need to b..."

I hope so...I've been reading the books as they become available although I try to stick to the month we're in.

Also @Padma that's a lovely cover.What's exactly the definition of an Americana? Westerns? or a Historical Romance set in the U.S?

[Padma]

Christine L. wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Does it count if I read the Gilded Age book 2 months ago? Normally, I read the theme on the same month. Also can the LGBT book have a secondary character that's gay or does the whole..."

I am not an expert Christine :) But what I understand is that it is late 19th to mid 20th century in America
Finished the book. It was very good

[Lauren]

For Gilded age: The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

[Christine]

Lauren wrote: "For Gilded age: The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe"

I'm behind, but I've got a really exciting project in the works involving the book industry in Canada that I know you guys will be stoked about. I have to wait till April 23rd before I can give anymore information, though! It involves romance.

[Lauren]

I'm intrigued :)

[Mariana]

April was quick and easy for me. I read Red Siren by M.L. Tyndall for Pirate (female pirate) and The Bride Price for Western.

[Christine]

Lauren wrote: "I'm intrigued :)"

For those who want to find out more you can find me at @ahyggelibrary on Instagram. There'll be a secondary account for the project, but there'll be announcements leading up to it. :)

@Mariana, Red Siren sounds fun! I'm going to give it a go since it's on KU.

[Mariana]

@Christine L., hope you enjoy it. I did. It is clean and Christian with themes of forgiveness and redemption.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Just finished reading. Just a Little Wickedness by Merry Farmer for March read . (LGBTQ)
Reading Tristan for April read (Pirate)

Catching up on this challenge.

[Padma]

Finished My Lady Vixen by Connie Mason for April Pirates theme. An old skool bodice Ripper. Was an enjoyable read

[Lauren]

For pirates I read : Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laura McBain. Loved it!

I'm trying to read The Wives of Bowie Stone by Maggie Osborne. I'm not into westesrns so my attention keeps going to other books. I don't know if I'll finish it this month. I problem should just read an Australian Outback, I enjoy them more.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I have been reading Tristan by Elizabeth Rose . First book in her Pirate Lords series. Don’t think I will be reading the other two books. This one I am finding a bit boring for a Pirate book, expected it to have more action.

[Lauren]

It's never a good sign if an author can't make a pirate book interesting

[Christine]

Lauren wrote: "It's never a good sign if an author can't make a pirate book interesting"

LOL Lauren. Sadly true... I'm glad you enjoyed Laura McBain's! I eventually want to get to her.

[Lauren]

She's an old favorite of mine. I wish she wrote more than six books. I somehow missed this book, but I'm glad I read it bc it was very good. Let me know if you decide to try one try one of her books. Some are better than others.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I bought a book of Laurie McBain this morning for 50 pence. Moonstruck Madness.

[Lauren]

I hope you like it! Moonstruck Madness is very good, but I did want to smack the h a couple of times near the end. This book is more Bodice-ripper than the others. I'll be curious about your thoughts on the book.

[Lauren]

WWI : I read Surrendering to the Duke by Stevie Sparks

From Jan. Better that than never!

[Lauren]

I meant "better late than never". .

[Mariana]

Lauren wrote: "WWI : I read Surrendering to the Duke by Stevie Sparks

From Jan. Better that than never!"

How did you like it? I have it on my TBR list but somehow didn't have it marked as WWI.

[Lauren]

Mariana, the book had some flaws, but I really liked it. I should warn you that the book tackles some heavy issues. The H feels guilty about not saving his brother in the war, another character has bad Ptsd, and the h was emotionally and sexually abused by her dead uncle. These issues are handled well and didn't dominate the book.

I'll be curious about your thoughts if you decide to read it.

[Christine]

For American Revolution, I read The Turncoat; one of the best reads this year so far. I'd highly recommend it.

[Jan]

Christine L. wrote: "For American Revolution, I read The Turncoat; one of the best reads this year so far. I'd highly recommend it."

Glad you enjoyed, Christine. I might have a look at that one.

[Mariana]

Lauren wrote: "Mariana, the book had some flaws, but I really liked it. I should warn you that the book tackles some heavy issues. The H feels guilty about not saving his brother in the war, another character has..."

Thanks for the additional info. I'll let you know.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I am now reading ,The Viking’s Stolen Princess by Sarah Rodi.

[Lauren]

For viking, I read: Defiant Captive by Joyce Carlow

[Lauren]

i read
Revolutionary War: The Girl With The Make-believe Husband by Julia Quinn.

[Christine]

🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "I am now reading ,The Viking’s Stolen Princess by Sarah Rodi."

Haven't heard of Sarah Rodi--how was it? For Victorian (June), I'd really recommend the Belle of Belgrave Square!

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Christine.
I gave it 2.5 stars and thought it rather boring for a Viking story.
Thanks for the recommendations, I will have a look at it.

[Lauren]

For Victorian:

Can Native American feature a few indigenous people or does the story have to center around them? Do they have to be American?

[Christine]

Lauren wrote: "For Victorian:

Can Native American feature a few indigenous people or does the story have to center around them? Do they have to be American?"

Good question....if you're looking for one there is Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati.