Romance Across the Ages - 2024 Challenge

[Sandra]

I've been away from reading this last year, so this one I hope I'm a better reader and I will start by challenging myself with this group challenges

Sandra's Tracking Post

January:
Edwardian The Forgotten Garden to read
Ancient World / Prehistorical

February:
Viking
LGBTQ+

March:
Georgian The Shadow Earl by Stella Riley to read
American Revolution

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

May:
Western
Restoration / Stuarts

June:
Your Choice
Renaissance / Tudor

July:
Time Travel
Around the World (other than Britain or American)

August:
Bodice Ripper
Native American

September:
Victorian
Civil War / Pre-Civil War


October:
World Wars I to WWII
Scottish / Highlander

November:
Regency
Medieval

December:
Americana/Gilded Age
Any Historical Romance on your TBR

[Jan]

I didn't finish this challenge last year, but thought I'd try again this year, just sticking with one 'era' per month. I feel like I've made a good start. I ended up reading 6 Edwardian books in January! I didn't think there were that many around, but I discovered some I liked and enjoyed them all.

Now I've finished the February challenge too, with Lord of Hawkfell Island by Catherine Coulter for Viking era. I enjoyed this one as well. My HR reading this year has started off on a good footing. This challenge has already helped me find three new-to-me authors I like: Connie Brockway, Jane Feather and Catherine Coulter. Hope the good run of reads continues into the year :)

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I have read , Johanna Lindsey, Fires of Winter. For Viking read .
It is on kindle unlimited .

[Jan]

🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "I have read , Johanna Lindsey, Fires of Winter. For Viking read .
It is on kindle unlimited ."
Nice :)

[Lauren]

I notice I don't have a tracking post

[Susan]

Lauren wrote: "I notice I don't have a tracking post"

Hi Lauren. I have created a tracking post for you. You had not set up a list from what I coudl see, so I have used your post at mesage 50. You are 'Lauren (cat)' - as we have two Lauren's!!!

[Susan]

I am struggling with this month's themes - as I do not particularly enjoy either the Viking or LGBTQ+ genres. Can anyone recommend a 'must read' viking themed book?

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Fires in Winter by Johanna Lindsey , for Viking. I got it from kindle unlimited.
I will be reading one of Merry Farmer brotherhood series books for LBGTQ. They are on kindle unlimited too.

[Mariana]

For me, a must read Viking book is Alrek by Samantha Holt. It was recommended to me for my RATA challenge in 2018. I loved it, so I will pass that recommendation along. It is not too long and was worth the purchase. I've read it more than once.

LGBTQ+ is also not my favorite, so I'm skipping this year. I did enjoy The Eccentric Earl if you like erotica.

[Lauren]

Thank you Susan! I've been having trouble creating a bookshelf this year.

[Lauren]

After trying and failing to find a Viking book (I've already read Johanna Lindsay's classics), I decided to try the LGBTQ+ category and read Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian

While the actual romance is sweet, the LGBTQ elements are problematic mainly because the heroine is not non-binary. In fact, I struggle to see why this book is classified as LGBTQ at all as the heroine does not view herself as male and is not a transman. She adopts a disguise for purely pragmatic reasons.

Anyway, this books also works for the BINGO cross dressing category.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I have read, Eliott Grayson. The Wrong Rake . I liked the character. It could have been a good story if EG had concentrated more on the story, instead of the sex exploits of this couple.

[Lauren]

Viking I read: Dream of Me / Believe in Me by Josie Litton

[Susan]

I have now read Alrek by Samantha Holt. My first viking book and probably my last! It was fine - it was a novella, so very quick to read. I am not sure I could have done a full length novel. It was a lovely romance - but the whole Viking thing just does not rock my boat.

[Lauren]

Susan, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your viking book. That genre isn't for everyone.

[Susan]

I guess that is the point of these challenges - to read books you otherwise would not. Sometimes you discover a whole new genre to love...and at other times you don't.

[Mariana]

That is true. I used to participate in both books every month, and I did discover some new time periods I really enjoy, but there are a few I now know are just not for me.

[Lauren]

Same for me! I would never read these books without these group challenges.

[Lauren]

Susan wrote: "It was a lovely romance - but the whole Viking thing just does not rock my boat."

I totally agree. The genre has too much rampaging, conquering and forced seduction inherent in it for my tastes.

[Lauren]

Those are all the qualities I love in a Viking Bodice-ripper book! Now, anything past the Victorian era is way too modern for me and is a struggle for me.

[Lauren]

Lauren wrote: "Those are all the qualities I love in a Viking Bodice-ripper book! Now, anything past the Victorian era is way too modern for me and is a struggle for me."

Did you struggle with the Edwardian book, Lauren?

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I agree with Lauren cat🐈
I like an old time Bodice Ripper Viking, Highlander Georgian ,Regency .
Today’s author are to modern in their writing.
Bodice Ripper are tame, towards the smutt wrote today .
I read a story which is interesting and they then go and spoil it with too much explicit material which can last for a chapter.
Some authors I now avoid for this reason.
Less is more for the imagination.

[Lauren]

Usually, I do, but I actually enjoyed DP's book. You never know‍. That's why I enjoy these challenges.! Still, I'm glad there aren't any more 20 century categories.

[Lauren]

Shaz, I totally agree! You and I share similar tastes in books.

[Merry]

I am on a K.J. Charles mini binge, Read Any Old Diamonds for Feb read and Think of England for Jan. Both were very good.

[Lauren]

I finished this month early
Georgian: Caroline
American Revolution: Silver Storm by Cynthia Wright

[Jan]

I finished The Shadow Earl by Stella Riley for my March Georgian, which of course is also one of our March BOTMs. Double value read! Nice. I liked the book OK but didn't love it - 3 to 3.5 stars from me. I do enjoy the Georgian period as a HR setting though, and I'm part way through Eloisa James' Desperate Duchess series, which I'm enjoying.


I flopped out of this challenge last year, but this year I'm keeping up really well so far. Yay! (Only doing one time period for each month though lol.)

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Duchess series. I read it when I first started reading historical and really liked it.

[Jan]

🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Duchess series. I read it when I first started reading historical and really liked it."

I tried a random one of the series a while ago and couldn't get into it at the time. This time around I'm reading it from the start, in order, and it's making a lot more sense, so I'm enjoying it now.

[Susan]

I have read two Georgian books this month - The Shadow Earl by Stella Riley (BOTM) (4 starts) and then by chance To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt (4.5 stars).

I really enjoyed the To Taste Temptation - it poked fun at the men in heels and ridiculous panniers which is what I like about Georgian romances

I have now read two books from Hoyts 'Legend of Four Soldiers' series - #3 and now #1. I would recommend reading them in order - as I don't think I really appreciated the third one as I should have. Looking forward to reading #2 and 4.

[Lauren]

Jan wrote: "I flopped out of this challenge last year, but this year I'm keeping up really well so far. Yay! (Only doing one time period for each month though lol.)."

Me too!
I'm hoping to keep up this year too. So far, so good.

[Lauren]

Susan wrote: " I would recommend reading them in order - as I don't think I really appreciated the third one as I should have. Looking forward to reading #2 and 4."

Yes, there is the ongoing story arc from book #1 regarding the traitor, which is only solved in the last book.

[Lauren]

I read My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley for Georgian.

I understand that this is a classic Georgian romance with many fans. While I did enjoy the second half, after the (view spoiler)[orgy (hide spoiler)], the first half is tedious and one of the characters, who has their own book, is so despicable that I cannot see myself continuing with the series.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I am reading a Jo Beverley book for Georgian. Winter Fire.
It was hard finding a Georgian read . Most books are written for the regency period.

[Lauren]

🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "I am reading a Jo Beverley book for Georgian. Winter Fire.
It was hard finding a Georgian read . Most books are written for the regency period."

Yes, Regency is definitely more common than Georgian. I wonder if it has something to do with the wigs and the outrageous clothes.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

The Regency era only lasted 9 years. Yet it gets wrote about the most.

If you look up Georgian era it says 1714 to 1837.

Regency 1811 to 1820 was it official years though most say 1811 to 1837
George 4th was regency between 1811 - 1820 . Came to be king in 1820, died 1830.
William 4th George brother became king. Till 1837 Victorian era started.

[Jan]

Lauren wrote: "I read My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley for Georgian.

I understand that this is a classic Georgian romance with many fans. While I did enjoy the second half, after th..."

A while ago, I started reading this series too (Mallorens series), including this book. It is a bit old-skool in style, but I still enjoyed it, with some reservations. Looking back at my review, I gave 3.5 stars. I know what you mean about the OTT villain. I didn't enjoy that either.

I don't think I liked the second book, Tempting Fortune, as much, and stopped reading the series after that. I had already read Book 5, Rothgar's book Devilish, years ago and remember liking that one though.

I understand Ms Beverly has passed away now, but her books were apparently much loved in her day. These 90s books often feel pretty dated now though. I might go back at some point and finish the Mallorens series? Maybe?

[Jan]

🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "The Regency era only lasted 9 years. Yet it gets wrote about the most. "

Good point, Shaz. Maybe the influence of Georgette Heyer, one of the first writers of Regency romance? But yeah, it is a bit ridiculous that so many books are set in that short era. I find I'm liking other eras as well now though, like Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian etc. But sometimes it is hard to find as many good books from those eras.

[Susan]

I particularly like Georgian and Edwardian novels. Georgian - because the sometimes ridiculous fashion brings humor to a noval; and Edwardian because women have a little more freedom than in the earlier eras.

If anyone is still looking for a Georgian novel - Elizabeth Hoyt and Eloise James write novels set in this era. In addition some of the Georgette Heyers (eg. Devil's Cub - may all time favorite GH novel).

[Merry]

I agree Susan with your point about Edwardian having more freedom. I think authors would be more believable if they wrote this era rather than Regency. Suffragette hunger strikes...even bombings.

[Cath]

Lauren wrote: "I read My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley for Georgian.

I understand that this is a classic Georgian romance with many fans. While I did enjoy the second half, after th..."

I, too, read this book for Georgian and it just wasn't my cup of tea. I felt really bogged down by the first part - the constant discussion and description of wardrobe changes, for one thing, er! Eventually I just started skim-reading so that I could tell myself that technically I kinda sorta read it.

I'd not read Jo Beverly before, but I will definitely give her another try at some point.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I am reading Jo Beverley, Winter Fire. Georgian.

My opinion of this book seems to be the same as the book you are reading Cath. To much discretion and thinking about things that happen in the past. I am skipping bits that don’t seem relevant to story. But will still read it to the end.

[Lauren]

Jan wrote: "Looking back at my review, I gave 3.5 stars. I know what you mean about the OTT villain. I didn't enjoy that either..."

I'm still considering my review. I will probably give it 3 stars because I did end up enjoying it overall. The problem character for was Chastity's brother, Fort, who (view spoiler)[believes she is a whore for being found in bed with a man, He hits and knocks her down, and makes demeaning comments to her face right up until the end. (hide spoiler)]. The fact that he is the hero of book #3 is a real turn-off.

Nevertheless, I am interested in the Malloren siblings so I might read the next one and skip #3.

[Lauren]

Jan wrote: I find I'm liking other eras as well now though, like Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian etc. But sometimes it is hard to find as many good books from those eras."

I struggled to find the Edwardian ones, but loved the Jane Feather trilogy that I eventually discovered. I will search out more Edwardian era books, It is such an interesting time of change.

[Lauren]

Cath wrote: "I felt really bogged down by the first part - the constant discussion and description of wardrobe changes, for one thing, er! Eventually I just started skim-reading so that I could tell myself that technically I kinda sorta read it..."

Me too!
This section was tedious and I skipped a few chapters. The action eventually got going though.

[Jan]

Lauren wrote: "I struggled to find the Edwardian ones, but loved the Jane Feather trilogy that I eventually discovered. I will search out more Edwardian era books, It is such an interesting time of change."

I have similar thoughts. I really liked that Jane Feather trilogy too.

On Jo Beverley, for those who want to try another of her books and don't mind skipping some, from memory Devilish was a much better read than either of the first two in the Mallorens series.

[Jan]

What is everyone reading for April? I am only doing one theme per month. For April, I am going to read All the Duke I Need by Caroline Linden for the Diversity theme. Apparently the heroine's mother was Indian. It's #3 in a series so I hope that works out OK, cos I haven't read the other books lol. I guess if I like this one I might go and try the others in the series.

[Merry]

I read and gave it 5* the h is Romany, and it was a fun crazy book with every trigger known to man in the book with an antihero.

[Susan]

Jan wrote: "What is everyone reading for April? I am only doing one theme per month. For April, I am going to read All the Duke I Need by Caroline Linden for the Diversity theme. Apparently the..."

I am likely to read one of the BOTM as the theme is BIPOC. Probably the Courtney Milan.
I am also tempted to find a good pirate book - even though I am only aiming for one of the themes per month. Any suggestions?

[Susan]

Merry (Sailing the Med) wrote: "I read and gave it 5* the h is Romany, and it was a fun crazy book with every trigger known to man in the book with an antihero."

This is on my TBR! Sounds very intriguing