Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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Romance Across the Ages - 2024 Challenge
I will read either Thunder & Roses for diverse romance (hero is half-Romany) and/or So I Married a Sorcerer. The title is misleading - the hero is a pirate, lol!
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So in the end I read a Pirate novel - light, fluffy, ridiculous, but lots of fun - The Pirate Next Door by Jennifer Ashley. I guess it was what I was in the mood for this month
I am going to read Jane Feather's The Hostage Bride for May, Restoration/Stuarts. It's set in the 1640s, which is not a period I've read many books set in. It's an oldie written way back in 1998, so I hope it's good. 
What is everyone planning to read for May's challenge?
I will read A Rogue in Texas for Western. I'll have a look at the lists for a Restoration/Stuart book. It's not a time period that I've read that much of.
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JanuaryEdwardian - Forbidden Fire by Heather Graham
Ancient World / Prehistorical - The Gladiator's honour by Michelle Styles
February:
Viking- The Norse King's daughter - Sandra Hill
LGBTQ+
March:
Georgian - Silk & Steel- Kat Martin
American Revolution- Liberty's Lady- Karen Harper
April:
Pirate - The Pirate Prince- Gaelen Foley
Diversity (featuring at least one lead character with diverse racial/ethnic background)- The Viscount made me do it- Diana Quincy
For
Western, I read, The coming home place- Mary Spencer
For
Restoration / Stuarts, I am planning to read Darling Jasmine- Bertrice Small
I read Jane Feather's The Hostage Bride for May (Restoration/Stuarts). Just got it finished before the end of May LOL. It was OK but a bit old skool and quite slow burn. I gave 3 stars. There are two other books in the trilogy but I don't think I'll read on. I prefer her more recently written books.
For June I am planning to read Jayne Fresina's The Crollalanzas for Renaissance. Fresina's books are usually very good, so looking forward to that one.
How did everyone go with their May books? What are you planning for June?
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Susan wrote: "Gosh Jan - is it almost June! I am on holidays in Greece and not reading much. 20% into my RATC May book Frenchmans Creek. I like Jayne Fresina so I may copy your choice for June."Oh lucky you to be in Greece for a holiday. I'm in cold Victoria, and winter has hit early with several frosty night already! Enjoy your trip, and happy reading for your holidays.
I am only reading one per month this year. In May, I read Western - Familiar Stranger in Clear Springs by Kathryn Albright. It was set in California. It was sweet but had some suspense too. I enjoyed it - 4 stars.
Since June is my choice, it will be easy; but I haven't picked it out yet.
Susan wrote: "Gosh Jan - is it almost June! I am on holidays in Greece and not reading much. 20% into my RATC May book Frenchmans Creek. I like Jayne Fresina so I may copy your choice for June."Greece is gorgeous. Hope you are having a wonderful time!
Susan, I'm totally jealous! I hope you have a great holiday!
Well I tried to read A Rogue in Texas for Western but couldn't really get into it. So I will try to read both the May and June books this month. I will read The Texan's Wager for Western and Rebel Bride for Tudor
Hope you enjoy The Texan's Wager better than A Rogue in Texas. I read it a while back and thought it was pretty good - enough that I finished the trilogy.
Jan wrote: "For June I am planning to read Jayne Fresina's The Crollalanzas for Renaissance. Fresina's books are usually very good, so looking forward to that one."Oh I'm jealous :) I've read a few Fresinas and really enjoyed her. Seems like she has a unique style. Also I love the title.
I'm not too excited about my June read (Skye O'Malley), b/c I tried to read another by the same author a few years ago and had to dnf. But I'm on a mission to clear out my bookshelves this year. So even if I have to skim-read this one I'm going to grit my teeth. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised...
Hope you enjoy Skye O'Malley more than I did. I just could not like that one.
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Mariana wrote: "Hope you enjoy Skye O'Malley more than I did. I just could not like that one."Thanks! fingers crossed
Keep meaning to try a Fresinas story . Any suggestions for her books?Need to pick up a book for this months read.
Susan hope you are having a great holiday in Greece. Are you on main land Greece or one of the islands.
I have been to quite a few of the islands. My husband loves going to Greece.
Cath wrote: "I'm not too excited about my June read (Skye O'Malley)"Good luck with that one, Cath. Bertice Small is just a little too old school/ bodice rippery for me.
Sadly, I'm struggling with The Crollalanzas. I have really liked some of Fresina's other books too, but this one is a little odd and confusing. It jumps around in time, and so far hasn't hooked me. I'm not going to give up, but I don't think I'll have it finished this month :(
I think I'll change my June challenge read from Tudor to My Choice. I read an older (1985) paperback HR that's not available electronically. A Season Of Mists by Sarah Woodhouse was a lovely read (and not a bodice ripper). A pity this author's books are out-of-print. I'm sure modern readers would like them if they were republished with nice new covers.
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Keep meaning to try a Fresinas story . Any suggestions for her books?"I really enjoyed the whole Deverells series. Begins with True Story. The Bounce in the Captain's Boots was also a lovely story. And I really liked Slowly Fell: A Tale of Love and Thumbscrews.
Mariana wrote: "Hope you enjoy The Texan's Wager better than A Rogue in Texas. I read it a while back and thought it was pretty good - enough that I finished the trilogy."Thanks Mariana
I have finished it and enjoyed it very much. The hero is so adorable. You just want to hug him.
A quick question about the Around the World option this month - does the entire book need to be set in another country or would 50% be enough?
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Hi Lauren. It is really up to you, as it is your challenge. If you think you will get a good flavour of the 'other country' then it should be fine
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I have failed miserably in May and June. In May I started two books in the restoration/stuarts categories and dnf either. June is easy - I will just nominate one of the books I read as 'your choice!!".
So onto...around the world....unless someone can recommend a good time travel novel (not my favorite theme)
Susan wrote: "Which leads me to the question....what is everyone planning on reading this month? "Yeah I’m not normally a fan of time travel books either, although now and then I’ve read one I liked.
For July I was planning to read Beyond Innocence by Joanna Lloyd for around the world (Australia), but it has mixed reviews and I'm not sure I'll last the course. If it's an epic fail, I'll be looking for suggestions too.
Susan, have you read Candice Proctor's HRs? I read and enjoyed them all a couple of years ago. She hasn't written that many HRs and is probably better known as C.S. Harris for her Sebastian St Cyr series (which I've yet to read).
I liked Whispers of Heaven, Night in Eden, September Moon, all set in Australia. There is also Beyond Sunrise, a kind of fun Indiana Jones-style historical-romance-adventure set in the Pacific Islands.
Other possibilities: The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne (France)
The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick (A lovely book set during the Crusades)
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Yeah I’m not normally a fan of time travel books either, although now and then I’ve read one I li..."
Thanks Jan. I have not read any Candice Procter - perhaps I should!!
Susan wrote: "Thanks Jan. I have not read any Candice Procter - perhaps I should!!"They have a slightly old-school feel, but I definitely enjoyed them.
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I will likely read more of her Historical romances.
Susan, I'm glad you enjoyed Night in Eden! I loved it, but I don't know if it's a book I'll reread. Dark and brutal tend to make it a little if a downer ;). I thought The Last Knight was good too!
I read for around the world: Taken by You by Connie Mason.I wouldn't be reading anything for time travel. It's my least favorite trope
Susan wrote: "Hi Lauren. It is really up to you, as it is your challenge. If you think you will get a good flavour of the 'other country' then it should be fine."Thanks Susan.
Jan wrote: "Susan wrote: " C.S. Harris for her Sebastian St Cyr series (which I've yet to read).."The Sebastian St. Cyr series is amazing. Highly recommend. I haven't read any of her HRs. Maybe its time to give one a try.
Susan wrote: "As my non British/American RATA novel for July I read Night in Eden by Candice Procter (set in Australia) - as recommended by Jan. A bit brutal at times, but I enjoyed it. It really ..."Glad you enjoyed, Susan. I have abandoned my chosen July book, Beyond Innocence, at about 12%. I just wasn't enjoying the writing style, so decided not to push on.
Instead, I'll do Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel, which is set in Türkiye. I started this book a little while ago but was having a break from it. I usually like Carolyn Jewel's books, so I think I'll go back to it and finish it off for my July challenge book.
Lauren wrote: "The Sebastian St. Cyr series is amazing. Highly recommend. I haven't read any of her HRs. Maybe it's time to give one a try."Thanks Lauren. I keep telling myself that LOL. I will try the first book one day! (Then will probably wonder what took me so long LOL).
Jan wrote: " I will try the first book one day! (Then will probably wonder what took me so long LOL)...."I do this often, lol!
I finished Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel for my July read - Around the World theme. It was set in about 1810, mostly in the former Ottoman Empire, and there was quite an adventure as well as a lovely romance. I found the different place setting to be quite an interesting aspect of the book. Overall 3.5 stars.
Hope everyone is enjoying their July challenge reads.
I have been doing okay with this challenge, but I am a bit behind and need to catch up.🤦♀️😂
Same. I didn't get my July reads in, and now it is August!
No pressure, I'm a bit early this month. I read the native American category last month.
Historical Romance Book Club
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Oh yes, I'd forgotten that was the April BOTM theme. Perfect. I'm well into All the Duke I Need already and quite liking it. The heroine kinda reminds me of the Indian heroine in the TV series 2 of Bridgerton. But I will definitely have a look at the BOTMs as well. I like Courtney Milan so I might try that one too.