Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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Romance Across the Ages - 2024 Challenge
Jan, I hope you enjoy this book more than you did the 1st time
I've had Stormfire by Christine Monson on my shelf for at least 6 years, and I did my best to get through it for this month's BR challenge (I'm using this challenge to get books off my shelves).But I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm giving up after about 75 pages. I'm not even going to try to skim-read through the end.
I can deal with the characters (not that they'd ever make any of my favorites list!) but I just can't take the prose and the dialogue. Maybe I could have tolerated it more when I was younger, don't know. I think about some of the other "real" BR authors that I've read and it just seems like their prose was a bit better (Woodwiss, Rosemary Rogers...). It's probably just me - I seem to be more impatient this year with books. Oh well - at least I can get it off my shelf!
Lauren wrote: "Jan, I hope you enjoy this book more than you did the 1st time"Thank you Lauren. I'm starting it today, so fingers crossed!
Cath wrote: "I've had Stormfire by Christine Monson on my shelf for at least 6 years, and I did my best to get through it for this month's BR challenge ... I'm giving up after about 75 pages. I'm not even going to try to skim-read through the end."Bad luck. At least you tried....
Cath, when it comes to Bodice-rippers, you tried a tough one. I still can't decide if I liked that book. It's certainly rememberable
Jan wrote: "Bad luck. At least you tried..."Thanks:)
Lauren wrote: "when it comes to Bodice-rippers, you tried a tough one. I still can't decide if I liked that book. It's certainly rememberable..."
Yeah, I thought I would at least get through it :(
And it does seem to have quite a few fans who enjoy the writing and the story.
Mod
Probably find some on kindle. The old bodice rippers are quite tame towards what they write these days.
All the ones I have read are long! I have not read it, but Highland Barbarian by Ruth Ryan Langan was written in 1990 and says is 243 pages.
Mariana, I remember Highland Barbarian to be a quick, good read. It's been a while since I read it
Good to know! Would you consider it a bodice-ripper?
No, I wouldn't put it in the Bodice-ripper category. I forgot what the categories were this month.
Mod
For myself, for BR I use the description on this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... "This list is for the dark, edgy, un-PC, envelope-pushing bodice rippers of the 70s and 80s..."But I think there is room for considerable variation and interpretation for how people prefer to define a BR.
I really enjoy the wide variety of opinions and preferences about what people like and consider "good" and "bad" historical romances, and the various sub-categories and defining criteria etc. Makes for a very interesting community! Never boring.
I finally finished my August read for Native American theme, Ellen O'Connell's Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold. I gave 3 stars, same as my original read of it (way back in 2016!) It's a popular book and has a lovely love story at its centre. Unfortunately it was too angsty for me, with bitter racism against the MMC threaded throughout the book, and also some very violent scenes. So not really my cup of tea for escapist romance reading. LOL.What is everyone going to read for September? I did plan to read And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke for Victorian-era. But now I've found out that Alice Coldbreath has a new Victorian-era book supposed to be coming out this month, A Foolish Flirtation, which I definitely plan to read as soon as it's out. So I might postpone the Guhrke one for now.
Mod
Well, I'm still going to read the new Alice Coldbreath, but as it's not quite out yet, I though I'd try my first choice for Victorian-era for September, which was And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke. And I read it in a couple of days, because it's lovely! I gave 4 stars and want to try more in the series. It was set in 1893 and really did feel like Victorian-era.
I'm still looking forward to the new Coldbreath as well though :)
Jan wrote: "Well, I'm still going to read the new Alice Coldbreath, but as it's not quite out yet, I though I'd try my first choice for Victorian-era for September, which was [book:And Then He Kissed Her|97781..."Jan, I've noticed you've read several of Laura Lee Guhrke's books recently. This tells me she must have something you enjoy about her writing. Based on that alone, I'd like to try one of her books. Maybe I'll start with And Then He Kissed Her.
After spending most of August preparing for a vacation, I just finished my August selection. I read Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson. I'm not sure I liked it as much as all the glowing reviews by reader friends, but I was impressed with the sensitivity shown for a book written in 1991. It's not perfect, but it's still impressive. I gave it 4.25 stars, but I'm still considering lowering it slightly.I'm starting Delicious by Sherry Thomas for my September Victorian selection.
T. wrote: "Jan, I've noticed you've read several of Laura Lee Guhrke's books recently. This tells me she must have something you enjoy about her writing. Based on that alone, I'd like to try one of her books. Maybe I'll start with And Then He Kissed Her."Hope you enjoy, T. Another one I liked of hers was Scandal of the Year.
Mod
Have you started A Foolish Fliration yet Jan? I got to 50% and suddenly realised who Jeremy Vance was (from the Prizefighter series)!! That changed my whole perspective on the hero......
I am about 60% through now - a slower paced read than some HR novels - but very enjoyable.
Susan wrote: "Have you started A Foolish Fliration yet Jan? I got to 50% and suddenly realised who Jeremy Vance was (from the Prizefighter series)!! That changed my whole perspective on the hero......I am about 60% through now - a slower paced read than some HR novels - but very enjoyable.."
Yeah I've started it, but it is slow going, and I'm not finding it as enjoyable as A Contracted Spouse For the Prizefighter, which I really liked. I'm at 37% in this new one and taking a little break. I do intend to finish it, and hope it picks up a bit along the way. Good to know you're still enjoying it at 60%.
Yeah I realised who Jeremy Vance was, but I don't remember him that well, so it kind of didn't make a huge amount of difference. Except maybe I felt a bit disappointed? IDK. I'm just not (yet) in love with this new book. *sigh*
I am finally back on track with this challenge.
I finished Delicious by Sherry Thomas for September. I know there isn't as much love for this particular Sherry Thomas book, but I loved it. I've missed her books. Her writing also reminds me of Julie Anne Long's and has me missing her books. I need to read one soon.
For Victorian, i read: The Heiress Swap by Maddison Michaels.I've been gone all month due to death in the family. I'm hoping to catch up reading the category for the Civil War. Hopefully, I can find one that's not too depressing
Sorry to hear about your sad news. Sending you 🤗.Thought I hadn’t seen you post for a while.
Sorry to hear that, Lauren. I know I lost a family member last year and have not participated as much this year.
Lauren, sorry for your loss. Might want to push back Civil War.... Those are usually depressing.
Sorry for your loss Lauren and also Merry. Sending kind thoughts.
Thank you Jan. Hoping to get back into more romances.
Thank you, everyone, for your kindness! 🙏 It has not been easy. I'm ready to escape with a good book for at least an hour or two. So you're probably right, Mariana. I should wait to read a devastating Civil War book for now. Merry, I'm sorry you lost someone last year. I feel like I've lost too many people already. My family keeps shrinking, and for some reason, September is always the month when bad things happen to my family.
Shaz, keep sending happy thoughts. I need them!
Jan, thank you for your kind thoughts. It is very needed
Lauren wrote: "My family keeps shrinking, and for some reason, September is always the month when bad things happen to my family.."I am so sorry for your loss, Lauren. I understand about it being a difficult time of year. Both my parents passed in October and November.
Mod
The Lady and the Laird - by Nicola Carnick.I think the cover says it all!! Well toned Scottish laird passionate about his clan and prepared to do anything for them (and for his lady love). My first book by this author - I am considering reading the next in the series.
Mod
Sending you love Lauren. A sad time for you.
Lauren, Thank you for your condolences. I'm so sorry about your parents. To lose both so close together is hard. In 2003, I lost 3 close family members and almost my mom in 4 months. So I understand the saying, "When it rains, it pours." I'm sorry you had to handle the sorrow and pain of losing both so close together.
Thank you, Susan! I haven't felt like reading, but i just started a highlander book. Hopefully, I can finish one challenge this month! **fingers crossed**Everybody, I didn't mean to drag my problems to this group. Thank you all for your kind words and condolences! I really love this group!
Sending you more hugs Lauren 🤗🤗🤗From 2017 to 2021, I lost my brothers in law, brother, sister in law, and mother in law. So I have some idea of how you might be feeling. The thing is we still have all our fond and happy memories of the people we loose in our lives. 🤗🤗🤗
Mod
Mod
I have a question. I’ve been reading the MacKenzie/McBride series by Jennifer Ashley in published order since 2016, about one a year until 2021, when I took an unknowing and surprising break. Time has gone by so fast. We were in the middle of the pandemic when I read the last book. I just started book 5 for this month’s challenge, and I’m forgetting some familial details. Does anyone know if there’s a family tree out there for the MacKenzies/McBrides?
Update: I did find a family tree. I borrowed the final ebook from the series, and there was one in the back. It wasn't the easiest to navigate since it wasn't like the typical family tree graphic, but I made do.
VictorianAn Unlikely Countess by Alyssa Clarke .
Will read a Highlander book for this month.
T. wrote: "I have a question. I’ve been reading the MacKenzie/McBride series by Jennifer Ashley in published order since 2016, about one a year until 2021, when I took an unknowing and surprising break. Time ..."T, have you read The Mackenzie Chronicles: A Guide to the Mackenzies / McBrides series? I found it very helpful when I was reading the series. It's by Jennifer Ashley herself and has synopses of each book as well as some of her personal comments and insights etc. I believe it also has a family tree. I wish more authors of long series would do something similar.
Enjoy your Jennifer Ashley journey!
Thank you, Jan! I’d completely forgotten that was out there. I actually remember you reading and reviewing it. It’ll be so helpful. At the rate I’m reading the series, I’ll need to reference it with each book. Thanks again,
Did you enjoy it? I have it in my to read list.
I am reading The Highlander's Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin
Mariana, I loved it! The ending was rushed a little, but it was an entertaining book. I'll be curious on what you think about the story
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Nice work Lauren.
I think I might read Ellen O'Connell's Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold for Native American. The hero's mother was Native American, I believe. I did read this book years ago. I only gave 3 stars, but I can hardly remember it. So I think it will be like a new read. It has lots of great reviews, so I hope I can give more than 3 stars this time around.