Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers discussion
INTRODUCTIONS
>
MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
Hello, I'm Stacey and I just discovered this group. I will agree with others that have posted that while I am not a huge romance fan, I do love historical fiction and enjoy a little romance thrown in on the side.Looking forward to finding books to fit the bill! :)
Thanks for the invitation. I am happy to become a member. I am a romance reader and author of an upcoming novel (released in April 2012) in this genre.
Hi Everyone! I'm Barbara, I live in NYC and I work in the magazine business. I read all types of genres, and historical fiction is one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to reading some great books here in this group and participating in some great discussions!!I've noticed some other posts here are similar to the way I feel about romantic historical fiction. I absolutely love historical fiction, and if there's some romance and/or romantic themes in the story, that's great, but I would not describe myself as a "romance" fan at all.
Thanks!!!
~Barbara
Thanks to Anne O’Brien for bring this group to my attention on Facebook and to Emery Lee for inviting me to join :)My name is Sophie Perinot and I am eagerly awaiting publication of my debut novel, THE SISTER QUEENS, by NAL in 2012. Set in 13th century France and England, my novel tells the captivating story of medieval sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens — their lifelong friendship, their rivalry, and their reigns. While the book is a “straight” historical there are very strong romantic plot threads and, yes, there’s sex.
I firmly believe that we need to stop looking at historical writings as falling into two neat boxes—historical romance or straight historical—and start looking at them as a continuum.
For more information about me or about THE SISTER QUEENS please visit me at my website www.sophieperinot.com or my blog www.sophieperinot.com/blog/ I have a new post up at my blog today specifically addressing the increased amount of sexual content in “straight” historicals and what I think such scenes can do well.
Mod
My name is Sophie Perinot and I am eagerly awaiting publication of my debut no..."
Hey Everyone!
Sophie is truly a woman after my own heart! Her blog post is fabulously well articulated and I hope you will all check it out!
While no one can dispute that history is made by PEOPLE and love is an integral part of the overall human experience, how can one possibly endeavor to write history without including at least a tiny piece of this universal theme?
As a true history geek and incurable romantic, I have always held that history and romance are not mutually exclusive. As a reader, I have sought out books to satisfy both the emotions and the intellect, and now as a writer my goal is to combine meticulously researched historical settings and plotlines with strong romantic elements (with or without explicit sex depending on what the story requires.)
A little over a year ago (with a little help from my friends ;D) I established this group with the goal of seeking out like-minded readers and authors and more recently have added a complementary Facebook site. To my delight both sites have really taken off!
To those who would scoff, I now say "the proof is in the pudding, people!"
Hi, all - I'm Kelly, and I'm from Iowa (home of Marilynne Robinson, Jane Smiley, Dorothy Garlock, Wallace Stegner, Mildred Wirt Benson (aka Carolyn Keene), Bill Bryson and the Iowa Writers' Workshop - but we do NOT claim A few things about me:
- Obsessed with all things historical, fiction and non-fiction - primarily British, but also colonial/revolutionary America
- Favorite authors are Anya Seton (own 'em all), Jean Plaidy/Victoria Holt, Daphne du Maurier, Jennifer Donnelly, Geraldine Brooks, Gwen Bristow, Beverly Swerling....
- On the TBR list: David Liss, Jude Morgan, more Tracy Chevalier (esp. Remarkable Creatures), and Emery Lee :-)
- Desert island: The Devlin Diary, Birth of Venus, Forever Amber (brilliant ending!), Dragonwyck, The Other Boleyn Girl, People of the Book, Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Outlander... Or even better, my Kindle with a solar charger.
- HR books I didn't like or wouldn't recommend: The Botticelli Secret (annoying heroine), The Crimson Petal and the White (kept comparing it to Forever Amber, gave up on it), The Historian (meh), and (afraid to admit this) Memoirs of a Geisha.
- My avatar represents what started this whole obsession. Also, Almanzo Wilder is a ridiculously under-rated romantic hero.
Looking forward to adding more to my TBR list and sharing some of my best finds!
Kelly
Paul Revere was deaf??How could I not have known that? Off to Google it....
Shelley
Rain: A Dust Bowl Story
http://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.com
Hi everyone, I just joined the group. I would usually balk at describing myself as a lover of romance novels, but after reading through some of the group's top ten lists I realized that most of my favorite books would fall under the romantic historical fiction category!
Mod
Hey Heidi! All of our recommended reads are very strong in hisorical deatil - even thos we catagorize as romance (I hope you will check out all the categories in our group bookshelf.)We prefer to think of our list as romance for the "thinking" women!
Hi everyone,I'm delighted to find this group! I adore historical romance. Tried contemporary years back, but for me, something was lacking. I realized I equated my vision of love, passion and desire with honor during times long since gone. I think a lot of that goes back to growing up in Virginia with the history literally having happened in my backyard.
I’ve had very little time to read lately. My first historical romance, Thorns of Eden, a Civil War romance, was released just a couple weeks ago. Since that time, I’ve finished writing my second book, Immortal Prey. Again, an historical, but this one spans 300 plus years and goes from 16th century Europe to the USA. I’m in scrambling mode editing now.
The book I have on my night table is The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova. I’m only about 100 pages in but I do like it. The book is very different and written quite well.
Anyway, greetings to all of you!
Diana Ballew
www.dianaballew.com
Mod
I'm delighted to find this group! I adore historical romance. Tried contemporary years back, but for me, something was lacking. I realized I equated my vision of love, passion and de..."
Hi Diana- So glad you joined us. Please let us know what you think of
when you finish.
Hi all--I'm giving away three copies of my steamy Civil War romance, Thorns of Eden, right here on Goodreads!Click here to enter http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Good luck!
Diana Ballew
Good morning everyone! Who wants to win a free Kindle? Digi Books Cafe is running a fun contest. It's a treasure hunt and only takes a moment. Details are on my webpage. Good luck!Diana Ballew
www.dianaballew.com
Hi to everyone, I'm Lynne Marie author of The Seahawk's Sanctuary. I believe I have finally found the group for me!!! You cannot imagine how frustrating it is to try to sell a manuscript under historical romance only to be told "You don't know your genre. There's too much history in it! Try historical fiction." Finally self-published this spring with promising results so far. Thank God I've finally found this group!!!
Mod
Hi Lynne! I'm in the same boat myself! I hope you will peruse our book shelves to discover many other like-minded authors! Please feel free to post more about your own work under our "RESIDENT AUTHORS" section.
Warmest regards- Emery
Hi everyone! We, as a publisher, certainly love historical fictions. After all, we publish quite a few of them. Hope to join in on some great conversations here!
Hi EveryoneI just joined. I am so happy that I found this group!! Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I am looking forward to reading the books on the shelves.
Mod
Thanks to Emery Lee for inviting me to join this group! Hello everyone!My name is Ellen Marie Wiseman and I'm very excited to announce that my debut novel, THE PLUM TREE, will be published by Kensington in early 2013. Told from one of the best vantage points for witnessing the first cruelties and final ruin of the Third Reich--the German home front-the novel follows a young German woman through the chaos and carnage of WWII as she meets her Jewish boyfriend in secret, struggles to survive poverty and Allied bombs, and finds the courage to outwit SS officers, and later expose war criminals, to keep her loved ones alive. Think Cold Mountain meets Schindler's List!
The Plum Tree was inspired by my mother's poverty-stricken childhood in Germany during WWII. Even though the plot revolves around a love-story, the first people to read it and love it- my beta reader, my mentor, my agent, and my editor- are all men. Go figure!
If anyone would like to follow my journey towards publication, I'd be very happy to have you friend me @ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...
I'm excited to be here and will do my best to join in. (right now we're in the process of moving so I might be MIA for a little while) Thanks again, Emery Lee!
Heya All...I recognise many a-avatar among these parts, so for many of you this is a re-introduction.
My name is Shell Schroth, and I am a book buyer extradordanaire and avid read-aholic. I started out in the Historical Romance Genre, and although I still love a good HR, I use them mainly as reading palate cleansers in between my deaper reads. My favorites, are the same as many I find,
to name a few, and I am CONSTANTLY on the look out for more epic love stories such as these. I look forward to getting to know those whom I dont, and geting back into the swing of things with those of you I do.... Happy Reading
Mod
I recognise many a-avatar among these parts, so for many of you this is a re-introduction.
My name is Shell Schroth, and I am a book buyer extradordanaire and avid read-aholic. I..."
Hi Shell!
Thanks so much for posting! The books you mention are all on our recommended reading list so you will find yourself quite at home here. Hope you'll peruse our group shelves. Warmest regards- Emery
Mod
I'm Becky, and I've always enjoyed historical fiction (mostly middle ages & Renaissance). I think a romance element adds some spice to the mix. I look forward to sharing with you all!"
Great to have you Becky! Please check out the group books shelves. We have some excellent titles. They are catagorized by era and subgenre to make reading selection easier. We also have a number of wonderful authors active in this group and are always looking to invite more. Warmest regards- Emery
Hi, everyone — Historical romance has always been my favorite genre of romance to read, and it's the first genre I wrote as an author.
Thank you, Emery, for the invitation to join. I'm going to love chatting with everyone and making my already insane TBR pile even bigger. :-)
Hello everyone,My name is Barbara and I'm excited to have found this group!!! I love historical romance with some actual history. Like BJ, I started with Barbara Cartland and was hooked! I then read, the Wolf and the Dove, by Woodwiss and the rest is...well history! :0)
Admittedly, I have a deep abiding passion for ancient world history and have written a novel which explores some of it's mysteries.
I love a book filled with action adventure, humor, romance, and little tid-bits out of history that make you think.
Hello everyone,I'm Scarlett Rains. It's nice to be a member of this group. I'm a GR author, grandma, mom and pretty much the curator of my own crazy zoo of cats, dogs, fish and whatever else strays in ( be it human or 'other'). I've been out of the GR loop lately, recovering from reconstructive surgery on my foot. Looking forward to having time to read more great books while I heal. All the best to everyone.
Scarlett, welcome and I wish you a very speedy recovery!
Shea wrote: "Scarlett, welcome and I wish you a very speedy recovery!"Thank you! :) I'm looking forward to having a little time on my hands for guilty pleasures like reading and making new friends.
Hi Folks! I am a reader and writer of Historical fiction. I am new to this site and will observe to see if I can fit in somewhere. Ain't nothing like getting the hearts strings pulled.
Mod
Welcome Craig!
Hi, I'm Reina and I'm also a reader and writer of historical fiction. My favorite era is nineteenth century and I prefer "sweet" reads and YA historicals. I look forward to reading more of the discussions on here. :)
Hello! I'm Lea Ann, and I'm a sixth-grade teacher. I read a lot of young adult fiction during the school year, but I love to indulge myself with a well-written historical romance when I can squeeze it in. So excited to join this group!
Mod
Welcome Lea! Great to have you. I hope you will check out our group book shelves. We have some great books by wonderful authors.
Emery wrote: "Lea wrote: "Hello! I'm Lea Ann, and I'm a sixth-grade teacher. I read a lot of young adult fiction during the school year, but I love to indulge myself with a well-written historical romance when I..."Thanks! I will!
Hello everyone! My name is J.C. and I am a reader and writer of historical romance. I am always looking for great new reads. I just published my first historical romance novella, Red Deception, in December 2011. Thanks again for having me in your group. I look forward to chatting with all of you!
my personal site: www.JCMurtagh.com
Hi! I'm Ely. I'm a massive fan of everything History related and anything romantic, therefore I thought this would be a perfect group for me :)
Mod
I'm a massive fan of everything History related and anything romantic, therefore I thought this would be a perfect group for me :)"
Hi Ely- We do love our history with our romance here! Welcome!
I've made a few comments already and just noticed the introduction thread. All I needed to do was scroll down. Sometimes, I can be such a blonde. Anyway, I've always been drawn to historical fiction and over time, found I also preferred books with romance in them as well.
I'm working on my own historical fiction (one a historical romance) but for now, I'm a reader.
What a perfect idea for a group!I love romance and I love historical novels, but I don't generally enjoy generic historical romances -- especially the wallpaper romances with the contemporary-style heroine in kirtle, who keeps saying "nay" every second sentence as she faints and whimpers while the hero gallops to her rescue or some silly nonsense like that.
:)
I like my historicals with muscle. Facts. Story, dammit.
And a damned good romance, too.
So as soon as I saw this group, it was "yes!"
Oh yeah, and I write 'em as well. I've featured Prince John, King Richard, Arthur, Merlin, Robin Hood, Julius Caesar as a child, Raymond of Toulouse (one of the Christian leaders at the Siege of Jerusalem, during the First Crusade), and Sir Thomas Baring, Earl of Northbrook and First Lord of the Admiralty (leader of Queen Victoria’s navy, circa 1884).
I've also published two Sherlock Holmes novels, but I don't think he really counts, does he? :) But I've been a little obsessed with him lately because of the BBC's new series. (Benedict Cumberbatch helps that obsession along nicely.)
I look forward to rolling around in the annals of time with you all.
Cheers,
Tracy
PS: I guess I should 'fess up. I've just finished reading everyone's introductions and I'm feeling uneasy. You're all historical fiction lovers. (only).I'm come from the romance genre side of the field. I write historical romance, and paranormal time travel romance (which is where I squeeze in my historical stories these days since the bottom dropped out of the historical romance market).
But I don't like wallpaper historical romances. I like industrial strength storylines with actual political history correctly portrayed and decent romances, too (yeah, I want it all).
My favourite historical fiction isn't considered romance at all. Mary Stewart's Merlin series, for instance. TH White's The Once and Future King. (I'm a sucker for Arthur). Ken Follett's Eye of the Needle, and his The Pillars of the Earthwere both fabulous. But none of them have HAE endings, which I also adore. Well, PILLARS sort of does.
Cheers,
t.
Tracy wrote: "PS: I guess I should 'fess up. I've just finished reading everyone's introductions and I'm feeling uneasy. You're all historical fiction lovers. (only).I'm come from the romance genre side of ..."
Hi Tracy! Not at all. The majority of this group read both HF and HR but we love a combination best!
Hello fellow readers.I'm delighted to be a member of the group.
I'm Hannah, a hopeless romantic, a traveller, a mum, a wife and a writer. I split my time between my home in Kent - a Georgian rectory that my husband and I renovated from a damp, abandoned shell - and a mas in the south of France.
I love all forms of romance novel (with the exception of erotica, which is a bit much for me), especially historical romance.
My first novel, Burning Embers, is a tricky one to categorise, but I'm told by the publisher it's 'modern historical romance'. It's set in Kenya in 1970, a time of great change in the country.
I look forward to joining in the discussions in this group, and receiving some recommendations for new reads!
Hannah x
Hi Hannah.1970's in Kenya sounds very interesting. I've set a novella in 1979 and it took a surprising amount of research to get it right. I kept tripping up on small stuff.
And the clothing was a riot back then
t.
Tracy
Yes, I really had fun going back to that era. Listening to music of the time got me in the mood! I started writing Burning Embers many years ago, so I think that helped. That and the fact I wasn't far from the lead character's age myself at that time...Hannah x
Hello everyone! My name is Lisa. I like history/historical fiction and I like romances so naturally I like historical romances too. XD I'm glad I found this group! :)
Mod
Welcome Lisa! We are happy to have you!
Emery
Hi, my name is Pauline Montagna, and I'd like to thank Emery for welcoming me to the group. I too am more of an historical fiction fan than what is usually called historical romance these days. I like my historical fiction to have some semblance of historical accuracy, which to me includes more than fashion and the date of the Battle of Waterloo. I grew up devouring Jean Plaidy and Georgette Heyer who led me to Jane Austen. I also love Mary Renault and Edith Pargeter. To me romance is about feelings and emotions. I find more romance in one look or a touch than in whole chapters of hot sex. I self-published an historical romance a few years ago and thought I would try to join the online conversation, but I was amazed at how readers missed my point. I'm not against sex in historical fiction, but it must be realistic. The rules around sex were very different in past times, and the consequences for breaking them were severe, especially for women. If you're interested my book has recently been released as an ebook. The Slave
Hi! my name is Carey. I enjoy reading historical romance. I'm looking forward in discussing books. Glad to find a historical romance group.
Mod
Hi Carey! Welcome!
Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Celtic Summer (other topics)Outlander (other topics)
The Slave (other topics)
Burning Embers (other topics)
Eye of the Needle (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Dorothy Dunnett (other topics)Rafael Sabatini (other topics)
Jeffery Farnol (other topics)
Deanna Raybourn (other topics)
Courtney Milan (other topics)
More...
And I agree with you. It is so frust..."
VERY time consuming! I usually research for months before I write a word on a new book!