Dated vs up to date

[Michelle]

I was wondering what style of writing that the historical romance readers of the group preferred. For lack of a better description, do you prefer the more "dated" style of Kathleen Woodiwiss for example, whose writing I find to be more on old-fashioned side. Or, do you prefer the more up to date style of writers such as Elizabeth Boyle, and Jennifer Ashely etc...?

[Megan]

I'd have to say that it really depends on my mood. Sometimes I want to read something a little "dated" (like some of the older Shannon Drake HR). But at other times I do want something more "up to date" like Teresa Medeiros.

[Carolyn F.]

I'm preferring the most recent HR books although I did read some good Judith McNaught, most of the older books I've read or reread aren't that good.

[Michelle]

As I'm seriously struggling with The Wolf and the Dove, by Kathleen Woodiwiss, I'm thinking that it may just be the mood I'm in. I want to read more historical romances, but I'm looking for novels that move along at the same pace as The Madness of Lord Ian for example.

[Zee]

Dated books are rather slow in pace compared to today's stories. Especially so for historicals. The ones of past decades (typically the ones with a Fabio-type on the cover) seem to be sweeping sagas with lots of characters. I much prefer the fast-paced, quick-toned historicals such as those of Candace Camp now.

[Michelle]

I was trying to read The Wolf and the Dove by KEW, but I think I'm not being fair to it because of my current reading mood. I'm just not in the mood for a slower-paced historical romance right now.

[Kit★]

Zee wrote: "Dated books are rather slow in pace compared to today's stories. Especially so for historicals. The ones of past decades (typically the ones with a Fabio-type on the cover) seem to be sweeping sagas with lots of characters..."

Agree with this. I'd never really read any of the older ones before, because when I was younger, the covers were a little embarrassing to be seen at school with lol. But I picked up a couple by Bertrice Small and one by Laurie McBain and I really liked them. The more sweeping saga was a nice change from the smaller time-frames and casts of characters in newer romances. I don't think I'd want to read them all the time, because I like how I can speed through a newer one and it's light and enjoyable, but every once in awhile they're a good change of pace. And now I kind of like those old covers, sometimes they show a bit about the story.

[Zee]

You said it perfectly, Kit - the sagas' pace is okay from time to time. It's definitely a change from the fast pace and small timeframe of the newer ones. The older ones also, to me, read a little 'cliche' - there's lots more scope and freshness in the newer stories.

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

I like them both. It depends on what mood I'm in and the author's writing style.