hmmm, interesting question. I love history, and find something fascinating about every period.
I'm partial to Irish history, especially around the several famous rebellions -- is the Easter Rising in 1916 considered history?
I love a good medieval, too. The chivalry thing, noble knights, the whole Arthurian thing, very exciting.
I'm not too hot on the Regency, but then I've only read a couple books set then. The high society and its new rules are very far removed from much I can relate too. But if I read more, it'd probably make more sense and click in.
I even read an old Mills & Boon set in China during the Boxer Rebellion and was really interested in that. I had a brief intro to Far East history in college, (taught by a very strange Bulgarian man who drove me a bit nuts, not in the good way, lol) but didn't remember a whole lot of it. It's neat to read about events and characters set in a time period and then go read more about the history. Hmmm, maybe that's a thesis someday, the educational benefits of modern historical literature for the average person?
I've always loved the Medieval times. Just the thought of it; Castles, strong men on big horses with swords. Of course they'd be crossing majestic rolling hills to save the damsel in distress... Yeah I guess it's kind of pathetic, but a girl can dream.
Of course it seems all of the books that have been passed to me of late have to do with "Cowboys & Indians". They have all been good though. I suppose I'm just not one to complain about a book much, I can always find something satisfying from them.
I did read a good series that encompassed both of these the indians of the west & the castles & hills of Scotland. It's by Shannon Drake "No Other Man, No Other Woman, No other Love".
I do of course love to read about the "TON" though all houghty-toughty (sp) that they may be. I love all of the Lord's & Lady's in the books... The gossip is addicting when you don't have any of your own.
I think if, like Connie said, you are into the gossip and have an idea of the factual characters it can be interesting to see how authors involve history in their historicals. I love the fantasy aspect of historical romances and the regency period seems somehow too "modern". The less we know in fact the more room there is to work in fantasy.
The Arthurian times are great! The Mists of Avalon immediatly come to mind, and The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, but these aren't really romances. Any recommendations, Claydreamer?
It's rare nowadays that I get out onto my own message board!!!
But I'm here now and just had to put in my two cents as Historical Romance and history in particular are my passions.
If you had asked me a couple of years ago, I would have said Medieval hands down! Just like you guys said, there is nothing compared to knights in shining armour saving damsels in distress. The stories are endless.
Then there is Medieval to Jacobean Scotland which is a whole different ball game altogether. I love big brawny Highlanders who are gorgeous, sexy hunks, a little rough around the edges but all heart!
But now I'd have to say that Georgian is my favorite era because of it was truly a golden age for England. They had just come out of the rather crude medieval life and were just on the edge of the industrial revolution. It was an era of decadence for Lords and Ladies. If you've ever read Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities, then you'll know what I mean. He says in the beginning: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." and he is correct. It was a time of extremes. The ultra rich and ultra poor and everything in between. But one of the things I love about it more so than Regency, is the fact women were considered to be equal to men. They discussed politics, science, etc... They were beautiful, elegant and intelligent. One of the things that's always bothered me about the Regency period (though I do enjoy a good book from at that time) is if a woman was learned, she was "bluestocking". They put down women who read a lot. When just a couple of decades earlier, it was the norm.
Sorry, I could go on and on... It's my favourite era as I've been doing lots of research on the subject.
Also, vampire romances set in anytime as long as they're well written are always good.
Also, I agree with Jennifer, I love Vikings, but it is sooooo hard to find a good Viking romance.
Well, I better get going, the website is not going to update itself.
The Arthurian times are great! The Mists of Avalon immediatly come to mind, and The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, but these aren't really romances. Any recommendations, Claydreamer?
I really enjoyed Rosalind Miles' Tristan and Isolde trilogy. Well, I haven't read the third yet, but I'm assuming I'll love it as much as the other two once it shows up at the library. Thier story is so beautiful, and she tells it well. She has a series on Gueneviere but I haven't tried them yet.
I've heard good things about Stephen Lawhead's Arthurian books, but haven't gotten around to them yet.
You know, I can't think of an actual romance novel set in Camelot. Maybe because so much of the story ends tragically. But I would think it would be an irresistable draw to write something from then.
I have to say my partialities are not so much to a given era as to how well a given era showcases the Alpha hero.
Viking marauders, Norman conquerors, arrogant Regency lords, carry-you-off-into-the-desert-for-some-really-hot-hot-loving sheikhs, tortured half-breeds sequestering themselves with you in the Guadalupes until you cave in and fall in love with them, vampires with centuries of erotic experience going all-over gooey at meeting THE woman, shapeshifters-with-an-attitude, and always, always, those incredible Highlanders! *deep sigh*
Anne you kill me!! I am totally with you on the Alpha male thing! I've been doing the Highlander thing alot lately. It's been a while since I've read anything with deserts and sheiks....any recommendations?
Good to see you over here!
Jenn (on the Island)
-- Edited by Jennifer Reviewer at 10:43, 2005-09-13
Doreen Owens Malek, "The Panther's Prey" and "The Panther and the Pearl" immediately spring to mind. She also has a cracking good one featuring a Roman patrician soldier and an Iceni princess in early (44BC) Britain, "The Lion and the Lark".
And Hi-howahya to you, too!
This is a cool site. Just what I needed. Another place to keep up with on the internet.
Dear Lord, while You're busy answering everybody else's prayers, will You spare a moment for me and add a couple of hours to each day for my use? Yeah, riiiiiight!
for some reason the "adding a couple hours to each day" bit has really stuck with me.
I'm thinking sci-fi thriller of the earth's rotation actually slowing down...environmental impact (crops and the whole diurnal clock thing), social impact (are we older now that the days are longer? I remember mention of a huge uproar over a proposed calendar adjustment in the middle ages), and of course some crazed leader of a multinational corporation bent on global domination at the centre of it all.
What is your favourite time period?
).
The Mists of Avalon immediatly come to mind, and The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, but these aren't really romances. Any recommendations, Claydreamer?
The Mists of Avalon immediatly come to mind, and The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, but these aren't really romances. Any recommendations, Claydreamer?
