Books We Love (Or Not)

In this epic historical romance, set in medieval Scotland and England during the Wars of the Roses, orphaned countess Adair Radcliffe is the bastard daughter of King Edward of Lancaster, a powerful woman in her own right. When an arranged marriage to a loathsome boy leaves her estranged from the king, then widowed and disinherited, Adair has only her wits to defend her. After she is kidnapped by raiding Scots, Adair finds herself the slave of rough border lord Conal Bruce, and despite her wariness, love grows between them. When father turns against son in a winner-take-all war for the Scottish throne, Adair and Conal must rely on each other to survive the rebellion and the vengeful English king.

This is a sweeping and sensual epic saga in the classic style of historical romance from years past, set against a rich historical tapestry and rife with political intrigue. The story reminds me why I fell in love with historical romance as a girl. Although many of today’s new historicals are squeezed for space, and some might argue that the old-fashioned historical romance is passing from style, Small is truly timeless. Her writing crackles with drama and conflict, her history is fascinating and illustrated by very human characters, and her heroines are truly heroic. Every female reader would secretly love to have adventures like these!

I’m curious to hear from other readers regarding the style of historical romance past and present. Do you prefer the sweeping classic sagas of legends like Bertrice Small, Virginia Henley and Judith McNaught, or do you prefer the modern style of a tighter, quicker story with a bit less history?

This futuristic romance is set in the year 2176 in a penal colony that’s a cross between a toxic-waste dump and a Regency London ballroom. Escaped convict Jenny Red swore nothing would ever take her back inside the notorious prison colony of Newgate, Australia, until prince-turned-rebel Deck Han Valoren makes her an offer she literally can’t refuse. Deck will pay any price to bring revolution to the corrupt aristocracy that rules Newgate—until his choices put Jenny’s life on the line. Now Jenny the confirmed loner must learn to look beyond her own needs to see the big picture, and Deck the idealist must look beyond the collective good to recognize the value in one very special individual—Jenny—or neither will leave Newgate alive.

This book is a great example of the futuristic “action romance” that has become part of the Dorchester brand and Liz Maverick’s calling card: fast-paced, smart, sexy, imaginative romance starring a tough-as-nails yet still vulnerable heroine. Both the publisher and the author tackle a sub-genre that’s a relatively recent arrival on the romance stage—futuristic romance—and pull it off very nicely. This book would make a great introduction for any curious newcomer to both the genre and prolific author Maverick’s work.

I’m curious to know how other readers feel about the relatively new science fiction and futuristic romance hybrid. I like the opportunity for world-building and creativity the genre provides, and I find that the quite manageable page count (usually around 300-350 pages) means a fast pace and lots of action, while some fat sci-fi sagas demand hundreds of pages of patience until the real action commences. In futuristic romance, there’s a nice splash of science but not too much, and the degree of focus on the romance itself may vary. Usually the romance is still the spine of the story, but it tends to be presented in a franker, less frilly style than in some historical romances, which I also adore for different reasons. Really curious to know how readers who classify themselves as soft sci-fi fans would react to a futuristic romance like this one, or others discussed on the blog.

This medieval historical romance rose to my attention as a recommended read from the recent Romantic Times magazine feature on medieval romance – a sub-genre set in a darker and less glittering era than the perennially-popular Regency and Victorian romance. In the romance industry, medievals are alternately praised and reviled. As a medieval author myself, I was once told by an industry professional in a packed, standing-room-only workshop at the RWA national conference that no one wants to read medievals (which I’d already admitted writing) because they’re dark and dirty and not romantic. Thankfully, my publisher and agent dod not agree. Despite the vicissitudes of the rmance market, a steady trickle of these beloved books continues to be published, even by the largest presses.

In this enjoyable example of the genre, when a cash-strapped King Edward forces disgraced Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn to an arranged marriage with wealthy common-born merchant David de Abyndon, Christiana does everything she can to thwart the match. In addition to the unbridgeable divide of class that yawns between the couple, Christiana believes she’s in love with noble Sir Stephen, in whose bed she was discovered. Still, when David meets the defiant beauty, he’s determined to have her—despite her infuriated protests. As war looms with France and hidden enemies at court plot against both Christiana and David, the newly-wed couple must learn to see past appearances, trust in each other, and accept their growing love.

I always enjoy Madeline Hunter’s work. She writes an intelligent romance, fired by sincere and well-portrayed emotion and unusual conflicts. I never feel impatient reading her historicals, there’s nothing giddy or foolish about them, and I am continually surprised and engaged by her characters.

I’m wondering how others feel about the subject of medieval romance? Is it too dark and dirty (with rushes on the floor, stray dogs roaming through court, poor hygiene and sanitation, etc.) to be truly romantic? Do readers truly prefer a more glittering, picture-perfect setting for their romance? What periods and settings are most appealing to you?

In this sensual Regency-set historical romance, Anna Rosewood is destined for a loveless marriage until her twin brother is murdered by a secret society. Only she will investigate the crime, and the evidence points to disgraced nobleman Roman Devereaux. But Rome is bound to the society by a promise to a dying friend, and believes Anna is a courtesan in cahoots with the villains. When he learns she is betrothed to his cousin—the only family member to defend Rome from infamy—both he and Anna realize they can never act on their illicit attraction. But fate has another outcome in mind.

For me as a romance writer, the great appeal in this story is the set-up. It is flawlessly executed. The author layers on complication after complication, so the obstacles to the relationship are always mounting, even as the attraction between Rome and Anna continues to deepen. Yet Mullins never repeats herself, and the stakes keep escalating–which is REALLY tough to do. Clearly this author is a master at set-up and payback, and she crafts strongly sympathetic characters—even in the unlikeliest circumstances—who make the reader root for them. This was a thoroughly pleasant and engaging read, with some fresh and unusual elements.

Question of the week: Romances set during the Regency period (usually the Napoleonic Wars, and often set in London high society) continue to be extraordinarily popular. Why the appeal of this particular period? Of course it’s glittery, elegant, dangerous–but so are other historical periods, like my personal favorite of Tudor England. What is it about the Regency period that makes it so dominant in the historical romance market?

In this Regency-set erotic historical romance, widowed lady Merriam Everett—called The Mouse by her late and unlamented husband—has been overlooked once too often. She takes lessons in seduction from a famous courtesan, disguises herself at a masque in a risqué costume—and launches a sexual encounter with the handsome and arrogant Earl of Westleigh who once disparaged her. Her seduction proceeds flawlessly, sending Merriam spiraling to heights of pleasure she’d never known existed. The only problem is that the man she seduced was NOT the Earl of Westleigh, but Drake Sotherton—called the Deadly Duke for allegedly murdering his wife in a jealous rage.

Sotherton hunts relentlessly to locate the masked mouse who turned into a tigress during their illicit encounter. When he finds her, Drake lures the retiring widow with a shocking proposal: to enjoy one decadent Season in London as his mistress. But the Earl of Westleigh has a score to settle with Drake. Before the Deadly Duke’s ball has ended, Merriam must decide which man she trusts. If she chooses wrongly, all three of them will wind up dead.

Gorgeously written and poignant, this book is an exceptionally tasteful erotic romance. Drake and Merriam’s first clandestine encounter occurs in chapter one, and the couple’s erotic adventures become ever steamier and more creative, even including that rare-to-find incident in today’s romance market—a well-written spanking scene. At the same time, Merriam’s quest to emerge from the Mouse’s shadow is moving and sincere, while Drake has suffered exile and torment for his wife’s murder, which was wrongly ascribed to him. This erotic romance is an exceptional example of the best of its genre, and an excellent choice for readers who want to read a steamy story with emotional depth and intricate plotting.