Best Historical Romances set in Exotic Locales!

 

                                                         Lausanne-Castle, Switzerland

  

It’s the dog days of August and you’re home and you’re bored. You want an adventure, an around the world trip, or perhaps an ocean voyage—without leaving your living room. And you want a good love story. But you’re tired of those set mostly in England, Scotland, Ireland and America. Well, I have just the list for you!

 

My mother taught me to read when I was four and told me I could travel the world through books. She was right. And were she still alive, she would love this list I’ve created just for you daydreamers who long to travel… stories by some great authors set in exotic locales. Though some might begin (or end) in England or America, they will quickly take you to another time and another place! All have been rated 4 or 5 stars by me. In each case, I’ve given you the location.

 

A Moment in Time by Bertrice Small

Across a Moonlit Sea, The Iron Rose and The Following Sea, trilogy by Marsha Canham (the Caribbean and the Spanish Main)

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer (France and Spain)

Beyond Innocence by Joanna Lloyd (Australia)

Beyond Sunrise by Candice Proctor (the South Pacific, Polynesian islands)

Bianca by Bertrice Small, 1^st in the Silk Merchant’s Daughters series (Florence, Italy and the Black Sea)

Blue Moon by Parris Afton Bonds (Mexico)

Broken Wing by Judith James (France, North Africa and the Mediterranean)

Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase (Paris)

Dark Torment by Karen Robards (Australia)

Devil’s Embrace and Devil’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter (Italy and the Mediterranean)

Devoted by Alice Borchardt (France)

Falling Stars by Anita Mills (Russia)

Falsely Accused by Margaret Tanner (Australia)

Fields of the Sun by Nadine Crenshaw (Morocco, the Atlantic Ocean and Brazil)

Forever and a Lifetime by Jennifer Horsman (Switzerland)

Fortune’s Mistress, Fortune’s Flame and Fortune’s Bride by Judith E. French (Caribbean and Panama)

Green Eyes by Karen Robards (Ceylon)

Gypsy Jewel by Patricia McAllister (Black Sea, Russia)

Gypsy Lord by Kat Martin (France)

Harcourt’s Mountain by Elaine Dodge (British Columbia, Canada)

Hearts Beguiled by Penelope Williamson (France)

Heaven in His Arms by Lisa Ann Verge (Canadian wilderness)

Helena’s Choice by Patty Apostolides (Greece)

In the Eye of the Beholder by Maggie Mooha (Crimean War, Turkey)

Island Flame by Karen Robards (various exotic ports between Lisbon and America)

Lady of Fire and Fire and Steel by Anita Mills (Normandy)

Lady of Fire by Valerie Vayle (the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Turkey and France)

Napoleon’s Rosebud by Humphry Knipe (Island of Saint Helena, England and Italy)

Night in Eden by Candice Proctor (Australia)

Night Shadow by Laura Renken (the Caribbean and the Spanish Main)

No Gentle Love by Rebecca Brandewyne (Ireland, France, Africa, India and China)

Notorious Angel by Jennifer Blake (Nicaragua)

On the Night of the Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt (Germany)

Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney (Spain and Portugal)

Oriana by Valerie Vayle (France, Caribbean)

Rangoon by Christine Monson (Burma)

Sense Of Touch by Rozsa Gaston (France)

September Moon by Candice Proctor (Australian outback)

Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss (Caribbean)

Silk and Secrets and Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney (Uzbekistan, Persia, India)

Sleep in the Woods by Dorothy Eden (New Zealand)

So Wild a Heart by Veronica Jason (France)

Splendor by Brenda Joyce (Russia)

Surrender the Night by Christine Monson (Italy, Switzerland and Hungary)

Templar Silks by Elizabeth Chadwick (Constantinople, Jerusalem)

The Book of Seven Delights by Betina Krahn (Morocco)

The Book of True Desires by Betina Krahn (Cuba and Mexico)

The Captain of All Pleasures by Kresley Cole (the High Seas from England to Australia) and the sequel, The Price of Pleasure (Oceania and Cape Town, South Africa)

The Captive by Victoria Holt (the Middle East)

The Demon Lover by Victoria Holt (France)

The Devil on Horseback by Victoria Holt (France)

The Devil to Pay by K.C. Bateman (Italy)

The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett (Malta and North Africa)

The Duchess of Sydney by Dawn Knox (Australia)

The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran (India)

The Flesh and The Devil by Teresa Denys (Spain)

The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne (France)

The Golden Barbarian by Iris Johansen (the Balkans and Sedikhan, a mythical country)

The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale (South America, Tahiti and the Pacific)

The India Fan by Victoria Holt (India)

The Jacaranda Tree by Rebecca Brandewyne (Australia)

The Judas Kiss by Victoria Holt (Germany/Bavaria)

The Kadin by Bertrice Small (Turkey)

The King’s Man, Fair, Bright and Terrible and Desire Lines, The Welsh Blades series by Elizabeth Kingston (Wales)

The Legend of the Gypsy Hawk by Sally Malcolm (fictional island off Africa)

The Lily and the Falcon by Jannine Corte-Petska (Italy)

The Lion’s Daughter by Loretta Chase (Albania)

The Lion’s Embrace by Marie Laval (Algeria)

The Merchant’s Pearl by Amie O’Brien (Turkey)

The Price of Glory by Caroline Warfield (Egypt)

The Pride of the Peacock by Victoria Holt (Australia)

The Road to Paradise Island by Victoria Holt (Australia and the South Seas)

The Secret Rose by Laura Parker (Australia)

The Secret Woman by Victoria Holt (South Seas)

The Seer by Sanna Brand (Greece)

The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys (Italy)

The Spanish Rose by Shirlee Busbee (Jamaica, the Caribbean)

The Storm and the Splendor by Jennifer Blake (Algiers)

The True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi

The Warrior by Judith E. French (Egypt)

The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham (North Africa, the High Seas)

The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen (Italy) and the sequel, Storm Winds (France)

This Fiery Splendor by Christine Monson (India)

Thy Brother’s Wife by J.J. Flowers (aka Jennifer Horsman) (France)

Till Dawn Tames the Night by Meagan McKinney (the High Seas and the Caribbean)

To Heal a Heart by Anthea Lawson (Crete)

Under Gypsy Skies by Kathryn Kramer (Spain)

Velvet is the Night by Elizabeth Thornton (France)

Whispers of Heaven by Candice Proctor (Tasmania)

 

As you choose your destination, consider my own books set in exotic locales:

 

Racing With The Wind (Paris)

Wind Raven (the High Seas, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean)

To Tame the Wind, Echo in the Wind and A Fierce Wind, the award-winning Donet Trilogy (France and the High Seas)

Maggie Mooha’s IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER – Two Scarred People Find Love in the Crimean War

Set in the mid 19^th century, this is the story of Eleanor Sherbrook whose beauty is marred by a red birthmark that covers half her face. She does not expect men to see her as marriage material. The balls in London have taught her that much. But she is no shrinking vine. When her sister Julia steals the man she loves, Lieutenant Joshua Wentworth, Eleanor decides to serve with Miss Nightingale as a nurse for the wounded soldiers fighting Russia in the Crimean War. She travels to the British Army hospital in Scutari, Turkey where conditions are less than ideal. Coincidentally, this is near where Joshua is serving in the Light Brigade.

 

In the war, Eleanor and Joshua are thrown together, and often find solace in each other’s company. Joshua is wounded, losing an eye and, ironically, ends up with half his face scarred. Eleanor will nurse him to health. Meanwhile, her sister Julia begins a relationship with another man in London and seemingly cares nothing for what her fiancé is facing in the horrible war.

 

I should say at the outset the writing is excellent with many exciting scenes. Even though I knew where the story was going and could see the outcome, I kept reading. Eleanor’s trials as a battlefield nurse were intriguing and Joshua is a fitting hero who is Eleanor’s perfect match. Both are courageous. The historical events are well recorded. There’s lots of blood, guts and gore and much medical description that make the story realistic. The only thing that bothered me was Joshua’s continual reference to himself in his thinking as “Wentworth” as though he was speaking of another person but this was not a great matter.

 

For those who love deep historicals, this is a worthy story.

 

 

Best American Patriotic Historical Romances

  

July was the month when we Americans celebrate our Independence. It’s a great time to read a story with a noble hero and a worthy heroine set in times when America’s future was on the line. Here’s the list you’ll want to pick from—all good ones! All on the list are rated 4 or 5 stars.

 

The French and Indian War (America before Independence):

 

Follow the Heart by Anita Mills

Ride out the Storm by Aleen Malcolm

Scattered Seeds by Julie Doherty

Windsong by Judith E. French

 

The War of Independence/Revolutionary War:

 

America’s Daughter, America’s Wife, America’s Promise, trilogy by Celeste De Blasis

Captain Sedition by K.C. Fusaro

Caroline, Touch the Sun and Spring Fires, from the Beauvisage series by Cynthia Wright

Dear George, Dear Mary by Mary Calvi

Devon and The Black Angel by Cordia Byers

Fortune’s Bride by Judith E. French

In From the Cold by Nora Roberts

Lanterns in the Mist by Mairi Norris

Love a Rebel, Love a Rogue by Shirl Henke

Love Among the Rabble by Lauren Laviolette

Love Not a Rebel by Heather Graham

Master of My Dreams and Captain of My Heart by Danelle Harmon

Mood Indigo by Parris Afton Bond

Old Glory by Christopher Nicole

Passion’s Ransom by Betina Krahn

Scarlet Ribbons by Judith E. French

Silver Storm, from the Raveneau series by Cynthia Wright

The Calling of the Clan by Parris Afton Bonds

The Paradise Bargain by Betina Krahn (Whiskey Rebellion), first released as Love’s Brazen Fire

The Wayward One by Danelle Harmon

Under Crimson Sails by Lynna Lawton (post-Revolutionary War)

Velvet Chains by Constance O’Banyon

 

The War of 1812:

 

Fortune’s Flames by Janelle Taylor

Lady Vixen by Shirlee Busbee

Lord of the Sea by Danelle Harmon

Masque of Jade by Emma Merritt

Midnight Masquerade by Shirlee Busbee

My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

Tainted Lilies by Becky Lee Weyrich

The Captain’s Captive by Christine Dorsey

The Plains of Chalmette by Jack Caldwell

The Windflower by Laura London (aka Sharon and Tom Curtis)

To Save a Lady by Patricia Preston

 

The Underground Railroad:

 

Passion’s Joy by Jennifer Horsman

 

The Civil War:

 

A Time for Everything by Mysti Parker (post Civil War)

An Outlaw in Wonderland by Lori Austin

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers

Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss

Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin (post Civil War)

Bittersweet by Anita Mills (mostly post Civil War)

Bonds of Love by Lisa Gregory

Clingstone by Marti Ziegler

Dark Stranger and Rides a Hero, first two books in the Slater Brothers trilogy by Heather Graham

Lavender Blue by Parris Afton Bonds

Midnight Confessions by Candice Proctor

No Greater Glory by Cindy Nord

One Wore Blue, And One Wore Gray, And One Rode West, Cameron Civil War trilogy by Heather Graham

Rebel, Surrender, Glory and Triumph (from the Old Florida's McKenzies series) by Heather Graham

Rules of Decorum by Leigh Lee

Sing My Name by Ellen O’Connell

Southern Rapture by Jennifer Blake

Straight for the Heart by Marsha Canham

Surrender in Moonlight by Jennifer Blake

The Black Swan and Moss Rose, duology by Day Taylor

The Outlaw Hearts by Rebecca Brandewyne

Tomorrow the Glory by Heather Graham

Vagabond Wind by Amanda Hughes

When the Splendor Falls by Laurie McBain

 

In addition to those listed above, I hope you will consider my own stories: To Tame the Wind, a Georgian romance set in the last year of the Revolutionary War with privateers and spies in England and France; Wind Raven, the story of a sea captain hero and a heroine looking back at the War of 1812; and my newest series set in the Revolutionary War, the Dawn of America: The Irish Yankee, The Salamander and The Daredevil.

Mairi Norris’ LANTERNS IN THE MIST – Terror Lurks in the Colony of Virginia

Set in Norfolk, Virginia in 1759-60, this is the story of Duncan MacCabe, a wealthy Scottish shoemaker who wants a partner for his business—and a wife. He gains a boon when he buys a wife at an auction who can do figures.

 

Susanna Cooper joined a bride ship headed for the Colony of Virginia because of her family’s dire straits. She got lucky when Duncan chose her for his wife and bought her contract, outbidding a horrible man who lurked in the shadows, a man who would seek revenge.

 

From the beginning, the newlyweds enjoy a warm relationship, in bed and out. Duncan seems the perfect man (though he came across as old when he was young). Susanna is kind, meticulous and conscientious, yet she is late to everything, which her husband, understandably, finds irritating.

 

The villain, a twisted nobleman of terrible perversions (including torture), is quite a contrast to the Colonists and their warm friendships. We are in his mind and see his infliction of pain on others. I have to confess, I skipped the graphic torture scenes.

 

The author has taken great pains to create the Colonial period in America’s history, down to the smallest details in entertainments, food, terms and speech. We experience the Colonists’ commitment to each other and their rising discontent with England’s taxes and ill treatment. The seeds of the Revolution have clearly been sewn.

 

It’s a sometimes dark, well written historical romance with authentic history and a sweet love story where all comes right in the end.

 

Mary Calvi’s DEAR GEORGE, DEAR MARY – An Interesting Take on a Great Man’s First Love

Set in the mid-18^th century before the American Revolution, this is a fictional account of George Washington’s unrequited love for Mary Philipse, “the richest belle in Colonial America.” It is also the story of slander, betrayal and treachery designed to keep them apart.

 

The book’s description reads like a review so I’ll give you my own. This is a story of two people whose lives were affected by the selfish desires of others. George Washington went on to fulfill his destiny as America’s Founding Father and first and most beloved President, a patriot of patriots. The British looked down on the colonials, even ones like Colonel Washington, who was brave and honest and gave good service. They could not have one of their prized heiresses marrying such a man. So they conspired to keep it from happening.

 

This book made me sad to think so great a hero could be treated like that but then evil men have always done so and do to this day. Mary was a disappointing heroine in the end as she lacked the courage to stand up for him—or to wait for him. In the end Providence, as they referred to God in those days, protected Washington and gave him the country he fought for, the freedom he prized--and the woman who would stand by his side through all.

 

There were parts of the story that were very romantic and well told but, alas, we didn’t see the letters the book’s title suggests. And there were other parts that I hurried through once it was clear Mary would marry a lesser man she did not love. But there was a happy ending—for America. All in all, I think you’ll find this an interesting read.

 

Kate Archer’s A CONFOUNDING REGENCY ROMANCE – Clever Idea and a Fun Story

This is the story of what happens when butlers with good motives get in involved in romance between the families they serve. Jemima Fornay, daughter of the Duke of Eddleston, is being prepared for her first season by Mr. Gamon and his two assistants who want to transform her into a gentle and refined lady, which she definitely is not.

Jasper Pennington, Duke of Barstow, believes it is time for him to wed and is looking for the most refined lady in London. But he’s a bit staid and not very fun (to quote Jemima).

Mr. Martin J. Harkinson is butler to the Duke of Eddleston and proud member of The League, a secret club of six elite butlers who have set themselves the task of providing the most elevated service to their lords and ladies, including matchmaking.

Mr. Harkinson should not have a care in the world. After all, Lady Jemima is comely enough, is a duke’s daughter, and brings a good dowry. Unfortunately, though, he’s spent years describing her as the gentlest and most refined young woman. The League has taken that into consideration and named the Duke of Barstow as the perfect match for the lady. Mr. Harkinson worries what will happen when his fellow members discover the real Lady Jemima...he’ll be named a fraud.

Meantime, others plot to gain Jemima’s hand and lure Barstow into a marriage.

 

The adventure was very fun and the two come together notwithstanding the interference of the butlers. I enjoyed the back and forth, but I never did see any deep affection between Barstow and Jemima. They are at the top of the ton and all would expect them to marry, including her parents who love Barstow. It’s well written to be sure and will likely provide an entertaining read for those looking for a light romance.

 

 

Best Western Historical Romances

I first discovered Western romances by reading those written by my favorite authors who also wrote stories set in other eras. Since then, I have become a true fan of the subgenre and find myself every now and then reaching for a good romance from the Old West. I love those heroes. So, it seemed a “best” list was in order to share some of these wonderful stories with you. I have a separate list for Patriotic Historical Romances I post in July, some of which are set in the same era. All on my lists are rated 4 or 5 stars by me. I think you’ll like them!

   

·               A Fire in the Blood by Shirl Henke

·               A Heart So Wild by Johanna Lindsey

·               Beautiful Bad Man by Ellen O’Connell

·               Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin

·               Behind His Blue Eyes by Kaki Warner

·               Branded Hearts by Heather Graham

·               Brave the Wild Wind, Savage Thunder & Angel, Wyoming trilogy by Johanna

Lindsey

·               Brighter Than Gold by Cynthia Wright

·               Broken Vows by Shirl Henke

·               Captive Melody by Nadine Crenshaw

·               Capture the Sun, The Endless Sky & Sundancer, trilogy by Shirl Henke

·               Colorado Promise by Charlene Whitman

·               Comanche Moon, Comanche Heart & Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson

·               Clyde Connor by Sally Platt

·               Dancing on Coals by Ellen O’Connell

·               Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell

·               Fair is the Rose by Meagan McKinney

·              Fire Hawk’s Bride by Judith E. French

·               Fireblossom & Wildblossom, the Matthews duology by Cynthia Wright

·               Follow the Heart by Anita Mills

·               Forever Mine by Charlene Raddon

·               From Fields of Gold by Alexandra Ripley

·               Golden Fancy by Jennifer Blake

·               Golden Lady by Shirl Henke

·               Gone Outlaw by Madison Thames

·               Haven’s Flame by Marie Piper

·               Heart of the West by Penelope Williamson

·               Heartbreak Creek, Colorado Dawn & Bride of the High Country by Kaki Warner

·               Her Bodyguard by E. E. Burke

·               Her Wicked Captor by Sandra Jones

·               Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer

·               Innocent Fire, Firestorm, Violet Fire & The Fires of Paradise (from The Bragg

Saga) by Brenda Joyce

·               Into the Light by Ellen O’Connell

·               Lavender Blue by Parris Afton Bonds

·               Lawless by Nora Roberts

·               Love a Dark Rider by Shirlee Busbee

·               Love Cherish Me by Rebecca Brandewyne

·               Love Unwilling By Shirl Henke

·               McCrory’s Lady by Shirl Henke

·               Moon Dancer by Judith E. French

·               Mountain Mistress by Nadine Crenshaw

·               Night Flame by Catherine Hart

·               Night Wind’s Woman, White Apache’s Woman & Deep as the Rivers, trilogy by

Shirl Henke

·               No Other Man, No Other Woman and No Other Love, trilogy by Shannon Drake

·               One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey

·               Pieces of Sky, Open Country & Chasing the Sun, the Blood Rose trilogy by Kaki

 Warner

·               Reckless Angel by Elizabeth Awbrey (aka Elizabeth Stuart)

·               Savage Ecstasy and Defiant Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor

·               Silken Savage by Catherine Hart

·               Silver Nights with You and Desert Sunrise by Sawyer Belle

·               Sing My Name by Ellen O’Connell

·               Star of the West by Cordia Byers

·               Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers

·               Tears of Gold by Laurie McBain

·               Tender Touch by Charlene Raddon

·               Teton Sunrise by Peggy L. Henderson

·               Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath

·               Texas Tall by Kaki Warner

·               The Ballad of Emma O’Toole by Elizabeth Lane

·               The Bequest by Candice Proctor

·               The Darkest Heart by Brenda Joyce

·               The Double Cross by Carla Kelly

·               The Outlaw Hearts by Rebecca Brandewyne

·               The Outsider by Penelope Williamson

·               The River Nymph by Shirl Henke

·               The Scent of Roses by Charlene Raddon

·               The Tiger’s Woman by Celeste De Blasis

·               The Vintner’s Daughter by Kristen Harnisch

·               To Have and to Hold by Charlene Raddon

·               Under the Desert Moon by Marsha Canham

·               When the Splendor Falls by Laurie McBain

·               Where the Horses Run by Kaki Warner

·               Where the Wild Wind Blows by Nancy Morse

·               While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee

·               Without Words by Ellen O’Connell