I am frequently asked what are my favorite historical romances. Of course, I have many as you know from my “best lists.” It is always hard to narrow ones favorites to a small list. (There are currently 80 on my "Favorite Keepers" shelf on Goodreads.) But since you asked, I'm giving you my current top 10 and in a few days I'll give you the second ten for my "Top 20."
Some are from new authors; some from authors who lived decades ago. And the list changes each year. (There are two books on the list that weren’t there a year ago and they are among the oldest!)
Some are from new authors; some from authors who lived decades ago. And the list changes each year. (There are two books on the list that weren’t there a year ago and they are among the oldest!)
These are the ones that have stayed with me, the ones I want to re-read, the ones I can’t forget. It’s no coincidence that they are written by some of my favorite authors. I’m sure you would agree there are always some stories that resonate more with your heart than others.
So, without further ado, here are my current top ten:
1. Bride of the MacHugh by Jan Cox Speas
2. The Passions of Emma by Penelope Williamson
3. The Windflower by Laura London (aka Sharon & Tom Curtis)
4. The Dragon and the Jewel by Virginia Henley
5. Princess of Fire by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
6. The Captain of All Pleasures by Kresley Cole
7. Heartstorm by Elizabeth Stuart
8. Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
9. September Moon by Candice Proctor
10. Broken Wing by Judith James
I'd love to know your favorites! Leave a comment with the book title and author on this post on my 2nd top ten (for the Top 20) and it just might show up on one of my best lists if it isn't there now.
To a lucky commenter on this post or the next, I'll gift you your choice of my first two novels, Racing with the Wind or Against the Wind, so make sure I have your email.
Hi Regan,
ReplyDeleteWell I'd have to say my faves include The Bastion Club and the Black Cobra Quartet (Stephanie Laurens) and Mary Balogh's Silent Melody.
Thanks, Laura!
DeleteNight Flame by Catherine Hart is my favorite. Ensure to check it out!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I need your email to put you in the contest. And thanks for the recommendation...I've added it to my "to read" list.
DeleteI would say some of my favorites:
ReplyDeleteRogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen
Any book by Joanna Bourne
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
Lessons from a Scarlet Lady by Emma Wildes
and the Royal Entourage series by Sophia Nash
Thanks, Katie. I, too, am a fan of Jo Bourne and Emma Wildes. Have some of Sophia Nash's to read. And have read Galen and MacLean, too.
DeleteKatie,
DeleteI need your email for the contest as it's not connected to your blogger account.
Hey! Great list. I'm an avid follower of your blog. My top 5 are:
ReplyDelete1. Love, Cherish Me-Rebecca Brandewyne
2. A Kingdom of Dreams-Judith McNaught
3. The Prince of Midnight-Laura Kinsale
4. A Candle in the Dark-Megan Chance
5. Gypsy Lord-Kat Martin
Thanks, Kathryne, for that list! So glad you like the blog. Meanwhile, I need your email for the contest as it's not connected to your named account.
Deletekathryne.woodward@gmail.com
DeleteThanks!
DeleteHi Regan,
ReplyDelete1.'Flowers from the Storm', Laura Kinsale
2. 'Devil in Winter', Lisa Kleypas
3. 'Swept Away', Marsha Canham
4. 'The Lady's Tutor', Robin Schone
5. 'Savage Thunder', Johanna Lindsay
All the above I've read a gazillion times. Unfortunately, I have not yet read any K. Woodiwiss (says with eyes cast down in shame). I've only read two of the books on your great list, 'September Moon' and 'The Passions of Emma' (by the sister act)and loved them. I'll be reading 'Shanna' shortly. xxx
Great list, Alea. Send me your email for the contest.
DeleteHello Regan,
DeleteThis reply is connected to my google account, I hope you can get my email this way. My name is E. Walker.
xxx
Regan,
ReplyDeleteI love reading your reviews, awesome book lists, and blog. Some of my favorite historical romances, so far, are:
1. Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham
2. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
3. On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens
4. Highlander in Love by Julia London
5. Highland Warrior by Monica McCarty
Thanks for the list, Penny! You are entered in the contest.
Delete1. Song for Sophia by Moriah Densley
ReplyDelete2. The Duchess War by Courtney Milan - I love all her books!
3. His Forbidden Touch by Shelly Thacker - another great author to try if you've not read her books before. They are all great.
Thanks for those recommendations, Linda. Your name is in the contest!
DeleteRegan -- Your lists here are just fantastic! I can get completely lost moving from one category to another. Thank you for these wonderful resources (and so many ideas to add to my list). A few of my favorites are:
ReplyDeletel. Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
2. My Lord Monleigh by Jan Cox Speas
3. Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
4. Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught
joannemccabe 9 (at) cox (dot) net
Joanne, I can see you and I like a lot of the same books. My Lord Monleigh is another favorite of mine, and Shanna, as you know, is in my top 10. I like Judith McNaught, too, though the heroes in her early historicals were very bad boys. Here Paradise trilogy (contemporary) is awesome. She is one of the few contemporary authors I read. I checked out your website (very nice!).
DeleteThis was as hard as giving birth to me....laughing here. This is by no means all nor are they in any particular order. Most are the first in a series and I loved each equally.
ReplyDelete1. The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss
2. A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
3. The Viking's Woman by Heather Graham
4. Princess of Fire by Shannon Drake
5. Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey
6. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
7. The Lion's Bride by Connie Mason
8. Through A Dark Mist by Marsha Canham
9. The Bride by Julie Garwood
10. The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley
I could go on and on and on here.... :)
leahweller(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Leah, I'd agree with you about all of these save for A Knight in Shining Armor, and it's one of the rare books to which I gave 4 stars but did not include it on my Best Medieval List. If you want to see why, here's the permanent link to my Amazon review:
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/review/R2HSIK1QAHI805/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1451665636&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=
Regan, I can see where you're coming from. Really. It got a 5 star from me because it pulled at my heart, had me laughing and crying. I also tend to lean toward loving the time travels simply because I want to so bad. My soul yearns for a time past that I know I've been before. It's a physical ache a lot of the time. Knowing that I'll never do that until my soul flies free from this body, all I can do is hope it lands where it yearns to be next. :)
DeleteSome Like It Kilted on my next post of your next 10 is written by Allie MacKay (Sue-Ellen Welfonder) and she does the time travels that I love. I also mention another series that is basically in the now but with immortal Templars.
Thnaks, Leah. I have the same fascination with the past but I'm not so fond of time travel novels. I prefer leaving the modern day behind on page one.
Delete