Saturday, September 7, 2013

The 2nd Group of my Favorite Historical Romances for Regan's Top 20!

Earlier in the week, I posted my current Top 10 Historical Romances. Here are the next ten for my Top 20. As with the first list,  I'd love to know your favorites, so leave a comment with the book title and author on this post or on the first one 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 first, 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.

Here are the next ten of my top favorites, a very hard choice to winnow it down to these, I can assure you:

1.              The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen
2.              Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham
3.              Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain
4.              Embrace and Conquer by Jennifer Blake
5.              Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey
6.              Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes
7.              Kilgannon by Kathleen Givens
8.              The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham
9.              Silver Storm by Cynthia Wright
10.       Dancing on Coals by Ellen O'Connell


18 comments:

  1. THERE ARE 3 AUTHORS HERE THAT, I AM FAMILIAR WITH, SO A HUNTING I WILL GO! AMAZON, HERE COME! REGAN, WHAT IS THE 1 THEME STORYLINE THAT YOU DELIGHT IN READING?

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    1. Oh, Juanita, you have my mind swirling with images of the novels I've read. I don't know if there is one theme but I like Alpha heroes who take what they want and then get snagged by their love for the woman. It's why I like bodice rippers when they are done well. It's The Flame and the Flower, Embrace and Conquer, Hearts Aflame, Princess of Fire, Shanna, and so many more. (I'm working on a Best Bodice Rippers list now.) I like to see the strong hero bending to love but it has to be donw well and over time, not all at once. The history and authenticity are important to me, too. I do not like contrived elements nor "wallpaper" historicals where a contemporary tale is dropped into some vague historical period. A lot of modern Highland "historical" are like this.

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    2. Bodice rippers?...I am getting tired of reading, mail-order brides, wall-flowers, etc...looking for a novel where the hero is as you say,'Alpha heroes who take what they want'...I read, 'Golden Chances'

      Lee, Rebecca Hagan (2013-07-06). Golden Chances (Borrowed Brides) (Kindle Location 32). Amber House Books, LLC. Kindle Edition...and enjoyed how this hero was like that, but looking for more, maybe I should be looking for a caveman!

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  2. Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes...
    Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham...
    Silver Storm by Cynthia Wright...
    FREE ON AMAZON FOR KINDLE BUT, I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG.

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    1. Thanks, Juanita. I have Tweeted and posted on my Facebook free books worth reading when they come along, including these three, which as you know, are among my favorites.

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    2. Juanita,
      did you want to give me one or more of your favorites for the contest?

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    3. THERE ARE SO MANY AND THE BAD THING ABOUT IT IS THIS...I AM TERRIBLE AT REMEMBERING NAMES AND TITLES...I REMEMBER MY FAVORITES BY THE COVER ILLUSTRATIONS...This Duchess of Mine BY Eloisa James...MINE TILL MIDNIGHT by LISA KLEYPAS...The Paid Companion (HC May 2004 — PB Apr 2005)

      Wait Until Midnight (Feb 2005)

      Lie By Moonlight (HC Jun 2005 — PB May 2006)

      Second Sight (HC May 2006 — PB Apr 2007)

      The River Knows (HC May 2007 — PB Apr 2008)

      The Third Circle (HC May 2008 — PB Apr 2009)

      The Perfect Poison (HC May 2009 — PB Apr 2010)

      Burning Lamp (HC Apr 2010 — PB Apr 2011) BY AMANDA QUICK...SO, SO MANY!

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    4. Wow, Juanita! There are some here I've never heard of, but you can be sure I'll be checking them out!

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  3. I'm going to give my next 10 to make it 20. Again, this is so blasted hard!

    1. Nothing But Velvet by Kat Martin
    2. Fairy Tale by Jillian Hunter
    3. Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick
    4. Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri
    5. Promise of the Rose by brenda Joyce
    6. The Conqueror by Kris Kennedy
    7. Devil in a Kilt by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
    8. Queen Hereafter by Susan Fraser King
    9. The Secret by Julie Garwood
    10. Some Like It Kilted by Allie MacKay

    11..... Immortal Hope by Claire Ashgrove. This is a series about immortal Templars and is very good! There are three books so far and more to come. I love her writing voice and her characters grabbed me by the heart and wouldn't let go. :)

    There are many favorite authors that aren't on here. It's not easy picking when there are so many great voices out there that have brought me many hours of laughter, hope, and love.

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    1. Thanks for the list Leah. Most interesting. I'll have to read that one by Brenda Joyce. I do like her and it looks like a bodice ripper. And I've read/reviewed some of the others, too.

      You're entered in the contest!

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    2. There is a book before Promise of the Rose by Joyce....it's called The Conqueror and is super good too. I was having a hard time deciding which one of the two to post. :)

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    3. I think I may have read that one. I'll check. And, thanks!

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  4. Ohhh, there are several books on your list that I have not yet read! Thanks for the great list! Tweeted as well!

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  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  6. The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss, The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce and A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. Also a few of Julie Garwoods.

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    1. Thanks, Viking Princess! Those are great ones and on my best medieval list!

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  7. I'm posting this comment from Katerina who had difficulty posting:

    Hello Regan,

    I have been following your reviews for some time now. This is an opportunity to thank you for all the great books I've found thanks to your reviews.I tried to send this to your blog contest but I didn't manage. Anyway... I have a long list of favorites, but I'll try to limit it.
    1.Marsha Canham - The Pride of Lions (all three books are great)
    2.Penelope Williamson - Keeper of the Dream
    3.Madeline Hunter - By Arrangement
    4.Marsha Canham - The Last Arrow (actually the whole trilogy is simply fantastic)
    5.Lisa Kleypas - Devil in Winter
    6.Laura Kinsale - Shadowheart
    7.Shannon Drake - Princess of fire
    8.Kathleen Woodiwiss - Shanna
    9.Judith McNaught - Almost Heaven
    10.Jennifer Roberson - Lady of the Glen

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