Sometimes
when I talk to fellow readers of historical romance, or even authors, and I
mention a name from the past, an author who helped shape the genre, like
Kathleen Woodiwiss or Rosemary Rogers, I get a blank stare in return. It
occurred to me that as lovers of a genre it might be helpful to read some of
the classics to see where we’ve come from and to enjoy the greats who have
contributed so much to the craft.
Except for
several novels of note in earlier decades, I’m starting in the 1970s. And while
I may not have included your favorite author, by reading the romances on this
list, you’ll have a good idea of our beginnings and what so many wonderful
authors have done for the genre. Think of it as a Recommended Reading
List for the Uninitiated in
modern historical romance.
So,
here’s the list of those I recommend, a sampling meant to give you a picture of
how the genre has developed. Some may require you to shop online for a used
book though many are available as ebooks. Most are novels I’ve rated 5 stars,
so I promise you won’t be bored.
Included because of their significance… and to show
you what was out there early
·
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer (1950)
·
Bride of the MacHugh by Jan Cox Speas (1954)
·
Sleep in the Woods by Dorothy Eden (1960)
·
Bond of
Blood by Roberta Gellis (1965)
The 1970s: The Pioneering Years
·
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss (1972)
·
The Wicked Marquis by Barbara Cartland (1973)
·
Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers (1974)
·
Love’s Tender Fury by Jennifer Wilde (aka Tom Huff)
(1976)
·
Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain (1977)
·
Caroline by Cynthia Wright
(1977)
·
Love’s Wild Desire
by
Jennifer Blake (1977)
·
The Kadin by Bertrice Small
(1978)
·
A Pirate’s
Love by Johanna Lindsey (1978)
·
Bonds of Love by Lisa Gregory
(1978)
The 1980s: The Explosive Years
·
Lady Vixen by Shirlee Busbee (1980)
·
Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small (1981)
·
Devil’s Embrace by Catherine Coulter
(1982)
·
The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys (1984)
·
Rose of
Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne (1984)
·
Stormfire by Christine Monson
(1984)
·
The
Windflower by Laura London (aka Sharon & Tom Curtis) (1984)
·
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught (1985)
·
The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham (1986)
·
Mountain Mistress by Nadine Crenshaw (1987)
·
The Hawk and
the Dove by Virginia
Henley (1988)
·
Capture the
Sun by Shirl
Henke (1988)
·
Nightwylde by Kimberleigh Caitlin
(1988) Re-published as Black Falcon’s Lady
·
Sweet Savage Eden by Heather Graham (1989)
·
Heartstorm by Elizabeth Stuart (1989)
The 1990s: The Developing Years
·
Dark
Fires by Brenda Joyce (1991)
·
The Wind Dancer by Irish Johansen (1991)
·
Keeper of the Dream by Penelope Williamson (1992)
·
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale (1992)
·
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1992)
·
Untamed by Elizabeth Lowell (1993)
·
Princess of Fire by Shannon Drake (aka Heather
Graham) (1994)
·
Lady of the Glen by Jennifer Roberson (1996)
·
Lady of the Glen by Jennifer Roberson (1996)
·
Night in Eden by Candice Proctor (1997)
·
Kilgannon
by Kathleen Givens (1999)
The 2000s: The “Standing On The Shoulders of Giants”
Years
·
By
Possession by Madeline Hunter (2000)
·
The Captain
of All Pleasures by Kresley Cole (2003)
·
On a
Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens (2006)
·
Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn (2007)
·
Broken Wing by Judith James (2008)
·
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne (2008)
·
The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran (2008)
·
Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell (2010)
·
Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner (2011)
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