Guide to Historical Romance - The Best Authors and Series
Your Guide to Historical Romance - Finding the Best Authors and Series and Avoiding the Dreck
Find out about the best romance series and authors, and avoid the dreck. Yes romances are often light and fluffy, but they can also be enjoyable reads if you pick the right authors. Romance tends to get a bad reputation because there is an excess of genuinely bad romance novels, and many authors just crank them out without regard to quality. There are, however, quite a few solid writers in the romance genre, and many readers are surprised to find themselves picking up a romance because they've discovered a favorite author who also writes in another genre that they consider more legitimate. While it is true that many readers look down their noses at Romance because they think they're too literate for the genre, many times I've gotten friends hooked on romances despite their misgivings. It all comes down to picking a solid author who can tell a good story.
Historical romances can include various subgenres, such as Regency, Medieval, Victorian, American Colonial, and more. There is quite a bit of crossover into general fiction and literature, depending on the author. Diana Gabaldon, for instance, was originally only found in romance, but now she is just as often found in the literature section because she has received some "legitimacy" as an author, while many romance authors are overlooked.
Top 10 Best Historical Romance Series
Best historical romance series with the first book in the series listed. Most of these series can be read individually, as most have a new hero and heroine for each novel. They are usually connected, however, so it is ideal if you can read them in order. Vote for your favorites!
Lisa Kleypas writes primarily in the Historical Romance genre, although she has recently begun to write contemporaries as well. Lisa's books are well-written romances that are a good mix of passion and plot, and filled with non-traditional heroines who fall in love in spite of themselves.
Lisa Kleypas has three great historical romance series:
The Bow Street Runners - The Bow Street Runner series is a little different than the average Regency romance, because the heroes are regular men - commoners - instead of the usual aristocrats. They work as "runners," or police officers of the day. The first book in the series is Someone to Watch Over Me.
Lisa Kleypas' Official Website >>
Photo from Amazon.com and LisaKleypas.com
What Type of Romance Is Your Favorite?
Top 10 Best Time-Travel Romances
Time-Travel romance is a related genre to historicals. Usually set in the past, the plot often involves a modern day heroine being transported to the past by some type of magical means, during which time she meets and falls in love with a hero from that time period. The conflict generally revolves around whether or not she can stay in the past or whether time will ultimately separate the couple.
For a good introduction into time travel romances, the Outlander series, is an outstanding epic saga filled with a rich storyline set in 18th century Scotland.
Top 10 Great Classic Romances - Not to be missed...
Vote for your favorites!
Romance Favorite: Julia Quinn
Julia Quinn is a historical romance author best known for her Bridgertons series, a series set in Regency England about a large family. The Bridgerton family consists of eight siblings named in alphabetical order. Reminiscent of 
Julia Quinn's other series include the Bevelstoke series, the Two Dukes of Wyndham, Agents of the Crown, the Lyndon Sisters and the Splendid series.
What romance books do you recommend?
Celeste Bradley, Madeline Hunter, Eloisa James, and Elizabeth Boyle are all really good.
Laura Willig Pink Carnation series
Glad to see Outlander - a great favorite. I also love any regency romance by Georgette Heyer.
Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers, Lisa Kleypas and Fern Michaels older Captive series are all Excellent!
Please read anything by Kathleen Woodiwiss , Lisa Kleypas, Rosemary Rogers and older Fern Michaels captive series. You won't be disappointed.
I would recommend Julie Garwood and Christine Feehan books
Oh, I have to admit to picking up "anything" that has the name Jayne Krentz, Julie Garwood, and Diana Palmer - they are truly incredible writers and I am never disappointed in any of their books. Nice lens!
I have A Knight In Shinning Armor that I got when it was first published and I still count that as one of my all time favorites! Thanks for writing such a great lens on Romance books! I really have to read some of these soon.
I like the old romance books, like Jane Austen and the Bronte books. Have featured this lens on my review of World Without End by Ken Follett.
I love Someone To Watch Over Me, love that book.
Cool lens! I love Dee Julia books!
informative lens thanks for the guides
This is a wonderful list. Finding a good romance novel can be difficult at times.
Nothing I recommend will be as appealing to you as I wish it to be.
I read Raymond E. Feist and Coehlo so go figure.
Good list. I love mostly medieval. Have a few Kleypas earlier novels
I haven't read historical romances for a while, I think I'm about ready for one. Bring on the summer reading!
Love the Outlander series and also Quinn. Can't believe I haven't read Lisa Kleypas yet...I'm on it!
Very extensive presentation of authors and their series ... nicely done. ~~Blessed~~
Very interesting lense! I'm fan of Amanda Quick romance books :)
Great lens! I'm a fan of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series - and I can see you are too!
My favorite are the ones written in the Victorian era, because I love the castles, horses and fairytales of that time period.
You hit the nail on the head with Kleypas and Quinn. Both are fantastic, although I think I enjoy Kleypas more! Quinn's humor can be a bit flat at times, like she's trying to be funny but not quite succeeding.
Anyway, great lens!
my mom is quite the fan of this genre and I'm sure she'll absolutely love this lens. Great job!
Good info. Very nice lens!
The Great Gatsby is highly recommended!
I love, love, love the Outlander series so hoorah to you for putting that at the top! I also like the Skye O'malley series by Bertrice Small, and of course anything by Ms. Jane Austen.
Emma is a really good book, also enjoyed little women :)
Great lens! I love Georgette Heyer books!
Well as you asked, what about the Poldark series? Loved those.
Some really great authors here.
I like sophie kinsella's modern romance books and if you like the old regency english books look up barbara cartlands, not sure if she's in print but you will learn a lot of historical facts from the 1800s for london england. she mixes fact with fiction which is a delightful read.
The entire Outlander Series is incredible
Lots to enjoy here. Blessed by a squid angel.
Completely impressed by Gabaldon.
I love historical romances!! Right now my favorite author is Lisa Kleypas. Great lens!!
Haha, bet I was the only one to vote for science fiction. I loves me some space opera romances. If anyone wants to give them a try, check out Linnea Sinclair!
I'm a big Diana Gabaldon fan!
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I have a lot of Johanna Lindsey and Lesley Pearse books, so far so good. I have yet to read the rest of the list. Also heard that Amanda Quick and Julia Quinn books are great too.
I don't know about romance, but a few of the best works of historical fiction are both by James Clavell. They are SHOGUN, TAIPAN, and NOBLE HOUSE. They do all have a bit of romance in them and I think you might really enjoy Clavell's Asian sagas.
Great lens, I just discovered three books I have not read yet. Thanks! If you're in to audio books, then you might want to check out this Historical Romance Audio Books site.
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