HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Ok, so the readers of historical romance are usually teased. I've often heard, "How can you read that stuff?" We'll let me tell you more historial romances are sold than any other type of fiction. Hmmm, makes you think, an awful lot of women are "Reading that Stuff!" Below are some of my favorite authors and books. Also a few authors have web pages of their own, and I have included links to their pages. Enjoy!
Danelle Harmon
Julia Quinn
Kat Martin
Johanna Lindsey
Miriam Minger
Teresa Mederios
Lisa Kleypas
Julie Garwood
Amanda Quick
Danelle Harmon is currently my favorite author. I have read all but one of her novels, and each one is wonderful.
MY LADY PIRATE Is the first of Danelle's I read. It is the story of Maeve, Pirate Queen, and Sir Graham Falconer. It was the first book I read were the pirate in the story was a woman. It was a fun book, and I recommend it highly.
WICKED AT HEART Is the story of Gwyneth Evans Simms and Damon de Wolfe, Marquess of Morninghall. Damon is the commander of a prision hulk, Gwyneth is fighting to better the conditions on the hulks. Damon is twisted and tormented by the memories of his childhood. He's very nasty, and it's almost hard to like his character, but of course, he has a softer side, and Gwyneth is just the one to discover it. This is also a very good book, it is much darker than the other Danelle Harmon books, but it grips your heart in a way her others do not.
THE WILD ONE Ah, there is nothing I love more than a series. This is the first of four stories about the de Montforte brothers. The Wild One is Gareth de Monforte's story. He is a devilish rake, one who apparently has no desire to grow up. Juliet was engaged to Gareth's deceased brother Charles, and also the mother of Charles's daughter. You can't help but fall in love with Gareth and his boyish pranks.
THE BELOVED ONE This is my favorite Danelle Harmon book to date. The Beloved One is the story of the supposedly deceased Charles de Montforte, and the American woman Amy who saved his life. I've read it twice, and I loved it more the second time. I can't say enough about this story.
THE DEFIANT ONE The story of Andrew de Montforte wont be out until next year, and so will the story about the oldest de Montforte brother Lucien. Lucien is my favorite, the meddling Duke hopefully has a few things in store for him. I can't wait.
MASTER OF MY DREAMS Is the story of Captain Christian Lord and Deirdre O'Devir. Christian is placed in charge of the H.M.S. Bold Marauder, a ship known for it's impossible crew. He soon has the crew in line, and discovers a stowaway- Deirdre. She is determined to kill Christian who forced her brother into the Navy years ago. This is a wonderful story, you can't help but fall in love with Christian.
CAPTAIN OF MY HEART This is the story of Mira Ashton (whom you meet briefly in The Beloved One) and Brendan Jay Merrick. Mira is the wild, rebelious daughter of a shipbuilder. Brendan wants her father to build his ship the Kestrel (a ship that reappears in My Lady Pirate and Wicked at Heart). Mira torments poor Brendan, til he is forced to admit that he loves her. The story's villian is determined to end Brendan's life, and the battle scenes are truly wonderful.
A PIRATE IN MY ARMS This is Danelle Harmons first novel, and is truly a work of art. It is the story of the famous pirate Sam Bellamy and Maria Hallett. Sam Bellamy's real pirate ship the Whydah sunk off the coast of Cape Cod on April 26, 1717, it is believed that Sam died in that wreck. Danelle Harmon, however, had him live in A PIRATE IN MY ARMS. This story is haunting, it sticks with you days after you've finished reading it. I would like to believe that Sam and his real lover Maria lived happily ever after as in this novel, and not as History would have written their story.
Taken By Storm
Only 24 when her first novel was published, Julia Quinn's novels have a charming way of making you laugh. Her dialog is never boring, her female characters have a way of always getting themselves into trouble, and the men are lovable.
BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN The first of Julia Quinn's novel's I read, is the story of Charles Wycombe and Eleanor Lyndon. Charles needs a wife before his 30th birthday or he'll loose his inheritance, Eleanor needs a husband to escape her home and her future new stepmother. Their story is delightful from the first moment they met (which is when Charles falls out a tree, quite drunk, at Eleanor's feet). I laughed more than once, and enjoyed the fun story and dialog.
TO CATCH AN HEIRESS This is the story of Caroline Trent who is kidnapped by Blake Ravenscroft, who mistakes her for a notorious spy named Carlotta De Leon. Caroline decides to not reveal her true identity to Blake, she has six weeks until her 21st birthday, when she will gain control over her fortune. Six weeks to hide from her guardian, and his son. Blake discovers the truth on his own, however, and then the fun begins.
MINX This book is about Henrietta Barrett, nick-named Harry, and William Dunford. Harry manages her deceased guardian's estates, until the new owner, Dunford, shows up. She wants him gone, and does everything in her power to scare him off the property. He wants to take her to London to learn how to become a lady, and to find her a husband. Of course, can you figure out who that husband will be? This is a wonderful, fun, story, and you meet several other people from Julia's other books. Charles Wycombe from Brighter Than The Sun makes a brief appearance. Also the leads from Splendid and Dancing At Midnight have large parts.
Everything and the Moon
Dancing At Midnight (out of print)
Splendid (out of print)
How To Marry A Marquis (due out in March 1999)
How To Marry A Marquis is the story of James Riverdale, who is a lead character in To Catch An Heiress.
See BookFinder.com for out of print books.
There are so many Kat Martin books, and I've read most of them, I am only going to touch on each book briefly. Go to her web site for more detailed information on some of her books.
LOVERS GOLD The story of Elaina McAllister, and Ren Daniels. Starts off in a small mining town in Pennsylvania, and ends up in San Francisco. Filled with lots of conflict, passion, and bad guys you can't help but hate.
DANGEROUS PASSIONS This is the story of Elissa Tauber and Colonel Adrian Kingsland. Set in Austria during the Napoleonic war. Elissa is determined to discover the spy responsible for her brother's murder. Adrian is also searching for the same spy.
DEVIL'S PRIZE The story of Damien, Lord Falon, and Alexa Garrick. Damien is determined to ruin Alexa, who he believes was responsible for his brother's death. Instead he finds himself married to her.
INNOCENCE UNDONE The first Kat Martin novel I read, is the story of Matthew Seaton, and Jessica Fox. Jessica has loved Matthew since she was a young child. Matthew believe's Jessica is a fortune hunter. His father as taken Jessica, a homeless, motherless, young girl into his home, and raised her into a beautiful young lady. Matthew comes home from years at sea, and the fun begins.
WICKED PROMISE The story of Nicholas Warring, and Elizabeth Woolcot. Once convicted of murder, Nicholas Warring finds himself the guardian of Elizabeth. The two fights their feelings for each other, they can never be together, Nicholas is already a married man.
NOTHING BUT VELVET My favorite Kat Martin book is the story of Velvet Moran and Jason Sinclair. Velvet is to marry the Duke of Carlyle to save her family from financial ruin. On the way to the wedding she is kidnapped by Jason Sinclair, who has secretly returned to clear his name, and to take back the dukedom which has been stolen from him.
MIDNIGHT RIDER Is the story of Caralee McConnell and Ramon de la Guerra. Set in California, Ramon is determined to take back the lands which Caralee's uncle has stolen.
GYPSY LORD Also one of my favorites, this is the story of Dominic Edgemont and Catherine Barrington. Catherine, a countess, is kidnapped and sold to the gypsy's. Dominic, half gypsy, is also Lord Nightwyck, heir to the Marquis of Gravenwold, saves Catherine from one of his gypsy band. Neither Dominic nor Catherine knows the other is also a member of London Society, until they meet in London.
SAVANNAH HEAT The story of Silver Jones, and Captian Morgan Trask. Silver is placed in Morgan's hands, ordered to return her to her father. Silver is determined to escape, returning to her father is a fate worse than death.
CAPTIAN'S BRIDE The story of Glory Summerfield, and Captian Nicholas Blackwell. Set in the South, and in Boston.
SWEET VENGEANCE The story of Rayne Garrick, and Jocelyn Asbury. A full story traveling from the London slums, fancy ballrooms, Newgate prision, and Jamaica.
NATCHEZ FLAME The story of Brendan Trask (brother to Moran Trask who you meet in Savannah Heat) and Priscilla Wills. Brendan finds himself escorting Priscilla to her fiance after shooting her escort.
BOLD ANGEL The story of Caryn of Ivesham and Raolfe de Gere. Set in Englnd in 1072, a wonderful story of Saxon and Norman enemies finding love and happiness.
Creole Fires
Magnificent Passage
Dueling Hearts
Night Secrets (due out May 1999)
Johanna has so many books, I'm not even going to go into each one. See her web site for more information. I will say this however, her Malory series is my favorite, the are (in order)
About Regina Ashton and Nicholas Eden
TENDER REBEL
About Anthony Malory and Roslynn Chadwick
GENTLE ROGUE
About Jason Malory and Georgina Anderson
THE MAGIC OF YOU (My favorite)
About Amy Malory and Warren Anderson
SAY YOU LOVE ME
About Derek Malory and Kelsey Langton
THE PRESENT
A Malory Holiday Novel
Angel/ Brave The Wild Wind/ Captive Bride
Defy Not The Heart/ Fires of Winter/ A Gentle Feuding
Glorious Angel/ Heart of Thunder/ A Heart So Wild
Hearts Aflame/ Keeper of The Heart/ Love Me Forever
Man of My Dreams/ Once A Princess/ Paradise Wild
A Pirate's Love/ Prisoner of My Desire/ Savage Thunder
Secret Fire/ Silver Angel/ So Speaks The Heart
Surrender My Love/ Tender Is The Storm/ Until Forever
Warrior's Woman/ When Love Awaits/ You Belong To Me
All I Need is You
A few of Miriam Minger's books are as follows (details regarding the stories will follow at a later date)
Wild Roses (My favorite-sequel to Wild Angel)
My Runaway Heart
Secrets of Midnight
Twin Passions
Captive Rose
Defiant Imposter
The Pagan's Prize
Stolen Splendor
A Hint of Rapture
A list of Teresa Medrios's books is listed below. Details regarding these book will follow at a later date.
A Whisper of Roses
Once An Angel
Heather and Velvet
Thief of Hearts
Breath of Magic
Shadows and Lace
Touch of Enchantment
Nobody's Darling (my favorite book by any author)
Lady of Conquest
Charming the Prince (due out April 1999)
Lisa Kleypas has a unique way of writing than draws you into the story. Many of her stories are sequels. Following is a list of her book titles. (Most of my books are currently in storage, so some of the names of the leading characters have been left out of the book descriptions)
BECAUSE YOUR MINE (My Favorite) This is the story of actor Logan Scott (who you also meet in Somewhere I'll Find You) and Madeline. Madeline hopes that an affair with the actor will cause the man her parents have arrange for her to marry to determine her unsuitable.
DREAMING OF YOU The story of Sara Fielding, a country author, and Derek Craven, a millionaire cassio owner.
MIDNIGHT ANGEL This is the story of an Russian noblewoman Tasia who fakes her own death to escape the gallows for killing her betrothed. She flees to England and becomes the governess for Lord Luke Stokehurst, who soon is captivated by Tasia's beauty and manner.
ONLY IN YOUR ARMS Lysette Kersaint is fleeing from an impending marriage to a man she hates. Instead she finds herself seeking sanctuary with a legendary master duelist, Maximillian Vellerand. Forced by circumstances, and desires she can not control, nor begin to unstand, Lysette finds herself married to Max.
PRINCE OF DREAMS This is the story of Emma Stokehurst (daughter of Luke Stokehurst from Midnight Angel) and Russian Prince Nicolas (who is related to the man Tasia was betrothed to). This story has a bit of time travel in it, Nicolas is mysteriously transported to another time, where he learnes the power of compassion and forgiveness.
SOMEWHERE I'LL FIND YOUThe story of the reigning queen of the London stage, who is betrothed at birth to a man she's never met. She refuses to acknowledge the arranged marriage, and instead becomes the mistress of a dashing lord, who turns out to be the very man she was intended for. (You first meet Logan Scott from Because Your Mine in this book)
STRANGER IN MY ARMS The story of the Earl of Hawksworth (believed to have parished at sea) and his wife Lara Hawksworth. Lara finds herself responding, and loving the miraculously returned Earl in ways she never did previously. Is he her husband, or a seductive impostor?
THEN CAME YOU Lily Lawson is determined to save her sister from an undesired marriage to Alex Raiford. She finds herself falling in love with him instead.
FOREVER MY LOVE A very hard book to find, this Onyx book was published in 1988. It is the story of Mira Germain and Alec Falkner, the Duke of Hamilton. Mira lives with the elderly Lork Sackville allowing society to believe that she is his mistress. Alec learns the truth, and is dtermined to have her.
GIVE ME TONGIHT Another difficult book to find, the Onyx book was published in 1989. It is the story of Ben Hunter and Addie.
Love Come To Me
Only With Your Love
Where Passion Leads
Someone to Watch Over Me (due out May 1999)
What can be said of Julie Garwood? She is wonderful! I have read every single one of her books, and I would read each one again. The following is a list of her book titles. A detailed description of her books will follow at a later date.
Rebellious Desire
Honor's Splendour (My Favorite)
The Lion's Lady
The Bride
Guardian Angel
The Gift
The Prize
The Secret
Castles
Saving Grace
Prince Charming
For The Roses
One Pink Rose
One White Rose
One Red Rose
Come the Spring
The Wedding
Amanda Quick's stories are always filled with spunky female leads, strong, (sometimes dark) male leads, and danger filled adventure. Her stories make you smile, laugh, sometimes cry. The following is a list of her book titles. A detailed description of the books will follow at a later date.
WITH THIS RING This is Amanda Quick's newest book, and my least favorite. Not that it isn't very good, I just like her other's better. This is the story of Leo Drake, and Beatrice Poole. Beatrice is the secret novelist of "horrid novels", and is on a secret quest to find the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite. She enlists Leo's help, as he is a noted expert on antiquities.
SEDUCTION This is the story of Julian, the Earl of Ravenwood, and Sophy Dorring. Julian has a legendary temper, and is rumored to have killed his first wife. Sophy has loved him since she was a child, and she agrees to become his new bride, despite the rumors.
SCANDAL Emily Faringdon has resigned herself to live the life as a spinster. An unfortunate incident in her past as ruined her. She embarks on an unusual coorespondence with Simon Augustus, and finds herself falling in love with him through his letters. When he shows up and asks her to marry him, she is delighted, and concerned. It seems Simon has sworn a vengance to destroy her family.
REDNEZVOUS The story of Augusta Ballinger and Harry, the Earl of Graystone. Harry is determined to marry a bride who is a veritable model of virtue. He chooses Augusta. Augusta can't understand why he would wish to marry her, she is wild, reckless, and not bothered with society's rules.
SURRENDER The story of Victoria Huntington, and Lucas Colebrook. Lucas is in need of a heiress, Victoria is one, but is determined not to marry ever. Forced to marry anyways, after being caught in a compromising situation, she finds herself ensconced in Lucas's crumbling mansion deep in the English countryside.
DECEPTION The sotry of Olympia Wingfield and Jared Chillhurst. Left to raise her three nephews, Olympia's true passion is the study of ancient legends and lost treasure. Jared is the embodiment of Olympia's dreams... a daring pirate. He leads her a a perilous quest for a hidden fortune.
Mystique
Mistress
Desire
Dangerous
Ravished
Reckless
Mischief
Affair (My favorite)
I Thee Wed (out in hardcover April 1999)
Info on some of their books will follow
MARSHA CANHAM
JUDITH E FRENCH
ELAINE BARBIERI
KATHERINE SUTCLIFFE
KATHLEEN HARRINGTON
CATHERINE HART
CATHERINE COULTER
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