Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Conquer Historical Romance Reading Challenge

Do you want to conquer Historical Romance? Then you can do so by signing up for this challenge. This challenge is actually pretty simple, read at least one novel from each Historical Romance subgenre from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

Americana
Bodice Ripper
Civil War
Elizabethan
Georgian
Highlander
Medieval
Native American
Pirate
Regency
Time Travel
Tudor
Victorian
Viking
Western

Choose your level:
Level 1: read ONE of each (15 books)
Level 2: read TWO of each (30 books)
Level 3: read THREE of each (45 books)
Level 4: read FOUR of each (60 books)
Level 5: read FIVE of each (75 books)

Rules:
- Sign up as early as now but only the books read starting from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 will be counted.
- Books of the Month can be counted.
- Novels, novellas, and short stories are acceptable.
- Create a post in this thread to serve as your tracking post. Don't forget to keep them up to date. Feel free provide your star ratings in the post as well.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Good luck, have fun and happy reading!

Paricipants

Priya - Level 1
Ally - Level 1
Mariana - Level 2
Giselle - Level 1
Elaine - Level 1

Level 1 - 15 books

Americana - Hummingbird - 2nd September, 2017
Bodice Ripper - The Black Lyon - 23/02/2017
Civil War - Glory - 29th July, 2017
Elizabethan- The Magnificent Rogue - 19/04/2017
Georgian - Midnight Marriage - 15th September, 2017
Highlander - Lana and the Laird - 1st May, 2017
Medieval - The Red Wolf's Prize - 26th Feb, 2017
Native American - Comanche Magic - 18th July, 2017
Pirate - Only With Your Love - 23rd March, 2017
Regency - His Scandalous Kiss - 05/02/2017
Time Travel - Prince of Dreams - 25th May, 2017
Tudor - Love, Remember Me - 9th August, 2017
Victorian- Again the Magic - 12/01/2017
Viking - Alrek - 19th July, 2017
Western - The Bluebird - 24/01/2017

15/15

I give up finishing for 2016, but I am going to try again for 2017. I don't suppose we could formally change Time Travel to something else like Gregorian or Edwardian?

Mariana wrote: "I give up finishing for 2016, but I am going to try again for 2017. I don't suppose we could formally change Time Travel to something else like Gregorian or Edwardian?"

I too am not a fan of Time Travel, but came across a good series last year.
As no suggestions were put forward, I assumed everyone else is happy with the subgenres. We still have a week before we start the challenge. I guess if other participants feel the same about time travel, we can change it to a subgenre of participant's choice.

I would totally go with Time Travel/ Paranormal, and I think that works as they are both fantasy!

I think I am going to try Ally's idea of planning what to read in advance. Last year I tried to find a book when I got to the genre and never finished.

Mariana Level 1:
30 / 30

Americana
Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson - completed 3/15/2017, rated 4 stars
Comanche Magic by Catherine Anderson - completed 4/4/2017, rated 5 stars

Bodice Ripper
The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux - completed 2/23/2017, rated 3 stars
Stormfire by Christine Monson - completed 7/10/2017, rated 1 star

Civil War
In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams by Karen Ranney - completed 1/29/2017, rated 4 stars
Scotsman of My Dreams
by Karen Ranney - completed 2/8/2017, rated 4 stars

Elizabethan
The Magnificent Rogue by Iris Johansen - completed 5/5/2017, rated 3 stars
Letter of Love by Virginia Henley - completed 9/23/2017, rated 2 stars

Georgian
Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt - completed 1/7/2017, rated 4 stars
The Earl by Katharine Ashe- completed 2/11/2017, rated 4 stars

Highlander
The Highlander byKerrigan Byrne - completed 5/7/2017, rated 5 stars
Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James - completed 4/26/2017, rated 4 stars

Medieval
The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair - completed 12/3/2017, rated 4 stars
A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught - completed 7/16/2017, rated 4 stars

Native American
Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson - completed 2/16/2017, rated 5 stars
Comanche Heart by Catherine Anderson - completed 2/27/2017, rated 4.5 stars

Pirate
The Pirate Prince by Gaelen Foley - completed 9/23/2017, rated 3 stars
The Pirate Lord by Sabrina Jeffries - completed 3/5/2017, rated 4 stars

Regency
Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh - completed 1/16/2017, 5 stars
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas - completed 1/23/2017, 4 stars

Time Travel / Paranormal
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley - completed 7/21/2017, rated 4 stars
/
Claiming Quinn by Ramona Gray - completed 3/20/2017, rated 3 stars
The Haunting of a Duke by Chasity Bowlin - completed 4/7/2017, rated 3 stars

Tudor
Mary Tudor by Victor Hugo - completed 10/8/2017, 5 stars
At the King's Command by Susan Wiggs - completed 11/21/2017, 3 stars

Victorian
In Bed with the Devil by Lorraine Heath - completed 1/10/2017, 4 stars
The Duchess by Jude Deveraux - completed 3/3/2017, rated 4 stars

Viking
Santa Viking by Sandra Hill - completed 12/13/2017, rated 3 stars
Insolent by Kerrigan Byrne - completed 6/29/2017, rated 4 stars

Western
Savage Thunder by Johanna Lindsey - complete 9/9/2017, rated 3 stars
The Temptress by Jude Deveraux - completed 3/19/2017, rated 3 stars

Americana Listopia Kat gave me last year:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

I probably won't be doing this challenge this year, but if anyone needs suggestions for bodice ripper "lite" that is bodice rippers that are still bodice rippers but aren't as hardcore as some other infamously violent titles, I have two title that aren't too bad.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I probably won't be doing this challenge this year, but if anyone needs suggestions for bodice ripper "lite" that is bodice rippers that are still bodice rippers but aren't as hardcore as some othe..."

Andrea, what are your two suggestions?

Bodice Ripper "Lite"

Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain.

DD is the 3rd or 4th HR I ever read when I got started with the HR genre when I was in high school.

Jasmine Moon by Frances Patton Statham.

I just read JM for first time last week.

Unlike some of the bodice rippers that are more disturbing to mainstream 21st C HR readers that have been "cleaned up" for eBook publication, these two titles have not been tampered with, but they are very mild compared to some other old bodice rippers I've read.

Tudor is directly after Elizabethan, right? I am thinking I can read O'Malley Saga 1 and 2 to meet those but want to make sure that is correct.

Tudor is right before Elizabethan. Not after. I think O' Malley Saga is set in Tudor period.

Priya wrote: "Tudor is right before Elizabethan. Not after. I think O' Malley Saga is set in Tudor period."

Priya, you are correct that the Tudor period starts before Elizabethan.

The Tudor period is the period between 1485 and 1603 in England and Wales and includes the Elizabethan period which ends with the completion of the reign of Elizabeth I in 1603. The Tudor period coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII (1457–1509).

Yay! Learning about history with this HR challenge.

Good luck everyone, with the challenge!

Happy reading!

Only three of us this year?

Maybe some newer members will do the challenge.

Devil's Desire one the two books I suggested as less-objectionable bodice ripper is in KU.

Is anyone here a subscriber?

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Devil's Desire one the two books I suggested as less-objectionable bodice ripper is in KU.

Is anyone here a subscriber?"

KU?

Yes, a KU subscriber?

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Yes, a KU subscriber?"

Ah, Kindle Unlimited! I am not yet but have definitely considered it. This is a good inclusion. Thanks for the tip.

On Cyber Monday of Black Friday Amazon offers deep discounts for prepaid subscriptions for a year or 2 yrs.

Perhaps you could try su tubing for a month or two and then next cyber Monday or Black Friday you could take advantage of the discount.

There is also a discount offered on prime day but I'm not a member of Prime.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "On Cyber Monday of Black Friday Amazon offers deep discounts for prepaid subscriptions for a year or 2 yrs.

Perhaps you could try su tubing for a month or two and then next cyber Monday or Black F..."

Yeah, I would definitely be interested in subscribing for two years at a deep discount!

Mariana,

I think when you sign up for KU for this special that's offered, it can't overlap with an existing subscription.

Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Mariana Level 1:
3 / 15

Oh yes, I did! Already started Slightly Scandalous.

Alright! I've decided to go for Level 1 only because I've never read a lot of these genres and I'm nervous. Like I'm pretty sure bodice rippers wont be for me because I know there's supposed to be a lot of violence and rape and stuff like that in them. So I'd definitely appreciate any recommendations! I'm pretty much in a Regency rut because I read most of my books on audio and that's what is easy to find on audio. Like I've already read 7 Regencies this year already. haha. So really recommendations for any of the genres would be awesome! I'm really new to the romance genre in general and only started last year! So I've been reading them for less than a year at this point but I dove in head first and read over 55 of them last year. haha. Anyway, I'm really excited to be pushed outside my comfort zone with this challenge.


Americana
Bodice Ripper
Civil War
Elizabethan
Georgian
Highlander
Medieval
Native American
Pirate
Regency - (I'm waiting to choose one until I've read at least a 4 star read. They've all been 3.5 or less so far.)
Time Travel
Tudor
Victorian
Viking
Western

Welcome Giselle! I too don't like bodice rippers so I put it off till the end. This time I am going to try one of those light bodice ripper books suggested by Andrea(Catsos person).

I read 2 books so far. Victorian and Western.

I have read 4 book categories thus far. The problem is that I'm getting the easiest out of the way first.

Thank you all so much!! I really appreciate it! the Audio Gals is completely up my ally! Thanks Ally!!

Also, I did try Devil's Desire and just found it really boring... Like it was all backstory. So I'm on the lookout for another (mild) bodice ripper!

" Devil's desire" doesn't have a lot of dialog.

A lot of it is the author explaining things.

This was the author's first book. I hope she improves because I think that I own one or two of her later titles.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "" Devil's desire" doesn't have a lot of dialog.

A lot of it is the author explaining things.

This was the author's first book. I hope she improves because I think that I own one or two of her lat..."

I live for dialog! So you'll definitely have to let me know how you like her later books!

Since I didn't finish 2016, I am going to attempt level 2.

Good luck Mariana!

I'm not doing this challenge this year, but I'm going to cheer the progress of those who are!

Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Since I didn't finish 2016, I am going to attempt level 2."

That's awesome. How goes it so far? I'm plodding along rather slowly, I'm afraid."

For the only 5 I have read thus far, it seems easy to read the next in the series. I have enjoyed all thus far, and they were not standalone stories. I think I'll re-read Comanche Heart next for my second Native American.

Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Since I didn't finish 2016, I am going to attempt level 2."

That's awesome. How goes it so far? I'm plodding along rather slowly, I'm afraid."

For the..."

Let me know how it is. I have one potential western listed but would love to be recommended a great one.

I changed my mind and am starting Medieval instead of a second Native American.

Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Ally wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Since I didn't finish 2016, I am going to attempt level 2."

That's awesome. How goes it so far? I'm plodding along rather ..."

I'm going with the group read The Black Lyon.

I am reading The Black Lyon for bodice-ripper.

Priya wrote: "I am reading The Black Lyon for bodice-ripper."

That might be a good call with my review of exactly what a Bodice Ripper is--rape or forced sex.

Would The Untouchable Earl count since she has to bargain to be his mistress to keep the scandal of being auctioned quiet, not rape and no literal bodice ripping?

Mariana,

There are only 2 books written/published post 2k that are bodice rippers (that bodice ripper fans are aware of) and some bodice ripper aficionados (as?) dispute if these two book really are bodice rippers compared to older titles from 80s etc.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Mariana,

There are only 2 books written/published post 2k that are bodice rippers (that bodice ripper fans are aware of) and some bodice ripper aficionados (as?) dispute if these two book really a..."

In that case, I better put The Black Lyon down for Bodice Ripper rather than Medieval.

Ally wrote: "Any suggestions for Elizabethan? And next year, can we do away with this category? Doesn't seem to be a lot of these out there.

We could probably put it as Tudor/Elizabethan for next year. Most of the lists seem to include Elizabethan romances under Tudor period.

As to recommendations, I read ( don't remember where) Iris Johansen wrote some Elizabethan romances. Didn't check if this is true.

Would Indigo Blue count for Americana?

Mariana, I agree with Ally. I consider any book set in America as Americana. It might be western or Native American, I still consider it Americana.

Wikipedia says Americana is from 1880 to first world war.

If you would like to read something else, try Lavyrle Spencer's books.

Yeah, I was considering Lavyrle Spencer; but I wasn't sure if her books are set too late. Many of her books are set after the first world war ended in 1918, right?

I agree that Indigo Blue could count for Native American as Indigo is a quarter Comanche, but I think I'll use it as one of my two Americana reads. It is set in Oregon in the late 1880's. Her father has a mine, and thus far the setting is small town America, not Native American or Cowboy and horses way of life.

Mariana wrote: "Yeah, I was considering Lavyrle Spencer; but I wasn't sure if her books are set too late. Many of her books are set after the first world war ended in 1918, right?

I agree that Indigo Blue could c..."

Her Americana HR is good. I read it in the late 80s. It's very sweet.

I a bought it last year for this Conquer HR challenge last year, but I didn't finish the challenge.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Yeah, I was considering Lavyrle Spencer; but I wasn't sure if her books are set too late. Many of her books are set after the first world war ended in 1918, right?

I agree that Ind..."

I read Morning Glory by Lavyrle Spencer for last year's challenge. I am planning to read another of her books this year. I will check if Vows is available in my library.

Yes, I will also check for Vows at my library.

Well, we are almost a finished with the first quarter of 2017. Everyone about 25% done with the challenge?

I am at 40%(6 books). 9 more books to read in 9 months. I have books of 3 subgenres already on my kindle. I am going to read those and then decide on the other 6 subgenres.