Adventures in Historical Romance
Historical romance is one of my favorite types of books to read. It’s a ticket to sexy adventures with bold heroes from the past.
If asked to pick my top three fantasy tours of the ones I’ve taken through historical romance, they would be:
1. Adventures with a Medieval Knight. There’s something about the code of honor many knights in romance novels live by that place them among my favorite heroes. Even if his armor is tarnished and he has become an ominous knight, you know that in the end he’ll redeem himself and pledge his heart to the woman he loves. His world is one of castles, armor, tapestries, cathedrals and feudalism.
2. Swept Away by a Hero of the American Revolution. He’s willing to risk everything for the chance at a new life in a new land. Strong and rebellious by nature, he definitely has a wild streak, but he’s also willing to work hard for the future of his loved ones. His world involves muskets, minutemen, George Washington and Knowlton’s Rangers.
3. Sailing with Vikings. It’s hard to resist a burly sword-wielding warrior who is also a master of the sea. The Viking romance hero might be a raider or a trader. Maybe he’s both. One thing is certain, a visit to his world will be an adventure, especially if you’re the lucky woman who shares his bed closet!
These are just three time periods I’ve enjoyed while reading historical romance novels. There are so many others. What are some of your favorites?
Contest
To enter this contest you must be 18 or over.
To enter for the chance to win a download of an ebook from my Ellora’s Cave backlist (winner’s choice of title) please comment with your favorite historical romance time period or favorite type of historical hero. Also send an email to katehill@sprintmail.com letting me know you would like to be entered in the contest. The contest will run for three days from the day of this post. At the end of that time, a winner will be selected from the comments. Thank you!
About Kate
Always a fan of romance and the paranormal, Kate Hill started writing over twenty years ago for pleasure. Her first story, a short erotic vampire tale, was accepted for publication in 1996. Since then she has sold over one hundred short stories, novellas and novels.
When she’s not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out and spending time with her family and pets.
Kate also writes under the pen name Saloni Quinby. She enjoys hearing from readers and she can be contacted at katehill@sprintmail.com. Visit Kate online at https://www.kate-hill.com.
Northman’s Pleasure releases July 17th at Ellora’s Cave.
Legend is Grim Hammerhand is half wolf. Vowing never to marry, the muscular, red-haired warrior saves his passion for the battlefield and the forge. That is, until the woman he secretly lusts after is abducted.
Asgerd has loved Grim for years, only to be ignored by the object of her desire. She has eluded the bonds of marriage, hoping that someday Grim will notice her, but her dreams are shattered when she is captured and defiled by the brutal warrior Stein.
After the king sends Grim to rescue his daughter and claim Stein’s land, the passion between the couple finally ignites. In the end, Grim’s mistrust of all women could destroy their one true chance for happiness.
“Defiant females must be common around here then.” Grim raised an eyebrow and held up Asgerd’s bonds, then tossed them aside.
It felt so good to be free of them. She rotated her ankles. He grasped her foot and lightly rubbed the place where the metal had worn away part of her boot. Their gazes locked and Asgerd’s heart beat faster. She studied Grim’s angular face and lingered over the breadth of his shoulders. Glancing at the long-fingered hand curled around her ankle, she imagined how it would feel on other parts of her body.
After what she’d endured with Stein, she’d never imagined being aroused by a man, but it seemed he hadn’t fully killed her passion.
For so long Asgerd had managed to save herself and avoid coupling with men she could never love. Truly, in a girlish fantasy, she’d imagined Grim falling in love with her, marrying her and taking her to his bed. Now, whether he claimed her or not, she had been ruined by Stein. She wondered if she’d ever cleanse her soul of that filthy pig’s touch.
“Is my cousin Thora alive?” Asgerd asked. She hoped Thora had survived the attack during which Stein had taken Asgerd captive.
“Yes,” Grim replied.
Asgerd sighed with relief.
Grim finally released her ankle. He stood and she couldn’t help admiring the length of his muscular legs. His hard thighs strained against his trousers and his soft boots hugged his well-developed calves. He raised his hand and Asgerd instinctively flinched—not that she believed Grim would strike her, but after being with Stein, she’d learned to dodge blows.
His brow furrowed. “I was merely reaching for the shackles,” he said, taking them from the table. Their gazes met for a moment and he glanced at a rough-looking slave woman who was cleaning off the table. “Leave that to the others. I want the bed closet emptied of Stein’s belongings and the bedding aired. From now on my wife and I will be staying there.”
Asgerd’s heart sank. She forced herself to sound just mildly interested when she said, “Wife? I didn’t know you married, Grim.”
“I haven’t yet. Your father offered me this land if I defeated Stein. He also offered me your hand in marriage.”
Comment
Highlanders are my favorite. Julie Garwood’s Highlanders always make me smile and are definitely a comfort read for me.
Northman’s Passion one is definitely on my wishlist.
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Highlanders are my favorite. Julie Garwood’s Highlanders always make me smile and are definitely a comfort read for me.
Northman’s Passion is definitely on my wishlist.
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I also like Highlanders but I also like Medeival knight and Pirates bibbiesparks@yahoo.com
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First I would like to remark that I love all of Delilah’s books. She is an AUTO buy for me.
Now, to what is the time period for the heroes I love to read.
I generally like stories that take place in England or Scotland the best. The time periods I love are Scotland prior to Culloden, England from 1064 to 1860. I love the dress, the speech patterns, the manners and the social strata. I love when a young miss goes against the expected mores of the day and strikes out on her own, but eventually needs her hero to make her dreams come true. All stories must have a HEA. I love humor in all stories. Light banter or disagreement is good too, to make the story come alive. A villain or two would be a plus. A couple of sexy scenes and a final scene or epilogue puts the icing on a story for me.
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Susan D. nailed it! My favorite historical novels must have a HEA and humor.
My favorite historicals include:
Vikings–
Josie Litton—Come Back to Me trilogy (Vikings and Saxons)
Jaid Black–different take on the Viking trope. I enjoyed it immensely.
Sandra Hill–Viking series 1 and 2 (SEALS) feature time travel–it’s so much fun to see 10th Century Vikings coping with modern mores (or a 20th C woman dealing with boneheaded men forbidding them such-and-such–that went well when said bonehead told a WEAL she couldn’t!). Sandra also gives a factual description of daily life. Vikings weren’t the blood-thirsty bogeymen portrayed in literature–yes, they were fierce in battle, and were always seeking new land to settle–they had families to support. Read her books to find out more! (oops! Sorry to rant; it’s a hot button)
Highlanders–
Sandy Blair
Karen Marie Moning
Lynsay Sands–Devil of the Highlands series, and a new Highlander series just out!
Historical–
Anne Gracie—Devil Riders series (post-Napoleonic Wars), Merridew Sisters series
Julia Quinn—Bridgerton series
Lisa Kleypas—Bow Street Runner series, Hathaway series (Victorian England)
I’m a word nerd and literacy and the written word are my passions. My “Favorite Authors” (by genre) document is updated frequently, and I buttonhole unsuspecting individuals to share my latest favorite book! But that’s okay, I get buttonholed too!
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I’m a huge fan of Regency romance, but who can resist a knight or a Highlander. *g* I’m an equal opportunity gal.
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Hello! Thank you very much, Delilah, for having me as a guest!
A quick note about the cover displayed next to the blurb on my post. It’s for Northman’s Passion, the prequel to Northman’s Pleasure, which the blurb is for. I received my cover files a bit late and didn’t have them to send along with the post. The cover for Northman’s Pleasure can be found at http://www.kate-hill.com/northmanspleasure.html.
Hello, Lisa! Highlanders are great heroes too! Love them!
Hi Toni! Definitely pirates as well. There’s nothing like a swashbuckling adventure. 🙂
Hi, Susan! I completely agree. I love a HEA. That’s another reason I enjoy reading romance so much.
Hello, Judy! Reading Viking history is one of my favorite hobbies. They absolutely had a rich culture!
Thank you for posting, everybody!
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Hi, NJ! Yes! Can’t forget Regency. That’s a great time period for romance too. 🙂
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I like so many different types of historical. Highlanders, Knights, Vikings, Edwardian, pirates, and so on. 😉
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Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway. I am looking forward to reading the Northman’s Pleasure.
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I like all types of historical, but my favorites are Highlanders, Vikings, and Knights – I have all the Ruby Order books. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Ooh, I’d love to trip over a brawny Highlander. Oh, wait. I did 🙂
I love the 18th century when the rules didn’t seem quite as bad as the Regency age. A nice Georgian hunk, maybe a duke would work for me.
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Hi, Kate! I do enjoy all the time periods you mentioned! One that I’ve been enjoying recently is the Tang Dynasty, in Jeannie Lin’s historicals. I do also love the American West–gotta love a cowboy 😉
Thanks for sharing about your new release, Northman’s Pleasure–it’s definitely going on my wishlist!
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I love historical romance. In addition to the three time periods listed, I also enjoy books set during the French Revolution and the English Regency period. Thanks for sharing the great post.
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Hi, Ashley! It’s hard to choose, isn’t it? 🙂
Hi, Eve! Thank you!
Hello, Shauntih! Thank you!
LOL, Shelley! Yes, a hunky duke sounds great!
Hi, Fedora! Two more exciting time periods!
Hello. BookLady! French Revolution is an interesting one too.
There are so many great time periods!
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I think I am the most fond of the Regency historical, history has never been my favorite subject but a well-written story helps it come alive for me. Thanks for visiting.
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I remember my first epic romance movie was Camelot, and so I’d have to go with knights.
I have a hard time thinking of Vikings as romantic heroes because I just can’t stop thinking how bad they would smell. LOL…Yes, I guess a knight stuck in all that armour wouldn’t smell too great either.
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Hello Elf! Regencies are a lot of fun to read! A story you can get in to does make history more interesting!
Hi Charlotte! LOL! I think washing wasn’t a priority in the middle ages in general. 🙂 Vikings were actually quite clean for the time they lived in. From what I’ve researched, they had saunas, bathed relatively often and for the time period and were into grooming. In romance novels I think we tend to work around the gross stuff. LOL!
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Congratulations, Elf! You’re the winner of my contest. Thanks to everyone who entered!
Kate