Historical romance

  • Black History in Fiction

    Each February, many readers come to the library to check out the latest titles on Black history. Don’t read history books? No worries! Whether you enjoy historical or literary fiction, thrillers or fantasy, romance or mysteries, here are some recent books that immerse us in the lived experiences of Black Americans throughout our history. By… Continue reading

  • Read Something Amorous

    Read Something Amorous

    Maybe it’s Bridgerton, or the promise of Spring; Valentine’s Day, or the promise of vaccination day, but more and more readers these days are discovering the wondrous and diverse world of romance fiction. Ever one of the most popular genres around, last year saw rising numbers of romance readers, with more expected in the year… Continue reading

  • Romance throughout American history

    Romance throughout American history

    Happy 241st birthday, America! You don’t look a day over 240 years old. In honor of Independence Day, here are a few romances from some eras of American history that aren’t as beloved in the romance world as the Wild West or the Civil War, in chronological order. Hamilton’s Battalion by Courtney Milan, Rose Lerner,… Continue reading

  • Romance by authors of color

    Romance by authors of color

    Over the past week, there’s been a spirited discussion on Romance Twitter (yes, it’s a thing) about the way the industry and publishers treat authors of color as well as readers of color. Authors told stories about being shunted to “ethnic” imprints, seeing books by white authors featuring characters of color with racist tropes in… Continue reading

  • The Spy Who Loved Me

    What is it about spies that make them such fantastic romance heroes? Is it the air of danger? The ability to write in code? Or maybe it’s that, when a hero is a spy, you know that eventually they’ll have to let down their guard and expose their secrets to the woman they love, proof… Continue reading

  • Noteworthy 2015 RITA Award Finalists

    -Posted by Eric G. The Romance Writers of America (RWA) announced the winners of the 2015 RITA Awards at their annual conference on July 25th. The RITA is one of the most prestigious awards for romance writers and its numerous subcategories showcase the variety within romance publishing. That being said, there were many excellent books nominated that… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Staff Picks

    For the past two years we have been highlighting the robust and diverse romance genre on Wednesdays. Despite its staggering popularity, the romance genre doesn’t always get respect or recognition from mainstream press and book awards. It’s been our goal with this column to give romance the love it deserves (pun intended) and acknowledge its massive readership, which… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: The Gamblers

    By Jessica W. Historical romance can be somewhat limited in where the romance happens. Is it this ballroom or that ballroom? Rotten Row or a country house party? In the public eye, rules can’t be broken. But in the gambling clubs and hells of London, the rules of society take a second place to the… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Librarian Favorites of 2014

    By Eric G. Library Reads, a website that compiles the favorite books of librarians each month, recently released their “Favorites of the Favorites 2014” list, which highlights the books that have stood out among the favorites this year. I wanted to highlight three titles that made the cut because they also offer sweet, unconventional love stories. Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Best Bets for Fall

    By Eric G. Every season is a great season for romance books, but there’s something especially enjoyable about reading them as the leaves change, the days shorten, the temperatures drop and the holidays approach. All that’s missing from the following books is a blanket, a fireplace and a hot beverage – preferably pumpkin-flavored. In Your Dreams… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: 2014 RITA Award Winners

    By Eric G. It’s that time of year again! The Romance Writers of America (RWA) recently announced the winners of the 2014 RITA Awards, which recognize achievements in romantic fiction. The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake Drake’s novel indeed hit the sweet spot, snagging the Best First Book award. The story focuses on bull rider Jimmy… Continue reading

  • Adult Summer Reading Challenge: Historical Romance

    Posted by Selby G. Part 2 of our Adult Summer Reading Challenge focusing on subgenres of romance. Historic romance novels run the gamut of time and place. Pick up one and you could be transported to the bedchamber of a Tang Dynasty courtesan or the castle of a noble lord. Either way, historical romances are… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Making the Roaring 20s Roar

    ~posted by Marlene H. What made the Roaring 20s roar? Or in the case of romance, maybe that should be RAWR! Thanks to Downton Abbey, there has been a revival of stories set in the 1920s, and wow! Not all stories with romance in them are necessarily romances. But romance certainly adds spice to a… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Recent Favorites

    ~posted by Eric G. Every month, librarians across the country contribute to LibraryReads, a site that features top ten lists of new, noteworthy books. These lists cover books across all genres that are often missing from other lists, from self-help books to biographies to romance. Here are some recent romance favorites from our nation’s librarians.… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Wedding Season

    ~ posted by Eric G. Both of my siblings are getting hitched in the next year, so I’ve got weddings on my mind! In honor of the start of the busy wedding season, I’ve pulled together a list of mostly new wedding-related romance titles. Mazel tov! It Happened One Wedding by Julie James Julie James’… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Your Next Five Historical Romances

    If you’re eagerly awaiting new titles from Eloisa James, Jo Beverley, Victoria Alexander and other prominent historical romance authors, here are five more books worth exploring. The Dark Lady by Máire Claremont Surprisingly gripping and shadowy, Claremont’s detailed, character-rich novel is set in Victorian England. If you enjoy it, be sure to pick up Lady in Red and… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: A Second Slice of Holiday Fruitcake

    One post just wasn’t enough to contain all the romantic goodness. There are some people who read holiday romances all year long. (And then there are some who believe that listening to “Grandma got run over by a reindeer” even once is one time too many!) Your own personal holiday mileage may vary. But for… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Holiday Romances

    It’s that time again. What time is that, I hear you asking? In this early December, when the spirit of holiday shopping is everywhere, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the season with the gift of a perfect Holiday Romance. Here are just a few to start off the season, but there will be more.… Continue reading