historical romance novels

[Owlins]

so I've just finished reading the runaway bride by Noelle marchand and I loved it especially her male lead character Sean it's not the first time I've developed a crush on a character from a book no doubt it won't be the last either anyway it was such an enjoyable easy read, what are some of your favourite historical romances and why?

[Calidore]

I have to say, I very much enjoyed the first three books (all I've read; haven't seen the TV show either) of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. It's almost a romance in the old-school sense, with plenty of adventure and humor.

For real old-school historical romance, it's hard to go wrong with Alexandre Dumas and Rafael Sabatini.

[Scheherazade]

I have to say, I very much enjoyed the first three books (all I've read; haven't seen the TV show either) of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. It's almost a romance in the old-school sense, with plenty of adventure and humor.

For real old-school historical romance, it's hard to go wrong with Alexandre Dumas and Rafael Sabatini.

I read the first book in The Outlander series upon recommendation but found it to be lacking in so many ways. It is juvenile in my view.

Coincidentally, I am reading "Lorna Doone" at the moment. I had read it about 25 years ago but first time in English. While I admit that historic fiction is not my cup of tea, this book is a much more effective historic romance, I believe. It gives a much better view of the times (and dialects).

[Dreamwoven]

I agree with Scheherazade about Lorna Doone.

[prendrelemick]

So do I, and also suggest the very obvious Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Hieghts and so on .... Books generally become classics when they're good.

[mtpspur]

As much as I love Rafael Sabatini books-and I have hunting them down for over 40 years-casually--only four to go-if it's romance you want he tends to give short shrift to the ladies. All his characters can hold their own in a conversation but for passion and romance best to look elsewhere. Dumas is better but I always got the sense that the Musketeers lived in the moments and long commitment was not a strong suit. D'Artagnan got over his first love real quick and left the rebound lady high and dry in Twenty Years After.

[Methinks]

So do I, and also suggest the very obvious Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Hieghts and so on .... Books generally become classics when they're good.

This. Classic works, and for good reason.

[ennison]

I was going to try The Man in the Iron Mask again tonight but after three pages I said to myself (no one else being present!) "life's too short for this crap" I'll just keep my dimming childhood memories of it and will concentrate now on books for grown-ups. There is as much dross in Hysterical Romance as there is in Sci-fi and the Western