Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Paper Lantern Writers collectively believe in the power of romance to change lives–healing the broken, feeding the soul, and giving us happy-ever-afters even when it seems impossible. Several of our members are historical romance authors with very different voices, and we all have different favorites and go-to novels. So, today, on this magical day devoted to love and romance, we bring you a historical romance Link List with something for everyone.

Lucinda Brant ~  One of my personal favorite modern historical romance authors, Lucinda Brant, is the author of several 18th century series, primarily set in England and France. The Roxton Family Saga and Roxton Foundation Series are absolute must read novels (the patriarch of the family is my forever book boyfriend), as are the Salt Hendon series and her Alec Halsey mystery series. Her characters leap off the page, bringing with them their drama, intrigue, power, and wealth. Hailing from Australia, her books have won countless awards around the world, including bestseller status with USA Today and the New York Times. (You can read my reviews of the entire Roxton Family Saga here.)

Dame Barbara Cartland, DBE DStJ ~ Barbara Cartland was known as “The Queen of Romance,” having penned more than 700 novels during her lifetime, selling more than 750 million copies. She wrote both contemporary romance and historical romance set during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, such as The Storms of Love, The Duchess Disappeared, and The Innocent Imposter, all part of a 353-book series. She is one of the world’s best-selling authors of the 20th century, so named by the Guinness Book of World Records in the 1980s, and was invested as a Dame of the British Empire in 1991. (Note: Romance novels of the 1970s and ‘80s may demonstrate very different romantic sensibilities than more modern novels, as gender roles were quite different. Fair warning.)

Edie Cay ~ One of our fellow Paper Lantern Writers, Edie Cay writes steamy feminist historical romance, with heroines who break barriers–sometimes with their fists! Her When the Blood is Up series features unlikely heroes and heroines, based on real people, whose pugilistic tendencies win the day. This series, notably, includes characters of color, varied sexual orientations and gender identities, and “everyday people” who–contrary to popular belief–also populated the Regency era. Likewise, her Ladies Alpine Series follows a group of women, each with their own limitations, attempting to climb the Matterhorn.

Loretta Chase ~ Loretta Chase has been writing historical romance since 1987, with more than 50+ books in print and has won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA. She is the author of numerous series, including The Scoundrels Series (featuring one of my personal favorites, Lord of Scoundrels) and The Difficult Dukes Series, centered on three dukes collectively known as the Dis-Graces.

Jillianne Hamilton ~ Jillianne Hamilton writes delightful historical romance with rebellious heroines and happy endings. Dedicated to writing entertaining and fun fiction with wit and sass, Jill’s books are set in England but she jumps around in time depending on the novel. Her most recent novels are romances set during WWII and on the English homefront, the Homefront Hearts series. Her debut novel was shortlisted for the 2016 PEI Book Award and her first historical novel, The Spirited Mrs. Pringle, set in the Victorian era, was shortlisted for the 2022 Historical Fiction Company Book Award. Jillianne is a member of the Historical Novel Society and an emerita member of the Paper Lanterns Writers.

Georgette Heyer ~ A pioneer in Regency Romance, Georgette Heyer wrote 37 historical romance novels from the 1920s to the 1970s, set during the reign of the Prince Regent of England (1811-1820). Known for her wit and sparkling language in novels like Regency Buck and The Devil’s Cub, she dominated–and to some extent, still dominates–the Regency field. She famously included false details in her novels, so she could identify which other authors were using her books as “research.”

Piper Huguley ~ A Publisher’s Weekly top ten historical romance novelist, Piper Huguley has moved from African-American historical romance to biographical historical fiction with her bestselling American Daughters and By Her Own Design, but her earlier romance novels stand the test of time. Her Reconstruction era Home to Milford College series features unforgettable characters facing all-too-common barriers of their time.

Beverly Jenkins ~ An early pioneer in African-American romance, Beverly Jenkins has been on the forefront of inclusive romance publishing for decades. Known for writing 19th century African-American historical romance without centering slavery, she has penned such classics as Forbidden, Indigo, and Night Hawk. She has won multiple awards, including the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, recognition as one of the Top 50 Favorite African American writers of the 20th century by the African American Literature Book Club, and nomination for the NAACP Image Award in Literature.

Laura Kinsale ~ An intricate and clever writer, Laura Kinsale draws readers into her stories with precision writing, strong but damaged characters, and unusual settings. Her crafting of an engrossing story is truly legendary. She is a New York Times bestselling author and has both won and been multiply nominated for Best Book of the Year from the Romance Writers of America. Two of her books, Flowers from the Storm and The Prince of Midnight, are among my all-time favorite historical romances, but there are many more to choose from.

Courtney Milan ~ Courtney Milan writes Regency and Victorian romance novels that are clever, funny, and filled with fascinating characters with unique backstories, making inventive historical strides even as they entertain. Among the best of her series are the Brothers Sinister and the Worth Saga (both with seven novels to the series). A New York Times and a USA Today Bestseller, she has received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Incidentally, she also has an impressive legal background and her insightful legal commentary is often on display on her social media platforms.

Alexandra Ripley ~ Best known for Scarlett, the authorized sequel to Gone with the Wind, Alexandra Ripley’s backlist has much more to offer. With Scarlett was a good book and wildly successful, her earlier novels, like Charleston, On Leaving Charleston, and New Orleans Legacy, are the reason I started writing historical fiction, and more specifically historical romance. Sadly, she died in 2004, and none of her prior works are still in print or available in ebook form. Still, you can find paperback copies for a minimal investment, and they are well worth the search.

Lauren Willig ~ Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation Series is a RITA award winner, featuring romance, intrepid spycraft, thrilling twists, and international intrigue, all set in the Regency era. She is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, who has also penned an extensive historical fiction list, including novels like The Other Daughter  and The English Wife. She is an alumna of Yale University and holds a graduate degree in history and a J.D., both from Harvard.

One Last Thing…

Finally, on this romantic holiday, I’d like to announce that I am dropping my former pen name and re-releasing my three Regency romance novels/novellas with brand-new covers and under my own name, Mari A. Christie. Please take a minute and tell me what you think of my Sailing Home Series’ new look!

Royal Regard ~ When Bella Holsworthy returns to England after fifteen years roaming the globe with her husband, an elderly diplomat, she quickly finds herself in a place more perilous than any in her travels—the Court of King George IV.

‘Tis Her Season ~ Charlotte Amberly would rather eat a lump of coal for Christmas dinner than marry the Marquess of Firthley, so this feisty debutante takes husband-hunting into her own hands.

Shipmate ~ Bella’s Happy-Ever-After in Royal Regard had its origins in a Happier-Than-She-Expected with her first husband, who gave her the confidence to steady her sea legs, take her life by the helm, and command her own voice.