My 10 Favorite--or 10 of My Favorite--Historicals

When I list my favorite historical romance novels, it’s really difficult for me to not just give you the catalogs of Courtney Milan, Tessa Dare, and Elizabeth Hoyt. The extent to which I adore these three authors is frankly embarrassing, so I’m not going to gush over them, but I will say that out of 25 novels and 9 novellas/short stories I recommend all of them without reservation except for one (Hoyt’s To Desire a Devil—I’m not comfortable with some of the consent issues). Choose one, start reading, and you won’t regret it.

This was a much more difficult list to choose than my previous lists of movies and contemporary romance. I’ve ended up settling for my favorite two books by each of five authors I love. So this time they’re organized by last name of author (then alphabetical by title).

Loretta Chase

Lord of Scoundrels

Book Three in the Débauchés series

Published 1995

Like Bet Me, this is a book that is almost universally agreed to be one of the best in the genre. Sebastian is a tortured alpha male for the ages, and Jessica is an intelligent, feisty, ambitious, shrewd heroine that I wish I could have a few good conversations with. This book is sharp, funny, and heartbreaking.

Mr. Impossible

Book Two in the Carsington Brothers series

Published March 2005

Egyptian scholar Daphne Pembroke hires Rupert Carsington to be the brawn to her brains on her quest to find her kidnapped brother. Lots of adventure and action and hijinks ensue. Daphne is so bright and Rupert is so wonderful. This book is even funnier than Lord of Scoundrels because Rupert discovers early on that infuriating Daphne is an effective way to prevent her from crying. Blistering banter ensues.

Tessa Dare

One Dance with a Duke

Book One in the Stud Club Trilogy

Published May 25, 2010

I love Spencer and Amelia’s story. Outwardly, they’re extremely different, but together they just click. There are other elements to this story—a murder mystery that motivates the entire series, and interesting secondary characters, some of whom get their own books—but at the center of it there’s a sweet, touching romance between two imperfect people.

A Week to Be Wicked

Book Two in the Spindle Cove series

Published March 27, 2012

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. This is my favorite book ever. I love it so much that writing about it articulately is difficult, which is ironic because the heroine, Minerva, is brilliant and scholarly. And hero Colin is a hilarious, though genuinely troubled, rake. And they’re so wonderful together, especially when Colin helps show Minerva that she’s valuable for more than just her scientific discoveries. And it’s so, so, so funny; the banter is to die for. And just…if you have ever felt like you’re not worth more than your academic achievements, or if you’ve ever felt like you’re not worth much at all, or if you want to read something touching and intelligent and devastatingly witty, read this book.

Cecilia Grant

A Lady Awakened

Book One in the Blackshear series

Published December 2011

One of the more unlikely romances I’ve read. Newly-widowed Martha Russell desperately needs to conceive an heir—there are good reasons—and hires her rakish neighbor to, erm, assist her. At first I was like “Why am I reading this, no one is enjoying themselves and this is really awkward” but I persevered and I’m so glad I did. It develops slowly but in a very rewarding way and the plot unfolds in a unique, fascinating way.

A Woman Entangled

Book Three in the Blackshear series

Published June 2013

I really want Cecilia Grant to write more books. Three is not enough. The plot is more traditional than its two predecessors, but the writing is as lovely as ever. I loved how Kate and Nick were both determined and ambitious, and how the book dealt so deeply with the repercussions of events from the previous book.

Elizabeth Hoyt

The Leopard Prince

Book Two in the Princes series

Published April 2007

I love George (Georgina, mind) and Harry together. This book has an interesting approach—I saw a review compare it to Lady Chatterley’s Lover. George is a noblewoman and Harry is her land steward and together they investigate a mystery and have some fun times. Harry is very deadpan and George is a little silly, and this book is very funny despite its many darker elements.

Thief of Shadows

Book Four in the Maiden Lane series

Published July 2012

This is one of those books to whose release I obsessively counted down and then consumed immediately and then wrote a gushing fangirl letter to the author as soon as I finished (yes, I did exactly the same thing a year later with Milan’s The Heiress Effect). It’s just. So. Good. It takes rake and bluestocking tropes AND THEN REVERSES GENDER. So Isabel is the one who’s adept in society and just wants to flirt and have dalliances, and Winter is the very serious one who wants physical intimacy to be an expression of emotional intimacy and squeeeee. I appreciated it. A lot.

Courtney Milan

The Duchess War

Book One in The Brothers Sinister series

Published December 6, 2012

I think I’ve already said quite enough about this book. It’s amazing. Go read it. Now.

The Heiress Effect

Book Two in The Brothers Sinister series

Published July 15, 2013

And again, I’ve said a lot. If you need more convincing, it got not one, but two glowing reviews over at Smart Bitches Trashy Books. GO. READ. IT.

The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

Book Two in The Brothers Sinister series

Published July 15, 2013

 “What ungodly color are you wearing?”

“Green,” she said. “Serpent-belly green. Or perhaps it’s the green of a cloud of poisonous chlorine gas.”

“And yet nobody is shrieking and averting their eyes.” He gave her a smile. “Nice trick. How do you manage it?”

She gave him a brilliant smile. “Simple,” she said, adjusting the diamonds at her neck. “I already told you. It’s the heiress effect.”

Grade: A+

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.

And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.

I Say:

I don’t consider this a romance novel so much as a piece of literature. It’s magnificent, one of the best things I’ve ever read. It’s challenging, sometimes heartbreaking, not exactly light reading…and yet I giggled aloud at least ten times while reading some of the more buoyant scenes. I’ve been anticipating this book since December, and counting down the days since Courtney Milan announced its release date. I didn’t dare to hope that this would be better than The Duchess War, which was a revelation; this book was so much more than I ever expected.

A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

A novella in The Brothers Sinister series

Published December 16, 2012

“I see what you’re about, Grantham. You think to teach me a lesson. You want to show me that the world is more frightening—and more dark—than I believe.” 
“Maybe I’m simply looking for an excuse to spend time in your company.” Maybe he wanted her to see him outside the social settings where he performed so poorly. He wanted a chance for her to see him, a chance to break through the impossible wall of her dislike. “Maybe,” he said, “I’m thinking that the days are dark and long, that midwinter is approaching. Maybe, Miss Charingford, all I really want is a kiss.”

Grade: A

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Miss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time. But no matter how hard she smiles, she can’t forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation. Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days: the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham. She wants nothing to do with him…or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks he way.

Jonas Grantham has a secret, too: He’s been in love with Lydia for more than a year. This winter, he’s determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own. It all starts with a wager and a kiss…

I Say:

I love overly logical characters, especially because I tend toward being one myself. Jonas Grantham, doctor and pragmatist, is no exception; at one point, the narrator says of him, “The labyrinthine rules attached to kind words usually left him bemused,” and I thought, “YES EXACTLY” before realizing that I was trying to justify my lack of social skills by identifying with a fictional character. Anyway. But, seriously, how can you not love a hero that thinks like this? (after the jump!):

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

Book One in The Brothers Sinister series

Published December 6, 2012

“Well, then,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I’ll do it my way, and you try it yours—and we’ll see who wins out.”

“That’s impossible,” she said flatly. “You can’t flirt with me. I’m going to be at war with you.”

“No, you won’t,” he said politely. “Try going to war with an unwilling combatant. I don’t think even you can manage that.”

Grade: A+

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly—so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don’t get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.

But that is precisely what she gets.

Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he’s up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he’s determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match…

I Say:

The Duchess War is one of my favorite books EVER. It’s one of my top three romance novels—and I’ve read hundreds at this point. It is one of those books that makes you feel better about being a human, and want to be a better human. Sometimes I giggled helplessly, sometimes I wept for the characters. Stop reading this review and just go read it. CarrieS at Smart Bitches Trashy Books said it best: “Read it right away - yes, now.  Everything on your to-do list can wait, believe me.” Actually, just go read Carrie’s review, because I can’t really top it. But I’ll offer a few thoughts (below the jump, of course!).

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Novella prequel to The Brothers Sinister series

Published April 14, 2012

“You see,” Clermont muttered, “there was this governess.”

Hugo rolled his eyes. Any confession that started thus could not end well.

Grade: A

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

SHE WILL NOT GIVE UP…

Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

HE CANNOT GIVE IN…

Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love…

I Say:

I own everything Courtney Milan has published because I adore everything she writes. This novella is no exception. Despite its curtailed length, it contains fully-realized characters, thought-provoking issues, and a satisfying story.

In Which the Reader Will Learn Why This Exists and What to Expect

Welcome!

I am a graduate student who reads a lot of romance novels--a LOT. Today one of my top 3 favorite authors, Courtney Milan, has released a new book in her AMAZING Brothers Sinister series: The Heiress Effect. As my homage to her, I'll kick off this blog by reviewing the entire series so far.

What to Expect:
This blog will consist almost exclusively of romance novel reviews. Most of them positive--I read the genre, and devour everything written by certain authors, because I genuinely enjoy it. I prefer to talk about how much I love books, not express my discontent.

Happy reading!

Cat C

Postscript 7-17-13:
I was going to write mostly positive reviews. And then I was watching Vertigo for Bernard Hermann's film music and got really angry about the characters. I then found out how much fun it can be to sass things. So now you'll get a mix.