I want to start this entry by saying that I finished my first round of edits on the urban fantasy at 1:00am last night. YAH!!! I realize I’m far from finished. I still have to type in the changes and then send the pages off to be critiqued, but I am relieved. I didn’t think that I would ever see this day. Thunk!
When I first started reading romances, I didn’t read anything but historicals. I was so taken with the genre that I wrote one for my freshman year of high school creative writing class. I was very upset that I didn’t have time to finish my opus. *g* I turned the ‘manuscript’ in a week late, but still received an A-. I think my teacher realized that I’d taken that assignment VERY seriously.
My most embarrassing ‘historical’ moment was back in 2001, when I met Virginia Henley at the Romantic Times Convention in Orlando. She’s written several of my favorite historical books. Now keep in mind, I’d never met a ‘real live author’ before, much less one of my all-time favorites. Someone pointed her out at the booksigning. I took a couple of deep breaths to get my nerve up, then walked over to meet her. I managed to get out that her books had a profound affect on me. She asked me my name and I proceeded to burst into tears. I had to walk away because I was mortified.
Through the years, my love for the genre has waned. Not sure why. Probably me changing as a person. I still love a good book in the genre. It is escapism at its finest. I’m sure somewhere in the back of my mind, I wish I was writing historicals to go with all the other genres that I currently write in.
With that in mind, I’d like to talk about some of my favorite historical authors. Two of these people are my friends (Julie and Sylvia). The rest I don’t know.
Julia Templeton started out writing historicals for Kensington. I met her a few years later, when she sold her first book to Ellora’s Cave. Two years after that we became critique partners. I love Julie’s work. (Wouldn’t critique with her otherwise.) She blends sensuality with a rich historical texture. She doesn’t write typical Regency settings. Instead, she’s drawn to Medieval times. My favorite book by Julie is The Bargain. It’s a lush tale of love and betrayal, which is played out in a harsh and changing world. She also has a new vampire historical coming out this year called Return to Me. If you enjoy deeply developed characters, who aren’t afraid to show their flaws, then check out her work.
The next author, Sylvia Day is another friend of mine. Sylvia writes scorchingly hot historicals with sweeping love stories that don’t always follow the expected path. It’s one of the things I love about her writing. The second is her ability to weave a convincing love story into even the most difficult plots. Not many writers do this well, but she does. I loved her Bad Boys Ahoy anthology and Ask For It, but she out did herself with The Stranger I Married. If you want a story that doesn’t take the easy way out, pick up her work.
This next lady is one of my absolute favorite historical authors. There is something about Lisa Kleypas’ work that speaks to the heart. Whether she’s writing about rogues or gentlemen, her stories are rich in character development. You feel that moment when the hero and heroine first meet. When the characters kiss, it curls your toes. Lisa is as close to a sure thing as you can get, when it comes to her historical work.
I’m also a huge fan of Stephanie Laurens’ original Cynster series. She has written two of my all time favorite heroes, Devil Cynster and Captain Jack. There have only been a few heroes that I wish were real and those are two of them. *g* She’s also written two of my favorite novellas, Rose in Bloom and Melting Ice. Great stuff. Stephanie has earned a place on my keeper shelf. When I’m looking for a comfort read, I grab one of her books.
I don’t think anyone does Highlander stories better than the final author on my short list, Karen Marie Moning. I first became aware of her work after reading, Beyond the Highland Mist. She hooked me immediately with her darkly handsome heroes and naturally sensual writing. I couldn’t get enough of her work. Now Karen has turned her talents to urban fantasy. I haven’t read her new work yet, but if it’s anything like her older titles, then we’re in for a treat.
Do you have a favorite historical author? If so, who is it and why do you like them? If not, why?
April 3rd, 2007
I dont’ read historicals. Never have. I guess for me its because of the roles women played in history. I’m a feminist, I like my heroines kicking ass and having sex and generally being bad. I’d love to write a historical about a bad ass chick in armor swinging a sword, but really how historically accurate is that?? Unless she’s Joan or Arc, or Boudicia women didn’t fight in war.
by Vivi Anna April 3rd, 2007 at 12:47 pmHi Jordan! Wow, you and I have very similar tastes in historicals. I agree with all the wonderful authors you’ve listed. I also love Sabrina Jeffries. She writes very sensual loves scenes and has strong heroines. Not to mention she’s a very sweet lady. I don’t know her other than at every book signing I’ve seen her at I get a book signed for both myself and my sister. She’s starting to know me just from that…lol. Also, at the Southern Magic conference this weekend, I met a historical writer named Julia Justiss. I’d never read her before, but loved the cover and blurb for THE UNTAMED HEIRESS. I bought it and couldn’t put the book down. I stayed up late reading it and paid for it when I had to drag my butt out of bed to make the morning session the next day…lol. There was such a sense of suspense and I fell in love wiht her characters. I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books.
by Tina Gerow April 3rd, 2007 at 12:48 pmJulia Templeton’s The Bargain was so fabulous. Loved it!
I’m a big Stephanie Laurens fan, too, but I think my favorite historical author is Loretta Chase. Hot, humorous, adventurous, great characters, great stories!
by Charli April 3rd, 2007 at 2:22 pmVivi, There were some kick ass women in history. You just have to look for them.
I love historicals because there is no worrying about safe sex and manners mattered. *g*
by Jordan April 3rd, 2007 at 4:46 pmTina, You have such good taste.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever read Sabrina Jeffries. I know I used to have a book or two of hers on my shelf, but I’m not positive I still do. Scratches head. I’ll check Julia Justiss out. 
by Jordan April 3rd, 2007 at 4:48 pmCharlie, The Bargain is truly one of my favorites. I have Mr. Impossible in my TBR pile by Loretta Chase. I just haven’t read it yet.
by Jordan April 3rd, 2007 at 4:50 pmI had a similar experience, in that I met a columnist for Motor Magazine I had followed for over two decades. I met him at an iATN (International Automotive Technicians) convention in LA, where he was a speaker. What a rush, meeting a guy whom I had read his columns for over twenty years. I shook his hand, recounted a couple of really funny columns Id kept in mind over the years, and he laughed at my rendition of his own words. It made the whole convention for me. If hed been Stephen King or Dean Koontz, I might have burst into tears.
by BernardL April 3rd, 2007 at 6:21 pmBernard, That’s great.:) Nothing wrong with a man that cries on occasion.
by Jordan April 3rd, 2007 at 11:05 pmJordan I’d probably cry too! *g*
by Amie April 4th, 2007 at 6:15 amWell you already know I love KMM, and I still have a fondness for Catherine Coulters old historicals, Julie Garwood and Jude Deveraux. I cut my teeth on them–much the same way you did on your favorites. Like you I don’t read many anymore but I’m SO excited that Garwood is going back to historicals and I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for that one.
Amie, It was so embarrassing. I have no doubt Virginia questioned my sanity. I do hear great things about Garwood’s historicals. I know a lot of long-time fans are stoked. Let me know what you think of the book.
by Jordan April 4th, 2007 at 11:40 amI read Karen Marie Moning’s IMMORTAL HIGHLANDER, and OMG was it fabulous. I don’t read historicals anymore–just don’t have time–but one of my favorite, favorite authors was Susan Wiggs. Hey, Virginia Henley gave me a quote on Forbidden Magic, my first “magic” book. Is that cool or what? I haven’t met her in person. She probably thought you were sweet.
by Cheyenne McCray April 4th, 2007 at 1:16 pmChey, Yes, she’s terrific. That’s so cool about Virginia Henley.
No, I really think she thought there was something wrong with me. *ggg* And she would’ve been right. BWA HA HA HA!!! 
by Jordan April 4th, 2007 at 3:40 pmJordan, my big fear about coming over to an RWA event is that I’ll get all emotional every time I meet anyone LOL
Doing favourites is so hard
I don’t read historicals so much these days, but Susan Johnson will always stand out in my memory. Not just because I love her work, but because my CP introduced me to her books and it was the most amazing discovery for me. A pivotal moment — at the time there wasn’t any erotic romance like that in the UK. It was like a door opening in my mind and it helped me find my way.
by Saskia April 5th, 2007 at 12:54 pmSaskia, I’ve met Susan. That was a big moment for me, too. There are a few authors, who’ve influenced my writing style. If you ever get the chance, you should come over and meet your favorites. It’s a wonderful experience, well, as long as you can keep it together a little. LOL!
by Jordan April 5th, 2007 at 3:08 pmChey! I’ve got some Wiggs on my keeper shelf too *g*
by amie stuart April 6th, 2007 at 6:06 amI may never read those historicals again, but I keep them anyway.