Why
I Love Historical Romance
By
Vicky Dreiling
My love of historical
romance came about purely by accident. Back in the early nineties, I apparently
was the only person on the planet who didn’t know about historical romances. With
two young kids and a part-time job, my reading consisted of parents’ magazines
and the nutrition labels on cereal boxes. But one day in the supermarket, I
picked up a paperback with a pretty cover. I never read the description on the
back because my daughter who was a preschooler at the time escaped down the
aisle. I pitched the book in the basket and raced after her. When I got to the
check-out counter, I almost put the book back, but my daughter distracted me
again by trying to climb out of the basket.
When I got home, I put my
daughter down for her nap and started the book. I was stunned that it was a
romance. To be honest, I didn’t know what to think. I opened up the book. Two
hours later, my daughter awoke, and I was in shock. I hadn’t been able to put
the book down. The heroine was gutsy and sweet, and the hero was swoon-worthy.
I couldn’t wait until bedtime to read again! The book that forever hooked me on historical
romance was Judith McNaught’s ALMOST HEAVEN.
Over the years, I’ve
pondered what it is about historical romance that draws me in time after time.
I finally realized it’s because no matter how much of a rake the hero is he
always has a core sense of honor. Also, I love when the heroine refuses to let
the alpha male rule over her and eventually she sees his vulnerability. And
don’t we all love when the hero is finally brought to bended knee?
How about you? What
book was your gateway to historical romance? Be sure to leave your e-mail below for your chance to win one of two copies of What a Reckless Rogue Needs! I will pick two random winners on March 24th, the last day of the blog tour.
What a Reckless Rouge Needs
Will the Rogue’s Perfect Plan….
Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, has no desire to wed,
this season or any other. So when his father demands he give up his wild ways
and a take a wife, Colin refuses. But his father raises the stakes and
threatens to sell the ancestral home if Colin doesn’t comply. Now Colin has no
choice but to find a wife. Unfortunately, the only woman he wants is the one
whose heart he broke years ago.
Lead to the Perfect Seduction?
Regardless of the ton’s whispers, Lady Angeline Brenham won’t
settle for anything less than true love. After rejecting more than her share of
suitable suitors, spinsterhood looms before her-until the devilishly handsome
Colin reappears in her life with a proposition. Angeline vows to keep her feet
on the ground and her heart in check. That is, until one searing kiss melts her
resolve and reignites a burning desire for more.
Available Everywhere books are sold March 25th!
About the author:
Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and
Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her
passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are
among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally
setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led
her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.” When she’s not writing, Vicky
enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. A
native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.
Social Media Links:
Buy Links:
What a fun story about your discovery of hist romance. I don't have one. :-( I only remember reading. We lived out in the country. So the library was a summer treat. They always had a childrens reading thing thru the summer. And my siblings always played in little league. So once a week, we came into town for that and the library. But once summer was over, I only had the school library. Very different. haha
ReplyDeleteI have no idea when, how or who I first found in historical romance. But I do know it is my number one favorite. I do read contemporary sometimes. And my view of historical is broader than some peoples.
Thanks for the chance to win Misty. :-)
lisakhutson (at) dot {net}
DeleteBecause I started reading romance via Harlequin I am a mixed bag reader.I don't love one sub genre anymore than the other. I do have favorite authors, and those are typically the ones that fill my stack at work on order day lol.
DeleteWelcome Vicky! I took the long way around getting to historical romances. I started reading Harlequin Romance in my early teens and by the time I turned sixteen I was reading full length historical romance. I'm talking taking the old bodice ripper covers to high school with me lol. My gateway historical would have either been something from Catherine Hart or Madeline Baker. I cannot remember which, but I do remember reading all sorts of the western historical romance. That said I think my gateway author into regency was Johanna Lindsey. I can remember reading about her Mallory's all the way back into my teens.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of this book and can't wait to get a copy. Would you say Colin and Angeline are friends to lovers or enemies to lovers...or perhaps frienemies to lovers? Whatever....it's one of my favorite tropes.
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
I would say they were frienemies to lovers. They were friends as children as their families were close.
DeleteJulia Quinn's Bridgerton series was my introduction to historical novels. Loved each member of the Bridgerton family and JQ's witty writing style.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Misty.
Looking forward to reading VIcky's new book! :)
JQ has always been a beloved author. I think Vicky's writing style is very close to it too.
DeleteHi Vicky...Thank you for sharing your story! I was sitting here pondering what my gateway into historical romance was and I too like Misty have the same authors that broke me in. The reason for this is probably because we found books around the same time (we have been best friends for 25+ years). I would say in my case my mom had a big influence on my reading. She was always a western historical reader, Connie Mason, Cassie Edwards...etc. It was a few years later that I actually got into regency period. I want to say that many years down the road, the author that cemented me in regency was Stephanie Laurens with her Cynster Series. These days I am all over the place with my reading, a lot of different genres. Having two small children at home and being a stay at home mom has severely limited my reading time but I still get into books here and there. My very favorite genre is paranormal/urban fantasy I think, however, I still have a great love for historical romance. It is so fantastical and talks to a place inside a women that really yearns to be loved with such total consumption/adoration. I would love to be introduced to your books. Right now I am reading another Author who has had Misty Guest Blog for her, Samantha Grace and I am enjoying the escape into historical romance once again. My Email Address is Saralee1974@yahoo.com (just in case I win!)
ReplyDeleteThe gateway for my romance reading habit was Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsow years ago when I discovered the book in my mother's personal library. :-) After that it was Gone With the Wind. The rest is history...especially historical romance. :-) Thanks for asking! jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe first historical romance I read was so long ago, I can't remember the title, but I know it was by Georgette Heyer. I found it at the library and then went back and read all of her books I could find. And I've been reading historical as well as lots of other types of romance ever since.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
I'd have to say Julie Garwood, for sure. I just devoured all of her historicals and then wanted to write my own. I'll see you next week at the KBB signing, Vicky! Save me a copy of the book!
ReplyDeleteHow odd is it that I'm drawn more to Garwood's contemporary books lol
DeleteGeorgette Heyer, Barbara Cartland were some of the early historical authors that I read from the pile that my great aunt had at her house. The Flame and the Flower was one of the first larger one that I read, as a sophomore in high school. I can remember that one of the girls brought it into school, and everyone of us want to borrow it. Now that I have officially dated myself, congratulations on the new release.
ReplyDeleteI've read the Flame and the Flower but never have I read Cartland or Heyer.
Delete