Anyone who knows me knows I love a good Regency romance, and I’ve had a few historicals cross my path lately…
–Marissa
1. Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James is just classic James, and the latest novel in her Desperate Duchesses series. Mia is in dire straits, Vander is a stuck up Duke with no time for her, toss in some blackmail and you have a recipe for romance. *grin* James has added another well plotted, well developed novel to the genre, filled with witty moments, steamy romance, and a happy ever after. James is by far one of my favorite Regency writers – I never miss one of hers!
2. The Courtesan Duchess by Joanna Shupe is the first in the Wicked Deceptions Regency series, and is a worthy entrant into the genre. Julia desperately needs her husband to return to England for her protection, so, with few options afforded to her, she impersonates a courtesan, travels to Venice to find him, and attempts to lure him back into her life. Chaos, predictably, ensues! I really enjoyed this novel from this debut author – it was original and filled with emotion and steamy scenes. Recommended!
3. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd somehow got by me when it was released, so I’m just now getting to it. I listened to the excellently narrated audiobook version, which features two main characters – Sarah Grimke (a real person!), the white daughter of a wealthy Charleston man, and Handful, her slave handmaid. This novel tracks 35 years of their ups and downs, friendship and fights, and how they both tried to influence the circumstances in which they were placed. This was a fully absorbing historical novel – and though it dragged for a bit about two thirds through – that really made me feel as though I were a part of their lives. Highly recommended!
I read Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, mostly because it’s been listed on several “books to read before you die” lists. I found the writing a bit…dense, but definitely a glimpse into a very different world from my own.
I also just read Black Box by Michael Connelly, which isn’t historical, but is a few years old *grin* and also The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller, which, well, features some historical novels!
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