As many of you know, the past few months I have been working on my romance book database recommendation list (which if you are interested you can find HERE) And as I was going through and building these lists, I was going over the books I had read many years ago and realized how much I had loved reading them “way back then”. So I wanted to share those first romances that are priceless in my mind and if you haven’t read any of these, I highly recommend you look into them.
Shielder by Catherine Spangler
This book is a science fiction romance, with a bit of of smuggling, fighting for what is right and a beautiful love story. This was also the first book that got me hooked into this sub genre of romance. I had never read a sci fi romance until this one, and I can tell you the moment I read this one, I instantly went out to find the rest of the books in the series. This author makes a solid world building series, and I loved the way she sparks a bold adventurous romance.
The Duke In Disguise by Gayle Callen
This is part of a trilogy, that involves secrets, passion and a charming little boy that won my heart instantly. Now I know that not every romance reader enjoys having children in romances, but Gayle Callen makes this element really work. And it fits the story just right. Our heroine is the newely hired governess for the Duke of Thanet’s son. But we also have a hidden identity trope of the hero that falls into play with this one. But its not what you think, and in fact in the end, you see how much you admire this hero’s courage. And how smart children are….and a lovely love story that develops between these two.
Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton
This book was the first book that was a mix of romance and magic in a historical genre. This was the first book I read from this author, in the first year of discovering romance. Our hero is a member of a magical race, and he falls in love with a mortal woman. Our heroine is no pushover, she realizes he is keeping a big secret from her. What I loved about this book most, was seeing Eve seeing the real man in Aubrey. She sees beneath his gorgeous looks, and loves him for who he is and not what others see. They become true partners in this story, which you don’t always see in this genre.
Stranger In My Arms by Lisa Kleypas
This is one of the most original romances of the time with this book. In my mind, its always been a classic romance and has always held a special place for me. I had forgotten how much I had really enjoyed this book.
The Blood of Roses by Marsha Canham
Anyone who has read this author, knows that her writing is different from any other author. This was also my first introduction into a highlander romance and what a great way to get introduced into this sub genre in historical romance. I love the rich history that this author delivers as well as a powerful love story, one that is beyond memorable. Even after 15 years, I still remember this one vividly.
The Golden Barbarian by Iris Johansen
A enriching tale of royalty and sheikhs, of silken sheets and adventures across the desert. This is a book I read many years ago and still love it just as much to this day. It was one of my earlier reads when I got hooked on sheikh romances. It has such a happy feel to it, I loved seeing the way these two work towards together finding their own happy ever after.
Prince Charming by Julie Garwood
What a fabulous story that starts from the city streets of London all the way to the wild frontier in America. A fun adventure and was the first book I read from this author. A book that got me hooked on this authors writing, and what a story this one was. I don’t think I can count the number of times I have read this book, especially in the earlier years when I first discovered romance and was always borrowing this from the library every chance I got.
Belle and the Beau by Beverly Jenkins
This I believe was the first book I read from this author and what a powerful story that, as a teenager when I read this, empowered me and made me intrigued and left me wanting to learn more about the period in history and the strength and courage these people had against all odds against them. This story is about our heroine who is a runaway slave, and is given shelter by a family, the bests. And she falls in love with our hero, Daniel Best. This is a PG romance, but is sweet and tender with some vivid historic detail too. And has some wonderful humor like all the other books of this series.
Questions For My Readers
What Books Do You Remember The Most Fondly? Any titles you have forgotten but makes you want to read them again?
Omg Renee look at these old school gems! Have many of them on my TBR! I wish I wasn’t such a slow reader hahaha….these are perfect for your old school reading challenge which I am participating in 😉
I love Julie Garwood but I have to say that Prince Charming was the one and only book of hers that I didn’t like.
This is one of the main reasons I’m making a big effort to catch up on (and not request more!) arc’s. I want to go back to some of my faves and re-read.
For What It’s Worth
Yessssss those ARCs always get in the way of catching up on old school reads! I feel you 🙂
Oh man. I remember reading my first Julia Quinn novel, which is what ultimately hooked me on historical romance. It wasn’t the first historical romance I read, but it was the one that hooked me on the genre. It was An Officer from a Gentleman. I read it when I was home for break from college. I stayed up until 4 am to finish it (in one sitting) and was hooked. It’s actually not even close to being a favorite JQ book, and I’ve only read it the once, but it opened a door to historical romance.
I also remember very clearly the first Julie Garwood Historical Romance i read. The first JG book I read was one of her romantic suspense novels (Heartbreaker), but right after that I read The Wedding. I liked it, and got more of her books from the library that summer. But before the summer was over I was rereading it.
I started reading Jude Deveraux in college. Those were my first romance books. My roommate got me hooked! Then we moved on to Nora Roberts. Good memories of those books!
Aww the books I loved back when, I want to re-read but I fear I would not love them
My list would include Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson, Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros, Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke, A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens, Enchanted by Elizabeth Lowell, Between the Devil and Desire by Lorraine Heath and Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell.
I remember reading The Corsican Woman & Summer Harvest by Madge Swindells and loving her writing. I don’t often see her books anywhere anymore.
Isn’t it funny how that happens? I tend to get lost in my basement library for hours at a time just because I end up re-reading passages from the books I’ve loved way back when. 🙂
Some great books listed! Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught were the first two authors I remember reading in the genre and I was hooked after that. But the book that got me started on romance in general was Gone with the Wind when I was 14 or 15.