I’d like to mention the work of Dorothy Dunnett. This author, though a historical novelist and not a romance author, has had a profound effect on my romance writing, and I’d say that her novel Checkmate is one of the best romances ever written. However, it’s the last in a series of six thick books…
Lady Gallant by Suzanne Robinson very much changed the way I look at romance novels. Tautly crafted, well researched and psychologically riveting, this book knocked my socks off. Be forewarned, however; this is no hearts and flowers love story. It is tense, gritty, but ultimately a very satisfying read. Part of the reason I love…
Whenever a group of romance writers turn to the subject of influential books, certain writers and books come up over and over again. Regency writers will pick out Georgette Heyer. Romantic suspense writers point to Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. Western historical romance writers often confess an early love of Louis L’Amour and Zane Gray….
Elizabeth Mayne’s teaching background shines through in her use of historical accuracy in this tale of 16th Century Ireland. The sights, scents, sounds, and mysticism surrounding the green isle are all used here to good effect, but the author goes a bit overboard. This other-worldly quality tends to overwhelm the love story between Hugh O’Neill…
Lord of Misrule is a tale of revenge and dark love set in the Elizabethan era. The heroine, Catrienne Lyly, born of noble blood, has grown up a street urchin after seeing her beloved family killed in a political plot. The hero, Nicholas D’Avenant, is a scandalous nobleman working as a spy for his Queen….