Wednesday, February 27, 2013

New Releases: Feb/March 2013 Historical Romance

Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane #5) by Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical Romance
Grand Central Publishing, February 26, 2013

The Maiden Lane historical romance series is one of my favorite at the moment. So, I'm reading this book released yesterday and I'm already reading it! As always, Hoyt's romances are some of my most anticipated books of each year.
When Strangers In The Night
He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John's only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head—and realizes she is his wife.

Become Lovers...
Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles—the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn't seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be—and so much more.

Desire Is The Ultimate Danger
When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth—that the Ghost is her husband—the game is up and the players must surrender...to the temptation that could destroy them both
Standish by Erastes
Gay Historical Romance
Lethe Press, February 2013

This second of edition of what has become a classic gay historical romance was re-released in February by Lethe Press. I haven't read it yet, but the book is now in my possession.
A great house. A family dispossessed. A sensitive young man. A powerful landowner. An epic love that springs up between two men. Set in the post-Napoleonic years of the 1820's, Standish is a tale of two men - one man discovering his sexuality and the other struggling to overcome his traumatic past. Ambrose Standish, a studious and fragile young man, has dreams of regaining the great house his grandfather lost in a card game. When Rafe Goshawk returns from the continent to claim the estate, their meeting sets them on a path of desire and betrayal which threatens to tear both of their worlds apart. Painting a picture of homosexuality in Georgian England, Standish is a love story of how the decisions of two men affect their journey through Europe and through life.
Spirit of the Pacific by Walter L. Williams
Gay Historical Romance
Lethe Press, February 2013

This gay historical romance is different in that the story takes place during the Civil War, but the events do not take place strictly in the South. There's an adventure aboard a whaling ship, the Aleutian Islands seem to play a big role, and more. Just take a look at the book summary.
Whaling ships in the Aleutian Islands, Confederate raiders and Union naval vessels in Maui, sloops and skiffs in the Hawaiian Islands--ships sail into the unknown and change lives. This is the story of Eddie Freeman, an African American slave from South Carolina, who escaped slavery in 1860. Eddie learned not to be afraid of change and the unknown. This is a story about the unexpected twists and turns of life, and how sometimes a person must travel one way to get to the other, become a sailor to find solid land, go to the Arctic to get to a tropical paradise. It is about giving up one's home to find a better home. It is a story about learning to transcend the polarities of slave and free, sacred and profane, love and hate, human and animal. Most importantly, it is a story about learning to transcend the polarity of life and death to become one with nature, experience limitless love, gain absolute happiness, and achieve true spiritual freedom.
There are quite a few new March releases coming up within the historical romance and historical fiction genres, but I'm highlighting two that caught my eye:

A Little Folly by Jude Morgan (Tim Wilson)
Historical Romance
St. Martin Press, Releasing March 12, 2013

I've never read anything by Morgan. I love the Regency period and despite the comparisons to Austen and Heyer, this novel looks great to me! It says in the blurb that it's a "romantic" novel, and it also mentions that Morgan is an acclaimed historical fiction author. So, I will let you know where this novel falls, exactly. :D
A witty and romantic novel of Regency love, family and appalling scandal, from a latter-day Jane Austen. When their strait-laced, domineering father, Sir Clement Carnell, dies, Valentine throws open their Devonshire estate of Pennacombe to their fashionable cousins from London and Louisa feels free at last to reject the man Sir Clement wanted her to marry.

Soon, the temptations of Regency London beckon, including the beautiful, scandalous, and very married Lady Harriet Eversholt, with whom Valentine becomes dangerously involved. Meanwhile, Louisa finds that freedom of choice is as daunting as it is exciting. Will the opportunity to indulge in a little folly lead to fulfillment—or disaster?

A Little Folly is a novel to make Jane Austen proud and Georgette Heyer envious. An acclaimed author of historical fiction, Jude Morgan weaves together the very best of Regency era writing with "refreshingly original characters, an intriguing plot, and an elegantly ironic style." (RT Book Reviews on Indiscretion). In this exciting new novel, Morgan delivers a story that, yet again, will bring cheers from critics and readers alike.
Surprising Lord Jack (Duchess of Love #2) by Sally McKenzie
Historical Romance
Zebra, March 5, 2013

I read the first book of this series, Bedding Lord Ned and enjoyed McKenzie's style. More so, I liked Jack's character in that first book. So I'm looking forward to this story with the that tried but true trope about the girl in breeches who I'm sure will capture Jack's heart. I'm hoping this is a fun read!
Unladylike Behavior
Frances Hadley has managed her family’s estate for years. So why can’t she request her own dowry? She’ll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she’s dealt with lately, though, there’s no way she’s going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she’ll have much less to worry about…

Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left—Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother’s matchmaking melodrama!
 
That's it for my February/March historical highlights. Any particular historical romance OR historical fiction books you are looking forward to reading in March? 


13 comments:

  1. Hey Hilcia...is that book by Jude Morgan new? I could almost swear it's a reprint....hum, anyway, I hope you like it. I haven't read that one, but if you end up enjoying it, then I suggest An Accomplished Lady by him too, I liked this one a lot, very similar in writing style to Austen yes, but obviously it's a different "tone" :)
    ****

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops...it's An Accomplished Woman, not lady. *embarrassed grin*

      Delete
    2. Hey Sonia!

      I read somewhere that A Little Folly is a re-release and that it was previously released as A RULING PASSION. BUT, I can't verify that. I haven't read this author at all and am really looking forward to reading this book. I see that An Accomplished Woman is very well liked! Thanks for the recommendation.

      Delete
  2. Your reading is so varied. I love that. I don't have any new historical romances on my radar for March. Hmm I hope I'm not missing anything. . I'm actually a bit out of the new release loop in general. I count on you guys to keep me informed. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine, this are ALL historical romances! LOL! I know... I know... *g*

      I will be happy to keep you in the loop. I'm really looking forward to reading these books, but if anything new comes up, I'll be sure to post it! :D

      Delete
    2. Well, I recognize that they're all historical romances, but still an eclectic mix! And your other posts do reveal your interests in really different genres. :)

      Delete
    3. Hah I know I'm all over the place when it comes to my reading. I was joking. :) These are all different too. Those differences keep me from getting bored. Lol.

      Delete
  3. Argh, Hils! I just finished putting the post of new releases for Breezing Through and now, there's the sally Mackenzie! Gotta say, it sounds really cute! I hope it's better than Bedding Lord Ned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! I need to go visit BT to check out the rest of the March Releases. I have my list ready, but ladies always add something to it. *g* Glad I could add one to yours. :)

      Delete
  4. That sounds good!
    You read all over the place and I love that!!
    Like Christine I'm not entirely in the know of whats coming out what, :) so thanks for the upadte!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! I'm all over the place... and it's my pleasure. :D

      Delete
  5. I'm hoping the Hoyt will get me back into the mood for historicals. I have so many on the tbr pile but haven't been in the mood for any.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leslie, I read the Hoyt book with just that thought in mind! I needed to get back into a "romance state of mind." I think it worked for me. :D

      Delete

Anonymous Users disallowed due to large influx of spam.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.