Please recommend angsty romance novels - period ones

[dangermousie]

A dream I had left me craving some delicious angsty romance novels. Please rec! I want them to be

(a) set not in modern times - I don't care the period they are set in and it could be fantasy, but not modern contemp non-fantasy setting, please.
(b) angst and/or trauma has to be major and belong to the hero. While I revel in manpain, I don't like to see heroines mistreated.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeelp!!!

Comments

[valmylove.livejournal.com]

Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught... my all time favorite!

[eccequambonum.livejournal.com]

Oooh, yes!

My standout tortured hero book is Laura Kinsale's "Flowers From the Storm". A classic.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

WML is a favorite of mine as well but the hero's treatment of the heroine is very controversial to say the least. It might not be Mousie's cup of tea. Although I'd recommend reading it anyway because it's such a classic and it's worth it even if one ends up throwing the book at the wall. :o)

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

Not to pick a fight or anything but I heard the hero mistreats the heroine really badly in that novel. Doesnt he rape her? Or am I thinking of a different one. keep in mind I consider rape anything involving coercion or threats and not just force.

[raffaella.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, in the first edition of that book, there was a beating with a riding crop and a rape. You know, old-fashioned romance novel type. There was such a controversy that she rewrote the two scenes in a later edition, when the market was less interested in the rape-happy romances of the 70s-80s.

I only read the new version and I still found it disgusting, so I don't even want to know what the not-toned-down version looked like.

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

holy shit D:

[eccequambonum.livejournal.com]

Crap, I'm remembering a different book then! 0_o

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It has hero on heroine rape which is an automatic no for me (I read it years ago) Love some of the other JMN novels though.

[algelic.livejournal.com]

Remember when I told you to check out "The Tea Rose" (prequel to Winter Rose) by Jennifer Donnelly? It can't be compared to a mindless romance novel, but don't forget to check it out!

Sarah MacLean - ""Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake"

Jodi Thomas - "The Texan's Wager"

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[(Anonymous)]

Jane Eyre, The Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, North and South...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Those are all awesome but I read them already :(

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Drat. I have a huge collection of romance novels and I'm sure I could find some books to rec (because I LOVE angsty historicals with tortured heroes) but they're all at my new place. My head is so full of all the dramas I'm watching currently that I can't concentrate and think of a novel title at the top of my head. I need to have all my books in front of me to get back into my romance reader mode.

If you're still in need of recs next week when I've fully moved in, I can get back to you with some titles if you'd like.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I am always looking for more recs so sure will be looking for more next week too.

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

all through the night by connie brockway :D I have recced it to you before I think. Also Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale. Both have super angsty alpha heroes and interesting heroines. one is a passionate quaker and the other moonlights as a thief at night and is generally a melancholic drab person in the day.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[(Anonymous)]

When i saw the post, wml came to mind instantly but looks like others are on the same boat! Judith mcnaught's historical romances are just amazing. Enjoy!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I stay away from rape stuff, but I do like other McN stuff.

[(Anonymous)]

Did u ever read the atonement? That's filled with angst and it's so sad. What about lord of ice by Galen foley, yours till dawn by Teresa medeiros, some of Catherine Anderson books r filled with angst try those too.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I read Atonement, gorgeous. Didn't care for Lord of ice, haven't heard the rest will totally read it.

[iheartkleenex.livejournal.com]

Earth and High Heaven by Gwethalyn Graham. I remember loving it when I read it about 4 years ago. Not overly angsty but it is realistic.

From publisher:
"Earth and High Heaven is, simply, a drama of human relationships — of two people in love who are confronted by the obstacle of racial intolerance — presented with such cutting truth, such fidelity to life, such compassion and understanding, that their problem becomes, indelibly, the reader's own."

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

No angst? Booooooooooo :(

[iheartkleenex.livejournal.com]

Well angst is the fact that he's Jew and she's not and that her father detests Jews and his father detests all the other people. Still, a pretty good book.

Huh, thinking about angsty books I read made me realize I don't read a lot of angst. I mostly just watch it.

[bippy24.livejournal.com]

I generally read your drama reviews but don't comment (hello!), but had to third the rec for Laura Kinsale's "Flowers From the Storm." The hero has tons of angst. Really, most of Laura Kinsale's heroes are super angsty. "Seize the Fire" has a hero suffering from PTSD from his military endeavors (and a seriously awful father). "The Shadow and the Star" hero had an abusive childhood. "My Sweet Folly" and "The Hidden Heart" have tortured heroes. Laura Kinsale is probably my favorite romance author. She does angsty romance so well. (Short reviews/synopsis: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/lightning_reviews_laura_kinsale_part_i/) Oh, also, all of her books are period - no contemporary.

Also, I don't know if you've read "Lord of Scoundrels" by Loretta Chase, but it fits the angsty hero bill really well, too.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oooooh thanks! I got Flowers and the highwayman ones.

I read Lord of Scoundrels. Mmmm

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas has a lot of angst in it specifically because the hero wants the heroine but doesn't think he's good enough- he goes through a lot of man pain in my opinion, because he feels like he can't have her.

Simply Love by Catherine Anderson has a hero who is willing to do anything to have the heroine, the heroine is sooo innocent and misinterprets a lot of what the hero says which lead to a few funny hijinks, When she finds out what he did to have her though- it gets angsty- this is at the end though

Even though you said absolutely no contemporaries I just have to name this one- Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcquire. People are buzzing about this book in the romance community over at amazon. Wow this book has a a totally bad boy who only has one night stands with women. He forms a friendship with the heroine and falls madly in love with her- sooo much man pain- the heroine is not a doormat at all- she has a lot of power in the relationship, actually pretty much all the power. The hero is sooo vulnerable to her- jealous tantrums and intense grovelling abound. Out of all the books I've read, I felt like this book showed how much the hero loved the heroine more adequately than any book I've ever read- it is such a train wreck- I really though the hero would die if he didn't have the heroine. This has sooo much angst in it- read it and you won't be disappointed!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I just might break my rule for no contemporaries for that one :P

suggestions

[(Anonymous)]

Hey. love you blog. This is the first time I am posting here. Sorry haven't read all the other comments so don't know if anyone has suggested what I am about to suggest but here goes.

My first choice would be Judith Mcnaught...she writes angst very well...definitely page turners.I would recommend 'Almost Heaven', 'Something wonderful' and 'A kingdom of dreams' to recommend a few.There is one that is contemporary -trust me I can't stand contemporary either but this one is truly an exception'...called 'Paradise' and it's MAJORLY angsty but oh so satisfying.

Some more suggestions:
'Private Arrangements' by Sherry Thomas-married couple angst

'Separate beds' by Lavyrle Spencer -she is not as well known as Mcnaught but writes tension well and this book has angst all over it.
Haven't read 'twice loved' by her either but heard it's pretty good.

'Once a princess' by Johanna Lindsey-prince and princess of a fictional country bethrothed but each with their own issues

I also like 'Duchess of mine' by Eloisa James.

Hope these are helpful.

Re: suggestions

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you, these are very helpful!

[kitsune714.livejournal.com]

I admit, I am a sucker for a historical romance novel. Regency romance novels are my ultimate drug of choice, and I've seen some authors I like already recommended above. I second the rec for anything by Sherry Thomas -- she's fairly new to the romance literature scene, but she's got great, original plots, excellent prose style, and just the right amount of angst. Private Arrangements is her first novel, but I also enjoy Not Quite a Husband (I love her heroine in this, a female physician, somewhere in the wilds of the British Empire) and all her other little mini-novellas. Lisa Kleypas is a reliable source for well-written historicals as well (even her contemporaries are pretty good). My personal favorite historical of hers is from her Wallflowers series, The Devil in Winter, mainly because there's nothing I love more than a reformed rake.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[echowillow.livejournal.com]

OMG thanks for making this post! I have nothing to rec because to be honest I don't remember the romance I've read D: But I'm definitely checking those out in this post.

Happy reading too ♥

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Enjoy :)

[algelic.livejournal.com]

Mousie!

I stumbled upon a romance novel review of a story that'd EXACTLY everything we abhor.

I couldn't help but laaaaaugh as I read the review. Check it out:
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-spoil-of-war-by-phoenix-sullivan/

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

OMG, I need to scrub my brain!

[lightsjustright.livejournal.com]

LMAO is Rui reading Paul Auster in your icon? XD

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I believe so...

[raisintorte.livejournal.com]

Have you read any Georgette Heyer? She does fantastic historicals if you are interested I can give you a big old list of those with hero drama.

Other historical authors I like:
Julia Quinn
Stephanie Laurens
Eloisa James
Mary Balogh
Joan Wolf
Jo Beverly
Julie Garwood (but there are some mistreatment of heroine issues)
Loretta Chase
Candace Camp
Amanda Quick

(I used to read Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, and Jude Deveraux but they all have rape/abuse issues and I don't remember which ones are good)

I am happy to go through and make lists of ones with hero angst if you haven't read/are interested in any particular author. I can rec romance novels all day - they are my FAVORITE type of reading material. Especially ones with a good angsty hero. :-)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I own every Heyer book except for those hard-to-find contemporaries. She's excellent, though not angsty in the least.

Thanks for all those recs!!! I will totally check them out.

[raisintorte.livejournal.com]

Right! We have talked about Heyer before. :-)

I was re reading two Stephanie Laurens last night - On a Wild Night and On a Wicked Dawn and those have good, non mistreated heroines, and heroes with baggage. They aren't like high angst, but there are tortured pasts to be overcome before the true love can happen.

They are two of my favorites of her books. She doesn't do a ton of angst, but I really like her writing. Her heroines are generally not abused idiots which is always a plus.