Historical romance is a type of popular book that focuses on love stories set in the past. This genre became more popular in the early 1800s, and the writer Byron helped make it popular. These stories are often written as novels.
Varieties
Viking books often focus on warriors during the Dark Ages, which is part of the Middle Ages. Heroes in Viking romances are usually described as strong, masculine men who are later influenced by their heroines. Most heroes are portrayed as "tall, blonde, and strikingly handsome." The Viking culture allows novels set in these time periods to include travel, as the Vikings were known for "travelling widely, establishing and conquering colonies around the world." In a 1997 survey of over 200 readers of Viking romances, Johanna Lindsey's Fires of Winter was considered the best in this subgenre. This type of book has become less popular, with few new books published since the mid-1990s.
Medieval romances are typically set between 938 and 1485. During this time, women were often seen as property who had to live under the control of their father, guardian, or the king. Heroines in these stories must use their intelligence and determination to find a husband who respects their need for independence while still protecting them from the dangers of the time. The hero is usually a knight who learns to respect the heroine's ideas and then falls in love with her. Heroes are described as strong and dominant, and the heroine, though she gains some independence, often remains in a less powerful role. However, this choice is hers, made "for the sake of and with protection from an adoring lover, whose main goal is to make his beloved happy."
Tudor romances are set in England between 1485 and 1558. Elizabethan romances take place in England between 1558 and 1603, during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Stuart romances are set between 1603 and 1714 in England. Georgian romances are set between 1714 and 1811 in England. Regency romances are set between 1811 and 1820 in England during the Regency era. Victorian romances are set in England between 1832 and 1901, beginning with the Reform Act of 1832 and including the reign of Queen Victoria. Novels set during this time but in fictional countries may be Ruritanian novels, such as those by Beatrice Heron-Maxwell. M.M. Kaye's works focus on the British Raj during this period rather than England itself.
Pirate novels feature a male or female character who is sailing or believed to be sailing as a pirate or privateer on the high seas. According to Ryan Kate, heroes in these stories are often described as "ultimate bad boys" who "dominate all for the sake of wealth and freedom." The heroine is usually captured by the hero early in the story and then forced to follow his wishes, eventually falling in love with her captor. In rare cases where the heroine is the pirate, the story often focuses on her struggle to maintain her freedom while living as a man. Regardless of the pirate's gender, much of the action in these books takes place at sea.
Colonial United States novels are set in that country between 1630 and 1798. Civil War novels are set during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, and may take place in the Confederacy or the Union. Western novels are set in the frontier of the United States, Canada, or Australia. Unlike Westerns, which often focus on male characters, Western romances highlight the experiences of women. Heroes in these stories seek adventure and must conquer the unknown. They are often loners, slightly uncivilized, and "earthy." Their heroines are usually forced to move to the frontier due to events beyond their control. These women must learn to survive in a man's world and, by the end of the novel, overcome their fears with love. In many cases, the couple faces personal danger and, after overcoming their challenges, forms a strong relationship for the future.
Native American novels may also fall into the Western subgenre but always feature Native American protagonists, historically described as "Red Indians," whose "heritage is integral to the story." These romances "[emphasize] instinct, creativity, freedom, and the longing to escape from the strictures of society to return to nature." Members of Native American tribes in these books are usually depicted as "exotic figures" who "[possess] a freedom to be admired and envied." Often, the Native protagonist struggles against racial prejudice and faces hardships trying to maintain a way of life different from the norm. By the end of the novel, however, these problems are resolved. The heroes in these stories are often fighting to control their darker desires. In many cases, the hero or heroine is captured and then falls in love with a member of the tribe. The tribe is always shown as civilized, not savage, and misunderstood.
When asked about their reasons for reading Native American romances, many readers mention a desire to learn about the beliefs, customs, and culture of Native American tribes. Novels in this subgenre are generally not limited to a specific tribe, location, or time period. Readers appreciate that Native tribes "have a whole different way of life, a different way of thinking and a different way of looking at things." In many cases, the tribe's love of nature is highlighted.
Americana novels are set in the United States between 1880 and 1920, usually in small towns or in the Midwest.
History
In 1921, Georgette Heyer published The Black Moth, a historical romance set in 1751. This was one of the first popular historical romance novels. Heyer later wrote her famous Regency novels starting in 1935. These books were set during the English Regency period (1811–1820), when the Prince Regent ruled England because his father, King George III, was ill. Heyer’s Regency novels were inspired by the works of Jane Austen, who wrote during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Since her stories were set over 100 years before her time, Heyer included real details from the past to help readers understand the setting. Historical events in her books were used as background to show the time period, not as major parts of the story. Heyer’s heroines often had modern ideas about love and marriage, while other characters in the books sometimes criticized their choices, such as wanting to marry for love.
In 1972, the modern romance genre began in America with the publication of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. This book was the first romance novel to include scenes between the main characters that took place in private. It was also groundbreaking because it was published as a paperback original, not first in hardcover, and sold in drug stores and other mass-market locations. The book sold 2.35 million copies. In 1974, Avon published Woodiwiss’s second novel, The Wolf and the Dove, and two books by Rosemary Rogers. One of Rogers’s books, Dark Fires, sold 2 million copies in its first three months. By 1975, Avon originals had sold 8 million copies combined. The following year, over 150 historical romance novels were published, many as paperbacks, and sold more than 40 million copies. Unlike Woodiwiss, Rogers’s books often featured couples who traveled, were separated for a time, and had multiple partners in the story.
The success of these novels led to a new style of romance writing, focusing on historical fiction that followed the relationship between a heroine in danger and a hero who rescued her, even if he had caused her harm. These books often had covers showing women in revealing clothing being grabbed by the hero, leading to the term “bodice-rippers.” A 1980 article in The Wall Street Journal called these books “publishing’s answer to the Big Mac: They are juicy, cheap, predictable, and devoured in stupifying quantities by legions of loyal fans.” Today, the term “bodice-ripper” is seen as offensive by many in the romance industry.
In this new style of historical romance, heroines were often strong and independent, paired with heroes who became caring and respectful. This was different from contemporary romances of the time, which often showed weak female characters who fell in love with dominant male characters. Even though heroines played active roles in the story, they were usually passive in their relationships with the heroes. During this time, heroines were typically aged 16–21, while heroes were usually around 30. Heroines were described as virgins, and heroes were not. Both characters were often described as beautiful.
In the late 1980s, historical romance became the most popular type of romance novel. Books featuring warriors, knights, pirates, and cowboys were especially popular. By the 1990s, the genre began to focus more on humor, as seen in the work of Julie Garwood, who added funny characters and situations to her stories.
Market
Historical romance novels are usually not published in hardcover, with fewer than 15 released in this format each year. In contrast, the contemporary romance market typically sees 4 to 5 times as many hardcover releases. Since most historical romance books are published in mass-market format, their sales depend partly on trends in mass-market sales. Retailers and large sellers often prefer trade paperbacks or hardcovers, which limits the ability to sell historical romance books in some price clubs and mass-market outlets.
In 2001, historical romance novels reached a 10-year high, with 778 titles published. By 2004, this number had decreased to 486, which was still 20% of all romance novels published. Kensington Books reports receiving fewer submissions for historical romance novels and notes that some previously published authors are shifting to writing contemporary romance stories.