Happy anniversary, Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers!*

A while back, I stumbled across the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers group on Goodreads and it was an epiphany for me. I hadn’t heard the term “romantic historical fiction” before, but I loved it instantly. It answered the question that had been bouncing around my brain since I was first asked what kind of novels I write.

You see, stories set in the past tend to be labeled either “historical fiction” or “historical romance.” But there are a growing number of stories like mine that don’t fit neatly into either category. There’s too much romance for fans of the former, and too little for fans of the latter.
So what’s an author to do?

Emery Lee, author of "The Highest Stakes," had the same question, and that’s what inspired her to create Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers.

“I started Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers a year ago in my growing frustration as an author whose publisher didn't quite know what to do with her!” Lee said in our email exchange earlier this week. “After discovering Goodreads and the various groups, I saw a distinct void between HF and HR. I then decided to try to bridge that chasm with authors, like myself, who endeavor to satisfy the intellect as well as engaging the emotions in our stories—
Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers was born.”

That was a year ago, and in that time the group has grown into a fun and lively group of 325 members. And it’s a diverse group, made up of avid readers, book bloggers and authors. Besides its popular discussion board, the group also maintains a recommended reading bookshelf of Romantic Historical Fiction titles.

The criteria for the recommended reading list has expanded and evolved over the past year, Lee says, but here is the criteria in a nutshell: Either historical or biographical fiction with a strong romantic element, or a work of historical romance based upon real characters, a major historical event, or having a well-researched exotic setting. Subgenres such as suspense, time travel, and some paranormal elements are also eligible. And only titles that are nominated by a group member are considered.

It’s been a lot of fun watching the group grow and seeing all the enthusiasm for romantic historical fiction. I can’t wait to see where the group goes from here.

Want to see what all the excitement is about? Here’s the link to Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/33864.Romantic_Historical_Fiction_Lovers



*Don’t miss the group’s virtual anniversary party on Facebook. Here’s what Emery Lee says:

"The party begins 5/27/11 at 12:00AM and will go on until midnight. We will be offering book giveaways from great HF and HR authors every hour! We will also have a "virtual" historical costume contest. Entrants to photoshop or paste their faces on their favorite book covers and post to the Facebook page . Prizes for Ugliest, Prettiest, Sexiest and Funniest. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!!!!"

Here’s the link to their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_135857949796897#!/home.php?sk=group_135857949796897.