Historical romance is a type of book sold in stores that focuses on love stories set in the past. This genre became more popular in the early 1800s because of Byron. These stories are usually written as novels.
Varieties
Viking books focus on warriors from the Dark Ages or Middle Ages. Heroes in Viking romances are often described as tall, blonde, and very handsome men who are later influenced by their heroines. These stories use Viking culture to include travel, as Vikings were known for exploring and establishing settlements worldwide. In a 1997 survey of over 200 readers, Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey was named the best book in this subgenre. However, Viking romances are no longer popular, and few have been published since the mid-1990s.
Medieval romances are set between 938 and 1485. During this time, women were often seen as property and had little control over their lives. Heroines in these stories must use their intelligence to find a husband who respects their independence while protecting them. The hero is usually a knight who learns to value the heroine’s ideas and then falls in love. Heroes are strong and dominant, and heroines remain in a lower position, though they choose this for safety and love from a devoted partner.
Tudor romances are set in England between 1485 and 1558. Elizabethan romances take place in England between 1558 and 1603, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Stuart romances are set in England between 1603 and 1714. Georgian romances are set in England between 1714 and 1811. Regency romances are set in England between 1811 and 1820 during the Regency era. Victorian romances are set in England between 1832 and 1901, including the time of Queen Victoria’s rule. Some Victorian stories are set in fictional countries, like Ruritania, or focus on the British Raj in India.
Pirate novels feature characters who sail as pirates or privateers. Heroes are often described as bold and powerful men who seek wealth and freedom. Heroines are usually captured by the hero early in the story and later fall in love with their captor. When the heroine is the pirate, the story often shows her struggle to keep her independence while living as a man. Much of the action in these stories happens at sea.
Colonial United States novels are set in the United States between 1630 and 1798. Civil War novels take place during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, often in the South or North. Western novels are set in the frontiers of the United States, Canada, or Australia. These stories focus on women’s experiences, as they are often forced to move to the frontier. Heroes are adventurous and independent, while heroines must survive in a male-dominated world. By the end of the story, they often overcome challenges and build strong relationships.
Native American novels may overlap with Western stories but always feature Native American characters, historically called "Red Indians." These stories highlight their heritage, freedom, and connection to nature. Native characters are often shown as misunderstood but civilized, not savage. They may struggle with racial prejudice and work to preserve their culture. In many cases, a hero or heroine is captured and falls in love with a tribe member. Readers enjoy these stories for their insights into Native American beliefs, customs, and ways of life.
Americana novels are set in the United States between 1880 and 1920, often in small towns or the Midwest.
History
In 1921, Georgette Heyer published The Black Moth, one of the first popular historical romance novels. The story is set in 1751. Heyer later wrote her famous Regency novels starting in 1935. These books are set during the English Regency period (1811–1820), when the Prince Regent ruled England instead of his sick father, King George III. Heyer’s Regency novels were inspired by Jane Austen’s books from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Because Heyer’s stories took place over 100 years before her time, she included accurate details from the past to help readers understand the setting. When she mentioned historical events, they were used as background to show the time period, not as central parts of the story. Heyer’s characters often had modern ideas, and other characters in the books sometimes criticized the heroine for wanting to marry for love.
The modern romance genre began in America in 1972 when Avon published Kathleen Woodiwiss’s The Flame and the Flower. This book was the first romance novel to include scenes between the main characters in private settings. It was also groundbreaking because it was published as a paperback book first, not a hardcover, and sold in drug stores and other stores like those selling mass-market items. The Flame and the Flower sold 2.35 million copies. In 1974, Avon published Woodiwiss’s next book, The Wolf and the Dove, and two books by a new author, Rosemary Rogers. One of Rogers’s books, Dark Fires, sold 2 million copies in its first three months. By 1975, Avon originals had sold a total of 8 million copies. The following year, over 150 historical romance books were published, many as paperbacks, and they sold more than 40 million copies. Unlike Woodiwiss, Rogers’s books often included couples who traveled the world, were separated for a time, and had multiple partners in the story.
The popularity of these books led to a new style of romance writing, focusing on historical fiction where a heroine in danger is rescued by a hero, even if the hero caused the danger. Covers of these books often showed women in revealing clothing being grabbed by heroes, and the books were called "bodice-rippers." A 1980 article in The Wall Street Journal described these books as "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 considered offensive by many in the romance industry.
In this new style of historical romance, heroines were often strong and independent, and their heroes became caring and respectful men who admired the women they loved. This was different from contemporary romances at the time, which often showed weak female characters who fell in love with powerful, dominant male characters. Even though heroines played active roles in the story, they were described as "passive in relationships with the heroes." During this time, heroines were usually between 16 and 21 years old, while heroes were about 30 years old. Heroines were often virgins, and heroes were not. Both characters were described as beautiful.
In the late 1980s, historical romance books were the most popular in the romance genre. The most successful books featured warriors, knights, pirates, and cowboys. In the 1990s, the genre began to include more humor, especially in the books written by 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. Contemporary romance novels are published in hardcover much more often, with 4 to 5 times as many hardcover releases. Since historical romances are mostly published in mass-market paperbacks, their sales are connected to trends in mass-market sales. Retailers and large sellers now prefer trade paperbacks or hardcovers, which limits the ability to sell historical romances in some price clubs and mass-market stores.
In 2001, 778 historical romance novels were published, the highest number in a 10-year period. 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 authors who previously wrote historical romances are now writing contemporary romance novels instead.