Meaty medieval recommendations

Natalie · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 1566

I second Uncommon Vows by MJP, that's my top 1 medieval romance!

If you also like Tudor era (16th century) don't miss Lady Gallant, an amazing book with rich characters that totally feel like they belong to that period.

herta · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 36

Although harder to get, you might want to try Grace Ingram's Red Adam's Lady (try interloan at your library)I absolutely loved this book and have re-read it many, many times. She also wrote under the name Doris Sutcliffe Adams - you might want to try to find The Power of Darkness. Also, you might like the first two books by Pamela Kaufman, Shield of the Three Lions and Banners of Gold. Not my favourites but fun, nevertheless and certainly meatier and better researched than some of the wallpaper historicals out there.

I also loved Judith Merkle Riley's Work - the trilogy I especially liked is A Vision of Light, In Pursuit of the Green Lion and The Water Devil. All are set in medieval England.

Another author I truly enjoyed was Sylvian Hamilton. She died two years ago but managed to publish three books before she died. Also set in the Middle Ages - The Bone Pedlar, The Pendragon Banner and Gleemaiden.

veasleyd1 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 2064

xina · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 6627 Location: minneapolis

I thought of a few more...Kelly, you mentioned that you read Pillars by Follett, have you read the (sort of) sequel...World Without End? I loved it, very realistic with 2 romances going on throughout the book. Also, The Chalice and the Blade and the sequel...Dreamstone by Glenna McReynolds. A little mysticism/fantasy thrown in, which I don't usually like, but Reynolds does it well. More...The Court of Love, Queen of May, The Conquered Heart...a series by Denee Cody. The Holding by Claudia Dain, Winterbourne by Susan Carroll.

LeeB. · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1221 Location: Seattle, WA

I agree with the recommendations for Lady Gallant (Suzanne Robinson), and the titles by Lynn Kurland, Betina Krahn, Marsha Canham, Patricia Ryan and Karen Ranney.

Also check out Tina St. John's medievals, three of which received DIK reviews here:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=1814
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=1437
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=1438

I also enjoyed Candice Proctor's Night in Eden. Review here: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=4286

dick · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 2246

I second GraceC's recommendation for Krahn's "The Marriage Test." I liked the entire "test" trilogy, but "The Marriage Test" was without doubt the best--delicious, actually.

SarahT · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 207 Location: Europe

I loved Madeline Hunter's Medievals, especially the first three. They are: By Arrangement, By Possession, & By Design.
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xina · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 6627 Location: minneapolis

Two more I have to mention (noticed them on my bookshelf). On A Highland Shore and the sequel, Rivals For The Crown. Both by Kathleen Givens. Wonderful Scottish medieval settings.

belize · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 45

An old book, but a good one, is GREAT MARIA, by Cecelia Holland

clutterconqueror · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 84 Location: Elmhurst, Il

I'd very much like to recommend Claire Delacroix. She has a number of medievals. I've read four so far and enjoyed them immensely. I really enjoy the language she uses, as well as the stories themselves.

So far I've read:

The Heiress
The Snow White Bride
The Red Rose Bride
The Beauty Bride

Joyce

Jocelyn · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

Isolde Martyn had 3 I enjoyed - extra meaty - The Knight and the Rose, The Maiden and the Unicorn, and Moonlight and Shadow.

The Secret Swan by Shana Abe dealt with the plague, a second chance relationship, and arranged marriage (DIK here)

Tamara Leigh had a meaty medieval about forgivness called Saxon Bride.

Elizabeth Lowell's Untamed was very good as I recall and there were 2 more in that series.

Since you liked Madeline Hunter's By... series, you might like the linked book, Lord of a Thousand Nights - my favorite of the four - H/H each have their secrets.

I think it is time for Medieval to make it's comeback!!

NB · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 39

Janet Mullany · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 25

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin--not quite a romance, but you could read it as such; it's described as CSI meets the Canterbury Tales. It has a sequel, The Serpents Tooth, but I'd suggest reading them in order.
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