Romancing the Genres: Victorian western romance

by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt

This time of year, I can’t help but think about romance... and the romantic fiction I’ve fallen in love with along the way.

I have a passion for romantic stories set in the Victorian (1837 to 1901) American West. You might call me a nut, with my longstanding blog featuring various aspects of that historical setting—particularly when used as a backdrop for fiction. I love sharing those juicy tidbits with readers who share my passion for the American Old West. My last several titles included a “Dear Reader” with links to more info about the story. Read this “note” to readers of Unmistakably Yours, (with links to historical details) HERE.

GIVEAWAY: I’ll give away one paperback edition of
Unmistakably Yours (regular or large print) to one lucky commenter.

Whether readers see it or not, they’ve become familiar with myriad nineteenth century foods, beverages, fashion trends, underclothing, tools, inventions, developments, challenges, real-life historical events, war, scrimmages, and a bit of the truth about mail-order brides. In a way we can say, we were there! We know things—important, real things—because we read. Reading American-set romances can be another chance to learn the best of American history... without the anxiety of exams.

GIVEAWAY: I’d love to share SIX of these 2019 limited edition bookmarks with SIX different readers. Enter by commenting below!

As an author of Sweet Romance set in the Victorian American West, and an amateur historian, I fall hard for a story whose author embraced history’s accuracies. I learn so much while reading for pleasure. Over the course of writing my first twenty titles I became aware of the need for even deeper research. I thrive on studying constantly to ensure each new story is as accurate as possible. I read a new-to-me-author’s full-length Christian American Historical novel, wherein the history and the setting fuse seamlessly. Recommendation: A Reluctant Melody by Sandra Ardoin.

The flipside is a downer. Heads up: just because you read something in an American Historical novel doesn’t mean it’s true.

Here’s one that will (probably) catch you off guard. Do you know it’s historically inaccurate (and rude!) for a fellow (cowboy or bowler-wearing banker) to pinch the brim of his hat while greeting a lady? True? So why do the ladies swoon when the cowboy tugs his hat brim? (A lady in the Old West would’ve been scandalized; ladies now find it appealing.)

Don’t forget to enter my two drawings. Scroll down and reply to enter. What have you learned about history from reading fiction set in that location? What other titles do you recommend—specifically authors who’ve done their research?

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Falling Hard for Accurate History in fiction