When I received the email inviting me to be a “guest” blogger this holiday season, I had absolutely no idea what I would write. I’m not a writer, just an average reader who loves romance novels. I felt like Winnie the Pooh going “Think, think, think.” Do I write about my new favorite genre, or something more befitting the holiday season? My four year old has 2 favorite movies – The Incredibles and A Christmas Story. While planning Family Movie Night, it came to me. Like poor Ralphie, I decided to write A THEME.
What I Want For Christmas
I’m not asking for much this year, maybe a couple of gift cards to Barnes and Noble, maybe a nice piece of jewelry, but . . .
What would really make this Christmas a merry one? A Medieval Romance Revival.
Romance subgenres are cyclical and what’s hot now may not be hot next year, but I really miss Medievals. For me, they harken back to fairy tales, a knight in shining armor saving the princess, or maybe the princess gets to save the knight from a fate worse than death. I’m not really sure what fate is worse than death, but you know what I mean.
Why did the genre fall out of favor? Maybe they just don’t sell and publishers aren’t interested in investing in them. Maybe the Regency period has completely overshadowed all other historical periods or maybe they’re somehow harder for authors to write. Keeping all that historical information correct without having rotting teeth and body odor infringing on love scenes-it can’t be easy. But, oh, when they work, Medievals are pure magic.
I want Marsha Canham to come out of retirement and write more Medieval adventure stories, the ultimate in good vs. evil. I want more great heros and heroines like Laura Kinsale’s Ruck and Melanthe. I want new twists on the Robin Hood story like Juliana Garnet’s The Baron. I want to visit Madeline Hunter’s Medieval merchants. I want stories that don’t sound like contemporaries with modern syntax plunked down in Medieval settings. Is this too much to ask for?
Honestly, just a few good books, that’s all I want. They can even be spread out throughout the year. I don’t need them all at once-a couple here and a couple there and I’ll be a very happy elf.
And, if I can’t have a few good Medievals, a Red Rider B-B Gun with a compass in the stock would be okay – even though my husband already has one. And, I promise not to shoot my eye out.
I guess peace on earth and good will towards man wouldn’t be a bad thing to ask for either. Happy holidays everyone.
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How very cool that you got to do a guest spot! I agree with your comments, especially about our beloved Marsha Canham. Peace on earth is not a bad deal either.
Lovely post — I agree with everything you said. Medievals were some of my first historical romance reads, and still among my favorites. I hope to write a few of my own, and would love to have some more good medieval reads to keep the inspiration high.
I love medievals. I actually have one in the works. Glad to know I’m not the only one that misses them! More medievals, Santa. And peace on earth would be nice, too.
I love them too! With a passion! Medieval romances were really what got me started reading romance. I’ve always been a sucker for a great fairy tale.
Great post!
I’m always thrilled to hear authors have medievals in the works. I figure if all medieval fans unite and whine loud enough, the publishers may take pity on us.
I have a romance subplot in my Mediaeval saga In Revision, and Kjartan is HOT
There’s also this 14th century pirate thingie lurking in my files that may turn out a true historical romance.
But right now I concentrate on the Late Roman Empire. And not much in the way of HEA romance in these, sorry.
I love a good medieval too and like you I really miss them. There are a few out there, but not of the same quality or quantity as in years past. I hope you get your wish – then I can share it too.
Hey, my first novel came out last week and IT’S A MEDIEVAL!
Well, it’s medieval paranormal erotic romance, but there are knights in armor (and, being erotic, out of armor) and castles and kings and princes, etc. Chivalry and stuff. Honest. In fact, I am so into the medieval thang that I bought TWO wench costumes for booksignings. There’s a picture of me in one of them on my October 31st Blog entry.
Totally with you on the medieval stuff…
Toni
Wonderful post. I so wish Julie Garwood would take back her throne.
(sigh)
Robert Gellis, too. And Sergeanne Golon.
I miss good medieval historicals. ….
Historical Romance is hurtin’ all over the place.
I have all of Isolde Martyn’s books, and they are lovely to read because of the rich detail. Have you read her books? (I’ll post this on your blog too, so you can check them out)
And because you asked about Medieval romances, I’ll quick promo my book ‘Angels on Crusade’ which is coming out Dec. 8th at Cerridwen Press! It’s a Medieval time travel romance – I hope you enjoy it!
Ladies, it’s so great to know I’m not the only one wishing and hoping for more medievals.
I’ve never read Sergeanne Golon, so I’ll be searching for her books. I do have read Roberta Gellis and Isolde Martyn.
Toni Lea and Jennifer, I’ll be looking for your books.
I agree with everything you said, Tara. Except for the part about you not being a writer. lol.
Jenster