The Rogue's Return

Jo Beverley

Signet/Penguin

Mar. 2006, New York

Oh Boy!  What a thrill!  The story begins in York, in 1816.  On the VERY FIRST page, I recognized the villain as one of Upper Canada's early leaders.  Ms. Beverley later confirmed my suspicions in her Author's Note.  Never before have I been able to see the history I know come alive in the pages of a published romance novel.

Jo Beverley wrote it, so you know it's good.  My favourite character this time was the heroine; a woman with layers of secrets she found hard to deal with.  The story concerns a duel of honour, and the necessity for the hero to subsequently marry the girl he'd presumably dueled over.  The story weaves romance with several different subplots in a journey that takes us from Upper Canada to England, and from strangers to soul mates. 

Running West

James Houston

McClelland & Stewart 1989, Toronto

This is a historical love story set in 1714-1717, and it's based on actual people and events.  It tells the story of a Dene woman, Thanadelthur, and her remarkable trek across the Manitoba wilderness.  She is accompanied by a mapmaker and employee of the Hudson's Bay Company named William Stewart, originally from Scotland.

This book has pride of place as my #1 recommended read for several reasons.  First, it's a fascinating story, and very well written.  Second, I had stumbled upon a snippet of the historical facts and was preparing to make it my second novel, but Mr. Houston has done an excellent job of it.  And third, the name William Stewart (sp) is very special to me.

The Man for Her

Alice Valdal

Zebra Books,

Kensington Publishing Corp.

March 2005, New York

A true Historical Romance.  It takes place in the Kootenay region of British Columbia in 1886-1887, in the (I THINK!) mythical town of Prospect.  The story features Lottie Graham, a Torontonian who comes to Prospect to be the new schoolmarm.  There, she meets her true love and has his child.  Unfortunately, he goes off prospecting and is never heard from again--leaving Lottie, as yet unwed, to raise their child and work their farm alone.  Well, until Chapter One anyway!

I found this book to be well-written and nicely paced, with an enjoyable plot and very interesting setting.  And the best news of all, Ms. Valdal has a new book coming out this July, again featuring Prospect!  I can't wait to read it.  Thanks to my "Victorian" buddy Mave for the suggestion.

The Bride Ship

Deborah Hale

Harlequin Historical

Feb. 2006, Don Mills

What a fun book this was to read!  The setting is Nova Scotia in 1818, and deals with a chaperone of young ladies come to Canada to find husbands.  The heroine has her hands full--not just with willful young ladies, but also with a certain colony's (Lieutenant) Governor!

Although the book is not based on actual history (Ms.Hale tells us no Bride Ship ever landed in Halifax harbour), the characters were very well drawn and I could easily believe such a situation had occurred.  I especially enjoyed the Governor, full of human flaws and entirely endearing.  I also enjoyed the historical views of Halifax, and learned a little something of my country's history along the way.  THIS is why I read historical romance!