If you love taking a trip back in time with historical fiction and romance books, you’ll love our authors like Sandra Byrd.

Historical fiction and Christian devotional author Sandra Byrd has written more than 50 books. Recognized by Publisher’s Weekly,Library Journal*,Bookpage*, and*Booklist**, Byrd is known for her writing that celebrates family connections, female friendships, and the importance of passing life lessons down through generations. Byrd speaks openly about her struggles at the beginning of her career.

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Must-Read Authors Like Sandra Byrd

1. Rozsa Gaston

Historical romance author Rozsa Gaston is known for combining real-life characters and events with fictional accounts that allow readers to feel like they’re getting a secret account of what life was like hundreds of years ago.

In Sense of Touch: Love and Duty at Anne of Brittany’s Court, Gaston details life in the Renaissance period in France. Like many of her novels,Sense of Touchtakes a real-life historical figure, Anne of Brittany, and weaves in mystical qualities, in this case, the gift to heal people and animals with the touch of her hand.

“Crossbow practice was not just for sport. She thrilled to see her arrow fly to its aim, knowing it was her steady hand and careful eye that had sent it there. One day she would use a similar hand and eye to rule over all that she managed as Queen of France. For that role, she must practice with diligence.”

Rozsa Gaston, Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Neatherlands and Early 16th-Century Europe’s Greatest Diplomat

2. Lara Byrne

Lara Byrne is a historical romance author who works to transport readers to medieval times, allowing them to feel as if they were a fly on the wall hundreds of years ago. Byrne makes a point to develop strong female characters in her novels, noting how history has failed to record women’s impact on society during the period.

The author describes her novels as “a blend of fiction and careful research,” creating stories that entertain readers and allow them to learn more about the details of the medieval period. Lotharingia: Charlemagne’s Heiris the author’s first novel and the first book in her Comitissaseries.

“The gentle smile of the late pope vanished from her mind’s eyes. The shining shapes of the burnished eagles evoked strength. She would need all her strength to persuade Ildebrando di Soana to complete his predecessor’s work. The odds were stacked against her, but now was the time to try, while he felt blessed by God’s will and while he needed political support for his anomalous election.”

Lara Byrne, The Road to Canossa (Comitissa of Tuscany)

3. Gary McAvoy

Gary McAvoy is a historical suspense author who has always been fascinated by war, religion, and faith. After completing a tour in Germany as a member of the U.S. Army, McAvoy became fascinated with cryptology and international intelligence and was inspired to combine his love of travel with his love of writing.

In the author’s debut historical suspense series, The Magdelene Chronicles, McAvoy combines historical fact with entertaining fiction to present a gripping investigation into those in power in the Catholic church.

“But then, the Holy Spirit came to me, and I was reminded of something Saint Augustine said: ‘Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.”

Gary McAvoy, The Magdalene Reliquary

4. Melanie Dobson

Melanie Dobson has written more than 20 historical romance and historical suspense novels. Some of the author’s novels involve time slips, transporting readers from the present day to various historical periods. Her Carol-Award-winning novel Memories of Glassfollows childhood friends Josie and Eliese in Holland as they work to rescue Jewish children from Nazis in Amsterdam.

Readers get to watch how the courage of Eliese and Josie shapes history as the story moves to 75 years later when modern-day connections form between protagonist Ava and the story of Eliese and Josie.

“I have no desire to be in a relationship for the sake of being in one,” he said. “I’ve made mistakes in the past, terrible ones. The next time I date a woman, I hope it’s for keeps.”

Melanie Dobson, Chateau of Secrets

5. Amy Licence

Historical fiction novelist Amy Licence delves into the stories of characters set in the medieval and early modern periods. License is praised for exploring characters from all class systems in her work. Heralded as “unquestionably the most prolific historian writing today,” by historian Nathen Amin, Licence’s attention to detail and ability to provide readers with unique perspectives shines in each of her novels.

The author’s 2017 novel, The Lost Kings: Lancaster, York, and Tudor, is a non-fiction offering from Licence, offering fans of her work the chance to see her historical research at its best.

“Politics and government were the jurisdiction of men. Contemporary manuals advised against the lines being blurred, citing women’s propensity to gossip as damaging to male business, and women who formally wielded power were relatively unknown. However, this must have varied as much as personal relationships did and, as Chaucer’s writings make clear, intelligent women must have been influential where circumstances allowed,”

Amy Licence, Red Roses: Blanche of Gaunt to Margaret Beaufort

6. Lisa Kleypas, 1964-

New York Timesbestselling historical fiction author Lisa Kleypas got her literary start early, publishing her first novel when she was just 21 years old. Many of Kleypas’ novels have been met with wide critical acclaim.* Worth Any Price*won the RITA award for best short historical.

Her 2005 novel It Happened One Autumnwas nominated in the same category that year. While Kleypas continues to write historical fiction, she’s also branched into contemporary romance with her celebrated novel*Sugar Daddy**. Readers love how Kleypas brings old characters back for cameos in new novels.

“I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together.”

Lisa Kleypas, Blue-Eyed Devil

7. Julia Quinn, 1970 -

Julia Quinn (born Julie Cotler) is best known for her Bridgertonseries of books, made into a hit Netflix series under the production company owned by Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes. Readers and viewers love how Quinn melds historical accuracy with modern ideas (including feminism), creating relatable heroines.

Quinn has hit the New York Times bestseller list 17 times. In addition to the Bridgerton series, Quinn is also known for the Splendidtrilogy, theRokesbyseries, and theBridgertonspinoff*Lady Whistledown *series.

“Love’s about finding the one person who makes your heart complete. Who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. It’s about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing all the way to your bones that she’s simply the best person you’ve ever known.”

Julia Quinn, The Viscount Who Loved Me

8. Beverly Jenkins, 1951 -

Beverly Jenkins writes historical and contemporary romance and focuses on life for African-Americans in the 1800s. In 1999, the African American Literature Book Club voted Jenkins as one of the top 50 African-American authors of the 20th century.

A self-dubbed “kitchen table historian,” Jenkins tackles pieces of African-American history that rarely make it into history books. Some of the author’s most popular works include For Your Love,Chasing Down a Dream*, and*On the Corner of Hope and Main**.

“As he’d noted before, the decision to cross the color line had allowed him to reap many benefits, but it had cost him, too, and this time that decision would haunt him for the rest of his life.”

Beverly Jenkins, Forbidden

9. Eloisa James, 1962-

Eloisa James (born Mary Bly) is a Shakespeare professor and best-selling author. In addition to her standard romance novel work, James also wrote a well-received memoir, Paris in Love, detailing the year her family spent living in France. Her novels are set in the 1700s and 1800s and often reference Shakespearean works. James is known for the historical accuracy of her novels and the development of strong female friendships between characters.

For many years, James lived a double life, working as Professor Bly during the day and attending events as Eloisa James - wearing contacts instead of glasses to disguise herself from students and colleagues. in 2005, she revealed her dual realities. She wrote a New York Timesop-ed piece defending the legitimacy of romance writing.

“If you throw me out of this house, I shall sleep on the path outside. If you return to the Continent without me, I shall follow you. I will build a willow hut at your gate; I will sleep under your window; I will be waiting for you at your own front door.”

Eloisa James, When Beauty Tamed the Beast

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a great romance book?

Great romance books feature well-developed characters, emotional depth, and believable relationships. They should create genuine emotional connection between characters and readers, with satisfying character growth and relationship development.

Are romance books only for women?

No, romance books are for anyone who enjoys stories about relationships and emotional connections. While the genre has traditionally been marketed to women, many men enjoy romance books, and the genre is becoming more diverse in its readership and representation.

What are the different types of romance books?

Romance books include contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and many subgenres. Each type offers different settings, themes, and levels of heat, allowing readers to find stories that match their preferences.

Why do people love romance books?

People love romance books for the emotional satisfaction, hope, and escape they provide. They offer stories of love, connection, and happy endings that can be comforting and uplifting in a complex world.

10. Julie Garwood, 1944 -

Julie Garwood has sold over 35 million copies worldwide in both historical and suspense romance genres. Garwood initially set out to become a nurse and took a history course as a part of her studies. She was intrigued and decided to pursue a double major. Eventually, she wrote her first historical novel, Gentle Warrior, a standalone piece.

Garwood is known for creating female characters who are lovable yet flawed and has a penchant for writing close friend groups that function as families. In 2008, Garwood began entering contemporary romance with her novel Heartbreaker. You can also check out these authors like Thrity Umrigar).

“If you begin to give away parts of yourself, eventually you’ll give it all. And once you’ve lost yourself, haven’t you lost everything?”

Julie Garwood, For the Roses