When I was down in Orlando attending the RWA National Conference, I met the very lovely Zoë Archer; we share the same agent. Now I knew that Zoë had four books coming out from Kensington back-to-back beginning in September. I knew the books are historical and not only are they not set in England–I think we’ve seen many books not set in jolly ole England–but they’ve been dubbed by RT Book Reviews ‘part Indiana Jones part The Mummy‘. I have to say I loved and have both movies on DVD.

I’ll tell you what got me though, really interested, those gorgeous covers. To me, they’re a flashback to those Nancy Drew covers from the 50s. Kensington’s art department really did a fabulous job here.

So the first book out in September is WARRIOR. Where’s it set you ask? Mongolia. What, you’re thinking, ‘so not romantic’. I say we give it a chance and spread our wings well past the grey, coal-sodden air of England. I’m the first to admit, I’m like many of you and I love my British historical romances. Above all else, however,  it’s the story that pulls me in, and I’m so ready to go with Zoë to Mongolia. I’m so ready to step out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in The Blades of the Roses series. I also fully recognize that if we, the consumers, the readers don’t go out and support these new types of endeavours by the publishers, they’ll stop stretching their wings by buying stories ‘outside of the box‘. Currently, I may not write outside of that same box, but I sure as heck appreciate writers who do.

WARRIOR
Author: Zoë Archer
Publisher: Zebra / Kensington
Pub. Date: September 7, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1420106794
Retail: $6.99
Pages: 370

To most people, the realm of magic is the stuff of nursery rhymes and dusty libraries. But for Capt. Gabriel Huntley, it’s become quite real and quite dangerous…

IN HOT PURSUIT…

The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond—where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress—just what he needs.

IN HOTTER WATER…

Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive…

~*~*~

Anyone else ready to give The Blades of Roses series a go–at the very least WARRIOR to see if it takes? Comment today and you’ll be entered to win 3 (three) books  from my Anniversary Giveaway stash.

historicalsParanormals
By Anticipated Reads, Giveaways, Kensington61 Comments on Historicals not set in England?!

61 Replies to “Historicals not set in England?!”

  1. Sounds interesting and I love the cover art. I’ve never read a historical romance that wasn’t set in either England or Scotland.

  2. I would love to give this book a try.I am a big fan of england and highlanders historical books.

  4. She had me at Indiana Jones. More than being set in an exotic or unusual location, I’m expecting these books to have a very global feel like Marjorie Liu’s Dirk and Steel series. I’m SO looking forward to this series. Let it begin, let it begin!

  5. Definitely out of the box and I really like the sound of it. I’m a huge fan of Indie Jones and The Mummy. I love that kind of adventure romance theme.

  6. This sounds interesting and love that there are 4 books back to back I hate waiting for the next book to come out lol I’m impatient. I love a good historical and this premise sounds really promising.

  8. Love those outside the box stories, it mixes up my favorite genre, historicals. I have read some real interesting paranormal historical romances and this series seems very interesting and I like when books release back to back keeps you on the edage of your seat waiting for the new release the following month. If I am right into a series I hate having to wait for the next book to come out.

  9. Mmm. I’m not sure what is better – that these books sound right up my alley or that you picked one of my fav Nancy titles!
    These are now on my TBR mountain! Way to go!!

  10. Oh this definitely sounds like fun ! I am a huge Mummy and Indiana Jones fan. Toss in the Victorian era and I am so there! Can’t wait for these to come out!

  11. I would love to join you!!! I cannot wait until WARRIOR comes out on Sept 7th!!!! I will be the first in line!!!! TGIF Bev!!!

  12. i love the mummy and indiana jones, so i’m going to snap this series up! i love that i won’t have to wait a long time between books too! there’s more to historical romances than just england, scotland, and the american west! it’s too big of a world not to want to explore more of it! 🙂

    k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

  13. Now this is one series I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on. And those covers, I agree, they do bring back memories of the Nancy Drew series, especially that last book, Stranger.

  14. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book based in Mongolia, it should be really interesting. I’d love to give them a try.

  15. I’ve been looking forward to this one ever since the cover and back cover copy surfaced a few months ago. I love reading stories set in locations about which I’ve never read!

  16. Thanks for the “blast from the past.” I absolutely loved the Nancy Drew books.

    I also really enjoyed the Indiana Jones and Mummy movies, so I might give Zoe Archer’s books a try.

  20. I love the Mummy and Indiana Jones so these sound fantastic to me. Mongolia sounds extremely interesting since I don’t belive I’ve read one in that setting before.

  21. I read HALF PAST DEAD, the novella prequel to the Blades of the Rose series earlier this year and loved it! Zoe Archer and her masterful writing quickly had me enthralled. Can’t wait to pick up a copy of WARRIOR!

  24. I’ll definitely give these books a try. I like reading historicals about unique, exotic locations.

  25. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this series to be released, ever since I started hearing about it. I love high adventure set in exotic places and Victorian romance and these books sound fabulous.

  26. Zoe Archer’s books sound very interesting. The covers also remind of Nancy Drew series, which I loved. I’m also a huge Indiana Jones fan. The location of Mongolia historicals sound fantastic. I also love the fact that they are back to back, so no long waits. I’m hooked line and sinker!

  30. The covers would catch my interest as son as I saw them. I’ve seen the cover for Warrior for awhile now and have it on my TRL. I love the out of the box read. lwayss looking for that interesting and different story in the Romance department. Thanks Beverley for this opportunity. Did I say how much I loved the new Fall theme ?
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

  31. I’ll definitely give “Warrior” a try. Part of the draw of a historical set in England is the etiquette and hierarchy of the British caste system. However, stories about English expats, especially women, who are more free to fit in the local cultures are fun reads for me.

  32. As a huge fan of Loretta Chase, who also writes books set in unusual settings (The Lion’s Daughter comes to mind), I would love to read Ms. Archer’s Warrior. It’s on my wishlist already!

  33. The more i hear of this series the more i become interested in reading it. I’d definitely get it a go.

  35. I love love love historical novels and movies about archaeologists and explorers and have already pre-ordered Warrior. The Mongolia setting is intriguing to me because I’ve traveled to Central Asia and Siberia.

  41. Yes I’d love to give this series a go! I truly love books set in England, but I do love adventure tales set in exotic places, romances with hero/heroine looking for buried treasure, etc. I just recently bought a couple Robyn DeHart books that are along these lines, Seduce Me & Desire Me. And a Bonnie Vanek book, Tiger and the Tomb.

    Thanks for highlighting this upcoming series Bev! I will definitely be looking out for them.

  42. Thanks for giving this series a heads up, since I think we tend to overlook these……I saw the cover and was instantly drawn to it. Though, when you mentioned Indiana Jones, well…..that just sealed the deal! LOL!

  43. I’ve been looking forward to this series since I first heard about it several months ago. I can’t wait! ^_^

  46. I would definitely read them. These action/adventure type things are really fascinating. Although, I admit that I haven’t read a lot of historical romance books not set in England, I’ve read quite a few set in the USA and I have a few favorites.

    Oh and I’m a Nancy Drew fan!

  47. I am back. I just wanted to say that most of the historicals that I have read were based in England. It is so refreshing to see a series of historicals that are based not in England. Thank you Zoe!!! I hope I can win some more books so that I can catch up on my TBR list. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

    –Andrew G
    agrigaliunas@yahoo.com

  48. Oh yes, I loved the Indiana Jones films and any book with a cover that reminds me of that era has my vote. Count me in the draw please! This set of books sounds really exciting! Most historical romances I read are set in Regency England but I’ve read some outstanding Victorians recently that are set in America.

  49. I would like to read these books since they would take us to a place we’ve not been before in the world. Wonder what kind of research Zoe did to be able to put her characters there?

  50. I am definately ready to give these books a go…they look great and I love the cover art too!!!

    Getting those on my wishlist for sure.

    Valerie
    in Germany

  51. I’ve decided I should do a September book club discussion and Warrior will be the September pick. I would usually put this to a vote (and will in the future) but I really would like to hear what everyone thinks of this one. I know I’m eager to read it.

  52. I would be willing to give The Warrior a chance…might be a welcome change from all the English Historicals.

  53. I don’t think I’ve ever read a historical not set in England, Ireland or England. But, I’m willing to give it a try!

  54. These covers are fantastic! From the taste of Zoe’s writing and a glimpse of the Blades in Half Past Dead I’m so excited for these 😀

  55. I want this book badly but its not up yet in ebook preorder format but I will definitely be buying it on release date. I love the fact its historical romance with a huge dose of Indiana Jones! 😀

  56. I love these books! The different settings are a terrific change of pace, and the action is very much like an Indiana Jones movie. They are the adventure books I wanted when I outgrew Nancy Drew (books I still love, and collect) — adventure, derring-do, female characters working as equals with the men, and hot romance.

  58. I love the concepts for these books. The whole Indiana Jones things works for me. I’m putting this on my wish list.

  59. The more I see of this book, the more I want to read it. The review I read of this book a week or so ago was the first I heard of this series. I need to check them all out.
    It definitely has the Indiana Jones feel.

  60. Please include in the giveaway. I’m also going to be participating in the book club discussion. 🙂

  61. I’m so looking forward to this series ever since I read the intro to the world “The Undying Heart” in “Half Past Dead”. She got great covers!

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