The (Historical) Romance of February Arrives at Dakota County Libraries

Love, as true or as tumultuous as time, is embraced in these historical tomes recommended by  librarian Chris Larson and library associate, Erin Holl.

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte

Set in the mid-1800s, "Jane Eyre" begins with Jane as a ten-year-old orphan living with relatives who don’t want her. She is sent to a boarding school called Lowood, where she survives harsh conditions to become a star pupil and, eventually, a teacher. Craving something new, she accepts a job as governess to a little girl named Adele, ward of the intense and brooding Edward Rochester, at Thornfield Hall. Jane and Mr. Rochester grow to enjoy each other’s company. But strange things have been happening at Thornfield Hall. The sound of insane laughter rings through the hallways. A mysterious fire starts in Mr. Rochester’s bedchamber. When his secret is finally revealed, Jane flees Thornfield Hall, heartbroken. Will fate allow them to reunite? "Jane Eyre" is a timeless classic, a love story for the ages that has been touching hearts for more than 150 years.

"On the Night of the Seventh Moon" by Victoria Holt

Spanning the years 1859-1870 in a Germany divided into small states ruled by princes and dukes, this book adds a memorable fairy tale quality to its story of romantic suspense. 

When English schoolgirl Helena Trant wanders away from her German boarding school and gets lost in the misty forest, she is rescued by the handsome and mysterious Maximilian, who shelters her at his lodge for the night. They meet again at a festival called the Night of the Seventh Moon. But Helena awakens one morning to be told that the entire interlude with Maximilian may have been a fantasy she created to help her forget what had really happened on the Night of the Seventh Moon.

Years later, discovering the true identity of her lost love only brings greater danger and intrigue for Helena. Victoria Holt is one of the grand masters of the gothic romance, and this is one of her best.

"The White Queen" by Philippa Gregory

The first in Philippa Gregory’s fictional series about the War of the Roses, this novel details the sporadic civil war of England that occurred between the years of 1455 and 1485. “The White Queen” follows the story of Elizabeth Woodville. Plucked from relative obscurity as the daughter from a “common” family, Elizabeth manages to enchant King Edward IV, who is currently seen as the usurper to King Henry VI. “The White Queen” follows the rise of Elizabeth Woodville to Queen of England, and gives the reader an intimate look at what is frequently referred to as “The Cousins’ War.” The book details the military and political maneuvering of such historical figures of Edward IV, Henry VI, and Richard III in the quest for the royal throne. It also examines the ongoing power struggles between the two prominent families, the Yorks and the Lancasters. The novel offers an intimate seat to the daily happenings of the royal court. Fans of historical romance and history will find “The White Queen” an enjoyable, enlightening read that is hard to put down.

"The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton

It is the eve of World War I, and a four-year-old girl is abandoned on a ship headed to Australia from England in 1913. When the ship arrives in Brisbane, the young girl is quickly taken in by the dock master and his wife, who had long been hoping for children of their own. The young girl doesn’t know her name, nor who her family is, and has arrived with just one suitcase containing a book of fairy tales. The dock master and his wife name her Nell, and Nell grows to love them. However, on her twenty-first birthday, her adopted parents make a devastating revelation that changes the course of Nell's life and that of her daughter Cassandra.

"The Forgotten Garden" is a wonderful family saga. It is highly recommended for fans of historical romance and fiction. The story is told in multiple voices, and in different time periods. The story alternates between Nell’s experiences through childhood until death, and Cassandra’s experiences from teenage girl to middle age. At 560 pages, it is a substantial and satisfying read.  

"These Happy Golden Years" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

 Readers who watched the character Laura Ingalls grow from a five-year-old girl to a young woman through the "Little House" series are treated to a dose of romance in this, the last of her books to be published during the author’s lifetime. By the 1880s, DeSmet has grown into a thriving town. Fifteen-year-old Laura is miserable teaching in the Brewster school, twelve miles from home when, out of the blue, Almanzo Wilder volunteers to bring her home each weekend in his sleigh. Over the next three years, Almanzo courts Laura as she continues to teach and work as a seamstress, and they begin to build a life together. For ages 8 and up.