There are many “Top Ten” lists on the Internet.  They have some overlap, but they don’t agrree 100% with each other.  I suspect this is reflective of the reviewer’s personal tastes, for example subgenre:

• Colonial America
• Pirate
• Western
• Regency

You get the idea.  I personally prefer American History, starting with the earliest Colonial America and working my way forward through time.

But, what makes a Great Historical Novel? 

Good character development of course, along with an historical backdrop that imparts some knowledge without preaching.  And don’t forget good dialog without a lot of “he said, she said”.

Of course ROMANCE is a “biggie”.  Some like the hero/heroine leads to initially dislike each other, show animosity to each other.  And then, something magical happens, and VOILA, love blooms.  I prefer the characters working together to overcome some external “big problem”, either falling immediately in love (this actually happened to me!) or gradually growing into love as the story unfolds.  Either way, powerful emotions are brought out.

Of course, it goes without saying, it must end Happily Ever After!

What do you prefer?  Leave a comment and let me know what you think!  🙂

Bill