Time - travel is a common theme. For example, in 'Outlander', the main character travels through time, which allows for an interesting blend of different historical periods and the development of a unique romance. Another theme is the existence of supernatural beings like vampires and witches. In 'A Discovery of Witches', the relationship between a witch and a vampire is central to the story.
One great book in this genre is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines historical elements of Scotland with a time - traveling romance, and has elements of the paranormal as the main character Claire travels through time. Another is 'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness. It features a witch and a vampire in a historical setting, with their relationship at the center of the story.
Probably 'Centennial' by James Michener. It's a very popular one as it delves deep into the history of the American West while also having romantic elements. It's like a big, sweeping epic that shows different aspects of life in the West over time.
Judith McNaught is a well - known author in this genre. Her books often feature strong - willed heroines and dashing heroes in historical settings. For example, in 'Whitney, My Love', she creates a passionate love story set in Regency England.
The 'Outlander' series is quite well - known. It combines time - travel with a richly detailed historical setting in the Scottish Highlands. The love story between Claire and Jamie spans different time periods, showing how their relationship evolves against the backdrop of historical events like the Jacobite risings.
The 'Immortals After Dark' series by Kresley Cole is also great. It features various paranormal creatures like vampires and werewolves set against different historical backdrops throughout the series.
Well, regular historical fiction aims to recreate historical periods as accurately as possible in terms of events, society, and culture. However, historical paranormal fiction takes that historical setting and adds a layer of the unknown. It might introduce magic systems that don't exist in our world but are set within a particular historical era. For instance, a story set in medieval Europe in regular historical fiction might be about knights and castles, but in historical paranormal fiction, there could be a sorcerer's guild influencing the political landscape. Also, the themes in historical paranormal fiction often revolve around how the paranormal elements interact with the historical context, which is different from the more straightforward historical analysis in regular historical fiction.
One of the well - known historical western romance novels is 'Riders of the Purple Sage' by Zane Grey. It has a great blend of the western frontier setting and a romantic story line.
Well, one characteristic is the vivid portrayal of the historical setting. It often includes detailed descriptions of the landscapes, towns, and daily life of the era. For example, in a western historical fiction set in the Wild West, you might read about dusty main streets, saloons filled with rowdy cowboys, and stagecoaches racing across the plains. Another aspect is the complex characters that are shaped by the historical context. They might have values and beliefs that were common during that time, like a sense of honor among outlaws or the strict moral code of the settlers. Also, the plots usually revolve around historical events or issues, such as land disputes, gold rushes, or conflicts between different ethnic groups in the West.