One of the popular ones is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines historical elements with a passionate romance set in the Scottish Highlands which has a 'western' feel in terms of its wild and untamed backdrop. Another is 'Ride the Wind' by Lucia St. Clair Robson. It tells the story of a Comanche woman and her journey which includes a romantic aspect against the backdrop of the American West. And 'These Old Shades' by Georgette Heyer is also a great choice. It's set in the 18th - century France but has that charming historical romance with a bit of adventure and a great love story.
For beginners, I'd recommend 'When the Heart Calls' by Janette Oke. It's a gentle historical western romance that introduces readers to the genre. The story is about a young woman's journey in the west and the love she finds there. 'Montana Sky' by Nora Roberts is also a good choice. It has well - developed characters and a romantic plot that's easy to get into. Plus, the description of the Montana landscape adds to the charm. Also, 'The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle' by Carolyn Brown is a nice, easy - to - read historical western romance with a heartwarming 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.
One of my favorite historical romance novels is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines time travel and historical settings, following Claire Randall who travels back in time to 18th - century Scotland. 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks also has elements of historical romance as it's set in a bygone era and tells a beautiful love story. And 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte is a great example, with its story of the governess Jane Eyre and her relationship with Mr. Rochester.
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.
Characteristics of these novels include detailed descriptions of the historical period. They might talk about the gold rush, the building of the railroads, or the way of life in the old West. The romances are often slow - burning. The characters get to know each other over time as they face the challenges of the frontier. Also, the language used can be a bit old - fashioned, which adds to the charm and authenticity of the historical setting.
Clean historical western romance novels typically have a sense of adventure. The male protagonists are often rugged cowboys or settlers trying to make a life in the west. The relationships are based on mutual respect and shared values. There's also a lot of description of western traditions and cultures. For instance, in many of these novels, there are scenes related to horse riding, barn dances, and frontier weddings. These elements all contribute to the unique charm of clean historical western romance novels.
One of the popular ones is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines time - travel with a historical setting in the Scottish Highlands, but also has elements of the American West in later books. The relationship between Claire and Jamie is intense and full of passion.