About
- Established in 1997, the Historical Novel Society is an international literary society devoted to promotion and advocacy for the genre of historical fiction.
Membership
- Historical Novel Society members include authors, readers, librarians, editors and industry professionals – membership is entirely open, and anyone enthusiastic about the genre is welcome.
Events
- Our worldwide membership loves to meet. Many travel thousands of miles to attend our conferences in person; many more enjoy our virtual options from home. Others form member connections in their area through regular Local Chapter meet-ups. Discover what’s on with conferences, Local and Virtual Chapters, and more.
Book Reviews
- Our exclusive, members-only print magazine, the Historical Novels Review, publishes reviews of hundreds of historical fiction books each quarter, in addition to features and columns. Become a member to receive the magazine and enjoy all our other benefits.
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Articles
- We publish articles in our members-only print magazine, Historical Novels Review, as well as web features exclusive to this site. All are original pieces, commissioned by our Features Editors based on topics of interest to members – interviews with historical fiction authors, publishers, and agents; explorations of novels and subgenres; guides, and regular columns on historical fiction market news, debut authors, and more. Articles are written by vetted contributors, most of whom are Society members. If you’re a member interested in joining the team, Contact Us.
Awards
- HNS Awards have helped discover authors and launch their careers (e.g., Michel Faber, Ruth Downie, Nikki Marmery, Hilary Green, Elizabeth Macneal, and many more) and provided vital support for others. Our ARA Award is one of the most generous of all literary prizes. If you’d like to partner to sponsor an award, Contact Us.
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Christina Courtenay

Ripples Through Time

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2025

Genres:

Christina Courtenay has honed her approach to dual-time romantic historical fiction with skill, making her novels in this style among the best in ...Read Review

Shadows in the Spring

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2025

Genres:

Time-slip

Christina Courtenay has written numerous timeslip novels, and her latest develops a storyline from a character introduced in her 2024 novel Shadows in the ...Read Review

Promises of the Runes

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2023

Genres:

Romance Time-slip

Courtenay is without a doubt the Queen of Viking Romance. Along with several other time-slip romances, Courtenay has now written five books in ...Read Review

Whispers of the Runes

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2021

Genres:

Time-slip

In 2021, Sara Mattsson, a York silversmith, pulls a seax – a short sword – from an archaeological dig. She reads its runic inscription and is ...Read Review

The Runes of Destiny

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2020

Genres:

Time-slip

The Runes of Destiny is the follow-up to Christina Courtenay’s magical Echoes of the Runes. Although the books share a location and ...Read Review

Echoes of the Runes

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2020

Genres:

Christina Courtenay is an award-winning writer of historical romance, and Echoes of the Runes is her first book with Headline. Historian Mia Maddox ...Read Review

The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2016

Genres:

Time-slip

Coincidentally, this title came up for review while I was planning a trip to Raglan Castle in South Wales, and it turned out ...Read Review

The Jade Lioness

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2015

Genres:

Adventure Romance

Japan, 1648. The only foreigners permitted to trade are the Dutch, and then only from the island enclave of Dejima, near Nagasaki. Temperance (“Temi”) ...Read Review