To explain a little about what this post will be about, I’m taking the intro I did for the last one: In every romance book you read there are tropes or archetypes. You can also see them in shows, movies, plays, etc. Romantic tropes are everywhere, and they are fabulous. I adore them and I always tend to find my favorite ones in romance books so I can enjoy them more. I decided to do a sort of Trope Tuesday piece where I will be talking about many tropes and recommend you all some of my favorites that fit.
What is a trope? Urban Dictionary explains it best I think: “Despite the erroneous definitions already published here, trope on the interwebs really refers to an often overused plot device. It can also be described as another variation on the same theme. TV shows, movies, comics, games, anime’, & books are full of tropes & many rabid fan-sites now name & track said tropes with a self-explanatory title for each one.” We can name a few: accidental pregnancy, best friends to lovers, sibling’s best friend, marriage of convenience, and so many more for sure. Your favorite couples? They probably got a trope too! It’s always so nice to realize or find out your favorite romance trope and keep searching for books with the same theme.
[SPOILERS if you haven’t watched Game of Thrones’ newest episode]
I had to! I had to! I cried so hard during this scene and was so happy in the process and when it was done. So yeah. Brienne of Tarth is officially a knight. The one who gave her the knighthood is none other than Ser Jaime Lannister! And by the reactions on my Twitter timeline, I think that was one of, or THE one, greatest scene we all have been waiting for. (With another one following close behind that also appeared on this episode). But Ser Brienne has finally gotten the one thing she always wanted the most: be a knight. And because of this epic, monumental event happening, let’s talk about knights in romance novels.
It was kind of hard to find some knights romance novels, especially lady knights. I added one that I’m sort of cheating because the heroine is not the knight but it is Alyssa Cole, so I’m doing it people. Alyssa is always someone I want to add on my book lists. And then we have some other books that do feature lady knights, but sadly they are very white. I’m sure in the near future we will have more diversity but for now I do have these four novels for you.
A Knight to Remember by Ceillie Simkiss
Ser Genevieve has been put on the prince’s honor guard for his coming out ball. This is a huge opportunity for her because there she can make a name for herself but also she can finally, maybe, talk to Duke Avery, her longtime crush. Paths cross with more amazing characters and this story becomes epicly beautiful. Definitely give it a go.
Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole
My cheating-on-this-post pick! Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight is a beautiful novella by Alyssa Cole. Alyssa writes enchanting historical romances and this one is no different. We have a black heroine in Medieval Scotland. The king organizes a tournament and Agnes’ kiss is the prize. Here is where our knight enters and he is this big Softie of a Scottish hero who you will love and care about and see how much he loves the heroine.
A Dark and Stormy Knight by Bridget Essex
Of course I had to add a time-traveling romance in this list. Bridget Essex wrote a story where a painter meets a knight from another time and place. Mara, the painter, has been dreaming about this woman and without knowing she has been painting her. One night, Mara rescues a drowning person and finds herself in front of the woman she has been dreaming about. But something dark and dangerous is hunting her knight, what will they do?
Chivalrous by Dina L. Sleiman
Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight and go on adventures like her brothers. But she has one problem: her family. Her father wants her for one thing and one thing only and that is to marry a man who will break her spirit. But fate does funny things and Allen of Ellsworth is delivered on her town. Kind-hearted Allen is there to find his place in the world.
