PHOTO: Laura Lee Guhrke, bestselling author of historical romance, known for her richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling.
Life Is Short, Love Is Timeless, and Historical Romance Is Far From Dead
Bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke discusses historical romance, authentic storytelling, memorable characters, creative challenges, reader expectations, and the persistence required to build a successful writing career.
L aura Lee Guhrke stands as one of the most accomplished and beloved voices in historical romance, a writer whose remarkable talent has captivated readers around the world for decades. A New York Times bestselling author and two-time recipient of the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA Award, she has built an extraordinary career through novels that combine emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and meticulous historical detail. Her stories are not merely romances set against historical backdrops; they are richly layered explorations of human resilience, longing, transformation, and the enduring power of love.
Across an impressive catalogue of thirty novels, Guhrke has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to breathe life into the past while creating characters who feel profoundly relevant to modern readers. Whether portraying determined heroines seeking independence, wounded heroes confronting their pasts, or couples navigating seemingly impossible circumstances, she crafts narratives that resonate with authenticity, wit, and emotional intelligence. Books such as And Then He Kissed Her, Secret Desires of a Gentleman, and Conor’s Way exemplify her gift for blending historical atmosphere with deeply engaging storytelling, earning her a devoted international readership and critical acclaim alike.
What distinguishes Laura Lee Guhrke’s work is her unwavering commitment to character. Her novels are filled with individuals who challenge conventions, confront personal limitations, and discover unexpected courage. Readers return to her books not only for the romance but also for the emotional journeys that unfold with grace, humour, and heartfelt sincerity. Her ability to illuminate both the splendour and the complexities of historical life has established her as a leading figure in the genre and a storyteller of exceptional distinction.
In this exclusive Reader’s House interview, Laura Lee Guhrke reflects on her enduring love of history and romance, discusses the delicate relationship between historical authenticity and creative freedom, shares insights into her writing process, and offers invaluable advice to aspiring authors. Thoughtful, candid, and inspiring, her reflections provide a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a writer whose work continues to enrich the landscape of historical romance and delight readers across generations.
Laura Lee Guhrke is a brilliant storyteller whose emotionally rich romances,
memorable characters, and historical authenticity enchant readers worldwide.
What first inspired you to write historical romance, and why do you think the genre continues to resonate so strongly with readers?
I have always loved history, and I have always loved romance. It seemed the perfect fit. I think many other readers feel the same.
How do you approach the balance between historical accuracy and creative storytelling in your novels?
I don’t think historical accuracy and creative storytelling need to “balance.” The question is how much historical accuracy does the reader need? When certain historical details might be difficult for readers, you can sometimes avoid giving those details. For example, in my book, Secret Desires of a Gentleman, my heroine owned a bakery. In Victorian London, bakeries were hot, dark, and stifling, very unpleasant. I did not stress that because it was not necessary, and it would have impacted the reader’s enjoyment in a negative way. In other cases, however, you simply must tell the reader the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or even horrific. In my book, Conor’s Way, my hero suffered through the Irish famine as a child. I chose toincludesome grim specifics of the suffering, because those werevital to the reader’s understanding of the hero’s motivations. Also, historical accuracy can be difficult because the information is lacking. In my latest book, Bad Luck Bride, the setting is London’s Savoy Hotel, and I found it impossible to find certain specific details of the layout of the hotel at the time of my story, so I invented them to suit the plot.
NTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
• Two-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.
• Has written thirty historical romance novels.
• Believes history and romance are a natural and enduring combination.
• Prioritises storytelling while remaining faithful to essential historical truths.
• Identifies Emma from And Then He Kissed Her as the character she most relates to.
• Reveals No Mistress of Mine was the most emotionally difficult book she has written.
• Credits storyboarding with transforming her plotting process.
• Says strong conflict is the secret to creating believable romantic chemistry.
• Continues to receive requests from readers for the story of James (“Pongo”).
• Encourages aspiring authors to persist, write consistently, and understand their market.
Among your many heroines, which one do you feel the most personally connected to, and why?
I would choose Emma, from And Then He Kissed Her. Emma was brought up to be a “good girl,” who constantly put off what she wantedbecause it was too impractical, or too frivolous, or too expensive. She always did the sensible thing. The story centers around her realizing this about herself and appreciating that her life is going by and she’s not living it to the full. I am a lot like Emma, and I, too, went through a crisis that made me realize life is short and meant to be lived.
“I have always loved history, and I have always loved romance. It seemed the perfect fit.”
– Guhrke
What was the most challenging book for you to write, and what made it particularly difficult?
That book would be No Mistress of Mine. My darling mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer at that time, and I had to write the bookwhile watching her slip away. Every moment I was writing was one I could not spend with her. Writing that book was probably the hardest thing I have ever done.
“Life is short and meant to be lived.”
– Guhrke
Can you share how your writing process has evolved since your debut novel?
I am less obsessed with minutiae. I have learned to recognizewhat is and what is not important to obsess over. I’m more relaxed about the whole process. I worry less. I also learned to use a storyboardand that made working out my plots much easier.
How do you develop the chemistry between your romantic leads to make it feel authentic and compelling?
Chemistry is not hard to create if you create a strong conflict. That means, first, you’re your hero and heroine must be very different people, with distinct personalities and character traits. Then, you force them into a situation where they must work or live together.The best description I’ve heard of this process was offered by legendary romance writer Linda Howard, who said, “If your hero is a firefighter, you make your heroine an arsonist.” Boom. Instant chemistry, and enough plot to fill a book.
What role does reader feedback play in shaping your future stories or characters?
Reader feedback is important, but that has to be balanced against what excites me as an author. Readers have sometimes asked me about writing a story for a particular character, and I’ve had to say no because that character’s story arc is not one I feel excited to pursue. Also, an author has to bow to the publisher’s wishes. For my series, An American Heiress in London, I had five male friends, but my publisher only wanted four books. To this day, I get requests for that fifth hero to get his own story. And yes, dear readers, one day I intend to write that story for James (“Pongo”).
What advice would you give to aspiring authors hoping to make their mark in historical romance?
The industry is changing so fast that I don’t know what to say about historical romance specifically. A lot of publishers now are not interested in submissions for historical romance. That will change, of course, so if historical romance is what you really want to write, you will have to hang tough until the pendulum swings again, and it will. During my career, I’ve heard multiple times that historical romance is dead, and yet, I’ve sold thirty books. So the best advice I can offer historical romance writers is the same advice I’d offer writers in any genre. Read what’s selling. Try to figure out why and how your stories fit that market. Write. Plant your butt in the chair every day and put words on the page. Persist. Write a book, submit it, and then write another one. That’s the best advice I can give. I hope it helps. Good luck to all the aspiring writers out there!
