PHOTO: Laura Lee Guhrke, bestselling author of historical romance, known for her richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling.
Timeless Love Stories That Inspire And Endure
Laura Lee Guhrke shares insights into her passion for history and romance, the challenges of writing with authenticity, and the enduring allure of her heroines and heartfelt storytelling.
Laura Lee Guhrke has long enchanted readers with her richly imagined worlds, where history and romance intertwine with effortless grace. With thirty historical romances to her name, and as a two-time recipient of the prestigious RITA Award, she has carved a place among the most beloved voices in the genre. Her novels capture not only the sweep of history, but also the quiet, poignant truths of the human heart.
What makes her work endure is not only the evocative historical settings, but also the deep authenticity of her characters. Her heroines are strong, nuanced women whose journeys reflect both the constraints of their time and the timeless pursuit of love, freedom, and self-discovery. Whether it is Emma in And Then He Kissed Her realising that life is meant to be fully lived, or a hero shaped by famine and loss in Conor’s Way, Guhrke never shies away from complexity.
Her stories are as much about resilience as they are about romance. Behind the sparkling banter and sweeping passion lies a profound respect for history—truths sometimes softened, sometimes stark, but always in service of emotional honesty. Even in her own career, moments of deep personal trial, such as the writing of No Mistress of Mine during her mother’s illness, have infused her novels with a rare poignancy that resonates deeply with her readers.
Through persistence, craft, and a keen sensitivity to the human spirit, Laura Lee Guhrke continues to remind us why historical romance remains so vital. In her hands, the past is never remote—it is alive, brimming with desire, conflict, and the eternal hope of love.
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.
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.
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.
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!
