i'm on the prowl for a truly epic historical romance. one that will sweep me away.

one that last longer than "they met and two hours later were in bed and three days later knew they couldn't live without each other."

i don't mind sex scenes. i have no particular era in mind...i tend to like them all. i like time travel, so don't discount that.

some books that i've got on my keeper shelf:

• outlander by diana gabaldon (the whole series!)
• the flame and the flower by kathleen woodiwiss
• shanna by kathleen woodiwiss
• years by lavyrle spencer
• sweet savage love by rosemary rogers
• a knight in shining armor by jude devereax

i've read all of the woodiwiss, rogers, spencer & devereax books at this point. can you help me out? thanks!!

Some of my favorite epics stories besides what you've listed:

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati - a family epic set in the same time period as Outlander series, in colonial america. This is actually the first of a series, I've read and enjoyed all of them.

Earth's Children series by Jean Auel, set about 10,000 years ago (I think) and follows Ayla, a girl who's clan was destroyed by earthquake when she was a child and rescued and raised by neanderthals. The series begins with Clan of the Cave Bear

I have to highly recommend :

GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell   :-)    'Nuff said

and

THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY by Karleen Koen - - I read this book some 20 years ago and I can honestly say that, IMO, it had one of the best "I didn't see THAT coming" moments . . . E V A H !   

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (1st in the series).  Not your typical romance but she builds a lush world with lots of religious and political issues and a romance.  Might count more as an Adult Fantasy.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765342987

Marsha Canham. Laura Kinsale.

You might also check out Gaelen Foley's The Pirate Prince (first book in the Ascension trilogy, but the other two are not nearly as good) and Susan Johnson's Forbidden, if the plots sound interesting to you.

Ditto on Canham - as always:P  She's the bomb.  A writer for all seasons.  If you like books that are big on story and minus the tedium, she's got you covered.  You might want to try some Penelope Williamson too.  If you can still read Woodiwiss - and don't get me wrong, she's on my keeper shelf too - you'd probably like Williamson.  Great writer, just a little windy for my current taste:P  And I'd try some Candice Proctor as well.  Night in Eden, Whispers of Heaven, Beyond Sunrise, September Moon.  They have a meatier storyline & feel to them without the epic weeks spent reading:P

I would add Julie Garwood's Ransom, and maybe some of Judith McNaught's old work, but they might be more heartwrenching than epic....

Oh!  My Beloved by Karen Ranney.  Totally freaking awesome book.  Not what I'd call "sweeping" in the strictest sense, but it's a big, meaty story too.

Rapture by Rosamond Royal ( more commonly known as Valerie Sherwood - One of my all time favorite books, ever.

Ashes in the Wind  by  Kathleen E. Woodiwiss ).  Everything she's written has gone on to my keeper shelf.

Love and War by Patricia Hagan

These Golden Pleasures by Valerie Sherwood .  If you like epic romance, you'll adore this author.

All of the titles listed  above takes you on a journy, which spans years.  There are no falling in love  within a week, book ending within 2. 

Tiger's Woman by Celeste De Blasis - I did NOT rea this one yet because I don't like epic tales mucked down with cheating hero's, unless I am aware of it before hand, but I've "heard" this is another great one.  If anyone has read it, I would love some spoilers about this book... Any cheating, beating in this book at all? 

You guys are doing it again. How am I ever going to finish my TBR pile if I keep getting more books? I have enough already to keep me reading until the end of the year and I have to read Don Quijote (in Spanish) and The Count of Montecristo as part of a challenge (that's more than 3,000 pages between the two.) And I shouldn't forget that I have 11 books in my TBR pile that are wishlisted (yes, 11) and I'm dying to read them so I can move them on (without counting on 6 other WL books that are coming my way.)

And yes, I added the books you recommended to my Reminder list - can't help it!

The Outsider-Penelope Williamson.  It's also a movie featured on the Hallmark chanel this week with Noami Watts and Tim Daly as the lead characters. He's an injured gunslinger/outlaw  and she is an Amish widow with a son to raise and a sheep farm to run alone. It's over 400 pages i believe, as most of her books are very long and involved. I enjoy this author when i like a nice long read.

Knight Triumphant  by: Shannon Drake  and A Kingdom of Dreams by: Judith McNaught

Both were very good.  Shannon drake also rights as Heather Graham.  Judith McNaught's historicals rank up there with Juie Garwoods (Scottish historicals) for me. A Kingdom of Dreams is on my keeper shelf. 

Heart of the West by Penelope Williamson

Years by LaVyrle Spencer

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

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Yes, you MUST read The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simmons-one of my favorites of all time. Definitely "epic"-it is also a trilogy with Tatiana and Alexander and The Summer Garden the last 2 books, but the first one stands alone as awesome too.

Gone with the  Wind came to mind..it's one I've been thinking about reading lately!

The Thornbirds

I suggest THE TEA ROSE by Jennifer Donnelly.  Fabulous story.  Look up the book and read the members' reviews.

Bertcice Small writes epic books. Many times they go past one book like the Skye O'Malley series.  

Tina, I LOVED the DeBlasis Series that included Tiger's Woman .... loved, loved, loved the whole series.  I'm telling you, give it a try!