Looking for historical romances that take place in 19th or 20th century, like Australia? Think British penal colonies. Or the Far East - the spice trade.

Something other than regencies or hist. westerns :)

Great, thank you so much for all your suggestions. Now, how about something about the British in India?

Search this, there are several listed, http://www.paperbackswap.com/forum/search.php?q=australia&s_type=st&fid=107&action=search

I'm heading to bed, but off the top of my head, here are some historical romances set in the Far East:

The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye

Shadow of the Moon by M.M. Kaye

Olivia and Jai by Ryman

Beneath a Marble Sky by Shors

And, of course, The Thorn Birds by McCullough, set in Australia.

Zemindar Valerie Fitzgerald

Trade Winds MM Kaye

Oops -- I thought I had included Zemindar on my list -- yes, read this!

Just finished The Moon Below by Barbara Bickmore. This book joined my best books ever read list.  Takes place in Australia 1800's. Also enjoyed her

The Back of Beyond also in Australia. 

They covered the Far East with the BEST books you could possibly find, so I'm going to move on to Australia...

I'm actually on a bit of an Australian kick right now and it's all because of this book:

The Exiles

It covers exactly what you want in a book set in Australia. It's set at the very beginning of the penal colony era and the book starts with our heroine getting into trouble in England and getting sent to Australia for punishment. I'm not sure if there is enough romance for you though. The M/C does have a romantic interest, but it is kind of an unrequited one...

If you enjoy The Exiles, there is plenty more where it came from....

Australians
1. The Exiles (1979)
2. The Settlers (1980)
3. The Traitors (1981)
4. The Explorers (1982)
5. The Adventurers (1983)
6. The Colonists (1984)
7. The Gold Seekers (1985)
8. The Gallant (1986)
9. The Empire Builders (1987)
10. The Seafarers (1988)
11. The Nationalists (1989)
12. The Imperialists (1990)

I read and really loved Remember Me last year. This is an exciting, adventurous read! While reading it, keep in mind that it is based on a true story and you will be amazed at what this woman went through...and lived!! If you find yourself wanting more of Mary's story, check out The Girl from Botany Bay by Carolly Erickson. Erickson writes history in a very readable way.

For Australia, I also have The Dreaming by Barbara Wood. I haven't read it yet, but it definitely sounds good and, after checking out Wood's other books, I think this one is probably more of a historical romance.

Members here read and enjoyed Outback, but I don't know if there is any romance. I do plan on reading this series soon though.

I bought Scapegallows by Carol Berg because it sounds awfully good. I will be reading it soon.

Misfit read Sara Dane, but I don't think she loved it. I'm going to try it soon, next time I make an amazon purchase. Did you do a review of Sara Dane, Misfit?

I also read and loved two of Kate Grenville's books set in Australia. The books are loosely tied together so should be read in this order: The Secret River, then The Lieutenant. These are wonderful reads, but they are not historical romance. Still, they are fabulous and also made even more compelling because they are based on the real lives of men sent to Australia. If you or anyone else wants a copy of The Lieutenant, I have one whose corner was chewed off by my dog. I just cut the corner off the book and cleaned the whole thing with a Clorox wipe. Anyway, it's a freebie...

There is a bunch of other books set in Australia right here. A nice big list...

Definitely try the classic one...The Thorn Birds. It is a truly wonderful novel and there is a love story there you will enjoy reading. This same author also has Morgan's Run, which is set in the time period you want. I didn't think it was as compelling as Thorn birds, but still a good read.

Now that you have read so many novels about Australia, you might want to go for the best history book...The Fatal Shore. There is so much happening in this history book that you'd almost swear you were reading a fanciful novel. 

Have fun reading!! I probably gave you more than you wanted, but I just can't help myself, lol.

There's a Victoria Holt that start in England but then focuses on Australia. Shadow of the Lynx I think it's called. Not great, but not bad either. There's also Sara Dane by Catherine Gaskin (sp?), but I wouldn't exactly call it all romance.

Emma Drummond's got some very good books with exotic locales, but although there is always a strong love element, there are other factors as well and the endings are sometimes a bit surprising and often bittersweet so if you're looking for straight romance and HEA they might not be what you're looking for.

Another Colleen McCoullough book I like a lot was The Touch, also set in Australia.  The romance is a very unlikely one which makes it all the more interesting.  BTW I read that the author had moved to Norfolk Island in the Pacific, was married to a descendant of one the Mutiny on the Bounty mutineers, and was going blind.

Definitely, The Thorn Birds.

Several of Victoria Holt's are set in the "colonies" of Australia, India, etc.