The Flame and the Flower

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss · 1972 · Novel

Explore this on the mapTrace its ancestors and descendants live in the tree.

Epic historical romance Forbidden and passionate love Explicit historical romance

It is widely credited with igniting the modern historical romance boom, introducing explicit passion and a strong, often defiant heroine to the genre.

What it is

Orphaned Englishwoman Heather Simmons is abducted by the dashing sea captain Captain Brandon Birmingham and forced into marriage, leading to a passionate and tumultuous relationship.

↑Inherited from(1)

Gone with the Wind· 1936↑ open

Both feature sweeping historical settings, passionate and often tumultuous relationships, and strong, independent heroines who defy conventions.

↓Passed on to(2)

The Thorn Birds· 1977↓ open

Both novels feature intense, often forbidden love stories set against a historical backdrop, with significant emotional depth and dramatic conflict.

Outlander· 1991↓ open

The Flame and the Flower pioneered the explicit historical romance that Outlander continued and expanded upon with detailed historical settings and fantasy elements.