Asian or Pacific Islander Heroines in Retro Romances

Heroines of Asian, Sub-Continent Indian, & Polynesian Descent in Romance

Last week we posted a list of Asian-descended heroes in old-school or retro romances. Here, were have a more comprehensive collection of pre-2000s romances with heroines of Oriental/ Asian heritage.

We noticed the prevalence of the words or names Jade, Lotus, Blossom, Jasmine, and Dragon in these books. Even to this day–when there are many more heroines of Eurasian, Indian, Asian, or Pacific Island ancestries–these terms or names show up frequently.

Writers of romance, it’s time to expand lexicons!

As we usually do, we divide our compilation of Asian heroines in romance novels into two sections: historical and category (series).

Asian Heroines in Historical Romances

Wicked Is My Flesh by Stephanie Blake

Heroine: Andria (Chinese & European)
Tropes & Settings: Bodice Ripper, Sold into Slavery, Multiple Partners, China, United States
Published: Playboy Press, 1980

asian heroines romance novels — ***Wicked Is My Flesh***, Stephanie Blake, **Playboy Press**, 1980, cover artist San Julian

Jasmine Passion by Paula Fairman

Heroine: Le’ Sing (Chinese & Anglo-American)
Tropes & Settings: Bodice Ripper, Multiple Lovers, Heroine Priestess, China & California
Published: Pinnacle Books, 1981

asian heroines — ***Jasmine Passion***, Paula Fairman, Pinnacle, 1981, John Solie cover art

Fandora’s Story by Betty Hale Hyatt

Heroine: Fandora Wu (Chinese & English)
Tropes & Settings: Love Triangle, Regency, China, Macao
Published: Playboy Press, 1981

asian heroines romance — **Fandora’s Story**, Betty Hale Hyatt, Playboy Press, 1981, cover artist unknown

Winter Blossom by Cynthia Sinclair

Heroine: Suzanne Rutledge (Japanese & British)
Tropes & Settings: Translator, Heroine Mixed Heritage, Japan 17th Century,
Published: Tapestry #23, Pocket Books, 1983

The Immortals by Natasha Peters

Heroine: Amalie Berenger (Chinese & European)
Tropes & Settings: Revenge, Love Triangle, Forbidden Love, World War II, Shanghai
Published: Fawcett Crest, 1983

the immortals asian heroines romance — **The Immortals**, **Natasha Peters**, **Fawcett Crest**, 1983, Jim Barkley cover art

Flora by Anne Weale

Heroine: Flora (Chinese & English)
Tropes & Settings: Heroine Orphan, Marriage of Convenience, Cheating, 20th Century Historical, Shanghai, England
Published: Worldwide (Harlequin) 1983

Jade Moon by Erica Mitchell

Heroine: Shan T’u (Chinese)
Tropes & Setting: Forbidden Love, Heroine Engaged to Another Man, Mongolian Empire
Published: Tapestry #32, Pocket Books, 1984

China Star by Karen Keast

Heroine: Trinity Lee (Chinese & Anglo-American)
Tropes & Settings: Revenge, California
Published: Harlequin Historical #13, 1988

Ketti by Donna Anders

Heroine: Ketti (Hawaiian & European-American)
Tropes & Settings: Different Worlds, Plantation, Hawaii 1890s
Published: Harlequin Historical #81, 1991

**Ketti**, Donna Anders, Harlequin,1991, Max Ginsburg cover art

Paradise Moon by Donna Anders

Heroine: Leilani Jauwe (Hawaiian)
Tropes & Setting: Heroine Nurse, Hero Doctor, Hero Widower, Hawaii
Published: Harlequin Historical #113, 1992

**Paradise Moon**, Donna Anders, Harlequin, 1992, Judy York cover art

Wild Jasmine by Bertrice Small

Heroine: Princess Yasaman/Jasmine (Indian & English)
Tropes & Settings: Erotic Romance, Multiple Husbands & Lovers, Mughal India & Tudor England
Published: Ballantine, 1990

***Wild Jasmine***, **Bertrice Small,** Ballantine,1990, **Elaine Duillo** cover art

Darling Jasmine by Bertrice Small

Heroine: Jasmine (Indian & English)
Tropes & Settings: Erotic Romance, British Isles, France, Arranged Marriage, Tudor Era
Published: Kensington, 1997

***Darling Jasmine***, Bertrice Small, Kensington, 1997, Elaine Duillo cover art

Jade by Ruth Langan

Heroine: Jade Jewel
Tropes & Settings: Western, Heroine Courtesan, Hero Preacher, Enemies to Lovers, Texas
Published: Harlequin Historical, 1997

jade-ruth-langan — ***Jade***, Ruth Langan, Harlequin, 1993

Asian Heroines in Category/Contemporary Romances

More Than Words by Elizabeth Glenn

Heroine: Lee Ann Chung (Chinese-American)
Tropes & Settings: Dogs, Mute Hero, Texas
Published: Harlequin Temptation #195, 1987

**More Than Words**, Elizabeth Glenn, Harlequin, 1987, Ron Lesser cover art

Another Time by Susan Napier

Heroine: Helen Smith (Chinese & European)
Tropes & Settings: Amnesia, Revenge, Second Chance at Love, Love Triangle, Two Brothers & One Woman, Hong Kong, New Zealand, New York
Published: Harlequin Presents #1211, 1989

**Another Time**, Susan Napier, Harlequin, 1989, cover artist unknown

The Cinderella Coach by Roz Denny Fox

Heroine: Jade Han (Chinese-American)
Tropes & Settings: Boss & Employee, Sweet Romance, California
Published: Harlequin Romance #3169, 1992

***The Cinderella Coach,*** Roz Denny, Harlequin, 1992, cover artist unknown

Wedding? Impossible! by Karen Templeton

Heroine: Zoe Chan (Chinese-American)
Tropes: Matchmaker, Enemies to Lovers, Weddings
Published: Silhouette Yours Truly #85, Weddings, Inc. #8, 1998

***Wedding? Impossible!,*** Karen Templeton, Silhouette, 1998

Jade Island by Elizabeth Lowell

Heroine: Lianne Blakely (Chinese & Anglo-American)
Tropes & Setting: Romantic Suspense, Jewel Thief, Hong Kong,
Published: William & Morrow & Avon, 1998

**Jade Island**, Elizabeth Lowell, Avon, 1998

Your Opinion

Have you read any of these old-school or vintage romance novels featuring Asian or Pacific Islander heroines? If so, what did you think of them? Have we missed any books published before 2000? Let us know, and we’ll make a more comprehensive list.

As always, please drop a comment, and let’s talk romance.