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

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

Fandora’s Story by Betty Hale Hyatt

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

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

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

Paradise Moon by Donna Anders

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

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

Darling Jasmine by Bertrice Small

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

Jade by Ruth Langan

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

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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

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

The Cinderella Coach by Roz Denny Fox

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

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

Jade Island by Elizabeth Lowell

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