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Combine Gone With the Wind and Les Miserables to find fictional romantic history as inspiration for the Angelique books. The first titled in America as simply Angelique begins much as Scarlett did, with Angelique the daughter of a privileged French land owner in the 19th century. At her father's arrangement, she is married to a much older man who she does not know or want to learn about. The Count contrives to entice her subtly while going about his usual activities, experimenting in sciences, entertaining intellectuals, speaking out against abusive power of the nobility. Angelique finds this unique man more and more attractive just as the world as she knows it crashes all around her. ( )

These are reasonably well written bodice-busters; epic, historical romances set in the reign of Louis XIV of France. Angelique is the daughter of an impoverished nobleman, who is goes to court after an arranged marriage to another noble.

There is a certain Perils of Pauline quality to these: just how many adventures can Angelique undergo, only becoming more beautiful. And how many people can she simultaneously be in love with?

They are also extremely rich in historical detail, and bring life at court and in France to life. ( )