You don't have to be gay to read gay or lesbian novels. Gay people have been reading straight historical fiction for ages. Why not give their books a read?
This list, which clearly needs updating, has a permanent home on Bosom Friends: Lesbian Historical Fiction.
List of Lesbian Historical Novels
Anthology
Chloe Plus Olivia: An Anthology of Lesbian Literature from the 17th Century to the Present
by Various
by VariousThe Collector’s Edition of Victorian Lesbian Erotica edited by Brooke Stern
The Golden Age of Lesbian Erotica 1920-1940 
edited by Victoria A Brownworth
edited by Victoria A Brownworth
– 1897
- multiperiod speculative historical fictionAncient World
Sappho’s Leap 
by Erica Jong
by Erica JongSappho: The Tenth Muse 
by Nancy Freedman
by Nancy FreedmanMedieval & Renaissance
A Mistress Moderately Fair
by Katherine Sturtevant
by Katherine SturtevantBeloved Pilgrim by Nan Hawthorne – Crusade of 1101Smashwords
byLieutenant Nun
by Catalina de Erauso – 1600′s Spain
by Catalina de Erauso – 1600′s Spain
by Ellen Galford – Elizabethan
by Ruby Vise – 1670 CaribbeanSistine Heresy 
by Justine Saracen – Renaissance Italy
by Justine Saracen – Renaissance Italy
by Gaspar de AlbaStorm
by Kim Pritekel – 14th Century England
by Kim Pritekel – 14th Century EnglandThe Vinland Sheep 
by Helen Shacklady – 15th Century Britain
by Helen Shacklady – 15th Century BritainEighteenth Century
Branded Ann 
by Merry Shannon – Piracy
by Merry Shannon – PiracyBrigid’s Charge by Cynthia Lamb – 1700 America
Hearts and Minds
by Jay Taverner – 1730 England
by Jay Taverner – 1730 England
The Ladies 
by Doris Grumbach – Ireland
by Doris Grumbach – Ireland Life Mask
by Emma Donoghue
by Emma DonoghuePembroke Park 
by Michelle Martin – Regency
by Michelle Martin – RegencyRebeccah and the Highwayman
by Barbara Davies – 1700′s England
by Barbara Davies – 1700′s EnglandRebellion by Jay Tavener – 1730 England
The Sea Captain and the Lady
by Vada Foster – Tall ships
by Vada Foster – Tall shipsThe Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin
by Colette Moody – 1702 Caribbean
by Colette Moody – 1702 CaribbeanTaming the Wolff
by Del Robertson – 1800′s piracy
by Del Robertson – 1800′s piracy Nineteenth Century and Victoriana
byAmantha
by Sarah Aldridge – 1880′s America
by Sarah Aldridge – 1880′s AmericaAnd Love Came Calling 
by Beverley Shearer – Western
by Beverley Shearer – WesternAnd Those Who Trespass Against Us
by Helen Macpherson – 1872 Australia
by Helen Macpherson – 1872 Australia
Backwards to Oregon 
by Jae - Pioneer America
by Jae - Pioneer AmericaBittersweet
by Nevada Barr – 1800s America
by Nevada Barr – 1800s AmericaBlack by Gaslight 
by Nene Adams – 1880′s England
by Nene Adams – 1880′s EnglandCharity
by Paulette Callen – 1800′s America
by Paulette Callen – 1800′s AmericaDistant Thunder 
by Peggy J. Herring – Western
by Peggy J. Herring – WesternFingersmith
by Sarah Waters
by Sarah WatersFootsteps: Adventures of a Romantic Biographer
by Mickey Minner – Western
by Mickey Minner – WesternGalveston 1900: Swept Away
by Linda Christ- 1900
by Linda Christ- 1900The Grass Widow
by Nanci Little – 1870′s Kansas
by Nanci Little – 1870′s Kansas
by K I Thompson -Innocent Hearts
by Radclyffe – America
by Radclyffe – AmericaJosie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles
by BL Miller, Vada Foster – Wild West
by BL Miller, Vada Foster – Wild WestKicker’s Journey
by Lois Cloarec Hart – 19th Century Canada
by Lois Cloarec Hart – 19th Century CanadaLast Train Home
by Blayne Cooper – 1880′s America
by Blayne Cooper – 1880′s AmericaLizzie
by Evan Hunter - 1890
by Evan Hunter - 1890
byThe Long Trail
by Penny Hayes – Western
by Penny Hayes – WesternLoving my Lady by Penelope Friday – Regency (f/f)
In Unlikely Places 
by Rebecca Beguin – 1880′s Africa
by Rebecca Beguin – 1880′s AfricaMadame Aurora 
by Sarah Aldridge – 1897
by Sarah Aldridge – 1897The Madonna of the Sorrows 
by Nene Adams – 1880′s England
by Nene Adams – 1880′s EnglandMademoiselle de Maupin 
by Theophile Gautier – 19th Century France
by Theophile Gautier – 19th Century FranceMontana Feathers 
by Penny Hayes – 1880′s
by Penny Hayes – 1880′sNightwood
by Djuna-Barnes -1880′ss
by Djuna-Barnes -1880′ssOmaha’s Bell by Penny Hayes – 1800 America
Passion’s Legacy by Lori A. Paige – Victorian England
Prairie Fire by L. J. Maas – Western
Prairie Storm by Lynn E. Lisarelli – Western
Promising Hearts
by Radclyffe – 1860′s Western
by Radclyffe – 1860′s Western
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
by Lisa See – 19th century China
by Lisa See – 19th century ChinaSouthern Rose 
by Mary Winter – American Civil War
by Mary Winter – American Civil WarSouth of the Line by Catherine Ennis – American Civil War
Summer Will Show by Sylvia Townsend Warner – 1848 Europe
Sweetwater Saga by Mickey Minner – 1800′s Western
Tahoma
by M. Broughton Boone – 1880′s Washington Territory
by M. Broughton Boone – 1880′s Washington TerritoryTiopa Ki Lakota
by D. Jordan Redhawk – Native American
by D. Jordan Redhawk – Native American
by
by L. J.The War between the Hearts
by Nann Dunne – American Civil War
by Nann Dunne – American Civil WarWe are Michael Field by Emma Donoghue – 19th & early 20th cent. England
The Witch’s Kiss by Nene Adams – 1880′s England
Words Heard in Silence
by T. Novan and Taylor Rickard – American Civil War
by T. Novan and Taylor Rickard – American Civil WarYellowthroat by Penny Hayes – Western
Twentieth Century
Aimée & Jaguar: A Love Story, Berlin 1943
by Erica Fischer
by Erica FischerAll True Lovers by Sarah Aldridge – 1930′s America
An American In Paris by Margaret Vandeburgh – 1920′s Europe
Angel by Anita Mason – WWII
Beautiful Journey by Kenna White – WWII
Beyond the Pale
by Elana Dykewomon – New York
by Elana Dykewomon – New YorkCarol
by Patricia Highsmith – 1950′s
by Patricia Highsmith – 1950′sA Certain Discontent
by Cleve Boutell – 1940′s America
by Cleve Boutell – 1940′s AmericaChristie and the Hellcat 
by Barbara Davies – 1880′s Western
by Barbara Davies – 1880′s Western
by Cytherea’s Breath by Sarah Aldridge – 1900′s
Deep in the Heart
by Sheila Morris – 1950′s & 60′s
by Sheila Morris – 1950′s & 60′sThe Dovecote by Stephanie Dummler – 1960′s/70′s
The Empress
by Lucius Parhelion – 1910/20′s
by Lucius Parhelion – 1910/20′sThe Escape Artist by Judith Katz – 1901 Buenos Aires
Ever After by Sandra Freeman – 1910′s Europe
Fall On Your Knees by Anne Marie MacDonald – 1920′s
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - 1930′s America onwards
Grassy Flats by Penny Hayes – 1930′s America
The Hope Chest by Victoria McConaughy and Catherine McConaughy – 1930′s/1940′s
In the Blood of the Greeks by Mary D. Brooks – WWII
Kathleen O’Donald by Penny Hayes – 1909 New York
The Kind of Girl I Am by Julia Watts – Mid 20th century America
Ladylegger by Carol McKenzie – 1920′s America
Kindle
Land Beyond Maps by Maida Tilchen – 1930′s Americas
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters – post WWII
MacDougal Alley by Tatheena Roberts – Pre-WWII America
Midnight Melodies by Megan Carter – 1912 America onwards
Misfortune’s Friend by Sarah Aldridge – post WWI
Miss McGhee by Bett Norris – 1948
My Life With Stella Kane
by Linda Morgenstein – 1950′s Hollywood
by Linda Morgenstein – 1950′s Hollywood
byThe Orphan Gunner 
by Sara Knox – WWII
by Sara Knox – WWIIThe Other Side by Sandra Freeman – Edwardian
Polished Glass by C W Reed – WWII
The Price of Salt 
by Patricia Highsmith and W.W. Orton – 1950′s
by Patricia Highsmith and W.W. Orton – 1950′sQuicksand and Passing
by Nella Larsen – 1920′s
by Nella Larsen – 1920′sReiko’s Garden by Brenda Adcock – WWII
by Elizabeth Ridley – 1900′s LondonRelief by L E Butler – 1912 Venice
The River by Ria Goff – 1940′s Hollywood
Kindle
Sabine by A.P. – 1952 America
The Seduction of Moxie
by Colette Moody – 1931 America
by Colette Moody – 1931 AmericaSnow Moon Rising
by Lori L. Lake – WWII
by Lori L. Lake – WWIIStaged Life by Lija O’Brien – 1900′s (YA)
A Stone in her Shoe by Jo Burgess – 1930′s England
Summitt Avenue by Mary Sharratt – 1912 America
The Swashbuckler by Lee Lynch – pre-Stonewall
Tales from the Levee
by Martha Miller – 1960/70′s America
by Martha Miller – 1960/70′s AmericaTempus Fugit by Mavis Applewater – 1950′s and 60′s America
Time of Grace by Gabriella West – 1916 Ireland
Tory’s Tuesday by Linda Kay Silva – Nazi Concentration Camps
Under the Mink 
by Lisa Davis – 1940′s New York
by Lisa Davis – 1940′s New YorkThe Walking Man
by Constance O. Irvin – 1950′s Alabam
by Constance O. Irvin – 1950′s Alabam
by Libby Cone – WWI
The Well of Loneliness
by Radclyffe Hall – 1920′s
by Radclyffe Hall – 1920′sWhistlebait by M King – 1950′s
Winterkill by Joyce K Walsh – 1932
The Wolf Ticket by Caro Clarke – 1945 onward
Non-Fiction
Between Women: Friendship, Desire, and Marriage
in Victorian England by Sharon Marcus
in Victorian England by Sharon MarcusEva Le Gallienne: A Biography
by Helen Sheehy – 1900 and onwards
by Helen Sheehy – 1900 and onwardsGay and Lesbian Historical Fiction
by Norman W Jones
by Norman W Jones
A Lesbian History of Britain: Love and Sex Between Women Since 1500
by Rebecca Jennings
by Rebecca JenningsThe Lesbian Pillow Book 
by Alison Hennegan – Lesbians through the ages
by Alison Hennegan – Lesbians through the agesLesbian/Woman by
Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon - history of lesbian actionThe Literature of Lesbianism: A Historical Anthology from Ariosto to Stonewall
by T CastleLooking in the Shadows: The Life of Alice Austen
by Amy S Khoudari – 1880′s onwards
by Amy S Khoudari – 1880′s onwards
by Gavin Lambert – Pre-revolutionary Russia andNot a Passing Phase: Reclaiming Lesbians in History 1840-1985
by Lesbian History Group
by Lesbian History Group
by Nigel Nicolson – 1920′s EnglandSex Lives of the Famous Lesbians 
by Nigel Cawthorne
by Nigel Cawthorne Credit Where Credit Is Due
Thanks to Erastes of Speak Its Name for her work on this list of books.
Please tell us about other lesbian historical fiction.
Please tell us about other lesbian historical fiction.
