November 2021

Historical Romance Review: The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys

November 29, 2021May 11, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

I've put off posting an analysis of Teresa Denys' first book, The Silver Devil, for a long time because I didn't quite know how to critique it. If you're a hard-core lover of old-school romance or bodice rippers, you might be familiar with this legendary novel. 4 1/2 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Ballantine, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Gothic Romance, Historical Romance, Romance, Teresa Denys, Tom Hall

Covers of the Week #34

November 28, 2021January 12, 2022 jacquelinediaz 1 Comment

Did you know George Bush was an artist? No, we're not talking about that George Bush, although incidentally, he does dabble in painting. And no, we're not referring to his papa, George Sr, either. Our Covers of the Week edition for Monday, November 29, 2021, to Sunday, December 5, 2021, highlights romance covers created by the very talented George Arthur (G. A.) Bush. Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week

Romance Novel Title Generator

November 27, 2021May 1, 2022 jacquelinediaz 2 Comments

We're having a little fun now that it's the Holiday Season. Romance novel titles can be so generic that they blend together. This has always been so in the genre, whether it was 40 years ago or in the present day. We created a romance novel name generator that takes after the Zebra naming conventions. Use the initials of your name to create a unique title. Read more

Discussion, Romance

Category Romance Review: Falling Angel by Anne Stuart

November 24, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

Anne Stuart's Falling Angel is yet another paranormal from the American Romance line. Read it during the Christmas Holiday season, and it will get you in a merry mood 3 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin American Romance, Paranormal Romance, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Texas Conquest by Caroline Bourne

November 23, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Texas Conquest by Caroline Bourne. This historical romance is a Zebra Lovegram, published in 1988. Texas Conquest is a frustrating book because there are good elements, but Ms. Bourne doesn’t put them together. Hopefully, she can address these issues in future books. 2 stars Read more

2 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Kensington, Romance, Zebra Lovegram

Covers of the Week #33

November 21, 2021January 12, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

It's time to appreciate category romance covers again! For this edition of Covers of the Week, we're focusing on Harlequin publishing in the 1980s. For the week of Monday, November 22, 2021, to Sunday, November 28, 2021 (boy did November fly by, or what?), let's look upon these passionate category romance covers from Harlequin. Read more

Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Covers of the Week, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Romance, Harlequin Temptation, Romance

How To Organize Your Bookshelves

November 20, 2021November 20, 2021 jacquelinediaz 4 Comments

We've talked about posting books on Instagram and becoming a #bookstagrammer. What happens when you build up a substantial library of your books? You'll want to show off your reading material. We've got some ideas on how to organize your bookshelves in a few different ways. Read more

Discussion

Category Romance Review: Hilltop Tryst by Betty Neels

November 19, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Hilltop Tryst was another sweet romance by the famous Betty Neels featuring--as always--a fair-haired doctor as a hero, although this time he's British, not Dutch. Nor is the heroine a nurse. She's the daughter of a local successful veterinarian and works with Dad. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Romance, Romance, Will Davies

Historical Romance Review: Sunset Temptation by Jane Toombs

November 18, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Sunset Temptation, a standalone novel by Jane Toombs. The stultifying boredom I felt reading it means no positive grade from me. 1.11 stars Read more

1 star, Book Review, Historical Romance, Kensington, Romance, Zebra Heartfire

Category Romance Review: Song of the Waves by Anne Hampson

November 16, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Wendy Brown is a not-yet-21-year-old Englishwoman who's been given the worst news imaginable: she has an inoperable brain tumor and will die in a few months. Rather than spend her last days wallowing in despair, Wendy decides to make the best of her lot. Alone in the world, she sells her family home and buys a ticket for the maiden voyage of a glamorous cruise ship that's set to sail the world. Thus begins Anne Hampson's Song of the Waves, a vintage Harlequin Presents written in 1976. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Romance, Vintage romance, Will Davies

Our Favorite Non-Romance Books and Authors

November 15, 2021March 28, 2022 jacquelinediaz 3 Comments

Our team at Sweet Savage Flame reads other kinds of books besides romance novels. We have a wide variety of tastes. Consequently, we'll be asking our reviewers about their reading preferences. In this post, Introvert Reader talks about some of her favorite books, series, and authors outside of the romance genre. Read more

Discussion

Covers of the Week #32

November 14, 2021January 12, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

The Regency era is the most popular setting in historicals. For the week of Monday, November 15, to Sunday, November 21, 2021, our theme for the covers of the week is Regency romances. Enjoy! Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Pino, Walter Popp

Flashback: The Biggest or Noteworthy Romance Novels 30 Years Ago (1991)

November 12, 2021February 5, 2022 jacquelinediaz 7 Comments

At Sweet Savage Flame we love to look back to the past. After all, old-school romances are the books we review! So let's rewind to 1991. What were the most popular romances from thirty years ago? Read more

Discussion, Romance, year 1991

Historical Romance Review: Crimson Obsession by Deana James

November 11, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

I've read about half of the romances Deana James published and I must say Crimson Obsession is probably my least favorite of her works. It's not a bad romance, but it pales in comparison to her other books. Due to my high expectations of James' writing, Crimson Obsession was a bit of a disappointment, although if penned by another author, I daresay I might not have been so critical. 3 & 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Deana James, Historical Romance, Kensington, Pino, Romance, Zebra Lovegram

Category Romance Review: The Jade Affair by Madeline Harper

November 10, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Madeline Harper's The Jade Affair happens to be one of my top Harlequin Temptations due to its engaging reunited lovers' plotline. The chemistry between the protagonists is fantastic as they play detectives to find some missing jade artifacts. 4 1/2 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Temptation, Romance, year 1990

Author Spotlight: Debbie Macomber

November 9, 2021February 5, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

Debbie Macomber has been a standout romance novelist for an astonishing 40 years. She's written women's fiction, full-length contemporary, and category romance. Her work has been adapted for the small screen numerous times, for both movies and series. Over 200 million of her books have been out in print. Read more

Debbie Macomber, Discussion, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Bride (aka The Captain’s Lady) by Jo Goodman

November 8, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Passion’s Bride, aka The Captain’s Lady by Jo Goodman. The book begins in 1809, where the fledgling American navy hopes to enlist the services of the pirate Alex Danty to help sink British ships. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Kensington, Ray Kursar, Romance, Zebra Historical Romance

Covers of the Week #31

November 7, 2021May 1, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

We love giving attention to overlooked romance book cover artists. For the week of Monday, November 8, 2021, to Sunday, November 14, here are some fabulous Leslie Pellegrino-Peck painted romance covers to look over. Enjoy! Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week

Historical Romance Review: Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain

November 6, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Dark Before the Rising Sun, is the last installment in the Laurie McBain trilogy that began with Moonstruck Madness. It is a direct continuation of its sequel, Chance the Winds of Fortune. 1 1/2 stars Read more

1 star and a half, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance, Tom Hall, year 1980

Category Romance Review: Rainy Day Kisses by Debbie Macomber

November 5, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

I adore a love story where one partner is restrained and uptight and the other is open and free-spirited. Rainy Day Kisses, a Harlequin Romance by Debbie Macomber depicts those elements just perfectly. It's about a woman who has zero time for frills and silly moments enjoying life. However, she butts head with her neighbor, a laid-back kind of guy who loves flying kites. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Debbie Macomber, Romance

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