Have you ever noticed you own two different books with the same cover? Recycling cover art is quite common in the book industry. Publishers often re-use artwork to save money or time. Previously we mentioned the Instagram hashtag #covertwinning. This was the brainchild of biologistreadsromance, who also created the hashtag #stepbacktwinning.
This review is of Destiny’s Splendor published in December 1988. This Zebra romance is book #2 in an unofficial Native American “series” by Kathleen Drymon. 3.5 stars
Bruce Emmett is a Canadian-born artist whose romance covers are marked by a naturalistic aspect. For the week of Monday, May 30, 2022, to Sunday, June 4, 2022, we’re displaying some stunning Bruce Emmett covers for you to marvel at.
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 heritage.
There’s good reason Violet Winspear’s Devil In a Silver room had many reprints: it’s an enthralling, hypnotic love story that pulls you in from the moment the hero enters the story. And oh, what a hero he is! 5 stars
Sweet Savage Flame has assembled a list of old-school romance authors who have moved to the great beyond. We’ll be dedicating an “In Memorium” page to these authors.
Sad to report, but A Naked Flame has to be the worst Charlotte Lamb book I’ve read so far. It features a wishy-washy, stupid heroine who wouldn’t know her butt crack from the Grand Canyon. 1 star
This review is of Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield. Savage Rapture begins with two lovers parting company and for me, is great but not a 5-star read. More like a 4.25 or 4.5-star book.
For the week of Monday, May 23, 2022, to Sunday, May 29, 2022, let’s enjoy the beauty of the merry month of May with a floral tribute. These romance covers are blooming with beauty and love!
Sweet Savage Flame highlights heroes in old school or retro romance books who were of East Asian or Pacific Islander descent. In older romances, unfortunately, these heroes weren’t very prevalent.
Dark Fire by Elizabeth Lowell, a 1988 Silhouette Desire takes us on a trek through the jungles of Peru. 4 stars
The 1980 Mills & Boon reissue of Violet Winspear’s book Lucifer’s Angel is said to be the first romance (contemporary or category, anyway, not so sure about historicals) to feature a kissing couple on the cover. And what a pretty one it is.
This review is of Midnight Fires by Carol Finch. This Zebra historical romance set during the war of 1812 is a typical Carol Finch book. It’s very good, but lacking the dynamic qualities to make it great. 4 stars
For the week of Monday, May 16, to Sunday, May 22, 2022, we’re trying not to laugh at these heroes who are attempting to put the moves on their heroines who aren’t having any of it!
Dell used to be a huge publisher of fiction and in particular romance. They hopped on the romance market when many other publishers ignored the genre. At one point, they were in direct competition with Harlequin.
Passion’s Paradise by Sonya T. Pelton is a wonderfully terrible book. However, it was oddly entertaining, like a terrible movie you watch just to shout inanities at the screen.
Before they were famous, their faces were on book covers. While these celebrities appeared in various genres, we’re limiting our focus to romance. It’s always fun to track the career of the rich and famous to their humble beginnings, especially if they posed for clinches!
This review is of Pirate’s Wild Paradise a standalone Zebra romance from February 1989 by Kate Douglas. The book starts in Port Royale, Jamaica, with the heroine about to get married. However, her ceremony is interrupted by our hero and Jamie’s former lover. 3 stars
For the week of Monday, May 9, 2022, to Sunday, May 15, 2022, here are some gorgeous romance covers illustrated by Gordon Johnson.
In 1977 Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ long-awaited third novel made romance history as Avon released Shanna in trade paperback edition. I’ve long had a tenuous relationship with Woodiwiss’ romances., but I am glad I read Shanna. 3.74 stars
