Smoke in the Wind by Robyn Donald features one of her trademark piggishly cruel heroes. However, it’s one of her better books. 4.5 Stars
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Pre-Historical Romance Review: Transcendence by Shay Savage
It’s Opposite Day today, January 25, 2023. So instead of a review for an old-school retro romance novel, we’re talking about something more modern, Transcendence by Shay Savage from 2014! 5 Stars
Gothic Romance Review: My Name is Clary Brown by Charlotte Keppel
My Name is Clary Brown by Charlotte Keppel (nee Ursula Torday) was first published in 1976 under the title When I Say Goodbye, I’m Clary Brown. Diamond is an actress of little renown and loses her “protector’s” patronage. She returns to her home village where she finds many of her childhood friends have died. There are dark forces that seem directed at her. Could she be the next victim in a long string of murders? 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas
Lisa Kleypas’ Midnight Angel is a solid romance. A Russian noblewoman assumes a fake identity as governess to an English lord’s daughter. 3.5 stars
Paranormal Romance Review: Midnight Kiss by Nancy Gideon
Although I’ve read a few vampire romances, I’ve never been a sucker for them, so for this Halloween I decided to bite my teeth into Nancy Gideon’s Midnight Kiss. 3.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: A Breath of Scandal by Connie Mason
Having read a few Connie Mason books in the past and (more or less) entertained by them, I picked up A Breath of Scandal expecting some ahistorical yet sexy, romantic fun. Sadly, except for the wallpaper Georgian background, this one lacked all those standard Mason elements. 1 Star
Historical Romance Review: Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey
With her 14th book, Lindsey was on a roll, writing blockbuster romance after blockbuster romance. Hearts Aflame was the sequel to Lindsey’s third book, Fires of Winter.
Historical Romance Review: The Golden Sovereigns by Jocelyn Carew
The Golden Sovereigns is unlike any bodice ripper I’ve ever read. It’s very difficult to rate or categorize as it defies genre conventions. Jocelyn Carew is an absolutely skillful writer to make me enjoy a book where the heroine, Carmody, doesn’t meet her hero until page 270 of this 404-page epic. This is the kind of bodice ripper where the heroine’s journey is the real tale, however, the hero is not a mere prize she wins at the end; he’s a balm to heal her damaged soul. 4 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Tempt Not This Flesh by Barbara Riefe
Barbara Riefe’s Tempt Not This Flesh was yet another inexplicable bestseller for the gender-bending author whose real name was Alan Riefe. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Surrender by Kathryn Hockett
Sweet Savage Surrender, a Zebra Lovegram that was written by mother-daughter duo Marcia Hockett and Kathryn Kramer, aka Kathryn Hockett, is a romance between two star-crossed lovers from different worlds. .5 star