Book Review Archives

Historical Romance Review: Love’s Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri

July 18, 2022July 11, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Love’s Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri, a bodice ripper that Zebra books published in 1982. Right after I finish posting this review, this "romance novel" is going into my trash bin. 0.75 stars Read more

1 star, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1982, Zebra Historical Romance

Category Romance Review: Once More With Feeling by Nora Roberts

July 13, 2022July 19, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

Once More With Feeling is the second outing from the Silhouette Intimate Moments line. Nora Roberts' category romance tells the love story between two musicians, one a rising star and the other an established musician, who knew each other in the past. Now they must try to make beautiful music together again--literally. Only later does the situation take a turn for the metaphorical. 3.5 Stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Authors, Book Review, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Romance Review, Contemporary/Category Romance Authors, Nora Roberts, Romance, Silhouette, Silhouette Intimate Moments, year 1983

Historical Romance Review: Ride the Free Wind by Rosanne Bittner

July 11, 2022July 11, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of Ride the Free Wind book #2 in the “Savage Destiny” series by Rosanne Bittner. Ride the Free Wind begins shortly after the first book, Sweet Prairie Passion, ended. Abigail “Abbie” Trent Monroe and her husband, “Cheyenne” Zeke Monroe, are traveling to find Zeke’s Cheyenne mother and three Cheyenne half-brothers. 5 Stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1984, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Night Fire by Catherine Coulter

July 9, 2022July 18, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Night Fire by Catherine Coulter features one of her few truly nice guy heroes. This romance was a pleasant surprise--despite it dark themes--due to charming Burke Drummond. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Avon, Book Review, Catherine Coulter, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Romance, year 1988

Category Romance Review: Savage Possession by Margaret Pargeter

July 6, 2022July 12, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Harlequin Presents #366 Savage Possession by Margaret Pargeter Ryan is Melissa's parents' landlord. He demands Melissa pay up! 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents

Historical Romance Review: Comanche Love Song by Cheryl Black

July 4, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of Comanche Love Song a standalone Zebra Heartfire from June 1989 by Cheryl Black. Comanche Love Song by Cheryl Black has now passed Eugenia’s Embrace by Cassie Edwards as the worst book I’ve ever read. .5 stars Read more

1 star, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Heartfire

Category Romance Review: Glory Days by Marilynne Rudick

July 1, 2022June 28, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Glory Days by Marilynne Rudick is a Harlequin Temptation from the early 1990s. It's one of the few books from that line that I truly disliked. Why? Because it was so dreadfully dull. 1 star Read more

1 star, Book Review, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Romance Review, Harlequin, Harlequin Temptation, Romance, year 1991

Category Romance Review: The Italian’s Wife by Lynne Graham

June 29, 2022June 29, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

Lynne Graham’s The Italian’s Bride is unusual from her other books I’ve read in the past. Holly Samson is the first Graham heroine I can recall who was not a virgin, and who’s borne another man’s child. The hero is typical of her heroes: dark-haired, ultra-masculine, ridiculously wealthy, smitten with the heroine, and of Italian descent. 3.62 Stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Romance Review, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Romance, year 2001

Historical Romance Review: Cherish Me, Embrace Me by Sylvie F. Sommerfield

June 27, 2022June 24, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Cherish Me, Embrace Me by Sylvie F. Sommerfield. The book begins in 1851 in France. The coming revolution forces Jules Dubonne, his wife Marie, and their three children, sons Alexander and Dante, and daughter, Celeste, to leave France. They journey to a new home they believe will be free from war and violence, America. They will soon discover the fallacy of that belief. 4.80 stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1983, Zebra Historical Romance

Category Romance Review: Rumor Has It by Celia Scott

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Celia Scott's Rumor Has It is a modern-day Cinderella story where the fairy godmother is not an actual person but a false rumor that transforms a frumpy heroine into a glamorous new woman who finds her prince. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Romance

Historical Romance Review: Comanche Bride by Emma Merritt

June 20, 2022June 23, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Comanche Bride, a standalone January Zebra Lovegram from 1989 by Emma Merritt. There are things to like about this book. But there are also enough negatives that bring the book’s final grade down. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood

June 17, 2022June 16, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood takes us to Regency Era England where we meet two firm-willed yet evenly matched partners in love. One is a lady of mystery from the former colonies raised among the Native people. The other is an English nobleman turned soldier and spy, now retiring from duty. 4.15 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Pocket Books, Romance, year 1988

Category Romance Review: The Marriage War by Charlotte Lamb

June 16, 2022June 15, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

The Marriage War by Charlotte Lamb may not have the worst hero in Harlequin Presents history, but he certainly ranks up there in the top twenty. .5 stars Read more

Book Review, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Romance Review, Historical Romance Review, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Traitor’s Kiss by Terri Valentine

June 13, 2022June 12, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Traitor’s Kiss, a standalone by historical romance Terri Valentine. Traitor’s Kiss is a good book. It simply lacks the passion and juice to be a great book. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Heartfire

Historical Romance Review: Dangerous Obsession by Natasha Peters

June 11, 2022June 9, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

Dangerous Obsession is the sequel to Natasha Peters' first book, Savage Surrender, although the relation between the books is not revealed until midway through this 630 page epic. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Natasha Peters, year 1978

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Chains by Catherine Creel

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Passion's Chains was the first romance novel I read after subscribing to the Lovegram line many, many years ago. The plot description on the back of the book sounded like this would be a riot. And it was! 4.5 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1991, Zebra Lovegram

Category Romance Review: Liar’s Moon by Heather Graham

June 9, 2022June 8, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Liar's Moon, a Dell Candlelight Ecstasy Supreme by Heather Graham is an overwrought foray into romantic suspense. There's intrigue, murder, and a long-ago love affair between a teenage girl and a much older, close family friend. Events lead to a dramatic and happy conclusion in this so-so-category romance. Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Candlelight Ecstasy Supreme, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Romance Review, Dell, Romance, Romantic Suspense, year 1987

Historical Romance Review: Tender Savage by Phoebe Conn

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Tender Savage, a standalone Zebra Lovegram by Phoebe Conn. Tender Savage starts in Wilmington, Delaware, in June 1862. The book spans from June 1862 to September 1863 during the American Civil War. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Category Romance Review: Mansion for My Love by Robyn Donald

June 4, 2022June 4, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Harlequin Presents #567 Mansion for My Love is one of those Robyn Donald books where you can't believe what the supposed hero does to the heroine. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Category Romance Review, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Romance Review, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Mills and Boon, Robyn Donald, Romance, year 1982

Historical Romance Review: Destiny’s Splendor by Kathleen Drymon

May 30, 2022June 8, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

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 Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1988, Zebra Lovegram