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
2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Savage Obsession by Cassie Edwards
This review is of Savage Obsession, book #1 in the “Chippewa” series by Cassie Edwards. From what I read of others’ reviews of her books, there is no middle ground with Mrs. Edwards’ work. Some love her, and others absolutely hate her. I’m kind of in the middle. Savage Obsession won’t make anyone a fan of Mrs. Edwards’ work who wasn’t already one. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Savage Surrender by Cassie Edwards
This review is of Savage Surrender, book #1 in the “Savage Secrets” series by Cassie Edwards. Savage Surrender is not a great start to Mrs. Edwards’ “Savage Secrets” series. 2.24 stars
Historical Romance Review: The Wild One by Danelle Harmon
Danelle Harmon’s Georgian-era historical romance series of four brothers and one sister begins with The Wild One. Lord Gareth de Montforte is one of the younger sons of the de Montforte clan. His eldest brother is a Duke. Another of his older brothers, Charles, was a soldier who went to fight in the Americas and is presumed dead. The family will soon find that particular brother has left behind some unchecked baggage that they will have to deal with. 1.85 stars
Category Romance Review: For the Love of Sara by Anne Mather
For the Love of Sara isn’t one of Anne Mather’s bests. It features a rather unlikeable hero, which is par for the course for Mather. It doesn’t help that he’s a functioning alcoholic who keeps cans of beer in his glove compartment to help him deal with stress. The heroine isn’t any better. She’s a professional martyr who’s made a lot of poor life decisions. When the book opens, she’s about to embark on another bad choice, but in this case, she’s doing it to save someone she cares for. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Texas Conquest by Caroline Bourne
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
Historical Romance Review: Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain
Chance the Winds of Fortune is the sequel to Laurie McBain’s Moonstruck Madness, a romance about a gender-bending highwayman (girl) who falls for an arrogant, scarred Duke, notorious for his dueling skills. I LOVED Moonstruck Madness… The follow-ups to that wonderful book about their daughter, Rhea Claire, Chance the Winds of Fortune & Dark Before the Rising Sun, though…ugh. 2 stars
Category Romance Review: To See a Stranger by Kate Cartwright
In a way, Kate Cartwright’s To See a Stranger is a fine novel. It’s well-written. It ticks most of the boxes. But it still disappointed me. Why? Because IMHO if a story is labeled a romance, there should be plenty of romance in it. Here there’s hardly any.
Category Romance Review: To Cherish My Beloved by Dorothy Heaton (aka Mary Cummins)
First published in 1976 by IPC Magazines Ltd. in the Women’s Weekly Library series, To Cherish My Beloved by Dorothy Heaton in its 1977 Magnum reprint caught my eye with an intriguing blurb and a gorgeous emo clinch cover; wish I knew who created it.
Historical Romance Review: Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey
Once a Princess was not one of my favorites by Johanna Lindsey. I’d put this in the unremarkable category with books like Glorious Angel and Tender is the Storm. Not her worst, by any means, but not her best either. 2 stars
Category Romance Review: Bride at Whangatapu by Robyn Donald
Harlequin #232 Bride at Whangatapu includes the hallmark of almost every one of Robyn Donald’s books, as it intimately details the natural environment of New Zealand. Whether her books were set on a sheep station, on a yacht in the Pacific, or just a tropical backdrop, you could see the bright green grass, feel the ocean spray on your face or smell the hibiscus blossoms (which don’t even have much a scent, do they?
Category Romance Review: Nelson’s Brand by Diana Palmer
Nelson’s Brand was my first and, so far, only foray into Diana Palmer’s little corner of Romancelandia. Palmer has got a bit of a reputation in the genre as an author of ultra-macho, hairy-chested heroes and virginal, too-stupid-to-live heroines. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: The Heir by Johanna Lindsey
Was this tepid, dull romance actually penned by Johanna Lindsey? The Heir was Lindsey’s first book where I noticed a weird change. Previously, if there was a Lindsey I didn’t like, it was due to a meandering plot or excessive fighting between the leads. There is friendship for sure in this one, but romantic isn’t what I’d call the relationship between Duncan and Sabrina. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Web by Cassie Edwards
This review is of Passion’s Web by Cassie Edwards. There are books I’m glad I got through because I paid for them and can now resign them to the dustbin of history-literally and figuratively. Passion’s Web is one such book. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Halfway to Paradise by Emily Bradshaw
The best thing about Emily Bradshaw’s Halfway to Paradise is its stunning cover, 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Texas Torment by Catherine Creel
Catherine Creel’s Texas Torment is a Zebra historical romance with a secret-marriage plot we’ve seen before in her more superior Passion’s Chains. 2 stars
Category Romance Review: Show Me by Janet Dailey
Harlequin Presents #200 Show Me Janet Dailey An embittered husband returns back home to face the wife and child he never wanted. 2 stars
Category Romance Review: Asking for Trouble by Miranda Lee
Harlequin Presents #1614 Asking for Trouble by Miranda Lee a beautiful, yet virginal woman and a burn-by-love playboy find passion together. Is it enough to last? The problem with reading a much-beloved author almost 50 times is that their books begin to blend together. Plotlines get replayed. And replayed. And replayed. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Beloved Enemy by Jane Feather
When my cat destroyed the cover of my edition of Jane Feather’s Beloved Enemy, chewing it to shreds, I lamented the loss. It was a pretty cover, although I cared nothing for the book. Beloved Enemy begins with an intriguing premise, then about 20 pages in, the annoying “insta-luv” trope rears its head. Everything goes downhill from there. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell
I’m not a fan of the execution of Claiming the Courtesan. However, I thought it was refreshing what Anna Campbell tried to accomplish in her first book. I categorize this style of romance as a neo-bodice ripper, in that it attempts to capture the sexual power struggles contained in those older books, but it’s very modern in its presentation. 2 stars
