The Dream, the first entry in Barbara Delinsky’s Crosslyn Rise Trilogy, is the story of a woman who’s the last in her once-wealthy family and tries to hold on to her familial estate with the help of her former childhood bully. 3.5 Stars
Category: 3 stars and a half
Historical Romance Review: Ecstasy’s Conquest by Kay McMahon
Ecstasy’s Conquest, the second Zebra historical romance by Kay McMahon, is not the best book ever. It is, however, a far more enjoyable read than its prequel, McMahon’s first novel, Passion’s Slave. 3.5 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
Category Romance Review: The Italian’s Wife by Lynne Graham
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
Historical Romance Review: Destiny’s Splendor by Kathleen Drymon
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
Historical Romance Review: These Golden Pleasures by Valerie Sherwood
What can I say about Valerie Sherwood’s These Golden Pleasures? Well, this 512 page epic starts out wonderfully but then falters then lags in the middle, and is rushed at the end.
Historical Romance Review: A Lady Bought with Rifles by Jeanne Williams
A Lady Bought with Rifles by Jeanne Williams is a woman’s tale of being torn between two men during a Mexican war. 3 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Ecstasy’s Fire by Rosalyn Alsobrook
When a book begins with a typo, that’s not a good sign, and Ecstasy’s Fire by Rosalyn Alsobrook begins with one. On the back cover of the book, the heroine is identified as Victoria Connors. In the book, she’s named VIRGINIA Connors. Not a good beginning. 3.5 stars
Category Romance Review: Beloved Deceiver by Flora Kidd
Flora Kidd’s Beloved Deceiver still sticks out in my mind for one big reason. It’s the only Harlequin/Mills-and-Boon I’ve read to feature a hero from the Dominican Republic, which is my parents’ birth country. 3.45 stars
Category Romance Review: Moon Witch by Anne Mather
Harlequin Presents #38 Moon Witch by Anne Mather In this vintage romance, a much older man falls for his younger ward. It’s an uncomfortable, but compelling read. 3 1/2 stars
Category Romance Review: A Passionate Affair by Anne Mather
In Anne Mather’s A Passionate Affair, the heroine, Cassandra, is a divorcee whom the hero pursues and they engage in a…passionate affair. This was revolutionary. Before this book, lovemaking in this line had been restricted to married couples or “forced seductions” of initially unwilling virgins whose bodies “betrayed them.” A solid romance. 3.5 stars
Historical Romance Review: And Gold Was Ours by Rebecca Brandewyne
And Gold Was Ours is a sequel of sorts to Rebecca Brandewyne‘s Love, Cherish Me. I’d consider this more of a companion piece. While both novels have Brandewyne’s hallmark baroque-gothic atmosphere, And Gold Was Ours is not as dark and emotional as its predecessor. 3.63 stars
Historical Romance Review: Raven by Shana Carrol
Raven by Shana Carol (aka Christina Savage, aka Mr. Kerry Newcomb & Mr. Frank Schaeffer) is a riveting bodice-ripper. It’s a pirate adventure that features a kickass, resilient heroine whom I adore. It also stars a hero who isn’t worthy to lick the underside of her shoes. This is one of those books I both hate and love and wavered for a long time what rating to give it. 3.49 stars
Category Romance Review: Guarded Moments by JoAnn Ross
JoAnn Ross’s Harlequin Temptation, Guarded Moments, introduces us to the princess Montcroix, the haughty Chantal Giraudeau. It’s up to Special Agent Caine O’Bannion to be on call as Chantal’s bodyguard. 3.59 stars