3 stars Archives

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Paradise by Sonya T. Pelton

May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

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. Read more

3 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Kensington, Romance, year 1981, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Pirate’s Wild Paradise by Kate Douglas

May 9, 2022May 7, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

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 Read more

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

Historical Romance Review: These Golden Pleasures by Valerie Sherwood

April 22, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

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. Read more

3 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Valerie Sherwood, Warner Books

Historical Romance Review: Texas Triumph by Victoria Thompson

March 14, 2022May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Texas Triumph, #2 in the “The Cowboy and the Lady” series by Victoria Thompson. This is the follow-up to her book, Texas Treasure. Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, John Ennis, Kensington, Romance, year 1987, Zebra Lovegram

Category Romance Review: A Perfect Marriage by Laurey Bright

February 26, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

Silhouette Intimate Moments #621 It's difficult for me to give Laurey Bright's A Perfect Marriage a coherent review because it's a romance novel that deals with adultery. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Diane Sivavec, Silhouette, Silhouette Intimate Moments, year 1995

Category Romance Review: Melting Ice by Rosalie Ash

January 29, 2022May 3, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Melting Ice by Rosalie Ash is a hard little book to find in its original form. It was released by Mills & Boon in 1989 but only published as a special edition for Harlequin Romance subscribers. The book was #55 of that line. I'd give Melting Ice 2.95 stars. Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Romance, Romance, Will Davies, year 1989

Category Romance Review: Woman Hater by Diana Palmer

January 22, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Woman Hater (what a title!) by Diana Palmer is a 1987 Silhouette romance that seems to be typical of the author's style. The heroine is young, virginal, and escaping from a tragic past. The hero is a macho, Alpha male, who is also burned by the past, which makes him a "woman-hater." 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Diana Palmer, Romance, Silhouette, Silhouette Romance, year 1987

Category Romance Review: The Other Woman by Candace Schuler

January 10, 2022May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of The Other Woman, book #1 in the “Hollywood Dynasty” series by Candace Schuler. “Hollywood Dynasty” focuses on three siblings, children of a legendary Hollywood couple, as they make their names in the same industry that made their parents famous. (Harlequin Temptation #451, July 1993). 2.84 stars. Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Temptation, Romance, year 1993

Historical Romance Review: Desert Slave by Miranda North

January 3, 2022May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Desert Slave, a standalone novel by Miranda North. On the trip Juliette is kidnapped by Bedouin pirates. She is later given to Deric Raleigh. (Zebra Heartfire, May 1989). 2.71 stars. Read more

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

Historical Romance Review: Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins

December 25, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Beverly Jenkins' Through the Storm is a romance about a former slave finding love during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era with a man from a proud and established Louisiana family of Haitian descent. Through the Storm has gained high marks and positive reviews. For my part, I found it engaging, although I couldn't help but think it needed tightening up in some areas. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance, year 1998

Category Romance Review: The Lady in the Mirror by Judith Arnold

December 7, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of The Lady in the Mirror, book #10 in the “Bachelor Arms” series, and the first of two books in the series written by Judith Arnold, a pseudonym for Barbara Keiler. (Harlequin Temptation #561, November 1995). 2.77 stars. Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Temptation, Romance

Category Romance Review: Hilltop Tryst by Betty Neels

November 19, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Hilltop Tryst was another sweet romance by the famous Betty Neels featuring--as always--a fair-haired doctor as a hero, although this time he's British, not Dutch. Nor is the heroine a nurse. She's the daughter of a local successful veterinarian and works with Dad. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Romance, Romance, Will Davies

Historical Romance Review: Passions Wild and Free by Janelle Taylor

October 14, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Passions Wild and Free, book #2 in the “Western Wind” series by Janelle Taylor. Randee Hollis, the heroine of the book, has plans to go after the Epson Gang, a ruthless band of killers who killed her aunt and uncle... 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Janelle Taylor, Kensington, Romance, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Tender is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey

September 22, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

So... Johanna Lindsey's Tender Is the Storm. If you're familiar with your romance history, then you must know of this book, even if you haven't read it. The cover is the infamous one designed by Robert McGinnis with the naked hero standing tall as the heroine kneels before him, her ample breasts pressed firmly against his--er...dongle. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, Robert McGinnis, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Wicked Torment by Melissa Hepburne

August 8, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

Pinnacle Books' Passion's Wicked Torment is a balls-to-wall 20th-century bodice ripper set in the gangster era during American Prohibition. From New York to Chicago, from Alaska to Europe, this book hops around the globe and features lots of mutually lusty sex scenes, rapes, and gangbangs. It stars a heroine so stupid and dumb, she could only have been written by Mr. Melissa Hepburne himself, the author of the blockbuster bestseller (I'm not kidding, it sold over a million copies!) Passion's Proud Captive. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Pinnacle, Romance

Contemporary Romance Review: A Violation by Charlotte Lamb

July 31, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

A Violation, a full-length novel by category author Charlotte Lamb, isn’t a straightforward romance, somewhere more between women’s fiction and romantic fiction. Like so many of her works, the major themes are the philosophy of love and what are the defined roles of being a man and a woman, especially when it comes to amorous relationships. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Charlotte Lamb, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Savage Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor

July 30, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Savage Ecstasy (Ecstasy/Gray Eagle, #1; the series is known by two different names) by Janelle Taylor. There’s a lot to unpack here. The year is 1776, and English expatriate Alisha Williams, 20, the book's heroine (and the first four books in the series), has journeyed west to find happiness with her only surviving relative, her uncle Thad. One day, the “men” in her settlement bring a captured Oglala Lakota Indian brave into their camp; that brave is Gray Eagle, the “hero” of the book. Gray Eagle and Alisha develop romantic feelings for each other. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Janelle Taylor, Kensington, Romance, Walter Popp

Category Romance Review: Dillon After Dark by Leandra Logan

July 27, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

Dillon After Dark, Harlequin Temptation #362, is a cute, fun romance by Leandra Logan. Dillon Danvers is a laid-back California DJ who airs a talk/ music show where he discusses many fun subjects to delight in. Dr. Kristina Jordan is a psychologist and single mother with no time for relaxation. Together these two opposites could make for an exciting couple. However, Kristina needs major convincing to be part of it. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Temptation, Romance

Historical Romance Review: The Forever Passion by Karen A. Bale

July 26, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of Karen A. Bale’s 1979 Zebra romance The Forever Passion. Lisa Jordan, 18, chafing under the demands placed on her in her native Boston, has decided to head west to live with her brother, Tom. She arranges to travel by wagon train and falls in love with the train scout, Josh Wade. Then things take a turn for the worst. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Treasure (aka Just Say Yes) by Betina Krahn

July 18, 2021May 2, 2022 Blue Falcon 5 Comments

This review is of Passion’s Treasure (later republished and retitled as Just Say Yes), a standalone from March 1989 by Betina Krahn. The book begins in the town of Culpepper, Maryland Colony, 1748. We meet Treasure Barrett, one of 10 children born to Aniss and Buck Barrett. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Kensington, Romance, Sharon Spiak, Zebra Lovegram

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