The heroine of Lisa Kleypas’ Then Came You was, at the time of the book’s initial release, a unique female protagonist. Today, Romancelandia is replete with hoydenish, unmarried non-virgins who thumb their nose at society’s rules. Back in 1993, the wild Lily Lawson was, for the most part, unusual for a historical romance heroine. 5 stars
5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Midnight Captive by Penelope Neri
This review is of Midnight Captive, a standalone Zebra historical romance from March 1989 by Penelope Neri. The book begins ominously. A man finds a cache of gold and wishes everything he touches would turn into it. 5 stars
Category Romance Review: Yesterday’s Love by Marsha Manning
Yesterday’s Love is a moving romance with a rather mysterious background. It’s part of the Magnum Books imprint of Prestige Books, Inc., a small New York paperback publisher active during the mid to late 1970s.
Historical Romance Review: Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri
Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri is a bodice-ripper Viking romance with a resilient heroine. While it also has some troubling problematic plot elements, it ultimately deserves a five-star rating. 5 Stars
Category Romance Review: Out of the Shadows by Stella March
Out of the Shadows by Stella March was first published in 1967 and has been reprinted several times. I heartily recommend Out of the Shadows. 5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Sweet Prairie Passion by Rosanne Bittner
This review is of Sweet Prairie Passion, book #1 in the “Savage Destiny” series by Rosanne Bittner. If you love books that will stir your emotions-good and bad-and leave one feeling as you’ve been on a roller coaster, books like Ms. Bittner’s Sweet Prairie Passion will be your jam. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Blood Red Roses by Katherine Deauxville
Blood Red Roses is understandably a difficult book for some to enjoy. It could be nostalgia goggles on this one for me, plus a love for the glorious red stepback cover. Or it could be the vivid Middle Ages setting, my favorite time period. I read this Medieval romance by Katherine Deauxville (Maggie Davis) twice: once in middle school and then years later in high school, and was swept away in the story both times. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Kathleen’s Surrender by Nan Ryan
This review is based on the Zebra print version of the book published back in 1983. Kathleen’s Surrender by Nancy Henderson Ryan–known better these days as Nan Ryan–is without question one of the best, most emotional romance novels I’ve ever read. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Heart by Janelle Taylor
Janelle Taylor’s Sweet Savage Heart, a Zebra Lovegram historical romance, begins in Dakota Territory, May 1867. It is here that an Oglala Indian maiden, Wild Wind, the heroine of the book, is troubled, for she is arguing with her brother, Lone Wolf, over her future. Bottom Line: Sweet Savage Heart is one of Janelle Taylor’s best books. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Uncommon Vows by Mary Jo Putney
I’ve read Mary Jo Putney’s Uncommon Vows several times and have always loved this passionate medieval story about obsessive love.










