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. 3 stars
Historical Romance Review
Historical Romance Review: The Present by Johanna Lindsey
Over 22 years and under two different publishers, Johanna Lindsey wrote 12 romances about the Malory & Anderson clans. These books were massive hits with her many fans. Her novel, The Present, is moderately short at just over 300 pages. It tells two parallel love stories set in different eras in England, portraying the Malory clan in the past and the “present.” For no matter how time changes, the love lives of the family remain the same. 3.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Midnight Princess by Jo Goodman
This review is of Midnight Princess, book #1 in the “Marshall Brothers” series by Jo Goodman, a pseudonym used by Joanne Dobrzanski. Published by Zebra/Kensington, November 1989, the book was later reissued as Her Defiant Heart. This review is of the original print book. 4.14 stars
Historical Romance Review: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas features one of her most beloved characters, Derek Craven. Derek was previously seen in Then Came You, whose reserved hero, Alex Raiford, was more to my liking. This is a wonderful romance by the talented Kleypas where two people from contrasting social classes come together in love. 4 stars
Time Travel Romance Review: When Lightning Strikes by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah is a successful author of women’s fiction. It’s fortunate she found success in that genre because her romances I’ve encountered are–sad to say–lacking in excitement. When Lightning Strikes is a time travel romance that starts out promisingly but takes a boring turn into snoozeville with its drawn-out plot. This should have been a category-length romance of 190 pages not 400 pages long!
Historical Romance Review: Texas Fire by Caroline Bourne
This review is of Texas Fire by Caroline Bourne. This book, published by Zebra/Kensington in March 1989, is the sequel to her book Texas Conquest. 2.5 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: Sunset Temptation by Jane Toombs
This review is of Sunset Temptation, a standalone novel by Jane Toombs. The stultifying boredom I felt reading it means no positive grade from me. 1.11 stars
Historical Romance Review: Crimson Obsession by Deana James
In Crimson Obsession by Deana James, set in Victorian-era England, Cassandra seeks revenge against Edward Sandron for her family’s financial ruin. The story features a secondary romance and humorous elements. 3.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Bride (aka The Captain’s Lady) by Jo Goodman
This review is of Passion’s Bride, aka The Captain’s Lady by Jo Goodman. The book begins in 1809, where the fledgling American navy hopes to enlist the services of the pirate Alex Danty to help sink British ships. 4 stars