Captive Ecstasy, Elaine Barbieri’s first book, is unique in that it features four possible love interests for the heroine, and all the men are written with strong emotions.
Category: year 1980
Historical Romance Review: Tazia’s Torment by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
Sylvie F. Sommerfield’s California-set bodice ripper Tazia’s Torment is not a bad book, but it’s not as good as it could have been. 3 Stars
Historical Romance Review: The Captain’s Vixen by Wanda Owen
Sometimes one can tell when a book is the first an author has written. Such is the case with The Captain’s Vixen the debut by Wanda Owen. This was not a great first book. 2 Stars
Category Romance Review: Savage Possession by Margaret Pargeter
Harlequin Presents #366 Savage Possession by Margaret Pargeter Ryan is Melissa’s parents’ landlord. He demands Melissa pay up! 4 stars
Historical Romance Review: Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small
In Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small a beautiful Irish woman in the Elizabethan Tudor era experiences adventures and love with many men.
Historical Romance Review: Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain
Dark Before the Rising Sun, is the last installment in the Laurie McBain trilogy that began with Moonstruck Madness. It is a direct continuation of its sequel, Chance the Winds of Fortune. 1 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: The Frost and the Flame by Drusilla Campbell
Drusilla Campbell’s The Frost and the Flame is one of those naughty bodice rippers where the heroine is separated for a long period of time from her true love, the dull, hero, and instead spends more time with the lusty, evil villain. This is the kind of bodice ripper I like: one that does not take itself seriously and knows how to throw crazy tropes at you, so you’ll keep the pages turning, even if the story is not really romantic. 4 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: The Treacherous Heart by Angela Alexie
The Treacherous Heart by Angela Alexie is a tale of a Gaelic, black-haired, fiery-spirited lass forced by circumstances to become a thief to provide for her family, only to be thwarted by an arrogant, scar-faced, golden-haired Duke
Historical Romance Review: Siren Song by Roberta Gellis
Siren Song, is the first in Roberta Gellis’ Medieval Song trilogy. Lady Elizabeth is heiress to vast lands and married to Mauger, a cruel, murderous lord. Elizabeth’s heart is for Sir William of Marlowe, her former love. 4 stars
Category Romance Review: Stay Through the Night by Flora Kidd
Stay Through the Night by Flora Kidd is a romance about big misunderstandings, adultery, & kidnapping. 4 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Rapture’s Rebel by Iris Bancroft
Rapture’s Rebel by Iris Bancroft is the first non-Viking historical romance set in Scandinavia that I’ve read. Sadly, it’s disappointing. 1 1/2 stars