Avon Archives

Historical Romance Review: Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 IntrovertReader

In 1977 Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ long-awaited third novel made romance history as Avon released Shanna in trade paperback edition. I've long had a tenuous relationship with Woodiwiss' romances., but I am glad I read Shanna. 3.74 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Romance, Tom Hall, year 1977

Historical Romance Review: Defy Not the Heart by Johanna Lindsey

March 16, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Defy Not the Heart is a favorite of mine. It's a wonderful, funny, and romantic medieval historical romance by the late, great Johanna Lindsey. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, year 1989

Historical Romance Review: Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey

March 9, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

In Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey, her popular Malory series romance, ex-pirate James Malory meets his match in Georgina, an American girl disguised as his cabin boy! 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, year 1990

Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers

January 20, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

Ooh boy, where to begin with this review? Sweet Savage Love by the great Rosemary Rogers is--along with The Flame and the Flower--the blockbuster historical that launched a new genre: the modern romance novel. Published in 1974, this doorstopper epic was a monumental game-changer in an era of social transformation. 4.24 stars Read more

4 stars, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance, Rosemary Rogers, year 1974

Historical Romance Review: The Wild One by Danelle Harmon

January 11, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Danelle Harmon's Georgian-era historical romance series of four brothers and one sister begins with The Wild One. Lord Gareth de Montforte is one of the younger sons of the de Montforte clan. His eldest brother is a Duke. Another of his older brothers, Charles, was a soldier who went to fight in the Americas and is presumed dead. The family will soon find that particular brother has left behind some unchecked baggage that they will have to deal with. 1.85 stars Read more

2 stars, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance, year 1997

Historical Romance Review: Angel in Scarlet by Jennifer Wilde

December 28, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Angel In Scarlet isn't a bodice ripper. It's a Georgian-Era chick-lit. This is a hard one to categorize. It's not just a romance, but more of a heroine's journey through life and her relationships with several men she meets along the way. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Jennifer Wilde, Romance

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

Historical Romance Review: The Present by Johanna Lindsey

December 23, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

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 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain

November 6, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

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 Read more

1 star and a half, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance, Tom Hall, year 1980

Historical Romance Review: Secret Fire by Johanna Lindsey

October 8, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Secret Fire was, I think, the second Johanna Lindsey romance I read which cemented her works among my favorites. Published in 1987, this book was written during Lindsey's peak years of output. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, 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: Rangoon by Christine Monson

August 22, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Christine Monson was best known for her infamous, shocking bodice-ripper Stormfire, which is legendary for the protagonists' extremely abusive revenge-based romance. Her second book Rangoon significantly turns down the crazy factor, but still retains the sensitive writing that made Stormfire so haunting and memorable. 3 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Christine Monson, Historical Romance, Pino, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain

July 25, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

Chance the Winds of Fortune is the sequel to Laurie McBain's Moonstruck Madness, a romance about a gender-bending highwayman (girl) who falls for an arrogant, scarred Duke, notorious for his dueling skills. I LOVED Moonstruck Madness... The follow-ups to that wonderful book about their daughter, Rhea Claire, Chance the Winds of Fortune & Dark Before the Rising Sun, though...ugh. 2 stars Read more

2 stars, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Laurie McBain, Romance

Historical Romance Review: So Speaks the Heart by Johanna Lindsey

July 17, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

It's fair to compare So Speaks the Heart (which should be subtitled: Medieval Norman Psychopath Falls for French Co-Dependent and Fellow Anger Management Classmate) to another of Johanna Lindsey's works, A Pirate's Love, which had a similar captor/captive trope. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, Robert McGinnis

Historical Romance Review: Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

July 11, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

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 Read more

5 stars, Avon, Book Review, Max Ginsburg, Romance, year 1993

Historical Romance Review: Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain

July 9, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

Moonstruck Madness was Laurie McBain's second and, in my opinion, her best book. I adored this book. the first time I read it, I was in my twenties and loved it. The second time, I was in my thirties and enjoyed it a little bit less, but still found it a thrilling read. 4 1/2 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Laurie McBain, Romance, Tom Hall

Historical Romance Review: Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey

June 22, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

Once a Princess was not one of my favorites by Johanna Lindsey. I'd put this in the unremarkable category with books like Glorious Angel and Tender is the Storm. Not her worst, by any means, but not her best either. 2 stars Read more

2 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey, Romance, year 1991

Historical Romance Review: The Golden Sovereigns by Jocelyn Carew

June 10, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

The Golden Sovereigns is unlike any bodice ripper I've ever read. It's very difficult to rate or categorize as it defies genre conventions. Jocelyn Carew is an absolutely skillful writer to make me enjoy a book where the heroine, Carmody, doesn't meet her hero until page 270 of this 404-page epic. This is the kind of bodice ripper where the heroine's journey is the real tale, however, the hero is not a mere prize she wins at the end; he's a balm to heal her damaged soul. 4 1/2 stars Read more

5 stars, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Romance

Historical Romance Review: The Heir by Johanna Lindsey

June 5, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Was this tepid, dull romance actually penned by Johanna Lindsey? The Heir was Lindsey's first book where I noticed a weird change. Previously, if there was a Lindsey I didn't like, it was due to a meandering plot or excessive fighting between the leads. There is friendship for sure in this one, but romantic isn't what I'd call the relationship between Duncan and Sabrina. 2 stars Read more

2 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Johanna Lindsey

Historical Romance Review: Dawn of Desire by Joyce Verette

May 22, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Joyce Verette's Dawn of Desire had been marketed differently, I would have read this Ancient Egypt-set novel with an open mindset and not have been as disinterested as I was. 3 stars Read more

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

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