At the beginning of Tiffany White’s category romance Cheap Thrills, the hero Crew Harper is working this side gig as a window-washer when he becomes an accidental peeping Tom. A woman enters an office, she undresses… 4 stars
Harlequin
Category Romance Review: Whisper to the Stars by Hettie Grimstead
Whisper to the Stars is a vintage-contemporary romance that revolves around a trope hard to find nowadays: unrequited love. It starts out strong, with the promise of a deeply moving emo story. And it delivers, up to a point. Then it falters. Somewhere in the middle, it loses sight of what a romance is supposed to do: to engage and enthrall the reader. 2 1/2 stars
Category Romance Review: Sirocco by Anne Mather
An Anne Mather Harlequin Presents is what I considered to be an “old reliable.” In this category romance, Sirocco, Anne Mather employs one of her commonly used tropes: a hero in pursuit of an already “attached” woman. 3.5 stars
Category Romance Review: Forbidden Fantasy by Tiffany White
As long as I have memory, Tiffany White’s Forbidden Fantasy is a book I will never forget reading. Hopefully, if you pick it up, you’ll feel the same way, just for a slightly different reason. 4 stars
Historical Romance Review: Sapphire by Patricia Matthews
In Patricia Matthews’ late-Victorian era set Sapphire, treasure hunting and separated lovers are the two driving plot points of this 1989 historical romance. 3 stars
Category Romance Review: Country Bride by Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber’s Country Bride was my introduction to this hugely popular author. I’m ashamed to admit that although I’ve read a handful of her Harlequins, I had no idea that Debbie Macomber was such a commercial hit with her small-town romances. Up until recently, I had no clue that she’s got a whopping 200 million books in print and has written several movies for the Hallmark channel. 4 1/2 stars
Category Romance Review: Tangled Hearts by JoAnn Ross
I have to give it JoAnn Ross for her book Tangled Hearts, in that she tried to do something unique in a category romance novel. It’s just unfortunate for me that I didn’t like where she went with it. 1.5 Stars
Category Romance Review: Bride at Whangatapu by Robyn Donald
Bride at Whangatapu includes the hallmarks of almost every one of Robyn Donald’s books: the environment of New Zealand and a cruel hero. 2 Stars
Category Romance Review: No Gentle Possession by Anne Mather
Anne Mather’s No Gentle Possession consists of two plot points: separated lovers and cheating. The hero and heroine briefly dated in the past and she broke it off when his relationship with his young stepmother was a bit too close for comfort and creepy. 4 Stars
Category Romance Review: Easy Lovin’ by Candace Schuler
Harlequin Temptation #331 Candace Schuler Easy Lovin’ is slow romance written by an author who’s produced much better books. Kate Hightower is a prim and proper miss who’s always done what’s expected of her. Except now, she’s running away from her life, having left her fiance at the altar. She’s not sure what she wants, but it’s definitely a drastic change. So she goes to New Orleans to find herself. 1 star