Kensington Archives

Historical Romance Review: Love’s Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri

July 18, 2022July 11, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Love’s Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri, a bodice ripper that Zebra books published in 1982. Right after I finish posting this review, this "romance novel" is going into my trash bin. 0.75 stars Read more

1 star, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1982, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Ride the Free Wind by Rosanne Bittner

July 11, 2022July 11, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of Ride the Free Wind book #2 in the “Savage Destiny” series by Rosanne Bittner. Ride the Free Wind begins shortly after the first book, Sweet Prairie Passion, ended. Abigail “Abbie” Trent Monroe and her husband, “Cheyenne” Zeke Monroe, are traveling to find Zeke’s Cheyenne mother and three Cheyenne half-brothers. 5 Stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1984, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Comanche Love Song by Cheryl Black

July 4, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of Comanche Love Song a standalone Zebra Heartfire from June 1989 by Cheryl Black. Comanche Love Song by Cheryl Black has now passed Eugenia’s Embrace by Cassie Edwards as the worst book I’ve ever read. .5 stars Read more

1 star, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Heartfire

Historical Romance Review: Cherish Me, Embrace Me by Sylvie F. Sommerfield

June 27, 2022June 24, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Cherish Me, Embrace Me by Sylvie F. Sommerfield. The book begins in 1851 in France. The coming revolution forces Jules Dubonne, his wife Marie, and their three children, sons Alexander and Dante, and daughter, Celeste, to leave France. They journey to a new home they believe will be free from war and violence, America. They will soon discover the fallacy of that belief. 4.80 stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1983, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Comanche Bride by Emma Merritt

June 20, 2022June 23, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Comanche Bride, a standalone January Zebra Lovegram from 1989 by Emma Merritt. There are things to like about this book. But there are also enough negatives that bring the book’s final grade down. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Traitor’s Kiss by Terri Valentine

June 13, 2022June 12, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Traitor’s Kiss, a standalone by historical romance Terri Valentine. Traitor’s Kiss is a good book. It simply lacks the passion and juice to be a great book. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Heartfire

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Chains by Catherine Creel

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Passion's Chains was the first romance novel I read after subscribing to the Lovegram line many, many years ago. The plot description on the back of the book sounded like this would be a riot. And it was! 4.5 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1991, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Tender Savage by Phoebe Conn

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Tender Savage, a standalone Zebra Lovegram by Phoebe Conn. Tender Savage starts in Wilmington, Delaware, in June 1862. The book spans from June 1862 to September 1863 during the American Civil War. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Destiny’s Splendor by Kathleen Drymon

May 30, 2022June 8, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Destiny’s Splendor published in December 1988. This Zebra romance is book #2 in an unofficial Native American “series” by Kathleen Drymon. 3.5 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1988, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield

May 23, 2022May 23, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

This review is of Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield. Savage Rapture begins with two lovers parting company and for me, is great but not a 5-star read. More like a 4.25 or 4.5-star book. Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, Walter Popp, year 1982, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Midnight Fires by Carol Finch

May 16, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Midnight Fires by Carol Finch. This Zebra historical romance set during the war of 1812 is a typical Carol Finch book. It's very good, but lacking the dynamic qualities to make it great. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, Walter Popp, year 1984, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Surrender by Kathryn Hockett

May 14, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Sweet Savage Surrender, a Zebra Lovegram, was written by mother-daughter duo Marcia Hockett and Kathryn Kramer, aka Kathryn Hockett. It's a romance between two lovers from different worlds. I was not a fun book to experience and one of the dullest I've ever finished. .5 stars Read more

1 star, Book Review, Diane Sivavec, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1990, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Paradise by Sonya T. Pelton

May 11, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Passion's Paradise by Sonya T. Pelton is a wonderfully terrible book. However, it was oddly entertaining, like a terrible movie you watch just to shout inanities at the screen. Read more

3 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1981, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Pirate’s Wild Paradise by Kate Douglas

May 9, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Pirate’s Wild Paradise a standalone Zebra romance from February 1989 by Kate Douglas. The book starts in Port Royale, Jamaica, with the heroine about to get married. However, her ceremony is interrupted by our hero and Jamie’s former lover. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Bold Texas Embrace by Victoria Thompson

May 2, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Bold Texas Embrace, #4 in the “The Cowboy and the Lady” series by Victoria Thompson (Zebra/Kensington December 1989). It is my least favorite book in the series. 2.66 stars Read more

2 stars and a half, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Texas Temptation by Gina Robins

April 25, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Texas Temptation a standalone by Gina Robins (a pseudonym for author Connie Feddersen, aka Connie Finch) published by Zebra/Kensington, October 1989. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Diane Sivavec, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Angel’s Caress by Deana James

April 18, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Angel’s Caress, book #4 in the “Texas” series by Deana James. (Zebra/Kensington July 1989). The book begins on a farm in Tennessee during the Civil War. 1 star Read more

1 star, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Deana James, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Ecstasy’s Fire by Rosalyn Alsobrook

April 11, 2022July 6, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

When a book begins with a typo, that’s not a good sign, and Ecstasy’s Fire by Rosalyn Alsobrook begins with one. On the back cover of the book, the heroine is identified as Victoria Connors. In the book, she’s named VIRGINIA Connors. Not a good beginning. 3.5 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1988, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Dakota Flame by Sonya T. Pelton

April 6, 2022July 6, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Dakota Flame, a standalone novel from July 1989 by Sonya T. Pelton. (Published by Zebra/Kensington). The book begins in Mankato, Minnesota, December 1862. 2.52 stars Read more

2 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Nebraska Fire by Lauren Wilde

March 28, 2022July 6, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Nebraska Fire by Lauren Wilde, a Zebra Lovegram romance. Nebraska Fire is not a flawless book, but it is good enough to warrant a 4-star grade. Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram