Cheyenne Princess by Georgina Gentry is a tumultuous historical romance set in 1864 Texas, featuring a complex web of relationships, power struggles, and intense emotions in the Old West. 3 Stars
Bodice Ripper
Bodice Ripper is a category designation under Historical Romance. The books usually have tropes of forced seduction, plots where the hero rapes the heroine or uses force, multiple partners, and long separations. They were published in the 1970s to 1990s and are no longer in vogue.
Dueling Review: Lovefire by Deana James #1 (Blue Falcon)
In this edition of Dueling Reviews, Blue Falcon reviews Lovefire by Deana James. It tells the story of Princess Joanna’s forbidden love and is set against a backdrop of royal machinations. 2 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Rapture’s Angel by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
In Rapture’s Angel by Sylvie F. Sommerfield, star-crossed lovers face challenges, including an evil man, a marriage of convenience turned to love, and efforts to destroy their relationship. 4 Stars
Historical Romance Review: The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys
The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys is a legendary and expensive out-of-print collector’s bodice-ripper romance novel with a cruel alpha hero. Find out how to read The Silver Devil for free online in the review. 4.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Ecstasy’s Dawn by Rochelle Wayne
Rochelle Wayne, author of Ecstasy’s Dawn, which Blue Falcon reviews here, is known for her emotional writing style and well-developed supporting characters. 4 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Golden Gypsy by Wanda Owen
Golden Gypsy is the first in a trilogy by Wanda Owen. Lamentably, this Zebra historical romance series is off to a mediocre start. 3 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Ecstasy’s Treasure by Jean Haught
Ecstasy’s Treasure by Jean Haught gets better in the second half after a lackluster first, but the ending is too rushed to create a satisfying narrative. 1 Star
Historical Romance Review: Erin’s Ecstasy by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
Erin’s Ecstasy by Sylvie F. Sommerfield’s first published book, is a solid start, but not up to par with the author’s later romance novels. 3 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Amber Fire by Elaine Barbieri
Amber Fire by Elaine Barbieri is the first in a trilogy of Zebra historical romances where the heroine is in love with or married to a rotating stable of heroes. 2.5 Stars
The Hero Kidnaps the Heroine: List of 100+ Bodice Ripper Romances with this Plot
We explore the controversial romance trope of the “hero kidnapping heroine.” This element was a staple of bodice ripper novels. Enjoy this list of 100+ books with this plot.