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
Giuseppi Dangelico Daeni, better known as Pino Daeni–or simply Pino–was a romance industry icon who created over 3,000 book covers in about 15 years. He spent almost the last twenty years of his life working as a fine artist of great acclaim. More than a mere illustrator, Pino is celebrated as a master painter of the 20th century.
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
Michelle Reid’s Marriage on The Rebound is about keeping it all in the family. Shaan Saketa is unique for a Harlequin Presents circa 1998 heroine, as she’s of mixed ethnic heritage: English and Lebanese. It’s her wedding day. Unfortunately for Shaan, she’s about to be dumped at the altar. 4 stars
You can find great deals for vintage books on Kindle at Amazon. If you have a Prime account you can borrow up to 10 books at a time for no extra cost. Additionally, there are many books available on the Kindle Unlimited program, where you pay a monthly or annual fee for borrowing as many books as you want.
This review is of Midnight Princess, book #1 in the “Marshall Brothers” series by Jo Goodman, a pseudonym used by Joanne Dobrzanski. Published by Zebra/Kensington, November 1989, the book was later reissued as Her Defiant Heart. This review is of the original print book. 4.14 stars
For the week of Monday, December 20 to Sunday, December 26, 2021, let’s take delight in some icy covers featuring snow. Have a Jolly Winter Solstice, Happy Festivus, and a Merry Christmas!
To be considered a romance, a book romance must have a happy ending, just as every detective novel must include a mystery to solve. There’s an expectation of a committed relationship that will stand the test of time. But what about those romances that broke the HEA rule? Let’s look at some pre-2000s novels that did the unthinkable.
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas features one of her most beloved characters, Derek Craven. Derek was previously seen in Then Came You, whose reserved hero, Alex Raiford, was more to my liking. This is a wonderful romance by the talented Kleypas where two people from contrasting social classes come together in love. 4 stars
There are Christmas tales that inspire, ones that make us cry, and others that make us laugh with the joy of being alive. Too Many Husbands by Elise Title falls into the latter category. It’s a zany romp of a romance that could have been an old-fashioned screwball comedy on the live screen. 4 1/2 stars
Today, the age difference in romantic couples is between 2-3 years, with men mostly older and women younger. Romance novels love to play around with age gaps. One of the most common themes in these books is a significant age difference between the hero and heroine. Let’s take a look at some romances that have employed this trope.
This review is of Timeless Love, book #11, and the final book in the “Bachelor Arms” series. It is the second of two written by Judith Arnold, a pseudonym for Barbara Keiler. (Harlequin Temptation #565, published December 1995)
For the week of Monday, December 13, 2021, to Sunday, December 19, 2021, we’re spreading some cheer and giving our loyal readers an early gift. Please enjoy some Christmas-themed romance covers!
There are lots of fun things you can do while reading romances. You can read by author or trope, or even make a game of it. We’ve designed a game of BINGO for you to play while enjoying your books. Use our ready-made BINGO card. Play alone or compete with friends. What you win is up to you!
Kristin Hannah is a successful author of women’s fiction. It’s fortunate she found success in that genre because her romances I’ve encountered are–sad to say–lacking in excitement. When Lightning Strikes is a time travel romance that starts out promisingly but takes a boring turn into snoozeville with its drawn-out plot. This should have been a category-length romance of 190 pages not 400 pages long!
In this new segment, we’ll be discussing romance–in real life. There are so many things you can do with the one you love. Here are 60 cheap date ideas that you can spend both indoors and out.
Along with Anne Mather and Anne Hampson, Violet Winspear was one of the three original authors for the Harlequin Presents line when it launched in 1973. Her bestseller, The Honey is Bitter, was originally published in 1967 by Mills & Boon. It had about 30 reprintings under Harlequin. Paul, a Greek tycoon, blackmails Domini into marriage. 4 stars
This review is of The Lady in the Mirror, book #10 in the “Bachelor Arms” series, and the first of two books in the series written by Judith Arnold, a pseudonym for Barbara Keiler. (Harlequin Temptation #561, November 1995). 2.77 stars.
The American-based Silhouette imprint ran from 1980 to 2011. They produced several innovative series during the years, starting with the Romance line, then Desire, Special Edition, Intimate Moments, and more. We’ve picked one shining example from 6 of their lines. We think you’ll like our selections!
For years this face on romance novels has mesmerized me. For the week Monday, December 6, 2021, to Sunday, December 12, 2021, I’ve chosen a selection of category and historical romances illustrated by big-name authors, featuring a mysterious male cover model whose name I’ve yet to discover. If any of our readers have any idea who he is, I would love to know!
Meant To Be Married by Ruth Wind (aka Barbara Samuels) is a powerful romance that moved me to tears. This second-chance-at-love story is underscored by great characters and a sensitive writer’s hand. 4 1/2 stars
Along with Charlotte Lamb, Miranda Lee was my favorite writer from the Harlequin Presents line. Sadly, she passed away on November 13, 2021. Lee wrote sensually charged romances that promoted the modern woman in all her forms.
This review is of Texas Fire by Caroline Bourne. This book, published by Zebra/Kensington in March 1989, is the sequel to her book Texas Conquest. 2 1/2 stars
Simply titled Merry Christmas, Emma Darcy’s category romance foray into the holidays will have you near tears. It may have you wishing some evil villains get their well-deserved comeuppance. This book is an angst-filled yet ultimately very happy Christmas Harlequin Presents. 4 stars
We’re giving away a mystery box of romances! Unfortunately, due to several factors, we can only ship within the United States. Please note these are previously read books, so they are in used condition ranging from good to excellent. To be eligible to win, simply complete the registration form. We will choose one winner at random.
I’ve put off posting an analysis of Teresa Denys’ first book, The Silver Devil, for a long time because I didn’t quite know how to critique it. If you’re a hard-core lover of old-school romance or bodice rippers, you might be familiar with this legendary novel. 4 1/2 stars
Did you know George Bush was an artist? No, we’re not talking about that George Bush, although incidentally, he does dabble in painting. And no, we’re not referring to his papa, George Sr, either. Our Covers of the Week edition for Monday, November 29, 2021, to Sunday, December 5, 2021, highlights romance covers created by the very talented George Arthur (G. A.) Bush.
We’re having a little fun now that it’s the Holiday Season. Romance novel titles can be so generic that they blend together. This has always been so in the genre, whether it was 40 years ago or in the present day. We created a romance novel name generator that takes after the Zebra naming conventions. Use the initials of your name to create a unique title.
Anne Stuart’s Falling Angel is yet another paranormal from the American Romance line. Read it during the Christmas Holiday season, and it will get you in a merry mood
3 1/2 stars
This review is of Texas Conquest by Caroline Bourne. This historical romance is a Zebra Lovegram, published in 1988. Texas Conquest is a frustrating book because there are good elements, but Ms. Bourne doesn’t put them together. Hopefully, she can address these issues in future books. 2 stars
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