Bodice Ripper Archives

Historical Romance Review: Dangerous Obsession by Natasha Peters

June 11, 2022June 9, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

Dangerous Obsession is the sequel to Natasha Peters' first book, Savage Surrender, although the relation between the books is not revealed until midway through this 630 page epic. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Natasha Peters, year 1978

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: Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

May 7, 2022May 21, 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, Historical Romance Review, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Romance, Tom Hall, year 1977

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: These Golden Pleasures by Valerie Sherwood

April 22, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

What can I say about Valerie Sherwood's These Golden Pleasures? Well, this 512 page epic starts out wonderfully but then falters then lags in the middle, and is rushed at the end. Read more

3 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Valerie Sherwood, Warner Books

Contemporary Romance Review: The Sheik by Edith M. Hull

April 21, 2022May 12, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

The Sheik by Edith M. Hull, published in 1919, is as influential to the modern romance genre as Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Perhaps, even more so. It was a blockbuster of a success, despite its many detractors. While some modern readers may cringe at its depiction of women, sexual roles, and racial attitudes, The Sheik remains a compelling read one hundred years after its publication. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Vintage romance, year 1919

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: A Lady Bought with Rifles by Jeanne Williams

April 13, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

A Lady Bought with Rifles by Jeanne Williams is a woman's tale of being torn between two men during a Mexican war. 3 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Pocket Books

Historical Romance Review: Heather by Cordia Byers

March 31, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

In Heather by Cordelia Byers, stuff occurs while characters are like marionettes being pulled by strings to the next scene. 1 star Read more

1 star, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Fawcett, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, year 1979

Historical Romance Review: Rebel Vixen by Dana Ransom

March 26, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

In Dana Ransom's Zebra Heartfire romance, Rebel Vixen a Southern woman and Northern soldier find love during the Civil War. As the Civil War rages throughout the United States, Miss Savannah Russell is on a ship in the Caribbean where she saves a Yankee sailor's life. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Dana Ransom, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, year 1987, Zebra Heartfire

Historical Romance Review: Yankee Mistress by Ashley Snow

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

This review is of Yankee Mistress a standalone from May 1989 by Ashley Snow, published by Zebra/Kensington as a Zebra Heartfire. 1 star Read more

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

Historical Romance Review: Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small

February 12, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

In Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small a beautiful Irish woman in the Elizabethan Tudor era experiences adventures and love with many men. Read more

4 stars, Ballantine, Bertrice Small, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, year 1980

Historical Romance Review: Raven by Shana Carrol

January 25, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Raven by Shana Carol (aka Christina Savage, aka Mr. Kerry Newcomb & Mr. Frank Schaeffer) is a riveting bodice-ripper. It's a pirate adventure that features a kickass, resilient heroine whom I adore. It also stars a hero who isn't worthy to lick the underside of her shoes. This is one of those books I both hate and love and wavered for a long time what rating to give it. 3.49 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Jove/ Pyramid, Ray Kursar, Romance, year 1979

Historical Romance Review: Stranger in My Arms by Louisa Rawlings

January 23, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

Harlequin Historical #90 Stranger in My Arms by Louisa Rawlings is a book I've read many times, and I love it more today than ever. Absolute perfection. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Harlequin, Harlequin Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Sylvia Halliday, year 1991

Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers

January 20, 2022May 21, 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, Historical Romance Review, Romance, Rosemary Rogers, year 1974

Historical Romance Review: Angel in Scarlet by Jennifer Wilde

December 28, 2021May 21, 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, Historical Romance Review, Jennifer Wilde, Romance

Historical Romance Review: The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys

November 29, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

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 Read more

4 stars and a half, Ballantine, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Gothic Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Romance, Teresa Denys, Tom Hall

Historical Romance Review: Sarina by Francine Rivers

October 19, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Sarina is a bodice ripper-lite written by Francine Rivers, the best-known and most successful author of Christian-centered, or "inspirational" romances. If you can read get your hands on this hard-to-find book, give it a chance. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Jove/ Pyramid, Romance, year 1983

Historical Romance Review: Rangoon by Christine Monson

August 22, 2021May 21, 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, Historical Romance Review, Pino, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Savage Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor

July 30, 2021June 25, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Savage Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor. The year is 1776, and English expatriate Alisha Williams, 20, has journeyed west to find happiness with her only surviving relative. One day, the “men” in her settlement bring a captured Oglala Lakota Indian brave into their camp, named Gray Eagle. Gray Eagle and Alisha develop romantic feelings for each other. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Janelle Taylor, Kensington, Romance, Walter Popp, year 1982, Zebra Historical Romance

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