In a way, Kate Cartwright’s To See a Stranger is a fine novel. It’s well-written. It ticks most of the boxes. But it still disappointed me. 2 Stars
Genre: Category Romance
Category Romance Review: Yesterday’s Love by Marsha Manning
Yesterday’s Love is a moving romance with a rather mysterious background. It’s part of the Magnum Books imprint of Prestige Books, Inc., a small New York paperback publisher active during the mid to late 1970s.
Category Romance Review: Man in Control by Alice Morgan
Man in Control by Alice Morgan features a unique heroine, an avaricious young woman who openly acknowledges that she’s looking to settle down with a man, not for love but money. 3 stars
Category Romance Review: Out of the Shadows by Stella March
Out of the Shadows by Stella March was first published in 1967 and has been reprinted several times. I heartily recommend Out of the Shadows. 5 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: Nelson’s Brand by Diana Palmer
Nelson’s Brand was my first and, so far, only foray into Diana Palmer’s little corner of Romancelandia. Palmer has got a bit of a reputation in the genre as an author of ultra-macho, hairy-chested heroes and virginal, too-stupid-to-live heroines. 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