Passion’s Rapture, Penelope Neri’s first book, is a bodice-ripper where the heroine falls in love with her rapist, the hero. The best thing said about her 1981 debut is that Neri could never write anything worse. 1.5 Stars
Genre: Georgian Era Romance
Gothic Romance Review: My Name is Clary Brown by Charlotte Keppel
My Name is Clary Brown by Charlotte Keppel (nee Ursula Torday) was first published in 1976 under the title When I Say Goodbye, I’m Clary Brown. Diamond is an actress of little renown and loses her “protector’s” patronage. She returns to her home village where she finds many of her childhood friends have died. There are dark forces that seem directed at her. Could she be the next victim in a long string of murders? 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: A Breath of Scandal by Connie Mason
Having read a few Connie Mason books in the past and (more or less) entertained by them, I picked up A Breath of Scandal expecting some ahistorical yet sexy, romantic fun. Sadly, except for the wallpaper Georgian background, this one lacked all those standard Mason elements. 1 Star
Historical Romance Review: Traitor’s Kiss by Terri Valentine
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
Historical Romance Review: Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
In 1977 Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ long-awaited third novel made romance history. I’ve had a tenuous relationship with Woodiwiss’ romances, but I am glad I read Shanna. 3.74 stars
Historical Romance Review: The Wild One by Danelle Harmon
Danelle Harmon’s Georgian-era historical romance series of four brothers and one sister begins with The Wild One. Lord Gareth de Montforte is one of the younger sons of the de Montforte clan. His eldest brother is a Duke. Another of his older brothers, Charles, was a soldier who went to fight in the Americas and is presumed dead. The family will soon find that particular brother has left behind some unchecked baggage that they will have to deal with. 1.85 stars
Historical Romance Review: Angel in Scarlet by Jennifer Wilde
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
Historical Romance Review: Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain
Dark Before the Rising Sun, is the last installment in the Laurie McBain trilogy that began with Moonstruck Madness. It is a direct continuation of its sequel, Chance the Winds of Fortune. 1 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain
Chance the Winds of Fortune is the sequel to Laurie McBain’s Moonstruck Madness, a romance about a gender-bending highwayman (girl) who falls for an arrogant, scarred Duke, notorious for his dueling skills. I LOVED Moonstruck Madness… The follow-ups to that wonderful book about their daughter, Rhea Claire, Chance the Winds of Fortune & Dark Before the Rising Sun, though…ugh. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Treasure (aka Just Say Yes) by Betina Krahn
This review is of Passion’s Treasure (later republished and retitled as Just Say Yes), a standalone from March 1989 by Betina Krahn. The book begins in the town of Culpepper, Maryland Colony, 1748. We meet Treasure Barrett, one of 10 children born to Aniss and Buck Barrett. 3 stars