Highland Barbarian by Ruth Langan is a solid start to her series about the Mac Alpin clan, but it is not as exciting as the rest of the sequels are. 3 stars
Genre: Historical Romance
Historical Romance Review: Beloved Enemy by Jane Feather
When my cat destroyed the cover of my edition of Jane Feather’s Beloved Enemy, chewing it to shreds, I lamented the loss. It was a pretty cover, although I cared nothing for the book. Beloved Enemy begins with an intriguing premise, then about 20 pages in, the annoying “insta-luv” trope rears its head. Everything goes downhill from there. 2 stars
Category Romance Review: Seduction by Charlotte Lamb
Harlequin Presents #428 Seduction Charlotte Lamb features a ridiculously innocent and sheltered heroine and a hero that is so crazy and obsessed, he kidnaps her! 5 stars
Gothic Romance Review: The Coach to Hell by Rachel Cosgrove Payes
Coach to Hell by Rachel Cosgrove Payes is a Gothic bodice ripper romance. Georgina falls for a coachman who drives her across England to her new home, a manor filled with secrets. 2 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell
I’m not a fan of the execution of Claiming the Courtesan. However, I thought it was refreshing what Anna Campbell tried to accomplish in her first book. I categorize this style of romance as a neo-bodice ripper, in that it attempts to capture the sexual power struggles contained in those older books, but it’s very modern in its presentation. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas
Stranger in My Arms is a wonderful historical romance by Lisa Kleypas about a widow whose husband reappears from the dead. Does he have a secret identity? 4.5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Enchantress Mine by Bertrice Small
Despite some crazy scenes, the Bertrice Small Medieval Romance, Enchantress Mine, suffers from a too-perfect heroine and a dull hero. 2 1 /2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Desert Hostage by Diane Dunaway
In Diane Dunaway’s sheik romance, Desert Hostage, Karim kidnaps Juliette after he finds out she’s his enemy’s daughter. The swoon-worthy hero makes the book a keeper.
Historical Romance Review: Sea Fires by Christine Dorsey
Sea Fires, a Zebra Lovegram by Christine Dorsey, features bookish yet feisty Miranda Chadwick as the heroine, who’s embarking on an ocean voyage home to the colonies. 4 stars
Historical Romance Review: Raven by Evelyn Rogers
Raven, Evelyn Roger’s 2nd installment in her Chadwick sisters trilogy is steamy Zebra romance about an actress haunted by her past who meets an English Lord who heals he soul. 4 1/2 stars