Drusilla Campbell’s The Frost and the Flame is one of those naughty bodice rippers where the heroine is separated for a long period of time from her true love, the dull, hero, and instead spends more time with the lusty, evil villain. This is the kind of bodice ripper I like: one that does not take itself seriously and knows how to throw crazy tropes at you, so you’ll keep the pages turning, even if the story is not really romantic. 4 1/2 stars
Illustrator: Harry Bennett
Historical Romance Review: Highland Velvet by Jude Deveraux
Highland Velvet by Jude Deveraux is the second in the Montgomery brothers series featuring a Highland lass forced to wed Stephen Montgomery. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Purity’s Ecstasy by Janette Seymour
Michael Butterworth’s (aka Janette Seymour) second entry into his Purity trilogy, Purity’s Ecstasy, is a tawdry, rollicking ride filled with just about every ‘ripper trope and then some. 3 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
While Passion Sleeps was an enjoyable ride. It is a bodice ripper that spans continents and years, has lots of steamy love scenes and plenty of violence.
Historical Romance Review: Purity’s Passion by Janette Seymour
The tale of Purity Jarsy, Purity’s Passion, (Part 1 of 3) begins with the horrors of the French Revolution and ends in France after Napoleon’s final defeat.