Deana James’ romance Captive Angel was an emotional, turbulent Zebra Lovegram romance with a heroine who was forged in fire and a hero not worthy to lick her boots. One of the best non-romance romances 5 stars
Illustrator: Pino
Historical Romance Review: Crimson Obsession by Deana James
I’ve read about half of the romances Deana James published and I must say Crimson Obsession is probably my least favorite of her works. It’s not a bad romance, but it pales in comparison to her other books. Due to my high expectations of James’ writing, Crimson Obsession was a bit of a disappointment, although if penned by another author, I daresay I might not have been so critical. 3 & 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Paradise and More by Shirl Henke
Paradise & More by Shirl Henke is memorable to me for having one of the most eye-catching covers in romance. A dazzling beauty by Pino Daeni, it features a fully naked couple in a glorious clinch, their nudity covered by some strategically placed flowers and the book’s title. Lamentably, I have a later reissue, the stepback version, where their nakedness is hidden under a respectable-looking cover. This is the first book in the House of Torres duo that takes place in late 1400s Spain. 3 & 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Rangoon by Christine Monson
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
Historical Romance Review: Midnight Captive by Penelope Neri
This review is of Midnight Captive, a standalone Zebra historical romance from March 1989 by Penelope Neri. The book begins ominously. A man finds a cache of gold and wishes everything he touches would turn into it. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Texas Storm by Deana James
It’s the mid-1830’s and Scottish immigrant Reiver MacPherson has been granted lands by the new Texas government…So begins Deana James’ Texas Storm.
Historical Romance Review: Dakota Dreams by Constance O’Banyon
Dakota Dreams is a good romance by Constance O’Banyon for the Zebra Lovegram line. But it could have been so much more. 3 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Sweet Fire by Jo Goodman
Sweet Fire by Jo Goodman is an action-packed romance filled with the requisite passion you’d look for in a Zebra Heartfire, but also adventure, murder mystery, and drama. 4 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Heart by Janelle Taylor
Janelle Taylor’s Sweet Savage Heart, a Zebra Lovegram historical romance, begins in Dakota Territory, May 1867. It is here that an Oglala Indian maiden, Wild Wind, the heroine of the book, is troubled, for she is arguing with her brother, Lone Wolf, over her future. Bottom Line: Sweet Savage Heart is one of Janelle Taylor’s best books. 5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Fires of Winter by Roberta Gellis
Told through alternating first-person perspectives, Roberta Gellis’s Fires of Winter starts with a bang but ends with a whimper. 3 stars