In this edition of Dueling Reviews, Blue Falcon reviews Lovefire by Deana James. It tells the story of Princess Joanna’s forbidden love and is set against a backdrop of royal machinations. 2 Stars
2-star rating
2 star rating
Historical Romance Review: Violet Fire by Jo Goodman
Violet Fire by Jo Goodman has got a gorgeous cover. It’s a Zebra masterpiece with purple and orange hues. Alas, this historical romance fails to live up to the G. A. Bush artwork. 2 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Captive Innocence by Fern Michaels
Captive Innocence is a fairly unexciting Fern Michaels historical from 1981. This romance shares no association with Michael’s far more entertaining “Captive” series. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: An Intriguing Desire by Janice Bennett
In An Intriguing Desire by Janice Bennett, a Zebra Regency romance, the intrigue is not intriguing enough, and there is no desire. 2 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Autumn Dove by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
This review is of Autumn Dove, a standalone from January 1989 by Sylvie F. Sommerfield. Starting in 1865, on the Kansas/Colorado border, readers meet Zachary Hale Windwalker. 2 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Tempt Not This Flesh by Barbara Riefe
Barbara Riefe’s Tempt Not This Flesh was yet another inexplicable bestseller for the gender-bending author whose real name was Alan Riefe. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Savage Obsession by Cassie Edwards
This review is of Savage Obsession, book #1 in the “Chippewa” series by Cassie Edwards. From what I read of others’ reviews of her books, there is no middle ground with Mrs. Edwards’ work. Some love her, and others absolutely hate her. I’m kind of in the middle. Savage Obsession won’t make anyone a fan of Mrs. Edwards’ work who wasn’t already one. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Savage Surrender by Cassie Edwards
This review is of Savage Surrender, book #1 in the “Savage Secrets” series by Cassie Edwards. Savage Surrender is not a great start to Mrs. Edwards’ “Savage Secrets” series. 2.24 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
Category Romance Review: For the Love of Sara by Anne Mather
For the Love of Sara isn’t one of Anne Mather’s bests. It features a rather unlikeable hero, which is par for the course for Mather. It doesn’t help that he’s a functioning alcoholic who keeps cans of beer in his glove compartment to help him deal with stress. The heroine isn’t any better. She’s a professional martyr who’s made a lot of poor life decisions. When the book opens, she’s about to embark on another bad choice, but in this case, she’s doing it to save someone she cares for. 2 stars