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Historical Romance Review: Comanche Bride by Emma Merritt

June 20, 2022June 23, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Comanche Bride, a standalone January Zebra Lovegram from 1989 by Emma Merritt. There are things to like about this book. But there are also enough negatives that bring the book’s final grade down. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

May 7, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader

In 1977 Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ long-awaited third novel made romance history as Avon released Shanna in trade paperback edition. I've long had a tenuous relationship with Woodiwiss' romances., but I am glad I read Shanna. 3.74 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Romance, Tom Hall, year 1977

Historical Romance Review: Defy Not the Heart by Johanna Lindsey

March 16, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Defy Not the Heart is a favorite of mine. It's a wonderful, funny, and romantic medieval historical romance by the late, great Johanna Lindsey. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Johanna Lindsey, year 1989

Historical Romance Review: Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey

March 9, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 2 Comments

In Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey, her popular Malory series romance, ex-pirate James Malory meets his match in Georgina, an American girl disguised as his cabin boy! 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Avon, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Johanna Lindsey, year 1990

Category Romance Review: Lovers Touch by Penny Jordan

January 28, 2022May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Whenever I see an "Award of Excellence" ribbon on a Harlequin-published romance, I know I'm in for a mediocre read. For me, Penny Jordan is an author who's all over the place. One book can be great, another full of crazy-sauce, others on the blah side. Sadly, her Lover's Touch is kind of blah. The two protagonists are kept apart by big misunderstandings and lack of communication, which is never fun. 2.5 stars Read more

2 stars and a half, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Penny Jordan, Romance, year 1989

Historical Romance Review: Colorado Jewel by Cate Brandt

January 24, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Colorado Jewel, a standalone by Cate Brandt. (Zebra Heartfire, April 1989). The book opens in Colorado, early September 1878 1.11 stars. Read more

1 star, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Heartfire

Category Romance Review: The Honey is Bitter by Violet Winspear

December 8, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Along with Anne Mather and Anne Hampson, Violet Winspear was one of the three original authors for the Harlequin Presents line when it launched in 1973. Her bestseller, The Honey is Bitter, was originally published in 1967 by Mills & Boon. It had about 30 reprintings under Harlequin. Paul, a Greek tycoon, blackmails Domini into marriage. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Don Sinclair, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Romance, Vintage romance

Historical Romance Review: The King’s Pleasure by Shannon Drake

November 2, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Shannon's Drake's (aka Heather Graham) The King's Pleasure is set amid the intense medieval backdrop of the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death. It's a solid romance in a historical age that always grips my attention. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Franco, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Sarina by Francine Rivers

October 19, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Sarina is a bodice ripper-lite written by Francine Rivers, the best-known and most successful author of Christian-centered, or "inspirational" romances. If you can read get your hands on this hard-to-find book, give it a chance. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Jove/ Pyramid, Romance, year 1983

Historical Romance Review: Tender is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey

September 22, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

So... Johanna Lindsey's Tender Is the Storm. If you're familiar with your romance history, then you must know of this book, even if you haven't read it. The cover is the infamous one designed by Robert McGinnis with the naked hero standing tall as the heroine kneels before him, her ample breasts pressed firmly against his--er...dongle. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Avon, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Johanna Lindsey, Robert McGinnis, Romance

Category Romance Review: Duncan’s Bride by Linda Howard

August 29, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 5 Comments

Duncan's Bride has an old-school plot, even by the standards of romances written in...1990. In Silhouette Intimate Moments #349 by Linda Howard, a 28-year-old beauty from New York City travels across the country to become the mail-order bride of a hero who's damn lucky to get her. 4 stars Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Silhouette, Silhouette Intimate Moments

Historical Romance Review: Speak Only Love by Deana James

August 3, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

Speak Only Love is yet another Deana James treat. This Zebra romance takes us to Regency Era England and the story of tumultuous love between two uniquely original characters. 3 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Deana James, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Romance, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Highland Heather by Ruth Langan

July 29, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Ruth Langan's Highland Heather is the sequel to her previous Scottish romance, Highland Barbarian. I liked this Harlequin Historical much more than its predecessor. Why? I enjoyed the conflict between the hero and the heroine and the English setting, plus introducing Queen Elizabeth I to a story always makes things interesting. 4 1/2 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Harlequin, Harlequin Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Romance

Category Romance Review: Bride at Whangatapu by Robyn Donald

June 13, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader 1 Comment

Harlequin #232 Bride at Whangatapu includes the hallmark of almost every one of Robyn Donald's books, as it intimately details the natural environment of New Zealand. Whether her books were set on a sheep station, on a yacht in the Pacific, or just a tropical backdrop, you could see the bright green grass, feel the ocean spray on your face or smell the hibiscus blossoms (which don't even have much a scent, do they? Read more

2 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Robyn Donald, Romance, year 1977

Category Romance Review: The Waterfalls of the Moon by Anne Mather

May 27, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

In Anne Mather's The Waterfalls of the Moon the teenaged heroine is in pursuit of a much older man, but the hero's not taking what she's offering so easily. 3.5 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Anne Mather, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Romance

Historical Romance Review: The Yankee by Kristin James

April 29, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Harlequin Historical 5#7 In Kristin James' (aka Candace Camp) The Yankee, Andrew Stone is a former Union soldier now living in Texas. Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Harlequin Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, year 1990

Category Romance Review: My Heart’s Undoing by Phyllis Halldorson

April 26, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Silhouette Special Edition #290 After Erik is left at the altar, Colleen gives him comfort. But when his ex-fiancee returns, then what? 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Category romance, Contemporary Romance, Silhouette, Silhouette Special Edition

Category Romance Review: Simply Irresistible by Miranda Lee

April 18, 2021May 2, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Simply Irresistible Miranda Lee The Australians Vivien and Ross's one night stand turns into more than they bargained for! Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Harlequin, Miranda Lee

Historical Romance Review: The Innocent by Bertrice Small

April 9, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

It was a bad sign that Bertrice Small’s The Innocent features one of her dullest covers ever. The lone positive was that it was designed as one last created by legendary artist Elaine Duillo for her dear friend Bertrice. 1 star Read more

1 star, Ballantine, Bertrice Small, Book Review, Elaine Duillo, Erotic Historical Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review

Historical Romance Review: Across a Starlit Sea by Rebecca Brandewyne

April 1, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Across a Starlit Sea was a tempestuous romance written by Rebecca Brandewyne. This was a sequel to one of my all-time beloved love stories, Upon a Moon-Dark Moor. Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Gothic Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Melissa Duillo-Gallo, Rebecca Brandewyne, Warner Books

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