This review is of Tender Savage, a standalone Zebra Lovegram by Phoebe Conn. Tender Savage starts in Wilmington, Delaware, in June 1862. The book spans from June 1862 to September 1863 during the American Civil War. 3 stars
Wish on the Moon by Sally Wentworth has gotten mixed to low reviews around the internet, but it’s a romance I fully enjoyed. This is an unusual romance because technically, the heroine is “the other woman.” She comes in and breaks up a seemingly happy engagement–and not just a random stranger’s but her cousin’s. 4 stars
Silhouette Intimate Moments #621 It’s difficult for me to give Laurey Bright’s A Perfect Marriage a coherent review because it’s a romance novel that deals with adultery. 3 stars
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
Raven by Shana Carol (aka Christina Savage, aka Mr. Kerry Newcomb & Mr. Frank Schaeffer) is a riveting bodice-ripper. It’s a pirate adventure that features a kickass, resilient heroine whom I adore. It also stars a hero who isn’t worthy to lick the underside of her shoes. This is one of those books I both hate and love and wavered for a long time what rating to give it. 3.49 stars
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas features one of her most beloved characters, Derek Craven. Derek was previously seen in Then Came You, whose reserved hero, Alex Raiford, was more to my liking. This is a wonderful romance by the talented Kleypas where two people from contrasting social classes come together in love. 4 stars
Like big, dramatic contemporary romances set in glamorous, exciting milieus? With dynamic characters and lots of plot? Then I recommend Sometimes a Stranger. 4 1/2 stars
An Anne Mather Harlequin Presents is what I considered to be an “old reliable.” In this category romance, Sirocco, Anne Mather employs one of her commonly used tropes: a hero in pursuit of an already “attached” woman. 3.5 stars
Blood Red Roses is understandably a difficult book for some to enjoy. It could be nostalgia goggles on this one for me, plus a love for the glorious red stepback cover. Or it could be the vivid Middle Ages setting, my favorite time period. I read this Medieval romance by Katherine Deauxville (Maggie Davis) twice: once in middle school and then years later in high school, and was swept away in the story both times. 5 stars
Each person has their own unique limit of what they can or cannot tolerate in fiction. However, despite its absolute requirement for a happy ending, the romance genre can still be filled with deal-breakers for readers looking for a pleasurable experience that takes them away from reality for a few hours.
SPOILER ALERT âš 5 Stars The Book First of all, I love the original Pirate’s Angel Zebra Heartfire cover, but man-oh-man, have you taken a look at the e-book version? Authors, why are you doing this to your books? Lots of folks love to mock old-school covers and Fabio, but there are e-book covers that …
Historical Romance Review: Pirate’s Angel by Marsha Bauer Read More »
What a rarity in the romance genre was Heart of the Falcon, a historical about lovers in ancient Egypt. This is author Suzanne Robinson’s only romance set in Egypt. 3 1/2 stars
Harlequin Presents #451 Crescendo by Charlotte Lamb A mysterious man enters a young woman’s life, but does she know him already? 5 stars
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
Written in 1983, Anne Mather’s Stormspell was anachronistic even for its day. A sheltered heroine rescues an engaged shipwrecked Englishman. 4 1/2 stars
Christine Monson’s novel, Stormfire is the ultimate in bodice-ripping, a tale of two mentally unstable people and their violent, intense love.
