Impulsive Butterfly by Kay Gregory features, quite frankly, a rather skeezy romance where an engaged owner of an employment agency tries to find work for a woman he’s attracted to. 3 Stars
Tag: cheating
Historical Romance Review: Rapture’s Rendezvous by Cassie Edwards
Rapture’s Rendezvous is not one of Cassie Edwards’ bests. The characters vacillate between whiny and likable in this historical romance. 2.5 Stars
Category Romance Review: The Marriage War by Charlotte Lamb
The Marriage War by Charlotte Lamb may not have the worst hero in Harlequin Presents history, but he certainly ranks up there in the top. .5 stars
Historical Romance Review: Tender Savage by Phoebe Conn
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
Category Romance Review: Wish on the Moon by Sally Wentworth
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
Category Romance Review: A Perfect Marriage by Laurey Bright
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
Historical Romance Review: Captive Angel by Deana James
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
Historical Romance Review: Raven by Shana Carrol
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
Historical Romance Review: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
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
Contemporary Romance Review: Sometimes a Stranger by Angela Alexie
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
15 Old School Historical Romances That Revolutionized the Genre
These 15 Historical Romances published before 2000 either caused radical changes in the romance novel industry or they are so pivotal and unforgettable, they are must-reads. Please note, we at Sweet Savage Flame may not have read all books ourselves, but recognize their importance to the genre. Our aim is to review all books on this list if we haven’t already.
Category Romance Review: Sirocco by Anne Mather
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
Historical Romance Review: Blood Red Roses by Katherine Deauxville
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
Pet Peeves and Deal Breakers in Romance
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.
Historical Romance Review: Surrender to Love by Rosemary Rogers
In Surrender to Love by Rosemary Rogers an independent woman from Ceylon travels the world looking for love. 2 1/2 stars