The Civil War-era romance Forbidden Embrace by Cassie Edwards is a horrendous read where all the characters are unlikable and behave weakly or selfishly. 0.5 Stars
hero involved with other woman
Category Romance Review: Smoke in the Wind by Robyn Donald
Smoke in the Wind by Robyn Donald features one of her trademark piggishly cruel heroes. However, it’s one of her better books. 4.5 Stars
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: Mansion for My Love by Robyn Donald
Harlequin Presents #567 Mansion for My Love is one of those Robyn Donald books where you can’t believe what the supposed hero does to the heroine. 3 stars
Historical Romance Review: Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
This review is of Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield. It begins with two lovers parting company and ends with three couples having a HEA. 4.5 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: Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers
Where to begin with this review? Sweet Savage Love by the great Rosemary Rogers is–along with The Flame and the Flower–the blockbuster historical that launched a new genre: the modern romance novel. Published in 1974, this doorstopper epic was a monumental game-changer in an era of social transformation. 4.24 stars
Historical Romance Review: Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins’ Through the Storm is a romance about a former slave finding love during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era with a man from a proud and established Louisiana family of Haitian descent. 3 stars
Category Romance Review: Merry Christmas by Emma Darcy
Simply titled Merry Christmas, Emma Darcy’s category romance foray into the holidays will have you near tears. It may have you wishing some evil villains get their well-deserved comeuppance. This book is an angst-filled yet ultimately very happy Christmas Harlequin Presents. 4 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