Stolen Splendor by Evelyn Hanna—a pseudonym for Michael Dyne and Ethel Frank—is a post-Civil War romance featuring a quasi-love triangle with a resilient Southern belle, a hard-nosed businessman, and a newspaper owner determined to take him down. 4 Stars
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
Rochelle Wayne, author of Ecstasy’s Dawn, which Blue Falcon reviews here, is known for her emotional writing style and well-developed supporting characters. 4 Stars
The Shining of Love by Emma Darcy is an emotionally charged and captivating Harlequin that explores forbidden love and the pursuit of happiness. 5 Stars
Ecstasy’s Treasure by Jean Haught gets better in the second half after a lackluster first, but the ending is too rushed to create a satisfying narrative. 1 Star
Prairie Embrace by Rosanne Bittner is a Western and Native American Zebra historical romance involving abuse, love, and resilience. 4 stars
Rapture’s Rendezvous is not one of Cassie Edwards’ bests. The characters vacillate between whiny and likable in this historical romance. 2.5 Stars
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
This review is of Rapture’s Ransom by Betina Krahn.
The book begins in the South of England in 1787. It is here that Brien Weston, the heroine of the book, lives–a better term might be exists–with her father, Lord Lawrence Weston, the sixth Earl of Southward. The relationship between father and child is strained and becomes even more so when Lawrence, after a trip to France, announces he has affianced Brien to a man, Raoul Trechard, whom she has never met. 4 stars
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
