Historical Romance Review: White Lion’s Lady by Lara Adrian (aka Tina St. John)
For anyone who loves historical or medieval romance, White Lion’s Lady by Lara Adrian (aka Tina St. John) is an absolute keeper. I highly recommend it. 5 stars
old school romance
Covers of the Week #70
Covers of the Week #70, for the week of Monday, September 19, 2022, to Sunday, September 25, highlights the impressionistic stylings of cover artist Charles Geer.
Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Slave by Kay McMahon
I really want to like Kay McMahon’s books, mainly because I like her female characters. However, there is one thing I cannot and will not accept about books–regardless of when they are written. That is when the “hero” of the book rapes the heroine. Such is the case with Passion’s Slave by Kay McMahon. 1 star
Covers of the Week #69
Jon Paul Ferrara is one of the most talented artists/photographers in the industry. His covers appear regularly in the most select novels, particularly romance. For our Covers of the Week for Monday, August 1, 2022, to Sunday, August 7, 2022, we’re highlighting the early romance covers by Jon Paul Ferrara.
Historical Romance Review: Sweet Savage Surrender by Kathryn Hockett
Sweet Savage Surrender, a Zebra Lovegram that was written by mother-daughter duo Marcia Hockett and Kathryn Kramer, aka Kathryn Hockett, is a romance between two star-crossed lovers from different worlds. .5 star
Covers of the Week #68
For the week of Monday, September 5 to Sunday, September 11, 2022, our Covers of the Week highlights some romance covers featuring the mercurially handsome model Steve Sandalis.
A Closer Look: Walter and Marie Popp
Did you know about the romance illustrator who hid his wife’s name in his signature? It was artist Walter Popp. This was because, for many years, he and his wife Marie painted the covers together!
Historical Romance Review: Rapture’s Ransom (aka Not Quite Married) by Betina Krahn
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
Historical Romance Review: Defiant Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor
This review is of Defiant Ecstasy Book #2 in the “Ecstasy/Gray Eagle” series by Janelle Taylor. Defiant Ecstasy begins by filling in details of what occurred at the end of the first book, Savage Ecstasy. 4 Stars
National Tell a Joke Day: Romance Jokes
We all could use a good joke to cheer us up when we’re down in the dumps. Sometimes we take life–and romance–too seriously. We know the romance genre can get a bit ridiculous at times. So it’s perfect that today, August 16, is National Tell a Joke Day here in the United States. It’s a great opportunity to laugh about love and relationships and romance novels.
Historical Romance Review: Love’s Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri
This review is of Love’s Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri, a bodice ripper that Zebra books published in 1982. Right after I finish posting this review, this “romance novel” is going into my trash bin. 0.75 stars
Covers of the Week #67
Judy York has been a book cover illustrator for nearly thirty years. She produced artwork for many publishers, including Ballantine, Berkley, Dorchester, Harlequin, and Zebra.
Category Romance Review: Once More With Feeling by Nora Roberts
Once More With Feeling is the second outing from the Silhouette Intimate Moments line. Nora Roberts’ category romance tells the love story between two musicians, one a rising star and the other an established musician, who knew each other in the past. Now they must try to make beautiful music together again–literally. Only later does the situation take a turn for the metaphorical. 3.5 Stars
Covers of the Week #66
For the week of Monday, July 11, 2022, to Sunday, July 17, 2022, here are some romance covers designed by artist Charles Gehm.
Historical Romance Review: Night Fire by Catherine Coulter
Night Fire by Catherine Coulter features one of her few truly nice guy heroes. This romance was a pleasant surprise–despite it dark themes–due to charming Burke Drummond. 4 stars
Flashback Friday: Class of 1997
It’s Flashback Friday, and Sweet Savage Flame looks back to 1997, a quarter of a century ago. We look at fashion, events, tv & movie and books! Let’s focus on popular trends in romance novels for 1997.
Covers of the Week #65
This week, we’re posting images of books that include American flags to celebrate this nation’s official day of inception. For Monday, July 4, 2022, to Sunday, July 10, 2022, our Covers of the Week spotlights Old Glory on romance covers.
Poll: Favorite Romance Author (Contemporary or Series)
Who is your favorite author of old-school, vintage, or retro-contemporary romances? Whether series or full-length romance, we want to hear your choice!
Category Romance Review: Glory Days by Marilynne Rudick
Glory Days by Marilynne Rudick is a Harlequin Temptation from the early 1990s. It’s one of the few books from that line that I truly disliked. Why? Because it was so dreadfully dull. 1 star
Category Romance Review: The Italian’s Wife by Lynne Graham
Lynne Graham’s The Italian’s Bride is unusual from her other books I’ve read in the past.
Holly Samson is the first Graham heroine I can recall who was not a virgin, and who’s borne another man’s child. The hero is typical of her heroes: dark-haired, ultra-masculine, ridiculously wealthy, smitten with the heroine, and of Italian descent. 3.62 Stars
