Passion’s Rapture, Penelope Neri’s first book, is a bodice-ripper where the heroine falls in love with her rapist, the hero. The best thing said about her 1981 debut is that Neri could never write anything worse. 1.5 Stars
Tag: old school romance
Category Romance Review: The Dream by Barbara Delinsky
The Dream, the first entry in Barbara Delinsky’s Crosslyn Rise Trilogy, is the story of a woman who’s the last in her once-wealthy family and tries to hold on to her familial estate with the help of her former childhood bully. 3.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Captive Ecstasy by Elaine Barbieri
Captive Ecstasy, Elaine Barbieri’s first book, is unique in that it features four possible love interests for the heroine, and all the men are written with strong emotions.
Historical Romance Review: Dawn of Desire by Joyce Verrette
Dawn of Desire by Joyce Verette was written in 1976 when sensual historicals and bodice rippers were the hottest books in romance. Alas, this book qualifies as neither. 3 stars
Category Romance Review: Impulsive Butterfly by Kay Gregory
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
Historical Romance Review: Wild Western Bride by Rosalyn Alsobrook
Wild Western Bride by Rosalyn Alsobrook features an unconventional couple who form an unconventional family. It’s not a great romance, but Alsobrook fans should find it enjoyable. 2.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Sun Woman by Lindsay McKenna
Sun Woman, a Harlequin Historical by Lindsay McKenna, features a wonderful Native American heroine and an equally excellent American soldier who come together despite a world that seems determined to keep them apart. 4.5 Stars
Historical Romance Review: Meet the New Dawn by Rosanne Bittner
In Meet the New Dawn, the penultimate book of her “Savage Destiny” Western historical romance series, author Rosanne Bittner brings the reader to tears with lots of love, drama, and deaths.
Monthly Wrap-Up: April 2023
We’ve created a monthly wrap-up of Sweet Savage Flame’s posts for April 2023 for your convenience.
Author Spotlight: Rebecca Paisley
Between 1990 and 1997, Rebecca Paisley released eight full-length historical novels and five short stories/novellas. Each of her books featured her characteristic fantastic sense of humor and quirky heroines that you’d unlikely come across anyplace else.
Category Romance Review: Night Light by Jennifer Greene
In Night Light by Jennifer Greene, a surly man opens his home to a stranded woman during a thunderstorm. She stays for the night. That’s when things get weird. 4 Stars
We Promise to Do Better
Lately, you may have noticed a few hiccups here at Sweet Savage Flame. For that we owe our readers an apology and sincerest gratitude for your patience.
Historical Romance Review: Bold Montana Bride by Karen A. Bale
Bold Montana Bride is set in western Zebra romance set in Montana. It is a paint-by-numbers effort for Karen A. Bale. 3 stars
10 International Romances to Read This World Book Day
Celebrate World Book Day 2023 in style by reading some passionate and emotional romance novels set all over the world. We’ve got 10 great recommendations.
The New Status Symbol for Bookworms: Collectible Paperbacks
Romance book collecting is not just about the words on the page but appreciating the genre’s history and cover art. For bibliophiles looking to elevate their library and show off their love of books, collecting paperbacks is the way to go.