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
retro 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
Covers of the Week #100: Mother’s Day
We delayed our 100th edition of Covers of the Week due to a few factors. We hope these lovely covers honoring the upcoming Mother’s Day will serve as a proper way to honor this occasion.
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. 5 Stars
April 2023: Sweet Savage Flame Monthly Wrap-Up
We’ve created a monthly wrap-up of Sweet Savage Flame’s posts for April 2023 for your convenience.