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Old School Romance From Avon to Zebra

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Tag: Viking Romance

Captive Heart phoebe conn

Historical Romance Review: Captive Heart by Phoebe Conn

Posted on November 21, 2022November 16, 2022 by Blue Falcon

This review is of Captive Heart by Phoebe Conn, a Zebra Lovegram historical romance novel. Conn’s take on “Beauty and the Beast” is far from classic. 1.5 Stars

hearts-aflame-duillo lindsey

Historical Romance Review: Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey

Posted on October 5, 2022November 11, 2022 by IntrovertReader

With her 14th book, Lindsey was on a roll, writing blockbuster romance after blockbuster romance. Hearts Aflame was the sequel to Lindsey’s third book, Fires of Winter.

model fabio

Romance Cover Model: Fabio Lanzoni

Posted on April 28, 2022January 23, 2023 by Jacqueline Diaz

Like bodice rippers and vintage romances of yesteryear, model Fabio Lanzoni has been unfairly maligned and mocked by many modern-day romance readers.

There’s a sentiment of contempt displayed at the old-school clinch covers, with some people going as far as declaring that Fabio represented a low point in the genre.

How mean-spirited and wrong these detractors are.

Pages: 1 2
the lord of hawkfell island

Historical Romance Review: The Lord of Hawkfell Island by Catherine Coulter

Posted on October 1, 2021November 10, 2022 by IntrovertReader

In The Lord of Hawkfell Island by Catherine Coulter Mirana is a young, unmarried woman who lives with her brother in a massive fortress. When he’s away, their home is attacked by Viking raiders seeking vengeance against him, as the Viking leader Rorik blames him for the death of his wife and child. Usually, a hero grieving over his lost love is grounds for me to dislike a historical romance, but thanks to Rurik, I had plenty of other reasons to despise this “love story.” 2 1/2 stars

old school historicals thumbnail

15 Old School Historical Romances That Revolutionized the Genre

Posted on September 14, 2021February 3, 2023 by Jacqueline Diaz

These 15 Historical Romances published before 2000 either caused radical changes in the romance novel industry or they are so pivotal and unforgettable, they are must-reads. Please note, we at Sweet Savage Flame may not have read all books ourselves, but recognize their importance to the genre. Our aim is to review all books on this list if we haven’t already.

An Offer of Marriage

Historical Romance Review: An Offer of Marriage by Jo Ann Ferguson Review

Posted on September 10, 2021November 10, 2022 by IntrovertReader

Books like Jo Ann Ferguson’s An Offer of Marriage suffer from being published during a time of change. When Kensington’s Zebra historical romances died, they didn’t go quickly (actually, Zebras are still around, but they’re not the same as they used to be in the 1980s and 1990s). 1 star

Author Spotlight: Janelle Taylor

Posted on August 2, 2021October 10, 2022 by Blue Falcon

Janelle Taylor was part of the pantheon of the Zebra romance’s “Leading Ladies of Love.” Her Native American, Fantasy, western and contemporary romance novels sold millions.

seajewel

Historical Romance Review: Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri

Posted on June 30, 2021November 10, 2022 by Jacqueline Diaz

After deliberation, I decided to give Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri five stars, although I do so with some high degree of reluctance. The explanation why follows.

storm maiden gilgannon

Historical Romance Review: Storm Maiden by Mary Gilgannon

Posted on April 30, 2021November 10, 2022 by IntrovertReader

Mary Gilgannon’s Storm Maiden is a Viking historical romance novel about a captor and his captive set in medieval Ireland & Norway. It features a strong heroine, but the injured hero is too beta for my tastes. A 2 1/2 star read.

tara's song ziel

Historical Romance Review: Tara’s Song by Barbara Ferry Johnson

Posted on April 14, 2021December 17, 2022 by IntrovertReader

Tara’s Song by Barbara Ferry Johnson is yet another middling Viking romance that disappoints. Written in the late ’70s at the height of the bodice ripper era, you’d expect this Viking romance to rapacious and fun, but I found it rather ho-hum. 2 stars

viking rose pino

Historical Romance Review: Viking Rose by Ashland Price

Posted on April 9, 2021November 13, 2022 by IntrovertReader

In this Zebra Lovegram historical romance, Viking Rose by Ashland Price, Irishwoman Alanna is taken captive by a Viking.

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Books Reviewed This Year

Sweet Savage Flame has reviewed 39 books so far this year out of 100.

39%

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