The world is undoubtedly suffering from a deluge of Austen spin-offs and universally acknowledged truths. But I can point to one author who can get it right: Monica Fairview. Ignore the title, the subtitle about mayhem at Pemberley, and the back cover blurb: This is Georgiana Darcy’s story, plain and simple, and we never set…
Though A Touch of Scandal is only the second in Jennifer Haymore’s historical series, it is, most definitely, not a stand-alone book. The reason? I always felt as if I were a step – or even two – behind the proverbial eight ball due to the complicated plot carried over from the preceding book and…
There are too many “ifs” attached to The Secret Duke. If Jo Beverley was a consistent read for me. If I’d read the first two books in the trilogy, not to mention the entire Malloren backlist. If I gave a flying fox about the central couple. But the answer to all of the above is…
I’ve heard some positive buzz about Lavinia Kent, and her debut novel was well-received here at AAR. However, despite my high hopes, this book failed to meet its potential and flopped on several levels for me. Clara, a widowed countess, has a reputation of being a bit wild. However, when she wakes up tied to…
The impoverished peer who must marry for money is a well-known character in romance land. So is the woman whose father is a wealthy cit. It’s to Madeline Hunter’s credit that she takes these shopworn figures and makes them fresh and new. Verity Thompson’s father built a prosperous ironworks business and she is his only…
Americana romances seem to be making somewhat of a comeback in the mainstream romance world, and I couldn’t be happier. As with any style, I wouldn’t want to read all-Americana, all the time, but I do find them sweet and heartwarming when done well. A Midwife Crisis has a few issues, but those who enjoy…
This was a slightly bizarre book to review. While outwardly sound, and even interesting in some parts, there was enough structural and character trouble in the story itself to make me wonder if an editor ever touched Triumph in Arms. Reine Cassard Pingre is the widow of Theodore Pingre, an abusive wastrel with a penchant…
For awhile there, I thought To Sin With a Scoundrel was going to be a good one. It features a scientist heroine, a rakish hero, and an evil family lurking in the wings with nasty deeds on their minds. A scenario like this needs to be: A: Handled with subtlety and a dash of humor….
The Highlander’s Sword started off well, but quickly spiraled down into an extremely frustrating read centered on my least favorite plot device: the Big Misunderstanding. Aila Graham has been destined for the church since she was a child and expects no more out of life. Suddenly her father, the laird of her clan, demands that…
Narrated by Josephine Bailey Dream of Me was the first true romance I read and therefore holds a special place in my list of romance favorites. I was enthused to discover it in audio format but after listening to Josephine Bailey’s excellent performance, I was absolutely enthralled. Now a comfort listen for me, this Viking…
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