When I first started reading traditional Regencies as a young teen there were two authors whose books I read voraciously – Sheila Walsh and Joan Wolf. Like Carla Kelly has done more recently, they wrote of strong-willed characters dealing with difficult situations and finding themselves – will-they, nill-they – in love. They were unlike other…
Lately most of the books I’ve read revolved around titled heroines of the ton, so it was nice to read a story in which the heroine is actually a hard-working, regular individual. In fact, it is mostly the female characters who give this book its likeability and appeal. Mrs. Anne Smythe has worked hard to…
A Wanted Man, Susan Kay Law’s latest, has all the elements of an enjoyable western: a fine-looking cowboy, a sympathetic heroine, plus trains, horses, and an evil villain. All of these elements come together for an entertaining and romantic read. Laura Hamilton, a talented artist, is out on her own for the first time in…
The second in the Mayfair Brides series, The Heiress of Hyde Park makes me reconsider a recently-formed opinion that historical romances are becoming somewhat bland and uninspired. There are so many positive aspects to this sparkling, meaty novel that it is with reluctance that I acknowledge that the second half is somewhat less compelling than…
Morgan Drummond, the Marquis of Westhaven returns to his London home after an absence of 5 years to discover his butler has been renting out his home for the Season. When Morgan tries to rid himself of his various tenants, he instead becomes drawn into their lives and finds himself falling in love. The impoverished…
The Irish Devil would have been a lot better if it had not had so many sex scenes. I don’t think there was a chapter where there wasn’t one (or two, or three, or four) sex scenes. After I finished the book, I couldn’t help but think it would have been a marvelous big, juicy…
The Return of the Earl read like a traditional Regency stretched and padded into the length of a Regency-set historical. I was confused, then bored for a long stretch before finally things came together. But shortly after the book began to move, it was over. In the first chapter of The Return of the Earl,…
I’m not sure what happened with Anne Stuart. Her books used to be fabulous, but her latest efforts have been quite disappointing. Hidden Honor is better than some of Anne Stuart’s more recent books, but still not up to par with my old favorites. This one was done in by the heroine. Normally I enjoy…
I started this debut novel with considerable anticipation. Sadly, however, despite the Georgian setting and back cover copy hinting at Gothic overtones, The Painted Rose didn’t come even remotely close to living up to the hype. Frankly, the story and setting here are so generic that the action could have taken place anytime from 1750-1920…
Sabrina Jeffries is an author I can always count on for an enjoyable read. But to date she has not truly dazzled me. With each new book, I hope for excitement because of her very solid efforts in the past. And each time the enjoyment is there, but the thrill of a DIK is not….
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