Many historical romance readers complain that some books simply take modern-day characters and have them act out a story in fancy dress, making the time period irrelevant. Nothing could be farther from the truth with Claudia Dain, an author with a reputation for creating characters who are creatures of their time and place in history….
A long-time fan of Karen Ranney’s romances, I looked forward to reading this latest offering (the last in The Highland Lords series.) It didn’t disappoint, with as well portrayed a hero and heroine as I have read in a long time, a memorably original plot and exquisite prose. Although a powerfully written novel, some problems…
I always welcome the chance to read a good, meaty historical – complex characters, intricate plotting, and lots of historical detail all have their appeal – but, unfortunately, there seem to be all too few of these on the shelves. Blood Moon Over Bengal certainly holds the promise to be a good and interesting historical,…
Coming straight from a reread of Mary Jo Putney’s incomparably romantic Uncommon Vows, I couldn’t help but think that the earlier Dearly Beloved could have been written by another, less skilled writer. Though it contains the attention to historical detail and well-fleshed characters for which the author’s work is known, there is a twisted, dark…
A wonderful, lush, intelligently written novel that came this close to DIK status for me, His Every Kiss is an absolutely not-to-be-missed treat for those less than pleased with the vast majority of today’s European Historical Romances. There is life out there, people, and Laura Lee Guhrke’s latest is proof of it. Readers of Guilty…
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…
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