I’ve read books that began well and went downhill, sometimes precipitously. I had just the opposite reaction as I read A Wild Pursuit. It began rather slowly (and nothing at all like the blurb on the back) and at first I thought I would not like it very much, but then it began to grow…
Joanna Novins’ most recent novel, Souvenir of Love, combines society scandal and spy suspense with mixed results. While entertaining, the story lacked a certain something that lends itself to memorability. Lady Elizabeth Harcrest is a debutante who, as the story opens, seems to be in love with longtime family friend James Dinsmore. She allows herself…
I discovered Carolyn Jewel’s first book, Lord Ruin, about a year too late to vote for it as my favorite 2002 Guilty Pleasure. While I agreed with our reviewer that the book had flaws, it was a very memorable debut, and made me anxious to read more by this author. Her newest book, The Spare…
With a first half considerably more dynamic than the second, In My Heart marks an auspicious debut for new Avon author Melody Thomas. Also writing under the names Laura Renken and Lori Morgan, the author’s first effort for her new publisher isn’t without flaws, but interesting characters and an unusual setting offer a fair degree…
Loretta Chase’s long awaited Miss Wonderful brings together a seemingly mismatched couple, Alistair Carsington and Mirabel Oldridge. A hero from the Battle of Waterloo, Alistair is embarrassed by the adulation he receives on his return home and works hard to disguise his permanent injury. As a third son, the fashionable dandy has been an expensive…
Having read a couple of Stephanie Laurens’ novels a while back, I figured I knew what to expect with her most recent release, The Ideal Bride. So I was surprised to find such a slow-moving and uncompelling novel from such a well-known and experienced, if predictable, author. Michael Anstruther-Weatherby (an in-law of Laurens’ infamous Cynsters)…
Carnal Gift can be broken down into three parts: a stellar beginning, the dreaded sagging middle, and a good ending. Fortunately, the middle is the shortest section, making for a solid read overall. Brighid Ni Maelsechnaill’s childhood came to an end the day her beloved father, a teacher, was arrested and shipped out of Ireland…
Liz Carlyle writes in a rich style that brings to mind a nineteenth century novel. One gets the sense that her words are chosen very carefully in order to evoke the world of which she writes. In her latest novel, Carlyle rolls out a tale of murder, desperate secrets, and passion sure to please fans…
England’s Perfect Hero is my first Suzanne Enoch. Although I usually prefer my historical romances with a bit more history, and this one is more of the history wall-paper type, it’s still very enjoyable because of the likable characters. When Lucinda Barrett’s friends drew up lists for “lessons in love,” they ended up married to…
This is Loretta Chase’s first book after a long hiatus. Those of you who have been waiting with bated breath should not be disappointed: Miss Wonderful is witty, charming, and deeply romantic. The book opens with the Earl of Hargate wondering what the devil is wrong with his third son. Alistair hasn’t been the same…
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