The last time I reviewed a book by Victoria Alexander, my editor was surprised that I gave it only a B+, because I obviously loved the book. I think my subconscious knew that there was even better to come, because I’m delighted to report that Alexander’s latest, Love with the Proper Husband, is one to…
Let me confess up front that I have a weakness for historical romances set in colonial Virginia. I’ve lived in Virginia most of my life, and for four of those years I lived in Williamsburg, the colonial capital. Not surprisingly, I’ve also long been fascinated with the history of colonial Virginia and felt it to…
Oddly enough, Falcon’s Desire is a throwback to the historical romance novels of yesteryear – I say “oddly enough” because it’s the debut romance for a new author. It’s as if all the in-between progress in terms of nuanced plots and character development have been forgotten and we’re left with a derivative amalgam of Woodiwiss…
Once He Loves has nearly as many flaws as it has strong points, but the scale tips in favor of the book. Its premise reverses gender roles, which was a nice change of pace, and the hero and heroine were likable enough throughout the book. But there were some annoying features as well, such as…
The first book by Sandy Hingston I read was The Lover’s Charm, and I really liked it. So I was looking forward to reading The Affair. While parts of it left me cold, it does have its moments, and I can offer a qualified recommendation. In the wake of a family tragedy, Gannon Finn, Lord…
Themes in romance novels are like clothing – they are very trendy. For the past few months every European historical I’ve read involves an American heiress who is either rich, spoiled, or both. Fortunately for me the heroine in this book managed to redeem herself very well. It was the hero who ultimately ended up…
Cheryl Howe’s debut novel, After the Ashes, is a rare find in more ways than one. Aside from being a Western Romance, a category which is somewhat underrepresented in the current market, it showcases the kind of tightly woven storytelling and solid characterization that are at times equally elusive. Bounty hunter Christopher Braddock meets Lorelei…
Reading Impostress was like taking a lukewarm bath: not particularly enjoyable, but not exactly painful, either. And like a lukewarm bath, it was hard to get too excited about it, or even really remember much about it afterward. This book is one of the most generic romances I’ve ever read, despite being set in both…
Most European Historicals begin in medias res, with some dramatic moment playing out throughout the rest of the book. Dance of Seduction seemingly starts out with such a scene, but what is revealed there is ultimately of little importance to the rest of the book. It’s as if Jeffries’s characters ran away with the action,…
Remember the TV series Moonlighting? I loved it. All that witty banter and repartee between Dave and Maddie, and the the best sexual tension ever. But you can’t have a TV series on witty banter alone, so they’d add a bit of plot to move things along. Confessions Of A Scoundrel was like a book…
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