I don’t see many books set in the Elizabethan period. For some reason, we jump directly from the medieval to the Regency (or perhaps the Georgian) periods. I’d like to see more – it seems like a nice change of pace. Fool’s Paradise by Tori Phillips(1996, Elizabethan) 3/1/09Grade: 3.5 Lady Elizabeth Hayward is desperate to… Continue reading Fool’s Paradise by Tori Phillips

Just when I was lamenting the books that seemed like same-old, same old, here comes a book that takes a familiar storyline, and yet, makes it work. Always a delight to discover one of those. Room… But Not Bored! by Dawn Atkins (HT 945)(2003, Contemporary Series) 2/26/09Grade: 4.5 Ariel Adams hasn’t had a good week…… Continue reading Room But Not Bored by Dawn Atkins

I have a couple of Ruth Wind books on my keeper shelf, although I’ve been reluctant to reread them. I’m afraid that what seemed new and exciting in late 1990’s might feel old and cliched today. But I remember them with fondness – it’s still rare to find a contemporary author who writes with such… Continue reading Breaking the Rules by Ruth Wind

I had a craving for a Regency, and I ended up reading three in a row. None of them really outstanding, unfortunately, but the last one was quite charming. Winter Wedding by Joan Wolf(1990, Regency) 2/12/09Grade: 3 Miss Clara Christopher spends most of her time visiting one relative or another, and now she’s staying with… Continue reading A Trio of Regencies

I’ve been a bit slow to update my blog – I haven’t been reading as much (right now, all I feel like doing is watching Law & Order reruns) but I’ve also been a bit lazy. I actually read this a couple of weeks ago. Just The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James(2008, Contemporary) 2/11/09Grade:… Continue reading Just The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

I’m a sucker for the tortured hero, so I was looking forward to this book. I was happy to find it at my local Barnes & Noble. Normally I don’t mind ordering books online, but I have been trying to cut back. I’m pleased that B&N has finally learned that romance readers buy books –… Continue reading Broken Wing by Judith James

I had a craving for a traditional Regency – thankfully I still have a good selection of those in my TBR pile. The Genuine Article by Patricia Rice(1994, Regency) 1/30/09Grade: 3 Lady Marian Oglethorp is desperate for a wealthy husband to save her family from ruin, and she’s set her sights on Lord Darley. She… Continue reading The Genuine Article by Patricia Rice

I’m so pleased that Carla Kelly is back writing for Harlequin Historical (and I hope they’re paying her well!). Although her books aren’t always as “romantic” as I prefer, she has a unique voice, and I would hate for her to be lost to the romance world. Marrying the Captain by Carla Kelly(2009, Regency) 1/21/09Grade:… Continue reading Marrying the Captain by Carla Kelly

This has been an excellent reading year for me. I read more books this year (102) than in any year since 1996 – the last year before I started working full time. (Amazing how having a job cuts down on your reading time.) My continued unemployment probably explains why I read so many books this… Continue reading Best of 2008

Don’t judge a book by its plot description. That’s the lesson I can learn from this book – I never would have bought this book if I’d run across it at a bookstore, because it sounds so silly. The plot description is correct, but only a small part of the story. Unfortunately, it’s hard to… Continue reading After the Kiss by Suzanne Enoch