Sometimes I think I’m getting jaded, that I’ve read so many romances that nothing can excite me any more.  It’s great to see a relatively new author who can write a classic story and do it so well! Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville(2012, Regency Historical)  1/9/13Grade: 4.5 Minerva Montrose has plans to… Continue reading Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville

I always appreciate an author who chooses an unusual setting – especially if she can also write a good romance.  All too often it’s one or the other.  (And kudos to Harlequin for continuing to publish these kinds of books.) My Fair Concubine by Jeannie Lin(2012, China)  1/8/13Grade: 4.5 Fei Long has a problem –… Continue reading My Fair Concubine by Jeannie Lin

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to read at least an hour a day – hopefully that will make quick work of my remaining 2012 books. A Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant(2012, Regency Historical)  1/4/13Grade: 4.5 Will Brashear is trying to win enough money gambling to help the widow of one of his men… Continue reading A Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant

I was looking for a holiday novella and this one seemed like fun.  Plus I’d been wanting to try out Shannon Stacey. Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey(2010, Contemporary)  1/2/12Grade: 3.5 Chloe Burke is back in her small hometown, housesitting for her parents in the weeks before Christmas.  She decides to upgrade her parents’ electrical wiring… Continue reading Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey

Yay – a great book from 2012!  (If only I’d actually read it in 2012 – continuing my track record of never reading books in the year they come out.) About Last Night by Ruthie Knox(2012, Contemporary)  1/2/12Grade: 4.5 Cath Talarico is determined to stay on the straight and narrow – to stick to “new… Continue reading About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

This was a strange reading year for me.  I read 63 books and had 7 excellent reads – not bad.  But all but one of those books were published in the 1990’s.  I read 17 books published in 2012, and while most of them were good-to-very-good, none of them were excellent.  (I had quite a… Continue reading Best Reads of 2012

I was looking for a Christmas read and ran across this book by Lauren Willig.  I’ve never read the Pink Carnation books (the combination of modern and historical doesn’t really appeal) but this one was set purely in the past. The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig(2010, Regency Historical)  12/26/12Grade: 3.5 Arabella Dempsey is… Continue reading The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

Although the cover is pretty, it has nothing to do with fashions of the 1830’s.  More like the 1950’s! Scandal Wears Satin by Loretta Chase(2012, 1830’s England)  12/4/12Grade: 3.5 Dressmaker Sophy Noirot is trying to save her shop – and help her friend Clara escape from a bad engagement.  The Earl of Longmore, Clara’s brother,… Continue reading Scandal Wears Satin by Loretta Chase

Although Loretta Chase has never been one of my favorite authors, her books have always been reliably enjoyable – this one fell just a little short of the mark. Silk Is For Seduction by Loretta Chase(2011, post-Regency)  11/29/12Grade: 3.5 Marcelline Noirot is one of the best dressmakers in London, and she is determined to attract… Continue reading Silk Is For Seduction by Loretta Chase

I read this weeks ago but for some reason forgot to post… probably because this book was so forgettable. One Night in London by Caroline Linden(2011, Regency Historical)  11/11/12Grade: 2.5 Lady Francesca Gordon needs an attorney to help her gain custody of her niece, but the best attorney in London is stolen from her by… Continue reading One Night in London by Caroline Linden