There were quite a few romances set during and after the Civil War in the 1980’s, but those books mostly disappeared in the 90’s and 2000’s.  It’s difficult to write about the time without mentioning ugly realities – and those realities might not mesh with a love story.  I think it’s still possible, but it’s… Continue reading The Bride Fair by Cheryl Reavis

There are some unrealistic romance conventions that I enjoy (marriages of convenience, tortured heroes) but others are just too far outside reality for me.  The “forced seduction” is one of those – no matter how much the author tries to convince me it’s true love, I keep thinking of Stockholm syndrome… To Have and To… Continue reading To Have and To Hold by Patricia Gaffney

When you read romances that are 15 years old or more, you never know what you’re going to get.  Sometimes they are great and completely stand the test of time.  (Some of the best books I’ve read recently have been from the 90’s.)  But some of the books that seemed daring and new back then… Continue reading To Love and to Cherish by Patricia Gaffney

I thought Tessa Dare’s early books had a unique voice – they felt like something different from the usual Regency historicals.  Unfortunately, her Spindle Cove books are missing something – this one was OK but it felt very Avon-ized.  She’ll probably sell more books but I’m not running out to buy the next one. A… Continue reading A Week To Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

I’m glad to see Westerns making at least a small comeback, but even in the new Westerns, you rarely see a heroine like Jenny Jones.  Glad I got the chance to read this one! The Promise of Jenny Jones by Maggie Osborne(1997, Western)  8/29/12Grade: 4.5 Just when Jenny Jones is ready to die in front… Continue reading The Promise of Jenny Jones by Maggie Osborne

I really should take advantage of my Prime borrowing membership – I tend to just buy books instead of finding out if they’re available for free with Prime.  Not that I begrudge Theresa Weir her $3.99!  I’m just happy she’s still writing romance occasionally. The Girl with the Cat Tattoo by Theresa Weir(2012, Contemporary)  8/28/12Grade:… Continue reading The Girl with the Cat Tattoo by Theresa Weir

I wasn’t supposed to be looking for new backlist titles, but after reading two Joan Wolf Regency historicals, I think I’m going to be searching out her other first person historicals.  It’s odd that the two best-reviewed books in this series aren’t available in ebook form, but happily some of the others are so I… Continue reading The Pretenders by Joan Wolf

This book definitely shows how easy it can be to buy an e-book, especially at a good price – I read a review, clicked over to Amazon and bought it without thinking too much about it.  It turned out to be a good find! Castaway Dreams by Darlene Marshall(2012, Regency Historical)  8/27/12Grade: 4 Navy surgeon… Continue reading Castaway Dreams by Darlene Marshall

I picked up most of Donna Simpson’s books based on her excellent debut, Lord St. Claire’s Angel, but her subsequent books haven’t worked as well for me.  I still have a few in my TBR pile…Miss Truelove Beckons by Donna Simpson(2001, Regency)  8/26/12Grade: 3.5 Miss Truelove Becket, the daughter of a vicar, is accompanying her… Continue reading Miss Truelove Beckons by Donna Simpson

I’ve bought a lot of books by Jo Goodman (ever since I met her at the Atlanta CR meeting) but this is the first time I’ve read one.  Not quite sure what to think – this one was hard to grade. More Than You Wished by Jo Goodman(2001, American Historical)  8/26/12Grade: 4 Set 10 years… Continue reading More Than You Wished by Jo Goodman