Action/Adventure

Friday Film Review: The Mummy

Friday Film Review: The Mummy

The Mummy (1999) Genre: Action/Horror/Romance Grade: B Fun, fun, fun. This movie is just so much fun. As the writer/director and editor state in their commentary (which I advise people to watch once they’ve seen the movie once or twice), they go for shameless gags, laughs and gasps but it all works and we end(…)

REVIEW: Scoundrel by Zoe Archer

REVIEW: Scoundrel by Zoe Archer

Dear Ms. Archer: This review is testimony to the strength of the second half of Scoundrel. A strong beginning plus a strong ending almost eclipses a somewhat muddled middle of this romantic adventure. Still, the unique and well-described setting (Greece), likeable characters, enjoyable and fun adventure tale, and the interesting fantasy aspects of the book(…)

REVIEW: Along Came Quinn by Suzanne Rossi

REVIEW: Along Came Quinn by Suzanne Rossi

Dear Ms Rossi, I’ll be honest and say that it’s the slight resemblance to the plot of “Romancing the Stone” which got me to look at then buy your book, “Along Came Quinn.” I’m a sucker for that film and for adventurous road romances. Danger, villains, treasure, jungle rot and watching a hero and heroine(…)

REVIEW: In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady by Gayle Callen

REVIEW: In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady by Gayle Callen

Dear Ms. Callen: I admit I never thought I was going to make it out of the first chapter.   The setup was so farcical.   Three friends are in a gentleman’s club where a nude painting is hung. The nude is said to be of a lady of a ton. Conveniently three young men appear in(…)

REVIEW:  Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione

REVIEW: Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione

Dear Ms. Ione: Ecstasy Unveiled is the fourth book in the Demonica series.   I’ve enjoyed all of the three previous books to varying degrees. The last one was my favorite and while I enjoyed this entry Wraith and Serena from Passion Unleashed remains my favorite couple.   The action in this book is non stop and(…)

Friday Film Review: Plunkett and Macleane

Friday Film Review: Plunkett and Macleane

Plunkett and Macleane (1999) Genre: historical action/adventure, romance Grade B Thanks to everyone who recommended this during the discussion of “The Abduction Club.” I’d never heard of it before and frankly wonder how much theater time, if any, it got in the US when it was released in 1999. I also wonder how many people(…)

REVIEW: The Care and Taming of the Rogue by Suzanne Enoch

REVIEW: The Care and Taming of the Rogue by Suzanne Enoch

Dear Ms. Enoch: After finishing the previous trilogy which I believe to contain some of the best work of your career, I was delighted when The Care and Taming of the Rogue arrived on my doorstep, ridiculous title notwithstanding. With the adventurer hero, I thought we might be getting something unique again. While prose in  The(…)

REVIEW: Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare

Dear Ms. Dare: This is book two in your loosely connected trilogy that is being released Aug, Sept and October. Surrender of a Siren follows the character Sophia as she runs away from home and obligation to experience “adventure.” Sophia is a wealthy young woman who has been urged by her family to marry a(…)

REVIEW: No Surrender by Shannon Stacey

REVIEW: No Surrender by Shannon Stacey

Dear Ms. Stacey: I confess that I haven’t ever read you before.   I thought I had and just decided that while you were a great gun, your books were just not for me.   Then, after seeing two recent releses, Becoming Becky and No Surrender, I thought I ought to give you a try.   I tried(…)

REVIEW: Burn by Linda Howard

Dear Ms. Howard: I liked this book but I think it is important for a reader to view it more as an adventure book than a romance on although there is a strong romance. It lacks the emotional intensity of prior Howard works, but it was engaging. There was a certain instruction manual feel to(…)

REVIEW: For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

REVIEW: For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

Dear Ms. Harper: I am a big fan of the Elizabeth Hoyt historicals. They are richly detailed with full bodied emotional depth. They are sometimes dark but have always delivered a satisfying read. I can see where writing fun contemporary romps would serve as a nice relief as well as allowing an author to stretch(…)

REVIEW:  Driven to Distraction by Ashleigh Raine

REVIEW: Driven to Distraction by Ashleigh Raine

Dear Ms. Raine: I think someone brought this to my attention because I mentioned I liked sports books.   I never really equate sports and cars, but I suppose it falls under the same rubric of entertainment.   This story is a car book and a movie book.   I liked the movie aspects more but for a(…)

REVIEW: Hero the Amazon: An Historical Romance by Sam Bonnamy

REVIEW: Hero the Amazon: An Historical Romance by Sam Bonnamy

Dear Mr. Bonnamy, My fellow reviewers know I’m always on the lookout for historical romances that utilize the rare and unusual setting. “Hero, the Amazon” certainly does that as well as give us an Amazon for a lead character. It’s filled with adventures centered not only in and around the Mediterranean but also ranging as(…)

REVIEW: Into the Shadow by Christina Dodd

Dear Ms. Dodd: You are a very polished and talented writer and this entry into the Darkness Chosen series is as fast paced and readable as the others. Adrik Wilder left his family at age 17, became one of the most feared mercenaries in the world, leading a tribe of outlaws, all vying to be(…)

REVIEW: She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot

Dear Ms. Cabot: You know that I love your work, right? That I have an inappropriate girl crush on you and all? So it’s with some dismay that I have to write this letter which talks about why I didn’t like this latest reprint of yours. Part of the problem was that the voice of(…)