Historical Romances

GAY WRITES REVIEW:  The Glass Minstrel by Hayden Thorne

GAY WRITES REVIEW: The Glass Minstrel by Hayden Thorne

This review is part of our Gay Writes celebration. Don’t forget to comment on the  original post for a  chance to win one of those prizes as well as commenting on this post for a chance to win a copy of this book. Dear Ms. Thorne, After I read your last historical release, The Twilight Gods, I(…)

REVIEW: Libertine’s Kiss by Judith James

REVIEW: Libertine’s Kiss by Judith James

“Abandoned by his cavalier father at a young age, William de Veres grew up knowing precious little happiness. But William has put the past firmly behind him and as a military hero and noted rake, he rises fast in the ranks of the hedonistic Restoration court. Though not before he is forced to seek shelter(…)

REVIEW: You Only Love Once by Caroline Linden

REVIEW: You Only Love Once by Caroline Linden

Dear Ms. Linden, My book log shows that the last book I read of yours was What a Gentleman Wants, at the end of 2006. That doesn’t seem right; I was sure I’d read one of your books more recently than that. I suspect I’m confusing you with another author (maybe Carolyn Jewel?), but in(…)

REVIEW:  Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart

REVIEW: Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart

Dear Ms. Kephart, Writing this review has taken me a long time.   Usually, I can write a review within a few days, because my feelings on the overall quality of the book are clear.   However, there is always the occasional read that requires a long stewing before I can rightly form a review.   Dangerous Neighbors(…)

REVIEW: Hareton Hall by Lynne Connolly

REVIEW: Hareton Hall by Lynne Connolly

The Kerres have seen Richard’s love for Rose and now her family gets a taste of it. Rose has had her chance to do the “Lady Strang” thing in Exeter so I would hope that this will lessen in scope for any future novels. As well, despite the fact that Richard is *so* private about his feelings for Rose, he’s let them show so damn much that the whole country ought to know of them by now. Just get them the matching tattoos done and T-shirts to wear and drop this.

REVIEW: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

REVIEW: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

On the whole, the ambiance, the setting and the strangely Gothic vibe that ripples through this book was delightful and just unusual enough to stand out. I ripped right through it in a matter of hours and would re-read it, which is always a sure sign I enjoyed a book. Looking forward to the future installments of the Maiden Lane series.

REVIEW: Sergeant’s Lady by Susanna Fraser

REVIEW: Sergeant’s Lady by Susanna Fraser

Dear Ms. Fraser, When I saw your book featured in the upcoming releases at Netgalley.com, I was intrigued. Although the Napoleonic War is pretty heavily mined territory for historical romance novelists, the prospect of a cross-class romance appealed to me, and I’m always on the lookout for new authors.   While the story starts out much(…)

REVIEW: Her Abundant Joy by Lyn Cote

REVIEW: Her Abundant Joy by Lyn Cote

Dear Ms Cote, I read and enjoyed “Her Inheritance Forever,” the second book in this “Texas Star of Destiny” series last autumn. I remember liking the fact that you showed a slightly different view of Texas history than I’d read before and also that the heroine was Mexican. This time around the German settlers in(…)

REVIEW:  The Eye of Ra by Dakota Chase

REVIEW: The Eye of Ra by Dakota Chase

Dear Ms. Chase, Ever since I started reading more LGBTQ books, the various books published by Prizm have been on my radar.   I love genre fiction just as much as literary fiction, and seeing a ‘gay’ take on the usual YA tropes is always fun.   Your book being a time-travel plot-line really had me intrigued,(…)

REVIEW: The Smuggler and the Society Bride by Julia Justiss

REVIEW: The Smuggler and the Society Bride by Julia Justiss

Dear Ms. Justiss, Thank you for sending me a copy of your latest book, “The Smuggler and the Society Bride.” Despite it being the third full length book in the “Silk and Scandal” series, I found that I could jump right in without feeling I was missing vital information or at sea about who the(…)

REVIEW: Showdown at Baxter Springs by Larry Wood

REVIEW: Showdown at Baxter Springs by Larry Wood

Dear Mr. Wood, I’ll be honest and admit that I approach westerns written by men with a degree of trepidation. From the ones I’ve read or tried in the past, it seems men have an almost irresistable urge to have their female characters assualted or raped during the course of the story and then treat(…)

Friday Film Review: Last of the Mohicans

Friday Film Review: Last of the Mohicans

Last of the Mohicans (1992) Genre: gritty historical/war/romance Grade: B+ I’ll be the first to admit that I love this movie because of the plethora of good looking men. You know I’m shallow, I’ve admitted it more times than I can remember. Go ahead and say it with me, “Jayne is shallow and likes to(…)

REVIEW:  A Highland Duchess by Karen Ranney

REVIEW: A Highland Duchess by Karen Ranney

Dear Ms. Ranney: Sometimes good prose can transcend a bad plot or trite circumstances but not always and not in the case of A Highland Duchess.   While I’ve enjoyed Ranney writing in the past and have spent my wallet silly on the recently released backlist titles, the strained plot contrivances and the heavy handedness in(…)

REVIEW:  A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

REVIEW: A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

Dear Ms. James, When Jane sent me a batch of books for review, I was particularly excited to find A Kiss at Midnight in the pile. Over the years, I have come to expect interesting and realistically rendered characters from you; characters who often defy the clichés their roles in the plot force them into(…)

REVIEW: Last Night's Scandal by Loretta Chase

REVIEW: Last Night's Scandal by Loretta Chase

Dear Ms. Chase, After my disappointment with last years book about the Englishwoman who escapes from the harem, I will admit to being reluctant to try “Last Night’s Scandal.” I knew nothing about the hero or heroine or plot and wondered if it would be a sequel to “Don’t Tempt Me” which nothing could tempt(…)