A Retro Review originally published on April 17, 1999 Susan Sizemore’s book, The Price of Innocence, takes place in late Victorian London. Sherrie Hamilton is an American – a widow with an eight-year-old daughter, Minnie. She has come to London with her cousins, Faith and Daisy and her aunt Dora to find husbands for the…
a Retro Review originally published on July 25, 1999 There are no two ways about it – Duchess for a Day is a book that defines the word “cheesy.” The love scenes could be entered in the Purple Prose Parody Contest. The plot relies on contrivances like fake amnesia and an unrealistic marriage of convenience….
a Retro Review originally published on October 25, 2011 Music has never really been my thing. I enjoy listening to it, but don’t have the true appreciation of it that some have. Grace Burrowes, the author of The Virtuoso, is one of those people who really understands the emotions, depth, and meaning of music, and…
To celebrate the arrival of Netflix’s Bridgerton, AAR is running, in reading order, our reviews of the original nine books in the series. (originally published on June 19, 2013) When I first chose this book to review, I did not realize that it was a collection of short stories about the Bridgerton family; I only…
To celebrate the arrival of Netflix’s Bridgerton, AAR is running, in reading order, our reviews of the original nine books in the series. (originally published on June 25, 2006) On the Way to the Wedding, the final entry in Julia Quinn’s popular Bridgerton series, started off with a great attention-grabbing scene and settled in to…
A Retro Review originally published on June 3, 2002 Tracy Grant’s newest release, Daughter of the Game, was not a keeper for me, but I did find it intriguing enough to seek out her backlist, and I’m glad that I did. Rightfully His was a most engaging read – exquisitely plotted, full of interesting, multi-dimensional…
A Retro Review originally published on November 26, 2000 Are you looking for some cozy, feel-good holiday reading? Johanna Lindsey’s latest book, Home for the Holidays is a pocket-size hard cover with a Currier and Ives-esque cover that just might tempt you to give yourself an early Christmas present. But beware: the hero is worse…
A Retro Review originally published on December 12, 2005 Four years ago I began reading romance and my first year of non-stop romances was by far the most fun I have ever had reading. The Pirate Prince was one of my favorites that year and when I reread it recently, I found myself once again…
a Retro Review originally published on July 2, 2002 I’ve been a bit worried about European historicals lately. In the past year or so I’ve run across far too many featuring ridiculously contrived cutesy plots, heroines for whom the TSTL designation is unquestionably an understatement, and, of course, that oh-so-familiar cardboard “rake” with the macho…
A DIKlassic review! (originally published on January 25, 1997) Splendid is a splendidly, witty, wicked, and sexy read. I liken Splendid to Seinfeld. Just as Jerry, Kramer, Elaine, and George can spend a half hour entertaining us while doing essentially nothing, Julia Quinn”s debut novel is a delightful romp with very little in the way…