I’ve always found Hailey North’s books to be satisfying reads and her latest is a perfectly pleasant, if somewhat innocuous one. The author returns to the small town of Doolittle, Arkansas (yes, it’s a series, but not an overwhelmingly stifling one, if you know what I mean) to tell the story of a former high…
I don’t think it’s any secret to AAR regulars that I’ve been moaning and groaning ever since Connie Brockway, the author of my favorite historical romance, announced her defection from the genre. While I will still allow myself a boo-hoo every now and then, Hot Dish is a dazzling and fun contemporary debut perfectly showcasing…
The Demon’s Daughter suffered from a serious identity crisis. It could never figure out whether it wanted to be Victorian, alternate reality, romance, or erotica. In the end it was just plain bad. I had to read this in short increments to keep my sanity. Perhaps if the alternate reality setting been better done, and…
A Wanted Man, Susan Kay Law’s latest, has all the elements of an enjoyable western: a fine-looking cowboy, a sympathetic heroine, plus trains, horses, and an evil villain. All of these elements come together for an entertaining and romantic read. Laura Hamilton, a talented artist, is out on her own for the first time in…
For me, there are keepers, then there are keepers. Those in the first category have some element(s) which resonated with me upon first reading, and while I don’t necessarily re-read them from cover to cover, I have favorite scenes I like to revisit once in awhile. But the books I cling to most zealously are…
I was excited to be assigned The Italian for review; I enjoyed Coffman’s historicals years ago, when I first started reading romance, and I looked forward to a pleasant reacquaintance with her work. While the book turned out to be decent, it also turned out to have a far less romantic component than an historical…
Books are keepers for many reasons. Some are intricately plotted. Some have fascinating, one-of-a-kind characters. Some are beautifully written with lush prose and thoughtful symbolism. And some just make you smile over and over until you sigh in happiness at the end. All-American Girl fits into the last category. We have another winner from Meg…
For those of you who tried Emma Holly’s first historical romance, Beyond Innocence, you will find that Merry Vance, a secondary character from that book, takes center stage in Beyond Seduction. If you haven’t tried Emma Holly but are looking for something spicier than your typical historical romance, this book might be what you’re looking…
Having enjoyed several of Susan Wiggs’ recent books (especially The Charm School) I’ve been picking up her older works whenever I find them. And in Lord of the Night, I found a real treat. Sandro Cavalli is a Lord of the Night, one of the aristocratic aids to the doge of Venice who investigate crime…
The first time I read Bliss, I was absolutely intoxicated by it. It absorbed me and kept me completely in its power. For a whole two days all I did was eat, sleep, dream, breathe Bliss. I read it over and over, wondering each time that it should so affect me. Because by any measure…