RETRO REVIEW: The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath
Veena’s review of The Duke and the Lady in Red (Scandalous Gentlemen of St James. Book 3) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 28 Apr 15
As I picked up this book to read, the refrain from Chris De Burg’s lady in red was playing in my ears. The picture of a woman standing on a street in New York with her dress blowing around her was in front of my eyes. It’s no surprise that the very jaded Duke of Avendale is bowled over by his first sight of the mystery woman in a red gown. What should have been a simple tryst, because he doesn’t do relationships, turns into a whole lot more. I do enjoy the emotional impact of Ms. Heath’s stories, but she simply bowled me over with the richness of this one, especially the relationship and care that this cold and jaded man brings to his relationship with Rose’s brother Harry.
RETRO REVIEW: Pairing Off by Elizabeth Harmon
Liviania’s review of Pairing Off (Red Hot Russians, Book 1) by Elizabeth Harmon
Contemporary Romance published by Carina 2 Feb 15
I used to ice skate competitively when I was a little girl, and love of the sport is still in my blood. I find it hard to pass up a book about figure skaters. Thus, I was drawn to Pairing Off, the debut novel by Elizabeth Harmon and the first book in her Red Hot Russians series. The book opens with a rather steamy encounter, set several years before the main part of the book, when Anton Belikov gets drunk after a juniors competition and sleeps with a visiting American skater. He remembers her accent and dark hair, but the rest of the evening is rather foggy. (Readers will be entirely unsurprised that the girl turns out to be the heroine, Carrie Parker.) read more…
RETRO REVIEW: A Red Hot New Year by Eden, Mercury, Reede & Rossetti
Lawson’s review of A Red Hot New Year by Cynthia Eden, Diana Mercury, Virginia Reede, and Denise Rossetti
Erotic Romance Anthology released by Avon Red 27 Nov 07
New Year’s Bites by Cynthia Eden
Sybil has been wishing for more werewolf stories, and for very good reason. Though not a full werewolf sort of plot, the wolfies play an essential role. Anna is controlled but has a passion that’s unleashed through her new wild side, which is good to see. And meeting her stroke for stroke (pant, pant), Jon is right for her. Their chemistry works well, but the plotting and easy-to-spot villain could’ve used more organization.
Grade: B
Anna has always been the good girl, until a mysterious and powerful encounter with a wolf brings out her wild side! Now she’s unleashing her long-repressed desires on the sexy stranger who comes to her rescue . . . in Cynthia Eden’s New Year’s Bites.
(excerpt)
RETRO REVIEW: The Duke’s New Year’s Resolution by Merline Lovelace
Lynne Connolly’s review of The Duke’s New Year’s Resolution by Merline Lovelace
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire 9 Dec 08
Sabrina Russo meets doctor and Italian duke Marco Calvetti when he nearly runs her down. The sexy doc takes her to the nearest hospital and after assuring himself that her ankle is badly sprained, not broken, takes her home, where the inevitable occurs. But Sabrina has a rocky past, born of youthful rebellion against her autocratic father and Marco is a widower, who lost his wild, fun-loving, unstable wife in a storm at sea three years before. Sabrina is determined to make it on her own, after walking out on her father’s business, and with two friends she is doing just that, arranging conference hotels for companies, so she doesn’t want to give it all up even after finding love with Marco. Marco’s family and friends are troubled about Sabrina’s physical resemblance to his dead wife, and it makes Sabrina wonder if he wants her, or the late Mrs. Marco back. read more…
RETRO REVIEW: The Magic of Christmas Tree Farm by Erin Green
Dinca’s review of The Magic of Christmas Tree Farm by Erin Green
Contemporary Holiday Romance published by Aria 4 Sep 18
A story about two grown women and a teenage girl finding what they need at Christmas time…
RETRO REVIEW: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White
Stevie‘s review of The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street (Tradd Street, Book 6) by Karen White
Women’s Supernatural Detective Fiction published by Berkley 22 Oct 19
In an effort to read more holiday fiction this year, I got hold of a review copy of this book based on having read a stand-alone novel by the author before, and without realising that this one was part of an ongoing series. Going more on the title than anything more than a quick skim of the blurb, I was also expecting friendly ghosts pointing the way to Christmas Cheer and helping our protagonists solve suitably cosy mysteries. That wasn’t quite what I got.
RETRO REVIEW: A Mackenzie Clan Christmas by Jennifer Ashley
Sandy M’s review of A Mackenzie Clan Christmas (A Highland Pleasures Novella Anthology) by Jennifer Ashley
Historical Romance published by Berkley 29 Oct 19
I’m trying to get back into historical romance, and thankfully Jennifer Ashley is leading the way. I’ve enjoyed this series so much over the years, so it’s nice to celebrate the Christmas holiday with them again, especially when the stories revolve mostly around Ian. He was the one to introduce us to the Mackenzie family, so it’s perfect when he’s front and center all these years later.
RETRO REVIEW: The Christmas Village by Annie Rains
Contemporary Romance published by Forever 12 Oct 21
This is a feel-good Christmas story right in time for the holidays. Lucy Hannigan is struggling with her grief from losing her mother, debts that her mother has left her, and, of course, the loneliness of the approaching holidays without her mom. When a nighttime scare and a call to 911 brings back her high school sweetheart, Miles Bruno, into her life, things take an unexpected but sweet twist.
REVIEW: Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon
Sandy M’s review of Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon
Contemporary Women’s Fiction published by Amy Harmon 4 Jan 14
I’ve been reading Amy Harmon for a few years now and have loved each book. With this book, I know I will not even come close to giving the review a story like this deserves. She writes such in-depth characters and storylines that take you so deeply into the lives of those you meet but also into yourself, swirling your hopes, dreams, desires, heartache, joy and so, so much more.
REVIEW: In the Wake of the Wicked by V.B. Lacey
Kaitlyn‘s review of In the Wake of the Wicked by V.B. Lacey
Fantasy published by V.B. Lacey 14 Nov 24
If you’re looking for a dark fantasy romance set in a unique world, with Wicked meets Hunger Games vibes, this is perfect!
