REVIEW: Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner

Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Murder on the Eiffel Tower (A Victor Legris Mystery) by Claude Izner
Historical mystery hardcover released by St. Martin's Minotaur 2 Sep 08

While the United States is a publishing powerhouse, there are plenty of books published overseas that might never find an American distributor. Case in point, Claude Izner's debut historical mystery set in late 19th century Paris was first published in 2003 and is just now seeing the light of day in the U.S in 2008. Given that historical romances haven't exactly been breaking the mold with fresh, original locales, I find historical mysteries to be a refreshing change of pace when I get burnt out from reading about English dukes or American cowboys. However, while Murder on the Eiffel Tower cleansed my palate when it came to the locale, I can't say the book was entirely successful for me. Read more

Tags: 2008, Claude Izner, Fiction, Grade C, Historical, Murder on the Eiffel Tower, mystery, Review, September 2008, St. Martin's, Victor Legris series, Wendy The Super Librarian

REVIEW: Double Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy

Devon’s review of Double Enchantment (Relics of Merlin, Book 2) by Kathryne Kennedy
Historical Paranormal Romance released by Love Spell 26 Aug 08

Earlier this year I read and greatly enjoyed Enchanting the Lady, the first in Kathryne Kennedy’s Relics of Merlin series. Luckily the follow-up, Double Enchantment, is quite strong as well. I feel corny saying this, but these books are enchanting. Set in a Victorian England full of magic, the setting is vivid and unusual, the characters interesting, and the romances are lovely. Romance readers who like fantasy should take notice. Read more

Tags: 2008, August 2008, Devon, Double Enchantment, Grade A, Historical, Kathryne Kennedy, Love Spell, Paranormal, Relics of Merlin series, Review

REVIEW: Nature of the Beast by Howell, Basso, and Silver

Gwen's review of Nature of the Beast by Hannah Howell, Adrienne Basso, and Eve Silver
Historical paranormal romance anthology released by Kensington 26 Aug 08

This is a collection of three historical paranormal stories all centered on vampires and their women.  All three have some nice action and all three have lovely romances.  Not all three are of equal quality, but it's a good anthology.   One of the few Historical Paranormal Romances that I have liked.  Often when these sub-genres are blended, something suffers.  These stories handle it well. Read more

Tags: 2008, Adrienne Basso, anthology, August 2008, Eve Silver, Grade B, Grade C, Gwen, Hannah Howell, Historical, Kensington, Nature of the Beast, Paranormal Romance, Review

Blazen Hot August Excerpt: Bound to Please by Hope Tarr

Bound To Please by Hope Tarr is the first historical published by Harlequin Blaze. Read Wendy the Super Librarian's review, then click on the cut for an excerpt.

He's not going to take this treatment lying down. At least, not for long…

Fifteenth-century Scotland is a tough place to be a woman in charge. Brianna MacLeod, new laird of her clan, needs a child to establish her position. And the best way to do that is to demand the sexual services of her sworn—and very sexy—enemy!

Ewan Fraser never foresaw being kidnapped, tied up and expected to perform stud service. Yet being bound for the delicious Brianna's pleasure isn't all bad. In fact, the more time he spends in her bed, the more he's determined she'll be the one who ends up enslaved….

Read more

Tags: 2008, Bound to Please, Erotic Romance, Excerpt, Harlequin Blaze, Historical, Hope Tarr, July 2008, Quacking About

REVIEW: Double Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy

Sandy M's review of Double Enchantment (Relics of Merlin, Book 2) by Kathryne Kennedy
Paranormal Historical Romance published by Love Spell 28 Aug 08

I have the best time in Kathryne Kennedy's special world of magic she's created for her Relics of Merlin series. It's fun and lighthearted, full of romance, all the while throwing loads of mystery and evil deeds at you. And her were-heroes are to die for. Read more

Tags: 2008, August 2008, Double Enchantment, Grade A, Historical, Kathryne Kennedy, Love Spell, Paranormal, Relics of Merlin series, Review, Romance, Sandy M

REVIEW: Sam’s Creed by Sarah McCarty

Sandy M's review of Sam's Creed (Hell's Eight, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty
Historical Western Romance published by Harlequin Spice 24 Jun 08

I love alpha men in my romances. Really alpha. The kind that take what they want when they want and know how to love a woman like she's never been loved before. Of course, another part of my loving these alphas in my romances is seeing them fall for the one woman who stands up to them, makes them shiver with a touch, pulls the emotion from them while never letting them be less than the men they are. Sarah McCarty is doing all that and then some in her Hell's Eight series. Read more

Tags: 2008, Grade A, Harlequin Spice, Hell's Eight series, Historical, Historical Romance, June 2008, Review, Sam's Creed, Sandy M, Sarah McCarty, Western

REVIEW: Never Lie to a Lady by Liz Carlyle

Liviania's review of Never Lie to a Lady (Neville Family Trilogy, Book 1) by Liz Carlyle
Historical romance released by Pocket Star 19 Jun 07

Before reading the Neville Family Trilogy, I had no experience with Liz Carlyle. I recognized the name and knew Sybil was head-over-heels for the latest book, but I didn't know what to expect. The opening of Never Lie to a Lady disappointed me. Xanthia Neville meets Lord Nash on a terrace and they proceed to snog, an action both of them consider ill-considered and out of character. Xanthia thinks about how she drank a little, but neither of them had the excuse of drunkenness. A bit scared that I'd agreed to review the entire trilogy, Carlyle spent the rest of the book wowing me so much that I can happily ignore the first chapter. Read more

Tags: 2008, Grade A, Historical, Historical Romance, June 2007, Liviania, Liz Carlyle, Never Lie to a Lady, Neville Family series, Pocket Star, Review

REVIEW: Delicious by Sherry Thomas

Lawson's review of Delicious by Sherry Thomas
Historical romance released by Bantam 29 Jul 08

Thomas' debut, Private Arrangements, was a wonderful book and a great debut. How nice for everyone that her next book has come out so soon after the first. The aspects from the first book are present here the beautiful style, vivid descriptions and deep characterization that the few problems I had with the book got pushed to the side. Read more

Tags: 2008, August 2008, Bantam, Delicious, Grade B, Historical, Historical Romance, Lawson, Review, Sherry Thomas

Contest: The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman **SEPT 2008**

I have these now... well really I have had them for a month or so.... 7 comments? I am so not picking a winner from 7 comments. I am going to have to come up with a harder contests if you people are going to be lazy. Tell me why you should get an ARC

The cover should be up soon, if not I have the coverflat, which is where the below information comes from and I will have it scanned. I am seriously computer challenged right now but that is so not a state that can last for long. I admit I hate the title but really like the cover. Keep reading for some contest information... Read more

Tags: ARC Contest, Historical, Jo Goodman, September 2008, The Price of Desire

Review: His Wicked Sins by Eve Silver

Devon's review of His Wicked Sins by Eve Silver
Historical Romance released by Zebra 5 Aug 08

Like many a reader (I suspect), I found my way to romance through Gothics. Not the old school nineteenth century ones (though I've read many of those too), but books by authors like Barbara Michaels, Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. Nothing was more compelling than an innocent young heroine, alone in an unfamiliar place, which filled with secrets, and the mysterious man she was unsure she could trust. If your heart once thrilled to read such stories of mystery and romance, you might want to check out His Wicked Sins, a classic Gothic with all of the elements I've listed above. Read more

Tags: 2008, August 2008, Devon, Eve Silver, Gothic, Grade B, His Wicked Sins, Historical, Historical Romance, Review, Romance, Zebra

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