RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts
Veena’s review of Stars of Fortune (The Guardians, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
Fantasy Romance published by Berkley 03 Nov 15
Lately I’ve been a bit jaded and somewhat disappointed with some of my fail-safe authors whom I’ve read for a long time. So when this new series was announced, I was somewhat skeptical because it sounded a lot like “been there” “read that,” but when the book landed in my lap like a gift from the gods, I couldn’t resist reading it. I am glad to report that while there are similar stories from the author, these characters are fresh and new, and they’ll quickly sweep you into their secrets and developing friendships with each other. I am so glad that I did not sit this one out waiting for the reviews to drive my direction.
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: In Bed with the Devil by Lorraine Heath
Sandy M’s review of In Bed with the Devil (Scoundrels of St. James, Book 1) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance released by Avon 24 Jun 08
If you want a beautifully written book with strong characters who push all your emotional buttons and an intriguing storyline every time, you have to read Lorraine Heath. It doesn’t matter what era she chooses as the backdrop for her books, you will lose yourself just in the writing alone and you will fall farther still when her characters entrance you and give you their all. read more…
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: Fear of Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
Veena’s review of Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Book 9) by Alexandra Ivy
Paranormal Romance published by Zebra 28 Aug 12
As a reader it’s so easy to become emotionally invested in the characters of a story, the level of emotional investment being a testament of how good or great a story is. I believe it’s very difficult for an author to take an antagonist in a book that readers hate and turn him or her into hero/heroine material. However, Alexandra Ivy has done just that with Caine, the hero of her current Guardians of Eternity release, Fear the Darkness.
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
Sandy M’s review of On the Island by Tracy Garvis Graves
Contemporary Romance published by Plume 10 Jul 10
What an emotion-filled story this is. What amazing, unexpected, horrible things this hero and heroine go through, and how they survive will astound you. This is a book that will pull you every which way and then some. I read it in one day. If you don’t read Tracy Garvis Graves’ On the Island, it’s definitely your loss.
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb
Veena’s review of Celebrity in Death (In Death Series, Book 34) by J.D. Robb
Futuristic Romance published by Putnam Adult 21 Feb 12
J.D. Robb is the nom de plume under which Nora Roberts writes her futuristic mystery thrillers. Celebrity in Death is the 34th book in a series that started in 2005 with two books being published every year. In this book the author delves into the dark underbelly of jealousy and insecurity that lurks behind Hollywood’s glamorous facade. J.D. Robb manages to keep murder fresh by introducing new and creative ways of death and the persons who deliver it in her series.
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: The Next Always by Nora Roberts
Sandy M’s review of The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley Trade 1 Nov 11
I haven’t read a Nora Roberts book in forever. I used to read her all the time, I have every book on her backlist tucked away. Then I added a few more – and then quite a bit than a few more – authors to my ever-growing list, and then I started reviewing books, so a few of my favorites got pushed to the background. So I was doubly excited when I received The Next Always to review. Nora Roberts is the perfect comfort read. Reading her stories is like coming home after being gone a very long time. It’s so nice to be home.
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: Dark Storm by Christine Feehan
Veena’s review of Dark Storm (Carpathians Series, Book 23) by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 02 Oct 12
I know better than most that there’s a reader for every book and a book for every reader, but, even so, I’m amazed at the very mixed reviews that I read on this book. For me personally, this book is outstanding. A PC Carpathian male who actually wants a partnership with a woman instead of laying down the law! Way to go! His life mate is a woman determined to keep her heart safe so she would not go through the same agony that she had seen her mother and grandmother go through when they lost their spouses. This book brings back the magic from the very first Carpathian book I read, and now I’m waiting with bated breath to see where the author will take the series next. read more…
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: Justified by Jay Crownover
Sandy M’s review of Justified (Loveless, Book 1) by Jay Crownover
Contemporary Romance published by Forever 25 Jun 19
Another new author for me, and I freely admit I checked out this book because of the cover. Who can resist a sexy cowboy sheriff, for heaven’s sake. I’m glad I took a look and then took the chance on Jay Crownover. And though this is the second book in the Loveless, Texas series, I’m looking forward to digging into her backlist soon.
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst
Veena’s review of The Marriage Merger (Marriage to a Billionaire, Book 4) by Jennifer Probst
Contemporary Romance published by Gallery Books 30 Jul 13
Shades of Grey seems to have changed the romance landscape in America. It is almost du jour for authors to introduce bondage, erotic spanking and other elements of D/s in their books. While this book certainly contains all these key elements, what really held my interest is the strong sense of family, old-fashioned romance, and clever dialogue. read more…
RETRO REVIEW: Favorites Week: Hero by Samantha Young
Sandy M’s review of Hero by Samantha Young
Contemporary Romance published by NAL 3 Feb 15
This is my first Samantha Young read. I’ve wanted to delve into her On Dublin Street series, but I’ve hesitated at this point just due to time restraints to start a multi-book series. So when given the chance to read and review Hero, my hesitation was a thing of the past. I’m so very glad she’s written this non-series book so I was able to finally sample her work. Now what’s a reader-reviewer to do when she wants more?
