I’ve received a few RITA® Reader Challenge Reviews already – and here’s the first, of Eloisa James’ A Kiss at Midnight, which is nominated in the Best Historical category. This review is from Jayne First: the book description: Miss Kate Daltry doesn’t believe in fairy tales . . . or happily ever after. Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince . . . and decides he’s anything but charming. A … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge Review: A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James →
It was a Kindle freebie on Amazon. It was published last year, so it’s not totally new, but it’s not old school, either. But I have words. I’m finding a whole bunch of “not the usual Old West or Regency England or Victorian England setting” and this one is no different. It starts around 1742 in England- there are several background historical that inform the action and the author does a really good job of … Continue reading Highest Stakes by Emery Lee: A Guest Review by RedHeadedGirl →
Hi, sorry, sorry. This semester is kicking my ass, and all my classes are things I actually give a rat’s ass about (I’m taking law in the Ancient World, and it’s the best ever), so there’s a lot less procrastination on my plate this semester than last semester. This is also the first book I’m reviewing from my brand new Kindle, which I adore more than is reasonable. I got it for school (really) and … Continue reading Seduced by Virginia Henley, a Guest Review by RedHeadedGirl →
I have so many memories wrapped up in this book. There’s the time when I was 15, and it was one of two romance novels I took with me when I was an exchange student. And there’s that other time, a few years ago when I journeyed out to a booksigning hosted by the Dunes & Dreams Chapter of RWA (it’s on eastern Long Island. To get there, drive until you’re just about in Europe, … Continue reading Blaze Wyndham by Bertrice Small →
First: Unusual Historicals is four years old! Given how much I enjoy historical novels in other locations, and how many more I see each year, I think this is a good anniversary. Have a look at the Unusual Historicals site for prizes and fun, and tell me, what’s your favorite unusual setting? This post from Penny Romance made me snort-laugh: A Day in the Life of Amazon Romance Boards. My favorite part: Bosnia. I had … Continue reading Linkage, and an UBER Short Review of Marguerite Kaye →
I finished this book feeling emotionally wrung out, with a bittersweet happiness at the ending. But the more I thought about it, the less the emotional journey was matched by an intellectual strength in the plot, leaving me with too much pathos in the argument towards a happy ever after, and not enough logos or ethos. Yet weeks after finishing the book, I remember it with the breathless “Oh, my Gosh” sigh because the journey … Continue reading Seven Nights to Forever by Evangeline Collins →
Well. That was…unpleasant. I’m done with the 1970s-early 1980s OG Old School. That was one of the most unpleasant reading experiences I’ve ever had, and I read The Phantom of Manhattan. I finished it because I was kind of interested in where this story would end (and how much shit can be heaped upon the head of the heroine), and I have a finely developed case of trainwreck syndrome. (Also, my copy didn’t stink, so … Continue reading Purity’s Passion by Janette Seymour, a Guest Review by RedHeadedGirl →
RedHeadedGirl is back, this time with a book she absolutely loved, lest you think she only reads books she hates. Lest you all think I hate everything, this is a Praise to Balance the Snark. I described this one to Sarah as “a soothing avocado mask of a book.” A Regency with a plot that is both logical and entertaining! Dialogue that feels like real people would say it! Characters that are both likeable and … Continue reading What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden - a Guest Review by RedHeadedGirl →
I swear I’m not doing this on purpose, but yet another guest review offering arrived in yon inbox while I was editing my review, and I enjoyed this one so much I wanted to share. I’ll turn things over to Dora who also read The Devil Wears Plaid. I spotted The Devil Wears Plaid the same way I find all my romances; in the “stationary” aisle at the supermarket. The reason it stood out to … Continue reading Guest Review by Dora: The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros →
Some of the earliest romances I read were by Teresa Medeiros. I remember staying up all night reading Charming the Prince. Medeiros is one of those authors who is abidingly constant in her writing. Sometimes it knocks me over and I have to lie there for awhile savoring the feeling, and sometimes I read it with a smile and a quick-moving eye, eager for more. While I didn’t read the vampire books she wrote, as … Continue reading The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros →
R., better known as RedHeadedGirl, is back with another wayback-when old-skool romance review, with plenty of layered WTFery to go around. Enjoy! You never forget your first. You don’t forget your first kiss (Mike, and I had to guilt him into kissing me, because he was too much of wuss to try, and I was too much of a girly-wuss to kiss first), your first flower (Dave, whose great moments were always involving flowers but … Continue reading Season of the Sun by Catherine Coulter - A Guest review by R. →
