I started this blog six years ago to post my reviews of romance novels, and promote myself as a romance author, under a pen name. As I get closer to completing a book and become more involved in the industry, it's become apparent that I should work under my own name, and not a pen …
I’ll Make it Anywhere: Duchess by Design
The dress shown on the cover does not match the practical dressmaking discussed in the book. Maya Rodale's 2018 Duchess by Design is a great story, with a perfect balance of romance, humour, and social commentary. It's 1895, and the Duke of Kingston has inherited an estate in desperate need of funds. His solution, a …
Novellas under the Mistletoe: Santa, Baby
Perhaps I am pushing the boundaries of the season, reviewing a Christmas themed novella collection in January, but, as Calvin Coolidge reportedly said, Christmas is a state of mind. (He also said, "the words of a President have an enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately." Sigh. Okay, back to thoughts of romance …
Second Chance Coma: Coast Road
Coast Road (1998), by Barbara Delinsky, was published by Simon and Schuster. Though not marketed as a romance, it's essentially a second chance romance story. Jack and Rachel met in college. He was studying architecture and working as a TA in an art course, she came from a wealthy family and was studying art. His …
Grit meets Grace: Season of Wonder
Since it's shortly before Christmas, let's review a Christmas romance. Season of Wonder (Harlequin, 2018), from RaeAnne Thayne, is her ninth Haven Point novel (and her 60th book). Haven Point is an idyllic small town (is there any other kind?) in Idaho, and the new home for Dani and her two daughters. Dani left the …
The Original Marriage of Convenience: The Convenient Marriage
After a complex book exchange (and some trading) at a meeting of romance writers, one of my gifts was a copy of Georgette Heyer's The Convenient Marriage. At first glance, it appeared to be a standard Regency romance. The Earl of Rule is obligated to marry, and has selected Lady Elizabeth to be his bride. …
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More Small Town Bliss: The Best Man Takes a Bride
In The Best Man Takes a Bride, by Stacy Connelly (2018, Harlequin Special Edition, Home and Family), Jamison Porter is a single dad struggling to look after his four-year-old daughter. He had an unhappy marriage, separated, and a few months ago his wife died in car crash that also injured his daughter. His parents divorced, …
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Small Town Bliss: Coming Home to Crimson
One of the many things about literature that I learned from film studies is how to spot the 'right romantic couple.' They are the couple that speak the same language. In other words, their conversations with each other suggest a deeper connection or a greater understanding than their conversations with others. In genre romances, the …
Cheap, Cheerful, and Chaste – Regencies from Joyce Alec
Although my eReader of choice is Kobo, I have the Kindle app on my phone. I have my phone with me when busing (and ferrying) about town, so I do most of my reading on that. When I finish a book, suggestions for something similar are right there. Buy Now With 1-click is a terrible …
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Love on Ice: Game Changer
Game Changer is a new release from Carina Press, an ebook imprint of Harlequin, and the debut novel from Rachel Reid. Scott is the captain of an NHL team. He's off his game, but one morning he tries a fruit smoothie from the cute Kip, and that night he returns to top form. He credits …
Bethany Rose Artin 
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