Book Review - The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800s by Marc McCutcheon

The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800s is a handy reference for historical book readers especially if you are an avid book reviewer. Reviewers are able to fact-check the information of a historical novel which as authors know, can mean the difference in a good or bad review. If you are an avid reader of historical novels or wanting to write a fiction or non-fiction based book taking place during the 19th century, this book is useful in understanding some of the terminology and views of those who lived during this time period.

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The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800s by Marc McCutcheon

Book Review - A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade

A Reason to Sin was a relief after being somewhat disappointed in the second book of the series, A Reason to Believe. Incredibly written, this romance had everything except an ending that brought closure to the series. For those who followed this trilogy for the reunion of the Forrester brothers, you may become a bit disappointed like I was.

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A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade

Book Review - A Reason to Believe by Maureen McKade

Another amazing story in this series, A Reason to Believe is an exceptionally written historical romance. You will fall in love with Rye Forrester's character from the moment his story is told and you won't learn the entire truth until near the end. However, I never did quite care for the "heroine" of this tale, Dulcie McDaniel. She is a bitter, angry, and unappreciative woman that quite surprisingly, I never could get to like. The treatment of Rye by Dulcie was almost infuriating to the point that I didn't want to finish the book.

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A Reason to Believe by Maureen McKade

Book Review - A Reason to Live by Maureen McKade

A Reason to Live surpasses the classic historical romance novel. From the beginning chapter, you are drawn in to the lives of these two characters. Your heart aches for both of them and what burdens they must carry from the deaths that touched their lives. Ms. McKade holds nothing back which brings the tale to life. Brief discussions of homosexuality to having to use the "privy" bring reality to this story.

These minute details along with the visions of a Civil War nurse are definitely not what I have ever found in a typical romance novel. But after not being able to pull myself away from the story until the conclusion, I can honestly conclude that Maureen McKade is a superb writer of this genre, if not one of the best. The next two in the Forrester brothers' series are A Reason to Believe and A Reason to Sin. The other Forrester brothers are only mentioned mildly in the first book as Creede notes he has two brothers but once you get involved in one, you will definitely want to finish the entire series.

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A Reason to Live by Maureen McKade

Book Review - Last Chance by Jill Marie Landis

Having read several books written by Jill Marie Landis, I have come to appreciate her writing style and intimate details. As with her other books, Last Chance was far from disappointing and quite a fascinating tale to read. There are many interesting characters that are drawn into the storyline that thicken the plot but does tend to draw the conclusion out, it will take patience to read through to the "happily ever after" part. Readers who enjoy historical romances of this time period (late 1890s) will enjoy both After All and Last Chance.

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Last Chance by Jill Marie Landis

Book Review - Until Tomorrow by Jill Marie Landis

Until Tomorrow begins with these two main characters and a newborn, typical romance with a strange twist. But as the story unfolds, there are more interesting characters and strange events that are thrown into the mix. More of the effects from the Civil War are brought into play during the conclusion. Beautifully written, this book has everything that makes a good historical romance - real life events, attractive characters, drama, and romance.

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Until Tomorrow by Jill Marie Landis

Book Review - Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Seth's story in Chesapeake Blue was simply amazing and bothersome. The blackmailing by Gloria truly was disturbing and I was disheartened in the beginning to see Seth fall for his mother's vengeance. However, upon finishing the book, I came to the realization that this portion needed to be added to bring out other issues that Seth had dealt with during his lifetime. He felt obligated and a need to give back to his family for everything they gave him. He would learn that family isn't about repayment.

This book and the entire series on the Quinn Legacy are extraordinarily written with some of that Nora Robert's humor thrown in. This series has a bit of everything - humor, drama, excitement, romance, sex, and even the paranormal. My only true complaint is that I was disappointed to see it end, I wanted more, and now it's time to ask Ms. Roberts - what about Aubrey's story? One can never have enough of the Quinns.

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Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Book Review - Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts

Inner Harbor brings closure to the story of Seth's birthright and the truth behind Ray Quinn's car accident. While this book of the series does tend to start out quite slowly, it quickly picks up pace as the story is unraveled. Dr. Griffin begins out as an unlikely match for Phillip but as he slowly strips away the layers of Sybill, you begin to see the entire picture. The story of the Quinn legacy is finished with Seth's story in Chesapeake Blue with the young Quinn boy all grown up and surrounded by the mighty Quinn family.

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Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts

Book Review - A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander

Victoria Alexander delivered a compelling and intriguing take on relationships during this time period. For a historical romance novel, the author succeeded on every aspect with not only the tone of how women were expected to behave but by adding the scandalous behaviors that make a romance tale sensational. A Little Bit Wicked is exceptionally written, the characters are unpretentious, and the storyline is believable - and the book definitely holds up to the title.


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A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander

Book Review - Her Reason to Stay by Anna Adams

Her Reason To Stay begins interestingly enough with an attractive storyline. You will want to learn the dirty little secrets of Daphne's past and was she after the Abernathy fortune. However, after getting through the first portion of the book, I found I had to choke down the rest of the pages. The poor writing and redundant conversations had me lose interest in the story all together.

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Her Reason To Stay by Anna Adams

Book Review - Not Quite a Lady by Loretta Chase

Not Quite a Lady was like a breath of fresh air. Many romance novels will have the reader running in circles as they try to keep up with the main characters. One moment they are locked in a romantic embrace, the next moment they are ready to claw each other's eyes out. The heroine seems to always be needing saved from evil and then the hero saves the day. Darius is a hero in this tale but not quite what one would expect. There is also a villain who will also bring several surprises to the storyline. There are many amazing and shocking disclosures that make this book quite different than your typical historical romance novel.

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Not Quite a Lady by Loretta Chase

Book Review - Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Sea Swept is a remarkable opening to the Chesapeake Bay Series, one chapter and readers will be hooked, line and sinker into this unorthodox family of brothers. This book is followed by Rising Tides that delves deeper into the life of Ethan, Ms. Roberts drops subtle hints throughout the first book at what lays in store for this brother. The series ends with Inner Harbor and the finale of Seth's tale in Chesapeake Blue.

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Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Book Review - Dark Stranger by Heather Graham

Dark Stranger is an exceptionally well-written fiction with many factual accounts that occurred during the Civil War but not anything new that couldn't be found in any middle school history textbook. The impacts of certain battles, war leaders, and the brutality of brother fighting against brother add to the book but the only impact it had on the relationship between Kristin and Cole was the fact they wished the war was over so Cole didn't have to keep disappearing to fight battles. Not quite the typical hero and heroine romance, Dark Stranger is filled with a revolving storyline that is interesting but unbelievable. The trilogy is followed by Rides a Hero and finally with Apache Summer.


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Dark Stranger by Heather Graham

Book Review - Sweetbriar by Jude Deveraux

Part Shawnee, Devon "Mac" Macalister knows what will happen to the young woman and after battling to win her for himself, he takes Linnet back to his home in Sweetbriar, Kentucky. The people of Sweetbriar are quickly drawn to the English girl and she is welcomed into their small community. The beautiful young woman could have any man of Sweetbriar but from the moment Mac saved her life, she only wanted him.

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Sweetbriar by Jude Deveraux

Book Review - Rising Tides by Nora Roberts

The love and compassion these three brothers have for each other is evident throughout the story and with usual style, Nora Roberts adds some humor. Although the book started somewhat slow and it was almost painful to get through the beginning, the storyline quickly picked up pace. After getting drawn into the lives of the Quinn family, you will want to learn more about the brothers and the mystery behind Raymond Quinn's death and the truth of Seth. The story of Ethan Quinn is disturbing yet beautiful and readers will have to finish the series in the third book Inner Harbor and the final tale Chesapeake Blue to discover all of the secrets hiding within the Quinn brothers.

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Rising Tides by Nora Roberts

Book Review - Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts

This first book in the series gives readers a glimpse of many other charming and not-so charming characters that will be brought back again in book two Black Rose, and the finale Red Lily. The ghost of the "Harper Bride" surrounds each of these women as they take their steps into a new portion of their lives. Nora Roberts adds thrilling suspense, mystery, and her unmistakable humor into each book, a series that all readers will want to finish until the end.

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Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts