Book Review - Return to Yesterday by Annette Broadrick

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this book. Typically, short romances like these published by Silhouette are lacking in depth. However, I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed “Return to Yesterday”. Ms. Broadrick did an amazing job at holding my attention to the storyline and kept me reading until the end. And just when you think the story of Felicia and Dane has come to its “happily ever after”, she throws in a twist that leaves you feeling complete – yes, the ending was rich and I wouldn’t change a thing.

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Return to Yesterday

Book Review - Wild Lady by Ann Major

Being that I generally enjoy reading romances written by Ann Major, I was looking forward to snuggling down for an evening with this book. Perhaps I had too high of hopes because this story was nothing like I expected. The first portion had me hooked into reading more but as the story progressed, I truly lost interest in the characters.

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Wild Lady by Ann Major

Book Review - Embraced By The Light by Betty J. Eadie

Whether you believe in near-death experiences or you are a skeptic, “Embraced By The Light” is a powerful story with an uplifting message. It’s a story of love and treating those around us with the kindness and respect that each person deserves. No one person is better than the other and no one has the right to judge – that time will come from a higher power. Although Ms. Eadie doesn’t discuss judgment, she does describe a beautiful place that our souls will someday reach again – the place where our lives actually began.

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Embraced By The Light

Book Review - A Marriage of Convenience by Doreen Owens Malek

Although I went into reading this book with the notion it was just another typical romance, I ended up being pleasantly surprised. I quickly fell in love with the characters and the storyline and couldn't wait to get to the happy ending. The author did a phenomenal job at putting together a beautiful story that had its heart wrenching moments and throwing in some humor as well. The details were so well written that you could vividly see this couple during their escapades without over-boring you with too many particulars. I do prefer historical romances but I don't regret picking up this book and finishing it to the end.

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A Marriage of Convenience

Book Review - The Hawk and the Honey by Dixie Browning

You will travel along with the couple as they grocery shop for Thanksgiving dinner, take a horseback ride in the rain that will bore you out of your mind, and follow Cleo as she cooks and cleans for Roane. The storyline was definitely lacking any action or thrilling scenes that would make you keep turning the pages. Simply put, this book was tedious to read and the plot was uninteresting. If it wasn't for poor old Uncle Wint and his goat, chickens, and bees, I would even have to say the story was lifeless.

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The Hawk and the Honey

Book Review - West of the Sun by Lynn Erickson

The relationship between Julie and Ben was also highly lacking. They were thrown together like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and all is perfect except the author left out the glass of milk so your mouth is left dry. After Julie gives herself to Tanner, he leaves for a couple of weeks and never calls. He shows back up and all is perfect again. In all, "West of the Sun" is an okay book. But don't expect a wonderful romance story and do expect something that is even more unrealistic than UFOs.

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West of the Sun

Book Review - Dakota's Bride by Christine Young

"Dakota's Bride" has everything expected from a historical romance. The two main characters that seem to always be at odds with each other, the villain (or villains) that push the plot to the edge, and the fairytale ending. Typically with a romance novel this long (almost 400 pages), the author will overuse descriptive narratives as filler.

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Dakota's Bride

Book Reviews - Walking Hawk by John S. McCord

“Walking Hawk” is a short western novel full of suspense, surprises, and a bit of romance. Being one who typically enjoys historical romances, I was truly delighted with this book and couldn’t wait to get to the finale. McCord did a remarkable job at not becoming redundant – each scene was beautifully written out so that nothing was left to be questioned. But the best parts were the bits of humor that the author put into place so perfectly. Of course the ending was predictable but it’s the parts between the covers that made this a truly enjoyable book to read.

Great Historical Romance Novels of 2009

The year of 2009 offered up some great historical romances. Some were great, some not-so great. Here are my picks of some of the best historical romance books of 2009

Best Historical Romance Novels of 2009

Book Review - Cradle and All by James Patterson

James Patterson has always been a remarkable storyteller and Cradle and All will keep you gripped to the end. The book is a fast paced story without any fillers - it's all chill and thrill throughout the entire story. Patterson doesn't fail with the ending either, just when you think you have the story figured out, he throws another loop into this fascinating tale that will leave you wanting more.

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Cradle and All

Book Review - A Marriage of Convenience by Doreen Owens Malek

Although I went into reading this book with the notion it was just another typical romance, I ended up being pleasantly surprised. I quickly fell in love with the characters and the storyline and couldn't wait to get to the happy ending. The author did a phenomenal job at putting together a beautiful story that had its heart wrenching moments and throwing in some humor as well. The details were so well written that you could vividly see this couple during their escapades without over-boring you with too many particulars. I do prefer historical romances but I don't regret picking up this book and finishing it to the end.

Full Review:
A Marriage of Convenience

Book Review - The Bengal Rubies by Lisa Bingham

Author Lisa Bingham is known to pen some amazing romances which include Temptation's Kiss and Distant Thunder. Again, she draws the reader in with an exciting beginning and keeps the pace going throughout the book. Although the book has little to do with the Bengal Rubies (the book's title), this is still an electrifying tale with interesting characters and an even more beautiful outcome.

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the Bengal Rubies by Lisa Bingham

Book Review - Bleachers by John Grisham

Bleachers allows Grisham fans to view another side of this author's writings. This book takes a nostalgic look at a small town with colorful characters that all reflect on how times change. Although readers never "meet" Eddie Rake, his story is told through his former players and you will feel the love-hate attitude that these young men have for their former coach. The entire story surrounds the "deathwatch" of Eddie Rake while those who were affected by Rake, reflect upon their lives-something many do when someone of substantial meaning passes from our lives. The book was thought-provoking and told in a way that keeps the reader pressed to the pages, something only an excellent storyteller like Grisham can achieve.

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Bleachers by John Grisham

Book Review - Heart of Ice by Diana Palmer

Heart of Ice has all the similarities of other Diana Palmer novels. In fact, if you have read Betrayed by Love, then you have basically read the same storyline except the rogue doesn't take the innocence of the heroine. The cowboy in this novel is crude and demeaning and the woman basically cowers down because of her love for the scoundrel trying to seduce her. However, just like in most of Palmer's books, you become attached to the characters.

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Heart of Ice by Diana Palmer

Book Review - Betrayed by Love by Diana Palmer

Betrayed by Love is a typical Diana Palmer romance. The virgin heroine, the manly character who happens to be roguish, and an interesting storyline with a few obstacles thrown into play. Throughout most of the story, Jacob treats Kate as nothing more than a "loose woman" and Kate is the scared puppy who will allow this man to treat her as he wishes. Jacob finally comes to realize that his feelings for Kate are more than a lustful attraction and the relationship begins to build.

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Betrayed by Love by Diana Palmer

Book Review - Falcon Moon by Cassie Edwards

There is one thing I've come to learn about novels written by Cassie Edwards - you either love them or you hate them. Falcon Moon ranks on my "don't even bother with" list. The writing is amateurish and there are many conflicting events and repeated dialogue that had me having to choke through this book.

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Falcon Moon by Cassie Edwards

Book Review - The Gift by Danielle Steel

The Gift is filled with unexpected events that change a family's future and that of a young girl. The book is quite short but Ms. Steel fills each page with endearing words that keep you attached to each word. Once the ground work was laid out on the Whittaker family, I quickly became attached to this broken family devastated by tragedy. This tale is emotional and saddening and since the book didn't end with that "happily ever after" stage, I felt it was more realistic and reasonable to believe. While I found the book began quite slowly and almost put it away, I was unable to even sit the book down once the first chapter was complete. The Gift is simple yet has depth that touches your soul.

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The Gift by Danielle Steel

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