September is Classic Romance Month!
September is the month for Classic Romances!
Now just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s a classic. We define a Classic Romance as:
– an unforgettable novel.
- one that has an impact on the genre (might start a new trend)
- if you want to call yourself a true romance reader then you’d better darned well know this book.
Over the past three years we’ve reviewed a slew of CR titles such as the Velvet series by Jude Deveraux, Courting Miss Hattie by Pamela Morsi, Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne and Heartbreaker by Linda Howard. But these titles are just the tip of the iceberg. So kick back, relax and get ready for an avalanche of books to hit your To Be Read list.
Review: Compromising Positions by Jenna Bayley-Burke
Filed under: Book Reviews, Genre: Contemporary, Heat: Sexy!, Reviews: rating 4
Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.
David Strong knows how to do a lot of things—run an international fitness company, finesse stock portfolios and stay out of emotional entanglements. That is, until he gets tangled up with Sophie Delfino and her Sensational Sex workout. He’s supposed to help her demonstrate Kama Sutra positions for her couples’ yoga class. The rigorous postures require more than just physical control. And his co-instructor unexpectedly tests his control to the limit.
Sophie’s been fantasizing about David since her teens, but she never dreamed she’d actually be expected to run through her intimate desires—with an audience! The class is very professional, tame even—or it would be, if she’d been in any of the positions before. But she hasn’t—except in her wildest fantasies about David. Sophie knows she wants David in every way, and she’s flexible enough to use whatever she has to get him.
David can’t afford any unexpected distractions. Besides the sensual positions he has to endure without embarrassing himself in public, there’s an embezzler stealing from his company. And then there’s Sophie—who is well on her way to stealing his well-guarded heart.
– I really like this story. Sophie is a great heroine: taking care of other people is what she’s done for a good part of her life. She’s sassy, knows what she wants and is more than willing to make her dreams and fantasies come true. David has been hurt by people who love him for a long time so he doesn’t reach out to others, doesn’t expend himself emotionally. Sophie reaches him on a much deeper level, touching him emotionally and physically in ways that he’s never experienced before.
There’s so much give and take within this novel. The character dialog switches perspective mid-stream, which can sometimes be confusing, but it’s fun figuring out who’s talking. I truly enjoyed the way the author looked at how various relationships of the characters made them into the people they are today. I learned a good amount about the Kama Sutra just reading this (had to Google some of the positions to see how they were done – excellent reading material). When the characters come together romantically and then sexually, you can practically feel the steam coming from the story.
This is a fun, sexy, touching story that I hope you will enjoy as much as I did. ~ Monica, www.ireadromance.com
Review: The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
Filed under: Book Reviews, Genre: Historical, Heat: Saucy, Romance Classic
December 1988 ~ Crown Spies, Book 1
The first book in the Crown’s Spies series
1810. She has taken London society by storm. Christina Bennett… the ravishing beauty with the mysterious past. Rumor whispers she is a princess from a far-off kingdom on the continent. But only she holds the secret –until the night Lord Alexander Michael Phillips, Marquis of Lyonwood, steals a searching, sensuous kiss. A proud, arrogant nobleman with a pirate’s passions, he tastes the wild fire smoldering beneath Christina’s cool charm and swears to possess her before he is done…
But Lyon soon discovers that his dream of conquest will not be easily satisfied. The feisty and defiant Christina has no fear of him–or of any other man. She alone is master of her heart, mistress of her fortune. And though Lyon’s hungry caresses dizzy her senses though his fierce embrace arouses her desire… she will not surrender to his love. For if she does, she must also forsake at last her precious secret–and her promised destiny!
– One of my all-time favorite historical romances, The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood is a novel that will tickle your funny bone and have you swoon with delight. The storyline between Christina and Alexander will keep you turning the pages but you can’t overlook the secondary characters and the mystery that Garwood has deftly woven throughout. Not only is this a great romance, it also has one of the most memorable lines in all of RomanceLandia:
“Sir, which one is Princess Christina?” Andrew asked Lyon, just as Rhone started choking on his laughter.
Rhone had obviously been watching Christina, too.
“Sir?”
“The blond-headed one,” Lyon muttered, shaking his head. He watched in growing disbelief as Christina daintily popped another leaf into her mouth.
“Which blonde-headed one?” Andrew persisted.
“The one eating the shrubs.”
LOL! If that doesn’t make you want to read the book then you need to lie down for a while as you’re obviously ill. 
~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com
Review: Prince of Dragons by Cathryn Cade
Filed under: Book Reviews, Genre: Fantasy / Sci Fi, Heat: Sexy!, Reviews: rating 2
Commander of the elite guard on the spaceship Orion, Sirena Blaze is a legend amongst her peers. She is beautiful, sensual and passionate about her job which she takes very seriously. However, being a Serpentian she does not take men seriously and in the way of the females of her species she uses men for pleasure only. When the new co-commander of the guard arrives she’s thrown for a loop by his handsome features and sets her sights on him as her latest conquest.
Slyde Stone is looking for an adventure while on board as the new co-commander of the guard and is pleasantly surprised when he sees Sirena. She is everything he could ever want in a mate and he views her as his personal warrior queen. When he detects the acrid scent of a deadly serpent smuggled in with the entourage of a visiting prince his instincts are on full alert. He and Sirena agree to the terms of a professional game, if she finds the menacing serpents first she gets to finally have him in bed, if he wins she is his exclusively. He doesn’t know how much longer he can keep his true Dragolin nature in check and secret from everyone on board.
– I have mixed emotions about this piece. The writing is good and very fluid and the sex scenes are exciting. I’m sorry to say that I did not like the heroine and hero. Sirena’s issues with men and her way that she kept causing Slyde pain whether it was emotionally or mentally made me mad and so I couldn’t relate to her on many levels. The hero was fine for me until he broke his codes of honor which were so important to him and then flew out the window when attention was given to a certain part of his body. I really like the imagery of the different species of people on board and especially of the Dragolin appearance. Within this story there is a background piece that gives the history of the Dragolin race and I’d like to see that expanded in novel form because it was very interesting. ~ Natalie, www.ireadromance.com
Review: Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
Filed under: Book Reviews, Genre: Historical, Heat: Sensual, Reviews: rating 4.5
October 2007 ~ Hathaway Series, 1
Book Blurb: THEIR LIVES DEFY CONVENTION.
When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.
THEIR DESIRE CONSUMES THEM BOTH…
Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship–but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter….
– Mine Till Midnight has a Gypsy hero. Need I say more? Cam Rohan makes his first appearance in Devil in Winter, the third book in the Wallflower series. From his first appearance I was intrigued by him. He’s a dark, mysterious character with Bad Boy written all over him which makes him irresistible. Amelia is the eldest of five children and the ‘mother’ figure in their lives. She’s straight-laced to a certain extent and always concerned about appearances. She’s given up on the idea of ever marrying and concerns herself with her siblings in the hopes they would marry well.
Mine Till Midnight has it all. Compelling characters, humor and sensuality, this novel is great fun from beginning to end. The Hathaway family is peculiar in their pursuits (education, nature etc) and this sets the stage for some very funny moments. I highly recommend this novel. ~ Renee, www.ireadromance.com
September Releases
Publishing News- Groupon for Publishers & Bookstores September 2, 2010
- Simon & Schuster Signs Up at UK Apple iBookstore September 2, 2010
- Oxmoor House Seeks Hungry Senior Editor September 1, 2010
- Seth Godin Publishes 32-Page Workbook September 1, 2010
- Steve Jobs Counts 35 Million eBook Downloads September 1, 2010
- VQR Cancels Winter Issue September 1, 2010
- Thomas Malthus Cited by Discovery Channel HQ Gunman September 1, 2010
- Dayton Literary Peace Prize Shortlist Announced September 1, 2010