Reviews for Heroines in Romance Novels

Love Romance Passion reviews Romeo, Romeo by Robin...

2010-01-18T03:11:48.397-08:00

Love Romance Passion reviews Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kay

The cast of characters Kaye created are as fabulous and as endearing as any of the Stephanie Plum characters. Rosalie, the heroine can cuss in four languages, but three don’t count in her mind and will give her bonus points with God. Rosalie’s a turn around CFO with a tough as nails assistant named Gina who can also add loyal and kindhearted to her resume. Rosalie is as Italian in her looks as Gina is Latino. The two women are best friends. (read more)

Dear Author reviews Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kay The...

2010-01-18T03:06:58.784-08:00

Dear Author reviews Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kay

The conflict Rosalie grappled with was convincing. She did not want to be like her mother, married and mistreated. She clung to her independence believing that she would prevent ever becoming that pitiful if her life partner was work. Nick’s motivations for not being able to see he was in love was less up front that Rosalie’s and sometimes, because it was more hidden, I felt frustrated with his maintaining that he was just having fun with Rosalie and that he would tire of her soon, even though his actions were the exact opposite. Some of these irritants will not bother people at all and those looking for a straight contemporary will likely find this enjoyable. I did believe that Nick and Rosalie belonged together at the end. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Once a Pirate by Susan ...

2009-12-05T10:00:53.066-08:00

The Romance Reader reviews Once a Pirate by Susan Grant

Carly and Andrew have great chemistry, and what I particularly enjoyed was Carly’s attitude in a 19th century world. She is a modern woman, and therefore a bit more forward in dress and mannerisms that what Andrew is used to. She’s also very funny, the way she deals with her circumstances in the opening chapters are very amusing. How she talks to Andrew and acts in front of the crew provided me with several good laughs. (read more)

Mrs Giggles reviews Once a Pirate by Susan Grant ...

2009-12-05T09:57:14.251-08:00

Mrs Giggles reviews Once a Pirate by Susan Grant

I am quite disappointed to see that Once A Pirate doesn't try much harder than to follow the formula of Pirate Romance 101 strictly. There's little plot twist I haven't read before. Sure, the excitement of swashbuckling yee-ha's are plenty, but without the emotional intensity needed to carry a romance, I can't really get involved in Once A Pirate.

But I must say I'm pleased with the character development of Carly. She starts out a typical Contemporary Heroine - bad ex-boyfriend, mistrust of men, weepy-eyed over emotional things which is passed off as a virtue nowadays, ugh. But she soon transforms into a capable, clear-headed woman as befits her role as a heroine. Now that's a fine thing, I must say. (read more)

Rosario reviews Always to Remember by Lorraine Hea...

2009-12-05T08:48:28.970-08:00

Rosario reviews Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath

This was a sweet, heart-warming romance, and it did have some passionate moments, too. When it comes to the romance, there is a bit of a role reversal, because it's Clay who is the innocent virgin, who has never even kissed a woman, and Meg who is the more experienced one, who basically takes the initiative in their lovemaking. These scenes just worked really well. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Always to Remember by L...

2009-12-05T08:32:01.279-08:00

The Romance Reader reviews Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath

The summary on the back cover of Always To Remember ends with the statement that "sometimes love - like courage - whispers instead of shouts." That is how I will remember this book. It is filled with small moments. There is no feisty heroine and no arrogant hero. There are simply two wounded people brought together in sorrow, transformed by the healing power of love.

Set in Texas after the Civil War, war widow Meg Warner commissions Clayton Holland to sculpt a war memorial. She does so out of revenge - he had refused to fight in the war and has been branded a coward by his brother, his town, his South. She plans to watch him carve and sculpt day by day until he admits his cowardice and begs for her forgiveness. (read more)

Rosario reviews Daughter of the Game by Tracy Gran...

2009-12-05T06:21:45.827-08:00

Rosario reviews Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant

I know Mélanie will be a character difficult to accept for many readers, but I greatly admired her. She did what she had to do to defend the ideals she believed in. I can find nothing reprehensible in her behaviour. And I especially respected her for still believing in these ideals and for never making excuses, just accepting the consequences of her behaviour. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Daughter of the Game by...

2009-12-05T06:13:04.507-08:00

The Romance Reader reviews Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant

Grant has created a cast of fascinating characters who have all “played the game” to one extent or another. She offers a realistic vision of the world of Regency England that does not often find its way into the pages of romance novels. She provides a plausible plot that sets this particular game in motion.

Daughter of the Game is a real page turner. Romance readers who like their stories dark and full of angst should adore this book. Fans of historical mysteries should likewise enjoy the twists and turns of the plot. (read more)

Mr Giggles reviews Daughter of the Game by Tracy G...

2009-12-05T06:07:51.496-08:00

Mr Giggles reviews Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant

How can I resist a hero who seems to be so calm and controlled, yet when he's so furious, he smashes his fist into the wall until he bled without realizing it? And not once did he treat Mélanie cruelly despite his realizing the extent of her betrayal. In this case, I agree with the author: when one is the situation Mélanie is in, her actions are understandable to me, and to be honest, I respect her more for having the guts to stand up for her principles and accept the consequences for her actions. She's a far cry from the sniveling bluestocking idiots currently overpopulating the romance genre - she is courageous and strong, and Charles is a wonderful man to remember that always. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Under Fire by Jo Davis ...

2009-08-26T07:26:56.523-07:00

The Romance Reader reviews Under Fire by Jo Davis (2009)

Cori is scarred from her past, but she’s been searching for a kind-hearted, sweet man to cherish her until she can really heal.

Zack is so hot, a strong leading man, and a real hero. He shoulders the burdens his father has left him with dignity, and suffers quietly. Zack is also a little bit of a geek, he still remembers being a pudgy nerd, which makes him even more endearing. He is also wildly romantic, having saved himself for the right woman and he’s quickly falling head over heels for Cori. Zack surprised me; he isn’t a typical male lead by any means, but he is a breath of fresh air. His inner musings bring the book to a deep, emotional level as he opens his battered heart to Cori without much thought to the real damage she could do with his vulnerability. (read more)

Rosario reviews All Through The Night by Connie Br...

2009-08-14T14:11:43.308-07:00

Rosario reviews All Through The Night by Connie Brockway

I loved that Brockway didn't take the easy way out and make the usual excuses for her characters' behaviour. And she added a twist: Anne tried to convince herself that she was stealing only for her charity, but it was clear this was just an excuse. And Jack's conflicting feelings about his father and what he did... they made a horrible kind of sense. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews All Through The Night b...

2009-08-14T14:07:08.446-07:00

The Romance Reader reviews All Through The Night by Connie Brockway

Both main characters have troubled pasts -- which can make for heavy reading. This isn't a book for everyone. But for readers who like a compelling story with complex, fascinating characters and sexual tension that will have you breathing deeply, All Through the Night is definitely a must read.

And what a moving read! The cat and mouse of the hunt, together with these two magnetic, mature characters whose troubled pasts are revealed in tantalizing glimpses, combine to draw the reader deep into a world of mystery, intrigue, and raging passion. For those with a taste for originality and depth of characterization, this is a trip well worth making. (read more)

Mr Giggles reviews All Through The Night by Connie...

2009-08-14T14:04:07.188-07:00

Mr Giggles reviews All Through The Night by Connie Brockway

Do I doubt that Jack and Anne are good for each other? No. Here is where the author demonstrates her exquisite skill: All Through The Night is dark and full of emotional torment, but the darkness never overwhelms me. Instead, the darkness becomes the story, blending it so perfectly with Jack and Anne's character that their torments never come off as forced. These are people I wouldn't want to meet in real life, but I end up caring for them. I hurt, I cry, and I really weep for them at the end. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Sweet Baby by Sharon Sa...

2009-08-12T08:49:23.474-07:00

The Romance Reader reviews Sweet Baby by Sharon Sala

Terrific character development is what makes this story so good. The author made me understand Tory and how very real her fears were to her. And it wasn't hard to fall for Brett, a strong, loving and very sexy man who is not afraid of showing emotion or love. I very quickly found myself rooting for Tory to confront her fears and her past so she could love Brett the way he deserves to be loved. (read more)

Smart Bitches Trashy Books reviews Unleashed by Lo...

2009-08-09T09:27:59.298-07:00

Smart Bitches Trashy Books reviews Unleashed by Lori Borrill

The other part I truly enjoyed was the heroine’s frankness, not only about her own history and the true lows she sank to personally at the hands of shitful people in her life, but about her sexuality and her enjoyment of sex. She likes sex, she’s attracted to Rick, and she has no shame about that. She’s terribly realistic, both as a character and in the way she views her own life: she knows what hard rock bottom is like, and since she’s been there already, facing it again means she knows how to build back herself up again. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Games of Pleasure by Ju...

2009-08-08T12:34:02.876-07:00

The Romance Reader reviews Games of Pleasure by Julia Ross

Miracle is more than just the stereotypical whore with a heart of gold. Her low-class origins condemned her at a young age to a sordid existence, and she has struggled merely to survive. She’s not unprincipled, just realistic about her prospects. She wants to separate herself from Ryder because she fears what their association can mean for him. Even so, she knows the man he is and cannot help falling in love with him.

I have read other books with a lord-and-beggar-girl plot and remained skeptical to the end. What distinguishes Games of Pleasure is that even with the great disparity of birth and fortune between Ryder and Miracle, I became convinced that these two truly love each other and belong together. Their story is a triumph of character development.
(read more)

Smart Bitches Trashy Books reviews Hot Under Press...

2009-08-07T12:41:38.914-07:00

Smart Bitches Trashy Books reviews Hot Under Pressure by Kathleen O'Reilly

Flaws aside, I loved this book. I am horrified at myself that I resisted the appeal of category romance as long as I did, and this book is exactly the kind of kick in the ass I deserve for neglecting some outstanding stories in the category format. Hot Under Pressure depicted realistic, wounded people recognizing that perhaps they’ve outgrown the habits that used to keep them safe. It is a breath-holding, marvelous tense pleasure to witness their potential for happiness, should they take a chance and change directions. (read more)

Dear Author reviews Hot Under Pressure by Kathleen...

2009-08-07T12:14:53.990-07:00

Dear Author reviews Hot Under Pressure by Kathleen O'Reilly

The dialogue between Ashley and David sparkles at times while at others it’s quiet and serious as they discuss their feelings and the issues still keeping them apart. You didn’t go easy on the issues either. David with his broken family relationship caused when he caught his brother and now ex-wife in bed only to have those two marry after the divorce came through. And Ashley who acts almost as a mother to her 30 year old, champion guilt inducing younger sister who can manipulate with the best of them. The resolutions for both came raggedly yet in their own time. I appreciate the fact that neither is tied in a neat little bow and both appear to be sort of ongoing. Just as real life would be. (read more)

Rosario reviews Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth S...

2009-07-20T12:26:15.897-07:00

Rosario reviews Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth

She didn't. Maddie is a strong, competent spy without even one TSTL bone in her body. She's strong and kind and intelligent and has built for herself a life she enjoys. She's sexually experienced and while not promiscuous, she has no problem taking a lover when she feels like it. What's best is that she genuinely likes herself and respects the woman she's become, all through her own effort. (read more)

The Romance Reader reviews Winter Garden by Adele ...

2009-07-20T12:23:14.876-07:00

The Romance Reader reviews Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth

The task of summarizing the plot of Winter Garden is not an easy one. Usually when this is the case, it's because the novel in question has no plot to speak of, or a very weak and jumbled one at best. Reverse that observation in the extreme for Winter Garden. Adele Ashford has woven together a storyline so intricate and powerful, that it is difficult to give readers very many descriptions of it without giving away too much. Keeping that in mind, let me attempt to summarize the plot of Winter Garden. (read more)

Mrs Giggles reviews Winter Garden by Adele Ashwort...

2009-07-20T12:20:26.383-07:00

Mrs Giggles reviews Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth

Yes, I recognize the fact that Winter Garden is a well-written story with well-developed characters. It is touted as a character-driven romance with its non-virginal spy heroine hailed as daring and different.

Chalk this one as yet another casualty of overhigh expectations, because I find this story tad dull. It's not because of the hero, who is wonderfully dark and tormented yet retaining his heroic qualities at the same time. No, it's the heroine. After all the Hail Madelines I have been reading in romance reviews, I do feel tad cheated that she is... well, ordinary. (read more)

Book Binge reviews Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie...

2009-07-12T14:27:16.146-07:00

Book Binge reviews Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella

I read this book for Nath's Reread Challenge and I couldn't think of a better book to start this challenge off with. When I first read this book, I laughed a whole lot and I just had a ball reading it but that was years ago. It's been so long since I've reread this book that I wasn't sure if I'd like it anymore considering the amount of books that I loved before and don't really care for anymore. I was so happy to find that I enjoyed this book just as much this time around as I did the first time that I read it. (read more)

Dear Author reviews Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spenc...

2009-07-10T12:27:38.768-07:00

Dear Author reviews Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer

The book spans about two and a half years during WWII, and follows two of the most memorable characters I’ve ever met. He’s an ex con, an orphan, displaced and haunted by his past. She’s a pregnant widow with two young children, a reputation for madness, and a deep mistrust for the people who have made her an outsider all of her life. (read more)

This is a fun relationship romance with humor and ...

2009-07-09T10:42:12.932-07:00

This is a fun relationship romance with humor and flirty banter. You can see the relationship develop in a way that feels real and genuine. I was afraid there would be lots of fighting and pouting from the heroine because her father didn’t leave the vineyard to her, but Jaye was adult about it. The relationship was between two equals even though Zack was her boss.

The author didn't use the tomboy thing as a "men see her as one of them" and that's why she didn't date much. Jaye was comfortable and confident in her sexuality.

The romance Reader reviews Heart of Deception by T...

2009-07-08T06:23:40.703-07:00

The romance Reader reviews Heart of Deception by Taylor Chase

Vivian may not be every reader’s cup of tea. No virginal innocent, she has had to be ruthless to survive. As “Queen of the Klink,” she has no hesitation about shedding blood to protect her kingdom. She is used to being in control, both in life and in love.

Rafe is a true match for this strong woman. He can accept her past, yet maintain his own values. He will do what is right, even at great personal cost. (read more)