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Lonestar's Lady
8.0
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Lonestar. His name fit him perfectly. It fed every fantasy that Gussie Horton had conjured about...
romance historical 4 stars
The Viking Queen (1967)
6.0
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Hammer exploitation movie, really, really loosely based on historical events. The burgeoning romance...
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Her One True Love in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I love historical romance but sometimes they all seem the same. Dont get me wrong, sometimes its not a bad thing, like revisiting an old friend after not seeing them for a while. There may be subtle differences, but overall, nothing has truly changed. Therefore, when I find a historical romance that sticks out for whatever reason, it excites me.
Rachel Brimbles novels interested me greatly because they promised something different. Prostitutes, actresses and village girls? These arent the usual heroines in a historical romance. No, those are the side characters, there to help or hinder the H/h. And, more often than not, are shown in a less than favorable light. Even when they are aiding the main characters, these commoners are typically depicted as uneducated, unkempt, and/or even something less than human.
But Brimble made them human. Not only that, she made them likable. Despite how common or low class Brimbles lead couples seem to be, they are still very much human with morals and standards. I found myself rooting for them just as much I would the usual ton couples I read about, maybe even more so since I felt I could relate to these characters.
Brimble also has an easy enjoyable writing style. I found myself gliding along the pages, never once stumbling over a word, phrase or sentence that didnt make sense.
Overall, I enjoyed every single novel I have read from Brimble thus far. I felt her interwoven tales of love and struggle on a visceral and loved that she wrote about the often forgotten members of society during this era.
Rachel Brimbles novels interested me greatly because they promised something different. Prostitutes, actresses and village girls? These arent the usual heroines in a historical romance. No, those are the side characters, there to help or hinder the H/h. And, more often than not, are shown in a less than favorable light. Even when they are aiding the main characters, these commoners are typically depicted as uneducated, unkempt, and/or even something less than human.
But Brimble made them human. Not only that, she made them likable. Despite how common or low class Brimbles lead couples seem to be, they are still very much human with morals and standards. I found myself rooting for them just as much I would the usual ton couples I read about, maybe even more so since I felt I could relate to these characters.
Brimble also has an easy enjoyable writing style. I found myself gliding along the pages, never once stumbling over a word, phrase or sentence that didnt make sense.
Overall, I enjoyed every single novel I have read from Brimble thus far. I felt her interwoven tales of love and struggle on a visceral and loved that she wrote about the often forgotten members of society during this era.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Temptation of Laura in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I love historical romance but sometimes they all seem the dame. Dont get me wrong, sometimes its not a bad thing, like revisited an old friend after not seeing them for a while. There may be subtle differences, but overall, nothing has truly changed. Therefore, when I find a historical romance that sticks out for whatever reason, it excites me.
Rachel Brimbles novels interested me greatly because they promised something different. Prostitutes, actresses and village girls? These arent the usual heroines in a historical romance. No, those are the side characters, there to help or hinder the H/h. And, more often than not, are shown in a less than favorable light. Even when they are aiding the main characters, these commoners are typically depicted as uneducated, unkempt, and/or even something less than human.
But Brimble made them human. Not only that, she made them likable. Despite how common or low class Brimbles lead couples seem to be, they are still very much human with morals and standards. I found myself rooting for them just as much I would the usual ton couples I read about, maybe even more so since I felt I could relate to these characters.
Brimble also has an easy enjoyable writing style. I found myself gliding along the pages, never once stumbling over a word, phrase or sentence that didnt make sense.
Overall, I enjoyed every single novel I have read from Brimble thus far. I felt her interwoven tales of love and struggle on a visceral and loved that she wrote about the often forgotten members of society during this era.
Rachel Brimbles novels interested me greatly because they promised something different. Prostitutes, actresses and village girls? These arent the usual heroines in a historical romance. No, those are the side characters, there to help or hinder the H/h. And, more often than not, are shown in a less than favorable light. Even when they are aiding the main characters, these commoners are typically depicted as uneducated, unkempt, and/or even something less than human.
But Brimble made them human. Not only that, she made them likable. Despite how common or low class Brimbles lead couples seem to be, they are still very much human with morals and standards. I found myself rooting for them just as much I would the usual ton couples I read about, maybe even more so since I felt I could relate to these characters.
Brimble also has an easy enjoyable writing style. I found myself gliding along the pages, never once stumbling over a word, phrase or sentence that didnt make sense.
Overall, I enjoyed every single novel I have read from Brimble thus far. I felt her interwoven tales of love and struggle on a visceral and loved that she wrote about the often forgotten members of society during this era.
I have mixed feelings about Aidan, the last book in the collection. Starting with the positives, I loved the history and rich cultural significance behind the concept, with the Stone of Destiny featuring so prominently. All throughout this collection, I have enjoyed the fact that the writing is so heavily informed by the author’s historical research, and even though the characters and plots are fictitious, it’s nice that their world is grounded in reality and historical events that (to a degree) actually did take place.
On the flipside, I found the characters in this book a little lacklustre. Aidan and Effie are the main characters, yet they lacked any real depth and emotion which was a real shame. Similarly, the whole concept of Effie being Aidan’s ‘Dream Angel’ was overwhelmingly cliché and sickeningly sweet. I’m all for romance, but this just took it a step too far!
All in all, the positives and negatives add up to create an enjoyable, light-hearted, historical read – in fact, providing the perfect way to sum up this collection.
On the flipside, I found the characters in this book a little lacklustre. Aidan and Effie are the main characters, yet they lacked any real depth and emotion which was a real shame. Similarly, the whole concept of Effie being Aidan’s ‘Dream Angel’ was overwhelmingly cliché and sickeningly sweet. I’m all for romance, but this just took it a step too far!
All in all, the positives and negatives add up to create an enjoyable, light-hearted, historical read – in fact, providing the perfect way to sum up this collection.
The Du Lac Chronicles (The Du Lac Chronicles #1) by Mary Anne Yarde
8.0
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A generation after Arthur Pendragon ruled, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and...
Historical Fiction Historical Fantasy Historical Romance
The Blithedale Romance
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Michael J. Colacurcio and Luke Bresky
Book
Inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's own experience as a member of the famous Brook Farm Community,...
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Animals at Lockwood Manor in Books
Mar 26, 2020
A tense, suspenseful debut historical novel
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them from the German air raids. Shortly after moving to Lockwood Manor, Hetty realizes all is not quite right with the inhabitants of the manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. The author skillfully builds the suspense, culminating in the motive for hosting the zoological collection and the revelation of multiple secrets. There is also a romance intertwined with the plot and, although important, is not the main focus of the story. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.
A Home for Christmas
Book
Will six strangers find hope, love, and family at Christmas? A collection of three historical...
Christmas Romance Historical Western Romance Christmas Special Seasonal
Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated A Gentleman Never Surrenders (Sins and Scandals #2) in Books
May 7, 2019
This is the second book in this series by this author. This is a scandalous story which will have you hooked from the first page. This is a historical romance story, I don't usually read this genre but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I loved the characters, I just fell in love with them from the beginning. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book