Last year I wanted to open myself up to more of what bookstores and my library has to offer. Thus I found myself drifting through the swirling, unknown currents of the Romance section.
And when I think of literary romance, I think of Scarlett and Rhett. Cathy and Heathcliff. Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre. The list goes on.
I’ve read several good ones in my quest to broaden my horizons. But they are those that some would not consider a true romance. In fact, I found that they crossed over well into other genres.
These two books I received from Kensington Press, showed me the other, perhaps more realistic side of the coin. The type of Romance novels most fans of the genre choose and enjoy.
They have helped me come to the realization that it may be entirely possible, that I am a literary snob. I can see me reading these types of books from time to time, but to feel about them the same way I do Historical Fiction? Not likely.
I consider myself an honest reviewer. So, it wouldn’t be fair to the author and those many fans she’s earned over the years to give these negative reviews simply because I don’t favor the genre. Hence the following reviews may come off a bit “colder” than what my readers are used to.
If He’s Sinful by Hannah Howell
Historical Romance, 323 pages
Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing Group
Review copy courtesy of the Publisher
If He’s Sinful is the second book in a series about the Wherlocke family. I hadn’t read any other books in this series, but the author presents her characters and plot in such a way, that I never felt I was missing anything.
According to the book blurb:
It is whispered throughout London that the members of the Wherlocke family are possessed of certain, unexplainable gifts. But Lord Ashton Radmoor is skeptical – until he discovers an innocent beauty lying drugged and helpless in the bedroom of a brothel.
The gifts mentioned are those of sight (seeing ghosts) and other paranormal abilities such as telekinesis. Considering the setting of the book, this offers a more complicated conflict than simply a poor women or man falling in love above or below their social standing. Add a murder mystery, and this develops into a more meatier story than I had first anticipated.
Wild Conquest by Hannah Howell
Historical Romance, 330 pages
Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing Group
Review copy courtesy of the Publisher
As for Wild Conquest:
Pleasance Dunstan is used to silently bearing the cruelties put upon her by her thoughtless family. But nothing can prepare her for the greatest indignity of all: being sold into servitude to a man as wild as Tearlach O’Duine. His untamed ways are whispered of throughout town, and he has set his sights on Pleasance to be more than his servant. He will have her in his bed.
Some readers may be challenged by the author duplicating Tearlach’s accent in writing. However, after a bit I became used to it, although at times it was an effort, albeit a small one.
I must advise you here, that there are sex scenes. However, I didn’t find any of them offensive. And I don’t mean in terms of the graphic nature of them, for they are graphic. What pleased me more was that she never overused terms and situations for that particular story.
I would note though, that when I read the second book, there are scenes of a similar in construction. I hate to say it was formulaic, and that if you read one sex scene, you’ve read them all, it wasn’t necessarily that way. I believe the reason for this is the writer is skilled enough to build the story in a way that the flow was kept at a good pace so these interludes, and their similarities, were never a huge distraction.
For those who read romances for this aspect, then you will definitely find these to your liking. Both books are quick, enjoyable reads; ones to take on a trip, a vacation, or for a few stolen hours away from the hustle and bustle of life.
I am not a huge fan of romance as a genre, but so far, all I have read are ones I would recommend to those who are fans, including these.
If you’ve reviewed Hannah Howell, please leave a link in your comment (if you choose to leave one). always encourage readers to never listen to one voice, and especially one who clearly admits not being a true fan. I’m sure they will appreciate being directed to other opinions, I know I do.
Hannah Howell is a best-selling author of over 32 historical romance novels. Many of them set in medieval Scotland. She also writes under the names Sandra Dustin and Anna Jennet. (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Such a great set up to your reviews. I think that letting readers know that you don’t favor these types of books helps them to understand why you came to the conclusions you did. I’m that way with mystery and suspense, and I’ve had to let people know that as well. Your reviews are really great though, because you’ve helped back up your views. Also, I appreciate that your reviews aren’t 100% about the couple, but about the writing itself, and the arc of the story. Thanks! This is a great example of how to approach books in a professional sort of way.
As a fan of romance novels, my reaction to the Hannah Howell book I read was not nearly as favorable as yours.
If I can make a recommendation, I’d love to hear what you think of Loretta Chase, who is an author that many romance fans, myself included, would recommend.
I’ve been avoiding my goal of attempting to read 10 authors I would never normally read because of this very thing– not knowing how to go about reviewing them. I am encouraged by your concentrating on Howell’s writing style and her ability to create a meatier story that you anticipated. I’ve often imagined Roger Ebert’s success lies in his ability to review for the target audience regardless of his own interest or lack of interest in the genre and I think you have done that quite gracefully.
(Did I just write a review of your review? Geez.)