Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Alice Borchardt’s DEVOTED –A Worthy Romance Set in 10th Century France

 

At the time when Vikings were a threat to all in France, Owen, the young Bishop of Chantalon, rises as a hero of the people. At his side is the brave Elin who he freed from the Vikings’ clutches. This is a fascinating historical that features authentic elements as well as genuine faith, mysticism, mystery and magic. The descriptions are vivid, the characters well developed and the story compelling.

 
Elin becomes Owen's lady and would defend him and his city though it will cost her much. Their budding love comes to a sudden end when Owen is captured, leaving the defense of the city to Elin and Godwin, a warrior who stands by her side.

 

Owen represents the growing Christianity even as the brutal Northmen rape and pillage, led by the villain Hakon. The Forest People who worship pagan gods are disappearing but they come to Owen’s aid when Elin summons them, for she was raised among them, a princess of her people.


I enjoyed this story as it has great depth and I wanted to know what happened to all the characters who come to Elin and Owen’s aid. The author has captured the different factions in France at the time and the emerging future while bringing us a winning love story.

 

The sequel is Beguiled.


Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Best American Patriotic Historical Romances

July is the month when we Americans celebrate our Independence. It’s a great time to read a story with a noble hero and a worthy heroine set in times when America’s future was on the line. Here’s the list you’ll want to pick from—all good ones! All on the list are rated 4 or 5 stars.

 

The French and Indian War (America before Independence):

 

Follow the Heart by Anita Mills

Ride out the Storm by Aleen Malcolm

Scattered Seeds by Julie Doherty

Windsong by Judith E. French

 

The War of Independence/Revolutionary War:

 

America’s Daughter, America’s Wife, America’s Promise, trilogy by Celeste De Blasis

Captain Sedition by K.C. Fusaro

Caroline, Touch the Sun and Spring Fires, from the Beauvisage series by Cynthia Wright

Dear George, Dear Mary by Mary Calvi

Devon and The Black Angel by Cordia Byers

Fortune’s Bride by Judith E. French

In From the Cold by Nora Roberts

Lanterns in the Mist by Mairi Norris

Love a Rebel, Love a Rogue by Shirl Henke

Love Among the Rabble by Lauren Laviolette

Love Not a Rebel by Heather Graham

Master of My Dreams and Captain of My Heart by Danelle Harmon

Mood Indigo by Parris Afton Bond

Old Glory by Christopher Nicole

Passion’s Ransom by Betina Krahn

Scarlet Ribbons by Judith E. French

Silver Storm, from the Raveneau series by Cynthia Wright

The Calling of the Clan by Parris Afton Bonds

The Paradise Bargain by Betina Krahn (Whiskey Rebellion), first released as Love’s Brazen Fire

The Wayward One by Danelle Harmon

Under Crimson Sails by Lynna Lawton (post-Revolutionary War)

Velvet Chains by Constance O’Banyon

 

The War of 1812:

 

Fortune’s Flames by Janelle Taylor

Lady Vixen by Shirlee Busbee

Lord of the Sea by Danelle Harmon

Masque of Jade by Emma Merritt

Midnight Masquerade by Shirlee Busbee

My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

Tainted Lilies by Becky Lee Weyrich

The Captain’s Captive by Christine Dorsey

The Plains of Chalmette by Jack Caldwell

The Windflower by Laura London (aka Sharon and Tom Curtis)

To Save a Lady by Patricia Preston

 

The Underground Railroad:

 

Passion’s Joy by Jennifer Horsman

 

The Civil War:

 

A Time for Everything by Mysti Parker (post Civil War)

An Outlaw in Wonderland by Lori Austin

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers

Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss

Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin (post Civil War)

Bittersweet by Anita Mills (mostly post Civil War)

Bonds of Love by Lisa Gregory

Clingstone by Marti Ziegler

Dark Stranger and Rides a Hero, first two books in the Slater Brothers trilogy by Heather Graham

Lavender Blue by Parris Afton Bonds

Midnight Confessions by Candice Proctor

No Greater Glory by Cindy Nord

One Wore Blue, And One Wore Gray, And One Rode West, Cameron Civil War trilogy by Heather Graham

Rebel, Surrender, Glory and Triumph (from the Old Florida's McKenzies series) by Heather Graham

Rules of Decorum by Leigh Lee

Sing My Name by Ellen O’Connell

Southern Rapture by Jennifer Blake

Straight for the Heart by Marsha Canham

Surrender in Moonlight by Jennifer Blake

The Black Swan and Moss Rose, duology by Day Taylor

The Outlaw Hearts by Rebecca Brandewyne

Tomorrow the Glory by Heather Graham

Vagabond Wind by Amanda Hughes

When the Splendor Falls by Laurie McBain

 

In addition to those listed above, I hope you will consider my own stories: To Tame the Wind, a Georgian romance set in the last year of the Revolutionary War with privateers and spies in England and France; Wind Raven, the story of a sea captain hero and a heroine looking back at the War of 1812; and my newest, The Irish Yankee, book 1 in the Dawn of America series.


Thursday, July 24, 2025

Patricia Preston’s TO SAVE A LADY – Intriguing Story set in New Orleans During the War of 1812

Set in 1814 in New Orleans, this is the story of Elisa Plaisance, a lady’s maid, who becomes a messenger for the Americans, feeding information to Capt. Jesse Cross, an aid to General Jackson. She does this as a part of a bargain she made with a man named Louis Beauvais, who agrees to search for her mistress’ missing son. Her mistress, having lost her husband and her other children is pining away for her son.

 

Elise’s one desire is to avoid her mother’s fate, ending up as the neglected mistress of a married man. Yet she falls in love with Jesse and is the one to suggest they make love—without benefit of marriage. Jesse seems to have only honorable intentions but it takes him a while to get around to that. And then there is the war…

 

Preston brings to life the time at the end of the War of 1812 when, unaware that a peace treaty had been reached, the Americans and British in New Orleans fought on. She obviously did much research to get the events correct. Her fight scenes are exciting and the fictional intrigue believable. Elise is a sympathetic figure though at times she does seem a bit confused about her goals. Still, she is unselfish and wants only the best for her mistress, who saved her from a fate worse than death. Jesse is honorable in all things and his cousin is a worthy character (who will be a hero in an upcoming book).

 

It’s a great start to her French Quarter Brides series and I recommend it.


 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Mary Calvi’s DEAR GEORGE, DEAR MARY – An Interesting Take on a Great Man’s First Love

Set in the mid-18th century before the American Revolution, this is a fictional account of George Washington’s unrequited love for Mary Philipse, “the richest belle in Colonial America.” It is also the story of slander, betrayal and treachery designed to keep them apart.

 

The book’s description reads like a review so I’ll give you my own. This is a story of two people whose lives were affected by the selfish desires of others. George Washington went on to fulfill his destiny as America’s first and beloved President, a patriot of patriots. The British looked down on the colonials, even ones like Colonel Washington who was brave and honest and gave good service. They could not have one of their prized heiresses marrying such a man. So they conspired to keep it from happening.

 

This book made me sad to think so great a hero could be treated like that but then evil men have always done so and do to this day. Mary was a disappointing heroine in the end as she lacked the courage to stand up for him—or to wait for him. In the end Providence, as they referred to God in those days, protected Washington and gave him the country he fought for, the freedom he prized.

 

There were parts of the story that were very romantic and well told but, alas, we didn’t see the letters the book’s title suggests. And there were other parts that I hurried through once it was clear Mary would marry a lesser man she did not love. But there was a happy ending—for America. All in all, I think you’ll find this an interesting read.


 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Danelle Harmon’s LORD OF THE SEA –American Privateers in the War of 1812!

Set during the War of 1812 in the Caribbean, this is the story of Capt. Connor Merrick, a cavalier Yankee privateer, and Rhiannon Evans, a young British girl.

 

Rhiannon wants an adventure and so she accepts an invitation to winter at the home of Sir Graham Falconer in Barbados, who happens to be Connor’s brother-in-law. On the way, pirates attack her ship, and Connor saves her and takes her to Sir Graham’s. Intending to leave to hunt British merchant ships, Conner stays long enough to get trapped into marrying the young Rhiannon.

 

Harmon has woven an entertaining seafaring tale of divided loyalties with an American privateer whose sister is married to a British admiral. Reckless and daring, yet insecure about his ability to be his famous father’s equal, Connor takes one British prize ship after another, all this in his brother-in-law’s backyard. Meanwhile, Rhiannon, a naïve young woman in many ways, quickly grows up trying to keep up with Connor—and keep him out of trouble, an effort that is doomed to failure.

 

The descriptions of the ships and sails and all things nautical are done exceptionally well and will keep you turning pages as Connor faces pirates, battles at sea and storms. There is deep emotion, too, as Connor comes to terms with his own frailties and the strengths of others.

 

It’s been a while since I read one of Harmon’s seafaring adventures, so I was a bit lost when characters from her other books made an appearance and there were references to earlier stories. I say this only to suggest you might want to read this book as a part of the series, and in order.

 

The Heroes of the Sea series:

 

My Lady Pirate

Captain of My Heart

Master of My Dreams

   The Admiral’s Heart (Short Story)

Lord of The Sea


 

Monday, July 14, 2025

Tim McGrath’s GIVE ME A FAST SHIP – Engaging Story of America’s Naval Captains in the Revolutionary War Including the Privateers who Helped Us Win

This is a well-written book that tells the amazing story of Americans who rose to the challenge during the Revolutionary War to fight the greatest navy in the world for the cause of America’s independence. 

 

Though it’s non-fiction, it held my interest as if fiction. McGrath splits the saga into bite sized pieces he weaves together for a compelling tale. He does move around a lot, jumping from year to year, and that’s my only suggestion for change...make clear what year the incident takes place in.

 

His details are great and he brings to life these courageous men who many know little about. I loved the list of captains he provided and referred to it many times.

 

A very good read and I recommend it.





 

Friday, July 11, 2025

Shirlee Busbee’s LADY VIXEN: A Classic Privateer Love Story Set in the War of 1812!

 

Set in England during the years 1808-1814, this is one of those rare and wonderful love stories that sweeps you away to another time and place where you are caught up in the lives of people whose actions will affect not only their own and others' lives but America and England during the War of 1812. Deception and treachery born years ago lead to revenge and then to heartache. Busbee uses real characters, such as the pirate Jean Lafitte, to bring realism to her story as she seamlessly weaves history into a compelling tale. It's what I call a "dense" historical: one where the writing is so complex and so tight you're getting double the story you'd expect in the 538 pages.

 

Young Nicole Ashford led an idyllic life in Surrey with her wealthy parents and her twin brother until a boating accident one summer took them from her. Made the ward of an uncaring and barely related aunt and uncle who only want her fortune, and learning of their plans to marry her off to their ne'er-do-well son, at 13 Nicole dons the disguise of a young boy and runs away to sea as the cabin boy for Captain Saber, an American privateer.

 

For 5 years, Nicole sails with him as a boy and Saber pays her little attention. When she is 18, Saber observes her swimming naked on a tropical beach and decides he wants her for his mistress. He bides his time and when Nicole and a seaman (who is really a British spy) decide to destroy English codebooks that Saber has captured, the two are caught.

 

Using the life of the English seaman as a bargaining chip, Saber forces Nicole to become his mistress, until the American, on a mission to spy for his new country, decides to sail home and resume his identity as Christopher Saxon, grandson of a baron.

 

And so begins a complex, worthy tale of adventure, rich in history (both England's and America's) and a love that could not be denied.

 


Monday, July 7, 2025

Celeste De Blasis’ AMERICA’S DAUGHTER – Well Researched and Well Told with Endearing Characters...the Revolutionary War Come to Life!

This is the story of Addie Valencourt who lives with her widowed father and brothers in Boston. Her father is a Loyalist but Addie and her brothers are Patriots. When, dressed like a boy, she sneaks out to witness the Boston Tea Party, knowing her world is about to change forever. Soon, the glittering summers in rural Virginia with her cousins and the plush prosperity of her father’s home in Boston are eclipsed by the fight for America’s independence.

When the British forces lay siege to Boston, Addie’s family is torn in two. Her brothers and her childhood sweetheart Silas leave to become aides to General Washington alongside Alexander Hamilton, while Addie’s English-born, Loyalist father welcomes the British into his home.

 

This is part one and the story continues in the next two in the trilogy: America’s Wife and America’s Promise. I have read and loved all three. Celeste De Blasis is a great author and this series is no exception. The characters are richly drawn, the research impeccable and the story engaging.

 


 

Friday, July 4, 2025

The Irish Yankee, book 1 in the Dawn of America series is here!

My new series, The Dawn of America, is here, just in time to celebrate the year of America's 250th Anniversary. The Irish Yankee, book 1, just became available for preorder on Amazon.


The Privateers

They were the daring American seamen who seized British merchant ships during the Revolutionary War, disrupting British supply lines to aid the Continental Army. Initially operating in the shadows as a pirate militia of the sea, General George Washington encouraged them and American Patriots embraced them, giving the little fleet of pirates the name “Washington’s Navy.” Eventually they were armed with letters of marque, transforming them from outlaws to official heroes, allowing them to seize enemy vessels as prizes of war. Individual colonies (states after 1776) commissioned privateers, and in March 1776 the Continental Congress legalized them and began issuing commissions. 

 The Irish Yankee

In June 1775, amid the Revolutionary War’s early stirrings, Irish Yankee Jeremiah O’Brien, seized a British armed schooner off the Maine coast to thwart the cargo of lumber she was escorting from reaching British forces in Boston. Inspired by this daring victory, Jeremiah abandoned his lumber business to command privateer vessels, relentlessly pursuing British merchant ships across dangerous waters. Defying the British navy’s tightening grip on the Massachusetts coast, he risked his life and his ships to capture many prizes. Yet his greatest battle may lay onshore: winning the heart of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, a fiercely independent woman who loves the freedom he fights for. Only a man worthy of the title “the hero of the Lexington of the Sea” could earn her love and prove himself worthy of her strength.


Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Kerry Fusaro’s CAPTAIN SEDITION, Revolutionary War Book 1 - A Good Story With Lots of Detail But Meanders a Bit

This is the story of London courier Joethan Wolfe, a self-admitted rake who carries messages for the British government. Born in America, he went to England when he was ten. When his father in America falls ill, in 1775, he takes a ship for the Colonies where he has not lived for fourteen years. The rest of the story is basically him searching for his father, “Captain Sedition”.

 

The first thing I noticed about this story was that despite his being unfamiliar with the Colonies since he was a boy, Wolfe provides detailed descriptions and historical context for all he sees. How did he know all that?

 

In his first days in Boston, Wolfe runs into all the major leaders of the Patriots, sometimes in a “drive by” manner with only the surname being tossed out by a boy Wolfe takes as his guide. If you don’t know your US history, you might be lost.

 

We are told by the author’s description that Wolfe is an honorable man yet most of his decisions appears to be for his own pleasure.

 

The author left me wondering at times who was speaking because he tends to put one character’s words in the same paragraph with another character’s reaction when they should have been separated. He also shifts point of view in a single paragraph and only for one line. Thus, the points of view were left a bit loose. Also, some awkward choices of words at times left the meaning unclear.

 

The pace is good, particularly at the outset, and the story moves along at a good clip. But in the middle the story meanders as he goes to Long Island and renews (for a brief time) his childhood friendship with a woman named Prudence to whom he is attracted. She is a Patriot, whereas Wolfe appears to be neutral or on the fence. Their story really never develops.

 

I had the impression this was the beginning of a longer story and so I felt a bit cheated as there is no real “end” to the book. Presumably, the story continues in the next.
 

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Best Western Historical Romances


I first discovered Western romances by reading those written by my favorite authors who also wrote stories set in other eras. Since then, I have become a true fan of the subgenre and find myself every now and then reaching for a good romance from the Old West. I love those heroes. So, it seemed a “best” list was in order to share some of these wonderful stories with you. I have a separate list for Patriotic Historical Romances I post in July, some of which are set in the same era. All on my lists are rated 4 or 5 stars by me. I think you’ll like them!

 

·               A Fire in the Blood by Shirl Henke

·               A Heart So Wild by Johanna Lindsey

·               Beautiful Bad Man by Ellen O’Connell

·               Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin

·               Behind His Blue Eyes by Kaki Warner

·               Branded Hearts by Heather Graham

·               Brave the Wild Wind, Savage Thunder & Angel, Wyoming trilogy by Johanna

Lindsey

·               Brighter Than Gold by Cynthia Wright

·               Broken Vows by Shirl Henke

·               Captive Melody by Nadine Crenshaw

·               Capture the Sun, The Endless Sky & Sundancer, trilogy by Shirl Henke

·               Colorado Promise by Charlene Whitman

·               Comanche Moon, Comanche Heart & Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson

·               Clyde Connor by Sally Platt

·               Dancing on Coals by Ellen O’Connell

·               Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell

·               Fair is the Rose by Meagan McKinney

·              Fire Hawk’s Bride by Judith E. French

·               Fireblossom & Wildblossom, the Matthews duology by Cynthia Wright

·               Follow the Heart by Anita Mills

·               Forever Mine by Charlene Raddon

·               From Fields of Gold by Alexandra Ripley

·               Golden Fancy by Jennifer Blake

·               Golden Lady by Shirl Henke

·               Gone Outlaw by Madison Thames

·               Haven’s Flame by Marie Piper

·               Heart of the West by Penelope Williamson

·               Heartbreak Creek, Colorado Dawn & Bride of the High Country by Kaki Warner

·               Her Bodyguard by E. E. Burke

·               Her Wicked Captor by Sandra Jones

·               Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer

·               Innocent Fire, Firestorm, Violet Fire & The Fires of Paradise (from The Bragg

Saga) by Brenda Joyce

·               Into the Light by Ellen O’Connell

·               Lavender Blue by Parris Afton Bonds

·               Lawless by Nora Roberts

·               Love a Dark Rider by Shirlee Busbee

·               Love Cherish Me by Rebecca Brandewyne

·               Love Unwilling By Shirl Henke

·               McCrory’s Lady by Shirl Henke

·               Moon Dancer by Judith E. French

·               Mountain Mistress by Nadine Crenshaw

·               Night Flame by Catherine Hart

·               Night Wind’s Woman, White Apache’s Woman & Deep as the Rivers, trilogy by

Shirl Henke

·               No Other Man, No Other Woman and No Other Love, trilogy by Shannon Drake

·               One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey

·               Pieces of Sky, Open Country & Chasing the Sun, the Blood Rose trilogy by Kaki

 Warner

·               Reckless Angel by Elizabeth Awbrey (aka Elizabeth Stuart)

·               Savage Ecstasy and Defiant Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor

·               Silken Savage by Catherine Hart

·               Silver Nights with You and Desert Sunrise by Sawyer Belle

·               Sing My Name by Ellen O’Connell

·               Star of the West by Cordia Byers

·               Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers

·               Tears of Gold by Laurie McBain

·               Tender Touch by Charlene Raddon

·               Teton Sunrise by Peggy L. Henderson

·               Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath

·               Texas Tall by Kaki Warner

·               The Ballad of Emma O’Toole by Elizabeth Lane

·               The Bequest by Candice Proctor

·               The Darkest Heart by Brenda Joyce

·               The Double Cross by Carla Kelly

·               The Outlaw Hearts by Rebecca Brandewyne

·               The Outsider by Penelope Williamson

·               The River Nymph by Shirl Henke

·               The Scent of Roses by Charlene Raddon

·               The Tiger’s Woman by Celeste De Blasis

·               The Vintner’s Daughter by Kristen Harnisch

·               To Have and to Hold by Charlene Raddon

·               Under the Desert Moon by Marsha Canham

·               When the Splendor Falls by Laurie McBain

·               Where the Horses Run by Kaki Warner

·               Where the Wild Wind Blows by Nancy Morse

·               While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee

·               Without Words by Ellen O’Connell