THY NAME IS LOVE
by Diana Rubino

Genre: Historical Romance

RT Rating;  3 stars

Set against the turmoil of 1471 England, Denys Woodville and Valentine Starbury’s love story is woven through
with the tangled historical threads of the War of the Roses in such a way that history and fiction merge.

Richard of Gloucester plays matchmaker to his friends Valentine, a knight, and Denys, King Edward’s niece. The queen wants Richard to wed Denys, but he marries his beloved Ann, leaving Denys and Val to marry at the king’s command.

Val and Denys are drawn into the conflict that arises when Edward dies and the Woodville followers face off with Richard III and his loyal knights, including Val.

As Richards allies, their lives become even more complicated, with Val as Chancellor of England and Denys as confidante to both Richard and Ann as they follow their destinies toward war.

Anglophiles will enjoy the depth of detail and the large cast of historical personages Ms. Rubino has included in her debut novel. We meet kings, queens, nobles and commoners, even Christopher Columbus, in this colorful tapestry.

THY NAME IS LOVE

DIANA RUBINO

The story first begun in Destiny Lies Waiting continues as Denys Starbury and her beloved Valentine are thrust into the world of medieval English power politics at the Plantagenet court.

One by one the royal family is eliminated, until Denys and Valentine find themselves allied with the only man left standing who can contend for the throne: Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Denys faces even more peril in her personal life, for as she continues to search for her lost family, she finds only a trail of murder, mayhem and destruction.

Denys also seeks the love of Valentine, bound to her by political expediency, but whom she aches for passionately. Yet in a world dominated by the hunger for power, not love, the only certainty is shifting allegiances and even betrayal.

Despite the love and desire they seem to share, how can she ever bring herself to trust the man to whom a capricious quirk of Fate has bound her?

For the path Denys has stepped onto is fraught with pitfalls. One false step could mean certain death. Is the truth about her parentage really worth sacrificing everything for, friendship, love, even her own marriage?

Valentine’s love, loyalty, and very life hang in the balance as Yorkist and Lancastrian battle for the throne at a little place in the north called Bosworth Field. Can he remain faithful to King, country, and wife when he discovers the real identity of the woman he has wedded?

THE SEA OF LOVE
by Sorcha MacMurrough
Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: Ireland, 1546

RT Rating: 4 stars

Aidanna O’Flaherty’s world is pitched into chaos when she is wrongfully accused of murdering her stepson. Her only ray of hope lies in the dashing, English-bred aristocrat Declan Burke. They are drawn together against the threat of Aidanna’s evil brother-in-law, and soon fall in love.

Their love is threatened when Declan is falsely accused of treason and thrown into the dreaded Tower. Aidanna must expose her enemy to save all she holds dear.

The Sea of Love is a captivating tale woven with rich settings and vivid characters. Aidann’s and Declan’s attraction is magnetic, and the suspenseful drama keeps a reader turning the pages

DESTINY LIES WAITING
by Diana Rubino
Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: 15th-century England

RT Rating; 3 stars

Elizabeth, married to King Edward Plantagenet, is Denys Dove Woodville’s aunt. Having placed many relatives in high court positions, it is now Denys’ turn. Elizabeth has betrothed her to Edward’s brother, Richard of Gloucester. Neither Denys nor Richard wants this. In love with another woman, Richard persuades his good friend, Valentine Starbury, to woo Denys.

Denys has other plans. Even though she’s attracted to Valentine, she is determined to find out who she really is. Little does she know that what she finds may not bode well for her, her family or even for England.

Even though I thought this historical novel was a most satisfying read, I was a bit disappointed that the mystery of Denys parentage wasn’t fully explained but I am hoping this will all be explained later in the series. I look forward to the next novel, Thy Name is Love.

Love’s Sweet Song
Annabelle Stevens

Love’s Sweet Song brings us the story of two people meant to be together but kept apart by outside circumstances.

Through a series of gross misunderstandings, communication failures and lies, Angelica and Winston have lost each other. She marries his brother and they appear to have the happiest of unions.

All is not as it seems, though, as Winston discovers after a tragic accident kills his brother and niece. Resilient, Angelica will turn the tragedy around to bring her true love back within reach. Winston and Angelica share a tender, touching and special love.

- Romantic Times

This was one sizzling book. The chemistry between the characters sizzles from the moment they meet. The hero has amnesia and is blind after the Napoleonic war. As the heroine tries to help him adjust to his new life, and recall his old one, they are caught in a web of suspense and intrigue which is a terrific continuation of what has been going on in the first 3 books of The Rakehell Regency Romance series. The action in this romance propels us to the stunning next book, The Scarred Heart. I don’t want to give too many spoilers, but if you love historical romances with mystery and suspense, this will certainly be one you will enjoy.
Alexander is scarred in body more than mind, but he is redeemed through Sarah’s love and willingness to take on his enemies, even if it means staring death right in the face. This author can REALLY write hot love scenes, and great characters. This is page turning romance at its best. I found myself remembering the characters in this book long after I had finished reading it, so that makes it a keeper for me.

This excellent series of Rakehell Regency Romance novels continues with the love story of Jonathan Deveril, the third of the Rakehells in the series we have met so far.

Jonathan has led a colorful life in the past, but thanks to the Peninsular War, has found God, and devoted himself to the Church, duty, and honor.

All of his good intentions are nearly undone when he meets Pamela Ashton, the most glamorous of the local Brimley beauties. He sees vast potential within her, if only she will use her head for more than just holding up her stylish hair-do.

Pamela starts falling in love with Jonathan almost before she realises it. Included in his Rakehell set, and on a trip to Bath to stay at the Duke of Ellesmere’s townhouse, Pamela grows more in love with Jonathan every day.
She works hard against worldly temptation and social injustice as she aspires to be a better woman and good wife to the young vicar. The joy and wildfire passion she experiences from their almost daily contact is like nothing she ever imagined possible even in her wildest dreams.

But Pamela soon begins to wonder why, just as they seem to get so close she is sure he will propose, he backs away from their growing intimacy.

Soon news reaches her ears of the most appalling scandal touching Jonathan. In view of how he has treated her, the nightmarish tale seems to make sense. That he has betrayed her in every way possible, the better to get his hands on her considerable fortune.

But Pamela’s heart tells her a different tale, to trust to love. With the help of the Duke of Ellesmere, Pamela uncovers the dark secrets of Jonathan’s past that have prevented him from sweeping Pamela off her feet as he longs to. Only through her love and the vanquishing of his enemies can Jonathan ever move from his darkness into the light of love, hope and joy at last.

This is an excellent novel, a true love story as we share all the delight and turmoil of this wonderful couple falling in love. Pamela grows up wonderfully thanks to Jonathan, his sister Sarah, and the Rakehells, and surprises us as well as herself with all she is capable of.

Jonathan is a delight, his marvelous character taking center stage amid his beguiling Rakehell companions.

The Rakehells, as usual, are excellent secondary characters that support but do not intrude upon the flow of this compelling love story.

The Gothic elements of the book are spine-tingling. The sensual elements are just perfect, promising an explosive passion which does not disappoint. The book is fast-paced, and the interaction between the couple is enthralling. Jonathan is an enigma, and really keeps us guessing as to whether he will choose duty, or love. The suspense elements are great. I was really on the edge of my seat seeing what would happen next.

Readers of traditional Regency romance novels will be captivated by the author’s command of the Regency period, the wonderful but tasteful love scenes, and her sumptuous attention to detail.

This is what historical fiction, and historical romance novels, should be: Great characters, fantastic meaty plot, and gorgeous love scenes with a couple who well and truly fall in love and get their happily ever after, despite all the trials and tribulations they endure. The Miss Matched is definitely a keeper!