Xenia Navarre Historical Romance

Those of you lovely readers who’ve checked out my website know that I’m an enormous fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley (The Mists of Avalon, The Firebrand, the lush and lovely Darkover books, which are absolute classics in the fantasy genre.) Sadly, MZB passed away a few years ago, after publishing an enormous volume of work. I have SO missed her, and have read those gorgeous Darkover books until they’re dog-eared and peeling.

Imagine my utter delight to find this reissue of her very first ever published novel (originally released in 1961), and then to find that it’s an early snapshot of what would BECOME the world of Darkover. And that, nearly fifty years after it was written, the story is still so utterly readable, compelling, absorbing, relevant. All I can say is that if you’re an MZB fan like I am, and you’ve missed her work, you are in for a delicious treat! It’s a nice short read at 204 pages, and would have been compelling even at twice the length. LOTS of action, culture clash, sensuality, psychic powers, and just plain good writing. Do yourself the enormous favor of reading this one, which will take you all of four hours. You won’t regret it!

This science fiction novel is imaginatively set on Halley’s Comet in the near future. When racial tensions and environmental disaster threaten to destroy Earth, a small but intrepid group of explorers is launched into space on a suicide mission: intersect with Halley’s Comet as it swings away from its flaming perihelion, tunnel into the comet’s icy core, and ride through its frozen aphelion back to Earth orbit–eighty years later–with a precious cargo of desperately needed water and gases for the homeworld’s depleted atmosphere. When the colonists touch down and burrow into the comet’s barren core, they encounter a brace of dangers from primitive life-forms they never expected, and ethnic tensions between “orthodox” humans and the genetically-modified Percells spiral out of control. When the war-torn homeworld turns against the Halley expedition and seeks to destroy the colony, the tattered remnant of the Halley crew must shape an alternate future—if they can survive that long.

As you my faithful readers know, I gulp down novels at a gluttonous rate, usually about three per week. In general, I tend to gravitate toward historical, paranormal, or contemporary romance, historical fiction, and well-paced epic fantasy, pretty much in that order. Every once in a while, something else snares my interest: a good literary novel (if it ends well), a thriller, urban fantasy, or exactly the right science fiction. The sci-fi has to match my mood (which is often not something I can articulate very well) EXACTLY, with the right sort of characters (and not too many of them either), an accessible yet intriguing setting, drum-tight pacing, and a voice that’s neither too dryly scientific nor too slangy. Usually, I tend to feel drawn to stories of isolated small groups penetrating some remote, hostile, exotic vista. HEART OF THE COMET fed my craving for that perfectly. It’s gorgeously written prose, tightly plotted, and revolves around three unusual and flawed yet sympathetic characters. The comet was splendidly evoked, and despite having to bridge an eighty-year timespan, the pacing stayed brisk.

This is an older work, pubbed in 1986, but it still felt contemporary, not a bit fusty or dated. HEART OF THE COMET is a true classic in the genre, and comes with my fervent commendation.

In this historical romance set in Victorian England, widowed lady Judith Chester is only looking for diversion when she begins a liaison with cynical viscount Gideon Warton. After surviving an abusive marriage, she swears she’ll never lose her heart again, while Gideon—whose brief marriage made him a public joke—knows he must marry a far more suitable woman this time than the scandalous widow. When their liaison endangers her heart, Judith chooses to flee, and prepares to embark on a scientific expedition to South America. Will Gideon recognize his love for Judith before she leaves London—and his life—forever?

This story was exactly the sort of elegant, flirty, glittering romance I look for from Avon. Sensual and tender, with a real tragedy hidden in the heroine’s past that haunts her–which we don’t discover until the hero does, in the story’s final pages. Both Gideon and Judith need healing, and they find it with each other. There’s more to this romance than meets the eye after their civilized ballroom meet, and the romance climaxes (forgive me for the word ) with real emotional resonance.

An elegant read for a reader who’s looking for an enjoyable diversion, witty repartee, and a sensual romance without the terror and violence of suspense. I read this one curled up in front of the fireplace with a glass of red wine, and it was perfect for that.

This historical romance from NYT bestselling author Susan Wiggs is set in Tudor England (a personal favorite!) Orphaned Russian noble Juliana Romanova is living in disguise among a band of gypsies when melancholy baron Stephen de Lacey catches her stealing his horse. When a sadistic King Henry forces the pair to wed, neither Juliana nor Stephen expects the arrangement to last. Despite the tragic pasts both are hiding, their reluctant attraction becomes ever more difficult to resist. When Juliana’s long-lost fiancé shows up at court to claim his bride, Stephen will have to decide his feelings quickly, because Russian prince Alexei Shuisky is hiding secrets of his own and, for both lovers, those secrets may prove deadly.

This gorgeous and emotionally powerful tale is a reissue of CIRCLE IN THE WATER (1994) in an attractive new package, but the Tudor setting is both fashionable and fresh. Stephen’s tortured love for his asthmatic young son Oliver—a boy he believes destined to die young—is particularly poignant. Both lovers are smart and strong as well as appealing. This elegant novel is the first I’ve had the pleasure of reading from reader favorite Wiggs, who’s also a native of the Pacific Northwest like yours truly at the moment–and I wasn’t disappointed. The second and third books in the Tudor Rose trilogy, THE MAIDEN’S HAND and AT THE QUEEN’S SUMMONS are available now. Recommended for fans of historical romance, including diehard Regency and Victorian fans who may be hesitant about trying other settings. This story has all the sparkle and repartee of a good Regency. Enjoy!

I don’t often read Scottish romances, because after reading and loving all the Diana Gabaldon time travel/historical Outlander books, it’s kind of hard to measure up. Still, I enjoyed this Scottish medieval historical romance by Amanda Scott.

Scottish lady Mairi Macdonald is fiercely opposed to marrying her churlish uncle Alasdair—a match arranged for her since childhood. Wily spy and warrior Lachlan Maclean doesn’t want the match either, once he’s met the feisty lady, because he wants her all to himself! But it will take more than wishes to defeat Lachlan’s secret enemy, and rescue Mairi from a villain who will pay any price—even murder—to keep the lovers apart.

Written in the elegant and history-rich style of classic historical romance author Kathleen Woodiwiss, this enjoyable read launches a new series for Scott. It’s intricate and sensual, with plenty of action and plot, a murder mystery, and a likable heroine.