Romance Book Reviews
Page One of TwoCastles in the Mist by Josie Litton
Bantam, November, 2002Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 0553583913
Subgenre: Historical
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
The bestselling Akora trilogy comes to satisfying conclusion
with the events chronicled in Castles in the Mist. The ruler, or
Vanax, of the island kingdom of Akora saw a vision of his
future wife during the secret ceremony in which he became
king. The woman, Brianna, has lived on Akora since her
English parents were killed in a shipwreck. Atreus discovers,
too late, that Brianna has returned to England to find her
family. Following her to England, Atreus is determined
to make Brianna fall in love with him. But Brianna may belong
to a group on Akora which wants Atreus overthrown,
and Atreus knows more about the death of Brianna's parents
than he has let on. This makes their courtship a rocky one,
to say the least.
Josie Litton does a marvelous job of winding up this unusual historical fantasy series, set in England's regency period. The beautiful and secret island nation of Akora provides the perfect backdrop for the romance, danger and intrigue of this story. Brianna and Atreus make a lively couple, and their story makes for wonderful reading.
The Ghost of Carnal Cove by Evelyn Rogers
Leisure Books, December, 2002Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 084395115X
Subgenre: Gothic
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
After a heartbreaking love affair, Makenna Lindsey
travels to England, hoping to find a place to mend her
spirit. Her journey ends on the Isle of Wight, where
she takes to walking along the beach known as Carnal
Cove. Carnal Cove is overlooked by a mansion
owned by Captain Nicholas Saintjohn. Against her
better judgment, Makenna agrees to tutor
Nicholas' son in art and music. But there are strange
things going on at Carnal Cove; there is a ghost
that only she can see and hear. Why does Nicholas
keep trying to get her to leave Carnal Cove?
And why does she have a feeling that staying on the island
could be very dangerous for her?
Evelyn Rogers has helped revitalize the gothic romance genre; she takes the classic gothic elements and turns them into something new and contemporary. The atmosphere is dark and sinister, and the hero is appropriately handsome and moody. But the heroine is no shrinking violet and she is also quite intelligent. This is the thinking woman's gothic romance: passionate, thrilling and wildly entertaining.
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