Reading challenge for July - Historicals

I think Keishon’s reading challenges are a great idea – even though I failed in May and didn’t manage to read a single romantic suspense. I was determined to do much better in July with the historical. I thought it would be a breeze. Unfortunately, most of the books I did try and read were DNF. And there were some biggies in there

My Surrender – Connie Brockway
I usually love her books; in fact she is one of my favourite historical authors but this Rose trilogy has been giving me problems. I didn’t care for the first one, quite liked the second but I couldn’t finish My Surrender. By 1/3 of the book, I still hadn’t warmed up to either the hero or heroine so (sadly) I put it down. I did try 3 times with this one. Will I read her again? Absolutely. I’m looking to see what she can do with RS.
Lord of Sin – Madeline Hunter
She blasted onto the scene with her wonderful medievals t hen switched to historicials and for me they just aren’t the same. Of her latest batch, I only enjoyed The Romantic and The Charmer.
I tried Lord of Sin but again I just couldn’t get into it. I found the hero whiny. Oh woe is me, I inherited a title and I don’t want it. Get over it already! I’m not quite ready to give it up and will give it another try. Madeline Hunter though, is off my autobuy list and on my “get it at the UBS” list

The Rogue by Celeste Bradley
Another one I couldn’t get into. It was the first meeting between hero and heroine that did this one in. She’s hanging upside down on a tree by her legs (twit) which the hero admires. (eye roll). I think Celeste Bradley is a good writer but too many in the series and too many good guy English spies.

England’s Perfect Hero – Suzanne Enoch
I bought this one used because of the buzz on Enoch but one word here – Avon
I enjoyed her contemporary romantic suspense Flirting with Danger, and look forward to more instalments in the series (which aren’t published by Avon btw) but I won’t be reading any more of her historicals.
I also wanted to read The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke which is in my TBR pile but with the frustration I felt with other well-loved authors, I didn’t want to risk another disappointment so I’ll try this one at a later time.
At this point I was so discouraged with historicals that I moved onto to other genres in July.
The month ended with a bang though. A mighty bang. More than one bang (grin) with Passion by Lisa Valdez. She restored my faith in historicals. I loved this one and definitely will read her next one!
So, five attempts but only one finish - sigh
NOTE: Even though it was August when I read this one, A Season to be Sinful by Jo Goodman is also an excellent historical

Keishon’s challenge for August is the series and I’m reading my first one right now.