Tag Archives: Blast From The Past

Blast from the Past: The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon-a review

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Blast From the Past: The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon-a review

Blast From the Past

Welcome to a new feature at The Reading Cafe-BLAST FROM THE PAST-a look back at some of the oldies but goodies in the world of literary romance and ‘bodice-ripper- style novels. Our third installment is THE SANDS OF TIME by Sidney Sheldon.  Please enjoy Rachel’s review and tell us about some of your favorite romance story lines from the past.

THE SANDS OF TIME
by Sidney Sheldon
Release Date: 1989
Genre: historical, romantic, suspense
The Sands of Time

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Four nuns find themselves suddenly thrust into a hostile world they long ago abandoned for the safety of the convent. Unwittingly they become pawns in a battle between the charismatic Jaime Miró, leader of the outlawed Basque nationalists, and the ruthless Colonel Ramón Acoca of the Spanish Amy.

Four women – and the men they are forbidden to love.
Megan – the orphan, who feels an overpowering attraction to Jaime.
Lucia – the fiery Sicilian beauty on the run for murder – and Rubio Arzano, the freedom fighter who risks his life to save her.
Teresa – whose guilty conscience finally drives her to betray her friends.
Graciela – who bears a terrible secret that almost destroys her – and the courageous Ricardo who loves her.

From the same author of the books “The Other Side of Midnight”, “Rage of Angels”, “Bloodline” and “Windmills of the Gods”. The book is set in Spain and centres around four nuns and their unwitting involvement with outlawed Basque nationalists and the Spanish Army.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I am an avid reader. I started young, and cannot ever think of a moment when I didn’t have a book on the go at any giving time. When I think of “Blast From The Past”, I think of the books that opened a whole new world of reading for me. I remember reading the teeny bopper books when I was a tween/teen, and compared to now a days , they were very PG. I remember checking out my mother’s bookshelf, not really knowing what I could expect to find, but knowing I was bored of tween/teen. Well .. in pops Sidney Sheldon into my life, and the official leap into adult reading was done.

Sidney Sheldon, the top author that I will reread and reread again and again. He wrote beautiful trashy books that had elements of danger, suspense, SEX (a huge deal at 13) and a whole lot of story I didn’t always grasp. When I spoke with my mom about them (she realized I was actually enjoying the storyline and not just the trash), I remember learning all about storyline twists and turns and not always understanding what had happened at that moment in the story (amazing platforms for some awesome bonding times with my mom) because I was still a little too young to grasp it. BUT, I grew up when I discovered Sidney Sheldon, and I smile fondly even to this day, when I crack a paper copy (GASP .. I’m mostly an ereader, but you have to read Sidney on paper that comes from an old used bookstore ..lol).

Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon was originally published in 1988, and it is my all time fave novel by him. Set during the Spanish Civil War, Spanish Inquisition in 1930’s, it follows the story of 4 nuns, a charismatic rebel and a Colonel who despite his position and rank, is an absolute horrible man.

Our 4 nuns are quite different. Lucia is in the nunnery because she is hiding from a murderous past. Megan is an orphan that is sweet and who seems to be made to be a nun. Graciella is the beauty of the group, so beautiful men lust after her with just s simple glance. Theresa is our older nun who is in constant turmoil with herself and her faith. In typical Sidney Sheldon writing style, we are taken back into each one of these four ladies pasts where we can appreciate what has molded them to be the ladies they are today. Some pasts are absolutely tragic.

During this war, the rebel leader Jaime is constantly being chased by Colonel Acoca. Jaime is a passionate soul who believes in his cause and reason to rebel. He has much responsibility on his shoulders, trusts who he believes he needs to, and right or wrong, will do whatever must be done for his cause. He is a doer .. not a talker! If you decieve him, you will pay. He has also found himself falling in love with one of the nuns he has agreed to protect when their nunnery was attacked. Col Acoca is a monster who hides behind a position in order to by a tyrant. He cares only for himself, not his people. He is on a mission to take down Jamie, and if killing nuns is what it will take, he will see it done.

The story goes on from there, and there are many turns and twists, and people who are good were really bad, and selfish people become giving, and oh .. so much more! When you dive into Sands of Time, you dive into a whole lot of story! LOL

So a great Blast From the Past to review. I usually go on a Sidney Sheldon kick once I pick up one of his books, so do not be suprised if you see him featured again! LOL

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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Blast from the Past: Devil’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter-a review

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Blast from the Past: Devil’s Daughter (Devil #2) by Catherine Coulter-a review

Blast From the Past

Welcome to a new feature at The Reading Cafe-BLAST FROM THE PAST-a look back at some of the oldies but goodies in the world of literary romance and ‘bodice-ripper- style novels. Our second installment is DEVIL’S DAUGHTER by Catherine Coulter. Please enjoy Rachel’s review and tell us about some of your favorite romance story lines from the past.

Devil’s Daughter
Devil #2
by Catherine Coulter
Release Date: 1985

Devil's Daughter

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A Note from the Author

Dear Reader:

Devil’s Daughter is the story of Adam and Arabella Welles, the son and daughter of Cassie and Anthony Welles. I have updated the book, since, like Devil’s Embrace, it came out a while ago and needed some tidying up. It has a charming new cover, blend of the old and the new.

Adam has enjoyed women but hasn’t yet found the woman created just for him. As for Arabella, she is as independent and strong-willed as her brother and her parents. When both brother and sister go adventuring in Naples to solve a mystery of their father’s missing ships and cargoes, they discover that the person behind this thievery is an enemy from their father’s past. This enemy manages to drug Arabella and pack her off to a harem in North Africa, Adam in pursuit.

But Adam isn’t alone, there’s a stowaway with him he certainly doesn’t expect. Her name is Rayna Lyndhurst, daughter of a man who is dead set against the Welles family. But do children ever pay attention to their parents?

Arabella finds the harem a frightening yet fascinating place, a golden prison from which there is little chance of escape. Her master is Kamal, the Bey of Oran, a man who must be her enemy but who is unlike any man she has ever known. As for Kamal, he suddenly finds himself faced with a woman willing to fight him to the death — a woman who both bewitches and infuriates him.

I hope you enjoy the adventures of Adam and Rayna, Arabella and Kamal. These are people I’ll never forget.

Catherine Coulter (The Author)

REVIEW

4.5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Devils’ Daughter by Catherine Coulter (first pubbed 1985), is the second featured book of BLAST FROM THE PAST here at The Reading Cafe, and also the sequel to the first one named Devil’s Embrace, that I did last month. Again, I will warn off anyone who is triggered by any kinds of stereotypical bodice rippers elements (such as non/con, kidnapping, rape and blustery story line). I think these kind of books are in a class all on their own and appreciate that some may think they are overly abusive in many ways. I happen to like the uninhibited, lay it out dirty, not pretty but it’ll come together if you give it a chance layers that are displayed. I am also an serious emotional reader and I find a good bodice ripper novel really brings the emotions out of me.

We were given the romance of Cassie and Anthony Welles in Devil’s Embrace. In Devil’s Daughter, we are actually given two love stories as opposed to one, that feature Cassie and Anthony’s son (Adam) and daughter (Arabella). Set in early 1800’s. both Adam and Arabella travel to meet up with their father Anthony, only to be told that thieving has become as issue in their father’s merchant company. Turns out there is quite a tangled web that has been intentional weaved to destroy the Welles family. The enemies happen to be members of family that were the “villains” in the first book. Turns out past grudges are passed on to future generations.

While trying to locate the culprits, traps are set to involve the Welles siblings in a plot to being their father to his knees. Arabella is kidnapped and sent to be a “whore” in a harem. This was interesting as Arabella is one heck of a spit fire and fights with harem leader Kamal tooth and nail. Despite the abuse, be it physical and emotional, both manage to find a sharp edge of love with each other. While his sister is in her own “mini drama”, Adam sets off to unravel more mystery for his father only to find a stowaway on his ship. Turns out this is Rayna who happens to be the daughter of a viscount who really ticked off Adam’s parents in the the first book. Are you dizzy yet readers?? LOL Chance is afforded for a romance to begin and certainly take off between Adam and Rayna. Not as blustery as Arabella and Kamal, Adam and Rayna still meet with their own obstacles and challenges which make for good reading.

Seriously, there is so much story going on I cannot get into it without writing out my own book, so this review really is just scratching the surface. I did not find this book as “violent” as the first one was and it was a little slow to start. Once it took off though .. wonderful! I would absolutely recommend reading the first one or there will be just way too much missed in this book. There is lots of drama to be had, some tear shedding “that was a douchy thing to do” moments, forgiveness, LUST and PASSION, hate and love. I loved that this was a continuation of a story that really stuck with me.

If you are looking for a great bodice ripper series, Devil by Catherine Coulter is a great one to indulge in. Just know you are going to get a whole lot of crazy thrown at you .. I happen to love a good dose of crazy, every now and then!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

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Blast from the Past: Devil’s Embrace by Catherine Coulter-a review

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Blast from the Past: Devil’s Embrace by Catherine Coulter-a review

Blast From the Past

Welcome to a new feature at The Reading Cafe-BLAST FROM THE PAST-a look back at some of the oldies but goodies in the world of literary romance and ‘bodice-ripper- style novels.  Our first installment is DEVIL’S EMBRACE by Catherine Coulter. Please enjoy Rachel’s review and tell us about some of your favorite romance story lines from the past.

 

Devil's Embrace

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

 

From the author

Dear Reader:

Welcome to my very first historical romance, Devil’s Embrace,titled by my husband, and first published in 1982. I’ve updated it stylistically, edited it, trimmed it just a bit, and the art department designed a splendid new cover that magically includes some of the original art work.

Cassie Brougham and Anthony Welles, Earl of Clare, are my favorite characters of all time. Cassie has known the Earl of Clare all her life, but she’s in love with a soldier she’s been secretly writing to since she was fifteen. Now he’s home and they’re going to be married. But the day before her wedding, Anthony Welles kidnaps her aboard his yacht and sails away with her to Genoa, Italy; his stated intention to make her his wife.

Cassie is not happy about this.

This is an unusual love story, to say the least, that will make you weep and laugh and root for what you know is best for both of them. There is pain, doubt, captivation, and escape. But regardless of what happens, this is a love that is of the forever sort, something that is true and very real, and will stay close to your heart, I hope, for a very long time.

If you missed Devil’s Embrace the first time around, do read it now.

Enjoy,

Catherine Coulter (The Author)

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

THIS BOOK! ONE SERIOUS HOT MESS .. and I loved every single wrong, abusive, degrading, dramatic, bodice ripping minute of it. LOL

So here is a “Blast from The Past” review of Catherine Coulter’s Devil’s Embrace (the first book of her Devil series) and keep in mind that this was first published in 1982. This was written well before there was an established new adult, biker/rocker. BDSM romance sub genre. This was written in the time when Bodice Rippers were the risque read and I personally may have snuck a book or two from my mother’s book shelf when I was a young girl to indulge in what I knew was wrong ..lol! I know many readers will see nothing but the abuse and lack of integrity in characters and yes that is not always my fave part, BUT, I am an emotional reader who loves to bask in the dramatic, and these old bodice ripper books always give me goosebumps, make me so seething angry that I want to whip my book across the room, make me cry at the unfairness in treatment of characters, and finally, completely feel agahst at the audacity that the author went … there! So once I am done reading a book like this .. I honestly find .. I am the HOT MESS who just read something so completely ridiculously brilliant, I feel I need to defend why I loved it. LOL

I will start this review by saying that there is the following. Rape, non-con everything, abuse, kidnapping etc .. if you are triggered by any of these, please skip this book.

We are set in the late 18th century and our heroine Cassie Brougham (high noble beauty) is about to marry the man of her dreams. Before she gets to say her “I do’s” and live happily ever after she is kidnapped by our hero Anthony Welles (he is an Earl) and taken away from everything she loves. In order to keep her bound to him, Anthony takes her virginity making her his in every way. He imprisons her to keep her close so he has every chance to change her anger into passion.

As they travel across water, foreign land, Anthony does everything wrong to get Cassie to come around and open her heart enough marry him. Cassie will not have any of it as she believes Anthony has ruined her life (and he has). As time goes by, Cassie slowly begins to give in to the passion Anthony teaches her and maybe even fall a little bit in love with him regardless of her angry heart.

Both Cassie and Anthony have crazy adventures, misunderstandings, jealous spiteful moments and so many other characters and situations thrown their way to do everything to make things harder. Sometimes, it’s even their own selves that get in their own way. This book has it all, but keep in mind it is seriously dark and quite frankly unkind at times.

Catherine Coulter is a vivid writer. She can write her words in a way that let’s me see beautiful (and not so beautiful) imagery in my mind. I gasped and tingled at some points in this story. Her secondary characters certainly had a place in this book, but my goodness her main characters were perfectly imperfect! You made me FEEL and FEEL HARSH Catherine .. that gives you a 5 star in my opinion, no matter what some will precieve as right or wrong in your story telling process.

Next month I will “Blast from the Past” the second book to this series and I am eager to indulge!

HAPPY BODICE RIPPING READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel T

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