Limecello’s review of The Millionaire’s Virgin Mistress by Robyn Donald
Contemporary Romance released by Harlequin Presents 5 Dec 06

I got this book from a very generous friend, and it has increased my enjoyment of Harlequin books. Don’t let the title deceive you. (Well, if you’re someone who scoffs at the Presents titles. I admit, halfway through reading I stopped to check the title and started snickering – in a good-natured way.) This line has some terrific stories, and shouldn’t be discounted. I’ve now discovered yet another Presents author to follow.

Paige Howard is a refreshing heroine, in her determination and pragmatism. She doesn’t fall at the hero’s feet, and is not only perfectly willing, but perfectly able to live her life without him. While circumstances haven’t been kind to her, she’s holding her own. I liked Paige’s sense of humor, and ability to be honest with herself. It was also nice that she wasn’t maudlin or over dramatic.

Marc Corbett is a fun hero to read, but nothing extraordinary otherwise. In typical Presents fashion, he’s a business tycoon, strong willed, a little controlling, and is held in awe by the heroine (and much of the rest of the world). Marc of course has the requisite playboy reputation. However, he’s a nice guy, and does have more depth than one would expect. Marc has repressed his emotions, but is quite human and the glimpses the reader gets of his thoughts are entertaining.

While this book does fall into some of the Harlequin Presents clichés (very young heroine, intimidatingly successful hero), it’s a good story and well written. The emotions are strong, and the characters developed. Another positive is the believability of the story line. The situation of the characters was relatively normal and the emotions fit. Something else I enjoyed was the ending. It wasn’t what one would expect, and offered a minor twist.

I really enjoy the Down Under authors that write for Harlequin, and don’t know how I missed Ms. Donald until now. (Her website states she’s written nearly 70 novels. Unfortunately, the website doesn’t say much else.) I didn’t love the title – it doesn’t even fit – but the story was terrific. I was looking for something well written, emotional but not too heavy, with a great happy ending, and I got it with this book. I find that Presents books can be hit or miss, but when they’re good, they’re spot on.

I recommend this book to those who love Harlequin Presents, and to those willing to branch out, looking for a nice quick read that still offers a satisfying romance.

Grade: B

Paige Howard has held a reluctant and secret desire for New Zealand tycoon Marc Corbett ever since they met–when he married her best friend!

Six years later, still a virgin, Paige has never felt the same for anyone else. When her friend’s legacy sends Marc back to Paige, they are caught again in the grip of their reluctant attraction. But she’s heard that Marc was disloyal during his marriage. Paige will never give herself to a man who only seems to want her as his mistress–no matter how strong the temptation….

Sybil’s review of The School For Heiresses by Sabrina Jeffries, Liz Carlyle, Julia London, Renee Bernard
Historical Romance published by Pocket 26 Dec 2006

This is a very enjoyable anthology. It is fun, flirty, fast and kicks off one ‘sounds like it is going to be grand’ series. The stories tie into The School for Heiresses world created by Jeffries. The heroines have their own personality, which compliments the mix of authors as they have their own style and voice. They tackle a different tried and true theme in romanceland, adding a twist to make it interesting. Two stories worked really well for me, one was okay and one didn’t work at all.

Ten Reasons to Stay by Sabrina Jeffries

The Plot:
‘regency miss trying to escape the evil guardian’s plans to make her marry someone not of her choice to pay off his debt’.

The Characters:
Colin is a very interesting character, who is of mixed race and suddenly finds himself the Earl of Monteith. [If you haven't read Only a Duke Will Do, you should and you get more of his back-story here as well] Eliza has a pretty good head on her shoulders. And is trying to do something vs waiting for someone to rescue her.

The Twist:
Some naughty books and mixed heritage

The Grade:
Sabrina Jeffries has a great way of taking historical fact and expanding on it. Her world may not always follow the letter of the law of history but they come across as believable. I always find myself closing her books with a smile on my face.

Grade: B

After Midnight by Liz Carlyle

The Plot:
‘regency miss getting caught with a rake so they have to marry’.

The Characters:
Martinique is a beauty. She has a brain to match it and a mysterious past in the West Indies which ties into other characters we get to learn too little about. Justin St. Vrain was a very, very naughty boy. Years ago he ran off to Paris with another man’s wife. Now his father is dead and the title his Justin, he is back and trying to figure out what is next.

The Twist:
Martinique is a courtesan’s daughter. The woman Justin ran off with was his stepmother. And the story starts off a new series!

The Grade:
I love this story and the fact that these people aren’t your normal Regency fare. It might have to do with the fact it has made me way excited about the new series. I can’t wait to spend more time with these characters.

Grade A-

The Merchant’s Gift by Julia London

The Plot:
‘wealthy merchant daughter’s duty is to marry a title’.

The Characters:
Grace, as would be expected, has a hard time trying to mix with the ton. Her duty is to marry a title and little else seems to matter. Barrett Adlaine is nothing more than a merchant and thus she believes not for her.

The Twist:
The hero is pretty betaish and does the chasing.

The Grade:
I don’t like the ‘selling your daughter for a title’ plot. And Mr. Holcomb gets way too much screen time, add in this is a novella and it way drops my enjoyment level. I could never see Grace as anything more than a gold digger, regardless of her but it is for my father and expected of me lines. Adlaine should have ran far and fast away from the chit. He was too good of a hero for Grace.

Grade D

Mischief’s Holiday Renee Bernard

The Plot:
‘Nice guy falls for clumsy regency miss evil cousin tries to steal him’.

At least I think that is what it was going for….

The Characters: Alyssa Martin (regency name?!?) wants to get married, fall in love and live happy ever after. And for once, she would like to stay out of trouble while doing it.

The Twist: The story is more of a ‘traditional’ regency.

The Grade:
Cute story with a sweet heroine but too slapsticky for my taste. And the tone was completely different from the other three in style. It may have worked better for me if this was the second in the anthology then to end with it. Regardless the story didn’t seem to end as much as stop.

Grade C-

If you are looking for a meaty historical, keep looking, but if you are looking to lose yourself with some fun characters for a bit, this is just the ticket. Readers of the series will enjoy it but you can pick it up without having read Sabrina Jeffries’ series and follow along just fine.

If you try it or have tried it let me know. From what I can see, many people enjoyed London’s story the most, which was my least favorite. Got to love that .

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