C2’s review of She Tempts the Duke (Lost Lords of Pembrook, Book 1) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 31 Jan 12

In her new series, Lorraine Heath tell the stories of the Lost Lords of Pembrook – three boys who ran away from their scheming uncle.  They escaped a locked tower (with some help from a friend) and fled into the night, promising to return for retribution when they were adults.  One went to the army, one went to sea, and one was left in a workhouse.  The boys decided it would be best for them to run away until they were older and better able to fight their uncle.  They made plans to reunite in ten years but they didn’t manage.  Now they have returned…

Sebastian, the oldest (and new Duke of Keswick), and his twin brother, Tristan, were fourteen and their younger brother, Rafe, was ten when their father (a skilled horseman) was killed in a riding accident.  Their father’s brother locked then in a tower on the family estate, but after Mary (also fourteen and from the neighboring estate) overheard him give orders to kill the boys, she went looking for them and managed to break them out of the tower. While the boys were fleeing, Mary told her (remarkably ineffectual) father what she heard – even though Sebastian said not to tell anyone – and was sent to a nunnery for her trouble.

Fast forward a dozen years – Mary is finally having a Season, thanks to her aunt rescuing her from the nunnery.  She has recently been betrothed, even.  Imagine her surprise when, after years of hearing nothing from them, the lost lords of Pembrook arrive at a ball given by their uncle.  The brothers have come to reclaim their inheritance and assume their rightful places in society.  Society, however, is less than welcoming.  The ton doesn’t like the looks of these uncivilized young men.  But the brothers continue with their plans – they throw their uncle out of the family home and cut off his money and try to find their way in society.  But scandal continues to plague them.  And Mary’s unwavering support of them turns society’s suspicious eyes on her.  Her friends want to know more about the brothers, her fiancé wants her to stay away from them, and Mary just wants Sebastian. Even though Sebastian thinks she deserves so much better.
Sebastian was horribly injured during his time in the army.  He lost an eye and has terrible scars over most of one side of this body.  How could any woman stand to be with him?  And yet Mary doesn’t seem to mind at all.  She was his best friend when they were children and knew him better than anyone, except maybe Tristan.  Could it really be that the scars don’t matter to her?

After rumors blemish Mary’s reputation and her betrothed’s father forces him to withdraw his suit, the brothers know one of them must step up and marry her – both to save her reputation and to thank her for all she has done for them.  And Sebastian knows he could never let one of his brothers marry her.  But does he care for her the way she needs him to?  Or is he only grateful for her help to him and his brothers?  Is he even capable of loving anyone now or has his time away taken that from him?  Is Pembrook all that matters or does Mary still hold part of his heart?

A lot of Sebastian and Mary’s story was set up for the next two books, I think.  There was a lot of information to pass along to the reader.  Still, I always enjoy Ms. Heath’s books.  She has a way of drawing the reader into both the emotional side of the story and the intrigues that tend to surround her characters.  This series is loosely tied to her Scoundrels of St. James series.  It is not necessary to read those books before reading this one but, if you have read them, you will run across some familiar names.  I like it when an author stays consistent within the world he/she has created – it makes it seem more real.

If you are in the mood for a solid historical and a story arc that promises to continue to intrigue, look no further.  I am already anticipating the other two books.

Grade: B

Summary:

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once rescued him and his brothers from certain death.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones paid dearly for helping the imprisoned young Lords of Pembrook, and she remembers well the promise she made to Sebastian all those years ago: to meet him once more in the abbey ruins where they shared a bold, forbidden kiss. While Mary is now betrothed to another, a friendship forged with dark secrets cannot be ignored. Unexpected passion soon burns dangerously between them, tempting Sebastian to abandon his quest for retribution and fight for a love that could once again set him free.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Lord of Temptation – October 2012

Sandy M’s review of Sins of the Highlander by Connie Mason with Mia Marlowe
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablance 1 Jan 12

What historical romance reader hasn’t daydreamed of a braw Scottish Highlander abducting her from the altar and a future of boring days on end, racing across the countryside with her in his arms, toward an unknown destiny filled with steamy nights and never-ending love? Come on, ‘fess up. What’s not to love about such a romantic scenario, especially with a sexy, yummy hero like Mad Rob MacLaren.

I will admit this is one my of favorite tropes (I stole that from LynneC!  ) when getting lost in pages of the Highlands. The hero abducts the heroine, of course, for his own purposes, mostly revenge, and over the course of the story his feelings change, as do hers, paving the way for love and romance. It’s what’s in between the bride stealing and the love that either makes or breaks the book.

Robin MacLaren – dubbed Mad Rob due to his wild and dangerous behavior since his wife’s death – has hatched a plan to gain some revenge on the man who had a hand in Fiona’s demise. They shared only twelve days of wedded bliss before she was gone, and now all of his scheming has finally come to fruition. What he doesn’t factor into his plans is the woman he plans to abduct. He discovers very quickly she’s more than a possession to be fought over.

Doing her duty of marrying a man to unite their clans is the only reason Elspeth Stewart is standing before God, her family, and the two involved clans. She hopes for love, but her husband to be doesn’t excite her in any way. And when the doors to the kirk are thrown open and a wild man on a huge, black horse plucks her up and tosses her over his saddle while holding a broadsword to Lachlan’s throat, she now understands the vision her Sight had given her . She should feel afraid of this rough and rude warrior, but something about him causes that much awaited excitement to rush through her.

However, Elspeth will do all she can to escape her captor, and Rob will do everything in his power to keep her to make his enemy sweat. She thinks the man truly is mad to do such a thing – in a kirk of all places. His opinion of her changes when she bravely faces him and the dangers they encounter on their journey to his home. Rob now looks at her as someone of worth and definitely not worthy of the man she’s to marry. And as Rob protects her from wolves and even her fiance, Elspeth also sees him in a different light, one that has her thinking perhaps she’s better off with a madman than the evil bore she’s been promised to. Her eyes are now wide open as far he’s concerned.

Upon arriving at Rob’s home, an army is awaiting them, effectively imprisoning his clan. But another plan has formed, and he desperately hopes after all they’ve shared that Elspeth will be in agreement when she learns what his negotiation with her betrothed and her father entails. Another flash of her Sight and Elspeth knows that all will end in disaster, something she can’t allow. Sneaking away and taking Rob’s secrets with her, she tries to save everyone’s lives while leaving her heart behind. Unbeknownst to all, there’s another faction planning Elspeth’s downfall, and now not even her visions will be able to save her.

I enjoyed these characters, even the villain. He’s smarmy enough to be interesting, but it’s still nice to see him get what he deserves. Rob and Elspeth are both honorable and trustworthy. Their love grows steadily and sweetly. This is a couple I could read about over and over again.

From heart-pounding moments to gentle and sensual steaminess, this story of revenge and love moves at a nice pace, keeping a reader’s interest throughout. I’m not sure what I expected with two authors working on the same book, and not having read either of them before, I don’t know whose voice is dominant. Either way, the tone of voice is pleasing and works very well for the genre.

Grade: A

Summary:

Abduction

Elspeth Stewart’s gift of Sight hadn’t warned her of the dark-haired madman who charged into her wedding and bore her away into the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his strong thighs, she ought to fear for her life. But her captor silenced all protest with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—pain only she could ease.

Obsession

“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his enemy’s bride would be the perfect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longs to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his forever.

With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join—body, breath and soul. Or both will be made to pay for the … Sins of the Highlander.

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Craving the Highlander’s Touch by Michelle Willingham
Historical romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Sep 11

As the Undone line has evolved, many authors have chosen to utilize the shorter format as a “teaser” for their full-length Harlequin Historical books.  Like all things concerning series books, it all boils down to how much series-itis creeps in, and whether or not as the reader I feel like I’m being manipulated.  Yes, I’m talking execution.  Michelle Willingham is one who loves to use the Undone line to flesh out secondary characters from her connected novels, and she’s also one that generally makes it work for me.  This short story tied to her MacKinloch Clan books is no exception.

Alys Fitzroy, Lady of Harkirk, has endured a marriage to a brutish English husband.  Besides terrorizing her, he’s made many enemies among the local Scots – who he has a habit of imprisoning and torturing.  Although English herself, this treatment of the locals sickens Alys, especially when it involves children.  So she does what she can, freeing as many of them as she can – helping them to run away.

Finian MacLachor is his clan’s chief, and his failed uprising against Alys’ dear husband has not gone well.  He’s a man who has lost everything – his wife, his daughter, and his very soul.  Beaten, bloody, and sitting in the dungeons waiting to be made an example of, he’s resigned himself to die, because he thinks he has no right to live.  Then Alys shows up with the keys.

Willingham tends to put a lot of story in her Undones, but this one might take first prize.  This really could have been a full-length novel.  Between the various character baggage, the battle scene, the love scenes, and the final chapter?  There’s a lot going on here.  While the author does have to take a few “happens off page” short cuts to keep things moving along, this is a story I could really sink my teeth into.  It is also especially lovely to read love scenes that are an intricate part of the romance and character development.  They aren’t here just for filler – they need to be in this story.

I do think reading the two full-length novels will allow readers to get a bit more out of this story.  However, that being said, I still have both novels languishing in my TBR and I rather liked this short tale.  If anything, it succeeded in me kicking my own behind for letting those novels sit unread for these last several months.  So in the end?  The author’s ploy worked.  Teasing me with the short makes me want to run out and read the full-length stories.  Which makes me part of the problem, but given how much I enjoyed this story?  I don’t rightly care.

Grade: B

Summary:

Scotland, 1306

For Alys Fitzroy, Lady of Harkirk, her brutish husband is more of an enemy than the wild Scots she is supposed to hate. Her heart longs to help her husband’s prisoners—especially Finian MacLachor, the intense Highland chief who bears the scars of his own failed uprising, both inside and out. With her help, he has a second chance to make things right for his clan—and and to show Alys the nights of unbelievable pleasure she’s been missing.…

No Excerpt Found.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of An Unexpected Gentleman by Alissa Johnson
Historical Romance published by Berkley 6 Dec 11

The elements of this book come together quite nicely to give readers what they’ve come to expect from Alissa Johnson. Revenge against a brother, an attraction that begins from afar, jealousy that leads to false accusations, and a love that grows despite everything working against such emotion.

Adelaide is expecting a proposal from Baron Maxwell, but she’s dragging her feet to face him this night. As much as her family needs his money, this is certainly not a love match. But it is up to her to make the sacrifice – her sister needs a Season, her brother’s debts need to paid, and her young nephew needs a stable home life. But before she makes her way to the house party, she is waylaid by a handsome gentleman and then trapped in his company as they wait for the coast to clear so they’re not caught in improper circumstances. Connor Brice is a charming rogue and has a way of seemingly reading her mind about her reluctance to actually make it inside for the party.

Revenge has been on Connor’s mind for years. He and Baron Maxwell have a very contentious history, with luck not being on Connor’s side throughout. Discovering the baron’s interest in Adelaide, his plans now include her. He slowly seduces her, but Adelaide surprises him. She has a good head on her shoulders and looks at all sides of a situation. So he takes matters into his hands to make sure she’s tied to him. But even compromising the lady doesn’t work as neatly as he figured.

With two men’s proposals waiting for an answer from her, Adelaide is determined to make the right choice, though after all the revealing things she learned about the baron tonight, her choice really is clear. But she’s cautious and intelligent and makes doubly sure the men know she’s in charge, especially because they don’t see her as a person or a woman but more of something to fight over. She accepts Connor’s proposal with her eyes wide open. Too bad her heart doesn’t follow suit.

While Connor keeps his eyes on his revenge plans, Adelaide begins to see him in a new light in this new life they share. The sweet way he makes love to her, the way he cares for her nephew, the revelation of his feelings for her before he even knew she was involved with the baron. Even the way he listens to her when she stands up for herself in their marriage.

But when love enters the equation, Adelaide wants more from Connor. His life has and is consumed with revenge, but if they’re going to have a life, a family together, he needs to step back and see what’s more important to him. And Connor does listen to her, but he’s running on a one-track mind. He decision is made swiftly, however, and to me it’s a little too fast. Seems like to me after fifteen years of nothing in his life but his revenge that it should have taken just a bit longer to whittle it down the way he does. Does he give it all up? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

I enjoyed these characters immensely. Connor is the one who must truly change, even though Adelaide is taken with his unexpected gentlemanliness as she gets to know him. There’s more to him than meets the eye, and it all comes out through his growing love for her. I like that Adelaide is not a beguiling beauty, but just your everyday girl next door and she doesn’t leave that behind despite what happens in her life. The baron is one piece of work, and I thoroughly reveled in his downfall.

Alissa Johnson always gives readers a lovely romance featuring charming characters, wicked and handsome heroes, along with intelligent and independent heroines. I enjoy her storytelling and look forward to the next book by the time I’ve finished reading the one currently in hand.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Her heart was a target…

Adelaide Ward has but one goal—to obtain an offer of marriage from the respectable, if less-than-appealing Baron Maxwell before her family is ruined. But it’s the devilishly handsome Connor Brice who captures her imagination—and a kiss in broad daylight—in front of a dozen members of the ton.  Now Adelaide must decide if the charming scoundrel who stole away her reputation might still be trusted with her heart.

His aim must be true…

Connor Brice seeks a long overdue revenge on the baron. And what better way to launch his campaign than to steal the lovely Miss Ward for his own? A quick “compromising” and an even quicker wedding ought to do. But if Connor wants to establish any sort of domestic tranquility, he’ll have to regain Adelaide’s trust and choose what means more to him—his thirst for vengeance, or his need for Adelaide.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham
Historical Romance published by Berkley Trade 3 Jan 12

This book poses a huge dilemma for a reader. It’s one you can’t put down. It’s that good. But it’s also one that you have to put down. Just to exhale that breath you’ve been holding, to then inhale and take on a calmness so you can continue on. It’s not that easy, however. The story is that heart-wrenching, so full of tragedy for these courageous, honorable, and so very likable characters.

Maggie Johnson has always had “the Sight.” Whatever she dreams come true. Whatever she sees will come to pass. Among all the horrible dreams there’s been one constant, the boy whose smile and eyes are with her always. They’ve grown up together, seeing one another but never speaking or touching but understanding a look across the span of thousands of miles. As they grow older, Maggie calls this warrior her Wolf, bringing to mind those graceful predators. For Andrew, Maggie is the prettiest woman he’s ever seen and he knows they belong together, that some day they will find a way to each other. He also is able to see events before they occur, and his dreams are as full of Maggie as hers are of Andrew. The way the book is set up, several chapters are devoted to Maggie, written in first person, then several chapters are given to Andrew from his POV, and this continues throughout the book.

Tragedy strikes Maggie and her family after her father has died. She, her mother, and sisters have been surviving the best they can, without letting townsfolk know about the lack of a male presence on the homestead. But that only lasts for so long, and the day comes when men ride up with evil intentions on their minds. One shot is all it takes to leave the girls on their own, at the mercy of these men, their intent to sell them as slaves – after they deliver their own brand of evilness. These are such heart-breaking scenes, especially when it comes to Maggie’s youngest sister, ten-year-old Ruth. Though her scene is not described in detail as Maggie’s, you know what’s happening to the child in the woods, and that fear is confirmed when the men return without her. As man after man has his way with these girls, you want to reach through the pages and choke the ever-lovin’ life out of each of them. Maggie and Adelaide do their best to hold on, knowing the horror has to be over soon and escape is still a possibility.

War is the tragedy in Andrew’s life – he loses everything and everyone he loves as a result of the battle at Culloden in 1746, fighting with his father, brothers, and other Highland clans. Of course, we all know the outcome of this particular battle, the massacre that is a significant part of the downfall of the clans of Scotland. At first, surviving such an onslaught is not the gift it should be for Andrew. Then finding his home, along with his mother, destroyed, coming in contact with no other person – Highlander or Sassenach – for days on end, he’s more than tired enough to lie down and let this nightmare end, but he fights on.  Finally he discovers the friends that will become his family as they all rebuild their lives. Feeling disconnected from everything to do with his country, wanting to get as far away as possible from the violence, Andrew decides to leave his homeland for good, along with others who feel the same.

Maggie and Adelaide are rescued by a tribe of Cherokee, who take them in and help them heal. The sisters learn the Indians are not the savages they’d always heard about, and they carve out a place for themselves, learning the language and way of life of these people who don’t frighten them as the white man now does. Eventually Maggie is allowed to accompany the men to the closest fort to trade furs and skins, and she does well for them, understanding how the tribe has always been cheated. But meeting Captain Quinn, a respected man about town, once again ends with Maggie bearing the brunt of men and their superior attitudes. She’s accused of and tried for – railroaded, actually – murder.

I kept thinking to myself throughout this book, “When are these two going to catch a break??” I was exhausted after reading these scenes and just had to put the book down to take a deep breath. But then I had to immediately pick it up again to see what happens to them, how they react, how they recover, how they move on. And, because of the era, they, of course, resolutely move on just because they have to, that’s how people of the time lived and died. I haven’t been this emotionally wiped out reading a romance in a long time.

Andrew finally makes landfall in America, receives land given to immigrants willing to work hard, and makes his way toward Maggie. Even that journey is fraught with danger and delays. But all along they’ve had each other in their dreams, and for a while now those dreams have been very real. They now touch, they feel, they talk, and they remember it all with clarity afterward. Though these scenes of them together are nice and frequent enough so that hero and heroine are together at various intervals throughout the book, I wish there’d been either more of those dreams or more of Andrew and Maggie together at the end of the book. After everything each of them have been through, have helped the other through with comfort and strength, even knowing that happily ever after would be upon them soon, I wanted to see more of that happiness instead of being told about it because it’s now time for the story to end. That’s my only nitpick. For me, there’s just not enough. We’re given just enough to let us know their life together is good and gets better as the years will go on, but I wanted to feel it more, to see it happening, to experience a bit more with them after such a harrowing time has been had to get them to this point.

I’m quite impressed with Ms. Graham’s debut novel. She takes a reader on an epic journey that thoroughly engages the heart and gives them characters who defy horrific odds and who never give up. I look forward to her future work.

Grade: A-

Summary:

The year is 1746. A young woman from South Carolina and a Scottish Highlander share an intimacy and devotion beyond their understanding.

They’ve known each other their entire lives.
They live a half-world apart.

And they have never met…

Maggie Johnson has been gifted with “the Sight” ever since she was a child. Her dreams bring her visions of the future and of a presence she knows is not a figment of her imagination. She calls him Wolf, having watched him grow from a careless young boy into a fearsome warrior, and she trusts him with her life and her heart.

Andrew MacDonnell is fascinated by the woman who has visited him in his dreams for as long as he can remember, entranced by her beauty, knowing deep in his soul that she is as real as he. Although he doesn’t know who she is, Andrew believes that destiny will bring them together.

When tragedy and war strike their homelands, both Maggie and Andrew suffer indescribable losses. Separated across an ocean, the bond they share nevertheless grows as they sense each other’s pain, lend each other strength, and embark on a journey of the spirit to find and love one another at long last…

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Unlikely Wife by Debra Ullrick
Inspirational historical romance published by Love Inspired Historical 03 Jan 12

One of the reasons I like historical western romances is that I love heroines with a harder edge to them.  Granted, there were many civilized parts of the world that were unforgiving to women, but you had to be a tough cookie to survive in the American frontier. Being stupid wasn’t really conducive towards….oh, survival. Debra Ullrick’s latest inspirational romance features my kind of heroine, but sadly it fumbles on the execution.

Michael Bowen is a prosperous rancher in Idaho Territory and is ready to get married.  So he places an ad, and begins corresponding with Selina Bowen.  Her letters are magical, and she thinks pretty highly of him as well!  Before you can say Big Misunderstanding Ahoy these two get hitched, sight unseen, by proxy. Naturally Michael about swallows his tongue when his wife gets off the train looking like an outlaw – wearing trousers, a beat-up hat, and carrying a rifle(!) – instead of the genteel lady who wrote those letters.

Turns out that Selina cannot read or write, so her BFF wrote the letters for her. Selina told her what to say, but it turns out the BFF fudged with the truth just a wee bit.  Loathe to go back on the oath he took before God and his local preacher, Michael takes Selina home.  However, he’s torn by the fact that the woman he fell in love with doesn’t seem to exist.

Many a historical western has been written about a mail-order bride arrangement gone awry, and Ullrick’s spin on it is actually quite believable. Unfortunately, the bulk of the conflict for a very good portion of the early going seems to sit squarely on the fact that Selina wears…..pants! Seriously, the hero practically has a raging case of the vapors over it.  I get that a chick wearing pants would be rather unconventional, but the guy is living in Idaho Territory. You’re telling me there ain’t one unconventional chick within spitting distance of him? It’s also hard to be tolerant of his dislike for her wardrobe especially when his entire blessed family seems to love the girl, on sight. So exactly what is the problem? She’s resourceful and his family adores her.  Ooooooh, but she wears pants!  ::eyeroll::

Selina is a straight shooter, is shaped by a life lived in poverty, and is pretty unbending about changing herself for a man considering the types of relationships she witnessed back home.  The main issue here is dialect.  Yep, the author writes all of Selina’s dialogue in the vernacular.  I swear the word “iffen” is going to haunt me in my dreams.  There is a way to convey Selina’s background (poverty, lack of education) without having the reader slog through hillbilly dialogue that even the writers of Hee Haw would have axed from a script.

This book is marketed as an inspirational, and the God Stuff here is pretty heavy.  If you’re a reader who reads inspirationals because you want a Christian message?  Yeah, you’ll probably be right at home.  However, if you read inspirationals more because they are “clean” than any overt religious elements?  Be prepared for things like:

“The Lord wants His children to depend on Him, Michael.  You may not be able to love Selina on your own, but God can do it through Christ as you submit to Him.  Ask God to give you a deep, lasting love for your wife, Michael, and He will.”

Just what every girl wants to hear, I love you because I asked God to make me love you.  Who said romance was dead?

Despite my varied issues with this story, I still managed to inhale it in one day. It’s also hard to outright hate on a book when the main message of it (it’s OK to be different) is so genuine.  In other words, the story’s heart was in the right place.

Grade: C

Summary:

The arrival of Michael Bowen’s bride, married sight unseen by proxy, sends the rancher reeling. With her trousers, cowboy hat and rifle, she looks like a female outlaw—not the genteel lady he corresponded with for months. He’s been hoodwinked into marriage with the wrong woman!

Selina Farleigh Bowen loved Michael’s letters, even if she couldn’t read them herself. A friend read them to her, and wrote her replies—but apparently that “friend” left things out, like Michael’s dream of a wife who was nothing like her. Selina won’t change who she is, not even for the man she loves. Yet time might show Michael the true value of his unlikely wife.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Sunrise with a Notorious Lord (Lords of Vice, Book 4) by Alexandra Hawkins
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 3 Jan 12

These Lords of Vice only get more and more interesting as the series goes on. Each man is so different from the other, with only their sin in common. They make sexy and sinful feel like satin sheets you want to roll around in until you’re sated and exhausted. And then there’s that tender side of them, the humorous side, the protective side, even the fiery and explosive side. But when it’s all for his heroine, well, sexy and sinful take on a rather different tone. I’d love to be wrapped up in any one of these men, to be the recipient of such devotion. And sin.

Isabel has been the lady of the house since her father’s death and her mother’s incapacity to get beyond her grief. So when fate smiles on her and her sister, Delia, in meeting a lady of the ton who then invites them to London for the season, Isabel is hopeful, albeit slightly, that Delia might make a good match after all, something the family desperately needs. Delia has other thoughts about marriage, however; she’d rather flirt with every man who steps in her path.

Vane, as the Earl of Vanewright is known to his friends, revels in sin just as the other Lords of Vice, though several of them have settled down recently. There’s too many lovelies and other earthly pleasures to be had for him to ever think of marriage. But when he’s going through a very public breakup with his current mistress, he spies the Thorne sisters in the dressmaker’s shop and moves on to those other pleasures. As beautiful as Delia is, it’s Isabel who garners more interest from Vane, and when she deftly steps in front of the pickpocket who helped himself to Vane’s snuffbox, he’s amazed and irritated she would take such a chance. But she’s all the more fascinating for it.

Thus begins Vane’s attempt to woo Isabel into his bed and her attempt to marry him to her sister. But then Isabel finds her attraction to Vane hard to resist, especially with his onslaught of attention. Plus, her role in his life is not all it seems to be, so how will he react when he finds out what she’s done? Vane takes a little longer to realize his feelings go just as deep. He can’t figure out why it is this particular woman seems so much more to him than any other woman or mistress he’s ever had. I enjoyed watching these two come to the same conclusion, starting from very different beginning points. However, it isn’t as easy as all that. They do hit bumps in the road, but they work it out. Except for those fears Isabel has about Vane learning the truth.

Vane does go ballistic. Through all they’ve shared, she’s lied to him. But when he learns her ruse began closer to home, he has to look at her “lies” differently. I like that he works this out on his own, he doesn’t need help or platitudes to know what he feels for Isabel is real. That’s why it hurts so darned much. He realizes he doesn’t need all those other women any longer. All the sin he needs is in one petite package.

While my favorite book in the series is still Till Dawn with the Devil, Vane is a very close second, despite no deep-seated tragedy or the like in his past. But I have a feeling that both of those may lose their standing to either of the next books, most especially Frost. There’s just something about that man. It’s probably his total devil-may-care attitude, what-have-I-got-to-lose look at life. He takes sin to a whole new level, and I am very anxiously looking forward to his story.

Grade: A

Summary:

FOREVER THE BACHELOR

Christopher Courtland, Earl of Vanewright—known around London as “Vane”—is the very picture of a rich, handsome ladies’ man. Why shackle himself to just one lady when he’s free to sample them all? In spite of his own mother’s attempts at matchmaking, Vane has sworn to stay single. Until he has a chance run-in with Miss Isabel Thorne…

NEVER IN LOVE—UNTIL NOW…

A modest and refined beauty, Isabel is a lot more brazen than she appears. When a pickpocket tries to make way with Vane’s bejeweled snuffbox, Isabel attempts to thwart his escape…and manages to steal Vane’s heart. But the harder he tries to seduce the sharp-tongued, strong-willed Isabel, the more she resists. Now it’s up to this tried-and-true bachelor to find a new way to play the game…or risk losing the one woman who’s ever captured his heart.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant
Historical Romance published by Bantam 27 Dec 11

I nearly DNF’d this book. The heroine is worthy, the hero isn’t and they get together because she wants a baby to save the estate from the Evil Heir. By page 100 I was starting to skip, which is never a good thing, but I decided to persevere and stop skipping. While I applaud the author for writing a detailed historical romance without cliché, and that’s no mean feat, I did find the heroine very hard to like.

This book purports to be a Regency, but to me it reads more like a Victorian, although the details about enclosure make it clear that it’s set in the earlier era. The morals, personal and societal, certainly seemed more Victorian in tone, but there was nothing that I could fault about it. Grant is comfortable in her era and works in a lot of detail to get it right. In a way, that detail was one of the factors that held me back. I want a romance, not details about the heroine’s personal living space, if you see what I mean. Most of these details have significance, but you don’t get to discover these until later in the book, so they do read a bit like a shopping list earlier.

However, it’s a beautifully written shopping list. Grant’s style is probably the best thing about this book. She does describe a lot of things in sometimes suffocating detail. But it is a pleasure to read such well-researched, well-described settings, especially in a historical romance, rather than in a textbook. But the prose and the descriptions are much livelier in a real textbook, Dan Cruickshank’s recent book, The Secret History of Georgian London, which is a fantastic read, and one I should really make the effort to review. Grant works hard to get the descriptions and atmosphere in the book, and her prose reminds me very much of a Pre-Raphaelite painting – very worthy, with so many things depicted in painstaking detail that the human eye can’t possibly take them all in. I guess I prefer the Impressionistic way of focusing in on the salient parts of the painting, or even the more dashing approach of a Gainsborough or a Reynolds. Lawrence and Winterhalter rather than Ingres and Zoffany. I don’t know. Grant’s prose is incredibly reminiscent of Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory, so if you love her work, you’ll love this book. So similar, I’m almost suspicious that Judy had taken another new name! Though I doubt that’s the truth, this book isn’t a first book. It might be a first published book, but it’s too accomplished for the author not to have practiced a great deal.

The hero and heroine have a disconcerting habit of treating servants and workers as equals. Not just people in their care, but they talk to them as equals at times, and seem to expect the same response. That attitude is foreign and does stick out a bit, although I could accept it as part of the story. Both hero and heroine are incredibly naïve, which I think is part of the reason I think of this as more of a Victorian attitude. They didn’t know, although this can rarely be said of the Regency upper middle class. The structure of their local society seems very simple, but perhaps the local network of magistrates, social events, some of which couldn’t be ignored, and neighbourly behaviour so well described by Jane Austen doesn’t happen. A woman in mourning did have a certain leeway, but, again, Victorian society set much more store by such observances.

It’s interesting to read about this class, though for novels written in this period, I prefer books about people who could make a difference to society, but Theo and Martha certainly do their best.

This book has been the subject of some controversy, and since I don’t look at other reviews until I’ve written my own, I’m guessing it’s the initial plot and the character of the heroine. Martha’s unsatisfactory husband has left her childless, and she has a month to conceive before she has to leave the estate and become a dependent relative once more. I can’t say I bought the premise, because Martha is upright and moral enough to see this for the reprehensible act that it is. The heir is given the reputation of making free with the maids, and dark hints are given by one maid that it might be by force, an account Martha completely believes (told you she was naïve). That seems to me to be a bit of a plot device, giving Martha more “right” and less selfishness to do as she did. In fact, she is totally selfish, and when she first hears the news that she is to leave, all her thoughts are for herself. She has no sense of humour, no lightness of character, and although she pays lip service to duty and honour, what she does isn’t dutiful or honourable. In the only other book I could think of that has a similar plot, Jo Beverley’s Secrets of the Night, the heroine sets out to make an heir with the permission and connivance of her elderly husband, I found the heroine more interesting and the hero much sexier and more attractive. The reasons worked better for me in that book, even though the heroine technically commits adultery. The heroine in SotN was also more mature than Martha, who is only 21. I couldn’t understand her desperation. She could try again, at that age. All is not lost. Even with the revelations later in the book, it doesn’t entirely add up for me.

Theo starts the book as a man-about-town and a wastrel. He is rusticated and his allowance cut off, and he’s sent to a minor estate of his father’s to learn estate management. About time. He’s in his mid-twenties, and he should have been brought up knowing the things he learns in this book. The iniquity of enclosures and what it meant to the working man is well dealt with here, although the “Bread not Blood” riots aren’t there, and the rustic nature of the early industrial units not mentioned. The book takes the individual philanthropist attitude, which works in context. My problem with Theo, especially at the beginning, is that he doesn’t have a purpose – in fact, that’s his problem. He has no conflict, except that he wants his allowance back. Aimless, he agrees to provide Martha with her heir, for five hundred pounds. Her maid suggests that if the tactic works and Martha has a girl, she can either do a switch or “buy” a baby boy and say she had twins, as if such deceptions were normal. I don’t believe this was the case. Childbirth was a relatively public event, and it would have been very difficult to manage. Besides, it assumes that the British upper class is so morally deficient as to take such a course as normal, and that presumption doesn’t work well for me.

I have to give this book a B for the quality of the writing, but I would like to see a development in plotting and in pace in the next book, which I will be picking up if I can. Not to mention a more sympathetic heroine. One that only warms up later in the book doesn’t work enormously well for me and I had to work hard to retain my sympathy for both characters. But Grant is undoubtedly a new talent to historical romance, and I’m sure she will only be going onwards and upwards from here.

Grade: B

Summary:
Newly widowed and desperate to protect her estate and beloved servants from her malevolent brother-in-law, Martha Russell conceives a daring plan. Or rather, a daring plan to conceive. After all, if she has an heir on the way, her future will be secured. Forsaking all she knows of propriety, Martha approaches her neighbor, a London exile with a wicked reputation, and offers a strictly business proposition: a month of illicit interludes . . . for a fee.

Theophilus Mirkwood ought to be insulted. Should be appalled. But how can he resist this siren in widow’s weeds, whose offer is simply too outrageously tempting to decline? Determined she’ll get her money’s worth, Theo endeavors to awaken this shamefully neglected beauty to the pleasures of the flesh—only to find her dead set against taking any enjoyment in the scandalous bargain. Surely she can’t resist him forever. But could a lady’s sweet surrender open their hearts to the most unexpected arrival of all . . . love?

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of One Night as a Courtesan by Ann Lethbridge
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Oct 10

I read a full-length “Regency” historical romance recently that had absolutely no sense of place.  It could have easily taken place on a Texas cattle ranch in 1968 as Regency London.  I immediately thought back to my reading of that particular book while zipping through this short story by Ann Lethbridge.  Why?  Because this short story had more Regency flavor 100 times over than that full-length novel.

Julia Partridge is a widow who has fallen on hard times.  Such hard times that she gets caught stealing.  Coming to her “rescue” is a madam at a local brothel.  Julia is to get auctioned off for one night, with one man – and in exchange she’ll get a pile of money.  With no other options, and desperate for those promised funds, Julia agrees.  Of course, she had no idea that the man who “won” her in the auction would turn out to be Alistair Crawford, Duke of Dunstan, a man so notorious for his reputation that his nickname is “the Dissolute Duke!”

Kudos to the author for actually giving readers a real rake.  This is a guy who has privileged ennui stamped all over him.  It’s practically oozing out of his pores.  So yeah, it’s not like you fall in love with him as a hero the moment he steps on the page.  I like that Julia faces issues that are very believable for the time period.  A widow, with no family to rely on, and no nest egg stashed away for her by her dead husband.  Not a lot of options.

As lovely as the sense of place was, and as much as I appreciated the author’s characterizations, there were moments in the romance that did give me pause.  The author excels at the love scenes, evoking them in a slow, sensual manner.  However, I couldn’t help feeling that a big reason Alistair falls for Julia is because she’s not your “typical” brothel girl.  It’s okay for him to fall in love with her because she’s smart, well-spoken, and obviously “quality.”  Meaning if she was working class and poor, there’s no way in heck he’d give her a second look.  So yeah, he’s a snob.  To be fair, he’s a bloody duke!  Of course he’s going to be a snob!  I also feel the ending is a bit much, given the short time frame of the story, but it is a historical so “let’s date for a while” isn’t really an option and, honestly, “be my mistress” doesn’t exactly scream romance.

That being said, this is a nice, sensual read, and good example of what I want from the Undone line.  It is short, it has a nice sense of place, and the love scenes are steamy.  If you want a little steam with a Regency era that isn’t wallpaper and you’re open to short stories?  Look no further.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Widow Julia Partridge is desperate. To repay a debt, she’s forced to sell herself in an auction at the most exclusive bawdy house in London. Julia only has to get through one night with one man—though she never imagined that man would be Alistair Crawford, the dissolute Duke of Dunstan! Alistair has the face of a fallen angel…and a reputation for vice to match. Yet when he turns his attentions to Julia, he unexpectedly arouses more passion in a few moments than she’d felt in her entire marriage….

No Excerpt Found.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of One Wicked Christmas by Amanda McCabe
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Nov 11

I always pick up books by Amanda McCabe because she never gives readers the same thing twice.  She’s done everything from the 15th century to the 1920s.  Any author who delivers that kind of variety gets my attention.  I wish I could say I loved this latest, a Christmas short story set in Regency England, but, alas, it didn’t really work for me.

Lady Cassandra Osborne is a young widow who loved her kind, gentle husband.  They led a quiet life and made lovely companions.  Since his death she’s locked herself away, and her best friend is urging her that it’s time to take a lover.  The problem is that the only man who interests her is her husband’s roguish BFF, Sir Ian Chandler.  Ian came around a lot after her husband died and looked after her.  But after they shared a smoldering kiss?  Yeah, Ian has been out-of-sight, although not for one moment out-of-mind.  When it turns out that Cassandra and Ian are invited to the same Christmas house party?  Yeah, we all know where this is going.

I actually tend to like plots of this nature, but in a short story format it’s really problematic.  When strung out over a full-length novel, the author has time to explore the internal angst of the characters and slowly unfold the developing romance.  In a short story?  It comes off as distasteful.  I honestly find myself feeling sorry for the dead husband when it’s revealed that Ian, his best friend!, has had the hots for Cassandra since the wedding day!  Then there is the manner in which Cassandra and Ian fall into bed together.  She sneaks into his room expecting a romp with another man.  Eww.

That being said, McCabe’s writing style continues to really work for me, and I zipped through this short story in quicker manner than is my usual custom.  While it doesn’t work for me, it certainly hasn’t put me off from this author’s work, and who knows?  Maybe it will work better for you.

Grade: D+

Summary:

London, 1806

Lady Cassandra Osborne is ready to take a new lover to her bed—and knows exactly the man she wants: Sir Ian Chandler, her late husband’s rakish best friend. The single kiss they’d shared had made her feel alive again, awakening dark needs she didn’t even know she had…though Ian had quickly pulled away. Cassie is sure he doesn’t want her, until their reunion at a Christmas house party tempts them to succumb to the desire that has haunted them both….

No Excerpt Found.

Sandy M’s review of Colorado Dawn (Runaway Brides, Book 2) by Kaki Warner
Historical Western Romance published by Berkley Trade 3 Jan 12

I love it when an author adds humor to her romances. When it’s the hero with the sense of humor, it makes him that much more irresistible. Angus Wallace is now one of my favorite heroes, and that’s saying something when he’s in the company of Drustan and Daegus MacKeltar and Jamie Fraser.

And the fact that Angus has come to America in search of his wife, thinking only to take her home to Scotland where she can deliver a few heirs for him but instead falls in love with Maddie and the magnificent Colorado wilderness, well, that’s a man after my own heart. You see the change in Angus – now Lord Ashby, one of the reasons he now needs his wife – slowly take place as he watches his wife enjoy her passion of photography, revel in the new, deep-seated friendships she’s found, and, lastly, comes to realize she’d give all of that up just for him. He knows what he’s got, what he almost lost, and he plans to keep her by his side forever this time.

Maddie’s life takes huge turns when she meets career soldier Angus Wallace. She marries him and then loses him to his military service almost instantaneously. She receives very little contact from him in the years she’s in Scotland. So when she has word that her parents have been killed, Maddie heads home to England. There she talks herself into a new life and goes after it with guns blazing. Her interest in photography takes her to the American wild west, where she finally settles in Colorado, happy in that new life.

Angus’ life also goes through some unexpected turns. He’s seriously wounded in battle and his military days are over. He returns home to find his wife gone and his life changed further with the death of his older brother. It’s through her photographs that Ash, along with his loyal friend, Tricks, an Irish wolfhound, is able to trace Maddie across the American continent, locating her at last on her way home to Heartbreak Creek after a successful photographic mission -, with only Wall-eyed Willy as protection, much to Ash’s consternation. Thus begins their dance of reacquainting themselves with each other, their feelings, their love, their duty, their lives – all so different than before.

Unknown sadness on both sides is revealed, making each of them look at their anger and perceptions differently from what they’ve known before, hence making them realize more care of the other should have been taken so they wouldn’t end up where they are today. But life has taken them on this journey, and now one of them must sacrifice all for the other. Will Maddie be able to leave her new, hard-won life behind, never to take another picture again, something a noble woman would never do? Can Ash turn his back on his duty, say no to the one thing he never thought would be his anyway? Does he even have that choice?

These are two very multi-layered characters, both charming and flawed. It takes everything Maddie’s got to strike out on her own, away from the familiarity of home. Just when she finds her place, the one and only thing that can endanger that happiness is the person she never thought to see again. Ash is as honest and honorable as the day is long, he takes his duty seriously, whether to Maddie or his family – and he comes to realize that’s the same thing in his heart. No matter how hard life is, now or then, these two exemplify what it is to sustain a relationship after mucking it up the first time around. Granted, they have matured a few years and have gone through so much to get to that place, but when they do, it’s wonderful to see.

We also get to catch up with all the characters from the previous book. I especially had fun with the scene between Ash and Declan when the sheriff tries to ascertain why Ash is looking for Maddie. More humor, but family looking out for family, no matter how you look at it.

I love Kaki Warner’s writing, her characters, her storylines, everything about her books. You go through every emotion imaginable and then some. She portrays the American west vividly and accurately. You need to pick any of her books up and start reading, if you haven’t so far. Believe me, you’re missing out if you’ve never read a Kaki Warner book.

Grade: A+

Summary:

After only three letters and one visit during her six-year marriage to a Scottish Cavalry Officer, Maddie Wallace decides to build a life without him. Accepting an assignment from a London periodical to photograph the West from a female perspective, she sails from England, determined to build a new life as an independent woman.

After injury ends his military career, Angus Wallace returns homes to find his wife gone, his family decimated by fever, and himself next in line to an earldom. His new mission is clear – find his wife and sire heirs. His search takes him across an ocean and half a continent, but he finally tracks her to Heartbreak Creek There his biggest challenge awaits – to challenge his headstrong wife to return home as his viscountess.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of The Duke is Mine (Fairy Tales, Book 3) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11

In her newest release, Eloisa James tackles another well known fairytale. She has already given us her twist on Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. This time around? The Princess and the Pea.

Thanks to a schoolboy friendship between her father and the Duke of Canterwick, Miss Olivia Lytton has been betrothed to the future duke since she was a toddler.  The older of twin girls, Olivia has been raised to be a duchess – educated in all things duchess-y, always treated as an engaged young lady, and given quiet sympathetic glances. Why sympathy when being engaged to a future duke is all some girls dream of?  Well, those girls aren’t engaged to Rupert.

Rupert, for all that he will someday inherit a dukedom, is not the brightest of bulbs.  He is younger than Olivia, shows no particular interest in her or any young lady, is not a graceful creature nor is he particularly well-spoken.  He is also stubborn – once he latches onto an idea, it is almost impossible to get him to let go. However, he is good natured and friendly, so things could be worse.

Olivia, her mother despairs, is the least duchess-like future duchess ever.  She likes bawdy jokes, she is plump, she is outspoken and loves to laugh.  Why she can’t be more like her (younger by several minutes) twin sister, Georgiana, is an often-asked question.  The girls were raised and educated together, so why is Georgiana the epitome of all things duchess-y while Olivia is…not?  It is a good thing, Mr. and Mrs. Lytton agree, that Olivia did not actually have to catch a duke on her own merit.

When Rupert decides he is going to bring glory to the family name through beats of military greatness, there is no way to dissuade him. Before he leaves, Rupert and his father visit the Lyttons to formalize the betrothal – and to give Rupert and Olivia some alone time.  The duke strongly encourages Olivia to seduce Rupert – since he is going off to war and has no siblings, an heir would be a good thing.  (An aside – OMG REALLY?  So creepy!)  Neither Olivia or Rupert have any real interest in the sort of proceedings necessary for getting an heir and, after a half-hearted effort, decide to not but say they did.

In the meantime, Olivia and Georgiana are invited to a house party at the home of the Duke of Sconce.  Rumor has it that he is looking for a wife and his mother (who apparently gets to choose) has invited the most promising candidates to the party.  Olivia and Georgiana both know this is Georgiana’s best chance at landing a duke – there aren’t very many available and she has very little dowry to offer as enticement.

Tarquin, Duke of Sconce, is all about reason.  He does not let his passions rule him – his first marriage taught him that lesson very well – and does not like dealing with the passions of others.  Quin spends his days taking care of estate business and dealing with mathematical theories.  He is not a cheerful, easy-going fellow and he knows it and he has no interest in choosing his next bride.  However, when soaked Olivia arrives on his doorstep to get help for a stranded carriage, Quin is transfixed and (literally) sweeps her off her feet.  He is unable to concentrate on anything except his desire to kiss her…and she makes him want to laugh!

Olivia doesn’t immediately realize the person she thinks is a very impertinent footman is actually the Duke of Sconce.  And even when she does, she is perplexed by his behavior.  He kissed her and said she was beautiful.  And he didn’t even know who she was!

You can see where this is headed, can’t you, faithful reader?  Olivia and Quin have immediate chemistry, but both are honorable enough to try to stay away from each other.  Olivia does feel some loyalty to Rupert, bless his heart.  Plus, she doesn’t want to ruin her sister’s chance at happiness.  Quin doesn’t think he wants a wife who makes him feel things…but he definitely wants Olivia.  And neither can stay away from the other.  But what about Rupert?  And Quin’s prospective brides?  Will love triumph?  Heh.  What do you think?

I enjoyed this book, overall.  I like Olivia (much more than when we met her in the Winning the Wallflower novella) and Quin and find the premise interesting – with all the emphasis on marrying, there must have been a good many people who found a better match after they were betrothed to someone else.

I will say it feel like the story could have ended a few chapters earlier than it does.  It seems like a lot of effort was made to tie up the Rupert situation when a few pages might have worked just as well. And the fairytale connection feels a bit forced, as opposed to the previous books where it did not.  Still, the extra bit of story gives Quin a chance to have an adventure and it is entertaining.  If you’re looking for a fun read, this might be just the ticket.

It isn’t the strongest entry in the series, but it wis an enjoyable book all the same.  This book is tied slightly to Winning the Wallflower, an e-novella that I enjoyed immensely (hey, look – I reviewed it here).  It isn’t necessary to read WtW first (or at all), but it is very good!  Does The Duke is Mine stand alone from the rest of the Fairy Tale series?  Absolutely – all the books in the series stand alone.

Grade: B

Summary:
Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess. So why can’t he stop thinking about her twin sister, the curvy, headstrong, and altogether unconventional Olivia? Not only is Olivia betrothed to another man, but their improper, albeit intoxicating, flirtation makes her unsuitability all the more clear.

Determined to make a perfect match, he methodically cuts Olivia from his thoughts, allowing logic and duty to triumph over passion…Until, in his darkest hour, Tarquin begins to question whether perfection has anything to do with love.

To win Olivia’s hand he would have to give up all the beliefs he holds most dear, and surrender heart, body and soul…

Unless it’s already too late.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of How the Marquess Was Won (Pennyroyal Green, Book 6) by Julie Anne Long
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11

In Julie Anne Long’s newest release, we return to Pennyroyal Green. This time around, the Redmonds and Everseas play a supportive role instead of being the focus.  They still manage to stay in the thick of things, though. Spoilers ahead (but not too many, I hope) – enter at your own risk!

Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, (aka Lord Ice, also aka Jules) has come to Pennyroyal Green on a family errand and to attend a house party at the Redmonds.  Miss Lisbeth Redmond is of marriageable age and there has been speculation that Lord Dryden is interested.  Jules is interested
in part of Lisbeth’s dowry.  A bit of land that was once a portion of his mother’s dowry before his father gambled it away.  Jules has spent most of his adult life cleaning up messes left by his father.  Finally, the family name is respected, the family fortunes have been restored and everything is falling into place.  The last piece is the bit of land the Redmonds own.

Phoebe Vale is a teacher at a girls’ school – the school she attended. Phoebe grew up in the Seven Dials section of London – a very dangerous area – but, after her parents were gone, a mysterious benefactor arranged for her to be brought to Pennyroyal Green and educated at the academy. In addition to her teaching duties at Miss Endicott’s academy, Phoebe once was a tutor to Lisbeth Redmond.

[A random aside - for the first hundred pages or so, every time I read “Miss Vale”, I heard bits of Prince’s Bat Dance. If you’re close to my age, you’ll know the bit I’m talking about; if not...you kids get off my lawn! *grumpy face*]

Onward!

Phoebe knows a lot about Lord Dryden from reading gossip sheets.  He attracts a lot of attention and is something of a trendsetter.  When she actually sees him for the first time (at a shop in town), however, he is even more impressive than she imagined.

“He seemed taller than…anyone.  And suddenly all the hats and ribbons and buttons and gloves seemed like gaudy props arranged on a stage, awaiting just his arrival all these years.”

Later, when he visits Miss Endicott’s academy – to see if it might be an acceptable place for a young cousin to attend – Phoebe is tasked with giving him a tour of the facilities.  During the tour, they begin verbally sparring with each other – and enjoying it immensely.

Faithful reader, I must say the whole tour of the academy is one of the loveliest extended scenes I’ve read in ages.  Watching Phoebe and Jules slowly get a feel for the other’s personality and wit and, perhaps, recognizing a kindred spirit?  It’s this kind of interaction that make me love romances above all else.  So sweet and emotional and fun and poignant.  Eventually, their small talk turns a bit more personal and her reaction to him this time is more focused.

“He’s meant for me.

The thought emerged from nowhere, fresh as a slap and seemed as true as it was dumbfounding.  She stared at him, bewildered.  She’d never had a thought like that in her entire life.”

I like the sense of immediate connection – it just screams romance, don’t you think?  Even if the characters don’t acknowledge it until later, it’s there.  Also, the idea that no one else ever really has bothered to know Jules – everyone is happy with just seeing the image he presented (or was presented for him by gossip) – is intriguing.  How often does anyone really look below the surface of the people around them?

Phoebe has been invited to the Redmonds’ to serve as chaperone/companion to Lisbeth. Since Phoebe has been planning to go to Africa with a group of missionaries, she decides a last bit of fun in a luxurious house might be just the thing. But Lisbeth is different and treats Phoebe more like a servant than a friend. And Jules is there and the connection between him and Phoebe gets stronger. But Jules makes a big mistake. BIG.

Still, the (OMG huge) misstep Jules makes by asking Phoebe to be his mistress seems true to the period and his character.  Jules is focused on accomplishing his last goal and getting the land that had been part of his mother’s dowry.  And a marquess marrying a school teacher??  Very unlikely, regardless of his feelings.  Of course, even though she was an orphan, Phoebe has been brought up well, so it’s rude of him to issue that sort of proposition, I’m thinking.  I’ll leave the historical wrangling of all things etiquette-ish to others, though.

After the house party, two of Lisbeth’s friends invite Phoebe to go with them to London for a few weeks. There will be outings and parties and all sorts of fun to be had and Phoebe is curious about London since she hasn’t been back since she was a child, so she agrees to go. What she doesn’t realize is her hostesses are in cahoots with a couple of bored “gentlemen” who are also attending the house party. They think it will be great fun to play a trick on the Ton by making Phoebe the toast of the town and then exposing her as a nobody.

The casual cruelty of the supporting characters – toying with the life of someone so totally beneath them is just a lark – also rang true and it’s lovely to see them get their just rewards for their behavior, I must say.  And their awful prank does serve a purpose – it helps Jules figure out what really matters to him.

A bit more info – the prologue is a glimpse into the happenings six weeks after the beginning of chapter one. Some people hate prologues, I know, but this one hooks you. You have to find out how things got to that point! Still, if that’s not your thing, you’ve been warned. Also, I recommend going back and reading the prologue after you finish the book. Just do it, trust me.

Does the book stand alone? I say yes. Sure, the Redmonds and Everseas are there, but enough of their backstory is passed along to give a feel for things without being an info-dump. For those who have read the previous books, there are a few more interesting bits of info about Olivia and Lyon. All in all, this is an excellent entry into a series that is just getting better and better.

Finally, an honorary award for best feline performance goes to Charybdis. A very accurate depiction of a cat, I must say.  :-D

Grade: A+

Summary:

The Scandal Sheets call him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest—in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She’s not afraid to play with fire…

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone: this quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous: for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

LynneC’s review of How the Marquess Was Won (Pennyroyal Green, Book 6) by Julie Anne Long
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11

Julie Anne Long has a lovely, light style that lends itself well to historical fiction. It’s just a shame that it’s not a history I recognize (yes I know, here she goes again!) So seriously, if you don’t care about history and you can put up with the fantasy in this book, have no hesitation in picking this up. It’s part of the Pennyroyal Green series, but you don’t have to read the series in order, or at all, come to that. And I pray and hope that the final version is better than the ARC, because that made reading an adventurous experience.

First, the ARC. I had it sent to my Kindle from NetGalley. Mostly this leads to a pretty decent copy, but this copy is a disaster. Every chapter has an “nm” below the heading for no perceptible reason. The leading capital is separated from the rest of the text. The first chapter has indents for paragraphs, then they just stop. And then start again. It drove me demented after a while, but I kept on reading. And there are haphazard capitalization, too. “His Lordship,” where it refers to “the marquess” earlier in the paragraph.

The hero is Julian, usually known as Jules, the Marquess of Dryden (I can’t bring myself to call him the Marquess Dryden. That “of” makes a huge amount of difference). He is tall, dark and handsome, the leader of the ton. You know the deal. The heroine is Phoebe Vale, who is a schoolteacher at a girls’ school in Pennyroyal Green. She’s blonde, lively and answers back. I like both of them. Jules is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously, and Phoebe seems intelligent enough to cope with him.

They meet in the country, when Jules visits the local country house in order to give the once-over to a young lady he is thinking of marrying, Lisbeth. Phoebe’s family holds a parcel of land he wants, the last one his father sold off to pay his debts. Jules has bought them all back but this one. The young lady is charming, sweet and a product of her class. She is kind to Lisbeth but never sees her as her equal. She proves benevolent compared to what Lisbeth has in store, but to say what it is constitutes a spoiler, and, although that’s one of the best parts of the book, I’ll refrain.

But this is a Regency where Faberge has started making his eggs, a Regency where pound notes are in common circulation. Fireflies and crickets populate the countryside and gentlemen drive landaus. Gentlemen wear trousers, not pantaloons or breeches, and their shirts button down the front. Where they drink whiskey. Where a Marquess foregoes the proper title. Where they say “Bloody hell” and “bloody,” and sometimes they’ll stay “stuff it.” Where young ladies go to school. Where there appear to be a lot of Catholics about, and nobody questions it. Rosaries and maids called Mary Frances seem to be around everywhere. Where men drink in pubs and say “gotten.”

What’s wrong with this? Faberge made his first egg in 1885. Pound notes were very unusual until the Victorian era. Fireflies and crickets aren’t native to the UK. Landaus were a lady’s vehicle, much favored by widows (Queen Victoria was fond of them and the present Queen uses them on state occasions) and were not made for travel, merely for pottering about in town. The Cossack trouser was a particular style, heavily pleated at the top, narrow at the ankle and what’s described in this book isn’t the Cossack. Whisky (definitely not whiskey) was a product of the mid-Victorian era. Only the illegal stuff was available before, and it could be clear, not the caramel color we associate with it today. The rank of Earl and above, and definitely Marquess was styled “the Marquess of Dryden,” not “Marquess Dryden.” And a knight or baronet, someone with the title “Sir” is addressed by his first name, not his last. Harry Dildo would be “Sir Harry,” not “Sir Dildo.” The people in the story would definitely know this. “Bloody hell” as a curse wasn’t used until World War One, and “bloody” wasn’t just rude, it was vulgar. Crude and rude were allowed, but vulgar, no. My grandmother used to say it was “common” and this was a woman who used “bugger” regularly. Girls of good family didn’t go to school. Despite extensive searches, the only schools for girls in this period seem to be the charity schools for poorer girls, to give them a better start in life. There was no need to educate girls of good family and their upbringing was haphazard, to say the least. Catholics were still looked down on, even the Catholic peers, who lost out on a lot of privileges, including taking their seats in Parliament, because of their religion. There is more, but I stopped taking notes after a while.

The errors spoiled my enjoyment in what could have been a fun book. Likeable characters and an engaging plot should have meant hours of pleasant reading, but it didn’t. Almost every page contains something that made me go “huh?” and make a note (since I knew I was reading this book for review – I don’t usually make notes, I just give up and take the author off my reading list). One or two little slips? Okay, fine. Nobody’s perfect, but this number is close to insulting, both to the age and the reader. Is it considered not important enough? To many people it won’t be. But it will destroy some people’s enjoyment of what could have been a good read. It wrecked mine. I would have DNF’d the book after the third chapter were it not for the style and the characters, and the fact that I wanted to find that elusive new historical author to love. If you don’t care about the plethora of errors, then go ahead, because you’ll enjoy it. If you have any knowledge of the history of Britain, then maybe you’ll want to think again.

But always remember, this is the opinion of an Englishwoman, brought up with this history and taught to regard it as hers. So if you’re not, then you might love this froth of a book. I felt like I was kicking a meringue while I was writing this review, but I had to be fair and give my honest opinion. Never forget that it might very well not agree with yours.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest—in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She’s not afraid to play with fire…

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone: this quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous: for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

No excerpt available.

C2’s review of Winning the Wallflower (Fairy Tales Series, Book 2.5) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance published by Avon 6 Dec 11

What happens when a recently-engaged (to a gentlemen in trade) wallflower suddenly inherits a fortune? Suddenly her parents have much higher expectations for her marriage possibilities. But what about her current fiance? In Eloisa James new novella, we find out.

Mister Cyrus Ravensthorpe grew up under a cloud of scandal, but he has A Plan to restore his family to their rightful place in society. His plan is proceeding nicely – one important step has just been taken…finding an acceptable bride. Mister Ravensthorpe has recently become engaged to Lady Lucy Towerton.

Lady Lucy considered herself a wallflower. Taller than most of the gentlemen of the ton, she always felt awkward and uncomfortable. Imagine her surprise when the very handsome and wealthy Mister Ravensthorpe asked her father for her hand in marriage! Still, as they spent some time getting acquainted, Lucy realized they never really connected. No real conversation – he didn’t even ask to use her given name – they mostly spent their very proper visits playing Backgammon.

Suddenly Lucy’s life is sent spinning. She finds out she has inherited her great aunt’s fortune. Her parents are very excited because they think Lucy’s chances of finding a noble husband have now increased exponentially. All she has to do is break her engagement to Mister Ravensthorpe. Lucy is reluctant – she has a bit of a crush on Cyrus – and plans with her best friend, Olivia, to be found in a compromising position with her betrothed. No chance of breaking the engagement then!

But you know the old saying about the best laid plans, don’t you, faithful reader? Cyrus arrives at the ball Lucy is attending and hears of her recent good fortune and sees his plan hit a stumbling block. Meanwhile, Lucy’s plan to be caught with her betrothed also doesn’t go as she thinks it will.

Lucy realizes she deserves someone actually interested in her and not someone who sees her as a convenient Available Perfect Noble Lady. Cyrus realizes he might have chosen Lucy for reasons other than the fact she fit into his Plan. But can he convince Lucy?

I really enjoyed this novella. It’s a quick, fun read and doesn’t feel at all rushed or compressed. The story is in no way shorted and it does not feel like a setup for Ms. James’ next full-length book. Cyrus and Lucy are a fun couple and their interactions are lively and sweet. Does it stand alone? Absolutely. Is it worth your $0.99 investment? Most definitely. At this busy time of year, you might not have the available time to invest in a full length book, but this one is just right. Treat yourself!

Grade: A+

Summary:

It Could Only Happen in a Fairytale…

Lady Lucy Towerton
Plain and tall. (According to the lady herself.)
Titled, and irreproachably proper. (According to her fiancé.)

Until, overnight, she becomes

Lady Lucy Towerton
Heiress. (Thanks to an aged aunt’s bequest.)
Belle of the Ball. (So say the fortune hunters of the ton.)

In charge of her own destiny (finally!), Lucy breaks her engagement and makes up her mind to never be proper again…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Dinca’s review of The Substitute Bride by Janet Dean
Love Imspired Historical published by Harleqin 9 February 2010

This is one of the best mail-order bride stories I have read. I find the plot innovative with lots of twist and turns. Ted and Elizabeth each have a secret they don’t want to share.

Elizabeth Manning is on the run, she has promised her little brother she’d come back for him when she finds a job and a place for them to call home. Waking up at the depot where she spends the night, she spies a young woman crying. Finding she’s a frightened mail-order bride, switching
places with her is an answer to Elizabeth’s prayers.  Anything is better than being payment for a gambling debt!

Becoming the mail order bride gets her a train ticket to New Harmony, Iowa. Now if she can only go through with the marrying part of the deal. Discovering her husband has a farm is promising – possible home for her little brother. At least the decision for marrying is hers and hers alone.

Ted Logan is a widower with two children. He is determined to make the farming way of life work. This is his second chance in life and he will do whatever it takes to keep his family together on the farm. With vulture in-laws breathing down his neck threatening to take his children, he decides to order a bride through the mail.

Not exactly getting what he thought he ordered, Ted comes to an uneasy agreement with Elizabeth, and visit the preacher before heading out to the ranch. They learn a lot about sharing and forgiveness and heartache while falling in love.

I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who wants a sweet love-inspired tale with a happily-ever-after ending. It is well written and a very pleasing read. Janet Dean has created another wonderful tale.

Grade: A

Summary:

Fleeing an arranged marriage, debutante Elizabeth Manning exchanges places with a mail-order bride bound for New Harmony, Iowa. Life on the frontier can’t be worse than forced wedlock to pay her father’s gambling debts. But Ted Logan’s rustic lifestyle and rambunctious children prove to be more of a challenge than Elizabeth expects. She doesn’t know how to be a mother or a wife. She doesn’t even know how to tell Ted the truth about her past–especially as her feelings for him grow. Little does she know, Ted’s hiding secrets of his own, and when their pasts collide, there’s more than one heart at stake.

Read an excerpt.

LynneC’s review of Brazen by Margo Maguire
Historical Romance published by Avon 29 Nov 11

As I said in a previous review, there isn’t usually one reason to DNF a book, but more often than not it’s because the book doesn’t grab me. If I persevere and get to a third or more, then I could do a full DNF review, if I have something to say about it. A DNF isn’t always because it’s a terrible book. It could be because the book just didn’t do it for me, as in this case, but it might well do it for you. There’s no deep flaws, and the plots is interesting, but the authorial voice or the premise just didn’t take me away. So I’d say try it, get a sample and see if you like it. I got this book from NetGalley, and it occurred to me that if I could sample it, that might be a useful thing. I actually persevered past the first chapter, more to see if I could settle into the read. Sadly, I couldn’t.

The heroine is one of two daughters who were adopted by an earl when their grandfather and guardian, a duke, abandoned them after his son’s death. Yeah, I know. And that’s just the start of the complex plot that would have been worth concentrating on, had I cared. But I found the book a bit of a slog and I think the main problem is the pedestrian authorial voice. Which could be as much my problem as Margo Maguire’s. Sometimes an author’s voice just doesn’t work for a reader, and I fear that is the case in this book.

Because the heroine, although brought up in the bosom of society, has no clue about things that women would generally have known. A Regency lady who doesn’t know how to load and fire a pistol? A viscountess who lives in a cottage? That last throws me. In that era, a cottage was either a place to play, a la Marie Antoinette, or it was a hovel. Not a reasonably pleasant house with separate rooms. Okay, not so bad.

The hero is interesting. He’s the younger son of a viscount, so relatively low in the pecking order of the peerage. Goodie. And even though he’s a spy, he’s a believable one, having worked in the military, and he has one more assignment before he retires.

The heroine shoots him (a mere graze), but weapons were pretty erratic in those days, and even knowing about weapons, she could have done that. A niggle. Not important. Then she wants to stitch his wound, and in an age before penicillin, that could be dangerous, sealing in the infection. Whenever possible, wounds were left open so they could be cleaned frequently and allowed to heal from the inside out. The heroine has short hair and the hero hasn’t seen short hair before. Why not, when cropped hair was all the rage in the period? He was in the army, an officer, so surely he’d have set eyes on one or two fashionable women? Niggle followed on niggle, and the tone of the book is very much American (so, my US friends, it’s unlikely to bother you).

Words like “quit” for “leave” and the dreaded G word (“gotten”) make an appearance on the first page (to a modern Brit, “gotten” screams “American,” which in some circumstances is good, but not when it’s supposed to be a deep third point of view British Regency character). Maguire has a habit of “telling” instead of “showing,” which leads to a blander style. In an effort to avoid the purple, blandness ruled. They drank “whiskey” in an era when whisky was the equivalent to moonshine, and was as often clear as caramel coloured. In the end, I was just waiting for the next niggle to turn up. That’s always a sign that I’m not engaged with the book, because when a book catches me and drags me along, details are the last thing I worry about. So I gave up. I really wanted to like this one, but it just wasn’t doing it for me. It might for you.

Grade: DNF

Summary:

She will give him what he desires. But first, a small favor . . .

Lady Christina Fairhaven is devoted to her adoptive family—and most protective of her wayward brother.

So when battle-scarred and world-weary Captain Gavin Briggs arrives at her cottage bearing shocking news—that she is the granddaughter of an aged, bad-tempered duke— Christina is stunned . . . temporarily.

She will not meet the duke who abandoned her when she was a child; Gavin will not receive his significant—and much needed—reward. However, should the good Captain agree to help her locate and rescue her endangered sibling, then perhaps . . .

But with a fortune at stake, the road to London is paved with peril. Treachery awaits them . . . not to mention attraction, temptation, and a most unanticipated passion.

To regain his soul, to protect his lady, Gavin must be more than brave. To win his love, Christina must be positively . . .

Read an excerpt.

Ash’s review of Secrets to Seducing a Scot (Highland Knaves, Book 1) by Michelle Marcos
Historical Romance published by St. Martins 02 Aug 11

This will be a short review because I feel like there isn’t much to say. It’s an okay story about okay characters.

The romance aspect is really lackluster. There is no tension or build up, Serena and Malcolm just slowly end up wanting to be together with hardly any conflict. I suppose for people who prefer the sweet and light romances this would work, but I am definitely not one of those people. I want to read a love story that gives me butterflies, and Secrets to Seducing a Scot gave me drowsiness.

The little conflict there is has to do with Scotland revolting against England. It’s basically a bunch of angry Scotsman getting riled up and saying they will do something, but by the time anything happens in the story, I was already bored. Every time I put the book down I forgot it, it doesn’t stand out in any way.

If I had to describe it in one word it would be boring. I kept waiting for action or passion, and Secrets to Seducing a Scot never delivered what I was looking for.

Grade: D+

Summary:

Meet the Highland Knaves, an infamous clan of outcast Scots who live for justice, lust for freedom, and long for lovers bold enough to tame them…

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Torn from a pampered life of luxury and thrust into the midst of a Scottish revolution, Serena Marsh is shocked to meet the brutish man who has been assigned to protect her from the rebels trying to kill her—Malcolm Slayter, the most rugged, most dangerous, and most undeniably attractive man she’s ever encountered…

THE KNAVE OF HEARTS

Malcolm has no loyalties, no country, and no sense of propriety. Hired by her father, Malcolm agrees to protect the lovely lass for a fee. But when Serena challenges Malcolm’s authority—and engages him in a risky flirtation—all bets are off. When the battle heats up, it’s anyone’s guess as to who’s seducing whom…and who’ll surrender first.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Miss Darcy Falls in Love (Darcy Saga, Book 6) by Sharon Lathan
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Landmark 1 Nov 11

With this sixth book in Sharon Lathan’s Darcy Saga series, she takes a turn from the loving couple who started her writing career for her and gives us a look at Fitzwilliam’s sister, Georgiana. We’ve watched her grow from a quiet and shy girl into a confident and intelligent young lady, as well as a brilliant musician. It’s a nice change of pace, and Ms. Lathan does Georgiana proud.

On the trip of a lifetime meeting new friends, seeing exciting places, and gaining more experience and knowledge in her music, Georgiana’s whirlwind journey gets another jolt when she comes face to face again with Sebastian, an interested beau we met in the last book. They share a love of everything music and immediately begin to meet to discuss that passion, play each other’s compositions, and leisurely explore museums and conservatories to their hearts’ content. For Georgiana it is a blessing to have someone who understands her desire to immerse herself in nothing else but melodies and lyrics. She does, however, become a bit homesick now and again in the midst of these very exciting times. Knowing she will eventually return home to marry and start a family as all young women her age do keeps her will strong to continue her journey.

Sebastian has had a more difficult time of it, having to deflect his father’s attempts to bring him home to be further groomed to take over the family estates when the time comes – and to start his own family as soon as possible. A prospective bride has already been chosen, though Sebastian wants nothing to do with the woman. Coming to an agreement with his father gives Sebastian three years to gain what he can at the Conservatoire de Musique in Paris, a dream he thought never to live. And the time he’s spending with Miss Darcy beforehand has also been a dream, one unexpected and enlightening. The woman is beyond ingenious.

Both Georgiana and Sebastian view their relationship as friends. It definitely starts out that way, but slowly, without them realizing it, their feelings become deeper and more meaningful. However, they each keep silent, not wanting to interrupt the other’s life path. Georgiana knows Sebastian’s heart is set on attending the conservatory and he knows her desire to return to England is growing with each passing day. Should they go their own way and leave behind a love that may last a lifetime or should one of them sacrifice their wants for the sake of the other? Neither is willing to test their options for fear of the hurt and heartache that may result.

But when Georgiana meets Baron Caxton, she’s taken by his masculinity and charm. She’s also torn now between two men who she’s grown to care for. While she paints the town with the baron, it’s Sebastian who seemingly bows out of her life, which causes both of them to reflect much deeper into their feelings and to make decisions that may come too late to halt lives changing directions they might never recover from.

There are a variety of secondary characters who throw fun and laughter into the story, most notably the de Valday twins, Yvette and Zoe, along with their brother, Frederic. All three are the typical flamboyant French and always out for a raucous good time. Sebastian’s grandmother, Lady Warrow, is also an interesting character. I love the scenes where she vexes her son over his continual fuss about Sebastian’s life choices and refusing to see the man he’s become. I have only one slight nitpick, which is near the end when Sebastian asks for Georgiana’s hand. I would rather have been shown that scene rather than being told about it. We’ve seen over the course of the series how protective Darcy has been of Georgiana all her life, so some emotions from him about this momentous life change for her would have added so much, especially since she’d been gone so long from home during her journey.

One scene I really enjoyed is when Georgiana is on her way to Sebastian and is constantly having her progress impeded. She finally takes matter into her own hands – time is of the essence! – and her flight toward him is well done, fraught with tension, longing, happiness, devastation and so much more, as is the immediate following scenes when life now looks bleak and without color for Georgiana. Also, the prologue brings surprises. I love the way Ms. Lathan gives this couple an afterlife, so to speak. Very inspired! And Dr. George Darcy gives those of us who follow this series a huge surprise. Is there more to come with him and his new-found happiness? Only time will tell…..

Grade: A

Summary:

Noble young ladies were expected to play an instrument, but Georgiana Darcy is an accomplished musician who hungers to pursue her talents. She embarks upon a tour of Europe, ending in Paris where two very different men will ignite her heart in entirely different ways and begin a bitter rivalry to win her. But only one holds the key to her happiness.

 

Set in post-Napoleonic Empire France, Miss Darcy Falls in Love is a riveting love story that enters a world of passion where gentlemen know exactly how to please and a young woman learns to direct her destiny and understand her heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of The Virtuoso (The Duke’s Obsession, Book 3) by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Nov 11

This third book in Grace Burrowes’ debut series doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to Valentine Windham, our hero. From the first page he’s given the blow of a lifetime, doesn’t know how he’ll deal with such devastation, but learns sometimes life has a way of working out and giving you something you never thought you would want or need. With the help of Ellen Markham, Val learns his lesson quite well.

Val’s passion has always been music. Every aspect of his life has the strains of a concerto or the haunting lines of a song entrenched in his heart and mind. Playing the piano has given his family and friends – and himself- comfort or joy, whichever was needed, over the years. With the most recent death of a brother, however, his world, his passion is now out of his reach. It started with small, insignificant symptoms, an achiness in his hand, and then grew to the point of swelling, pain, and stiffness, so that he can no longer play without the risk of damaging the hand permanently.

Not knowing what to do with himself without his music, when Val wins a small estate in a card game, he heads that way to assess his new possession. What he finds isn’t good. The property is in disrepair; it hasn’t been taken care of in some time. So with the help of friends and new neighbors, rebuilding begins to take place, something Val vehemently embraces to keep his mind busy and off his current troubles. Coming face to face with the lovely widow again after sharing a kiss with her the year before only adds to his laments, but in a very different way.

Having only a short time with her husband before his death, Ellen now lives in a small cottage on Markham land away from all she knew before. Her passion is her flowers and gardens, which she meticulously tends and is rewarded with beauty and satisfaction. Her world is set on its end when Valentine Windham appears in her life again. Their one meeting left her thinking of him over the last year, and she never thought to see him again after that one heart-pounding kiss. But he eases into her life as though he belongs there, and it doesn’t take long before she knows he’s the man for her. Unfortunately, she’ll never be able to have him as part of her life.

As the construction goes on, Val and Ellen are drawn to one another more and more. She helps him with his hand, applying a salve each day as they talk and get to know one another. I really like these two together. They’re just like the previous Burrowes’ characters who are straightforward and as honest as possible – there’s always secrets, of course. Val and Ellen are no different. Val has chosen to keep his ducal ties to himself, wanting to fit in in both Ellen’s life and the community’s. Ellen, however, has a much bigger and scandalous secret tied to her deceased husband and one which her brother-in-law knows about and has been using that knowledge to get by in society because he refuses to do anything else to make ends meet. When Ellen’s secret is finally revealed, I have to say I’m a little disappointed. It’s not the totally end-all be-all secret I anticipated. Yes, Ellen is punishing herself for what she feels she’s done, but for me it’s just not enough, especially when Val validly points out she’s not at fault and even though it is an emotional issue.

The best secondary characters of the book are two neighborly rapscallions who help Val with the work around the estate. They’re out for fun every chance they get, but they’re hard workers and they mind their parents. We see a lot of Val’s friends when they also pitch in to help out, and I enjoy the relationship he has with each. I like that Ms. Burrows gives us deep emotion even between friends. Of course, the Windham family also makes an appearance here and there, especially Devlin. You can feel the concern and love between the brothers as they try to figure out who is sabotauging all the hard work done, which is really not a mystery at all from the reader’s point of view. You can see that villain doing his dirty work from a mile away.

This has been a fun and emotional series to read, and I’m now looking forward to the duke’s daughters, who will get their books next. Ms. Burrowes’ strong characters and writing style are what make these stories for me. Be sure to give them a try if you haven’t already.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Ellen Markham tells herself she’s happy raising flowers and living in near penury in the Oxfordshire countryside, but when Valentine Windham moves in just on the other side of the wood, Ellen’s longing for things she can never have threatens to overcome her good sense. Valentine’s artistic soul, tender loving, and ducal determination tempt Ellen to trust and confide in a man who can only be endangered, should he learn of her past. For Valentine, regaining his musical skill becomes far less urgent than winning Ellen’s heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Kissing Comfort by Jo Goodman
Historical Romance published by Berkley 6 Sep 11

This is only my second book by Jo Goodman. After reading my first, Never Love a Lawman, and loving it so much, as I always do, I vowed to read more of her. Unfortunately, life never works the way you want it to. I haven’t been able to read another until now. And I must say, my reaction to Kissing Comfort is very different from my reaction to NLaL.

While Ms. Goodman does a terrific job of introducing us to her characters, showing us their lives, their strengths and weaknesses, their vulnerabilities and the like, the first part of this book is quite slow. Which actually surprises me after reading the prologue, which did have me hooked, wondering what would become of that young child Newt and Tuck found ensconced in rocks. But once we find out how she’s fared, how her life is currently getting along, the book’s pace creeps along. For me, there’s just too much pussyfooting around with Bram. Yes, he’s an integral part of the story, but come to find out, we don’t need nearly as much of him in the beginning as we get. At least I don’t.

Bram is the younger DeLong brother. The charming one. The playboy, so to speak. He has no responsibility to anyone other than himself, and that’s not saying much. He’s known Comfort Kennedy for years, has known she’s in love with him. At his brother’s birthday party, at which his brother is so far a no-show, Bram makes a surprise announcement – he and Comfort are engaged! Amid the good wishes and congratulations and new revelry at an otherwise dull get-together – the reason for the announcement – Comfort is just as surprised as everyone else. Taking the matter up with Bram, she talks him down from a six-month waiting period to six weeks before calling the fraudulent engagement off. Then we get a lot of chapters with these two dancing around each other about the engagement, the way Bram went about it, etc. etc. Just not all that interesting to me after a while.

Cooling her anger before heading back inside, Comfort comes face to face with the birthday boy – er, man himself. Sporting cuts, bruises, and very sore bones and joints as a result of an attack, Bode finally shows up for his party and finds Comfort with Bram in the garden. Hearing their good news doesn’t sit well with him, but he keeps quiet until the right time to make his intentions known. Which is after Comfort is kidnapped, and with Bram laid up with a broken leg, it’s up to Bode to use his resources to find her and bring her home. To him. And this is when the book picks up in action and mystery and romance and just…everything. Before this, though there are some good scenes from one family home to the other and then to the bank owned by Tuck and Newt, the in-between scenes just don’t work for me all that much.

Bode is the DeLong left to make ends meet after his father squandered the family fortune, nearly bankrupting their shipping company. He has to keep his brother and mother on a tight financial leash, because he refuses to give up on the company he loves. He’s always carried a torch for Comfort, but somehow he always scared the girl and they’ve never spent that much time in each other’s company. He’s about to change all that, declaring his intent to Bram on his way to find out what’s happened to her.

Comfort goes through a horrendous ordeal awaiting her fate in a saloon full of men who have bought lottery tickets to see which one will get first crack at her. You can feel her fear and panic as that time draws ever closer. Just when you think Bode’s plan to rescue her is going to work, all hell breaks loose again and it’s the man himself who whisks her off to safety. And the ensuing scenes on one of his ships are my favorites in the book. They’re in one cabin together, of course, on a ship full of men. They’re married there. They love on that boat. They learn more about one another during their trip. They plan to find out what the hell is going on that would trigger Comfort’s kidnapping.

I like Comfort and her “uncles” a lot. They have a terrific relationship for not being blood family. Of the DeLong family, it’s only Bode who finally breaks the ice for me and who’s worth anything. Bram is definitely spoiled and selfish, even if he never meant anyone any true harm. Newt and Tuck, along with Bode, do what it takes to keep Comfort safe once she’s home, and Bram could learn a few lessons from them in that regard. He really chaps my hide.

I’m glad the second half of this book picked up the pace. I’d been a little worried before that. Ms. Goodman pens a wonderful story anyway, even those slow parts are well written and still draw you in. So, all in all, a good read with some captivating characters, a wonderful romance, and a mystery that piques interest from the beginning.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Bode DeLong knows that his playboy brother Bram isn’t really in love with Miss Comfort Kennedy, even though it’s clear that she’s enamored with him. With Bram’s motives for the engagement suspect, Bode figures the safest place for Comfort to be is in his arms. Now, Bode just needs to convince Comfort that the childhood fancy she has for his brother is no match for the incredible desire that sparks between them every time they touch.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Snowflakes and Stetsons by Jillian Hart, Carol Finch & Cheryl St. John
Historical Western Romance anthology published by Harlequin Historical 20 Sep 11

There are certain universal truths when it comes to my romance reading: 1) I love category romance 2) I love westerns 3) I love Christmas-themed stories and 4) I love Harlequin Historical.  So naturally, the diabolical minds at Harlequin have taken it upon themselves to produce an annual Christmas-themed western anthology for the past several years.  I’m one of Pavlov’s dogs and somewhere in the bowels of the Harlequin offices someone is ringing a damn bell.

The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart

Fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit (naturally), Caleb McGraw is looking for the sweetheart he left behind, only to discover she’s passed away. When he learns she left behind a son, he knows that child is his. So he tracks down the tyke living with Caroline Dreyer, a widow still mourning the loss of her husband and child.  She adores Thomas, but can’t seem to reach the boy, who takes to starring out the window, waiting for something or someone.

Hart is what I call an “angst writer” and she really slathers it on with this story.  Both Caleb and Caroline are haunted by their pasts, and even young Thomas walks with a shadow following his every move.  What I like here is that we have a secret baby plot that actually seems quite plausible, and that none of these characters is prone to hysterics.  It’s a real emotional heart-tugger of a read, with a healthy dollop of holiday spirit on the side.

Grade: B

Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch

Rosalie Greer owns a dress shop in Cahill Crossing and is on her way back to town with Christmas supplies when a blizzard stops her cold. She comes close to freezing to death when Lucas Burnett’s dog (named “Dog” – seriously) uncovers her in a snowdrift. Lucas is a Loner with a capital L, but can’t very well leave the delectable Rosa to die – so he carts her back to his ranch.

What follows is Rosa thawing out, challenging Lucas at every turn, and dragging him out into society by his nose. Finch tends to spoon on a healthy layer of humor in her stories, which doesn’t always work for me. For the most part, it does here. Some of the dialogue didn’t ring true to me (Lucas actually says “mixed heritage” in regards to his half-Comanche, half-Mexican blood – which sounded a little too “PC” to my ears for 1880s Texas), and the fact the couple likes to jump to conclusions about each other did get tiresome. However, it is a fairly enjoyable story, and it’s a nice taste of the upcoming Cahill Cowboys continuity series.

Grade: B-

A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John

U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is on a train guarding a gold shipment when he spies a notorious outlaw on board. Suspecting danger is up ahead in the form of an outlaw gang, he unhooks the the mail car from the train, which is carrying the shipment. When he does that, he also unhooks a well-appointed Pullman car, carrying railroad heiress Meredith Abbott. However, that’s not his only concern. Stowing away in the mail car? Two young orphans heading to Denver to find their long-lost Daddy. Now Jonah has a woman and two children to keep safe, with a band of outlaws sure to be paying them a visit once they hold up the train and find the mail car missing.

What I enjoy about St. John’s stories is that her characters are always practical thinking people. They’re never prone to hysterics or overly dramatic. Meredith might be an heiress, but she’s level-headed, can handle a weapon, and doesn’t waste time senselessly bickering with our hero. The author also crams in a ton of story here and gives readers a nice action-adventure style plot that is a nice change of pace from the other two offerings. The only real missteps here are that one of the orphans (the little girl, naturally) speaks with a lisp (blessedly she doesn’t talk too much!), and I feel the ending is a bit rushed. But it’s still a solid offering, featuring a page-turning plot and interesting characters.

Grade: B

This is a solid, cozy anthology that delivers a warm, fuzzy Christmas vibe. It’s the kind of book that should be read Christmas Eve, with a mug of hot cocoa, by a crackling fire place, after the kids have gone to bed. For that matter, it’s the kind of anthology that can be kept and reread every year right around the holiday season. This one is as-advertised.

Overall Grade: B

Summary:

The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart

Wrongly imprisoned, Caleb McGraw is finally free—but the bitterness he holds still makes him feel trapped. Until he sees the beautiful Caroline holding a little boy with eyes just like his own. Discovering his long-lost son is just the start of Caleb’s Christmas miracles!

Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch

One Christmas night, outcast Lucas Burnett finds a silver-haired angel buried in the snow. But Rosalie Greer is no pale spirit—she’s a fiery, independent woman, as wild as the mustangs Lucas breeds. Can she be the one to finally thaw Lucas’s frozen heart?

A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St.John

Meredith has always dreamed of a grand life but, stranded on a train in heavy snowfall with two young stowaways, she unexpectedly finds she has everything she needs with just one strong man to protect her….

Read an excerpt (Hart story only)

Dinca’s review of The Gunfighter and the Heiress by Carol Finch
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 19 Jul 11

A delightful, fast-paced trip through the bad lands of Texas, you will not find a dull moment in this book. The characters are strong and independent and butt heads as well as lips along their wild journey.

Donovan Crow has completed his last assignment and all he wants to do now is sleep. When he receives a telegram telling him his fiancé is arriving, he thinks it is a trap to kill him. What woman in her right mind would want to marry a half-breed Indian gunslinger/bounty hunter? After having a look at the sassy, determined women with the most spunk he’s ever seen, he decides this might be the easiest money he has ever made.

Natalie  Robedeaux Blair is determined to save her family fortune from her greedy stepfather who is trying to marry her off to his handpicked pawn. After her mother’s death she devises a plan too and finds her own handpicked husband and bodyguard. When Bart, Crow’s business manager, is shot, she realizes that anyone who tries to help her is put in harm’s way, so she rethinks her plan and tries to go it on her own so no one else gets hurt because of her.

Marsh, Natalie’s stepfather, adds another name to his list of people in his way to get his hands on the Robedeaux-Blair fortune – Donovan Crow. He will still make her a widow and carry on with his plan to marry her off to the simpering wimp with gambling debts that he’s found. As soon as the Robedeaux-Blair fortune is signed over to him, neither Crow nor Natalie will be left alive, so his secret is safe.

There are a whole slew of bad guys, too many to mention here without going on and on. Bad guys that should be good guys and Indians being bad to do good and Texas Rangers, I am sure, who will, in turn, have stories of their own. If you don’t have this book, get it. If you have it on your TBR list, put it at the top. You will not be disappointed.

Grade: A

Summary:

From hired gun to hired groom…

Money can’t buy love…but it can buy marriage for on-the-run shipping heiress Natalie Blair. Her vicious stepfather’s scheming ways have the Louisiana beauty fleeing to Texas to seek out legendary contract gunfighter Donovan Crow. He is dark, dangerous, and marrying him would be the perfect protection…

For Van, the price is right and the spirited woman is impossible to resist. Soon the hardened bachelor can’t tell what’s more challenging—keeping their
legions of enemies at bay or keeping his hands off his fake wife!

Read an excerpt.

Dinca’s review of Gold Rush Groom by Jenna Kernan
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 23 Aug 11

Welcome to the Yukon and a delightful story with a heroine full of determination, ingenuity and just plain common sense, and an uppity New York greenhorn. You can’t help but turn the pages in this book.

Lily Shanahan needs a partner. Not just any partner but one who can get her over the atrocious terrain in the Yukon Territory to Dawson City where she can make her fortune. Her only drawback is no one wants a female partner. They see her as a liability, not an asset. She does what she can to make money while she is waiting for the right partner to come along. With her dog Nala and their sled, she offers her services to people to gather their belongings from the ocean where they are dropped off, since there is no dock.  When she spies the greenhorn with way too many crates, she sends Nala out to retrieve one of his boxes. She offers to retrieve the rest for a fee. When he cannot afford to pay, she makes a deal with him to become partners.  Nala saves his cargo, and Lily takes him back to her tent to dry him off before he loses his toes.

Jack Snow doesn’t want or need a partner and now he has a woman chained to him. He just needs to make his fortune so he can return to New York and restore his family’s position in polite society.  He tries to think of a way to get out of the deal, but in the end they take off together on this wild adventure. Jack learns that the three of them make a good team. The attraction between them is strong and they both know they will not fit into each other’s worlds, so they try to maintain their distance.

The trek from Dyea, Alaska to the gold fields of Dawson City, where they agree to part ways, takes months of travel over frozen terrain. The journey is so real, I could swear my toes felt the cold. Jenna Kernan does a wonderful job of storytelling. No one describes mud like Jenna! I could taste Lily’s biscuits and smell the coffee she sells along the way to the other would-be miners.

When they arrive in Dawson and part ways, Lily gets a singing job and Jack tests out his mining invention. Its weeks before they see each other again. The feelings are still there and so are the reasons not to cultivate those feelings. After he discovers his invention works, Jack looks for investors and, once again, Lily comes to his aid making at least one of his dreams come true.

This is a captivating story. I enjoyed it every step of the way. Jenna touches on the supporting characters just enough and builds up the relationships along the way at an even steady pace, just like their travels through the Yukon. I plan to visit Jenna Kernan’s website to see what else she has coming in the near future.

Grade: A

Summary:

A search for gold…

Jack Snow has learned the hard way that the only person he can rely on is himself. With his family fortune gone, he’ll don his best jacket and reel out the charm to bag himself an heiress bride!

…could lead to something more precious

The last person with whom he expects to travel across the Yukon is an outspoken, impoverished daughter of an Irish immigrant. Their social standing is miles apart. But Lily Shanahan proves resourceful and dauntless in the face of raging rivers and icy mountain passes, and Jack is forced to admit her passion for life is enough to tempt him from his course…

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Texas Twilight (McCutcheon Family Series, Book 2) by Caroline Fyffe
Historical Western Romance published by Caroline Fyffe 2 Oct 11

Once again Caroline Fyffe has given readers a touching and romantic, as well as mysterious and dangerous, historical western read. Her writing has a soft lilt, even for the often harsh old west, that snags your attention every time. Characters both strong and caring delve deep into your soul, making you pray that everything turns out the way it should be for them. After retrieving her rights from Dorchester, after all the drama that took place there, I’m so glad Ms. Fyffe went the distance and published this book herself, because readers need books like this and the ones before it.

This story starts off with a bang. A bunch of them, in fact, when John and Lily’s stagecoach is attacked by Comancheros on its way to Rio Wells, Texas, where John is to become the town doc and Lily and her aunt will be opening a seamstress shop. The ensuing scenes are fast paced and exciting. We get to meet John and Lily under high-pressure circumstances, seeing how well they work together. But, unfortunately, John is engaged to be married. Starting a life in Rio Wells, a place to bring his fiance and to raise a family, is his dream. Suddenly, however, life has taken on a totally different slant from what he’s been envisioning lately. John does try his best to keep his focus on the plans he’s made, but seeing Lily every day doesn’t help.

What John doesn’t know, and Lily either to some extent, is she and her Aunt Harriett are on the run. Lily knows something is wrong, but it’s the what and the why that her aunt hasn’t told her. When she discovers a rare gem in Harriett’s belongings, some of the puzzle pieces begin to fit. She doesn’t want to run again; what she’s found in Rio Wells, even if she can’t grab hold of a portion of it, is the closest to home she’s felt since leaving Germany. But then the bottom totally falls out of her plans when she learns the shop they are to lease has been given to someone else and that evil banker will not honor her previous agreement with the prior landowner. It’s John who comes to her aid, making solutions to the problems seem so easy. The townsfolk too chip right in to help Lily and her aunt become part of the community. Their shop is finally up and running. Being near John is enough for now. Life is good.

As happens in the wild, wild west, though, life takes another sharp turn when someone comes looking for the stolen gem. Danger lurks all around, not knowing who to turn to when it’s discovered even the law can’t be trusted. And in the midst of everything, the day that Lily has dreaded comes. John’s fiance decides to make the trip to Rio Wells before John is ready for her. Lily’s heart will never be the same.

I do enjoy these two, and we know something will happen that will allow them to be together. I like the way Ms. Fyffe handles that, straightforward and honest, no machinations for hurt feelings and misunderstandings. There’s a little holding back between John and Lily later in the book, and I know it’s there for conflict, but I don’t want that for them. It does work out, of course, perhaps making them stronger, so my humble opinion of it all may not work for some of you.

The secondary characters are fun and there’s a couple of evils ones amid them all. I like the side story we get with Charity, John’s sister who pays him a surprise visit, and Brandon, her questionable beau from back home. Charity is a strong woman. She grew up with brothers and she learned a lot from them, shooting, riding, you name it. She and Brandon have one of those push-pull relationships, and when he finds out what’s she done, he’s right on her tail, which doesn’t make her happy at all. But they sure are fun and quite emotional near the end. Enjoyed them a lot, and hope they get their own book down the road.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating – if you’re an historical western fan, you must read Caroline Fyffe’s books. They’re true to the period, they’re romantic, they’re fun, and they’re written beautifully. So don’t delay picking them up!

Grade: B+

Summary:

Fresh out of medical school, John McCutcheon finds his stagecoach under attack by brutal outlaws.  With the help of a feisty acquaintance, Lily Anthony, he manages to fend off the assault. Lily is attracted to the charming cowboy-doctor, with his chiseled good looks and teasing ways, then heartbroken to learn he’s engaged to be married.

Once settled in Rio Wells, Texas, John tries to ignore the fact that his cousin has taken a shine to Lily.  When a bounty hunter shows up looking for a priceless jewel that Lily has found stashed away in her aunt’s belongings, Lily fears her dreams of owning her own shop–and of finding true love–are about to go up in flames…or, could that just be the glow of a beautiful … Texas Twilight?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Secret Life of a Scandalous Debutante by Bronwyn Scott
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 23 Aug 11

I always enjoy reading Bronwyn Scott. Her characters are intriguing and fun, her storylines sizzle and are action packed. This time we take a dangerous journey with Beldon and Lilya, two opposites who try their best to resist the attraction between them, only to find the love of a lifetime, ending with an adventure to keep those they love safe and an exciting place to begin their new life together.

Beldon Stratten, Barron Pendennys, is an English girl’s dream, the perfect gentleman, and he’s in need of a wife. She must be respectable and polite, one bred to be the perfect partner of someone of his station. She must also bring financial security to their union, especially after all the years it’s taken him to rebuild his holdings. So here he is at the beginning of the season, trying to pick and choose among the available misses. Until he spies a sexy, bare back.

In London visiting with her guardian, Valerian Inglemoore, Viscount St. Just, Lilya is biding her time until she’s forced on the run again because of her duty to family and country – she’s the protector of a precious stone that can change the fate of nations. Taking her responsibility seriously, Lilya has learned to be diligent and self-sufficient in keeping the gem out of the wrong hands. Coming face to face with Beldon again, she’s intrigued by the changes that have resulted in the confident and handsome man he’s become. As intrigued as she is by him, he’s not for her. Too dangerous to become involved with.

She’s not for him. Too beautiful, too exotic, to exciting. Beldon has to keep his focus to make the right decision. But when one of her countrymen shows interest in Lilya, suspicions begin to flow, and the only way to keep her truly safe is for her to never leave his side. The logical thing is marriage, despite Lilya’s protestations. She’s better at running. But Beldon won’t be swayed and they are immediately wed. Thus begins their life journey of exploration, danger, excitement, and an all-consuming love that grows so beautifully between them.

I like how Beldon adds dangerous protector to his perfect gentleman facade. He takes every precaution to keep his wife safe, and still the evil comes after them. In the midst of all this, they enjoy exploring each other, finding out about one another both in bed and out. They began as two people who knew they would never mesh, but they now are a team with charm and wit, who outwit a league of villains to grow old together, starting life anew away from anyone and everything that means the world to them. What’s not to love about that kind of romance?

This is a fun, quick read, one that will leave you quite happy when you reach the last page.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Just another dull debutante? From boxing at Jackson’s to dancing starry–eyed society belles around London’s ballrooms, Beldon Stratten is the perfect English gentleman. And he’s looking for a perfectly bland, respectable wife.

Appearances can be deceiving…Exotic Lilya Stefanov is anything but bland. Beldon is intrigued to see that the ragamuffin girl he once knew has matured into an elegant lady, poised and polite!

But beneath the mysterious beauty’s evening gowns and polished etiquette lies a dangerous secret—and a scandalous sensuality…

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of The Soldier (Duke’s Obsession, Book 2) by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Jun 11

I fell in love with the hero of this book when we met him in The Heir. He’s the illegitimate brother of the Earl of Westhaven, though their father has recognized him and that makes his life much easier. At least as far as society is concerned. Dev still has demons that no one can help him conquer. Until he meets Emmaline.

While I did enjoy this book, I feel that Devlin is slightly different from his character in The Heir. But, of course, we only touched the surface of his character in that book and here we do delve much deeper into his life, discovering what he hides from the world. He has recently been given an earldom via his father, but the place is rundown, in need of a barrage of work. But that work will be a balm to his soul, keeping him busy, allowing him to force his demons away, to face them another time. However, before Dev can really dig in, his life is interrupted by not one but two confounding females, one six years of age and the other her only but very intriguing relative.

Winnie is the previous earl’s by-blow and she’s as sassy as they come. I think the reader is as surprised as Dev that he’s taken with Winnie so quickly. Too bad logic doesn’t work on most kids, but Winnie is in such need of love and caring that she follows Dev’s instructions from table manners to bedtime. Along with Winnie comes Emmaline Farnum, her cousin, who tries to keep the child in check. When she follows the elusive creature to Rosecroft, she’s as immediately taken with Devlin as Winnie is, though she thinks him a barbarian initially. That opinion subtly changes as the man seduces her into his bed.

Emmie also has a passel of demons, all of which lead her to the conclusion Winnie is better off without her. So plans are made for her to leave once Dev finds an appropriate governess. She tries to keep this from Winnie, but there’s no pulling the wool over this child’s eyes. So much has happened to her in her young life that she’s extraordinarily perceptive, and she does what is necessary to get her way – when the earl allows her to do so. I really enjoy Winnie. She’s fun even though she’s scared. She’s been left by everyone in her life and now Emmie is going to do the same. Which kind of irritates me as much as it does Winnie. I realize she’s trying to help, to keep the taint of the family shenanigans away from Winnie so she can grow up without all that baggage. But the child is only six. She needs love and familiarity and protection, all of which Emmie will be taking from her, thinking what the earl can give the little girl is enough.

I also don’t like Emmie’s oscillation going to Dev’s bed and waking up angry she succumbed again and vowing it won’t happen anymore. Although, no matter how hard she tries, it does happen again. And again. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, but she acts so out of character when it comes to Winnie and Devlin. And it goes on for far too long. Her past is fraught with transgressions against her, and I can see why trust is an issue for her, but Dev does his best to show her he can be trusted with her heart. Allowing him to help her shouldn’t have been that daunting after their lovemaking. But they both go on without saying the words needed to bring them closer together and to prevent Emmie from going forward with her plans to leave. I just recently found a deleted scene from this book on the author’s website that I feel was a mistake to omit. Of all the scenes to be deleted, it shouldn’t have been that one, which gives us more of the emotion between these two about her impending departure.

What I really like in this book is the closeness we see between Dev and his brother Val. We saw some of that in The Heir, but it goes to a whole new level in this story. Though Devlin has been dealt a lot to deal with from his mother leaving him to losing two brothers in the war to his post-traumatic stress after being discharged, he does lean on family and friends when he’s on the verge of losing control emotionally. The scenes with his father, which surprise him and the reader, and his stepmother are quite moving, especially when she finally gives him what he needs to make peace with his mother. I like this loving, emotional take between the brothers. Most stories have brothers one-upping each other, taking potshots, and engaging in fisticuffs while having the other’s back, as brothers are wont to do, but it’s nice to be given the other side of the coin in more than just back pounding and joking to hide emotion.

So while part of the book didn’t connect with me in terms of the heroine, other parts absolutely made the deeper connection in terms of family and love. Ms. Burrowes also does a fine job with bits of humor, as the very first scene of the book attests. Though this is a Devlin I didn’t expect, he’s a hero who stirs me emotionally and I’m glad to have met him.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Even in the quiet countryside he can find no peace…

His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor…

Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination…

With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Deviln’s most urgent mission.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes (Scandalous Brides, Book 1) by Suzanne Enoch
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s 4 Oct 11

Revenge! Blackmail! Wheeeee! It’s always fun to read about a couple with a history – especially when things ended badly.  And if revenge and blackmail are in the picture? Win!  Heh.

Diane Benchley, Lady Cameron, and her husband fled England under a cloud of debt several years before we meet her.  Diane has been a widow for a few years and finally has returned to London.  She has plans. Plans that, if successful, will keep her from depending on a man for her livelihood ever again.  To bring her plans to fruition she needs the assistance of Oliver Warren, Marquis of Haybury – whether he wants to help or not.

The last person Oliver expects to see in London is Diane Benchley.  When he last saw her, Diane was recently widowed and living in Vienna.  They had a brief fling before he returned to England without a word of farewell.  Not a good way to end things, faithful reader.

Diane has returned to open a gentlemen’s club.  Her original lordly male “helper” was killed in an accident and now she needs to find someone else to help her make sure she has covered all the bases necessary with the club – the right look, the right games, the right feel.  The only person she trusts to assist her is Oliver – not because of any good feelings toward him but because she has a very incriminating letter that would ruin his reputation if it were made public. Blackmail!

Diane is not the same person Oliver knew in Vienna.  She has grown a thick skin and sharp tongue.  He is still attracted to her – although less so when she threatens to publish the letter unless he assists with the club (both financially and in an advisory role).  Of course, Oliver looks for a way to turn things to his advantage, but it isn’t easy. Diane has thought of everything and isn’t falling for his charms a second time.

Naturally, over the course of getting the club ready and establishing it as a real option for the gentlemen of the ton, Oliver and Diane have much more contact than either would have first imagined.  And although both start out looking for weaknesses to exploit, they find they have more than just the club in common and enjoy each other’s company a great deal.

I believed the characters’ growth.  The lessening of Diane’s bitterness over time and Oliver’s realization about why he left Vienna is nicely written.  And the idea of a young widow coming to London and opening a gentlemen’s club – staffed by young women – is an interesting (if unlikely) one.  Of course, it might be completely accurate, historically speaking – what do I know?  As long as I’m entertained and the author makes me believe it, I’m good.

The subplot with Diane’s brother-in-law did nothing for me.  If I have to guess (and I am), I would say it might serve as a basis for Oliver and the Duke of Greaves to become friends again so one of the ladies working at the club might eventually become a duchess.  But again – what do I know?  The idea that several of the club’s employees are young ladies of good birth in bad circumstances is a welcome new twist on the sisters/schoolmates/best pals thread that ties together other series.

A small quibble or two regarding marketing choices – the title seems to have nothing to do with the book. At all. Diane didn’t need a guide to rakes and didn’t provide one to anyone else. Also, throughout the book Diane wears nothing but black, except for two special occasions (when she still wore deep colors) – it’s her thing to be distinctive and stuff, plus she looks good in black. So why is the person on the cover wearing white?? Ah well…

I enjoyed Diane and Oliver’s story and look forward to seeing more of the ladies of the Tantalus Club find their Happily Ever Afters.

Grade:  B

Summary:

All of London is abuzz with the return of the utterly alluring, recently widowed Diane Benchley. Will she remarry? What will she do with her late husband’s fortune? Sociey is shocked by her announcement—at the Grand Ball, of all places!—that she plans to open an exclusive gentleman’s gaming club in the family mansion. But no one is more stunned than the Marquis of Haybury, Oliver Warren.
Years ago, Oliver and Diane shared a private indiscretion. Now Diane threatens to reveal Oliver’s most ungentlemanly secrets…unless he agrees to help her. A notorious gambler—and rake—Oliver is overqualified to educate Diane in the ways and means of running her establishment. But striking a deal with Diane might just be the biggest risk Oliver has ever taken. This time, the only thing he has to lose is his heart…

No excerpt available. ( It appears the author’s website hasn’t been updated since her next most recent book which was published in 2010.)

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Earl Takes a Lover by Georgia E. Jones
Historical erotica digital short story published by Spice Briefs 01 Jul 11

I’m a sucker for historicals with an erotic edge, so whenever I see one pop up in the Spice Briefs line, I always take a closer look.  Georgia E. Jones is a writer I’ve never read before, and the back cover blurb sounded enticing, so I gave it a whirl.  I wish I could say I fell madly in love – but sadly, not so much.

Penelope Montague makes her way in the world as a companion for an elderly lady.  Educated in a convent, what nobody is aware of is that young Penelope is the daughter of a prostitute and, for the first few years of her life, was raised in a brothel!  Not only that, she’s the author of the scandalous A Woman’s Handbook, which has ladies in a swoon and gentlemen in a lather.

It’s in her duties as a companion that she meets the new Earl of Thanet, Robin Sackville Tufton.  Robin is a rake of the first order, but now that he has inherited the title he finds himself thwarting off various matchmaking mamas.  When he spies Penelope, he knows that he must have her.  But what will happen when he discovers one taste is not enough?  As an Earl, Penelope is so far beneath him she might as well be hanging out with The Mole People.  And sure as shootin’, she ain’t content to be no man’s mistress.

While the sexy times were certainly sizzling, everything else about this story didn’t work for me.  While born to a prostitute and raised in a brothel, Penelope is still, conveniently, a virgin. Frankly, this smacked of the author wanting to have her cake and eat it too.  Especially since Penelope apparently “knows” enough about Sexy Times to write a book, but not enough so that Robin can still “educate” her.  Bah humbug.  We’re also to believe that when the patrons of said brothel begin to take notice of young Penelope, the madam ships her off to convent school.  OK, I’m calling shenanigans on this one.  What self-respecting madam in early 19th century London is going to ship off a potential money-making bonanza?  No hooker has a heart of gold that pure, let alone a madam who is, (hello?!) essentially, a pimp.  Don’t they kick you out of the Big Pimpin’ Union for that sort of thing?

Even if you’re willing to roll with Penelope’s background, there’s the small matter of the ending.  Um, there isn’t one.  This story just stops.  The resolution to the conflict?  Yeah, there isn’t any.  It just….stops.  This might not be totally disconcerting in a straight-up erotic story, but I viewed more than one romance road sign over the course of my reading.  So to have things just….stop?  With no real resolution?  Frustrating doesn’t even begin to cover it.  Bah humbug indeed.

Grade: D

Summary:

London, 1801

No one could have guessed that virginal companion Penelope Montague is the author of the scandalous manual A Woman’s Handbook. Society believes she was educated in a convent, unaware she spent the first half of her life raised by the ladies of the famous Black Swan brothel.

Only rake Robin Sackville Tufton, Earl of Thanet, sees the sensual woman behind Pen’s proper exterior. From the moment he sees her, he wants her more than anything else. But Pen isn’t fit to be an earl’s wife, nor can he simply take her—despite her passionate response to his touch. Can Robin and Penelope rein in their desire…or will they find a way to indulge it?

No excerpt found.

Sandy M’s review of In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare
Historical Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Jul 11

I’ve been looking forward to this offshoot of Lydia Dare’s Westfield Brothers series. I didn’t really know what to expect, just that vampyres are being introduced into the mix. Unfortunately, I missed reading the first book in this new series, so I’m not sure if that has somehow dampened my enjoyment of this book , if it’s something else entirely, or perhaps a combination of both.

While the majority of my disappointment in this story is more than like a combo, the main sticking point for me is it’s the hero who let me down this time. I’ve enjoyed most of the heroes in these books, a couple more than others, so I’m slightly surprised Matthew doesn’t work as well for me. He does everything right. He’s a gentleman and a vampyre. He takes his responsibilities seriously. And he’s taken immediately with Rhiannon, even despite her witchly powers. But in comparison to those other heroes, Matthew is…a tad boring.

Rhiannon is in London for her sister’s coming out, but their aunt won’t her anywhere near the girl. The woman looks down on those witchly powers. It’s due to this aunt that Rhi pitches a fit of a storm – she controls the weather – in the middle of the night in the middle of a park, and Matthew just happens by. He’s fascinated. Rhiannon, not so much return fascination. She hasn’t had much luck with vampyres, having been attacked by one, so she’s a wee bit lukewarm toward Matthew.

From this point on, things kind of get tiresome. Matthew isn’t the typical alpha hero for being a vampyre. All those traits he has are fine, but he’s a supernatural being. Gimme alpha along with it. So he’s just ho-hum, as is the story for a good portion of the book. While there’s a spark between Matthew and Rhiannon, nothing else all that exciting goes on. There’s not much conflict. In fact, there’s more conflict between Matthew and Alec, who is now a vampyre himself – something that happened in the first book, which I’d really like to know about. I think it would definitely help my understanding of this story more. The only thing that perks me up is Rhiannon’s weather control problems. While she can, of course, control it when she desires, she has none whatsoever when it comes to extreme emotion, and there are some fun scenes when rain and other elements show up at all the wrong times. Matthew has control problems with Alec, but he controls his desire for Rhiannon, despite her best efforts to make him lose every ounce. So there’s a whole lot of control problems, but none of the really wake the story up.

The one element of the story that really irritates me, though, is the fact that Matthew, once he falls in love with and acknowledges his love for Rhiannon, becomes human again. Sigh. That negates one of the main reasons why I read these paranormal books. Okay, I realize perhaps Ms. Dare is trying to give readers something different, but this is just too much. Happily ever after in a paranormal is just that, happy forever. Don’t take that away when that’s the ultimate romance, being with the one you love for all eternity. In hindsight, I see the clues in Matthew missing his long-gone human traits, always feeling the outsider, and the like, but this concept just caught me off guard, and I didn’t like it. And the fact that Rhiannon knew this could happen, something else from the previous book, and she never mentions it to a soul? Really? Doesn’t make sense when she talks about everything else under the sun with her coven sisters.

What I do like is Alec’s story, and I’m looking forward to his book. I’m hoping to read It Happened One Bite before I get to his, however, because I do want to know what happened to him as it happens and not from his or anyone else’s recollections or conversation about it, and I believe that will fill in the holes I’ve fallen into already. All of you read-my-series-in-order readers know how that goes. But I’m anxious to find out who his lady love will be after his infatuation and constant protection of Caitlin throughout all of these books.

We also get to reacquaint ourselves with past characters, and I’m still especially fond of Dashiel. He has his hands full with Cait and his brothers, whom at times seem a little too childish but do then show great character at others. I’m not sure I really like Callista’s character. She’s Matthew’s maker, and when she realizes she’s losing him, in more ways than one, she goes a little ballistic. I’d rather she’d been happy for the man after his being alone and basically unhappy for more than six centuries.

So, all in all, there’s just a mish-mash of goings-on all the way through this book, and that’s just not up to what I expect from Lydia Dare after four very successful books. Quite bewildering.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Chivalry is far from undead…

Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is one of the few men in the ton who can claim to be a knight in shining armor- because that’s precisely what he was before being turned into a vampyre. When he spies a damsel in distress in the midst of a storm in Hyde Park, his natural instinct is to rush to her aid…

But not every woman needs to be rescued…

Weather-controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair isn’t caught in a storm-she’s the cause of it. She’s mortified to have been caught making trouble by the imposing earl, but she doesn’t need any man-never has, and is sure she never will…

But when Rhiannon encounters Matthew again, her powers go awry and his supernatural abilities run amok. Between the two of them, the ton is thrown into an uproar. There’s never been a more tempestuous scandal…

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: