Sandy M’s Duckies Do Series reviews of the Langley Family Trilogy by Lucy Monroe
Historical Romances released by Berkley Sep 2005 – Oct 2006

I’ve had this trilogy in the TBR pile for quite some time, and since I was lucky enough to find all three of them there at the same time, I had to read them now while they were in hand. (Books have a way of getting up and walking out around my house, so I read them when I can see them.) I’ve enjoyed Ms. Monroe’s contemporaries that I’ve read over the last couple of years, so I wanted to check out her historicals. I am certainly glad I did.

Touch Me (Book 1)
6 Sep 05

This is a great start to this trilogy. We get a taste of the betrayal that happened which affected so many lives, a look at how those lives have flourished, or not, over the years since that time, and we get to experience the love as a result of those long-ago actions, plus a very nice set-up for the next book in the series.

Thea’s mother ran from her husband when the man stole her first born from her arms when the boy was only minutes old. What none of them knew was another babe was about to be born, so keeping her daughter a secret, Anna tried to stay in London to secretly see her son, but when her beast of a husband found out, Anna chose the West Indies as a home for her and her daughter, hoping one day to return to see her son when he was man. That day never came, Anna dying of fever before she could make the trip.

Growing up in the West Indies, away from the social confines of London and the ton, Thea is her own woman, intelligent and independent, vowing never to marry and give herself over to a man only to be treated as her mother was. She’s a partner in a prosperous business with the couple who took her and her mother in years before and Thea has discovered discrepancies in the business books. She decides to go to London to confront the man she believes responsible. When Pierson Drake appears looking for the services of a blacksmith to repair his ship’s boiler, she has found a way to the city much sooner than waiting for one of her own ships.

Drake is on a timeline racing to bring his shipment into port so that his investors will not lose money when they put their faith in him; his damaged boiler is costing time as it is, so he doesn’t need a woman trailing along, even one as intriguing as Thea Selwyn. But the woman surprises him at every turn, and he’s determined to find out who is causing the sudden accidents that come too close to fatally injuring the woman. By the time they reach London, their feelings have grown for one another, but Thea is still of the mind she doesn’t need marriage, despite Drake’s insistence they will be together.

What I enjoyed most about this book is the fact the lead characters are together so much of the time, either getting to know one another, irritating the hell out of one another, or lusting their hearts out and taking care of that lust. Mystery and danger are well represented in the story and there’s a nice twist at the end that you don’t see too early.

Grade: A

Summary:
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Outspoken, opinionated Thea Selwyn is no ordinary lady. Raised in the exotic West Indies, she has none of the starchy propriety Pierson Drake is accustomed to—rather, there is a lush sensuality about this impulsive beauty that tempts him unmercifully. Her delectable curves and wide, innocent eyes are enticing enough, but her breathless response to his touch is a lure he can’t resist.
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On a voyage that takes them from tropical paradise to the glittering ballrooms of London, Thea and Drake are pulled into a firestorm of illicit passion. Thea knows that once they reach England, the secrets she’s been keeping will kill whatever Drake feels for her. But Drake’s own history has taught him the value of acceptance and the desolation of loss. Thea is the one women Drake has ever trusted with his heart, and he has no intention of losing her— not to the ghosts of the past or the threats of the present. But can he convince Thea to forget the hard lesson she’s learned and take a chance on love?
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Read an excerpt.

Tempt Me (Book 2)
4 Apr 06

I’m normally not a fan of misunderstandings between main characters when reading. Misunderstanding happens a number of time between Lucas and Irisa, but it’s mostly because of her innocence and naïveté, so it didn’t really bother me all that much because they would talk it out, argue it out, and go on. I actually had to laugh at these times because Lucas would become so frustrated not understanding the female gender, though he was at fault a few times himself and did not help the situation at hand.

Now the misunderstanding between Lucas and Irisa’s father is another matter altogether. It’s perpetrated by this poor excuse of a father to guarantee that Lucas would not back out of asking for Irisa’s hand; though at this point nothing mattered to Lucas, he wanted Irisa, and I was happy he felt that way. Of course, the misunderstanding comes to light too late, causing Irisa to once again take the blame on herself and try to give everyone an out to save their reputations at the expense of her own.

She’d been raised in a very unloving home, parents wanting her only for what she could bring upon her marriage. Irisa made sure she was biddable on everything except the choice of a husband. So turnabout is fair play, she blackmails her parents into refusing inappropriate suitors. That is until Lucas makes his request for her. All of her “properness” goes out the window once she’s engaged to the man, however, getting herself into trouble right and left with Lucas to the rescue every time. And still he chooses to stay with her instead of walking away.

Irisa expected him to walk away because she’s courting scandal just as Lucas’ mother and brother did and that’s the one thing he doesn’t want in a wife. He’s been a courtly gentleman for years in order to bring the family name back from ruin, but by the time Irisa manages all her trouble, his feelings are full blown for the girl and he refuses to lose her.

Even with the misunderstandings, I enjoyed these characters together. If they hadn’t talked things out, the story could have become quite worrisome, but it actually worked for me. And we’re set up very well for the last book in the trilogy, Jared’s story, which I really looked forward to while reading this one.

Grade: A

Summary:
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Humiliated by his family’s indiscretions, Lucas, Lord Ashton-nicknamed “The Saint” – wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with the prim and proper bride of his choice. And if the innocent young lady in question gives him some decidedly devilish urges, he is determined to control himself-much to her dismay.
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Lady Irisa Langley is at her wit’s end. Much as she loves her exasperatingly perfect fiancé, she’s starting to think it would be wrong of her to marry him. For Irisa has a secret that would shock even the world-weary denizens of the Ton, and someone-who doesn’t want her anywhere near Lucas-knows it.
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Lucas never knew that he could desire more in a bride than impeccable manners and an unblemished pedigree. But even as scandal looms, a loyal little spitfire with heated kisses and silken skin is making him forget every rule of etiquette he’s ever known…
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Read an excerpt.

Take Me (Book 3)
3 Oct 06

Of the three books, this is my favorite. I was actually curious about Jared, Thea’s twin and Irisa’s half brother. He is called “Lord Beast” by the ton due to the scars he bears from saving Irisa from a wolf attack when they were teenagers. He has his own estates and stays away from London society and cares not one whit about what they think of him. After he learns what his father did to his and Thea’s mother, he wants nothing more to do with his sire. So we pick up in Take Me after his father and stepmother have left London for an extended time to hopefully downplay the gossip that is sure to abound when the family scandal is let out.

Calantha is a widowed duchess, experiencing freedom for the past four yours after the death of her abusive husband. She’s closed herself off to all feeling, knowing she’ll never marry again. But when Jared seeks her out, shows interest in her, her heart begins to thaw, and especially more so when she finds out that he’s the one who took in her friend and former servant Mary when the girl disappeared from her home years before. But then she realizes that Jared sought her out only because Mary had asked him to bring her daughter, Hannah, to Calantha, to The Angel, as the ton calls her. Their attraction to one another keeps growing despite the circumstances and she finds herself wanting what she’s never had before, and they eventually marry so that they both can take care of Hannah.

But when Hannah is nearly kidnapped, all evidence points to Calantha and Jared and his family, all of whom she has come to love, look on her with suspicion, except for Irisa, who never doubts her innocence. This breaks Calantha’s heart because she trusts Jared completely and he can’t seem to have the same faith in her. As the entire family hunts down the villain, Calantha once again has to harden her heart with that regal duchess air she does well because she knows it will break her if she allows Jared to burrow any further into her life.

This book was so much more moving than the other two. I actually became misty-eyed several times at scenes dealing with Hannah and Calantha and Jared and then Jared’s realization of how he hurt Calantha with his doubts. And the scenes when Calantha see and touch Jared’s scars for the first time are wonderfully emotional.

Grade: A+

Summary:
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Jared, Viscount Ravenswood, has no choice but to honor the deathbed wish of his ailing servant. All she asks is that Jared introduce her soon-to-be orphaned daughter to the notorious and reclusive Calantha, Duchess of Clairborne. No ordinary request, for this is no ordinary child. She is, in fact, the key to the Duchess’s most private secrets, and to Jared’s own past-one that has branded him Lord Beast among the ton.
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But when the Viscount meets the Duchess, he finds not the pitiless dowager he expected, but a lovely and wary angel-survivor of a brutal marriage left now with only her roses and the breathtaking mystery that is her life. For Jared, to solve it is to fall in love, to make her believe in the impossible, and to follow the promise that comes with the most intimate whisper of all… Take me…
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Read an excerpt.

This is a terrific family trilogy and I highly recommend it!

Overall Grade: A

Sybil’s review of The Rules of Seduction (The Rothwell Series, Book 1) by Madeline Hunter
Historical romance released by Dell 31 Oct 06

Since Gwen recently reviewed Secrets of Surrender (Roselyn Longworth and Klyle Bradwell’s tale), I figured I would review the book that started the Rothwell series. And a note as I happened to to read the review after having reread all the books: The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Book 4), Secrets of Surrender (Book 3), Lessons of Desire (Book 2), and The Rules of Seduction (Book 1) (yes in that order *g*) and for anyone wondering if they can be read out of order and as standalones. Read on for more info but be warned I find it only fair since Madeline tried so hard to not have one book spoil the others (for those who do want to read them all) I am going to try not to be my normal spoilerwhorishself (I said try – I should get points for that).

The Rules of Seduction sets up the journey of The Rothwell series. A tale of a noble family, the Rothwells, and the Longworths trying like mad to hold on to their ‘gentry’ status. I rarely say this about a book but I honestly think if you pick up TRoS and read the first two chapters that will tell you if this book is one for you to try. The banter between Alexia and Hayden sets the tone for their interaction for most of the book as well as we are introduced to most of the Longworth’s. I admit I spent most of the time wanting to slap Timothy upside the head.

Alexia Welbourne is a graduate of life’s course on No Good, Awful, Very Bad Things, she knows when she see Lord Hayden Rothwell at her cousin’s home the worst kind of BAD things are about to happen. It is clear, it is in the air bad things are a coming and in something of a twist the reader learns right away that Timothy Longworth has been up to no good and is a bastard. Rothwell makes a huge mistake in giving him leave to tell his family whatever to save face and leaves Rothwell tied to his word to let them think he ruined them by removing the Rothwell family money from Longworth’s bank.

There are different plots and new discoveries you will no doubt find to feast upon. This is truly an amazing tale — one almost anyone could sit down and reread because there is so much to find. The thing is nothing overwhelms because at the heart of every book in the Rothwell series is the romance. And as with every Madeline Hunter novel, the characters are what set it apart. From the bond Christian, Hayden, and Elliot display to the friendship Alexia has with her cousin Roselyn and the outlandish Phaedra Blair. It is the human emotions and love these characters feel for each other and the things they have to overcome that make for such an emotional read and wonderful story I would highly recommend.

And it might just be me but Lord Hayden Rothwell did so remind me of David de Abyndon in some ways. If you have read both By Arrangement (and if you haven’t – why not?) and The Rules of Seduction I would love to know if you saw it as well *g*. My only real complaint is the same I had with By Arrangement in the way that both Hayden and David kept something from the heroine they felt they had to for WAY too long. At least in my opinion but it was a small thing and one I was able to overlook.

Grade: A

Read more about this series by following its tag.

Summary:

Dangerous. Sensual. Handsome as sin. Meet Hayden Rothwell, the shamelessly erotic hero of The Rules of Seduction and author Madeline Hunter’s most irresistible alpha male yet: a man of extraordinary passion and power, a man who can bring out the seductress in any woman….

He enters her home without warning or invitation-a stranger of shadowy motives and commanding sensuality. Within hours, Alexia Welbourne is penniless, without any hope of marriage. Until Hayden Rothwell takes her to bed. When one impulsive act of passion forces Alexia to marry the very man who has ruined her, Hayden’s seduction of Alexia is nearly complete. What Alexia doesn’t know is that her irresistible new husband is driven by a secret purpose-and a debt of honor he will risk everything to repay. Alexia is the wild card. Reluctant to give up their nightly pleasures, Hayden must find a way to keep Alexia by his side…only to be utterly, thoroughly seduced by a woman who is now playing by her own rules.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Limecello’s review of No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark, Book 2) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance released by Pocket Star Books 31 Oct 06

This is the second book of the Immortals After Dark series, and I enjoyed it. After reading the first, I was wondering how Ms. Cole would go from vampires being the ultimate enemy, to making one her hero. It works.

Kaderin the Cold Hearted was cursed, or blessed – it all depends on one’s perspective -to feel no emotions after she watched her sisters die. She’s sent to kill a vampire, something she’d do for free, but finds that she can’t end him. Sebastian Wroth is the vampire, and it turns out that Kaderin is his Bride – his fated mate, that will bring Sebastian back to life. His heart starts beating again, and he’s got purpose.

It just so happens that the Talisman’s Hie is just about to begin – an immortal’s “Amazing Race,” with a fabulous prize. Kaderin has also won it for the past millennium, which is still impressive even though it takes place only every 250 years.

Kaderin has more reason than most to hate vampires, and Sebastian has never had much luck wooing the ladies. As a human giant, well over 6 feet tall in the 1600s, and a warlord with three brothers, he had little time for dalliance between fighting the Russians. Now, however, he’s determined to win his Bride. Sebastian in fact, joins the Talisman’s Hie, the first vampire to do so, as a way of courting Kaderin. No, he doesn’t think one shouldn’t directly compete and take away what your girl wants as a way to win her. Of course, all these supernatural creatures are different from humans. He has a really cute pet name for her too – Katja.

This is basically how the book goes – Kaderin hasn’t felt emotions in 2,000 years, and Sebastian has finally found his Bride. To say they’re both emotionally stunted would be an understatement. They work on their feelings while completing the tasks Riora, the goddess of impossibilities, sets them on. Very clever, using one thing to set off the other.

I liked this book, but my favorite character actually wasn’t the hero or the heroine – it was Bowen MacRieve, and I felt so bad for him. There were some uncertainties in the end, but it ended happily.

Grade: B-

Summary:

A vampire soldier weary of life… Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire-a nightmare in his mind-against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him… When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow-accidentally extinguishing al of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings-particularly lust-emerge multiplied. For the first time, she’s unable to complete a kill.

Competitors in a legendary hunt… The course will take them through ancient tombs and catacombs, seeking relics around the world, and the prize for victory is powerful enough for Kaderin to change history and prevent her sisters’ deaths. Sebastian competes as well, and begins winning-her. But when forced to choose between Sebastian and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Read Sandy‘s review.

Read Limecello’s and Gwen’s review.

Coming next:

Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark, Book 5) , coming 20 May 08!

Sandy M’s review of Dangerous Temptation (Daughters of Myth, Book 1) by Kathleen Korbel
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Silhoutte Nocturne on 1 Oct 06

I had a little trouble with this Nocturne in the beginning. Everything finally evened out about halfway through the book, once some action started and the good versus evil began to come through. Until then, though, it was touch and go.

The main reason I didn’t care for the beginning of this book was the much-too-saccharine description and feel of the fairy land where Nuala lives. Yes, I know the land of fairies is supposed to be goodness and light with some flying thrown in, but this just went on a little too long and it felt more like a children’s story than a romance.

And I didn’t care for Zeke’s reaction to the place. He was duly skeptical at first, thinking everything was a dream, including Nuala, but for a manly man, the type of romantic hero man we’re used to, somewhere in there he should have been scoffing at a few things. He was too enthralled the whole time to give his actions a realistic feeling, especially if he’s supposed to be dreaming. Being a man, I think Zeke would have thrown some testosterone around if it had truly been a dream.

But once the sweet description of the place and its people was pretty much over with, things begin to pick up. I enjoyed the second half of the book so much more. Even though Nuala knows she can never be with Zeke because of her future and his family, she still wants him and gives in to the growing desire between them, and they have some very nice love scenes.

Mab, the queen, also wants Zeke, but Nuala convinces her mother to send him home and he is to be given three tests he must pass for his ticket out of there, and those tests are quite imaginative. In the background through all of this is Orla, the sister who wants to be queen and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. So when her scheming calls evil into their midst, all hell breaks loose. Zeke’s spine is suddenly in attendance and everything rings more true during this part of the book.

The characters are quite interesting, including Cadhla the talking horse, and Zeke’s family joins the fray at the end, which I really liked. The magic used to play havoc with Zeke is well done. The ancient history of the Filial Set, three gems that give the fairy clans their power, gives the story its balance of good and evil and is enjoyable. I just wish the beginning had been done differently for a more rounded story.

Grade: C

From the back cover:

     To anthropologist Zeke Kendall, the idea that the heir to the Fairy throne had been watching him, falling in love with him, for years was laughable. Then he met Nuala and lost his heart to her dangerous beauty.

     Eldest daughter of the Fairy Queen, Nuala must marry among her own kind to keep the line pure, but her heart has long been possessed by the handsome mortal. Now she will do anything–even align herself with humankind against the terrifying power of her own people–to make him hers.

     Read an excerpt.

These are reviews of five short, erotic titles from various publishers, in various flavors. They are a bit too short to review on their own without the review being almost as long as the story, so I have put together five “Lightning Reviews.” 

Read on if you’re wearing rubber soled shoes…

The Good Lawyer by Rachel Carrington
Contemporary erotic romance released 2006 by Whispers Publishing 

This is a super-short story. The fantasy is sexy and the emotion is anchored by a plot twist that I loved. Recommended for a quick erotica fix.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

     When Deidre Manning’s days get long, she allows herself to escape into wild fantasies. Locked inside the sanctuary of her office, she enjoys more than just the satisfaction of the moment, especially once a visitor makes it a party for two.

     Read an excerpt.

Mr. Fix It by Donelle Carroll (author doesn’t appear to have her own site and this looks like her only title)
Contemporary erotic romance released Oct 06 by Wild Rose Press

Also, a super-short story. Calling up the cute repair guy for a fling is a common fantasy, I’m sure. The problem is the characterization. Obviously just a sexual encounter between strangers, the author forced a level of emotion at the end that didn’t fit. But where some more sexual tension would have benefited the story, instead we get some faltering on the leading lady’s part that does nothing for the story.

Grade: D

From the back cover:

     Looking like he just fell from Hunk Heaven, Ryan stepped into the elevator. Jill shamelessly sized him up. Building Maintenance. Handy with tools. But could he fix her broken heart?

     No excerpt available.

Sweet Shoppe: Her Wicked Warrior by Melissa Schroeder
Time travel erotic romance released Mar 06 by LooseId (Title is out of print)

This one is sexy and fun. It has some unreal marathon sex but this is an erotic title, so that’s allowed. The characters are enjoyable and I wanted them to be together. Don’t expect deep relationships or plot development. It is adult fairy tale stuff but it’s good. I got some real giggles here and there as well as some “squirm in your seat” moments.

Grade: B

From the back cover:

     Librarian Paige Turner isn’t having the best of weeks. Work has been hell, her sometimes fiancé seems only to pay attention to her when he needs research help, and on top of that, she has been losing sleep thanks to some pretty erotic dreams. So, at the end of the day, one week before St. Patrick’s Day, she stops by The Sweet Shoppe for some Irish Truffles. Before falling asleep, she wishes her dream lover were real. When she wakes up in the morning, she finds out he is.

     Seamus can’t remember exactly how he ended up in Paige’s bed. One minute he is in a battle, the next he’s in bed with the woman who has been stealing into his dreams. Instinct has him seducing her before he even knows her name, but soon he is confronted with a strange new world, and the possibility that Paige just doesn’t understand he is her soulmate.

     Paige decides to keep her warrior, but soon everything goes awry. Thanks to Seamus, her life is disrupted, her career almost ruined, her fiancé has called off their wedding, and she finds herself falling in love with Seamus. But will Paige be able to accept the changes he has wrought, or will her fear of change bring disaster for both of them?

     Read an excerpt.

The Seduction of Sean Nolan by Treva Harte
Time travel erotic romance released (unknown date) by LooseId

This story has some seriously yucky parts. She notices he’s filthy and bloody and probably has lice… and he’s dying from an infected leg wound. So of course she can keep herself from going down on him? Eeewww! The plot resolution completely out of left field and unexplained. I really can’t recommend this one.

Grade: F

From the back cover:

     Wounded and near death, Sean prayed for the thing he wanted most. “Dear God, don’t let me die a virgin.”

     When Nell appeared, she didn’t look like any angel he’d ever imagined. And she sure as heck didn’t kiss like one. But she might just be the answer to his prayers.

     Read an excerpt.

Come, Sweet Creature by Tilly Greene
Contemporary erotic romance released 2005 by Whiskey Creek Press

I saved the best for last. This story is light BDSM. It may disappoint the hard-core power exchange lifestylers. However, it is a good story for those who like sex games. There’s no humiliation, but there is titillation. I liked the characters, but, really, get this one because it’s hot… then put down a towel on your chair before you read it.

Grade B+

From the back cover:

     Jena Flyno works for Tilton Spidermach, CEO of TS Properties. As PR Director she’s got her hands full cleaning up after his debauched peccadilloes. She’s heard about his playroom and she’s not about to become his latest prey.

     Spider has been watching his lovely, but oh, so prim and proper PR lady for months. Jena is elusive and unattainable, and he has just figured out a way to ensnare her. All he needs is one little sign of weakness and she’ll be caught up in his web.

     Read an excerpt.

Sybil’s review of The Inconvenient Duchess by Christine Merrill
Regency Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical

Christine Merrill is a new to me HH author and even though The Inconvenient Duchess was a Regency novel I picked it up. Has anyone else read it? My copy is screwed up. Letters are missing at the end of some words and in places the end of sentences are gone. Really it isn’t enough to make the book unreadable but it is annoying.

Lady Miranda Grey was raised by a broken man who lost everything and a whore. Well by this point ex-whore, who blackmails a woman on her death bed (ex-school chum) into arranging a meeting between Miranda and soon to be dead woman’s sons. One of those sons just happens to be a Duke.

A Duke. You know the guy most of those marriage mart chits would happily open a vein to wed. Lady Miranda shows up at the house, alone, after walking in the rain with a letter of introduction from her guardian ‘Lady Cecily’ (you know the whore) only to find out that the mother is dead and the Duke of Haughleigh might as well be.

I mentioned the alone part right? So now she is stuck, alone, with two rakes (we know they are rakes cuz they tell us so). Whatever is a girl to do?

All in all this book should be F material but it works. Miranda does some pretty TSTL things for a woman who has ‘worked’, been exposed to real life and has a brain in her head. The Duke and Miranda spend too much time apart in the beginning so when he finds out the truth of her up bringing, really he has no reason to keep her. When you add in how he went about ‘marrying her’ it isn’t really believable he would care much about her.

And the little weasel St. John shouldn’t be around near as much as he is. The brother should have kept a better eye on him and Miranda’s background should have made it impossible for her to not see he was up to no good.

But I was entertained, kept turning the pages and wanted to know what happened next. Maybe it had to do with the fact that the plot wasn’t your typical regency. Or that the characters were charming and well fleshed out. Miranda isn’t your perfect, beautiful diamond and Marcus isn’t the over the top alpha or doormat beta. You have two people who have been dealt some shitty cards and are making the best play out of it they can.

I enjoyed The Inconvenient Duchess and would recommend it if you are in the mood for a quick Regency read. But if you are a hard case for following the ‘regency rules’ you prolly want to skip it. As for me, I really want to read the next book, An Unladylike Offer (St. John’s book).

Grade: B-

Compromised and wedded on the same day, Lady Miranda was fast finding married life not to her taste. A decaying manor and a secretive husband were hardly the stuff of girlish dreams. Yet every time she looked at dark, brooding Marcus Radwell, Duke of Haughleigh, she felt inexplicably compelled—and determined—to make their marriage real!

You can read an excerpt here and another here.