Well, a few of you had some wild and crazy ideas where our Sybs has been hiding out lately!

From being a member of a SEAL team to cruising the Mediterranean to time traveling back to Regency England, she at least had a good time! Or has she really? I’m hoping she read your posts to give her a chance to daydream while she…

…was only working. Sigh. See why she needs the daydreams?

Okay, now for our winner of that fabulous list of books by Stephanie Laurens, Sarah MacLean, and Allison Chase…

Jane (#4)

Congratulations! You’ve got some heavy-duty reading to do now. Please send your snail mail addy to lighthousetagger at gmail dot com by Friday, August 19, and we’ll get your books out to you!

Another winner will be chosen if there’s no response from the winner by the deadline.

C2’s review of Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laurens
Historical romance, released 28 July 2009 by Avon

Royce Verisey, heir to the Duke of Wolverstone, grew up expecting to take his father’s place presiding over their not-so-small corner of northern England. He did not expect to receive a request from the Crown to serve England’s interests by heading a network of spies. Saying yes to the Crown meant turning his back on his family – a fact made clear by his father. Loyalty to his country (combined with rage at his father’s ultimatum) led Royce do as the Crown asked. He took the name Dalziel from his mother’s family and headed a group of spies that helped topple Napoleon.

After Napoleon’s defeat, Dalziel’s team of spies disbanded – even though one last traitor had escaped their net. The former spies founded the Bastion Club and went off to find wives and build lives for themselves in a peaceful England. And Dalziel decided that, after taking care of the last details of his work for the crown, he would go see his father and try to determine where things stood in their relationship.

One does not disown the heir to a dukedom, so even though there had been no contact with his family in sixteen years, there were matters to discuss. Before Royce completely wrapped things up in London, he received word of his father’s unexpected death. Upset he would not get any sort of closure with his father, Royce immediately headed north to take up the reins of the dukedom.

Since there has been no contact in years, he has no idea what sort of state the estate is in, knows nothing of the people – he is flying blindly into huge responsibilities. Thankfully, when he arrives at Wolverstone Castle, Royce finds the Wolverstone chatelaine, Miss Minerva Chesterton, has much of the information he needs to go forward as the new duke.

Minerva, the daughter of a childhood friend of Royce’s mother came to live with the Veriseys when her parents died. She was six years old and Royce was fourteen. Minerva grew up with the children of the family and remained – first as Royce’s mother’s companion and amanuensis (a fancy word for something close to a private secretary) and, after the duchess’s death, as Royce’s father’s chatelaine. Minerva promised both the late duke and duchess that she would see Royce settled into his new life as duke before leaving Wolverstone.

As he works with Minerva to finalize the arrangements for the funeral and get reacquainted with Wolverstone, Royce sees that she has much of the knowledge he needs to make good decisions for the future of the estate. Plus he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, Royce does not sense any returned interest from Minerva. When the members of the ton arrive for the funeral, Royce finds out there are rumblings that the Crown will try to change the charter of the dukedom. In order to thwart the possibility of such a fate, he is told by the grande dames that he must marry quickly.

Royce refuses to have his life dictated; he has decided he does not want the sort of marriage his family is known for – a business arrangement between two influential families – he wants the sort of marriage the other Bastion Club members have. Still, he doesn’t want to offend such influential ladies so he negotiates a two week period to decide who he will marry (they provide lists of eligible young women, of course).

Over the next few weeks, Royce realizes that he wants Minerva to be his duchess. She has much of the knowledge he needs to make good decisions for the future of the estate. Plus he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, Royce does not sense any returned interest from Minerva. He hasn’t picked up any signs that she is interested but is determined to seduce her – even though he has never had to exert himself like that for a woman. Poor Royce, having to work for a woman’s attention. *false sympathy* Little does he realize Minerva has been half in love with him since childhood.

She agrees to a fling, thinking two weeks isn’t enough time to lose her heart and that she will be able to walk away unscathed when Royce announces his chosen bride. She also tells him not to consider her as a potential bride because she doesn’t want to be a convenient way to meet the grande dames’ demands. Can Minerva resist Royce’s charms? Can Royce convince Minerva she is the only one duchess for him? And what about that last traitor lurking about on English soil – where does he fit in? Ah, faithful reader, the answers to all these questions and more can be yours. I’ll admit the whole business with the traitor dragged on a bit and I was not sympathetic to Royce’s “I don’t know how to seduce a woman, they always come to me” dilemma. As a bonus, we see Devil Cynster before the Cynster series (and his mom and a few other familiar faces). This book is set in 1816 and Devil’s Bride is set in 1818. But Royce is a pretty typical Laurens hero so fans know what to expect. All in all, it was a bit of a slow read – wow, there are lots and lots of words…434 pages with a small font! – but it was a good wrap of the Bastion Club series.

Grade: B-

Summary: The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride. As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as “Dalziel,” Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England’s most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grande dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle’s willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene façade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body . . . and every piece of her heart.

Read an EXCERPT

Other books in the series:

Reader Blogger Marg, you can find her at Reading Adventures and Historical Tapestry, was nice enough to agree to share with us her adventure at the Australian Romance Readers Convention this past weekend.

If we get lucky we can talk her into sharing some more photos and stories.

Ever since I have been blogging, each year when everyone started talking about going to either RWA or other major romance conferences, I have sat here in my chair in suburban Melbourne, Australia turning various shades of green. Whether people were posting about meeting their favourite authors, or the goodies rooms, or the signings, I read all the posts thinking about how it was all kinds of awesome that they were getting to do such fun things. The thing was, no matter how envious I became, the simple fact was that at this point in my life there is no way that I would be able to go to the US to attend such an event.

So when I just happened to read something about an Australian Romance Readers Convention back in December 2007, I was over the moon! And then when it was announced that it was in Melbourne, I was again really excited. And then, in what seems like no time at all, the inaugural ARRC is over, all the delegates have gone home and I am sure that the organising committee members are all collapsed in a heap in exhaustion.

It is difficult to give just the highlights so that this guest post isn’t as long as the weekend itself, so instead I will try to just give a taste of the flavour of the weekend. The most obvious place to start is with the keynote speakers – those who were invited to travel half way around the world to come to visit their Aussie fans, and I can tell you those fans were very appreciative! Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Grant, Liz Maverick, Sherrilyn Kenyon (with special guest Dianna Love), and not forgetting Stephanie Laurens (who didn’t come half way around the world, but we still appreciate her nonetheless). We laughed until we cried, we were inspired, we were challenged and above all we were entertained!

One of the things that I often say on my own blog is that I don’t read enough Aussie authors, and I have to say that I learnt something that kind of surprised me this weekend! There are a LOT of Aussie authors out there. They write in various different subgenres, from Mills and Boon (Harlequin), to the big NY publishing houses, to e-books and other publishers like Samhain. I have come home determined that I am definitely going to read more Aussies – Keri Arthur, Denise Rossetti and others, I am talking about your books! An Aussie author that I already read is Anna Campbell and it was great to see her latest book, Tempt the Devil, officially launched in Australia by Stephanie Laurens on Saturday afternoon.

At Saturday night’s dinner, I was lucky enough to be sitting with the gorgeous Kat O from Book Thingo, plus her librarian (yes, librarian and borrower attended together – how great is that!) with some other girls, including two Samhain authors and we had an absolutely fantastic time, so much so that I forgot to take pictures of some of the award winners and of the people sitting at the table. Kat, Vassiliki, Jess Dee and Lexxie Couper, thanks ladies. And don’t worry, what happened at dinner and what we talked about at dinner, stays at dinner. Have to say though – those mini cakes were to die for!

One of the things that the conference coincided with was the National Day of Mourning on Sunday for the bushfire victims from the terrible fires that started in early February with such devastating loss of life and property. As I write this on Monday night, we have been reminded that the fire crisis is not over with existing firest still burning and new fires starting on the outskirt of Melbourne this afternoon with more loss of homes. My point in mentioning this is that one of the initiatives of the organisers was a silent auction with the proceeds being donated to the Red Cross Australian Bushfires Appeal. There were many, many generous authors and organisations that donated great items, and there was over $7000 raised through the auction, plus an impeccably observed minute of silence on Sunday morning at 11am.

There’s so much more that I could mention, but I have to save something for my own blog (*grin*), but I haven’t mentioned the panelists, the books, the signings. So much to talk about!

In closing I want to say to the organizers of ARRC – thank you, thank you, thank you.

You did an amazing job. I don’t think that I can pay any higher compliment to you than to say my friends and I started to make plans on Saturday night to attend the next ARRC – whenever it is and wherever it is held – with at least two more of our friends. I know that I overheard other delegates making their own plans too!

Marg

Lawson’s review of It Happened One Night by Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D’Alessandro and Candice Hern
Historical romance anthology released by Avon 30 Sept 08

These four authors tackle something that readers probably wonder about: how similar to authors write plots? The idea is to give four writers the same basic plot and see what happens. The common plot is the reunion of two lovers ten years since the last time they had seen each other. They two people meet at an inn and the author has the freedom to fill in the rest of the details, setting, etc. From this experiment comes four different stories set during the four seasons of the year.

The Fall of Rogue Gerrard by Stephanie Laurens

The first story happens in late winter. Robert Gerrard is traveling when a storm comes upon him. Instead of staying at the inn along the highway, he veers off the road and the inn he stops at has another traveler, Lydia Makepeace. They haven’t seen each other in ten years, since an innocent kiss sent Robert off to London’s entertainments. Lydia is a spinster, but not the wild sister and she’s on a mission to save her sister’s bluestocking reputation. When Robert hears of her plan, he helps her in the quest, and realizes what he’s been missing.

Robert was the typical turned around rake, though society doesn’t know it. Lydia is the sensible sister, but she enjoys her adventure and is happy to see Robert again. There’s some good chemistry, but it doesn’t really thrill. Lydia makes some remarks that don’t seem very in character and Robert is always right and doesn’t make mistakes. There’s really nothing to complain about in the story, but it was almost as if the story should have been longer. There wasn’t enough really to give a good emotional backing to the action.

Grade: C

No excerpt available.

Spellbound by Mary Balogh

Nora Ryder is down on her luck again, after loosing her job as a companion. Just before she arrives at the posting inn, there is an accident and she is forced to fend for herself. The accident involved Richard Kemp, who says he’s her husband to help her through the night. Though they haven’t seen each other in ten years, the feelings between them are still strong even though there are hurt feelings on both sides. When the post carriage leaves the next day, Nora has a decision about her future.

Both Nora and Richard had been lied to by her father, and though Nora believed they weren’t married, she never sought another man for her security. They carry the feelings from their past very close to them and it makes for an extremely emotional story. The pacing for the unfolding of the truth of past, their changing feelings and the eventual ending works on an emotional and physical level.

Grade: A

Read an excerpt.

Only You by Jacquie D’Alessandro

Cassandra Heywood is coming home after ten years in an abusive marriage. On her way home she stops at the Blue Seas Inn to see her childhood friend Ethan Baxter. Ethan isn’t the same boy she remembers, but he’s a connection to her past. Though Ethan is reluctant at first to spend time with Cassie, they quickly return to their close relationship with the desires of ten years brought into the open.

Cassie and Ethan were sweet characters, but the fact that Cassie’s life was abusive, from her husband and her parents made her more pitiful than sympathetic. She’s survived, but there was only one kind person in her life, Ethan, and he was ripped from her life. The multiple overdrawn sins of these characters overshadowed a touching reunion and in the end didn’t help the story to ring true.

Grade: C

Read an excerpt.

From This Moment On by Candice Hern

Fans of Hern’s Merry Widows series will be happy to see Wilhelmina, Duchess of Hertford, get her happily ever after as well as the others. Traveling on the way back to London, Wilhelmina stops at an inn and recognizes her childhood sweetheart, Captain Sam Pellow. They had been parted years before, though seen each other from time to time, though not for ten years. Sam never approved of Wilhelmina’s lifestyle, but could never forget the girl he knew and Wilhelmina never lost track of her first love.

Circumstances in the rest of the plot show the innocent to worldly life that Wilhelmina lead, and her luck in not only surviving but thriving in the end. Some of the feelings that had been buried come to the surface, and over all it was a good story. The need for forgiveness on both ends seemed a bit forced, but it’s a nice short ending for the last Merry Widow.

Grade: B-

Read an excerpt.

With some good and some just average it was a comfort read. Balogh’s story has the most impact and almost overshadowed the other two, but it definitely is the most memorable. A good read for one of those cooler fall days with some familiar authors.

Overall Grade: B-

It Happened One Night . . . and nothing was ever the same again!

Once upon a time, four superstar storytellers—New York Times bestselling authors Stephanie Laurens and Mary Balogh, along with Jacquie D’Alessandro and Candice Hern—came up with a delicious idea. What if they each wrote a story about a proper young lady stranded at a remote inn away from society’s constraints? What would happen? And how long would it take for her to give in to desire?

In these four amazing tales, four heroines will come face-to-face with the men who got away . . . only to discover that, instead of anger, there is still a passionate connection that cannot be denied. And while each of their lives is quite different, and their pasts utterly unique, they will all make a common discovery—that one night can change everything . . . forever.

From the “OMG That’s So Freakin’… uh… NOT All That Exciting” News File:

Last month Random House made the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that they would begin selling their audio books DRM-free “As of March 1, the house ‘will no longer require that our retail partners use DRM when selling audiobooks via digital download. We believe that this move will allow for healthy competition among retailers targeting the iPod consumer without posing any substantive increase in risk of piracy.’”

Now, the New York Times is reporting that more publishers such as Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster are announcing their own move to DRM-free audio books. And booksellers, such as the Borders Group, are showing more interest in sales of audio book downloads.

I’ve never thought of audio books as using DRM, just ebooks. But IF I understand this correctly (and I checked with Teddypig to make sure I did; DRM for ebooks is one of his hot buttons), then the fact that all the downloadable audio books that I personally own can only be downloaded in digital format through either Audible’s Audio Manager or Overdrive Media Manager (Brilliance Audio) software means they are using DRM. Yes, I know— DUH! Of COURSE that’s DRM, Bev! But here’s why I wasn’t sure— once I’ve downloaded them, I can burn them to CDs, download them to any MP3 player, and even upload from those forms to another PC.

So, if audio books are protected by DRM, just what is DRM protecting?! What’s the freakin’ fuss about? Really, this is pretty much just a big announcement that this is business as usual minus the need to jump thru a hoop or two, right? Besides, I kind of LIKE those download managers.

For me, the most exciting news in all that non-news is that I can buy downloadable audio books from emusic. Never heard of them before and never would have guessed they sold audio books, [Shut up! I still use the word “album”] but I’m always on the lookout for new ways to feed my audio book addiction.

I am wondering, however, if all these announcements are going to throw a monkey wrench into Amazon’s plans. Amazon’s recent acquisition of Audible, combined with their purchase of Brilliance Audio last May, raised all kinds of warning flags for me. With Amazon virtually controlling the audio book market, they could potentially set prices wherever they damn well please. Maybe even lower prices for their Kindle audio format (yep, THAT’S what the earphone jack is for) with higher prices for other formats.

If the most immediate benefit to downloadable audio books going DRM-free is that there will soon be even more outlets for purchase, then Amazon will have no choice but to keep their prices competitive. Who knows, they might even LOWER prices to maintain their competitive edge! As long as that means that audio book producers don’t have to lower their production standards, than I think we are about to see audio books explode in popularity. I think it’s been their relatively high price in comparison to print or ebook that has kept consumers away. Teddypig tells me that DRM adds to the price, so really, there should be no excuse for the high prices I see for many downloadable audio books, particularly in comparison to audio books on CDs. No, I don’t expect the prices to ever fall anywhere near as low as the price of paperbacks, but I’m willing to continue to pay more for the convenience, entertainment, and enjoyment

I recently emailed Stephanie Laurens when I could only find the ABRIDGED (no-no-no) version of her new Cynster series release Where the Heart Leads. I also have been patiently waiting for Recorded Books to re-release Devil’s Bride on CD (it’s currently only available in expensive library edition cassettes) and hoped she would have the 411.

Well, SQUEEE, cause Stephanie Laurens took the time to answer me personally! Regarding the UNABRIDGED version of Where the Heart Leads– “I agree with you entirely over the inadequacies of the abridged version – I do not know why they bother, but apparently libraries prefer them. Seems odd to me, but…

However, the answer to your question is yes – all my works ultimately go to Recorded Books for the unabridged version. Because of the constraints inherent in the system, the unabridged is usually at least 12 months behind the release of the book. I think Recorded Books is behind on a few of the Cynster works, even though they are doing them, and are even further behind on the Bastion Club novels, but again they are coming through. They’re just slow.”

Regarding the re-release of Devil’s Bride on audio CD—“We’ve been nudging them over this – how hard could it be? We’ll keep at them.”

So, bad news for my “I want it NOW” side, but did I mention that Stephanie freakin’ Laurens answered me herself?!!! SQUEE!

ADDED: Couldn’t hurt to email Recorded Books (customerservice(at)recordedbooks(dot)com ) and ask them whether they are planning to re-release Devil’s Bride in a consumer’s edition, can it? I just did.

Now, no mention of audio books would be complete without our Phil Gigante. Last I heard, his prep work is done and he should be in the studio recording Karen Marie Moning’s The Immortal Highlander (release date 20 May 2008). That’s Adam’s story, which is swoon worthy enough, but remember what happens in that one— there are scenes with Adam, Drustan, Dageus, and their wives all in the same room! I have no doubt that Phil is gifted with enough talent to nail those scenes, but I also have no doubt that my autopsy report will read “Death by Eargasm”.

We here in Romancelandia are complete series addicts. Once an author writes a well received book, her fans immediately start clamoring for more stories set in the same world. I think it would be correct to state that no two Romancelandians will ever have the exact same entries on their own Favorite Series list. 

Eclectic and fodder for debate, these are the series that leap to mind when I’m asked what my favorite reads are. The order I’ve listed them in is approximate as my preferences change based on my mood and what feels right at the time.

Bev(QB)’s All Time Favorite Book Series

1. Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Ballantine Books) This complex fantasy/urban fantasy showcases Hamilton’s unparalleled world building expertise. (see Review: A Lick of Frost)

2. Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. (Delacorte Press) I consider this fantasy/urban fantasy to be a master’s class in the use of first person POV. Brilliant.

3. Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Berkley) Hamilton is one of the godmothers of what is now referred to as urban fantasy. Unlike most long-running series, I’ve known people to jump in this one – at any point with no problems. I started at book 9, Obsidian Butterfly, then went back and read them all – several times.

4. The Cynsters, particularly the Bar Cynsters (books 1-6) by Stephanie Laurens. (Avon) The crème de la crème of Regency era historical romances. In fact, I consider book 1, Devil’s Bride, to be closer to perfection than any other romance I’ve ever read. Its only glaring flaw is that unfortunate back cover pic (roll over the original cover in the link to see it). What were they thinking?!

5. Skye O’Malley saga by Bertrice Small. (Ballantine Books) The life and loves of an extraordinary woman and her family during the reign of Elizabeth Tudor. To read a Bertrice Small book is to instantly and completely be absorbed into the rich tapestry of the tastes, sounds, sights and lives she weaves together.

6. Breeds series by Lora Leigh(Ellora’s Cave and Berkley). When someone says they are new to ebooks, I recommend they start with this series. No one writes sexual tension and characters consumed by unquenchable need better than Lora Leigh. The intense erotic scenes are woven into the story of a not-quite-human species as they overcome the horrors of their past, and begin a journey to understand themselves as a species and as individuals, while also striving to find love and acceptance.

7. The Highlanders series by Karen Marie Moning. (Jove and Dell) Although they were always a highly enjoyable auto-buy for me, it is the audio books (with Phil Gigante’s swoon-worthy narration) that earn this series a permanent place on my list. (see Aural Pleasures 103)

8. The World of Hetar by Bertrice Small. (HQN Books) In this epic fantasy, Ms Small has created a world that is in some ways recognizable, yet vastly different from our own. Without the constraint of historical fact, she allowed her muse free rein to create this lusty, sweeping saga.

9. Jarheads by Sean Michael. (Torquere and Fictionwise) Sean Michael has a unique voice. He doesn’t give us much physical description of his characters, but somehow paints an emotional picture. We get to know them through their words and actions and I get completely caught up in the lives of these lovable and loving men. Rigger, whom I adore, is the heart and soul of the series and someone I’d like to count as a good friend in real life. One caveat though – there were times when even I said, “Enough with the sex, already! Get on with the story!”

10. The Donovan series by Elizabeth Lowell. (Avon) Still tapping my foot waiting for the rest of this contemporary romantic suspense series – including a look back at the elder Donovan’s love story. You know, I do believe I’m overdue for a re-read!

11. Brothers in Arms by Samantha Kane(Ellora’s Cave). The newest addition to my list. The erotic scenes in these Regency period bisexual manage stories are written in exquisite, excruciatingly drawn out detail. And Kane manages to make each scene feel completely unique to each triad.

12. What series will someday claim this last spot on my list? Is it a series I’ve already started? Maybe Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series or Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. A Gentleman’s Wager by Madelynne Ellis is already on my single title favorites list, but with its upcoming sequels and spin-off, will it land on my series list, too? Or maybe my next favorite series is waiting out there for me to discover it. Maybe it’s not even been written yet and is being nurtured by a muse waiting to bestow it on some worthy author.

Read more from Bev at Cubie’s Confections.

JenniferB’s Guest Review of Beyond Seduction (A Bastion Club novel) by Stephanie Laurens
published 28 Aug 07 by Avon

     A little bit wild and undeniably brave, the gentlemen of the Bastion Club have pursued adventures far and wide. But their exploits at home could prove to be the riskiest of all as they hunt an elusive target: the perfect bride.

     In a moment of recklessness, Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst, swears he’ll marry the next eligible lady to cross his path. Cloistered at his ancestral castle in Cornwall, with nary a suitable woman for miles, he never expects he’ll have to fulfill his pledge, at least not until the London Season begins. But then he meets his neighbor, the very appealing Madeline Gascoigne.

     Years of secret service to the Crown have taught Gervase the value of always having a loophole – there will be no wedding if he and Madeline are not compatible in every way. So he sets out to prove that they would make a most dreadful match… by luring her into his arms and, ultimately, his bed. From their very first kiss, Gervase discovers that the headstrong and independent Madeline is no meek country miss… and that the fire between them will burn long beyond that first seduction.

Note: This blurb, pulled from Laurens’ website, did not match the one on the back of my ARC. This one is much, much better.

Laurens is an almost always win for me – particularly with her Bastion Club series. Despite the ridiculously similar characterizations from book to book, I easily fall for the romantic couple – charmed by traits I’ve come to expect in both.

The hero. Unfortunately, Beyond Seduction’s Gervase seemed ill cast in the role. Laurens molded him exactly as I expected, but something was off. Just slightly. His dogged pursuit – undoing if you will – of the heroine was there and entertaining and seductive. His physical presence, dry wit, barely leashed control – all in attendance. His intentions however, were too off/on for me and too clinical. I’m thinking that it was his clinical approach – his uninspired measuring of the heroine’s candidacy as bride – that caused me to miss the moment he decided she would be his. There was no depth here and that felt like a critical misstep for Laurens.

The heroine. Madeline was a closer fit to Laurens’ mold, but she missed a few crucial lines of dialogue as well. Like Gervase, that omission was tied to her motivation. Her “weakness”  for Gervase’s advances rested on a curious streak she could not control. Her curiosity didn’t translate into mad temptation here. She could have been trying out a new recipe for all the passion and need she admitted. Consequently, her self-analysis and subsequent caving lacked impact.

I will interject that however uninspiring their ultimate capitulation was, the build-up to that vague moment was delightful. Very, very sexy. What with Gervase’s bold assertion that he expected her to warm his bed and Madeline’s flabbergasted, “What?!” It was provocative and entertaining.

The story. Ok, really feeling critical now – but I have to say that the story was equally unfulfilling. To start, it was too long. Instead of using the anticipated nefarious goings-on as a backdrop for the heroine’s seduction, Laurens essentially split the book into two parts. In the first, Gervase and Madeline are logically paired to organize and host an annual festival. Between festival committee meetings, Gervase and Madeline are occupied – only mildly – by Madeline’s treasure-hunting little brothers. The rest of the time they spend getting to know one another.

By the time we reach the second leg of the story, the seduction is complete and Madeline is holding out for the rest (marriage) until she determines whether Gervase truly loves her. In this segment, the nefarious goings on finally collide with Madeline’s brothers, other Bastien Club members are called in and the villain’s identity is revealed. Then they set about catching him. After which, Madeline comes to her senses and she and Gervase are married.

All of this took too long and I admit to skimming the book’s last hundred pages or so.

In fairness to Ms. Laurens, I’m not sure if Beyond Seduction would have appealed more to me had I been in a different mood. I was, at the very least, restless and preoccupied. I was looking for something to grab me and keep me in place until the last page. Perhaps that is not the best time to choose a comfortable but predictable read.

Grade: C

Join JenniferB on her blog, I Just Finished Reading.

geeze wasn’t someone suppose to be watching me or something? next thing you know, I am gonna have to be responsible for my own actions… 

But hey I could drink my money away or have a shoe habit or whatever

hi my name is sybil and I am a bookaholic

Trade:
Men of August – Marly’s Choice By Lora Leigh
Thanks nicole! I really need to set up a trade list or something.

Used:
Southern Comfort by Karen Kelley
I have never heard of this book or this author. Anyone have an opinion?

Widow’s Little Secret by Judith Stacy
I am a Harlequin Historical whore, what can I say.

Letters From a Stranger, Forever and a Day and Unspoken Vows by Connie Rinehold
Kristie J made me do it. Well she rec’ed Letters and I am easy.

New:
Jamie by Lori Foster
This is the end of the Visitation series. I really didn’t think I would like this and had Just Say No to Joe forever before I read it. For whatever reason it completely caught my interest. Lori Foster is a hit or miss author for me. I hope this ends the series well.

Beach Blanket Bad Boys by Linda Lael Miller, Alison Kent, Lucy Monroe, Jill Shalvis, Susanna Carr, Morgan Leigh
note to self: order trade size books from amazon or bamm. I just paid 15.00 bucks for this. The line up of authors is great so I am hoping it was worth it and it is the second of the bad boy books I have bought new. So all in all it is worth the price. But the next one, will be purchased online.

Bad in Boots – Colt’s Choice by Patrice Michelle
I love a good western, make it a hot western and I am in heaven. I have only read one story by Patrice Michelle Hearts Are Wild with Cheyenne McCray , Patrice Michelle , Nelissa Donovan and I enjoyed her story. This is the second in the Bad in Boots series and in sybilfashion I don’t have the first one yet. oops I do have Dragon’s Heart, A Taste for Passion (vamps) and A Taste for Revenge (vamps) to read. She does say there will be more BiB books coming as well as the vamps.

Beauty Like the Night by Liz Carlyle
New to me author, I am really enjoying her backlist.

Marry the Man Today by Linda Needham
I am not really sure why the hell I bought this. I have only read two books by Needham and didn’t like either. I am trying to cut back on my ‘spy’ books. And she is a dreaded avon author (looks at kristiej). I didn’t even know about this book and honestly, ::hangs head:: the cover caught my eye. It is purple with a carriage and really pretty font. I picked it up and was in a rush (got there 20 mins before they closed). I am going to look up what I can on the book and I MIGHT go back and exchange it tomorrow for something else. Ten to one I throw it in the tbr pile and use it for that avon post I am going to someday do.

Hero, Come Back by Stephanie Laurens, Christina Dodd, Elizabeth Boyle – talked a lil about this one earlier

Master of Pleasure by Jessica Trapp – talked a lil about this one earlier

hee and the library sale is tomorrow at 11 Then I think I am set for the week. The thing that really sucks ass, is I am going into work in the morning. le sigh I would have had more time tonight to read the shit load of books I have but real life got in the way.

Well for those 10 or so people that keep hitting my blog looking for Master of Pleasure by Jessica Trapp, it is out at walmart.

hee and yes I bought it. I almost made it to Saturday. I picked up Hero, Come Back with stories by Stephanie Laurens, Christina Dodd and Elizabeth Boyle. I was sort of iffy on it but in Return of the Warrior (loved that book) there is a mail in coupon for two dollars off (as there was in Lady in Red for Return of the Warrior) this sort of marketing so works on me. So they are mine all mine.

I hope MoP is good (for anyone wondering, it wasn’t), I like the idea of the hero being the one sent off to be a sex slave instead of the chicka.

There is a library sale tomorrow! yyyyaaayyyyyyyyyyy and they are nice enough to start it at 11, so I think I shall go.

Anyone read this yet?

Have you given up on the cynsters? Still hanging in? Waiting for paperback?

I also asked about it on AAR, here if you want to answer there.