Gwen’s review of Tempt Me At Twilight (The Hathaways, Book 3) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 22 Sep 09

There are a few authors that I always enjoy.  Short story, novel, or just plain interacting with readers – they’re always pleasant and gracious.  Lisa Kleypas is one of those few sincerely nice people and her writing normally reflects that niceness.  So imagine my surprise when she created the morally ambiguous hero, Harry, in Tempt Me At Twilight.  A hero who is even worse than St.Vincent (be still my heart).

Don’t get me wrong – by the ened Harry manages to redeem himself.  Just.  But I do believe he is the most damaged of all of the Kleypas heroes and I LOVED him!  He is a bit mad, very bad, and willing to do anything to win Poppy’s hand.  This sets up some fun scenes and terrific dialogue for the morally centered and very nice Poppy when dealing with the determined and unprincipled Harry.

Twilight is a typical Kleypas romance in that the heroine is imminently likeable and the romance is sigh-worthy.  However, it departs from Kleypas’s formula in that the hero acts in a very un-herolike manner for purely selfish reasons.  In her other novels (in my experience) unworthy actions normally have heroic purposes or outcomes.  Harry has none of these.  He just wants Poppy.  Period. And does whatever he has to do, short of murder, to get her.

This creates amazing tension between the main characters.  It also presents interesting predicaments for Poppy’s oh-so-close family.  You can imagine how Cam and Merripen feel about a man who connives, cheats, and maneuvers their “little sister” into marriage, breaking her heart along the way.  It is tremendous fun to read.

I found myself moved to tears several as Poppy and Harry make discoveries about each other and themselves.  Harry’s childhood and his inability to connect normally to others is quite heartbreaking to read.  This element is a real masterstroke for Kleypas.  It’s all so wonderfully nuanced and complicated, and entertaining as hell to read.

Twilight stands alone – you needn’t read the other books in the series to enjoy it.  Though I highly recommend all of the Hathaways books.  This family has the best of late Regency, odd-ball romance entertainment.

I highly recommend Twilight for anyone who is a fan of historical romance or just romance in general.  It is a lovely, complex story about redemption, discovery, family, and love.  You shouldn’t miss it.

Grade: A

Read reviews and information for books in this series by following this tag here.

Summary:

Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal—only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust.

Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy—except to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm’s length…but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Former Texan, creator of Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent and one of those people you would swear is just too nice to be real – Lisa Kleypas – will be dropping by the pond today.  She is VERY close to deadline… soon to be shaking hands with her drop dead date.  The way I look at it, this should work in our favor cuz really what more does a author want at that time than distraction.

::innocent blink::

To get you started I asked her a few questions, you can ask her some more in the comments, anything that doesn’t get answered we will put together in an ‘interview’ and post after Leo is ‘Married by Morning‘ and on his way to her editor.  Until then if you haven’t already read Tempt Me at Twilight you can check out excerpts: on her site here, the ‘raw’ one here (that didn’t change much) and the new one here.

Thanks again to Lisa for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions.

**the following quotes are from Tempt Me at Twilight ©2009 Lisa Kleypas

“Well, to start with—“ Poppy tried to sound pragmatic even though her eyes watered. “I’m not a virgin anymore.”

Leo gave her a mock-shamed glance. “Neither am I,” he confessed.

A reluctant giggle escaped her.

Leo rummaged in his coat for a handkerchief, without success. “Don’t cry, darling. I have no handkerchief, and in any case, virginity is nearly impossible to find once you’ve lost it.”

How do you feel Tempt Me at Twilight turned out? Are you happy with the finished novel?



I am very happy with it!—it was a great writing experience, and I think part of that was because I finally settled in comfortably with the Hathaways. Whenever there was a group scene, it was incredibly fun to write, because I knew exactly how each character would react to what was going on.

After the previous year, when I wrote a couple of darker, more angsty novels (Blue Eyed Devil and Seduce Me At Sunrise) I felt a little worn out emotionally, and ready for some fun. So the two books I wrote after that were Smooth Talking Stranger and Tempt Me At Twilight, and I think they both reflect the sheer joy I felt in writing.

Poppy wondered what was wrong with her, that she should be amused rather than frightened by his confession. “Harry. You’re not supposed to court a girl by telling her you’re the villain.”

He gave her an innocent glance that didn’t deceive her in the least. “I’m trying to be honest.”

“Perhaps. But you’re also making certain that whatever anyone says about you, you’ve already admitted it. Now you’ve made all criticism of you ineffectual.”

Harry blinked as if she’d surprised him. “You think I’m that manipulative?”

Harry has a fabulous line, well really he has many, “In the fairy tale you mentioned last night, I would probably be the villain.” I have to admit I adore that and him.  As you know I have a fondness for Sebastian (Devil in Winter), Leo (Married by Morning) and we can’t forget Kev (Seduce Me at Sunrise).  All of them have bastard like qualities, why do you think that works in a ‘hero’?

Thanks, Sybs, I love to hear that! I think as long as there are deeper, authentically motivated reasons for a hero behaving badly, readers are always generous enough to forgive him. I adore nice-guy heroes, but the bastards are always more exciting, aren’t they?

I think it’s the tension of wondering what they’re going to do, and wondering how the heroine will react. And the character arc is so emotionally satisfying when a hero goes through experiences that force him to change. It always gives me a pleasant shiver at the moment when the hero who has been so dangerous and destructive in the past, is now going to use all power to protect and satisfy the heroine.

“Before you leave,” he said softly, “I have some advice for you. It’s not safe for a young woman to wander alone through the hotel. Don’t take such a foolish risk again.”

Poppy stiffened. “It’s a reputable hotel,” she said. “I have nothing to fear.”

“Of course you do,” he murmured. “You’re looking right at it.”

What makes Harry different from your other heroes?



He’s unusual for me, in that he is a mechanical engineer, and he is so remarkably isolated. He knows how to manipulate people, but not how to have a close relationship with them. So he has an emotional innocence that seemed very sweet to me, despite his villainous qualities. When he meets Poppy, he falls for her immediately because she is so open to the kind of emotional connection that he secretly craves.

She is a very warm and talkative character, and she is a little bit nerdy in the same way he is. When Harry visits the Hathaways and sees how they relate to each other, he is thrown off-balance because he’s never been part of a family . . . there’s this magical something in the air, and he’s not sure what it is, until he finally realizes it’s love. So normal for them, so unfamiliar to him.

“As it happens,” Harry murmured, “I’m American by birth.”

I totally loved that Harry Rutledge is from America (as is Lily and Daisy from your Wallflower series) any chance we could see an American Historical from you in the future? ::coughwesterncough::

I would so love to set a historical in America! If I’m ever able to, I would probably set it in Victorian era New York—what an exciting place, and so much was happening! Self-made men with big fortunes galore.

You soooooo are not helping my western agenda… just saying ::pout::

You ever read a book called Give Me Tonight?  It is out of print and hard to find but I hear it is good ::innocent blink::

“Afraid?” he asked softly.

Poppy forced herself to meet his gaze. “No.”

“Maybe you should be. I’m much nicer to people who are afraid of me.”

“I doubt that,” she said. “I think the opposite is true.”

Poppy is a very strong female character, even when she is making choices Rutledge has manipulated her into.  I see that trait in all the Hathaway sisters and could say it is true for most of your heroines.  Is this a personal choice as an author – something that speaks against the ‘sterotypical weak female’ in romance or something you honestly see reflected in the history of the time?

I appreciate that—I’ve always thought that true strength is not displaying the hoyden/vixen/bitch type of behavior, but rather the patience and persistence and resilience that Poppy displays.

She has her moments of frustration and temper, but she is also quick to forgive and apologize. I think women did have to summon a lot of patience back then, because it was so frowned upon for a woman to be outwardly demanding or aggressive—they had so many constraints placed on them.  You wonder if all the “nervous ailments” that women suffered from were really just a reflection of the stress and frustration of having to let men be in charge all the time!

“Those who have special requests,” Mr. Lufton continued, “or don’t like their rooms cleaned at certain times, those who insist on bringing pets, things of that sort. We don’t discourage them from staying, but we do make a note of their peculiarities.”

Speaking of the history of the time, odd question but I have a background in hotels, and totally love the setting of the book.  Any books you can recommend you used for research into hotels of the time?
I wondered if you would like that!  Yes, I had some fantastic resources and it was so much fun to research. There was a great book titled Hotel: An American History by Andrew K Sandoval-Strausz that provide a ton of information about the development of American and European hotel industries, and a great biography of the great hotel developer Henry Flagler, and I researched the histories of some classic London hotels such as Brown’s and Mivart‘s (the latter turned into Claridge’s).

The Rutledge is a composite of those old hotels, with some of the innovations that were happening at the time, food lifts and en suite bathing-rooms and plumbing  . . . in fact, I spent so much time contemplating and “designing” the Rutledge that it almost seems like a real place to me now!

Jake’s face fell. God. Another scene. “Sir, I’d rather go on an errand in east London and be pummeled by street thieves.”

Rutledge smiled. “That will probably happen later in the week.”

When is Jake getting a book?



I truly hadn’t thought of that. You think he’s hero material?






I did! He sort of reminds me of a derek character… not as hardcore but we didn’t really see him at ‘work’ so to speak. I figured he got his hands plenty dirty or did before for Harry. NOT that I am asking, if I were to ‘request’ a story I want a novella on ‘where are they now’ on St. Vincent and Evie *g*. I know you soooooooooo didn’t see that coming.

“And there’s one more thing to be aware of,” Cam said, with a wintry softness that disguised all hint of feeling. “If you succeed in marrying her, we’re not losing a sister. You’re gaining an entire family–who will protect her at any cost.”

If you were a book what would your ‘summary’ be?  (totally stole that from Sandy M Duck Chats cuz it amuses me)



Oh, this is not easy. Hmm. How about “A cookie-loving daydreamer turns her love of words and fantasies into a writing career, and finds true love along the way. She is surrounded by a brilliant cast of characters, including witty and wacky friends, a great publisher, a sock-stealing cocker spaniel, and an adorable duck-loving reviewer who always makes her laugh.”

“No. I’ve found that life is far kinder to shallow people.” Turning her, Leo drew her up against his tall, well-muscled frame.

What super TOP secret info can you give us on Leo’s book, Married by Morning.



Leo has been secretly drawing naked sketches of Catherine (imagining what she might look like), and she finds out.
**highlight over the blankspace if you want to see the spoiler

“She has experience with primates?” Harry asked sardonically.

Poppy considered that. “We’ve just been through the London season. Does that count?”

What super TOP Secret info can you give us on Beatrix’s book, Love in the Afternoon?



Beauty and the Beast theme.

That’s all I can say for now!
**highlight over the blankspace if you want to see the spoiler

That is really not that much to go on but since you haven’t even started the book I will give you a pass on it.

When will we get to see the cover for Married by Morning? LOL I know, I always want something…

If you have questions or comment for Lisa Kleypas, please put it in the comments of this post. If you have read Tempt Me at Twilight, do tell us what you thought of it.

Lisa Kleypas is under a September deadline and very nicely agreed to join us on the blog this week.  Sadly I  just sent her the questions yesterday, so Lisa will be here Monday September 28.  This gives you time to read the book and come armed with questions *g*.

Hopefully she will have time to answer them.  If not, whatever remains unanswered (and can be answered) we will post later in a follow up interview after her book is turned in.

Until then here is a delightful look at Tempt Me at Twilight.  I ended up liking this book much more than I thought I would, Harry is a very interesting character and a great match for Poppy.  We will also have a ‘raw and unedited’ excerpt from Married by Morning in October – LEO’s book! My fave since St. Vincent *eg*.

The following excerpt happens quite a few scenes before the one that is posted on her at her site .

Horrified to feel the sting of desperate tears, she concentrated blindly on a section of floor in front of her. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t–

“Miss Hathaway.” Lady Norbury’s jovial voice intruded on her frantic thoughts. “This gentleman has requested an introduction, you fortunate girl! It is my honor and delight to present Mr. Harry Rutledge, the hotelier.”

A pair of highly polished black shoes came into her vision. Poppy glanced miserably up into his vivid green eyes.

Harry bowed, holding her gaze. “Miss Hathaway, how do you–”

“I’d love to waltz,” Poppy said, practically leaping from her chair and seizing his arm. Her throat was so tight, she could hardly speak. “Let’s go now.”

Lady Norbury gave a disconcerted laugh. “What charming enthusiasm.”

Poppy gripped Harry’s arm as if it were a lifeline. His gaze dropped to the clench of her fingers in the fine black wool of his sleeve. He covered her fingers with the reassuring pressure of his free hand, his thumb smoothing over the edge of her wrist. And even through two layers of white gloves, she felt the comfort in his touch.

At that moment Miss Marks returned, having just dispatched of Michael Bayning. Her brows lowered in a scowl as she looked up at Harry. “No,” she said shortly.

“No?” His lips twitched with amusement. “I haven’t asked for anything yet.”

Miss Marks gave him a cold stare. “Obviously you wish to dance with Miss Hathaway.”

“You have objections?” he asked innocently.

“Several,” Miss Marks said, her manner so curt that both Lady Norbury and Poppy gave her looks of askance.

“Miss Marks,” Lady Norbury said, “I can vouch for this gentleman’s character will all assurance.”

The companion pressed her lips into a hyphen. She surveyed Poppy’s glittering eyes and flushed face, seeming to understand how close she was to losing her composure. “When the dance is finished,” she told Poppy grimly, “you will take his left arm, insist that he conduct you directly back to me, here, and then he will take his leave. Understood?”

“Yes,” Poppy whispered, glancing over Harry’s broad shoulder.

Michael was staring at her from across the room, his face ashen.

The situation was hideous. Poppy wanted to run from the ballroom. Instead, she would have to dance.

Harry led Poppy toward the crowd of waltzing couples and settled his gloved hand at her waist. She reached for him, one palm light and trembling at his shoulder, her other hand gripped securely in his. In one astute glance, Harry took in the entire scene: Poppy’s unshed tears, Michael Bayning’s set face, and the slew of curious gazes encompassing them.

“How can I help?” he asked gently.

“Take me away,” she said. “As far as possible from here. Timbuktu.”

Harry looked sympathetic and amused. “I don’t think they’re letting in Europeans these days.” He drew Poppy into the current of dancers, swift counter-clockwise turns in a clockwise pattern, and the only way to keep from stumbling was to follow him without hesitation.

Poppy was profoundly grateful to have something to focus on besides Michael. As she might have expected, Harry Rutledge was an excellent dancer. Poppy relaxed into his smooth, strong lead. “Thank you,” she said. “You’re probably wondering why I–”

“No, I don’t wonder. It was written on your face, and Bayning’s, for everyone to see. You’re not very good at subterfuge, are you?”

“I’ve never needed to be.” To Poppy’s horror, her throat clenched and her eyes stung. She was about to burst into tears in front of everyone. As she tried to take a steadying breath, the corset squeezed her lungs, and she felt dizzy. “Mr. Rutledge,” she wheezed, “Could you take me out to the terrace for some air?”

“Certainly.” His voice was reassuringly calm. “One more circuit around the room, and we’ll slip out.”

In other circumstances, Poppy might have taken pleasure in the sureness of his lead, the music that gilded the air. She stared fixedly at the dark face of her unlikely rescuer. He was dazzling in the elegant clothes, his heavy dark hair brushed back in disciplined layers. But his eyes were underpinned by the ever-present hint of shadows. Windows to a restless soul. He didn’t sleep enough, she thought, and wondered if anyone ever dared mention it to him.

Even through the haze of numb desolation, it occurred to Poppy that by asking her to dance, Harry Rutledge had singled her out in what could have been construed by many as a declaration of interest.

But that couldn’t be true.

“Why?” she asked faintly, without thinking.

“Why what?”

“Why did you ask me to dance?”

Harry hesitated as if torn between the necessity of tact and the inclination toward honesty. He settled on the latter. “Because I wanted to hold you.”

©2009 Lisa Kleypas

Please remember this is RAW and Unedited which means it could change or may not make it into the book.

We will compare it to what happens when the book is done to see how it changes (if it does) and as always thanks for playing Lisa

Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

From Lisa:

The eccentric Hathaway family is staying at the Rutledge Hotel during the London social season. While chasing her sister’s ferret, who has stolen an intimate love letter, Poppy Hathaway encounters a handsome and mysterious stranger. He takes her to a private room, and for a moment Poppy wonders if he’ll let her go . . .

Tap. Tap. Tap.

They both turned at the sound. The maid had arrived. “I must go,” Poppy said uneasily.

“My governess will be very distressed if she wakes to find me missing.” The dark-haired stranger contemplated her for what seemed a very long time. “I’m not finished with you yet,” he said with stunning casualness. As if no one ever refused him anything. As if he planned to keep her prisoner for as long as he wished.

Poppy took a deep breath. “Nevertheless, I am leaving,” she said calmly, and went to the door.

He reached it at the same time she did, one large hand flattening against the door panel.

Alarm jolted through her, and she turned to face him. A swift, frantic throbbing awakened in her throat and wrists and the backs of her knees. He was standing much too close, his long, hard body nearly touching hers. She shrank against the wall, away from the sheer force of his masculine presence. When she brought herself to look up into his cool green eyes, he smiled.

A dangerous smile.

“Before you leave,” he said softly, “I have some advice for you. It’s not safe for a young woman to wander alone through the hotel. Don’t take such a foolish risk again.”

Poppy stiffened a little. “It’s a reputable hotel,” she said. “I have nothing to fear.”

“Of course you do,” he murmured. “You’re looking right at it.”

And before she could think, or move, or breathe, he bent his head and took her mouth with his.

Stunned, Poppy went motionless beneath the soft, burning kiss, so subtle in its demand that she wasn’t aware of the moment her own lips parted. His hands came to her jaw, cradling, angling her face upward. She felt him taste her with a gently searching stroke, in a kiss more intimate than anything she had ever known. And with a stranger.

She lifted her hands to push him away, but he put his arms around her, bringing her body fully against his, and the feel of him was hard and richly stimulating. Her skin turned hot, oversensitive, excited nerves craving the cool glide of his fingertips along her throat.

With every breath, she drew in an enticing scent, an incense of amber and musk, starched linen and male skin. She should have struggled in his arms . . . but his mouth was so tenderly persuasive, erotic, imparting messages of peril and promise. He tasted her again, deeper this time, and then his lips slid to her throat. He hunted for her pulse, working his way downward, layering sensations like silken gauze until she shivered and arched away from him. “Don’t,” she said weakly.

The stranger gripped her chin carefully, forcing her to look at him. They both went still. As Poppy met his searching gaze, she saw a flash of baffled animosity, as if he had just made some unwelcome discovery.

He let go of her with great care and opened the door. “Bring it in,” he told the maid, who waited at the threshold with a large silver tea tray.

The servant obeyed quickly, too well-trained to evince curiosity about Poppy’s presence in the room.

The man went to retrieve Dodger, who had fallen asleep in his chair. Returning with the drowsy ferret, he gave it to Poppy. She took Dodger with an inarticulate murmur, cradling him against her midriff.

“Will there be anything else, sir?” the maid asked.

“Yes. I want you to accompany this lady to her suite. And come back to inform me when she is safely returned.”

“Yes, Mr. Rutledge.”

Mr. Rutledge?

Poppy felt her heart stop. She looked back at the stranger. Deviltry glittered in his green eyes. He seemed to relish her open astonishment.

Harry Rutledge . . . the mysterious and reclusive owner of the hotel. Who was nothing at all as she had imagined him to be.

Bewildered and mortified, Poppy turned from him. She crossed the threshold and heard the door close, the latch clicking smoothly shut. How wicked he was, to have amused himself at her expense! She consoled herself with the knowledge that she would never see him again.

And she went down the hallway with the housemaid . . . never suspecting that the course of her entire life had just changed.

© Lisa Kleypas. All rights reserved 

Gwen’s review of Seduce Me At Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 30 Sep 08

I love Kleypas’s historicals – some more than others, but they all have a place in my heart.  That’s not to say I don’t enjoy her contemps, but I really love her historicals.  In fact, I found SM@S to be one of her best historicals to date.  There is a richness and believability to her characters, dialog, and settings in SM@S that isn’t always so strong in Kleypas’s books. 

At the beginning of the book, Win Hathaway is an invalid as a result of a brush with scarlet fever.  She comes back from a health spa, besotted doctor in tow, a changed woman.  Her spirit as an invalid was strong – but her body wasn’t.  She returns with a stronger body and the same strong spirit.  She returns with her love of Merripen intact and all but consuming her.  I really enjoyed Win’s character.  The scene near the end with the armoire is classic.  I won’t spoil anything, but it says it all about Win – she’s kind and gentle, but perfectly willing to be ruthless to protect those she loves.

Kev Merripen is sure he isn’t good enough for Win, but he loves her with such a bone-deep passion and commitment that he knows there will never be another woman for him except Win.  His personal torment as he comes to terms with that love, and finally capitulates to it, is a very satisfying part of the story.  Kev is one of my favorite, if not the favorite, Kleypas Hero to date.  His torment is very personal to him – he doesn’t whine or bemoan or complain.  He just suffers quietly.  Those who love him – and all of the Hathaways love him like a brother – eventually see the torment and try to help him and Win come together.  However, it takes an earth-shaking confrontation with Win’s brother to make Kev see what a fool he has been about his feelings for Win.  THAT scene is classic – I loved how it ended with Win’s brother wanting a head start.

This is a very satisfying love story.  As is the case with many of Kleypas’s works, I didn’t find myself distracted from the romance by the setting or the time period.  It could be set in any time period and still be a terrific story.  The emotion is believable and warm.  The story is well-told and nicely paced.  The sub-arcs and character histories revealed here and there are all interesting and really lend strength to the bond between not just the hero and heroine, but all of the main characters.  It can be read easily on its own, but you’ll get more out of it if you read book 1, Mine ‘Til Midnight, first.

Brava, Lisa Kleypas, on another wonderful book.  And hurry with book 3!  I need it!

I highly recommend this to fans of historical and non-historical romance.  Fans of Lisa Kleypas should be in raptures with SM@S.  Now, if only I can find my own Kev Merripen…

Grade: A

Summary:

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Lawson’s review of Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martins 30 Sep 08

Before I start on anything, everyone reading this needs to take a moment and enjoy, probably for the millionth time, the beautiful red cover on this book. It’s so pretty, isn’t it? And now down to business: the story. Picking up where Mine Till Midnight left off, we see Win, the second Hathaway daughter, leaving England to go to a hospital to get healthy again. One of the major plot points from MtM was Leo and Win’s sufferings after having scarlet fever a couple of years before the action of the book. When Win returns, however, some things have changed.

Win returns to a different situation than when she’d left. Her sister Amelia’s marriage to Cam Rohan has benefited the family, who have some money for once. Her friend, Kev Merripen, who has been with the family for years, has become a harder person since Win left. Both Win and Merripen have been in love for years, but both haven’t done anything about it. Win has decided to move on and is considering an engagement to her doctor, Julian Harrow.

Win is shocked at the changes in Merripen, but with her feelings for Julian, she thinks that things will work out. The family leaves London to go to their country home, which is next door to Stony Cross Park, home of Lord Westcliff (of the Wallflower series). Win is happy to be healthy, in the country and being able to live her life for herself, though she chafes under some of her family’s well meaning care. What bothers Win the most are the changes in Merripen, who she had been very close to, and their arguments about what is best for Win and her life lead to some excellent scenes.

Win is a great leading lady. She’s been used to being the invalid of the family after her bout with scarlet fever left her very weak. Coming back from the hospital with Dr. Harrow helped not only her health, but her self esteem has improved enough that she stands up for herself to her family and to Merripen. She also tries to go after what she wants, which is Merripen, and though he rebuffs her due to his own fears, Win is able to convince him of his errors in judgment.

Merripen is a great foil for Win. Where she’s delicate and ladylike (but not weak) he’s strong and earthy. His life as a gypsy before coming to live with the Hathaways wasn’t easy, and he bonded with Win easily, though since he’s much taller and more muscular is always afraid that he’ll hurt Win. His realization that she is his woman and his steps to make everyone see that as well (especially Julian) shows the extremely passionate side of Merripen and makes him an excellent hero.

What makes this book so well done is the relationships of Win and Merripen, not only with each other, but with the other members of the family. Leo is definitely changed since MtM (he went to the hospital with Win and did some recovery himself). The way that Leo has matured makes me wonder when his story will come, and who will be a good match for him. The younger sisters, Poppy and Beatrice, have a new governess to help ease them into society, though of course, they are rather exuberant but they are endearing to their governess (who has some clashes with Leo and Bea’s pet ferret).

There’s also the discovery of Merripen’s gypsy family and the continuation of Cam’s search for his gypsy roots, and yes, the reason why Cam and Merripen have similar tattoos is also revealed. To tell the whys and hows, of course would be spoilers, and no, I’m not going to do that. But it’s a beautiful, passionate story with two characters that have lots of growth and get a very touching happily ever after. All with some humor, family and some satisfying endings, as well as beginnings along the way.

Grade: A

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Lawson’s review of Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 2 Oct 07

As much as I love Lisa Kleypas and her books, it’s amazing that it took me six months to read this one. I’ve got to say though that the minute I was finished with Mine Till Midnight, I really wanted to read Seduce Me at Sunrise. Someday soon. . .Oh yeah, I’ve gotten off track. Mine Till Midnight is the first in the series about the Hathaway family. There are also some scenes with characters from the Wallflower books, and it’s always nice to spend more time with Marcus, Lord Westcliff and Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent.

The story starts off with Amelia Hathaway going through the London streets in the dead of night looking for her brother. Since inheriting a title, he’s been drinking and gambling his way through London. Amelia is afraid this path is leading to her brother’s demise and has decided this is the last night and is taking the rest of the family away to the country. Looking for her brother leads her to Jenner’s, where she gets the help of Cam Rohan.

Cam helps Amelia and her Gypsy friend Merripen find her brother Leo, but not before stealing a kiss. The Hathaway family then takes off for the country the next day. The estate that comes with the title neighbors Stony Cross Park, the home of Lord Westcliff, and while walking Amelia runs into Cam again. After the introductions to the rest of the Hathaway family as well as meeting some of the Wallflowers and their husbands, Cam and Amelia keep running into each other and thus fall in love.

Cam is a different sort of hero. He’s a gypsy, he doesn’t want to have all the money he has and would be happier back with his tribe living out of a wagon. He occupies a place in the world of London, but doesn’t really live there. When he meets Amelia, he doesn’t know what to do at first. She’s a managing sort of woman, but he can get around her easily with some charm and good intentions. Cam is a very likable hero.

Amelia took some time to grow on me. She is managing, though she has to be with her family. Not that they are bad, really, but just clueless about somethings. Or at least she thinks they are and wants to tell her family how to run their lives. Her sisters, Winnifred, Poppy and Beatrice, aren’t so bad, it’s her brother Leo. Leo suffered a personal tragedy and has given up on life. Amelia has gotten to the point, though, that she feels she can’t manage her family’s issues anymore.

As Cam and Amelia interact, they are great together. There’s some great dialogue and steamy love scenes between the two. The thing that bothered me though, was since Amelia is at wit’s end about her family, when Cam steps in to help her, she just fully gives up and lets him manage everything. Maybe she needed someone else who is strong to lean on and help her out, but the fact that when things are at their worst, Amelia can’t think about things anymore and Cam shows up, she just wilts like a flower in the sun and lets Cam take care of everything.

Not the sort of behavior a strong heroine needs to have.

Other than Amelia’s eventual shirking of her strength, it’s a good love story and an introduction into Kleypas’ next series with the Hathaway family. Seduce Me at Sunrise follows Winnifred’s story and have you seen what a pretty cover it has?

Grade: B

     Blurb:

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter…

     Read an excerpt.

GUEST AUTHOR:

Lisa Kleypas’s

You Question….

She’ll Answer

Why don’t you ever update your website?

I’m trying to get better about that. Really, I am. But I have two very good reasons, and their ages are 11 and 6. I know that sounds like a convenient excuse, but here’s how I look at it . . . someday they’ll get old enough to rebel and leave the house and go out into the world armed only with whatever I’ve managed to teach them . . . so anytime I have an hour to spare, I can either:

A. Write more

B. Exercise

C. Catch up on bills

D. Clean the trash pit known as my office

E. Spend time with the children.

F. Pay attention to husband

G. Update website

E usually wins. I hardly ever do B or D, and C only when something is about to be turned off. I do A when I’m under a tight deadline, and I do F when my husband and I have a moment alone. Or should I say, “we” do F. Heh heh. And after F, I just never make it to G.

Which of your heroes would you choose for yourself?

That is a difficult question. I love them all. I will always have a special place in my heart for Derek Craven, the hero of “Dreaming Of You,” because he opened the door for me to write more non-aristocratic heroes. Probably the best husband material is Zachary Bronson from “Where Dreams Begin,” and the best guys for a wild and wicked night would either be St. Vincent from Devil in Winter, or Nick Gentry from “Worth Any Price.”

Why don’t you have your first four NAL books reprinted someday?

They’re so different from the books that I’m doing now . . . remember, I started in the days of the bodice-rippers, and I was also too young to approach the subject of relationships with any kind of sophistication. I don’t regret writing those books, because I did my best at the time, and they were steps along the way to where I’ve gotten now. But I would feel terrible if anyone paid her hard-earned money for a book and was disappointed.

Who are your favorite authors?

I try to read a huge variety of books in many genres, not only because I enjoy that, but it also teaches me about writing. But in romance, aside from my brilliant friends the Squawk Radio chicks, I love SEP, JR Ward, Laura Kinsale, the two Judiths (Ivory and McNaught), the two Karens (Hawkins and Moning) and JD Robb.

What’s next?

Mine Till Midnight is my next historical romance, out in October 2007. The tone of it is hard to describe, because it’s dark and sexy but it also has a lot of humor and charm, if I do say so myself.

It features Cam Rohan, the Gypsy character who appears in Devil in Winter- I brought him with me when I came to St Martins *g*. I originally planned my historical books with St Martins to be a continuation of the Wallflower series, but after finishing Cam’s book, I realized it had to be the first of a connected-but-new series.

It has its own kind of energy and quirkiness. Cam falls in love with the oldest sister of the Hathaway family, a group of eccentric siblings.(The brother is an alcoholic, one of the sisters is a kleptomaniac, another is an invalid, and so forth.) It was a lot of fun to see Cam trying to deal with this bunch of crazies!

Not tis your turn… ask anything… well I don’t know about ANYTHING… but hey it is worth a shot