Series: Williamsburg (Book 7)
When Evadne arrived at Williamsburg as Stephen Sprague's bride in the autumn of 1938, the long family history in the little Virginia town was a new and fascinating story to her. Evadne noticed that the portrait of Grandfather Julian's wife Tibby looked exactly like her own niece Mab, who had never been to Williamsburg, but who at thirteen knew the family chronicle by heart. In this, the 1938-41 volume, we find Evadne back at her warden's post in London; Stephen with his new mobile canteen; Jeff on his job under fire as much as any soldier, Sylvia sticking to her Animal First Aid post; Virginia at Farthingale; and Mab, too young to go for a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) but considering herself too old for evacuation, turning her back on the place she wanted most to be, because Jeff was in England, writing the blitz, and where Jeff was she had to stay.
This is my all-time favorite series of books. I love family sagas and this one starts during the Revolutionary War with Dawn's Early Light and concludes with this book covering the first part of World War 2 in England. This one starts with Stephen bringing his English bride home to meet his parents. Evadne is from the English side of the family and not as familiar with all the family stories as her niece Mab is. She is fascinated though slightly disturbed by Mab's resemblance to Tabitha Day, especially since cousin Jeff looks like Julian, but is married to someone else. Upon their return to England, everyone is very careful not to make too much of Mab's fascination. Those worries are overshadowed by the looming war as Hitler starts his takeover of Europe. The historical snapshots of what life was like in England at this time are fascinating as they focus on individual contributions as well as the big picture. Throughout the book there are fantastic stories of the way the British faced the impending war and then the actuality of the battles and air raids, but all with a personal and real feeling. Everyone is affected in different ways and tragedy does not pass them by. I have always loved the way that Mab has never hidden her feelings for Jeff and that everyone accepts it. Even Jeff's wife is aware, but it has never made a difference to the way they deal with each other. When multiple tragedies hit Mab, she and her grandmother Virginia go to Williamsburg, where Mab can begin to recover. It gives a wonderful feeling of the story coming full circle.
Series: Daring Duchesses (Book 2)
Rupert Stirling, Duke of Stratton, has long since
acquired the nickname Devil. And with outrageous exploits both in and
out of ladies' bedchambers, my, has he earned it!
Risqué behavior is beyond Pandora Maybury, widowed Duchess of Wyndwood
-- although with her dark secret she's far too well acquainted with
being the subject of ribald gossip for her liking. If only the Ton knew
just how innocent she really was…including Rupert who, after rescuing
her from a compromising situation, seems intent on wickedly compromising
her himself!
Very good book. I really liked both Pandora and Rupert. Pandora's husband was killed in a duel the year before and she was blamed for it. This has set her up to be treated badly by men of the ton. Rupert saves her from an attack and then appears to be pursuing her for himself. She is very wary about trusting Rupert. I liked the way that she stood up for herself when she wanted to. It is also apparent that she is a very kind person at heart, who watches out for the people she cares about. I loved Rupert. He seemed very arrogant at first, especially when Pandora overheard him talking to his friend. I loved the way he came to Pandora's rescue and then how he took care of her and got her home. I loved his protectiveness and the way he was so fascinated by her. He was surprised by the depth of his feelings for her, beyond just the attraction. I loved the way they would be getting along just fine, then arguing, then giving in to passion. My favorite part of the book was the confrontation with Rupert's stepmother - Pandora was fantastic! I also enjoyed the mystery of the break-ins at her house and the revealing of the villain.
Series: Rakes Beyond Redemption (Book 3)
Riordan Barrett: Last Rake Standing
With his comrade rakes-in-arms succumbing to respectability, anyone
might think that wicked Riordan Barrett is next. But such happy endings
aren't for him -- the whole of society knows there isn't a redeemable
bone in his sinfully sexy body.
Suddenly Riordan finds himself not only an earl…but father to two young
wards! His only experience is in the art of irresponsibility.
This rake needs help -- and hiring a young, pretty governess won't be such a hardship!
Sweet, innocent Maura Caulfield is the only lady in London seemingly
unaware of Riordan's disreputable ways. But it won't stay like that for
long. He'll show her just how much fun sinning can be….
Good book. Maura is on the run from a man that her uncle wants her to marry. She has come to London to get away and takes a job as governess to Riordan's wards - their sixth governess in just a few weeks. She was warned that he's a rake, but wasn't expecting him to be so young and handsome. She tries to get the children into some kind of routine, but is constantly thwarted by Riordan who likes to spend time with them and take them on outings. She also tries to resist the attraction she feels for him, knowing that nothing can come of it. She soon comes to realize that she has fallen in love with him. Maura fears that her uncle will find her and force her into the marriage. When she and the children are kidnapped she must depend on him for rescue. Riordan is the last of his friends to be unmarried. He has thoroughly enjoyed his reputation and taken advantage of it. When his brother dies and he is left as guardian for two young children he has to step up. He has had several nannies for them, but between his reputation and the exuberance of the children, none of them have lasted. When Maura arrives to take her chance he is immediately attracted to her and tries to figure out how to take advantage of it. He also discovers that she is very good with the children and gives them the love and structure that they need. He also finds that Maura's presence soothes his guilty feelings over the death of his brother. When his custody of the children is threatened, he enlists her help to keep them. When they are kidnapped he calls on his friends (from How to Disgrace a Lady and How to Ruin a Reputation) to assist him in saving the day. He also realizes that he loves her for herself and not just to help the children.
Neville Roscoe, notorious and enigmatic, lives
resolutely outside society, bound only by his own code of honor -- until
challenged by his desire for the one woman he cannot have.
Miranda Clifford is a lady imprisoned by rigid respectability -- until tempted by a passion beyond her power to deny.
Flung together in peril, through danger and intrigue, they discover a love impossible to ignore . . . or keep.
Loved the book. Miranda is twenty nine and unmarried. She and her brother live with their aunt who has raised them under strict rules of respectability. Miranda has always watched out for her brother and follows him one night when she is worried about his activities. She is caught by the owner of the house, Neville Roscoe, the gambling king of London. He shows her that she doesn't need to worry about Roderick's presence there and escorts her home. A few nights later, Roderick goes missing and she goes to Roscoe for help. In spite of his reputation, Miranda insists on accompanying him on his search. It takes several days and some danger, but they find him and take him to Roscoe's family's home to recover. From there it's back to London to try to find out who is behind the attack on Roderick. I loved both Miranda and Roscoe. He is a nobleman who left his life behind and became to gambling king in order to save his family from ruin. He has spent twelve years keeping himself separate from them, with only occasional furtive visits. He knows that if his identity were known his family would suffer the disgrace. He has also accepted the fact that no respectable woman would marry him. From the beginning Miranda has something that calls to him. He can't stop wanting to be with her, and even lets her in on his daily life while they wait for information on what has happened to her brother. He likes the way that she stands up to him even as it frustrates him. He is attracted to her but refuses to start anything with her, until she comes to him with her needs. When he takes her and Roderick to his family's home it is one more step in breaking down the walls that have kept his life apart from his family's. He is determined to protect her from danger, but also from being affected by his reputation, and tries to end their relationship on their return to London. I loved his protectiveness to his family and to Miranda. He was so willing to give her up for her own good that it hurt to see. I loved the way he came to the rescue at the end. Miranda was a woman who started out as kind of uptight, but that was due to her aunt's influence. When she made the decision to help with the search her inner strength came out. I loved the way that she simply refused to take no for an answer when dealing with Roscoe. Her appearances at his house enabled her to learn more about him and I loved the way that her opinions and feelings began to change right from the beginning. She also had no problem speaking up for herself when she had an idea that would help and kept after Roscoe until he had to admit that it would work. I loved the way that she decided that she would give in to her attraction and take the opportunity that she felt would never come again. I also enjoyed the way she was so readily accepted by Roscoe's family and the way that they showed her another side of him. I loved seeing her interactions with them and how they gave her a new perspective on society. When they returned to London she wanted to continue seeing him and was upset when he refused. She tried to move on with her life, but things kept happening that would bring them back together. I really enjoyed the time that she lost her temper with him and the effect it had on him. I really liked the way she went to him at the end and fought for what she wanted. Though there were a few times the story dragged a little bit, the rest of the book made up for it. I was glad that Roscoe got his own story since his appearances in The Reckless Bride and The Edge of Desire were very intriguing.
Lord Kenton is surprisingly happy to be lured to a
moonlit gazebo, held at gunpoint by the delectable Cynthia Banester and
forced to marry her. The only finger he's had to lift is the one that's
caressed the neckline of her dress. She's claimed a title -- he's
secured a fortune. There are just two problems -- he's not the real Lord
Kenton, and she's not rich!
Bound by their own deceptions, Cynthia and Jack decide to make the best
of a bad deal. They may not have two coins to rub together, but
consummating their vows proves deliciously satisfying….
I liked the storyline of the book, it was a little different than the usual. Cynthia has held Jack at gunpoint long enough for him to compromise her and be forced to marry her. She wants his title and his assistance in restoring her family's money. He needs her money because his "father" is being blackmailed. Problem is, he's not really who she thinks he is - he's an actor playing a part. And she doesn't have any money, she needs his. Once the deceptions come out they have to decide how to deal with it. I liked Jack. He was funny and overall pretty nice. He was doing his best to help out his "father" not just with the marriage but also with estate matters and trying to stop the blackmailer. He seemed to be pretty fixated on getting Cynthia into bed, but it also became obvious that he was developing feelings for her. He fought against those feelings, constantly reminding himself that he's a rogue actor not a gentleman. His inner conversations with himself, especially the side of him that is becoming more like his character, are fun to see. I loved his part at the end. Nothing I could do could make me really like Cynthia. I had high hopes for her at the beginning. I loved the way she held Jack at gunpoint to get what she needed, but the promise was never followed through. When both their deceptions came out, she was horribly judgmental. She was furious with his deception, but refused to see that hers was just as bad. She constantly looked down on him because he was an actor. Her mother had been an actress and Cynthia was just as judgmental about her instead of seeing her for the woman she was. I didn't like the way she was always putting Jack down about the things he did. I could not reconcile the feelings she was developing for him with her attitude. Although her attitude changed somewhat by the end of the book, I just couldn't see it as real. I liked Jack's solution to the blackmail and the way it all went down. I was happy to see his return at the end, and hope for his sake that Cynthia really has learned her lesson. I liked Cynthia's mother a lot. She was kind of over the top, but it worked for her and I could see that her love for her husband was real. Jack's father was good too, and his situation was dealt with very nicely.
Series: Princess Brides (Book 1)
When a royal summons from her brother arrives,
Emma knows it's time to embrace her duties as the princess of a small
European kingdom, and marry the man her brother has chosen for her...a
stranger she has never met. Instead she does what any self-respecting
princess would do -- she runs away. All she wants is one week in
London. One week to experience everything life has to offer, before she
is locked away in a loveless marriage forever...
Former naval captain Nick Gregory has inherited a title he never wanted.
As the new Earl of Lyndhurst, he chafes against his landlocked
existence -- until fate brings a mysterious young beauty across his
path. Believing she's an unemployed governess, Nick offers shelter and
protection to the captivating girl, never guessing her true identity.
Emma falls hard for Nick, but knowing they have no future, she flees
once more -- this time back to her royal responsibilities. But when she
and Nick unexpectedly meet again, she learns that against all odds, he's
determined to make this princess his bride...
Very good book. When Emma finds out she is to marry a man twice her age to benefit her kingdom, she decides she needs a chance to live a little first. Being a little naive, she runs away to London, hoping to stay with a former teacher for a week. But first she is robbed, then finds out that the teacher isn't at home to help her. Nick comes to her rescue, and offers her a place to stay. He even brings in his aunt to play chaperone. For the next week they spend time together, with him showing her the sights of London. They enjoy themselves so much that Nick talks her into staying longer, and they get closer still. But Emma knows there is no hope of a future for them, and goes back to her responsibilities, never having told Nick who she really is. When they meet again, she is still heartbroken as her brother will not let her out of the upcoming engagement. When her two friends arrive to visit, they try to help. In spite of her position, Nick still wants to marry her, and will do his best to get what he wants.
I really liked both Nick and Emma. She is young and inexperienced with the world, which is how she ends up in the predicament she does. She was very lucky that Nick was the one who helped her. She knew she wanted her chance to live a little and was very happy with the way Nick was willing to help her. She was attracted to him and very quickly fell in love with him. Knowing it was impossible, she went back to her brother, accepting her fate, but was completely miserable. She met Nick again at a ball, where he discovered who she really was. She understood his anger at the deception, but was still convinced their love was impossible. Her total pessimism in regards to her future was a little hard to take sometimes. She made some efforts at talking to her brother and explaining her feelings, but I never got the feeling she tried all that hard. I really liked Nick. He wasn't happy taking over the title and responsibilities after his brother's death, but he did it. When he came to Emma's rescue, I could immediately see that he was a protector, and that being with her made him happier than he'd been in a long time. I could see him falling in love with her, and how devastated he was when she disappeared. His hurt and anger at her deception was completely understandable. I liked the way that he was able to move past it when he realized how much he still loved her. I liked the way he was able to have help from Emma's friends and how he tried to do the right thing at first. I could see the solution that they ended up with fairly early, but I enjoyed the way it happened. I loved the other two princesses and what good friends they were to Emma. I really liked the way they were able to help Nick and Emma get together. Emma's brother still rather annoys me, but I think I know what is going to happen with him and I can't wait to see it.
Series: Gentlemen of Disrepute (Book 3)
Beautiful Marianne Winslow has had her share of
suitors -- and her share of scandal. Three engagements, no wedding… And
the ton is beginning to talk.
Smoldering Rafe Knight has lived the past fifteen years of his life with
one goal -- avenging the death of his parents. His final target? The
Earl of Misbourne. The perfect bartering tool? The Earl's daughter,
Marianne….
Held at gunpoint on Hounslow Heath, Marianne is taken captive by a
mysterious masked highwayman. Her father must pay the price -- but
Marianne finds more than vengeance in the highwayman's warm amber eyes….
Good book. Rafe kidnapped Marianne to use her as leverage against her father. Once he had her he discovered that she wasn't the spoiled girl he expected. She refused to believe the things he said about her father and had no problem standing up to him. Over the next few days he they found themselves to be attracted to each other. When Rafe's attempts to get what he needed from her father without endangering her, he returned her to her home. Marianne also found herself unwilling to assist her father in finding out who the highwayman is. Rafe made a point of encountering her several times over the next few days because he couldn't stay away from her. When one of these encounters ended up compromising her reputation, Rafe married her. Now he had to decide which was more important - his revenge or her love. I liked both Rafe and Marianne. I thought she handled her abduction pretty well. The only time she lost it was when she was left alone in the dark and we find out why that is later in the book. I liked the way that she stood up for her father when Rafe was telling her why he took her. When she returned home and overheard her father, she lost faith in his honor. She had started developing feelings for Rafe from the beginning, and then did her best to warn him of danger from her father and brother. When they ended up married she was amazed at his tenderness and patience with her fears. Rafe was really terrific too. I could see his intent on his revenge, but he was very good about making sure that Marianna was safe. The more he was with her the more he was drawn to her and her couldn't understand why. Even after he let her go he couldn't stay away from her. When they married he saw how panicked she was, he was incredibly patient at introducing her to passion. As things came to a conclusion there were a couple twists that I didn't see coming but certainly explained the tension on both sides of the problem. I loved learning more about Rafe and Marianne as the book went on - it made them more real to me.
Series: The Highest Bidder (Book 3)
London-based artist Avery Cullen refuses to sell
her late father's art collection. But bold, brash Marcus Price will try
everything to get her to reconsider. He even launches an all-out sexual
siege on the lonely heiress in the gilded cage.
Securing the collection would be a coup for his auction house, but for
Marcus, it would settle a lifelong score. He's managed to keep his true
motives hidden along with his family's skeletons…and now he's so close,
he can taste success in Avery's kiss. But after their torrid night of
passion, is Marcus prepared for the outcome?
Good book. Marcus has come to London to try, yet again, to get Avery to sell her father's art collection. It would be a great thing for the auction house, and put him on the road to becoming a partner. There is also one particular painting he wants for himself - one that has great sentimental value to his family. Avery doesn't want to sell the collection. It is something that meant a lot to her father and she is clinging to that memory. When she meets Marcus face to face there is an immediate attraction there. She offers to help him with a project for his boss if he will help her find a statue that used to be in her garden. As they spend time together working on these projects, their attraction grows along with deeper feelings. Circumstances cause them to marry, and shortly after that Marcus's skeletons come out to cause a rift between them. I loved the resolution of her search, and Marcus's realization of what is really important. I liked both Marcus and Avery although I frequently wanted to smack him. Marcus had a bit of tunnel vision when it came to the painting he wanted, and that caused him to keep secrets he shouldn't have kept. Marcus had gone to great lengths to overcome what he saw as negatives in his childhood, not understanding that they made him the man he was today. These "secrets" ending up costing him Avery's trust, which was hard for him to regain. I liked Avery a bit better. Her father had been emotionally distant after the death of Avery's mother and this caused some self esteem issues with Avery. Marcus was good for her in that he saw her for the wonderful person that she was. She knew she was falling for him, but sensed that there were things he wasn't telling her. When they came out she felt betrayed and it took someone else pointing out the things that made her love him should cause her to give him a second chance. I did like the final scenes when they made up.
Series: Chattan Curse (Book 1)
"When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above..."
They call him Lord Lyon, proud, determined -- and cursed. He is in need
of a bride, but if he falls in love, he dies. His fervent hope is that
by marrying -- and having a son -- without love, perhaps he can break
the curse's chains forever.
Enter beautiful Thea Martin -- a duke's headstrong, errant daughter and
society's most brilliant matchmaker. Years ago, she and Lyon were
inseparable, until he disappeared from her life without a word. Now she
is charged with finding Lyon's bride -- a woman he cannot love for a man
Thea could love too well.
Very good book. Thea is a widow who is working as a matchmaker. Lyon comes to her to find a bride for him - one that would be a suitable mother for his children but that he is in no danger of loving. His family has been suffering under a curse for a long time and he doesn't want to take a chance. He and Thea had been friends as teenagers until he began to care for her and his father took him away to protect them both. Now they find that their youthful feelings are growing. Thea doesn't believe in curses and has come to love him very much. Lyon knows he cares but refuses to admit it. When circumstances force them to marry, they start a wonderful life together. Then the dreams start and Lyon's health starts to suffer. I really liked Thea and the love she felt for her sons. I also liked the way she didn't want to let the curse define their lives. Lyon finally admitted that he cared for Thea and decided to go for the love for as long as possible. I also loved how good he was with Thea's sons and how much they liked him showed what a good person he really was. In the end, they and Lyon's brother and sister decided to take measures to find out more about the curse in hopes of breaking it, which is where the next book will begin. I really liked both of Lyon's siblings also. In both you can see the tortured effect of the curse, and want to root for them to receive their own happy ending.
Badly scarred captain Caine Morleigh must marry
to inherit. Who better than the homeliest young woman left over at the
end of the London season? After all, she will require little attention
to keep her happy....
Lady Grace Renfair leaps at the only chance to escape her emotionally
abusive uncle and accepts Caine's proposal. Soon she blooms with
confidence and beauty, causing her husband's forbidding exterior to
crumble.
If she could only reach beyond his scars to the gentleman beneath....
Very good book. I really liked both Caine and Grace. Caine needed to marry in order to inherit. Because of his recent injury and scarring he decided to pick a woman who might be less popular and therefore willing to settle for him. When Caine saw Grace in the ballroom he was immediately drawn to her and offered for her on the spot. Grace had been kept a virtual prisoner by her uncle and was worried about losing her life at his hands. She couldn't understand why Caine's ex-fiancee had been so cruel and saw nothing wrong with him. She was immediately drawn to him also. There were several attempts made on Grace and Caine's lives and Caine sent Grace to his country estate to keep her safe. I loved seeing Grace's independence and the way she was able to take control of situations. I loved the way that she saw what a good man Caine was and wanted to break through his reserve with her. Caine didn't want to actually care about Grace, but couldn't resist her. I loved his protective feelings toward Grace and how he wanted what was best for her - even though he didn't listen at first to the fact she wanted him. I also loved the way that Grace could see what he was doing and didn't let him get away with it. I enjoyed the culmination of the plot against Grace and how she took part in her own rescue. I liked Caine's friend Trent, and I hope that he gets his own story.
London society has its very own Cupid. Renowned
horse breeder and occasional matchmaker Devin Baldwin pairs eligible
young ladies with suitable gentlemen based on his theory of animal
magnetism. Unafraid of ruffling the ton’s feathers, this darkly handsome
Cupid doles out tips for bettering one’s chances of meeting a mate that
are as pointed as the love legend’s sharpest arrows!
Lovely Amanda Locke, the daughter of a duke, is everything a nobleman
could desire, yet she enters her third Season still searching for a
match. Gossipmongers’ tongues are wagging, and her mystified family is
considering drastic measures to find her a husband. But the insufferable
advice of this Cupid fellow is the last thing Amanda wants.
When an earl passionate about horses becomes the target of her husband
hunt, Amanda knows it’s time to overcome her fear of riding. With her
sister-in-law Ophelia hastening the romance along by arranging riding
lessons, Amanda is soon taking instruction from infuriating Devin
Baldwin. Astonishingly, in her daily encounters with Devin -- who treats
her as an ordinary young woman, not a prize to be won at the marriage
mart -- Amanda experiences passion for the first time. Now, her search
for a match takes her in an unexpected direction as she finds herself
falling in love with Cupid himself.
Good book. Amanda has begun her third Season and is still looking for a husband. She doesn't understand why she hasn't immediately fallen in love with someone. When she encounters Devin at a ball, she takes an instant dislike to him, especially when he starts giving her unwanted advice. Devin has set up a new horsebreeding farm near London and has started attending events in order to make more contacts for his business. He has fallen into matchmaking because of his ability to match up people he thinks would suit outside of the usual methods. He is also very blunt and doesn't dress things up in pretty words. When Amanda sets her sights on a gentleman who is horse mad, she finds she needs to learn to ride in a hurry. Even though she doesn't like him, she starts riding lessons with Devin. Over the weeks of her lessons, she finds herself losing her antagonism to Devin and enjoying his company. She finds him very easy to talk to, and his patience in getting her over her fear of riding was just what she needed. The only thing she can't understand is why she keeps thinking about him instead of the man she had picked out. Devin finds Amanda incredibly attractive and not a little frustrating. But he is a bastard and knows that there is no way he could ever win her for himself. He tells Amanda of his birth to scare her off from the attraction she feels and is stunned to find that it doesn't matter at all to her. When she is attacked, he rescues her and while comforting her their passion takes over. When he tells her she must forget about him, she rides off with him chasing her and someone shoots at them. Devin takes off to find out who is father is, for he feels that he is the one trying to kill him. The revelations that come out are very interesting and explain a lot of things that had been happening. I really liked the ending, and how Amanda's father and brother treat Devin. Overall, I really liked the book. The only problem I had with this one, was the frequent use of contractions such as "a'tall", "m'dear" and so on. It may be the way it sounded when they talked, but reading it was very distracting.
Series: Gentlemen of Disrepute (Book 1)
With trembling hands Arabella dons the mask of Miss Noir for her first
night at Mrs. Silver's House of Pleasures. Thinking of her young son,
she prepares to smile prettily at the next gentleman who enters....
Dominic Furneaux, Duke of Arlesford, is stunned to see that the woman
who shattered his heart has fallen so low. He offers her a way out -- by
making her his mistress!
The temptation to reacquaint herself with Dominic's body is hard for
Arabella to resist, but Dominic needs only to look into the
Furneaux-blue eyes of her son to uncover Arabella's deepest secret...
Very good book. I really liked Arabella. She had done everything she could to try to support her mother and son, but had run out of options. When her worst nightmare happens and it is Dominic who buys her "favors" she is terrified that he will learn her secret. Dominic's reaction to seeing the woman who broke his heart is to make her his mistress. However, he finds that, even believing the worst of her, he cannot treat her badly. Each finds that their feelings for each other have not died. They also find out that they had been torn apart years before by the lies and deceptions of others. When he finds out about her son, he proposes marriage. But when Arabella is threatened with exposure, and harm to her son and Dominic, she breaks off their engagement. Dominic is furious and hurt at first, but then realizes that something was wrong. I really enjoyed seeing the way that Dominic worked to make things right, and loved the way he dealt with the blackmailer. The conclusion was fantastic. I am looking forward to reading Hunter's story.
Series: Legendary Lovers (Book 1)
In Nicole Jordan's dazzling new Regency series, the scandalous Wilde
cousins seek true love by imitating history's legendary lovers . . .
beginning with Ashton Wilde, Marquis of Beaufort, who takes on the
daunting role of Prince Charming to an unlikely Cinderella.
Thanks to the mischievous meddling of his matchmaking sister, Ashton
Wilde meets a damsel in distress during the midnight magic of a lavish
ball. But Maura Collyer isn't looking for a prince -- or an intimate
pairing with any member of the scandalous noble Wilde family.
Intrigued by Maura's beauty and daring, Ash is determined to aid in the
rescue of her beloved stallion, gambled away by her wicked stepmother to
an evil viscount. As their adventure becomes rife with peril and
passion, Ash suspects he's found his heart's desire.
Even though her dearest friend may be her self-proclaimed fairy
godmother, Maura is mortified at being pushed into a romance with a
notorious rake such as Ash. Dashing and charming, he comes to Maura's
rescue just in time to help her steal back her precious horse. As they
flee across the countryside, she can't resist his sweet seduction. But
is her prince playing a role in a fairy tale to test an improbable
theory, or is the love awakening in her heart proof of her own happily
ever after?
Good book. I really like the Wilde family. I love the way they are so close and help each other when needed. They are scandalous without being too bad to be accepted. I love the way that Ash's sister Katherine has decided to help each of them find their true love. Ash doesn't think it's possible for Katherine to pick the perfect one for him, but when he comes to Maura's aid at the ball, he is intrigued by her. Maura doesn't want his help, doesn't think she needs to be "rescued". She is very independent, and has been for years, especially since the death of her father. When Maura steals back her horse, Ash is there to lend a hand, and eventually she has to admit he has been a help. He talks her into a fake engagement to protect her reputation and to help prove the viscount's wrongdoing. During that time, Maura begins to develop feelings she didn't want, and is sure that Ash does not feel the same way. She is also sure that she is not a suitable bride for him anyway. Ash was attracted to Maura from the beginning, but found that those feelings were supplemented by feelings of protectiveness and tenderness that he wasn't sure what to do about. When the horse was rescued, and the bad guy vanquished, Maura told Ash goodbye and went back to her horse farm. I loved the way that Katherine had to straighten him out, but I also loved the way that Ash gave Maura time to herself before he went after her. A very satisfying read, and I'm looking forward to the others.
Adopting
the guise of a buttoned-up spinster is nothing new for Chloe Hardwick.
But under the watchful eye of her unnervingly handsome employer, the
Marquess of Marland, for the first time Chloe yearns to be unbuttoned!
Yet he sees her only as his assistant, the efficient Hardwick -- not as
Chloe the woman.
Determined to escape Braedon's cold detachment, Chloe leaves. And when
he pursues her to London, determined to entice her back, Braedon is
utterly unprepared for what he finds there -- the real Chloe
Hardwick....
Good book. Chloe has done an excellent job as Braedon's assistant. She has come to the point that she longs to find the real her, under the disguise of the so efficient Hardwick. She also realizes that she has fallen for Braedon, and that he is unlikely to love her back. So she goes to London with Braedon's sister, to assist that lady with the planning of a special party. Braedon can't believe that Chloe has left. She was there one day, in her shapeless clothing, doing her job. Then she appeared one night wearing one of his sister's dresses, and leaves the next day. He follows them to London, hoping to talk her into coming back, but ends up involving her in a search for a special artifact. Braedon has always kept a tight lid on his emotions, but spending time with the new Chloe has put some cracks in the walls around his heart. I love the way she keeps getting under his skin, He unwillingly opens up about something, then retreats. When the confrontation with a bad guy occurs, she is badly shaken, but then leaves him. I loved seeing him grovel at the end.
Series: The Ugly Ducklings (Book 1)
What's a wallflower to do when she's suddenly in need of a husband? Use
all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she wants...
Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt
than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father's
exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of
its members. To clear her ailing father's name of a scandalous rumor,
Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club -- and is willing
to marry any old dullard to do it.
Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He's a dashing
and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily -- even if that means
looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow,
this season's most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for
wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing
during one of Lord Hurston's expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the
explorer's bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth
about what happened...or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than
either he or Cecily could have imagined....
Good book. I really liked Lucas. In spite of his first appearance, when he was truly rude to Cecily, he is a really nice guy who is currently under a lot of stress. Once he has calmed down, he realizes he owes her an apology, and soon discovers he is very attracted to her. He and Cecily decide to work together to find out what happened to Lucas's brother, and as a result spend a lot of time together. Due some unforeseen circumstances they end up married, and continue their investigations. I really liked Cecily's intelligence and the fact that she had no problem using it. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussions that she and Lucas had, especially when she was able to convince him of her point of view. I really liked that he wasn't intimidated by her intelligence, but rather enjoyed it. I could see them falling in love, though neither one wanted to admit it. Cecily had been hurt in the past and was trying to protect herself and Lucas just didn't want to admit it. The mystery itself was good, though I did figure out the bad guy fairly early. There were parts of his infamy that were a surprise which did make for a nice bonus. The romance was very good, and I liked the way that Lucas continued to woo Cecily even after they were married. My only complaint was that I found the story dragged a little in a few places.
Series: Ladies in Disgrace (Book 3)
Outspoken Lady Priscilla is the only woman in London brave enough not to
simper at Robert Magson. As the Duke of Reighland, he needs a wife and
this captivating woman would surely keep life interesting!
Despite the obvious sexual attraction between them, Lady Priscilla
doesn't wish to marry -- ever -- for she hides a shameful secret. Surely
a duke deserves more than a ruined woman? But once Robert sets his
sights on something beautiful, he will do anything in his power to claim
it!
I loved this book. Priscilla doesn't intend to marry. She foolishly eloped the previous year with an unsuitable man, did not marry him, and was assaulted by him in the process. She did this in an attempt to escape her father. Now she attends few functions, as her father won't allow her to attend anything where her sister is present (see Book 2 - Lady Drusilla's Road to Ruin), and he and her stepmother are pressuring her to marry. Her father has encouraged the Duke of Reighland, as a way to get rid of Priscilla and make an alliance beneficial to himself, and won't allow Priscilla to refuse. Robert is looking for a wife that will help him settle in to his role as the Duke, and who won't bore him to death in the meantime. Priscilla is the only one who doesn't suck up to him - she is doing everything she can to discourage him. I loved the way that he doesn't let her scare him off with her attitude. When she finally realizes that he is the best she'll be able to do, she is honest with him about her past, which he appreciates. I thought the way that he realized that her problem with him could be solved with patience and gentle attention was fantastic. I loved the fact that they finally realized they could be happy together. When the nasty man returns to make trouble for Priscilla, she breaks off the engagement to Robert to protect him from her scandal. I thought the way that Robert got her to stand up to society was fantastic, and then his actions at the dinner were priceless. This was a terrific conclusion to the series.
Series: Blackthorn Brothers (Book 3)
Who is the darkly handsome Don John "Black Jack" Blackthorn? With his
air of mystery and menace, the whispers about him hint of highwayman or
government agent or even dark prince. But no one knows what it is Black
Jack does...or how dangerous he can truly be. Now Jack's mentor has
disappeared, and Jack must track him down before it's too late. His
unlikely help: the man's daughter -- the very woman Jack had once wooed
and betrayed.
Lady Tess Fonteneau knows more about the fine art of clandestine
activities -- and about the mysterious Mr. Blackthorn -- than he
realizes. As their journey leads them on the adventure of a lifetime,
their reunion is fraught with passion, high-stakes danger and the one
twist of fate Jack never saw coming....
Very good book. I liked Jack when he appeared in the previous books. His role in this book is to track down his missing mentor. In doing so, he meets up again with Tess, his first love whom he has never really forgotten. Their initial meeting is not friendly, and you get an idea of all the issues they will have to overcome. Tess is not very happy to see Jack at first, as she still blames him for her brother's death. As they spend time together trying to find her father, they both find out that there are many things that are not what they appeared to be at the time. Jack also has to come to terms with the issues of his parents in this book, and there are a couple of surprises dealing with that. Tess also finds that her father is not the man she thought he was. There is a lot of convoluted activity in this story, as Tess's father is creating events that will cause people to do what he wants them to do. I enjoyed the whole book, but the last third was the best, and the final showdown was great.
Waking up in a stranger's bed, Henrietta Markham encounters the most
darkly sensual man she has ever met. The last thing she remembers is
being attacked by a housebreaker -- yet being rescued by the notorious
Earl of Pentland feels much more dangerous!
Since the cataclysmic failure of his marriage, ice has flowed in Rafe
St. Alban's veins. But meeting impetuous, all-too-distracting governess
Henrietta heats his blood to the boiling point.
When she's accused of theft, Rafe finds himself offering to clear her
name. Can Henrietta's innocence bring this hardened rake to his knees?
Good book. Rafe made an incredibly tortured hero. He did a great job of rescuing Henrietta the first time, even though he didn't want to. Then he stepped up to clear her name of the charges of theft. He had a terrible habit of going back and forth between cold and kind. I really liked Henrietta. She was a bit on the naive side, but she was a good person. She could see that Rafe had his issues, but she came to see that he was a good person under that rake-like exterior. I loved the way that she said what she thought, without any thought of lying. I also respected the fact that she stood up to Rafe and declined his offer, rather than settle for less than she felt deserved. I loved the concluding scenes.
Series: Blackthorn Brothers (Book 2)
Meet the Blackthorn Brothers -- three unrepentant scoundrels infamous for being mad, bad and perilous to love.
Handsome as the devil and twice as tempting, Robin "Puck" Blackthorn
lives for the pleasures of the moment. His only rule -- never dally with
an innocent woman. But when an encounter at a masquerade ball leaves
him coveting the one woman who refuses to succumb to his charms, Puck
realizes that some rules were made to be broken….
Scandalized to discover that the masked man with whom she'd shared a
dance -- and a forbidden embrace -- is in fact the ton's most celebrated
rake, Regina Hackett vows to keep her distance. Yet when her cousin
vanishes, it is to Puck that Regina must turn. And as they embark on a
dangerous journey through London's darkest alleys, Regina will discover
that beneath Puck's roguish facade lies a man who will stop at nothing
to protect her -- or to convince her to take a chance on an unrepentant
sinner.
Great book. I could tell immediately that Puck may be a cheerful rogue, but he is also a very intelligent one. I loved the way he put the moves on Regina at the ball, then backed off when he realized she was an innocent. Then he immediately jumped in to help when Miranda went missing. His creativity was amazing. I really liked the way that Regina was able to keep her head at the beginning and help Puck come up with the story they used. I also liked the strength she showed in insisting on helping, not just staying behind. I enjoyed the detective work they did, and seeing Jack and his friends helping along the way. The chemistry between Puck and Regina was pretty intense, and I loved the caring that was there from the beginning.
Series: Madison Sisters (Book 3)
Let the hunt begin ...
Lisa Madison wants a husband, and she has just the candidate in mind:
Robert Langley. Trouble is, the infuriating man insists on seeing her as
the impish girl she once was -- even as every other gentleman in London
has taken notice of her womanly . . . charms. When her beauty lands her
in danger, it's Robert who comes to the rescue, only to announce his
affections are not of the romantic kind!
Robert saw enough sorrow in his parents' union to know he wants nothing
to do with marriage, which is exactly what he'll be trapped into if he
acts on his desire for the irksome siren. And then Lisa does what Robert
least expects: gives up on him! As feigned indifference gives way,
blistering passion burns at last. But just before the pair can succumb
to hard-won bliss, an enemy with unfinished business lurks, threatening
to destroy them both.
Loved this book. Lisa has been in love with Robert for years, but can't get him to see her as a woman, not the child he remembers. When he tells her he doesn't feel that way about her, she gives up and starts looking elsewhere, even though she still loves him. I loved watching him as he tried to convince himself that he saw her as a sister. His issues with marriage have him planning to not marry for many years yet. However, he finds him in the position of having to guard her, which causes him to realize that he wants her but doesn't want to risk the family curse. He also realizes that he doesn't want anyone else to have her. When his actions make Lisa realize that he does care, she takes things into her own hands to try to get him to admit it. I loved the interaction between the two, and watching Robert fight the inevitable. The final rescues are great. I loved the humor in some of the situations.
Series: Williamsburg (Book 7)
