Your Wicked Ways

Your Wicked Ways By Eloisa James

Publisher’s Description:

Helene, the Countess Godwin, knows there is nothing more unbearably tedious than a virtuous woman.  After all, she’s been one for ten long years while her scoundrel of a husband lives with strumpets and causes scandal after scandal.  So she decides it’s time for a change – she styles her hair in the newest, daring mode, puts on a shockingly transparent gown, and goes to a ball like Cinderella, hoping to find a prince charming to sweep her off her feet…and into his bed.

But instead of a prince, she finds only her volatile, infuriatingly handsome…husband, Rees, the Earl Godwin.  They’d eloped to Gretna Green in a fiery passion, but passion can sometimes burn too hot to last.

But now, Rees makes her a brazen offer, and Helene decides to become his wife again…but not in name only.  No, this time she decides to be very, very wicked indeed.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Only four character POV in this one, so very easy to follow.  There is a quick addition of a couple characters at the end for brief “what’s going on here?” pieces, but I think it adds to the story, rather than confuses it.

Sex – 3

The sex scenes between the hero and heroine (especially the first one) are awkward and brutish.  While it tells the story of why the hero is the way he is, I don’t know many romance fans who wish to see their hero in that kind of light during a love scene.  While they get better toward the end, they still won’t sweep you off your feet.

Language – 3

The hero does display some rough language.  He is known for his moody out bursts and abusive behavior to those around him, as well as a rather scandalous nature.  All told it is not a terrible, just present.

Storyline – 5

The storyline saves the whole book.  The main hero and secondary hero are the antithesis of each other – or are they?  I like that there was not a definitive black and white sense to any of the characters.  No one subscribed to the stereo-type they were given by society.  It truly is a story of “don’t judge a book by its cover”.

Historical Accuracy – 4

Once again, Ms. James excels in adding interesting historical tidbits into her work.  While she admits to freely piecing together inspirations to some characters, her inclusion of the historical basis for those inspirations at the end of the book makes the experience all the more magical.  In this instance her inspiration behind the heroine’s contribution to the music of the time.

Overall – 4

As I said above, this book is all about the story.  Using characters that have been built on in previous books and then adding two new characters that add drama and intrigue, but don’t distract from the main characters, makes this book a winner.  This is a perfect example of an author not sacrificing the story to add torrid love scenes in order to appease the populace.  Awesome!     

Rant:

It will always bug me, until my dying day, what Mayne does to Helene.  It was despicable, and completely below him.  And then to turn around and to claim he still loved her.  Ugh!

Rave:

The brilliance with which the storyline of Tom and Lena was dealt with brought tears to my eyes.  I thought it was both sweet and brave that the risk being taken by everyone involved was downplayed for the greater good.  I even liked how Mayne (pig that he was) played his part in the scenario.

A Wild Pursuit

A Wild Pursuit By Eloisa James

Publisher’s Description:

It is whispered behind the fans of London’s dowagers and in the corners of fashionable ballrooms that scandal follows willfully wild Lady Beatrix Lennox wherever she goes.  Three years before, the debutante created a sensation by being found in a distinctly compromising position.  Now, the ton has branded her as unmarriageable, her family has called her a vixen, and Beatrix sees no reason not to go after what – and who – she wishes.

And she wants Stephen Fairfax-Lacy, the handsome Earl of Spade.  Beatrix, with her brazen suggestions and irresistibly sensuous allure, couldn’t be more different from the earl’s ideal future bride.  Yet Beatrix brings out a wildness in the earl he has tried to deny far too long.  Still, he’s not about to play love’s game by Lady Beatrix’s rules.  She may be used to being on top in affairs of the heart, but that will soon change.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 3

This book did get slightly tangled up in the points of view.  Between Bea, Stephen, Esme, and Sebastian there was plenty of movement, but there were also some points of view from Arabella, Helene, and Honoratia.  It did get a bit confusing to follow a couple of times.  As such there were also a few minor discrepancies in titles and pronouns.

Sex – 3

While not completely overtaxing, there did seem to be a great many love scenes (or almost love scenes) in this book.  More than half of them were courtesy of Esme (who was very pregnant) and Sebastian, and were bordering on risqué in nature.  (Note: I am not a prude.  I did enjoy the scenes.  I am simply commenting on the number).   

Language – 4

Bea tries to be shocking in every aspect of her nature, and this includes her language.  While her language is certainly nothing outrageous by today’s standards, during that time period it would have been considered quite vulgar.

Storyline – 5

Despite the tangled points of view and the many love scenes, I found the storyline quite enjoyable.  The idea of a female version of a rake (Bea) pursuing, and being pursued by, a puritanical male (Stephan) is quite an interesting twist.  I also thought the idea of Stephan (being puritanical) having three lovers accounted to him at once was quite humorous.  Sebastian and Esme’s story came to a very pleasing close, and we saw a glimpse of Helene and Rees’ story finally taking off.

Historical Accuracy – 5

As I have said before in my previous reviews, Ms. James is very studious in her historical research for her novels.  I will, therefore, forgive her for her admitted lapse in giving Richard Barnfield the name “Stephen” (probably a mix up with the hero’s name). 

Overall – 4

This was a very satisfying read.  I believe that Sebastian and Esme’s story really pushed this one into a different realm on emotions.  To see a story played out over the course of three different novels is quite an emotional bonding for a reader.  Then, on top of that, to create new characters and not have them lost in the shuffle is an achievement like no other.  Brava, Ms. James!    

Rant:

I had hoped the story with Fanny would end differently.  While I am sympathetic of people who have suffered loss in their life, there is not accounting for the horrid way she treated her daughter and sister.  I guess not every character gets to atone for their sins.

Rave:

The poetry reading at the end of the book was FABULOUS!

Fool For Love

Fool For Love By Eloisa James

Publisher’s Description:

THE WOMAN

Lady Henrietta Maclellan longs for the romantic swirl of a London season.  But as a rusticating country maiden, she has always kept her sensuous nature firmly under wraps – until she meets Simon Darby.  Simon makes her want to whisper promises late at night, exchange kisses on a balcony, receive illicit love notes.  So Henrietta lets her imagination soar and writes…

THE LETTER

A very steamy love letter that becomes shockingly public.  Everyone supposes that he has written in to her, but the truth hardly matters in the face of the scandal to come if they don’t marry at once.  But nothing has quite prepared Henrietta for the pure sensuality of…

THE MAN

Simon has vowed he will never turn himself into a fool over a woman.  So, while debutantes swoon as he disdainfully strides past the lovely ladies of the ton, he ignores them all…until Henrietta.  Could it be possible that he has been the foolish one all along?

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

The multiple points of view that Ms. James is known for is actually tamed down and very organized in this book.  The story is not once bogged down with needless information of “fillers”.

Sex – 4

I actually like the playfulness that Ms. James adds to love scenes.  I also liked how in this book she makes the scenes actually informative.  I have always wondered about the birth control practices of the past, so her addition of the sheath (sponge) in this story was actually well placed.

Language – 4

Language is very mild, with only the inclusion of such “curse words” that would not be so shocking today.  The only person who ventures out of that realm is actually the previously starchy Sebastian, who learns a new song in a pub.

Storyline – 4

While Henrietta and Simon are the “main” hero and heroine, as a reader you are more drawn to Esme and Sebastian.  They are familiar and the reader feels like they are already invested in their story.  I think this may slightly take away from Henrietta and Simon, as you don’t really bond with them as much with the other characters.

Historical Accuracy – 5

Ms. James is a slave to historical accuracy (unless she intentionally sheds it for creative reasons), so I will mention a fun fact here.  The story takes place around the time machine looms had become common place in the production of Bedfordshire Lace (1812).  It adds a bit of romanticism to think Simon may have had something to do with that.

Overall – 4

This book was actually a very quick read.  It doesn’t drag on and, as a reader, you are left emotionally sated at the end.  I love the evolution of Esme and Sebastian, as well as getting a few more clues about Helene, and finally meeting the “horrid” Rees.    

Rant:

Josie is a brat.  There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  Her tantrums just rubbed me the wrong way.  I had no sympathy for her, whatsoever.

Rave:

I loved Esme’s reaction to seeing Sebastian again.  She wanted so badly to be angry at him, but she had to admit (to herself at least) that a she was actually still in love with him.  Then, to cap it off, his reaction to realizing she was pregnant was priceless.  He didn’t immediately claim the child as his, but instead loved the child because it was hers.

Duchess In Love

Duchess In Love By Eloisa James

Publisher’s Description:

A DUKE IN RETREAT

Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she’d have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom.  Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.

A LADY IN THE MIDDLE

Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London…living on the edge of scandal – desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to anyone.

A DUCHESS IN LOVE

Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naïve bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton.  Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love – with his own wife!

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Given Ms. James love for using multiple points of view, the story jumps a lot, and it can be a struggle to keep track of all of the details.  However, none of this led to any grave missteps in conflicting details or missed concepts.

Sex – 4

The sex scenes range from the sensual and steamy to the downright fun and endearing.  Where most authors in this genre shy away from playfulness in bedroom scenes, Ms. James shows no such reservations and “dives” right in. *Pun intended for those who have read the story*

Language – 4

There are a few random words let loose by the hero and a couple of the other male characters, but none that left lasting impressions.

Storyline – 5

There are really three stories twisting around each other in this book.  Two of the stories are so closely intertwined they could simply be the same story with four characters.  The third story is a charming side story that really makes you want to stand up and cheer in the end.

Historical Accuracy – 4

Ms. James is a slave to historical accuracy (unless she intentionally sheds it for creative reasons), so I will mention a fun fact here.  While I could not find a reference to a “Finkler” in my research of fishing, I did find a reference to The Art of Angling by Richard Brookes (1790) that would have been the foremost authority to the budding popularity of fly fishing at the time.

Overall – 4

This was a very fun book to read.  The characters were complex and every time you think you had one of them pinned down, they would do or say something that completely bucked your perception.  I found myself enjoying the multiple plotlines, despite my usual preference to simplicity of story, and kept wanting to hear more and more about one character or another.  This approach really helps you develop a bond with the characters.    

Rant:

I still don’t understand the point of the pig in the inn.  It just didn’t make sense to me.

Rave:

I loved so much about the bath scene I couldn’t even begin to pin point my favorite element.  It was all lovely.

The Serpent Prince

The Serpent Prince By Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher’s Description:

When the devil meets an angel…

Country bred Lucy Craddock-Hayes is content with her quiet life.  Until the day she trips over an unconscious man – a naked, unconscious man – and loses her innocence forever.

he can take her to heaven…

Viscount Simon Iddesleigh was nearly beaten to death by his enemies.  Now he’s hell-bent on vengeance.  But as Lucy nurses him back to health, her honesty startles his jaded sensibilities – even as it ignites a desire that threatens to consume them both.

or to hell.

Charmed by Simon’s sly wit, urbane manners, and even his red-heeled shoes, Lucy falls hard and fast for him.  Yet as his honor keeps him from ravishing her, his revenge sends his attackers to her door.  As Simon wages war on his foes, Lucy wages her own war for his soul using the only weapon she has – her love.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Wow.  This story flowed so well, I was amazed at its seamless quality.  Not for one minute was I bored by a particular passage, nor was I ever tempted to speed-read, skim, or even skip a passage.  The multiple points of view all worked together to tell the story breathlessly without leaving the reader wondering why the author chose that moment to jump to another point of view. 

Sex – 4

The plot relies more on sensuality rather than sex.  There are the requisite scenes, which are well placed and tastefully written, that continue the story on its necessary path.

Language – 3

While the hero of this story tends toward the vulgar in much of his lifestyle, he does not resort to needless vulgarity in his language.  A few characters, including the heroine’s father, do utter curse words here and there, but the scenes do not remain impressed on the reader’s mind.

Storyline – 5

This must have been a very difficult storyline to tackle.  There are so many tough issues intertwined in this story and, I have to say, Ms. Hoyt nailed it!  Revenge has always been a popular subject is Romance, but very few authors will venture to ask the tough question “How does this revenge affect the person carrying it out?”, much less answer it.

Historical Accuracy – 4

The duels fought in this book, as well as The Raven Prince, were fought with swords.  However, the popularity of pistol duels had outmoded fencing duels some twenty years prior to the setting of this book.  As the challenged parties, Simon’s opponents would have been the ones to choose the weapons.  Under no normal circumstances would any of his opponents have chosen to fence him knowing his status as a master.

Overall – 5

I loved this book.  From beginning to end this book held my interest.  The characters were funny and smart, and Ms. Hoyt even managed to create an empathetic antagonist.    

Rant:

I was sad that the destruction of Simon’s green house was not further discussed.  It would have made a perfect epilogue, the reconstruction of the green house to represent the reconstruction of his life.  I was also sad that Christian and Simon’s relationship turned out the way it did.  It was inevitable, but sad all the same.

Rave:

The two scenes in which Lucy enters the green house were beautifully written.  I wanted to cry during both because before the first scene you forgot that Simon was a horticulturist, and because you just knew what the loss of the green house meant to Simon.

The Leopard Prince

The Leopard Prince By Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher’s Description:

The one thing a lady must never do…

Wealthy Gerogina Maitland doesn’t want a husband, though she could use a good steward to run her estates.  One look at Harry Pye, and Georgina knows she is not just dealing with a servant, but a man.

Is fall in love…

Harry has known many aristocrats – including one particular nobleman who is his sworn enemy.  But Harry has never met a beautiful lady so independent, uninhibited, and eager to be in his arms.

With her servant.

 Still, it is impossible to conduct a discreet liaison when dead sheep, murdered villagers, and an enraged magistrate have the county in an uproar.  The locals blame Harry for everything.  Soon it’s all Georgina can do to keep her head above water and Harry’s out of the noose, without missing another night of love.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 3

There is some inconsistency as to the intentions of the hero and heroine.  They can’t seem to make up their minds as to whether or not they trust each other.  One minute their actions prove that the trust is there, but the next minute they are torn apart by indecision.  This can be frustrating and distracting. 

Sex – 4

While the scenes are risqué, there is a stamp of class and overlying sensuality that rescues it from being tasteless.  The story moves both with and without them, so they are well placed.

Language – 3

You will find some harsh language in the pub and fight scenes, but they are not out of place.  None of the characters sport particularly vulgar personalities, so foul language pops up, but is quickly forgotten.

Storyline – 5

I loved this story.  There is mystery, sensuality, a smart back and forth between many of the characters, and a real concern that people can relate to overall.  I enjoyed the fairy tale (though not as much as the Raven Prince), and I particularly liked how this time Ms. Hoyt had the heroine telling the story, as opposed to simply reading it.

Historical Accuracy – 4

While not much is mentioned about the time period the date provided shows us it is the end of the Georgian period, transitioning into the Regency Period.  This was a time of great political concern because the French Revolution had just occurred and the English were very much worried about whether their commoners would rise up against them.  The public attitude toward Harry (as a commoner) was accurate, but the attitude toward Bennet, a known bastard who was favored by his father over the heir, was not.  He would not have been accepted in society, no matter how much Lord Granville bullied and blustered.

Overall – 4

This book was well written, and enjoyable.  I admit to being frustrated by my lack of empathy toward the hero and heroine, but this should not take away from the overall merits of the book. 

Rant:

My issue with this book comes down to how many times the characters bull-headedly proved they didn't trust each other, despite having no reason not to.  Harry trusts George enough to protect her, but not enough to believe she loves him.  George trusts Harry enough to not believe the rumors about him (despite some pretty damning evidence), but not enough to believe he won't abandon her.  It's one of those things that make you want to tear your hair out.  Because of this I had a hard time really bonding with the hero and heroine, and, let's face it, for a book to be well received that needs to happen.

Rave:

The mystery of who is killing the sheep is stellar.  There are so many people you want to believe it could be.  In the end the person who did it was moot, because the real villain was just so horrendous all of you hate and venom was used up praying for something awful to happen to him…which it does!