Second Chance Honeymoon

Second Chance Honeymoon by Ally Blake

Juliana "JJ" Jones has gotten very good at running.  She has run away from every uncomfortable situation she has ever found herself in; from marriage to a man she thought she knew, but didn't, to a job for a boss with grabby hands.  Now, however, she has landed right smack dab in the middle of a situation she can't run from: A Second Honeymoon Cruise for seniors.

Kane Phillips loves his job as Fitness Director on the Royal Pacific.  He specifically loves working the Second Honeymoon Cruise because there is something revitalizing about watching these seniors really live their lives, with no worries of him breaking the forbidden staff/guest romance rule.  It also helps him keep his mind off the hell that caused him to go wild and blow a successful football career out of the water.  Convinced that his wild days were behind him, he is thrown for a loop when he meets JJ, a Wild Girl who just might be worth the chance of risking everything.

This was a super fun read.  The characters were incredibly real, with problems that nearly everyone can relate to.  JJ is the friend everyone either had, or was, in high school.  You know, the one who would charge in to every situation with a twinkle in their eye and a smile that said "watch me".  Everyone laughed at them at the time, but also knew that it was probably a front for something.

Kane is the typical "man's man" that every woman wants to have, and every man wants to know.  Under it all, though, he is endearingly humble and wise to his own weaknesses.  He isn't dismissive of his fame and doesn't bleed false modesty, he is just very aware that he made some big mistakes and wishes to move on from them.

The supporting characters are a riot.  I love seniors to begin with.  The best hours of my life have been spent listening to funny stories of things that happened "when I was your age".  These characters are so on the money that I could actually envision having a conversation with each one of them.

Overall, the book is a blast.  A quick read and so worth it.  At the end I felt that the story was finished, with nothing more to be said.  It didn't drag on, or speed through, keeping a great pace all the way through.  A great beach read for the summer.  One of my rare Perfect 5's.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Bride That Wouldn't

The Bride That Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli

When Kate Edwards was told that Isaak Zaretsky wanted to speak with her she knew it wasn't to offer condolences for the loss of her fiance and close friend.  No, she knew he would want back the million dollars Ivor had given her as part of their marriage contract.  She figured he would also want answers as to why she had been planning to marry his elderly uncle in the first place.  What she didn't expect was for him to suggest taking Ivor's place in the contract and marry her himself.  Too bad he didn't read the fine print, because she has no plans on actually consummating the marriage.

Issak Zaretsky is a rich, international playboy, who is growing tired of the scandals that seem to follow his family.  Upon the discovery that his beloved uncle had actually contracted a multi-million dollar sham marriage just prior to his death, he tracks down the harlot with the intent of finding out what spell she had over the savvy old man.  However, his plans take a turn when he realizes that there is more to Kate than meets the eye.  Quickly he sees both a way to take the public eye off of his brother's recent scandal and give himself a reprieve from the lifestyle he is finding more and more tedious.  But the more he gets to know Kate, the more he realizes that he wants to renegotiate the contract.

I have always been biased toward Russian heroes.  Ever since I was a teenager I have thought that Russian men were the height of macho.  Reading this book brought back so many memories of reading Harlequin Presents in college and drooling over the Russian Gymnastics Team at the Olympics (yes, I had a crush on Alexei Nemov...who didn't).

I found the premise of the story surprisingly believable, and quite endearing.  The characters face problems that most people can understand.  It makes it very easy to sympathize with them when the conflicts are relateable, even if the characters are not (who's going to relate to a rich Russian playboy?).

The love scenes are steamy, there is a bit of colorful language, and the fight scenes are volatile and highly emotional.  In fact, my favorite scenes were the ones where the emotions were flying.

Overall, the story is excellent and the series is well set for a great continuation.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Home for Christmas

Home for Christmas By Melissa McClone

Since childhood Rachel Murphy has dreamed of owning her own bakery.  Just weeks prior to seeing her dreams become a reality she discovers that she trusted the wrong people, and now she not only has no bakery, but also no money and no job.  She decides to spend Christmas with her brother in Montana in order to clear her head, and plan her next move.  If she can make a little money on the side making gingerbread, all the better.

Nate Vaughn always knew that eventually he would inherit the Bar V5 ranch one day, but he never anticipated rescuing the ranch from the bad decisions his father made while his health was declining.  Thanks to the quick thinking of his foreman, Ty, and his marketing ingenuity he was able to keep the ranch in one piece.  Now Ty's sister is staying with him for Christmas and if there is one thing Nate knows, it's that if he wants to keep Ty around he needs find a way to ensure Rachel's happiness.  But can Rachel's happiness and his coincide?

I really love Christmas stories!  As a teenager my mother would buy the Silhouette Annual Christmas Anthologies at Kmart and I would make a game of trying to steal them before she got a chance to read them.  Now, with the invention of digital books, novellas can be bought and enjoyed individually.

This was a sweet little story that really spoke of family, friendship, and a town coming together in the spirit of the holidays.  I loved how Nate really was worried about Ty and was conflicted between his feelings for Rachel, his friendship with Ty, and the fact that Ty truly was irreplaceable business-wise.

This is also a continuation of the Marietta, Montana story lines created in the Copper Mountain Rodeo Series.  Many of the characters step in for a visit, and some new characters pop-up who will play parts in later stories.

Overall, this is a great holiday read and will make you really want to throw your inhibitions to the wind and make a killer gingerbread house.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

Twelve years ago William Harrow, Marquess of Chapin, heir to the Duke of Lamont, killed a woman.  That is what everyone believes...including him.  How else can he explain waking up in the bed of his father's missing betrothed, covered in blood, and remembering nothing?  These events led him to becoming Temple, an undefeated boxing champion and part owner of The Fallen Angel, the most exclusive gaming hell in London.  Except now it looks like his reputation as the Killer Duke was undeserved, because the supposedly dead woman just showed up at his door with an offer to exchange his reputation for her brother's lost fortune.

Mara Lowe never intended for her escape attempt to look like murder.  Unfortunately, by the time she discovered the truth, it was too late to do any good.  Now, twelve years later, she is willing to utterly ruin herself and the secret life she has been leading, in order to recover her brother's lost fortune.  Afterward she intends to simply disappear again.  But is she willing to abide by Temple's terms?  And is he willing to let her simply walk away again?

This was a very emotional book.  Layers upon layers of intrigue and complications give this story so much flavor that you can almost taste it.  That is one thing I have come to love about Sarah MacLean, she doesn't do easy.  Her stories are laced with complications and near-misses, but where as suspense novels have their twists in the plots, MacLean puts her twists in the characters themselves.  Just when you think you have a character pegged down, she throws you for a loop.

Temple is as complicated as they come.  His duty at The Angel is to manage security, but he has a "side job" that he relishes just as much.  It is this job that he is most renowned for, and this job that makes him a target for many.  He is feared by most everyone, and while he has actually come to relish and use that fear, he is still wearied by it.  He wants redemption, but has never lived the life of a respected Gentleman.

Mara is a walking contradiction.  She is remorseful of her actions, but seems to have no problem continuing on that path if it is necessary.  She fears and pities Temple in the same breath, and respects him all while trying to manipulate him.  She has good intentions behind most of her actions, but really bad execution of all of her plans.

The supporting characters in this book are superb!  The partners are once again a collective body, and this time there is a lot more emotion revealed.  The boys at the school are delightful and bring out the best in Temple.  The addition of Anna as a key character with no background adds more intrigue.  And then there is Lavender.  I won't spoil who she is, but she is definitely unforgettable.

MacLean is once again nominated for a RITA this year for this book.  Based on just a few scenes it would be safe to say she has it in the bag.  The main fight/post-fight scenes are so emotional that they are almost exhausting to read (in a good way).  And, of course, there is the delicious plot twist at the end that must have had every reader jumping up and down yelling "OMG!!!!!"

Overall, this book was spectacular, fabulous, extraordinary, and every other adjective that means "really great"!  I wish I could give it a perfect score, but as one of my standards is language I have to knock it down a bit for cursing (there is a bit, but there is also a great scene dealing with cursing, too).  Loved it any way!!!

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

Lady Phillipa Marbury, fourth daughter of the Marquess Needham and Dolby, is brilliant.  Too bad her soon-to-be betrothed, Lord Castleton is not.  Before her marriage, though, Pippa is determined to experience the scandalous side of life that her husband will surely never show her...and she knows just who to ask.

Jasper Arlesey used to live the wasteful and roguish life of "the spare".  Finding no need to take anything seriously, he never did.  Until one fateful chain of events gave him a title and stole his integrity.  Now, instead of living in the excess his title would allow, he lives as Cross, the bookkeeper and part owner of The Fallen Angel, the most exclusive gaming hell in London.  When he wakes one morning to find the sister-in-law of one of his partners sitting at his desk reading his ledger, he knows that ignoring her will be impossible.  When she asks him to ruin her, he knows that denying her will be imperative.

This book is emotionally and rationally intriguing.  How many books can you say that about?  Throughout the book the reader is shown many obstacles that both the hero and heroine must overcome.  Some of them have obvious solutions, but the really juicy ones are left to fester.  Several times I had to remind myself that I was reading a romance novel and that they have to follow at least a few cursory rules, but if any writer would dare buck the system, my money is on MacLean!

Cross is somewhat of a beta-hero disguised as an alpha-hero.  He is brilliant, a bit of a shut in, and not very suave, but very much a protector.  He comes by this tendency through guilt, but it still seems to be a natural fit for him.  I liked his frank honesty about his intentions, and his own admission that Pippa was not safe with him.  However, the thing I loved the most about him was the fact he has a conscience.  He may not have always made the right decisions, but at least he had scruples.

Pippa is just plain awesome!  I love heroines who pretty much just bulldoze the men in their lives to get what they want.  She is smart.  Like genius-level smart and loves nothing more than to either experiment, or read about experiments.  Yes, she has some issues with propriety, and sometimes she trusts the wrong people, but she is amazing fun.

The villain in this torture-fest-disguised-as-a-really-good-novel is actually identified right away, but his angle and motivation remains muddled for some time.  He truly is a classic villain though, so a total bravo for that one!  His setting is sleazy, his connections are sleazier, and his ultimate goal is just despicable...I LOVED IT!

Now for the moment of truth...the supporting cast.  I felt the presence of the other owners of The Angel far more keenly in this one than the previous book.  They seemed to have come together as a more collective whole here, and we learn a lot more about their cooperative positions.  They also have a seamless and shining moment at the end that is just so well written I had to put the book down for a minute to compose myself.

Overall, this book was fabulous.  The characters were memorable, and readers are given satisfaction for all of the torture have had to endure at the hands of a master (story) manipulator.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Last Year's Bride

Last Year's Bride by Anne McAllister

It's a good thing Cole McCullough has wide shoulders, because he carries the weight of his family's future on them.  After his father's second heart attack he discovered that a second mortgage had been taken out on the ranch and without a great money making venture everything will be lost.  In a last ditch bid for a great idea, his sister, Sophie, suggests their ranch as a location for a reality TV show directed by...his estranged wife.

Very few people know that Nell Corbett is married.  Not her boss, not her co-workers, and especially not her in-laws.  She accepted that Cole wanted to wait to tell his family.  She even accepted that he wanted her to take the job in LA.  But she will not accept the divorce papers she received in the mail less than a year after her wedding.  Determined to talk to her errant husband she convinces her boss to considering Marietta as a possible location for his reality show.  Now she just has to talk Cole in to staying her husband.

I connected with the hero for the very fact that any person who has nursed a parent or grandparent through a long illness can understand what he is going through.  I have watched my mother struggle to help nurse her brother, then her mother, then her father, and now her mother-in-law through cancer and other various ailments for more than two decades.  There is a feeling of helplessness that comes with knowing that even if there was someone you could ask for help, it is not "their job" to help.  This feeling is expressed many times by Cole over many different things.  He is trapped by his own sense of obligation and stubborn pride.  Many authors have written stubborn heroes before, but adding the twist of an ailing parent really gives it a new, more reachable dimension.

Another "new" dimension to an oft used trope is the fact that Nell is adopted, but does not feel "obligated" to be the best she can be.  Instead, she is tired of having everyone make decisions for her.  This is actually a feeling many people can understand when coming from large families that need to coordinate many schedules.  Decisions are made for them instead of by them.  When they finally do make it out into the world by themselves they tend to either attach themselves to a controlling person out of habit, or resent controlling people and steer clear of them completely.

Of course, I can't review a book without mentioning the supporting cast of characters.  This group was simply awesome.  Sam was a typical grumpy bear with a thorn in his paw, Sophie is a typically eager teenager wanting to help with bigger and better ideas.  The "talent" was collectively fabulous and worked great as subplots.  The true star of the supporting characters was Em.  No spoilers, but I'll just say that she was A LOT more than was expected.

Overall, this was by far my favorite book of the Great Wedding Giveaway Series.  It was longer than the others, but it really didn't feel that way.

 Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

A Rogue By Any Other Name

A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

After losing absolutely everything on a turn of a card, the Marquess of Bourne disappeared from society.  Ten years later he has re-emerged as a cold-hearted, self-made gentleman and, in an ironic twist, part-owner of the most exclusive gaming hell in London.  When he hears that part of his inheritance is now linked to the dowry of his childhood best friend, he will stop at nothing to have it back.

Lady Penelope Marbury has had a rough few seasons.  Eight to be exact.  After her betrothed leaves her, quite publicly, for a scandalous love match, she has had to endure eight long seasons of watching her sisters being married off in hasty business arrangements while no one has so much as glanced her way.  Now, her father has attached a valuable piece of property to her dowry and she braces herself for floods of gold diggers to descend.  But she is no longer resigned to accept a loveless, society-endorsed marriage to an acceptable partner.  Instead she begins to dare to dream of more.  And in dreaming of more she finds herself in the arms of a man she has loved for years.  Can she trust that he loves her back, or is he just using her as a means to an end?

There is a reason this one is a RITA winner.  Ms. MacLean, who found success with her "Love by Numbers" series, hit it completely out of the park with this follow-up series, set in the same world.  Fans of the former series will delight in the recognition of some of the more prominent names, especially since the heroine is the spurned fiancee of the Duke of Leighton, hero of Eleven Scandals.  I am glad that Penelope didn't remain "a grape" in the literary subconscious.

The beginning of the book was masterful in setting up sympathy for Bourne, because if we didn't already feel bad for him, then there would be no hope for any kind feelings for him after some of the things he does later.  MacLean manages to take a desperate "loser" and turn him into a cold, almost cruel, alpha-male.  He is unforgiving, and relentless in his quest for vengeance.  His only redeeming quality late in the book comes in the form of his desire to guard Penelope from the realities of The Fallen Angel.

I saw a lot of how I wanted to be in Penelope.  The girl who wanted to break the chains of convention, have adventures, and live a life of love and passion.  I think every girl wants to be that at some point in their life, so Penelope really is "every girl".  My only irritation with her was how she kept wavering on her trust of Bourne and the way she treated Mrs. Worth at the beginning.

As always, for me at least, the make or break is the way the supporting characters are set up.  This can be tricky with a book that starts a continuation series.  Readers are familiar with some characters, but new characters need to be introduced.  Of course, the obvious supporting characters are the other three owners of The Fallen Angel:  Cross, Temple, and Chase.  I wanted to feel more connected to the supporting characters, I really did, but I found them more peripheral than supporting in this case.  It might be due to Bourne's somewhat "loner" personality, I don't know, but I was left a bit wanting on this element.  *Just my opinion - PLEASE DON'T KILL ME SARAH MACLEAN FANS!!!*

Overall, I loved the book.  It was my first experience with this author, so I may be overly critical.  After all, as I pointed out above, it won the RITA for Best Historical Romance of 2012.  All Regency fans need to put this book on their "must-read" lists, and while your at it, just add Sarah MacLean to your "must-buy" list.

 Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 3

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4 

Intentions of the Earl

Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon

Finally close to being debt free for the first time since inheriting his title from his rogue of a father, Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, has the chance to reclaim a valuable piece of property from the man he lost it to on a bad investment.  All he has to do is bring shame to a certain visiting family and send them scurrying back to America.  Unwilling to take the opportunity at first, he finds himself trapped into agreeing, hoping to find the quickest resolution that won't end up destroying what few friendships he does have left.

Brooke Banks, daughter of a New York minister visiting family in London, is tired of every man assuming that just because she flirts and laughs with him that she is willing to ruin herself for him.  The day after spurning the powerful Duke of Gateway for such an assumption she finds herself the object of a new suitor's attention.  Can the Earl really be interested in her, or are his intentions less than honorable?

This one took a bit for me to get in to.  I'll freely admit that I had distractions around me at the time, but there are some books that can grab your attention at these times.  Unfortunately, this book did not start that way for me.  However (and thankfully), it did not stay that way.

Once the momentum got going I found this book highly enjoyable.  It played quite a bit with the concept of honor vs. pride, and also gave a great deal of time to the dangers of gossip and the importance of reputation during the Regency period in England.  I particularly liked the comparisons to Regency England and Post-Revolution America in terms of reputation and societal importance.

There was one element, in the end, that both thrilled and annoyed me.  The plot twist toward the end of the book completely floored me.  I actually had to put the book down and consider the foreshadowing earlier to see if I missed anything.  I didn't, she is just that good.  However, the plot twist did not finish playing out.  I am assuming this was to leave it open for development in the future books, but I did find it a tad bit annoying.

Overall, after the slow start, it was a great read, especially for a first novel.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 4 

Language – 5

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

House Keeping Issue - Why I re-posted a couple reviews

As you might have noticed, I re-posted a couple of my older reviews today.  Those reviews are Avon (Harper Collins) Books and I wished for them to be included on my Avon Contributor page.  Avon only takes the last 25 posts from a blog when pulling items for inclusion on Contributor pages.  Thanks to my rigorous reviewing schedule (3-4 books per week), two reviews that I posted in early April were not included in the initial pull.  Thanks for your patience.

Three Weeks With Lady X

Three Weeks With Lady X By Eloisa James

Lady Xenobia India St Clair was raised in an atmosphere of chaos. As the daughter of the "Mad Marquess", she knows that she did not live the life of lady by society's standards, yet she is still beholden to them now. In order to make her way in life, and not be forced into a marriage of convenience, she earns her dowry arranging the households of the elite, struggling the whole time to keep her reputation as white as the driven snow.

Mr. Tobias Dautry, known by society as Thorn, was rescued from the life of a mudlark by his father, the Duke of Villiers. He was raised as a recognized and beloved son, despite society being well aware of what he was...a bastard. Despite his instincts to thumb his nose at society, he desires that his children be accepted, so he sets his sights on a society marriage. Can Lady Xenobia create the perfect background to disguise his beginnings?

Though this book is listed as the seventh book in the Desperate Duchesses series, it is really the first in a continuation series. Eloisa James has already announced the title (Four Nights with the Duke) and release date (December 31, 2014) for the next book, which will feature Thorn's friend Vander.

I think this book was far and away her best writing. Dealing with abandonment issues, society's unfair strictures, the dangers/ills of gossip, and many other sticky Period (and timeless) setbacks, James handled the story like a pro.

Though she took creative license on many historical facts (which she confesses to at the end of the book), I really enjoyed the many technological tidbits she threw at readers. I highly recommend reading the Notes section at the end of all of her books. She explains interesting facts about some of the events or information placed in her books.

Overall, the characters are easy to relate to, the "villain" is easy to despise, the emotions are high without being melodramatic, and story does not feel like it lags or rushes at any point.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 3 

Language – 2 *Mr. Dautry has a POTTY MOUTH!!!

Storyline – 5

Historical Accuracy – 3

Overall – 5

Once Upon A Tower

Once Upon A Tower By Eloisa James

Gowan Stoughton of Craigievar, Duke of Kinross, has no time for romance.  That is not to say he is not romantic, but when you are in charge of one of the largest and most prosperous estates in Scotland, you need to prioritize.  Time is money, and any time spent on “useless” pastimes is completely wasted.

Lady Edith Gilcrest’s world revolves around one thing, and only one thing…music.  To her, any time spent not playing her cello is completely wasted.  In fact, she even travels with it.

The minute Gowan sees Edie at her comeout ball he knows that she is the one he will marry.  Dancing with her only cemented his resolve, so he expediently bargains for her hand and checks that off of his to do list.  Problem is…she isn’t exactly what he bargained for.

The back and forth between these two throughout the book is pure gold.  From the letters at the beginning to the groveling at the end every word drips of genius and wit.

As usually is the case, James does include some wonderfully written subplots about supporting characters that not only move the story along, but make you wonder which hero/heroine you are cheering for more.  Not many authors could manage this feat without drowning or stalling the storyline, but James handles it like the master that she is!

I loved the Shakespeare references (fitting, as James is a Shakespeare professor), and cheered madly at the end when a certain character got what was coming to him in spades (no spoilers, but if someone hadn’t hit him I would have been very well put out).

Overall, the story was delightful and heartbreaking at the same time.  To know that you are trying your hardest at something and not succeeding is the worst feeling in the world, but then to have the person you love turn around and lay you bare by throwing it in your face is everyone's secret and darkest fear.

Oh, and did I mention how much I loved the Julia Quinn collaboration for this book?!

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Historical Accuracy – 3

Overall – 5

Steal Me, Cowboy

Steal Me, Cowboy By Kim Boykin

After four years of putting up with her boyfriend's hectic baseball schedule and constant marriage-avoidance, hairstylist Rainey Brown is has decided to be drastic.  She is going to drive from South Carolina to Montana with an ultimatum :  marry me or we are done.  It seemed like a good idea until her car broke down in the middle of nowhere, and the hunky cowboy saving her brought to mind many other ideas.

It doesn't take long for restaurateur Beck Hartnett to figure out what he wants, and right now, he wants Rainey.  Knowing that as soon as her car is fixed she is gone, gives him the drive to step up his game and change her mind.  Can he steal her from her baseball player in five days?  Or will he strike out?

As I have mentioned before with Ms. Boykin, she is fond of the "first person" voice for her heroines.  This was my introduction to her writing, so it took me a bit longer to acclimate than with the others I have read.

While I really like the hero of this story (who isn't going to like a sexy cowboy who can cook and keeps his hair long enough to run your fingers through), I wasn't a fan of Rainey.  She whined, took too long to make up her mind, got way too worked up over nothing (and not worked up enough over other things).  In the end, when she finally did make up her mind, she sat on it for days!

As always, the supporting characters saved the book for me.  Nell, Dillion, and Antwan are exactly what supporting characters should be.  Colorful and noticeable without completely stealing the show.

Overall, this book was a nice quick read.  It didn't strike me as a "must-read", but it is definitely a good read.

  Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 3 

Language – 3

Storyline – 4

Overall – 3

His Yankee Bride

His Yankee Bride by Rose Gordon

Feeling restless and confined by his fate, John Banks takes his brother's advice and embarks on a Grand Tour prior to settling down into his profession of country vicar.  This tour takes him to post-Revolution America where his Britishness is met with a mixture of distaste and outright hostility.  After seeing the perseverance of this proud and determined young nation, John decides to earn his own passage back to England instead of accepting the money his brother has been setting aside for him.  His quest for work brings him to Charleston, and across the path of the one type of woman he has always been determined NOT to marry.

Carolina Ellis is bored by Charleston society.  Since her brother failed to return home from the war five years ago, it has been clear that the fate of her family's indigo plantation will depend on whomever she marries.  The major problem is that she doesn't want to marry the men that her mother keeps throwing at her.  So the minute she sees the ragged Englishman walk in to the Charleston ball she is attending, she knows that he is the one to save her from the fate that is suffocating her.  Now she just has to convince him of that.

I am all for independent heroines, but Carolina's independence was flat out obnoxious.  That being said however, the writer uses her obnoxiousness to prove a point later on in the book, so I will forgive that annoyance.  She really was a caring and light-hearted character, and I loved the game that was created to try to shock her.

It was great seeing John grow up and still not have lost his habit of letting trouble find him.  He has matured, but he still holds on to the naivete of a truly honest and trusting person.  It was also nice hear more about the situation that had him in so much trouble in the previous book.

One of the elements that have come up in book discussions lately is the trend of horrible mothers.  After reading many books in the past few years that have increasingly scandalous, uncaring, and even cruel mothers, I must declare that Ms. Gordon wins my vote for creating the most reprehensible mother in Regency Romance (probably all romance, but I am narrowing the field).  Mrs. Ellis was so awful it was almost addicting to read scenes with her in it.

Overall, this story was a fun read, but insightful at the same time.  It brings attention to the plight of slaves both from the perspective of those who hate it and those who disagree but depend on it.  It also shares a bit about the harm of gossip, even if you are innocent.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

His Contract Bride

His Contract Bride by Rose Gordon

Edward Banks, Lord Watson, grew up knowing that his father loved his mother.  Just like he grew up knowing that his mother loved someone else.  The pain of this unrequited love caused Edward's father to arrange a marriage for his oldest son, so he would never suffer the indignity of loving his wife.

Miss Regina Harris has known her entire life that she is not really loved.  Her father is a social climber who puts on the appearance of caring about his family and her brother is a drunkard who cares about nothing but himself.  She can't quite believe it when her father tells her that Edward has fallen in love with her after one meeting and has asked for her hand.  When she discovers the truth she is devastated by all of the lies and realizes that she will never be more than a pawn in everyone's games.  Can Edward win back Regina's regard and convince her that she is more than she believes?

The idea of being so used by everyone around you to the point where you cannot even identify your own personality is a terrifying concept.  Regina "knew" her place, and when her one and only dream she ever dared to have came crashing down around her she really was lost.  Try to imagine that feeling.  Her brother despised her, her father held her in contempt, and her husband felt only indifference for her.  She was emotionally devoid.  No wonder she didn't rail at Edward when she discovered the truth.

Edward, on the other hand, was the product of too much emotion.  Obsession, hatred, guilt, fear, loss, etc.  His reasons for being emotionally devoid pretty much coincided Joseph's.  They were products "in-spite" of their upbringing, as opposed to Regina being a product "of" her upbringing.  I liked that little comparison being slipped in there.

While I really liked the main characters, found the story line engaging and witty, and loved the settings, my attention is almost always captured by the supporting cast.  This story did  not disappoint on that score.  Having already read a few of Ms. Gordon's later novels I was shocked to see the parents of one of her later heroes (names omitted to avoid spoilers) portrayed the way they were.  As this was written later on as a prequel I can see the tie-ins perfectly and can't wait to re-read that particular novel again to see if I catch a few details I may have missed the first go-round.

Overall, I liked this one a lot and, given my previous experience with Ms. Gordon, I can't wait to read them ALL.

 Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4