His Wicked Seduction

His Wicked Seduction by Lauren Smith

Horatia Sheridan has only ever loved one man.  From the moment her brother’s best friend, Lucien Russell pulled her from her parents wrecked carriage and comforted her in the aftermath of their horrific deaths her heart has utterly belonged to him.  However, it has become increasingly clear that he will never marry her, and since her London Seasons have all ended in disaster she has decided to take matters into her own hands.  If she is to end up as a spinster, then she will have at least one memory of passion to take with her…and it will be with the gentleman of her heart.

The League of Rogues might have earned their reputations by doing whatever they wanted, but they still operated under strict rules of honor.  Rule number two:  None shall seduce the sister of another member, or they shall face satisfaction on the field of honor.  It is this very rule that keeps Lucien Russell, Marquess of Rochester, from pursuing the only woman who might ever matter him.  But when the League’s old enemy rears his ugly head again and makes threats of the lives of the entire Sheridan Family, Lucien offers to host them all for the Holidays in an attempt to keep them safe.  Will Lucien be able to resist the temptation of Horatia being so close, or will honor among friends win out in the end?

Like its predecessor, HIS WICKED SEDUCTION is packed full of action, adventure, mystery, humor, and, of course, seduction.  There are lots of wounded heroes and dangerous scenarios, and many, many opportunities to remember first hand why the members of the League of Rogues are so irresistible. 

In the anatomy of the League, if Ashton is the leader, Cedric the duty-bound rallying post, Charles the affable mascot, and Godric the strong influence, then Lucien is the dirty little secret.  His friends know his proclivities and tend to look the other way, but that doesn’t mean they approve.  His position in the League seems to be cemented by his fierce loyalty to Cedric, and in turn the other members.  He truly is a caring man and sees and understands beauty is a way the others don’t, but his area of influence seems to be tainted by his activities.

Horatia’s character is a lot less complicated than Lucien’s she is very much liked by everyone she meets, but her preference of a good book over the company of others puts her at a social disadvantage on the Marriage Mart.  Her love for Lucien is pure and innocent (up to a point), and the story of her efforts to influence his love life is priceless.  Yet for all of her character predictability, she balances Lucien so well that you can’t help but really like her.

The true magic of this book lies in two very distinct realms, the first being the villain.  To have a convincing mystery/action/adventure you have to have a villain reprehensible enough to be hard to defeat and easy to hate.  Hugo Waverly meets both of these criteria, but we also get a small glimpse as to the incident behind Waverly’s madness.  Instead of eliciting pity, the tale simply adds to the reader’s comprehension of his complete lunacy.

The other realm of magic that this book holds is the introduction of Lucien’s wonderfully raucous family.  As a whole they are a brood of hellions bent of driving their mother crazy with their individual quirks and eccentricities.  Linus, the youngest brother, in particular is an out of control scoundrel who seems to greet the coming of the Sheridans as an opportunity for more mischief-making with his old cohort, Audrey.  Of course the woman behind the family is not much tamer than her children.  Meddling and loving in equal parts, Lady Rochester cements herself as one of the great literary matriarchs.

Over all, this book was wonderful continuation of a now great series.  I look forward with bated breath to the third book in the series scheduled for release Fall 2015. 

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Red Hawk's Woman

Red Hawk's Woman by Karen Kay

When Red Hawk first saw Effie Rutledge frolicking in the water he was immediately drawn to the light and joy that seemed to emanate from within her.  The short time they spent playing together, though neither spoke the other's language, was the happiest time in Red Hawk's short life, and it was a time that would carry him through the journey he was about to embark on.  For it was not joy that would save his Clan from the curse of a vengeful god, but mercy toward an enemy.  And he had only eighteen years to achieve the impossible.

Effie Rutledge first heard about the Lost Clan as a child listening to her father recount the legend to his best friend.  Seventeen years later, Effie leads an archaeological expedition into the heart of Blackfoot country at the behest of her father in order to find clues as to the existence of the Clan, and possibly locate the final two artifacts the legend speaks of as a path to redemption for the Clan.  Unfortunately, someone - or something - doesn't want her to succeed, and several incidents convince many that the expedition just might be cursed.  In need of a new guide, Effie discovers an Indian watching her curiously in town and approaches him about taking the job.  It isn't until after he is already hired that Effie learns Red Hawk is the little boy she has never been able to forget.  Soon they embark on an adventure fraught with pleasure, mystery, and a danger neither of them were prepared for.

When I first started reading romance novels as a teen my only options were whatever my mother or grandmother were reading (I was a bit of a sneak and thought they didn't notice).  Their collective preference at the time was Native American, Pioneer, and Western Historical Romance.  Consequently I became very adept in deciphering the differences between the three sub-genres, which all often took place in similar settings with similar characters.  What set the Native American Romance apart was the "useless white man" stereotypes, and this story had those in abundance.  Everything is there from greed for gold, the fact that the white man cared nothing for nature, and the white man's inability to track or scout due to his being generally unobservant.

However, there is a twist.  This story also incorporates a Paranormal Romance angle.  The legend of the Lost Clan is fantastical enough, but that still lends to basic Native American mysticism, which is an easily explained and generally accepted belief among historical aficionados.  What is not as easily accepted is the actual existence of Spirit Guardians and vengeful gods who take physical form.  The inclusion of these elements in the story allows the reader to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy at the same time that they are learning about the cultural differences and practices of the mid-to-late 1800s.  Karen Kay plots all of this in such away that she actually makes archaeology sound fun and exciting without resorting "The Mummy" methods (where they forget that the characters actually have to work to uncover artifacts).

The supporting characters in the story lend credence to the mystery that encompasses the plot and never really give the reader a true peak at whether they can be trusted.  As a reader you are constantly guessing at who the bad guy really is, and that leads to a satisfying reading experience.

Overall, this is an adventurous romp through Native American culture with side trips detailing the white man's incompetence, and somehow none of this comes off as offensive.  That alone is impressive.  My only complaint would be that I would have liked to have seen their romance grow more gradually.  It seemed very rushed, but I guess they had seventeen years to pine for each other.

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Scandal and the Duchess

Scandal and the Duchess by Jennifer Ashley

Rose, Dowager Duchess of Southdown, doesn't need one more scandal in her life.  Left ruined and penniless by her stepson's lies, the press already follows her around incessantly, she definitely doesn't need them seeing a destitute, drunken old soldier falling at her feet and accosting her body, unfortunately that is exactly what they do see.  So in the name of kindness she ushers the soldier into her carriage, caring not what the press makes of it and provides him shelter until he can get back on his feet.  The surprise comes the next morning when she discovers that the soldier is far from destitute, and even farther from old.

Captain Steven McBride has always had a wild and selfish streak.  Care-free by nature, tragedy leaves him adrift and turns a holiday leave in to a necessary and unwelcome errand to London in order to make right a long standing wrong.  In an attempt to drown his demons, Steven drinks himself blind and stumbles into the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.  When he wakes up the next morning and learns of her problems with the press, he makes her an offer she doesn't want to refuse:  pretend to be betrothed in order to provide the press with a story of their own making and reclaim her reputation and fortune in the process.  The only question that remains is whether when the dust settles, will the betrothal still be pretend?

This story is seriously a fun-sized fix for Mackenzie/McBride fans waiting for the next full-sized novel (which comes out next month).  That is not to say that fun-sized in a bad thing.  There is a reason for it being "fun"-sized.  It is a super quick read, full of Jennifer Ashley's rapier wit, and includes an appearance from her most popular character of all time - Ian Mackenzie.

The characters in this book are well put together, and we see a change in Steven from his previous appearances.  Darkness has crept into his demeanor, which is still devil-may-care, but with a decided edge.  Rose is kind without being saccharine-sweet.  For crying out loud, she takes in a drunken man who accosts her while she believes he is a homeless veteran.  If that isn't kindness, I don't know what is.  She, however, remains smart, cheeky and proud throughout the entire story, showing her backbone time and time again.  As this is a novella, there wasn't much time to develop secondary characters outside of existing ones, so the two that stand out are kept very specific to the scenes, without much background, but they still make a grand impression.

Overall, whether it be a novella or a full-length novel, Jennifer Ashley shines with her awesome dialogue and fabulous character presentation.  Whet your appetite now, she'll be back soon.

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Songbird's Seduction

The Songbird's Seduction by Connie Brockway

Rising operetta star Lucy Eastlake has gotten used to making do.  Disowned by her great-grandmother as a child due to the sins of her own mother and grandmother before her, she was shunted from family member to family member for years before landing right back at Robin's Hall, but this time into the unexpectedly welcoming arms of her great-aunts.  Of course that didn't mean she still didn't have to make do.  Thanks to some unwise financial decisions by her great-grandfather, Robin's Hall is now in ruin and not even her meager earnings on-stage are enough to keep the creditors at bay.  But there is hope.  The anniversary of her of an Indian siege her great-aunt lived through is upon them, and with it a bounty of wealth for the last remaining survivors.  All they have to do is travel to a small town in France to claim the prize.

Anthropology Professor Ptolemy Archibald Grant is about to achieve a greatness his colleagues could only dream about: a directorship at a highly respected university.  To seal the deal he is planning on proposing to the woman who has made it all possible.  Too bad he would much rather be out in the field than behind a desk.  In spite of the upcoming interviews for the position, Ptolemy agrees to accompany the woman his grandfather has always loved and never forgotten to a remote French town in order to claim a prize due to the survivors of pact made fifty years ago during an Indian siege.  Unfortunately, the plans of mice and men are not always in sync, and he ends up accompanying the woman's niece on a crazy adventure too big to even believe possible.  Could this journey end in happy ever after?  Or his ultimate ruin?

This wonderful tale takes place a few years before the time period of a little show that you might be familiar with (*cough* Downton Abbey *cough*).  Thanks to this point of reference many readers might squeal with delight when they hear phrases or descriptions of clothing right out of the show.  It is obvious that Connie Brockway has paid diligent attention to detail, possibly to appease the eagle-eyed readers who, thanks to the show, now know so much about the fashion and lifestyles of the time.  However, this is not the first book into which she has put such care into the detail, so I believe that it is simply her pleasure to do so.

The story line of the book is a great mix of heart-warming romance and the cold reality of the times.  The obstacles that both the main characters and their elders have had to face are very realistic, and sometimes almost painful to contemplate.  To say that society "back then" was unfair is a gross understatement, but the reality is that this story takes place a century ago doesn't divert from the fact that, in many circles, society is still unfair.  After all, less than a century ago a king was forced to choose between his crown and the woman he loves; today, should the current Prince of Wales ascend to the throne, his wife will not.  While this story has a happy ending, like all romances must, there is still a sense of bittersweet awareness in it.

The characters more than make up for the bittersweet nature of the book by being the most lively, colorful, and effervescent people that you will ever have the pleasure of reading about.  The hero is a conundrum right from the beginning, being the perfect mix of flustered gentleman and energetic wanderer.  The heroine is a delightful flurry of motion and whimsy that just keeps rolling with the punches.  The supporting cast keeps the main characters on their toes (not that they don't do that to each other) and keeps the reader laughing throughout the whole ride.

If there are any faults in this book at all, they would lie in the complicated back story presented for Lucy that can at times be hard to follow.  But this blemish is minor and easily moved past.  Overall, this book is beyond delightful.  It is not just a love story, but an invitation to fall in love with the whimsical stylings of this fantastic wordsmith.

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Healer's Gift

The Healer's Gift by Willa Blair

Coira MacDugall has been returned to her people in disgrace.  After attempting to kill the new Lady of Clan Lathan in a fit of jealous rage, she was healed of more than just the mortal injury inflicted upon her.  She was also cleansed of her anger and hatred and given an odd gift and a second chance with her own Clan, but first she must earn the trust of her people and help the new MacDugall Laird to cleanse their own Clan of treachery.

Logen MacDugall never expected to be Laird.  His connection to the ruling family was tenuous at best, yet here he is, the elected leader of the Clan and fighting against the same hidden danger that killed the last short lived Lairds.  If he wants to remain living he must discover whom he can trust and flush out the traitor among them.  As if a gift from God, his newly appointed ward exhibits an incredible ability that just might be what he needs to save them all and put life to rights again.  Can he earn her trust...and maybe something more?

As the first book (and the remainder of the series) centers around Clan Lathan, this story is an opportunity to glimpse the life of one of their allies and discover why Coira acted as she did in HIGHLAND HEALER.

Willa Blair takes special care to help the reader contemplate exactly what it would be like to feel the emotions of others around you, and what it would cost to allow someone to actually bond with you intimately under such circumstances.  The process that Coira must go through to not only understand her new gift, but to control it enough to be of use is heart wrenching and breathtaking all at once.

The character development is necessarily sparse, so we really only get to know the two main characters well.  Logen is a recovering hot head learning to function with what we now know as PTSD, all while trying to rule a Clan and not get killed.  Coira is a recovering narcissist who has always struggled with abandonment issues and is trying to come to grips with her new world order.

Overall, though this story is short, it is a great read and will particularly intrigue fans of Willa Blair's Highland Talents Series.  Not only is it worth the read, but it will entice you to pick up the rest of the series.  Job done!

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Characters – 3

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

Undressed by the Earl

Undressed by the Earl by Michelle Willingham

David Hartford doesn't really want to get re-married, but there are two things keeping him in London in search for a wife:  he is the Earl of Castledon and in need of an heir, and he promised his daughter she would have a new mother after this Season.  His only stipulation is that she can't be someone he could fall in love with.  That pretty much eliminates the beautiful and lively Amelia Andrews from the list of eligible debutantes.  The problem is, he keeps getting pulled in to her schemes.  Why can't he just walk away from her?

Amelia Andrews has been in love with one man for four years.  Yes, this man is a known rake who ruined her sister's reputation by crying off their wedding, but Amelia was in love with him first.  Now that Viscount Lisford is finally showing interest in her, she is starting to realize that her family was right about him all along.
When Lisford kidnaps her in an attempt to elope, Amelia finds herself married to save her reputation.  Unfortunately, it is to the man she was trying to match with her sister; the man whose personality she once likened to a handkerchief; the one man she might actually love, but who will never love her:  the Earl of Castledon.

Much like all of Ms. Willingham's previous work, this story is gut wrenchingly emotional and full of many plot twists and turns.  Some might see this book as a challenge to keep track of all of the "balls in the air", but Ms. Willingham is a masterful juggler and none of the balls hit the ground during the performance.

Perhaps the greatest attribute of this book is the trove of characters that have been built up and carefully cultivated throughout this series.  While a new "villain" needed to be introduced for this story, the reader was kept on guard, waiting for the true villain to emerge.  It was only when this character was once again wrecking havoc on the world that the main and supporting characters were allowed to truly flex their proverbial muscles.  I might be sadistic, but there is something innately more interesting about characters in crisis than otherwise.

Outside of the crisis area, though, the story falls a bit flat.  The hero was not my favorite of the series, and came off not very heroic.  I did like the story between Amelia and David's daughter, and also of Beatrice and her husband, but, again, those were mostly during crisis.

Over all, I simply felt that the first half of the book was good, but the second half was spectacular.  If you are one of those readers who only read the first five chapters before deciding to finish or not, don't cheat yourself out of an amazing experience.  Stick with it.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

The Escape

The Escape by Mary Balogh

Sir Benedict Harper was not made for an idle life, but that seems to be all he can manage since his dream of a military life was taken from him on the Peninsula, along with his ability to walk and dance.  His restlessness leads him to agree to help a recent widow escape from her late husband's family, and escort her on a mad dash to Wales where there may, or may not, be a cottage waiting for her.  As he fights his feelings of inadequacy he finds himself wondering if this fierce widow might understand him better than anyone else.

Samantha McKay has been trapped for six years.  First at the home of her tyrannical father-in-law for a year while her husband was at war and then taking care of her dying husband for five years.  Now under the threat of returning to a life of suppression and misery under her father-in-law, she concocts a plan to steal away in the middle of the night and make her way to Wales, where her mother was raised.  She enlists the help of Sir Benedict, her neighbor's brother and a man she has not always thought of fondly.  Can she keep their partnership purely business?  Or will she find herself once again falling into the arms of a wounded and demanding reminder of a war she wishes to forget.

I have read many books about Wales, but I honestly believe this one contains the most descriptive images of the country and atmosphere.  I have always thought of it as a foggy and craggy country (a lot like Wuthering Heights), where most Gothic novelists obviously find their inspiration.  This book, however, completely changed my perception.  The descriptions remind me a bit of the Pacific Northwest (where I live) and I found that charming and comforting.  The people seemed friendly, if a little hesitant to welcome visitors who look down on them.  I love that the musical aspect of the country was regaled upon, and the descriptor of the singing raising the roof of the church was memorable.

This the fourth story set in the world of the Survivors (The Suitor was a novella that occurred concurrently with The Arrangement), and the sixteenth story set in the world of the Bedwyns.  Starting with One Night for Love, the story that first introduced us to Gwen, Lady Trentham (formerly Lady Muir), this serial keeps getting better and better as it goes.  Ms. Balogh has managed to keep the stories fresh, while still finding a way to tug our heartstrings and make us smile simultaneously.  This story is a powerful reminder of her signature romantic trope, damaged heroes (or heroines) finding the power of love stronger than their own obstacles.

The characters in this story shine.  Ms. Balogh is an expert of creating memorable characters, whether they are in the forefront or the background.  Even the lawyer who handled Samantha's business and the owner of the inn rated important enough to actually have a personality.  This attention to detail really makes a difference in creating a captivating story, but so does knowing when to pull back and let the lead characters take center stage.  There seemed to be a seamless quality to this differentiation in this story.

Overall, I found this a pleasant and happy read.  It didn't make me laugh hysterically, or grit my teeth in suspense.  But not all books need to do that to be great.  Some books just need to tell a good story well with no distractions or additives.  That is exactly what this book did.  

 Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Unraveled by the Rebel

Unraveled by the Rebel By Michelle Willingham

Juliette Andrews has been living what many women of her class would deem the a nightmare.  With the knowledge of her ruination at the hands of a monster and the nightmares it still provokes, she has declared that she shall never marry, especially not the man she has loved for years and is now unworthy of.

Dr. Paul Fraser has been fighting against the tyranny of the Earl of Strathland since the day the Earl killed his father for a crime Paul had been accused of.  After years away from home studying and helping the rebellion with its medical needs, Paul returns to woo the woman he left behind, but never forgot.  Not understanding her dismissal of him, he is determined to win back Juliette's trust and affection, even if it means agreeing to marriage in name only.

The second book in the Secrets In Silk series, this one is a LOT more emotional than the first.  Juliette has to deal with a truly horrifying experience.  Unfortunately, that experience brought with it consequences both physical and psychological.  No one in her family, save her aunt and uncle, are aware of this experience, and they aren't even aware of all of the details.  She has kept it bottled up inside her until she is almost completely dead inside.

Paul is haunted by his own demons, as well.  The death of his father has left him hungering for vengeance to a point where he is willing to turn his back on everything if it means eliminating the Earl from existence.  There are some other qualities that add depth to Paul.  He is honorable and loyal.  His love for Juliette is strong and unyielding.  When she finally agrees to a marriage in name only, he knows that he will never touch any woman but her...therefore, none at all.  He is also humble enough to know that his position in society as a doctor is not enough to recommend him as husband material, so he decides to use his uncle's legacy for the first time since it was offered to him many years ago.

Again the cast of supporting characters are wonderful.  Lively and memorable.  The villain is even more evil than before, and a few more characters pop up to add flavor to an already delicious world.

Overall, this is a great book.  I read it quickly, as I couldn't put it down, and loved every minute of it.  Not for the faint of heart as it deals with some highly disturbing situations, but the end is very satisfying.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Undone by the Duke

Undone by the Duke By Michelle Willingham

Victoria Andrews has designed some of the most sensual and scandalous lingerie for the most exclusive modiste in all of London.  Yet she hasn't met the modiste in person, hasn't left her Scottish home in five years, and hasn't felt the touch of a man...ever.

Jonathan Nottaway, Duke of Worthingstone, has had his fill of women for the time being, marriage minded or otherwise.  After his fiancee dumps him due to a family scandal beyond his control, he disappears from society for a year without any intent on returning.  Deciding to check on a piece of property he one in a card game, Jonathon heads north to Scotland, not realizing that the man he won the property from was so cruel and so hated among his tenants that showing his face was likely to get him shot and leaving him to the uneasy ministrations of a skittish female and her superstitious servants.  Will his recovery bring about a healing for both of them?

This was a tantalizing, intriguing, and emotional read.  The heroine suffers from a truly debilitating phobia that she cannot even put in to words, much less explain or reason.  The incident that led to this phobia was truly horrifying to her, and given the fact that she has been letting it build and fester for five years, it seems almost insurmountable.

Aside from the phobia, Victoria does have a certain amount of quite bravery about her.  She is highly observant of things around her and is thoughtful when contemplating solutions to issues that come up.  Upon the appearance of Jonathon she proves that her phobia is consistent with her personality.  She is naturally skittish around strangers and has to force herself to socialize with anyone, even just one person.

The hero in this story is a bundle of emotions held together by a contradictory disconnect.  His life has been full of abuse, anger, shame, grief, and guilt.  After ending up on Victoria's doorstep he is cautious and hopeful all at the same time.  He hopes to protect her from his world and protect himself from the heretofore unknown feelings that she seems to bring about in him.

The supporting characters in this story are memorable.  The sisters are very much like any sisters you meet.  They are loyal to each other and very close, but nothing alike.  Their different personalities complement each other and lead to the successful clothing design endeavor.  Jonathan's aunt is brash, but likable, as are Victoria's aunt and uncle.  Their neighbor, Cain, is cunning and harsh, but is an overall good guy and his connection with Madison is an interesting subplot.

The villain, however, takes the cake.  The Earl of Strathland is more than words can describe.  Even curse words would not be strong enough to describe him and what he does to innocent people who are supposed to be under his care.

Overall, this is a good book.  Well paced, well written, and well plotted.  It is the first book in a quartet, so we will be seeing many of these characters again.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

Liberty For Paul

Liberty For Paul by Rose Gordon

Liberty Banks is not pretty.  Nor is she funny.  Nor with she the slightest bit interesting.  In fact, it would be safe to say that she is simply...not her sisters.  Because of this huge discrepancy on her list of personal qualities, she has made it her goal to be unerringly proper.  All of the time, without fail.  She reads etiquette books and pays attention to every stricture of society's never ending list ways to behave.  With nothing else to recommend her, she firmly believes that this is the only way she will ever land a husband.  Unfortunately, she forgot the most common way society has to ensure marriage in the upper ranks:  Scandal!

As a minister, Mr. Paul Grimes has never done anything scandalous in his life.  Unfortunately, no one seems to believe him.  His own congregation seems stubbornly bent on believing every bit of gossip that comes to their ears, and no amount of admonishment on his part seems to help.  Unfortunately, having someone like Liberty Banks in his life isn't helping his reputation.  Her stringent belief in propriety hasn't seemed to curb her desire to seek vengeance for every slight (real or imagined) she has ever felt.  When one act of vengeance goes too far, though, they find themselves in the most unacceptable of all scandals: the kind that ends in marriage.

Confession time:  I don't really like Liberty.  I tried, I really did.  But the things she does to Paul, and the way she acts toward others, just makes me see red.  She makes me think of a devious child who thinks they are always right, and will prove it to you by embarrassing you in public.

That being said, Paul was actually an enjoyable character.  His quiet and shy demeanor hid a cunning and creative mind which he used to bring joy.  Despite my dislike for Liberty, I actually loved the way that Paul interacted with her (with the sole exception being what he did with the books).  In the end he was able to get through to Liberty and start a change in her personality, but it wasn't soon enough to redeem her in my eyes.

Speaking of reforming images.  The Duke of Gateway makes another appearance in this book, and he is slowly working himself toward redemption.  His overall character remains the same, but there is something more to him now.  I have a feeling we will see his story end on a high note in the next book.

The rest of the supporting characters redeem the book immeasurably.  Brooke and Madison provide great entertainment and mischief, Andrew and Alex return with great back and forth banter, and John rounds it all off with some wonderful "fatherly" interference.

Overall, the book was well written and ended quite well.  I just wish I had liked Liberty more so I could give the book a higher score.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 3

Overall – 3

Duchess In Love

Duchess In Love By Eloisa James

At an age when she should have still been in a school room, Gina was married off to Camden Serrard, a boy not much older than she was herself.  Much to her indignation Cam does not stick around after the wedding, setting of directly for the Continent and vowing to never return.  In the mean time Gina manages the estate and becomes the most vibrant woman in all of society; flirting with scandal, but never quite stepping over the line. 

Twelve years later Cam, now the Duke of Girton, has returned, but only to grant Gina the freedom she needs to marry the man she has fallen in love with.  Upon arriving at the house party she is attending Cam spies the most beautiful woman in the room and is shocked to learn that he is admiring none other than his wife.  Suddenly the idea of a divorce is not so simple.

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.

There used to be a trend in romance that the hero had to be perfect.  Strong and brave, always making the right decision, and always having the perfect timing and appearance.  In my humble opinion, that is a very boring premise.  No one is perfect.  That is probably why I love the current trend in romance: heroes with flaws.  This book is a great example of an Alpha Hero with a fear that might not seem very manly.  To me, knowing this fear made him all the more perfect in my mind.

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*

Overall, this was a very fun book to read.  The characters were complex and every time you think you have one of them pinned down, they do or say something that completely bucks you perception.  I found myself enjoying the multiple plots, 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.   

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

*This review is revised from a previous review on this site*

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

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 

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

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