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

Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret

Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret by Ella Quinn

William, Viscount Wivenly, is tired of fighting off title-hungry misses trying to trap him into marriage.  After overhearing plans for yet another attack on his bachelorhood, Will flees into the night, across the seas, and straight into danger.  Arriving in the West Indies with his best friend in tow, Will is determined to find out why his late-uncle's manager is telling his father that the business is thriving, but telling his aunt that the business is failing.  Of course, the investigation shouldn't get in the way of romancing a lovely widow he would like to get better acquainted with.  If only she actually WAS a widow.

Eugenie Villaret de Joyeuse is trying to find out why her beloved "beau-papa's" company is failing when it should be prosperous.  Her efforts have thus-far been thwarted by her grieving maman, who is determined to keep the rest of her family safe from harm.  Yet little does her mother know that Eugenie is no stranger to covert activities.  With her best friend by her side, Eugenie lands in trouble and love all at once in the form of the mysterious factor from her father's uncle in England.  Not wanting her mother to discover her doings she remains vague about her identity and allows the man to believe what he will.  Except he's NOT just the factor and she is NOT what he believes.  Can they move past the lies of their beginnings and survive to see a trustful future?

The story had A LOT of intertwining plots, including not one but two love stories.  Most of these plots were kept fresh and in line, but a couple managed to sneak below the surface and popped up at the end, surprising the reader who may or may not have forgotten about its part in the initial story.  In the end though, all loose ends got tied and a new plot-line was thrown into the mix for the next book in the series.

Being a huge fan of secondary characters was quite an adventure with this book, because there were a ton of secondary characters.  Some of the characters were developed in an optional-main character style (Andrew, Cicely, and Nathan), others were true supporting characters (Sidonie, Griff, Tidwell, Marisole, and the Whitecliffs), and still others were written in a style that their allegiances could have swung either way.  That last style is a difficult and brilliant task to manage.  To write an accessory in such a way that you can sympathize with them, but still be unsure about them is captivating.

Overall, I loved that this book read like a stand-alone, but was in truth the fifth book in a series.  There were enough details to make the story make sense, and enough teasers to win the heart of new readers and drive them to the other books.  In short, Quinn rocks in her character building, and I can't wait for the next book.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 4

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*

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

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

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

Wicked Designs

Wicked Designs by Lauren Smith

Miss Emily Parr has one chance at happiness: find a sensible husband who will take her away from her uncaring uncle and allow her the freedom to control her own inheritance.  Unfortunately all of those dreams are dashed when she is designated a pawn in a deadly game played by her uncle with two very dangerous men.  Can she keep her wits about her long enough to escape with her body - and heart - still in tact?

For Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex, kidnapping Miss Parr was a matter of revenge more than anything else.  From the moment he gets her on his estate, however, her innocence and determination charm him and his friends more than he ever imagined was possible.  But the longer he keeps her, the more Godric is convinced that giving her back might just be the death of both of them.

I almost balked at the length of this one.  Four hundred pages seemed pretty daunting for a romance novel by a new author.  I am so glad I took a chance on it, though.  This one kept me riveted the whole time.  The action started right away and the author used foreshadowing like a grand master.

The character development was extraordinary.  I particularly loved that Godric realizes that Emily has not yet mourned her parents.  Later on, when the events of the year finally hit Emily, he is there to comfort her.  It is a touching scene made more intimate because it is raw emotion not cheapened by lust.

Most people know I am a huge fan of supporting characters, and it comes as no surprise that the way supporting characters are handled is the difference between a four- and five-star review.  Well, wait not a moment longer...the supporting characters blew me away.  To create a group of men and develop them to the point that the collective group is a character in and of itself is masterful.  Ms. Smith did this with such flair that I am left in awe.

Overall...how to make this not sound like a fan girl (which I most certainly am turning into), this story is a re-read.  I keep a selection of books set aside for re-reading once every year or two.  This book just joined that list.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Temptation of the Duke

The Temptation of the Duke By Jerrica Knight-Catania

Growing up the daughter of a pig farmer, Grace Clark is very much aware of her rank among the ton.  That, however, does not stop her dreaming about capturing the heart of a Duke.  After two Seasons in London, she desires nothing more than to prove that she is so much more than a Wetherby "poor relation".  She longs for love and adventure, and perhaps the returned affection of a certain high-born neighbor.

Fifteen years in Paris has given Evan Gillford, Duke of Somerset, plenty of worldly experience, and a great big dose of guilt.  Guilt for abandoning his sister to the marriage machinations of their mother.  Guilt for not being there when his father died.  Guilt for leaving his betrothed to grow past the age of marriageability while he avoided marriage all together.  Now he has returned home to assume all of his cast-off responsibilities.  Unfortunately, one glimpse over a garden wall has his heart calling for a full retreat.  Can he still do the right thing and marry the woman he is promised to when he can't stop thinking about the eavesdropper next door?

This story caught me off guard in many ways.  Every time Grace had a chance to react in a way a high-born lady would react the reader is reminded that she is NOT a high-born lady.  She reacts how we free-thinking, "common" women would react in a similar situation.  I found myself second guessing her as I would second guess myself because I am not used to a heroine not doing the "civilized" thing.  All of this made me want to be her friend more than any other heroine I have come across recently.

After you read this story you will feel the same way about Evan that I do, I am positive.  Evan is a spineless, clueless tool!  He lets himself be used by the people around him and doesn't consider that ,because of his rank, his attitude of compliance is dangerous.  While, in most cases, having an unlikable hero can be literary suicide, the author pulls off a miracle by actually allowing the character to grow up and become likable.

I think the biggest element that really shook this book up was resolving the love story three-quarters of the way through the book, and then resolving another, very important, story line with the rest of the book.  This was such a gutsy move, and I believe it was pulled off with flair.

Overall, this story took me on a roller coaster ride with the perfect number of loops, spins, and dips, and then threw a last minute twist in that ensured I would come back for more.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Her Muse, Lord Patrick

Her Muse, Lord Patrick By Jane Charles

While rushing to deliver a message to his best friend's sister, Lord Patrick Delaney is attacked, robbed, and dumped into a river.  When he wakes he finds himself in the personal writing room of Miss Chetwey with no memory of what happened to him or what message he was supposed to deliver.  The only thing he does know is that no one can see, hear, or touch him...except Miss Chetwey.

Laura Chetwey removed herself to her uncle's estate and entered half-mourning after her brother's ship disappeared four months ago.  Bored out of her mind and having exhausted her uncle's collection of horrid novels she decides to write one herself.  After hearing a voice of inspiration instructing her on the characters in her book she is shocked to discover that her muse is her brother's best friend, Lord Patrick.  Realizing that Lord Patrick is a ghost, Laura is torn between wanting to hear the message he has of her brother and fearing that if he does remember he will leave her forever.

This was a charming little ghost story with some very creative twists to keep the plot moving.  I liked the way Ms. Charles kept true to the continuity of Lord Patrick not being able to touch things (including Laura) yet still managed to have tender moments between them.

The characters are very well fleshed out and the flow of the story is superb.  The bad guys are true nightmares and the good guys are truly heroic.  I loved the commentary about what makes a literary villain, hero, and heroine.

Overall, this was a wonderfully refreshing story.  Short, but not rushed.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 3

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

The Sum of All Kisses

The Sum of All Kisses By Julia Quinn

Hugh Prentice can’t abide drama.  His logical brain just can’t calculate the need for high emotions and complications.  This outlook both explains and is complicated by his relationship with his family.  It also explains why he absolutely cannot stand Lady Sarah Pleinsworth.

Lady Sarah, for her part, hates Hugh right back.  She simply can’t bring herself to forgive him for ruining her family and compromising her happiness, even if the rest of her family seems to be ready to let bygones be bygones.  Now she is stuck with him for two weeks worth of weddings and celebrations.

While not my favorite of the series, this book did precisely what I had hoped it would.  It showed the complexities of Hugh's personality beyond his proficiency for numbers and his ability as a crack shot.

I did find some of the drama far reaching, and I could not for the life of me understand why Daniel got so angry at Hugh after Sarah learned of the agreement.  That aside, the romance between them was well laid, and I liked that there was finally an explanation beyond drink as to why Hugh shot Daniel when he hadn't intended to.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 4

Historical Accuracy – 5

Overall – 4

A Reluctant Rake

A Reluctant Rake By Jane Charles

Jordan Trent has spent much of his life knowing that nothing was expected of him, except to simply live a life of sin, greed, and debauchery.  The life that his father wanted to live.  The life of a Rake.  Only he never wanted that life.  He wanted to DO something.  So he quietly educated himself and made himself into the man he wanted to be...without his family, or society, ever being the wiser.

Audrey Montgomery hated Jordan.  Though she wasn't at liberty to discuss the reasons for her hate, she could certainly make sure that she herself had nothing to do with a scoundrel of his caliber.  Yet her rebuffs seem to be doing no good, as he seems to be rather infatuated with her.

The plot of every single one of the Trent Novels have sucked me into a world of mystery and romance.  However, there was something a little more heart-wrenching about this one.  The agony and self-loathing that the hero faces for decisions his father made for him truly make him a likeable character despite his general aloofness in the previous novels.

Plus, the plot twist at the end was just sensationally handled.  My only complaint would be that after the plot twist, the ending felt rushed.  Overall it was a wonderful read!

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 4

Historical Accuracy – 4

Overall – 4