Intentions of the Earl

Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 4 

Language – 5

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

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

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

Three Weeks With Lady X

Three Weeks With Lady X By Eloisa James

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 3 

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

Storyline – 5

Historical Accuracy – 3

Overall – 5

Once Upon A Tower

Once Upon A Tower By Eloisa James

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Historical Accuracy – 3

Overall – 5

Steal Me, Cowboy

Steal Me, Cowboy By Kim Boykin

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 3 

Language – 3

Storyline – 4

Overall – 3

His Yankee Bride

His Yankee Bride by Rose Gordon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

His Contract Bride

His Contract Bride by Rose Gordon

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4