The Raven Prince

The Raven Prince By Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher’s Description:

There comes a time in a lady's life...
Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.

When she must do the unthinkable...
The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

And find employment.
When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

The book stays solid to the storyline and true to the characters.  There are no divergences, despite the many subplots, which are handled with class.

Sex – 3

The sex scenes are a bit risqué, even for the genre.  There is quite a bit of graphic language describing body parts and the use of those body parts.  That being said, at least these scenes are kept within the plot and do not take away from the overall flow of the story.

Language – 2

The hero is extremely foul-mouthed and vulgar.  He is bad tempered and as such spends much of the time spouting off his discontent with a number of colorful curses.

Storyline – 5

The storyline was superb.  I liked the intricacies in the subplots, particularly Pearl’s, and I loved the humanizing moments that were added with regular flare to keep the pace from getting bogged down.  Without providing too much of a spoiler, my favorite of these moments was Anna finding Edward downstairs at Rebecca’s house after the baby is born.

Historical Accuracy – 5

The time period in late Georgian, just prior to Regency.  The style of dress is kept in the forefront of the book is very accurately portrayed.  I particularly like the air of distain used when discussing the Macaroni style, which was quickly losing its hold on society at the time.

Overall – 4

Having read, and enjoyed, “The Four Soldiers” Series by Elizabeth Hoyt before, I was fully expecting to enjoy this series.  While I was not disappointed, I definitely enjoyed these books for much different reasons than my expectations allowed me to believe I would.  This book was funny, touching, frustrating and thrilling all at once.

Rant:

This is a rather weak rant, but I wish I could have liked the heroine better.  She is completely likeable in her mannerisms, but for some reason I find it hard to actually like her.  She makes too many off the wall, boneheaded decisions that completely put her, and the people she cares for, in danger (both physical and social).  I am not saying that Ms. Hoyt wrote her poorly, or could have written her differently.  In fact, I believe she is written very deliberately, and I love that.  You just can’t love every heroine, and I don’t love Anna.

Rave:

Straight out of the gate, much like she did with Sam in To Taste Temptation, she makes Edward completely unapproachable.  He is vulgar, haughty, heavy handed, gruff, rude, a loose cannon, etc.  But then she does something wonderful.  Without making excuses for his behavior, or making him change, she forces the reader to see him in a light that makes him wonderful.  He is smart, loyal, appreciative, meticulous, and vulnerable.  He is unapologetic about the way he does things and looks to Anna to keep up.  Only for modesty and propriety’s sake does he ever take her gender into account while she is doing her job.

Once A Princess

Once A Princess By Johanna Lindsey

Publisher’s Description:

Once Upon A Time…

In a rustic Mississippi tavern, a beautiful exiled princess was forced to dance for the pleasure of others—unaware of her regal birthright…and infuriated by a magnificent golden-eyed devil who crossed an ocean to possess her.

From A Far Off Land…

A bold and brazen prince came to America to claim his promised bride.  But the spirited vixen spurned his affections while inflaming his royal blood with passion’s fire…impelling virile Stefan Barany to take in sensuous and searing conquest the love Tatiana vowed never to yield.

Ratings:

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

Continuity/Flow – 4

While the introduction of new characters to the story seems sudden at times, the overall flow of the book is well paced and keeps the reader interested throughout.  There are no divergences from the main storyline.

Sex – 4

The sex scenes in the book are kept discreet and without a great deal of over detailing that some authors tend to reach for in Historical Period Romance.  The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 is the number of sex scenes in the book, which does seem to be a high number.

Language – 2

As the heroine of the book was raised a tavern wench it is to be expected that she will use rough language.  However, she is not the main contributor to the use of foul language in this book.  That would be the “gently” raised hero and his friends, who cannot seem to make it through a chapter without using some filthy word or another.

Storyline – 4

With a hint of mystery, a hint of danger, and a great deal of humor, the storyline is refreshing and well plotted.  There are only a few instances where the reader wants to groan aloud when certain details are hashed and rehashed continually in order to advance the story.

Historical Accuracy – 5

The country of Cardinia is fictionalized, but the details surrounding the Russian/Prussian occupation of Poland, the Ottoman Empire’s control of the Black Sea, and the political balancing act that was Eastern Europe in the years after Napoleon’s defeat are verified and accurate.

Overall – 4

The book was enjoyable, accurate and well paced.  I could have done without the use of excessive language, but, as stated above, I understand the need to use some of it to display the heroine’s rough upbringing.  The sex scenes are used well to move the romance in the story along.  I would definitely recommend this book.

Rant:

My sole frustration with this book lay in the fact that the hero and the heroine were so wise when it came to seeing nuances and details everywhere but in each other.  Even the hero’s friends saw the truth about the heroine before he did.

Rave:

I absolutely, unequivocally loved the interplay between the hero and the various people in his life.  From the camaraderie between him and his friends, to the mutual respect that is evident between him and the Prime Minister, and right down to the devotion and love he clearly feels toward his father.  Even his dealings with his mistress show a man that feels deeply for all of those in his life.