"What a Rogue Desires" by Caroline Linden

What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden 2007

Description from back of book:
After a wayward youth, David Reece, the youngest scion in a noble family, has been called one of the most scandalous rogues of the ton. What he wants to be called is trustworthy and a true gentleman. To prove he has reformed he's agreed to watch over his absent brother's estate and signet ring. All is going swimmingly until highwaymen waylay his coach and steal that precious ring...
Street orphan Vivian Beecham has grown up a pickpocket, and a very pretty one indeed. NOw she and her brother have reluctantly graduated to highway robbery. And handsome David Reece has become their victim - until he tracks her down and makes her his prisoner. Locked in a spare bedroom, Vivian vows to hate her captor. Instead, she becomes a former rogue's greatest challenge: the object of a passionate seduction. But David and Vivian are playing a dangerous game in which forbidden love is a wild card..."

This is really just a normal, average romance novel. There's not a lot special about it, the characters don't really stand out, and the plot isn't anything fascinating. Actually, it's more than a little bit of a stretch - sons of dukes don't realistically marry pickpockets. But it's a decent read for a rainy afternoon, and I've read worse - that's about the best I can say about it.

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"The Fortune Hunter" by Diane Farr

The Fortune Hunter by Diane Farr 2002

Description from back of book:
Desperate and destitute, the devilish Lord Rival has drawn up a list of wealthy women who might be willing to wed - and Lady Olivia Fairfax is one of them. But when he finally meets the mysterious spinster, she is hardly the lonely naif he expected. Her quick wit, sweet temper, and passionate predilection for charity work completely entrance him - and make it most difficult to bring his heartless seduction to its conclusion.

This is a charming book! I loved Lord Rival - completely rakish and yet completely loveable at the same time. You can totally understand WHY the women are all after him - I would be too! Olivia is also a charming character - she's a charity worker without being annoyingly self-righteous. The romance is given plenty of time to build and is fun and believable. I found myself laughing quite a bit throughout this book. Definitely worth reading!

RATING: 1/2

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING: 1/2

"An Affair to Remember" by Karen Hawkins

An Affair to Remember by Karen Hawkins 2002

Description from book:
Saddled with five unruly orphans, the Earl of Greyley, Anthony Elliot, is at his wits' end. Unfortunately, the only person willing to deal with the adorable little terrors is Anna Thraxton, governess extrordinaire - and the one woman Anthony can't abide. She's too outspoken, too opinionated, and far too beautiful for his peace of mind. A woman should be meek and mild - words that perfectly describe his prospective bride, not the flame-haired temptress who haunts his dreams.

Anna knew that this job would be trouble the moment she set foot in the door - but it's Anthony who's the problem, not the children! He's too arrogant, to sure of himself, and far, far too wonderfully big and masculine. The young girl he's courting will never be able to handle him, so someone clearly needs to teach Anthony a few things about women. But when lectures turn to kisses, igniting a passion they can't ignore, how will they resolve the battle between honor and their hearts?

This book just didn't do it for me. It was a bit on the boring side - lots of telling and exposition, and very little action. I didn't really like Anna at all - instead of being a fun character, she was grating and annoying - and I really didn't believe in the romance between the hero and heroine. I just didn't feel it. *shrug* A forgettable book.

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