Historical Romance Novel Reviews

"What a Rogue Desires" by Caroline Linden

2008-01-24T15:53:00.000Z

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

2008-01-11T09:25:00.000Z

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

2008-01-11T09:13:00.000Z

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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"Lord Calthorpe's Promise" by Sylvia Andrew

2007-12-21T21:50:00.000Z

Lord Calthorpe's Promise by Sylvia Andrew 2002

Description from back of book:
"Lord Adam Calthorpe had been rash to promise to look out for a fellow soldier's sister when he was killed at the battle of Waterloo. Katharine Payne was a golden-eyed virago who flouted Adam's authority at every turn! Maybe taking her to stay with his mother for the Season would absolve him of his responsibilities - that that such a headstrong chit, however endearing, would ever find herself a husband. Only when an unscrupulous man started pursuing her did Adam come to realise that fulfilling his promise might involve marrying the girl himself."

This book has the same basic set-up as Mary Balogh's "Slightly Married." However, Andrew takes it in a completely different direction. This book is charming in its own way, the classic story of how two people who hate each other from the beginning end up loving each other at the end. It's well written and rather clever, although it is important to state that there is no sex whatsoever in this book. And I found it a bit annoying at the end how it went so obviously into the next story instead of ending this one with a nice satisfying sex scene. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book, and would pick up the other ones in the series if I see them.

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"Under the Mistletoe" by Mary Balogh

2007-12-21T04:59:00.000Z

Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh 2007

Description from back of book:
"Dear Reader, Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, celebrating as it does all that is finest in the human experience - love, generosity, peace, and joy. I am delighted that this volume makes available again five of my novellas. They are love stories in which Christmas is shown to have the power to heal all the wounds of the human heart. "A Family Christmas" brings together a couple estranged since just after their arranged marriage the year before, and gives them the perfect chance to start over. "The Star of Bethlehem" features one betrothal ring lost but three that are mysteriously found as a broken marriage is abundantly mended. "The Best Gift" is the tale of a teacher who has never known family, love, or Christmas - then finds all three when asked to chaperon one of her pupils over the holiday. In "Playing House", a lonely aristocrat and his daughter are drawn to an impoverished young woman and her siblings, who are celebrating their last Christmas together with brave gaiety. An assortment of unhappy travelers stranded by bad weather at an inn on Christmas Eve encounter love after a young couple arrives to find that there is "No Room at the Inn" just as their child is about to be born. I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I did writing them. Happy Holidays! Mary Balogh."

This is a charming collection of short stories. My favorite two were "A Family Christmas" and "Playing House." While these are quite good stories, I must say that I prefer her longer novels, where she takes the time to truly go in depth with the relationship between the characters and make their love real to the reader. I think Mary Balogh's true strength lies in doing that, and I think it's obvious in these short stories. While they're enjoyable and worth reading, certainly, the love sometimes seems to pop out of nowhere because it seems she just doesn't have time to develop it properly in sixty pages. Still, I enjoyed this fun holiday collection.

RATING: 1/2

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"A Masked Deception" by Mary Balogh

2007-12-21T04:53:00.000Z

A Masked Deception by Mary Balogh 1985

Description from dust cover:
"Richard, Earl of Brampton, is under orders from his mother to produce an heir. Dutifully he marries dull, proper Margaret Wells but his heart belongs to a girl he met six years before at a masked ball. All he knows of her is that she was disguised as Marie Antoinette. Richard and Margaret's marriage settles into comfortable boredom, until the myseterious 'Marie Antoinette' appears again. Richard cnnot stop himself from embarking on a passionate love affair with his lost love, but all the while he is tormented by guilt at betraying the wife whom he has come to love with all his heart."

This is Mary Balogh's first book, and I quite enjoyed it. It has much the same feeling as some of her early books, such as "The Secret Pearl" or the "Web" series. In other words, it's quite emotionally bleak, and has quite a sad feel to it. Balogh is good at portraying hopelessness and desperation, and this comes out through Meg's character, who is trapped in a loveless marriage with a man she secretly adores. I quite enjoyed this book!

RATING: 1/2

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"The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-21T04:43:00.000Z

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn 2007

Description from back of book:
At the age of ten, Miss Miranda Cheever showed no signs of ever becoming a Great Beauty. Her hair was lamentably brown, her eyes the same muddy colour, and her legs, which were uncommonly long, refused to learn anything which might remotely be called grace. Only, in 1811, the nineteen-year-old Viscount Turner - eldest brother of Miranda's closest friend - had kissed the hand of an awkward ten-year-old girl and promised her that one day she'd be as beautiful as she was clever. Now, eight years later, Miranda is a grown woman, and Turner an embittered widower. But she has never forgotten his kindness. Indeed, it is only in her diary that she confides the truth: she has never stopped loving Turner, and she has never stopped hoping that one day he will see her as more than a naive girl."

As are all of Julia Quinn's books, this one is charming and fun. Miranda is a loveable heroine, and Turner is so nasty and tortured you just have to love him. Although he is certainly attracted to her, and she loves him dearly, you can't help but feel sorry for him when he's forced to marry her - convinced that marriage is evil and that it can never make him happy. Although Quinn turns to a rather overused plot device at the end, it still made me cry and tugged at my heart, so I suppose I can forgive her for using it. This book is cute and witty, like all of her other books, and I look forward to reading more!

RATING: 1/2

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"Potent Pleasures" by Eloisa James

2007-12-21T04:36:00.000Z

Potent Pleasures by Eloisa James 1999

Description from back of book:
"Reckless desire sends Charlotte Daicheston into the garden with a dashing masked stranger. He's powerful, unforgettable, a devastatingly handsome footman who lures her - not against her will - into a grand indiscretion at a masquerade ball. Then he vanishes. Several years later, after Charlotte has made her dazzling debut in London society, they meet again. But the rogue is no footman. He's rich, titled, and he doesn't remember Charlotte. Worse, he's the subject of some scandalous gas set gossip: rumor has it, the earl's virility is in question. Charlotte, who knows all too intimiately the power of his passion, is stunned by the gossip that has set society ablaze. At last, there can be a storybook ending...unless, of course, Charlotte's one mad indiscretion had not been with him at all."

This is probably one of Eloisa James's best books. Although her writing style has certainly developed since she wrote this book (her first), there are certain things about this book that make it better than her later ones. Mostly, there's no annoying secondary plot that threatens to take over the book and makes you want to skip chapters...this is definitely a plus! This book is a fun read. There is a lot of heat between the characters, and their fights are a good deal of fun. I'd read the other two in this series, and it's nice to see how it all started. Good for a light, fun read.

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"The Hazards of Hunting a Duke" by Julia London

2007-12-21T04:27:00.000Z

The Hazards of Hunting a Duke by Julia London 2006

Description from back of book:
"When the young ladies of the Fairchild family learn that their stepfather has absconded with their late mother's fortune, Ava, the eldest, hunts down the notoriously wealthy rakehell Jared Broderick, the Marquis of Middleton and heir to a dukedom. Much to her shock and delight, the marquis sweeps her into a whirlwind romance and proposes marriage. But after their passionate wedding night, Ava discovers Jared has ulterior motives of his own. Not only does he expect her to deliver an heir while he continues to enjoy a rogue's life, but Ava also suspects she is a pawn in her husband's quest for revenge. Marriages of convenience work for some but for Ava, a loveless bond won't do. So she devises a bold plan to confront her husband's demons so that he might be free to choose to give her his heart for the right reason: because she is the only woman he will ever truly desire."

There are some books that you remember because they were either awful or spectacular, and then there are some books that you forget a week after reading them because they had no effect on you either way. This is one of the latter. This book is forgettable, and rather dull. I also want to know exactly what she means when she says that Jared earned his title (he's a marquess, and heir to a dukedom) by himself. What amazing thing did he do to be granted a marquisite? I think she's probably just mistaken and doesn't realize that the fact he's a marquess is most likely just a courtesy title he got from his father...just another one of the annoying things from this book. I don't reccomend.

RATING: 1/2

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"To Sir Phillip, With Love" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-21T04:19:00.000Z

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn 2003

Description from back of book:
"Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife's distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except...she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her...Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking...and wondering...and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she he had hoped might be her perfect match. Except...he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young - and decidedly unruly - children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife."

I love the Bridgertons! This book is one of my favorites. Sir Phillip is sad and a bit brooding, while Eloise is bright and happy. Phillip is attracted to the fact that she's happy - partially because his late wife was depressed and had killed herself. While Phillip is not nearly as troubled as Michael, or Simon, or even Anthony, he is an injured soul and I liked seeing him brighten up as he came to love and trust Eloise. This is a sweet story, well written as all of Julia Quinn's books are. Well worth reading!

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"It's In His Kiss" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-21T04:12:00.000Z

It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn 2005

Description from back of book:
Gareth St. Clair has a father who hates him and who is determined to ruin the St. Clair family fortunes. Gareth's sole heirloom is an old diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past...and the key to his future. The problem is - it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word. All of the ton is agreed: there's no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and - according to Gareth - probably best in small doses. But there's something about her - something charming and vexing - that grabs him and won't quite let go. And Hyacinth - or so she claims - speaks Italian...

And so she claims? Er, Hyacinth does speak Italian. It's not like she's pretending...This book is fun. Gareth is Lady Danbury's grandson, and I've liked her all through the rest of the Bridgerton books. Gareth is a fun character, although he shares some characteristics with Simon from "The Duke and I" - although only vaguely - in that they have severe parental issues. They're still very different characters, though. Hyacinth is also fun, although sometimes she gets on your nerves (although I think she's supposed to, actually, so it's alright). A good book!

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"On the Way to the Wedding" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-21T04:04:00.000Z

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn 2006

Description from back of book:
Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton is a firm believer in true love. He'd have to be an idiot not to be: all seven of his siblings are happily married. Gregory figures he is just biding his time until the right woman comes along. And so when he sees Hermione Watson, he knows with every fibre of his being that she is meant to be his. But thorugh Hermione's closest - and slightly less beautiful - friend, Lucy Abernathy, he finds out that Hermione is desperately in love with another man. Sadly, by the time Gregory figures out that the right girl is actually the wrong girl, and the right girl was Lucy all along, it's too late. Lucy is to marry another! Now - on the way to the wedding - Gregory must figure out how to thwart the nuptials and convince Lucy that she was always meant to be his.

This is the last Bridgerton book, and like all the rest, I quite enjoyed it! Gregory is quite a bit unlike his older brothers - he's a total romantic rather than a rake - which I find to be quite adorable. Lucy, on the other hand, is a strong woman who tries to take care of all of her problems herself, even to the extent that she's willing to give up the man she loves to save her family. This book is charming, and I highly reccomend.

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"An Offer from a Gentleman" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-21T03:56:00.000Z

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn 2001

Description from back of book:
"As the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood, Sophie Beckett has never been accepted in polite society. And since her father's untimely death, her stepmother has made her life doubly hard, forcing her to work as an unpaid servant. Sophie's days are pure drudgery, until one night her fellow servants conspire to help her attend the Bridgerton masquerade ball. There she meets her very own Prince Charming, handsome Benedict Bridgerton and falls head over heels in love. Benedict is equally smitten, but when the clock strikes midnight Sophie is forced to flee the ballroom, leaving only her glove in his hand..."

This is a cute retelling of "Cinderella" - Julia Quinn style. Sophie is the sweet, abused Cinderella character, complete with the wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She's dressed up by loyal servants to have one evening at a ball - from which she must return by midnight - and at that ball falls in love with Prince Charming - Benedict Bridgerton. It's cute to see this story played out in Regency England, and with our beloved Bridgertons. Unlike in Cinderella, though, things don't go "happily ever after" quite so easy. For one thing, Benedict doesn't even recognize her when they first meet again - much to Sophie's dismay. I enjoyed this book a great deal!

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"The Perfect Kiss" by Anne Gracie

2007-12-21T03:42:00.000Z

The Perfect Kiss by Anne Gracie 2007

Description from back of book:
"Grace Merridew's childhood has made it hard for her to trust men and in three years on the marriage market, her senses have never been stirred. So she makes plans for a life of adventure instead - to see the moon rise over the pyramids of Egypt and dance amid the marble ruins of Greece. But first she has to help a friend. Grace's timid friend is being forced to marry Dominic Wolfe, who stands to inherit a huge estate if he weds. The Wolfes have a terrible reputation, and if there's one thing Grace cannot stand, it's a bully. Her friend begs for help to escape this marriage, so Grace acts as the plain and mousy chaperone on their visit to the groom-to-be. But when they arrive, nothing is as they expect, and Grace is scandalized to find herself being pursued by a big bad Wolfe with dishonorable intentions."

This book was probably my least favorite of this series, but it was still pretty good. Grace is the youngest of the four Merridew sisters, and while I enjoyed all of their books a great deal, this one seemed a bit forced. Grace never had a whole lot of personality to me (certainly nothing next to Prudence or Faith), and even in this book it seems that all she really has is that she's really pretty. Dominic is dark and romantic, but he's a bit two-dimensional as well. Nonetheless, this is a good read, if not a good conclusion to the series.

RATING: 1/2

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"Marrying Captain Jack" by Anne Herries

2007-12-21T03:34:00.000Z

Marrying Captain Jack by Anne Herries 2007

Description from back of book:
On the verge of womanhood, Lucy Horne is excited and nervous about her first season. Despite being the belle of every ball, she can't seem to quell her feelings for a man she has met only once before - the enigmatic and dashing Captain Jack. Captain Jack Harcourt is determined to put the bloody battlefields of France behind him and find a suitable wife. But secrets from Jack's past threaten to confound his plans - and he cannot offer a beautiful girl a tainted name...

This isn't a terrible book, although it does have problems. The conversation is very awkward - people don't talk like that. She has them speaking in paragraphs rather than sentences, which is a bit annoying at times. Also, I'm not sure how well she understands the social scene of Regency England - she's always saving Jack three dances, while I believe that two was the maximum allowed to anyone without scandal. There isn't a lot of passion between the two characters, actually, there isn't a lot of emotion between them at all. The one sex scene at the end is really flat and not very good. Also, I'm not sure she knows exactly what she's doing with her characters. She says at the beginning (and many times throughout) that Lucy is quiet and thoughtful - then makes a big deal at the end about how she's so impulsive. Er, aren't those two things opposites? Nonetheless, this book has its moments, and was an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

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"My Lord Footman" by Claire Thornton

2007-12-19T23:55:00.000Z

My Lord Footman by Claire Thornton 2007

Description from back of book:
Pierce Cardew, Viscount Blackspur, has played many parts - spy, smuggler, privateer captain. So when his family is threatened by a greedy blackmailer, and Pierce becomes convinced that the recently widowed Comtesse de Gilocourt knows more than she's telling, he takes a job that will keep her very close. Surrounded by danger as the French Revolution begins, Pierce finds it unthinkable that this innocent beauty could be treacherous. And playing the detached footman becomes almost impossible when all he wants to do is take his mistress to bed!

I was pleasantly suprised by this book. The back made it sound rather tacky, but it was actually quite enjoyable and quite a fun read. The characters are both unique and actually possess personality (as opposed to being cardboard and two-dimensional). The romance does get kind of bogged down in the plot (which is a little bit more plot than I like in a romance novel) but it's still entertaining. Unfortunately, the plot has nothing to do with the actual romance, which I think gets in the way a little. I kind of wish romance novels wouldn't have plots at all, or if they did, they should be plots that relate directly to the story. This is stil a good book, though.

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"Emerald" by Lauren Royal

2007-12-19T09:56:00.000Z

Emerald by Lauren Royal 2000

Description from back of book:
"Jason Chase is on a headlong mission to bring a scoundrel to justice when he smacks headfirst into a hapless Scottish lad - who happens to be a lovely lass. Though she claims she's headed to London on family business, Jason's convinced she's a notorious bounty hunter and that they're after the same man. He refuses to let her out of his sight.

Caithren Leslie longs to be rid of the handsome, overbearing Englishman, yet recognizes the danger of traveling alone among rogues and highwaymen. Though Jason claims he's a commoner, Cait suspects he's of noble birth. And as combat becomes companionship, and travel reveals truth, Jason and Cait discover that appearances can be most deceptive...and admit that the only quest that matters is the one for love."

This book, taking place in 1667, is Restoration, not Regency, but I'm putting it here anyway. I'm quite excited, actually, to see a book taking place in the Restoration time period. It's a period not generally covered by romance novels and it's an exciting period.

On top of the interesting time period, this is simply a good book. A bit on the long side (although this is not a problem), this book takes the time to develop the relationship between Jason and Cait. She also does quite a good job with the language and customs of the Restoration era. The story is engaging, the characters are interesting, and it's an enjoyable and unique read.

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"The Heir and the Spare" by Maya Rodale

2007-12-18T14:09:00.001Z

The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale 2007

Description from back of book:
All of London is raving about the newly arrived American Emilia Highhart. She has beauty, charm, wit, and a hint of the exotic. Unfortunately, grace is decidedly not one of her virtues. Staircases, doors, even floors have proven her enemies, often leaving Emilia prostrate and mortified in a pile of muslin. Nevertheless, at her first ball, her dance card soon fills with the names of highly suitable men. But Emilia's eyes are on just one man - the one her aunt points out as the entirely unsuitable Lord Phillip...

In fact, he isn't Lord Phillip. While Phillip, the heir, goes about spending the good family's funds, his identical twin, Devon, the spare, must attend society functions as Lord Phillip-all because of a few blasted miniutes' age difference. Soon, both twins are vying for Emilia. And, under the not-so-watchful eye of Lady Palmerston, aunt and chaperone to the young lady, Emilia is unknowningly courted by two different men with the same face! But only one of them is the love of her life...

This book was not very good. She kept bringing up ideas and then dropping them, pulling things out of nowhere, and on top of that, the writing itself just wasn't very good. Perhaps she'll get better, as this is her first book, but I can't say it's a very strong debut.

RATING: 1/2

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"Nicola and the Viscount" by Meg Cabot

2007-12-18T14:00:00.000Z

Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot 2002

Description from back of book:
Nicola could feel Lord Sebastien's heart beeting. It was the most delightful feeling in the world. Surely it meant that The God liked her. More than simply liked her - loved her even. It had to! It just had to!

Miss Nicola Sparks has fallen in love, big time. The object of her dreams is the fabulously rich Lord Sebastein, he of the ice-blue eyes, golden hair and full-on mastery of the dance floor. To Nicky, Lord S. is a god. But are gods always quite as perfect as they are meant to be?

This is a Regency romance for teens, by the same author as The Princess Diaries. It's quite cute, and quite enjoyable. Meg Cabot's writing is engaging, and the characters, while definitely teenage "hero" and "heroine" are still good. This is a fun book for adults to read as well.

RATING: 1/2

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"Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-06T23:43:00.000Z

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 2002

Description from back of book:
"Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for...well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Briderton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret...and fears she doesn't know him at all. Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the neverending sameness of his life, and, most of all, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply...there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide...is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?"

Like all the other books I've read of Julia Quinn's, this book is, of course, good. It's a wonderful story for those girls who never quite felt at ease in society, those of us who were never quite "popular." Colin is a wonderful hero and a fun character, and Penelope is charming and likeable. Despite this, however, this book seems to be missing something that has been present in her other books. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I think part of it is that she spends too much time on the Lady Whistledown stuff - for obvious reasons, but it still gets to be too much at times. Still a good book, though, and still worth reading.

RATING: 1/2

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"The Viscount Who Loved Me" by Julia Quinn

2007-12-04T08:33:00.000Z

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn 2000

Description from back of book:
Anthony Bridgerton needs a wife. Having spent his twenties in a rakish pursuit of pleasure, he knows it's high time he settled down and ensured the continuation of the Bridgerton line. Edwina Sheffield is considered the most beautiful debutante of the season. She is also sweet, innocent and eminently biddable - Anthony is sure she'll make a perfectly acceptable wife and vows to make her his. The only obstacle in his way is Edwina's older sister, Kate. Kate is determined to do all she can to allow her sister the chance to marry for love rather than convenience. And the roguish viscount is beginning to think he may have met his match in Kate's keen wit and sharp tongue. Until that is, he makes the mistake of kissing her...

You know, I hate the descriptions on the back of romance novels. They leave so much out and make the books sound so much sillier and pettier than they actually are. As they do with this book. But that's beside the point. As with the other two Julia Quinn novels I have reviewed to this point, this book was very good. I enjoy her writing style a great deal, although this book is a bit less "witty" than the other two - it certainly has its moments. I think one of the things I like best about Julia Quinn is how she makes her characters real. None of them are perfect - they all have their little foibles, which makes it easier for those of us who are not made to be in romance novels understand and relate that much better. Such as the fact that Kate can't dance. And she's a miserable musician. And she's figety. It just makes her human. Anthony is a wonderful tortured hero, as well, although in a much different way than Michael (When He Was Wicked) or Simon (The Duke And I). Truly an enjoyable book! I can't wait to read the rest!

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"Your Wicked Ways" by Eloisa James

2007-12-01T15:08:00.000Z

Your Wicked Ways by Eloisa James 2004

Description from back of book:
"Helene, the Countess Godwin, knows there is nothing more unbearably tedious than a virtuous woman. After all, she's been one for ten long years while her scoundrel of a husband lives with strumpets and causes scandal after scandal. So she decides it's time for a change - she styles her hair in the newest, daring mode, puts on a shockingly transparent gown, and goes to a ball like Cinderella, hoping to find a prince charming to sweep her off her feet...and into his bed. But instead of a prince, she finds only her only volatile, infuriatingly handsome...husband, Rees, the Earl Godwin. They'd eloped to Gretna Green in a fiery passion, but passion can sometimes burn too hot to last. But now, Rees makes her a brazen offer, and Helene decides to become a wife again...but not in name only. No, this time she decides to be very, very wicked indeed."

This is one of my very favorite of Eloisa James's books. And that description leaves out one of the most salient points of the plot - Helene isn't a loose woman who just wants some man to bed her, she's a woman who desperately wants a baby, and knows her childbearing years are running out. That's why she does everything she does. That discription makes her sound a bit...wanton. But anyway, the Helene/Rees plot in this book is brilliant. Rees is a perfect anti-hero - he's clueless when it comes to women, a bit of a jerk, poorly dressed - and absolutely loveable at the same time. And it's obvious from the moment they sit down at the piano together that they're a perfect match - if only they could get over their less than perfect past together. The problem with this book, as with many of James's other books - is that she has to ruin a perfectly good and entertaining story by interspersing it with a secondary plot between Lina and Tom that is boring and pointless. I found myself desperately wanting to skip the chapters with them in order to see what was happening with Rees and Helene! The habit she has of doing this is getting more and more annoying!

RATING: 1/2

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"The Corinthian" by Georgette Heyer

2007-12-01T15:01:00.000Z

The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer 1950

Description from back of book:
"The only question which hangs over the life of Sir Richard Wyndham, notable whip, dandy and Corinthian, is one of marriage. On the eve of making the most momentous decision of his life, he is on his way home, a little worse for dirnk, when he chances upon a beautiful young fugitive climbing out of a window by means of knotted sheets - and so finds a perfect opportunity for his own escape..."

This is not one of my favorite of Heyer's books. It's cute enough, yes, and it's well written, but the problem is that there is little to no character development. Heyer spends far too much time in this book on the robbery/murder plot, and not nearly enough in developing the relationship between Pen and Richard. I can completely understand why Pen doesn't believe him when he proposes - there's nothing in the book to let the reader on to the fact he's falling in love with her either!

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November Book Statistics

2007-11-30T06:06:00.000Z

Books Reviewed in November: 46

Median Ranking: 3.0
Mean Ranking: 3.32
Mode of Rankings: 3
Standard Deviation of Rankings: .9508

Top Three Books (November)

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
Simply Love by Mary Balogh
When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Worst Three Books (November)

The Sinful Nights of a Nobleman by Jillian Hunter
Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley
Lord Stanhope's Proposal by Jessica Benson

Author Statistics (November)

Detailed Author Statistics (November)

Mary Balogh

Number of Books Reviewed: 15
Median Ranking: 4
Mean Ranking: 4
Mode: 4
Std. Deviation: 0.53

Sara Bennett

Number of Books Reviewed: 1
Median Ranking: 2
Mean Ranking: 2
Mode: 2
Std. Deviation: n/a

Jessica Benson

Number of Books Reviewed: 1
Median Ranking: 1.5
Mean Ranking: 1.5
Mode: 1.5
Std. Deviation: n/a

Elizabeth Boyle

Number of Books Reviewed: 3
Median Ranking: 2.5
Mean Ranking: 2.5
Mode: 2, 2.5, 3
Std. Deviation: 0.5

Loretta Chase

Number of Books Reviewed: 1
Median Ranking: 2
Mean Ranking 2
Mode: 2
Std. Deviation: n/a

Gaelen Foley

Number of Books Reviewed: 1
Median Ranking: 1
Mean Ranking: 1
Mode: 1
Std. Deviation: n/a

Anne Gracie

Number of Books Reviewed: 3
Median Ranking: 3.5
Mean Ranking: 3.5
Mode: n/a
Std. Deviation: 0.5

Candice Hern

Number of Books Reviewed: 2
Median Ranking: 2.5
Mean Ranking: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
Std. Deviation: 0

Georgette Heyer

Number of Books Reviewed: 3
Median Ranking: 4
Mean Ranking: 4.17
Mode: 4
Std. Deviation: .29

Jillian Hunter

Number of Books Reviewed: 1
Median Ranking: 1
Mean Ranking: 1
Mode: 1
Std. Deviation: n/a

Eloisa James

Number of Books Reviewed: 7
Median Ranking: 3
Mean Ranking: 3.07
Mode: 3
Std. Deviation 0.19

Sabrina Jeffries

Number of Books Reviewed: 5
Median Ranking: 3
Mean Ranking: 3.1
Mode: 3
Std. Deviation 0.22

Julia Justiss

Number of Books Reviewed: 1
Median Ranking: 3
Mean Ranking: 3
Mode: 3
Std. Deviation: n/a

Julia Quinn

Number of Books Reviewed: 2
Median Ranking: 4.5
Mean Ranking: 4.5
Mode: n/a
Std. Deviation: 0.71

"Silent Melody" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-30T05:09:00.000Z

Silent Melody by Mary Balogh 1997

Description from back of book:
"Lady Emily Marlowe was beautiful, wild, and unspoiled. She could not hear or speak, though she listened with her eyes and answered with her smile. She was betrothed to a man who would have her as a pretty possession, a captive listener. But there was only one man for her - the dark and reckless Lord Ashley Kendrick, the childhood amour who inspired her fantasies - then left for India and found another love. Seven years and countless dreams later, he returned to her, and love was born with a dance, a minuet that stirred her soul, a song so passionate it had no words..."

First off, this book is Georgian, not Regency, but I'm including it here because Mary Balogh is, for the most part, a Regency writer. This book is also the sequel to "Heartless." I truly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first whether having a deaf-mute heroine would even work - it sounds difficult to transfer facial expressions, etc, into words in a book, but Mary Balogh succeeds in doing so, and in making Emily a warm and complex character. Ashley, on the other hand, is a tortured and hurting man, filled with guilt over the accidental deaths of his wife and son in India. In Emily he finds the comfort of a long friendship, and with the realization that she is a woman, and not a little girl, he finds the hope of a great deal more. This book has more of a plot than many of Mary Balogh's books, and it's a good plot that unravels at a reasonable pace - it's not thrown at you, but it doesn't slow down the book either. Truly an enjoyable work!

RATING:

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"Web of Love" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-30T04:58:00.000Z

Web of Love by Mary Balogh 1990

Description from back of book:
"He'd served with her husband on the battlefield - and yet secretly desired her for years. Yet for Dominic, Lieutenant Lord Eden, Ellen Simpson has remained tantalizingly out of reach - until she is widowed by the war. Suddenly pursued by the dangerously handsome nobleman, Ellen is stunned by the depth of attraction he arouses in her. Soon their friendship flames into something deeper...and as scandal ignites, marriage seems the only solution. But Ellen has a secret - one she can share with no one - that prevents her from fully opening her heart to Dominic. Until he devises his own plan for the ultimate consummation of their passion - and the woman he is determined to possess at any cost."

Hmm. I'm trying to figure out what they mean by that description, everything after and including "But Ellen has a secret..." WTF? I have read this book and I have no idea what they're talking about! Anyway, "Web of Love" is the second in the "Web" trilogy. These books are very different than Mary Balogh's other books. They're slower moving, a bit more detatched emotionally, and yet at the same time very beautiful books. This book is a little slow getting into it (Ellen's husband doesn't die until page 130), but the buildup helps with the book later. I really like Dominic - I've liked him since "The Gilded Web" - and it's nice to see him finally grow up and get away from the silly little girls he was courting all through "The Gilded Web." Ellen - well, I'm not so sure if I like her or not. She seems at the beginning like a really great character, but after Charlie dies and she makes love to Dominic, she turns rather cold, and never really warms up again. Despite this, though, this is a good book with a good, solid story, and worth reading.

RATING: 1/2

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING:

"Midnight Pleasures" by Eloisa James

2007-11-30T04:48:00.000Z

Midnight Pleasures by Eloisa James 2000

Description from back of book:
"To her legions of adoring suitors, it comes as quite a shock when Lady Sophie York rejects an offer of marriage from the dashing, rakish Patrick Foakes in favor of amiable but dull Braddon Chatwin. He may be an earl, but it is Patrick's stolen kisses that sear her lips. When Patrick, in disguise, scales a ladder to retrieve his friend's fiancee, he never expects the elopment to be his own. Neither does Sophie, Braddon, or the rest of the tattling ton. One hasty wedding later, the passionate innocent and the sophisticated rogue play out their own intricate dance as Sophie masters what it takes to keep a man where he belongs. And Patrick learns the ultimate lesson in love."

This book is one of the very few of Eloisa James's books I've read where the subplot does not get desperately in the way of the good story. It's integrated in such a way in this book that it works with the story, and helps to further the main plot. This is a good book, although it didn't stay with me very long afterwards. It's a fun read, and the characters are engaging, but not engaging enough to make this a great book. Sophie is a good heroine, Patrick is tortured, and their estrangement is quite complete (she doesn't even know when she becomes a duchess), but there's just something emotionally missing from this book that keeps it from sticking with you.

RATING:

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"Enchanting Pleasures" by Eloisa James

2007-11-30T04:40:00.000Z

Enchanting Pleasures by Eloisa James 2001

Description from back of book:
"Gabrielle Jerningham cherishes the portrait of her betrothed, the perfect Peter Dewland...until she meets his commanding older brother Quill. But it is Peter to whom she has been promised. And how can she possibly transform her voluptuous, outspoken self into the poised gentlewoman Peter requires? When Gabby's shocking decolletage plunges to her waist at her first ball, Peter is humiliated. But Quill comes to the rescue, to the peril of his heart. An accident years before has left Quill plagued by headaches - the kind that grows more excruciating with strenuous exercise. Needless to say, this hardly bodes well for siring progeny. But the very sight of Gabby leaves Quill breathless. One forbidden kiss and Quill vows to have her, headaches - and Peter - be damned! But it will take a clever man - and a clever woman - to turn the tables on propriety and find their way to true love..."

This is one of my favorites by Eloisa James. Quill is a lovable, tortured, injured heroine, and Gabby is fun and rather clueless. Peter, in his own way, is an equally interesting character. As usual, however, a secondary plot tends to get in the way and the times when you most want to find out about Quill and Gabby - I really wish she would just stick to one story per book! I think the end of this book goes a little bit far in the melodrama direction as well, but it's still a fun book and I enjoyed it.

RATING: 1/2

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"Simply Love" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-30T00:11:00.000Z

Simply Love by Mary Balogh 2006

Description from back of book:
"Anne Jewell is a teacher at Miss Martin's School for Girls, a genteel academy in Regency England. Now she must confront the disturbing tragedy that gave her a beautiful son but locked her heart away many years ago. While on a summer holiday in Wales, Anne meets Sydnam Butler, a taciturn hero of the Peninsula Wars. Gentle yet courageous, he is unlike any man Anne has ever encountered. But he too carries scars of the past. When Anne returns to St. Martin's, she makes a suprising discovery and has no choice but to test Sydnam's love. Their passion becomes a showdown between long-buried fears and grand dreams..."

This book is spectacular. I know that's a strange word to use for a book, but I can't help it. This book blew me away. Sydnam is the perfect hero - tortured, lonely and yet indescribably gentle, and put against Anne - who is equally damaged, their two hearts are constantly misunderstanding the other in the most tragic of ways. And yet, on a deeper level, there is understanding, and a need for each other that transcends the surface discomfort. This book is one of the most poignant books I have read in ages. It clenched at my heart and I found myself completely unable to put it down. Bravo!

RATING:

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"Simply Unforgettable" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-30T00:04:00.000Z

Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh 2005

Description from back of book:
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the black-caped stranger who comes to her rescue. Stranded together in a country inn, Lucius Marshall and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her palce. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night. But when fate once again throws them together, Lucius's passionate, single-minded pursuit will force Frances to give up all her secrets - except one - to win the heart of the man she already loves.

This is the first in the new "Simply" Quartet, and it is a good beginning. While this book is not quite as good as others that Balogh has written, it is nonetheless charming. Frances is trying to forget her past - something she eventually finds to be impossible - and it is through the love and support of Luicus that she is finally able to move on. There is good chemistry between Lucius and Frances, and, as in all of Balogh's books, you truly empathize with the hero and heroine. There is just something that this book is lacking to bring it up to the quality of some of her other books, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Still a good book!

RATING: 1/2

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"The Secret Pearl" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-29T23:58:00.000Z

The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh 1991

Description from back of book:
He first spies her in the shadows outside a London theatre, a ravishing creature forced to barter her body to survive. To the woman known simply as Fleur, the well-dressed gentleman with the mesmerizing eyes is an unlikely savior. And when she takes the strange to her bed, she never expects to see him again. But then Fleur accepts a position as governess to a young girl...and is stunned to discover that her midnight lover is a powerful nobleman. As two wary hearts ignite - and the threat of scandal hovers over them - one question remains: will she be mistress or wife?

This is a dark and rather bleak book. The first scene is emotionally horrible and while the book has a happy ending, there is not a great deal of happiness anywhere else in the book. There is all kinds of sadness - the sadness of unrequieted love, the sadness of being seperate from the one you love, the sadness of a child yearning for her mother, the sadness of making a mistake that you may have to live with for the rest of your life...this is not a light book, but it is a good one.

RATING: 1/2

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"No Man's Mistress" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-29T22:40:00.000Z

No Man's Mistress by Mary Balogh 2001

Description from back of book:
Lord Ferdinand Dudley is accustomed to getting what he wants...that is, until he appears at the door of Pinewood Manor, attempting to claim his rightful estate, and is met by the bewitching fury of Lady Viola Thornhill. She refuses to cede him the home she calls her own. He refuses to leave. So the contest begins. Each day under the same roof brings its share of frustration...and temptation. But Viola knows it is a battle she cannot afford to lose. Marriage is out of the question, and she will be no man's mistress even as Dudley's unnerving presence threatens to melt her resolve. Against his better judgement, Lord Ferdinand Dudley is beguiled. This maddening beauty has stirred him as no woman had before. And now he is bound and determined to make her his own.

This is the sequel to "More than a Mistress." Unfortunately, it is not quite as good as MtaM, although it is an enjoyable and well written book. Ferdinand just doesn't have quite as developed and complex a personality as Jocelyn, which makes it harder for the emotional connection between the reader and characters to form. Viola is an interesting character, and we find a great deal more out about her than we do about Ferdinand, who is a rather mild and uninteresting character. Some of the best scenes in this book are the ones with Jocelyn and his family...still a good book, though.

RATING: 1/2

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"Tempting Harriet" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-29T22:30:00.000Z

Tempting Harriet by Mary Balogh 1994

Description from back of book:
She had resisted scandalous seduction once before. That was six years ago, but it seemed six centuries. She was no longer young, innocent, and impoverished Miss Harriet Pope. She was Lady Harriet Wingham, beautiful and wealthy widow of a kindly, if elderly, baron. And the libertine lord who had almost taken her virtue now bore the title of the Duke of Tenby. Tenby, though, was as breathtakingly handsome and as amorously expert as ever. He still wanted Harriet not as a wife but as a mistress - and Harriet could not keep from wanting him. She had no desire once, but denial was so much more difficult the second time around, and Harriet wondered if she could safely surrender her body without giving her heart to this man who clearly had none...

This book has certain echoes of the future "More than a Mistress" - Tenby thinks he can get her out of his system by making her his mistress - but "More than a Mistress" is sweeter and the relationship between Jane and Jocelyn is more intense than the relationship between Tenby and Harriet. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable book, although not Balogh's best.

RATING: 1/2

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING:

"An Affair Before Christmas" by Eloisa James

2007-11-29T22:16:00.000Z

An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James 2007

Description from back of book:
"One spectacular Christmas, Lady Perdita Selby, known to her friends and family as Poppy, met the man she thought she would love forever. The devilishly attractive Duke of Fletcher was the perfect match for the innocent, breathtakingly beautiful young Englishwoman, and theirs was the most romantic wedding she had ever seen. Four years later, Poppy and the duke have become the toast of the ton...but behind closed doors the spark of their love affair has burned out. Unwilling ot lose the woman he still lusts after, the duke is determined to win back his beguiling bride's delectable affections...and surpass the heady days of first love with a truly sinful seduction.

This book is actually three stories - Fletch and Poppy's, Jemma's, and Charlotte Tetlock and the Duke of Villiers'. Unlike in her other books, it's hard to say which one is really dominant - they're given close to equal time. The main story - Fletch and Poppy's - is, in my opinion, the weakest, replaying parts of "Your Wicked Ways" that were done better there - the innocent bride who finds sex horrible and it tears apart their relationships, but they actually still love each other...blah, blah. Read "Your Wicked Ways" - it's better. However, the Duke of Villiers is a fantastic story, and his story - even though he's in bed the whole time, recovering (very slowly and painfully) from a sword wound he received in a duel in "Desperate Duchesses" - it's the part that captures you and keeps your interest.

RATING:

FAMLIY-FRIENDLY RATING: 1/2

"After the Abduction" by Sabrina Jeffries

2007-11-29T21:39:00.000Z

After the Abduction by Sabrina Jeffries 2002

Description from inside:
"After two London Seasons - and a score of resoundingly dull society suitors - lovely Juliet Laverick still longs for only one man: Morgan Pryce, the dashing scoundrel who kidnapped her two years ago. But her determination to bring him to justice hasn't waned, either. Then Morgan's twin brother, Sebastian, tells her some shocking news: Her mysterious paramour has disappeared. Sebastian, Lord Templemore, has a secret. He's the one Juliet seeks - it is his kiss she still years for. Confessing to her abduction would bring disaster and scandal upon them both. But how can he convince Juliet to forsake her pursuit of her dream lover - when all he dreams of is holding her in his arms again?

This is the third installment in the "Swanlea Spinsters" series, and my favorite. I love twins, for one thing, and this book does a good job with them. I also like Rosalind and Griff - which have a good part in this book. The story is solid, and the characters are charming, and this is just a very enjoyable book.

RATING: 1/2

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"A Notorious Love" by Sabrina Jeffries

2007-11-29T21:24:00.000Z

A Notorious Love by Sabrina Jeffries 2001

Description from back of book:
"The only man who can help her find her eloping young sister is Daniel Brennan - the one-time smuggler and seductive scoundrel who brazenly toyed with Helena's affections a year ago. There is certainly nothing applicable in "Mrs. Nunley's Guide to Etiquette for Young Ladies" for this situation - so Helena is forced to seek the runaway in Daniel's company...while enjoying the delicious tingle warning her that more than her reputation may be in danger. Daniel feels oh-so-proper Helena's cherished rules of behavior are ridiculous - yet the vulnerability he sense behind her cool control excites him...and the unexpected passion smoldering beneath her straightlaced exterior makes him want her even more! But Helena is a lady and he's a highwayman's son-how could he ever expect her to share his world?"

This book is one of the "Swanlea Spinsters" series, and an enjoyable one. Daniel is the son of the Irish highwayman "Wild" Danny Brennan, and Helena is a well-bred daughter of an Earl. It's an amusing sort of Cinderella story - with a gender reversal. The plot in this book - recovering her sister who has eloped - doesn't get in the way of the story, but supports it. Enjoyed this book!

RATING:

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"Dance of Seduction" by Sabrina Jeffries

2007-11-29T19:24:00.000Z

Dance of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries 2003

Description from inside book:
"It's difficult enough for Lady Clara Stanbourne to run her London home for reformed young pickpockets without having to contend with a criminal in business right next door! The mysterious Morgan Pryce is obviously dealing in stolen property, and she will never allow the handsome scoundrel to lead the children astray! Pryce is very much mistaken if he believes her a delicate rose he can wilt with soft words and passionate, unspoken promises. Now if only Clara could douse the fiery yearning the charming cad ignites in her...This bold, beautiful temptress is indeed a distraction - and Morgan wishes he could tell the exquisite Clara the truth: that he is working undercover to break up a notorious crime ring. His mind should be on his duty - not wondering how it would feel to hold Clara in his arms and taste the sweetness of her luscious lips. But now that she has entered into his most dangerous game, Morgan knows he must have her, despite the very real peril to his secret mission...and to his heart!"

This is the last book in the "Swanlea Spinsters" series, and I quite enjoyed it. Morgan Pryce, the twin brother of Lord Templemore of "After the Abduction" is a fun, roguish type of character - the type that Sabrina Jeffries is good at portraying. Clara is very much a do-gooder, the type of character that almost always irritates me, but at least she's proven wrong at the end, which makes me happy. I hate it when self-righteous characters are proven right. Sometimes I wish that Jeffries would concentrate more on her characters than her plot, but it is still an entertaining book and worth reading.

RATING:

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"Married to the Viscount" by Sabrina Jeffries

2007-11-29T19:00:00.000Z

Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries 2004

Description from inside book:
"Abigail Mercer was breathless with anticipation at being reunited with Spencer Law, whom she met once and later married by proxy. But now the dashing Viscount Ravenswood denies all knowledge of their union! Far too many witnesses have made it impossible for the secretive Spencer to reject his "bride" without causing a scandal. So he has proposed a marriage in-name-only until they can locate his mysteriously absent younger brother - who is responsible for everything! - and untangle this messy affair. Abigail is incensed, irate...and irresistibly attracted to this handsome, infuriating man who hides his smoldering passion behind a proper exterior. So the lady will agree to his terms on one condition: Spencer must seal their bargain with a kiss - one deep, lingering, unforgettable kiss meant to stoke the sensuous flames of love...one kiss to melt the icy, resisting heart of the only husband Abigail has ever desired."

This book, while enjoyable, is not one of Sabrina Jeffries' best. The plot is good enough, and the characters are not cardboard cut-outs, but there just wasn't very much from this book that stayed with me. Abigail is supposedly half Native American - this is introduced but then she does very little with it, which was a bit dissapointing. Spencer is a good enough hero - and I like when the heroes of books are actually involved in politics - but I'm not really sure his "dark secret" is dark enough to be the basis for the conflict in the book. Anyway, it's a good enough read, and enjoyable.

RATING:

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"Her Scandalous Affair" by Candice Hern

2007-11-29T18:52:00.000Z

Her Scandalous Affair by Candice Hern 2004

Description from back of book::
""And so you must find the Mallory Heart and bring it home at once. No matter what it takes." After this decree from his grandmother, Richard, Viscount Mallory, goes in search of the long-lost family heirloom. Imagine his suprise when he spots the exquisite heart-shaped ruby brooch on the bosom of the equally exquisite Lady Isabel Weymouth! Could this popular young socialite actually be a jewel thief? Richard is determined that the brooch be returned to his family. So when the opportunity presents itself, he pilfers the jewel from the lady's bedroom, but is stunned when she steals it back the very next day! Clearly, the enchanting Isabel is a more formidable opponent than he imagined, and the former soldier finds himself battling wits and wills with the captivating temptress. Passion ignites between them as the competition heats up, and suddenly there is more than a ruby brooch at stake in this game of hearts."

I am just not impressed with Candice Hern. There's nothing wrong with her books, but there's nothing really "right" about them, either. They don't stand out. After a while, I've forgotten I read them and I struggle to remember the details of the story. This book is no different. The story in this book is rather silly - I never did understand why he didn't just have a long talk with her about it - and the continuous stealing back and forth grows old rather fast. I never did quite understand where the love story came from, either, and I rather hate it when that kind of thing is just sprung on me.

RATING: 1/2

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING:

"Once A Scoundrel" by Candice Hern

2007-11-29T18:42:00.000Z

Once a Scoundrel by Candice Hern 2003

Description from back of book:
"It was bad enough when Anthony Morehouse thought he had won a piece of furniture in a card game, but when he learned that The Ladies' Fashionable Cabinet was actually a women's magazine, he couldn't wait to get rid of it. Then he sees beautiful Edwina Parrish behind the editor's desk. Tony has never forgotten the spirited girl who had bested him at every childhood contest, ultimately winning a priceless family heirloom he had no business wagering. Here was a golden opportunity for him to win it back. Yet Edwina, now a voluptuous enchantress, tempts him in a way no woman ever had before...

Edwina was stunned to learn that Tony is the new owner of her beloved magazine. Being the Cabinet's editor has been a labor of love, and she's not about to let Tony take it away from her. If the scoundrel wants to make a wager, then he'll find that she has a few tricks of her own up her sleeve. But the mischevious youth she once knew has grown into a brazen charmer, and Edwina may be making the biggest gamble of all...with her heart."

This book is alright. Again, the heroine feels a bit too twentieth-century to me - I suppose I prefer girls who are spunky and adventurous without breaking out of the molds of the time. Edwina doesn't exactly do this, but I think she's pushed just a little bit too far in the "strong woman" direction. The story's cute, and not terribly complicated, and this is a decent read, just nothing terribly special about it.

RATING: 1/2

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING:

"When He Was Wicked" by Julia Quinn

2007-11-29T18:29:00.000Z

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn 2004

Description from back of book:
"In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous bachelor, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton. After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer - the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin..."

I love this book!!! It's different than a lot of books out there in a lot of ways. First, Michael is Francesca's best friend - not some man she saw and fell madly in love with. Secondly, it's Michael who's pining, which seems against the grain - and I'm very glad because I'm tired of it always being the girl's job to pine. Thirdly, it's the first book I've read where the hero suffers from malaria for a significant portion of the book. Fourthly, it's one of the few books I've read where the widow actually truly loved her husband before he died. Fifthly, this book begins very sadly, and a touch of that sadness continues through the rest of the book. Despite that, this book is amazingly good. Very touching, and sweet, and really everything a romance novel should be expected to be. Michael, while prickly and tortured, is completely lovable - although far from perfect - and Francesca struggles to come to terms with her husband's death and her growing feelings for his cousin and her best friend. Truly charming!!!

RATING:

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING: 1/2

"The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn

2007-11-29T18:16:00.000Z

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 2000

Description from back of book:
"After enduring two seasons in London, Daphne Bridgerton is no longer naive enough to believe she will be able to marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection? Her brother's old school friend Simon Bassett - the new Duke of Hastings - has no intention of ever marrying. However, newly returned to England, he finds himself the target of the many marriage-minded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands. To deflect their attention, the handsome hell-raiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return, his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door...There's just one problem, Daphne is now in danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality..."

This was my first Julia Quinn book - and I will be hunting up all the others I can find! This book was charming, witty and tender, all at the same time. The relationship between Simon and Daphne was given proper time to build, and neither character was perfect - both displaying quite obvious faults - Simon for brooding and not allowing himself to forget the past, Daphne for fairly obvious selfishness in the scene were she takes advantage of Simon's drunkeness (although not of him, exactly). Another charming part of this book are the presence of Daphne's brothers and sisters - all seven of them - who all have their own books later, but are all developing individual characteristics already. I wish that she had given a little more time to Simon coming around at the end, but that's really the only problem I have with this book. Can't wait to read the rest!

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"Lord Stanhope's Proposal" by Jessica Benson

2007-11-29T18:07:00.000Z

Lord Stanhope's Proposal by Jessica Benson 2000

Description from back of book:
"Determined to clean up the mess his cousin Ossie has created, Tristan, Earl of Stanhope, finds himself taking an unscheduled trip to the country. His mission: Rescue a spinster from certain scandal as the object of a tasteless wager. But much to Tristan's suprise, Callista Ashton is more sharp-tongued free spirit than raw country gril - and more attractive than he ever imagined. Twenty-four and determinedly unwed, she's nobody's fool, and perfectly capable of taking care of herself, thank you very much. It's soon abundantly clear to Tristan that although rescuing a damsel in distress might actually have been an easier plan to carry out, sharing kisses - and more - with a strong, sensual woman is far more satisfying. Now all he has to do is convince Callista that she's fallen as hard as he has..."

Egh. I am singularly unimpressed with this book. The characters are flat, the reader feels very little emotional connection to them, and the story's dead dull. I found myself confusing almost all the characters and couldn't tell what was going on half the time. The love story feels forced, and there's about as much heat between Tristan and Callista as you'd find on a January day in Alaska. I wanted to like this book, I really did. The prologue was witty and fun, and it got my hopes up. Too bad they were so brutally let down.

RATING: 1/2
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"The Perfect Stranger" by Anne Gracie

2007-11-29T17:57:00.000Z

The Perfect Stranger by Anne Gracie 2006

Description from back of book:
"With her signature spirit, Faith Merridew has left everything she's ever known for the man she thought was the love of her life. Instead he leaves her name - and dreams - in the dust. That is, until she crosses paths with Nicholas Blacklock, a Waterloo veteran, who offers to save her reputation with a marriage of convenience. A hardened soldier, Nick hides a deadly secret - and tries to keep Faith at arm's length. But even though Nick can command legions of men with a word, his orders go sweetly ignored by his convenient bride. And as they come to know one another more deeply, she brings out in him things he thought dead: gentleness, laughter...and love..."

This book actually had me crying. I love the whole tortured-hero thing and Nick is certainly one of those. Faith is also a rather torutred character, used, betrayed and discarded by the man she thought she loved. The relationship that builds between Nick and Faith feels real, and the secret that stands between them builds the tension and emotional anguish throughout the book. The whole journey of the book - back to the battlefields where their friends were lost - add a poignant sadness to the landscape of this book. The one thing I didn't like about this book, and which cost it a full star and a half - was the deus ex machina type ending involving the gypsy grandmother. I wish that she could have resolved it in a more realistic manner. But other than that, this is a very good book, and well worth reading.

RATING: 1/2

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"The Perfect Waltz" by Anne Gracie

2007-11-29T17:44:00.000Z

The Perfect Waltz" by Anne Gracie 2005

Description from back cover of book:
"London's Ball of the Season is hardly the milieu for society black sheep Sebastian Reyne. But his younger sisters are in desperate need of care, and Sebastian is seeking a practical, down-to-earth wife. What he doesn't need is an effervescent sprite like Hope Merridew, a dazzling beauty and the darling of the ton.
***
Who was that mysterious man who devoured Hope Merridew with his eyes? Rumoured to be dangerous and with an unusual family heritage, the secretive Sebastian proves absoutely seductive to such an impetuous young lady. But was he really the one to make her dream of dancing the perfect waltz with the perfect man come true? Who'd imagine that the one dance could ignite a passion so strong that it would seduce all into a delicious intrigue of sensuality and desire?"

I like Anne Gracie. This book is perhaps not as good as "The Perfect Rake," but it is a charming book nonetheless. Coming to town to find a bride to take care of his gamine-esque sisters, he immediately writes off hope as vacuous and vapid because of her beauty - ignoring the fact that she may have depths that he doesn't imagine. While I like Sebastian as the hero - he's dark and mysterious, a little rough, but with a good heart, I think Hope is a little bit of a dull heroine. She's beautiful, smart, intelligent, loving - she has no faults, really, which makes her a bit unbelievable. There is, of course, the abuse in her past, but that can hardly be said to be a fault. Lady Elinore - Sebastian's first choice of bride - is a far more interesting character, and I particularly enjoyed that subplot. As in all of Gracie's books, however, the writing is good, and the book is an enjoyable read.

RATING:

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"The Perfect Rake" by Anne Gracie

2007-11-21T16:06:00.000Z

The Perfect Rake by Anne Gracie 2005

"The Perfect Rake" is the first book in a series with the Merridew sisters. It is the story of Prudence Merridew, the oldest - and plainest - sister, and Gideon, Lord Carradice, a renowned rake. Fleeing from the country estate of their horribly abusive grandfather, Prudence convinces their great-Uncle to treat the girls to a Season, in the hope that one will marry and free them all forever from their grandfather's hands. However, seeing Prudence to be almost unmarriagably plain - at least in comparison to her lovely sisters - her great-uncle insists that Prudence be engaged before any of the others are allowed to come out. Unbeknownst to their uncle, however, Prudence has been involved in a secret betrothal for four and a half years, and is only waiting for him to return from India. She cannot disclose this, however, so she invents a betrothal with a hermit duke who usually spends his time in the wilds of Scotland - only to find that he has indeed come to town. Going to confront the duke before he is suprised by her great-uncle, Prudence mistakes his cousin, Gideon, for him...

This is a charming book! Witty and yet tender at the same time, plot devices that would usually bother me are made fresh and interesting. The characters are warm and alive, and the reader finds herself truly caring what happens to them. Prudence's honor and loyalty, set against Gideon's past of dishonor and licentiousness is a fascinating paradox. Despite the differences in their character, though, they are a wonderful pair - a real complement to each other. They fall in love with each other slowly enough that it is realistic, and the misunderstandings and conversations they have at the beginning were enough to make me laugh out loud. Truly charming!

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"The Courtesan" by Julia Justiss

2007-11-20T18:38:00.000Z

The Courtesan by Julia Justiss 2005

"The Courtesan" is the story of Lady Belle, a famous London courtesan, and Captain Jack Carrington, an honorable Waterloo veteran. Invited by a friend to a fencing lesson, he discovers that the victor is none other than Lady Belle - a famous courtesan whose "protector" has recently died. Finding himself irresistibly attracted to her, he challenges her to a fencing match for the prize of a kiss if he wins. Instead, he finds himself greviously injured and convalescing in Lady Belle's care. The attraction is not just one way, and before long she is beginning to feel feelings that she did not know possible...

This is a good book. It is well written and the characters are interesting, although I found myself thinking that perhaps Jack was a little too good. Belle's story reveals itself slowly and keeps the reader interested. One major problems I had with this book, however, is how it "tells" you rather than "shows" you how the characters are feeling. There's a lot of "telling" - page after page in each character's head, but sometimes I'd like to see that for myself, and there wasn't quite enough of that.

RATING:

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There is a rape scene in this book, although it is not terribly graphic.

"Miss Wonderful" by Loretta Chase

2007-11-20T05:57:00.000Z

Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase 2004

"Miss Wonderful" is the story of Mirabel Oldridge, the only daughter of a slightly crazy but amiable man, and Alistair Carsington, a younger son of an Earl. At the beginning of the story, the reader discovers that Alistair, an injured Waterloo veteran, because of a long list of follies from his past, is being forced to either wed an heiress or find himself employment. Not particularly wanting to marry at the present time, he goes together with his friend, Lord Gordmor, in a venture to build a canal to Gordmor's coal mines in Derbyshire. When Alistair arrives and attempts to persuade the residents to his side, he discovers that his strongest opposition is from Mirabel, a feisty and intelligent girl who runs her father's estate. The two butt heads frequently and an attraction starts to grow between them...

This story was a bit of a dissapointment. At the beginning, it was set up well and was very entertaining, but it fizzles out towards the end. She gives away her character's "secrets" (such as they are) too early, and there is no real climax to the book. It just kind of drifts in the direction it's going without any real purpose. And this was a great dissapointment, because it had a good deal of potential. Mirabel, also, was riding the line of an "Amazon" woman - one of my greatest pet peeves when it comes to women in Regency novels. She was not ~quite improper, but she certainly did not seem the least bit concerned about her reputation, which I felt to be a bit unrealistic. Alistair was a good character, but I think that he should have had some major revelation, or actually let us know what happened to him at Waterloo, rather than his major revelation being something as pitiful as admitting he was afraid. Well, duh. Also, I didn't like the sex scene right before the wedding, with them coming to their wedding all rumpled. I found it rather unrealistic that people wouldn't be absolutely horrified at that. And think that Mirabel was quite a slut.

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"Frederica" by Georgette Heyer

2007-11-19T03:07:00.000Z

Frederica by Georgette Heyer 1965

"Frederica" is the story of Frederica Merriville, the eldest sister in a family who has lost both of their parents, and Vernon, the Marquis of Alverstoke, a selfish, hedonistic man who does everything he can to vex his family. Twenty-four year old Frederica has used a great deal of her savings to come to London in order to present her lovely yet vapid sister, Charis, to society, in the hopes of her making a good marriage. In order to do this, she enlists the help of Alverstoke, who is a distant relative. He agrees to do it in order to vex his sisters who have been begging him to put on a ball for their daughters, thinking that his connection with the Merivilles will be severed after the ball. But it is not so easy! Felix Merriville, the youngest and a merry and inquisitive child, begins to see Alverstoke as a sort of father-figure, and much to Alverstoke's suprise, has Alverstoke agree to escort him to all sorts of places around London. Alverstoke also finds himself involved in the life of sixteen-year-old Jessamy, who he also saves from trouble. Always having seen himself as not caring about other people, Alverstoke is shocked as he begins to realize how much he cares for the younger Merrivilles, but even more, for their eldest sister, Frederica...

This is a charming book! Alverstoke is a brilliant and amusing character, and it is very amusing to see the change in him from the beginning to when he falls in love with Frederica. Felix is a charming child, and his near-tragedy at the end had me riveted and worried (I had to read ahead!). But most of all, the reader has to love Frederica, the selfless girl who thinks more of family than herself, and who doesn't realize she's in love until the very last moment...

A wonderful story!

RATING: 1/2

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"Regency Buck" by Georgette Heyer

2007-11-19T02:23:00.000Z

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer 1935

"Regency Buck" is the story of feisty Judith Taverner and Lord Julian St. John Audley, the Fifth Earl of Worth. Due to a careless mistake in her father's will, Judith and her younger brother Peregrine find themselves Julian's wards. Pompous, arrogant, and a bit of a dandy, Julian is as horrified as his wards at the situation, especially when he starts interfering in their lives - as he does when he expressly forbids Judith to marry while under his guardianship. While Judith flourishes in London and becomes quite a favorite of the ton, Peregrine finds himself gambling away a great deal of his fortune - until he falls in love and finds himself wishing to marry, inadvertently putting himself in great danger...

This is a charming book. The characters are three-dimensional and interesting, and Heyer's descriptions of the locations, fashion, and people add a great deal to the atmosphere of the book. The building attraction between Judith and Julian is fun to follow, especially as Judith denies it for most of the book. We are not let as frequently into Julian's thoughts, but it is obvious from his actions when he starts caring for her. The last third of the book is exciting, and although the villain is somewhat obvious, it is a satisfying conclusion nonetheless.

A good and entertaining read!

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"One Night of Passion" by Elizabeth Boyle

2007-11-19T02:07:00.000Z

One Night of Passion by Elizabeth Boyle 2002

"One Night of Passion" is the story of Miss Georgiana Escott, a young woman who is about to be forced into an unwanted marriage, and Lord Colin Danvers, a naval officer on a secret mission. Discovering that the horrible man her guardian wants her to marry will only do so if she is proven to be a virgin (by a doctor) she runs off in the middle of the night to find a man to make sure she fails the test. She ends up spending the night in Colin's arms, then rushes out the next morning, leaving Colin a bit shocked and dissapointed, as he would have liked to continue their relationship. The story then cuts to a year later, in Italy. Colin is conducting a secret mission against the French. Georgiana, who has a child from the one night she spent with Colin, has fled England and is in Italy with her sister. While fleeing from the French, she finds herself on Colin's ship and eventually accused of being a French spy herself.

This book is somewhat ridiculous and complicated. I never did entirely understand Colin's secret mission, and the whole premise of Georgiana having to ruin herself in order to save herself from a horrible marriage was a bit of a stretch. Why didn't she just run away? She was obviously willing to do it later... or just refuse to marry the guy?? She didn't HAVE to say "I do." I was also a bit distraught by the fact that she was carrying her daughter around in her luggage. WTF? Why wasn't she carrying the child in her arms like a decent mother? As I've found to be the case in Elizabeth Boyle's novels, she lets the complicated, somewhat silly plot run away with the story. This book is no exception.

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"Irresistible" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-19T01:42:00.000Z

Irresistible by Mary Balogh 1998

"Irresistible" is the last book in the Four Horsemen of the Apocalpyse series. "Irresistible" is the story of Sophia Armitage, a young widow who lost her husband at the Battle of Waterloo, and Sir Nathaniel Gasciogne, who had been a soldier and a dear friend of hers while she was following the drum. It is also, to a lesser extent, the story of Lavinia Bergland, Nathaniel's cousin, and Eden Wendell, one of the Four Horsemen.

At the beginning of the book, Nathaniel is returning to London from the country to present his sister Georgina and cousin Lavinia to society. His hope is that they will find husbands quickly so that he can return to the inviting solitude of his country estate which would then be free from troublesome women. While in London, he meets up with the other three of the "Four Horsemen" - a band of officers who friends during the war. They have all changed a great deal (two of them are married with children), but the friendship still remains. Sophia, at the same time, is living a quiet life in a house provided to her by the government in recognition of her husband's bravery at Waterloo. She is struggling to make ends meet because, as we find out later, she is being blackmailed. Sophie meets Nathaniel and the other three Horsemen in the park, and renews an acquaintance with them. She had always had feelings for Nathaniel, and those feelings reignite into a crazy night of lovemaking which changes everything...

This is a fantastic book. Like in most of Mary Balogh's books, I found myself caring about the characters very much - they are like real people who come alive in the pages. Sophie's fear and loneliness and love for Nathaniel are emotions that the reader is almost forced to feel internally, as is Nathaniel's realization that he cannot recapture the crazy days after Waterloo and his slow understanding that he has grown since then and actually wishes to settle down. The plot device (the blackmail) adds to the love story rather than takes away from it, and the love between Sophie and Nathaniel feels real, not forced upon us. A beautiful book that made me cry in the last pages!

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"The Sinful Nights of a Nobleman" by Jillian Hunter

2007-11-19T01:33:00.000Z

The Sinful Nights of a Nobleman by Jillian Hunter 2006

This book is one of the Boscastle Series, but I'm not sure which one. "The Sinful Nights of a Nobleman" is the story of Lord Devon Boscastle, a handsome rake, and Miss Jocelyn Lydbury. Jocelyn has a previous acquaintance with Devon, and still harbors some feelings from that past (which we are not told about in any detail - I'm assuming possibly it's in one of the other books?). They meet again at a rather risque party, and due to some devious planning by the villain, they end up compromised and forced to marry.

This is one of the most emotionless romance novels I've ever read. There is no chemistry between the hero and heroine, and the book is badly written so that everything feels kind of fakey and leading towards the sex scenes. The underlying plot device is cheesy, and you really never feel anything for either character.

Don't waste your time.

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"The Convenient Marriage" by Georgette Heyer

2007-11-15T08:20:00.000Z

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer 1934

This book is the story of Horatia (Horry) Winwood and her "marriage of convenience" to Marcus, the Earl of Rule. The action of the book begins at the Winwood house, when we find out that the Earl of Rule is about to offer marriage to Elizabeth, the oldest of three daughters. Elizabeth is devastated by this news, as her heart is promised to Lt. Edward Heron, a kind but impoverished officer. Finding it impossible to let her sister suffer, Horry, the youngest, makes a very improper visit to the home of the Earl of Rule and offers herself to him instead. The Earl seems rather charmed by her, and accepts, making his formal offer for Horry and not Elizabeth. The rest of the story concentrates on the disaster that has become their marriage - a disaster not helped by Horry's insistence on taking up with the wrong friends and spending obscene amounts of money on gambling. Nonetheless, the Earl of Rule and Horry do have feelings for each other, and it is charming to see all the misunderstandings and dramatic irony that result from the complications of the plot.

This is a charming book, a la Jane Austen. While we are not given insight into the minds of the characters, that insight can be easily deduced through dialogue and actions. In addition to the two main characters, I found her eldest brother, Pelham Winwood, a charming character, and the villain was nasty without being one-sided. Her descriptions of fashion and surroundings added a great deal of atmosphere to the book as well. A very good book!

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"Lessons in Seduction" by Sara Bennett

2007-11-14T20:44:00.000Z

Lessons in Seduction by Sara Bennett 2005

"Lessons in Seduction" is the story of Vivianna Greentree, a prim-and-proper young lady with a dark past who helps manage a home for orphans, and Sir Oliver Montgomery, an aristocrat who wants to see the orphanage (which he owns) torn down brick by brick to help solve the mystery surrounding his brother's death. Vivianna, very much the crusader, continually harasses Sir Oliver not to destroy the house, but she meets continually with staunch resistence. Eventually, under the tutelage of one of London's most famous courtesans, Vivianna attempts to seduce him into getting what she wants...

I found this book rather annoying. Prim and proper Vivianna suddenly under the tutelage of a courtesan? Trying to seduce a man to get what she wants? It seems like it's a rather porn-movie-esque attempt (aka, unbelievable) to bring sex into the book. Vivianna is an annoying, single-minded character who rather annoyed me. Despite the premise of the book practically forcing the sexual content on you, the sex was actually rather bland, partially because of the lack of emotional connection between the characters and the reader, and the lack of emotional connection between the characters themselves. The subplot between Aphrodite and Vivianna is corny to say the least, and I never quite understood why she didn't just allow Sir Oliver to build her another orphanage when he offered. Ridiculous, really.

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"A Dangerous Love" by Sabrina Jeffries

2007-11-14T16:18:00.000Z

A Dangerous Love by Sabrina Jeffries 2000

"A Dangerous Love" is the first book in the Swanlea Spinsters series. It is the story of Marsden Griffith Knighton ("Griff"), who has been wrongly denied his inheritance of the Earldom of Swanlea, and Lady Rosalind, a passionate and rather eccentric young lady who is the daughter of the current Earl. Wanting to see his daughters taken care of before he dies, the ailing Earl of Swanlea blackmails Griff with proof of his legitimacy. He can have the proof of his parents' marriage if he marries one of the Earl of Swanlea's daughters. Griff is having none of the marriage, but decides to play along and recover the marriage certificate himself. To do this, he switches places with his man of affairs - Daniel Brennan - the son of a notorious Irish highwayman who must pretend to be Griff while the real Griff searches the house. Rosalind is suspicious as soon as she finds the (real) Griff snooping around her father's desk the first night he is there. Following him around wherever he goes, a passion ignites between them that neither of them expected...

This book is fun, if a little complex. It's also a bit unrealistic that Daniel Brennan would be taken for a gentleman, although Jeffries counters that by the fact that Griff is a tradesman, so people expect him to be a little gruff. There are some anachronisms in this book - I found myself constantly asking myself if that would have really happened, or if Rosalind really could have gotten away with that, and the language seems a bit modern for my taste. Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable book, and a quick read. This, like the rest of Sabrina Jeffries' books, is also packed full of sex and innuendo, which is generally pretty steamy. ;)

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"The Gilded Web" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-13T18:28:00.000Z

The Gilded Web by Mary Balogh 1989

"The Gilded Web" is one of Mary Balogh's enormous backlist of books (many of which are out of print) which has been recently republished. It is the first book in a series which also includes "Web of Love" and "The Devil's Web."

"The Gilded Web" is, primarily, the story of Alexandra Purnell and Edmund Raine, the Earl of Amberly. The story begins when Dominic Raine, Lord Eden, Edmund's younger brother, hires two thugs to kidnap his twin sister Madeleine, who he believes is about to elope. Dominic does not approve of the man and wants her kidnapped so that the elopement does not occur. The men hired to do the job, however, get the wrong girl. Instead of kidnapping Madeleine, they kidnap Miss Alexandra Purnell, the straight-laced and very repressed daughter of Lord Beckworth - an abusive and horrible religious zealot. When Edmund finds her in his house, tied to a bed and gagged, the next morning, she is, of course, horribly compromised. Edmund offers her marriage, and she is forced to accept.

From this point on, the story takes a different turn. "The Gilded Web" is not your typical romance novel. It is not a bodice-ripper (in fact, there is only one sex scene, and it is tame). Rather, it is more of an academic exercise on the incarnations of love, religion and freedom. It's a beautiful book. It's a thoughtful book, a book of many ideas. It really gets the reader thinking about love in its many incarnations - the love between Dom and Madeleine, the love between James and Alex, the love between Lady Amberly and her children, the "love" Dom feels for all his flirts, the love that for Madeline always seems slightly out of reach, the "love" between Edmund and his mistress, and of course the love between Edmund and Alex, just to name a few. In addition, the idea that love is unconditional (as is stated by Lady Amberly) is contrasted to the feeling you get from Alex's father that love must be earned...In addition to the themes of love, are the themes of faith within this book. Edmund's idea that God is love is contrasted with the harsh old-testament reading to which Alex's father subscribes. And, of course, the idea of freedom is paramount - Alex is robbed of it in a very literal sense at the very beginning, and more
abstractly throughout - by her father and through Edmund, showing that the idea of being caged can come from good intentions or bad. The book then leaves you wondering at the end what freedom actually is, and what it actually means to be caged.

This is not the book for readers who want a light read and good sex scenes. It is not light-hearted and flirtatious, but rather dark and mystical. It is a beautiful book, but certainly not for everyone.

RATING: 1/2

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"His Mistress by Morning" by Elizabeth Boyle

2007-11-13T02:13:00.000Z

His Mistress By Morning by Elizabeth Boyle 2006.

I love the idea of this book. "His Mistress By Morning" is a fantasy/regency romance which combines magic and regency manners in a rather charming matter. Unfortunately, it's not quite as good as it could be. "His Mistress By Morning" follows shy, plain Charlotte Wilmont, a girl destined to be a spinster who finds herself desperately in love with her best friend's older brother, Sebastian Marlowe, Viscount Trent. Sebastian barely knows she exists, and is nearly betrothed to a young lady of wealth and fortune who will help to recover the family's sagging fortunes. The book opens with Charlotte deeply dissapointed - an inheritance she had been given by her aunt which she hoped would make her eligible for Sebastian's affections - turns out to be nothing but a strange old ring. Or so she thinks. Putting on the ring, Charlotte wishes that she could be the woman that Sebastian loved - and wakes up the next morning in an alternate universe as his mistress, the famous courtesan Lottie Townsend.

This sounds like an entirely charming plot, and in some ways it is. Boyle doesn't do as much with it as she could, however. The alternate timeline drags a bit, and seems not to be heading in any particular direction. I never quite understood (nor did she make entirely clear) the whole Quince/Milton dynamic - I know they're supernatural, but was I supposed to get more out of that? What I did like, however, was seeing Charlotte grow into a better understanding of herself and of her sexuality, learning to throw some of her strict upbringing to the wind and learn to enjoy herself. All in all, this book had great potential, but didn't deliver as well as it could have.

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"No Marriage of Convenience" by Elizabeth Boyle

2007-11-13T01:53:00.000Z

No Marriage of Convenience by Elizabeth Boyle 2000

"No Marriage of Convenience" is the story of Mason St. Clair, the Earl of Ashlin and actress Riley Fontaine. At the beginning of the story, Mason finds himself in desperate financial straights, fighting of creditors and saddled down with three totally unmarriageable nieces - the daughters of his deceased brother. Enter Riley Fontaine - an actress and playwright who owes Mason a good deal of money from a loan made to her by his brother, who had been a rather spendthrift patron. Unable to repay the money immediately, it is agreed upon that Riley will instead help train Mason's nieces to be respectable, and hopefully, in so doing, to find husbands. Mason finds himself developing feelings for Riley at the same time that he realizes that he has little other choice than to make a marriage of convenience to a rich but supremely annoying debutante...

This book is an enjoyable read. In common with many of Boyle's other books, the plot tends to get in the way and slow down the book. Her plots tend to be overly complicated and overly action-packed, and instead of engaging me, these plots tend to bore me. The love story is fairly good, although I think that perhaps Riley and Mason should have been given a deeper connection. They don't really have a lot in common, and it is difficult to imagine them falling in love. Also, Riley's dark past and its coming to light is a little bit tacky and overdone, as is her realization that she's actually a countess and has plenty of money after all...I actually would have liked the book better if she'd been what she appeared to be all along. It is also rather unrealistic that someone as proper as Mason would hire someone like Riley to train his nieces. Nonetheless, it's rather fun and worth reading.

RATING: 1/2

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RATING: 1/2

"Her Only Desire" by Gaelen Foley

2007-11-11T02:59:00.000Z

Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley 2007

The action of this book opens in India with our heroine, Georgiana Knight, rushing in where angels fear to tread in order to save an Indian friend from a bride-burning. She is rescued by English diplomat Ian Prescott, the Marguess of Griffith. The absurdity continues from there into a weak and unbelievable plot that includes Georgiana arriving on the back of an elephant to visit an Indian king, the murder of an Indian prince, a triumphant return to England, and the kidnapping of the Marquess' son. The point of the plot? I'm really not quite sure. It's complicated, convuluted, and honestly not terribly interesting.

The love story also is incredibly weak. Georgiana is a completely unbelievable character (she would fit in better in NOW than in the 19th century) and Ian is the dime-a-dozen cardbord cutout tortured romantic hero with a dark past. We are not shown the love story, we are told that it happens - as unbelievable that it might be that Ian is attracted to this supremely annoying girl. There is no emotional involvement with the characters (at least not for me), the characters speak as if it took place in 20th century America, and even that is stilted and forced.

Oh yeah, and I don't have a clue where the title came from. Huh?

Don't waste your time.

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"Pleasure for Pleasure" by Eloisa James

2007-11-11T02:43:00.000Z

Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James 2006

"Pleasure for Pleasure" is the last book in the Essex sisters series. It concerns Josie, the youngest sister, who we find out at the opening of the book has been nicknamed "The Scottish Sausage" because she happens to be a bit plump and curvy. This moniker of course makes it difficult for her to find a husband - nobody wants the ridicule of being known as the man who danced with the Sausage. Enter the Earl of Mayne. A friend of Rafe's and an acquaintance of the Essex sisters since the first novel, he's horrified by what's being done to Josie, and encourages her to get rid of her corsets and embrace herself in all her curvy, feminine glory. Josie finds herself falling a bit for Mayne. The problem? He's engaged to a perfect little French girl who he seemingly adores.

This is an enjoyable read. I'd loved Mayne since I met him in "Your Wicked Ways," and it's really nice to finally see him settle down and be happy. Josie is a wonderful character - opinionated, brassy, and not a size zero - the kind of woman a lot of us can relate to! The problem? Well, because of Sophie (Mayne's french fiancee), there's not really all that much time for the relationship between Josie and Mayne to build. It kind of comes out of nowhere and blindsides you. One minute he's waxing poetic about how much he adores Sophie, and the next minute he's in love with Josie. Perhaps he had a revelation, but if so, it doesn't really show it to us very clearly. We know he's fond of her - he's practically like an older brother to her in the other books - but it's a long jump to go from "fond" to "in love." In fact, during the scene on their wedding night, I was convinced for a long time that he actually was going to try to annul their marriage! And again, James makes the fatal mistake of spending too much time on a secondary love story. Griselda's a nice character. If you want to do something with her, give her a book of her own. I don't want to read that when I'm dying to see what happens with Mayne and Josie!

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An extra star was added for the attempted rape scene...

"The Taming of the Duke" by Eloisa James

2007-11-11T02:24:00.000Z

The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James 2006

"The Taming of the Duke" is the third installation in the Essex sisters series. It concerns Imogen, the third sister, who so far in the series has eloped, been widowed, and caused a great deal of trouble. This story begins when Rafe's illegitimate brother, Gabriel, shows up to ask Rafe for a favor. Apparently a brief love affair between Gabriel and an actress resulted in a child being born, and the ruination of the actress's career. Gabe wants Rafe to hold a play for him where she can have the lead as a way of setting things straight between them. Imogen conceives a fancy for Gabe, and propositions him. Backed into a corner, Gabe agrees to go, but then goes to Rafe behind her back and tells him that he'd better cover for him, because he's not going to do it - he doesn't feel that way about Imogen and he doesn't want to have an affair with her. So Rafe, who has hid feelings for Imogen for some time, engages in an elaborate masquerade with Imogen who believes that he's Gabe.

This is a sweet book. Rafe's struggles with his alcoholism, Imogen's insecurities about her desirability (due to her first marriage), and Rafe's complete lack of confidence in himself combine to make an adorable love story. On the downside, The masquerade is a little bit unbelievable (they aren't twins, after all, just brothers). But the biggest issue for me in this book is the secondary love story which is, for the most part, in the way. I really don't care about Gabe or Gillian Pythian-Adams. I really don't care what happens to them. I want to know what happens with Rafe and Imogen, and whenever I'd reach one of the chapters with the long and drawn-out secondary love story, I read it as fast as possible to get back to Rafe and Imogen. The second read through, I skipped them completely. It seems in a lot of her books that Eloisa James finds it necessary to make sure that everyone has a happy ending - not just the main characters. This can become tedious - and does very much so in this book.

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"Kiss Me Annabel" by Eloisa James

2007-11-10T22:50:00.000Z

Kiss Me, Annabel by Eloisa James 2005

"Kiss Me, Annabel" is the second book in the Essex Sisters series. It follows the story of Annabel, the second oldest daughter. She is the "pretty" one of the group, but is also quite mercenary - she wants to use her affect on men to secure a rich husband so she doesn't have to worry about money for the rest of her days. At the same time Annabel is searching for a rich husband, her sister Imogen, who is recently widowed, is grieving by losing control and rather scandalously trying to find herself a lover. Trying to get Imogen out of a rather uncomfortable situation that she got herself into, Annabel finds herself compromised and forced to marry the supposedly penniless Scottish Earl of Ardmore - who is anything but what she wanted in a husband.

I enjoyed this book. Annabel, while mercenary, had a good reason for feeling the way that she did, and her memories of her treatment by her father while she was trying to make ends meet on a very small budget make you sympathize with her. Ardmore, however, is a bit one-dimensional. He's tall, dark, handsome, rich, titled and religious - and I really can't think of any bad qualities he has. It's a bit hard to believe that he's actually real, and also rather hard to sympathize with him. Imogen, who I also liked in book one, is just as passionate in this book (although you really want to slap her sometimes...). Again, the relationship between the sisters is one of the best parts of this book.

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"Much Ado About You" by Eloisa James

2007-11-10T22:31:00.000Z

Much Ado About You by Eloisa James 2005

"Much Ado About You" is the first book in the Essex Sisters series. At the opening of this book, the reader finds that the four daughters of Scottish Viscount Brydone, who is recently deceased, are moving in with their guardian, Raphael Jourdain, the Duke of Holbrook. While a good man at heart, "Rafe" is a terrible alcoholic, and not the best role-model for four growing girls. This book follows Teresa (Tess) Essex, the oldest daughter. Feeling it important to marry for the sake of her younger sisters, Tess finds herself engaged to Garret Langham, the Earl of Mayne. Good-hearted, but a total rake, Mayne is marrying her mostly for the sake of the horse that is her dowry. In the meantime, her lovesick little sister, Imogen, elopes to Gretna Green with a man she has been in love with since childhood (but who is, in fact, a bit daft). And to complicate things further Tess also discovers that there is a mutual attraction between herself and the quiet, seemingly emotionless Lucius Felton...

I enjoyed this book. What I found most interesting looking back on it was that while very, very, very little actually happens in this book by way of plot, it was incredibly enjoyable and a fast read. The interaction between the sisters is charming - they each have distinctly different personalities and are all at least moderately well developed by the end of this first installment. The Earl of Mayne is also a fun character. The only problem is that the one character we want to like is somewhat poorly developed. While I am quite fond of Lucius Felton, it is hard to know him, and his relationship with Tess seems a bit forced and seems to spring out of nowhere. Eloisa James' writing is fun and witty, and I found myself giggling at points simply due to James' writing style. As in many of Eloisa James' books, there are two love stories happening simultaneously - Tess's, which is primary, and then the love story between Draven and Imogen. While in some of her other books I find the secondary love story distracting, I did not feel that way in "Much Ado About You."

A good read.

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"Slightly Dangerous" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-10T21:19:00.000Z

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh (2004)

"Slightly Dangerous" is the last book in the "Slightly" series. This book follows the eldest son, Wulfric Bedwyn, the Duke of Bewcastle. The story opens with an introduction to Mrs. Christine Derrick, a widow who is living with her mother and her spinster sister. She is invited to a house party by a friend, Melanie, to balance the horror of having too many men and not enough women. The imbalance had been caused by Melanie's brother Hector inviting a friend - the Duke of Bewcastle. Christine is reluctant to go, but eventually gives in. After an auspicious beginning to her acquaintance with Wulfric, Christine plans to stay in the background of the party, but finds this impossible. As Wulfric finds himself fascinated with her despite himself, a passion develops between them and despite the great differences between them, Wulfric finds it impossible to get her out of his mind...

A plot synopsis does not do this book justice. A completely character-driven story, Wulfric is the perfect romantic hero. Cold, haughty, seemingly emotionless, the Bedwyn in him is drawn to Christine's light and joy. The more he tries to deny his attraction to her, the stronger it becomes. Christine, on the other hand, is clumsy, laughs too much, and does not possess the cool, bored hauteur expected in ladies of the upper classes. She is the antithesis of what a duchess should be. Their love-story, which has similarities to "Pride and Prejudice," is a heart-rendingly poignant blending of two souls. In Wulfric, Christine finds the solid, confident man she did not have in Oscar, and in Christine, Wulfric finds the light and joy that had been missing from his life since the death of his father.

I simply cannot reccomend this book enough.

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"Slightly Sinful" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-10T16:15:00.000Z

Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh 2004

"Slightly Sinful" is the fifth installment in the "Slightly" series. It follows the youngest son, Alleyne Bedwyn, more-or-less following the action of "Slightly Tempted." In "Slightly Tempted," Alleyne was thought lost at the battle of Waterloo, where he had gone to deliver an important letter to Wellington. The first chapter of "Slightly Sinful" shows the reader what actually happened. Shot in the leg, Alleyne is thrown from his horse and hits his head, only to wake up later in a brothel with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Rachel York, the heroine of "Slightly Sinful" is the one responsible for rescuing him. Having had all of her money (and that of her friends, whores in whose brothel she is staying - although she is most certainly not a whore) stolen by an unscrupulous con-artist, she had gone to the battlefield to steal from the bodies. Finding she is morally unable to do so, she ends up rescuing Alleyne instead.

This was not my favorite of the "Slightly" series. That said, Alleyne is one of my favorite heroes. There is something charming and sweet about him that makes it difficult not to like him. He's the kind of person you wish you knew in real life. Rachel, on the other hand, is one of my least favorite heroines. She just seems a bit slow. Firstly, she was taken in quite easily by the villain who stole all of her money. Then, she makes basically no effort whatsoever to help Alleyne discover who he is. Why didn't she contact the Hague? Once they knew he was a gentleman, why didn't she make more of an effort to find out who he was? It certainly wouldn't have been that difficult for her, especially once they returned to England. She could have taken him to London, even. While it was necessary that he not know at once for the plot to succeed, it seems a bit of a stretch that so little was done. The only thing Rachel did was write a couple of letters to her friends - which paid off in the end, showing how easy it would have been for Alleyne to discover his identity with a little bit of work. Alleyne's reluctance to find his family once he is conscious and able to walk is more understandable. His fear at finding them and not knowing them is rational and well described. It makes sense that Alleyne is willing to procrastinate until his memory returns. The subplot of Rachel's recovery of her jewels and the reconciliation between her and her uncle is well-written and interesting. But it is Alleyne's story and Alleyne's conflicts that are the central point of this book.

Rating: 1/2

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"Slightly Tempted" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-09T22:37:00.000Z

Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh 2004

"Slightly Tempted" is the fourth book in the "Slightly" series. It follows Morgan Bedwyn, the youngest girl and indeed, the youngest child. The action begins in Brussels in mid-1815, where 18-year-old Morgan has gone - not far into her first season - to be closer to what is sure to be history in the making. Intellectual, sensitive, and somewhat mystic, Morgan is not impressed by the young men who surround her and urge her "not to worry her pretty head" about the preparations for war occurring around her. Enter Gervase Ashford. The eldest son who has recently inherited the title of Earl of Rosthorn, Gervase has spent the last nine years effectively banished from England. He blames his banishment on Morgan's eldest brother, Wulfric. Seeing in Morgan a chance to avenge himself on the man who wronged him, Gervase sets about to woo her. As the war closes in, Morgan finds herself unable to leave Brussels because her brother Alleyne - who works for the Hague - has gone missing. Abandonded by her chaperone, Morgan finds herself effectively in the care of Gervase, who finds himself feeling guiltier by the minute for avenging hiself on her...

This is certainly one of my favorite books of the "Slightly" series. The excitement of the backdrop of the battle of Waterloo, the grief of Alleyne's "death," and Morgan's sensitive nature all combine to make this one of the most emotionally powerful of the series. I adore Gervase - he's a good man without being perfect, and with a good deal of emotional growing to do and a lot to learn from Morgan, even though he thinks he's far wiser than she is. Morgan is also a fascinating charater - instead of being flighty or tomboyish, she's more of a mystic; a spiritual sort of intellectual who in the end must learn to heed the very lessons of trust that she teaches Gervase.

One of the most poignant moments in this book - which actually has nothing to do with Morgan, really - is the moment where you realize that the Bedwyns has reached the very bottom of despair. This, of course, is the scene where Morgan finds Wulfric weeping in his library after Alleyne's memorial service.

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"Slightly Scandalous" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-09T22:02:00.000Z

Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh 2003

"Slightly Scandalous" is the third book in the "Slightly" series. It follows Freyja Bedwyn, the oldest daughter and fourth child of the Bedwyn family. The story opens with Freyja on her way to Bath in order to escape the arrival of the child of the man she loved and lost and his new wife. While staying the night in a less-than-stellar inn, a man bursts into her room seeking refuge from the results of his not-quite-gentlemanly deeds. While Freyja reluctantly shelters him - for a short time - he eventually is forced to escape out the window. Arriving in Bath, she discovers that this man is none less than the new Marquess of Hallmere - Joshua Moore. Their tumultuous relationship continues, and upon the arrival of Joshua's evil aunt, Freyja and Josh decide on the spur of the moment to fake an egagement to save Joshua from being forced to marry his cousin against the will of both.

Freyja's backstory was first given in "A Summer to Remember," and while that book gives a lot of detail and clarifies a few things, it is not necessary to have read it to enjoy "Slightly Scandalous." Freyja is a wonderful and unique character. She is a strong, intelligent, spunky and passionate female without going outside of the mold of 19th century ladies. Freyja knows how to behave and can conduct herself quite well in social situations - she was bred to it - and while brash and tomboyish, she is also feminine and, in some ways, very sad. Freyja grows a good deal more in this book than does Josh. While they both have "issues," Freyja's seem prominent. She must learn to overcome her residual love and bitterness towards Kit in order to accept Josh's love. Josh must grow to take his place where he is needed. As a character, Josh is a joy. His one fault would be that he is perhaps too nice and too wonderful. One of my problems with this book, however, was that I kept confusing Josh's aunt with Judith's aunt ("Slightly Wicked.") Both horrible and evil, that is.

Rating 1/2

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"Slightly Wicked" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-09T21:48:00.001Z

Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh. 2003

"Slightly Wicked" is the second book in the "Slightly Series." It follows Rannulf Bedwyn, the third son. Along the way to visit his grandmother, Rannulf comes across Judith Law, who has been stranded by a carriage accident on muddy roads. Judith is on her way to her aunt's house, where she is to take the position of a "poor relative" due to her family's faltering financial situation. Seeing this as the only chance in her life for adventure, Judith - claiming to be the actress Claire Campbell - spends two nights in a hotel with Rannulf before bolting off and returning to the reality of her life. Thinking that those two nights of passion will sustain her for the rest of her life, Judith is shocked to find that Rannulf is actually courting Judith's spoiled younger cousin - at his grandmother's request.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I loved Judith - she is a complex, strong, yet realistic heroine, and I loved how through the course of the book she comes to see her own worth and her own beauty. A good deal of this book focuses on Judith moving from hiding and hating herself to loving and rejoicing in herself - a change she makes with the help of Rannulf's friendship and love. Rannulf is a good character as well. However, he does not have the individuality of some of Balogh's other male characters, and I found him a (relatively) weak lead. There is a surge in the plot in the last third of the book, but while a lot happens, it does not become confusing or detract from the romantic struggle of the story.

Rating

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Although there are only a couple of sex-scenes in this book, one of them is quite long and drawn out (lasts several days, actually ;)) and there is an attempted rape scene which caused me to add another star.

"Slightly Married" by Mary Balogh

2007-11-09T21:26:00.000Z

Slightly Married by Mary Balogh. 2003.

This book is the first of the "Slightly" series which follows the romantic adventures of the aristocratic Bedwyn family. "Slightly Married" is the story of Aidan, the second-oldest son. At the beginning of the book, Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn has been in the army for twelve years. He returns home to inform Eve Morris, the sister of a fallen officer, of her brother's death. Having promised the dying man that he would protect his sister "no matter what," Aidan discovers that, due to stipulations in her father's will, the only way to do this is by marrying her and thereby insuring her ownership of her estate.

This book is a charming read. Aidan is a fascinating character that Balogh lets you see only slowly - the reader gets to know him at the same time Eve does. The plot is simple and to the point, with the vast majority of print taken up by the development of the relationship between Eve and Aidan. This is one of my favorite parts of Balogh's writing - romance, in my opinion, should be a character driven genre. Too many authors are willing to sacrifice character development for a complex and fast moving plot, and this detracts from the emotional involvement the reader has with the characters. Balogh does not make this mistake. While the plot is rather simple, it is a fast moving page-turner and a convincing character-study. Aidan and Eve both feel like real people with real problems - people to whom the reader can relate despite the differences in location and time (and social standing!).

Ranking: 1/2

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Welcome to Regency Romance Reviews!

2007-11-09T19:02:00.000Z

Greetings, all.

I've been reading so many Regency Romance Novels lately that I thought it might be good to start a blog reviewing the ones I've read - both for myself, and for friends that enjoy reading them as well.

About me: I'm an MA student in Irish History and Politics in Derry, Northern Ireland. I'm originally American, but I hope to spend a good deal of time here.

About my reviews: These are, of course, my personal opinions. Take them or leave them. There WILL be spoilers in many of these. So proceed at your own risk.