Outlandish Dreaming

Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins

2012-02-19T16:39:00.000-05:00

Book Description:
Sometimes ... Men can be such fools. Wealthy and powerful Marcus St. John, the Marquis of Treymount, must recover a lost family heirloom. All he has to do is convince the irritatingly beautiful Miss Honoria Baker-Sneed to relinquish his treasure for a reasonable sum. How difficult could that be?

Sometimes ... Women can be so emotional. Honoria is astounded when Marcus shows up on her doorstep and arrogantly demands she surrender a ring that is rightfully hers. Irritated at such high-handed methods, she refuses.

And sometimes ... Love can be a complete surprise. Heated arguments end in a scorching kiss that embroils them in a horrid scandal. Marcus finds he must wed the brazen beauty, only to realize that somehow, Honoria has stolen her way into his heart. Can he convince Honoria that he is worthy of her regard? Or will he lose the only woman he has ever loved?

Overall, I find I like Karen Hawkins' romances, but I'm afraid I was disappointed in this last book and finale to the Talisman Ring series. The series is about how the four St. John brothers each find love while having their mother's heirloom talisman ring in their possession. The series started off well with brothers Anthony and Brandon's stories, but it lost it's appeal midway as the heroes had some major flaws to overcome. A shame for it started out so promising.

In Lady in Red, Honoria Baker-Sneed struggles to make ends meet while her widower father, who has lost the family fortune through bad investments, tries to recoup his finances with business ventures abroad. Left on her own, she must take care of her many younger siblings. Her sister, Cassandra, a beauty, is sure to make a splash with her upcoming "come out." But they have no money to finance it. Honoria has hopes that Cassandra will marry well, thus putting other rich men in the paths of her younger sisters (shades of Pride and Prejudice and the logic of Mrs. Bennet). But in order to marry well, she must make her debut. A quandary, indeed. Honoria is somewhat of an expert in antiques and is able to make a little money from buying and selling collectibles, but not nearly enough to support the whole family or finance Cassandra's wardrobe for a Season.

Marcus, the Marquis of Treymount, who also dabbles in antiques is no stranger to Honoria. Adversaries in the antique world, she has outbid and wrangled with him in the past at various auctions. (Where does Honoria comes up with the money to make these purchases in the first place?) Now she finds herself at loggerheads with him again when he unexpectedly comes calling to claim his talisman ring back. A ring which had unexpectedly fallen into her possession while at a ball in Scotland (from the previous book in the series). Honoria grasps at the chance to make enough money for her sister Cassandra's debut by offering the ring to the marquis for an exorbitant amount of money. He refuses and the bargaining goes on for a good part of the book until they are caught in a compromising position and they must marry to stop the gossip-mongers. Even though both of them claim they detest one another, they are falling in love.

It really took me a long time to get into this book because the first part of it went on forever about Honoria's family. I kept thinking who cares about all of Honoria's many siblings? How many times are we going to have to read about her little brother's frog that keeps getting lost somewhere? Boy, I grew tired of that damned frog. I wish someone had just stepped on it and be done with it! Then, I couldn't believe how long it took for any interaction to actually begin between Honoria and Marcus, our hero and heroine! It seemed to take me days just to get to the part when I think they finally have some dialogue together. Once they do interact - it's all about the damn ring and the bargaining! Honestly, for the first three quarters of the book all they do is argue about the stupid ring, interspersing their squabbles with romantic episodes in which "Marcus the Marquis" succeeds in having Honoria land in his lap! Either it's in a bumpy carriage ride (hence the whole side line of Marcus' crazy carriage driver, Herberts) or he hauls her onto his lap himself.   Plus, it didn't help that I never really warmed up to either the hero or the heroine. He was prickly, stiff and starchy and she was, well... boring. And then there were a few occurrences that take place throughout the novel that bothered me to the point where all I could think about were these occurrences rather than the actual story! I won't go over all of them, but here are some of the highlights...

Carriage rides. The long running joke throughout the book is how Marcus, who's so proper and perfect, has to use his brother Brandon's carriage driver, Herberts, for a few months. Herberts drives like a maniac throughout the streets of London at top speed. He prides himself on what a great job he's doing in getting Marcus from one place to another and always has his hand out for a tip! (I admit, he was funny and one of the most enjoyable characters in the book.) He may get the carriage from one place to another in record time, but the occupants of the carriage are bounced around and shaken up to such a point, they're lucky they don't have any broken bones by the time they reach their destination! Now that you get the gist of it, I was sorely disappointed that the only one or two real sensual scenes in the whole book take place in the aforesaid bumpy carriage! Ouch! Poor Honoria - a virgin too! Of course, it was bliss and ecstasy and all that, but couldn't we see some slow and tender lovemaking for the poor girl?   Just the idea of being in the carriage with this crazy carriage driver at the helm, knowing full well what was going on inside ... it was just so unromantic - blech!

Violet eyes. It simply drove me crazy how this color was used over and over as an eye color throughout the entire book! Most of the time, Honoria's eyes were described as hazel, but then the author must have forgotten at one point what color they were, for then she made them violet - and then back again to hazel! It's no wonder she got a little confused for half the Baker-Sneed siblings were violet-eyed and half were hazel - plus Marcus' former paramour had violet eyes! What is it with violet eyes? If I read it once, I read it a million times: "her violet eyes," "her wide violet eyes," "his violet gaze" Violet, violet, violet! Where's a copy editor when you need one? In fact, I don't believe I have ever met someone face to face with violet eyes in my life, yet in Regency romances, it seems like they're everywhere!

Cassandra, Cassandra, Cassandra! (as in "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!) Near the end of the book, what should have been a glorious moment turns into a disaster! With Honoria finally wearing the titular red dress and Marcus declaring his love for her in front of everyone at her sister Cassandra's debut ball, fate steps in and turns the wonderful finale into an unexpected, cringe-worthy nightmare! Honoria's quiet and soft spoken sister, Cassandra steps in and ruins the scene? Honestly, someone get a gun! She steps in like a dragon and tells Marcus to leave her sister alone!? Huh? With the music stopped and everybody watching and listening!? I was horrified, and once again, poor Honoria is cheated out of a beautiful moment (I'm surprised it didn't take place in the carriage!) If I were Honoria, I would have had the footmen remove Cassandra from the premises pronto! Honestly, and just who does Cassandra think is paying for her ball?

Lady in Red had it's better moments, but it left a lot to be desired. Poor editing and continuity didn't help. Marcus was a bit too uptight and arrogant for my liking (except when he was in his carriage). To counterbalance his dour mien, there were some funny moments that made me laugh aloud in addition to the antics of the coachman. I laughed when Honoria had to pretend that she was ultra ticklish if anyone touched her. This was to ward off the touchy feeley advances of a lord who was interested in buying the ring off her at a ball. Ironic that Honoria wouldn't sell the ring to Marcus except for her required price, and then she wound up being stuck with it for good - he used it as his wedding ring for her. Hmmph! I wonder what she thought of that?

Overall, I give this series a C+, for I really enjoyed the first two books, but after that the story lines just didn't wow me and I found too many faults with the heroes. Still, I like this author and will continue to read the rest of her backlist.

3/5

His Mistress by Christmas by Victoria Alexander

2012-02-19T11:46:00.000-05:00

Book Description:
For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow-and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him. Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks-if his family deems him responsible enough. There's no better way to prove his maturity than with a wife. But though Veronica will share his bed, she refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan: An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica's mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together-in this, and every season to come. . .

I adored this Victorian romance about a lively widow who sets her sights on handsome explorer, Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater. He is the one. She's not interested in remarrying - she wants to be his mistress! Used to her independence, she has no intention of giving it up by marrying, no matter how handsome and adventurous Sir Sebastian is, particularly when he gets that look in his eye. Sebastian has other ideas, though. Eying the beautiful Veronica Smithson (and her hat) at a lecture he can't forget about her. Once introduced, he is instantly enamored of this outspoken and oh so appealing friend of his cousin. It's clear the attraction is mutual, but he realizes he wants more than a mistress - he wants to marry her! This was a scrumptious romance. I loved both the strong hero and heroine in this well done and sometimes poignant tale that brought tears to my eyes at the end.

The gist of the story is, Sebastian has to prove to his older siblings he is responsible so he can come into his inheritance. With a new house in the country and setting up housekeeping, all he needs is a wife and he'll be all set. Coincidentally he meets Lady Veronica around the same time. Perfect. She's gorgeous, wealthy in her own right, a consummate hostess and he can't stop thinking about her. He instantly decides she will be his future wife and goes about courting her as any gentleman would with the honorable intention of marriage. Much to Veronica's chagrin, he's too much of a gentleman. She was hoping for some wooing of another kind... the kind that Sir Sebastian has a reputation for with the ladies. Alas, when he ultimately proposes, she turns him down and makes a counter offer to be his mistress. Unfortunately, before he proposed he spilled the beans to his nosy sisters that he would be married by Christmas, confident that Veronica will accept his proposal. Uh oh.

After much wrangling over their difference of opinion, Veronica and Sebastian compromise. He agrees to a trial run at Christmas time to have Veronica become his mistress. Of course this is all in theory, they've barely even kissed! He invites her to spend Christmas at his country estate where they can "play house" and see if this mistress idea will work out. Of course, he's convinced he'll get her to come around and agree to marry him in no time. But, Veronica is determined to be a mistress, she does not want to marry - no matter how much he makes her heart flutter. Could it be love? Once at his estate things start off well until his entire family descends upon him! To make matters worse, they are all under the impression that Veronica is his wife and they are eager to welcome her into the family! His sisters (who are in the know) talk him into a half-baked idea to not tell Veronica about it - but you know this will never work.

Soon enough, the truth comes out - and the whole sticky business of the inheritance. If only Sebastian had told her about it! You can guess what Veronica thinks - and does. Still, I admired her aplomb. She didn't burst into tears or make a scene, but she wasn't happy either. Sebastian has some serious groveling to do to make it all right again - and he does, magnificently.

Trust me, this was a delightful romance that I ate up like candy. Veronica is my kind of heroine - no wilting lily, she is strong, confident, beautiful and not afraid to say what she thinks. But she also knows when it is wise to be tactful and keep her mouth shut (unlike her argumentative spinster aunt). The only thing going against Veronica is her crazy notion of being a mistress, which she has not thought through. Having never been one before, she really didn't think about the scandalous ramificationss that would ensue. Besides this point, Lady Veronica is an original heroine, I'll give her that and I had a smile on my face throughout this entire book. Plus, I loved Sebastian! Rugged in a blond scruffy kind of way, he stole my heart. He's sexy yet endearingly adorable all at the same time. I loved the way he fell for Veronica (a bit too quickly, I admit) and wanted to have a life with her in his new house that he's so proud of. When his family arrives en masse it was very amusing for he and Veronica have almost no time to test out their mistress theory! Here she is supposed to be his mistress instead of his wife, and he's paying the price for it and keeping the whole thing a secret from his siblings - and they haven't even been to bed together yet! The irony!

Victoria Alexander is a new to me author and I can't wait to read the next book in this series! All the characterizations, descriptions of outfits, furnishings, etc. are first rate and faithful to the Victorian period. Do yourself a favor and get this book, it was a total delight and I'm eager for more!

4.5/5

Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros

2012-02-18T15:52:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Gabriel Fairchild's valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London's elite secludes himself in his family's mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.

Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. Determined to do her duty, she engages the arrogant earl in a battle of both wit and wills. Although he claims she doesn't possess an ounce of womanly softness, she can feel his heart racing at her slightest touch. As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel's life and his heart, they both discover that some secrets - and some pleasures - are best explored in the dark ...

I loved, loved, loved this book! Teresa Medeiros is one of those hit or miss authors for me, but let me assure you, this one's a hit. This is the story of Gabriel Fairchild, a war hero who was blinded during the Napoleonic Wars. Home now at his country estate, he must learn to cope with being blind, losing his fiancee and getting on with his life. No longer the perfectly handsome gentleman who made women swoon and fall at his feet, he's now bitter over how his life has changed. Not only is his face scarred, his psyche is as well. He lashes out at anyone and everything. He behaves like a savage at his country estate and everyone is afraid of him, including his parents and siblings. No one has the courage to stand up to him - except for the new nurse, Samantha Wickersham who enters into his life.

I loved Samantha. Strong willed and smart enough to take this monster on, for that is what Gabriel has become, she takes none of his anger and self pity - all nonsense. Outmaneuvering Gabriel over and over again, she never gives up (although she comes close at one point), she finally wins him over and teaches him to re-learn the manners he once had. She wakes him up to reclaim the gentleman that once lived inside his body. She shows him that he must learn to live with the fact he is blind and will most likely never regain his sight again. There is a slim chance that someday his eyesight will be come back, but it's a dim hope. He must be realistic and with Samantha's help he can do it. Not only does this domineering force in his household turn his life all around, but she steals his heart as well. A twist on the beauty and the beast theme, Samantha teaches Gabriel to be a better person, while at the same time she seeks atonement for her own past sins as well.

As the two develop feelings for one another, the reader begins to realize there there's more to this story than meets the eye. It was a pleasure to see how they interact, first as enemies and eventually as soul mates. This really was a great story and I loved both hero and heroine. Gabriel is bigger than big, but as they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. I loved it how she "tames" him and we see his transformation, all due to her. But there is more to it than just that, which I won't go into, to avoid spoilers. The story deepens when we find out the truth about Samantha's past, it gives the story a whole new dimension. Trust me - it's good.

Not only is the main storyline well done but so are the characterizations. I loved the little thing going on between the butler and housekeeper too! All the servants join in to help Samantha eventually. They want to see her succeed with Gabriel where all others failed. Not only was it thrilling and entertaining, it was heartwarming to follow along with this couple through their ups and downs. *sigh*

Great, great story, very worthwhile - a keeper.

4.5/5

P.S. 4.5 rating because of the one scene towards the end that didn't fit with the rest of the story and seemed very odd and out of character for the h/h.

Rawhide Down by Del Quentin Wilber

2012-02-12T11:28:00.003-05:00

Book Description:
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was just seventy days into his first term of office when John Hinckley Jr. opened fire outside the Washington Hilton Hotel, wounding the president, press secretary James Brady, a Secret Service agent, and a D.C. police officer. For years, few people knew the truth about how close the president came to dying, and no one has ever written a detailed narrative of that harrowing day. Now, drawing on exclusive new interviews and never-before-seen documents, photos, and videos, Del Quentin Wilber tells the electrifying story of a moment when the nation faced a terrifying crisis that it had experienced less than twenty years before, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

With cinematic clarity, we see Secret Service agent Jerry Parr, whose fast reflexes saved the president's life; the brilliant surgeons who operated on Reagan as he was losing half his blood; and the small group of White House officials frantically trying to determine whether the country was under attack. Most especially, we encounter the man code-named "Rawhide," a leader of uncommon grace who inspired affection and awe in everyone who worked with him.

Ronald Reagan was the only serving U.S. president to survive being shot in an assassination attempt.* Rawhide Down is the first true record of the day and events that literally shaped Reagan's presidency and sealed his image in the modern American political firmament.

I clearly remember the day Reagan was shot. I was in college in Washington, DC at the time, coming back to my dorm from a class and all my friends were gathered around the little black and white portable TV in one of our rooms watching the coverage. We all felt a kinship to the new president, having just experienced his riveting inauguration, the release of the Iran hostages, a new vitality in Washington. There was a new excitement and polish to his presidency that spread across town - it was electric. He had a larger than life presence, this Hollywood cowboy. I was lucky enough to attend one of the inaugural balls and got a glimpse of him in his limousine with Nancy (alas, they were just leaving as we were arriving). There was a light on in the back of the limousine where they were seated so the public could see them as they drove past. I was a young twenty year old at the time, and as I saw them departing the Pension Building where the Presidential Ball was being held, all I could think of to say was a breathless, "Wow." Not only did Ronald Reagan have that movie star glamour about him, but now he had the Presidential glamour. It was... awesome. (I still have a souvenir napkin from the ball we attended that night.)

Watching the scene unfold on TV, we were devastated. No matter what your politics, it was a scary moment in history and unthinkable. I felt like crying, I remember thinking how old Reagan was, and I was so worried for him. He had just turned 70, the oldest president to be elected, yet he was amazingly spry for his age. I liked him, even though I didn't vote for him. I cared about him. Life was taking an alarming turn around this time. First John Lennon's death the previous fall, now Reagan shot and a few months to come, the Pope would be shot as well. There was so much to take in. Little did we know while watching the events on TV what was really going on behind the scenes with the attempt on Reagan. This book answers every question about that day.

Rawhide Down is an excellent account of all that happened that day outside the Washington Hilton as Reagan was leaving from a labor union luncheon. The events are fascinating to read about. We get a glimpse into the daily life of the Secret Service agents on duty as well as the surprising background on the Secret Service itself. It was quite an eye opener and I was surprised to learn of how little training was actually involved for many of the first agents, leaving it to mostly on the job training. By the early '80's their training had been formalized, but at the time of Kennedy's assassination there had been hardly anything.

We also get the lead in to Hinckley and his motivations. His obsession with Jodi Foster was the determining factor, but his plan to assassinate Reagan was, for the most part, a last minute decision. Amazing.

Of course we get the full White House point of view of all that is involved with security and Reagan himself. His schedule and routine, his background and general mien. He's a genuinely likable man. This book brings that day all back. The events leading up to the attack and it's aftermath are meticulously gone over. I couldn't put the book down. Once the shooting takes place, it's a quick read, fast paced and riveting. His staff scrambling waiting for Vice President Bush to arrive in Washington, Alexander Haig taking command and his blunder on the air of mistaking the chain of command - all fascinating to read about!

But, I found the most compelling part of the book was what no one knew about at the time. Reagan came dangerously close to dying. Due to the quick thinking of one of his Secret Service men who quickly pushed him into the limousine to speed off away from the Hilton, Reagan's life was saved. He was unaware that he'd actually been hit by a bullet which hit the limousine and ricocheted off it to go into Reagan's back, and into his lung, narrowly missing his heart. While Hinckley was being captured and press secretary James Brady was fighting for his life in a pool of blood at the Hilton, Jerry Parr, Reagan's Secret Service man in the limousine with him, was trying to determine if Reagan was all right or not. The president was complaining he could not breathe, but did not think he'd been shot. At first the limo was heading back to the White House, but Parr made the split second and live saving decision to change course and take Reagan to the George Washington University hospital.

From there, we switch to GWU's Emergency Room and what happened when they got the call from the little white phone at the desk. The phone that rarely, if ever, rings. It's a direct line from the White House to notify them that the president has been hurt and is on his way. Just the thought of how they all must have been freaking out! But they didn't. They were professionals and handled the crisis amazingly well, a lot better than Reagan's advisers at the White House who were all running around like chickens with their heads cut off!

I won't go into every little detail, you'll have to read this book for yourself, but trust me, it's great and if you are at all interested in presidential assassinations or Ronald Reagan, this is a must read. I highly recommend it. Wilber is a reporter for The Washington Post, and he did a pain staking job at researching and interviewing for this book. You feel like "you are there." Don't miss it.

5/5

*There have been many assassination attempts on U.S. presidents, four of which were successful: Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. President Theodore Roosevelt was injured in an assassination attempt after leaving office.

Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt

2012-02-11T21:34:00.005-05:00

Book Description:
Can a pirate learn that the only true treasure lies within a woman’s heart?

“Charming” Mickey O’Connor is the most ruthless river pirate in London. Devastatingly handsome and fearsomely intelligent, he clawed his way up through London’s criminal underworld. Mickey has no use for tender emotions like compassion and love, and he sees people as pawns to be manipulated. Yet he’s never been able to forget the naive captain’s wife who came to him a year ago for help—and spent one memorable night in his bed...talking.

Widowed Silence Hollingbrook is impoverished, lovely, and kind - and a year ago she made a horrible mistake. She went to a river pirate for help in saving her husband and in the process made a bargain that cost her her marriage. That night wounded her so terribly that she hides in the foundling home she helps run with her brother. Except now that same river pirate is back...and he’s asking for her help.

When reading the first of the Maiden Lane series, Wicked Intentions, I was intrigued by the side story involving Temperance's sister, Silence. I felt terribly sorry for Silence and what happened due to her involvement with Mickey O'Connor, pirate and raider of the Thames. At the same time, I thought she was incredibly naive for going to him for help in the first place. The whole thing backfires on her when Silence approaches Mickey, without her husband's knowledge, and requests he return the cargo he stole from the ship her husband works on. Her husband is going to lose his job unless the goods can be recovered. O'Connor, notorious for his ruthlessness and lack or morals, agrees to return them - for a price. Silence must spend the night with O'Connor in his bedroom. Even though he never touches her, he sends her home in a disheveled state and forces her to walk up the middle of the street in shame as if she had been his whore for the night. Essentially, he was ruining her reputation in exchange for saving her husband's job. Of course, no one will believe nothing happened between them! Including her husband. Things are never the same between Silence and her husband again and when he goes off to sea for the last time, his ship sinks and he dies with it.

It's now a year later and Silence has gone to work at her sister's foundling home with her brother, Winter. She has become close to one of the baby's, Mary Darling, who we learn, at the end of book two in the series, is the illegitimate daughter to none other than - Mickey O'Connor! The spitting image! Mary Darling had been left on the home's doorstep and Silence has basically become her surrogate mother. One day Mary disappears and Silence is bereft until she learns that O'Connor has taken her to his "palace" of ill gotten gains. Silence wastes no time in going there to retrieve Mary - returning to the scene of her shameful walk home. Only, this time, Mickey makes her an offer she can't refuse. Because his enemies have gotten wind that he has a daughter, he has taken Mary back to his palace to keep her safe. He wants Silence to move into the palace as well, to take care of Mary, since all the baby does is cry all day long for her "mother." Silence agrees, she loves Mary and can't bear the thought of leaving her there.

Once Silence moves in, she gets to know Mickey better and gradually she falls in love with this man of danger. When the palace is attacked and Mary is nearly killed, Silence's family comes to reclaim her, featuring a scene with *swoon* Lord Caire from Wicked Intentions. But, Mickey can't live without Silence and comes to get her back and she willingly goes with him. Yet, he still cannot make a commitment to her for she will become a target for his enemies. He takes her to his "safe house" away from London. There she learns of his "other life" as a respectable shipbuilder, a successful man living his life as an innocuous Englishman with a house in the country. This side of Mickey is "Michael Rivers" and Silence begins to envision herself by his side forever. It is here that they begin their love affair, but Mickey must still take care of unfinished business regarding his father, The Vicar, who is his archenemy and rival in London. His father is ruthless (and a little mad) and will not hesitate to use Silence and Mary as bait to lure Mickey into a trap and get rid of him once and for all.

Despite my already knowing the previous background on these two from the previous books in the series, it took me a long time to get into the story of Silence and charmin' Mickey O'Connor. I had a hard time warming up to Mickey. This is not unexpected because he did such a despicable thing to Silence by ruining her marriage - just for the fun of it. I just could not forgive him for it. Mickey had to really change for me to come around to him. As expected, as Silence began to trust him and change her opinion of him, so did I, but I still never really liked him very much. Plus, it didn't help that I kept imagining Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean as Mickey (not a good thing). Nothing against him, but he's not my idea of hero material physically.

I viewed it as another tortured hero story in which the hero has a horrible childhood and becomes a criminal to survive on the streets, working his way up to becoming the most feared pirate lord in London. His lousy childhood and evil father is supposed to justify all the awful things Mickey does as an adult? Until he finds the woman who changes him and makes him a better person? I'm not very fond of this scenario in romances and have a hard time buying it. But eventually, I began to appreciate Mickey a little bit more when he became "Michael" in Silence's mind and no longer Mickey. Once we find out who his father is and what happened and how he cares for Silence and Mary I thawed a little, but it was still hard for me to justify his piracy and what he did to Silence in the first book.

Normally, I love Hoyt's books, but this one just didn't thrill me. Still, the writing itself is fine as is the period, costumes, setting, etc. I just have a hard time with this kind of storyline and I wasn't overly fond of the hero - a deal breaker for me. Silence was just sort of blah, she goes along with whatever everyone tells her to do. Often, she sets out with her own objectives but then caves in pretty easily to whatever someone else wants, whether it's marrying her first husband, even though he's much older than she is, then going to work at the home with her brother, then living with Mickey, then wearing the dress he gets her and going to the opera, then going back with her family to her sister's after the attack, then running off with Mickey without telling anyone where she is and going to his country house - come on! The chemistry was good between the hero and heroine, but I found it took a long, long time for the two of them to finally go to bed together. Of course their one night out together before that turns into a disaster!

One question: why is everyone so worried about raising money for the home? Winter and Silence's sister Temperance has married the wealthy Lord Caire - can't he donate a ton of money, if need be? Temperance used to run the home, I'd think that would no longer be an issue. This leads into the home's patrons and some new faces in the series and side story involving Silence's brother, Winter. It has potential, though I'm surprised at who Hoyt is setting him up with (or so it seems). Somewhat unorthodox, an older widow in her early 50's? I wonder how Hoyt will pull this off, but the cliffhanger ending has me looking forward to the next book!

3.5/5

The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick (audio)

2012-02-04T15:51:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Following early beginnings as a knight in the English royal household and a champion of the tourneys, William Marshal's prowess and loyalty have been rewarded by the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare, heiress to great estates in England, Normandy and Ireland. Now a powerful magnate, William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard's absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy while Isabelle governs their estates. All the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed with their young and growing family comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes King. Rebellion is stirring throughout the Angevin domains and although John has created William Earl of Pembroke, the friction between the two men leads William and Isabelle to distance themselves in Ireland. The situation escalates, with John holding their sons as hostages and seizing their English lands. The conflict between remaining loyal and rebelling over injustices committed, threatens to tear apart William and Isabelle's marriage and their family.

Follow up to Chadwick's The Greatest Knight, a book I loved on audio, she continues the story of William Marshal, the greatest knight and probably the most noble man that ever walked the earth. In his later years, married to his wife Isabelle and raising their many children, their marriage is passionate, despite the time he spends away from home. They are depicted as soul mates and equals in each other's eyes. The books spans thirty years of their marriage until William's death. Over this time we experience the trials and tribulations of his family, most of which were brought on by King John of England.

William was adept at keeping a cool head through most of his later years in dealing with King John, although it took a toll on him eventually. John is by far the villain throughout a good part of this book. Always on Marshal's case, he is constantly accusing him of treason and treachery, and it's amazing how William walked a fine line to keep his lands (and head) with John as his jealous king. I was so happy when John finally died, and it's testimony to William's loyalty that on John's death bed he commanded William Marshal to act as regent to John's son, Henry III who was a boy king at the time of John's death. Deep down John knew William was good and would look out for Henry III as no other.

The goriest and most upsetting part of the book for me was the description of the "supposed" events of what happened to Prince Arthur who rivaled King John for the throne. King John had the sixteen year old Arthur imprisoned and William de Braose witnessed a few knights leaving his jail cell late one night. William de Braose goes in to Arthur's cell and sees that he has been horribly maimed, his eyes gouged out. In agony, but not dead, the boy is suffering terribly. He goes to King John who comes back with him to see for himself. As an act of mercy, John kills Arthur himself to put him out of his misery. It is a horrifying scene, and one that will stay in my memory for a long time.

The gist of the story is how William and his family manage to survive the reign of King John intact. It's a miracle he does, for John really had it out for him, demanding his two eldest sons as hostages to insure William's loyalty (a needless and spiteful demand). Some parts were a bit tedious, I grew tired of John, John, John! On audio, Christopher Scott does an excellent job at narration, though his accent for Isabelle was kind of in and out. Sometimes she sounded Irish and other times she didn't. I admit, with all the different names of Lady this and Lord that and the Earl of something it was hard to keep track of who was who in parts. I can see how in print it would be a bit easier.

At the end of the book, when William is preparing to die (which I thought was dragged out a bit too long), I was surprised by his desire to become a Templar Knight at the last. I had no idea that he took his vows on his deathbed. I felt badly for Isabelle, his wife, she truly seemed crushed by the idea. This part of the book was very sad as they said their good-byes and then when he insured that the new young king was in good hands. Faithful to the king to the last. His actual death a few days later seemed slightly anti-climatic.

All in all, this is a fine work of historical fiction, with enough PG-rated romance to add a little zing to the storyline. There are only so many times the reader can endure another one of John's miserable demands on the Marshals, so a little husband and wife connubial bliss is welcome, from time to time, to break up the angst and worry that seems to hover over a great deal of the book. William and Isabelle had a marriage that was unusual and succeeded in a time when marriages were arranged and not often happy. It is to their credit that they successfully raised so many children, although no male descendants to carry on the line after his sons. Sounds like the legendary Marshal curse may have been for real. Who knows?

If the reigns of Richard and John are your thing, I recommend The Scarlet Lion for lovers of this genre and medieval period. It might help to read The Greatest Knight first, which I preferred, but not absolutely necessary. Beautiful cover, btw too!

3.5/5

The Gift by Julie Garwood

2012-02-04T14:44:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
A child bride, Sara Winchester had grown into a winsome beauty, joyfully anticipating the day when her husband Nathan, Marquess of St. James, would return to claim her heart at last. Charmingly innocent, she dismissed the ancient feud that divided Nathan's family from her own...and she was totally unaware of his past exploits as the notorious pirate, Pagan. The man who now stood before her was perplexing, arrogant and powerfully handsome...a warrior-gentleman whose gentle touch aroused her to the wildest, deepest pleasures of love.

Nathan had never bared his soul to any woman, but he was soon utterly beguiled and exasperated by Sara's sweet, defiant ways. Aboard his ship, The Seahawk, she was brave, imperious and determined to win his heart completely - yet upon their return to England, her love would be sorely tested as a vile conspiracy tried to tear them apart. With their future at stake, they would discover the true destiny of their passion...for all time!

Quickie Review:
I must say I really enjoyed this book, it was full of humor and Sara, the heroine, reminded me very much of Garwood's endearing medieval heroines who are adorably unaware of the havoc they wreak in their lord's castle, only here it's on board a ship - or a boat, as Sara keeps calling it, much to her husband's chagrin, for he is the captain of said "boat."

Set during Regency times, Sara and Nathan married at a very young age at the order of King George III (who was in his mad stage at the time) to bring their two feuding families together. She was four and he was fourteen. Fourteen years later with neither having anything to do with the other, they must consummate the marriage in order for Nathan to come into his inheritance. Her side of the family is full of villains who want to have the marriage annulled, except Sara is good-natured and eager to get away from them and to help save her aunt who has been held prisoner (long complicated story) by her evil uncle. One thing leads to another and Nathan, who has grown into a great big, beastly man with a scar, aims to find her and kidnap her. Bracing himself for the strong possibility she will be as ugly as sin (the women in her family are known for it), he is captivated and happily surprised by how beautiful his wife turned out to actually be. He follows her before absconding with her (and her aunt, who they rescue) on his ship to set sail for the Indies (and where her aunt has an island home.)

Once on board the ship, Sara has no idea who her husband really is - the notorious pirate, Pagan (we learn about him in the previous book in the series, Guardian Angel). There are many great moments throughout the book and as Sara and Nathan get to know one another as man and wife, (despite his seasickness and the fact she wants to get to know him first before sharing a bed) Sara manages to poison his entire crew and nearly destroys the ship itself with her parasols. Basically she scares all the men half to death, they're convinced she is cursed. But, eventually they come around and wind up loving her just as much as her stern captain does. One of my favorite scenes was when Sara misunderstands one of the crewmen, Jimbo and believes he's calling Nathan "daft" when he's really saying "aft" and then she makes him promise never to call the captain aft again. (Believe me it's funnier than it sounds!) Hero and heroine are great together. Between Sara's screwball logic and Nathan's exasperation, despite his passion for her (and there is the usual Garwood heat in this romance) it was a delightful read. I love these kinds of stories, I thought they only existed in her medievals, but how wrong I was!

This was a really fun book, with the usual drama towards the end as Nathan goes to loggerheads with Sara's father, who turns out to be just as much a villain as her uncle. A grand finale with the Prince Regent himself made for a very satisfying ending and another winner from Garwood!

4/5

Splendid by Julia Quinn

2012-01-28T16:15:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
There are two things everyone knows about Alexander Ridgely. One, he's the Duke of Ashbourne. And two, he has no plans to marry anytime soon...

That is until a redheaded American throws herself in front of a carriage to save his young nephew's life. She's everything Alex never thought a woman could be—smart and funny, principled and brave. But she's a servant, completely unsuitable for a highborn duke—unless, perhaps, she's not quite what she seems...

American heiress Emma Dunster might be surrounded by Englishmen, but that doesn't mean she intends to marry one—even if she has agreed to participate in one London Season. When she slipped out of her cousins' home, dressed as a kitchen maid, all she wanted was one last taste of anonymity before her debut. She never dreamed she'd find herself in the arms of a dangerously handsome duke... or that he'd be quite so upset when he discovered her true identity. But true love tends to blossom just when one least expects it, and passion can melt even the most stubborn of hearts.

Quickie Review:
This was a "splendid" romance by my favorite romance author Julia Quinn. It's also her first book. I loved it!

Alex, the Duke of Ashbourne, a confirmed bachelor, falls head over heels in love with the irresistible and highly unorthodox Emma Dunster, a beautiful red-headed American heiress who takes London by storm. Their first meeting is a memorable one. Emma, dressed as a maid, dashes across a busy street to save the duke's young nephew from being struck by a carriage. Emma is knocked out herself and awakens in the duke's carriage several minutes later. He is "instantly" struck by something about her and kisses her. Ah, romance. Emma is somewhat bowled over by him too, but she makes him think she is a maid in her aunt's household where he drops her off.

The next evening is Emma's big grand debut. Alex has been invited, but ordinarily he'd never go to one of these kind of soirees. But, taken so with the young and courageous maid that got hurt saving his nephew the day before, he figures it's the least he can do, to follow up and see if he can find out how she is and thank her again for what she did. Well, you can guess the rest. As soon as he sees Emma for the first time in her beautiful finery making her debut - off come the kid gloves. He makes a bee line for her immediately, demanding an explanation. He dances with her, etc. and has the whole ton talking! The great Duke of Ashbourne is smitten! In fact over the next several weeks he makes it clear to every other bachelor in London that Emma Dunster is "his" and hands off!

Does Emma mind this? Yes and no. Everyone begins pushing these two together, expecting a marriage proposal any day. In fact, they're hoping she'll be compromised by Alex which will hurry the process. This didn't exactly sit well with me. Why did everyone have to be so pushy about it? What was the hurry? She's really not out to get married, for she expects to return to America and run her father's business. But the more she gets to know Alex, the more she's starting to re-think her plans regarding marriage. Added to that, is the fact Alex keeps saying he's not ready for marriage - which suited her fine before. But now..? Meanwhile, Alex is having similar thoughts. Is this confirmed bachelor dreaming of quiet evenings at home with a comely wife by his side - and making babies every night? Is he practicing marriage proposals? Hmmm...

As these two are trying to work out what they really want, the plot thickens when Emma's cousin, still a big wet behind the years and down from Oxford, gets himself into deep trouble and is in need of ten thousand pounds - 10,000 pounds - to pay off a gambling debt from a ruthless cheater who has designs on his sister. Emma is an heiress, but she'll also come in to additional money sooner - when she marries. She wants to help her cousin - so what does she do? I'll leave you in suspense, but it backfires and there is an angsty moment for a brief while, but love saves the day - as well as common sense and a bit of sincere grovelling. I must admit, Splendid has the most endearing marriage proposal scenes I've ever read - both of them!

I didn't know what to expect from this romance or whether I'd like it or not, it being her first. My opinion is that it was a stellar first effort. Why am I not surprised? Julia Quinn is the crème de la crème in the romance world. I did recognize some burgeoning tell-tale elements of her style which we see carried off so well in her later books. Siblings, wise mothers and ideal marriages abound in Julia Quinn's books. The characterizations are well done, plus there is the ever present sense of humor and screwball characteristics that make her books so funny and endearing. The angsty plot point was solved a bit too easily, which could have given the story more depth if expanded upon, but that's fine with me I'm not a fan of angst when it's drawn out too much.

All in all this was a delightful book and a satisfying piece of fluff. I recommend it!

4/5

Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase

2012-01-28T11:59:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Tall, dark, and handsome, the heir to the Earl of Hargate, Benedict Carsington, is known for his impeccable manners and good breeding. Benedict knows all the rules and has no trouble following them-until Bathsheba Wingate enters his life. Now, the two must embark on a rescue mission that puts them in dangerous, intimate proximity. Fortunately, Benedict is in perfect control-despite his mad desire to break all the rules. Perfect control. Really.

Quickie Review:
Great madcap story of Lord Perfect Rathbourne who meets and falls (unbeknownst to him) in love with Bathsheba DeLucey Walker, a notorious widow (for various reasons, she doesn't really deserve the moniker). Her twelve year old daughter and his fourteen year old nephew run off together to find (what they think) is a hidden treasure. For days, Rathbourne and Bathsheba must be on the road together in search of them. Some parts were hilarious, some sexy, some poignant and heartwarming. An all around great, great romance, just as they should be. Another winner from Loretta Chase!

Some parts of this "road trip" romance were simply hilarious! One scene at inn in which a fight breaks out was a scream. Bathsheba is no wilting lily. She is a mother and knows her daughter only too well. You see, they come from a long line of DeLucey's who are conniving cheats. Bathsheba didn't seem to inherit the worst of the traits, but she can see her daughter has a flair for being a con artist - and she's not even a teenager yet! The perfect Benedict finds himself at a loss - how has he fallen into this mess to retrieve his nephew and Bathsheba's daughter? The notorious Bathsheba - I might add. She's really not all that notorious, but her dead husband married her knowing his family would disown him - which they did. To the ton, she's notorious for this reason. She's also incredibly beautiful. Guess who falls for her, next?

I loved this book - it was scrumptious reading and now a new favorite! And how about this cover!!

4.5/5

Meet Me At Midnight by Suzanne Enoch

2012-01-28T11:42:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Victoria Fontaine's mischievous nature and brilliant, biting wit have scandalized the ton . . . and earned her the nickname "Vixen." But her reputation pales before the infamous Lord Althorpe's, known as "Lord Sin." The years Sinclair Grafton spent on the Continent have done nothing to quell the rumors about his past. And when the stunning Vixen and the handsome rogue find themselves momentarily alone at an elegant gala, their passion gets the best of them. Caught by Victoria's father in a shockingly sensual kiss, Sin and Vixen have no recourse except a wedding. At first the very liberal lady relishes the thought of an unfettered marriage to an indifferent, unrepentant scoundrel. But she suspects there is more to this enigmatic, remarkable man, that his rakish persona is merely a pose. And after one unforgettable night of ecstasy, Lady Vixen is determined to unmask the true Sin . . . to satisfy a passionate heart that craves far more than freedom.

Quickie Review:
Fun story of Vixen Fontaine, the belle of London known for her hoydenish ways and flirting. She ends up in a scandalous clinch with Lord Althorpe, a known rake, newly returned to town from abroad. Of course they must marry, but little does she know he's been a spy for the past five years fighting Bonaparte and is now home to find out who murdered his brother.

Sin didn't expect to lose his self control over Vixen, but one look at her from across a ballroom had him asking for a dance, then a walk in the garden and some heavy petting amidst the shrubbery. Vixen, so caught up in his appeal and masculinity, blah, blah, blah, couldn't stop herself from going along with him, and before she knows it, her father is yelling in outrage and she's engaged to be married - to Sin. How did the clever Vixen get herself in such a fix? Good question. As the new Lady Althorpe she soon figures out that Sin is not all that he seems to be and she wants to help him find his brother's murderer. Almost certain it's one of her former suitors, he's chasing after them while she's got a sneaking suspicion it's someone else entirely. The two can't agree on this issue until it's almost too late.

This was a good story and I loved Vixen, who has smarts, looks, personality, gumption - and a great name. She is the perfect foil for her arrogant, aristocratic and autocratic husband. I also enjoyed seeing characters from the previous book in the series, Lucien Balfour and his wife, Alexandra. Sin and Lucien going head to head was quite enjoyable!

Overall, not the most memorable regency I've read, but it was entertaining and frothy. A diverting winner!

4/5

Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh

2012-01-28T10:22:00.004-05:00

Book Description:
Meet the Bedwyns…six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality.

Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Freyja Bedwyn, the wild-hearted daughter, meets her match in a man as passionate, reckless, and scandalous as she.

Growing up with four unruly brothers has made Freyja Bedwyn far bolder than most society ladies. From feisty manner to long, tumbling hair, Lady Freyja is pure fire, a woman who seeks both adventure and freedom.

Adventure soon finds her on a visit to Bath, when a handsome stranger bursts into Freyja's room and entreats her to hide him. His name is Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere, a man with a hell-raising reputation of his own who is quickly intrigued by the independent beauty. So intrigued, in fact, that he makes her a surprising request: to pose as his fiancée and help thwart his family's matchmaking schemes. For two people determined to be free, it's the perfect plan…until passion blindsides them both. For as Joshua sets out to achieve his complete seduction of Freyja, a woman who has sworn off love is in danger of losing the one thing she never expected to give again: her heart…

Quickie Review:
I didn't think I was going to like this book all that much. In the previous Bedwyn books, Freyja is hard to like because she's so prickly, but this was terrific! How wrong I was! I loved Freyja's story! I am so pleased that Balogh gave her such a good HEA. Irony of ironies, Lady Freyja Bedwyn winds up in a make believe betrothal, engaged to Josh, the Marquess of Hallmere, a devil-may-care rogue she meets en route to Bath. Their paths meet again in Bath, and, as only Freyja Bedwyn can do, she renews their acquaintance in front of everyone by accusing him of being a seducer of young housemaids!

Of course, she proves to be irresistible to him, she's so haughty and full of herself at first, he's dying to take her down a peg. The two are made for one another, but it takes the entire book for them to realize it. Freyja has a major chip on her shoulder ever since her engagement to her neighbor Kit (from A Summer to Remember) was broken and she was thrown over by another, his present wife, Lauren. Now that Lauren is expecting their first baby and presumed heir, Freyja doesn't want to be anywhere near the vicinity of the happy event - hence her trip to Bath. While staying at an inn on her way there, a strange (but gentlemanly looking) man enters her room and asks her to keep his secret as he hides in her wardrobe. Too astonished to say anything she keeps her mouth shut as a troupe of angry individuals come looking for him. The man turns out to be Josh who is hiding to evade being roped into a marriage by a devious father. Much complications ensue, but once resolved, Josh thanks and kisses Freyja in her nightgown and climbs out the window. All this to the great Freyja Bedwyn, the sister of the Duke of Bewcastle!

When Freyja and Josh meet again a few days later, she is at loggerheads with him initially, but then they become friends. To avoid having to marry (again!) she agrees to pretend they are engaged. It will be fun, a lark! But it goes on longer than expected, her brother (the duke) gets wind of it and suddenly it's not as easy to back out of it as they originally thought. Wedding plans are set in motion and then Josh is accused of murdering his cousin, and nearly the entire Bedwyn family accompanies him to his Cornwall estate to put the matter to rest and see that his name is cleared. There are lots of delicious moments throughout the book and particularly between Freyja and Josh. Freyja is actually growing on me! Suddenly - I like her! Over the course of this book we learn to sympathize with Freyja and unearth her many layers of insecurities. As she realizes she's falling in love with Josh, she realizes she's gotten over Kit too, and maybe never really loved him to begin with. But, she's afraid Josh doesn't feel the same way. Josh is just what she needs and by the end, I was so happy for both of them!

This was so good and I was sorry to finish it. I'm leaving tons out, but this was a great book. Fifth in the Bedwyn series (if you count the first two prequels), this is my favorite of all the books so far.

4.5/5

P.S. Another water-logged love scene in this book - a definite trend in this series. What is it about Balogh and water? Whether it's an island, a pond or the the infamous gamekeeper's hut at Kit Butler's estate, watery sex scenes sure get a lot of mileage in this series!

How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins

2012-01-21T13:09:00.002-05:00

Book Description:
It's hardly the type of wedding Fiona MacLean dreamed of. No family, no guests, just a groom who's been dragged - literally - to the altar. But if marriage to Black Jack Kincaid, the handsome wastrel she'd sworn never to see again, will avert a bloody war between their clans, so be it. Surely she can share his bed without losing her heart...

Known throughout Scotland and London as a wild rogue, Jack is accustomed to waking in dire situations, but...married? Long ago, he and Fiona reveled in a youthful passion. Now, the fiery, sensual lass is his once more. And though their marriage is in name only, Jack is determined to win her forever - body and soul....

First in the MacLean Curse series, I had mixed feelings about this book, I was bothered by the improbable forced marriage scenario and the fact the hero is such a cad at first and then does such an about face about his feelings for the heroine. First, he's outraged that she has tricked him into marrying her (which I had trouble with on her part) and then he decides he might as well make the best of it, bedding her and then leaving in the middle of the night to gamble and carouse about London leaving his wife back in bed at home. Then, after much ado he falls madly in love with her once he realizes he could lose her. He had a lot of shortcomings to get over and she, who is supposed to be an independent and spirited-minded kind of lass, was incredibly naive about her newly married situation and what is simply not done in London Society.

The story begins in Scotland. Fiona MacLean's dear brother Colum has been killed by a member of the Kincaid clan. Their two families have been feuding forever. She is certain her other brothers will retaliate and more bloodshed and killings will take place. In order to thwart this inevitable event, she conveniently has her men fetch the rakish and dead drunk Black Jack Kincaid (and former love of her life) who is passed out in a heap in the road - in a great rainstorm - which she has brought on (the MacLean's have a supernatural ability to create rainstorms at will when they are emotionally upset.) The rakish Kincaid has just come from the arms of his married mistress (who crops up later in the book). Fiona's strong men bring Jack to the church where Fiona has a vicar ready and waiting and marries them while he's very nearly unconscious. He's barely cognizant of where he is and what's going on until he wakes up in a comfortable clean bed to find he's married to Fiona MacLean, the girl who jilted him umpteen years before when he wanted to run away with her. The girl he never quite got over (though he won't admit it, least of all to himself.) She had second thoughts at the time and changed her mind, due to the ongoing feud between their two clans, even though she gave her virginity to him. She's remained a spinster ever since and he became a rogue and a wastrel, vowing to never lose his heart again.

Now fifteen years later they are married - in name only - and Jack is furious. But, he looks on the bright side, takes her to London with the intention of having the marriage annulled. (Why a Scottish lord lives in London I don't know, but it serves it's purpose.) Fiona is only happy to go along with him, for as soon as her big brothers learn about what she's done, they're going to come after her. She wants the marriage to "stick" which means they have to consummate it. Plus, she wants to have a baby. She makes an agreement with Jack that as soon as he gets her pregnant, she'll return to Scotland, have their baby and raise it alone. He'll be off the hook and won't have to have anything more to do with her. He's all for this arrangement to jump into bed with her and he takes this part of the agreement seriously, only he makes love to her - thoroughly. If there's one thing that hasn't changed - the sex is still great! But then he does the unthinkable - he leaves her and goes out for a night on the town - alone!

This won't do, which is the crux of the story. Can Jack wise up and realize what a good thing he has with Fiona and that he's going to have to settle down and stop acting like a rake when he now has a beautiful wife whom he's loved for years anyway? When is he going to forgive her for leaving him at the altar fifteen years earlier? He may not realize it, but the hurt he felt that night when he found out she had changed her mind, never left him. Hence his reason for drinking and carousing and all sorts of other things - because he never got over her. Now that he's got her, he's got to let it go and look to the future. Forgive and forget.

Of course, it takes him forever to get to that point. In the meantime, they both fall in love with one another all over again, yet neither will admit it to the other and all sorts of things happen while in London, where the majority of the book takes place. He insists on continuing his rakish ways of gambling and staying out all night (I really couldn't stand him during this phase of the book) and she, in retaliation, decides to go out on the town - alone as well. Her opinion is, "If he can do it, so can I!" There's another male Scottish acquaintance who is only to happy to escort her about to Jack's usual haunts, places not fit for a lady of Fiona's background and naivete. He has a score to settle with Jack, plus he's eager to seduce Fiona at the same time. A dastardly villain, basically. There's lots of jealousy that crops up, miscommunication and the usual "I've-loved-you-all-along-why-didn't-you-tell-me?" dialogue that goes on. It's not until Jack realizes he can lose Fiona to another man that he decides to settle down and be a good husband. Jealousy always works when it comes to reformed rakes. Plus, when he's afraid she's carrying his baby he doesn't want her to leave him and go back to Scotland to carry out their bargain. Predictably, he changes gears, but Fiona's not buying it at first.

This book was a series of frustrating missteps on the part of the hero and heroine with some sensual scenes between them from time to time. Overall I wasn't overly fond of either of them. Too many mind games go on with no real emotional pull to the story to keep me interested. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Still, I will read on in the series for I like Hawkins and there's more ahead for Fiona's big and brawny Scottish brothers - and their weatherly supernatural powers.

3.5/5

Open Season by Linda Howard

2012-01-15T22:15:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Be careful what you wish for....

On her thirty-fourth birthday, Daisy Minor decides to make over her entire life. The small-town librarian has had it with her boring clothes, her ordinary looks, and nearly a decade without so much as a date. It's time to get a life -- and a sex life. The perennial good girl, Daisy transforms herself into a party girl extraordinaire -- dancing the night away at clubs, laughing and flirting with abandon -- and she's declared open season for manhunting. But her free-spirited fun turns to shattering danger when she witnesses something she shouldn't -- and becomes the target of a killer. Now, before she can meet the one man who can share her life, first she may need him to save it.

This was such a great read, I loved it! Funny, suspenseful, hot - you name it! Plus it had an adorable golden retriever puppy in it! What more could you ask for! I adored it!

Staid small town librarian, Daisy Minor, gives herself a makeover on her birthday. It's high time she moved out of her mother's house and got a place on her own - and a sex life. She's thirty-four years old and really needs to change things. With her new blonde haircut, make up and an updated wardrobe she happens to attract the attention of the town's brawny police chief - Jack Russo! A brash out of towner from Chicago, she is less than thrilled with Jack and his Yankee ways. Yet, they keep bumping into each other and pretty soon the whole town is talking about their hot love affair! But... wait a minute... there is no affair - yet. Meanwhile, Daisy is testing out her new look at the nearby dance clubs and unwittingly witnesses a murder one night in the parking lot of one of them and becomes a target herself. Who's there to save her? You guessed it!

The plot is a complex one, full of interesting side characters involving the mayor of the town who is behind a white slavery ring, bringing girls in from Mexico and Russia, selling them to the highest bidders - virgins commanding the highest prices. Daisy has witnessed the murder of one of the guys working for the ring and she has to be gotten rid of so she can't testify. The cast of characters are colorful and lively and I was really drawn into the story - it was nearly impossible to put down! I loved the way we see how it all unfolds and just what kind of a mess the mayor finds himself in - all very clever and well written!

Back to Jack and Daisy... soon enough, Jack and Daisy's non-affair turns into a full blown real one, the chemistry between the two is electric and despite Daisy's early protestations that she doesn't want to have anything to do with Jack, she's ripe for a fling and finds he's too hard to resist. His large countenance (in every respect) and "won't take no for an answer" attitude is impossible to ignore. Plus, he's great in bed. *sigh* The one catch - she thinks he's not into getting married - yet she's not getting any younger and she wants to have babies! Hence her whole reason for the make over. She's out to snag a husband and have a family! Hmmm... what to do, what to do?

One of my very favorite things about this book was the humor. I found myself chuckling over and over again over the frequent meetings between Jack and Daisy. One particular moment in the drugstore with a box of condoms is hilarious! They have many funny moments and conversations throughout the book. The dialogue between them is fast and sassy, she can hold her own with him. Yet, as they get closer, he becomes ever more protective of her. Since Daisy has moved out and living alone in a not so great part of town - albeit a small southern sleepy kind of town - she buys herself a watch dog. Jack has advised her to get a no nonsense canine - something like a German Shepherd. What does Daisy get - a golden retriever puppy! As the owner of a golden retriever myself, I thought Jack's reaction was priceless.

"That's a golden retriever puppy." She cuddled the baby to her. "So?" With measured movements, Jack closed the door, locked it, then rhythmically beat his head against the frame. "What's wrong with my puppy?" Daisy demanded.

"He's a puppy." ...

"He'll grow," she said. "Look at the size of his feet. He's going to be huge."

"He'll still be a golden retriever."

"What's wrong with that? I think he's beautiful."

"He is. He's gorgeous. But goldens are so friendly, they're no protection at all. They think everyone is their friend, placed on earth just to pet them. He might bark to let you know when someone comes up, but that's about it."

"That's okay, he's perfect for me." She kissed the top of the puppy's head. He was squirming trying to get down so he could investigate this new human.

Sighing, Jack reached out and took the little guy in his big hands. The puppy began licking madly at every inch of skin he could reach. "So, his name's Killer?"

"No, I've just been trying out names. Nothing seems to fit."

"Not if they're like Killer, they won't. You name goldens something like Lucky, or Fuzzbutt." He lifted the puppy until they were nose to nose. "How about Midas or Riley or --"

"Midas!" Daisy said, her eyes lighting as she stared from him to the puppy. "That's perfect!" She threw her arms around him, stretching up on tiptoe in an effort to kiss him, but the newly named Midas got there first and licked her on the mouth. She sputtered and wiped her mouth, "Thanks sweetie, but you aren't half the kisser the guy is."

"Thanks," Jack said, holding Midas at a safe distance as he leaned down and their lips met. And clung. The kiss deepened. The melting started again.

"Do you mind if I spend the night?" he murmured, trailing kisses down her throat.

He is sinfully sexy. I loved Jack. He's big and commanding - a real alpha. Yet he knows when to be sweet and gentle when it matters. Aside from his too short haircut and a little overdoing it with the muscles, I'd say he was near perfect. I also really loved Daisy, but she got a little left out of the book towards the big climatic ending. Jack told her to stay put and keep out of trouble while he handled things with the bad guys - and she did!

Do yourself a favor and read this book, it was so much fun and a real keeper! Linda Howard has become one of my favorite contemporary romantic suspense authors, she really is great with this genre.

4.5/5

P.S. Ms. Howard's descriptions of owning a puppy are right on target. Lo and behold, I looked it up and yes, she is the proud owner of a golden or two. I knew it! They are such scamps as puppies, but so adorable! I'm treating you to some pictures of my Hector when he was a little pup - about 10 weeks! Oh my how time flies! He's nearly ten years old now!

Those cute little legs behind him, only a puppy can do this!

Always smiling up at you - always happy!


What a sweetie!


One of his two speeds: sleeeping


All Grown Up

Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries

2012-01-15T20:33:00.005-05:00

Book Description:
One kiss...

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. But he finds that one deep, lingering, unforgettable kiss isn't nearly enough. And keeping his hands off his pretty wife is going to be much harder than he thought...

Last of the Swanlea Spinster Series, though this can be read as a standalone, I was a bit deflated by this historical romance. Maybe it was because it was the last of the series, or maybe because it was just "okay", nothing about it really grabbed me, despite an interesting premise. My main gripe with it was Spencer, the hero of the story. He had his appealing moments, but his overbearing take charge manner created too many problems and angst and I found I had little sympathy for him. Bottom line: if the hero doesn't do it for me, I'm not going to love the book.

Former spymaster Spencer, the Viscount of Ravenswood (from the previous book in the series) finds out he is married by proxy to the beautiful American, Abby Mercer, whom he eyed the year before while visiting his younger brother Nat, in Philadelphia. He soon learns that he can thank his brother for this bizarre turn of events that finds him married. Fresh from America, Abby shows up on Spencer's doorstep in London, thinking she is married to him (on paper) but that's not the case at all! To avoid scandal, they must pretend they are really married while Spencer tries to get to the bottom of how this all came about. His brother Nat has disappeared, so Spencer and Abby must pose as happily married newlyweds in front of the ton. This poses a problem, for despite their mutual attraction to one another, Spencer has a deep dark secret that prevents him from marrying. Hence his intentions to dissolve the marriage as soon as he can. But his growing feelings for Abby makes it harder and harder for him to keep his vow of remaining a bachelor. So what does he do? He keeps pushing her away, then succumbing to her charms, and then pushing her away again - thus hurting her feelings over and over. Uggh. She has no knowledge of his secret, so she's confused and distraught over the mixed signals he's sending her.

Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia, Abby's father manufactured a special elixir knows as "the Mead" which Spencer's brother, Nat invested in while he was in America. When Abby's father died, she took it upon herself to continue the manufacturing of it. Nat, who believed his brother needed a wife, arranged and forged the marriage between the two by proxy which gave him the rights to manufacture the Mead. Upon her father's death, Abby travels to London (with her Scottish maid - whom I liked) to take her place as her husband's bride and work out the details of manufacturing "the Mead". Of course, nothing happens as it should. Abby tries to fit into London Society, uncomfortable because Spencer keeps assuring her that their marriage will eventually be dissolved, even though they have to keep "pretending" until Nat is found. Not an easy task. To further complicate matters, the biggest gossip monger in town discovers Abby's Mead and decides to sponsor her. Lo and behold, it becomes a huge success as a perfume and becomes the hit of London's fashionable set! Still, Abby and Spencer are having a hard time of it with his constant warring over his feelings for her. He's used to running things to the point where he believes he must control every aspect of her role as his wife. Basically he's being an ass and he can't stand the temptation she is to him! I could have killed him!

This wasn't a bad romance but Ravenswood's constant and overbearing behavior with no explanations to Abby drove me crazy and I found I had less and less sympathy for him. He did some pretty jerky things to her, but she forgave him, of course, once his secret and motivation was revealed. Still...

Also, I'm scratching my head over the cover, as far as I can recollect, there was no bathtub scene like this in the book.

3.5/5

Lord of Fire by Gaelen Foley

2012-01-09T22:29:00.007-05:00

Book Description:
After years of preparation, he has baited his trap well, luring the depraved members of Society into his devil’s playground so he can earn their trust and uncover their secrets. Yet no one in London suspects that Lord Lucien Knight is England’s most cunning spy, an officer who has sacrificed his soul for his country. Now an unexpected intruder has invaded his fortress of sin, jeopardizing his carefully laid plans–and igniting his deepest desires.

Beautiful, innocent, Alice Montague finds herself at the mercy of scandalous Lord Lucien. But as he begins his slow seduction to corrupt her virtue, Alice glimpses a man tormented by his own choices, a man who promises her nothing except his undeniable passion. . . .

I'm afraid I just wasn't as bowled over by this second installment in the Knight Miscellany series as others before me. It started out well when we are first introduced to Lucien Knight, who seems to be the leader of some sort of Hellfire Club, throwing orgies and wild parties in a cave beneath his house. What makes him even more interesting is the idea he gets into his head to seduce his mistresses' oh so perfect and moral sister in law, Alice Montague.   But then we learn that Lucien is not all that he seems to be. He's not a rogue at all. It turns out he is a spy. Oh no. Another regency spy story... I'm growing so tired of these storylines, which must have been the thing back around 2002-2003 when many of these books were written. All the romance authors seemed to have glommed onto the Regency spy bandwagon - or else their publishers insisted on it. Whatever it was, this book lost all steam and credibility for me when the plot line turned toward the spy game direction.

Not only was I sick to death of this kind of scenario, (how many times do I have to read about how the hero is really good, but has to keep it a secret, so he acts the cad?) but as soon as I realized Lucien was a spy who was trying to gain secrets from all the debauched people that came to his parties, I was turned off in general.   The orgies in his grotto at his home? I found it all a bit distasteful, no matter what his real reasons were for holding them.

Alice's side of the story was slightly more refreshing. She is an on the shelf spinster taking care of her adorable young nephew, Harry, whose father died. Caro, her widowed sister-in-law (and mother to the boy) is a complete nympho who could care less about raising her son, remaining perfectly happy to have her sister-in-law do all the work in raising the boy. When Harry comes down with the chicken pox, Alice tracks down Caro to bring her home to be with him (fat chance). This is how Alice winds up in Lucien's grotto during one of his all night "parties." It was all extremely far-fetched and Alice was too naive to be believed. Still, it threw Alice and Lucien together and of course, Lucien is bowled over by her innocence and incredible beauty as soon as he sees her. But even more crazy, as innocent as she was, she comes mighty close to touching and holding his - ahem - staff of pleasure. Huh? I'd say the virginal Alice is one pretty fast learner. Who knows what would of happened if her sister-in-law hadn't walked in when she did to interrupt their brief interlude.

What gets me though is how Lucien, this highly clever spymaster, does the unthinkable as soon as he lays eyes on Alice for the first time. Because he is so bowled over by her purity and beauty - he must have her? He tricks Alice and a shameless Caro (who is now his ex-mistress) and manages to keep Alice with him for a week while her promiscuous sister-in-law goes off to be with her son (fat chance) while he's recuperating. Did I mention the embarrassing spectacle Caro makes of herself over Lucien (in front of Alice)? She resembled a cat in heat. There were many WTF moments in this book, and in my opinion, Lucien lost all credence with me by the way he behaved over Alice, keeping her with him so he could seduce her in the privacy of his own home where she must remain for a week. It was selfish and out of character for him. It just didn't seem to make sense to me. If he really was a no good rake - then yes, I'd believe it. But, he is just acting like one. If he's really a good man and not a lecherous womanizer, why would he do such a thing? Plus, I kept asking myself, "Why her? What did Alice have that made him ask her to marry him in a week? Their special week together sure worked wonders! They get to know one another and by the end Alice comes around to him and realizes, "Gee, he's really not that big a jerk after all - I think I'm in love with him!" - it boggles the mind! Plus, all this time she's still unaware of his real persona as a spy. Yet despite all this, she still thinks he's pretty neat, even though he's planning on holding another one of his orgies in his grotto in a few days! Warning bells would have been going off in my head non-stop! If I were Alice I wouldn't have had anything to do with him!

Eventually, they all wind up back in London (surprise, surprise, Caro dragged sick little Harry with her because she wanted to be near all the fun!) Alice goes after them and the plot turns to the hunt for the French spy, Bardou, who once tortured Lucien for five weeks. Bardou is out to bomb London on Guy Fawkes night, which will kill hundreds of innocent people. Lucien is busy looking for him, unaware that his slutty ex-mistress Caro has taken up with the evil Bardou, thinking he's some Prussian count! Well, she rues that mistake before long. Frankly, this plot-line was all over the place and ... believe it or not, I was kind of bored during some of it, despite the crazy, far fetched over the top melodrama! It just didn't keep me interested.   As dashing and handsome as Lucien was, I really just don't like story lines with tortured misunderstood heroes who conveniently use their unhappy childhoods to behave like cads to try and prove something. (Why is it then all wind up being spies?) Lucien had an unhappy childhood because he had... asthma! Heavens! Alice started out as a strongish heroine and then turned into a puddle. If only she hadn't turned into such a nitwit. Her naivete and goodness added up to just plain stupidity! I don't get it. Before she met Lucien she seemed like a sensible, capable young women. Then as soon as she meets him, she completely falls for him and believes she's in love with him and they're going to get married! Of course, it didn't quite happen that way, she did give him a hard time at first - for about a day.

I'm leaving tons of the book's plot line out and it really wasn't as bad as I'm making it out to be (pardon my sarcasm), but it was just so far-fetched!   I was disappointed in both hero and heroine as well, especially after being so revved up to read this book which I thought I was going to love! And please don't get me started on all the talk she has with him about her "womanly courses" and his asking her about where she is in her cycle!? As if they even knew about that sort of thing during Regency times, despite his excuse that he once studied to be a doctor! *another eye rolling moment*

Still, after all that, I like this author. The writing itself was good as were the details and descriptions, but I had to roll my eyes several times throughout the novel. On a final note, I found the teaser about his icy twin brother Damien an intriguing twist. I like his type and the next book is about him - let's see if he's really going mad or not!

3.5/5

Take A Chance on Me by Susan Donovan

2012-01-02T06:00:00.003-05:00

Book Description:
For animal behaviorist Emma Jenkins, romance has been at the bottom of her daily "to do" list since making it through a messy divorce. But everything changes the day six-feet-of-gorgeous Thomas Tobin walks into her office with a quivering Chinese Crested named Hairy, a canine that looks more like an underfed rodent than a dog. Sure Thomas is sending her mixed signals-but that charming smile just sent Emma's dormant sex drive through the roof...

Thomas isn't looking for a fling. In fact, he wants nothing to do with women. He just wants to know if Hairy witnessed his owner's murder. But something tells him that asking Emma to help him with the case will spell nothing but trouble-trouble in the form of serious temptation.

Thomas knows that relying on Emma's expertise-and her soft touch with a weird dog that has somehow become his-may be a crazy way to track a killer. Especially when Emma's down-home warmth makes him want to believe that anything is possible-even true love.

There are spoilers in this review.

This was a cute contemporary about a lady vet, Emma Jenkins, who meets studly gorgeous law enforcement undercover investigator, Thomas Tobin, who has acquired a Chinese Crested - this little pipsqueak of a dog with some big emotional problems because it witnessed its owner's brutal murder. Emma is a behaviorist with animals and Thomas has brought the dog to her to see if she can help him get the dog back to "normal." You see, this little dog is a mess - poor thing! Plus, this dog might be the only chance the police have to finding the killer.

Emma and Thomas both have issues when it comes to relationships. Recovering from the recent divorce from her husband who was also her partner in their veterinary practice, she is now living with her father out on his farm. In addition, she's recently become the surrogate mother to the teenaged daughter of her best friend who was killed in a car crash - under dubious circumstances in L.A. Between her practice, her "new" daughter and the fact she hasn't been laid in about a year - Emma's a bit stressed out. On the other hand, Thomas has his own set of problems, mainly because he doesn't trust anybody and his wife abruptly left him when she found out he was sterile. As far as he's concerned, everybody has an ulterior motive for what they do - especially women. In his line of business, he's seen the worst side of relationships because his undercover work is to pose as a hit man who people hire to kill their spouses. As fate would have it, these two are thrown together when one of Thomas' informants has been murdered and Thomas is stuck with the scared and traumatized dog left behind - hence what brings him to Emma's office. Little do they know this odd little dog will bring them together, and he winds up being more emotionally stable than our hero and heroine, who's insecurity problems mirror his.

There's an attraction as soon as they meet, both are ripe for a relationship. But they are both so skittish and clumsy! Thomas winds up making a total ass of himself over and over again and Emma keeps misreading his signals and misunderstands just about everything he says and does. For an animal behaviorist, she hasn't a clue when it comes to humans, but Thomas isn't making it easy with his mixed signals at first. There is a mutual lust thing going on big time but neither is willing to take a chance on getting hurt again. Thomas does some really incredibly awful things at first, but finally he wises up, yet by that point he has some major hurdles to overcome to get Emma to go out with him. Yet despite their relationship handicaps, and the fact that Emma is raising an impressionable teenager - falling in love is a certainty.

I really enjoyed this quick and entertaining read. Plus, the sexual build up was great, but I did find it annoying that just when they're finally going to do the deed, his idea of foreplay is to come clean and tell her that he's sterile! Full disclosure and all that. But, couldn't he have managed to pick a better time to drop the bombshell? Thank goodness, it didn't completely ruin everything - but it came close! Then, once they're happily ensconced in a relationship and things are looking rosy, she drops an unexpected zinger on him and again - he acts like a complete jerk! Uggh! I hate it when heroes do stupid knee-jerk things and disregard any attempts at understanding and listening to an explanation!

Aside from Thomas' stupidity when it comes to important relationship building blocks like love and trust, I really liked these two and was rooting for them to work out their issues while evading Emma's psycho ex-husband. The writing is smooth and well done, I enjoyed all the side characters too. They're not just cookie cutter figures, they have personalities and add a little oomph to the background. I also liked the locale of Baltimore, Maryland and the whole "crab feast" thing that goes on there. A crab dinner with a mallet, melted butter, spicy crab seasoning and cold beer made for an interesting first date, though all I could think of was how poor Emma wore her sexy nice dress to such a messy dinner! LOL! It was a good story with many funny moments in it too with some laugh out loud scenes. I really enjoyed the whole canine aspect with Hairy - the ugliest dog that ever existed. Although I must say, when I looked up a picture of what a Chinese Crested looks like they don't seem so bad to me. This one below is pretty cute! But wearing a maxi pad? OMG! And Thomas' underwear as a chew toy? No wonder Thomas was embarrassed!

Still, I'm glad all ended well and Hairy was able to continue his "career." I must admit, I learned a few things!

I recommend this romance and will definitely read more by this author. I met her at RWA last June in New York and told her how much I loved her collaboration with Celeste Bradley on A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man. I explained how I wasn't a big contemporary reader, but Susan convinced me to try one of her romances. I'm glad I finally did and I look forward to reading more of her books! Thanks Susan for giving me that nudge in the contemporary direction!

4/5

11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King (audio)

2012-01-01T12:19:00.003-05:00

Book Description:
ON NOVEMBER 22, 1963, THREE SHOTS RANG OUT IN DALLAS, PRESIDENT KENNEDY DIED, AND THE WORLD CHANGED. WHAT IF YOU COULD CHANGE IT BACK?

In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King—who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer—takes readers on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.

It begins with Jake Epping, a thirty-five-year-old English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching GED classes. He asks his students to write about an event that changed their lives, and one essay blows him away—a gruesome, harrowing story about the night more than fifty years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a sledgehammer. Reading the essay is a watershed moment for Jake, his life—like Harry’s, like America’s in 1963—turning on a dime. Not much later his friend Al, who owns the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to the past, a particular day in 1958. And Al enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination.

So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson, in a different world of Ike and JFK and Elvis, of big American cars and sock hops and cigarette smoke everywhere. From the dank little city of Derry, Maine (where there’s Dunning business to conduct), to the warmhearted small town of Jodie, Texas, where Jake falls dangerously in love, every turn is leading eventually, of course, to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and to Dallas, where the past becomes heart-stoppingly suspenseful, and where history might not be history anymore. Time-travel has never been so believable. Or so terrifying.

Normally I am not a big Stephen King fan, his books are too scary for me. I have read some of his fantasy, non-horror stuff, such as the first few books of his Gunslinger Series, but that's about it. When I heard about this book and that it was about time-travel and the 1960's - it sold me! It's one of my favorite eras, having grown up during this time, the youngest of a large family. When I look back on my earliest memories, the early '60's seemed like an idyllic time. I was too young to remember JFK's assassination, but I do remember Bobby's and Martin Luther King's. Before those tragic events, days were long and lazy, before the escalation of Viet Nam and the race riots in Newark - which were not far from where I grew up. For me, as I was about to start first grade, summers were endless, catching lightning bugs at dusk before bed without a care in the world except for maybe the occasional worry about learning how to read in the upcoming school year and if I'd like my new teacher. I associate those days with the music on the radio as well: Petula Clark's "Downtown, " the Young Rascals "Groovin'" as well as any number of Beatles songs (my sisters were avid Beatlemaniacs).

Is it any wonder I ate this book up like candy? On audio it was spellbinding. Craig Wasson, an actor that I only know from his role in the movie, Body Double, did a fantastic job of narrating the novel in the first person as the protagonist, Jake Epping. He does a myriad of voices for the many characters in the book. As much as some may think it gimmicky, he used impersonations of well known Hollywood actors for some of the characters. I recognized Jack Nicholson (as Frank Dunning, Harry's father). Burt Lancaster and Jimmy Stewart popped up as well. I liked it! It brought the book to life, as if I were listening to a movie that left nothing out from the book! An ideal situation! I had a similar reaction when reading The Help. Wasson also does women's voices as well - I loved the soft southern drawl of Jake's love interest, Sadie, as well as Miz Mimi and Ellen Dockerty.

11/22/63 brings back many yesteryear memories. I won't go over the whole plot, which you can read in the book description above, but King weaves a fabulous story of how Jake Epping travels back in time to 1958 to undo certain events that created misery for people he knew personally or knew of. The book is broken up into parts, beginning in Maine, then Florida and ultimately to Jodie, Texas where the bulk of the book takes place not far from Dallas leading up to the assassination attempt on Kennedy. It's a great, great time travel story that lets us experience life in the late '50's and early '60's from Maine to Texas through Jake's eyes and especially as he falls in love with a young school librarian, Sadie Dunhill.

His time in Jodie and his relationship with Sadie was especially satisfying to read. It's the one romantic element to the book, but not overly done. I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of romance ;) and I found no issues with King's sex scenes - though I believe the book made it onto some Bad Sex in Fiction Award short list for 2011. Pay no attention, they're tasteful and pretty tame compared to what I've read elsewhere. Plus, he's given me a new appreciation for pound cake. I'll always have a smile on my face when I have some from now on. ;)

While in Jodie, Jake takes on the persona of George Amberson, a substitute teacher at the local high school. A highlight of the novel for me is when he is directing the school play "Of Mice and Men." On audio is was great as he describes opening night and the audience's reaction to the young star of the play - Mike Coslaw. Wonderful! Wonderful! I get teary eyed just thinking of Lenny and George... His characters are well drawn, real people to me. I miss them and I was involved with their lives. Jake/George made many friends in Jodie and it was a good life he had there for a while...

But as we get closer to November of 1963, the plot turns gritty and menacing - the past is obdurate. The bigger the event that is to be changed, the more obstacles time sets up to prevent it. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what calamity was going to prevent Jake from fulfilling his goal. Lee Oswald and his wife Marina are now center stage and the focus of the book. Would he be able to pull it off - can he stop the Kennedy assassination and if so, what will happen to the future if he does? That is the $65,000 question. If Jake stops the assassination, how will it change events in the future, and will he even be able to return to 2011? And what about Sadie? Can he leave her behind? Can he risk bringing her back with him to an uncertain world of 2011? Will it be that much different?

I'm leaving a ton out so as not to spoil the book for those of you who want to read it. It's epic-like, Jake's many tasks and journey from Derry, Maine (the same evil, dark and dank town as in his novel, It) to Dallas takes us on a roller coaster ride. Some critics have said this is a self-indulgent chance for King to write a book and spout off on his feelings about Viet Nam, etc., but I say, ignore all that and read it for the entertainment alone and don't think too hard about what the author's intentions were. I say he wanted to write a time travel novel and it's one of the best I've ever read - and I've read many. Although, as good as it was, there were a few things that bugged me about it, the book wasn't perfect after all. There were some similarities to another great time travel novel, Replay by Ken Grimwood and towards the ending, it tended to ramble and go on and on. I also found the ending a little overly sentimental and bittersweet. But, overall, I can overlook these minor matters. I just simply loved it and even gave it to my husband and brother for Christmas!

Nothing like starting the new year off with a five star review! This was a fabulous, memorable book! Don't miss it, and on audiobook it's amazing!

5/5

P.S. I love the "what if" back cover in the hardcover!

2011 Book Poll and My Best of 2011

2011-12-31T23:25:00.005-05:00

Want to take my book poll and see how many of the books I read this year you've read too? You don't have to have read them this year, just tick off the one's you're read ever!

*Updated: Ack! Looks like only LiveJournal members can take the poll! Darn! Well, at least you can see the books I've read if you can't take the poll.

Julie's 2011 Poll

2011 was a great reading year for me. I read some fabulous books and discovered new to me authors who became favorites such as Ciji Ware and Suzanne Enoch. I finished up some series, such as the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning and read the whole Swanlea Spinsters Series this year by Sabrina Jeffries. I also finished the last book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series and discovered some new historical mystery series by Kate Ross and C.S. Harris. I started a few more promising romance series, such as the Knight Miscellany by Gaelen Foley and A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. All of Judith McNaught's books were great, and I finished up all her historicals (sniff, sniff) I'll be reading her contemporaries this coming year in 2012.

Some of my favorite books of the year were surprisingly on audio, such stand outs were, Replay by Ken Grimwood and 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Both time travel books set in the 60's which were great. Katherine by Anya Seton, a book I'd heard about for years, everyone telling me I should read it - and it was good! Bossypants was hilarious and made me appreciate Tina Fey (I'm now a 30 Rock fan, catching the reruns on TV). Linda Howard's Dream Man was fabulous, I loved it too!

Some of my absolute favorite reads this year in addition to the audiobooks mentioned above were Island of the Swans and A Race to Splendor, both by Ciji Ware. Diana Gabaldon's The Scottish Prisoner -one word: Jamie. In The Proposition by Judith Ivory I discovered a new hero I love - Mick! Another favorite was Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth. What a great story, it was so moving it brought me to tears. Another surprise hit was She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell, labeled as Christian Fiction - it wasn't preachy or religious at all! I don't know why it has that label. Whatever it is - I loved, loved, loved it!

I loved The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose, great finish to Jennifer Donnelly's Tea Rose Series - I ate them up! A few surprises in the romances, I adored A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley. Supposedly they are coming out with a sequel (Swan's story) but I haven't seen any news about when. An oldie but goodie was a charming book, Daddy Long Legs (it's free on kindle) by Jean Baker - great! I've loved Julie Garwood's medievals, but she totally bowled me over with The Lion's Lady, it was just marvelous and so different for a Regency too! Elizabeth Hoyt has become an auto-buy for me, she is firmly entrenched in my favorite romance authors list - every book she's written has been terrific! Finished up her Four Soldiers series this year which I loved, particularly the Beauty and Beast themed, To Beguile a Beast and started her new Maiden Lane series - quite intriguing!

Have a Happy New Year everyone and I hope 2012 is another great reading year for us all!

In Bed With the Highlander by Maya Banks

2011-12-29T21:25:00.002-05:00

Book Description:
Ewan McCabe, the eldest of the McCabe brothers, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.

Quickie Review: After skimming some other reviews of this book, I guess I'm not the only one out there who felt they were reading a Julie Garwood medieval. This started out similarly to Ransom (with the kidnapping of a laird's son) and then morphed into The Bride (one of my all time favorite romances.) Mairin, the heroine has lived in an abbey for the past several years - in hiding. She is an heiress and she is kept hidden so that no one will try and kidnap her and marry her for her dowry. Of course, the villain in the book succeeds in capturing her, but she manages to escape and winds up in the safety of the McCabe's. As soon as the hero, Ewan sees her and learns who she is - he wants to marry her - for her money and because of the way she makes his blood heat up. She is very beautiful (of course.)

Mairin has a number of endearing type qualities that are supposed to make the reader think she's adorably quirky, one of which is mumbling to herself while unaware that she's speaking aloud. I just couldn't help comparing her to a Garwood heroine, and because of that, I felt Mairin was a copycat. I know it's crazy, but I just couldn't help it. She's also incredibly naive when it comes to kissing - not unlike the heroine, Jaime, in The Bride, who feels she isn't a good kisser. Here, Mairin, tells her soon to be husband, Ewan, that he doesn't know how to kiss right. Everything Mairin knows about kissing came from her mother superior - a nun - while living at the abbey. I told you she was naive.

And then she gets hit by an arrow and doesn't even know it? How can you not know when an arrow goes right into you?

And please don't even get me started about her vomiting. I don't think I've ever come across a heroine that vomits as much as this one does, though I have come across a hero who does it. It's understandable when she's first pregnant and suffering morning sickness, but then it starts to become a chronic problem. Is it just from the pregnancy? Finally, when the dastardly villain in the story, Cameron, tries to bed her, she throws up all over him - hmmm... that's one way of dampening a man's ardor.

To sum it up, this book was a retread of several Julie Garwood novels I've read in the past, only without the winsome and endearing heroine. Nor as funny. Instead, this heroine is much too sheltered to be believable and her tendency to vomit is belabored upon much too often. Okay, I get it already, she has morning sickness morning, noon and night! It wasn't bad, but nothing is as good as Garwood when it comes to this genre. I also felt there could have been more background on who Mairin's father was and what Neamh Álainn was. Was it land, a castle, land and money - what?? Whatever it was, everyone wanted it! Also, when exactly did this book take place? I gather it's some sort of medieval period, but the author really doesn't give us much background in that department. There are three Scottish kings named Alexander in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, which one was supposed to be Mairin's father?

I've decided to skip the rest of the series, of which this is the first for fear I'll only be disappointed. If someone wants to convince me otherwise, be my guest!

3/5

Reforming a Rake by Suzanne Enoch

2011-12-29T21:01:00.000-05:00

Book Description:
A governess must never be alone with a man. Her reputation mustn't have even a hint of scandal. She must never reveal personal emotions. No matter how strong the provocation by her employer. A governess never questions her employer's commands. Even when he's tempting her to forsake respectability for desire? She must never, ever, fall in love with someone above her station. Especially a rake - no matter how devastating his kisses may be ...

Alexandra Gallant is a governess extraordinaire - and if it weren't for that unfortunate incident at her last position, she wouldn't now be forced into the employ of Lucien Balfour, the most notorious rake in London. Though the sinfully attractive earl hired her to teach his young cousin, his seductive whispers and toe-curling kisses suggest he has something far less respectable in mind . . . And that will never happen. For although Lucien seems determined to teach her about pleasure, she has a few lessons to teach him about love!

Quickie Review: I love, love, loved this regency which really was about reforming a rake! Lucien Balfour has a horrible reputation as a lady-killer, but the highborn governess he hires to teach his cousin finishing etiquette so he can marry her off, changes him into a better man. Of course there are plenty of bumps along the way, and Alexandra, the governess, was a bit too stubborn in her ways for my liking, but by the end I had tears in my eyes when these two finally have their happy ending.

Lucien is the kind of rakish hero I love. Big, bad and oh-so swoon-worthy. Women drop at his feet - except Alexandra - although inside she's melting at his advances. Lucien has hired her because he's been saddled with his cousin and her mother - two women he wants to get rid of as soon as possible. As far as he's concerned, they are uncouth, uncivilized and have absolutely no taste. He needs someone to whip them into shape so he can introduce them to society - and marry the cousin off - and have her mother go with her! As soon as Alexandra, who's much in need of a position, takes on the job she realizes Lucien is going to be harder to teach than his cousin! He can't help coming onto her from the beginning, and she is constantly berating him, while trying not to melt in his arms! Eventually, he becomes too hard to resist, and against her better judgment she succumbs to his charms. But, I have to hand it to her, she put up a good fight and he didn't make it easy to resist.

I really enjoyed the back and forth between Alexandra and Lucien, but in the end, I felt that Alexandra needed to give him more of a break once it was clear he loved her. Her doubts about him were based on the fact that he is notorious and what could he possibly see in a governess, other than the challenge of seducing her. She finds it hard to believe his feelings for her are true - but he really is in love and he goes towards great lengths to prove it to her - even locking her in his basement! Still, that's not enough, despite her desire for him. She ultimately leaves him and goes to teach at the same girl's school she attended herself. He comes after her, a poignant scene, ready to do anything she asks of him, but she is unconvinced that they are meant for one another. I found it hard to forgive her for what she put him through at that time, but it was a very satisfying end by the time she comes to her senses and realizes she can't live without him.

I recommend this delightful book, first in the With This Ring Series. I'm really starting to love this author!

4/5

The Other Guy's Bride by Connie Brockway

2011-12-29T11:01:00.002-05:00

Book Description:
Determined to prove her worth as a budding archaeologist, Genisse Braxton vows to solve one of the world's greatest mysteries-to find the location of the lost city of Zerzura. Unfortunately, no man dares take the risk of escorting the resolute young scholar across the open desert. But on her way to Egypt, Genisse engages in a daring deception-she will switch places with Mildred Whimpelhall, who is traveling to meet her fiancé.

Cynical adventurer Jim Owen will do anything to escape the dark secrets of his troubled past. Betrayed by the woman he loved, scorned by proper society, he agrees to carry out a danger-fraught task: escort Mildred Whimpelhall across a lawless desert to her intended. But Jim is about to learn that "Mildred" isn't exactly what she seems...and the dangers they face together are eclipsed only by an even greater peril: falling in love, against all reason, with another guy's bride...

Quickie Review: At long last a sequel to As You Desire, one of my favorite historical romances! I must mention that this book is a first for Connie Brockway, who decided to break away from the traditional publishing world by "going rogue" and self publish this e-book. Then Amazon made a deal with her to publish it in print as well, so she had the best of both worlds. Tired of having to kowtow to what her publishers wanted her to write, she wanted the freedom to write what she wanted to write! I applaud her courage to break away and - I'm so glad she did!

This story revolves around the daughter of Harry and Dizzy Braxton from As You Desire. Ginny, following in her parent's footsteps, has a passion for archeology, but she is chagrined because no one will take her seriously. Plus, her tendency to wreak havoc wherever she goes has given her a reputation amongst the locals - avoid at all costs! No one wants anything to do with her, convinced she is a jinx. Certain she has made a new and spectacular discovery, she sneaks off to the Saharan desert passing herself off as the fiancée of the commander of a British outpost in the middle of nowhere. Her guide is Jim Owens, a quasi American cowboy who's a scoundrel but knows his way in the desert. The commander of the post has hired Owens to escort his fiancée, Miss Whimpelhall, since Owens owes him a big favor. Of course, no one has any idea that Miss Whimpelhall got seasick and decided to take a different route to Egypt. Ginny, a fellow passenger on their ship, takes advantage of Miss Whimpelhall's change of plans and blithely dyes her hair a garish henna red and "becomes" Miss Whimpelhall.

In Cairo, Ginny and Jim hook up and their journey together begins. It soon become clear that Ginny is a magnet for problems and small catastrophes. Yet Jim still finds himself falling in love with her. Ginny is just as you'd expect Dizzy and Harry's daughter to be, she holds her own against Jim, although their constant bickering and miscommunication with one another after her identity is revealed grew tedious and frustrating. Still, the ending was very romantic, which made up for some weaker parts in the middle in the book. But overall, this was a real treat. Ginny and Jim are a great pair and I loved his secret and the way it all unfolds - it really was a fun plot line with lots of humor that is expected with a Connie Brockway novel, adventure, sand storms, kidnappings and even some glimpses of Harry and Dizzy as parents to their large brood of children! (I loved Harry's reaction when he finds out his daughter has been alone - in a cave - with the notorious Jim Owens!) It all made for a very satisfying read! *clapping*

4/5

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2011-12-28T16:58:00.000-05:00

Book Description:
Dear Reader,

Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day.

As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.

But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace--the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse?

Julian of Macedon

Quickie Review: This contemporary paranormal romance set in New Orleans, started out sort of interesting but then fizzled somewhere in the middle. First of the Dark Hunter Series, Grace Alexander, a sex therapist, (of all occupations), hasn't had a boyfriend for umpteen years.  For her birthday present, her psychic friend conjures up a sex slave for her for a month - Julian of Macedon. Julian has been trapped in a magical book for two thousand years. The only time he gets out is when he is summoned to be a sex slave to some lucky woman. How did he get in this predicament?  A curse was put on him way back when in ancient Greece by his half brother, who is a god - an angry god.

The summoning works and Grace finds herself face to face with this gorgeous hunk of man. But, she's wary of the whole set up and refuses to have sex with him until she gets to know him better. But that doesn't stop her from doing everything else with him! She also doesn't want to "use" him as others have over the centuries. Did I mention he can't have an orgasm either - until the curse is broken? Poor man! So, instead he spends all his time pleasuring her - lucky Grace! ;) As they spend more and more time together she wants to help him break the curse, which isn't easy. They must wait to have sex in order to break the curse. For the rest of the book, we are waiting for the big moment when the time comes to break it. If they do it wrong - he will be sent back immediately to the book forever. Julian and Grace have a rollicking good time together leading up to the big night, but always there is the worry of the curse hanging over their heads. It stops her from completing falling head over heels for him and both are tense and sexually starved by the end!   In addition to that, Grace is convinced that once the curse is broken, he'll go back to his own time and forget all about her. He does want to go back - but for revenge.   He falls in love with her, but he worries about what would he do in modern day America - he's a Spartan warrior! They wind up bickering and the usual big misunderstanding due to a lack of communication. Meanwhile, there's a pesky weirdo stalking her and wouldn't you know it - Grace kicks Julian out of her house just when she needs him the most to protect her!

Frankly I got a bit fed up with this whole storyline. Grace did nothing for me, and I found this whole love slave thing ridiculous. Yes, I know this is a paranormal romance, but it was so far-fetched and I didn't have much sympathy for either the hero or the heroine. I just wanted to get to the end and see them finally have sex and break the curse already!

This is a very popular series, so I'm sure the rest of the books are better than this prequel - but I'm just not really sure if this is my cup of tea.   Fantasy just isn't a favorite of mine, but I'll give it one more chance...

3.5/5

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

2011-12-22T14:16:00.003-05:00

Book Description:
London, 1760. For Jamie Fraser, paroled prisoner-of-war in the remote Lake District, life could be worse: He’s not cutting sugar cane in the West Indies, and he’s close enough to the son he cannot claim as his own. But Jamie Fraser’s quiet existence is coming apart at the seams, interrupted first by dreams of his lost wife, then by the appearance of Tobias Quinn, an erstwhile comrade from the Rising.

Like many of the Jacobites who aren’t dead or in prison, Quinn still lives and breathes for the Cause. His latest plan involves an ancient relic that will rally the Irish. Jamie is having none of it—he’s sworn off politics, fighting, and war. Until Lord John Grey shows up with a summons that will take him away from everything he loves—again.

Lord John Grey—aristocrat, soldier, and occasional spy—finds himself in possession of a packet of explosive documents that exposes a damning case of corruption against a British officer. But they also hint at a more insidious danger. Time is of the essence as the investigation leads to Ireland, with a baffling message left in “Erse,” the tongue favored by Scottish Highlanders. Lord John, who oversaw Jacobite prisoners when he was governor of Ardsmiur prison, thinks Jamie may be able to translate—but will he agree to do it?

Soon Lord John and Jamie are unwilling companions on the road to Ireland, a country whose dark castles hold dreadful secrets, and whose bogs hide the bones of the dead. A captivating return to the world Diana Gabaldon created in her Outlander and Lord John series, The Scottish Prisoner is another masterpiece of epic history, wicked deceit, and scores that can only be settled in blood.

This is the best of the Lord John books, no doubt about it. Why? Because of Jamie Fraser. *sigh*

I've enjoyed the previous Lord John books but because this one is such a direct tie in to Gabaldon's Outlander series I found it the most compelling and entertaining to read. As I've found in the previous Lord John mystery books, the actual mysteries aren't that great or complex. It's Lord John himself, his character and those that surround him that make the story. The mysteries don't hold me or make me wonder nor are they real whodunits. It's more like what kind of a mess has Lord John stumbled upon and how is he going to get out of it? I found the same to be here. The actual mystery in the The Scottish Prisoner - the Wild Hunt Jacobite plot line which takes Lord John to Ireland was so-so. I knew all along who did what, it was no surprise to find I was right. What was great was that Jamie Fraser was with him!   Together, Jamie, Lord John and Tom, his valet, made a great trio! I wouldn't call this a mystery, it's more like the adventures of Jamie Fraser and Lord John Grey in Ireland and how Jamie rescues Lord John from a big mess and they're able to forgive and forget that unfortunate matter that happened in the stables at Helwater.

Gabaldon gives us plenty of more reasons to love Jamie Fraser in this book. I loved the back story on him and our insight to his life at Helwater with Willie, his young son whom he cannot acknowledge as his own. But what's really insightful is the fact that he even leaves Helwater for a while to go to Ireland and London! This is all new and wonderful! Jamie is in fine form here - vintage Jamie. His interaction with John's family is fascinating in London - this is a whole new world and side to Jamie we haven't seen before. He is an older Jamie than we know and love from Dragonfly in Amber and glimpsed in the early chapters of Voyager. Jamie is brought to London to help with a poem that he may be able to translate. Lord John's brother has summoned him to his townhouse in London. While there, after an initial unpleasantness, Jamie is able to be "himself" again - a laird, a gentleman, as he was before Culloden.  Jamie is once again recognized and referred to as Lord Broch Tuarach, instead of as a convicted traitor and prisoner.   It's great to see him this way! He's larger than life, I fell in love with him all over again. *sigh* He can hold his own against anyone he comes up against, including Lord John's brother Hal, the Duke of Pardloe, and the Duke's enemies. A favorite scene of mine takes place in the Duke's library, as Lord John and an enemy battle it out, Jamie blithely watches them make fools of themselves before breaking it up. He's just so damn cool! But despite the fact Jamie is in fine form here, his yearning for Claire was heartrending, his dreams and nightmares - and the constant prayer, that she might be safe.  She and the child. This is always hanging over Jamie's head, plus he can't completely accustom himself to the idea of being "free" while away from Helwater. In his heart he is tied to Helwater - because of Willie. He's not completely whole, he's a changed Jamie due to his lost life and...Claire

Basically, Jamie makes this book, but all the characterizations are vibrant and colorful - even Lord John's valet Tom is great! Interesting enough, there is a very surprising story regarding the Duke of Pardloe's wife, Minnie. Hal's duchess and her background as a spy, whom Jamie knew in Paris before the Rising, raised an eyebrow. The glimpses we get of her relationship with Hal and their astonishing courtship would make a great book in of itself! I wonder if Diana will ever write it, including that hearth rug scene! ;)

Overall, The Scottish Prisoner is a worthwhile, excellent addition to Gabaldon's Outlander and Lord John series. Do you need to read the earlier books in the Lord John series to get into it? No, but it helps. Do you need to read the Outlander books to like this? No, but if you're an Outlander fan, you'll simply love it, otherwise it will be an above average book if you're unfamiliar with Jamie Fraser's character. As much as the mystery itself wasn't all that scintillating, the relationship building and characterizations were top rate. They make the book, as well as filling in some of the lost years for Jamie while at Helwater and the bittersweet relationship with his son. One of my favorite picks of the year for 2011 and a nice holdover until book eight, Written in My Own Heart's Blood is published.   A keeper for any Outlander and Lord John fan.

4.5/5

Tender Rebel by Johanna Lindsey

2011-12-18T09:24:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Scottish heiress Roslynn Chadwick needs the safety of marriage to protect her from an unscrupulous cousin and from the army of fortune-hunting scoundrels who covet her wealth and beauty. And Anthony Malory is everything she has been warned against.

A ruthless, irresistibly handsome English rogue, Malory's sensual blue eyes speak of limitless pleasures. How she wishes she dare to love such a man... to believe the whispered murmurings of his passionate promise... and to follow the enchanting dream...

Once again, I was let down, I still can't say I'm thrilled with these Malory Family books, which had been much touted and recommended to me. What am I missing? Tender Rebel was slightly better than Love Only Once, but not by much. Maybe it's because this is an older book, from the '80's and this was a popular type of scenario then. Fiery, hot tempered Scottish heiress, Roslynn, must marry to thwart her dastardly cousin's scheme to marry her for her money. Fleeing to London before her cousin can get to her, Roslynn seeks out the safety of an old school friend who helps introduce her to society. You see, Roslynn must marry - fast, before her sneaky cousin can kidnap her and force her to marry him.

Once in London, Roslynn seems to be a magnet to the Malory's: the rakish Anthony and his brother James, James' seventeen year old son, Jeremy and their niece Regina (from Love Only Once, who is now married to former rake, Nicholas Eden, Viscount of Monteith.)   Roslynn and Anthony have an instant attraction, but Roslynn had been warned off about rakes from her friend and also her grandfather before he died (yet, he also advised her that they can make good husbands too.) Anthony proves to be irresistible and he has no compunction in chasing her down like a gazelle running from a lion. She too easily winds up in his arms, even though he's a known womanizer and confirmed bachelor. I was quite surprised at how easily she allowed herself to become seduced by him, in a solarium no less, where anyone can see. For a well raised Scottish miss, she should know better.

Lo and behold, Anthony really begins to care for Roslynn. They come to an understanding, he knows she must marry quickly so he agrees to help her find a suitable husband. A familiar storyline, of course no one in his eyes is suitable and and after rescuing her from a close call due to her cousin, he proposes marriage himself - of convenience - in order to protect her. After many refusals, Roslynn finally agrees to marry, seeing that it is the most sensible thing to do at the moment. (I admit, I loved the lie he told her about one of her would be suitors, insinuating brother and sister have been having a fling for years! Shameful!) But she puts the stupidest condition on the marriage. She insists that he keeps a mistress for she thinks he can't possibly be faithful to her, due to his notoriety as a ladies' man. She doesn't want to fall in love with him, so she wants to make sure she's going into the marriage with her eyes open - it was so dumb! He agrees even though he has no intention of keeping to her ridiculous bargain, for he's dying to get her into bed and make her his (even though he's already done had her the night before they marry).

Her crazy kind of logic was ridiculous, and once they married and she thinks he's been cavorting with some tavern wench the storyline grew tedious in the extreme. She freezes him out because she thinks he'd doing exactly what she required of him! No matter how much he denied it, she refused to believe him. All they did was argue and play mind games with one another. She just wouldn't believe him or trust him, no matter what he said or what his actions confirmed. He was always "teaching her a lesson" thinking up ways to make her want him - and basically have a normal marriage where the husband and wife like each other - how novel! If I were Anthony I wouldn't have put up with her and I would have done all in my power to prove to her my faithfulness rather than have it drag out forever!

Roslynn was so stubborn and blind to the fact Anthony really was in love with her, I barely liked her and her marital conditions. Apart from her pretty face, what did he see in her anyway? She was plucky, I'll give her that, I liked the way she jumped out of a window into a hay cart to escape from her cousin. That took guts. Anthony was already rich, so he didn't need her money - I think it was because - dare I say it - it was love at first sight. Plus, she was a challenge and then she began to grow on him and the final straw was when he rescued her. That was the end of his bachelor days. For some reason, she'd gotten under his skin and he wanted to protect her from her cousin once and for all, and marriage was the only way (as well as punching the cousin out, Anthony also happens to be an expert pugilist.)

All in all, this book was so-so. Too many mind controlling games in a marriage spells disaster and makes it hard to trust one another which was the basic gist of their problem and theme of this book. It took forever to get Roslynn to come around, although Anthony believed in her from the beginning and he was willing to bide his time until she came to her senses about him and admitted she loved him. I guess Roslynn's grandfather was right, reformed rakes do make good husbands - I'm sure we'll see in future Malory books if we get glimpses of this couple in the coming years.

3/5

Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole

2011-12-17T18:00:00.001-05:00

Book Description:
Néomi Laress, a famous ballerina from a past century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Imbued with otherworldly powers but invisible to the living, she haunts her beloved home, scaring away trespassers - until she encounters a ruthless immortal even more terrifying than Néomi herself.

To prevent him from harming others, Conrad Wroth's brothers imprison him in an abandoned manor. But there, a female only he can see seems determined to drive him further into madness. The exquisite creature torments him with desire, leaving his body racked with lust and his soul torn as he finds himself coveting her for his own.

Yet even if Conrad can win Néomi, evil still surrounds her. Once he returns to the brutality of his past to protect her, will he succumb to the dark needs seething inside him?

I loved this story, which was very different from the previous Immortals After Dark books. Here in Book 4, we have killer vampire, Conrad Wroth, who has been a vampire assassin for centuries and is now going insane because of this whole mess that's inside him from killing so many people over the past several centuries. He is the biggest, baddest, craziest vampire around - and he's out to kill his brothers because they turned him into a vampire in the first place! His brothers succeed in capturing him (not an easy task) and chain him up in an old abandoned plantation house near New Orleans (a familiar locale for this series) where they hope they can cure him of his insanity before he kills them!

While chained to his bed, in and out of consciousness, Conrad becomes aware of a ghost, Néomi, the former owner of the manor and now a phantom who is able to communicate with him. A well known ballet dancer from the roaring twenties, Néomi was murdered on the night of her big party in the same house. Her jealous ex-fiance brutally stabbed her and she's been alone as a ghost ever since - without being able to leave or communicate or touch anyone - until Conrad.   This ghostly scenario reminded me a tiny bit of Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. Néomi is fascinated to finally have someone to talk to - and he's this big, luscious specimen of a man - well, okay a vampire, but a manly vampire! A virgin vampire too!

It was a great and compelling story which I read it one day. Over the course of several weeks, Néomi is able to help Conrad regain his sanity and the two gradually fall in ~~lust~~ love. Of course, she is beautiful and he is gorgeous (as all these immortals are) but she is incorporeal, he can't touch her - hold her, kiss her. And boy, does he want to! The sexual build up was great as was the chemistry between this unlikely couple. It's a bit difficult, if you get my drift - though they manage to do some creative things to overcome this basic problem. Still, its not enough, Néomi wants to have sex (who wouldn't?) and a body! Some nearby witches from the same coven we've gotten to know in the last book in the series are able to cast a spell to give her a body, but there's a catch - it's temporary. Néomi doesn't know for how long it will last before she gets killed somehow. She won't tell Conrad the truth of how she became incorporeal, she wants to just have this chance to be with him with no sadness hanging over their heads. Of course, she knows and it's tearing her apart, but he's oblivious and is loving her, wants to marry her. She is his lifelong mate as far as he's concerned - the whole nine yards - he's been blooded (it's what they call it for vampires when they've found their soul mates). Yes he has no idea it's all going to come crashing down on the two of them any minute. Néomi puts him off and won't agree to marry him because of the uncertainty and he wonders why... there's something she's keeping from him...

I kept wondering how were they going to solve the problem of keeping her alive. For everything does come crashing down eventually. It kept me reading and I couldn't put it down. At first I wasn't crazy about Conrad, for good reason since he was so crazy and a monster. But, he changes completely over the course of the book, once he's solved his sanity problem (at a cost!) and forgives his brothers. Néomi was also hard to gauge at first too, she's so different since she's a ghost, but I grew to really like her and her background and dilemma! They made a great pair and I wanted them to be together and have their happy ending! It was good to see some old characters from the previous books too, it's a cool world that the author has created for this series and this is a great addition to it as well! This is a good one!

4/5