ARC Review: Devil In Disguise by Stefanie Sloane

Genre:  Historical Romance    

      

Release Date:  May 24, 2011

Series:  Regency Rogues, Book #1

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Author Website: http://www.stefaniesloane.com

Format Read:  ARC Print Copy

Pages:  320

Source:  Author

Rating:  Three flowers of love

Read an excerpt

Book Blurb

Lord William Randall, the Duke of Clairemont, is a wicked rake with little regard for society—a most unlikely suitor for the prim and proper Lady Lucinda Gray. But his latest assignment for the Young Corinthians, an elite spy organization, involves protecting her from a kidnapping plot and to do this, the notorious “Iron Will” must get close to Lucinda, and convince her that he’s a man worthy of her attention. It is a simple enough task to use his devilish charm to seduce her, but William never would have guessed that he’d become enthralled by the lovely Lady Grey—or that he’d lose his own heart in the bargain.

Beautiful and fiercely intelligent, Lucinda has managed to gracefully sidestep even the most persistent suitors. Until the Duke of Clairemont, that is. His rugged features, sinfully sensuous mouth, and piercing eyes are as alluring as the champion thoroughbred he tantalizingly offers in exchange for the honor of courting her, and she finds it hard to resist either temptation. The feelings he stirs in her both excite and arouse, urging her on despite the very real danger he represents. But when the truth is revealed, will Lucinda risk her heart and her life for a chance at everlasting love?

My Thoughts

This book was a good start to a romance series that I will continue to read.  I thought the two main characters, Lucinda and Will were fun to read about.   I liked Lucinda because she had spunk and ambition. While other ladies were busy chasing husband prospects, she was busy following her dreams.   Her dream, along with her aunts, was to breed and race horses, something that proper ladies did not do.  It wasn’t for the money, just the enjoyment because she loved horses.  Although she had many admirers, her first passion was horses.  No man stood a chance until Will captured her heart without even meaning to.

 Like all historical heroes, Will was the complete rake.  I love my rakes, but I also like them with a bit of mystery and adventure.  Will was that and then some.  His status as a secret agent made the story more interesting. At first his job was to protect Lucinda so making it seem like they were dating fit his plan perfectly.   He spared no expense in wooing her and even baited her with the one thing he knew she wouldn’t be able to resist-his prized horse.

Although he didn’t appreciate her blunt words nor was he fond of her independence, he still ended up falling in love with her. 

The one thing I didn’t like about the story was the gossiping aunts.  It was clear that they loved her, but they seemed to cared more about getting the horse and building their business.  They saw no fault in using Lucinda as a means to get what they wanted.  But despite that little drawback, I did enjoy the book and recommend it to anyone that loves historical romances.

Other Books In This Series:

The Angel In My Arms, Book #2 (June 28, 2011)

The Sinner Who Seduced Me, Book #3 (July 26, 2011)

Other Reviews Of This Book:

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ARC Review: The Heiress by Lynsay Sands

Series:  The Madison Sisters, Book #2

Genre:   Historical Romance

Release Date:  February 2011

Publisher:  Avon Books

Author Website:  http://www.lynsaysands.net/

Format I Read:  ARC ebook

Pages:  384

Source:  Net Galley

Reading Challenge:  Historical Romance Challenge

Read an excerpt

Book Blurb

Desperately seeking a husband…

Suzette is not like other heiresses; she wants a poor husband. A gentleman who will be so grateful for her dowry that he will allow her access to her dowry so she can help pay off her father’s gambling debts. When this alluring beauty encounters Daniel Woodward—handsome, titled, single…and even more impoverished than she could have hoped for—it seems Suzette’s wildest dream has come true.
But Daniel has not been truthful. Tired of being accosted by an endless stream of vapid coquettes and their fortune-hunting mothers, Daniel has decided to plead poverty to stop them in their tracks. Yet here is a most refreshing and delectable lady who claims to be thrilled by his penury. Now all Daniel has to do to find true happiness is to keep a little white lie alive…while avoiding a dastardly villain who’s determined to prevent this union by any means necessary.

My Thoughts

In The Heiress, the story is told with Suzette and Daniel in mind.  Suzette is the second oldest of the Madison sisters and next in line to be married off to pay their father’s gambling debts.   Instead of being pawned off or courted by a rich suitor, she has the bright idea to find herself a poor sucker eager to gain a buck, but gullible enough to allow her to be in complete control of her personal finances.

I have to admit that I did not like this book as much as I liked The Countess.  I was disappointed that the story was retold exactly the same way in the beginning and  didn't completley become Suzanne and Daniel's story until the last few chapters.  I found myself skimming over a lot of the story looking for newer parts.  

I really liked Suzette because she was the most outspoken of the sisters.   She was feisty and unafraid to say what was on her mind. 

I also liked Daniel.  He was a fun character but never stood a chance of resisting Suzette.  No matter how honorable he tried to be, she always shocked him with her words and actions. 

Although I didn't like this story as much as the first in the series, I will continue to read the series and look forward to the next book.

Rating

Three flowers of love.  I liked this story.

 Other Books In This Series:

The Countess, Book #1 (January 2011)

Other Reviews Of This Book:

Goodreads

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Review: Blood Of The Rose by Kate Pearce

Series:  Tudor Vampire Chronicles, Book #2

Genre:   Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance

Release Date:  February 2011

Publisher:  Signet Eclipse

Author Website:  http://www.katepearce.com/

Format I Read:  Paperback

Pages:  307

Source:  Purchased

Reading Challenge:  Historical Romance Reading Challenge, Kick Ass Heroine Reading Challenge

Read an excerpt

Book Blurb

When Rosalind Llewellyn had to join forces with her enemy, Christopher Ellis to defeat a rogue Vampire threatening Henry VIII, their alliance led to a surprising passion. Reunited after a years separation, they face a new threat that could destroy their last chance at happiness.

Christopher is delighted by the spectacular rise at court of his friends George and Anne Boleyn. But Rosalind suspects Lady Anne is up to no good-she may even be a Vampire who’s bewitched the king. Now Rosalind must fight to keep Christopher from falling under the woman’s mysterious spell. It isn’t until Anne reveals a dark secret that Christopher awakens to where the true danger lies-and he begins to play a desperate game in order to save the woman he loves…

Awesomeness:

Somewhere in his mind, fear lingered.  She might desert him like a malicious fey from a fairy story, leave him forever bereft and unable to exist without her.  He returned to the bed and grasped one of her wrists.  "Must I tie you to the bed, my lady, so that I can take my pleasure without fear of being stabbed, or bitten, or scratched?"

My Thoughts

I was very excited to pick up the second book in this series.  Blood Of The Rose is full of romance, suspense and Tudor scandal.  Kate Pearce does a good job of mixing historical fiction with paranormal romance. 

The story picks up a year later with the Druids continuing to protect King Henry VIII from the threat of vampires.  Rosalind and Rhys have returned to court.  Once again they must call a truce with enemies Christopher and Elias in order to keep the infamous Anne Boleyn from turning the king into a vampire and taking over England.

The first book left Rosalind and Christopher’s relationship up in the air.  I was happy that their romance continued despite the dangers of being on opposite sides. The harder they tried to stay away from each other, the more their feelings seemed to pull them together.   The relationship remained rocky thorough the story, but I was very pleased with the way the ending was handled.

The introduction of the Boleyn family kept me in suspense.  From history, I knew what would happen, but I was anxious to see how the story would twist to include them.   Anne was always thought to be very ambitious and into dark magic, so making her a vampire was a stroke of genius. 

I love this series and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Rating

Four flowers of love.  I really liked this book and would recommend reading the series.

Other Books In This Series:

Kiss Of The Rose, Book #1 (August 2010)

Mark Of The Rose, Book #3 (will release August 2011)

Other Reviews Of This Book:

Goodreads

Shelfari

Review: A Taste Of Desire by Beverley Kendall

Series:  Elusive Lords, Book #2

Genre:   Historical Romance

Release Date:  January 4, 2011

Publisher:  Kensington Publishing

Author Website:  http://www.beverleykendall.com/

Format I Read:  Paperback

Pages:  340

Source:  Author

Reading Challenge:  2011 Historical Romance Challenge

                                   

Read Excerpt Book Blurb Lady Amelia Bertram may have a reputation as the lost brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even lost brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even herself when she accidently—and loudly—derides one of society’s most eligible bachelors in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The timing of her faux pas couldn’t be worse, for her father is seeking someone to take her off his hands that very night… But when Thomas Armstrong overhears the so-called “Lady” Amelia slandering his sexual prowess in public, he cannot help but accept the dare implicit in her words. To her father’s great delight, he offers to take her to his secluded country estate—properly chaperoned, of course—to teach the girl a lesson in ladylike behavior…

Awesomeness:

The viscount gave a hearty laugh and gestured down to the front of his trousers.  “You mean this?”

Shocked, Amelia blindly averted her gaze but could do little to halt another flood of heat from blistering her cheeks.

“I would hardly call this the barometer of good taste.  Didn’t you know, these things have minds of their own?  Sometimes it requires merely a comely face and a shapely figure.  Discriminating these are not.”

My Thoughts

This is another historical romance that I really enjoyed reading.  A Taste Of Desire is full of humor and romance.  The story is very easy to follow and the characters are scandalous and funny.  Beverley Kendall did a great job pairing Thomas and Amelia.  I love a good battle of insults, so I enjoyed each and every moment they spent hating each other because they ended up loving each other.

Amelia is one of those heroines that you wished you could lay hands on.  Her own insecurities made her angry and bitter.   She took pride in saying and doing what she wanted regardless of who she hurt so she was in desperate need of someone strong enough to check her.   

Thomas is a gentleman and a longtime friend of Amelia’s father.  He has never been fond of her even though her father declares him the number one prospect for a husband.  Thomas would rather stab his own eyes out before he calls her Wife, so when Amelia tries to publicly assume he has no bedroom skills, he decides to throw her off her self imposed pedestal.

Each time Thomas got the best of Amelia I cheered.  Their love/hate relationship kept me turning pages anxious to find out what shenanigans they would pull next.  I loved the way Thomas dealt with her.  He meant to give her a dose of her own medicine but as he got to know her, he found himself falling for her instead.  And all Amelia needed was love to melt the ice around her heart.  So sweet.  Sigh.

Overall, this was a very good romance.  Frustrating at times because of the love/hate relationship, but it ended in a very sweet HEA. 

Rating

4 flowers of love. Very good read, would recommend this one

Other Books In This Series:

Sinful Surrender, Book #1

Other Reviews Of This Book:

Goodreads

Shelfari

Review: Kiss Of The Rose by Kate Pearce

Series:  The Tudor Vampire Chronicles, Book #1

Genre:  Historical Paranormal Romance, Vampires

Release Date:  August 2010

Publisher:   Signet Eclipse

Author Website:  http://www.katepearce.com

Format I Read:  Paperback

Pages:  312

Source:  Won on Goodreads

Read an excerpt

Book Blurb

Desperate to defeat King Richard III and gain the English crown, Henry Tudor made a pact with the Druids that bound him and his heirs to the Druid’s deadly struggle against the Vampires. Ever since, the Llewellyns, an ancient Vampire slaying family, have been in the permanent employ of the monarchy.

Now Henry VIII is on the throne, and his father’s bargain has almost been forgotten. Until corpses drained of blood start turning up in the most inappropriate of places, including the king’s bedchamber. But are these people the victims of the Vampires-or of the Druids?

To save the king from a nameless assassin, Rosalind Llewellyn, Vampire hunter extraordinaire, must form an uneasy alliance with a known Druid slayer. Sir Christopher Ellis hails from a family that has protected the Vampires for centuries, yet Rosalind has no choice but to rely on his help. And with her life threatened and her loyalty tested, Rosalind may even have to acknowledge the unthinkable. This sworn enemy may be her soul mate.

Awesomeness:

He cursed as the sharp blade caressed his skin and knocked her hand away.  “God help the man who marries you, Rosalind.  He had better guard his prick with his life.”

She glanced down at the shadows of his groin.  “You are right, sir.  Should I be displeased with a man, there apt to be a terrible accident.”

My Thoughts

First of all, I was super excited to win this book from Goodreads.  I had never read anything by Kate Pearce but I loved the cover and the book blurb, and reading this book has made me a fan.  

I’m still on a historical romance high so I’m reading any and everything in the genre so I thought the vampire slaying and the Tudor era would be an interesting read.

The story opens with vampires running amuck in King Henry’s court.  Thinking that vampires are a myth, King Henry is reluctant to believe in their existence until bodies start turning up in his personal space.    He also can’t believe that a female has been sent to protect him.

Rosalind and Christopher are both sent to court to find out who the rogue vampire is and must work together to eliminate the threat to the Kind and Queen.

Rosalind comes from a long line of vampire slayers, so to keep her family’s favor with the King, she must eliminate the threat, oh and find a husband in her spare time.  Christopher, on the other hand, is a vampire protector and Rosalind’s sworn enemy.   But of course, they fall in love and can’t be together.  Working side by side with someone you love, but can’t have proves to be a bitch, but that’s where the story starts getting really good.

I love a good vampire story, but the book focused more on the finding and the slaying of the vampire.  I didn’t get a lot of vamp interaction, but just enough to know that Rosalind was no Buffy and Christopher was no Angel or Spike, and there was no epic love-yet.  Despite that,  I did find myself being wrapped up in their adventure and unable to put Kiss Of The Rose down. 

This is the first book in the series and even though it didn’t wow me like I wanted it to, I still have a good feeling for future books in the series.

Rating

I give Kiss Of The Rose four flowers of love and can’t wait until the next book.

 

Other Books In This Series:

Blood Of The Rose coming February 2011

Other Reviews Of This Book:

Goodreads

Shelfari

Naughty Novella: Her Timeless Obsession by Tina Ordone

Series:  None

Genre:  Historical Romance

Release Date:  September 2010

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Author Website: http://www.tinaordone.com

Format I Read:  ebook

Pages:  154 (Nook pages)

Source:  Author

Read an excerpt

Book Blurb

In 1910, Mrs. Honoria Smythe discovers trunks full of old clothes, letters written in 1810 between two lovers, as well as journals, which tell the tale of a love affair cut short. The young woman is curious about the distinguished soldier in a dusty portrait, which makes her wish to find out more about him and the woman to whom he wrote such romantic letters. 

She discovers a glorious love story, torn asunder by a duel, and her heart breaks for the lovers from a century past. Her fondest wish is to be able to somehow warn Jeremy Saintaubin and Honoria Danby of what fate is in store for them, well before the damage is done. 

A fall down the stairs somehow propels her thoughts back a century, into the mind of Honoria Danby. Will the unexplained strange thoughts, the excruciating headaches and the feelings of deja vu, save the day or will she lose the love of her life on a misty morning in Green Park? 

Favorite Line:

“What are we doing here, Honoria?”

“I intend to seduce you, Jeremy, and I daresay there is little you can do about it.”

He then distinctly heard the click of the lock.

My Thoughts

Her Timeless Obsession was a great romantic read.  I found the story to be confusing at first.  When the story starts, Honoria Smythe is going through old trunks belonging to one  of her ancestors.  After reading a journal that her ancestor’s friend kept, she learns that her namesake died of a broken heart.  She reacts to the news as if she is living the events herself and desperately wishes that the couple could have had a wonderful life together.

The story then flips to the past where Honoria Danby, the ancestor is constantly having déjà vu.  She is able to predict everything that happens in her life as if she has done it before.  What’s worse is that she knows that the man she loves will die if she doesn’t figure out how to save him.

I really enjoyed this book.  I am in love with historical romances right now, and this one just reinforced that.  I loved the romance between Honoria and Jeremy. They were very much in love and caught up in their whirlwind romance despite her brother’s protests.  They were fun characters to read about, especially when Honoria was having her way with him at the beginning of their courtship.  Although Jeremy was doing his best to not encourage her because of his disfigurement, Honoria was determined to have her Jeremy whether he wanted to be had or not.

Of course in all romances, you have to have that someone that hates to see happy endings.  Honoria’s prick of a brother did some things that were just low and dirty.  His petty jealousy towards Jeremy was a little over the top, but his actions made me read the story a little faster to see what other evils he would stoop to. 

Rating

I give Her Timeless Obsession four flowers of love.  It was a quick read, but a great love story. 

Other Reviews Of This Book:

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Review: The Portrait by Hazel Statham

Genre:  Historical Romance 

Published: August 2010

Publisher: Avalon Books

Author Website: www.hazel-statham.co.uk

Format I Read:  Hardcover

Pages:  185

Source:  reviewed for Pump Up Your Books

Read an excerpt

Book Summary

England 1812

Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision.

Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.

My Thoughts

After being injured in war, Lord Edward is determined to spare Lady Jennifer the pain of being married to a less than whole man.  Although he is secretly in love with her, he doesn’t want her to pity him.

Jennifer is upset that Edward has never given her a chance to get to know him, but she more than agrees when he proposes that they call off their engagement and just remain friends. 

After I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down.  I loved Jennifer and Edward.  Although I could tell that the two were already in love with each other, I enjoyed their friendship and all the shenanigans the two managed to get themselves in. 

I loved that their relationship was not rushed.  After they got to know each other, the romance blossomed. I think that’s what made me like story more because I had a forced romance.  It kills the whole story.

The Portrait is historical romance at its best.  The book was short but the story is unforgettable.  Hazel Statham did an excellent job with the plot and the characters. 

My Rating

I give The Portrait four flowers of love.  This is definitely a great romantic read.

  

Author Spotlight: Guest post by Hazel Statham

Today I welcome author Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance The Portrait, to the blog.  A review of the book will be posted later today.

About three years ago, Regency Romance went into decline and many publishers dropped the line altogether.  However, the good news for readers of the genre is that it is making a strong comeback and publishing houses are now opening up new lines.  Several are offering to take previously published books to enable their readers to find out of print works.

Despite the temporary downturn, I resisted the pressure to write in other genres and remained true to the period I know and love.  I love the romance and elegance of the Georgian and Regency eras and wish nothing more than to re-create them in my work.

My books remain ‘sweet’ and the bedroom door is firmly closed, but this does not mean they lack in romance.  On the contrary.  Remaining true to the period when innocence was prized, my heroines remain pure and my heroes strong.  There is chemistry between the two and despite all that fate may throw in their way, they are destined to be together.  There is often humor and pathos in their lives, but throughout it all, remains love.  Sometimes they do not realize that their fate is to be together and they often fight the thought but, nonetheless, the fact remains irrefutable.  Add to this the elegance of a bygone era and you have the perfect mix for a romance.

Although many readers will not admit to reading romance novels, they nevertheless remain one of the most popular genres with very respectable sales figures.  Where else can you find the recipe for a happy life than between the covers of a good romantic book?  You live the highs and lows of the characters’ lives and rejoice with them at the book’s conclusion.

 As with everything else, reading trends run in cycles.  Fortunately, romance in one form or another, remains throughout.

Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontës, and Sabatini but when she turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work.

Her latest book is the Regency romance novel, The Portrait, released by Avalon Books in August 2010.

Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie. Apart from writing, her other ruling passion is animals, and until recently she acted as treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities.

You can visit her online at www.hazel-statham.co.uk and her blog at http://hazelstatham.blogspot.com/

Review: When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer

Series:  The Impossible Bachelors, Book #1

Genre:  Historical Romance

Published:  November 2, 2010

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Author Website: http://www.kierankramerbooks.com

Format I Read:  Paperback

Pages:  411

Source:  reviewed for Pump Up Your Book Tours

Read an except

Book Summary:

He’s always been a player.

Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his days in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.

Who will win this game of love?

Enter Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”

My Thoughts

Molly and Harry have been enemies since childhood.  After one of Molly’s childhood pranks seriously back fires, it causes both to be outcast and sent away.

Eight years later, their hatred for each other is still as strong as ever, but seeing that they are both in scandalous situations, they make peace long enough to avoid scandal.

Molly is prim and proper, but very inexperienced in love and romance.  She has decided to elope with her father’s associate, but gets left in a seedy inn as her intended runs off with the first pretty face he sees.  Although she didn’t love the guy and could care less, she’s been left in the middle of nowhere with no one to escort her home.

Harry is a very experienced bachelor and arrogant playboy who just happen to be at the same inn with one of his many lady companions.  This particular companion is his sure ticket to win the title of Impossible Bachelor, a wager that will allow him to be off limits to anyone seeking a husband for one peaceful year.

When his companion runs off with Molly’s “fiancé”, Harry sees no reason why Molly couldn’t pose as his mistress.  With all the trouble she has caused him over the years, Harry sees this as the perfect way to pay Molly back for everything that stupid prank has cost him.

Molly is reluctant to agree, but realizes that Harry is the only person she can depend on right now, so why not  have a little fun as well as get help on a personal matter.

When Harry Met Molly had me hooked from the first few pages.  Kieran Kramer did a fantastic job on the story and made me laugh constantly. 

She also did a great job creating fun and likable characters.  Molly is the worst mistress ever, while Harry is the biggest rake, but the friendship and romance that develops between the two is what really made me enjoy this story.

My  Rating
I give When Harry Met Molly four and a half flowers of love and look forward to the other three books from this series.

1/2