Lord Rivington's Lady by Eileen Jackson

Read For:
Reading My Shelves Project
1000 Regency Challenge
ROR Spring 11
Forgotten Treasures Challenge (1976)
Buck Stops Here Challenge ($1 through online seller)

Synopsis:
LORD ALEXANDER RIVINGTON WAS THE MOST HATEFUL MAN GEORGINA HAD EVER KNOWN 

Lord Rivington began by virtually assaulting Georgina at their first chance meeting. Then this incredibly wealthy and handsome aristocrat publicly mocked Georgina's views on the rights of women while the cream of Regency society looked on. From there he went on to physically thrash Georgina's beloved brother, financially ensnare Georgina's family, not bother to deny his shameful relationship to a servant girl - and arrogantly demand Georgina in marriage.

Georgina had every reason to detest this thoroughly impossible and egotistical male. She vowed that nothing in the world would make her join the list of victims of his charms. Indeed, Lord Rivington was due for a richly earned comeuppance - and Georgina for a most unexpected awakening...


My Review:


Lord Rivington's Lady was a very good "Old School" Regency that have quite a Pride and Prejudice vibe to it. Georgina was overall a good heroine, an outspoken Lady of Quality though living in Poverty after her father squandered the family fortune gambling. I do wish she would have come to her senses about Alexander, the hero, earlier in the story, as it would have been a five star book then. Lord Rivington is very much a "Mr Darcy"-a hero that hides his emotion, as lessons learned from his abusive past.


 Overall, a fast, fun Regency read. 4 stars.

Lady May's Folly by Donna Simpson

Read For:
1000 Regency Challenge
Buck Stops Here Challenge
Reading My Shelves Project
ROR Spring 11

Synopsis:
A COUNTRY AFFAIR

When Lady May van Hoffen sets out on a ride across her country estate, she anticipates nothing more than a sentimental visit to the Gothic folly where she played as a child. Yet while the sight of a wounded man within its stone walls is quite shocking, what is more amazing is the man's identity. For it is Etienne Delafont who lies bleeding in the cottage, the gallant Frenchman who helped May escape from a devious kidnapper--and the man both May and the ton have believed dead for months! With just one glance at the darkly handsome Etienne, May knows that her innocent tendre for him has survived, as well. Sheltering him may be a scandalous notion, but for once the risks don't signify. And for May, the chance of danger is far less frightening than the idea that her greatest folly may be losing her heart...


My review:


I loved the previous book in this trilogy, Lady Delafont's Dilemma, so much, and wanted to see what happens to May and Etienne, that I went through my TBR boxes, grabbed my copy of Lady May's Folly, and read it all the way through in about 3 hours! 


Etienne and May, are in many ways, complete opposites, but the chemistry is there. Etienne is the comsumate French "reformed Rake"- a good hearted scoundrel, a gourmand of, in his words "deliciously plump  and voluptuous older widows". 


Etienne is a "sigh worthy" hero-very sexy, very French, and very much "saved" by May's goodness. Even his recurrent use of his endearment for May, "little one"-which would normally make me cringe, made me wish for my own Etienne-LOL. He seemed a sexy younger version of a Maurice Chevallier! 


May, is everything that Etienne normally runs from-prim, uptight, thin and willowy and small busted. He's a town playboy and she's a country mouse ala Tomboy who actively dislikes most men.  But May has very real, abusive reasons for her fear and dislike of men and Etienne is the perfect, gentle and sweet "tutor" that shows her that not all men are cads or lechers.


Another good one from Donna Simpson-5 stars.

Lady Delafont's Dilemma by Donna Simpson

Read For:
ROR Spring Challenge
Reading My Shelves
1000 Regency Challenge
Buck Stops Here Challenge

Synopsis:
HE WAS THE LOVE OF HER LIFE...

Lady Emily Delafont wanted to be alone. For five years, she lived a solitary life in Yorkshire, finding serenity and almost forgetting him. Baxter. The Marquess of Sedgely. Her husband. She knew that their marriage had been stormy, but she never expected Baxter to abandon her for his trip to the Continent. Now nothing would have prompted Lady Emily to have seen him again -- except a message that he was in danger.

...AND SHE OF HIS

Attacks upon his person by a secret enemy had put his life in danger, but it was meeting Lady Emily again that truly put Baxter in peril. She was still completely kissable! But in his mind, only one thing stands in the way of full reconciliation -- the dashing young Frenchman Bax believes to be his wife's lover. Pride will not let him claim his wife if she prefers another man -- yet passion will not let his soul rest until he has the only lady he has ever loved in his arms again....


My Review:


Donna Simpson is turning into one of my favorite authors. I've read Lady Savage and Lord St. Clair's Angel by her and really enjoyed them. The heroine in this story, Emily, is the Aunt of Celestine in Lord St. Clair's Angel. The fact that she has been separated from her husband for 5 years is mentioned in that book though you needn't read it to enjoy this book (though I HIGHLY recommend it).


It's a sign of great writing that this author could take several subjects that I normally hate to read about-love triangle, separation, and adultery, but still write an engaging, moving, and in my opinion, very romantic/highly sensual story. I love that the couple-who are in their thirties and forties, are written with the normal aging we all go through (graying hair, gaining a few pounds, not as active as we once were) but they are still desirable to each other, others and still want sex! LOL! We don't stop wanting it just because we age:)


 I also applaud the author for having a male friend of the couple, who plays matchmaker to get them back together, who is witty and heroic, and well loved by his friends, who is also Gay. It is approached with sensitivity and heart and leaves the reader wanting to know how Sylvester Lessington's story finishes-I wonder if we ever find out in another book?


A great Regency-so good I had to hurry and read the last book in the trilogy, Lady May's Folly, next!
5 stars.

The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

Read For:
Contemporary Romance Challenge
Reading From My Shelves
ROR Spring Challenge
The Buck Stops Here Challenge (49 cents at Goodwill)

Synopsis:
SOMETIMES LOVE IS THE GREATEST VICTORY....

After a near-fatal head injury, Navy SEAL lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a terrifying glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the navy dismisses the danger as injury-induced imaginings. In a desperate, last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorist team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton -- the sweet "girl next door" who has grown into a remarkable woman. The town's infamous bad boy, Tom has always longed for Kelly. Now he has one final chance for happiness, one last chance to win her heart, and one desperate chance to save the day....


My review:
This was my first Suzanne Brockmann. I had mixed expectations for this book. As not much of a fan of Contemporary Romance I had low expectations but since I do normally like Romantic Suspense and the few Military Romances I've read, that raised my expectations a bit.


The Unsung Hero pleasantly surprised me. I enjoyed the lead story between Tom and Kelly-fairly good interaction and somewhat scorching love scenes. But I really enjoyed more than that all the secondary characters and their trials and tribulations. The mix of the specialist and "ragtag" Troubleshooters crew, the idea that they were on a secret mission because the Government thought the thought of a terrorist attack in sleepy Massachusetts a product of Tom's brain injury, and the back story flashbacks from Tom's Uncle and Kelly's Dad in World War II Germany were very moving. The story was both exciting and had me tearing up as well. This is the first in Brockmann's "Troubleshooters" series (currently at 16 books!) and I look forward to reading the next installment.


5 stars.

The Lost Heiress of Hawkscliffe by Joyce C. Ware

Read For:
Gothic Challenge
Reading My Shelves Project
The Buck Stops Here Challenge


Synopsis:
Katherine Mackenzie agreed to catalogue the Ramsay oriental rug collection before she realized the drama playing out in the famous painter's manion. Ramsay's heir, his exotic mistress Roxelana, had been missing for seven years and was about to be declared legally dead. Katherine wanted no part of the intrigue-until she noticed that in Roxelana's portrait, the beauty was wearing the same ring that Katherine had inherited. Gothic by Joyce C. Ware; originally published by Zebra Gothic

My Review:

A fairly good, albeit purple prosey Gothic Romance. I enjoyed  the unusual characters, the Armenian background and the heroines career as a Arabian Rug expert. The hero was a bit of a jerk and his "redemption" towards the end was a bit too easy. All in all, I recommend this book to a Gothic fan looking for a different locale.

3 stars.

Lord Of Illusions by Rita Boucher

Read For:

1000 Regency Challenge

Pick Your Poison Challenge

Reading My Shelves Project

Buck Stops Here Challenge

Synopsis:

Hiding behind the countenance of a governess for an English lord, a highborn witch secretly spies on her employer, reading his mind, and sending secrets to the French. But England's head sorcerer, a secret agent in Wellington's army has been sent to investigate and unmask the traitor within the lord's ranks. Disguised as a traveling magician, the agent finds himself attracted to the governess and together they discover the enchanting power of love. A Regency romance original.

My Review:

Another good Traditional Regency/Paranormal Romance from Rita Boucher. I enjoyed how the author tied a semi secret society of aristocratic witches with a spy tale. Great Romany secondary characters too.

4 stars.

The Would-Be Witch by Rita Boucher

Read For:
1000 Regency Challenge
Pick Your Poison Challenge
Reading My Shelves Project
Buck Stops Here Challenge


Synopsis:
A Bewitching Young Lady

Miranda Wilton had everything a young lady needed to shine in society - birth, beauty, and breeding. But though she cast her spell on a swarm of suitors, both her proud mother and powerful brother demanded the final say in choosing the man who took her hand. 

Certainly Lord Adam Brand did not meet their strict standards or Miranda's own notion of the kind of mate she sought. Handsome and brilliant Lord Brand might be. But his arrogance filled Miranda with anger, and his mockery of Miranda's family tree made her want to make this unbending gentleman bow to the strength of her sweet sorcery. It was only when his lips came down on hers, that Miranda began to wonder who indeed had the power of magic.


My Review:
Very good traditional Regency with a Paranormal twist. Heroine is from a long line of witches but born without powers. Hero is a naysayer who lives to expose the spiritualist charlatans of the time who preyed on the rich and gullible aristocracy. 


I liked this book so much that I'm reading Miranda's brother Damien's story, The Lord Of Illusion next.
4 stars.

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Synopsis:
The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world’s most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe.… It’s Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.  A Wallflower Christmas takes a trip to Victorian London, under the mistletoe, and on a journey of the heart. With her trademark charm, sensuality, and unforgettable characters, there’s no one like Lisa Kleypas to make you believe in the magic of Christmas.


my review-
It was good, but not great. The story was way too short to deal with the heroine/hero's story properly. It was good to catch up with the Wallflowers though:)
3 stars.

Winter Blossom by Cynthia Sinclair

Winter Blossom

Cynthia Sinclair

1983, 310 pages

Tapestry Romance #27

Synopsis:
NO MAN WOULD OWN HER. 

Suzanna Rutledge's mother had been a Japanese companion to her father, a British trader. Cloistered for years, Suzanna barely knew him until James Rutledge summoned her to be a translator for his English partner.

Suzanna was ordered to cater to Lord Alex's every whim. But she had desires of her own and her heart would be given only to the man who would win it.


My Review:
Old School Bodice Ripper set in Japan, probably the 17th century era.


 The heroine, Zanna, is a bi-racial child, her father a British merchant and her mother was his Japanese "companion", or concubine.  The hero is another British Lord and Merchant who is sent to Japan to check on the London trading company that's being run by Rutledge, Zanna's father. 


Pretty good Historical from the "Tapestry" line of romances of the 80's. Lot's of high drama, conniving, swindling, fighting and of course, bodice ripping ;) Interesting change of scene from the usual Historical Romance normally set in England. The author seemed to have researched feudal Japan quite a bit. It was enjoyable and I'll read more from this author. 4 stars.

The Oak Staircase by Mary Lee

The Oak Stair case: Or The Stories Of Lord And Lady Desmond
Mary Lee
copyright 1872, 287 pages




Note: This is a FREE public domain book-you can download and read it yourself HERE.


My Review:
I downloaded this book simply because I liked the cover and with "Lord and Lady" in the title, I figured it was historical in nature.


The Oak Staircase was a harrowing and well written Young Adult Historical Fiction loosely based on a true event.  The "Maids Of  Taunton" and the  'Bloody Assizes' following the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.


This was an exciting and unknown historical period for me, and one that so fascinated me from the story that I researched it after finishing the book. You can learn more about this period HERE and HERE. 


The period was one of the bloodiest in England and while the book does not go into the gorier details, the writer was talented enough that you will feel the terror these poor young girls must have felt during this time. 


The story is told in the vein of a almost bedtime story. It starts with two young descendants of Lord and Lady Desmond-who walk by their portraits on the Oak Staircase at the family estate many times, but know nothing about them. Their Uncle Algernon -who is writing a historical work, tells them of Lord and Lady Desmond's story, as though they had "come" to Algernon after death to share it with them. The story is told from the perspective of when Lord/Lady Desmond were children of 10 and 14, as this is when they were married (an event that happened sometimes to make an advantageous marriage amongst two noble families).


From Frances and Algernon's (Lord Desmond was also named Algernon) marriage, to Frances being sent to the boarding school which is to change her life forever, to Algernon's stint as one of the Queen's Page Boy attendants, The Oak Staircase was a fascinating, compelling read.


Don't let the fact that it's classified as Young Adult stop you from reading this. I didn't even realize it was young adult until after I finished it, and in no way hinders the stories believability or dealing with the dire aspects of the storyline. I'd recommend this to anyone, especially fans of Historical Fiction.


5 stars.

The Apple Tree Girl by George Weston

The Apple Tree Girl By George Weston

1918, 157 pages

Read For:
Public Domain Challenge
Reading My Shelf Challenge
Forgotten Treasures Challenge
Buck Stops Here Challenge

This is a FREE Public Domain book. You can download it here:


My Review:
Very sweet story of a "Plain Jane" girl who, after being orphaned in her teens, starts a series of adventures. She is tormented by her cousin, who is very pretty on the outside, but a horror inside. The cousin constantly drills into Charlotte that she is worthless because she is homely. Charlotte, who is very smart and self sufficient, sets out to prove her wrong. A wonderfully charming story from the Edwardian era.

The Ruby Ghost by June Calvin

Read For:

Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

2011 Reading From My Shelves Project

What's In A Name 4

1000 Regency Challenge

ROR Winter Challenge

Buck Stops Here Challenge ($1 on ebay)

Synopsis:
Dreams Are Made of This

Penelope Jones is a young woman of reduced means, eager to give her family one less mouth to feed. Seeking a position as governess for the Silverthorne family, she is put off by James Betterton--Lord Silverthorne's notoriously rakish cousin--around whom her unsullied reputation will certainly be at risk. Then she is startled to see a painting of Silverthorne Castle--the exact image that has haunted her dreams since childhood. Still, Penny cannot let some handsome, well-fed roisterer--or some eerily coincidental dream--place her future at risk....

Penny decides to accept the position, hoping to help Lady Silverthorne, who is being haunted by ghosts identical to those in Penelope's dreams. Though she doesn't believe in such things, Penny has to agree that something out of the ordinary is happening at the castle. There are ghosts indeed, and they seem to want to bestow on her a great treasure that a dangerous man intends to steal. James Betterton wants to protect Penny. But first he must convince her to forget her fears about his past reputation...and to accept his love.


My Review:
This is the first June Calvin traditional Regency I've read. This book came out in 2006-pretty much the end of the production of traditional Regency romances. What I didn't realize was that this was also Miss Calvin's last book. How do I know that? Because surprisingly, she announces that this is her last book in the front of the book.


Ok...I found that a bit odd, to say the least. Most of the time we find out a book is an author's last book from the simple matter of their not getting any more published. This "announcement" kind of struck me as more an "I quit" than anything else. 


Why do I bring this up, you might add? Because this book just seemed like a rushed, half finished, unloved book, that's why. The characters are one dimensional, there is almost no thread on continuity to the story, in fact a whole new storyline is sort of "plopped" into the book almost three fourths in! And it made no sense!


The heroine couldn't make up her mind from being Miss Forthright one minute, to completely lying to all her new friends in order to supposedly "protect" a family member the next. But overall, she was just stupid. 


But in all honesty, we could perhaps overlook a TSTL heroine if there was a fabulous hero, right? Well, sadly, he's just not it. He's a reformed rake-but the reader gets the impression that he had to reform cause he's just not smart enough to carry off rakedom anymore :(.


Not even getting into a secondary character, a "dependent Aunt" who constantly publicly insults the heroine in her guests home, and yet they never do or say anything to the Aunt to stop her behavior? That makes no sense in this time period.


Ok-that's enough time wasted on this book. Since I actually went to the trouble of finishing it, I'll give it 2.5 stars, but that's being generous.

Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist

Read For:

ROR Winter Challenge

Buck Stops Here Challenge (paid 20 Cents at Goodwill sale)

Reading My Shelves Project
Pick Your Poison Challenge
My Bucket List Challenge

I love the cover!

Synopsis:
Tired of Waiting for a Match-Made-in-Heaven, She'll Settle for One Made in Texas Whether it's riding bikes, catching snakes, or sliding down banisters, Essie Spreckelmeyer just can't quite make herself into the ideal woman her hometown--and her mother--expect her to be. It's going to take an extraordinary man to appreciate her joy and spontaneity--or so says her doting oil-man father. Unfortunately such a man doesn't appear to reside in Corsicana, Texas. It's 1894, the year of Essie's thirtieth birthday, and she decides the Lord has more important things to do than provide her a husband. If she wants one, she needs to catch him herself. So, she writes down the names of all the eligible bachelors in her small Texas town, makes a list of their attributes and drawbacks, closes her eyes, twirls her finger, and ... picks one. But convincing the lucky "husband-to-be" is going to a bit more of a problem. Join Deeanne Gist for another unforgettable tale and find out whether Essie's plan to catch a husband succeeds or if she's just Courting Trouble.




My Review:
This is the first "Christian romance" I've ever finished (only tried one other and it was not good).

This book was a delightful, enjoyable story that was written so that anyone, avid Christian, or just someone looking for a good story, will enjoy it. I loved the message of this story, that you need to love yourself, and not change yourself just to find a love that will only "accept" you if you mold yourself into THEIR idea of perfection. 


Dare I say it, this Christian book has some very forward thinking ideas on Woman's Rights as well as naysaying the idea that a unmarried woman who had "relations" being "soiled goods"!  Good for Miss Gist! I find it amusing that some of the other, more Christian readers reviews on Shelfari, had issue with Essie's one "fall from grace" and the "love scenes" (which were TAME in comparison to traditional romances!). Isn't the whole thing about being a Christian is forgiveness?


As to the Christian aspects-they were tastefully done, not "preachy" and did not have the character getting trod upon in the name of Christianity (which is what happened in the other book I tried). I liked that the message that you can do many "good works"-like some of the "church ladies and gents" in the book-but if you are still a judgmental and gossipy fart that spreads vicious rumors about others, you are not as "Christian" as you might think :).


 I loved the lead character and the townsfolk and I'll be seeking out the next book, Deep In The Heart of Trouble, to read about Essie's next adventures. 

Christmas Beau by Mary Balogh

Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh, 1991, Regency Romance

Read For:
ROR Winter Challenge
1000 Regency Challenge

2011 Reading from My Shelves Project

2011 The Buck Stops Here Challenge

Synopsis:
His Vengeance Was Sweet 

Judith Easton knew that even the spirit of Christmas wouldn't stop the Marquess of Denhigh from settling the score with her. For the beautiful young widow had injured Denhigh's rigid pride years ago by jilting him for another man. 

Now that Judith was free from her nightmare marriage to that other man, the bold and handsome Marquess made no secret that he had her in his sights and wanted her in his arms. 

But how could she trust the tender words on his lips when she could sense the hardness of his heart? And after she had made so grievous a mistake in love once, how could she ever trust her own heart's desire again?


My Review:


Christmas Beau is one of Balogh's earlier Regencies with a storyline that normally I dislike: the "revenge" or "enemies" storyline. But, since I had to read a "enemies" storyline for the ROR Challenge, and I already owned this book (a thrift shop score from several years back-a whole 10 cents!) I thought I'd give it a whirl.


Christmas Beau started out slow for me-while the characters are in London the story is very unemotional and frankly, both characters were for the most part unlikable. But then they go to the Marquess' Christmas house party at his estate and the storyline suddenly blossomed. 


All of Balogh's hallmarks are here-internal conflict, passion, vibrant, three dimensional secondary characters that have their own wonderful storyline, and lot's and lot's of conflict with seemingly no resolution.  Max is a terrific hero-a very jaded, dark, brooding man who's lust for revenge of Judith has overpowered his life for eight long years. Now that Judith is a widow with two small children, his vengeance is at hand, or is it?


Judith's spinster sister in law Amy is just lovely and her own story is enough for me to recommend this book. But Judith and Max's story is so very moving and motional-I'll admit that I pretty much cried the last 50 pages of the book:)


A five star book and one of my favorite Balogh's-highly recommended!

2011 Reading from My Shelves Project

Join HERE:
Since it appears that the RYOB Challenge I used for my "Ginormous TBR Mountain" is no longer being hosted-I searched for another, similar challenge and this one fits the bill.

 My goal was 100 the first year, 70 the second year-but I only made it to 57 in 2009 and 52 in 2010. Still, I'm going to try for 70 again this year and really try to clean off those shelves.

• Challenge runs from January 1 - December 31, 2011.
• Read books from your own shelves, and then pass the books on to someone else: a friend, relative, the library, used book store, swap them, just as long as the book leaves your house once it has been read.  
• Decide on your goal (12 is the minimum - no maximum). Cross over books are allowed.
• Grab the button and do a post about the challenge.
• Keep a running list of the books you've read and passed on.
•  Leave a comment with a link to your post and you are entered  (no Mr. Linky).
• Have Fun and GOOD LUCK!

1-Christmas Beau by Mary Balogh-5 stars
2-Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist-4 stars
3-The Ruby Ghost by June Calvin-2.5 stars
4-The Apple Tree Girl by George Weston-4 stars
5-The Oak Staircase by Mary Lee-5 stars
6-Winter Blossom by Cynthia Sinclair-4 stars
7-A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas-3 stars
8-A Countess by Christmas by Annie Burrows 4.5 stars
9-The Would-be Witch by Rita Boucher 4.0 stars
10-Lord of Illusions by Rita Boucher 4.0 stars
11-The Lost Heiress of Hawkscliffe by Joyce C. Ware-3 stars
12-The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann-5 stars
13-Lady Delafont's Dilemma by Donna Simpson-5 stars
14-Lady May's Folly by Donna Simpson-5 stars
15-Lord Rivington's Lady by Eileen Jackson-4 stars