Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas

Some Danger Involved
Will Thomas
Victorian Era Mystery
Rating 5 stars

Read For:
Victorian Challenge
RYOB Challenge
New Author Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge


Synopsis:

An atmospheric debut novel set on the gritty streets of Victorian London, Some Danger Involved introduces detective Cyrus Barker and his apprentice, Thomas Llewelyn, as they work to solve the gruesome murder of a young scholar.

When a student bearing a striking resemblance to artists' renderings of Jesus Christ is found murdered -- by crucifixion -- in London's Jewish ghetto, 19th-century private detective Barker must hire an assistant to help him solve the sinister case. Out of all who answer an ad for a position with "some danger involved," the eccentric and enigmatic Barker chooses downtrodden Llewelyn, a gutsy young man whose murky past includes recent stints at both an Oxford college and an Oxford prison.

As Llewelyn learns the ropes of his position, he is drawn deeper and deeper into Barker's peculiar world of vigilante detective work, as well as the dark heart of London's teeming underworld. Together they pass through chophouses, stables, and clandestine tea rooms, tangling with the early Italian mafia, a mad professor of eugenics, and other shadowy figures, inching ever closer to the shocking truth behind the murder.

My Review:

Some Danger Involved is a refreshing change from your typical Victorian mystery, the majority of which feature either a female sleuth or a "Gentleman" sleuth. Some Danger Involved is told from the perspective of Thomas Llewelyn-a young Welsh man down on his luck and desperately searching for a new position. Thomas answers an ad for a private detectives assistant almost on a lark, certain he will not get the position. Surprisingly, the enigmatic Cyrus Barker gives him the job. There begins Thomas education into private detection as well as his first case with Mr. Barker-the heinous death of a young Jewish Scholar whose body is put on display by his killer.

Barker and Llewelyn are both products of middle to poor homes, both have hidden talents that help in their detective work. The book has a bit of an Oriental flair from Barker growing up in the Orient with his Missonary parents. The cast of characters is well fleshed out and the story fast paced as well as intelligent in detail, especially in relation to Victorian Jewish society and how it was looked at during this era.

Barker is a great sleuth, kind of a "poor mans" Sherlock Holmes, as much as a Genius as that great man but much more empathetic and street wise from his rough childhood. Llewelyn is a wonderful sidekick to Barker, who's more of a father figure or mentor to him than Sherlock's friendship with Watson.

To those who love Victoriana but are looking for something a bit grittier, Some Danger Involved may fit the bill.

5 stars-recommended.

One Night To Be Sinful by Samantha Garver

One Night To Be Sinful by Samantha Garver
Historical Romance
Rating 4 stars


Read For:
RYOB Challenge
New Author Challenge
Themed Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge
Romance Club Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge


Synopsis:

A fine and true friend, Calvin Garrett never anticipated what he would undertake in the name of loyalty to Lord Wolcott. Posing as a butler, he appears at the door of Wolcott’s fiercely independent sister, Abigail, charged with uncovering the strange and sinister happenings at her country home. Certainly, he hoped playing servant to an unconventional woman would be a short-lived task. But when he meets his stunning new mistress, the scheme he had in mind takes a turn for the tempting... Abigail has never encountered a butler so...magnetic. However, he comes highly recommended and she is desperate for help. The troubles and danger plaguing her estate are enough to make a sane woman cling to strong shoulders, but her awareness of her new employee has much more to do with a longing from deep within her heart. Clearly, she has bigger problems than a dizzying attraction to a male. Soon, though, sleepless nights filled with danger and desire form a volatile mix that promises to turn Abigail from a confirmed spinster into a woman ready for love…

My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this Historical Romance. I like that the "wounded" character in the story was the heroine and not the hero. Abigail is a strong, smart heroine who has come back from tragedy to make a life for herself. The hero, Calvin, is a Marquis, born "on the wrong side of the sheets", raised in a workhouse, not knowing about his father until he inherits the estate on his father's death. Both leads are wounded souls-Abby physically and Calvin emotionally. The relationship was sweet and very romantic and the love scenes are in turn Romantic yet very hot:). A villainous side story completes this good book. The ending was a bit rushed, hence 4 stars, but I'd still recommend this book.

The Vampire Viscount & The Devil's Bargain by Karen Harbaugh

Two Books In One
The Vampire Viscount And
The Devil's Bargain
Karen Harbaugh
Regency Romance
Rating 4 Stars

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
New Author Challenge
Spring Challenge
A to Z Challenge
2nds Challenge (The Devil's Bargain)

The Vampire Viscount
Synopsis: Unholy Wedlock . . .
Leonore Farleigh shuddered when she learned she was to marry the Viscount St. Vire. What sort of monster would take advantage of her father's debts to buy her as his bride?

But one meeting with her future husband turned her dismay to desire. Lord Nicholas St. Vire was blindingly handsome and supremely seductive. It was only after they were man and wife that questions began to poison her perfect marriage. Why did he fear to go out in the light of day? What fueled the hellfire torment in his eyes? How was he linked to the ravishing Lady Mercia Lazlo, about whom such dark rumors flew? Could the most irresistible lord in London be the most horrifying of creatures of the night?

Leonore had to find out as her marriage moved to its ultimate moment of truth -- when the viscount's all-consuming kiss would crown her eternal happiness -- or seal her undying doom . . .

My Review:

A very good paranormal Regency Romance. Nicholas is looking for a way to undo his Vampirism and Leonore is "won" as a debt pay off to him by her abusive father. What starts as a marriage of convienence quickly becomes a loving and very hot (for a Regency) story. I like that unlike most modern Vampire Romances-Nicholas hates his life and is desperate to stop being a Vampire. 4 stars.

The Devil's Bargain:

Synopsis: THE ENDANGERED INNOCENT . . .
Lovely Eveline Seton knew that she could never be a proper match for Lord Richard Clairmond. The devastatingly handsome blueblood would never dream of taking a merchant's daughter as a wife. Why then did he whisper words that made her heart beat faster? Why did he gaze at her with a heat that melted her to the core? Eveline feared her ardent suitor was hiding something.

THE IRRESISTIBLE RAKE . . .
Not for nothing did the Viscount Clairmond keep a list of ladyloves that testified to his supreme skill as a seducer. But it was not as a wife that this reckless gambler wanted Eveline. To be relieved of embarrassing debts and a certain future of pauperism, he had sold his soul-and Eveline's virtue-to Satan. And unless this extraordinarily persuasive young woman proved an equal match for him in the thrust and parry of his campaign of conquest, she most surely would become his all - too - willing victim. Or he hers . . .

My Review:

Also a well written, unusual Regency with a paranormal theme. Richard, back home from the war, is forced into a "deal with the Devil". To say his sister from ruin he must utterly ruin another innocent young woman. Eveline is a smart, savvy, "cit"-a merchant's daughter.

What starts as a seducuction and ruin quickly becomes much more for Richard as he realizes he's in love with Eveline. But how can he be with Eveline and not become the devil's minion? Read to find out:)

Also surprisingly HOT for a traditional Regency. Karen Harbaugh is quite talented and I plan to read more of her books. Recommended-4 stars.

Mesmerized by Candace Camp

Mesmerized
Candace Camp
Historical Romance-Victorian Era
Rating 4 stars

Read For:
Spring Challenge
Victorian Challenge
RYOB Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge
New Author Challenge


Synopsis: In 1876 Olivia Moreland works at exposing hoaxes that prey on the grieving who desperately want to communicate with loved ones from the great beyond. During a séance, she gets up to debunk the latest fraud, but Lord Stephen St. Leger stops her, thinking she is the fake. Once the air is cleared, both are tossed out as skeptics. Before Olivia leaves for home, she gives him her business card stating she is an Investigator of Psychic Phenomena. Stephen indiscreetly labels her as a member of the "mad" Morelands.

Not long afterward, Stephen hires Olivia to unmask a so called psychic taking advantage of his mother still mourning the loss of her oldest son. His sister-in-law is too selfish to help and mostly hinders Stephen and Olivia's efforts. As Olivia tries to prove fraud, Stephen and she fall in love with one another though she believes he still loves his deceased sibling's wife.

My Review: Mesmerized is the fun tale of Olivia, a shy, average young lady who's interest in the Spiritualist movement propels her to set up her own business as a (mainly) Spiritualist debunker. At the time many families were being duped by fraudulent Mediums, so Olivia goes undercover as a interested guest to these Seances to catch the frauds in the act. At a seance she meets Stephen-who mistakes Olivia as one of the frauds and finds out she's a member of the "Mad Morelands"-an eccentric though aristocratic family. Stephen unwittingly insults Olivia and sparks fly. A week later, he goes to Olivia's office to apologize and ask for her help. A medium, Madame Valenska, he feels is conning his mother by acting like they are in communication with her recently deceased brother Roderick.

There begins a fast paced, exciting tale that is full of adventure and romance. The books moves along well and the romance is sweet, the love scenes are moderate-fairly "hot" but not over the top. Warm enough to enjoy but not hot enough to turn a sensitive reader off.

There are a few, minor places where the book gets bogged down by the ghost storyline being explained. But they are short enough that they are fairly easy to get through. I enjoyed the supernatural aspect of the book, as well as the "debunking" of the mediums part of the book. Both are major parts of the storyline and if you don't do supernatural then you should probably skip this. Several enjoyable secondary characters that I'm sure we'll see in future books

All together a fun, enjoyable Romance 4 stars.

An Eligible Connection by Elsie Lee

An Eligible Connection
Elsie Lee
Regency Romance
220 pages
rating 4 stars

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
New Author Challenge
Read Your Name Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge 2009




Synopsis: AN ELIGIBLE CONNECTION 1974 ISBN:0440128218 Society called it The Season, she called it a slave auction and refused to be sold...She never had vapors, never played the coquette like her ravishing sister Almina, "The Dark Incomparable" of London's haut ton. Fanny Cherill's flame-colored hair was a hopeless liability, her cheeky wit and daring thoroughly unladylike. But everything changed on the night handsome Lord Waterbury stole into her boudoir to capture her heart--and her reputation!

My Review:
this was my first book by this author. I wondered why Elsie Lee's Regencies are on so many's Regency fans wish list and now I know why. This author is great. She really knows how to write the flavor, the language, slang and feeling of the period. An Eligible Connection is the story of Fanny, who at 16 has been taken away from her governess and country home to live in London with her family. Her older sister, who is Fanny's opposite-dark haired, beautiful-an "Incomparable" for two seasons.
Fanny's family basically ignores her, leaving her alone with the servants nearly every day. One night alone, because of a small house fire, Fanny meets the hero, Charles, after she screams for help and he climbs into her bedroom to save her. Charles, thinking the petite redhead is much younger than she is (he thinks she's about 12), he's instantly captivated by her spunk and zest for life. He offers to take her about town, to a balloon ascension and the zoo, still thinking she's just a lonely child stuck in London without friends. This is where the adventure starts.

For those who love a fun Regency ala Georgette Heyer or Marion Chesney, I think you'll enjoy this book.
4 stars.

Bewitched by Heather Cullman

Bewitched
Heather Cullman
346 pages
Rating 1 star

Read For:
Themed Challange
RYOB Challenge
New Author Challenge

Synopsis:

Michael Vane, Earl of Sherrington, was once one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. But when a bout of brain fever left him prone to frightening seizures, he was scorned by the fashionable ton -- and he retreated to a secluded abbey on the English moors to mourn the man he used to be.

Back in his old social circle, rumor has it that Michael has gone quite mad. Desperate for an heir to his title, his grandmother gives him an ultimatum: he must marry -- or she will have him committed to an asylum. His choice is clear -- but who will have him? Luckily, Grandmother has a lovely lady in mind . . .

Thrice-engaged but never wed, Emily Merriman has her own reasons for agreeing to an arranged union with this melancholy stranger. For she, too, has resigned herself to a lifetime of thwarted desires -- until she discovers just how powerful love can be.

My Review:
too much a sickbed tale....,

March 19, 2009

I thought the premise of this book was interesting. A Duke who grew up normally, but after almost dying of brain fever, he suffers from seizures and withdraws from society to live as a outcast. His grandmother, desperate to help him, arranges with her friend, to force the Duke and the friends American daughter to marry.

The book started with this interesting premise, but quickly fizzled about 50 pages in. The couple meet, are quickly married and argue at the wedding and have no more interaction for another 50 pages. When they finally do, it's more a technical dissertation of the heroine caring for the semi sick hero, making up medicine and special meals for him. The romance is zero. Literally a chaste wedding at the beginning and one fumbling love scene at the very end. While I understand that the intimacy is supposed to be stilted because of the heroes illness, there not even attempts at intimacy. Then on top of it all, the author introduces this strange "fairy magic" side story into the book, almost as an afterthought. Unneeded and offputting.

Not recommended. 1 star.

The Indifferent Earl by Blair Bancroft

The Indifferent Earl
Blair Bancroft
Regency Romance
215 pages
Rating-3.0 stars

Read For:
A to Z Challenge
RYOB Challenge
Spring Challenge
New Author Challenge
Romance Club Reading Challenge

Synopsis:
Before Abigail Todd can collect her inheritance, she must honor her grandmother's last wish-to complete a series of tasks with the Earl of Langley-and hopefully fall in love in the process.

My Review:
Overall, a cute Regency that ran about average throughout, picking up a bit the last 30 or so pages.

Interesting premise of an American spinster of 28 who runs an Academy for girls in America when she learns of inheriting a cottage in England. To fully inherit, she must complete a series of eight tasks from Clarissa, who Abigail learns is her grandmother whom she never knew about. A famous courtesan who lived her last 40 years as a kept woman of the heroes Grandfather. Abigail coincidentally is the spitting image of her grandmother.

I would have given this book more stars if there would have been more romance. For a book with a major character being a courtesan, there is surprisingly very little sexual chemistry.

Overall though I enjoyed The Indifferent Earl and I'd recommend this book.
3 stars.

Highland Love Song by Constance O'Banyon

Highland Love Song
Constance O'Banyon
Rating 3.5 stars
322 pages

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
A to Z Challenge
New Author Challenge
Chick Porn Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge

Synopsis: Lady Arrian DeWinter, daughter of the English duke of Ravenworth, was determined to escape the highland castle of Warrick Glencarin. For her senses were perilously near surrender to the very man who held her as a pawn in a family feud. And escape she did, though she left behind her heart to a man who dared not believe he’d won it.
Betrothed to Ian MacIvors, lovely Arrian struggled to despise her fiance’s enemy. Yet all she longed for was Warrick and the chance to soften his bitter anger with her loving touch…

My Review: Highland Love Song was my first book by this author and after finishing it I'm happy to say not my last. Written in 1993, HLS is very much an old school "bodice ripper". Meaning the storyline is fairly interwoven with scandals, high drama, kidnapping, family saga and an emotionally charged storyline. Be forewarned, this story is all drama and no "light" moments.

Highland Love Song is actually book two in the DeWinter Saga, though I read it without knowing of the first and still enjoyed the book. Though I'll now go back and read Arrian's parents story in Song Of The Nightingale. Arrian and Warrick were good lead characters-the heroine was not too flighty, and the hero, while brooding and dark, was no brute.

Miss O'Banyon's forte seems in her writing fleshed out secondary characters, and HLS was full of great ones. The best were MacTavish, Arrian's Aunt Mary, and her brother Michael-who is the hero in book three in the series, Desert Song. The love scenes were so so and few and did detract from the storyline-if they were better this would have been at least a four star book. If you enjoy connected family sagas like Lindsey's Mallory's or Laurens Cynster's, then I think you'll enjoy this book.
3.5 stars.

The Companion by Ann Granger

The Companion
Ann Granger
320 pages
rating 4 stars

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
Victorian Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge
What's In A Name Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
New Author Challenge


My Amazon Review:

Synopsis:

“In the corners of the room the shadows cast velvety veils. It would not be too difficult to imagine someone stood there and watched. I thought of Madeleine Hexham.... I glanced around me. It was likely that I'd been given my predecessor's room and that it was here she had planned her flight into the arms of her mysterious lover.”

When Lizzie Martin arrives in London in 1864 to become a lady’s companion, her first impressions are disturbing. She’s barely out of the station when her cab encounters a wagon carrying the remains of a young woman recently dead.

At her new home, Lizzie learns that her predecessor, Madeleine Hexham, disappeared without a word of warning. Despite rumors of immoral behavior surrounding the girl’s departure, Lizzie is soon persuaded that there’s a deeper mystery here. Her suspicions are tragically confirmed when Inspector Benjamin Ross delivers shocking tidings.

Lizzie is determined to unravel the truth about the lost Miss Hexham. As, too, is Ben Ross: a man who cares about justice, whatever the class of victim. But they must tread carefully, as a cornered killer is the most dangerous of all...

My Review:
The companion was a well written, accurate and intriguing historical mystery. Set in Victorian England, the story is told through Lizzie Martin, a country doctor's daughter, left penniless by his death, and Benjamin Ross, a young Scotland yard detective who is tied to Lizzie through a past association. Lizzie must now be a Lady's companion, after living her entire life of more affluent means, and has problems with not speaking her mind, much to Lady Parry's dismay. Lizzie and Benjamin are both calm, thoughtful and resourceful characters. The mystery was a good one, and solved very much as a crime would have been solved in that time period.

The mystery surrounding the former companion points out the moral judgements and flaws of the times-that more condemnation is placed on the female victim than her cold hearted murderer, just because she was naive and trusting.

A good solid Victorian mystery-4 stars.

Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter

Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
3.5 stars
376 pages

Read for:
RYOB Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge
Romance Club Reading Challenge
New Author Reading Challenge
Chick Porn Reading Challenge
Winter 08 Challenge

My Amazon Review:

his muse was murder.....,

January 15, 2009

Romantic suspense is not my normal forte', maybe that's why I enjoyed this book so much, as several other reviewers didn't seem to care for it. I enjoyed the story of Ashlee Davenport Chadwick, a forty something widow, who lives on her Rural South Carolina homestead farm with her matriarchal Nana, her biracial other grandmother and her college age daughter. Ashlee's already hectic life as a single mom and forensic nurse is turned upside down when one of her does brings her a child's red sneaker-and she's horrified to find a child's toe still in the shoe.

What follows is a fast paced suspense-part nursing/hospital drama, part Southern murder mystery, and a small part romance. I found the lead, Ashlee to be competent as well as caring, and I enjoyed reading a story set in the south as well.

While the book had flaws-they were minor in my opinion and didn't take away from the storyline. I'd recommend Sleep Softly to fans of Romantic Suspense and Woman Sleuths as well.
3.5 stars.

A Place For Alfreda by Elizabeth Chater

A Place For Alfreda by Elizabeth Chater
Regency Romance
4 stars
186 pages

Read For:

• RYOB Challenge
• A to Z Challenge
• New Author Challenge
• Chick Porn Challenge
• Winter 08 Challenge
  

My Amazon Review:
Accurate, enchanting vintage Regency......,

January 9, 2009

Synopsis:
She went from rags to riches in the blink of an eye. Alfreda never felt like she belonged, but when she discovers that she was switched at birth and is the rightful heir to an Earl's estate she is flabbergasted. Nobody ever expected this mousy, plain girl to be of noble blood, especially Mark Savage. Mark has always infuriated Alfreda with his ceaseless mocking, but now she sees a spark of love deep within his eyes.

But the aristocracy isn't all it's cracked up to be, someone isn't pleased with Alfreda's new position and they will do anything to ensure her demise. Can Mark's love and Alfreda's unstoppable will save her?

My Review:
This author is a prime example of why I love the old Regency Romances. Miss Chater, who was also one of the original writers of Science Fiction (Lee Chaytor),also had a popular Regency career in her 70's. Miss Chater, who was also an English professor, obviously studied Regency England thoroughly. I've never seen another of the tradition Regency romances (besides the genre greats) that's so chock filled of Cant,or slang of the era, as well as lifestyle and convention.

The author's impressive vocabulary was delightful-a delicious break from the sometimes monosyllabic monotony of several "modern" Regency writers who shall remain nameless:). Miss Chater's writing is like Belgium Chocolate after weeks of Hershey bars-a gourmet's dream come true.

The story brought to mind Harriet Smith of Emma, "a girl of unknown parentage". Alfreda was raised by a spinster in the country, just like Harriet. But unlike Harriet, the townsfolk believe that Alfreda is a by-blow, an illegitimate child of nobility. Surprisingly, she is exactly the opposite-she is the legitimate child, but since she is a female, she's hidden away and her father's son with his mistress is put in his place.

What follows is a charming, fun and fast paced Regency tale full of delightful secondary characters. The romance is traditional-no love scenes, just a few kisses and the requisite sexual tension.

The end storyline goes a bit wonky, hence 4 stars, but A place for Alfreda is a Regency Romance I'd still highly recommend to fellow fans of Austen, Heyer, Chesney, and Balogh.
4 stars.

Sherlock In Love by Sena Jeter Naslund

READ FOR:

• RYOB CHALLENGE
• Historical Fiction Challenge
• New Author Challenge
  

My Amazon Review:

Sherlock In Love....,

January 5, 2009

Sherlock In Love is one of the best Sherlock Holmes homages~pastiches I've read. This intelligent, thought provoking, and moving story of an unknown love in Holmes' life takes place two years after his supposed death.

Watson, melancholy and lonely since Holmes' death, decides to start writing Sherlock's biography. Watson, through a series of anonymous threats, is let known in no uncertain terms he must not write the biography.

Through an investigation of the present events, and unpublished past cases, Watson is drawn into a shocking secret from Holmes' past, one that tears apart everything Watson thought he knew of his beloved friend as well as resurrecting a failed case with disturbing new clarity.

The author's suppositions are intriguing, emotionally written and humanizes the brilliant sleuth known for his dislike of women, making Watson and the reader wonder if Holmes' dislike stemmed from a much more painful source than once realized.

Be forewarned-Sherlockian "purists" who are devout in their belief that Holmes was non-romantic to the point of asexuality will not like this book. I'm a unapologetic romantic who likes her Holmes of the "Jeremy Brett" variety, so this story was right up my alley.

Finally if you are like me, and like to delve into pastiches simply for the fun and novelty of revisiting Holmes/Watson, then give this short story a go.

4 stars-Recommended!

New Author Challenge-FINISHED!

JOIN HERE:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.
2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels, but anthologies are also a great way to try someone new.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you state how many new authors you want to try this year and then that’s your challenge. For me, I’m trying another 50 new authors. If you want a number given to you, try for either 25 or 50.
4. Add your name to the Mr. Linky below. If you do not have your own blog, you can join the group blog here.
5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome
6. When you read a new author, write your review (either at your site or the group blog) and then come back here and post a link to your review.

I'm signing up for 12 new authors:
1. Sherlock In Love by Sena Jeter Naslund-DONE-4 stars.
2. A Place For Alfreda by Elizabeth Chater-DONE-4 stars.
3. Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter-DONE-3.5 stars.
4. The Companion by Ann Granger-DONE-4 stars.
5. Highland Love Song by Constance O'Banyon-DONE-3.5 stars
6. The Indifferent Earl by Blair Bancroft-DONE-3.0 stars
7. Bewitched by Heather Cullman-DONE-1 star
8. An Eligible Connection by Elsie Lee-DONE-4 stars.
9. Mesmerized by Candace Camp-DONE-4 stars.
10. The Vampire Viscount and The Devil's Bargain by Karen Harbaugh-DONE-4 stars.
11. One Night To Be Sinful by Samantha Garver-DONE-4 stars
12. Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas-DONE-5 stars.

FINISHED!