How To Tempt A Duke by Kasey Michaels

Read For:
Romance Reading Challenge
ROR Spring Challenge
RYOB Challenge




Synopsis:

He'd returned from war a duke. Now Rafael Daughtry was battling a force more terrifying than Napoleon's army - his family. Thankfully, his childhood friend Charlotte Seavers had agreed - reluctantly - to a bargain. While Rafe would provide her with the home she'd lost, Charlotte would provide him with a chaperone for his unruly twin sisters.

But who would chaperone Rafe? For the feisty young girl he remembered had blossomed into a sensual woman - a woman whose haunting beauty and deeply kept secrets drew him like no other. Charlotte had good reason to mistrust men - yet could Rafe's sizzling seduction convince her to give in to temptation?

3 stars.  Nothing in this story grabbed me-took me a week to finish. I'd say it's average at best.

Emily Goes To Exeter by Marion Chesney

Read For:
Romance Reading Challenge
RYOB Challenge
ROR Spring Challenge
What's In A Name Challenge


The Travelling Matchmaker Book 1

As always, Marion Chesney never fails to deliver. I love the premise of this series-a maid inherits a considerable sum from her mistress upon her death. The maid, who has grown up in service and who always dreamed of traveling, goes upon the stage coach to various places, meeting wonderful characters and in this book, solving a crime and matchmaking.

4 stars!

The Prisoner by Cheryl Reavis

Read For:

ROR Spring Challenge

Royal Romance Challenge

Harlequin Challenge

Romance Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

On the Run

Union Captain John Howe escaped a living hell when he tunneled his way out of a Confederate prison camp, though his ordeal was far from over. Now he was saddled with his own prisoner, the sad, stubborn Amanda Douglas, on a journey that would change their lives forever . . . .

Even her previous Spartan existence had not prepared Amanda for the dangerous trek she was now making-entirely against her will. But when John gazed at her through his beautiful, haunted eyes, bright with fever, she was lost. Could a privileged Yankee son and a poor, proud Rebel girl keep their love safe from the rest of the world?

My Review:

I chose this book from my mammoth TBR pile because I needed an "unread" genre and I do not normally like romances set in Civil War era. This book was so good I may change that :)

I enjoyed how the author was sympathetic to both character "sides" and chose to write the story more on the horrors of war than showing one side as "right or wrong" over the other. The story was well researched, dramatic and very stirring. Definitely more love than passion, and if you read the story you'll understand why.

I enjoyed John and Amanda's story and will be searching out other of this authors books at the used book store.

4.5 stars

The Man In The Green Coat by Carola Dunn

Read For:

ROR Winter Challenge

Romance Challenge

Royal Challenge

1000 Regency Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

Gabrielle Darcy and her brother Gerard must escape France on the brink of war. A dying English spy gives Gabrielle a message for The Man in the Green Coat, who turns out to be Mr. Everett. Though Gabrielle and Everett are attracted, they are also suspicious of each other. Once again Everett aids the Darcys and Madame Aurore, only to find them all embroiled in adventure.

My Review:

Excellent traditional Regency. Ms Dunn has the talent and has obviously researched the Regency period well. I enjoyed the fact that , even though both the hero and heroine were titled, they were not rich by any means. Great secondary characters too.
4. 5 stars.

Heaven At Sunrise by Leona Karr

Read For:

RYOB Challenge

Romance Challenge

ROR Winter Challenge

Royal Challenge

Synopsis:

Traveling to the Shetland Islands to do missionary work, Alana Lansbury meets shepherd Brion McClerry, who is caring for his brother's five children and who refuses to admit his feelings or needs for Alana.

My Review:

A very good historical romance set in Victorian era Scotland. The heroine is a missionary nurse who just arrived on the remote Shetland Island to find that a sudden death before her arrival puts her life in upheaval. The hero is a fisherman and sheep farmer who has been burnt in the past by another "English do gooder" and is mistrustful of Alana.

The story reads like a Christian romance but not as "preachy" as some I've tried before. Both characters grow and learn to not so quickly judge others. The secondary characters in the town are well written too. The story would have been five stars if not for-a) non existant love scenes, and b)-the heroines "uppity" nature should have been resolved sooner. Otherwise a very good story.

4.5 stars

The Lady In Question by Judith Laik

Read For:

ROR Winter Challenge

RYOB Challenge

1000 Regency Challenge

Romance Challenge

Royal Challenge

Synopsis:

A fateful toss of the dice
Charlotte Treadwell is outraged when she learns her gaming-mad papa has just forfeited her in a game of hazard. Suddenly she is the “property” of Hugh Brooks, Earl of Rayfield, a rake and a gambler who couldn't possibly understand that her passionate heart is taken up with helping those less fortunate than she.

A perilous game of chance
Rayfield must stop an aristocratic spy from inflicting the horrors of revolution upon England. How can he keep his mind on his duties when the tempting woman he has just won is the fiery daughter of his prime suspect?

Love is the most dangerous gamble of all . . .

My Review-

My review for this book will be a non review-I enjoyed this cute Regency but stopped it/started it back up during about 7 day spread when my father just got sick and passed away on February 9th. I finally was able to finish it today (2-14) and it was cute enough but I don't feel like I can give it a accurate review as I'm not still not in a good frame of mind anyway from Daddy's passing.

On The Edge by Ilona Andrews

Read For:

Countdown Challenge

ROR Winter Challenge

Fantasy Challenge

RYOB Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

My Review:

Overall, the book was pretty good. That being said, I LOVED this author's Kate Daniel's Urban Fantasy series and to me (and my husband), On The Edge had way too much romance to be labeled Urban Fantasy.

Not that there's anything wrong with romance, obviously, but it just was really predominate in this book. The "blonde hunky Sawyer from LOST looking dude" dominating the cover should have been my first clue-LOL.

There will be a book 2-I'll read it, but my husband said he won't. It was good, but not great. 3 stars.

Wicked by Shannon Drake

Read For:

ROR Winter Challenge

Royal Romance Review Challenge

2010 Romance Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Countdown Challenge

Synopsis:

The Earl was known as a beast.

Camille Montgomery is aware of the wicked man's reputation. But as an expert in antiquities, she also knows his family's Egyptian artifacts are the finest in England. The problem is, her wayward stepfather knows this, too -- and he's determined to steal them. So when he's caught in the act of robbing the so-called Beast of Carlyle, Camille must swallow her fear and boldly confront the man whose mask is said to hide a face too loathsome to behold.

The Earl of Carlyle has lived in the shadows ever since the suspicious death of his parents. But he's never stopped trying to unravel the mystery behind what he suspects to have been their murder. And now that the lovely Camille has stumbled into his life, he has the perfect pawn for his deadly game of vengeance and deceit. But in laying his ruthless trap, will he risk losing his own heart?

My Review:

pretty good Victorian era Romance. Enjoyed the Egyptology slant and the mystery. Love scenes were a bit too "purple prose" and the relationship was a bit too "we argue then make out" for my tastes but it was still enjoyable. Wished there was more relationship evolving between the H/H. 3.75 stars

5 stars for the cover though-very pretty and eye catching.

A Talent For Trouble by Anne Barbour

A Talent For Trouble

Anne Barbour, 1992

223 pages

3 stars

Read For:

ROR Winter Challenge

RYOB Challenge

2010 Romance Challenge

1000 Regency Challenge

Royal Reviews Romance Challenge

Synopsis:

Lady Talitha Burnside had always assured herself that the blazing talent in her fingers overcame the plainness in her features. Now, the Viscount Chelmsford had need of her skill as a caricaturist in a novel that would set London on its ear. Tally told herself firmly that she did not care that Chelmsford would scarcely look beyond his collaborator's talent, for she wished only to provide herself with the means of financial independence from her family. Unfortunately, with the best intentions in the world, Tally did not find herself immune to Chelmsford's charm. And to the Viscount's surprise, he found himself oddly attracted to the artist's huge brown eyes, her coltish grace, and her elfin charm. How long would it take for the two artists to discover that the passion sparking between them sprang from more than a literary interest?

My Review:

Overall, a cute Regency romance. Would have enjoyed more interaction between the H/H though. 3 stars

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I

Julia Quinn

2000, 371 pages

Read For:

ROR Winter Challenge

RYOB Challenge 2010

What's In A Name Challenge 3

2010 Romance Reading Challenge

Royal Reviews Romance Challenge

Synopsis:

Relentlessly pursued by match-making mamas and their charges, Simon Bassett, the handsome Duke of Hastings, has grown tired of the societal chase. Tired too is the lovely Daphne Bridgerton, whose matrimonially minded mother is set on finding her daughter the perfect husband. Neither Simon nor Daphne is happy with this annoying state of affairs and both would give anything for a little peace and quiet. Their mutual wish for a respite from the ton's marriage mart leads to a pretend engagement--a scheme that is threatened with exposure by Daphne's suspicious older brother, who happens to know Simon's way with women very well. The two never anticipated that a mutual attraction would lead to the very thing they set out to avoid--a wedding. But Simon fears that his painful past may keep him from being able to truly love anyone. And though Daphne cares for him deeply, she won't settle for anything less than his heart.

My Review:

Good, solid 4 star book.

FINISHED-Romance Reading Challenge 2010

FINISHED!
Naida's hosting again this fun challenge so I'm in on this one too:) I think I'll try for 10 this year, up from 5 last year.

Join HERE:

1. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.
Here's a few suggestions:
*Twilight By Stephenie Meyer
*Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
*Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
*The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss
*Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or any other novel by Miss Austen
*Frederica by Georgette Heyer
*The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
*Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti
*Beneath A Marble Sky by John Shors
*The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
*P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
*The Princess Bride by William Goldman

need more suggestions? search through amazon.com Romance Section online for ideas.

2. Choose at least 5 novels read them between Jan 1st though Dec 31st 2010. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.

3. Read them at your own pace in 2010 then come here and post the link to your review(s).

My List:

1-The Duke and I by Julia Quinn-4 stars

2-A Talent For Trouble by Anne Barbour-3 stars

3-Wicked by Shannon Drake-3.75 stars

4-On The Edge by Ilona Andrews-3 stars

5-Proof of Seduction by Courtney Milan-4 stars

6-The Lady In Question by Judith Laik-3 stars

7-Heaven At Sunrise by Leona Karr-4.5 stars

8-The Prisoner by Cheryl Reavis-4.5 stars

9-Emily Goes To Exeter by Marion Chesney-4 stars

10-How To Tempt A Duke by Kasey Michaels-3 stars