This months pasts reads

1-Once A Scoundrel by Candice Hern-pretty good Historical Romance, part two of the The Ladies Fashionable Cabinet Trilogy -4 stars



2- Once A Gentleman by Candice Hern- the final book in the The Ladies Fashionable Cabinet Trilogy-not as good as the first two-the heroine and hero were too weak-3 stars





3-The Gamble by Joan Wolf-excellent book-finished it in a day-5 stars!





4-The Duke's Wager by Edith Layton-first of two interrelated books. Excellent traditional that features not one, but two really bad boy rakes. 5 stars.



5-The Disdainful Marquis by Edith Layton-not as good as The Duke's Wager but still better than average 3.5 stars.

Reading Catch Up

Life has been super busy lately , so no time for these last weeks reviews. Here is what I've recently finished though.

1. Sins of Midnight by Kimberly Logan-an OK Victorian Historical. 3 stars
2. Snake Agent by Liz William-a pretty good Urban Fantasy set in a "future world" China-4 stars
3. The Bride Sale by Candice Hern-a very good Regency Historical-4 stars

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.

ROR Spring 2011 Challenge List

Spring '11 Challenge List

 To Join go HERE

Here is your list for the Spring ‘11 (March, April, May) Reading Challenge! (March 1- May 31)

RULES:
1. Select ANY number of books to read that fit the category.
2. Post your list on the discussion board and blog (Name’s Winter 11 Challenge List)
3. If you need title suggestions please use the Discussion titled WINTER TITLE SUGGESTIONS if you don't see it please search (to try and minimize number of discussions)
4. Once you have read a book please find the corresponding discussion by searching you can search by 11 Winter # and use the number that corresponds with the list. (one will be created for each number on December 1, again, to try and minimize number of discussions) and post the book and title you read and rating, and review.
5. It is not required, but if you could post your review on the blog that would be great.
6. Reviews on the blog please include labels list the rating, author, and # of challenge only.
7. Audio books are okay
8. Rereads are okay
9. You can change your list at anytime

The List:
1. Read a book that received a 2 or 1 Star rating from Shelfari, or a D or F review rating from allaboutromance.com

2. Read a book with Death, Deadly, Dead in the Title

3. Read an author’s Debut Novel (1st book published)-DONE-The Duke's Wager by Edith Layton-5 stars

4. Choose a book where the Hero or Heroine has an unusual job-DONE-Once A Gentlemen by Candice Hern-3.5 stars

5. Read a book that either has a flower or rain in the title or on the cover (for Spring)-DONE-Lord Rivington's Lady by Eileen Jackson-4 stars

6. Read a book set in your home state, province or county

7. Read a book set in New York, Paris or London-DONE-The Disdainful Marquis by Edith Layton-3.5 stars (Paris)

8. Surprise Category – Close your eyes and pick a book off of your TBR Pile-DONE-The Bride Sale by Candice Hern-4 stars

9. Read a book with a “Love Triangle”-DONE-Lady Delafont's Dilemma by Donna Simpson-5 stars

10. Read a book from your “TBR Pile” that you’ve put off because your hate the cover or title-DONE-Sins of Midnight by Kimberly Logan-3 stars

11. Read a book that features a Plus Sized Heroine

12. Read a book involving a Motorcycle – either in title, cover or storyline

13. Read a book by either Eloisa James or Stephanie Laurens

14. Reader’s Choice I-DONE-Lady May's Folly by Donna Simpson-5 stars

15. Reader’s Choice II-DONE-The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann-5 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.