Category: Historical Romance

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Jennifer’s review of All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess by Alexandra Hawkins

TITLE: All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess
AUTHOR: Alexandra Hawkins
PUBLICATION DATE:   7/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Simon Jefferes, the Marquess of Sainthill, has done the unthinkable–he’s fallen in love. The so-called “Saint” has spent his life gambling, dallying with women, and satisfying his every whim.  And he fully intended to continue his wicked ways, until he met the mysterious, exotic, and irresistible Madame Venna–the one woman he can’t have…and the only one he’s ever wanted for more than an evening.  The proprietress of the Golden Pearl, one of London’s most exclusive brothels, Madame Venna takes pride in the lush, decadent club she’s created.  With a half-mask to conceal her identity, she’s careful to safeguard something even more valuable–her heart.  But Saint is determined to tear down the walls she’s built around herself, and to finally expose the truth–that Madame Venna is a woman very much in love…with him.

REVIEW:  I have always heard great things about Alexandra Hawkins’ books and this is the first one that I have read in the Lords of Vice series.  Saint is the typical playboy who spends most of his time gambling and bedding different women.  His friends are getting married and settling down around him while he believes that he will never find a woman that will capture his heart.  Madame Venna is the owner of the Golden Pearl, London’s most famous brothel, and does everything in her power to hide her true identity by wearing a mask until the one night that she decides to take Saint to her bed. One night of passion between the two of them leads to intense feelings that neither one of them are able to ignore.

I loved Madame Venna because she came from a horrible childhood and used that pain to become one of the richest and most powerful women in London.  She didn’t need help from anyone and she had decided to live her life by her own rules.  She also wouldn’t let anyone close to her heart because she wasn’t going to be hurt again and that included Saint.  I was very impressed by her character while at other times in this book that I wanted to hit Saint on the head. There is another storyline in this book where Saint becomes acquainted with Madame Venna on the street while she is living as her alter ego.  She wasn’t wearing her normal half-mask and he never realized who she was.  I couldn’t believe that he slept with her and then he wasn’t able to recognize in the street without her mask.

I liked this book and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the Lords of Vice series.  My only complaint with this book would be there was no resolution with Madame Venna and the adoptive family that had caused her so much pain growing up. They always seemed to be trying to blackmail her and destroy what she had built at the Golden Pearl during the course of this story.  Towards the end of the book, she had a meeting with someone who was acquainted with them but there was no resolution to that dilemma.  I am hoping that this issue would be solved in a future book and not just an oversight by the author.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman

TITLE: The Perfect Impostor
AUTHOR: Wendy Soliman
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/02/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Struggling to escape her past and make ends meet as a modiste, Katrina Sinclair hopes the daring new wardrobe she’s designed for her childhood friend Julia—now a marchioness—will attract the business she desperately needs. But Julia’s help comes at a price: Katrina must take her place at a house party. They look enough alike for the ruse to work…until Julia’s handsome former fiancé arrives.

Leo Kincade has been tasked with catching a traitor who steals from house parties to fund Napoleon’s armies. Three women are suspected—including Julia. But when Leo intercepts her at the party, he finds an impostor who stirs an attraction stronger than anything he felt for Julia.

The mysterious woman shares Leo’s interest, even if she won’t trust him with her true identity. He should expose her at once, but he’s too tempted to play along and see where her deception—and their passion—will lead.

REVIEW:
Honestly I am not even sure what I liked about this book but I seemed to have wanted to finish it. The premise has a lot of potential but I was so confused to understand how a woman can take the
place of another woman and no one notice the change not even those closest to her (ex-lover, husband, etc). Katrina spends so much time worrying she will get found out that it is distracting. Julia is just obnoxious and selfish. I found it hard to read the pages with her in it.

I was also unsatisfied with the ending. I expected some of the characters to “get what they deserve” but they didn’t. It seemed like everyone just ended up with a happy ending and that did not sit well with me.

I think the author did one of two things: either she was rushed to write this book and it lost some of the potential it had OR she had too long to write it and the more she fiddled with it the more out of control she wrote it. I can see how someone might enjoy this story but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly’s review of A Season For Sin by Vicky Dreiling

TITLE: A Season For Sin
AUTHOR: Vicky Dreiling
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Introducing the Sinful Scoundrels…

The Earl of Bellingham is nothing is not a creature of habit: money, meals, and mistresses must be strictly managed if a man is to have a moment’s peace. It’s a system that works splendidly for him–until now. With his oldest and dearest friends succumbing, one by one, to wedded bliss, Bell is now restless and a trifle lonely. Enter the Sinful Scoundrels–Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, and Harry Norcliffe, Viscount Evermore–who drag him back into society and draw his rakish eye to the ton’s new beautiful young widow. Bell isn’t after a wife, but a challenge. And Laura Davenport should fit the bill quite nicely…

REVIEW:
Season for Sin is Vicky’s new novella and prequel to her upcoming Sinful Scoundrels series.  If you have read Vicky’s “How To” series you have meet The Earl of Bellingham, or Bells as his pals call him.   In Season for Sin we get a closer look at what makes Bells tick and a little insight as to why his is still a very eligible bachelor.

As with ever novella we are left wanting more.  And I will say that as I was reading I was just getting into the story and then Vicky so cruelly leaves us hanging (don’t worry Vicky I still love you).  And I for one can’t wait for the first book in the Sinful Scoundrels series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This  review is my opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of A Scandalous Affair by Karen Erickson

TITLE: A Scandalous Affair
AUTHOR: Karen Erickson
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Third in the Merry Widows series

From the moment Daphne, Lady Pomeroy, meets the mysterious Marquess of Hartwell at a masquerade ball, she’s determined to seduce him. The handsome, charming man cannot possibly be the cold, calculating lord who Society calls “Black Hart.” Risking everything, the lonely widow invites the elusive Hartwell to her dinner party . . . for two.
Hartwell’s arrogant reputation is built on a lie. For he has a shameful secret that keeps him in the shadows: a stutter—his downfall since childhood. He’d rather keep his mouth shut than look the fool. But he’s shocked to discover that in Daphne’s company—and in her bed—his stutter vanishes.
After one wanton evening together, Daphne is hurt when the lord lives up to his Black Hart name. Yet his reasons for leaving surprise even him. Now he must confess everything or risk losing Daphne forever.

REVIEW:
This is a short historical romance (about 80 pages). The story was fine and was written really well. I had not read the other two in the series before picking this one up.

For the most part I enjoyed the characters. Daphne is very bold and determined in this story. It seems that historicals use one of two female characters… the virginal wallflower or the passionless widow. This one falls under the widow. But I will say she is more bold than in most historicals. Now Hartwell…. He was just ok for me. He seemed handsome and passionate but also suffering from an inferiority complex brought on by his stuttering. The problem is he rarely stuttered throughout the whole book. The author claims he is so comfortable with Daphne he does not suffer from the ailment, that is until they discuss it toward the end of the story and then he seems to have it more. He even has a confrontation with another person and does not have the stutter which seems off for the reader since this is what the male character is all about.

However it is such a short story that if you enjoy historicals this would be great to have on your e-reader for when you are between books and looking for a quick read because it is a good story.

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Kimberly’s review of A Little Mischief by Amelia Grey

TITLE: A Little Mischief
AUTHOR: Amelia Grey
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Isabella Winslowe is finally gaining respectability when the unthinkable happens: she finds the Earl of Colebrooke’s sister in the back garden with a stone cupid in her hand and a dead man at her feet. The last thing Isabella wants to deal with is a formidable earl who is willing to go to great lengths to protect his sister’s reputation from a murder scandal. As Daniel Colebrooke begins following Isabella around the ton, desperate to keep her from spreading her story and making mischief, he can’t help but notice how captivating she is. And if he’s not careful, he could lose his heart along with his sister’s reputation.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from 2003 and a delightful read. This historical has a little bit of suspense and a lot of romance. The characters of Isabella and Daniel are perfect together. The connection they have even from their first scene together jumps right off the page. I love that Isabella seems so strong, confident and loves a good mystery and yet she has decided she should just become a spinster and has never even been kissed. She helps “wallflowers” come into their own by teaching them they are worthy and how to act. Yet she is just as much of the innocent as they are. She is innocent and worldly wrapped in one package. Daniel is written very well too. He is of course handsome and rich but he is also protective of those he loves and has a heart of gold.

Honestly this book has the basis of so many other historicals but it is such a delightful read that it is a must read. It is the perfect beach book or sit around and relax book. It is a very quick read and you really don’t want to stop until you get to the end. If you love the historical romance genre then this should be near the top of your “TBR” list. You will not be disappointed.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Seven Years To Sin by Sylvia Day

TITLE: Seven Years To Sin
AUTHOR: Sylvia Day
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/28/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The longer the resistance…
Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she’d held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield’s image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams. . .
…the sweeter the reward
Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes— all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years’ worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk—and the certainty that surrender will consume them both.

REVIEW:
While this book is written very well and has a really interesting story for some reason I just could not get into it. I kept trying and trying but nothing seemed to click. I never felt the connection of Alistair and Jessica. I actually felt more of a connection with her first husband.

Jessica never seemed to warm up and was just to proper. And Alistair seemed like a lovesick puppy for too long for me.

As I said this was written very well I just think it was something that did not click with me and this story. I do believe if you are a fan of historical romance this would be an interesting book to read for most people.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Lord Atwood’s Lovers by Eva Clancy

Lord Atwood’s Lovers
AUTHOR: Eva Clancy
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
To the rest of the ton, Lord and Lady Atwood seem to have the perfect marriage. They wed for love and their marriage bed doesn’t lack for passion—but Imogen is haunted by the memory of her first marriage…while Charles harbors secret thoughts and desires he’s been unable to confess to his wife.

Then Charles’s ex-lover, Alexander Lambert, arrives in town, throwing Charles into a tailspin—and awakening a surprising attraction in Imogen. Now, both have to face the possibility that they may need more than just each other to be truly complete.

REVIEW:
I think this was trying to be a story of erotica but it just didn’t work. While the background story was interesting there was not enough of it. And there was not enough of the sex scenes to have it fall under the erotica heading. Surprisingly though the story might have made a really good novella since there could have been more put into the characters story but it felt like the story was being rushed to get to where Alex is brought into the story but yet when he finally is brought it there is nothing interesting that happens. It could have been written so we see more of how Charles enjoys watching Imogene flirt with other men and more about the nightmares she has. Then we could have maybe met Alex with more of a storyline like maybe Alex and Imogene flirt at first without Charles knowing or something… I do not know I just know that there was not enough to this story in any way shape or form which is too bad because the premise was really good.

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Kimberly’s review of One Naughty Night by Laurel McKee

One Naughty Night
AUTHOR: Laurel McKee
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A hundred years has passed since the bitter rivalry between the St. Claires and the Huntingtons began. But in London, the feud goes on…

Under the cover of night, nothing is forbidden.

Lily St. Claire will do anything for the family that saved her from the streets. With their support, the young widow has become the hostess of The Devil’s Fancy, London’s most exclusive gaming den. She’s determined to restore the St. Claire family fortune, lost a century before to the despised Huntington clan. But a ghost from her past may be her ultimate undoing…

Lord Aidan Huntington is handsome and wealthy, with a taste for adventure and a reputation for wickedness. A gambler and a rake, Aidan can’t resist a seductive woman with secrets—but one naughty night with Lily leaves him wanting more. As Lily is drawn into London’s dark underworld by an old enemy, Aidan will risk everything to save the woman who has awakened his deepest desires.

REVIEW:
What an intriguing story. There is so much happening in this book and yet it seemed like I could not get enough of it. I can not wait for the next one to come out!

Aidan and Lily are fascinating characters and written really well. The reader is pulled into their story almost from page one. Lily’s background is so filled with adventure it is hard to believe one person could live that life yet the way it is written you do not feel overwhelmed by it. And Aidan is perfect. He is sexual, powerful and wicked. Yet he has another side that Lily (and the reader) get to see as a man who is protective, loving and talented. They complement each other perfectly and the rest of the characters are wonderful in the background of Lily and Aidan’s story.

This is considered historical romance but could also be listed as erotica. While the scenes are extremely sexual they are not overpowering and do not make you feel like the rest of the book was written around the sex scenes. This is a true romantic suspense in a historical setting.

So much happens in this book that it is hard to discuss without giving something away but I most certainly think anyone would enjoy this read and finish the book waiting breathlessly for the next in the series… I know I am!

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of A Perfect Knight For Love by Jackie Ivie

 A Perfect Knight
AUTHOR: Jackie Ivie
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINK:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Deep in the Scottish Highlands, a stalwart clansman and a wayward bride confront duty and desire…

A Man of Misfortune

With his reckless, drunken brother bringing ruin to the clan, and the lass he’s loved all his life in the clutches of a violent husband, the last thing Thayne MacGowan needs is a spirited, sharp-tongued damsel to contend with—no matter how enticing she may be…

A Woman With A Secret

Having narrowly escaped an objectionable arranged marriage, Amalie is starting a new life—with a new identity. But her freedom is cut short when a surly but irresistibly handsome Highlander is forced to take her as his bride. If only he knew who she really was…

An Unlikely Love

Fate designs an improbable match, and a battle of wills ensues. As Amalie struggles to protect her identity, Thayne finds himself fighting for an unexpected love—and a passion neither can refuse

REVIEW:
Ok, I have to admit I am not overly wild about Highlander books.  Yes, I know many of you are.  And I can kinda see the appeal, but there is something about them that I just can not engage with.  I am not sure if it is the dialog or just the world in general.  So take my review with a grain of salt.

Thayne is a bit, okay a lot, of an ass as a hero.  Not only does he force Amalie to go along with his plan, when she saves his back he is not very greatful.  Not only does he use the whole “I am the lesser of two evils” link on her over and over again, when he finally gets what he is after he is not very nice about it.  I tried to like Thayne, I really did.  And at times I thought that maybe this is the time that he is going to turn around, but sadly it took the whole book right up to the very last page for me to finally kinda like the guy.

If you are a fan of Jackie Ivie or love Highlander books I am sure you will enjoy A Perfect Knight, but for me it just was not my cup of tea.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This review is my opinion and not a paid review.

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Kelly’s review of Moonglow by Kristin Calliahan

TITLE: Moonglow – Darkest London #2
AUTHOR: Kristin Calliahan
PUBLICATION DATE: 7/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy’s door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

REVIEW:

Moonglow is book 2 in Kristin’s Darkest London series.  The Darkest London series is a mixture of a historical and paranormal romance.  Kristin does a great job of bring to life the characters in this story.  Daisy is a widow that is very thankful to be out of her horrible marriage.  She is strong, determined and very stubborn. Ian, is very aloof, doesn’t trust anyone. But these two are great together.  They are like magnets at times the repeal each other and time they are drawn together beyond their control.

Both are gun shy on trust, but when they have to team up to catch a murderer they both learn quickly that the other will have their back no matter what.

I enjoyed this story.  Even if at times I was a little lost about the world, I would suggest reading Firelight (bk 1) first.   But other then that I enjoyed this book.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series Winterblaze, and what is next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of Pleasures Of A Tempted Lady by Jennifer Haymore

TITLE: Pleasures Of A Tempted Lady
AUTHOR: Jennifer Haymore
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
DANGEROUS DESIRE
Captain William Langley knows the ocean well, but nothing could prepare him for what he discovers adrift on the cold Irish Sea. The tiny boat carries two passengers: a child–and Meg Donovan, Will’s long-lost love. Meg’s disappearance at sea eight years ago was a devastating blow. Now she’s back, as beautiful as ever, and with secrets as deep as Will’s own . . .
After years held captive by a cold-blooded pirate, Meg has finally escaped with little Jake, the boy she’s come to love as if he were her own. But the pirate wants his revenge–and Meg must do whatever it takes to shield Jake from the madman. Determined not to lose Meg again, Will vows to protect them both, yet Meg can’t risk putting the only man she’s ever loved in danger. With the threat to her safety growing, and her passion for Will burning brighter every day, surrendering herself to Will might be a pleasure too tempting to resist . . .

REVIEW:
This is the third in the Donovan Sisters series. I had not read the previous two books. However this book stands alone even though you can tell in a few paragraphs that there is a previous story from other books. I was going between 3 ½ and 4 stars but decided on 4 because this really is a captivating story that I enjoyed.

It is a historical set at sea for probably about half of the book. Meg and Will have a wonderful long-lost-love feeling to them. They find each other again and over all the years the love has not died no matter what they have been dealing with. Jake is a wonderful boy who steals the scenes that he is in. There is a lot of adventure in the story and a lot of love.

If you are a fan of the historical stories then this is one you will most certainly enjoy reading. It has all the feel of the romances of years ago with the wind swept sea and lost love. It is wonderfully written.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of A Wild Night’s Bride by Victoria Vane

A Wild Night’s Bride
AUTHOR: Victoria Vane
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/27/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With the devil in charge, there will surely be hell to pay…
What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake?
She’s a lonely lady down on her luck.
Phoebe Scott, alias Kitty Willis, is a struggling Covent Garden actress with a bruised heart and a closely guarded secret.
He’s steadfast and eminently respectable.
Sir Edward Chambers, Ned to his intimates, is guilt-ridden over his beloved wife’s death and has avowed to live out a rustic and mundane life…of celibacy.
With the devil in charge, there will surely be hell to pay.
Devil-in-disguise Viscount Ludovic DeVere is determined to return his best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. His meddling machinations result in a night of mind-blowing passion after which “Dull Dog Ned” awakes to find himself in the King of England’s bed!

REVIEW:
Phoebe and Ned meet during a night of an erotica soree. She is looking for a protector and he has been forced to attend by his friend DeVere. A bet is put down by DeVere to challenge him. So he is challenged to take a woman in the King’s bed… not just any woman but Phoebe. To win the bet DeVere, Phoebe and Ned work together. But there is more to every story.

Between the beginning of the story and the end was like reading two different authors. The beginning was a little bit of a let down. The writing in the beginning was as if the author was trying too hard. But then about halfway through the writing seemed to change. The story became more interesting and the writing better. If you are interested in historicals with a touch of erotica then I think you will enjoy this book.