Category: Jennifer’s Review

Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London’s elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart’s desire…

There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff’s conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?

Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she’s hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher’s kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?

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In a carriage on the way to Thorncliff Manor
1820

“Do you suppose we’ll be arriving soon?” Rachel asked with an edge of impatience. “Before leaving the last posting inn, Mama assured me that it would only be another two hours, but according to my pocket watch it has already been one hundred and twenty- seven minutes. To be exact.”

Christopher gazed across at his younger sister. “I don’t believe Mama has ever visited Thorncliff before,” he said, referring to the Countess of Dun- caster’s large estate, which she had turned into a guesthouse. He and his family would be spending the summer there. “This makes her estimate regarding the duration of this journey exactly that—an estimate.”

Rachel didn’t look pleased. “I wish everyone would appreciate the importance of precision as much as I do.” “Cook does,” Laura said sweetly, directing Christopher’s attention to another sister. He had five in total. “I’m sure she would acknowledge the importance of accuracy. After all, there’s nothing worse than a cake with too much flour in it.”

“Do you have to encourage her?” Fiona asked. As the youngest of the Heartly siblings, she had never developed the sort of patience the rest of the brood possessed.

Christopher frowned, while Rachel’s face beamed with newfound pleasure as she latched onto Laura’s comment. “Life as we know it would be impossible without adhering to mathematical and scientific principles. Buildings would fall to the ground, dough would refuse to rise, your clothing would be ill- fitting . . . why, I could go on forever about the effect a lack of structure would have on us all.”

“Must you?” Fiona asked with an underlying note of dread.

“Why not distract yourself by contemplating the splendor of our destination?” Christopher suggested. As much as he loved Rachel, he had little desire to endure a prolonged lecture on Euclidean geometry or, God forbid, her recent study on the movement of slugs. “I’ve heard that Thorncliff is magnificent. Apparently the third Earl of Duncaster wasted no expense when he expanded it,” Laura said before Rachel could comment. “My friend Lady Harriet visited last year with her family, and she has assured me that the estate can easily amuse us all for the duration of our three-month stay.”

“I’ve no doubt about that,” Fiona said promptly, her eyes lighting, “especially since I’ve every intention of putting my own time there to good use. I mean to find that jewelry box Grandmamma spoke of when we were little.”

Christopher stared at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you remember? She always said her family in France sent heirlooms to England during the revolution to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. It was all she would have had left of her family after they all perished at the guillotine, but for un- known reasons, the box of heirlooms never arrived. I’m convinced they must be hidden away at Thorn- cliff. Considering Grandpapa’s close friendship with Lord Duncaster, I—”

“Now that you mention it, I do recall her saying something to that effect, but I never really put much weight in it,” Laura said.

“You know how badly Grandmamma suffered the loss of her family. I always believed her talk of the jewelry box was her way of hoping a part of them had been left behind and would eventually come to her.”

“But she specifically mentioned receiving a letter from her sister, the Duchess of Marveille, in France, encouraging her to wait for it—that the duchess had sent it to England and that arrangements had been made for it to be delivered to her.”

“Your memory is certainly to be admired,” Rachel said, “but I think we must accept that the heirlooms never left France, as unfortunate as that is.”

“But in her diary,” Fiona insisted, “Grandmamma wrote of a visit Grandpapa made to Thorncliff shortly before his death. She wrote that she prayed her husband would soon return home with the box.” “And yet she never received it,” Christopher pointed out.

Fiona sighed. “No, she didn’t. Grandpapa set sail for France, perishing with the third Earl of Duncaster when the ship went down.” She sighed, her expression somber, though her eyes remained sharp with determination. “It’s possible the jewelry box is still at Thorncliff, in which case, I’ve every intention of locating it. You can count on that.”

About the Author:

Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parsons. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion: writing. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

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Jennifer’s Review of Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires

Review (4.5 Stars): Lady Sarah was such a fun, spunky and entertaining character that was trying to deal with the proposition of marrying an older man to appease her family for her past indiscretions. She was at Thorncliff Manor to meet her future husband when she has a chance encounter with Viscount Spencer that changes everything.  Christopher was a delight and I loved the humorous banter between these two characters over the course of this book.  Lady Sarah didn’t want Christopher to discover her secret because she was afraid that he would want nothing to do with her.  It didn’t matter what her secret was, he wanted her anyways and would stop at nothing to win her heart.  Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is a very sweet and charming romance where true love can conquer all your past mistakes and lead to an even brighter future.  Looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.

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Can a bold-faced lie lead to everlasting love? One by one, the impetuous heroines in the Wicked Deceptions series intend to find out, each in her unique way…

How to seduce an estranged husband—and banish debt!—in four wickedly improper, shockingly pleasurable steps…
Learn the most intimate secrets of London’s leading courtesan.
Pretend to be a courtesan yourself, using the name Juliet Leighton.
Travel to Venice and locate said husband.
Seduce husband, conceive an heir, and voila, your future is secure!

For Julia, the Duchess of Colton, such a ruse promises to be foolproof. After all, her husband has not bothered to lay eyes on her in eight years, since their hasty wedding day when she was only sixteen. But what begins as a tempestuous flirtation escalates into full-blown passion—and the feeling is mutual!

Could the man the Courtesan Duchess married actually turn out to be the love of her life?

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A smart woman may transform herself into whatever
the situation requires.
—Miss Pearl Kelly to the Duchess of Colton

Venice, November 1816

Julia needed a male child, a legitimate one, to serve as the heir to the Colton estate. Only then could she thwart Templeton’s designs on the dukedom.

Her plan was foolproof. Six months ago, Julia had sold off all her remaining jewelry in order to secretly hire Pearl Kelly, London’s true reigning courtesan, to offer advice. Pearl had proved a veritable fount of information, telling Julia precisely how to dress, act, speak, and flirt like a Cyprian.

Pearl had even helped design Julia’s gowns along with the courtesan’s own modiste. The resulting wardrobe was luxurious and elegant with sumptuous fabrics and daring necklines, such as the deep emerald green gown she wore tonight. The undergarments had been ordered from Paris, and they still made Julia blush.

Her jewelry had posed a problem, since every good piece she’d owned had been sold off over the past two years. So Pearl had graciously loaned Julia several stunning sets, which included the expensive diamond and pearl necklace now around her neck.

Julia had also learned how to use creams and paints to best enhance her features. Earlier, she’d applied a dusting of white pearl powder on her face, rose pink rouge on her lips and cheeks, and a light coating of lamp-black on her lashes and eyebrows. The enhancements combined with her red hair made her completely unrecognizable to anyone familiar with the blond and understated Duchess of Colton.

They ventured near the duke. After a moment, Colton looked up and his face registered surprise. “Winchester!” He threw his cards on the table and unfolded his lanky frame to stand before them. “I can scarcely believe it. Why didn’t you write to let me know you were coming?”

Simon managed to look surprised, then slapped Colton on the back. “I’d heard a rumor you were still here, old man.”

“I cannot find a reason to leave.” Colton turned to Julia, focusing on her with polite interest. “I see you are not alone. Pray introduce me.”

“Of course. Colton, meet the inimitable Mrs. Juliet Leighton. Juliet, this wastrel is my oldest friend, the Duke of Colton.”

She dropped into a deep curtsy and watched from under her lashes as her husband took in the shockingly low neckline of her gown, where her ample bosom threatened to make an appearance at any moment. “Mrs. Leighton, your reputation precedes you,” the duke said as she rose. “I’ve heard nothing but accolades to your beauty and wit. It is said you are the woman who holds all of London in the palm of her hand.”

Julia was relieved to hear the rumors they’d started had reached her husband’s ears. “Perhaps not all of London, Your Grace, but a fortunate few have indeed felt the palm of my hand.”

A black eyebrow shot up, and he gave a devilish grin that would surely melt the insides of a weaker woman. “Winchester, I am beginning to envy you,” Colton murmured, his smoky gray gaze never leaving hers.

“As you should. I am entirely at Mrs. Leighton’s whim.” Simon’s intimate smile left no doubt as to the nature of their relationship.

“You flatter me,” Julia said in her best coquettish voice. “Simon, darling, please leave His Grace and I alone for a few moments. Be a good lad and fetch me some champagne.”

Simon flashed her a besotted glance that would’ve had Julia laughing under any other circumstance.

“Anything for you, love.” He walked away to leave Julia alone with the husband she hadn’t seen in eight years.

She should be tongue-tied, she thought, as she regarded the man who wielded enormous power over her, even from such a great distance. But considering the hot gleam of male interest in Colton’s eyes, the way he studied her carefully, Julia knew the control now lay in her own hands.

“Your Grace,” she started, then boldly moved closer and took his arm. “I feel as if we already know one another.” Julia led him toward the terrace doors.

“Do you?” He deftly maneuvered them around other couples and placed his large hand on the small of her back as they continued outside into the cool darkness. “If we had met, Mrs. Leighton, I am quite sure I would remember.”

“Oh, you must call me Juliet. All my good friends do.”

“Then, by all means, you must call me Nick. I’ve never been fond of my title.” Tall and lithe, he leaned casually against the terrace railing, the backdrop a surprisingly clean stretch of canal. He was even more handsome up close. His shoulders were broad, and power lurked beneath his finely tailored clothing. She suddenly felt so . . . alive and edgy in his wickedly alluring presence. Little wonder her husband had become such a rake and scoundrel.

“If you insist, Nick,” she drawled while noticing the way he studied her lips. “Are we to be friends, then?”

“I certainly hope so.” His face softened with a flirtatious smile and her knees went weak, the power of
that small gesture warming her down to her toes. “Are you enjoying Venice, Juliet?”

“It is a lovely place. This is my first trip, and I must confess it’s nothing as I imagined. The food is superb and they are passionate, friendly people. And you? Have you been here long?”

“About three years. Before that Vienna, Cologne, Paris. . . .”

“And do you plan to return to our fair England one day?”

His features tightened ever so slightly. “No. I have no plans to return. There is naught there for me now.”

Rage blossomed in her chest, hot and strong. How dare he. Naught there for him—even a wife? Although her hand itched to smack his cheek, Julia forced what she hoped was an intimate expression and dropped her voice to a husky purr. “My luck, then, in meeting you here.”

“Indeed. And just when I’d thought Venice had grown boring. Have you known Winchester long?”

“No, not long. Though he’s spoken of you. I understand you’ve been friends forever.”

“It’s true. Since Eton, actually. We—”

“Here you are, love.” Simon appeared with a glass of champagne.

“So, Winchester,” the duke began, “tell me how you’ve been getting on the last two years.”

Two years! Julia gasped and almost choked on a mouthful of champagne. Simon had seen her husband two years ago? If Colton weren’t standing here, she would give Simon a good kick in the leg for not telling her.“I find myself remarkably well. And you?”

“I enjoy it here,” Colton responded lightly. “The Venetians are quite pleasant, despite the resentment of the Austrian presence. I had thought, however, to travel to St. Petersburg next year.”

“It’s been eight years. Do you not think enough time has passed—”

“Do not say it.” Colton’s voice took on an edge and his face darkened. “After our last row, I thought you agreed to cease hounding me to return.”

“But really, Colt. Your wife deserves—”

“Oh, you mean my father’s pawn?” He straightened to his full height. “Cease immediately. Do not make me regret keeping you informed of my whereabouts all these years.”

Pawn? What on earth? Julia could scarcely wait to get Simon alone in order to get answers.

Simon held up his hands in surrender. “I have no wish to quarrel with you. Especially in front of such a beautiful woman.” He slid his arm around Julia and gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze.

Her face a mask of polite civility, she focused on the duke. “Your Grace, we plan to attend the performance of Tancredi at La Fenice the evening after tomorrow. Perhaps you would care to join us?”

“I had already planned to attend, in fact,” Colton replied, his posture once again relaxed. “I would be honored if you both would join the party in my box.”

Julia tried to look surprised though she’d already known his plans. Simon’s valet had convinced one of the duke’s maids to give them information on Colton’s daily social schedule. More chance meetings with Mrs. Leighton were in Colton’s future. “That would be lovely, Your Grace. I shall look forward to it.”

About the Author:

Award-winning author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, Joanna read every romance she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy historical novels. She now lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and dashing husband.

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Jennifer’s Review of The Courtesan Duchess

Review (5 Stars): I was so impressed with Julia over the course of this story because she went to great lengths to find her husband and set her plan in motion to save her family.  She played a wonderful role to attract the attention of Nick and the chemistry between them was explosive. You could tell that these two characters were meant for each other and I loved the interaction between the two.

Once I started this story, I stayed up all night reading it because I became so involved with these charming characters and this well-written romance.  The Courtesan Duchess is the first in a brand new series and I’m already a big fan of this amazing writer.  I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, The Harlot Countess, which is out in the next couple of months.

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As a young girl, Emilia Gwendolyn Carrington told the annoying future Duke of Pindar that she would marry any man in the world before him-so years later she is horrified to realize that she has nowhere else to turn.

Evander Septimus Brody has his own reasons for agreeing to Mia’s audacious proposal, but there’s one thing he won’t give his inconvenient wife: himself.

Instead, he offers Mia a devil’s bargain… he will spend four nights a year with her. Four nights, and nothing more. And those only when she begs for them.

Which Mia will never do.

Now Vander faces the most crucial challenge of his life: he must seduce his own wife in order to win her heart-and no matter what it takes, this is the one battle he can’t afford to lose.

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Before she could think better of it, she took a deep breath, handed her pelisse to the butler, and marched past him into the morning room. Mia had spent a good deal of time in the ducal country estate as a young girl, given the late duchess’ decades-long affaire with her father, and she knew where she was headed.

Even though the principal players in that drama—her father and Vander’s mother—had passed away, it seemed nothing had changed at Rutherford Park. Every horizontal surface was still crowded with animal figurines, evidence of the late duchess’ fascination with small creatures.

She turned to the butler. “Please let His Grace know that my call shall be quite brief.”

“I shall ascertain whether His Grace is receiving,” he said, and left.

Surely Vander would see her? How could he deny her, given their parents’ relationship? Commonsense reminded her that he might well deny her for that precise reason.

She wandered over to look at the glass menagerie that resided on the mantelpiece. The unicorn had lost his horn, but all the animals were still there, silently poised with a paw up or a tail waving—some with little animal families, as though they had paired off and multiplied while the house slept.

But she couldn’t concentrate on the little curl of glass, a tadpole, she picked up. The thought of what lay ahead of her—the marriage proposal—made her feel dizzy, as if her corset was constricting her chest and making it hard to breathe. Years before, when she’d vowed to Vander’s face never to marry him, a gleam of amusement had sprung to his eyes.

What if he burst out laughing now?

She was not exquisitely beautiful, artistic, intelligent…and she didn’t even have a fortune. Who ever heard of a wallflower asking a duke for his hand in marriage?

Mia took another deep breath. She wasn’t precisely asking the duke to marry her. That would be pitiful. She was blackmailing him, which was altogether different.

More swashbuckling. More perilous.

More criminal.

She should pretend this wasn’t happening to her, but to one of her heroines, the way she did with almost everything else. She already had plenty of practice observing her life as if from outside. She regularly chatted with patently bored gentlemen, simultaneously rewriting the conversation in such a way that a fantastically idealized version of herself left them dumbstruck with desire.

Back home she would jot down the scene precisely as she had reimagined it—giving herself violet eyes and a slim waist. Sometimes she stayed up all night describing the adventures of one of her heroines, a girl so well-mannered, biddable, and pure of heart that only the most discerning readers noticed she was quite intelligent under her sweet smiles.

In contrast, men noticed that Mia was intelligent, but seemed to put them off.

If life imitated one of her novels, Vander would stride into the room and after one glance begin wooing her with such passion that the distasteful question of blackmail would never need be mentioned.

His blue eyes would flare with possessive fervor. For the rest of his life, His Grace would regret thirteen years he might have spent with her, but had lost due to his callow and callous blindness as a boy. He would bitterly reproach himself for his cruelty unkind insults.

Frankly, that was more than unlikely, frankly. In her experience, people never regretted clever insults. She hated cabbage to this day. As well as Oakenrott.

About the Author:

A New York Times bestselling author, Eloisa James is a professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but who can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. (Her husband is an honest to goodness Italian knight!) Eloisa’s website offers short stories, extra chapters, and even a guide to shopping in Florence. Visit her at www.eloisajames.com.

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Jennifer’s Review of Four Nights With A Duke

Review (4 Stars): I loved Four Nights With A Duke and was absolutely enchanted with Mia and Vander’s love story.  These two characters didn’t seem as though they would fit well together after experiencing a humiliating encounter with Vander and his friends when Mia was a teenager that made her vow that she would never marry Vander even if he was the last man in England. So it is a shock to Vander when Mia shows up on his front door with a proposition for him to marry her or else lose everything that he holds dear.  He agrees to marry her on one condition, she can only have four nights with him a year unless she begs him for more.  Mia will never beg for his attention but Vander finds himself falling for her and will do anything to win her affection.

I instantly connected with Mia because she was sweet, kind and was a writer which was unheard of for women at her time.  She did the one thing that she swore she would never do to save her family from being torn apart by her evil uncle.  Propose marriage to Vander because his title and position is the only thing that can protect her family from her uncle.  Mia can be stubborn sometimes but she goes after what she wants no matter what and I admired her determination to get Vander to agree to marriage.

I didn’t like Vander at all in the beginning because he came across as an arrogant jerk.  The way he treated Mia in the beginning was horrible and I was surprised that Mia had even thought to bring this proposition to him.  Yet Vander slowly grew on me over the course of the book and the way he treated Mia’s nephew, Charlie, definitely redeemed him in my eyes.

This is the eighth book in the Desperate Duchesses series and each love story keeps getting better and better. Ms. James is one of my favorite historical romance authors at the moment and I am always excited to see what she comes up with next.

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