#366 - Mail Order Mayhem (Brides of Beckham Series)

Mail Order Mayhem 

(Brides of Beckham Series)

Kirsten Osbourne

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Description 

When Maude is told she must marry a repulsive man, she instead responds to an Iowa farmer who is looking for a mail order bride. After sneaking out of town on a train, she goes to Iowa and marries. She quickly falls for the wonderful man she marries, but does he feel the same? And will she be able to escape her past?

Product Details:

I downloaded this as a free Kindle download in March, but at the time of writing this post it's listed at 77p.  Click HERE to get a copy.

Short Story really at 91 pages (338KB).

Forms part of the Brides of Beckham Series:

Book 1 - this one
Book 2 - Mail Order Mama
Book 3 - Mail Order Madness
Book 4 - Mail Order Mix Up
Book 5 - Mail Order Mistake
Book 6 - Mail Order Maternity

* * * * *

Summary/thoughts:

Over in the blink of an eye, but it was actually quite a sweet little story.

I feel that at 91 pages, it's too short to be considered a novella, more like short story classification.

Maude certainly struck lucky, she could have got herself in to a horrid situation ... still, maybe desperation drives us to take chances, and hope should be the underlying message from this.

I enjoyed it enough to add the remainder of the series to my "Want to Read" list at Good Reads.

Rating:

Overall, I was left with the feeling that this could have been given a little bit more flesh on its bones to make a novella rather than a short, or with more jeopardy, into a full length piece of work.  A 3.5 would be the appropriate rating. 

Errors/Bug Bears:

None really, apart from the odd mistake, but I'd left my note notebook downstairs, and it was over before I found the will to get up and collect it.

Hugs

Kay

#362 - Dancing with the Duke

Dancing with the Duke

Suzanna Medieros

*NEW AUTHOR

Kind Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Description:

She's loved him for years...

Charlotte Grant can't remember a time when she didn't love her best friend's older brother.

He's never noticed her...

The Duke of Clarington hadn't spared a thought for his sister's friend in years.

Their situations are about to be reversed...

It is the beginning of a new Season and Clarington intends to stay away from all the young ladies and eager mamas hoping to ensnare a duke. But that plan falls into tatters when his mother sponsors his sister's friend and enlists him to dance with her at Almack's. The beautiful vixen he meets that night bears little resemblance to the shy, gangly girl who used to follow him around. Now, instead of avoiding Charlotte, he finds himself frustrated when she seems to notice everyone but him.

Product Details:

I downloaded this for free for my Kindle back in March this year, and having just checked it is still available free.  Click HERE to take you to the product page at Amazon.

It's a prequel novella to the Landing a Lord series. BONUS CONTENT: Includes the first chapter of Loving the Marquess, Book 1 of the Landing a Lord series, and an excerpt from Vivienne Westlake's A Marquess for Christmas.

Novella - 60 pages (216 KB).

* * * * *

Summary/thoughts:

There was nothing inherently wrong with it, actually it was quite enjoyable and un-taxing to read.  It was, however, very short and it could have been a tiny bit longer to develop the characters and plot a little more.

Rating:

Given that there were a few errors it doesn't really merit more than a 3.5 on here.  Good Reads and Amazon will have to be rounded down to 3.

Errors/Bug Bears:

17% - At Almack's there was no mention of her being given permission to waltz.  It could be that it was assumed she'd had the relevant permission ahead of time, but it's just a nice to know piece of detail.

20% - "....she was at the house every day visiting with his sister".  With seemed a bit superfluous.

33%, 42% & 72% - "duke".  Capital letter Duke.

I then got bored with bookmarking places where an initial capital letter should have been used for a word .... there were quite a few thought.

Hugs

Kay

#355 - The Third Son

The Third Son

Elise Marion

 Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Fantasy > Historical > Fairy Tales

Indie (Self-published)

Description:

Prince Damien, the spoiled youngest son of the king of Cardenas, finds that his world will never quite be the same again when a fiery Gypsy girl, Esmeralda, comes dancing into his privileged life.

Rake. Rogue. Scoundrel. Each of these words has been used to describe Damien Largess, youngest prince of Cardenas, most frequently by his ridiculously sombre eldest brother. Damien is perfectly content to spend his days drinking at the card tables, and his nights in the bed of his scheming mistress, especially since doing these things seems to vex his high-handed brother to no end. But when he steps into a glittering ballroom on the night of his twenty-fifth birthday, the roguish young prince’s life will be forever changed.

Beautiful. Graceful. Sensual. When Esmeralda steps into the centre of the King’s ballroom to perform for his youngest son’s birthday, every eye in the room is glued to the tall, lithe Gypsy dancer. One pair of eyes seems to burn straight through her, and though she has worked endlessly to shield her heart, she finds her defences slowly slipping away in the presence of the handsome prince. She cannot resist his devastating charm, nor is she immune to the earth shattering desire in his kiss. As she falls rapidly under his spell, Esmeralda dares to hope for a future she would never have thought possible.

With a deadly plot against the royal family surrounding him in danger and intrigue, Damien will face a decision he never thought he would have to make. Would he step up to claim a responsibility that should never have fallen to the third son? Or will he abandon it to risk all for love? 

Product Details:

I picked it up on free Kindle Download in early March, and at the time of writing this post it is still available for free download HERE.

361 pages

It forms part of a series of books.

* * * *

Summary/Thoughts:

Okay, this is a difficult one.  Over and above some errors/bug bears (see below), there wasn't really anything fundamentally wrong with it.

However, I failed to engage with the characters other than on a superficial level right until the very end of the work.

The pace of the plot was a bit ponderous in places, but not all the time.  The villain was predictable, and there just really weren't any surprises of real jeopardy in my opinion.

For all the haters out there, that seem to dislike negative comments that I make .... ~~PLEASE don't get me wrong because of the above, I didn't hate the work at all ~~ towards the end I'd started to engage with Serge and Isabelle in particular.  Given that they were secondary characters, it was a little surprising that was the case.  Why didn't I fully engage with Damien and Esmerelda.  I don't know the answer, despite quite a bit of thinking about it .... anyone got any suggestions?

Anyway, the good news is that books two in the series: The Second Son, carries on with the story of Serge and Isabelle, so I won't be giving up on it any time soon, I need to find out where they are going ... even will to pay good old cold hard cash for it too.

Rating:

Given the above, 3.5 rating would be appropriate, I would love to feel I could give it more though.  I will award 3 stars for Amazon and Good Reads, it just didn't cut it for upgrade to 4 because of some of the errors/bug bears.  I have higher hopes for the next one.

Errors/Bug Bears:

There were a few, but nothing horrendous or major.  Given the fact that they started at just 1% into the piece it could have been a better delivered product, but nothing that can't be put right.  I have underlined the questionable bit where quoted.

• 1% - "It all made since now and the process of his life all came together to form one clear picture" - sense.  Also, comma after "now" perhaps.
• 9% - "....weaved as they danced.,  The pace quickening.." - no comma required as well.
• 11% - "And what as this talk of ledgers" - "of".  Call me old fashioned, but I don't like to see a conjunction forming the beginning of a sentence (blame my old English Tutor).  Although I do concede that it's quite on out-dated notice that I hold.
• 19% - "....she was obligated to attend" - in my own personal view obliged would have been better.
• 22% - obligated again ... may be it's me.
• 26% "artfully" used twice within a few sentences.
• 37% - "Iabelle's ribbon was now fluttering on the handle of this lance, and he raised it to this betrothed in silent salute." - his.
• 48% - "...moving her fingers town to the waistband ..." - down.
• 58% - "Damien was caught offguard by Lionus' question" - in the context of the paragraph it should be Nicolai's question not Lionus.
• 75% - "I think perhaps you should say, ...." - it should be stay if you read the whole paragraph.
• Can't remember exactly where, but some where after 75% "...her younger to cousin to come.." - an extra "to" in there, should be: her cousin to come.
• Now this next bit is probably nit picking by me, but it bothered me .... at some point Peter Pan was mentioned.  There is no actual date that the novel is set (I quite like to see a date by the way, then you know where you stand!), but I had gained a feeling it was dated earlier than the beginning of the 20th century - Peter Pan was not published until 1902.
• More a bug bear, it fell somewhere in between historical and fantasy for me - I might have felt happier with the work as a whole if it had been clearly fantasy with no real life mentions, i.e. America, Peter Pan.

I think I need to work as a Beta Reader .... can't help noticing errors etc., so if anyone would be interested in my acting as a free Beta Reader/Editor get in touch.

Hugs

Kay

#340 (#58 of 2013) - Fortunes of the Heart ~ Jenny Telfer Chaplin *NEW AUTHOR

Fortunes of the Heart ~ Jenny Telfer Chaplin 

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Family Saga

Publisher: Endeavour Press Ltd

Description:

Kate thinks her life is about to change - forever. 

A chamber maid from a world of grinding poverty, she falls pregnant and unexpectedly marries Pearce Kinnon, the son of wealthy Irish landed gentry.

She expects to move into a new world fitting her husband's status.

The world of a lady.

But her new family are far from welcoming - and Kate and her husband are cut off without a penny.

Kate is suddenly right back where she started - except with a husband and a young child to look after.

And with nothing to live on apart from their wits and brains. 

As poverty-stricken Irish immigrants they are considered the lowest of the low by the Glaswegians in the city where they have settled. 

Kate has to battle religious, cultural, and social prejudice to build a new life for herself.

And she has to battle to save her marriage - and re-build the fortune that was cruelly taken from them. 

Product Details:

I got this as a free Kindle download at Amazon in February 2013.  However, at the time of writing this post it is listed as £2.99.  You can get it clicking HERE, or on the large title above the Cover Image Photograph.

* * * *

Summary:

It was a little on the slow side for me personally.  I found myself getting quite frustrated with Kate, and wishing she had a bit more gumption and get up and go.  Although having said that, the woman had trials enough to cope with:  a upper-class husband that couldn't take his down turn in circumstances or loss of children well, a handicapped child, family disagreements etc.

Having read quite a few Audrey Howard novels, it is quite difficult not to make a comparison between the two.  The style of writing is similar.  I would say possible Ms Howard has the edge.

Don't get me wrong it wasn.t that I didn't like, or indeed enjoy it, it's just if Kate had been written with just a bit more go and ambition, it could have been a spectacular offering.

There were just a couple of typographical and grammatical errors - when are there not?  Also the end formatting could do with being tidied up a bit.  The last sentence, flows into details about the author.  Another wee thought, in the late 1800s did they celebrate Halloween?

All in all a 3.5 star read, but for Amazon/Good Reads just not quite good enough to make a 4 star rating.

Make no mistake I would be interested in reading more of this family saga, and look forward to perhaps a bit more fire.

Hugs

Kay

#338 (#56 of 2013) - A Delightful Arrangement ~

A Delightful Arrangement ~ Cecilia Gray

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance

Publisher:  The Alpha Division

Description:

Philip has a duty to marry Francesca. He has always protected his former neighbour and childhood companion, and now that she is of marriageable age, he will give her what she needs most - a real home where she is welcome and wanted.

Unfortunately for him....she is done with being dutiful.

After years of being an obedient daughter to a hateful father, Francesca jumps into her first Season. Francesca is ready to dance every dance, flirt with every bachelor and snatch what she wants most - a man she loves who will make her swoon.

Unfortunately for her...he now sees making her swoon as his duty, too.

And Philip takes his duties very seriously.

Product Details:

I snagged it as a freebie download at Amazon back in February 2013.  At the time of writing this post it's listed at 75p, and you can get it HERE.

It is very, very short though at 51 pages.

* * * * *

Summary:

Blink and you'll miss it, but having said that it was completely delightful.

A short review for a very short story (which I believe I only found about 1 typographical error in).

I snagged it for free.  The price point at the time of writing this is 75p, and I am sitting on the fence as to whether that's a little too expensive for what in effect is a very short story.

A 3.5 star read on the blog, but I will give it 4 on Amazon.

Hugs

Kay

#335 (#53 of 2013) - Bedding the Wrong Brother ~ Virna DePaul *NEW AUTHOR

Bedding the Wrong Brother ~ Virna DePaul *NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance

Description:

The actual description on Amazon didn't contain more than a few quotes etc., so that was no help to anyone.  

In a nutshell, girl grows up with twin brothers, she is easy going friendly terms with one and in love with the other.

Grown up she is shy with issues, and they are famous magicians.

She ask the twin she is on easy going terms with to teach her passion, and he switcheroos his brother in his place (turns out the switched in brother has always loved her too).

After one night of passion she realises her mistake, but how will it turn out?

Product Details:

Yes Dear Readers, this is yet another one that I got as a freebie Kindle download.  At the time of writing this post it is being listed as £1.99.  You can go to direct HERE at Amazon, or by clicking the large title above the cover image photograph.

Novella - 169 pages.

* * * * *

Summary:

A quick and definitely undemanding read.

However, please don't confuse that short and to the point sentence with me not liking it.  It was okay, and I did actually enjoy it.  At times I felt like knocking Rhys and Melina's head together though.

Also, as pretty much of an Alpha female, I found her a little self-pitying and woe-is-me, but that is just from my own point of view.

The sex scenes were a little tame, and it would have been nice to see them spiced up a little more, as what was the point of education if it wasn't far reaching?

On my usual bug bear of typographic and grammar errors, I don't really remember seeing any, however there were a couple of blank page formatting errors that it would be nice to see fixed.

Happy to give it a 3.5 star review on here, but I'd feel guilty giving it a 3 on Amazon, so I will generously upgrade it to a 4.

Note to self:  you would probably read other title by this author.

Hugs

Kay

#332 (#50 of 2013) - Suddenly a Bride (Across the Stars Book 1) ~ Ruth Ann Nordin

Suddenly a Bride (Across the Stars Book 1) - Ruth Ann Nordin

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance > Fantasy, Futuristic, Sci-Fi

Description:

Rilo An comes from a world where there are no women. What he longs for is a life mate: someone who'll complete him, someone he can love who'll love him back, someone who'll ease the aching loneliness that haunts his life.

So he leaves his world, takes on the Earth name Chris West, and makes a payment to Star Systems Unlimited for a life mate. When he bonds with Caitlyn Davis, he thinks life can't get any better. But she was married before, and memories of her deceased husband still linger around her home. Will he find a place in her heart or will he have to become like her first husband in order to get her love?

Product Details:

I managed to get this as a freebie Kindle download in February 2013, but at the time of writing this post is is listed as £1.93.

234 pages long.

* * * *

Summary:

Okay, I have to be a bit careful here, as I don't want anyone to think that I am slagging off the book or the author, which I most definitely am not.

My first Novel by Ruth Nordin was at first dismissed as awful, but then when I literally had nothing else to read I forced myself, and secretly enjoyed it.  There is something endearing about the cheesiness of her novels.  At first I thought that was an accident, but as I've read a few more I've decided that it can only be by design.

This here book, was a little confusing at the start, but go going.  Chris, the main character was so naive and sweet I actually loved him.

It's not a huge literary work, but it does delivery in the happiness and cute spectrum, and especially where I've been in my head the last day or so, it has been a welcome treat.

Not badly priced at £1.93 for this 3.5 star read (probably 3 stars on Amazon).  Give it a go if you are looking for light and frothy.

Hugs

Kay 

#330 (#48 of 2013) - Second Chance Romance ~ Asrai Devin *NEW AUTHOR

Second Chance Romance - Asrai Devin *NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance

Description:

Mandy Green is happy juggling her life as a single mom and her dream job as a third grade teacher. Her world is knocked on its edge when her high school sweetheart connects with her via Facebook. Mandy decides on one, last date with Kip to finally move on. Kip isn't quite so ready to let go. Will Mandy dare to take a second chance with her first love? Warning: This book contains adult language, nature of a sexual content including anal sex.

Product Details:

This is another freebie Kindle download that I obtain in February this year.  At the time of writing this post is still listed as free for download HERE.  However, if you are reading this retrospectively, then that may well not be the case.

Novella - 166 pages

* * * * *

Summary:

It took a few pages to get into the flow of this one, but surprisingly it proved really quite good .... even eliciting a few tears at the end.

The "hero" for the want of a better word, Kip, annoyed me a bit sometimes with his gently gently approach - I did think a couple of times "man up", but then again maybe that is why the lovely Mandy loved him so, setting aside his killer body and bucket loads of money that he made as a NHL player!

A few typographical and grammar errors, but then again it is rare to get a clean copy of anything these days, and they definitely didn't detract from the overall storyline.

A freebie for me, which I was really quite pleased with, and am looking forward to finding other offerings by this new author to me.

All things considered a 3.5 star read for the blog, but better than being downgraded on Amazon, so I've rounded up to 4.

Hugs

Kay

#329 (#47 of 2013) - Second Sight Dating ~

Second Sight Dating ~ Marianne Stephens *NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > > Contemporary > Romance > Suspense

Description:

This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic). Psychic Serena Xavier owns Second Sight Dating, a matchmaking business. Although successful in matching others, her "second sight" failed miserably in finding herself a trustworthy man.Detective Dan Carrington becomes one of her clients as part of an undercover investigation. His job is to find out if her business is legitimate or a cover for a sex-for-hire scheme, possibly with mob connections.All vibrations from Dan lead Serena to believe he's being honest with her. Upon catching him snooping through her files, she has to consider the possibility that he's a gigolo looking to secure clients through her business. Despite doubts about each other's honesty, a growing attraction leads to a night of passion. Serena wonders who he really is, as Dan ponders her true business motives.

Product Details:

Free Kindle Download last month, with an original listing price of £7.50).  At the time of writing this post it is still available free HERE or by clicking the link about the cover photograph.  Obviously, if you are reading this post retrospectively I cannot guarantee that it is still available at that price.

Novella - 183 pages

* * * * *

Summary:

It was a freebie download, so you won't hear me complaining too much, but it did lack a bit of focus here and there.  The usual listed price for this is £7.50, which in my humble opinion too pricey.

Nothing fundamentally wrong with the whole body of work, but it failed to grab my attention.

Nice enough characters' and nice enough plot, and so all in all a 3 star rating for Amazon, and a 3.5 stars (because I can hand out half stars) on the blog.

I've added it to the One Off Folder on the Kindle, and am happy to admit that sometimes an author can be just wide of the mark.

Hugs

Kay

#328 (#46 of 2013) - Her Vampire Husband (Mills & Boon Nocturne) - Michele Hauf *NEW AUTHOR

Her Vampire Husband (Mills & Boon Nocturne) ~ Michele Hauf  *NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Fiction  > Fantasy > Vampire

Description:

He may resist his bite, but she can't resist his charms…

Werewolf princess Blu won’t allow her seductive husband to consummate their marriage with his bite, marking her forever. Blu curses the marriage arranged to bring their rival nations together, especially since Creed calls out to her darkest desires. 

Yet when Blu uncovers her pack’s secret plot to destroy the vampire nation – and Creed – she is forced to confront her growing feelings for him. Will she choose the only life she’s ever known or accept his sensuous bite?

Product Details:

I managed to get this as a freebie download, at the time of writing this post it is still listed as free HERE.  Obviously if you are reading this retrospectively that may well not be the case.

363 pages

* * * * *

Summary:

Overall I quite enjoyed this one .... and it was different to have Vamp on Were to mix things up.

I particularly liked the two main characters, Creed and Blue and found their loving story quite lovely, especially given that there were forced to marry at the very start of the book.

There were times whilst reading that it simply stopped flowing, and would then pick up.

Happy to say that if there were any editorial/typographical errors in it I didn't notice.

I've added this to my Mills & Boon folder on my Kindle, and whilst I don't think I would actively go out and buy anything else by this author, it was good enough that if something came up as a freebie I would download it.

The blog score would be 3.5 stars, but for Amazon it will get 3 as I don't feel the whole justified a shift up to 4 stars.

Read it though if it's still for free download, it wasn't too bad.

Hugs

Kay

#327 (#45 of 2013) - Emergency: Wife Lost and Found ~ Carol Marinelli *NEW AUTHOR

Emergency: Wife Lost & Found ~ Carol Marinelli

Kindle Store  > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance

Description:

Marriage reunited – in A&E! 

Every emergency doctor dreaded recognising someone in Casualty – even cool-headed consultant James Morrell. But he was doubly shocked when the unconscious patient he was asked to treat was instantly familiar. It was his ex-wife! 

Dr Lorna McClelland hated being ill, hated being stuck in a hospital bed, but above all she hated having to rely on James. Then, as she recovered, all the wonderful things about their marriage came flooding back…....

Product Details:

Another one I snagged as a Freebie Kindle Download HERE.

At the time of writing this post is still appears to be free.  Obviously, if you are reading this post retrospectively that still might not be the case.

Novella - 192 pages.

* * * * *

Summary:

Don't just focus on the first three words of the following paragraph, but keep reading:

Dull, dull, dull .... I first thought when I started reading this ..... it felt monosyllabic and mono-tonal, no depth and very little interest.

HOWEVER, and it is a big one .... I didn't notice the improvement as it went along - it crept up on me until I was crying at the end (my personal sign for quiet a lovely read).  Therefore, it must have improved greatly without me realising it.  Isn't that the sign of good writing?

It wasn't perfect, there were typographical errors, and some grammatical ones too here and there, but that many to actually detract from the whole (I did surprise me a little as it is a Mills & Boon after all (and for some reason I always seem to associate them with correct presentation, rightly or wrongly!).

Not fabulous enough to be a 4 star read, so on Amazon I will give it three stars, and hope that everyone will note that I have also added a little half star to that.

Hugs

Kay

#319 (#37 of 2013) - The Clarendon Rose ~ Kathryn Anthony *NEW AUTHOR

The Clarendon Rose ~ Kathryn Anthony

Kindle > Books > Fiction > Romance > Historical

Description:

Word spread through the countryside like the whisper of the wind through the branches of the trees: he’s back. 

The prodigal son had returned. 

But that was one of the few things the rumours could agree upon. Some claimed he was a changed man—ready, finally, to shoulder the responsibilities that he had shirked for so many years. Others claimed that any apparent changes were merely a ruse—once a ne’er do well, always a ne’er do well. And the new duke had been far worse than a ne’er do well: he had been a rake, a degenerate and a scoundrel. 

The other thing that everyone agreed upon, whether tenant, servant or villager, was that it was a fine thing that Miss Tina had finally gotten engaged to Lord Edmund. That, at least, would keep her safe from the prodigal’s degeneracy—for surely even the duke could not have sunk so low as to seduce his own brother’s betrothed!

Valentina Merriweather remembers all too well the dark, broodingly handsome duke from years earlier, when he had come to visit his family estates. Now, back from his wild travels to the far reaches of the earth, he is darker and more tortured than ever. Tina soon finds that she is attracted to him with an urgency that spells danger for her peace of mind, her conscience, and for the most valuable commodity that a genteel woman of her murky lineage and meagre fortune possesses: her reputation.

Product Details:

I managed to snag this as a freebie Kindle download, but at the time of writing the post it is listed as £1.87 HERE.

Medium length - circa 245 pages

* * * *

Summary:

For me this wasn't the most scintillating read of my life, but neither was it bad.

I did loose focus during the first third of the book, however, the plot and place picked up over the remainder.  There were a couple of typos, and the truly irritating sentence towards the end "....he pulled on some pants" .... really, they didn't wear pants.  I do feel that if you want to write an historical novel it does behove you to try to stay at least true to the details, but that could just be me.  I'd like to find out others opinion on that one.

The characters at points left me a little underwhelmed, so all in all I think that it is worthy of a 3.5 star rating.  As far as an Amazon rating is concerned though it was not worthy of upgrading to a 4, so it will be a three.

Hugs

Kay

#310 (#28 of 2013) - Rutherford Park ~ Betina Frank *NEW AUTHOR

Description:

When headstrong Eleanor Grimsby arrives at the annual Rutherford Park summer house party she expects to find an Earl reputed unfit for his title, not a dashing young Lord with a devilish smile and wit to match her own. 

The infamous Earl of Rutherford, Lord Drayton, has spent a decade travelling abroad in what the gossip pits describe as “a life of dissipation”. This is not completely fair. True he hated his title and estates and felt them a great burden, and on occasion found himself in some healthy debacles', but nothing too outlandish for a young Earl! His mother demanded he return, and so he returned. Who could say he was not dutiful? 

By contrast Eleanor Grimsby is duty incarnate. She is the oldest of four orphaned, rich, beautiful sisters, who (thanks to a doting Aunt) are liberally educated and spoiled beyond reason. Full of spirit and fiercely loyal to her siblings, Eleanor Grimsby has made up her mind to reject love and marriage. When she meets Lord Drayton, the seeming antithesis of everything she knows and values, a mild house party is turned on its ear. 

But this summer of lavish masquerades and exotic garden parties is not as fun and light-hearted as it seems. Lord Drayton has returned to England a victim of fraud. His fortune is in jeopardy, his estates are in danger of bankruptcy, and his sole suspect is courting his own mother. The introduction of a beautiful and stubborn Eleanor Grimsby only further complicates matters. He is after all not planning to stay in dreary England, nor is he planning to fall in love. But it is too easy to exasperate Miss Grimsby, and her look of indignation all too becoming. How can a man resist such temptation? 

As Eleanor and Lord Drayton combat their desires, Drayton must also play detective as well as host and Eleanor must continually divert her younger sister from ruin. Rutherford Park, as the Grimsby sister’s Aunt says, “Will be left in shambles.”

Product Details:

I bagged this as a freebie Kindle Dowload, but at the time of writing this post it is showing as £1.27.

Medium sized at 230 pages.

* * * *

Summary:

The description for this book is going to be much longer than the review I'm afraid.

It had a very thin plot in places, all though taken overall it could be considered the thick end of mediocre.

That's not to say that I hated it, it just wasn't a brilliant read.  It contained minor inconsistencies with names and editing issues.

Overall a 3.5 read, although as Amazon doesn't have halves, I will rate it at a 3.  Even given the above, if I came across another one by this author as a freebie I would download it.

Hugs

Kay

#308 (#26 of 2013) - Ambersley (Lords of London) ~ Amy Atwell *NEW AUTHOR

Description:

An heiress in disguise. A duke who doubts his legitimacy. Will secrets destroy their love?

Traumatized by a blaze that killed her parents, young Johanna remembers nothing of her privileged past and remains ignorant of the dangers that surround her. She grows up among the servants, where she develops a sense of purpose that helps her survive the betrayal that unmasks her true identity. Once she is forced to take her proper place in Regency society as the highly sought heiress to the Ambersley fortune, she must defy the relatives who would make her a pawn in their struggle for power. 

When Derek Vaughan inherits the dukedom. his dubious parentage makes it a sacrilege to accept. But touched by the ravaged estate and its destitute staff, he braves a society that once shunned him while he rebuilds Ambersley and guards it from his stepmother's bankrupting clutches. He intends to grant the title to his half-brother when the boy comes of age, but Derek's plans go awry from the moment the gardener's apprentice--once his trusted young friend--is revealed to be not only an heiress of beauty and spirit, but the one woman who may finally capture his heart.

Product Details:

351 pages.

I managed to bag this as a Freebie Kindle Download, but at the time of writing this post it is listed as 49p .... any way you look at that it's still a bargain.

* * * * 

Summary:

A somewhat implausible story, but none the less I found it enjoyable.

Why? ... really could you just loose a Duke's Daughter just like that, even with the fire, and could you then just not notice that a boy the same age rocked up with the thinnest of stories?

It was another freebie, but at still only being offered at 49p it is a bargain in any language.

It was a decent paced plot, with likeable characters, although I did become a bit frustrated with the whole pity-fest from Derek towards the end.

I awarded 4 stars on Amazon as they don't do halves, but really it was a 3.5 read inadd details here

Hugs

Kay

#218 (#16) - This Wicked Gift (The Heart of Christmas) ~ Courtney Milan * NEW AUTHOR

PART OF A COLLABORATION  - THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

ISBN / ebook:

978-0-26388942-0

Publisher:

Mills & Boon

Main Characters:

Lavinia Spencer and Mr William Q White

Brief outline of plot and rating:

Despite the fact that Lavinia has been saving hard to give her Family a lovely Christmas, her brother ruins it by stealing the hidden fund and also gets them into debt.  William Q White offers to settle the debt for them for one night with her.  Is that too high a price to pay?

A 3.5 star rating for this story in The Heart of Christmas collaboration.  I would certainly go on to read one of her full books.

Hugs

Kay

#217 (#15 of 2012) - The Season For Suitors (The Heart of Christmas) ~ Nicola Cornick

PART OF A COLLABORATION  - THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

ISBN / ebook:

978-0-26388942-0

Publisher:

Mills & Boon

Main Characters:

Clarissa Davenport and Sebastian, Duke of Fleet

Brief outline of plot and rating:

When Clarrisa Davenport needs expert advice about avoing a Rake, she asks a Rake ... one Sebastian, Duke of Fleet, the most notorious rake in town.  But will Sebastian learn anything?

A 3.5 star rating for this story in The Heart of Christmas collaboration..

Hugs

Kay

#210 (#8 of 2012) The Ideal Bride ~ Stephanie Laurens

IBSN or ebook:

978-0-749-3726-3

Publisher:

Piatkus


Main Characters:

Michael Anstruther-Weatherby and Caroline Sutcliffe

Brief outline of plot and rating:

Michael is a rising member of Parliament and needs a wife to be granted a place in the Cabinet.  He has his eye on the young daughter of the former Member of his Seat.

Unfortunately, when he returns to meet the young lady and ask for her hand, he comes into contact with her aunt Caroline (a former childhood friend).

Although what he doesn't know is that Caroline has been summoned by Elizabeth to help her put off Michael as she's already in love with a young man.

Caroline herself is a political hostess of note, but following her marriage to a man many years older than herself when she was 17 she is determined to enjoy her widowhood.

Will Michael realise that Elizabeth is not the girl for him?  More to the point if he does, will he persuade Caroline that he's the man for her?

Another enjoyable book, which scores 3.5 stars ..... incidentally, it took a bit of working out what the connection with Breckenridge was, as I'd missed this book originally!!

#206 (#4 of 2012) - Four in Hand ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-7783-0306-0

Publisher:

MIRA

Main Characters:

Miss Caroline Twinning and Max Rotherbridge, Duke of Twyford

Brief outline of Plot:

Unexpectedly, Max finds himself the guardian of 4 very beautiful sisters and he didn't bargain for falling in love the the eldest Miss Twinning either.  He has to fight off fellow Rakehells and find all the girls suitable matches .... can he full it off.

Rating and conclusion:

I wouldn't call this one of her very best, but then it was written very early on in her career I believe .... a perfectly creditable 3.5 star rating though.

Hugs

Kay

#205 (#3 of 2012) - Tangled Reins ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-7783-0205-6

Publisher:

Mira

Main Characters:

Miss Dorathea Darrent and the Marquis of Haselmere

Brief outline of Plot:

The beautiful and outspoken Miss Darent had no intention of marrying, and was well aware that her unfashionable curves and advancing years would also deter most gentleman of the fashionable ton.

However, she didn't realise that just one kiss over a blackberry bush would set her on a course with a dashing stranger and change her life for ever.

The dashing stranger was a rake of the first order, who had made up his mind never to marry, but for the death of his brother and that kiss changed his destiny too.

After their encounter Doreathea and her sister went to live with their Grandmother in London, and the ton with completely taken with her.  Having expected not to take, she was in fact having to fight of suitors., and the Marquis had to join the fray.

Would he win her?


Rating and conclusion:

3.5 star rating.  Really quite a  nice gentle and enjoying read, just what you would expect from a Stephanie Laurens tale....a nice unexpected baddie too.

Hugs

Kay