#44 - How to Catch an Heiress ~ Julia Quinn

ISBN:  978-0-7499-0882-9

Which method do you think would work to Catch an Heiress:

(a)  Arrange for your son to rape her, and then force her into marriage?;

or

(b) Wait until the rape was attempted, then for said Heiress to flee her Guardian's home and then kidnap her by gunpoint because you thought she was a spy, tie her to the bedpost and be generally horrible for a few weeks?

You'll just have to read the book to find out.

The story of Caroline Trent and Blake Ravenscroft.

Full of the usual whit and laugh out loud moments.

I loved it, and highly recommend you give it a whirl.

A 4.5 ***** star read.

Happy reading.

Kay xoxo

My review of At Last Comes Love ~ Mary Balogh

Yay, that's another review under my belt and published over at Love~Romance~Passion.

Happy reading.

Kay

#43 -Tempt me at Twilight ~ Lisa Kleypas

ISBN:  978-0-7499-0958-1

Book No. 3 in the Hathaway series proved to be entertaining and a happy read.

The story of Harry Rutledge, owner of the hugely prosperous hotel of the same name, and Poppy Hathaway, Sister of Leo Hathaway, Lord Ramsey.  Harry is also the half-brother of Catherine Marks (who eventually marries Leo - see review #40).

The book starts with Poppy chasing the pet ferret through the hotel on her own and happening upon the rarely seen Harry Rutledge.  The letter is one of love from Michael Bayning, and Poppy is desperate that the secret does not get out before Mr Bayning's father agrees to the marriage.


The encounter with Poppy only left one thing for certain in Harry's mind .... that he wanted Poppy.  What Harry Rutledge wants, Harry Rutledge gets.


A set of circumstances see Michael Bayning break off the secret engagement, and Harry makes a move.

There are some delightful scenes - I love the catching of the monkey.  There are also a couple of laugh out loud ones too, I won't say much I wouldn't want to spoil them, but the discussion the staff of the Hotel have about vegetables was so funny.

Do not pass this one, or I suspect any in the series when you browse the book shelves to find something to read.  A 4 star **** read.

I am eager now to read the others in this series to find out the stories behind the other Hathaway sisters.


Happy reading.


Kay xoxo

#42 - First Comes Marriage ~ Mary Balogh

ISBN:  978-0-440-24422-6

I seem to be getting a few of these read in the wrong order.  This was actually the first in the Huxtable series.  The very young Stephen Huxtable is informed by Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate that he has by twists and turns of fate become the new Earl of Merton.

Viscount Lyngate takes Stephen and his three sisters Miss Huxtable (Margaret), Miss Katherine Huxtable and the widowed Miss Vanessa Dew to to their new home.  Margaret and Katherine and undisputed beauties, but Vanessa is always considered plain.

Viscount Lyngate needs a wife and decides to offer for Margaret, but Vanessa steps in to save her sister and offers herself.

Will they find love, will it all turn out OK in the end?

I have to say, I did not like Elliott at all well until very near the end of the book.  Actually, I found the whole book rather sad, and felt so sorry for Vanessa, not that she would probably want to see it that way.  Angry actually, that people could have undermined her self-esteem so badly.  This is not an all consuming fire and fireworks kind of love though, but a steady burn to a glorious and cozy fire for the long nights.

I had though I would give it a 3 star rating, but thinking it over walking the dog, that really would not be fair.  Is not the mark of a good author to make you feel for their characters, empathise or sympathise, and some how want to correct mistakes made by their fictional counterparts?  Therefore a 4.5 **** read should be more the mark.

Definitely read it, and let me know how you felt.

Happy reading.

Kay xoxo

#41 - Never Romance a Rake ~ Liz Carlyle

ISBN:  1416527168

The story of Kieran, Baron Rothwell and Camille Marchand, the illigitamate Daughter of the Comte de Valigny ....... or is she.

I would love to have written a review other than the basic star rating, but it's been swiped and taken back to library without me realising it, and I like to check the facts before I set finger to keyboard.

I will say though that I thoroughly enjoyed this the last in the Never Trilogy.  Kieran is the kind of dark and brooding hero I love, but I did feel so much sympathy for Camille.

A 3.5 star **** read, and I can thoroughly recommended you give it a whirl.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#40 - Married by Morning - Lisa Kleypas

ISBN:  978-0-7499-5304-1

One of the Hathaway series of books (I believe this is the 4th book), but actually the first in the series that I have read.

The story of Catherine Marks (who is the paid companion of Beatrix Hathaway) and her stormy relationship with her employer, Leo Lord Ramsay.

She is not what she seems at all, but despite their arguments she is what he most definitely fantasies about.

Will she eventually out run the danger she is in, will he ultimately win the prize .. her?

I would highly recommend this as a 3.5 **** star read that was interesting and tempting enough that I have just ordered the whole set of the Hathaway stories.

****

#39 - Secrets of a Summer Night ~ Lisa Kleypas

ISBN:  978-0-7499-4280-9

Very lovely cover, for a very lovely book.  I can certainly see why it made the New York Times bestseller list.

The first in the Wallflower series, this is the story of Annabelle Payton and Simon Hunt.

She's an impoverished aristocrat who is desperate in the last season she can afford to marry a peer, and he is the self-made son of a butcher, and everything that Annabelle finds distasteful.

Lovely and indecorous scene with the Wallflowers playing Rounders in their underthings, and getting caught out.

I cant' wait to find out what happens to the other Wallflowers in the following books.

A 5 star ***** read.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay xoxox

******

#38 - Not Quite a Lady ~ Loretta Chase

ISBN:  0-7499-3795-5

This one followed on - although I am not sure sequentially in her writing - from the 'Miss Wonderful' book earlier this month.

The story of one of the younger brothers of Alistair Carsington, Darius and the already deflowered and dishonoured Lady Charlotte Hayward.

Darius is told by his Father, Lord Hargate, that he is a drain on not only the family resources, but the family honour and must take a property just out of Chancery and make a profit in a year or find and marry an heiress.  The property next door is owned by Lady Charlotte's Father, Lord Lithby.  Charlotte had spent the last 11 years after the cover up of her predicament by becoming very accomplished at not being put in a position where she would have to marry somebody, and they dreadful secret would be out, amd her Father would find out that her Stepmother played a big hand in helping her, not to mention how betrayed her Father would feel.

Splendidly humorous,  with fabulous scenes and characters in it, and a nice subject usually not covered by an author, i.e. what happens when a young innocent is actually deflowered by an utter rouge and the cover up behind it ...... which in this case eventually turned out just fine.

A 4 star **** read. The cover on the other hand was naff as a cheap shell suit, and would not lead anyone to believe such a good book lay beneath.

#37 - Book Review has been accepted for publication

Just got an email yesterday to let me know that my review has been accepted, and will be published on 27th November 2010 on Love~Romance~Passion.

This weekend has not been the busiest as we had a houseviewing, so no crafting of any sort for me ..... but I did get to read a good bit.  Three books and another just started a short while ago.

I'll review them separately.  Not many more days til I get my hands on a Kindle!

Happy reading

Hugs

Kay

#37 - At Last Comes Love ~ Mary Balogh

ISBN:  978-0-+7499-4291-5

I've just finished reading the second book in the Huxtable series.  Actually, I wrote a long post about it ........ so long in fact that I then decided to submit the review to Love~Passions~Romance and see if Kiera liked it enough to publish it.

So I won't say anymore about this one for now, except that Margaret (Meg) Huxtable literally runs into Duncan Pennethorn (Earl of Sherringham) at a ball ........ oh what a tangled web we weave, when at first we at first we practice to deceive......

a 4.5 read, and I will post when/if it is accepted on the site.

Happy reading.

Hugs


Kay xoxoxo

#36 - Ten Things I love About You ~ Julia Quinn

IBSN:  978-0-7499-4194-9

Always a pleasure to read Julia Quinn, but here are 10 things I loved about this book:

1. Full of witt
2. Smart
3. Savvy buxom heroine
4. A completely adorable and funny hero
5. A twist in the tale
6. Bumbling fool who gets his comeuppance.
7. A wonderful grandmother
8. Gossips a plenty
9. A great set of sub-characters
10. It made me smile.

For me a 4 **** Star read, she is so easy to get along with, I want Miss Quinn as a BFF!

I have a Mary Belogh on the go now, T.T.F.N. peeps.

Kay

#35 - Confessions of a Duchess ~ Nicola Cornick

ISBN:  978-0-7783-0380-0

Right off the bat, it does have the most lovely cover .... beautiful jewels .... exactly as you would imagine a Duchess.

However, mmmmmmmm the quote on the cover says "Wonderfully original, sinfully amusing and sexy" ...... I missed it somewhere along the way.  I would have said slowish going, where was the amusement and what sex?

Simply very little happened, it did not gallop along, merely plodded .... albeit in a sedate and nice'ish way.

A 2 star ** rating I am afraid.

I got woken by an email from the Lending Library at 05:00 this morning, to say that the Reckless Bride is ready for pickup along with a whole host of others for Parental Control to have at.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#34 - Miss Wonderful ~ Loretta Chase

ISBN:  0-7499-3710-6

Alistair Carsington, wounded war hero from Waterloo, fastidious fashion follower and third son of an Earl loved woman far too well, and it had lead to so many scandals.  Each of which he had had to be bailed out of by his Father.

An ultimatum was now placed before him that he had to make his own way in the world or marry an heiress.  He also had a debt to repay his lifelong friend for saving his leg, and his life, at Waterloo.

To undertake both trying to make a living and repaying his old friend he hies off to Northumberland to resolve the issue over a proposed canal.

There he meets Mirabel Oldridge, as unconcerned about her looks and clothes as anyone could be.  Having run her Father's estate for 10 years, Alistair was the stuff of nightmares.

An extraordinarily enhancing story, with multi-faceted characters, with many levels of wit and humour from yet another new author to me.  It covered the tricky subject of post traumatic stress from both war and bereavement in in the most imaginative way .... that having been said, don't expect a dry tome ........ this story is so much more, and you will fall in love with all of the characters, and establish a real desire to visit Matlock Bath.

A 4.5 star ***** read.

I am about to tackle another new author next, although I can report that the pile of books is increasing as the Parental Control reads ever quicker.

Happy reading.

Hugs


Kay

#33 - Then Comes Seduction ~ Mary Balogh

ISBN:  978-0-7499-4286-1

This is the first time that I have flirted with this new author, and as with all new friendships/loves there is a certain amount of steps back and forth and round and round to assess whether you will both suit.

In the end I think that we suited very well indeed.  Certainly less raunchy than the other ladies work recently, but charming and entertaining no less.

Another series of works based around a family, the Huxtables', but not the first book in the particular series.

After a night of drunken revelry to celebrate his 25th birthday, notorious gamester and womaniser Jasper Finlay (Baron Mountford) gambles that he can seduce an innocent and virtuous woman into full intercourse within a fortnight.  The poor unfortunate woman named in White's gambling book is Miss Katherine Huxtable.

He engineers a meeting with them, and sets to seduce her fully against a tree, but for some reason gets cold feet and withdraws, and takes the consequences at the club.  He then retires to his estate to lick his wounds for a year of so.

Meanwhile, whilst avoiding the possible scandal, Katherine retires from public life for three years.

They eventually meet again in London and they decide on a joint only wager to make the other fall in love with them.  All goes sadly awry and Katherine's reputation is ruined when the original bet becomes very public knowledge.

To avoid the scandal they are forced to marry and the prizes becomes nothing less than both of their hearts.

Exceedingly well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

4 stars ****.

I had a happy weekend watching Pride & Prejudice, and am now sadly behind with my reading, but have just started Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase.  Hopefully I can get a good way through it tonight.

33 books so far since September is not a bad tally is it?

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#32 - What Price Love ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN:  978-0-7499-3712-6

The story of handsome Dillon (Cousin of Flick Cynster) and equally handsome Lady Priscilla Dalloway.

Having years ago got himself involved in a nefarious swindle involving betting at Newmarket, Dillon had fought long and hard to gain an impeccably hones reputation, and now guarded zealously the Register of all Horses eligible to Race.

Lady Priscilla had to uncover what was in the Register to try and help her twin (Rus) who had got involved with a horse switching swindle.

Together Dillon and Pricilla uncover swindle, which proves to massive and eventually fall in love.

It actually felt a little slow going in places, which could have been down to the tiny print involved if I was feeling generous.

I particularly loved the ending, especially how the four well born louts had their justice metered out.

All in all, I think a 3 *** star rating is the best I could do with this one.

Delicious smell of soup and an eager anticipation to:

1. Eat some soup after the long walk with the dog this morning.
2. Settle down in the warm to read more of What Price Love?
3. The fact that it's Friday and tomorrow will bring a whole re-run of Pride & Prejudice.
4. A trip to the shops for choccie and wine (see 3 above).

Happy reading.

Kay

#31 - Scandal's Bride ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN: 978-1-40743-186-4

Another of the Cynster stoires, this time Richard (Scandal) and his Witch Catriona Hennessy (Lady of the Vale).

A tale of witchcraft and love in the Lowlands of Scotland .... totally bewitching and a 4 star ****

I've got one Stephanie Laurens left in this pile, and then by necessity will have to move on to some new authors as the Julia Quinn and Liz Carlyle books haven't come in at the Library yet.

#30 - All About Love ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN:  978-0-7499-3721-8

Lucifer (Alasdair) Cynster and Miss Phyllida Tallent of Colyton (Twin Sister of Jonas from #5 - Temptation and Surrender).

She was willful and independent and reluctant to the very, very last .... proving that it's only possible to stall a Cynster when they have their mind set, not stop them!

A 3.5 star **** read.

Happy reading.

Kay

Just Finished another Stephanie Laurens

and will write it up later, but I desparately need to have a massive online reserversation session as the book stock is running dangerously low,

I am on my last Stephanie Laurens (What Price Love) this morning, with no Julia Quinn of Liz Carlyle left - the only other books are as yet un-tested authors.

Right, I'm off to get my work done so I can get back to my books.

Happy reading

Kay

#29 - Never Deceive a Duke ~ Liz Carlyle

ISBN:  978-1-4165-2715-2

Having so thoroughly enjoyed the first in the Never Trilogy 'Never Lie to a Lady' I started this next book in high expectation of yet another good read.  I was definitely not disappointed.

Well written characterisations, and fabulous mystery flowing throughout the story of Gabriel Ventnor (Gareth Lloyd) to the Dukedom of Warneham and the beautiful Dowager Duchess of Warneham.

I just adore the lovely, humorous and multi-layered Mr George Kemble.  Under estimate him at your peril! .... I can't wait to get him again.

I will repair to the Lending Library tomorrow and request a copy of the next in the "Never Trilogy" ...... Never Romance a Rake".

Happily a 4 Star **** read for this one (a minus 2 for the cover though!)

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay



At

#28 - Never Lie to a Lady ~ Liz Carlyle

ISBN:  978-1-4165-2714-1

Don't let this particular cover deceive you.  It looks like a 1970's "Dynasty" type affair, but in actual fact proved to be a truly masterful and mysterious piece of work by a new author to me, Liz Carlyle.

Where can just one stolen and illicit kiss in the moonlight lead?

Sybarite Stefan Nottingham, Lord Nash meets a beautiful lady (Xanthia Neville) on the terrace at the ball of Lord & Lady Sharpe.  That stolen kiss leads on to not only a story of smuggling, intrigue and spies, but more importantly a building obsession between the two of them.

There were so many delightful characters woven through this tale, with lovely pieces of well written humour, that I fairly ripped through the pages.

A big 4.5 Star **** for me, and giddy enthusiasm to move on to the sequel 'Never Lie to a Duke' and see how some of the supporting characters go forward.

Happy reading.

Kay

#27 - A Rogue's Proposal ~ Stephanie Laurens

IBSN:  978-1-40743-208-3

This isn't the cover that is on the copy I have from the library, but it's close enough .... you will know by now my hatred of putrid and trashy second rate illustrated covers that seem to prevalent with new copies of the books ~ I refuse to use them unless absolutely necessary!

Demon Cynster (Harry) returns to Newmarket to rusticate shortly after another Bar Cynster had fallen to the fickle hand of the parson's mousetrap.  Having vowed to surrender to no woman, he goes on to do just that when he comes across Flick Parteger (young ward of his Mentor General Sir Gordon Caxton) sneaking around and riding his prize horse on the gallops.

I can't deny I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't one of the best I have read, so rating as 3 Star ***.  That having been said, it's horses for courses, and my mother enjoyed it much more.

#26 - Dancing at Midnight ~ Julia Quinn

ISBN: 978-0-7499-3913-7

I am unsure if this was actually a real sequel to 'Splendid', i.e. written exactly after it ... or it was just a sequel by virtue of the fact that it is about Lady Arabella Blydon (Cousin of Emma eventually Duchess of Ashdowne featured in Splendid).

Shortly after the Emma and Alex get married, bluestocking Bella is visiting for an extended stay whilst her parents sojourn in Italy.  She trespasses onto a neighbour's land and is challenged by Lord John Blackwood.

I have to say that I immediately fell in love with him ......... I am just the kind of girl that simply cannot resist an injured and damaged war hero.  Especially when you add in good looks, and social ineptitude ......... so much so indeed, that I finished the book early this morning [see previous post, I only started it late on yesterday evening].

My favourite scene was Belle's blister on her way to visit him, closely followed later in the book by John climbing a tree to her room, and even later on Belle climbing a tree to his room and ultimate deflowerment (not sure if it's an actual word, but it should be) ~ notice I did not say ruin!

It was ummmmmmmmmm, more Splendid that Splendid was Splendid if you see what I mean.  Although with tiny things like "block" cropping up again.  We do not have blocks here in England, just a minor irritation though.

I have set a limit on here of 5 stars being the highest, but I am going to make an exception with a 5 star +, being the ultimate.  All in all a lovely, frothy and delightful read - take it on a plane, train or automobile ride .... better still, take an Cruise and snuggle up on a the deck in a cosy blanket and get a steward to keep bring coffee, alcohol and choccies to assist in your journey across these pages.

5 Star ***** +

This a a U.P.I which is ..........

either a Useful or Useless Piece of Information depending on your own point of view.

A Mop Fair was traditionally held on 12th October for the hiring of servants for the coming year.  Apparently a 100 year or so tradition.

Each hiree would wear a token of their employment, i.e. a mop for a maid, a piece of straw of a thatcher, etc. and to signify being hired they would receive a Shilling's payment from their new employer for the year's employment. 

There may have been a "fastpenny" payment involved as well, but as I am uncertain the exactly what that there means yet I can't elucidate.

Just finished the one I started last night

couldn't put the bloomin thing down.  Another Julia Quinn.

Just off to walk the dog and then I will update the details.

Kay

I am not just about Stephanie and Julia you know

I am perfectly willing to read other works of Romantic Fiction, but they have been difficult to get hold of in the libraries here.

So as I had to pop in to Sevenoaks ~ spelt originally SEVENOAKE ~ I managed to track down another likely looking book.  I only had a brief glimpse through it whilst waiting for Toodles, but any book that has an enormous erection (and I'm not talking about his building plans) within the first chaper seems to have a nice bit of steamy potential.

I shall 'fess up about the author in a bit, but first I have to decide between Stephanie or another Julia .... I am working my way down to some Liz Carlyle at the bottom ..... so fear not.

#25 - Splendid ~ Julia Quinn

ISBN:  978-0-7499-3912-0

Yes, I am reading a  lot of her work, and I refuse to apologise one jot!!!  Having bedded down to her style ~ I am completely at home.  They move me to tears (of the happy variety) and frustration sometimes for a hero to get a bloody MOVE ON, but they always make my heart sing.

I should have been making the bed, doing more housework, or any number of other wifely duties, but instead I've had a "Splendid" time .............absolutely SPLENDID time reading this book.

The story of wealthy American heiress, Emma Dunster who dressed as maid, and met Alex Ridgeley (Duke of Ashbourne), who would ultimately become the love of her live.

Splendid by title SPLENDID and full of humour on all fronts being a 5 Star ***** for me, even allowing for the use of "block" "in back" and other such Americanisms!

Happy reading

Kay

#24 - Secret Diaries of Miss Mirada Cheever ~ Julia Quinn

--0-

ISBN:  978-0-7499-3832-1

Miss Miranda Cheever fell in love at the age of 10.  Completely, utterly and irrevocably in love with the 19 year old Viscount Turner.

He was an embittered widower some 8 years later, and Miranda a grown woman.....could he love again, and would it be Miranda.

Well, I have to say I fairly sobbed my way through the end of this one.  I just loved it, and am still mopping up the happy tears off my glass cutting mat!!

A big fat 5 Star ***** rating.

Happy reading

Kay