#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!!

EPIC FAIL - Symphoney ~ Jude Morgan

I's not going to count this one, as in my opinion it was an epic fail.  I did try, but only managed about two chapters before I threw in the towel.  In my humble opinion it was over-written and boring.  Therefore a -1 score from me.

#209 (#7 of 2012) - Belle ~ Lesley Pearse *NEW AUTHOR*

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-718-15702-9

Publisher:

Penguin

Main Characters:

Belle and Jimmy

Brief outline of Plot:

Daughter of a well-know Abbess in Seven Dials, Belle is kidnapped after at the age of 15 after witnessing a murder.  The kidnapper sells her for a huge sum and she's taken to Paris to await her fate at a brothel that deals in under-age young virgins.  Eventually, she sold on again to New Orleans, but manages to find her way back home.

Rating and conclusion:

5+ - considering the subject I was worried that I wouldn't like this book, or would find it upsetting.  In actual fact it was so beautifully written that I have cleared the library of all the other books they had by this author.  Unfortunately, that didn't include the sequel to this book entitled Belle's War.

Take it as a must that you have to read this book.  The characters were well constructed and the whole issue of child prostitution was dealt with sympathetically.  I can highly recommend this one, and can't wait to read the sequel coming out soon called "The Promise"

Hugs

Kay

#208 (#6 of 2012) - To Distraction ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-7499-4043-0

Publisher:

Piatkus

Main Characters:

Deverell, Viscount Paignton and Phoebe Malleson

Brief outline of Plot:

Deverell is another Bastion Club member that needs a wife, desperately. He seeks advise from his Aunt who recommends just the girl and is dispatched off to a house party in the country to meet her, and finds his prey rather surprisingly in the library, buried in a book.

Bookish Phoebe is tempted to distraction by him, but marrying him isn't on her agenda .... in any case she has secret life that needs to stay hidden.

Rating and conclusion:

4.5 rating with Stephanie at her best - I can't believe that I had missed this Bastion Club book for so long .... I had actually thought that I'd read them all.

Hugs

Kay

#207 (#5 of 2012) - Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue ~ Stephanie Laurens

Book 1 of the Cynster Girls Trilogy

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-7499-5504-5

Publisher:

Piatkus

Main Characters:

Heather Cynster and Timothy Danvers, Viscount Breckenridge

Brief outline of Plot:

Like all the Cynster girls, Heather is looking for true love and somebody to really sweep her off her feet.  Determined that she won't find that in the usual haunts of genteel young ladies she decides to take matters into her own hands and attends a racy soiree.

No sooner than she arrives she's cornered by her nemesis, Breckenridge and ordered home.  On her way out to the carriage she's abducted.  Breckenridge is given no choice but to give chase .... but will he rescue her, and will they fall in love?

Rating and conclusion:

5 stars all the way.  Take time out to read the first 2 books in the trilogy .... I can't wait until the final book in is released on ebook later this month.

Hugs

Kay

#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

#204 (#2 of 2012) - A Christmas Promise ~ Mary Balogh

ISBN or e-book:

0-7089-3406-4

Publisher:

Thorpe / Ulverscroft Large Print

Main Characters:

Eleanor Transome and Randolph, Earl of Falloden.

Brief outline of Plot:

Mr Transome is a wealthy coal merchant, and he has a beautiful daughter.  He unfortunately has cancer and has come up with a plan to protect his darling girl.  Every last one of the Earl of Falloden's debts have been bought by him.

Randlop, Lord Falloden is a hair's breadth from becoming bankrupt and therefore decides to take up Mr Transome's offer of marrying his daugher and making her his countess in return for half of the coal merchant's vast fortune.  He will have to make sure that Eleanor is truly his wife by consumating the marriage and living under the same roof for a full year, and he gives his word as a gentleman that he will do exactly that.  Although, he plans to leave her to her own devices in the country after that year, hopefully with an heir on the way.

Thus the match is made, Mr Transome goes to his maker and the bargin is being undertaken.  What is not part of the bargain is that the arrogant Earl and proud defiant girl will fall in love.

Rating and conclusion:

Mary Balogh is always a good read, and this was no exception .... leaving me in tears at the end .... a 5+ Star rating.  Definitely read it.

Hugs

Kay

#203 (#1 of 2012) - The True Darcy Spirit ~ Elizabeth Aston *NEW AUTHOR

ISBN or Kindle:

978-0-00-724149-1

Publisher:  Harper

Main Characters:

Miss Cassandra Darcy and Horatio Darcy

Brief Outline of plot:

Cassandar Darcy finds herself alone and penniless in London after falling for a gentleman.  It seems that he had tricked her into eloping to get his hands on her fortune, however having found that was the case she refuses to marry him and decides to take her chances and earn her own living as a painter.

Thanks to a chance meeting with her cousin (daughter of the Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett) brings her not only a friendship by support for her undoubted talent.

Horatio is another Darcy connection, and he has been charged by her step-father into either seeing that she marries the rake she ran away with or making sure she lives in seclusion.

Rating and conclusion:

I would normally say that it's a mistake to try and emulate the amazing Jane Austen, however this author does quite a good job.  Actually, she doesn't try to emulate, but move the story on a few generations.  I liked it .... my Mother didn't.  So this well written tale scores a 4, and I will be looking around for others she has writeen, which I believe are also based on the Dary legacy.

Hugs

Kay