#282 (#81 of 2012) - To Love a Thief ~ Julie Anne Long

Purchased on Kindle - 368 pages.

4.5 star read.  Stand alone book by this author

Description taken from her website:

"Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London's slums. She's proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, and she's never been caught. 

Well, there's always a first time.

Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can't pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water.

But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle and her sister charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman's defenses— especially when she's stealing his heart!"

#281 (#80 of 2012) - How the Marquess was Won (Pennyroyal Green Series) ~ Julie Anne Young

Pennyroyal Green Series - Book 6

4 star rating.

Purchased on Kindle - 389 pages.

Description taken from Julie Anne Long's site:

The Scandal Sheets call him .....

"Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest—in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond"

She is a girl that is not afraid to play with fire ...

"But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone: this quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous: for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted."

#280 (#79 of 2012) - What I Did for a Duke (Pennyroyal Green Series) ~ Julie Anne Long

Book 5 - Pennyroyal Green Series.

Purchased on Kindle - 384 pages

4 star rating.

Description taken from Julie Anne Long's site:

"For years, he’s been an object of fear, fascination…and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that forever dog the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the ton knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he’ll seduce Ian’s innocent sister, Genevieve—the only member of the powerful and wealthy Eversea family as yet untouched by scandal. First he’ll capture her heart…and then he’ll break it.

But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by a gentleness that coaxes out his deepest secrets… And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke’s dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice…is there anything she won't do for a duke? "

#279 (#78 of 2012) - I Kissed an Earl (Pennyroyal Green Series) ~ Julie Anne Long

Pennyroyal Green Series - Book 4

Purchased on Kindle - 382 pages.

4 star rating

Description taken from Julie Anne Long's site:

Her Story ...
"Violet Redmond’s family and fortune might be formidable and her beauty and wit matchless—but her infamous flare for mischief keeps all but the most lionhearted suitors at bay. Only Violet knows what will assuage her restlessness: a man who doesn’t bore her to tears, and a clue to the fate of her missing brother. She never dreamed she’d find both with a man whose own pedigree is far from impeccable."

His Story ...
"Savage, is what the women of the ton whisper about the newly styled Earl of Ardmay—albeit with shivers of pleasure. Born an English bastard, raised on the high seas, he’s on a mission to capture a notorious pirate. But while Violet’s belief in her brother’s innocence maddens him, her courage awes him…and her sensuality finally undoes him. Now the man who once lost everything and the girl who has everything to lose are bound by a passion that could either end in betrayal…or become everything they ever dreamed."

#278 (#77 of 2012) - Since the Surrender (Pennyroyal Green Series) ~ Julie Anne Long

Purchased on Kindle - 384 pages.

Pennyroyal Green Series - Book 3

4 star read

Description taken from Julie Anne Long's Site:

His story ....
"Fearless. Loyal. Brilliant. Ruthless. Bold words are always used to describe English war hero Captain Chase Eversea. But another word unfortunately plays a role in every Eversea’s destiny: trouble. And trouble for Chase arrives in the form of a mysterious message summoning him to a London rendezvous...where he encounters the memory of his wickedest indiscretion in the flesh: Rosalind March—the only woman he could never forget.

Her story ...
Five years ago, the reckless, charming beauty once craved the formidable Captain’s attention. But now Rosalind is a coolly self-possessed woman, and desire is the last thing on her mind: her sister has mysteriously disappeared and she needs Chase’s help to find her. But as their search through London’s darkest corners re-ignites long-smoldering passion and memories of old battles, Chase and Rosalind are once again challenged to surrender: to the depths of a wicked desire, and to the possibility of love.

#277 (#76 of 2012) - Like No Other Lover (Pennyroyal Green Series) ~ Julie Anne Long

Purchased on Kindle - 384 pages.

Pennyroyal Green Series - Book 2

Description taken from Julie Anne Long's site:

"It's the last chance for Cynthia Brightly, the ton's most bewitching belle. Driven out of London by a secret scandal, she must find a grand husband at the Redmonds' house party before word of her downfall spreads all over England. Unfortunately, someone at Pennyroyal Green is already privy to the whispers of broken engagements and dueling lovers: Miles Redmond, renowned explorer and—thanks to his brother's disappearance—heir to the family's enormous fortune. Miles set his sights on Cynthia once, at a time when the ambitious beauty thought herself too good for a second son. But now he's the heir apparent, relishing in his control. He strikes a bargain with her: he'll keep Cynthia's steamy secrets and help her find a husband among the guests—in exchange for a single kiss. What could be the harm in a simple kiss? Cynthia is about to discover that it's enough to unleash fierce passion-and that Miles Redmond is most certainly like no other lover in the world." 4 star rating for this second book in the series.

#276 (#75 of 2012) - The Perils of Pleasure (Pennyroyal Series) ~ Julie Ann Long *NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle - 383 pages

Book 1 - Pennyroyal Series

Description taken from Jule Anne Long's website:

"Scandal has rocked the city of London. Colin Eversea, a handsome, reckless, unapologetic rogue is sentenced to hang for murder and inconveniently for Colin, the only witness to the crime has disappeared. Then again, throughout history, Everseas have always managed to cheat fate in style: Colin is snatched from the gallows by a beautiful, clever mercenary.

Cool-headed, daring Madeleine Greenway is immune to Colin’s vaunted charm. Her mission is not to rescue Colin but to kidnap him, and to be paid handsomely for it. But when it becomes clear that whoever wants Colin alive wants Madeline dead, the two become uneasy allies in a deadly race for truth. Together they’ll face great danger—and a passion neither can resist."

4 star rating and looking forward to the rest in the series.

#275 (#74 of 2012) - Wed Him Before You Bed Him (The School for Heiresses) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Purchased on my Mum's Kindle - except that I have just look on Amazon and can only find paperbacks ... so colour me confused.

I think that it was a 3 star rating, but can't be certain as it was a long time ago I read it, so will say 3 star and not quibble!!!

That's the bullk of my inputting

I'm sure we are all really glad about that, it has taken a large section of last night and most of today to do it.

I just need to double check going back over both the Kindles' to see what I have missed off.

I also decided that as a lot of the recent Kindle stuff was free, I should return the favour and make sure I wrote reviews on them, albeit short ones in most cases.

#274 (#73 of 2012) - Dating a Cougar

Purchased on Kindle - 250 pages.

Contemporary Erotica - so a long way of my usual trodden path.

3 star read,

#273 (#72 of 2012) - One Night with a Prince (Royal Brotherhood Series) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Royal Brotherhood Series - Book 3

Purchased on Kindle - 388 pages.

4 star rating.

#272 (#71 of 2012) - The Dangerous Lord (Lost Lord Trilogy) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Purchased on Kindle - 384 pages.

Lord Trilogy - Book 3

4 star rating.

#271 (#70 of 2012) - Settling the Account (Promises to Keep Series) ~ Shayne Parkinson

Book 3 - Promises to Keep Series

Purchased on Kindle - 499 pages.

Again, not a stand alone book, it follows on from Sentence of Marriage and Mud and Gold.

Amy has to watch the situation between Charlie and her sons deteriorate ... will her sentence of marriage never end?  She is such a sweet person, you can only hope that things will get better.  I have to say that I really thought Miss Millish was quite another kind of lady(!!!), and her characterisation took me quite by surprise - which just goes to show how good the writing is.  What also surprised me was that at the end I didn't hate Charlie quite as much (difficult to say more without ruining the plot for somebody).

This scored 5+ stars, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this Family Saga called A Second Chance.

#270 (#69) - Tainted by Temptation ~ Katy Madison *NEW AUTHOR

Published on Kindle - 384 pages.  I picked it up as a free read.

Bit of rough start with not the most fluid of beginnings, but after a little while it started to be a pleasant read with a 4 star rating.  I would go so far as to say, I wouldn't have been disappointed if I had actually purchased it.

#269 (#68 of 2012) Mud & Gold (Promises to Keep) ~ Shayne Parkinson

Promises to Keep Series - Book 2

Purchased on Kindle - 475 pages - I actually paid for this after reading the Sentence of Marriage (Book 1) that I picked up as a free read.

This would not be a stand alone book, you will need to read Book 1 first, as it picks up immediately after the end of the last one.

It is surprisingly well written, and I have fallen even more in love with the characters.

A 5 star read ... get it, read it and I'm sure you will love it as much as I did.  Not to spoil any of the plot, the "Gold" reference in the title wasn't what I was expecting ... this book is real Cream off the top of the milk writing, and left me eager to read the rest of the series.

#268 (#67 of 2012) - Intentions of the Earl (Scandalous Sisters Series) ~ Rose Gordon *NEW AUTHOR

Published on Kindle - 271 pages.

Scandalous Sisters Series - Book 1

3 star rating, but as I picked up as a free offering I'm not complaining, and yes I do get a good few free ones, but then I also spend a lot of money with them.

#267 (#66 of 2012) - An Unexpected Gift ~ Katherine Grey *NEW AUTHOR

Published on Kindle - 212 pages - I picked it up as a free offering.

However, I would pay good money for more by this author.

4 star rating.

#266 (#65) - Sentence of Marriage ~ Shayne Parkinson *NEW AUTHOR

Promises to Keep - Book 1

Published on Kindle - 362 pages.  I picked it up as a free offering.

This could be read as a stand-along book, but really you will then want to go on and pay hard cash for the others in the series.

I gave it a 4 star rating, and couldn't wait to go on and purchase the other books in the series.  More a family saga than romance, but there is romance along with lots of trials and tribulations.  Full of light and shade and really well written with characters that you really end up caring about.

Highly recommended, and I will be seeking out more by this author, even though it was out of my usual comfort zone of historical romance being set in New Zealand.

#265 (#64 of 2012) - A Bride for Tom ~ Ruth Ann Nordin

Published on Kindle - 102 pages, so a short read.

3 star rating.

#264 (#63) - Wallflower (Old Maids' Club) ~ Catherine Gayle * NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle - 290 pages.  I picked it up as a free offering.

Old Maids' Club - book 1

4 star read

#263 (#62 of 2012) - Lord Fool to the Rescue (Novella) ~ LL Muir *NEW AUTHOR

Published on Kindle - 104 pages - Novella

I picked it up as a free offering and it deserved a 3 star rating.  Nothing negative to say about it really.  It was a nice little read and I would try others by this author.

#262 (#61 of 2012) - To Love a Scoundrel (Law & Disorder Series) ~ Sharon Ihle *NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle  - 311 pages - of absolute rot I should imagine - I only made it through the first two pages before I put it in the rubbish read section.  I gave it a 1 star rating on twitter, but thinking about it don't even think it rated that highly - minus rating all the way.  What galls me is that I actually got the book named muddled up with something else and gave that a poor rating, before I realised what I'd done.

Usually I don't condemn a book just off the bat like that, and try to give them at least a chapter of two before making up my mind ... impossible to do with this.

My main objection was that it was supposed to be historical with the start of Chapter 1 marked as "Spring 1876" then it goes on "Her favourite college professor once said ...." really that did it ......... 1896, a female and attended a college and apparently a private investigator .... I know it's based in America, but believable love if you are going to write in a time period, even given a certain amount of poetic/literary licence.  I am truly surprised that this kind of rubbish (this is book 4 for goodness sake).  The author is a best-seller?  .... there is no accounting for taste apparently.

Fortunately I had picked up my Kindle copy free - I would be so angry if I'd wasted money on it and decided I would award a very generous -1 star (minus) rating and place it on the rubbish read list I would be pleased to find out others views on this.

#262 (#60 of 2012) - Wild One (De Monteforte Brothers) ~ Danelle Harmon *NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle - 373 pages

Part of the De Monteforte Brothers Series - Book 1

Description taken from Danelle Harmon's website:

"Lord Gareth de Montforte is known as an irresponsible rake with a heart of gold. When he thwarts a stagecoach robbery, he is stunned to discover that the beautiful young woman he has heroically rescued, Juliet Paige, is his deceased brother's fiancée, accompanied by her infant daughter. Despite his family's refusal to acknowledge Juliet, Gareth is determined to do right by the courageous woman who crossed an ocean to give her baby the name she rightfully deserves.

As a practical American woman, Juliet is wary of marrying this black sheep aristocrat, yet she is hopelessly charmed by the dashing devil. Never has she met anyone who embraces life so thoroughly, who makes her laugh, who loves her so well. And, even when it seems the odds are against them, Juliet has absolute faith that Gareth will go beyond the call of duty to give her and her daughter a home -- and a love that will last a lifetime."

5 star rating

#260 (#59 of 2012) - Runaway Heart ~ Claudy Conn *NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle - 214 pages long

3 stars

#259 (#58 of 2012) - The Misbehaving Marquess (Naughty in Nottinghamshire) ~ Leigh LaValle *NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle.

Not sure if "Naughty in Nottinghamshire" was an additional bit of title, or is in fact a series.

Nice to get my teeth into a new author, and this didn't disappoint with 4 stars.

#258 (#57 of 2012) - One Touch of Scandal ~ Liz Carlyle

Available on Kindle, although I picked up a paperback at Dig for Victory in August.

5 star read

#257 (#56 of 2012) - Someone to Watch Over Me (Bow Street Runners Series) ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle.

Bow Street Runners' Series - Book 1

4 stars

#256 (#55 of 2012) - Only with Your Love (Vallerands Series) ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle.

Vallerands' Series - Book 2

3 stars

#255 (#54 of 2012) - When Strangers Marry (Vallerands Series) ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle

Vallerands Series - Book 1

3 stars

Actually, I found this a ponderous read for a Lisa Kleypas offering.

#254 (#53 of 2012) - Midnight Angel (Stokehursts Series) ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle

Stokehursts' Series - Book 1

4 stars

#253 (#52 of 2012) - Stranger in my Arms ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle

4 stars

#252 (#51) - Dreaming of You (Gamblers Series) ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle

Gamblers' Series - Book 2

4 stars

#251 (#50) Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake ~ Sarah MacLean

Purchased on Kindle

Love By Numbers Series

5 stars

#250 (#49 of 2012) - Then Came You (Gamblers Series) ~ Lisa Kleypas

Purchased on Kindle

Gamblers' Series - Book 1

4 star

#249 (#48 of 2012) - My Irresistible Early (Inferno Club) ~ Gaelen Foley

Purchased on Kindle.

Inferno Club - Book 3

5 star

#248 (#48 of 2012) - A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels) ~ Sara MacLean * NEW AUTHOR

Purchased on Kindle

5 star read.

#247 (#46 of 2012) - To Pleasure a Prince (Royal Brotherhood Series ) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Purchased on Kindle.

Royal Brotherhood Series - Book 2.

4 star read.

#246 (#45 of 2012) - In the Prince's Bed (Royal Brotherhood Series) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Purchased on Kindle.

Royal Brotherhood Series - Book 1

3 star

#245 (#44) - The Forbidden Lord (Lost Lord Trilogy) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Purchased on Kindle.

Lost Lord Trilogy Book 2.

4 star rating.

#244 (#43 of 2012) - The Pirate Lord (Lost Lord Trilogy) ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Purchased on Kindle.

Book 1 of Lost Lord Trilogy.

4 star rating.

#243 (#42 of 2012) - As an Earl Desires ~ Lorraine Heath

Purchased on Kindle.

3 star read.

#242 (#41 of 2012) - She Tempts the Duke ~ Lorraine Heath

Purchased on Kindle.

4 star read.

#241 (#40 of 2012) - Simon's Lady ~ Julie Tetel Anderson

A 5 star read, although from memory it was based around 1500 or so, so much earlier time period for me.

Purchased on Kindle.

Just gone back over Twitter

and have a total so far of 70 - but I know that doesn't take account of some I know I missed off my Kindle, and some that I forgot to Tweet about finishing (I have trouble with my Kindle connecting to the wifi sometimes).  That also doesn't take account of the actual book I read and Mum's Kindle - which is probably quite a few).

Not the 158 total for the year I was looking forward to but getting better.

Batten down the hatches for lots of small posts updating my list - OCD kicks in and I need to see them in my label list to I can keep track.

Kay

Gulp .... it's a long time since I last posted

It's not that I haven't been reading, far from it, I never seem to put my Kindle (and possibly 1 book) down since we moved in early July ... but I have not had the time to come on here and post.

Obviously, if you follow my Twitter feed you will have noted the rating tweets, and also the new stuff that I have purchased as well.

With the end of the year looming my tally for this year looks woeful, but it really isn't  - what I need to do is hop back over my posts and see what I have not put on here, oh and also borrow my Mother's Kindle (as it doesn't feed to my Twitter) and try and work out what my actual total is for this year end.

It might not be the target I set myself, but I really don't think it will be far off ... we shall see!!!

At the moment I'm working my way through the Promises to Keep series by Shayne Parkinson.  A new departure for me, as it's not the kind of thing I go for, insomuch as it is set around late 1800's/early 1900's in New Zealand and is about just an ordinary farming family .... their loves, lives, trails and tribulations .... I am finding it hard to put down I must admit.

Expect a few posts just so I can keep track of my total before the end of the year.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

Found some more books on my Kindle ....

which I have read and forgotten to add to my tally, so I will just finish the other one that is on the collection and will be back with a note of what they are.

Hugs

Kay

Just finished the following:

#239 (#38 of 2012) - Devil's Cub ~ Georgette Heyer

#240 (#39 of 2012) The Masqueraders ~ Georgette Heyer

What was not to love about them.  Devil's Cub in particular, as it was a follow on from These Old Shade and is the story of the Duke of Avon and his page's son.

The following is a list of the recent books

as I have zero time really to read, and even less to update the book, the following are a list of recent books that I've read - minus the usual info.

Part of the Hellions of Halstead Hall Series

#229 (#27 of 2012) - How to Woo a Reluctant Lady ~ Sabrina Jefferies

#230 (#28 of 2012) - To Wed a Wild Lord ~ Sabrina Jefferies

#231 (#29 of 2012) - A Lady Never Surrenders ~ Sabrina Jefferies

Part of the Swalea Sisters Series:

#232 (#30 of 2012) - A Dangerous Love ~ Sabrina Jefferies

#233 (#31 of 2012) - Notorious Love ~ Sabrina Jefferies

#234 (#32 of 2012) - After Abduction ~ Sabrina Jefferies

#235 (#33 of 2012) - Dance of Seduction ~ Sabrina Jefferies

#236 (#34 of 2012) - Married to a Viscount ~ Sabrian Jefferies

Then:

#237 (#35 of 2012) - The Famous Heroine - Mary Ballogh

#238 (#36 of 2012) - The Plumed Bonnet ~ Mary Ballogh

#238 (#37 of 2012) - Regency Buck ~ Georgette Heyer


Taken all in all 4 sdtar ratings for all of them.

Kay

#228 (#26 of 2012) - A Hellion in Her Bed ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Book 2 - Hellions of Halstead Hall



ISBN or e-book:


Kindle


Publisher:


Kindle Book Store


Main Characters:


Lord Jarrett Sharpe and Miss Annabel Lake.


Brief outline of plot:


Jarrett's brother has recently fulfilled his part in their Grandmother's ultimatum to disinherit the entire load of them if they don't all marry within the year, and has also it seemed also fallen in love.


Which is something that Jarrett never intends to do after the tragic family accident that left both of his parents dead.


The inveterate gambler is handed an ace card though when his grandmother becomes ill, and he bargains his way out of her ultimatum by agreeing to manage her brewing empire.


However as a gambler he can't resist a wager with the lovely Miss Annabel Lake ... help with her India Brew and ailing family business if she wins, or a night in his bed if she loses.


The outcome sets off a chain of events and he discovers a darker side to her failing family business.  He also discovers more about the death of his parents.


Doe he find a way to help his other siblings still trapped in their grandmother's machinations, and more importantly does he find love?

***

Very nicely written, again with humour and nicely wrought characters.  The whole plot for the series is working along nicely.  By the way please have Lord Jarrett stripped, oiled and sent to my room .... delicious hero.


Rating:


I would go along with the 4.5 star rating for this follow on book.


Hugs


Kay

#227 (#25 of 2012) - The Truth About Lord Stoneville - Sabrina Jefferies *NEW AUTHOR

Book 1 - Hellions of Halstead Hall



ISBN or e-book:


Kindle


Publisher:


Kindle Book Store


Main Characters:


Lord Stoneville (Oliver Sharpe) and Miss Maria Butterfield with supporting roles from the Sharpe family and Maria's Cousin Freddy.


Brief outline of plot:


Having run up against his grandmother's Machavellian plot to ensure all 5 of her scandal ridden hellions' are married within a year or dis-inherited, Lord Stoneville is going about his dissolute life in a favoured brothel, when he becomes entangled with Maria.


Maria is an American heiress who must find he finance to gain her half of her late Father's inheritance, with only the protection of her half-witted cousin Freddy.


Under such circumstances can Oliver find a bride and overcome the tragic loss of his parents when he was a very young man.  Will Maria her missing mate, or mate with somebody entirely different?

***

It's the first time I have read any of her books and she kicked off the first of this series really well, with an enjoyable story and a touch of humour.  Obviously there are the slight grammatical differences between American English and Queen's English, but they are not too evident in her writing.  Neither are mentions of "blocks", we have streets, roads and lanes and therefore a piece of writing advising "...it was only a few blocks..." means absolutely nothing in England.  I am being a bit pedantic, but it is slightly off-putting, and therefore lovely to read non of that rubbish from her.


Rating:


Has to be a 4.5 star rating.


Hugs


Kay

#226 (#24 of 2012) - A Secret Love ~ Stephanie Laurens - RE-READ

This was a re-read - the conclusions can be found HERE.

Rating:

Before 20/10 this time round 5 star.

#225 (#23 of 2012) - The Ideal Wife ~ Mary Balogh

ISBN or e-book:


0-7278-4239-0


Publisher:


Severn House


Main Characters:


Miss Abigail Gardiner and Miles, Earl of Severn


Brief outline of plot:


The Earl told his friend Sir Gerald that if the plainest, dullest, most ordinary of females in all of England was placed in front of him that day he would marry her without further ado to avoid the pressure from his family and their ultimate pinnacle of his happiness, marriage to the beautiful Frances.


The next day, a distant family connection, Miss Abigail Gardiner calls on hm to ask for assistance finding a new position.


Viewing the plain and demure little brown mouse the Earl has a brainwave, and on the spur of the moment he offers her marriage by way of Special Licence 2 days later.


That being her only way out of her difficulty she accepts him.


However, almost from the minute they say "I do" the Earl finds that she is definitely not demure .... will it go horrendously wrong?

***

This book is a connecting story with A Precious Jewel about Sir Gerald Stapleton and Miss Priscilla Wentworth, and the whole things works in beautifully with it.  Mary Balogh always excels at doing that, and I would urge you to read them together - probably The Ideal Wife first and then A Precious Jewel.


Rating:


It has to be a 5 star rating for this book.


Hugs


Kay

#224 (#22 of 2012) - The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae ~ Stephanie Laurens

Third book in the Cynster Trilogy


ISBN or e-book:


978-0-7499-5509-0 and also as Kindle e-book


Publisher:


Piatkus


Main Characters:


Angelica Cynster and the elusive Dominic, Earl of Glencrae


Brief outline of plot and rating:


Running out of time the Earl comes back from the dead to take one final shot at capturing a Cynster sister and undertaking her ruin to save his clan.

***

I realise the above is not much of a description, but you really need to have read the two preceding books:  Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue and In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster.


I can guarantee you will love them just as much as I.


Rating for this one was a 4.5.


Hugs


Kay

#223 (#21 of 2012) - Stolen ~ Lesley Pearse

ISBN or e-book:


978-0-718-15285-7


Publisher:


Penguin


Main Characters:


Lottie Wainwright & David Mitchell


Brief outline of plot and rating:

When a beautiful blonde girl is found half-drowned on a beach, she has no memory of who she is or what horrors have left her there. But an article about her in a Brighton newspaper rings alarm bells for beautician, Dale, who shows the police photographs of Lotte Wainright. The girls met working on a cruise ship and their friendship blossomed as they sailed the seas of South America, until Lotte fell under the sinister influence of an older American couple. To her regret, Dale hasn't seen Lotte since leaving the ship months earlier ... but the girl on the beach - although badly bruised - is indeed her much missed friend.

Their reunion only marks the beginning of a dangerous tidal wave of secrets, lies and nightmares. Where has Lotte been? Who is the man who seems to want to kill her? And what has become of the baby she's recently given birth to?

Dale and Lotte must dig deep and find the strength to hold on against the odds if they are to rebuild their friendship and survive Lotte's stolen - and deadly - past.

Whilst it was a modder story, it was well worth the read  .... so well written, and I loved Lottie ... thank goodness the baddie got what was due.

Overall a 5 star rating.

#220-#222 (#18, #19 & #20 of 2012) - Where's My Hero - Collaboration

A COLLABORATION BOOK (3 stories):

Against the Odds ~ Lisa Kleypas
Midsummer's Knight - Kinley MacGregor
A Tale of Two Sisters ~ Julia Quinn

ISBN or ebook:

978-0-06-050524-0

Publisher:

Avon Romance

Brief Outline and Rating:

This is a collaboration about some of the sub-characters from various books, that needed their own story told.

I loved it as it had Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn men, not sso very keen on the Kinley MacGregor one, but it wasn't truly awful.

A 4 star read taken as a whole work.

#219 (#17 of 2012) - Hope ~ Lesley Pearse

ISBN or e-book:

0-718-14707-3

Publisher:

Penguin

Main Characters:

Hope Renton and Dr Bennett Meadows

Brief Outline of Plot and Rating:

Somerset, 1836, and baby Hope is cast out from a world of privilege as living proof of her mother's adultery...Smuggled away from the Harveys and Briargate House to a nearby village, Hope grows up in the arms of the warm and loving Renton family, unaware of her true identity. But fate has harsh plans for Hope and a chain of events sees her forced to lead a vagabond's existence until she finds the courage to fight back and prove herself a fearless and able nurse, a vocation that takes her to the horrific battlefields of the Crimea. But the secrets of the past are not yet done with Hope Renton and she must return to England to face the legacy of her birth.


A completely magic piece of literature .... a 5+ star rating ... definitely not one to be missed.