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

#213 (#11 of 2012) - Faro's Daughter ~ Georgette Heyer

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-09-946559-1

Publisher:

Arrow Books

Main Characters:

Miss Deborah Grantham and Mr Max Ravenscar

Brief outline of plot and rating:

Max is implored by his Aunt to rescue his young cousin from a thoroughly unsatisfactory passion he has developed for one Miss Deborah Grantham, who runs a Faro table in her Aunt's gaming house.

Max is on an entirely unromantic bent, and as tight as the proberbial duck's bottom, and decides that he would rather ruin her than pay her a groat.

Deborah has a temper, and although she has no intention of marrying the young Lord she is provoked beyond all measure by the high handed Max.

A battle royal begins, but will Max rescue his cousin, and will the protagonists come out heart whole?

After my last disastrous read this was a refreshing 4.5 star rating.

Kay

#185 (#121) Friday's Child ~ Georgette Heyer

ISBN:  978-0-09-946804-2

Our heroine goes by the unlikely name of Hero, Hero Wantage, a poor relation of the Bagshots with no other family to speak of, and at the age of not quite 17 no experience of how to go on.

The completely loveable hero is Anthony, Lord Sherringham, he's know Hero all of her life it seems and comes across her upon leaving his Mama having threatened to marry the first girl he comes across.

Our poor Hero proves to be a damsel in distress, so Anthony follows through with his threat and carries her off there and then for a special licence wedding.

Such a delightful read, full of Georgette Heyer tapestry of words and characters, woven into a funny and endearing tale.

Definitely a 5+ read.

Kay

#184 (#120) - Arabella ~ Georgette Heyer

A 4 Star read all around ... it's been ages since I read this one ............ I particularly love the use of cant in her books .... and the flow of conversations in appropriate language.

Excellent read..... the story of Miss Arabella Tallent and Mr Robert Beaumaris - she's given the opportunity to spend a London Season with her God Mother, and is very well aware that as a the oldest child of an impoverished cleric and his beautiful wife it behoves her to make a creditable match to see the other children have a helping hand in life.

On the way to London her carriage breaks down and she seeks shelter with her travelling companion at the hero's hunting box.  After overhearing a conversation on his views of being opportuned by females try to catch him in parson's mousetrap she happily gives him to understand that she is in fact an heiress.

Unfortunately for her, his companion is completely taken in by this claim, and seems to tell the whole ton, and within days it's open season on Arabella by every fortune hunter in the ton.  Meanwhile, Mr Beaumaris (setter of fashion) has decided that whilst he doesn't quite believe the whole "heiress" story he is in fact very taken by her, and sets out to his particular attention, which will in turn help her to become the rage of the season.  It started out as an amusement on his behalf in the beginning, but he soon falls for the lovely creature.

Throw in an brother also masquerading as something he is not, and a lack of experience on his behalf, oh and his slow top friend, and you have a winning combo.

Kay

#152 (#88) - Black Sheep ~ Georgette Heyer

ISBN: 978-0-09-946803-5

Miss Heyer it seems likes the name Miles for a Hero, as this book also has a Miles - this time Miles Calverleigh .... recently returned from India after a couple of decades of banishment.  Apropos of  nothing Miles is also my daughter's choice of name in the future.

Our Heroine is a Miss Abigail Wendover, Abby to most people, as she hates "Abigail" with a vengeance - puts her in mind of maid servants!!

Eight and twenty Miss Wendover has been away for quite a few weeks from her home in Bath leaving her older spinster sister (Selina) in charge of their orphaned niece, Fanny.  Who is a sweet, beguiling and beautiful heiress.

Whilst Abby has been aware another Calverleigh, Stacy, has insinuated himself into Miss Selina's good books, and persuaded Fanny that she is in love with him.  Mr Stacy Calverleigh, younger than his uncle by some years, but the head of the family is a damn loose fish of the first order, and with pockets to let into the bargain.

Reliably informed by her brother that he would never countenance such an alliance, and aware that Fanny can be headstrong, Abby has to untangle the whole mess and get her niece away from the undesirable Stacy Calverleigh unmarried and as heart-whole as possible.

Miles comes to Bath to deliver the son of a friend into the safekeeping of his doting Mama, and happens upon the whole situation quite by accident.  Having never met his nephew, and having no dutiful familiar feelings, will he walk away and leave poor Miss Abby to her own devices?

A 5 star read, again I have read it so many times, but it never gets old.

Kay

#151 ~ The Unknown Ajax

The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars












I'm not certain exactly how many times I have read this book before, but certainly 3 or 4 at a conservative estimate ... still a 4 star read though.

Miles Darracott is summoned to the home of his paternal grandfather, Lord Darracott, as due to an tragic accident he is now the heir. He's never met his family as the marriage of his parents was not acknowledged .... in fact Lord Darracott refers to his grandson as that weaver's brat. It seems that the rest of the family were unaware of the existence of Mile, so the whole meeting is going to prove to be dreadful.

The irascible and short-tempered Lord has not made matters any better with the family as he gives the impression that the "weaver's brat" is an uneducated clod who will bring disgrace to the name. He therefore requires his other grandsons to bring him up to snuff, and his grand-daughter Anthea to marry him to keep it in the family.

The unknown offspring arrives, and indeed is is as bad as they feared, Major Miles Darracott has a strong northern accent, and no idea how to go on. Anthea makes it clear from the start she has no intention of marrying him, and everybody else leaves him in no doubt that he hasn't the wit nor breeding to live up to the Darracott name and is most unwelcome.

Throw in a bit of smuggling and you've got the perfect tale .... oh and Miles ... proves them wrong on all levels and gets a full 4 stars.

Buy it at Amazon HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay.

#148 ~ The Convenient Marriage

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars













Actually, this is a re-read (many times over) of one of my favourite authors.

I won't bore you with it, but suffice to say it's a 3.5 star read about 17 year old Honoria Winwood, who offers herself in marriage to Marcus, Earl of Rule (he's in his mid 30's) so that her sister can marry the man she's in love with. It's a convenient agreement, in that Honoria promises not to interfere with what Marcus gets up to ... only problem is they both end up in love!!

There is no way I could go down to 3 stars, so have rounded it up for Amazon and Good Reads.

Buy it from Amazon HERE.

Happy Reading.

Hugs

Kay

#137 ~ Lady of Quality

Lady Of Quality by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars














Old review for this book that I've had as a paperback for ages.

I've had this book of my book shelf since I was really very wet behind the ears, and it comes out every now and again for an airing - always delightful and easy to read - a 3.5 star read (or a 4 on Amazon or Good Reads).

In case you don't know vastly independent and spirited spinster, Miss Annis Wychwood (in her late 20's and almost considered an ape-leader now) sets up her own establishment, to which she is returning after a stay with her irritating brother when she comes across a gig with 2 very young persons stranded at the road side (Miss Carleton and Mr Elmore).

They have run away, or Miss Carleton has, Mr Elmore is merely assisting her - as she doesn't wish to be pushed into a marriage with him - presumably little thought has been given that they are actually facilitating a match by doing this!

Miss Wychwood takes up the young lady, leaving Mr Elmore to follow on later. Over the coming weeks Miss Carleton's Guardian ... the vastly ill-humoured and rude rake Oliver Carleton ........ becomes involved, as well as the delicate sensibilities of Miss Wychwood's companion and her brother.

What will be the outcome?

Buy at Amazon HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#81 (#17) - These Old Shades ~ Georgette Heyer

ISBN: 0-09-946582-5

This is really quick - no need with something this classic to go any further ... I'm not sure how many times I've read it since the age of 12, but lets just say a LOTTTTT!

The Duke of Avon falls in love with his page ..... turns out she's a girl!

A 3.5 **** Star read.  If you haven't read it, please try to .... Miss Heyer is one of our founding Romantic History authors .... classic even.

Happy reading.

Kay

#65 ~ The Toll-Gate

The Toll-Gate by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars














Always a delight to dip back into the world of Georgette Heyer. I cut my reading teeth on her fabulous work, and so was delighted to be handed an old copy by my Aunt the other day.

I seriously consider her novels "classic reading".

This one is delightful, and packed to the rafters with cant language .................. so entertaining, definitely worth a read.

Captain 'Crazy Jack' John Staple late of the Dragoon Gaurds, and seasoned campaigner in the Peninsula has returned home from Waterloo. Living in peacetime is rather dull for this giant of a man, and he gets himself into one or two adventures, so his friends are well used to him by now.

This time he finds himself lost on a terrible night, ending up at an unmanned toll-house in the Pennines. There is a small and terrified boy who needs his help, so he decides to stay for a lark and man the toll until the boy's father returns.

He also finds a woman along the way that steals his heart, which has never been given away before.

A 4 star read with loads of humour.

Buy it at Amazon HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay