#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

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

Purchased on Kindle

Gamblers' Series - Book 1

4 star

#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.

#149 ~ Devil in Winter * RE-READ

Book 3 of the Wallflower series

Nothing more to add about this one, as it wasn't that long ago that I actually read it....but Mum had it sitting around so I just fancied dipping back in. For the original post CLICK HERE.

#139 ~ Scandal in Spring

Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars














Reading this book, made me want to go back and re-read the other 3 .... a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read - 4.5 Star.

The last of the Wallflowers, Daisy Bowman, has been unable to garner a marriage proposal, and is told in no uncertain terms by her Father Thomas that is she can't snare one in short order, she will have to marry his choice - his apprentice, Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified ...... Matthew Swift is a cold, ruthless and aloof man whom she heartily dislikes.

On a visit to her Sister's country estate she re-meets Matthew and finds that he has an unexpected charm, and finds here self falling for him .... which turns into a blazing inferno of sensuality. Just when it seems that she will have a happy future after all a scandalous secret is uncovered that threatens the future that promises.

Buy it at Amazon HERE.

Kay

#89 (#25) - The Devil In Winter - Lisa Kleypas

ISBN: 978-0-7499-4290-8

Book 3 in the Wallflower series

I have eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book, and it definitely did not leave me wanting ... well, except perhaps for the final story in the series about Daisy.

Sebastian Lord St Vincent is the most gloriously dangerous and depraved hero I've met thus far ..... and it is unbelievable (but heartwarming) to learn that the lovely Evangeline Jenner with all her innocence and tangled tongue could bring him to heel.

A 5 ***** Star read.

#66 ~ Christmas Eve at Friday Harbour

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbour by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars














This is the first contemporary book I've read by Lisa Kleypas, and actually enjoyed it ........... in fact, it was short but sweet.

Mark Nolan is left the custody of his six year old niece, Holly, when her mother is killed in a car accident, and he takes here home to San Juan Island in Washington State to live with him. Unfortunately, due the shock of the accident Holly has lost the ability to speak.

Mark's brother, Sam, stumbles upon a letter to Santa that Holly has written asking her to bring her a new Mummy, so Mark decides to kiss goodbye to his bachelorhood and find her just that.

One afternoon Mark and Holly go into a new toy shop in town, and the owner (Maggie Conroy) helps the little girl find her voice again with talk of magic fairies and a magic shell.

There seems to be an instant spark of attraction between Mark and Maggie, the only problem being that he is seeing somebody else and she had only recently seen and nursed her husband when he died of cancer.

Can the little girl's dream come true? Can they win the battle for love and a happy ever after?

Definitely worth a read, I enjoyed it quite a bit, given that I am not really a contemporary read kind gal.

A 3.5 Star read,but not quite a 4.

Buy it at Amazon HERE.

Happy reading.

Kay

#63 - Love in the Afternoon ~ Lisa Kleypas

ISBN: 978-0-7499-5309-6

The last book in 2010, but only just got a chance to update the details on here.

This is the 5th Book in the Hathaway series, and I found it completely enjoyable.  With quite a few heart churning and breath catching moments in it.  The story of the youngest Hathaway Sister, Beatrix, a free-spirited girl with a love of natural history and animals.  She had a couple of Seasons in London, and whilst men seemed to like her, the unconventional lifestyle of the Hathaway Clan never managed to ensure that a suitable mate would offer for her.

Christopher Phelan once told everyone that she was more suited to the stables than the ton in fact, so how did they end up together?

Christopher planned to marry Beatrix's friend, Prudence when he returned from fighting in the Crimea, and had arranged to write to her via his Sister-in-law, Audrey.  However, Prudence a shallow, conceited and self-absorbed lady really couldn't find any need to write back to him.  Beatrix was horrified and begged her friend to let her reply on his behalf.

Somewhere along the way those letters turned into love letters, and Beatrix wrote breaking off contact.

Christopher eventually returned a war hero, and determined to claim the girl he had irrevocably fallen in love, but soon realises that the Prudence in the letters is far from the reality of Prudence the girl.

What began as an innocent deception turns into agony and unfulfilled love for them both.

A 4.5 ***** Star read.

I've actually started reading another Liz Carlyle book,but it will span the 2010/2011.  Therefore I will count in next year's reading total.  I have been thinking about how I will keep track as well, and decided the best way forward was to keep the running #no. at the top of each post, but then add a (#no.) brackets for the total for the current year.  That way I will know if I make the 144 challenge in 2011.

Happy reading all.

Hugs

Kay

Kindle have 'The Devil in Winter' on pre-order now

I've just spotted the trailer for it ..... personally, I can't wait to read another of the Wallflower series, about Evie and the notorious Rake, Sebastian St Vincent ..... so will be logging on to Amazon later to put my pre-order in.

#56 - A Wallflower Christmas ~ Lisa Kleypas

ISBN: 978-0-312-36073-3

Actually I think this would be described as a Novella rather than an actual Novel, but I am willing to stand corrected if anyone has different ideas.

A short'ish tale of Rafe Bowman (Brother of Lillian and Daisy two of the Wallflowers) and Hannah Appleton.

Rafe arrives from the States to do the thing his Father has been demanding .... that he asks Lady Natalie Blandford to marry him  .... so that he can become involved in the European side of the Family Soap manufacturing business.

Unfortunately, his heart and soul have other ideas and he falls hook, line and sinker for Lady Natalie's cousin .... a poor relation who acts as her companion.

A delightful and easy to read story, which featured lots of little vignettes of the Wallflowers along the way.

A 5 ***** Star read.

Happy reading.

Kay xoxox

#55 - Seduce Me at Sunrise ~ Lisa Kleypas

ISBN: 978-1-44480-005-0

The second book in the Hathaway Series, telling the story of Winifred Hathaway and Kev Merripen.

Kev (a Romany) was taken in by the Hathaway clan when he was small, after being badly beaten and left for dead.  He stayed on with the family, and formed a close bond with Win.

In 1848 she suffered a terrible attack of Scarlet Fever and was left an invalid.  Unwilling to accept her fate, she persuaded the Family to send her off to France, along with the brother Leo, to a special clinic set up Dr Julian Harrow.

Kev's love for her is so fierce that he would do anything to protect her from harm ..... unfortunately, she has other ideas .... and wants Kev at any cost, and nothing can eventual stand in the way of that love.

Their story unfolds, along with the mystery ehind the tattoo of the Pooka both Kev and Cam Rohan Winifred's brother-in-law, another Rom).

It is perhaps quite possible to write Win off from the beginning as weak and helpless, but she is far from that, in the end showing extraordinary spunk to get the truth from Julian Harrow!

I would urge you to read it, not a greatly exciting story, but highly enjoyable never the less.

A 3.5. **** Star read.

Happy reading.

Kay xoxo

#45 - Mine Til Midnight ~ Lisa Kleypas

ISBN:  0-7499-3855-2

This is another in the Hathaway Series, the story of Leo's (Lord Ramsay) Sister, Amelia and the half-gypsy Cam Rohan.

A little on the slow start to begin with,  The narrative seemed a bit dis-jointed for about 4 chapters, and then settled down to a pleasant enough story.  Almost like it could of done with a bit of a further edit before being published.

I should say a 3 *** star would be appropriate for this, but essential if you are reading any of the Hathaway series.  Actually, it also links into the Wallflower books along the way as well.

#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

#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

******