The Rogue (The Liar's Club, Book Five): Celeste Bradley

"He is a rake of the highest order, moving through society in an endless pursuit of pleasure and delight. He has resisted joining the Liar's Club, a band of renegade spies who serve the Crown in complete secrecy. But when true love beckons, he must decide to whom he will pledge his loyalty...

"Ethan Damont's legendary gambling skills have earned him a place at the gaming tables of London's most exclusive homes. He has used his dubious place in Society to aid the Liar's Club. But his latest favor of the group has not only put his life in danger--it has thrown him together with the woman who tempts him to forgo his rakish ways. Lady Jane Pennington is a proper young lady and the ravishing niece of a suspected traitor. Now it's Ethan's job to discover if the woman he finds irresistible is naive to her uncle's deceit--or guilty of treason against the Crown...

"Jane can barely wait for the Season to end--until she meets Ethan Damont. After a humiliating first encounter, Jane expects a scoundrel like Ethan to joke at her expense. Instead, he behaves like a perfect gentleman. But just as Jane finds herself overcome by her desire for Ethan, he takes her captive. Suddenly, she is pulled into a dangerous world where it's impossible to know who is friend--and who is foe. Will this rogue prove to be her undoing...or the love she has always longed for?"

So I actually finished this book a few days ago and FINALLY remembered to post a review of it. This book had probably one of the least realistic plots, but it VERY nicely tied everything up with the characters, brought in the tales of the Royal Four series, and revealed the beginning of the search for the Chimera! It was very well-written, as always, and did not disappoint a bit! The situations made me laugh with their brilliant wittiness and I could hardly put it down! I loved how Ethan is one of the more "human" of Bradley's characters and I was truly touched by him.

I'm terribly sad that I finished the Liar's Club and the Royal Four series, but Bradley has another series out that I cannot wait to get my hands on! I am forced to take a break from her, however, because I'm on vacation and was deprived of a library, so I took a chance and began to read a new author--Nora Roberts. My mother reads her all the time and I am actually enjoying the book quite a bit. I usually make it a rule not to read any romance novels that take place from the 1900's to the future, but this one is not bad! I'll write a review as soon as possible!

The Charmer (The Liar's Club, Book Four): Celeste Bradley

"No Englishwoman could resist the charms of Collis Tremayne, a notoriously rakish aristocrat whose lust for adventure rivals his appetite for the ladies--until he meets Rose Lacey...

"Collis Tremayne could make any female swoon; yet no one would guess the hidden desperation that drove him to become the most skilled spy in service to the Crown. All that stands in his way is...Rose Lacey, the first female liar and a confounding chit who manages to outsmart him with cunning and courage. She is the only woman he cannot melt with his smile. With every breath, he wishes he had never laid eyes on her. And with every flash of her green eyes, he craves to possess her...

"Rose Lacey fought hard to meet the challenge of becoming a spy for the infamous Liar's Club. And if it weren't for Collis Tremayne, who manages to make her blood boil with his arrogance, and leave her breathless with his white-hot longing, she'd achieve her dream. Now, they must work together on a secret mission to uncover a dangerous plot--one in which the very safety of England hangs in the balance. Armed with wit and wiles, they must face deadly intrigue, clever enemies, and--if they can manage not to murder one another--the intoxicating lure of unbidden passion..."

I finished this book earlier today and finally got a chance to sit down and review it. I loved it! I will admit, however, that it was not my favorite Celeste Bradley book, but it was fantastic nonetheless! The characters were well-written as usual and the plot lines were fantastic, but there were portions that were a mite bit unbelievable--I won't give those away. Anyway, I LOVED how Bradley brought back characters from her other stories. She is amazing how she never fails to incorporate and intertwine all of the plots of different novels to TRULY make them into a series. Not many modern authors can do that. So, I say as usual, I LOVE Celeste Bradley and will begin the LAST BOOK in the Liars Club series as soon as possible!

The Spy (The Liar's Club, Book Three): Celeste Bradley

"Rule #3: Never Surrender Your Will

"By day he is a gentleman with a notorious fondness for games of seduction. By night he is one of the most skilled saboteurs in the Liar's Club--a secret group of renegades dedicated to serving the Crown. And while he willingly risks his life for the good of England, he vows never to put his heart in harm's way...

"James Cunnington has a pressing mission at hand: He must find the daughter of a missing code breaker for the Liar's Club, a man suspected of turning traitor for Napoleon. Time is of the utmost concern. While it is evident that his ward's new tutor has something to hide, James is unaware that the woman he seeks now resides under his very roof...

"Desperate and near destitute, Phillipa Atwater must don gentlemen's clothing to pass herself off as a scholarly young tutor. Her clever--if itchy--disguise allows her time to pursue her quest to find her father, ruthlessly abducted by French spies. Closely guarding the cryptic notebook he entrusted to her care, she senses danger all around her--even in the home of her roguishly handsome new employer, James Cunnington. Now Phillipa is about to discover that desire can be as lethal as a well-aimed bullet..."

This was yet another book that I finished in about 24 hours! It was fantastic! James is another of my favorite characters that Bradley has created--next to Simon of course--and that says a lot. (Of course, it's really difficult NOT to love the men of the Liar's Club and the Royal Four!!!) The situations--however slightly unbelievable at first--were turned into entirely believable predicaments. Lavina was once again brought back, and with a vengeance! There's an ENTIRELY unexpected plot twist that will be sure to have the readers on the edge of their seats! I cannot wait to read the next instalment! Celeste Bradley remains my FAVORITE author of all time!

The Impostor (The Liar's Club, Book Two): Celeste Bradley

"RULE #2: NEVER LET YOURSELF BE SEDUCED

"He is a member of the Liar's Club, an elite group of renegade spies who work in service of the Crown. His missions are difficult, dangerous, and undercover, requiring him to study his subject very, very intimately. And he is accustomed to always having his way--whether it's in work or play...

"It isn't easy moving about society dressed like a dandy--especially when one is a ruthless spy. But that's precisely the latest mission for Liar's Club agent Dalton Montmorency. Dalton is posing as Sir Thorogood, the elusive cartoonist whose scathing political caricatures have all of London abuzz. The true identity of Sir Thorogood is a mystery, and Dalton hopes that impersonating him will flush out the real menace before his cartoons do further damage to the Crown. Now, if Dalton could only find a way to get the irksome, yet oddly appealing, widow Clara Simpson off his trail...

"When Clara meets Sir Thorogood as a ball, she's certain he is an impostor--because she's the true Sir Thorogood. Secretly penning the cartoons under the frothy nom de plume, Clara hopes to save enough money so that she can leave her in-laws and find a new residence. Now she's determined to reveal an impostor's identity--and that means doing some undercover work herself. But pretending to be someone you're not has a funny way of making a woman do things she wouldn't ordinarily dream of--even if it drives her straight into the arms of her devilishly handsome adversary!"

I finished this book this morning at 2:15 and I loved every moment of it! Celeste Bradley certainly maintained her amazing writing in this second book of the Liar's Club series. Dalton's character is first introduced in the first book of the series, but is brought into an entirely new light with this addition. You see that there really is more to the intriguingly dark and handsome Lord Etheridge than the ruthless spymaster that he is. Clara is also brought back from the first book and the readers can see how truly talented and brilliant the widow is.

The writing was amazing as always and the passion was well-written. I'm already several chapters into the third book in the series and cannot wait to update!

Seduced: Pamela Britton

"HOW LONG CAN A WOMAN RESIST THE WORLD'S MOST SINFULLY TEMPTING LOVER?

"He's a dangerous rogue, rumored to have shot his brother for a dukedom. She's a headstrong beauty with plans to marry for love. When they meet, it's passionate dislike at first sight. Until a compromising situation has them walking down the aisle, vowing to cherish and honor each other for life.

"Suddenly, Lucien St. Aubyn is tied to a wife who has barred him from her boudoir, and Elizabeth Montclair is bound to a husband whose recklessness ignites her temper--and stirs her most secret desires. Now Lucien, whose flashing eyes could bring every beauty in London to her knees, faces his greatest challenge: to seduce his lawfully wedded wife. But Elizabeth's task will be harder still. For even as she resists the rake who compromised her reputation, every step she takes lead into his arms, into his bed, and to sweet, helpless surrender."

I just finished this book and it was fantastic! It was a little bit hard to believe at first, but I soon
fell in love with the characters! Lucien is a loathsom man at first and Elizabeth is an annoying girl, but the readers soon learn what lies beneath their hardened exteriors.

The situations seem fairly out of the time period as well as some of the "methods" and terms, but it was overall a rather enjoyable book. It made me laugh out loud more than any other romance novel--which is surprisingly a good thing--and I couldn't help but be impressed with how well the characters' actions, dialect, dialogue, emotions, and personalities were written. I will for sure look for more of Pamela Britton's work!

Charming the Prince (Fairy Tale Series, Book One): Teresa Medeiros

"Dear Reader,

"My enemies know me as Lord Bannor the Bold, Pride of the English and Terror of the French. Never in my life have I backed down from any challenge or betrayed so much as a hint of fear--until the war ended and I found myself a reluctant papa to a dozen unruly little children.

"Realizing that I couldn't lop their little heads offof throw them in the dungeon, I sent my steward out to find them a mother and me a bride--an unattractive, meek, maternal creature too plain to tempt me to get her with child. You can imagine my horror when he returned with Lady Willow of Bedlington, a spirited beauty who made me think of nothing else!

"With her cloud of dark curls and the sparkle of passion in her eyes, Willow was everything I'd sworn to resist. I never dreamed she would join forces with those mischievous imps of mine to teach this cynical warrior just how sweet surrender can be.

"Bannor the Bold,

"Lord of Elsinore"

I definitely DEVOURED this book in 24 hours! It's not something I do terribly often, but this book was so cleverly written that I just could not put it down. The back cover captivated me with its uniqueness and the book itself did not disappoint. The situations were ironic, humorous, awkward, and embarrassing, which provided for some good reading. Sometimes the reader hates Bannor, but learns the truth of his true aversion to bedding his new wife and instantly pities the poor man. At times, the children make you hate them for their terribly cruel pranks on the poor Willow, but they eventually get what they deserve--if in an unconventional way.

The readers can feel the pain of Bannor as he struggles with his desires as well as what he promised himself; Willow as she fights to overcome a troubled childhood and deal with her feelings for the insufferable Bannor as well as manage his unruly children; and the children, themselves, as they battle for the attention from the father they love and crave attention from.

I highly recommend this book and I will be sure to read Teresa Medeiros in the future!

The Pretender (The Liar's Club, Book One): Celeste Bradley

"RULE #1: NEVER FALL IN LOVE.

"She had a secret she'd do anything to hide.

"Agatha Cunnington, a headstrong beauty from the country, has come to London in search of her missing brother James. The only clue she has is a cryptic letter signed 'the Griffin.' Agatha decides to disguise herself as a respectable married woman so that she can go about the city unnoticed. But for her charade to work she needs a suitable 'husband,' preferably someone tall, elegant, and rakish--someone like Simon Montague Rain.

"He had a secret he'd do anything to hide.

"Simon Montague Rain is a member of the Liar's Club, a renegade group of rogues and thieves in the service of the Crown. When someone begins murdering members of the undercover cabal one by one, Simon is given the mission to bring in the Griffin, one of his comrades who is suspected of betraying his brothers. Simon goes undercover and infiltrates the home of 'Mrs.' Agatha Applequist who he believes is the Griffin's mistress. Before Simon knows what's happened, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Agatha's soft, feminine charms--and he is tempted beyond reason to break the first rule of the Liar's Club: Never fall in love."

So, this is the first book in the Liar's Club series and I was absolutely enamored of the characters! I read the Royal Four series before this one and--though this one came first and you do not necessarily need to read them in order--this has only helped to further my reflective enjoyment of the Royal Four. The Liar's Club is filled with its own mysteries and dangers, as well as its own breed of handsome men whose lives are loyally bound to England while their hearts are dragged in another direction.

I believe I shall go as far as to say that Simon is my favorite character of Bradley's thus far, and that certainly is saying something! The plot was slightly unbelievable at first, but once I got to know the characters better, it seemed entirely plausible. The story was extremely entertaining and I must admit that there was a point near the end where I actually laughed aloud at the awkward comedy. Bradley truly is a master at the awkward situations, but I would not trade anything in the world to stop reading.

I thoroughly look forward to reading the next novel in the series, though I only got four of the five in the series and it just so happens that the one that I forgot is the one I need. So, I fear that I shall have to take a short intermission in my reading of Celeste Bradley to read another of the novels I picked up on a whim. Hopefully it is able to maintain my joy over Bradley's writing!

Seducing the Spy (The Royal Four, Book Four): Celeste Bradley

"Lady Alicia Lawrence was cast out of polite society and branded a liar for a youthful mistake. When she overhears details of a conspiracy that could affect her country's fate, she turns to the one person who might believe her--Stanton Horne, Lord Wyndham. Posing as Wyndham's mistress in order to root out the enemy, Alicia is drawn into an uneasy partnership...and a widly seductive liasion.

"Lord Wyndham's uncanny ability to detect lies has made him a valuable member of the Royal Four, but in matters of romance it has proven a distinct liability. Alicia is the only woman whose thoughts he cannot read...and the only one whose sensual touch quenches every secret desire. As the mission grows more dangerous and more personal, and each encounter with Alicia more fiery than the last, this daring spy must face his greatest challenge yet--learn to trust the passion in his heart..."

This is the final enstallment in the "Royal Four" series and I can safely say that the ending was quite a bang! The humor was witty and there were times where I laughed out loud--mind you I read this on an airplane on my way to Texas, so I think the other passengers thought me absolutely daft! Anyway, Lord Wyndham's personality is one that a reader does not come across very often. It draws you in and I devoured the whole novel in a matter of about three days. (I actually accidentally read this book first when it is actually the fourth book in the series...I still completely understood everything, but I wish I had paid more attention and read them in order. Don't make the same mistake I did!) Overall, I loved this book and it fit the series completely. Again, I would HIGHLY recommend Celeste Bradley and this whole series!

The Norman's Bride (The Dumont Stories, Book Two): Terri Brisbin

"She had no past. He could offer her no future."

"Yet William Royce de Severin could not quell the waves of desire threatening to engulf him whenever he looked upon Isabel. Battered by life, she reamined unbroken in spirit, making him yearn for the impossible--a life unfettered by his own dark secrets, with her forever by his side!

"Though recalling nothing of her own identity, Isabel was certain her rescuer, Royce, had been a knight. Every fiber of his being bespoke a chivalry simple seclusion could not hide. And every sinew of his body bestirred a passion that would ruse her to her true self as Royce's heart-sworn lady!"

I have never read this author before and her work is...unique to say the least. The beginning of this story started off with a captivating bang and the characters were very well-devloped...but there was just something about the writing that bothered me...

Mind you, the book wasn't terrible to the point that I will never again read this author, but I do find myself hoping that if I do come across another of her books, she will have worked on her writing. All in all, the plot itself was plesantly unique and I tentatively recommend this book because of it.

One Night With a Spy (The Royal Four, Book Three): Celeste Bradley

"For years, Lady Julia Barrowby has acted the part of an old man's ornamental bride, never revealing that she has secretly helped the ailing Lord Barrowby in his work with the Royal Four. Now that her husband has died, Julia believes his place in the Four is hers by right. But convincing the remaining members will not be easy, especially with Marcus Ramsay, Lord Dryden, distracting her at every turn. Somehow, the mysterious Marcus seems to see into her very soul, effortlessly satisfying all her secret, forbidden longings...

"Marcus stood next in line to be chosen for the Four, and he is not willing to be displaced by a woman, no matter how intriguing or beautiful she may be. Under orders to investigate Julia, Marcus discovers her diary, overflowing with years of loneliness and yearning. Fulfilling Julia's fantasies is the perfect way to get closer to her, but seducing this fascinating creature is fast becoming more than a means to an end--it s his soul's deepest desire..."

So the first thing I did when I woke up this morning was finish the last, like, ten pages of this book...I completely ate it all up in about two days. Not bad for a novel! The completion of this third book in the Royal Four series marks my completion in reading this amazing series (remember how I said that I read the fourth book first?) and I am happy and at the same time, slightly sad. I want so badly to read more of the Royal Four's exploits!

Anyway, The plotline stayed true to the rest of the books in the series. The leading female role went to a hard-headed, strong young woman and the male role was for a "man among boys" kind of guy. Marcus previously had a role as Dane's apprentice for the Lion in the second book of the series and this novel is all about his quest for power and accidentally encountering love. The Chimera rears his ugly head--with a completely unforseen twist! A few of the plot elements boardered on the edge of unbelieveable (you'll see exactly what I mean when you read it), but overall it was very well-written. It was a real page-turner and stayed true to Celeste Bradley's style of writing. This book only solidified my love for her works!

I have gotten my hands on the first book in the Liar's Club series which I previously mentioned in the blog before this one and cannot WAIT to read it. (Like I said, try to read the Liar's Club before the Royal Four so it will all make more sense, but they can be read out of order.) There is another book that has been sitting on my shelf which I have been eyeing and maybe I will give myself a break from Bradley for that one--agonizing though it may be--because it will make her other books that much sweeter!

Surrender to a Wicked Spy (The Royal Four, Book Two): Celeste Bradley

"Olivia calwell's new husband, Dane, is everything she could have ever hoped for in a man. The handsome Lord Greenleigh is charming, debonair, even a bit mysterious...and just thinking about their wedding night makes Olivia blush with pleasure. Yet she can't help but wonder what exactly Dane does all day. His hushed meetings with strangers, his odd comings and goings--it is all enough to drive Olivia mad! Could her beloved husband be involved in something dangerous? Could he even be spying for France?

"Spy Dane Calwell knows the new Lady Greenleigh is poised, well-educated, and utterly captivating. But he's just discovered that Olivia is also the most curious creature he has ever met! Most wives don't give a whit what their husbands do all day. Why must Olivia as so many questions--and meddle in matters that do not concern her? Truth be told, Dane finds Olivia's ameture sleuthing enchanting...even a little sexy. But when Olivia gets too close to the mission at hand, Dane must try to stop her before it's too late--or risk losing his beautiful wife forever..."

Once again, Celeste Bradley has completely captivated me. I instantly fell in love with her charasters and the first several chapters are some of the most enthralling ones that I believe I have ever read. They snatched my attention and I just could NOT put the book down. The book certainly starts off with quite a bang and it was impossible not to fall for her characters. She has the uncanny ability to write very believeable, likable, and pitiable characters who keep you panting for more. Bradley is an amazing author and this work--her second on in The Royal Four series--is no disapointment! I highly recommend this book for anyone else who loves her other works!

To Wed a Scandalous Spy (The Royal Four, Book One): Celeste Bradley

"Lovely, highborn Willa Trent was an orphan, raised by a local, somewhat odd family in the country, who want nothing but the best for their girl. So when she drags home the unconscious man she accidentally hit with a slingshot, they arrange a hasty marriage and pack the couple off with best wishes. Armed with a groggy husband and a new future, Willa's pie-eyes optimism has no limits...until she discovers the secret, dangerous world of Nathaniel Stonewall, Earl of Readon, a.k.a. "Lord Treason."

"Though Nathaniel is reviled by most of England for his devious plot against the Crown, he is, in reality, a member of an elite cadre of secret royal defenders on a daring undercover mission. He must keep his secrets at all costs, especially from Willa. And yet, he is enchanted...though he stubbornly refuses to surrender to his passion. Far better, he tells himself, to turn his back on love than risk everything for it. Luckily, his bride has other plans..."

So, this author and series is AMAZING! This is the first book in The Royal Four series. I love the time period it is set in and the writing is fantastic. Granted the "romance" scenes are some of the most numerous in a single book that I have ever read, they are far from mundane and boring.

The characters captivate the readers throughout the book and their interactions range from cringe-worthy awkward to laugh-out-loud hysterical. Sometimes the reader wants to punch out Lord Reardon while other times you nearly wish to cry for his agonizing pain and forced decision between life and country. The dialogue is amazingly witty and entirely believeable. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in delightfully witty, sexy, and relatable plotlines as well as characters.

(Don't make the same mistake I did. I read the FOURTH book first, not knowing it was part of a series and it almost ruined the rest of the series for me, but just make sure that you get the right one. Bradley has written another series called The Liar's Club which is almost a disconnected prelude to this one--I don't know how else to explain it. You are able to read this series without reading the other--like I did--but there are some connections and relationships that may not make complete sense unless you read the four books in the Liar's Club Series. The first one--I believe--is titled The Pretender, and as soon as I am able to, I will get that series!)