McClairen's Isle--The Passionate One: Connie Brockway

“Ash: The Passionate One

“He was a notorious rogue with a reputation for hell-raising and heartbreaking. But family secrets forced Ashton Merrick to do his ruthless father’s bidding—and escort Rhiannon Russel back to McClairen’s Isle. Ash suspected that his father intended to make the innocent beauty his fourth wide. But he didn’t expect the passions she would ignite in his own wary heart.”

I have never before had a chance to read Connie Brockway, and this was most certainly an experience. The prologue was very interesting and captivated me. It had an element of history (as did the whole book, which was refreshing) as well as very different characters. It was excited to continue reading the book, but there was just something about it that slowed me down. To this moment I cannot put my finger on what it was. I did, however, have a very difficult time putting the book down once it actually got going.

Ash was a wonderful character—filled with passion and many layers. Rhiannon was his perfect match as she was also complex in her own way. The only major problem I had was that the book seemed to leave holes. I would be reading along and then stop and think “…what…?”. It’s difficult to explain, but there seemed to be some errors that didn’t allow parts of the story to flow with the rest of the book. Maybe it’s just me, but there was something odd about this book.

Overall, I am both excited and apprehensive about starting the second book in this series. I am dying to know what happens to Raine—the younger brother Ash swore to take care of—but I don’t want to have a hard time trying to comprehend the plot with all of its “holes”.

A Proper Affair: Victoria Malvey

“Once a connoisseur of beautiful debutantes, Lord Bryce Keene now has more practical concerns as guardian to his headstrong niece. The girl needs the influence of a true and gentle lady…and so Bryce selects Cassandrs Hampsted, known as an expert on the rules of polite society, to offer his hand in marriage. But Bryce is about to discover that not all is as it appears.

“Since penning an etiquette book for young ladies, Cassandra has learned that happy endings are not guaranteed—even for those who follow society’s rules to perfection. Lord Bryce’s offer is enticing indeed, but Cassandra will not risk her heart without concocting fifty-six provisions for marital harmony that Bryce will wish he’d read in full! As this strong-willed couple barters and negotiates their way to true happiness, they uncover a blissful union that is far too passionate to be called proper.”

I actually finished this book two days ago and I just got the time to sit down and review it. I have never read Victoria Malvey and I actually really enjoyed her writing. She actually reminds me a lot of Celeste Bradley—in her own way. I LOVED how smart and witty her characters were as they tried to best one and other. She made them seem alive and really relatable. I was charmed by the characters’ plights and their inhibitions as well as their desires. I recommend this delightful book and I will be certain to look for more of Malvey’s works.

A Gentleman By Any Other Name (A Beckets of Romney Marsh Novel, Book One): Kasey Michaels

“Old enough to remember his beginning, Chance Becket has spent all of his thirty years trying to forget, hiding his unsavory youth behind a society marriage and a prestigious position with the War Office. But now the widower must confront his past and return to the windswept coast of Romney Marsh ... where the ghosts of his childhood still linger.

“Newly hired governess Julia Carruthers is delighted to be in charge of Chance's young daughter and eager to escape the confines of London. Yet the excitement of the journey to her employer's strange home is nothing compared to the attraction between them. And when Julia sees something she should not, she wonders if Chance's sudden intentions are prompted by ungentlemanly desires or his need to protect his family's secrets.”

This was the first time that I have read Kasey Michaels and it was a new experience, to be sure. I did like the book, but it seemed to drag on a bit as the story passed. I loved the whole idea behind this series and each of the characters were so charming that I found it not too difficult to tell them apart—no matter that there were nine Beckets! I found it helpful to have the Becket family tree beside me so I would be able to picture the characters with their respective ages at the time of this book (you can find it pretty easily at http://www.kaseymichaels.com/beckets_tree.html). Overall, this was a pleasing book, but it was full of overly-long sentences that could have been easily remedied. I will read the next book in the series, but I hope that it will not drag on as much as this one did.

Yours Until Dawn: Teresa Medeiros

“Gabriel Fairchild’s valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London’s elite secludes himself in his family’s mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.

“Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. Determined to do her duty, she engages the arrogant earl in a battle of both wit and wills. Although he claims she doesn’t possess and ounce of womanly softness, she can feel his heart racing at her slightest touch. As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel’s life and his heart, they both discover that some secrets—and some pleasures—are best explored in the dark…”

Instantly I fell in love with Gabriel and his plight. He was a battered man who is struggling just to have the will to survive. He truly acts like a beast and it is only Samantha who can tame him with her starched ways.

That is, until the VERY surprising twist in the plot comes out and reveals more about Samantha than the readers would have guessed possible. I know I was most certainly shocked! The characters were beautifully written and the dialogue was wonderfully witty. I found myself smiling on more than one occasion at Samantha’s tactics and Gabriel’s insistence on making her life difficult.

Duke Most Wanted (The Heiress Brides Series, Book Three): Celeste Bradley

"IN THE GAME OF LOVE

“Sophie Blake’s grandfather willed his fortune to the first of his granddaughters to marry a duke. Since her cousin, Deirdre, will seal the deal any day now, the quiet, bookish Sophie can sit back and enjoy her time with the only man she truly adores: Graham. No matter that the part-charmer, part-scoundrel has absolutely no designs on her! Sophie is content to engage Graham in lively conversation, beat him at cards…and probe at the darkness hiding behind his rakish smile.

“YOU’VE GOT TO PLAY BY HEART…

“Then Graham unexpectedly gains a title, an estate in near ruins and a mountain of debt. If there is any chance of survival he must find a rich wife—quickly. As his hunt for a bride begins, Sophie realizes that she isn’t even in the running. Suddenly no longer content to be a wallflower, Sophie gets a stunning makeover and becomes the belle of the ball. Plenty of heads are turning…including Graham’s. But this beauty has secrets of her own. Will she be his salvation, or seal his fate?

There was an EINTIRELY unexpected twist in this book and it was WONDERFUL! It was so well-written that I didn’t see it coming and I love Celeste Bradley all the more for it. The language was—as always—eloquent and suited all of the characters perfectly.
I fell in love with Graham and felt for his loss (which I will not give away!) and Sophie only made him seem more human. Sophie, herself, was a very dynamic character and was entirely relatable. Overall, I loved this story and Celeste Bradley never ceases to amaze me. I felt a little of myself die inside when I realized that this was the latest book that Bradley has written… That means that I have read ALL of her books! I certainly hope she writes more as soon as possible because I don’t know how long I can go on without her writing! (Dramatic, I know, but true!)

The Duke Next Door (The Heiress Brides, Book Two): Celeste Bradley

“A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE

“The dangerously beautiful Deirdre Cantor is determined to inherit her grandfather’s vast fortune. All she needs is to marry a duke…and be the first granddaughter to walk down the aisle. So when the proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her business to become his wife—in spite of the whispers about his past.

“AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH…

“Soon Deirdre’s visions of a lavish existence with the handsome Calder are shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed, Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive game of cat and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both to theheights of passion. But at what cost? Calder is determined to keep his secret under lock and key—and to make his stunning wife his in every way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over again…”

This book was entirely FANTASTIC! Though, I must say that it was pretty much exactly One Night of Scandal by Teresa Medeiros, but it was not disappointing in the least!
There were some truly WOMDERFUL plot twists and I found myself nearly heartbroken at the characters’ predicaments. I felt so much for Calder and Deirdre and they totally tugged at my heartstrings. I loved this book, but was a little bit apprehensive because of the way they were portrayed in the first book of the series. As usual, Celeste Bradley has the most amazing talent for words and situations that captivate the readers and leave me without the ability to say just how much I love her writing!

Desperately Seeking a Duke (The Heiress Brides, Book One): Celeste Bradley

“ONLY A DUKE WILL DO.

“The only way for vicar’s daughter Phoebe Millbury will inherit a family fortune is to find herself a duke—just as her late grandfather demanded in his will. But Phoebe, who’s trying to make food after a romantic scandal, also has her two cousins to contend with. They’re all competing for the same money, maybe even the same men…until Phoebe meets her match in the terribly handsome and charming Rafe Marbrook.

“BUT WILL IT BE “I DO”—OR ADIEU?

“When she receives a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Brookhaven, Phoebe is thrilled to learn that Rafe is headed for dukedom…and accepts his offer. There’s only one problem: It’s from Rafe’s older, less captivating brother, Calder. Now Phoebe finds herself on the verge of yet another scandal as she faces a desperate choice: Marry Calder for his money—of follow her oen heart> Each way can only lead to trouble…”

I was SO happy to be reading Celeste Bradley once again! This book is undoubtably her writing, but there is a certain...twist to it which is FANTASTIC!!! (It's really hard to explain unless you have read a lot of her books.) The characters were amazing and there was a complexity and depth to them that only Celeste Bradley can acheive.

Overall, the story was beautifully written. There were twists that were unexpected, but wonderful nonetheless. I loved the idea of pitting brother against brother and with so many layers to the story, it was brilliantly written. All in all, I was enamored of it and have already begun the next book in the series!

One Night of Scandal (Sequel to A Kiss Remember): Teresa Medeiros

“Proper decorum has never come easily to Carlotta Anne Fairleigh—not even tonight, when the lovely, impetuous miss is finally making her debut. As she waits to make her entrance, she can’t help wondering about the darkened house next door, the supposedly abandoned home of Hayden St. Clair, the man society has dubbed the “Murderous Marquess.” Certainly one small peek through his window before the festivities would be harmless…

“And, naturally, this latest “adventure” ends in disaster, thoroughly compromising the budding debutante’s reputation and leaving her suddenly, unthinkably…betrothed! Soon she’d en route to the wilds of Cornwall in the company of the handsome, mysterious marquess whose name the ton whisper with fear and loathing.

“Yet there is something thrilling—and surprisingly tender—about her dark unreachable groom, and the desire in his eyes is undeniable. But before Lottie will surrender to the yearnings in her heart, she must unlock the secrets of Hayden’s past, no matter how scandalous or perilous—they may be.”

This book was fantastic! I love Teresa Medeiros and she certainly did NOT disappoint me with this sequel to her final installment of the Fairy Tale Series, A Kiss to Remember. This follows Laura’s younger sister, Lottie, as she finds herself in a scrape that no amount of help from her brother-in-law’s power and influence can get her out of.

The readers are introduced to Hayden and, at first; they can almost believe the rumors that he killed his first wife in cold blood. As the story goes on, they can see that he is a man haunted by more than one ghost. He has a secret to hide and Lottie is determined to make the best of the situation—even when she discovers that very secret he is trying to keep.

I was not used to the supernatural aspect that this book brought to the table, but it was a delectable story nonetheless!

I completely fell for the characters and I didn’t want this book to end. I cannot wait to read more of her works!

A Kiss to Remember (Fairy Tale Series, Book Three): Teresa Medeiros

“At the tender age of seven, Sterling Harlow, the seventh duke of Devonbrooke, was virtually sold to his coldhearted uncle to pay off his own father’s gambling debts. Sterling won his uncle’s title in the bargain—but lost the playful spirit of his youth. Dubbed “the Devil of Devonbrooke,” Sterling’s exploits have earned him a reputation as a notorious rake. And when his mother dies, he is determined to take possession of her house—even if he must remove his mother’s ward, Laura Fairleigh, to do it. But while he is returning to Arden Manor, a riding accident knocks Sterling unconscious—and when he awakens, his memory is gone.

“Laura Fairleigh has turned down more marriage proposals than she can count—for no man compares to the noble and handsome man of her dreams. But when her benefactor dies, Laura learns that the woman’s prodigal son, the infamous duke of Devonbrooke, plans to return to Arden Manor. Laura has never laid eyes on the duke, but his reputation precedes him—and Laura is determined to keep him from casting her and her young siblings into the streets. Her only hope is a stipulation in the will that says is Laura marries by her twenty-first birthday—a mere three weeks away—the house will be hers.

“Laura prays for a miracle—prayers that seem answered when a morning walk yields a remarkable discovery: a mystery man with the face of an angel and the body of Adonis. Best of all, he seems to have no memory of who he is—or more important, who he’s not! Desperate, Laura does the unthinkable. She lied. Not only does she tell the mystery man he’s her fiancée; she convinces him that he possesses all of the qualities of the man of her dreams! As she nurses her “betrothed” back to health, Laura thinks her problems are solved. That is, until she realizes that her handsome stranger and the duke of Devonbrooke are one and the same—and that the man she has convinced to act like a pussycat is really a dangerous panther.

“As the wedding night approaches, there’s only one way for Laura to atone for her deception—she must win the heart of the Devil himself to save both their souls…”

This book was one of the sweetest, most sigh-worthy, passionate books that I have had the pleasure of reading! The character of Sterling invokes both anger, dislike, and a fair amount of pity; while Laura is a pious troublemaker who gets exactly what she deserves (I’m not going to give that away!). This book was fantastic! It truly did justice to Medeiros’s writing and I fell in love with the characters. The setting was fantastic and I found it incredibly difficult to put down! There were times when I laughed aloud, wanted to strike the stupid Sterling, and cry for the characters’ losses. I am once again thoroughly impressed with Medeiros’s skills and will immediately begin another of her books!

The Bride and the Beast (Fairy Tale Series, Book Two): Teresa Medeiros

“Gwendolyn Wilder didn't believe in dragons. But the superstitious Highlanders of Ballybliss did, and so Gwendolyn found herself bound to a post as a sacraficial offering to the Dragon who haunted the ruins of Castle Weyrcraig. Fifteen years earlier, someone had betrayed the Laird of Weyrcraig and his handsome young heir to the English for a thousand pounds in gold. Now the Dragon was demanding that very amount. The frightened Highlanders hoped that instead of gold, the fair virgin would satisfy the beast’s insatiable appetite.

“As for Gwendolyn, she never doubted that the so-called Dragon was a fraud. She knew there was a perfectly good explanation for the mysterious lights seen flickering in the crumbling castle and the unsettling sound of bagpipes drifting through the glens. But as she waited for whoever—or whatever—to claim his prize, she could not help trembling as a furious storm lashed about her…and she saw what appeared to be dark wings and a stream of silver smoke emerge from the shadows.

“Rumor had it that the Dragon could take the form of a man, and so he did with Gwendolyn—a man who would not show her his face. He carried her into his lair and made her his prisoner, his pampered pet. And while she didn’t expect to be eaten by the fire-breathing Dragon of Weyrcraig, neither did she expect to be warmed by his sensuous caresses or devoured by his passionate kisses.

“The Dragon had demanded gold and the fools had given him the golden-haired maiden. She was the very last thing he expected—and now there was no way he could let her go. She could never know that he was no monster but a flesh-and-blood man who had just laid eyes on the one woman who could slay him. Still, this supremely handsome man of devastating virility was more dangerous than any dragon. He would take it upon himself to enchant the practical Gwendolyn as she had enchanted him. He would weave a spell of sensuous magic around her that would defy all her commonsense notions and tempt her to believe in something even more unlikely than dragons and more powerful than the past that threatened them both—true love.”

I finished this book at three this morning because I couldn’t put it down. The writing was ABSOLUTELY charming and I was so excited to be reading Teresa Medeiros once again. This book is part of a “Fairy Tale Series” in which her book Charming the Prince is the first. The books are not connected, but they ring of bits and pieces of well-known fairy tales.

The author uses beautiful writing, compelling dialogue, touching characters, and touching situations to draw in her readers and hold them. She has a style about her that just makes me want to read more as soon as possible! I was NOT disappointed at all with this book and, in fact, I cannot wait to read the last book in this series. I am very happy to have found Medeiros and will definitely read more of her work!