Review: Seduce Me at Sunrise

Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
(Hathaways #2)

I read this riveting story right after reading the first book in the series, Mine Till Midnight, and I'm glad I did.

First, the back story. Winnifred Hathaway has been in poor health since she suffered a bout of scarlet fever that almost killed her. She was nursed back to health by her sister Amelia and family friend Merripen. Merripen is a gypsy who was abandoned as a child and adopted by the Hathaways. He has stayed with them, watched over them, and they are now his family.

When our story opens Winnifred is returning to England after a two year absence. She had been living at a clinic in France and through the talents of Dr. Harrow has completely regained her health. Dr. Harrow has returned to London with Win to conduct business as well as to court her. Winnifred is anxious to see her family and especially Kev Merripen whom she has loved for many years. Win doesn't realize that Merripen returns her affection but, because of his gypsy blood, believes himself unworthy of her.

Kev Merripen, like all of Kleypas' heroes, is terrific. He is an intense man with strong feelings for Winnifred. In lesser hands the "I'm not worthy" plot can get old. However in Kleypas' hands, Merripen's anguish, his yearning and repressed feelings are very real. The man is tortured, loving Win but unwilling to marry her and subject her to society's prejudice.

The book was a really good romance that was made even better by the other characters. Amelia and Cam from book #1, the two other sisters and Leo Hathaway are all important to the plot of this story which raises this series to a family saga romance like Mary Balogh's Bedwyn series.

I'll have to wait until fall to read the next in the series, Tempt Me at Twilight, Poppy's story. Can't wait.

Grade: A

Review: Mine Till Midnight

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

(Hathaways Book #1)

Lisa Kleypas is a great author. I've liked almost every one of her books, and even the odd book I haven't been crazy about (I'm probably the only one who didn't love The Devil in Winter) has still been well written and well plotted. Foretunately, this is one I enjoyed.

Here's the basic set-up: The ramshackle Hathaways have recently risen in society when Leo Hathaway inherited a title and a moderate income. Leo, however is griefstricken upon the death of his fiancee and is engaging in what today we would call risky behavior. Frankly, he is trying to kill himself. Drinking too much, brawling, smoking opium. So it is left to his oldest sister Amelia to look after her three younger sisters, Winnifred, Poppy and Beatrix. She encounters half-gypsy Cam Rohan, introduced in TDIW, who agrees to help her search for her missing brother. They have a few other chance encounters and he becomes more involved in the affairs of the Hathaways.

There were just a couple of things I had to overlook to enjoy this book. I had lukewarm feelings for the heroine, Amelia who keeps refusing Cam's proposals, even though she is sleeping with him and desperately needs his support, both financial and emotional. Also I was never really convinced that Cam loves Amelia for who she is. Their romance didn't come across as 100% believable.

Those elements were minor and didn't affect my overall enjoyment of the book. The plot is not at all straightforward, with a complications thrown in from a hive of bees, a fire, a former suitor and a long lost treasure.

This served as an excellent intro to the Hathaways and as a set-up for the future books in the series. Winnifred's story is next with the intriguing Merripen who is also a gypsy and family friend. I also look forward to Leo who suffers much in this book and should make a great hero.

Grade: B+