Review: A Lady of Letters by Andrea Pickens

I really miss the old line of Signet Regency's and this book is a perfect example of how good they could be.

Here is the plot in just a few sentences. Lady Augusta Hadley, firmly on the shelf, has been writing pamphlets and editorials under the name Firebrand and has just recently begun a correspondence with a gentleman of like mind who also cares about social justice. She does not realize that her new penpal and the annoying Earl of Sheffield are one and the same. Although she typically hides her brash personality, Augusta keeps running into the Earl and can't seem to keep her opinions to herself. When she needs help she finds he is the only one she can turn to.

This was published in 2000 and while the bluestocking/rake plot line has been done to death, this one is one of the best I've read. Just goes to show that any plot can be a winner in the right hands. The book really focused on the romance and the emotions of the characters. After the last historical that I read, Untouched which was overly sexy, this was refreshing. There was a lot of dialogue between the hero and heroine, they spent a lot of time together and I believed they truly loved each other. I should mention that there was a mystery subplot, but it was used to reveal the characters developing trust in each other.

A Lady of Letters was a very enjoyable read, and highly recommended.

My Grade: A

Review: Untouched by Anna Campbell

Last weekend's romance novel was by new author Anna Campbell. She made quite a splash with the controversial Claiming the Courtesan. That one did not appeal but her second book sounded right up my alley.



Matthew Sheene, a marquis, has been held captive by his greedy uncle so that he, the uncle, can control the family fortune. Matthew suffered a fit of some sort when he was 14, and that is the basis for his uncles charges of insanity. Matthew himself is not sure of his sanity and, locked away on a small estate as he is, he has little to compare himself with and almost no human interaction. To make his captivity more palatable the uncle brings Matthew a woman to entertain him. Unfortunately for Grace, he kidnaps her, a widow, rather than a prostitute. At first Grace is very frightened of her situation, then begins to care for Matthew.

Unfortunately this book didn't work for me. I enjoyed it at first and was willing to suspend disbelief enough to accept the rather preposterous set up. I liked the characters, especially Matthew, and I think the author did very good job of making Matthew, who is powerless and a victim, hero material. Things went south for me about half way through the book in the third redundant sex scene. The author spends much more time on sex than on a developing relationship or the emotions of the charcters. Also the writing is overblown. I think this author was shooting for epic but ended up with melodramatic.

I think the seed of a good book is buried under all the wordy, overwrought prose. If the author could tone down the exaggeration, and aim for subtlety, her writing would greatly improve and her story could blossom. Bad metaphor, I know.

My Grade: C

Review: Goddess of the Hunt

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

I've been anticipating this book since I read a favorable review in Publisher's Weekly describing it as "all the best of romance in one novel". Now I'm not one to run out and buy a new-to-me author or a debut author right away. My limited book buying bugdet makes be very cautious in my purchases. But when I also read a good review on Dear Author I rushed out to buy this and it went to the top of my TBR pile. Boy, I'm glad I did.

The plot: Lucy Waltham has loved her brother's friend Toby since she was 12 years old. Now, when it seems he's to propose to another woman, Lucy decides she'll have to seduce him. Unfortunatelfy she has no experience in seduction. Fortunately, her brother's friend Jeremy Trescott is available for her to practice with.

This book uses two of my favorite plot devices. I love books set at a house party, in this case at a hunting party at the Watham's country estate. This setting allows for a small cast of characters a few of which are hopefully well developed and opportunities for privacy for the h/h.

I also love the friends to lovers plot. In Goddess of the Hunt Jeremy and Lucy are not friends since she has always been the tag-along younger sister to her brother and his friends, but still they have known each other for years. They just begin to see each other in a different light. After three kisses Jeremy is absolutely sure that he wants Lucy. Lucy needs a bit more convincing that she doesn't, in fact, love Toby. But Jeremy can be very persuasive.

It's amazing to me that this is a debut. The writing is first rate and seemless. Dialogue is very real and amusing. But I think what made this stand out is the "scenes", for lack of a better word, that the author uses to tell the story. They are creative and fresh. There are many instances of this but I think the best one is how the author gets the h/h to marry. The easiest way to force a marriage is to have the h/h be caught in a compromising situation. I've read a zillion of those scenes and I've come to expect them. In GOTH a compromising letter is found that could be easily explained away. EXCEPT Jeremy wants her and sweetly steps forward to accept responsibility. There were several scenes that were done so well that I had to go back and reread them before finally putting down the book.

In summation, Goddess of the Hunt was a fine debut and I look forward to the next two books in the trilogy.

My grade: A-

Review: Don't Tempt Me

Don't Tempt Me by Loretta Chase

This was a very enjoyable book from one of the best writers of romance writing today.

Kidnapped and sold into slavery as a 12-year-old, when she was visiting the Middle East with her family, Zoe Lexham was been missing for 12 long years. After a daring escape from a harem, Zoe is returned to England hoping to live the life she was meant to live, that of a privileged English lady. However her notoriety makes it nearly impossible that she will be accepted in society. She needs help, and finds it in the person of family friend, Lucien de Grey, the Duke of Marchmount.

The loss of Zoe on top of the losses of his parents and his brother, lead Lucien to avoid feeling anything. He has turned into a care-for-nothing cynic. But Zoe's return and his determination to make the "Harem Girl" respectable force Lucien to experience emotion again.

This is a very well crafted story with a well matched hero and heroine. As Zoe and Lucien were friends as children, their romance was very believable. Lucien especially is very sympathetic. Lucien slowly begins to feel emotion again when Zoe makes him laugh then makes him mad, then makes him love. My heart ached for him at the end when he finally heals from years' worth of bottled up grief.

My only reservation is that, for some reason, I didn't fully connect to the story. I'm not sure why and I suspect it was not the fault of the book.

My grade: B+

Review: What Happens in London

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

This weekend's romance reading was the new, delightful novel from the delightful (she must be) Julia Quinn.

Olivia Bevelstoke is pretty, intelligent (although no one seems to expect this of her) but bored. When she hears a rumor that her new next door neighbor, Harry Valentine, killed his fiancee she decides to watch him. Fortunately, his office is right across the yard from her bedroom window and she can easily observe his activities. Which she does. For five days. On the fifth day he sees her and this puts an end to her spying. Olivia does not realize that Harry has been aware of her spying on him all along. He has been translating documents from Russian to English for the last week and has now been asked by the War Office to spy on a Russian prince and the woman he is courting, none other than Olivia Bevelstoke.

This story does not begin with Olivia, however. As she did most memorably in The Duke and I, the author begins the story by introducing Harry in a rather long prologue. We learn about his family and how he came to serve in the army and along the way the author engages our sympathies for the hero. Harry is serious and intelligent, in a quiet way, but possesses a sense of humor. When Olivia and Harry meet they are prejudiced against each other but this quickly gives way as they get to know each other.

This is where Julia Quinn shines, in the getting-to-know-one-another aspects of her books, and in her dialogue. Harry and Olivia talk to each other, they tease each other, they become friends. Their conversation is witty, humorous, and just delightful.

I read this with a smile on my face.

My grade: A-

Review: Under the Wishing Star

Under the Wishing Star by Diane Farr

Diane Farr is a great author who has not been given her due. She writes nice emotional stories with fully developed characters. This book is related to my favorite book by her, Under the Lucky Star.

In this romance, Natalie Whittaker is in a bad situation. After running her family's estate for years her younger half-brother and this annoying wife have come home to play lord and lady of the manor. Natalie is so desperate to leave that she agrees to take a position as a governess for a handsome stranger that she has just met. But when widower Malcolm Chase turns out to be her new neighbor, Natalie realizes that she can't compromise her status in the neighborhood by living in a bachelor household. The only solution? Marriage. But is Natalie willing to accept a marriage of convenience?

This is a sweet, subtle romance. It had a very traditional feel that just hit the spot. After reading a few hotter stories, with the focus on sex it was nice to read a slow building romance, focused on the emotions of the hero and heroine. I don't believe Diane Farr is still writing, which is a real shame. She is one of the best.

My grade: A-

Review: Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

I know I'm late to the party when it comes to the Anita Blake series. I've been rather dismissive of the whole paranormal trend in fiction and romance, but I'm beginning to think I've missed some great books. This book was really great and is very promising start to the series.

Anita Blake is an animator, meaning she brings people back from the dead, at least temporarily, in the form of a zombie. Very handy when there's a question about a will. She is also known to vampires as the Executioner because she's got a real talent for exterminating vampires. In this first story Anita is blackmailed into investigating the murders of innocent vampires. However vampires are unpredictible, especially the St. Louis master vampire Lothoas, and Anita realizes she's likely to be lunch no matter how her investigation goes.

More horror than mystery or romance (I believe a romance develops in later books), this book is violent, bloody and thrilling. Lots of action and smart-assness from Anita. I will definitely be reading more Anita Blake books.

My Grade: A-

Review: Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

My review, the short version: practically perfect.

Really this has to be one of the best contemporary romances I have ever read! I also read Just the Sexiest Man Alive and while reading both I kept thinking of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I don't mean to draw any similarities between the two authors as to characters or plot. Rather, as I was reading this authors books I had that same thunderstruck feeling of wow! that I used to get when I first started reading SEP's great contemporaries. I had the feeling that I just read something fresh and new.

J.D Jameson and Payton Kendal have worked at the same law firm for eight years. They've both worked very hard, they are very competitive with each other and both expect to make partner this year. Payton and J.D. don't like each other; she resents him because he comes from priviledge and he thinks she has an unfair advantage as a woman. When they are assigned to work together on a case they begin to respect each other until they learn that only one of them will make partner. Then the fun begins!

I can't say enough good things about this book. It was a joy to watch the romance unfold and these two prickly characters lower their defenses. The dialogue was witty and the characters were fabulous. It is so refreshing to find a workplace-set romance where the hero and heroine are equals, and where the heroine doesn't have to quit her job to make babies. The sex scenes were not graphic but were emotional and true. If you're looking for a fun, sweet contemporary that gets everything right, look no further.

My grade : A+

Review: The Dangerous Duke

The Dangerous Duke by Christine Wells

This is a new author for me and I believe Christine Wells' second book. The plot is a bit confusing to explain, so I'll just sum up. An arsonist has burned the home of the new Duke of Lyle, killing his relatives. He is determined to find the arsonist and uses all his skills as an agent for the Home Office to find them. He jails the vicar, who is hiding information about the arsonists, and kidnaps the vicar's older sister, widow Kate Fairchild, to persuade the vicar to reveal the perpetrators. Of course the Duke falls for Kate.

This was a solid 'B' read. My biggest criticism of the book is the plot is too convoluted. There are many elements and none of the subplots are fully developed. Without giving too much away, there is a love triangle, of sorts, a secondary romance, betrayal, a murder attempt, and a second kidnapping. The story is just too busy and results in a lack of focus.

The books biggest strength is the characters and their relationship. The hero and heroine are very likable. Kate is a frustrated widow, who longs for love. Lyle, the new duke, realizes the good qualities in Kate and easily decides to settle down. The author very nicely handles the tension in their relationship. Lyle deceives Kate before he begins their relationship. He knows what he's done is wrong and worries about her reaction. When she finally finds out he apologizes most sincerely. She's upset but doesn't do anything stupid (like run away and put herself in danger) and then she forgives him. The author never took the easy way out but allowed the characters to act like real people.

I think this author has a lot of potential. Overall, a good read.

Grade: B

Review: Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie or Why I Like What I Like

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

This book has gotten a lot of hype and good reviews online, in part because the hero is so unique.

Lord Ian Mackenzie, a younger son is considered mad in 1881, London. He had been institutionalized but is now returned to his family where he helps his oldest brother, Hartland, the Duke of Kilmorgan. Ian's excellent memory and facility with numbers has increased the family fortunes and become indispensable to Hart's work in diplomacy. Ian meets a colleague's fiancee, Beth, realizes that he doesn't deserve her and talks her out of the betrothal. The book continues as Ian persues Beth amidst an investigation into two murders of which he has been accused.

Lord Ian suffers from what we today would call Asperberger's syndrome. He dislikes crowds, can focus intently on an object and will rarely look anyone in the eye. I give the author a lot of credit for writing a hero who is on the autism spectrum. I'm not very familiar with autism but Ian displays characteristics of the condition consistently throughout the book. The author doesn't pretty it up either; Ian suffers from rages and we see how that affects his family.

However, while I can appreciate that the author wrote something different from so many other historical romances, and I'm all for greater diversity in settings and characters, I didn't really enjoy the book. It comes down to this for me: I have to make an emotional connection with the characters. I have to find their situation believable, agree, or at least understand, their actions and care that they deserve their HEA. This is a completely subjective but explains why I keep reading Sabrina Jeffries. Her plots are unoriginal and her writing is not very sophisticated but she ALWAYS makes me care about her characters. Unfortunately Ian and Beth left me cold.

Grade: B (for originality)

Review: Accidental Goddess

An Accidental Goddess by Linnea Sinclair

I picked this up because this author has gotten great reviews. I've also heard a lot of good things about her by word of mouth.

After her crystal spaceship is damaged in battle, Captain Gillaine Davre' wakes up in a Khalaran sick bay to discover that she has traveled forward in time over three hundred years. More distressing, she realizes that in the intervening years she has been designated a goddess . Gillie is not able to satisfactorily explain her presence on Cirrus One Space Station to the station commander Rynan Makarian. He questions her a few times and during those interviews an attraction develops.

Gillie is a sorceress and it is her duty to protect the Khalarans. In fact it was during a battle to repel the evil Fav'lhir, that she and her ship jumped into the future. Gillie is determined to conceal her identity as the Goddess for a few reasons, not least of which is that she fears it will kill her blossoming relationship with Admiral Makarian. When the Fav'lhir plot to take over Cirrus One, Gillie must use her powers to save the space station.

The character of Gillie is really great. She is strong and powerful, the most powerful person on the station, yet still vulnerable in her relationship with Rynan. Because she is trying to keep a low profile, she becomes a type of reluctant hero and it was enjoyable to watch her finally unleash her powers. Rynan, in turn makes a nice hero. While he is shocked and confused when he discovers Gillie's identity and feels unworthy of her love, he never rejects her. Even though the romantic relationship is important to the story, this was firmly in the science fiction genre. It was a great romance for a science fiction story but not a great romance.

My only complaints was that the plot was a bit convoluted and I didn't care for the presence of magic in this sci-fi story. Still this was a solid story with plenty of action, an interesting plot and strong characters. Very nice for something different.

My grade: B

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: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This was a very frustrating read for me. I've seen good reviews of this book and while the premise was really interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired.

Mary lives in a community dominated by the Sisterhood, a group of women who are the religious leaders of the community, and who keep everyone safe from the Unconsecrated. The village lives in fear of the Unconsecrated, the zombies, who roam the Forest of Hands and Teeth. They hunger for living human flesh and one bite can turn anyone into the undead. Mary comes to live with the Sisterhood and begins to realize that the Sisterhood has knowledge and secrets that it will not share. When the zombies breach the fence protecting the village, Mary and a group of others must leave and hope to find other humans beyond the Forest.

This book has a winning story. The idea of an isolated village fighting against an unimaginable evil is compelling. The monsters were truly scary and I love a survival story. I became frustrated with the heroine, Mary, the narrator of the story. She comes across as selfish and immature. She is obsessed with the idea of the ocean beyond the Forest and is willing to endanger herself and others of her party to find it.

I was also frustrated by how the author wrote some parts of the story. This group of people are in a survival situation yet they don't seem to have a plan; they react rather than act. At one point they are in a safe location that will eventually be breached by the zombies, yet they don't develop an escape plan or a way to kill the zombies. There is also little dialogue, so the story is mostly told through Mary's inner thoughts and concerns.

I think that if the author had approached the book a differently this could have been fabulous.

Grade C

New Favorite Author

If You Dare by Kresley Cole
(MacCarrick Brothers Book #1)

I've had the best book related experience there is -- I've discvoered a new author, and her name is Kresley Cole! Not a new author you say? Well, no you are correct. Ms. Cole has been publishing since 2003, according to http://www.fictiondb.com/. However she is new to me, having published during the years I was in the babycave. Ms. Cole has won this new fan on the strength of one book, If You Dare.

This historical romance has a very unusual setting -- the tiny country of Andorra in the Pyrenees in the 1850s. Courtland MacCarick has been working as a mercenary in this politically unstable country but has angered the dictator. Court escapes execution by jumping into a river, barley survives, and washes ashore to be found by the aristocratic Annalia. Against her better judgment, Annalia takes him home to heal. Meanwhile the dictataor is holding Annalia's brother prisoner in an effort to blackmail Annalia into marriage to cement his political power. After Courtland is well, Annalia attempts to hire him to rescue her brother. He puts her off at first but then ends up helping her and taking her to London.

Annalia is a great heroine, she is related to the royal family and acts the aristocrat. She does not nurse Courtland, doesn't really get to know him while he is in her home and does not trust him. Even as he is helping her she doesn't trust him or believe that he is acting in her best interests. They are strangers. I found this refreshingly realistic. In many novels the hero and heroine fall in love/lust way too quickly and easily. The best part of the story for me was gradually watching Annalia come to trust Court and Court accept his feelings for Annalia.

With action and intense emotion, the historical romance If You Dare was a great read and introduced me to a fabulous new author.

Grade: A