|Review| The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London

Title: The Devil Takes a Bride
Author: Julia London
Series: The Cabot Sister #2

Published January 27th 2015 by HQN Books

Genre: historical romance
Rating: B+

Goodreads summary:

From powerful love to sizzling passion, Julia London always delivers an incomparable reading experience. Returning to her acclaimed Cabot Sisters series, we meet an earl who can only be tamed by one wicked lady…

A plan born of desperation…
Once the toast of society, Grace Cabot and her sisters now await the shame of losing high status and fine luxuries upon the death of the Earl of Beckington. The dire circumstances are inevitable unless, of course, Grace's wicked plot to seduce a wealthy viscount into marriage goes off without a single hitch. But once a stolen embrace with the wrong man leads her to be discovered in the arms of Jeffrey, the Earl of Merryton, her plan takes a most unexpected—and scorching—twist.

…and altered by passion.

Governed by routine and ruled by duty, Jeffrey had no desire for a wife before he succumbed to Grace's temptation. Though his golden-haired, in-name-only bride is the definition of disorder, he can't resist wanting her in every way. But once her secrets meet his, society might consider their lives to be ruined beyond repair…while Jeffrey might just see it as a new beginning.

If it isn't clear by now, arranged/force/convenience/in-trouble marriages are my FAVORITE romances to read so of course I was all over The Devil Takes a Bride. Good thing too because it was definitely different than the average historical romance I read PLUS it just reiterated why I love marriage romances so much.

Grace, the heroine, is the second oldest Cabot sister after Honor and is followed by Prudence and Mercy. Due to the desperate financial situation that Grace's family is currently in, it drove her to the situation that has her accidentally married to our hero, Jeffrey. I really liked Grace! She was headstrong and was constantly moving forward and trying to make the best of her marriage to Jeffrey and that's why I like reading about these types of stories! Seeing the characters work hard at it makes the payoff so well earned! I also liked that the author didn't make her unlike the ~other~ women of the ton to highlight how special she is. Grace admits that she likes flirting and enjoyed the game of suitors but when things got tough, Grace did what she thought would benefit their family.

She rather enjoyed flirting and suggestive innuendo.

Jeffrey is what made the book special. He's OCD and well, he's kinky. BUT he doesn't know that his kinky side is normal and thinks he's plagued by some sort of evilness, especially when you factor in his OCD. He doesn't have any friends or people close to him to tell him how normal he is so he was a rather shy man which was so cute to read about and a welcome change from the regular alphas.

She wondered if there was a way to reach that she boy, buried in that aloof man.

Can we get more diverse heroes? PLEASE AND THANKS! So, Grace and Jeffrey are secluded in Jeffrey's country estate which means that they're all alone in the country and they must learn to be a couple. Be still, my heart.

"I thought if we had some friends in common, we might...well, we might become friends, too."

Oh, this is what dreams are made of!! If this isn't a Racquel book, I don't know what is! Add in the fact that this is a sister series (yay sisters!) and we have some really good family scenes, especially with Jeffrey and his brother, John. The epilogue did not disappoint which makes me so happy since to me, epilogues are either super satisfying or super sucky. This would easily be an A read, honestly, but it took me over a week to read it thanks to school and that is one of my worst bookish problems. If I take more than a day to read a book, I lose enjoyment no matter how much I'm loving the book. Other than that, I didn't have any issues (that my memory can recall). Another book to solidify my love for married couple books? check!

Would I try the other companion books? HELL YEAH.

Recommended for: fans of unique historical romance!

Rating: [B+] A really pleasant surprise!

*quotes taken from an eARC.

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(Review) Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

Title: Once More, My Darling Rogue
Author: Lorraine Heath
Series: Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #2
Published: August 2014 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Paperback borrowed from the library

Summary: Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can’t escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he’s not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning he realizes she doesn’t remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she’s his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can’t be denied, regardless of consequences. So when her memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

I went into Once More, My Darling Rogue very excited but also a little hesitant. I'm not always a fan of amnesia stories. Although they can be enjoyable, a lot of them wind up blending together in my mind because they're so similar. In order for me to desire to read one, I need something more. The heroine being completely hateful to the hero, followed by the hero taking advantage of the heroine's amnesia and making her act as his housekeeper? That'll do it. I knew Heath would have to tread carefully, because while the story would definitely be unique, it could also be the perfect setting for a good, old-fashioned alphahole, the fastest way to ruin a book. Thankfully, my trepidation was for naught. I fell head over heels for this book and devoured it in a day.

Let's start with the characters. In the beginning, Ophelia Lyttleton was kind of horrid. And I LOVED it. She was spoiled by servants, totally taking them for granted, and you know what? That's real. Highborn ladies of the time were pampered, waited on hand and foot by servants. They weren't expected to do anything for themselves. She was of the upper class, and she was well aware of it, having been raised by a father who drilled into her their superiority to those of lower birth. It was incredibly refreshing to see this, even though it did not make her the most likable of heroines at first. In addition, she was a total witch to the Drake, snubbing him repeatedly in front of others. To be fair, we mostly saw this from his perspective and memories, and the small glimpse we got into Ophelia's head showed that she was using this behavior as a defense mechanism against her attraction toward to Drake, someone with whom she could never be associated without losing her dowry and what was left of her family. There was also a lot more going on beneath the surface with her, secrets she did not reveal even in her thoughts until much later in the story.

Then there was Drake. I think the first line says it all:

I was born Peter Sykes, the son of a murderer, the son of a woman murdered, a heritage that has always haunted me.

Um, HELLO. Way to make an impression with the first line. It wasn't at all what I expected when I cracked open the book. That first line captivated me, and I continued to be intrigued by Drake through the whole book. He was smart, a great businessman, intimidating, but fair, but he had innate inferiority issues due to his birth, despite being raised in a duke's family. (I was completely intrigued by his pseudo-adoptive parents, as well, and I really hope Heath has written their story at some point in the past. I got that impression, and I would love to read it!) He also had a dragon tattoo. I'll let you read the book to discover where, but I'll just say that there was a scene about it that caused some definite swoonage.

Drake and Ophelia each brought out the worst in each other. She was mean to him to keep him at a distance, and the easiest method was to remind him of his inferiority. This was his one big weakness, the one issue that would really get to him. While usually in amnesia stories, I prefer to know how the hero and heroine would have gotten together without that particular plot device, I don't think this one would've worked without it. They were caught in a circle of animosity. They needed some reason to see beyond the barriers they had erected. And in their particular case, I don't believe that really would've happened in normal circumstances.

BUT ANYWAY. Now that I've written an essay on the first 50 pages or so, I can move on to the rest of the book.

When Drake found Ophelia washed up on the side of the river, he rescued her. After he got her safely to his house and discovered who she was, he had the brilliant housekeeper idea. And this is where it all could've gone horribly wrong. Thankfully, it didn't. At this point in the story, Drake hated Ophelia, and I could absolutely see why. He had every reason to. He had an irrational whim and went with it. He just wanted a laugh, a little revenge, something to keep her in her place when she tried to humiliate him again in the future. He wasn't going to make her do anything potentially dangerous or harmful, only tedious things like preparing dinner and dusting the library shelves.

But - insert shocked face here - things didn't go as planned! Due to circumstances, Ophelia had to stay with him longer. And while Drake had a few idiotic moments and should've told her the truth way earlier, I always understood his reasoning. With the way things played out, Drake and Ophelia got to know each other for real, in a way they never would have before the accident. And oh, oh but it was wonderful to watch. I enjoyed both of their perspectives. Ophelia knew instinctively that something was wrong with her new life, knew that something was off, but she was a good sport and went along with it. Her attempts were sometimes rather hilarious, like when she went to prepare a pheasant for dinner:

She couldn’t cook something that had the ability to glare at her, to make her feel guilty about preparing it.

By the end of the story, Ophelia had a new-found respect for servants and their jobs, having been in their shoes for a while. But that was pretty much all that changed. It wasn't a magical transformation from evil termagant to glowing saint, something that is common and drives me absolutely bonkers. Ophelia always had a good heart: loyalty, devotion, compassion towards animals, and many other qualities. We just didn't see them until she (albeit, unwillingly) let her guard down and allowed Drake to see them.

And did I mention the chemistry? Because yowza! The chemistry between these two was phenomenal. You could tell from the beginning that there was something explosive there that was being strongly repressed on both sides. Obviously Drake held back for a long time once she was in his care, but there was still attraction simmering between them. While I wouldn't exactly call it a slow burn, it unfolded slowly and deliciously, and I enjoyed every moment.

Once More, My Darling Rogue fulfilled every one of my wishes and expectations. Heath took a prevalent plot device and put a unique spin on it with refreshingly real, flawed characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys actual hate-to-love stories, because this one was well executed and absolutely lovely. It made me want to go look up more books by her, which I will very likely wind up doing.

First:I was born Peter Sykes, the son of a murderer, the son of a woman murdered, a heritage that has always haunted me.

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Favorite:Friendship isn’t measured by time. It can happen in the blink of an eye when you meet someone you like.

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Teaser:If looks could kill...well, hers might wound him, but it wasn’t going to be the death of him.

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(Review) Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James

Title: Three Weeks with Lady X
Author: Eloisa James
Series: Desperate Duchesses, #7
Published: March 25, 2014 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital review copy received from publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thank you!)

Summary: Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized dwelling, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India St. Clair.

Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks. But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them. Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option. But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can't afford to lose: His fierce and lawless heart.

When I first read that Eloisa James was going to write another Desperate Duchesses book, there may have been a happy dance. Of the super spazzy variety. While I do adore her fairy tale books, there is just something about her Desperate Duchesses series that is simply magical without any fairy dust needed.

I'll be honest: I went into this one knowing absolutely nothing about it. I do that sometimes with authors I trust, just for the fun of it. I like to be surprised by what they have in store. (Although now that I think about it, I just realized that the last time I was SUPER burned by a misleading totally-didn't-match-the-book blurb, it was an Eloisa James book. It happened with the most recent one, and it also happened with Thorn's father's book. Huh. Maybe my subconscious is onto something.) But I digress. Blurb or no, I enjoyed every moment between the covers of this book.

Lady Xenobia (better known by her middle name, India) was a fantastic heroine. She was colorful, unique, bold, yet traditional in many ways and demanding of respect. I enjoyed every moment with her. She was a career woman of sorts, in high demand by the members of the ton as, basically, an overhauler of households. India redesigned rooms, decorated, eliminated incompetent staff, and hired new servants when needed. She had made quite the reputation for herself, but India also wanted to marry. She decided to take one more job before retiring: the household of Tobias "Thorn" Dautry.

Thorn was quite the hero. He was as untraditional as could be, a richer-than-Croesus illegitimate son of a duke (the Duke of Villiers, nonetheless!) who had spent the first 12 years of his life as an orphan and a mudlark. Those years had shaped him in many ways, even though he was living as a gentleman now. He needed more than simply his money to appease the mother of the woman he wanted to marry; he needed a respectful residence. So he bought one, albeit one with a rather debauched former owner who displayed erotic art in the front hall. Enter India, hired by Thorn's stepmother to overhaul his new abode. Thus, despite their initial dislike, India and Thorn were forced to work together

Because of this set-up, much of the beginning stage of their acquaintance/friendship was formed through letters. I always, always love when novels have epistolary portions. There's just something about reading the written, personal communication between two people that is so fun and intimate and telling. It is a marvelous way to get to know the characters; I love it when the personalities shine through the writing. I am always amazed at what can be conveyed through simple word choice and placement. While there were only a few missives in Lady X, every bit was splendid. I laughed aloud more than once. It also served as a delightful way to deepen Thorn and India's friendship while they were apart.

Throw in a few "friendly" kisses, an adorable little girl, some witty banter, and a mildly pornographic statue or two, and you will understand why I fell so thoroughly under the spell of Three Weeks with Lady X. I couldn't put it down! It was entertaining, charming, and completely addicting. Color my expectations met: James has written another winner!

First:“Lady Xenobia, I adore you!”

---

Favorite:“I would suggest that you place yourself in the hands of Monsieur Devoulier.”
“Why that tailor in particular?” Thorn drawled, thinking with some satisfaction of the various coats Devoulier had made for him over the years. He might not choose to dress like a peacock on a daily basis, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t the clothing to do so.
“He excels in making shortfalls less obvious,” she said coolly. And damned if she didn’t glance at his crotch.

---

Teaser:Her eyes glittered. “Are you attempting to intimidate me?”
“Absolutely not. I’m merely attempting to clarify your thoughts on the subject. Because since I haven’t managed to sack you – not that I ever officially hired you – I might as well know my new employee’s opinion of me.” [...]
“First, Eleanor hired me, no you. And second, you are the bastard son of a duke.”
“Do you realize that you are the first lady who has ever said the word ‘bastard’ aloud to me?”
She looked him straight in the eye. “The word has more than one meaning”

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(Review) Let Sleeping Rogues Lie by Sabrina Jeffries

Title: Let Sleeping Rogues Lie
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Series: School for Heiresses, #4
Published: February 19, 2008 (Pocket Books)
Rating: Like a Train Wreck
Format: Paperback borrowed from library

Summary: When Madeline Prescott took a teaching position at Mrs. Harris's School for Young Ladies, it was to help restore her father's reputation. Instead, she's in danger of ruining her own. The devilishly handsome Anthony Dalton, Viscount Norcourt, has agreed to provide "rake lessons" to Mrs. Harris's pupils so they can learn how to avoid unscrupulous gentlemen, and Madeline is to oversee his classes. She has always believed that attraction is a scientific matter, easily classified and controlled — until she's swept into the passionate desire that fiercely burns between her and Anthony. Nothing could be more illogical than risking everything for a dalliance with a rake — even one who's trying to behave himself. Yet nothing could be more tempting...

It's always so disappointing when a highly anticipated book fails to deliver. I stumbled upon Let Sleeping Rogues Lie in the library months ago but didn't get a chance to read it the first time I checked it out. I got it again recently, super excited that it hadn't fallen through the hazardous cracks of my memory. After reading it, though, I kind of wish that it had.

I went into Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (to which I will henceforth be referring as The Adventures of the Bad Boy and the Honeypot, a title stemming from the hero's oh-so-excellent favorite terms for his and Madeline's respective genitalia) expecting it to be cracktastic. I mean, a rake giving rake lessons to a bunch of schoolgirls. Not a terrible idea, but certainly anything but a conventional one. Add in the pretty schoolteacher who is to supervise his efforts, and it promised to be loads of fun. To be fair, the infinitesimal portion of the book which focused on this was extremely enjoyable. I absolutely loved those scenes! Even though everything which caused the situation to fall into place was rather contrived - a trend which unfortunately lasted the entire book - I had expected that, and the scenes it delivered were just as fabulous as I'd hoped.

Then everyone jumped into a handbasket and did his or her own part to paddle the book toward to its fiery ultimate destination.

I did not particularly like Madeline or Anthony. Their relationship was a hot mess of schemes, half-lies, and manipulation. Done right, this can be a BLAST. I know it's not the healthiest dynamic, but it can be great when the partners are both aware of their one-upping relationship and hold mutual respect (whether the good kind of the you're-my-enemy-but-I-know-we're-equals kind), usually mixed in with some banter and explosive chemistry. But this was so not the case at all here. Everything was life-or-death serious. All their actions were far-fetched and based on wafer-thin logic, and both were plagued by constant paranoia about the motives behind EVERY SINGLE MOVE of the other party. It got old very quickly.

And the best part? OH THE BEST PART.

Anthony was forcing Madeline into letting him give her ~Lessons in Seduction~ by blackmailing her. He held not only the favor he promised her (throwing the party) over her head, but implicitly the fact that he could have her fired from her position and take away her livelihood.

ALERT ALERT ALERT.

Now, to be ~fair~ he was never going to force her to have sex with him. Just do everything except that, then let her decide whether or not she wanted to go all the way after the party later that week. And he was pretty darn sure she would say yes.

At last she would be his. She’d as much as said so at Godwin’s. And even if she came to the party determined to resist him, that would last only until he got her alone in a corner and kissed her. Her natural sensuality would lead her right to his bed.

And if that doesn't endear you to our gag-worthy "swoon-worthy" hero, let me show you a lovely excerpt from their first lesson, right after Madeline put a stop to things.

"It's time for you to leave, Lord Norcourt. I suggest you return to the stables until I make my appearance outside."

"I'm not leaving until we've finished the lesson," he said, half growl, half threat.

"Then I'm leaving."

She darted for the entrance. Swift as a hawk, he lunged, catching her at the door, pinning her against it. With fear gripping her, she drove her elbow into his ribs hard enough to make him grunt and fall back.

In that instant, she had the door open. She was halfway out when he cried, "Wait!"

She turned to glare at him, fully prepared to fight.

"We're not done, sweetheart," he vowed. "Run, if you like, but I will catch up to you eventually, and we will finish our lesson."

Nice guy, that Anthony.

To prove he did possess SOME morals, though, Anthony did have a huge hang-up about virginity. At first, he was determined not to mess with her beyond their first kiss because he never dallied with innocents. However, based on the fact that she asked for a favor in exchange for the favor she had done him (plus the fact that she blushed once, though how that is relevant is beyond me), Anthony decided she couldn't possibly be a virgin and was therefore a totally acceptable target for his machinations. Yeah.

Apparently it was also a-okay to continue in this vein, going by the fact that he later PLANNED TO DRUG HER (or pressure/convince her to try it, rather, since we're not supposed to think he's the villain) so she would reveal her secrets. He had second thoughts and decided not to go through with this (supposedly, since we only have his word on this, as circumstances prevented him from doing it even if he'd wanted to).

And I haven't even mentioned the childhood abuse, drug usage, murder, and scandal which loomed over everything like a wet blanket of crap. Nor the fact that Madeline herself wasn't innocent in all this, lying with every other breath, but at least her schemes stemmed from desperation and attempts to do the right thing for her father. And in their original bargain, Anthony was trying to do the right thing for his niece. So, you know, there were some good motives at play here even if you have to squint and tilt your head to the side to see them.

And somehow, in the midst of all this flapdoodle (noun: ridiculous situation or behavior. A word I just learned when using a thesaurus to try to find the perfect word to put here. Mission accomplished.), they fell in love. Or seemed to think they did. At the very least, they discovered they could have some pretty wild Bad Boy/Honeypot adventures, since Anthony was able to orgasm no fewer than three times in a row with no pauses in between. Due to his Incredibly Lustful and Beastly Nature, of course, amplified by the fact that she loved him. No, really, don't just take my word for it.

“Because it’s already hard enough for me to control myself around you. If I thought you really loved me–”

You would respect her enough to be able to stop if she wants you to?

Please tell me that's what you were going to say.

Although later in the scene, Madeline did finally lay waste to his nonsensical idea that a woman couldn't possibly want sex as much as he did.

You and your half-baked notions about what a woman can bear – you’re the one who has ‘no idea’ about me. I can be just as ungoverned as you.

*cheers*

The one character I actually liked in this book was Mrs. Harris, the headmistress. She was an interesting character from what we saw, a strong but fair woman who took no nonsense. I really would have liked to know more about her!

In the end, The Adventures of the Bad Boy and the Honeypot - er, Let Sleeping Rogues Lie had some positive qualities, but it was not enough to make up for the nonsense that pervaded the story. Even though I held on, hoping for the best, I was ultimately disappointed.

First:“Your father is ready to see you, Master Dalton.”

---

Teaser:A reputation isn’t always the measure of a man.

Unfortunately, Let Sleeping Rogues Lie was not a hit for me. But I have a bad habit of choosing terrible introductory books. For instance, I wasn't impressed by the first Julia Quinn book I read, but now she's one of my favorite authors! So I think Ms. Jeffries will definitely be a pick for an upcoming Second Chance Saturday. Does anyone have suggestions as to which of her books I should choose?

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(Review) Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Title: Lord of Scoundrels
Author: Loretta Chase
Series: Scoundrels, #3
Published: January 1995 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Physical copy, won from Harley Bear Book Blog

Summary: Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters" — and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best—sin and sin again — and all that's going swimmingly, thank you . . . until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him — and with him, her family and future — means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is herself!

When I first began thinking of books with Beauty and the Beast themes, Lord of Scoundrels immediately came to mind. One of the most famous in the historical romance world, it is a favorite of many. I originally read it back in 2009, scarcely a few months after I discovered and subsequently devoured the historical romance genre. In fact, it directly followed my binge-reading of the Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn, and that is not an easy act to follow by any means. But Lord of Scoundrels was hailed as magnificent, a classic, a must-read for any historical romance fan, and a book that had converted many a romance-doubter into a romance-lover. So I gave it a shot, and I fell in love.

Now, more than four years later, I needed this book in my life again quite desperately, and this event was the perfect time. I was, however, a little hesitant. Obviously when you first discover a genre, you tend to be less critical of it than after you've had some experience. It's all brand new and exciting, and those little nitpicky things that will bother you later on? You haven't noticed them yet. At least that's how it is for me. I have discovered that sometimes when I re-read a book that was an early favorite, I'll discover that the magic just isn't quite there anymore. And I was scared this would happen with Lord of Scoundrels. Less so than I am with some books, since this one comes so highly lauded. But still.

Shock of all shocks: I needn't have worried.

Loretta Chase still has one of the most charming writing styles I've ever seen. Jessica Trent remains one of my favorite heroines for how strong and awesome she is. I still feel for Dain so freaking much. And the infamous glove scene still gives me a swoon attack powerful enough to make me wish I owned an inhaler. And don't even mention the lamppost scene, lest I keel over in a dead faint.

There are so many things to love about this book. One of the best is the dialogue between Jessica and Dain. It's classic and hilarious and sharp and stunning. Example:

“Jessica, you are a pain in the arse, do you know that? If I were not so immensely fond of you, I should throw you out the window."

She wrapped her arms about his waist and laid her head against his chest. "Not merely 'fond,' but 'immensely fond.' Oh Dain, I do believe I shall swoon."

"Not now," he said crossly. "I haven't time to pick you up.”

What's not to love? Sarcasm is my language, and I snort with laughter every time I read this quote.

Really, though, Lord of Scoundrels has so much to recommend it. A strong heroine. Dual points of view so that you can understand what is going on inside Dain's head (because trust me, you need it). Jaw-dropping moments (or at least one in particular). One of the best grandmothers in the history of literature. Feels galore.

As for why I chose it for this feature? Perhaps the thing that makes this book most infamous: While the heroine is stunningly lovely, the hero is ugly. No, really. He wasn't handsome and then tragically scarred. He was described as unattractive as a child, and he never grew out of it. He's huge with a big nose and a frightening presence. But to Jessica? He's beautiful. Because everyone is beautiful to someone, no matter how the world tries to define you. And Dain breaks my heart into a million pieces because he is so insecure about his appearance, despite his intimidating presence and the devil-may-care attitude he displays. He is has a million walls up, and watching them fall before the (relatively) tiny but powerful Jessica just makes them all the more endearing.

While I don't quite think it is the perfect historical romance - it does have its flaws, though I can't really mention them without spoiling - Lord of Scoundrels remains one of my favorites. I am so glad I decided to conquer my fear and read it again. If you are looking for an excellent historical romance reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, look no further, because Lord of Scoundrels probably does it better.

First:In the spring of 1792, Dominick Edward Guy de Ath Ballister, third Marquess of Dain, Earl of Blackmoor, Viscount Launcells, Baron Ballister and Launcells, lost his wife and four children to typhus.

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Favorite:In my dictionary, romance is not maudlin, treacly sentiment. It is a curry, spiced with excitement and humor and a healthy dollop of cynicism.

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Teaser:“I tell you Dain is a splendid catch. I advise you to set your hooks and reel him in.”

Jessica took a long swallow of her cognac. “This is not a trout, Genevieve. This is a great, hungry shark.”

“Then use a harpoon.”

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|Review| A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh

Click on the image above to learn more about Fortnight of Festivities and enter in the giveaway!

Title: A Christmas Promise
Author: Mary Balogh
Published org. Dec. 1, 1992. This edition: Oct. 26th, 2010

Genre: Historical romance
Rating: A

Goodreads summary:

A love that cannot be bought or sold proves to be the greatest gift of all, in this heartwarming classic that demonstrates once again why New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh is among the most celebrated authors of historical romance.

Weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions—especially when a couple seems as well matched as Randolph Pierce, Earl of Falloden, and his bride-to-be, Eleanor Transome. Ellie brings to the marriage a vast dowry, while Falloden, though distant, is handsome, tremendously desirable, and possessed of a title most young ladies can only dream of sharing.

Yet Ellie is not most young ladies. She knows that she must honor her dear father’s dying wish for her to wed the proud earl, but she dreads a lifetime in a union without love—and how can Falloden claim to love her when he married her only for her fortune? As Christmas descends upon the Falloden manor, the warmth of the season may yet melt away the trappings of duty and wealth, leaving behind only a man and a woman destined for each other’s arms.

I came across A Christmas Promise at this blog post at Heroes & Heartbreakers. I read the post and immediately decided that A Christmas Promise would be my post-finals read and boy, was it a good decision. I have honestly not enjoyed a romance as much as I did while reading A Christmas Promise in a while. It made me laugh. It made cry. It made me swoon. As in LEGIT SWOONING. My heart experienced ridiculous things while reading this novel, y'all. Like hoooly hell, talk about sweet romance!!

A Christmas Promise is an arranged marriage story and if you know anything about me, know that I love arranged marriage stories (and I love Hardy Cates, I'll never miss a chance to give a shout out to BED *wink*), and if you want to know another thing about me, I love hate-to-love stories. Not FAKE hate-to-love where the hate is actually secret love, no, I enjoy legitimate hate turned into legitimate love and this was the case with A Christmas Promise. Eleanor doesn't know Randolph. Randolph doesn't know Eleanor and they were forced into marriage under tough circumstances. They both had incorrect assumptions about the other so they both entered their marriage unhappy and not willing to give each other a try and it was GREAT. I loved the biting sarcasm. Eleanor is a new favorite heroine of mine. That lady is TOUGH and she knew how make to make things tough for Randolph.

"I thought perhaps," he said, "you might be interested in knowing me. That perhaps we might learn to be friends."
"You want me in bed," she said, and her voice was as chilly as his heart. "Shall I go there?"

Snap snap snap, GET IT. God, I love tough heroines. She might have been too stubborn at times, but who cares! Finally, a heroine that wouldn't take any shit from the hero!

"It was hatred at first sight."

It was!! However, since this is a romance novel after all, slowly but surely Eleanor and Randolph started getting along. First they made a pact to cut out the sarcasm and agree to live together in peace since they're joined until death does them apart. It was a gradual change from the animosity in the beginning to tolerating each other to learning about each other and opening each other's hearts to love (god, what a cheesy sentence. Who am I?). I. Loved. It. It reminded me of Confessions from An Arranged Marriage which is also a super well done hate-to-love romance novel that I will forever and ever love.

Another fantastic thing about A Christmas Promise, and the reason it's being featured during this Christmas feature of ours, is that it's a story set during Christmas time. Now, it's not a story conjured up from nothing to be sold at Christmas time for the holiday romance lovers, no, this is terrific story set during a terrific time and Mary Balogh does it justice. There is snow. There is sledding. There is mistletoe. There is family and it's it's just wonderful and real. Eleanor has a big, boisterous family and they made this book (and Christmas) fun. Pretty much 75% of the book is set during Christmas time and it's MAGICAL. The white snow, and illuminating moon and the sledding and the family fun. . . magical, magical, magical.

A Christmas Promise is a fantastic romance with even magical Christmas setting that makes this novel not just enjoyable, but a classic that I will revisit again, and again, and then again. Historical romance fans: this one is for you. Holiday romance fans: this one is also for you.

I know this is a super glowing review, but I truly loved the heck out of A Christmas Promise. It's a new a favorite historical romance of mine and when I say I will revisit this book, I really will be. This  is a romance that I need to experience more than once.

Rating: [A] A new favorite romance of mine that handles my favorite tropes PERFECTLY and it's also one of the best Christmas holiday romance books anyone can hope to read. I'm in love.

First:

The Earl of Falloden glanced at the visiting card resting on the slaver his butler held extended toward him.

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Favorite:

She was still smiling at him. She knew his thoughts. He was sure of it. Just as a husband and wife should know each other's thoughts. It was a strange, unreal moment.

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Teaser:

He was just going to have to take her as she was. She would be damned before she would change to please him.

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(Review) No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

Title: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
Author: Sarah MacLean
Series: The Rules of Scoundrels, #3
Published: November 26, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: He is the Killer Duke, accused of murdering Mara Lowe on the eve of her wedding. With no memory of that fateful night, Temple has reigned over the darkest of London’s corners for twelve years, wealthy and powerful, but beyond redemption. Until one night, Mara resurfaces, offering the one thing he’s dreamed of: absolution.

Mara planned never to return to the world from which she’d run, but when her brother falls deep into debt at Temple’s exclusive casino, she has no choice but to offer Temple a trade that ends in her returning to society and proving to the world what only she knows: that he is no killer. It’s a fine trade, until Temple realizes that the lady—and her past—are more than they seem. It will take every bit of his strength to resist the pull of this mysterious, maddening woman who seems willing to risk everything...and to keep from putting himself on the line for love.

This book basically blew my mind. How many times do you read a book where the hero and heroine fall in love despite the fact that years before, she had drugged him and he had supposedly murdered her?

(No, seriously. If you have any recommendations for books like this, please please let me know in the comments! I want to read more.)

My relationship with Sarah MacLean's books is a little back-and-forth, but she impressed me more than ever with No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. I was excited for Temple's book, because I was so intrigued by him when I read One Good Earl Deserves a Lover a few months ago. And this book did not disappoint! In fact, it was better than I anticipated.

For one, I had not read the blurb for this book. I knew it was Temple's story, and I wanted to read it based on that alone. So I had NO IDEA Mara was the heroine. I started the book at the gym and was just reading along when bam, she revealed her identity. I gasped and ceased all movement immediately. Thankfully, this happened when I was on the stationary bike rather than the treadmill, or that would have been a terrible (though, let's face it, probably amusing) site to behold. I was completely shocked. And perhaps I should not have been, but while I figured Mara would show up later, I did not dream they would fall in love.

But they did. And it was amusing, frustrating, swoon-inducing, breath-taking, heart-breaking and altogether addicting watching them do so.

Both of the main characters were so original and so intriguing! Temple was a duke-turned-fighter who ran a gaming hell with a few other partners. He was termed the Killer Duke, believed to have killed Mara on the eve of her wedding (to Temple's father!), though there was no conclusive proof. And the worst part was that he did not know if they were wrong. Mara had drugged him before disappearing, and Temple had gone on for years, fighting to regain his memories of that night but never succeeding. And then Mara showed up. Mara, who had been running an orphanage for the illegitimate sons of noblemen in the years since her disappearance. Mara, who held the key to Temple's reinstatement to his rightful place as duke, who, more importantly, held the key to what had happened that night years before. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least.

There were so many things to love about Temple and Mara. They had an angst (for good reason), explosive chemistry, a slow burn that wouldn't quit, and brilliant exchanges of dialogue.

“I shall take that as a compliment.”
“It was not meant as one. I was merely pointing out your libidinous ways.”
“Libidinous.”
“Roguish. Rakish. Scallawaginous. Scoundrelly.”
“I’m certain that some of those words are not words.”
“Now you’re angling for a position as governess?”
“If the boys are learning words like scallawaginous, it might not be the worst idea.”
*Quote taken from an advance review copy and may appear different in finished book.

Really, the only negative thing I have to say about this book is that toward the end of the story, Mara's self-sacrificing for Temple went a little too far. She just wouldn't. freaking. stop. I get that she felt guilty and had reasons for her behavior, especially at first. In fact, I admired it at first! Love wasn't presented as this all-consuming selfish thing. But the woman wouldn't let it go. She was attempting to convince herself that Temple was better off without her despite a thousand proofs otherwise. It got old fast and continued way too long. Other than that, though, I cannot think of a thing I disliked about this book.

This story was compelling, enjoyable, and ultimately satisfying. Though she came close with One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, Sarah MacLean officially won me over with No Good Duke Goes Unpunished.

First:
He woke with a splitting head and a hard cock.

---

Favorite:
What did one say to the man falsely accused of one’s murder?

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Teaser:
It was one thing to drug a man once...but twice did seem overmuch.

*Quotes taken from an advance review copy and may appear different in finished book.

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(Review) The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Title: The Sum of All Kisses
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet, #3
Published: October 29, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless ...

One interesting fact: After reading the previous book in this series, A Night Like This, I mentioned in my notes the fact that I really wanted Hugh and Sarah to have a book together! But upon re-reading these notes a year later, I had no recollection of why I had wanted this, because I did not remember any interaction between the two of them. So I re-read the book. And I was right. Hugh and Sarah had virtually no interaction together at all. They were barely in a scene together. I guess I just thought the idea of their two vastly different personalities coming together was too good to resist.

I was, in fact, correct! Hugh and Sarah's book might just be my favorite of the Smythe-Smith books so far. I started it first thing in the morning and did not eat lunch or even speak a simple greeting to my roommate until I was done.

Hugh and Sarah's story was completely captivating. Hugh was a logical fellow who could do stunning amounts of math in his head. Sarah was a dramatic girl who set Hugh's teeth on edge, and he had the same effect on her. Oh, and there was also the fact that Sarah's cousin had shot Hugh in a duel (long story), leaving him with a permanent and painful limp. But over time, as they were forced together by circumstances, they began to see each other in a different light. Both still had qualities that made them less than perfect, but they acknowledged those flaws in each other and fell in love anyway.

While I do enjoy hate-to-love stories, unfortunately, many of them tend to rely on great sex for being the Magical Key to Falling in Love. And often, I just don't buy it. The Sum of All Kisses was more of a hate-to-friends-to-love story, and I found the development absolutely perfect and believable for Hugh and Sarah.

As another fun point, fans of Eloisa James would be pleasantly surprised to find a couple of her characters making guest appearances. They fit right in with all the wonderful characters from previous Smythe-Smith and Bridgerton books, who all together created an atmosphere that was impossible not to enjoy. Also, points to Julia Quinn for actually writing a romance epilogue I liked! It doesn't happen often.

I fell in love with Julia Quinn a long time ago, and she continues to deliver. Her books might not be full of stunning prose, grand adventures, or massive plot twists, but I don't always need those. When I pick up a Julia Quinn book, I know I am going to get entertainment, interesting characters, and a magnificent love story. The Sum of All Kisses delivered on all these fronts, and I cannot wait for the next installment of the Smythe-Smiths! I'm crossing my fingers for a book about Iris. Guess I'll have to wait and see!

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|Review| Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage
Author: Jennifer Ashley 
Series: Highland Pleasures #2

Published July 6th, 2010 by Berkley Sensation

Genre: historical romance
Rating: A

Goodreads summary:

Only one man could match a lady like this—scandal for scandal.

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again—this time by leaving him. 

Now Mac has resurfaced, every bit as charismatic, and with one goal: to seduce Isabella back into his life and his bed even if it means acting like a real gentleman. But when Isabella rises to the challenge of posing nude for Mac's erotic paintings, her pent-up hunger for the decadent rake is exposed as well, and she finds herself unable to resist the smooth strokes of an artist at work.

But someone's been watching them—dangerously close. This ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings also sets his sights on Isabella herself. Deciding to become Isabella's protector, Mac vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage is the second book in the Highland Pleasures series and while I loved the first book, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie |my review|, I did not think it could be topped because it's just THAT good, BUT Jennifer Ashley certainly delivered and equally fantastic historical romance!

Here's what's spectacular about Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage: Mac, the hero, loves his estranged wife, Isabella. Isabella loves the husband she left. Mac knows Isabella loves him. Isabella knows Mac loves her. Mac knows that Isabella knows that he knows that she loves him. Isabella knows that Mac knows that he knows she loves him. EVERYONE knows Mac and Isabella love each other so... what's the problem?

In romance books, we get to see the couple fall in love, have great sex, most likely slay some traumatic demons then get married and live happily ever after. What's next? This is Mac and Isabella's story. The Ever After years. Mac and Isabella met then they got married a few hours later because they were that smitten with each other. They have the awesome sex, they get to know each other a little bit, they have fun together and they fall in love. But in Mac's words:

"Passion without love and trust was empty,"

So this is the essence of Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage. Mac and Isabella have the passion and love but they needed to work on the trust part because newsflash: it takes more than love to actually be married to someone and I'm glad that a romance novel actually tackled this. There is no petty excuses or doubts in Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage and thank god for that. I need a break from "he loves me, he loves me not! She loves me, she loves me not!" drama and the "must protect my heart so I'm going to lie about my feelings" blah blah that's in a lot of romance books. Seeing Mac and Isabella come to learn how to manage their love for each other was awesome and I loved every second of this book. Congratulations to Jennifer Ashley for giving us an honest (and hot!) romance tale that breaks quite a few annoying romance "norms". To be honest, I don't know how I'm going to go read other historical romance books by other authors because I'm just obsessed with Jennifer Ashley's storytelling. It's historical romance at its best made better by the fact that Jennifer Ashley stays away from popular romance eye-rolling behavior.

If this book wasn't great enough, it was made even better by the side characters. I'm obsessed with the Mackenzie family. OBSESSED!!! And I don't say that lightly! I literally could read about the Mackenzie clan forever and ever. I was not joking, y'all, I have fallen in love with Jennifer Ashley's storytelling and characters and I don't want to read anything but the Highland Pleasures series. Just give me the Mackenzies. All I want is the Mackenzies written by the amazing Jennifer Ashley.

Fun fact: Mac's name? ROLAND Ferdinand "Mac" Mackenzie! This made me laugh.

Rating: [A] An excellent follow up to the excellent first book in the series, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I'm officially obsessed with this series!

First:

Isabella’s footman rang the bell at the house of Lord Mac Mackenzie on Mount Street, while Isabella waited in the landau, wondering for the dozenth time since she’d set off whether this were wise.

---

Favorite:

"What she would see was a cock that had elongated into a rigid pole. She could hang her St. Leger Ladies' Day hat on it... and oh, Lord, why did he just just think of that?" LOLOL!

---

Teaser:

"What the devil are you doing her, Mac? And why is Isabella seving you breakfast instead of dropping you down the cistern?" "My house burned down," Mac said from behind his paper.

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(Blog Tour) The Marquess of Cake by Heather Hiestand

Title: The Marquess of Cake
Author: Heather Hiestand
Series: Redcakes, #1
Published: July 4, 2013 (Kensington)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Format: Digital copy provided by Foreword Literary in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Scotch trifle fit for Queen Victoria, scones with clotted cream…Alys Redcake knows the way to a man’s heart. Yet she is unaware that with each morsel—and flash of ankle—she is seducing the handsome marquess frequenting her father’s tea shop. Unmarried at twenty-six, Alys’s first love is the family business. But thoughts of the gentleman’s touch are driving her to distraction…

With his weakness for sugar, the Marquess of Hatbrook can imagine no more desirable woman than one scented with cake and spice. Mistaking Alys for a mere waitress, he has no doubt she would make a most delicious mistress. And when he finds himself in need of an heir, he plans to make her his convenient bride. Yet as they satisfy their craving for one another, business and pleasure suddenly collide. Will Hatbrook’s passion for sweets—and for Alys—be his heart’s undoing?

There are few things in life I love more than a good historical romance, but baked goods rate right up there alongside those dashing cravat-induced swoons. So it's no surprise that Estelle thought of me when setting up the tour for Marquess of Cake.

I think the most interesting thing about this book might be that the hero, Michael, had hypoglycemia (or something along those lines, at least - I'm no medical professional). And as this was nineteenth century, the treatments were not known. He simply knew ways to self-medicate, including wholesome meals for longer stamina and sweets for a short-time high. But Michael loved sweets, something I could whole-heartedly identify with! Especially as Alys Redcake's sweets sounded divine.

Another thing I enjoyed about Marquess of Cake was that Michael and Alys were not victims of the all-powerful instalove. Although there was an immediate attraction, they first met when Alys waited on Michael's table in her family's bakery. They ran into each other a number of times after that, in various circumstances, some enjoyable, some not. While I would not say they had a slow burn relationship, I got to know the characters well before they truly acted on their attraction. And Alys was a character I truly enjoyed getting to know. She was not interested in marriage, preferring to pursue a career in business and baking. And she was always honest about this, from the very start. This was quite a change!

Surprisingly, there were quite a few more darker themes than I expected, since the title and cover seem to imply a lighter story. And while there was quite a bit of humor, it was balanced with real issues such as medical problems, death, family loyalty, and issues from Alys's past. But not to worry: it's a romance novel, so we still get our HEA!

I did have a few issues with Marquess of Cake. For one, the book seems to have a bit of an identity crisis, both looking and reading like a contemporary. And while this is not exactly bad, it was something that took a little getting used to. The plot did seem a little too contrived at times. The hero also had a couple moments of giant asshattery, which made it difficult for me to root for him.

I will say that I'm excited for the sequel, which comes out in December. It is about a character I was rather intrigued by, though we never really got to know him. I also hope that eventually, there will be a book about Alys's cousin, Lewis, too. He was one of my favorite side characters in Marquess of Cake. As a whole, while Marquess of Cake did have some flaws, it read quickly, and was sweet - in more ways than one, heh - and enjoyable!

Now, don't run off just yet! There is a giveaway! And be sure you check out the next stops on the tour:

November 08: Never Too Fond of Books
November 11: Zemfirka Blogs
November 12: The Reading Addict
November 13: Peace Love Books
November 14: Romantic Historical Lovers

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|Review| The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Title: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Highland Pleasures #1

Published April 28th 2009 by Leisure Books

Genre: historical romance
Rating: A

Goodreads summary:

The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family--rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them--of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz. The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women. Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama--an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband. And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.

I've had The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie for a while and it was supposed to be the first historical romance I read but I ended up reading Confessions from an Arranged Marriage (which is beyond excellent) first. So I kept telling myself (and Sharon) that I would read Ian Mackenzie next but here I am, 13 months later and I've just read this book and... I'M SO STUPID. Why did I wait this long?! Like I predicted and like a hundred reviews told me, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is an excellent historical romance novel.

Ian is unlike any romance hero because he's autistic and this book is set in 1881. That's not a good combination. Ian was deemed a madman and was even admitted to asylum by his father and submitted to torture to "cure" him.

He touched the tip of his tongue to the bowl, reflecting that it was far better than ten carriages with matched teams.

I loved Ian and his love for Ming bowls. I just loved reading and learning more about him! How he didn't understand jokes or emotions and how he had to be taught to do some things like clap at the end of an opera performance but he never actually learned why people do that. I pretty much fell in love with Ian and could have read about him forever. He's just so smart and interesting and can I just huggle him?

I also loved the heroine, Beth. I really appreciated something Jennifer Ashley did with this book and that is how Beth is widowed but she loved her husband. He wasn't secretly evil or awful but she actually had a healthy, beautiful marriage before she met Ian. I don't see a lot of that in romance. The heroine's past relationships are either nonexistent, abusive or horrifyingly bad so it was nice to have  heroine who got to experience something good in love because sometimes, the world is good to you that way. Beth was also pretty normal. She liked clothes (I'm so fucking tired and DONE with the heroines who are fashion-challenged and how that's a good thing because apprently liking fashion and being girly is a "bad" thing but that's an argument for another day.) and balls which is pretty nice because heroines who are above everything society does and use the excuse of "not fitting in" or something ridiculous like that make me go blahhh.

The romance between these two was so explosive.

“We don't fit in, you and me," he said. "We're both oddities no one knows what to do with. But we fit together." He took her hand, pressed her palm to his, then laced their fingers through each other's. "We fit.” 

Is that quote not just full of swoon? That's how it was between Beth and Ian. A whole lot of sweet swoon because Ian was rather precious ♥ However, Beth didn't shelter him and protect him like his brothers did.

I do not think of him as Lord Ian Mackenzie, aristocratic brother of a duke and well beyond my reach; not as the Mad Mackenzie, an eccentric people stare at and whisper about.
To me, he is simply Ian.

This goes back to the previous quote, how Ian and Beth fit together perfectly because they understood each other. Beth knew how to handle Ian and and Ian behaved in his own, sort of unusual way that worked for beth. It was great. Plus the book was hawt. Talk about the perfect book!

“He pulled her close. "Your being with me makes it stop. It's like the Ming bowls - when I touch them and feel them, everything stops. You are the same. That is why I brought you here, to keep you with me, where you can please make...everything...stop.” 

The MacKenzie clan, Ian's brothers, all made frequent appearances in this book. Hart. Cameron & his son Daniel. Mac and the wife he's separated from, Iseballa. I loved all of them and I'll definitely get my hands on their books soon but I'm trying to pace myself instead of reading the entire series in one week. I also loved Curry who is Ian's valet. I just loved everything about this book, even the mystery plot that played throughout the book and the craziness it brought (an unrelenting inspector, prostitutes, secret bastards, murder, etc.) so if you haven't read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and you're a fan of historical romance, you need to get this book immediately!

Rating: [A] A new favorite! An epic beginning to a family series that I'm sure is going to rock my socks off.

First:

"I find that a Ming bowl is like woman's breast,"

Favorite:

"Because you have beautiful eyes."

"How do you know? You've not once looked at them."

"I know."

Teaser:

"Why can't ladies ride like men?"
"With a horse between your legs?" Cameron's gold flecked eyes went wide, and he touched his fingers to his mouth like a shocked, elderly maiden. "What kind of woman did you marry, Ian?"

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