From the back of the book:

She was his last chance for a future of happiness…

A gifted fortune-teller from a humble background, Jenny can make even the most sophisticated skeptic believe her predictions simply by batting her smoky eyelashes. Until she meets her match in Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, a sworn bachelor and scientist.

He just didn’t know it yet

Broodingly handsome, Gareth is scandalized to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of “Madame Esmerelda,” and vows to prove Jenny a fraud. But his unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress defies logic. Jenny disrupts every facet of Gareth’s calculated plan - until he can’t decide whether to seduce her or ruin her. Now, as the engage in a passionate battle of wills, two lonely souls must choose between everything they know…and the boundless possibilities of love.

I loved this book. It is a little bit of different, but not enough that is seemed odd. Most of the book doesn’t take place in a ballroom (although there is a little party hoping) or the park. The majority of the story takes place within the homes of the two major characters, Gareth and Jenny.  I loved all of the characters, especially Gareth and Ned. The relationship between these two characters is very strained, yet you can feel the love between the two of them. Jenny’s occupation is unique and sets her apart from your typical historical heroine. Instead of becoming a rich man’s mistress, she is a psychic. The sparks between Gareth and Jenny are instant and undeniable. My only complaint was that there wasn’t enough Ned. Ned is such an interesting  and vulnerable character and I cannot wait until his book comes out. Also, there is a small appearance by William Q White from Ms. Milan’s Christmas novella.

the book girl gives PROOF BY SEDUCTION a 5/5

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From the back of the book:

Miss Zoe Armstrong is beautiful, charming, rich - and utterly unmarriageable. So, while she may be the ton’s most sparkling diamond, her choice of husbands looks more like a list of London’s most unsavory fortune hunters. Since a true-love marriage seems impossible, Zoe has accepted - no, embraced - her role as society’s most incomparable flirt and mischeifmaker…until in one reckless, vulnerable moment, her future is shattered.

Stuart Rowland, the brooding Marquess of Mercer, has been part of Zoe’s extended family since she was a child. As dark and cynical as Zoe is lively, Mercer has always known they would be the worst possible match…until his scapegrace brother Robert does the unthinkable, and winds up betrothed to Zoe. Now, secluded on Mercer’s vast estate to escape a looming scandal and the ton’s prying eyes, Zoe and Mercer may find that a dark obsession has become a tempestuous passion that can no longer be denied…

I loved this book. It worked for me on several levels. Zoe is a fun character, she is full of life and doesn’t take herself too seriously. But there is more to her than just what people can see on the surface. She is much more vulnerable and uncertain than Mercer thinks she is, which leads to them butting heads on more than one occasion. Mercer is Zoe’s opposite. He takes life very seriously and doesn’t believe in acting recklessly. It was fun to read these two falling in love and taking what they wanted without thought to the consequences. This is my favorite Liz Carlyle book so far.

the book girl gives WICKED ALL DAY a 5/5

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From the back of the book:

The Duke of Sale is out to prove himself

The shy, young Duke of Sale has never known his parents. Instead, his Grace Adolphus Vernon Ware, Gilly for short, has endured twenty-four years of rigorous mollycoddling from his uncle and valet. But his natural diffidence conceals a rebellious spirit.

A Mysterious beauty provides the perfect opportunity

When Gilly hears of Belinda, the beautiful foundling who appears to be blackmailing his cousin, he absconds with glee. But he has no sooner entered this new and dangerous world than he is plunged into a frenzy of intrigue, kidnapping, adventure, and surprises at every turn.

This book is fantastic. I liked the fact that the book didn’t focus on the heroine, but upon the hero - Gilly. Gilly grows into his own and comes out from under the thumb of his family. Belinda is a nice secondary character, but a bit light on development. Heyer’s books are ones that can be read over and over while still being enjoyable. THE FOUNDLING will definitely have a place of honor on my bookshelf.

the book girl gives THE FOUNDLING a 5/5

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From the back of the book

A mysterious deception…

an unstoppable desire.

Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss - but burdened by a dark secret. She’s buried her shame in running her wealthy brother Lord Nash’s household while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe…until a reckless village maid’s disappearance pulls her into London’s seedy underworld.

A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan’s an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brother - a perfect task for his talents! - Tristan can’t refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt - until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.

Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated…when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion - and deadly foes!

I put off reading this because I was not a fan of the last trilogy (Never Lie to a Lady, etc), but I really liked this book. It was wonderfully written and surprisingly emotional. At first, Tristan got on my nerves. I could tell there was more to the character and wanted to get past all the man-whore stuff. Once that was over I totally fell in love with him. Phae was harder to understand. I won’t give it away, but it wasn’t until she tells Tristan about her past that I understood her motivation. There were several plots/subplots to this story and I think that is why I liked it so much.

the book girl gives TEMPTED ALL NIGHT a 5/5!

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From the back of the book:

When an ancient tax law is invoked requiring all unmarried ladies to either wed or surrender half their wealth, the quiet village of Fortune’s Folly is overrun by a swarm of fortune-hunting bachelors.

Marry again? Never! Not afterwhat Laura, the dowager duchess, was forced to endure the first time. Even if her onetime paramour, Dexter Anstruther, is oh-so-tempting, she knows her secrets would destroy any chance at a future together. Young, handsome and scandalously tempting, Dexter suspects Laura has a hidden motive for resisting his charms…and he intends to discover it, by any means necessary.

The Confessions of a Duchess is the first book in a trilogy set in the same town of Fortune’s Folly. I had high hopes for this book, but it didn’t live up to them. From the premise - a tax on unmarried women - to the secret that the Laura is keeping from Dexter, there was one unbelievable happening after another. Dexter is a man in need of a fortune to take care of his six brothers and sisters and he doesn’t expect anyone to help him. Laura is a dowager duchess who has a small daughter to take care off and little money. She once spent a wild night with Dexter and then coldly tossed him out of her bed. The set up for the romance worked for me and would have made a great story if Laura had been honest with Dexter and there wasn’t the stupid dame’s tax thing. I have the other two books in the series, but probably won’t be reading them.

the book girl gives THE CONFESSIONS OF A DUCHESS a 2/5

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From the back of the book:

Only one thing could convince Sir Tobias Aldridge, and incorrigible libertine, to profess undying fidelity to a woman he’s just met. Revenge. What better way to get back at an enemy than by stealing the scoundrel’s sister? Not that Toby finds it a chore, seducing a beguiling, sultry beauty freshly arrived form the West Indies. When the prize is Isabel Grayson, vengeance is double rewarding.

Isabel is determined to marry a wealthy, powerful lord and become a lady of influence, using her rank and fortune to fight social injustice. Sir Toby, with his paltry title and infamous reputation, is unsuitable husband material - but he makes her blood race, her heart pound, and her long-buried passions come to the surface. If she can reform the charming devil, she’ll get exactly what she craves: society’s respect. But it’s a dangerous gamble. For if Toby wins this battle of persuasion, Isabel could lose her heart.

If you have read my reviews for the previous two books in this series, GODDESS OF THE HUNT AND SURRENDER OF A SIREN, then you know how much I love the way Tessa Dare writes. He characters are fun and the conversations between characters are always written so perfectly. A LADY OF PERSUASION is the last book in this trilogy and everything is tied up very neatly in the end. One of my favorite things about this book was the epilogue that takes place 5 years later. We get to see how each couple has adjusted to marital bliss. Toby was one of my favorite characters from the very beginning and I love him even more after reading his story! And - Lucy from Goddess in labor was fantastic. I can’t wait for Tessa Dare’s next series in 2010!!

the book girl gives A LADY OF PERSUASION a 5/5!!

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Tessa Dare

From the back of the book:

Lady Nicole Daughtry has vowed never to be vulnerable to any man. Despite the man suitors vying for the dazzling beauty’s hand she has seen the damage love can inflict and wants no part of it. Until she meets Lucas Paine, Marquess of Basingstoke, whose aura of mystery and  danger draws her like no other…

Lucas is a man with a mission - and a powerful thirst for revenge. The last thing he can afford is the distraction of a pretty face. But a scandalous affair with Nicole could be just the cover he needs to outwit his enemies. With treachery everywhere, and Nicole’s very life is his hands, Lucas will face his greatest challenge yet - to keep the lady safe from harm…and his heart safe from her.

A Kasey Michaels historical (or contemporary) is never a disappointment to me. I love the way her characters interact with each other. Her heroes are always ready for love and don’t shy away from it when the right woman comes around. Lucas is just this way. He falls for Nicole from the very beginning and loves every minute of it. Nicole is a different story. After watching her mother flit from man to man and her sister’s heart break when the man she loves dies at war, Nicole is determined to never marry. I loved this couple and couldn’t wait for Nicole to change her opinions of love and marriage. It is a perfect love story.

the book girl gives HOW TO TAME A LADY a 5/5!

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