From the back of the book:
Lord Jarret Sharpe has spent a lifetime trying to make fate pay, wielding cards like a weapon at anyone who dares to mention the scandal surrounding his parents’ deaths. But he can only seem to win when he doesn’t care about the outcome, so he’s learned to be indifferent to everything. The only thing he’s passionate about is running the Sharpe family brewery.
Annabel Lake is determined to remain a spinster - running her family’s brewery is enough of a challenge. And when the brewery is in danger of going out of business, she needs help from her stubborn competitor, Lord Jarret. Knowing Jarret’s reputation as a gambler, she proposes a bet: a game of cards wagering her mother’s ring - and a night in her bed - against his help with the business.
When Annabel wins the bet, Jarret reluctantly travels to Burton to help her. There, he finds more than just a struggling female brewer - he finds his heart. And Annabel, who has nothing but contempt for inveterate gamblers, discovers that some men are worth the risk.
This is the second book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series and I liked it as much as I did the first book (THE TRUTH ABOUT LORD STONEVILLE). Annabel is a fantastic character. She is feisty and at the same time very vulnerable. Her past has shaped who she is and has stunted her growth as an individual. Jarret brings out something in her that has been missing and she does the same for him. The story moves at a fast pace and the dialogue between Jarret and Annabel is fantastic. A must-read for historical romance fans.
the book girl gives A HELLION IN HER BED a 5/5
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About the book:
The prodigal return…
It’s an absolute scandal when Captain Matthew Leland a
rrives at Madingley Court. Presumed dead in battle, his sudden appearance gives the ton quite the shock. But no one is more surprised than Matthew, because waiting for him at home is a bewitching, blue eyes beauty - and she claims to be his wife!
Miss Emily Grey was almone in the world when a knight in shining armor came to her rescue, claimed her heart, and then disappeared. But now her little white lie, a desperate act of self-preservation, has come back to haunt her. Her husband, once a far-off fantasy, is now a flesh-and-blood man who insists she share his bed…
Matthew has no memory of any marriage to this scheming seductress, and he’s determined to expose her in every way. But a life with the exquisite Emily will prove irresistible…and a marriage of deception will becomes a marriage of sweet, sweet surrender.
NEVER MARRY A STRANGER is a very fun historical. The characters are enchanting and the story fantastic. I loved Matthew and Emily. His sense of humor and acceptance of an odd situation made him very lovable. His understanding of Emily and the situation that led to her claiming to be his wife was not very realistic, but fit the tone of the story perfectly. Emily is also delightful. I really liked the way she had made herself a part of Matthew’s family and brought certain members back to happiness. I recommend this for anyone looking for a light, happy historical.NEVER MARRY A STRANGER is simply fantastic!
the book girl gives NEVER MARRY A STRANGER a 5/5
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From the back of the book:
Only one man could match a lady like this - scandal for scandal.
Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized London by eloping with the notorious artist Lord Mac Mackenzie on the eve of her debut ball. 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 someones 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.
I had been waiting to read LADY ISABELLA since I finished THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE. I wasn’t disappointed. It took me a while to get into the story, since I couldn’t remember exactly what had happened between Bella and Mac, but once I was acquainted with the story I was completely drawn into the story and couldn’t put the book down. Mac is such a great character. He has an artist’s mentality and jumps into things before he has thought it through. One of the major problem’s that Isabella has with Mac is something that she loves about him too. I think a lot of married/committed people feel this way. Sometimes the little things that you initially loved about the person turns into something that really bugs. The thing I liked the most about this book is that the couple is still in love. The reader isn’t expected to believe that the overcome intense dislike or hatred. Neither one has done something that can’t be undone. I was fantastically happy with the way this book turned out and can’t wait to read more about those sexy Mackenzie brothers.
the book girl gives LADY ISABELLA’S SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE a 4/5
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From the back of the book:
A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES
Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London’s most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows the area like the back of her hand - she cares for its children at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk…
A WOMAN HAUNTED BY HER PAST
Caire makes a simple offer - in return for Temperance’s help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as a cold bargain soon falls prey to a passion neither can control - a passion that may well destroy them both.
Elizabeth Hoyt is a hit-and-miss author for me. I loved her first trilogy, but didn’t care for the last couple of books. WICKED INTENTIONS is fantastic. I loved the unconventional heroine and the kinky hero. The mystery they are trying to solve is fantastically done and feels completely realistic as part of the story. It also sheds a different light onto Caire who comes across as a bit of a jerk at times. I loved everything about this novel that made it different. It doesn’t take place in glittering ballrooms (although they do visit occasionally) and there is much more at stake than reputation and romance. Temperance has put the children of the orphanage above her own needs until Caire comes around. They are still at the top of her list, but I loved the way Caire makes her think about herself also. Both Temperance and Caire go through changes in this book as they find their way towards love. I can’t wait to read more in this series - I hope that the rest of the books are as fantastic as WICKED INTENTIONS.
the book girl gives WICKED INTENTIONS a 5/5!
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CONTEST: Leave a comment on this post to be entered for one of three copies of WICKED INTENTIONS. US addresses only, please. Contest runs through 8/8/10 at 5pm cst. Winners will not be emailed, so make sure to check back next week.
From the back of the book:
MISS HARLOW’S MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE
London, 1823
A handsome duke. His beautiful soon-to-be duchess. A whirlwind courtship. It is this author’s privilege to report on the even all of London is talking about: the upcoming wedding of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon to the only daughter of the Duke of Richmond. Every detail of the “Wedding of the Year” will be reported in these pages as a London Weekly exclusive.
But I, Miss Sophie Harlow, must confess to a secret infatuation with this “double duke” that can only lead to trouble. It is impossible that this notoriously upstanding gentleman would ever jilt his bride for a scandalous female newspaper writer. And yet…the arrival of a foreign prince, the discovery of a shocking secret, and one passionate kiss could change everything. Will this perfect duke risk the scandal of the year to marry the woman his heart desires?
There are just three more weeks until the wedding…
This was a fantastic historical romance. I finished the book and wanted to start reading it again immediately. Brandon and Sophie fall almost instantly in love, but there are lots of barriers between them - class, expectation, and Brandon’s pesky engagement. I loved the way each of the characters work through the hurdles they face while trying to not hurt the other involved. This book is written with such humor and emotion. I held my breath hoping that Sophie and Brandon could find a way to be together always. I couldn’t put this book down and instantly ordered Ms. Rodale’s backlist from Amazon. This is an author that will be on my to-be-bought list permanently.
the book girl gives A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN a 5/5!
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From the back of the book:
She harbors a secret yearning.
As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors that in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted…and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man - just to avoid spinsterhood?
He is a world-weary cynic.
Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix’s friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul - and it’s becoming clear that Christopher won’t come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru’s disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru’s letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep…and when Christopher comes home, he’s determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix’s innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love - and a passion that can’t be denied…
What a perfect ending to the Hathaway series. Beatrix has always been more of a comedic secondary character than the main star. In LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON she came into her own. I loved her correspondence with Christopher and how their relationship evolved during those letters. Christopher broken my heart. Every time he told Beatrix that he wasn’t good for her it I wanted to hug him. He wasn’t trying to be a martyr, he truly believes that the things he has done in his past make him less than she deserves. The evolution of their relationship both before and after he knew it was her who wrote the letters, is lighthearted and emotional at the same time. There were many times while reading this book that I found myself smiling and laughing. There was also a few times I found myself on the verge of tears. I felt very satisfied with the ending to this series.
the book girl gives LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON a 5/5!
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From the back of the book:
HE IS NOT WHAT SHE HAD IN MIND.
Jude Bertrand is not an excellent dancer. Nor does he wear the most fashionable coats. But when Marissa York’s brother approaches him, desperate to preserve Marissa’s tenuous reputation, Jude does prove heroic enough to offer to marry the girl. In fact the union should more than make up for his lack of social graces - and his own scandalous past…
BUT MINDS CHANGE…
Marissa knows that betrothal to the son of a duke - even one as raw and masculine as Jude - will save her from ruin, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy about it. Soon, though, she finds that Jude has a surprisingly gentle touch - and plans to use it to persuade Marissa that their wedding day cannot come soon enough…
If you are a regular reader here at the book girl then you know all about my love of anything and everything Victoria Dahl writes. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of A LITTLE BIT WILD and read it during Romcon. I know that some people will have a problem with Marissa, because she is more like a contemporary heroine than a historical one. However, I loved her and probably for that same reason. She is curious about intimacies between men and women and doesn’t seem to feel any remorse for her exploration. Jude is also a fantastic character. The way her relates to Marissa and doesn’t try to pressure her into anything is fantastic. I could tell from the very beginning that he really loved her. The only thing I didn’t really care for in the book is what happens with a note that is received asking for money or Marissa’s action would be revealed. At that point, I just wanted to get to the happy ending and didn’t need the added intrigue. A LITTLE BIT WILD is a fantastic romance with an unconventional heroine and a sexy hero!
the book girl gives A LITTLE BIT WILD a 4/5
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From the back of the book:
“The Devil was about to be tamed.” Her name is Hannah Reid. Born a commoner, she has been Duchess of Dunbarton ever since she was nineteen years old, the wife of an elderly duke to whom she has been rumored to be consistently and flagrantly unfaithful. Now the old duke is dead and, more womanly and beautiful than ever at thirty, Hannah has her freedom at last.
And she knows just what she wants to do with it. To the shock of a conventional friend, she announces her intention to take a lover - an not just any lover, but the most dangerous and delicious man in all of upper-class England: Constantine Huxtable.
Constantine’s illegitimacy has denied him the title of ear, so now he denies himself nothing…or so the ton would have it. Rumored to be living the free and easy life of a sensualist in his country estate, he always chooses recent widows for him short-lived affairs. Hannah will fit the bill nicely.
But one these two passionate and scandalous figures find each other, they discover that it isn’t so easy to extricate oneself from the fires of desire - without getting singed. For the duchess and the dark lord each have startling secrets to reveal, and when all is said and done, neither will be able to say which one fell in love first, who tamed whom, and who has emerged from this game of hearts with the stronger hand.
The jacket copy on this book almost made me not want to read the book. Hannah doesn’t sound very nice and I wanted a nice girl for Con. I’m very glad that I went ahead and read the book. Hannah is a nice girl and the perfect girl for Con. After waiting for Con to get his happily ever after I loved this book. I loved how they fall in love and how the other Huxtable family members take part in the story. I hate when you read a series and the characters from the first books aren’t mentioned in the other stories. My favorite part of A SECRET AFFAIR was learning Con’s history and what had really happened between him and his cousin. All in all a fantastic book and the perfect ending to the Huxtable series.
the book girl gives A SECRET AFFAIR a 5/5!
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From the back of the book:
Lady Jane Cummings is certain that her summer is ruined when she is forced to reside at isolated Merrymere Lake with her reckless brother and ailing father. Fast-paced London society is replaced with a small-town grapevine. But one bit of gossip catches Jane’s attention - rumors that the lake’s brooding new resident is also an elusive highwayman.
Jane must face the much-discussed mysterious stranger after he saves her brother from a pub brawl. She immediately recognizes him from London: Byrne Worth, a war hero and apparent hermit - whom she finds strangely charming. The two build a fast friendship, and soon nothing can keep this lady away from Merrymere’s most wanted. Convinced of his innocence, Jane is determined to clear Byrne’s name - and maybe enjoy this summer after all.
There really isn’t a whole lot to say about this book. It is a simple historical romance, with no great mystery to how the plot will unfold, and that is why I loved it. This book is perfect in it’s simplicity. I loved Jane from the previous Kate Noble books, but in SUMMER OF YOU we see a completely different side that explained her previous behavior. This book is perfect if you are looking for something simple and fun to read!
the book girl gives THE SUMMER OF YOU a 5/5!
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From the back of the book:
Millicent “Missy” Armstrong is entering her third London Season, but not for lack of suitors. Since her debut three years ago, Missy has received twenty marriage proposals. But she is interested in only one man - her brother’s best friend, James Rutherford. As a child, Missy looked up to James. As a grown up, her admiration has blossomed into the longings of a beautiful, sensuous woman - and she won’t rest until James admits his love - and desire - for her…
James Rutherford rues the day he let his physical weakness get the better of him by kissing Missy. His best friend has made it clear that Missy is off limits, and though he’s avoided her for three years, he hasn’t forgotten the feel of her soft lips pressed against his - and it seems neither has she. for no matter how much James tries to discourage Missy, he keeps winding up in her arms, sharing heated caresses that promise the most delirious pleasure...
This book has been on my shelf since was released, but kept getting buried, and I’m mad at myself for letting it sit so long. I started this book around 11pm, thinking I would read a few chapters and then fall asleep. I stayed up until 3am reading. I couldn’t put it down and had to find out what was going to happen between Missy and James. This is an almost perfect romance. I could have done without James’ behavior. There were times he was downright mean to Missy “for her own good”. Missy is the kind of stubborn heroine that I love. She knew she was in love with James and no one was going to convince her otherwise - even James. These two take a very long and at times not-so-pleasant road to their happily ever after, but it was very satisfying for me when they got there. I’m hoping that we will get to read James’ friends Thomas and Alex’s stories in the future. Next time I won’t let Beverly Kendall’s book sit on my shelf for so long.
the book girl gives SINFUL SURRENDER a 4/5!
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