Review: Ten Reasons to Stay by Sabrina Jeffries

Genre: Historical Romance | Series: School for Heiresses

Publish: 4/6/13 | Pocket Star

Format: egalley | Requested via NetGalley

In "Ten Reasons to Stay," previously published in the anthology The School for Heiresses, lessons go far beyond etiquette and needlepoint. Eliza Crenshawe’s lesson is to look before she leaps. But when she discovers that her new guardian plans to marry her off without so much as a Season, she forgets all that. She flees—on a horse she unwittingly steals (oops!)—from Colin Hunt, a newly minted earl who wants nothing more than for her to go home…or stay forever.

This novella was a very quick read for me.  I was able to read it in a couple of hours or so.  While this had a very promising plot, I thought the story was ok.  Maybe because it is a novella and the author had to shorten the storyline - it just didn't work for me.  I like my romance to be well developed and not a lust at first sight type of thing.  Normally, I shy away from novellas because of this reason.  However, I love Sabrina Jeffries' work so I decided to give this a shot.

The story starts of as the heroine, Eliza sneaks into the stables of Colin to "borrow" a horse in the middle of the night.  Of course, she is caught by Colin and so starts the steamy interrogation.  It ends a couple of days later with both h and H proclaiming their love for each other.

That last sentence really felt fake to me and felt very implausible.  I can imagine attraction but not proclamations of love, no matter the circumstance.

I gave this romance 3 hearts because of the hero and heroine.  I love the sparks that flew between the two.  The interaction between them was exciting, I thought.  I love Eliza's spunk.  Their interactions and come backs were very entertaining.  Without that, I would have put the book down.

I also love Colin.  He is trying to put the past behind him after his anger and hurt when his wife died.  And I could see that Eliza was the right woman to make him love again.  For a novella, this had a couple of steamy sex scenes.  I thought both were written very well.

Eliza's uncle is the villain.  Apparently, he owes a lot of money to a brewer who will not accept any payment other than Eliza's hand in marriage which is precisely the reason why she run away from her uncle.  I honestly thought this villain was weak.  I mean, in the end, the villain accepts his mistakes and promises to change his ways when Colin demanded that of him.  This was very, very disappointing.

Again, this brings me back to the romance which was pretty much unbelievable.  I recommend this novella to those who enjoy a quick read and a spunky heroine.

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Review: Seducing the Princess by Mary Hart Perry

Genre:  Historical Romantic Thriller 

Published: 3/5/13 | Diversion Books

Format: ebook | free in exchange for an honest review
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Mary Hart Perry’s acclaimed series of romantic Victorian thrillers continues with Seducing the Princess, inspired by the life of Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter Beatrice. Painfully shy and lonely, convinced she is unattractive and unloved, the dutiful Princess Beatrice finally accepts that she will never marry and vows to devote herself to the queen in Victoria's waning years. In fact, her mother has secretly discouraged suitors for Beatrice’s hand. Just when Beatrice has all but given up on love and happiness, she meets Henry Battenberg, a dashing nobleman from the Continent who matches wits with the aging Victoria and risks his life and liberty to woo Bea.

But Henry isn't the only man interested in being welcomed into Beatrice's bed. The timid princess has become the target of a cruel plot hatched by her nephew, the madman destined to become the last Emperor of Germany. Wilhelm II sends a ruthless agent, a charming Scot, to seduce the naive princess and spy on the queen. How can the sheltered princess hope to fend off a man capable of murder, and perhaps worse, to get what he wants? But Beatrice is not without her own allies--her older sister Louise and Louise's American soldier-of-fortune and lover, Stephen Byrne. Will Beatrice discover which of the two men pursuing her she can trust, before it's too late? Drama, romance and peril chase the royal family from Buckingham Palace to a storm besieged castle on the Isle of Wight.

Mary Hart Perry is a new to me author and Seducing the Princess is the first book that I read.  I was thoroughly blown away!  I loved reading about Queen Victoria's youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice.  Of course, I did a quick google search on her to read more about her and her life with the Queen.  I am amazed at how the author seamlessly intertwined Princess Beatrice's story with the facts surounding her love match with Henry Battenberg.

The story was well written and I empathized with Princess Beatrice.  Queen Victoria really seemed like the villain of the story.  I can just imagine how hard it was for Beatrice growing up as her mother's shadow.  The way the Queen treated Beatrice struck a chord in me and I could not help but hate the Queen for doing this to her youngest daughter.  Beatrice comes off as an obedient and meek daughter, only following what the Queen commands her to do but deep inside, she cannot wait to leave and have a life of her own.  This happens when she meets and falls in love with Henry.

Henry and Beatrice's love story was really sweet, I thought.  I love the way that he went out of his way to get to know the Princess and helping her overcome her shyness and become a strong woman.  I have to point out that all the characters are well developed and I find that this help drive the whole plot of the story.  I felt that I knew them and that I was one of the Queen's daughters.

I also loved that there was another villain in the story in the form of Prince Gregory, another cousin.  I like to think that a good story has to have a good villain and Gregory really fit the bill to a T.  Although there is a minor villain in the form of Queen Victoria, I cannot see her as the ultimate villain even if she plays a part preventing a romance between Beatrice and Henry.

I recommend this book to readers who love Philippa Gregory.

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Kathryn Johnson lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and two feline writing partners, Tempest and Miranda. The author of over 40 novels, she's written under her own name and a variety of pen names, including Mary Hart Perry, Kathryn Jensen, KM Kimball and Nicole Davidson. She also teaches fiction-writing workshops for the renowned Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland. And, in 2008, she founded Write by You (www.WriteByYou.com), to coach other writers interested in reaching publication. She has been nominated for the prestigious Agatha Christy Award, and won the Heart of Excellence and Bookseller's Best Awards (sponsored by the Romance Writers of America) in 2011.

 

Her works in progress include a series of Victorian thrillers inspired by the lives of Queen Victoria's five daughters. The first novel, The Wild Princess, focuses on Princess Louise, who desperately wanted an education as a professional artist, at a time when women were not admitted into art schools. Her personal life becomes complicated when she uncovers a secret about her husband and must help protect her mother from an assassination attempt. The second book of the series,Seducing the Princess, launches April 2, 2013, and features Victoria’s youngest daughter Beatrice. Painfully shy and lonely, the dutiful Princess has promised never to marry and to devote herself to the queen in Victoria's waning years. Just when she has all but given up on love and happiness, she meets Henry Battenberg, a dashing nobleman from the Continent who risks his life and liberty to woo Bea and save both his beloved and the queen from a cruel plot. A third novel, to be published later in 2013, will star Crown Princess Vicky.

 

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Running March 31st to April 4th With an all day hoopla on April 2nd to celebrate the release of “Seducing the Princess”

 

Join Mary Hart Perry and Vickie Ann in celebrating the launch of Seducing the Princess. Mary Hart Perry will be doing random giveaways at this event, so keep an eye out for prizes and help spread the word!!!

Don't miss the fun! Invite your friends to join in! And ask Vickie how to get Seducing the Princess for free in exchange for an honest review on Amazon. Vickie@iobooktours.com

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Review: My Fair Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren

Genre: Historical Romance | Series: The Mistress Trilogy #1

Published: 11/30/07 | Ballantine Books

Format: ebook | purchased

 

He drives a hard bargain, but the pleasure is all hers.

London financier Rafe Pendragon has a reputation for ruthlessness, and exotic beauty Julianna Hawthorne is determined to clear the debt her brother owes him. Captivated by Rafe’s virile good looks, weakened by his intoxicating mix of danger and sensuality, Julianna boldly agrees to Rafe’s shocking terms: six months as his mistress. As Rafe’s intense green eyes pierce her body and set it afire, Julianna can only imagine what emotions his kiss may unleash.

Surrendering to the pleasures of seduction and carnal delight, Rafe never anticipated that love would be the cost of his bargain. When he realizes that a vindictive enemy may harm Julianna should their clandestine liaison be exposed, Rafe must choose between loving her and protecting her. To save his fair mistress, Rafe must risk what he has already lost: his heart.

This is perhaps one of my favorite books by Tracy Anne Warren.  In fact, I believe this was the first book that I have read from her and she has become one of my auto-buy authors ever since.  I have probably read this book about 5 times and I just love it.  It's like every time I read it, I get sucked into the romance between Rafe and Julianna.

The way Miss Warren weaves in romance, love and lust in the book is believable in a sense that as a reader, you would think that this kind of situation would really happen in reality.  I love how both characters grow in this story - most especially Julianna.  She starts off as a very proper, sort of insecure widow and becomes this independent and strong woman.  Although there is still a bit of damsel in distress in her, it is not as pronounced as other heroines I have read.  Her ultimate devastation when Rafe leaves her is typically a reaction and again very believable.  I can feel her anguish and to be honest, I always shed a tear when I get to this part no matter how many times I read it.

When they are forced to marry, I love how Miss Warren wrote in Julianna's initial reaction.  Julianna tries to show indifference to Rafe.  Of course, she still loves him but she does show how hurt she is from what he did.

I also love the hero, Rafe.  Personally, I love reading about "rags to riches" heroes and Rafe is one of them.  Rafe is also mentioned in other books (and I think other series) as one of the financiers that the gentlemen trust and use.  He starts of an uncaring, self-centered rogue.  Later in the story, you see him develop into a hero worthy of Julianna's love.  I love how Ms. Warren wrote in his back story, how we the readers are slowly introduced to why Rafe is as uncaring as he is and we get to understand the reason why he left Julianna.

All in all this is a very enjoyable read that I love to read again (and I have been re-reading it).  Perhaps when I have a chance, I would get a print copy of this book and perhaps have it signed by Miss Warren.

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Review: A Most Scandalous Proposal by Ashlyn Macnamara

Genre: Historical Romance

Published: 2/26/13 | Ballantine

Format: eGalley

I requested this book because it sounded interesting

After watching her beloved sister, Sophia, pine over the ton’s golden boy for years, Miss Julia St. Claire has foresworn love and put herself firmly on the shelf. Unfortunately, her social-climbing mother and debt-ridden father have other ideas, and jump at the chance to marry Julia off to the newly named Earl of Clivesden . . . the man of Sophia’s dreams.

Since resigning his cavalry commission, Benedict Revelstoke has spent his time in London avoiding the marriage mart. But when he discovers that the Earl of Clivesden has his sights set on Julia, Benedict tries to protect his childhood best friend from the man’s advances—only to discover that more than friendship is driving his desire to defend her. He surprises them both with the force of his feelings, but when Julia refuses him, and her father announces her betrothal, Benedict fears he’s lost her forever—until Julia approaches him with a shocking scheme that will ruin her for all respectable society and lead them into an exquisite world of forbidden pleasures.

This is Ashlyn Macnamera's debut novel so she is definitely a new to me author.  Don't get me wrong, I do love to read new to me authors.  In fact, I have discovered a lot of awesome authors this way.  However, this story just missed the mark.  I read the book knowing this was going to be about Miss Julia St. Claire but instead, I was reading about the sister Sophia meeting another guy!  I mean, I just barely started reading and by the time I reached Chapter 3, I was totally confused about where this story was headed.

True, there are books that have two romance stories in them, one being a minor romance in the book but I usually read about their romance in the middle of the book after the romance of the main characters have been developed and usually not before.  That being said, this just fell short for me.  I expected to read about the characters mentioned in the book as the main characters and not about the sister, Sophia (which I thought was a bit of a flake).

This is a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate/Did Not Finish) for me.  I may revisit this book at a later time but I won't hold my breath.  I expected to be captured by the story by the time I reach the second chapter but this really missed the mark.

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Unable to tell.  Stopped reading by the time I finished Chapter 3

Review: By Love Unveiled by Sabrina Jeffries

Genre: Historical Romance | Series: Restoration #1

Re-Published: 2/26/2013 | Pocket Books

Format: ebook | purchased

Baronet’s daughter Marianne Winchilsea was running for her life from those who thought she was involved in an attempt to kill the king. Forced to disguise herself, she trusted no one—especially not Garett Locke, the Earl of Falkham, the man who usurped her family home and who seemed to be her most dangerous enemy…

And what Garett saw beneath her disguise was a beautiful half-gypsy, who was enrobed in mystery, deception and burning secrets. A woman he should avoid at all costs. Somehow, in a world of treachery and passion, of sweet seduction and whispered betrayals, each would have to learn to trust the other, as a desire that could not be disguised turned into a passionate love that all the powers of the world could not defeat.

This is a reworked story that has been out of print written by Sabrina Jeffries as Deborah Martin.  Before I give my review, I just want to let everyone know that I have not read the original book so I cannot point out the differences between the two and which parts have been reworked.  That being said, I totally enjoyed reading By Love Unveiled.  I admit that it is different from what I am used to Sabrina writing but the female protagonist, Marianne is as feisty and strong as her newer heroines.

The story starts of with Marianne, masquerading as Mina, a gypsy healer (she is half gypsy) in her hometown of Lydgate where she is trying to find the person responsible for framing her father (and her) with the plot to poison King Charles II.  Garrett, the Earl of Falkham, returned to Lydgate to reclaim his family home that his uncle sold to the Winchilsea family.  Meeting the masked Mina at the apothecary spiked Garrett's interest most especially after she treated him after he was attacked by a highwayman in on his way back to his estate.

I love that Mina "masqueraded" herself in her own hometown where people actually knew her and helped her keep her identity a secret.  I actually felt Garrett's frustration when he suspected that the townspeople had information about Mina that they were not giving to him.

Mina and Garrett's attraction was also palpable as I was reading the whole book.  I felt their passion exploding from the pages and loved the pace that the author took with developing their romance.

The ultimate surprise that I had was when Mina's father wasn't dead at all!  I also liked that Garrett asked Mina's father for her hand in marriage when he was interrogating him.

The story went a little bit too fast for me when it came to the part of the confrontation between Garrett's uncle (who had his parent's killed and planted the poison in Mina's father's healing pouch), Garrett, the King, Mina and her father.  I thought that it was pretty convenient for King Charles to side with Garrett without hearing more evidence.  Granting that the uncle was already a known enemy of the king and he was already a suspect.  Still the stand-off was pretty fast.

All in all, I love the book as a whole.  I am definitely waiting for the next book in the Restoration Series to be available.  I believe it will be sometime this year (as per Sabrina's website).

Oh, and the new cover is gorgeous as compared to the old cover shown below.

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Review: Her Perfect Match by Jess Michaels

Genre:  Historical Erotic Romance
Series: Mistress Matchmaker Series
Publish: 3/5/13 | Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Format: ebook | purchased
Buy:  B&N | Amazon | Samhain

She will do anything for him…except surrender.

Vivien Manning, the notorious Mistress Matchmaker, is tired. Tired of the parties, tired of the lovers, tired of being her. So she decides to leave London behind once and for all and start a whole new life.

But before she goes, she must tie up some loose ends, so she makes a list which includes one man she’s never been fully able to let go:

Benedict Graystone.

Benedict was broken when Vivien broke off their affairs years ago. So when she comes back into his life… and his bed, he isn’t certain of anything except the power of their desire.

But as Vivien moves ever closer to disappearing forever, both of them begin to question if the past can be overcome and if love might be the one loose end that cannot be neatly tied up.

I was anticipating Vivien's story since I read her in the first book, An Introduction to Pleasure.  Now, reading the first chapter blew me away.  It introduced us to the depraved life of Vivien and how she has been living her life year after year after year.  The first scene actually made me empathize with her as she was trying to find fulfillment in her life.  Considering all the parties and sexual conquests, she was getting fed up with it.  We also get to revisit the previous couples of the other two books and in a way, it makes Vivien want something that they have - love.

I have to say that this is the best book in the series.  I love how Vivien struggles to finish her list before she leaves her life as a mistress for good.  I especially love how Benedict becomes entwined with the whole situation - with him helping her fulfull her wishes and not knowing the true reason why she was doing it.

Benedict and Vivien's relationship is explosive.  I could feel the heat simmering between the pages (or in my case, the reader - LOL) everytime they meet.  And although lust is the driving force of their relationship, I could see how Vivien would fall for Benedict.

I did have a problem with how Benedict's character was written.  I didn't quite think of him as the perfect libertine/bad boy for our Heroine.  I thought that with him not getting over Vivien when she left him was pretty uncharacteristic of an alpha male.  I would have expected him not to pine (sort of) for Vivien - there was a part in the book where he said he loved her in his thoughts even when they just barely got back together again.  True, his love may not have faded but I thought that wasn't too realistic.

On the other hand, I thought Vivien was the alpha in this story (I know I am contradicting myself but whatever).  I love her bravery and her will to face her fears and revisit her past; how she took charge with her life and become the independent woman that she is.  And yes, I did cry when Vivien and Benedict had their HEA.

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BTW, I will be interviewing Jess Michaels on March 8 so stay tuned!

Review: After the Abduction by Sabrina Jeffries

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Swanlea Spinsters #3

Publish Date: June 4, 2002 | Avon

Format: ebook | purchased
Buy: Amazon | B&N

After two London Seasons -- and a score of resoundingly dull society suitors -- lovely Juliet Laverick still longs for only one man: Morgan Pryce, the dashing scoundrel who kidnapped her two years ago. But her determination to bring him to justice hasn't waned, either -- not even when the man she, mistakes for Morgan, his twin brother Sebastian, tells her some shocking news: Her mysterious paramour has disappeared.

Sebastian, Lord Templemore, dares not admit that he's the one Juliet seeks -- that it is his kiss she still yearns for.  Confessing to her abduction would bring disaster and scandal upon them both. But how can he convince Juliet to forsake her pursuit of her dream lover -- when all he dreams of is holding her in his arms again?

I am currently reading Sabrina Jeffries' backlist.  I believe I started reading some of her backlist last year but I wasn't able to read any book from the Swanlea Spinster Series.  This book can be read as a stand alone however, there are mentions of the other sisters.  Unfortunately, this story picks up after Juliet gets abducted (hence the title After the Abduction, duh!) so we never get to read about how she was abducted but we do get an answer as to why.

As I have mentioned, the story starts about 2 years after Juliet Laverick gets abducted by Morgan Pryce.  Juliet, her brother-in-law Griff Knighton, and sister Rosalind (A Dangerous Love) are off to confront Morgan Pryce's brother Lord Templemore and demand to know where Morgan is so they can stop the rumors circulating around the ton that Juliet eloped with Morgan but was returned to her family, ruined.  Who were they to see at Charnwood (Lord Templemore's estate) but Morgan himself!  Apparently, Sebastian, Lord Templemore was masquerading as Morgan and was in fact the one who kidnapped Juliet!  Of course, Sebastian did not admit to it when Juliet recognized him.  So starts the sizzling cat-mouse game Juliet and Sebastian play as she tries to catch Sebastian in the act and make him admit that he is the one who abducted her.  When Sebastian admits to her and not to her family, Juliet leaves him and goes back to London.  Sebastian follows and proposes marriage again.  The book ends with Juliet and Sebastian marrying, Morgan returning to England, and Rosalind giving birth to a baby.

After the Abduction is a really great read.  Not one of the best by Ms. Jeffries but a great read.  Without reading A Notorious Love, which was the book where Juliet was abducted, I was able to follow the story.  I loved the tricks Juliet pulled to try to make Sebastian admit that he was Morgan, that he was the  one she fell in love with all those years ago.  Their banter was electric and I thought that they were perfect for each other.  Another thing that I loved about the story was when Juliet demanded that Sebastian come clean with her family about the abduction.  I thought this was realistic and fit with Juliet's family values.  This was also a great way for Sebastian to redeem himself and prove his love to her.

What I do not like about this story was not Juliet but Rosalind.  I thought she was irritating and just did not anything to the story.  I wanted to skip through all the parts where she was acting irritatingly crazy because she wasn't able to conceive.  I haven't read the first book and now, I am debating weather I will  read it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Heat Level: 4

Review: Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

Reckless and wild, beautiful Lily Lawson delights in shocking proper London society - and will break any rule to flaunt her independence. And now she is determined to rescue her helpless sister from an upcoming, undesired marriage to Lord Alex Raiford, the arrogant Earl of Wolverton. Through fair means and foul, the headstrong hellion succeeds outrageously - but her handsome adversary is not to be outdone. A master gamesman, Lord Alex counter's Lily's scorn with kindness, and parries her blistering barbs with gentle words and a soft, sensous touch. For he has resolved to make the spirited miss pay dearly for her interference - with her body, her soul...and her stubborn, unyielding heart.

 

I read the Dreaming of You first and was intrigued by Lily Lawson. In the book Dreaming of You, she was portrayed as a respectable lady albeit with a dubious past.

In the first few chapters, I wasn't warming up to Lily as I should. I thought her antics (especially the one mentioned in the first chapter) were ridiculous. However, as the story progressed, I empathized with her. The hero, Alex Raiford, is not as dark as Derek Craven (who I absolutely love) however, I think he is the perfect match to Lily's headstrong character.

I enjoyed reading the love-hate relationship that Lily and Alex went through, and love their heated arguments and banters. I especially enjoyed reading about Lily getting away with tying Alex to her bed to keep him away from her sister AND the gamble at the end where Lily lost.

One thing that I would have wanted was a Prologue about Lily losing her daughter.

My Rating: 4

Heat Level: 4

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Review: How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries

The third novel in Sabrina Jeffries's “Hellions of Hallstead Hall” series, featuring the independent and talented Lady Minerva Sharpe.

When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.

Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.

Giles and Minerva is the perfect pair! The third book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series is one if my favorites.
Miranda starts falling in love with Giles as a young child during her parent's death however, falls out of love when Giles gave her the set down in her teens. Because of this, Minerva started writing serials with Giles as the villain. Giles had to put a stop to it as she was starting to allude to Giles' undercover duties to the Crown. Although Minerva denies her feelings to Giles, she hasn't stopped loving him.

I loved the spark between the two protagonists. Their conversations/spats drew me in and made me love them more. Plus the sparks between the two was palpable. When they had their HEA, I gave sigh of happiness and I honestly did not want the story to end.

This book is a must read. Although this is a stand alone book, it is best read in order (The Truth about Lord Stoneville, A Hellion in Her Bed) to understand the mystery of the Sharpe's parents death.        

Rating: 5

Heat Level: 4

Review: Midnight's Wild Passion by Anna Campbell

London's most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge...

The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.

Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.

Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes . . .

 

At first, I did not like Antonia at all. Sure, I felt that she was acting appropriately when she said that she hated all rakes, ergo hating Lord Ranelaw however, there was just something about her that I just did not like. That is, until the end when I found out what she went through when she was disowned by her father.

I was a little surprized about what Antonia went through when she ran away with Johnny (the rake who broke her heart 10 years ago) and I was also puzzled why her brother didn't even bother to find her. I would have thought that a brother who was close to the sister would not take his father's word that his sister was dead without the body, right?

I didn't think that Lord Ranelaw was as tortured a hero as the others that I have read, but I empathized with him. There was just something about him that caught my attention and made me want to finish the book. I especially loved the part where Nicholas didn't even fight during the duel with Johnny.

 

My Rating: 4

Heat Level: 4

Review: Dreaming You by Lisa Kleypas

She stood at danger's threshold—then love beckoned her in.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven—and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gambling house—a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world—with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress—and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion... and the promise of love.

This is the first book of the series that I read and I loved it. It has to be one of the best Lisa Kleypas novels that I have read to date.

 

The premise is that Gothic author Sara Fielding, looking for more material for her next serial accidentally finds a man being attacked and saves him from certain death. This man is Derek Craven, a gambler turned business man/owner of an exclusive London club. And so starts their road to finding love.

 

I fell in love with Derek Craven the moment I met him. Course and gruff, he is the perfect tortured hero, in my opinion. Kleypas really made him up to be a “gentleman” despite his background and his attitude towards everyone. I thought the way he was resisting Sara saying that he was not good enough for the likes of her was romantic and this part made me like him more.  Growing up on the streets was not easy for him but he showed that he was a person worthy of Sara's love by his actions.

The heroine Sara is also a likeable character. Although headstrong, stubborn and naive, I thought she was the perfect pair for the tortured hero. Derek proved himself worthy of Sara’s love by not running after her right away and seducing her. Their one sexual encounter was not even his own doing! I liked the fact that he thought the person was someone else other than Sara, who was masquerading so she could attend a ball held at Craven’s.

Their love story was simple yet believable, especially since both of them are not from the aristocracy. The twist in the end was perfect, with Sara leaving and trying to marry her fiancé and realizing that she had changed and didn’t want to be in a marriage where she was under her fiancé’s mother.

Athough I've read this book countless of times, I still get caught up in Sara and Derek's love and at times, can't help but shed a tear or two.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about tortured heroes.

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