Posts Tagged ‘historical’

“Pieces of Sky” by Kaki Warner

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Pros: Does a great job of showing how two people can grow close together; emotional reactions to situations feel appropriate and honest
Cons: One of the villains is almost too crazy to be seen as a real threat
Rating: 4.75 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group
Expected publication date: January 5, 2010

 

Jessica Thornton has fled England and her home to live with her brother in America because she fears for her safety, and for that of her unborn child. While traveling across the New Mexico Territory, the stagecoach she is riding in crashes and she and the other passengers are taken in temporarily by Brady Wilkins, a local cattle rancher. As she gets to know the man behind the caustic wit she finds someone who can help her to find the strength to get through difficult circumstances and heal from past hurts. But there is danger lurking at the peaceful ranch; one of Brady’s old enemies has a score to settle, and it will take both Brady and Jessica’s strength to get through it.

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“Ravishing In Red” by Madeline Hunter

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Pros: Wonderful emotional development by characters, both within the context of the romantic relationship and outside of it; interesting secondary characters.
Cons: Beginning of book felt clichéd and slightly unoriginal.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group
Expected publication date: January 2010

 

Audrianna Kelmsleigh is determined to find a way to clear her father’s name. Accused of sending bad gunpowder to the front, he committed suicide to escape the shame. When she finds a notice in the paper from a person calling himself the Domino requesting a meeting with her father, she sets out to meet him. Lord Sebastian Summerhays, the investigator assigned to figure out how the bad gunpowder passed rigorous quality control inspections, also sees the notice and sets out to find the truth in a case that he hasn’t been able to solve. After a mishap involving a pistol, the Domino, and Sebastian, Audrianna is seen as compromised in the eyes of Society. She and Sebastian marry, but both are unsure of how the marriage will work out. Will their budding feelings survive the continuing investigation of Audrianna’s father, or will the truth of what happened with that gunpowder create a divide too deep to bridge?

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“How To Dazzle A Duke” by Claudia Dain

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful humor, development between characters felt completely natural and unforced
Cons: The beginning of this book feels very similar to the plot of her last book
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

Penelope Prestwick has decided that, since she is of the age to marry, she is going to marry a duke. Enlisting the help of Sophia Dalby, the former courtesan who has married three girls off already this Season, Penelope sets her sights on the Duke of Edenham. But in order to attract the Duke’s attention, she enlists the help of Lord Iveston to appear interested in her in the hope that where a ducal heir goes, another Duke will become interested. To lend an air of authenticity to the chase, Lord Iveston places a bet on White’s betting book that he will be the one to capture her heart. As Society watches Penelope and Iveston together, wagers fly back and forth as to who will win Penelope’s heart.

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“Highland Obsession” by Dawn Halliday

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Pros: Good emotional development in the heroine
Cons: Historical context isn’t explained, characters can be unsympathetic
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

Scottish laird Alan has just been married to the beautiful Sorcha. After the couple retire to the cottage where they are to spend the wedding night, they are taken by surprise when Alan’s friend, the Earl of Camdonn, breaks in and kidnaps Sorcha. Cam had been her lover before she married Alan, and has hopes of rekindling their relationship. Alan chases after her, but what will happen once he finds out that she wasn’t an innocent? And what will become of the once-strong friendship between Alan and Cam?

 
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“The Courtesan’s Wager” Claudia Dain

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Pros: Witty dialogue, humorous in parts
Cons: The characters’ connection is revealed in the middle of the book
Rating: 4.75 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

Amelia Caversham, daughter of a duke, has spent two Seasons available, but no one is interested. Determined to marry a duke, she requests the help of a former courtesan and matchmaker named Sophia Dalby.There are two eligible dukes, and one ducal heir. The heir has a brother, Lord Cranleigh. Lord Cranleigh is determined that Amelia will not get a chance to sink her claws into his brother. As Sophia’s plan unfolds, Amelia finds herself the talk of the ton, and face to face with Lord Cranleigh. Will she be able to land her duke? Or does something better await her?
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“The Scandalous Life of a True Lady” by Barbara Metzger

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Pros: Interesting account of a weeklong party
Cons: Romance seemed to sputter instead of spark, some elements of plot didn’t feel like they meshed well
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

Simone Ryland is out of money, and out of jobs. Desperate to be able to support her younger brother through school, she goes to a bawdy house looking to sell the one thing she has left: her body. But when Mrs. Burton sees her, she knows just the man to send her to. Harry Harmon is a spy for the government. He needs a talented and learned courtesan to take to a house party to uncover a scheme that threatens England. Can the two of them work together to avert disaster? And what will happen to the two of them when the party is over?
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“An Indecent Proposition,” Emma Wildes

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Pros: Characters play off of each other well, romance feels natural
Cons:
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

The Duke of Rothay and the Earl of Mandeville have made a bet. Which one of them is the better lover? The widow Lady Caroline Wynn, cool and unapproachable, wishes to judge under condition of anonymity to prove her dead husband’s accusations untrue. While being entertained by the Duke of Rothay, she begins to learn what love can be like. But while the two of them are getting to know each other, the Earl of Mandeville has to confront the fact that his heart is already attached, to a woman engaged to someone else. Can the Earl press his suit? And could the Duke be open to anything more than a fling with the beautiful Lady Wynn?
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“Private Places,” Various

Friday, July 11th, 2008

Pros: Four well-drawn, self-consistent, interesting stories with a strong feel to each of them
Cons: A slightly odd duality to the collection; some mild confusion in the last story
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Maggie Again,” John D. Husband

Monday, July 7th, 2008

Pros: Wonderful characterization, sense of place & time; incredibly vivid & ‘real’
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“The Art of Desire,” Cherie Feather

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

Pros: Languid, searing, mesmerizing
Cons: Too hot for some
Rating: 5 out of 5

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