A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell (Sons of Sin #2)

A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell 

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: A much lighter romance than some of Campbell's other works. This witty and sensual story is my favorite of her books so far.

Sons of Sin
1.   Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed
1.5 Days of Rakes and Roses
2.   A Rake's Midnight Kiss
3.   What a Duke Dares

Synopsis (Goodreads):

It Takes A Lady

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett knows how to keep a secret. Her identity as the author of her father's academic articles has always been her greatest deception—until a charming housebreaker tries to steal the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel from her. She doesn't reveal that she recognizes her father's devastatingly handsome new student as the thief himself. For Genevieve, this will be the most seductive secret of all...

To Catch A Thief

Sir Richard Harmsworth has been living a lie, maintaining a rakish façade to show society that he doesn't care about his status as a bastard. Yet long haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will confirm his claim as the rightful heir. But when Richard sets out to seduce the bookworm who possesses the stone, he instead falls for its beautiful owner. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure.

My Thoughts:

All of Campbell's books I've read so far have been quite dark and angsty, but this one was definitely on the lighter side. And I really enjoyed it. The characters were still tortured by their place in society, with Robert bearing the name of a bastard and Genevieve struggling to make a name for herself in academia. Of course there was still evil afoot, but overall, I actually felt really happy after reading this one! This was not the most original plot...a witty bluestocking, a misunderstood rake, lies and deception. We've seen it all before, but I think with Campbell's mixture of seriousness and sensuality that she adds to her plots, this was a pretty captivating story.

I loved the interplay between Genevieve and Robert. Genevieve was a strong, independent woman who would never give in to a man's seduction...except Robert had a ridiculous amount of charm. I mean honestly, Genevieve didn't stand a chance, and she knew it from the start. Instead of being unbelievable, I found their early interactions pretty humorous. While Robert did have to coax Genevieve to accept the connection between them, their passion was pretty darn steamy as I've come to expect from Campbell's romances. I especially enjoyed seeing how the love between Genevieve and Robert became more important to both than their need to prove themselves to society. It was truly a beautifully written romance.

This story is probably my favorite of Campbell's (so far, at least). It still has that hint of darkness with her deplorable villains, but the romance was just so uplifting. The characters were fun and witty and helped to balance out the darker parts, and I found myself smiling more often than not throughout this book.   

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Anna Campbell

Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath (Lost Lords of Pembrook #3)

Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: A perfect conclusion to the trilogy. The relationship between Rafe and Evelyn was developed beautifully. 

Lost Lords of Pembrook
1.   She Tempts the Duke
2.   Lord of Temptation
2.5 Deck the Halls with Love
3.   Lord of Wicked Intentions

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Only one woman can break through his heart of stone...

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright...

Lord Rafe Easton may be of noble blood, but survival taught him to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets his eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, and earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress.

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstances give her little choice except to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love guides the last lost lord home.

My Thoughts:

This was the ending to the series I had been hoping for. Rafe was by far the most emotionally damaged of the "Lost Lords" after spending his childhood abandoned by his family in a workhouse, working in the mines, and falling into the brutal business of surviving in the streets of London. On top of this, Rafe never forgave his brothers for leaving him. I happened to read Courtney Milan's Unraveled (which I also recommend) the week before this book, and while they are certainly different stories, the plots share some similarities, so I had to struggle to keep the plots from jumbling together in my mind.

Evelyn was honestly the perfect woman for Rafe. I am so happy Heath paired these two together in this story. Evelyn was an illegitimate daughter of an Earl, and while her father always sheltered her from the scrutiny of society, she learns after his death that life for an illegitimate child is not as easy without a protector. Evelyn's step brother (who is truly the scum of the earth) is tasked with looking out for her future, which he resentfully interprets as selling her (literally) to the nastiest man he can find. Seriously, her brother is horrible. I can't get over it. Luckily, Rafe steps in and takes Evelyn as his own mistress...ok it doesn't sound that romantic, but it was. These two have some serious chemistry.

The story proceeds much as you would expect a romance between a damaged rake and sweet, innocent girl to go, but again I give Heath props for really making this story memorable. Rafe tries very hard to remind himself that he is a bad person and doesn't deserve any happiness, but everything he does is just adorable sweetness wrapped up in a prickly package. Evelyn is strong enough to deal with his outward gruffness and to confront him when he believes he doesn't deserve happiness. She's the perfect person to help him accept love and reconcile with his family. This book resolved all the unsolved problems throughout the series, and I think I enjoyed the series as a whole even more after reading this third book.
   

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Lorraine Heath     

Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath (Lost Lords of Pembrook #2)

Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: The characters were much more lovable in this story than the first, though Tristan's whole "the sea is my only mistress" junk got old pretty quick.

Lost Lords of Pembrook
1.   She Tempts the Duke
2.   Lord of Temptation
2.5 Deck the Halls with Love
3.   Lord of Wicked Intentions

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Once upon a time, he was Lord Tristan Easton—now he is Crimson Jack, a notorious privateer beholden to none, whose only mistress is the sea. But all that will change when exquisite Lady Anne Hayworth hires his protection on a trip into danger and seduction. . .

Desperation brought Anne to the bronzed, blue-eyed buccaneer. But after the Captain demands a kiss as his payment, desire will keep her at his side. She has never known temptation like this—but to protect her heart, she knows she must leave him behind. Yet Tristan cannot easily forget the beauty—and when they meet again in a London ballroom, he vows he won't lose her a second time, as fiery passion reignited takes them into uncharted waters that could lead the second lost lord home. . .

My Thoughts:

I read the first book in this series a few months ago, and while I wasn't super impressed with it, I figured it was time to give the second book a shot. This series follows three brothers who had to separate as young boys and flee from their uncle who wanted them dead so he could inherit the Dukedom. While the conflict with their uncle was resolved in She Tempts the Duke, each brother was left with scars (both physical and emotional) from their unusual upbringing. Tristan, the Duke's twin brother, was sent off to sea at the age of 14. While he had a rough start, Tristan eventually grew to love the sea and found he wanted nothing more than to captain his ship. After Lady Anne hires him out for a short journey at sea, he finds himself unable to forget her.

Tristan and Anne were both lovable characters. Anne was strong, loyal, and honest with herself and others. Tristan...ok we love him because he is a scoundrel. He really did just ooze seduction. I enjoyed how Anne was able to hold her own against him, but I enjoyed it even more how she accepted the passion between them. After Tristan and Anne's adventure at sea is over, Anne returns to London society where she accepts her life with her overbearing brothers and a very sweet (yet decidedly less swoon-worthy ) suitor. But Tristan refuses to let Anne forget the connection they formed on their journey.

My major issue with this story arose with Tristan. While Anne was very forthcoming with her need to marry, Tristan continued to attempt to seduce her away from society...which I was ok with (he'd certainly be able to protect her). But the whole time he sabotaged her place in society and her relationship with her suitor, he openly refused to consider marrying her himself. It was basically an "I don't want you, but I don't want anyone else to have you either" situation. Which is cruel. He kept claiming that his heart belonged to the sea, which was total BS and ranks as one of the worst reasons for not marrying I have ever read. Admittedly, it all worked out in the end, but I just could not get over how lame of an excuse this was for Tristan denying his own love for Anne, as well as Anne's place in society.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Lorraine Heath     

Rogue with a Brogue by Suzanne Enoch (Scandalous Highlanders #2)

Rogue with a Brogue by Suzanne Enoch

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: A nice forbidden-love story, but the romance fell a little flat when the action picked up.

Scandalous Highlanders

0.5 One Hot Scot: A Holiday Story
1.   The Devil Wears Kilts
2.   Rogue with a Brogue
3.   Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid (March 3, 2015)

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A Rogue For Every Lady

London, 1817: Stuck in a Mayfair ballroom, thanks to his lovestruck brother, Highlander Arran MacLawry wants nothing but a bit of distraction from an arranged betrothal—and a clever auburn-haired lass in a vixen's mask promises just that . . . until he discovers that she's the granddaughter of the Campbell, chief of clan MacLawry's longtime rival. Despite their families' grudging truce, falling for fiery Mary Campbell is a notion too outlandish even for this Highlander…

The Thrill Of The Forbidden

Raised on tales of savage MacLawrys, Mary is stunned to realize the impressively strapping man in the fox's mask is one of them. Surely the enemy shouldn't have such a broad chest, and such a seductive brogue? Not that her curiosity matters—any dalliance between them is strictly forbidden, and she's promised to another. But with the crackling spark between them ready to catch flame, love is worth every risk…

My Thoughts:

I've been on a bit of a Scottish kick lately, so I thought it was about time to continue on with Enoch's Scandalous Highlanders. I was worried that this story would be just like The Devil Wears Kilts, just with a different brother. Luckily, this story had a completely different premise. Instead of Arran falling for a proper English miss, he fell for the daughter of his clan's biggest rival...of course. There was a lot of action, and a well developed romance.

Arran started out a little obnoxious. After hearing Ranulf's story, it was kind of tough dealing with Arran constantly accusing Ran of being selfish, or trying to convince him to leave Charlotte. Of course, Arran just hadn't learned how important love was yet. My problem was that while I really enjoyed how Mary and Arran's relationship built up in the beginning of the novel, I thought it kind of plateaued. Even with all the wonderful action in the second half, their interactions got a little...stale. It seemed to just be them commenting on how strong the other one was. Over and over.

Everything was nicely resolved in the end, and I certainly look forward to Winnie's story (Lachlan better start wooing!), though I also hope we see a happy ending for Jane.  I have a feeling that poor girl has experienced unrequited love a few too many times.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Suzanne Enoch

Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #2)

Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: An exciting plot full of deception and sexual tension.

Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James
1.  When the Duke Was Wicked
2.  Once More, My Darling Rogue 


Synopsis (Goodreads):

They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…

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.

My Thoughts:

I have been waiting for this book since I finished When the Duke Was Wicked. I realize the summary makes it sound like the story would be an 1800's version of the movie Overboard...and honestly it was quite similar.  But it was also very enjoyable. And had fewer mullets (thank goodness). Obviously, taking advantage of a lady's amnesia out of spite is a recipe for disaster...but something certainly needed to shake Ophelia out of her ways. Ophelia was an emotionally scarred lady who hid behind her haughtiness to keep everyone at a distance, especially the one man who she couldn't keep out of her head. Drake was a commoner adopted into an aristocratic family, though he never forgot his roots.

I like when authors shake it up and make either the hero or heroine completely unbearable at the start. In this book, it was definitely Ophelia.  She was stuck up and rude, and oh-so obnoxious.  I'd hate to wish a traumatic accident on anyone...but I won't say I was exactly upset when she wound up in the Thames. As such, I find myself unable to fully blame Drake for his deceit. Aside from being a little petty in his revenge, I really liked him as a hero. I thought he was honest (you know, aside from the major deception that made up the entire plot of this book) and a very sweet, romantic man.

This was definitely an emotional romance. Even when the romance between Drake and Ophelia was blooming, you always knew that his deception was hanging over their heads. And there was always the fear that she would revert to her old self if she remembered. There was a lot of tension and passion, and it was tied together in a beautifully written story.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Lorraine Heath         

Wonderful by Cheryl Holt (Reluctant Brides Trilogy #3)

Wonderful by Cheryl Holt

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: Too similar to the previous two novels for my liking. My hopes for a good hero were dashed once again.

Reluctant Brides Trilogy
1.  Wicked
2.  Wanton
3.  Wonderful

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Evangeline Etherton loved her years as a teacher at Miss Peabody’s School for Girls. But with Miss Peabody’s passing, the school is shut down, and Evangeline is on her way to marry a fiancé she’s never met. She never imagined herself as a bride and is reluctant to abandon the independent life she enjoyed as an unwed female. When she meets her betrothed—a fussy, stern vicar—she’s certain she shouldn’t proceed. They have nothing in common and a match between them can only lead to disaster and misery. But as a spinster with no funds or family, she’s out of options. 

Aaron Drake has always been perfect. As the eldest son and heir to an earl, he’s never engaged in mischief, taken an awkward step, or headed in the wrong direction. But with his marriage swiftly approaching—to a tedious, unpleasant snob—he’s suddenly desperate to do something reckless and wild before he’s shackled in what he’s sure will be an unappealing and dreary marriage. When he meets pretty, vivacious Evangeline, he can’t help but think she just might be the cure for what ails him. 

Seduction seems the only path, but when romance blossoms and passions heat, can love be far behind? 

RELUCTANT BRIDES… When love is the key and dowry the bait, who can predict what a woman might do?

My Thoughts:

I was clinging to the hope that this would be the redeeming book in the series, since Aaron seemed like a very good man in Wanton. Unfortunately, I just found more of the same. This plot is an echo of the previous two books, just with slightly less horrible characters and a different setup for the hero and heroine. While Aaron started out strong , I quickly learned to dislike him just as much as the other two heroes.

Evangeline was my favorite of the ladies in this trilogy, mainly because she had a bit of spunk (even though she was just as obnoxiously naive as Rose and Amelia). Aaron is suffering from an arranged marriage to a horrible girl and his need to do his duty when he meets Evangeline (cue sparks). Now, Aaron did a lot of things in this book that bothered me, but that I will admit were understandable for a man of his position (wanting a mistress, thinking with his...not his brain, wanting everyone to obey him).  I will let these slide since they are products of his position as Viscount and future Earl. But the thing that really pissed me off was how deceptive he was to get what he wanted from Evangeline. While I think he did a slightly better job than Lucas at groveling to get his woman back, I still don't think he should have been forgiven so easily.

The plot of this book was slightly more bearable than the previous two, though at times it seemed like a repeat of the other novels. I would have rated it higher, but I felt especially let down by Aaron since I actually LIKED him at the start of the book. It seems like he was morphed from a good, moral person into a total jerk just to fit into the theme of the trilogy (which seems to be "your man sucks, but you might be pregnant so you better forgive him and get married...stat").

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Cheryl Holt  

Talk Sweetly to Me by Courtney Milan (The Brothers Sinister #4.5)

Talk Sweetly to Me by Courtney Milan

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line:  A cute novella with a unique heroine and a great balance of humor and emotion.

The Brothers Sinister Series
0.5 The Governess Affair
1.   The Duchess War
1.5 A Kiss For Midwinter
2.   The Heiress Effect
3.   The Countess Conspiracy
4.   The Suffragette Scandal
4.5 Talk Sweetly to Me 

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way. She's a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper's daughter who dreams of the stars. Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal. She'll take obscurity, thank you very much.

All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is. He's an infamous advice columnist and a known rake. When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he's also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome. But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn't just a scandal waiting to happen. He's waiting to happen to her...and if she's not careful, she'll give in to certain ruination.

My Thoughts:

As in all of Milan's books in this series, Talk Sweetly to Me has a very unique heroine for the historical romance genre. Rose Sweetly is both a very, very intelligent woman and a black woman. I believe this is the first 1800's romance I have read featuring a black woman, and I certainly enjoyed the twist. We met Stephen in The Sufragette Scandal as Free Marshall's witty male columnist. I was very excited to see how his story played out.

The romance was very sweet; there were a few emotional parts, but overall I would say this was a light romance. Part of me felt like maybe it was TOO light.  I find it hard to believe that Stephen and Rose's interest in each other developed beyond lust after a few conversations in the street and three math lessons (as arousing as math can be). However, I am generally inclined to give a bit of leeway to love at first sight in novellas. I was also not convinced that Stephen truly could be serious enough to help Rose through 1800's society. Overall, I enjoyed seeing the sweet side of Stephen, and I like to believe that their love will be enough to overcome the hardships they would no doubt face.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Courtney Milan     

The Viper by Monica McCarty (Highland Guard #4)

The Viper by Monica McCarty

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: I found the heroine to be a bit vexing at times, but this was another wonderfully sensual and action-packed story. 

Highland Guard

1.  The Chief
2.  The Hawk
3.  The Ranger
4.  The Viper
5.  The Saint
6.  The Recruit
7.  The Hunter
7.5  The Knight
8.  The Raider
9.  The Arrow 

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The war for Scotland’s sovereignty rages on as Robert the Bruce is crowned king and the Highland Guard, his elite fighting force of legendary warriors, battle for land . . . and love.

Prized for his snakelike stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist but not to trust. His only loyalty is to his purse, his indifference sealed by bitter betrayal. All that changes when Lachlan is tasked to protect and deliver Bella MacDuff to the king’s coronation and the proud, lushly sensual countess unwittingly challenges him to his greatest battle yet: to love again.

Passionate and devoted, Bella has defied Britain’s king and her own husband to place the crown on Bruce’s head, and for this she pays a terrible price: Losing her daughter and her freedom to her husband’s vengeance. Imprisoned with barbaric cruelty, she vows to reclaim her child, even if it means selling her soul and her body to a dark, lethal warrior whose eyes glint like steel, but who makes her skin tingle and her breath race. Together they embark on a rogue mission with sinister twists and turns that threatens not only Bella’s gamble to save her daughter but also her heart.

My Thoughts:

This novel had a nice twist: the most hated of the highlander guard we've met so far turns out to be a misunderstood sweetheart. We met Lachlan in the previous novels and he always seemed very surly and uncaring towards anyone but himself...but we also got a sense that he was very torn up over Bella's capture.  In this book, we finally learn a bit more about him.

Lachlan's good name was ruined when he was younger, and since he blames himself for the incident, he sees no value in correcting anyone's negative opinions of him. Thus, he is known as a heartless mercenary and is not trusted by many. When he is commanded to keep Bella MacDuff's safe, he finds himself wanting her to trust him--something he hasn't expected from anyone since his former wife's betrayal.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Lachlan and Bella. At the start, Bella knows only of his bad reputation and refuses to trust him at all. She has also learned to be wary of any male attention due to her husband's jealous nature and the reactions that her beauty generally garners from men. When there is a spark of attraction between Bella and Lachlan, they both try hard to fight it.While I was easily drawn in by both the plot and the delicious sexual tension between the hero and heroine, I was a little annoyed by how selfish Bella could be. Between her strong will and Lachlan's need to see her happy, she constantly sent him on missions that put him into danger, then generally rewarded him with a guilt trip for being attracted to her...I guess it was a nice change to be pissed off at the heroine instead of our highlanders.

This series continues to impress me. I can't wait to continue on and see what else McCarty has in store for our highland guard.  

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Monica McCarty

Wanton by Cheryl Holt (Reluctant Brides Trilogy #2)

Wanton by Cheryl Holt

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: A small improvement from the first book in the series, but still a fairly unconvincing romance

Reluctant Brides Trilogy
1.  Wicked
2.  Wanton
3.  Wonderful

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Amelia Hubbard has always lived at Miss Peabody’s School for Girls, first as a student, then as a teacher. She enjoyed her position and the independence it brought. But Miss Peabody has died, the school is closing, and Amelia has no money and nowhere to go. When Fate intervenes and hands her a dowry and a handsome husband already purchased with the money, Amelia is nervous but resigned. She reluctantly agrees to wed a man she’s never met. 

Lucas Drake has never been anything but a wastrel and scapegrace. As the second son of an earl, and with an older brother who’s perfect in every way, stellar behavior seems impossible. He’s always been happy to live down to his stern father’s low expectations. But when Amelia arrives and Lucas discovers that his father has engaged him to her, his bachelor tendencies surge to the fore. He’s vehemently certain that no wedding will ever occur. 

When Amelia agreed to the match, she never imagined that Lucas might not want to get married. Her prior situation has ended, and without marriage, the future is bleak. What’s a spinster to do? 

Wanton seduction seems the only path, but first, she’ll need a few lessons in how to use her feminine wiles. Once she figures out what Lucas really needs, the poor man doesn't stand a chance. 

RELUCTANT BRIDES… When love is the key and dowry the bait, who can predict what a woman might do?

My Thoughts:

This book was a small step up from Wicked. I was worried about Lucas' story since he was so lazy and rude in the first book, and I'd say my concerns were well founded. In this novel, Lucas' father has arranged for Amelia to marry Lucas, but Lucas refuses to acknowledge her. I've seen this theme in a couple books, and usually the driving force behind the son's refusal to marry is well founded. With Lucas I got the feeling that one of the main reasons he didn't want to marry was because he didn't want to be tied down to one woman. Even when they are supposedly in love, Lucas thinks of marriage as an ending to his freedom.

I was not a huge fan of Amelia either. I just couldn't imagine a girl becoming quite so...wanton while moving about in polite 1800's society. There was just never any real connection between Lucas and Amelia aside from lust, and this lust was only aided by Amelia pretending to be a different kind of person. The only redeeming part of this book was that the secondary characters weren't too awful. Aaron seems like one of the only decent people in this trilogy, so maybe (just maybe), the third book will be better.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Cheryl Holt  

Wicked by Cheryl Holt (Reluctant Brides Trilogy #1)

Wicked by Cheryl Holt

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: I struggled to get past the fact that there was not a single character in this story that I liked.

Reluctant Brides Trilogy
1.  Wicked
2.  Wanton
3.  Wonderful

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Rose Ralston has spent her life at Miss Peabody’s School for Girls—first as a student, then as a teacher. But with Miss Peabody’s passing, the school has been closed, the students sent away, and Rose is facing an uncertain future. As Miss Peabody’s will is read, Rose had been told to expect a small bequest, but she’s stunned to discover that her inheritance is a dowry that’s already been paid to an elderly widower. The man is in quick need of an heir, and Rose can agree to wed or she’ll get nothing and will have no money and nowhere to go. She’s never lived on her own, and without family or friends to assist her, she’s out of options. Reluctantly, she agrees to the marriage and heads off to the man’s Summerfield estate.

James Talbot grew up at Summerfield. But as an orphan, his position was never exactly clear. The owner, Stanley Oswald, constantly tormented James with the secrets of his parentage. Rumors abound that he’s Stanley’s natural-born son, but the truth has been impossible to unravel. Needing to escape Stanley’s manipulations, James has spent the past decade in the army. But Stanley has lured him home, and when James learns of Stanley’s pending marriage, he can’t help but be intrigued. He’s eager to engage in a little mischief, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to ruin the match before it begins. 

Rose is fascinated by handsome, virile James, but bound to wed elderly, decrepit Stanley. As Stanley woos her and James interferes, any wild ending seems possible. For Rose—who only ever wanted a home of her own—she just might end up with more than she ever dreamed. 

RELUCTANT BRIDES… When love is the key and dowry the bait, who can predict what a woman might do?

My Thoughts:

I am still struggling to determine if this was actually a romance novel, or an exercise in writing horrid characters. There was not a single character in this book that did not piss me off. The premise of the story was good; penniless Rose is practically sold to an old, wealthy man who needs an heir before he dies, but the handsome, young James catches her eye instead. Who can blame her when her future husband is almost 50 years her senior? Unfortunately, Rose's fiance has further plans for her that depend on her getting to know James more intimately.

I was not able to get attached to any of the characters in this book. Rose's naivete was actually ridiculous. It's sometimes enjoyable to read about the innocent virgin, but Rose took this too a new level. The dialogue between her and James made me cringe. James, for his part, was manipulative and selfish until the very end, and I never found the relationship between him and Rose believable in the least. I could rant about Stanley Oswald's perversions and Veronica's neurotic obsession with finding a husband, but I'll just say that the secondary characters did nothing to redeem the book and leave it at that. Aside from the characters, I found the cliche dialogue a little obnoxious and out of place in a historical novel. I was also disappointed that we never learned any further reasoning behind Miss Peabody setting Rose up with Mr. Oswald. I was hoping Miss Peabody would end up being a wise and creative matchmaker, but it seems that she really just sucked at judging people.

I am actually considering giving Holt's second novel in this trilogy a shot. I can't imagine there could be any worse characters, so I am anxious to see if Wanton will redeem this series. I feel like the premise of a few penniless orphans being shipped off to their awaiting husbands has a lot of potential, so hopefully Lucas and Amelia's story will be a bit more bearable.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Cheryl Holt  

Untouched by Anna Campbell

Untouched by Anna Campbell 

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: A romance with a bit of a gothic feel to it. A good storyline, but the relationship between the hero and heroine seemed to rely too much on sexual attraction. 

Synopsis (Goodreads):

"I am many things," Lord Sheene said. "Kind is not one of them."

Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason not to believe these words. After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire . . . or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is as dangerous as he would have her believe.

Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman. Locked up as a prisoner, called "mad" by all of the world, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace's sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together—for only then will Grace truly surrender to him . . . forever.

My Thoughts:

This book put me in an odd position when I was trying to figure out how I felt about it. I think if this had been one of the first historical romances I had read, I would have really liked it. However, after reading a lot of similar novels, the plot fell a little flat for me. Campbell certainly has a way of creating very dark, cruel antagonists. Sheene's uncle, Lord John, and his servants are truly evil in this story. Lord John has locked Sheene up for the majority of his life. When Grace is imprisoned with Sheene, they find they are connected by a need to be free of Lord John's threatening presence. 

This is a very dark romance with plenty of death threats and nasty, violent thugs. The romance that blooms between Grace and Sheene is the only light part of the story. While the passion between them was quite enjoyable to read, I felt like their attraction was shown almost entirely through sex. When they weren't having sex, they were thinking about having sex. Honestly, I realize there's not much to do when you're imprisoned on an estate together, but the middle third of the story was basically exploring their physical attraction to each other.  I did enjoy the overall plot, as dark and fanciful as it was, and it was a nice, quick read. However, I would have enjoyed if there was a bit more substance to Grace and Sheene's relationship.

  

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Anna Campbell

A Love by Any Measure by Killian McRae

A Love by Any Measure by Killian McRae

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: A historical romance that sticks to the social realities of the time period. This story had a lot of heartbreak and a lot of twists and turns.

Synopsis (Goodreads):

An Irish lass. An English lord. 
A love that overcomes all boundaries, but at what cost?

Lord August Grayson, English landlord, has secretly, and much to the dismay of his father, held in reverence the object of his first fancy: poor Irish tenant Maeve O'Connor. Returning to the Ireland for the first time since his youth, August discovers that Maeve has grown into a woman of beauty and tenacity. August understands, however, that he could offer Maeve nothing but shame if her pursued her. But when circumstances allow him an opportunity to indulge his fancy, even if only in a limited scope, August finds himself unable to resist the temptation. 

Maeve,for her part, knows the danger falling for August holds, but finds her heart and her good senses becoming confused the longer she spends in his company. As two hearts become hopelessly entangled, both Maeve and August are forced to question the costs of their love. As consequences of their romance manifest, both struggle with the pain and difficulties their love causes, both for them and for their loved ones.

Killian McRae's delve into historical romance will challenge reader's presumptions of the genre. A title garnering controversy due to McRae's preference towards historical truth versus genre-standard "love despite the realities of the day" perspectives, it asks at what cost winning love is justified. "A Love by Any Measure" is an exploration of a romance that strives to overcome divisions of cultural, socio-economic, and religious differences in an era where options for lovers in such situations were limited.

My Thoughts:

After reading an romance after romance, this novel was...an icy cold blast of reality. This was in no way a light-hearted romance. The plot was deep and convoluted and kind of made me hate life for a bit. After reading the synopsis, I expected a story of a man who loved a woman below his station but decided to seduce her anyways after which they realize love can conquer all and they get married and live happily ever after...hooray!  Sadly (or happily, if you're in the mood for some severe emotional turmoil), McRae sticks to the reality of the times in that a Lord just cannot decide to marry an Irish commoner.

This story was an emotional rollercoaster.  Every time August did something sweet and life started to look a little better for Maeve, there would be some wrench in the plan. My relationship with these characters was generally pity for Maeve, and a slight disdain for August and the way he treated Maeve. However, I admit that their relationship was believable considering the time period and that August was Maeve's Lord, and she his tenant. I accept it now, but I certainly spent a lot of my time being pissed off while I was actually reading the book.

Overall, this book WAS romantic. But I had to get through a lot of heartbreak first, so the happy ending was a little bittersweet. This book used a lot of flashbacks and flashforwards. A bit too much for my liking. I found myself incredibly confused at times, and some of the twists seemed a little unnecessary. They certainly made me wonder how in the world the story could have possibly taken such an odd turn, thus forcing me to continue reading...so perhaps the flashbacks/forwards did do their job! This plot was serious and took a lot of unexpected turns. I would love to claim that the realistic heartbreak of this story was a breath of fresh air after so many historical romances, but hey, I'm a romantic. I like my light-hearted, happily-ever-after stories.  

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Killian McRae  

The Ranger by Monica McCarty (Highland Guard #3)

The Ranger by Monica McCarty

Genre: Historical Romance

Bottom Line: Just as action packed as McCarty's previous novels, but with a more lovable hero.

Highland Guard

1.  The Chief
2.  The Hawk
3.  The Ranger
4.  The Viper
5.  The Saint
6.  The Recruit
7.  The Hunter
7.5  The Knight
8.  The Raider
9.  The Arrow (August 26, 2014) 

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Chosen to help Robert the Bruce in his quest to free Scotland from English rule and claim his crown, the legendary team of warriors known as the Highland Guard battles on.

Embedded deep behind enemy lines, Arthur “Ranger” Campbell is prized for his razor-sharp senses and his ability to blend into the shadows. But when Arthur infiltrates the clan of the chieftain who murdered his father, his heart is locked on revenge. Inside he faces unexpected resistance from the sweetest of obstacles—a honey-haired siren who is his enemy’s daughter.

Intrigued by this ruggedly handsome newcomer to her father’s forces, the vivacious, enchanting Anna MacDougall is a woman whose skill at uncovering deception rivals Arthur’s own. Though yearning for a quiet life with a good man to love, Anna is drawn to this mysterious knight whose eyes devour her but whose words push her away. As danger, treachery, and the threat of looming war draw them closer into each other’s arms, a warrior made of steel must make a choice from the heart: love or revenge.

My Thoughts:

Arthur was my favorite of McCarty's highlanders so far. This story kept the emotional turmoil of the previous stories, but without the cockiness we got from Tor and Erik.  Anna is a loyal and strong woman, and is immediately drawn to our sexy super-secret spy. Sadly, their relationship is pretty much doomed from the start, since Arthur's ultimate goal is to destroy her family.  All the more fun for us!

I loved the characters in this book.  Anna seemed pretty desperate for Arthur's attention through this book, which would normally have made me hate her, but somehow McCarty made it slightly endearing. It was amusing to have Anna constantly bugging Arthur while he tried desperately not to like her. The romance was hot (as always), but I especially enjoyed the action in this story. Arthur's "special skills" made the plot exciting, and added some depth to the relationship between him and Anna. I can think of only a few ways a doomed love between a spy and the daughter of his mortal enemy can end, but McCarty still managed to keep me on my toes.

Find it on: Amazon | Goodreads | Monica McCarty