Friday, February 27, 2015

The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress by Erica Ridley

Jane Downing is a bluestocking that knows she will never marry.  When her brother Isaac goes out of town to meet with the board of future fish farmers in Exeter, Jane takes advantage and goes to Captain Xavier Grey's house.  Jane has to take Isaac's crazy cat Egui with her.  When Jane gets to Xavier's house, she is snowed in and despite being in close quarters, Xavier is a gentleman and refuses to make Jane his mistress.

Xavier Grey first appeared in the first book in the Duke's of War series when he is just a shell of a man that has returned from war.  His friend, Oliver York, takes him to events but has to prop him up like a living doll.  Xavier snaps out of his funk by the end of the book, but in his own book, he is still bitter over what he has seen in battle.  Jane knows she is a bluestocking and isn't afraid to go after the man she wants for sex, not marriage.  When the snow storm hits, they are trapped leading the pair toward love.

I can not say enough about Erica Ridley or this series. I am hooked from the first paragraph to the end.  Each book is part of the series, yet can easily stand alone.  I loved how Jane healed Xavier but at the same time, he helped her live rather than blend in with the wallpaper.  The one thing I hated about the book was reading the last page.  It was over and now I have to wait for the next book.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Monday, February 16, 2015

A Sinful Deception by Isabella Bradford

When Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy first saw Serena Carew when she entered the ballroom, he knew she was different.  Serena was born and raised in India and Geoffrey pushes her buttons by speaking in Hindi to her.  Geoffrey seduces her and after they are married, the truth of her past comes to light.

This is the second in the Breconridge Brothers series and it did not disappoint.  I was hooked from the opening to the end.  The characters were well drawn and the mystery of Serena's background adds to the interest of the book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Bluestocking and the Rake by Norma Darcy

I just couldn't get into this novel no matter how many attempts I made.  When I am having a hard time getting started with a book I skip to the end and read the last chapter first.  Yea, I know, not good form, but it normally gets me interested.  Not this novel.  I found it way too dry and boring.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen

Marlowe has been a part of the Covent Garden Cubs since she could remember, however, there are some vague memories hovering in the far reaches of her memory.  She is snatched off of the street by Sir Brook with the help of his brother Maxwell, Lord Dane.  Sir Brook was hired by the parents of Lady Elizabeth Grafton and Sir Brook thinks Marlowe is Elizabeth.  However, Sir Brook dumps an unwilling Marlowe on Dane and Dane has to transform the street rat into a Society debutante when they are forced to attend a ball.

I was drawn to this novel by the unusual plot and wasn't disappointed.  The developing relationship between Marlowe and Dane was humorous while at the same time, the attraction was starting to build.  Marlowe brought Dane out of his stuffy shell and made him human.  I enjoyed the scene at the ball and the "sparks".  

This is the first book that I have read by Shana Galen.  I am going to make sure I find her other books.  And, after this novel, I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


The Spinster Bride - Jane Goodger

Lady Marjorie Penwhistle is determined to stay unwed so she can look after her unique brother.  Her mother wants her to marry a man with a title.  She is managing to escape her mother's demands until her brother, George, loses at cards to Charles Norris.  When Charles realizes that George is unique, he demands payment by having Marjorie find a bride for him.  Charles wants to fall in love and get married, but every season he falls in love with that Season's loveliest debutante and is crushed when she marries another man.  Marjorie is out of Charles's reach so he enjoys her company and slowly falls in love with him.  At the same time, Marjorie is battling her attraction to Charles.  If they can only convince her mother that they are an appropriate match.

I got so engrossed in this novel that I hated each time that I had to put it down.  Marjorie was a strong character that the reader felt empathy toward when her mother refuses to let her marry Charles and threatens her brother.  Charles was quite the hero and a great match for Marjorie.  There was humor in the book.  I also liked that there was an air of intrigue regarding what happened to Marjorie's mother when she was younger and the flashbacks were a great way of establishing this.

This is one of those novels that I will reread over and over.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.