Before I grow any more befuddled and mix up all my characters (which would do the amazing authors great injustice), I want to take a few minutes to remember the books I've read, the hero & heroine of each story and any small bits I can recall. Not to torture myself too much, I'll just begin from where my last blog post tagged Reading let off.
- Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn
Baron John Blackwood & ady Arabella 'Belle' Blydon
- Super honeysuckle sweet, I heartily concur with a review on GR that I love you so much I cant do without you sentiment was prevalent in every other para. Belle won over the cynical Lord Blackwood living in the country estate, a jaded ex-army officer who walked with a limp, they fall in love, finally admit to their feelings (a tough step to overcome for John who lacked self confidence) and they had to escape the murderous revenge intents of John's former bff who tried to endanger their lives.
Verdict: a little too sweet for my liking...
Would I want to buy and keep this book forever: Nope
Would I read more books from this author: Honestly, I cant help but have a little seed of doubt to tackle more books from Ms Quinn. I am not so sure... Willing to give it another chance if I come across a good story I guess, but definitely wouldn't be an author that I would readily buy to keep.
***
- The Secret Duke by Jo Beverley
Captain Rose, 'Thorn', Duke of Itorne & Bella Barstowe, daughter of a country magistrate
Some hints of a Cinderella story, Bella who was severely neglected by her family, stern straitlaced father and then a devil gambler brother. Thorn, a duke by day and most of the time, but who indulges in fleeting escapes as Captain Rose, a break from his ducal duties that weight him down. Some peripheral characters - Rothgar 'Dark Marquess', Christian & Robin, his cousin and bestie, 3 cute cats... I love the way Thorn is always there to save Bella again and again, and how Bella is able to show such epic understanding for the reasons why they can't marry. One memorable part I vaguely recall was Bella who understood Thorn's difficulties because sometimes they were ironically trapped by the masks and disguises they were potraying.
Verdict: sweet and nice book! I love the scenes between the leads, and learning about their feelings and emotional turmoil as they despaired over their social standings that forbade a marriage. I didnt really like the Lady Fowler bits though, dull and tedious.
Would I want to buy and keep this book forever: Initially I thought no, but thinking back, I did enjoy the book a lot. So I am on the fence on this. Perhaps NO for now for the virtue of being thrify. *sigh*
Would I read more books from this author: Yes, for sure. Jo Beverley remains 1 of my fav authors!
***
- After the Kiss by Suzanne Enoch
Mr Sullivan Warring & Lady Isabel Chalsey
Hero Sullivan is the bastard son of a marquis, survivor from the army with an amazing touch with horses that made him into a very successful and respected horse breeder, popular with the Ton. Sullivan is also the Mayfair Marauder, who breaks into the homes of the nobility, to steal paintings by Frances W Perris, his mother, who was a painter before she died. Her paintings which were his precious memories from his mother, were cruelly given away by his father to selected members of the ton. Isabel or Bella, is the treasured and sheltered daughter from a loving family of another fellow Marquis, with 2 other brothers Phillip (heir) and Douglas (likeable brother). She caught him breaking into her home, was seduced by a kiss and a chance encounter enabled her to ink a deal, for Sullivan to sell and personally break a mare for Bella as well as teach her to ride. His patient and sensitive character soon won Isabel over, of course further propelled by their hot kisses and strong mutual physical attraction. Lotsa trials and tribulations await the pair, but alls well ends well of course. :)
Verdict: Slow to warm up but a great read to end off. I love the second half of the book, I am glad the heroine turned out to be a strong lady with determination, some spunk and character and not a spoilt Lady who cared so much about dancing. LOL
Would I want to buy and keep this book forever: I don't think so, but I would borrow it from the library to have another read again in the future.
Would I read more books from this author: Yes!
***
- Never Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen
Christopher, Duke of Madingley & Abigail Shaw
Abigail Shaw, commoner from the working class, journalist daughter of a father who owns a righteous but flailing newspaper Morning Journal. Their newspaper is her father's lifetime efforts and speaks up for a good cause to bring awareness in areas that needs the society to draw their attention upon. Abigail gets the bright idea to hunt a juicy piece of scandal from the Ton (juicy gossips bring in viewership and sales). In comes her prey... Christopher, Duke of Madingley, temperamental boy in his adolescence, who struggled to maintain the perfect public image in order to repair the damage to his and his family's reputation (already taken a beating from his father's scandalous marriage to his Spanish commoner mother) from a great previous scandal - he having beaten another boy in college that left the victim paralysed. The pair meet at a matchmaking party at the duke's country residence, at the engineering of the duchess (his mom) which Abigail's bestie Gwen, daughter of an earl decides to bring Abigail to attend so she could gather evidence for her all important big article. Naturally love blossoms for the pair under the same roof, and all else is history...
Verdict: Nice to read, with a great promising plot but somehow it wasnt the most memorable book for me. I felt Christopher's childhood scandal was perhaps over-dramatised but nevertheless I have a great weakness for vulnerable heroes who need to be rescued and loved! Aww...
Would I want to buy and keep this book forever: Nope
Would I read more books from this author: Probably
***
- Surrender to the Devil by Lorraine Heath
Sterling Mabry of reystone & Frannie Darling
Loved, LOVE, still LOVE this book!
Straight laced Duke of Greystone, newly returned from his travels around the world to resume his ducal duties following the recent demise of his father, meets Miss Frannie Darling, close buddy of his brother in law, Luke or Earl of Claybourne. Hero falls in love with Frannie against his better judgement. There was intense attraction from the first time they met at his sister's wedding, but genuine feelings for each other soon followed, especially for our hero Sterling, who was humbled again and again by Frannie who remains ever positive, selfless and giving despite her difficult childhood (child from the streets who picked pockets and was brutally raped by a lord at 12). Although the feelings for each other was obvious from early on, the characters struggled through as a marriage between a duke and someone of scandalous background was inconceivable. Therein lies the romance as they fell deeper and deeper for each other, and as one hurts and suffers heart ache over the injuries to the other, finally the thought of not being together would almost certainly have killed them even if they were physically alive.
I love the well paced character development especially for our hero Sterling. Even I felt myself learning and being humbled by Frannie, although I am reading a novel and fictional character. I especially loved the delicate vulnerablity to Sterling, who suffered from limited vision. How could anyone not love a vulnerable hero!? I am grateful for the wonderful epilogue, where the author kindly gave the deserving lover many many years together before Sterling lost his sight completely. The writing was amazing, that he lost sight only when they reached their gray ears, such that he would always remember his sweet love Frannie in her youthful beauty with flaming red hair. How much sweeter can you get?!
Verdict: Loved, LOVE, still LOVE this book! I think it is most definitely one of the most romantic book I have read to date, maybe even claiming the #1.
Would I want to buy and keep this book forever: YES YES YES
Would I read more books from this author: Definitely, beyond any doubt. This was my first book by Lorraine Heath, I am so thankful I discovered her and had the pleasure of reading this book.
Whew, and there we have it!
Now, let me get back to my current read! Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas. After a rather slow start, I can feel it as things are finally picking up with the hero (Alex, Earl of Raiford) and heroine (Lily Lawson) under the same roof. Heeheehee...
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