Tall, Dark and Disreputable - Deb Marlow (HH #1086 - Apr 2012)

SHE MUST MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL HIMSELF

Portia Tofton has always yearned for brooding Mateo Cardea. His dark good looks filled her girlish dreams -- dreams that were cruelly shattered when Mateo rejected her hand in marriage.

Now Portia's home has been gambled away, and Mateo is the only man she can turn to. This time, however, she has in her possession something he wants -- and she finds herself striking a deal with the devil himself!

Danger is all around -- but Portia has no choice but to trust this man who once betrayed her....

Fun journey from friends to lovers. Mateo is in England to confront his childhood playmate Portia. Upon the death of his father he discovered that control of the family shipping business had been left to her instead of to him. He had spent years pouring everything he had into making the company strong, frequently butting heads with his conservative father. Now he has to find a way to get his business back before all his plans are ruined.

Portia doesn't want the business. However, her late husband gambled away her home and she is desperate to get it back. She plans to offer Mateo a deal - she'll sign the business over as soon as he finds the person who won her home and gets it back. She's not content to just give him the mission, she is going to be with him every step of the way, protecting her interests.

The relationship between Mateo and Portia is very interesting. Their fathers had been good friends so they spent a lot of time together as children and teens. As the only girl, Portia had been ignored and put down by her father and brothers. In order to escape she married a man who turned out to be even worse. He died a scandalous death, leaving her to deal with the aftermath. When they were younger, Portia had tagged after the boys, and Mateo was the only one who treated her with any kindness. She developed quite the crush on him and was thrilled when their fathers proposed that they marry. Mateo wasn't pleased at all and flat out refused, not knowing how Portia felt, and seeing her only as the kid he remembered. This broke her heart.

When they met again, Mateo was surprised by the changes in Portia. At first he believed she had been part of the plot to cut him out but soon realized his mistake. When he became aware of her problem he didn't hesitate to jump in and do his best to fix it. He really wants to get it fixed quickly so he can get back to sea where he feels comfortable. He also wants to get away from Portia, who has become a vastly appealing woman to him. But he is a man of the sea and she is tied to the land, and he sees no way for them to be together.

Their journey to track down the person who won Portia's home was very interesting. The more time they spend together, the closer they get. Mateo sees the beautiful and strong woman that Portia has become, and has to fight the attraction he is feeling for her. He knows that his lifestyle and hers are incompatible. Meanwhile, Portia's girlhood crush has become much stronger. She knows that there is no future for them, but she's ready to indulge herself anyway. I loved seeing her push past her reservations and go after what she wanted. Both Mateo and Portia learned a lot about themselves and their own dreams during their travels.

I loved reading about the journey itself. It was obvious to me that they were being led for a reason. I figured out early what the purpose was (it is a romance after all). The people they met along the way were each unique in their own way, and I felt that each was intended to be an example or lesson to Mateo and Portia. It didn't take long to figure out the identity of the Countess once they reached that part of the journey. I loved Mateo's plan to catch the mysterious gambler, and was quite surprised by the twist of his identity. I really enjoyed the revelations of all that had led up to that point. All that was left was for Portia and Mateo to figure out how to live their dreams and still be together. I liked what they came up with.

Together - Linda Lael Miller (Harper Torch - Aug 1996)

IN ALL SEASONS
Together as two hearts once torn apart by greed and deception are united by a vow of eternal love.

Christian and Melissande had fallen in love young. Shortly before they were to marry, Mellissande was told that Christian had died when his ship sank. Distraught, she tried to kill herself, but was stopped by Christian's older brother who offered to marry her instead. Rather than do so, Melissande enters a convent, where she hopes to become a nun.

Two years later a badly beaten man is found outside the gates of the convent. Melissande is overjoyed to discover that it is Christian. Her joy soon turns to heartbreak as he accuses her of betraying him and sending him to slave in the galleys of her father's ships. He wants nothing to do with her now, but must accept her assistance while he heals. Christian refuses to believe her protestations of innocence.

Over the next month, as he heals, Melissande is horrified to hear about the conditions on the ships. Now that her parents are dead, she is the owner and she is determined to make changes. Though he claims to have nothing but hatred for her now, Christian won't let her go to London alone. During the journey and after they arrive, Christian finds that he can't help being protective of her.

Melissande knows that she still loves Christian and tries to get him to accept the truth. She finds that she needs his help to accomplish her goals, just as he needs her assistance for his. I loved seeing Christian confronted by the truth when they reached his lands, and seeing him admit his fears to Melissande. I loved seeing them work together to achieve their goals. The ending was very nicely done.




THE SCENT OF SNOW
Together when true caring overcomes desperation and turns mistrust into devotion.

Very good story. Rebecca had brought her two young sisters to Cornucopia, Washington from Chicago in order to give them a better life. It isn't easy and things are tight, but they have a stable life there. Then one day Lucas Kiley comes riding up to the house, a man she never expected to see again. Lucas was just as stunned to see her. They had known each other in Chicago, where they had grown very close. When her father showed up and left her sisters with her, Rebecca had to find a way to support them all. At the same time, Lucas had been involved in an accident and was reportedly dead of his injuries. When she was given his effects she found the deed to the Cornucopia property and moved there, calling herself his wife.

Rebecca fully expects Lucas to kick her out of his home, but he doesn't. He begins to act as if they are really married. She is surprised and confused by his care and kindness, and by the way she feels when he is near. It doesn't take long for her to fall deeply in love with him. But she has a secret that has followed her from Chicago and she's afraid of what Lucas's reaction will be.

Lucas was surprised to find his home occupied when he arrived, even more so by who was there. His memories of Rebecca were one of the things that kept him going through the long days of his recovery. He discovered that he liked having Rebecca and her sisters there, and the idea of being married is growing on him. The revelation of her secret shakes his faith in her and his feelings, and he has to make a decision about what to do.

In spite of this being a short story, I really felt the progression of their romance. I loved how Lucas saw that Rebecca had never really had anyone take care of her, and how sweetly he did it. Rebecca's growing desire for Lucas was beautifully done. Her unhappiness after her big revelation had me in tears for her and waiting anxiously to see what Lucas would do. I loved the ending.




THAT OTHER KATHERINE
Together for a second chance at life and love.      

The story begins with Katherine beginning to regain consciousness after being in a car accident, but it doesn't last. She pleads for her life with the "bright light" and suddenly comes to in the middle of labor in a strange place. She's quite disoriented, but within a few hours discovers that she has been transported into the body of a woman from the late 1800s.  She quickly realizes that all is not well between the woman and her husband, who has accused her of infidelity.

Katherine can see that the baby is indeed Gavin's child. She knows that if she is going to be stuck in this time she is going to have to repair her relationship with her husband, but has no idea how to do it. So the first thing she does is to learn all she can about the other woman. She is also determined to be herself, which really confuses the people around her.

Gavin doesn't know what to make of the changes in his wife. He had married her for love and was hurt and furious with her actions. He decides to send her away for awhile to give him some peace. But the things he hears back from the servants confuse him and when he goes to see her there's a new spark between them. He no longer trusts her and resists those feelings for as long as he can.

I enjoyed seeing Katherine make the decision to go with the life she has been given, but also to make it her own. She isn't going to sit back and suffer the consequences of the other woman's actions. She works hard to show Gavin that she's different and that they can be happy together.




STORE-BOUGHT WOMAN
Together when misdirected desire unexpectedly leads to lasting happiness.  

Bess had left Philadelphia to become a mail order bride in order to escape bad memories. She arrived only to discover that the man she was to marry had left town, leaving his brother to pick up the pieces. Will is a big man, not as polished as his brother, but very kind. He is taken by Bess right away and would really like her to stay and marry him.

Bess feels rather out of her depth with the life here so much different than her life back home. She's not too sure about Will at the beginning, but is willing to get to know him. I liked his patience with her fears and how he tried to make her feel at home. He quickly falls for her but fears that he isn't good enough for her.

Her fears overwhelm her at one point and she has to decide if her growing love for him is enough to face the risks. I liked the way it ended.

The Countess Confessions - Jillian Hunter (Signet - Feb 2014)

Series: Boscastle (Book 13)

All Emily Selwick wanted was to convince the man she had adored for years that she was the woman he ought to marry. She never expected that her ill-fated deception at a party would uncover a scheme against the Crown and ensnare her in the sensual trap of an enigmatic stranger.

Damien Boscastle, the Earl of Shalcross, knows he must marry Emily to defend her honor and keep his mission secret. But, by saving her reputation, he will draw her into his arms as well as a dangerous intrigue.

After a whirlwind courtship that leaves her breathless, Emily finds herself wed to a husband who vows not only to protect her from his menacing world -- but to train his wife in the pleasures of passion.

Good romance with a touch of suspense added to liven things up. Emily had disguised herself as a fortune-telling gypsy in an attempt to catch the interest of a man she was interested in. Instead, she found herself entangled with Damien, who was undercover trying to discover and shut down a group of anarchists. She ends up compromised and in the crosshairs of the conspirators, who worry what she might have heard. 

Damien is intent on his mission, with no plans to marry in the near future, but he won't let Emily suffer because of him. He steps up to marry her, in spite of the kink it puts in his plans. He finds it distressingly easy to play the part of the besotted fiance, and worries that his fascination will distract him from what he has to do. He is determined to stop the anarchists and keep Emily safe. I really liked the fact that Damien showed no resentment about having to marry Emily. In fact, he was quite comfortable with the idea and expected that they would have a real marriage right from the start. He may be a dangerous, confident operative but he is also astounded by Emily's ability to take everything in stride. I really liked the fact that he didn't treat her like an idiot but showed a lot of respect for her intelligence.

Emily has been a magnet for trouble most of her life. She has a tendency to get herself into awkward situations, but this time she's in real trouble. At first she's angry that Damien has spoiled her plans, but the effect he has on her soon drives those plans right out of her mind. She's smart enough to know that Damien is her best bet at staying alive, but thinking about the danger she's in is difficult when all she can think of is her upcoming marriage. She realized pretty quickly that what she felt for the other man was nothing when compared to what she feels for Damien. I liked the fact that she started the marriage with the full intention of making it work. I really enjoyed seeing her fully embrace everything that Damien was exposing her to.

The suspense itself started out strong, with Damien's undercover attempt to ferret out who the leader of the anarchists was. His fears for Emily and Iris seemed well-founded when the conspirators were so determined to track them down and kill them. I enjoyed the efforts that Damien and Emily, as well as Iris and Winthrop made to investigate at the house party, but they seemed pretty laid back for the importance of the mission. The final confrontation felt almost anti-climactic with its lack of intensity. I will admit that the leader was someone I did not suspect, so that was a pleasant surprise.

His Mistress by Christmas - Victoria Alexander (Zebra - Sept 2012)

Series: Sinful Family Secrets (Book 2)

For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow -- and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him.

Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks -- if his family deems him responsible enough. There's no better way to prove his maturity than with a wife. But though Veronica will share his bed, she refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan: An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica's mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together -- in this, and every season to come...

What a fun book. Both Veronica and Sebastian find themselves at crossroads in their lives. They meet at the intersection and decide that they'd like to continue together. The problem is that they are looking down different roads. Both of them are accustomed to getting what they want and seeing them each try to convince the other makes for a really fun time.

Veronica has been a widow for three years. She had loved her husband and they had a good life together, but she's ready to move on. She's gotten used to being independent and having control of her own life. She's not interested in marrying and turning that control over to a man. But she admits to being lonely for the company of a man and decides to look for one that can provide what she wants. When she meets Sebastian, she thinks he would be perfect for her. After all, he's known as quite the ladies' man and has shown no signs of wanting to settle down.

Sebastian is almost thirty-three years old. He has been traveling the world for quite a few years and has made quite a name for himself with his explorations and the books he has written, is good looking and wealthy too. But he's getting a little tired of living out of his trunks and is looking to spend more time at home. He has bought a house and is thinking that it might also be time to start looking for a wife. When he sees Veronica at one of his lectures he is lost. She is exactly what he is looking for. Besides being beautiful, she is intelligent and has a sense of humor to match his own. He also senses that she is just as interested in him. He's so sure of where they are that he tells his sisters he expects to be married by Christmas.

But things don't quite go as he planned. When he proposes to Veronica he is stunned to find out she doesn't want to marry him, only be his mistress. That's not what he wants and he refuses to accept defeat. So he invites her to spend Christmas at his new home, as his mistress, but has every intention of convincing her to be his wife instead. 

I loved the two of them together. They are smart, they like many of the same things, and they both have a great sense of fun. Some of their conversations are hilariously funny as are their observations of the people and events around them. Sebastian loves Veronica just the way she is, independence and direct speech and all. He doesn't understand why she is so against marriage. Veronica enjoys being able to be herself. She fears that by marrying that sense of self would be lost under the expectations of what a wife should be. She intends that as a mistress she would have all the benefits of being a wife without the pitfalls. And she doesn't intend to allow herself to fall in love with Sebastian as she sees that as the first step to that loss of self. 

When they get to his home and start to settle in things are looking good for them to start working on their differences. Then things get really complicated. Sebastian's two sisters show up, uninvited, to spend Christmas with Sebastian and his new wife, only to discover they aren't married. They are horrified, not just because of the circumstances, but also because they told the rest of the family about his "marriage" and they are ALL coming for Christmas. Sebastian has been trying to show his older brothers that he has changed and become a mature and responsible man. He has always felt that he was a disappointment to his family because he has not led a more traditional life. Now, thanks to his sisters, he's going to look even worse. He and his sisters try to keep them from finding out, but don't tell Veronica that the family thinks they are married. When she finds out the truth she isn't happy, but she cares for Sebastian (still doesn't admit to herself that she loves him) so she goes along with the deception for now. Things get even crazier when her family shows up.

In the midst of all the family togetherness, as she is treated as Sebastian's wife, Veronica begins to realize that all that independence also has a downside. It means that she could still end up alone. It means giving up on the idea of having children. It means that she could lose Sebastian to someone else. A long conversation with her father, aunt and grandmother shows her that independence can also mean great loneliness and she starts to reconsider her stance on marriage. Just as it looks like things will finally work out for them, there is a great misunderstanding about Sebastian's inheritance, which sends Veronica running back to London. Though initially both are hurt and angry, I loved that their heads and their hearts soon show them that they belong together. I loved the final scene at the birthday dinner and Veronica's passionate defense of Sebastian to his family and the resulting clearing up of many misconceptions among them all.

Some of my favorite things in the book are the situations that the characters get into. The scene at the beginning when Sebastian has been cornered by Veronica's aunt about allowing women in the Explorer's Club was fun, as he tried to be polite in his disagreement, and then to sneak away as she got involved in the argument with another member. His encounter with Veronica there was the beginning of their fascination with each other. The entire Christmas event, with all the efforts to keep the secret was at times hilariously funny or totally sweet. The whole scene with Veronica and her family was heartwarming as so many things became clear to her, and her family's love and support boosted her up. One of my favorite scenes was Christmas Eve when Sebastian goes knocking on her door after spending the evening drinking. He was so funny and so adorable. There are also some great scenes with Veronica's friend Portia and also with Sebastian's friend Sinclair. I really hope that there will be books for them and also Sebastian's sister Bianca.

The Importance of Being Wicked - Victoria Alexander (Zebra - Feb 2013)

Series: Millworth Manor (Book 2)

For Winfield Elliott, Viscount Stillwell, finding a prospective bride always seemed easy. Perhaps too easy. With three broken engagements to his name, Win is the subject of endless gossip. Yet his current mission is quite noble: to hire a company to repair his family’s fire-damaged country house. Nothing disreputable in that -- until the firm’s representative turns out to be a very desirable widow.

Lady Miranda Garrett expected a man of Win’s reputation to be flirtatious, even charming. But the awkward truth is that she finds him thoroughly irresistible. While Miranda resides at Millworth to oversee the work, Win occupies her days, her dreams…and soon, her bed. For the first time, the wicked Win has fallen in love. And what began as a scandalous proposition may yet become a very different proposal…

Fun book.  Win hires Miranda's company to do repairs on his fire damaged home.  He doesn't expect a woman to show up and run the show.  He finds her incredibly appealing but also very frustrating.  He has pretty firm ideas on where women belong and it isn't a construction site.  Miranda is aware of Win's reputation as a ladies man but is determined to resist his advances.  She has to keep her secret or risk losing all she's worked for.

I liked Miranda a lot.  She wasn't perfect, but she was fun to read.  She has always had a talent for architecture, even though it wasn't an accepted activity for a woman.  The architectural firm that her late husband started was modestly successful, especially with Miranda doing most of the design work.  That work was kept secret because of the expectations of the time.  When he died, Miranda took over running the firm, again making it look like there was still a man in charge.  When the firm is asked to do the repairs on Win's family home, Miranda is thrilled.  It's just the sort of job they need to cement their reputation.  She doesn't expect the attraction she feels for him, or the old fashioned attitudes about women he expresses.  I loved seeing her take him on and completely confuse him.  She has the ability to talk circles around him until he feels he's won an argument - until he stops to think about it and realizes he's lost again.  Miranda has buried herself in her work for so long, since even before her husband's death, that her interactions with Win have the effect of opening her eyes to the fact that she's actually rather lonely.  I loved seeing her come out from behind her walls and enjoy her growing relationship with Win.  She did start to feel guilty about hiding the truth about her company from him and tried to find a way to tell him without risking the future she wanted with him.  I liked seeing the way she acknowledged how much she had changed since her husband's death and the difference it made in the way she looked at her life.  The confidence she acquires from running the repairs stands her in good stead as she also begins to push back against the restrictions of her time.  I loved seeing her stand up to her brothers and finally tell them exactly what she does.  I also enjoyed her conversations with her sister, encouraging her in her own rebellion, and also with Win's mother and her own where her actions encourage them to pursue their own agendas.  I hope to see something of them in the future to see what happens with them.

Win is the type of man who has never had trouble getting a woman.  He is handsome, fun and flirtatious.   He's gotten something of a bad reputation because of his broken engagements, but his behavior lately has been fine.  Miranda's appearance as the person in charge of repairing his home throws him for a loop.  He has no experience with a woman involved in business and finds it contrary to everything he believes.  His blatant disapproval puts him at odds with Miranda and he finds himself in a constant battle with her over the plans for the house.  For the first part of the book he lives up to the title of "twit" that she labels him with.  He constantly tries to outwit her and ends up wondering how she won again.  But the more time he spends with her the more he enjoys their battles and the more he appreciates her abilities.  Pretty soon he's the one defending her to her family.  He begins to realize that she means more to him than any of his fiancees had, but he is cautious about proposing again.  He has insecurities of his own after losing three women and isn't so sure he can trust his judgment.  He also fears coming in second to her late husband.  It was interesting to see the advice he received from his father and his cousin, as well as his mother and how different it was, leaving him even more confused than he had been. 

I liked the story of Miranda's business and the way she was keeping it going.  It was interesting to see what she had to go through in order to hide her involvement.  The secondary story of the elusive Mr. Tempest was good.  I enjoyed Win's determination to find out the truth as a way to protect Miranda after he finally acknowledge her importance to him.  Mr. Tempest's identity was a surprise to me though once revealed it was quite logical.  I loved the glimpses of what it was like for women at that period in time. It was fun to see other's reactions to the truth about Miranda and the effects it had on their lives.  Had so much fun with the men's reactions to the women's activities and plans.

Bedding Lord Ned - Sally MacKenzie (Zebra - June 2012)

Series: Duchess of Love (Book 1)

Pleasure Is On Her Dance Card

Determined to find a husband, Miss Eleanor “Ellie” Bowman attends a ball put on by the Duchess of Greycliffe, fondly referred to as the Duchess of Love. But she roundly dismisses the suitors the matchmaking hostess has invited on her behalf. For it’s the duchess’s dashing son Ned, Lord Edward, who long ago captured Ellie's heart -- and roused her desire. All it takes is a pair of conveniently misplaced silky red bloomers to set the handsome widower’s gaze on this unusual girl who is clearly more than meets the eye…

After more than a year of mourning, Ned longs to finally start anew. At first glance, the birthday ball his mother has thrown in his honor is decidedly lacking in suitable mistresses. But he senses something unexpectedly alluring beneath the veil of Ellie’s plain exterior -- something she’s anxious to reveal, and the lonely Lord is incapable of denying…

Fun book, involving a matchmaking Duchess, a thieving cat, an oblivious hero and a heroine who has all but given up.  The Duchess gives a Valentine ball every year at the end of a week long house party.  She always invites a variety of people who she thinks will match well with each other.  This year she really wants her middle son, Ned, to move on with his life and find a new love.  She has the perfect woman in mind, but he is oblivious.

Ned had been very much in love with Cicely.  He feels responsible for her death since he had gotten her pregnant.  Now he tries to control everything in his life, trying to minimize any kind of risks.  He has finally gotten to the point where he is ready to look for a new wife, but he isn't looking for a great love.  Finding Ellie in his room looking for her bloomers startles him.  He suddenly sees her differently than his good friend.  He can't stop picturing her wearing those bloomers and it's freaking him out.  She is also acting differently than she usually does at these get togethers.  He sees her being pursued by a couple gentlemen and he doesn't like it but can't figure out why.  He gets over protective with her and is stunned when she tells him to back off.  Ned makes a really stupid proposition to her and is really surprised when she not only turns him down but tosses a brandy in his face before storming out.  He was so confused and even more so when his brothers confront him and explain what an idiot he is to him.  He has to decide if he can face his fears and open himself up to love again or go through life without the love that he needs.  

I really liked Ellie.  She has been in love with Ned since she was a child.  She wasn't really surprised when he married her best friend Cicely, a girl who was the perfect society bride.  When Cicely died in childbirth Ellie was there for Ned as a friend, but still hopeful that he would eventually see her as a woman.  After four years she has decided that it will never happen.  If she wants to be a wife and mother she'll have to settle for someone else.  She's looking at the single gentlemen at the house party but she's not impressed.  She has noticed that Ned is actually looking at the other women this year and fears that once again he'll overlook her.  She's trying to get up the courage to go after him herself.  Aiding her in this effort is Reggie the family cat, who likes to steal things and hide them in Ned's room.  Ellie accidentally brought along a pair of red silk bloomers that Reggie seems particularly attached to.  She is horribly embarrassed when Ned finds her searching his room for those bloomers.  The cat steals them several times, forcing Ned and Ellie into contact with each other.  She finally admits to herself that she changed her ways to become more like what she thought Ned wanted and is tired of hiding her true self.  I loved the way that she starts to stand up for herself and push back against Ned's attempts at control.  It was fun to see her really go after him at the end and overcome all his objections.

I enjoyed the Duchess's attempts to get Ned to open his eyes.  She uses the presence of the single men and their interest in Ellie as a way to show him what he's missing.  Though it was pretty devious of her, I liked the way that she finagled Ellie into a much better ball gown and the effect it had on Ned.  I also loved the example that she set for her family with the obvious love that she and the Duke still share.  I also enjoyed seeing her manage all the various couples and lead them where she wants them to go.

There were some really funny parts, often involving the cat and his propensity to take things and hide them in Ned's room.  There are a couple people there that have hidden agendas and their downfalls are also pretty amusing.  Percy comes off as a real jerk, but with something the Duchess said there may be redemption in his future.  I also enjoyed Jack's attempts to avoid the lady pursuing him and am really looking forward to reading his book soon.