Another example of how romantic fiction is not fluff. This book was deep as the ocean. I loved how this book brought together two people who had been Another example of how romantic fiction is not fluff. This book was deep as the ocean. I loved how this book brought together two people who had been hurt or damaged by life, and helped them to find peace and love.
The Rake is an excellent portrayal of a person suffering from alcoholism. And coming from a family where both side has members who were alcoholics, I can testify to this. Reggie reminded me of a few of my uncles. They could have been better men had they not been under the influence of the drug that started as something they indulged in for fun, but became their lives and helped to destroy their lives.
The great thing about this book is that it was so well written that I couldn't turn away because I had seen too much of that behavior. Instead, I wanted to read more about Reggie's journey to sobriety.
Alyx also has issues. She is odd-eyed, meaning her eyes are different colors. She is also tall and buxom. In her mind, she is unattractive. And she heard a man that she adored dismiss her, so she ran off and gave herself to the first man who asked. Of course, he didn't want her for more than one night. Lesson learned, she retires to the country and gets a job as the steward to an absentee landlord.
This turns out to be the recently inherited property of Reginald, who is running away from London to try to get his life under control. This is how these two souls meet and find a love that helps them both to heal and gives them a hopeful future.
It's been a while since I read this one, but it is destined to always have a space on my keeper shelf. For the beauty of the storytelling, the compelling and realistic hero and heroine, and for the excellent handling of the tough subject of alcoholism....more
There is so much to love about this story. Baroness Lorelei Winters is used to being made fun of and ridiculed by the Ton for her red hair, her tall, There is so much to love about this story. Baroness Lorelei Winters is used to being made fun of and ridiculed by the Ton for her red hair, her tall, abundant body (certainly not fashionably thin), and her outspokenness. Enter Adrian, Viscount Dane, mild-mannered, but upstart American who has just inherited a title. Their eyes meet across the room, and Adrian knows that he's found the woman of his dreams. I loved it. He declares his affections for her in front of all the people who had made fun of her, and proceeds to pursue her until she agrees to marry him. Although Adrian needs to marry, he is 100% sincere in his admiration and attraction to Lorelei. If he's going to marry, it will be this marveous Goddess in his eyes.
This book doesn't have the misunderstandings and the breakups that never fail to frustrate me in otherwise good romance novels. It's about the development of a marriage of two people who are deeply drawn to each other but have lessons to learn. I loved the wedding night scene and all the other love scenes. They aren't explicit at all, but the passion is there in spades, giving them a sensual, and meaningful feel. Just perfect for this story. You see that both Lorelei and Adrian have some adjustments to make in being married. Lorelei is used to being independent and has to learn to integrate a husband into her life. Adrian has to learn how to have a wife who will always be independent and outspoken. And then there's the fact that technically Adrian is on the enemy side of the brewing war between England and America (The War of 1812).
I liked that Adrian's gentle support and adoration of Lorelei allowed her to open up and become more vulnerable in a good way. I liked that Lorelei reciprocates Adrian's feelings, although she doesn't quite understand what he thinks is so wonderful about her. I admired Lorelei's strength and intelligence, and her warm nature that she had despite being treated so badly. I liked that she wasn't ugly in her behavior or prickly towards Adrian because of fears and her feelings of being unwanted and rejected.
Ms. Byron did a great job of not allowing Lorelei's size to be the elephant in the room. It was a part of her that Adrian accepted and appreciated about Lorelei just like everything else. There is one scene where he tries to pick her up and carry her and he throws his back out. It was a great scene because it showed that just because a hero can't pick you up and carry you because you aren't dainty doesn't mean that he can't find you desirable and adore you just as much. I know I've read enough romances to wonder about whether there are cases where a man can't carry the woman because of her weight.
It was a lovely book to read. I loved it so much, I 'pimped' it out three of my online bookfriends who lived overseas. I found copies at the used bookstore and mailed them out to my friends.
I had never heard of Eve Byron before I read this book. After reading it, I bought every book she wrote that I could find. She is a solid author, but this book is definitely my favorite by her. She definitely made a fan of me with this wonderful book....more
This was such a sweet book. Ashton sees Nettie and falls head over heels for her. The great thing is Nettie is not svelte and model-gorgeous. She's a This was such a sweet book. Ashton sees Nettie and falls head over heels for her. The great thing is Nettie is not svelte and model-gorgeous. She's a little surprised that Ashton is so attracted to her. She's used to guys seeing her as the cuddly friend type. Another problem with the blooming courtship is that she swore off military men since she grew up a military brat. Ashton is a military guy, so he has a plan of attack. I really liked how tried and true Ashton was. He refused to give up until Nettie gave him her heart and her trust. I liked that Ashton wasn't a player, like most of Brenda Jackson's more recent heroes. He was a great-looking guy, but he didn't spend his time loving and leaving them. It was cool how we see glimpses of his half-Cherokee heritage as he woos Nettie and after they get married. One of my favorites by Brenda Jackson....more
I think I loved this book so much because it's atypical for a romance novel. The hero is a paraplegic who is likely to stay that way. The heroine is dI think I loved this book so much because it's atypical for a romance novel. The hero is a paraplegic who is likely to stay that way. The heroine is dumpy and not exactly a bombshell. Both kind of view each other as settling initially. But somehow they form a love connection, and the bond is intense and real....more
I like this one a lot because Elliot has a thing for Bea and she never noticed. He can only get her attention off her demanding, dramatic younger siblI like this one a lot because Elliot has a thing for Bea and she never noticed. He can only get her attention off her demanding, dramatic younger siblings that she has dedicated her life to taking care of, by taunting her. Finally when he gets her attention, he goes into full on pursuit mode. Elliot's pretty funny because he wants Bea to focus on him and not her family, and is very unapologetic about it. He pretty much maneuvers the whole family so that they can become more self-sufficient so that Bea can be all his. Bea has to deal with her low self-esteem issues and learn to say no to her younger siblings, who pretty much act like they own her and she is their slave. It's a good, fun book. It's related to A Different Dream Harlequin Presents(Elliot and Bea's somewhat evil half-sister Lucilla), Gentle Deception Harlequin Presents (Elliot's long-lost cousin Rosy)....more
I loved this book. I loved that the heroine was considered "dumpy and overweight" but the hero was thoroughly attracted to her. I liked the seduction I loved this book. I loved that the heroine was considered "dumpy and overweight" but the hero was thoroughly attracted to her. I liked the seduction and whisked away aspects too. The hero not was upfront about his motives but it turned out pretty well. Recommended if you like sheikh books....more
I do have to say that Nikolas is a very unique hero. He's dark and conflicted. He wants Emma but doesn't know what to do with her when he gets her. HeI do have to say that Nikolas is a very unique hero. He's dark and conflicted. He wants Emma but doesn't know what to do with her when he gets her. He does everything he can to destroy her love for him. But at the same time, he yearns for her love with all his heart. A romance novel, for certain. But I felt it was also a character study. Nikolas is a character that makes you want to keep reading to see if he'll get a clue and turn his life around. He almost waits too late, but a magical twist of fate sends him on the path to redemption. This is definitely one of Kleypas' more darker books, but it's worth the read. Just be prepared to meet a character who will make you look very closely at your concept of what a romance novel hero is....more
This is a beautiful and very underrated romance novel. I fell in love with the story from the first page. This was my first read by Emma Jensen, who dThis is a beautiful and very underrated romance novel. I fell in love with the story from the first page. This was my first read by Emma Jensen, who doesn't write anymore. I could not be more saddened by that fact. A great talent has been lost to the literary world.
Entwined is the story of the relationship between Isobel, who is a tall, ungainly spinster with carrot red hair, and an unfashionably curvaceous body, and Nathan, Duke of Oriel, who was badly injured in the midst of his spy work for the government. He is now scarred and blinded. Instead of Nathan being a mean, embittered jerk as a result, he is a very wonderful man. He realizes very quickly what a jewel that Isobel is (in fact, he runs into her when she goes into his office to return money her drunken father stole, and is very captivated by her womanly physique). Although he hires her initially as his secretary and personal assistant (she is the only one who knows he's blind), he offers her marriage very soon afterwards. It was easy to fall in love with both of these characters because of their good hearts and unique personalities.
I have a weakness for less-than-perfect characters, so I was so glad that this book was listed on the All About Romance Special Title Listing for Beauty is in the Eye and also Less Than Perfect. I made a note to grab this at the used bookstore, and I am so glad I did. If you are a reader who loves a good marriage of convenience book where two people come together for a common purpose, and initially are not in love, but fall deeply for each other and find togetherness and a wonderful future, you would love this book. There are no big misunderstandings or foolishness. There is a spy plot, but the relationship between Nathan and Isobel is what captured and kept my interest. They face the world as a team, and it's so wonderful how deeply Nathan and Isobel care for each other and take care of each other. The term 'help-mate' is wonderfully exemplified by this couple in this novel.
It's been a while since I read this book (and I really should pull it out for a reread), but I really love this story, and I consider it a favorite out of the many historical romances I've read. It might be hard to find, but it is definitely worth the read....more
Okay don't let the goofy name turn you off. This was my second book by Sarah Morgan and I really loved it. It was just fresh but it had the elements IOkay don't let the goofy name turn you off. This was my second book by Sarah Morgan and I really loved it. It was just fresh but it had the elements I love in Harlequin Presents. I really loved Angelina as a heroine (she made the book for me). She was a fiercely intelligent and fearless woman. She did what she thought was right regardless of the consequences. I love how Angelina had no qualms about saying exactly what she thought to a man like Nikos, who is used to having people jump at his command. She was her own woman, although love changed her and caused her to be willing to give to the one she loved.
I also liked how although she blackmails the hero into marriage, he turns the tables on her, kidnaps her and makes it a real marriage. He is head over heels for her and bowled over by his attraction to a woman who is admittedly plain, and doesn't seem to like him very much. It has some steamy sexual moments that are very well-written and add to the charcterization of the characters. This is just a fun, great book and I recommend it to readers who have felt a little tired of the more recent Harlequin Presents books and want some new blood to shake things up, but also have the classic feel of the romance series there in spades. After reading this book, I made a point of buying/reading Morgan's books. So far I have only been disappointed with one of her books that I've read since this one.
Some readers felt like this was a rehash of the Lynne Graham classic Bond of Hatred. It never even occurred to me until I read it in a review of this book off Amazon after reading it. Yes it has a similar plot device, but Morgan went in her own direction and wrote a modern, snappy romance that will cause you some hours of enjoyment and perhaps send you back for a few rereads....more
Ah, now this was an interracial romance that left me completely satisfied. The name of this book tell you what you need to know. The characters are 10Ah, now this was an interracial romance that left me completely satisfied. The name of this book tell you what you need to know. The characters are 100% real. They are people you might work with, go to church with, see at the gas station, or stand in line with at the Walmart. And they are people you want to see happy, and to fall in love with each other.
JJ Murray didn't play it safe with this story. The heroine is older than the hero, and in her late thirties. She's a hefty woman. She's the ex-wife of pastor who turned out to be a closeted homosexual. Despite trying to do the right thing, life hasn't treated her very well. She was ostracized by her congregation for leaving her husband. She could have told everyone about his hidden lifestyle, but instead, she took the hit, and is now considered notorious.
Dewey is a struggling single father. He's blue collar, and dealing with the emotional fallout of his life. He's too much in his own head a first to see the value of a relationship with Penny. But her affection and care for his kids, opens his mind and heart to her.
This is one of those books where I feverishly read each scene between Penny and Dewey. They had that kind of chemistry. And it's so refreshing that they're normal. Not movie star or typical romance novel handsome or beautiful. Dewey seems like a real-life hunk. Working class, with hard muscle, but a little bit of padding as well. While the earthiness of the love scenes in Renee and Jay didn't work for me, they work very well in this story. And race was not the issue. Dewey actually had kids with his last girlfriend who was Black. Sadly, she turned out to be a drug addict who abused them. He didn't know about it, because he wasn't allowed to see them. He had to fight to get custody of them. Because of this, he's just plain worn out, and not ready to risk another relationship. Good thing that Penny's able to give him and his girls lots of TLC.
Although I consider this a romance, it's also mainstream fiction, as Penny and Dewey have to deal with inner and outside conflict. They have to grow as people so they can grow as a couple. I found this to be a wonderful book that I didn't want to end. Dewey and Penny are one of those couples you want to look back on to see how they are doing years later. And Dewey's little kids are very cute....more
Danielle The Book Huntress
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