MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION by Anna Campbell

Publisher: Avon
Date: May 2011
ISBN: 9780061684302
Mass Market Paperback
Historical Romance
Reviewed by Pam
Obtained by Publisher


Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw is a rake and a rogue, one who is intent on revenge. He has mulled over the problem for a long time, now the villain must pay. His plans for vengeance are thwarted, but he’s waited a long time for this and thinks up many ideas as he watches and waits.

The only thing stopping him is the villain’s daughter and her formidable companion, Miss Antonia Smith. As she is no longer part of her family, plus forced to live a lie, Antonia intends to keep her charge safe from the Marquess’ shameless deceptions. She can recognise a rake anywhere, and for some insane reason, they are her weakness.

Antonia does her best not to find herself drawn to him, but he’s always so kind thoughtful and sexy. So how can she keep her secrets from him, while keeping Antonia from his clutches, especially when she would love him to clutch her?

There is plenty of wild passion in this book, enough to make me want to keep turning the pages. The hero and heroine were made for each other, but couldn’t seem to believe it. Fate seemed to have made a path for them to meet, as they fought it and lost. But can it redeem a rake and let the shadows rise for a woman who was deceived. With golden hair, eyes so dark they were black and a mouth made for kissing the hero was a man most women longed to be wooed. The other main characters were also well done, especially the group of debutantes on the hunt for suitable husbands. The thought of sitting around in frilly dresses waiting for a man to enter the lounge, had me laughing. The settings were described well and takes the readers to balls, soirees, picnics and lakes with swans, and places where there is time to do nothing but chatter.

The sex scenes are hot, make that very hot, but written in a way which takes the reader into the world, Ms. Campbell has brought to life.

If you enjoy stories where the hero is flawed and deep inside knows he needs a woman to change him, but resists, you’ll enjoy, MIDNIGHTS WILD PASSION.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION by Anna Campbell

Publisher: Avon
Date: May 2011
ISBN: 9780061684302
Mass Market Paperback
Historical Romance
Reviewed by Pam
Obtained by Publisher


Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw is a rake and a rogue, one who is intent on revenge. He has mulled over the problem for a long time, now the villain must pay. His plans for vengeance are thwarted, but he’s waited a long time for this and thinks up many ideas as he watches and waits.

The only thing stopping him is the villain’s daughter and her formidable companion, Miss Antonia Smith. As she is no longer part of her family, plus forced to live a lie, Antonia intends to keep her charge safe from the Marquess’ shameless deceptions. She can recognise a rake anywhere, and for some insane reason, they are her weakness.

Antonia does her best not to find herself drawn to him, but he’s always so kind thoughtful and sexy. So how can she keep her secrets from him, while keeping Antonia from his clutches, especially when she would love him to clutch her?

There is plenty of wild passion in this book, enough to make me want to keep turning pages. The hero and heroine were made for each other, but couldn’t seem to believe it. Fate seemed to have made a path for them to meet, as they fought it and lost. But can it redeem a rake and let the shadows rise for a woman who was deceived. With golden hair, eyes so dark they were black and a mouth made for kissing the hero was a man most women longed to be wooed. The other main characters were also well done, especially the group of debutantes on the hunt for suitable husbands. The thought of sitting around in frilly dresses waiting for a man to enter the lounge, had me laughing. The settings were described well and takes the readers to balls, soirees, picnics and lakes with swans, and places where there is time to do nothing but chatter.

The sex scenes are hot, make that very hot, but written in a way which takes the reader into the world, Ms. Campbell has brought to life.

If you enjoy stories where the hero is flawed and deep inside knows he needs a woman to change him, but resists, you’ll enjoy, MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

MY RECKLESS SURRENDER by Anna Campbell

Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: May 25th, 2010
ISBN: 9780061684319
Historical Romance
Mass Market paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft is tired of the easy conquests. He is a practiced rake and his instincts are telling him to beware of Diana Carrick, a bold beauty who has completely thrown Tarquin off his guard. Diana is determined to seduce the Earl of Ashcroft just to get her freedom, yet there is something about him that calls and intrigues her. His kisses turn her to putty, her desires are flaming hot and Diana is melting in the pool of lust that Tarquin invokes inside her with just a glance. But Diana is hiding a secret one,that could be dangerous not just to Diana but also Tarquin. Can these two strong-willed people find a way to be together before danger strikes?

MY RECKLESS SURRENDER is written from the hero’s point of view which threw me a little. I normally read third person POV and this was a departure for me. At first the hero, Tarquin, is a cold, stiff man…one I felt was very unlikable if I met him on the street or social setting. Then you get Diana, the heroine. One who had hidden motives on why she chose Tarquin and the reader gets a sense of who this calculating woman was. I found Diana to be very unlikable in the whole book. As the reader continues with their story, you get to the heart of Tarquin and you find a warm, loving man hiding behind that cold mask. Not so with Diana. I found her shallow, calculating and not worthy of Tarquin. Anna Campbell really knows how to get into her male hero’s head and heart which really made the book to me because you saw how he evolved and fell in love with Diana. She didn’t do that with Diana. It was hard to like Diana as after a few moments in the book had me almost forgetting to finish it. It was almost like Diana wasn’t worthy of Tarquin while reading MY RECKLESS SURRENDER.

MY RECKLESS SURRENDER was saved by strong writing by the author and a well developed hero, though her heroine could have been a bit more multi-dimensional for my taste. I do have to mention there is a lot of sex in this story. After awhile it got quite tiring to see how the main characters kept jumping into bed with someone (or with each other). Ms. Campbell delivers an interesting story that with a few tweaks would have been a strong novel to enjoy. Overall, it’s a dark story that may appeal to readers who enjoy this sort of thing in their reading pleasure.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of the book.

CAPTIVE OF SIN by Anna Campbell

Publisher: Avon
Date published: October 2009
ISBN: 978-0061684289
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via publisher




Lady Charis Weston is on the run. She's a wealthy heiress and her stepbrothers have tried to beat her into submission. They want her to marry the man of their choice so they can get their hands on her inheritance. If only she can hide out for three more weeks, she will become of age and be able to get her inheritance.

Sir Gideon Trevithick stumbles upon her on his way home to Cornwall after spending a gruelling time in service to the crown. He is considered a hero in England, but Gideon harbors a dark secret. He feels he has to protect Lady Charis and after bringing her to his home, he sees the only real way to protect her is to marry her. The attraction between them is very strong, but Gideon feels he cannot be the man Charis wants. Charis wants to help Gideon and plans to seduce him. She wants him to see that they are indeed right for each other.

This is indeed a fun story. Here, Anna Campbell has masterfully given her readers two very stubborn characters who although are highly attracted to each other, refuse to acknowledge it. Ms. Campbell digs deep into the psyche of both Gideon and Charis. You will certainly take Gideon into your heart and feel for him as he battles with his past. You will get just as frustrated with him as Charis does. And Charis is also a heroine you will love. She is so right for Gideon you will wonder why she doesn't just hit him over the head. I was captivated on the first page and raced through the book to find out just how Charis gets out of the clutches of her terrible stepbrothers and how she manages to win over Gideon. Ms Campbell also involves some wonderful secondary characters that breath life into the story. This is a book I can highly recommend and I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

TEMPT THE DEVIL by Anna Campbell

Publisher: Avon
Date published: January 2009
ISBN: 978-006-123493-4
Regency Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Pam



Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith has returned to London from his diplomatic post, to help with his daughter, Lady Roma’s wedding. He’s also hoping to make amends for his neglect of her and her brother since his wife died. Old habits don’t die, and he’s used to having a woman waiting for him, so he goes in search of a mistress to keep him company until he returns overseas.
Miss Olivia Raines is experienced at servicing her patrons, her only refuge is with Lord Montjoy, a man who prefers his own sex. It has always caused gossip when she returns each time a liaison is finished. The Ton also wonders why and how, a courtesan could draw so many admirers. Olivia has few true friends, but many dark secrets.
Julian is drawn to her from across the room, he wants her far more than he’s ever wanted a woman before, so much, even he can’t understand why he’s drawn to her. He is determined to claim her as his, but all wonder is he willing to pay her price. Between her secrets and society’s rules, do they have a chance at love or will they both be destroyed?

Ms. Campbell has delved yet again into the dark side of society in the Regency era. She explores the life and rules everyone is expected to adhere to. There’s also the pain inflicted on children by thoughtless parents, a pain which moulds them into something else. The rake reformed is used in a different way from the usual tale, in this complex story of lust and desires. The characters are interesting and very different from the usual romps behind closed doors. The sex scenes are very explicit, but tastefully displayed as is the description of the statues in Montjoys’ house.
The plot is complex and compelling as what lays behind the bland exterior expressions is slowly unveiled. The world sees Olivia as wicked, but the real villain, the person who made her this way is dead, as is the male who bartered her body. She has many secrets as does Julian, a man who has punished himself for over a decade. But the question whether will he push her to the edge, deal with the devil or win his prize is what kept this reviewer reading.