TEMPTING A PROPER LADY by Debra Mullins

Publisher: Avon
Date published: June 2010
ISBN: 978-0061882494
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Captain Samuel Breedlove arrives in London after a two-year absence to storm into a party to find his fiancée announcing her betrothal to another. He is angry to hear that she will be marrying Lord Raventhorpe, the very devil who had left him stranded on an island two years before. He realizes that his relationship to Annabelle is now ended, but he can’t let her marry that man. She would be in grave danger. Priscilla Burke is in charge of the wedding preparations and knows that this is her only chance to come out in to society as a successful wedding planner. It’s either that or get married again, and the first time was not so successful. So, when Samuel persuades her to sabotage Annabelle and Lord Raventhorpe’s relationship, she thinks he is mad. But, the handsome man shows that he is very serious and honest, so she makes an unlikely agreement with him and together they try to slander Raventhorpe and get back Samuel’s good name.

This is a delightful, charming and captivating story that will soon have you cheering and rooting for the hero and heroine. Debra Mullins writes a story that is well-paced. The conflict between Samuel and Annabelle’s family is believable and this is not resolved too quickly, not too slowly. The budding romance between Samuel and Priscilla starts as an interest that slowly, but again not too slowly, grows into a budding attraction which then grows into full-blown lust. I loved the build up and the way they both fought the attraction at first, and then denied it, then finally giving in. I enjoyed the dialogue. I felt like I was a fly on the wall listening in. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters and saw a couple that I would like to see in future books. The conflict between Samuel and Lord Raventhorpe was handled brilliantly. One learns to hate Lord Raventhorpe pretty early on and one hopes that he gets his comeuppance. There was a certain highwayman in this story that I am very intrigued about. I want to know more about him.

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

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING by Debra Mullins

Publisher Avon
Date published February 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-079931-1
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Val



Catherine Depford is having dreams of a Scottish warrior and hearing strange voices.She’s scared because her mother went mad and killed herself and she hopes the same thing is not happening to her. She’s all but promised to an English Lord, then she meets the stranger of her dreams at a ball. Highland chief Gabriel MacBraedon has come to London to find his bride. Catherine is part of an ancient curse and is destined to be his bride. If she refuses, his clan will be subject to poverty. But Catherine is not so easy to convince and it looks like Gabriel has nothing left to do but to carry her off in his arms and bring her to Scotland in the dead of night.

This reviewer really enjoyed this story. It’s rich in historical description, drawing the reader into the world of Lords, Earls, Ladies and Scottish Chieftains. It’s very sensual with the sexual tension palpitating throughout. Catherine and Gabriel make a very explosive couple and the reader will be hanging onto the edge of her seat waiting for the final consummation, which is all the reader expects it to be. This reviewer enjoyed that Catherine was not an easy push over and Gabriel has his work cut out for him to win his lady over. Secondary characters give life and breathe to the story and the plot is a page turner. Debra Mullins has written a wonderful tale that certainly has this reader looking up more of her work.