THE WET NURSE’S TALE by Erica Eisdorfer

Publisher: Penguin
Date published: August 2010
ISBN: 9780425234471
Historical
Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by Publisher


Susan Rose learned from a young age that being a wet nurse brings in money. Her mother was a wet nurse and her father was a drunk who abused his wife and children. This book is about Susan’s journey and the difficulties she encounters.

Susan is a fabulous heroine. She is so very lovable and her no-nonsense attitude will win the reader’s heart. This is a woman who has experienced so much pain but yet, picks herself up and keeps on going. Throughout the story, she is such a delightful woman and we get to know her so very well. She isn’t stupid but very smart and able to adapt easily to her situations. Susan gives us insight on how the servants live, how they think and how they are treated. She also shows us the power of a mother’s love for her child. It is a powerful emotion that drives Susan to do things normally we wouldn’t accept. Ultimately, we hear her story through her voice and it is a riveting tale.

THE WET NURSE’S TALE is not a romance novel but it is a thoroughly enjoyable story. The lead character is wonderful and she has a strong personality. Readers will be entranced by the storyline as we follow Susan on her adventure. The secondary characters add so much to the story and the author has inserted stories from various characters explaining why they hired a wet nurse. All the characters are believable and come alive within the story. This was a great read from beginning to end.

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

DAMSEL IN DISGUISE by Susan Gee Heino

Publisher: Berkley
Date published: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0425235980
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by Publisher


Julia St. Clement, an actress by trade is forced to disguise herself as a man. She travels with Sophie pretending to be her spouse. Anthony Rastmoor is the man from her past. The man she still has feelings for and the man whose life is in danger.

DAMSEL IN DISGUISE utilizes two plot devices: the hero thinking the heroine is dead and the heroine pretending to be a man. For the most part, the two devices work well to advance the story. Anthony is surprised to find Julia alive and has to deal with her supposed “deceit”. He is a decent hero as his past experience has made him leery to trust and love again. Readers can understand why he doesn’t want to experience the heartbreak and pain. It was entertaining to see how Julia piqued his interest while pretending to be a man. Julia does a good job of impersonating a man and it is a role she is stuck with for a fair amount of the story. Readers will certainly find her worthy of admiration as she is an intelligent, resourceful woman and a very plucky heroine. There is something to like about this pairing. They have that intangible quality where they have chemistry and they click as a couple. However, Julia and Anthony have a past and it must be dealt with before their “happily ever after” can commence. It was very enjoyable to follow them on their journey.

DAMSEL IN DISGUISE is a well-written romance with lots going for it including: likable lead couple, interesting storyline and plenty of action on all levels. It is definitely a page-turner as readers will want to see what happens next.

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

AWAKENED BY A KISS by Lila DiPasqua

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Date published: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-425-23556-0
Historical Romance
Trade Sized Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by Publisher


AWAKENED BY A KISS contains three highly erotic stories based on the following fairytales: “Sleeping Beauty”, “Puss in Boots” and “Little Red Riding Hood”.

Sleeping Beau: Adrien d’Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain was awakened by a kiss and what followed has been seared into his memory. The mysterious woman disappears and he has never located her again. Charlotte, his sister asks him to seduce Catherine de Villecourt away from her lover. It only takes a look but Adrien realizes he has found his mystery woman.

Adrien and Catherine make a powerful couple. Adrien is an alpha male and Catherine is his prey. These two could ignite a fire anywhere as their desires surges out of control. This was my favorite of the three stories.

Little Red Writing: Nicolas de Savignac’s mission is to find the author of some scandalous stories about the courtiers surrounding the King. He believes the author is residing with his grandmother. Unfortunately, there are three sisters to choose from and he must find the culprit.

Anne and Nicolas are hiding something from each other but they find that love can conquer all. Anne is smart and feisty. Nicolas is very much an alpha male ready to tame his woman. They have great chemistry and light up the pages together.

Bewitching In Boots: Elisabeth de Roussel is a woman who is used to getting what she wants and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier. Tristan has left his position as commander of the King’s guards due to an injury but Elisabeth still sees a man worth having.

Tristan is physically a broken man but he isn’t wallowing in self-pity. Elisabeth does whatever she can to help the man she loves. She is truly a woman that could move a mountain if she had to. It was lovely to watch this couple as they truly do complete each other.

AWAKENED BY A KISS takes three well-known fairy tales and gives them a highly erotic twist. All three stories were enjoyable, featuring likable couples and strong storylines. There is plenty of character development and readers will not feel short changed by the length of the stories.


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

WICKED INTENTIONS by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date published: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-44655894-5
August 2010
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by Publisher


Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire is searching for the killer of his mistress. His search is hampered by his lack of knowledge of the area, St. Giles. Temperance Dews knows the location well. She and her family operate a foundling home for abandoned children. The home is in need of funds to continue operations and Lord Caire can help her with it.

Temperance is a woman who berates herself for a mistake she made. She is constantly trying to make up for this and has thrown herself into taking care of the unwanted children. Lazarus also has issues. He is unable to show love and affection. With the death of his mistress, he feels compelled to find her killer to make up for his deficiency. Temperance and Lazarus make an intriguing couple. They are complex characters with flaws. It is a journey of two damaged souls as they find a way to help and heal each other. Ms. Hoyt does a good job of delineating these characters. Although I liked the lead couple, they did not captivate me as I didn’t believe their motivation behind their actions. Lazarus didn’t care about his mistress as he used her purely as a sex object but yet, he turns his life upside-down to find her killer. Would a person do that if he truly didn’t care about this person on some level? I just found it a little too far-fetched. The same goes for Temperance’s reaction to her indiscretion.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Hoyts’ previous books and this one will definitely satisfy her fans. It is the beginning to a new series and while it didn’t wow me – it was still a decent read.

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

Demon Blood by Meljean Brook

Publisher: Berkeley
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-0-425-23547-8
Paranormal Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by Publisher


Rosalia, a guardian, seeks to protect humans and innocents from the malevolent forces that want to destroy them. Deacon, a vampire is seeking revenge for the murder of his people. Their story is played out in this latest book from Ms. Brook.

Rosalia is a dynamic heroine whose middle name could be “sacrifice”. This is a woman who put others first and thinks of herself last. She has experienced much pain yet she perseveres in her task. Readers will be enthralled by her story and Ms. Brooks does a great job of slowly peeling Rosalia’s layers back. Deacon is a great counterpart to the heroine. He has also experienced more than his fair share of pain. He is driven by his past and it blinds him to what he has or could have. Ms. Brooks has created two compelling characters that pull at the heartstrings and make you want to weep for them. The coming together of this couple is breathtaking and heartbreaking. You will become emotionally invested in this couple as their story takes some wicked twists. I found myself sympathizing and empathizing with both of them. There were plenty of supporting characters but the most haunting was Taylor and Michael. The description of Michael’s imprisonment was just mesmerizing and it felt like they should be featured in an upcoming book.

DEMON BLOOD is the latest book in this series and it is a definite page-turner. There is plenty of action: erotic and non-erotic that will keep you glued to the book. Since I have not read some of the earlier books, I can safely say I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will definitely read the ones I have missed.

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

Tempting the Marquess by Sara Lindsey

Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Date published: June 2010
ISBN: 978-0-451-23044-7
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by Publisher


Olivia Weston is looking for an adventure prior to marriage. She is traveling with her aunt to Castle Arlyss. Jason Traherne, Marquess of Sheldon is known to be “mad” but this does not deter Olivia.

Olivia is an enticing heroine, very easy to like and seems to be open to what life will bring her. She is quite young, only nineteen but it is her youthful exuberance that pulls you into her story. It is apparent that Olivia is the perfect complement to Jason who is older and much more experienced than she. Jason has been a husband and is a father. He is a pretty decent hero. What I like about Jason is that he is not perfect but it is the imperfections that make him believable. It was fun watching Olivia break down the wall he built. Of course, this is a romance novel so there are some bumps along the way to their happily ever after. These bumps don’t feel contrived or just thrown in because the couple needed some conflict to extend the story. The author does a great job of developing her characters and their actions fit their personalities. There is plenty of erotic action and none of it feels extraneous. It definitely fits the story and you might need to lower your thermostat during those scenes.

TEMPTING THE MARQUESS is the second book in this series and it was a solid middle book. The characters were believable and felt real. The reader can feel and understand what they were going through. The writing was crisp and the action never lagged. All in all, it was a good book – perfect for those who enjoy historical romances.

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

Daring A Duke by Claudia Dain

Publisher: Berkley
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-0425235461
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained via Publisher


Jane Elliot is in search of adventure but she isn’t going to find it with her two over-protective brothers around. Traveling to England to spend time with her mother’s family, she finds herself surrounded by her male cousins but there might be a chance for something extra when she meets the Duke of Edenham and Lady Sophia Dalby.

Jane is a fun character. She is a girl who wants to break out and experience life. The reader can empathize with what she is feeling as she comes across as a normal girl. Edenham is very much a duke and is not as likable as Jane. He fixates on Jane and wants her for his wife. I believe in love at first sight but I don’t get that from their first meeting. I can believe that he falls for her as he gets to know her but he is not a riveting hero and just didn’t capture my imagination. As a couple, they were just ok – nothing to set the world on fire – it was just a decent coupling.

DARING A DUKE is the fourth book in the Courtesan’s series. Trying to convince Jane that having a Duke who wants you is a good thing takes up a good chunk of the story but there is a secondary storyline that piqued my interest: Sophia and Ruan. I wanted to see and learn more about them. The common element of this series is Lady Sophia Dalby as she is known to be a matchmaker extraordinaire. She is a vibrant and likable character who deserves a happily ever after!

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

Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Publisher: Grand Central
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-0446542081
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained via Publisher


Olivia Grace stumbles upon the body of her ex-husband, Jack Wyndham on the battlefield. To her horror, he is not dead but dressed in the enemy’s uniform and the past she has hidden comes back to life as she does what she can to save him.

Olivia is one heck of a heroine. She is a tough and brave woman. The word “survivor” would describe her perfectly. After what she has been through, she is still generous toward her enemy. Her life was ruined by Jack who divorced her and put her through the wringer yet Olivia opens herself up to scorn to save him. Readers will empathize with her because you can feel the pain and heartache she has experienced. I simply adored her and felt she deserved all the happiness in the world. It was much harder to feel sympathy for Jack especially when you learn of their past. Eventually he does win me over and there was a decent amount of groveling although I would have liked more. Olivia and Jack make for a compelling couple. They are wonderfully drawn and fully realized. The reader is pulled into their story by the strength of their personalities as you will have definite feelings about them.

This was a heart-wrenching book that had many twists and turns. It is not simply the normal “amnesiac” story that I am use to in the romance genre. There is plenty to love: the lead couple, the strong secondary characters and the action-packed storyline. This is the first book in a new series and I am sure I will be picking up the next one.

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

The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne

Publisher: Berkley
Date published:e June 2010
ISBN: 978-0425235614
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained via Pblisher


It is a violent time as the French revolution is rolling along. Marguerite de Fleurignac has been hiding out in her family’s burnt-out chateau. Guillaume LeBreton aka William Doyle, an English spy, encounters her. They join forces and travel to Paris thus begins an electrifying tale that will sweep you away.

Marguerite is a superb heroine. She is intelligent, witty and so wonderfully drawn that you can picture her. This is not a woman who will cower in the face of adversity but a woman who will think out of the box to overcome it. You can definitely say that I loved her! I wish all heroines could be like her. William or Guillaume is a perfect match for her. He is a man with a strong sense of loyalty and moral compass. They set off sparks from their first meeting and it just builds until the end of the story.

The secondary characters in this book are just as intriguing as the lead couple. To just name a few: Justine, Adrian, Jean Paul, Victor and even Marguerite’s father – they all enhanced the story. Justine and Adrian have several scenes together and it gives us a taste of what we are hoping for in the next book in this series.

Ms. Bourne’s writing is wonderful. The description of the settings and events flows so smoothly that the reader can totally picture themselves in this time period. I haven’t been wowed by a book in a long time but this one is a gem! It is rare for me to reread a book immediately but I did and it was as good as the first go-around! Kudos to Ms. Bourne on a great job!

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

SEDUCING THE HIGHLANDER by Emma Wildes

Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Date published: May 2010
ISBN: 978-0-451-22982-3
Historical Romance
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained via Publisher


SEDUCING THE HIGHLANDER contains three stories featuring a trio of sexy Scots and their ladies.

Seducing Ian: Lady Leanna Arlington has been captured by Ian McCray. You would think the lady would be upset but she is delighted by this event. It saves her from an unwanted marriage.

This was a great beginning story. Leanna and Ian make a dynamic couple. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline especially how Leanna is not at all upset at being Ian’s prisoner. While the sexual tension is set on high and the action that follows is sizzling, it is the emotions that the lead couple experiences that readers will love.

Seducing Robbie: Julia Cameron exchanges her wealth for protection. Robbie McCray is in need of money so the agreement is made and a marriage is arranged.

From past experience, it is usually the middle story that is a weak link in a trilogy but this is not the case for Seducing Robbie. Julia and Robbie are strong characters who will win many fans. The beginning of their relationship isn’t the most romantic but comes across as very honest and true especially of the time period when nobility didn’t marry for love. It was great to see the growth of their relationship and it didn’t hurt that they were sexually compatible. There is a murder mystery storyline which is resolved at the end and it introduces the main character of the third story.

Seducing Aidan: Lady Gillian Lorin is saved by Aidan Cameron. Upon finding out to whom she is betrothed to, Adain decides to save her from a fate worse than death.

Aidan is a man recovering from a broken heart. He believes that he is still in love with Julia but Gillian stirs something that he can’t quite pinpoint. Aidan comes across as a much stronger character than Gillian. To this reader, he feels more real perhaps because we know more about him since he was introduced in Seducing Robbie. However, they were still very enjoyable as a couple.

SEDUCING THE HIGHLANDER features three entertaining stories which fans of historical romances will enjoy. I have always enjoyed Ms. Wildes e-books and her print books are just as good.

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

FANTASY IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

Publisher: Putnam
Date published: February 2010
ISBN: 978-0399156243
Suspense
Hardcover
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Susan



Bart Minnock, a computer whiz, is found murdered in a locked room. How and who killed him are some of the questions that Lt. Eve Dallas faces. FANTASY IN DEATH is the latest book in this popular series featuring Eve, Rourke and their friends/co-workers.

If you haven’t read any of the previous books, Eve is a truly a kick-ass heroine. She is tenacious, brave, intelligent and loyal – all characteristics of a top cop. Her husband is Rourke. Many readers have drooled over him as he is filthy rich, handsome and with just enough “bad boy” qualities to make your heart skip a beat. These two make a superb couple as their chemistry just sizzles. Their relationship has progressed from book one, Naked in Death and it is nice to see that they seem to have reached a very good place together. Although I do like the “mystery” aspect, I will admit that I look forward to the times that Rourke and Eve are interacting one on one.

And yes, Peabody, McNab, Nadine and Feeney all make appearances. The theme of friendship and love runs through this story. It is intertwined with the murder mystery as it plays out. Is the murder mystery as good as the previous books? It was not as riveting as some of the others but it wasn’t bad either. As I said previously, solving the murder and capturing the perpetrator is not what I read this series for – it is the growth and development of the relationship between Eve, Rourke and their friends. It is these personal connections that keep me picking up each and every new book.


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

A SECRET AFFAIR by Mary Balogh

Publisher: Delacorte press
Date published: May 2010
ISBN: 978-0-385-34330-5
Historical Romance
Hardcover
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Susan



Hannah Reid wed the Duke of Dunbarton when she was nineteen years old. Eleven years later, Hannah is a widow and free to pursue her life as she pleases. And she is pleased to announce that she wants a lover setting her sights on Constantine Huxtable.

A SECRET AFFAIR is the final book in the series featuring the Huxtable family. Ms. Balogh has saved the most enigmatic member of the family for last. In the beginning, Constantine was cast in the light of a villain but his true qualities have been uncovered. He is a very complex man but readers know that he is a man capable of deep emotions. Hannah is very much a “Balogh” heroine. She is not a virgin nor is she very young. I have always enjoyed her heroines as they are usually intelligent and capable of standing up for themselves. Hannah is a woman who is matured and experienced in life. She is a very nice match for Constantine. It was very entertaining to watch the interplay between them.

Of course, the members of the Huxtable family make appearances and it was nice to seem them again. I have always enjoyed seeing what happened after the “happily ever after” and Ms. Balogh certainly gives us the opportunity.

A SECRET AFFAIR was an enjoyable read. It kept my attention and the pages turning. Readers will definitely want this book as it is a fine finale for this series.


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

A TOUCH OF SCANDAL by Jennifer Haymore

Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Date published April 2010
ISBN 978-0-446-54027-8
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Susan




Garrett, Duke of Calton is on a mission to seek out his enemy. His path crosses with Kate who rouses his interest. The attraction is mutual but Kate has a secret of her own to hide.

A TOUCH OF SCANDAL is the sequel to Ms. Haymore’s, A Hint of Wicked. If you read the earlier book, Garrett came back from the dead and tried to reclaim his wife, Sophie who had remarried. He did come across as a semi-sympathetic character and we did wonder what kind of story Ms. Haymore had for him. Garrett is a fairly likable man. He tries to do the right thing and he does feel some angst about how he has treated the women in his life. Kate is a heroine that readers will sympathize with. She is not from the upper-echelon of the aristocracy. She is a genuine woman who has developed a strong relationship with Lady Rebecca, Garrett’s sister. The attraction that these two feel is vibrant and palpable. However the path to the happily ever after is not smooth. The best part of the book was when Garrett and Kate are together one on one. They are wonderful together when they get to talk to one another without outside interference.

There are several plot devices used that interrupted my enjoyment of the story. It goes without saying that the question of Kate’s suitability to be a duchess is brought forward as well as the reappearance of the former mistress, Joelle. The story gets bogged down with when we have to read about Garrett and Joelle’s relationship and then Aunt Beatrice with her interference. It was very cliché to introduce the former mistress – it is the ultimate monkey wrench to ruin a relationship. I was disappointed with the use of this device, as I have read many romances that have introduced the ex-fiancée, wife, girlfriend or mistress as a stumbling block to the couple’s “happily ever after”.

I enjoyed “A Hint of Wicked” but was somewhat disappointed with A TOUCH OF SCANDAL. For those who were left wondering what happened to Garrett, you will want to pick this up but I am hoping that the third book featuring Rebecca will be more enjoyable.


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

TAMING THE HIGHLAND BRIDE by Lynsay Sands

Publisher Avon
Date published February 2010
ISBN 9780061344787
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Susan




Merewen Stewart is known to all as the “Stewart Shrew”. It is a title given to her due to her actions toward her family. She is looking forward to leaving her family and finding happiness with her betrothed, Alexander d’Aumesbery but Merry is dismayed that he may be just like her father and brothers.

If you like your heroines with a backbone, then Merry fits the bill. Merry comes across as a strong and smart heroine. Her family situation has forced her to take on responsibilities that should have fallen on her father and brothers. She shoulders it all but can’t wait to get away from it all – who can blame her? Her first impression of Alex is not positive. He has to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to convince her that he is not a drunk. Alex and Merry do have chemistry together. The sparks do fly when they meet and the attraction builds as the story progresses. They have some very funny scenes together. Ms. Sands is known for the humor in her books and this one is no different.

TAMING THE HIGHLAND BRIDE was a solid historical romance featuring a likable lead couple. The author takes us for a ride as we follow Merry and Alex’s path to happiness. This includes a mystery to solve as Alex’s health takes a downturn. We watch them tackle this and know that their relationship is on solid grounds. TAMING THE HIGHLAND BRIDE is the second book in this trilogy and we look forward to The Hellion and the Highlander, the last book in this series.


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

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT by Lisa Dale

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date issued: November 2009
ISBN: 9780446406901
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained by: Publisher



Lana Biel finds herself pregnant and alone. Her pregnancy is a result of a spring fling and she faces raising her child alone. However, she has a great support system including her best friend, Eli and her sister, Karin.

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT was a marvelous story featuring two strong characters. Lana is a woman who had aspirations to see the world but life throws a curveball her way. I found her to be a realistic character as she makes the hard decisions regarding her pregnancy. At times, I didn’t like Lana all that much but Eli is fabulous. He is everything you could want in a man. He is not an over-the-top alpha male. Eli is sensitive, warm and understanding. He is someone Lana can depend upon. They have tremendous chemistry together. The reader is aware of their past history and it is apparent they harbor feelings for each other.

There is a secondary storyline featuring Karin and her quest for a child. Karin is consumed by her need for a child and she has even offered to adopt Lana’s baby. The author does a great job of defining Karin, her husband and their relationship. At points of the story, Karin wasn’t very likable but she will grow on you and ultimately, the reader can understand her actions as her desperation for a child grows.

This is my first book by Lisa Dale and it won’t be my last. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is a heartwarming story that will definitely bring forth emotions, positive and negative.




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

ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS by Sabrina Darby

Publisher: Avon Red
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-178028-8
Erotica
Trade Size Paperback
Reviewed by Susan


ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS features four novellas connected by the participants’ involvement with Harridan House, an erotic club where members enjoy their fantasies.

Against The Wall

Carolina is an eighteen year old virgin and when she was younger, she watched Henry and a maid having intercourse and that has fueled her imagination ever since. The story opens with Carolina succumbing to Henry’s advances and they have to deal with the consequences.

Carolina and Henry’s chemistry is intense and there is lots of erotic action between them. They are a likable couple each struggling with their wants and desires. This was a great beginning story and sets the tone for the rest of the book.

The Education Of Lord Oakley

Maggie is a widow and Oakley was engaged to Carolina. In the aftermath of being jilted, Oakley is introduced to Harridan House and he meets Maggie. They engage in a heated affair but their true identities are hidden.

After what happened in the first novella, it was nice to see what happened to Oakley. Their relationship is fiery and they just heated up the pages. Both of them show growth as they step out of their comfort zone. This was my favorite of the four novellas as I just enjoyed this couple very much.

Roses Are Rouge

When Diana’s husband died, Jason inherited his title and he knows that she is the proprietor of Harridan House, a house of ill repute. Jason was aghast that she decided to continue with the club instead of selling it but he also harbors a desire for her.

This novella gives us the background to how the club began and Madame Rouge. It was fun to watch Jason succumb to his desires and how his perception of Diana changes. Diana was a strong woman in every sense of the word. Her ability to withstand the negativity thrown at her was admirable. At times, Jason acted like a jerk but he made up for it at the end of the story.

A Maid For The Taking

Lucy is Diana’s maid and has pretended to be Madame Rouge with Diana’s permission. Lucy is also a virgin who wants to experience the sensual pleasure that surrounds her. Robert is the man she wants and Lucy will try her best to reel him in.

I found Lucy to be an entertaining heroine. She is a woman who knows what she wants and goes out to get it. Robert has sampled many women but finds Lucy irresistible. It was a major plus for me on how he handled the truth of her identity.

ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS is a thoroughly erotic adventure that will take you back in time. Although there are lots of sexual escapades in all four novellas, there is also a storyline to go with it. It is not just sentences connecting sexual acts. The author does a fabulous job of creating characters that will capture your imagination. The author has set a high standard for herself with this book and it will whet your appetite for more creations from Ms. Darby.

WITH SEDUCTION IN MIND by Laura Lee Guhrke

Publisher: Avon
Date published: August 2009
ISBN: 978-0061456831
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan


Without a family to support her, Daisy Merrick must work for a living unfortunately she has a penchant to be a bit outspoken and it gets her fired. She longs to be an author but that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. Her newest endeavor is a temporary reviewer for the Social Gazette. She pans the newest play by Sebastian Grant, Earl of Avermore and causes it to close. Sebastian is a recovering addict who fears that his writing was inspired by his use of drugs. He owes a book to his publisher and to his consternation; Daisy is hired to help him fulfill his obligation.

Daisy is the kind of heroine that I like: feisty and tough. She is trying to go against what “women” should be or act like during her time period. Due to circumstances, she is forced to find work but due to her personality, gets fired from the jobs. She is not afraid to express her feelings and what you see is what you get. Sebastian is a recovering addict thus he is beset with doubts about his writing ability. Was it the drugs that gave him the impetus for his works and can he create without the drugs? That is the question he asks himself and he fears the answer. Sebastian is a man with flaws and it takes someone like Daisy to put him on the right path. Daisy and Sebastian make a lovely couple as there is a strong connection between them. They are able to talk and communicate but it takes some time for the truth to finally sink into their brains.

I have always enjoyed Ms. Guhrke’s books and this is true regarding her latest. Readers will follow Daisy and Sebastian’s relationship with interest as they find their way to their “happily ever after”.

SEDUCED BY HIS TOUCH by Tracy Anne Warren

Publisher: Avon
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0061673412
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan


Lord John (Jack) Byron has lost the bet of a lifetime, thus he must now marry the daughter of a merchant. Not only must he marry her, he must convince her that it is a love match and she must never learn of the bet. Grace Danvers is not considered to be beautiful as she is taller than most girls but she is a woman to be reckoned with and Jack finds his hands full dealing with her.

Grace is a thoroughly enchanting heroine. She is not the usual type of heroine as she is not petite and definitely well-educated. Readers will fall in love with her as they get to know her. It is not surprising that Jack falls under her spell too. The more time he spends with her, the more he falls in love with her. Jack is great hero as he isn’t too obnoxious or arrogant. There is something about him that is endearing. As a couple, they are wonderful together. There is great chemistry and understanding between them. Of course, the path to their “happily ever after” is not smooth. From the beginning of the book, we know he is a rake and his rakish past does come back to haunt him as he tries to convince Grace of his feelings for her plus how their marriage came about is hanging over them. How is this resolved, well you will have to pick up the book to find out!

With a likable lead couple, fast paced storyline and highly erotic moments, SEDUCED BY HIS TOUCH is an entertaining book that will satisfy historical romance lovers. It is the second book in this series featuring the Byron family. The first was Tempted By His Kiss which featured Cade and Meg. You will have no problems understanding SEDUCED BY HIS TOUCH if you did not read the first book but I am sure you will want to. This reader can’t wait for the next one in this wonderful series.

A DARK LOVE by Margaret Carroll

Publisher: Avon
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0061652783
Suspense
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan


Although he is renowned psychoanalyst, Dr. Porter Moross’ most important patient is his wife, Caroline. He has total control over her life. He allows her twenty minutes to walk her dog and she takes this time to escape. Caroline Hughes’ husband turned out to be a control freak and she has made her escape from him. Porter will not let her go this easily as he follows to reclaim what he considers to be his property.

Caroline is a survivor. Her husband has tried to turn her into “stepford wife” by stripping her of everything. It is amazing that she was able to gather enough courage to leave him. Caroline is a likable heroine and she garners admiration for being able to recognize the situation she was in and tries to get herself out of it. Porter is the epitome of the evil characters. There is really nothing redeeming about him and I would not shed a tear over his demise. Caroline meets Ken Kincaid, a former football player and a romance ensues but the focus of the book is on Caroline and Porter. Porter will not let go and Caroline doesn’t want to go back -- it is a definite page-turner to find out what happens.

A DARK LOVE is a suspenseful and thrilling book as we follow Caroline’s trek westward and how she rebuilds her life away from her husband. Readers will be rooting for her to succeed and to find the happiness she deserves. The romance is on the light side as this story is really focused on Caroline’s struggle to rid herself of a psychopathic husband.

TO WED A WICKED EARL by Oliva Parker

Publisher: Avon
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0061712784
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Susan


Adam Faramond, Earl of Rothbury must find a wife immediately or else he will be left penniless per his grandmother. Adam is a rake but has only eyes for one woman: Charlotte Greene. She is the woman who could bring him to his knees. Charlotte perceives herself as a “wallflower” thus could never attract a man like Adam. She harbors ‘feelings” for him. Fate pushes these two together and whether they stay together is up to them.

Adam is a man with hidden depths. He is not as shallow as we would believe due to his lifestyle. It was extremely entertaining to see how he tries to hide his deep feelings for Charlotte and the same is true for Charlotte. There is definite chemistry between them. There is desire as well as feelings of love but all of this is hidden from each other. Since we are privy to their thoughts, there were times when I just wanted them to talk and express their true feelings but if they did then the book would have ended early. However it was very entertaining to watch them as they wrestle with their emotions and their relationship.

TO WED A WICKED EARL is a lovely story featuring an endearing couple. There is lots of romance as well as humor as this couple try to find their way. This is the second book in this series, Charlotte and Adam were secondary characters in At The Bride Hunt Ball and you don’t need to read it to understand or enjoy this book.