Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel

http://www.carolynjewel.com/index.php

Sorry to say, I couldn't finish this book. I was very disappointed because I really have enjoyed Carolyn Jewel's other books, but I could not get into this book.

I found the premise of the book interesting, a heroine destroyed by a false rumor and a hero 15 years older than her. But, there were just too many things going on, kidnapping, heroine disguised as man, escape, false deaths, etc. And, I knew I was in trouble when I kept putting the book down because I was bored. And then my shipment of new books came in and the Carolyn Jewel book became an albatross around my neck. So, that wasn't a good sign.

I'm not giving up on Ms. Jewel because I know she can write really good books, so maybe the next one will be better. And, if you want to read a good Carolyn Jewel book read The Spare from 2004.

Time/Place: All over the Middle East/Victorian
Rating:
Sensuality:Warm/Hot

Seduce Me by Christmas by Deborah Raleigh

http://www.deborah-raleigh.com/index.html
Warning: I Can't Marry You Because...What Was That Reason Again Heroine?

Yes, the I'm not worthy heroine strikes again in Deborah Raleigh third book in the bastard series, Seduce Me by Christmas. Now, don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this book and I really liked the hero Raoul.

Raoul is on a journey to the countryside to discover the secret of his childhood and he happens upon Jimmy and Willie by trampling them with his horse, knocking the one unconscious. He takes the injured boy to their guardian Sarah and it is lust at first sight.

He is really very seductive and Sarah does fall for his charm, but of course she cannot marry him. It's not as if he is too good for her, he is the illegitimate offspring of the local gentry (or so you think, mystery, mystery.) So, I never really understood Sarah's reasoning, because Raoul is a hotty!! A really nice, charming, sexy guy. All I can say is Sarah, you are a boob!

If you can get over Sarah's shilly-shallying, this is a pretty descent book and a nice follow-up to the other two.

Place/Time: Regency England
Rating:
Sensuality Rating: Hot

Make me Yours by Betina Krahn

http://www.betinakrahn.com/
Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover or publisher!!

I almost missed this one due to my not reading very many Harlequin romances. I'm a Harlequin snob. Another reason I almost missed this one is I lost track of Betina Krahn when she switched publishers and she didn't keep her website updated. She has a new website by the way. Anyway, Make Me Yours is a gem, and shouldn't be overlooked. It's fast-paced and filled Krahn's trademark humor.

A refreshing change from the Regency time period, it takes place during the late Victorian era, when the Prince of Wales was cutting a swath through Britain's women. The heroine, Mariah, is wonderful, she's pragmatic and has a wicked sense of humor. The hero, Jack, is one of my favorite types, the befuddled hero. He is in the Prince of Wales set of men friends and he is given the job of finding a husband for Mariah so she can become Bertie's mistress. Of course, he falls for Mariah and when that happens the fun begins.

I really enjoyed Mariah, she appeared to be one jump ahead of Jack all through the story and I loved the way she made him trip over his feet on the rocky road to finding love. Thankfully, Mariah was not a virgin widow nor a widow that didn't like sex because of her cruel husband.

There are some gentle moments, some fun moments, some nice sex and a happy ending.

This was a delightful story, and I highly recommend it.

Place/Time: Great Britain 1880's
Rating:
Sensuality Rating: Hot

A Christmas Ball by Emily Bryan, Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson

http://www.jennifersromances.com/index.html
http://www.emilybryan.com/index.htm
http://alissajohnsonromance.com/
Sorry, I tried to get through it, but really...the stories were awful. The writing was bad and I lost some money in this deal.

No recommendation here.

Tempt me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

http://www.lisakleypas.com/
I love Lisa Kleypas books, well most of her books. She has had a couple of clunkers. Tempt me at Twilight comes close to being a clunker. In Tempt me at Twilight, we are once again in the midst of those whacky Hathaways. This time it is Poppy, the one that wants to be normal. Although, why she should view her family as anything other than loving and warm is beyond me. But Poppy wasn't the problem I had with this book...it was Harry!

Harry, boo, hiss, throw those rotten tomatoes. Harry is the owner of the hotel that the Hathaway's stay in when they are in London. Harry sees Poppy and he must have her. Or he must have her body. I'm not sure why some other body wouldn't do, it's never explained. Harry is a self-centered, cruel, manipulative, ruthless villain-hero. It's been a long time since I've read a hero who is this mean-spirited, he reminds me of Steve from Sweet Savage Love written in 70's by Rosemary Rogers. Ms Kleypas has made him too much of a villain, and eventually when he does become the lovable teddy-bear (don't they all) I cannot forgive the cruelty, sneakiness displayed in the beginning.

There was also a stupid suspense thing tossed in toward the end of the book, totally unnecessary. It had the feel of "Hey, Lisa, we need to make your book longer, add something."

The secondary characters of Leo and Cat/Marks were really interesting and I'm looking forward to reading their story. They actually stole the show, along with the youngest sister Beatrix. Beatrix spouts things about animals like "monkeys are as greedy as people." I call them Beatrix's little animal sayings that have some deeper meaning that we can all learn from.

This book wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either and Harry was just a creep. So, if you are reading the Hathaway family stories, you should read this, just be prepared for a mean hero.

Time Place: 1852 England
Rating:
Sensuality rating: Hot

A Lady of Persuasion by Tessa Dare

http://tessadare.com/
Just in time for Halloween: The Heroine with no Brain!!

A Lady of Persuasion is the final book in Tessa Dare's debut trilogy, and I have to say I didn't like it as much as the other two. I really liked Toby in the other books and I was looking forward to his happy ending. But gee-willikers Bullwinkle, I really found Isabel to be one of the most irritating characters I've read in a long time.

Isabel really, really got on all of my nerves, she was this strangely naive reforming zealot. She wouldn't eat ices because they were made from sugar on plantations that had slaves, but she didn't seem to have a problem wearing clothes made from cotton imported from plantation that had slaves. She expected Toby to go along her on her journey through England righting wrongs, regardless of his thoughts or even his wants. Now, granted, Toby was a beta hero, but why did he but up with it? I kept asking myself, what does he see in her? Liked Toby, wanted to shoot Isabel.

There is also a secondary romance between Josh and Hetta, but not enough coverage of it in this book for me, so, the author might as well as left it out. Maybe, she should have included it in a novella.

And, I really think that this book isn't necessarily a stand alone book. To understand what's going with the other characters, you really need to have read the first two books.

So, in the end, I think that Tessa Dare is an author to keep an eye on, however her third book is the weakest in the trilogy.

Time/Place: Regency England
Rating:
Sensuality Rating: Hot