Thursday

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas

February 28, 2019
Another of Sebastian's children.

https://lisakleypas.com/

Once upon a time, Lisa Kleypas wrote only historical romance. Then she turned to the dark side and started penning contemporary romance. When she did that, I was concerned because occasionally it is a sign that an author is bored and they are in the process of losing their magic. In Ms. Kleypas' case, she decided to write both contemporary and historical romances consecutively. That's a mighty hard thing to do, sometimes spreading author's creative juices way tooooo thin. I was worried. As much as I love Ms. Kleypas' writing, I must admit I haven't been all that fond of the Ravenel series. Except for Marrying Mr. Winterborne - which I loved - I have found this series to be a little ho-hum. But, all is not lost! With The Devil's Daughter, the fifth in the series, we are once again on top, or close to it. While not in the same class as Marrying Mr. Winterborne, The Devil in Winter, or Dreaming of You, this is still a good book and one of the better in the Ravenel series. And now on to the book.

We have Lady Phoebe Clare, daughter of Sebastian and Evie from Devil in Winter. We also have West Ravenel, brother of Devon from Cold-Hearted Rake. West is one of the secondary characters from Cold-Hearted Rake who I was fascinated with. He was a scene-stealer. Sometimes those attention grabbing supporting characters can be problematic, especially when they are given their own book. In this case, Ms. Kleypas has been able to maintain the fascination I had with West in the previous book. Of course, the title implies the story isn't about West, but Phoebe - hence the word "Daughter" in the title. This book actually connects two series' together - the Ravenel series and the Wallflower series. The focus of the story is divided equally between West and Phoebe.

When the story begins, Lady Clare is traveling to her brother Gabriel's wedding. She's dreading it. It is her first public appearance since the death of her husband 2 years prior. And, she's not looking forward to it - she's nervous. On top of that she suspects that West Ravenel will be there. Since the bride is a Ravenel, that turns out to be a pretty good guess. She's holding a grudge against West. He is the man who bullied her husband, Henry, when they were young. Henry was a weak, sickly boy, who was easily picked on by bullies. Phoebe and Henry were fast friends, and childhood sweethearts. She was protective of him, always ready to fight his battles for him. Henry told Phoebe about the boy in school who bullied him, West. Phoebe hated that bully-boy. As they grew older, because of his illness, they were hesitant to marry. Eventually they decided to enjoy the time they had. And, they did. Phoebe and Henry's marriage was a calm, quiet, loving partnership which produced two children before Henry's death. Warning - these children, Justin and Stephen turn into scene-stealers. There is also a scene-stealing cat - Galoshes. Some of the more poignant moments in this story are between Justin and Galoshes, so I advise you, have some salted peanuts by your side to counter the sweetness.

We also get to see some of our previous characters: Sebastian, Evie, Devon, Kathleen, Pandora, and Severin - but they are not a distraction from the story. They are what they are supposed to be - supportive.

I loved both West and Phoebe. They are attracted to each other almost immediately; even though Phoebe puts up a good fight, she just cannot resist him. They were well-developed characters. Neither of them were perfect; they made mistakes, and they acknowledged those mistakes. West had the most angst to overcome. To me his problem boiled down to his not liking himself. He felt he had a past that could not be conquered. Even though I could understand how horrible his childhood was, I did grow a little tired of his I'm-not-worthy routine. But eventually, I was compensated by some wonderful groveling dialogue from him.


I also had a slight issue with Phoebe. Phoebe grew up surrounded by strong, opinionated, assertive people. Her parents would never put up with fools, and in most cases Phoebe was made of the same stock. So, it puzzled me as to why she would put up with a whiney mother-in-law and Henry's weasel of a cousin for so long. She could put West in his place, but she had trouble telling Henry's family where to get off. Although, for the most part Phoebe was a delightful character.
Speaking of Henry's family - what happened to his irritating mother? One moment she's whining and complaining. The next moment she's off to Italy and just sort of vanishes from the pages. I guess on her way to Italy she stopped at the Island of Disappearing characters. 
 
This story is peppered with great dialogue and wonderful chemistry between allllll of the characters. The children and Phoebe are a wonderful family group. Phoebe and her father Sebastian are a great father/daughter team. West's interaction with Phoebe's sons was delightful. Justin and Galoshes were charming.

Two memorable scenes. Spoilers - sort of. Watch for two wonderfully written scenes in this book, one poignant and one amusing. A smile came to my face when West shipped off the cat, Goulashes, to Phoebe after Phoebe had told her son he couldn't keep the cat. He sent a job application with it. "I hereby offer my services as an experienced mouser and personal companion. References from a reputable family to be provided upon request. Will accept room and board in lieu of pay. Indoor lodgings preferred. Your servant, Galoshes the Cat." The other wonderful moment involved a book West purloined from Henry when they were in school together. The book had been given to Henry by Phoebe and it had XOXO's throughout it. West's reason for never giving this book back to Henry is so touching you will find yourself falling under West's spell. What a great piece of writing the book scene was - so keep your eyes out for it.

Overall, this was a very satisfying read. For those of you who are following the series, this is a must read. For those of you who have never read Kleypas - what are you waiting on? And, by the way - where was the epilogue? I thought the ending was rather abrupt, I could have used just a few more pages of something, anything which felt like an ending. Even with the few qualms I had, I do highly recommend Devil's Daughter.


Time/Place: England 1877 
Sensuality: Hot

Tuesday

Holy Jelly Beans!! Upcoming Historical Romances!!!! March 15 to April 14, 2019!!

February 26, 2019
Authors with an asterisk*, I'm picking up! For more Upcoming Releases that aren't historical see HEY DELIA!! March 15, 2019 to April 14, 2019. By the way, it is not my fault if a publisher changes the release dates - just so you know, they do not consult me.
**Book by an author who is either new to me or has fallen off of my list

 Historical Romance
Amy Jarecki
http://www.amyjarecki.com
The Dukes Untamed Desire
Devilish Dukes series
April 2

Anabelle Bryant
http://www.anabellebryant.com/
London's Best Kept Secret
Midnight Secrets series
March 26

Cat Sebastian
https://catsebastian.com/
A Duke in Disguise
Regency Imposters
April 9

Catherine Tinley
http://www.catherinetinley.com
The Earl’s Runaway Governess
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

Eliza Knight
http://www.elizaknight.com
The Highlander’s Secret Vow
Sutherland Legacy
March 26

Eliza Redgold
http://elizaredgold.com/
The Scandalous Suffragette
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

Grace Burrowes
http://www.graceburrowes.com/
When a Duchess Says I Do
Rogues to Riches
April 2

Greta Gilbert
https://harlequinblog.com/2018/03/author-backstory-greta-gilbert/
Seduced by Her Rebel Warrior
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

Jane Ashford
http://www.janeashford.com
A Lord Apart
The Way to a Lord's Heart
March 26

Janice Preston
http://www.janicepreston.co.uk
His Convenient Highland Wedding
The Lochmore Legacy
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

Karen Ranney*
ttp://karenranney.com
To Wed an Heiress
All for Love series
March 26

Lara Temple
https://www.laratemple.com
Unlaced by the Highland Duke
The Lochmore Legacy
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

Louise Allen*
http://www.louiseallenregency.co.uk
Least Likely to Marry a Duke
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

Marguerite Kaye*
http://www.margueritekaye.com
The Earls Countess of Convenience
Penniless Brides of Convenience
Paperback - March 19, Ebook - April 1

May McGoldrick
http://www.MayMcGoldrick.com
Highland Crown
Royal Highlander
March 26

Michele Sinclair
http://www.michelesinclair.com/
How to Marry a Highlander
The McTiernays series
March 26

Rosanne Bittner
http://www.rosannebittner.com
Logan’s Lady
March 26

Sophie Barnes**
http://www.sophiebarnes.com
The Infamous Duchess
Diamonds in the Rough series
March 16

Virginia Heath*
http://www.virginiaheathromance.com
The Disgraceful Lord Gray
The King’s Elite series
March 21
Historical Fiction


Chanel Cleeton
http://www.chanelcleeton.com
When We Left
April 9

Dave Patterson
PattersonWriter
Soon the Light will be Perfect
April 9

Kelly Rimmer
http://www.kellyrimmer.com
The Things We Cannot Say
March 19

Martha Hall Kelly
http://www.marthahallkelly.com
Lost Roses
Caroline Ferriday series
April 9

Mary Monroe
http://www.marymonroe.org
Over the Fence
Neighbors series
March 26

Robert Fabbri
http://robertfabbri.com/
Emperor of Rome
Vespasian series
April 3

Steven Rowley
http://www.stevenrowley.com/
The Editor
April 9

Susan Meissner
http://susanlmeissner.com/
The Last Year of the War
March 19

Wilbur Smith
http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/
King of Kings
Courtneys and Ballantynes series
April 2

Friday

A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy

February 15, 2019
We got us a winner.

https://www.miavincy.com/
Yippee! At last, a winner. A debut author who has done some mighty fine writing, and in the process has made me smile. I am a happy camper – and, you can be toooooo!. At the time of

this writing, this book is only available through Amazon. Puleese don’t let that stop you from somehow getting this book. I purchased a paper copy. OMG, a paper copy! I almost forgot how to turn pages. Beware, you are about to enter into Gush territory. It’s been a while since I’ve been this enthused about a writer.

I didn’t want this book to end. Our hero is Joshua Dewitt, and he’s happy as he is. He’s also married to our heroine Cassandra, but they haven’t seen each other since their wedding night two years ago. And, that wasn’t all that memorable. But, he’s a happy camper anyway, ‘cause his wife isn’t around. Just so you know, this is a marriage of convenience story, or in this case inconvenience. Anyway, Joshua aka Grumpy Gus, usually spends his time in Liverpool taking care of business and Cassandra spends her time in Warwickshire taking care of her sisters – never the twain shall meet. Or at least that’s what Cassandra thinks when she comes up with a plan – yes, a Romanceland plan. Her sister, Lucy is rather spoiled or something and she throws a fit. She’s tired of hiding out in the country, she wants to have a season, or at least that’s what she says. Cassandra, who always wants everyone to have what they want, decides it’s time to go to London to see her grandmother. She just knows that down deep her grandmother will give Lucy a season. Even though her grandmother has ignored her, she knows she will be pleased as punch to sponsor Lucy. Cassandra also knows she can stay at her husband’s house because he’s never in London.  And, in true Romanceland fashion, they of course run into each other almost right away. They do not recognize each other in what turns out to be a very humorous first encounter. And with this initial encounter it is quite a delightful ride to the end.

Both Cassandra and Joshua are very complex characters. They both have problems, with bits of angst spewed here and there. But they also have some great chemistry, some of the best I’ve read in a long time. Their encounters are chock full of witty dialogue and I was amazed at some of the outstanding writing coming from the pen of a debut author. Were there some anachronisms? Of course, there were; however, as I’ve said in the past, when I become invested with characters and story I don’t really try to find problems. I just sit back and enjoy.

Did I like all the secondary characters? Well, I’m not sure I cared for Cassandra’s sisters, but we will see where the author takes them – if she does. I did enjoy Joshua’s friend Arabella and the Marquess – and, they have their own story. By the way the stories will not be published in chronological order.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. The characters were complicated, funny, well developed, and just way too delightful for words. A Wicked Kind of Husband was full of rich texture. This is a must read for anyone who loves romance stories. Yes, my little Petunia’s, I have great hopes that we have found another wonderful romance writer in Mia Vincy. This book is to be savored.

Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Hot

Wednesday

The Devilish Lord Will by Jennifer Ashley


February 13, 2019
The problem with legendary books aka DIKs

http://www.jenniferashley.com/http://www.jenniferashley.com/
A moment for reflection. Once upon a time Jennifer Ashley did what a number of authors have done – she wrote a wonderful, unforgettable novel which most people love. Back in 2009 she gave us The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie. In my opinion that book was a Desert Island Keeper, a landmark achievement for Ms. Ashley. The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie has taken its place among numerous DIKs - as well it should. It has joined the ranks of some of our most beloved romances, such as Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase, Devil in Winter and Then Came You, by Lisa Kleypas, The Rake, by Mary Jo Putney – you get the point. Sometimes an author may never reach that pinnacle of “everybody’s favorite novel” success. But, then sometimes authors write that unforgettable gem which is everyone’s favorite. 

I’ve always wondered how authors respond to the success of the book which is placed on a pedestal. Do they even know they have a book which is everyone’s favorite? Does it make them nervous? Does it affect the way they right their next books? Are they aware that almost every reader out there will be comparing their latest book against their most memorable gem? I don’t know the answer to those questions, I only know that I’m one of those readers who compares an author’s work against their best. When an author reaches that mountain top pinnacle, I hold all of their books up to that achievement. Is that fair of me? Probably not, but I do it anyway; sometimes consciously, sometimes not. 

Which is a long, convoluted way of saying I was not all that fond of The Devilish Lord Will. I’m not saying that this was a bad book, it was just not up to the standard I expect from Jennifer Ashley. I think a lot of my disappointment is due to the fact that the romance in this story had already been established. I wouldn’t really call this a second chance romance, because I couldn’t find any chemistry between the couple. Evidently it developed in previous books – of course, I cannot remember that. And, why is that? Because those previous stories are not fresh in my memory. I have a problem remembering what happened a week ago, let alone a secondary romance written in previous books over two years ago. I just could not remember Will and Josette.

Will and Josette are already in love with each other, but Josette is tired of being hurt so she doesn’t want to luv him anymore – yeah, that’s going to work. Will wants to continue the romance, he actually wants it to be permanent. The problem with this is that Will is supposed to be dead. He and his brothers were at Culloden. Three of the brothers survived, but they are in hiding – sort of. When the story begins Will is in the process of being beaten up by the English. Josette is in the room to rescue him, but she’s in disguise. No one will be able to recognize her. In the end, all this rigamarole doesn't even matter. She rescues him and the story is off to a long meandering tale which didn't interest me. 

Will irritated me. All through most of the book he had a plan. He had lots of them. He never talked about them, things just worked out according to his plan. He was in control, and never let Josette in on his plans. It was as if he was winking at everything which happened. He was cavalier about everything he did.  I found him to be a pompous bonehead. Yes, I know there are other heroes out there who are pompous and I like them, but Will just didn’t seem to care what others thought. Especially when it came to the woman he supposedly luved, Josette. For twelve years he and Josette had a relationship, and he just sort of expected her to always be there for him. I just did not care for him. As a couple Will and Josette didn’t work.

Thrown into the romance that didn’t work theme was a treasure hunt for Stuart gold and Josette’s ex-lover who was threatening her. These plot lines had filler written alllll over them. They didn’t really keep my interest. I thought the hunt for the gold story line tiresome. Evidently, there was a real treasure in Scottish history which disappeared. I wondered why, since this was a work of fiction, Will and Josette couldn’t have found the gold. But oh well, that’s just me. The blackmailing lover story-line was wrapped up so quickly, one could almost miss it. Oh, the lover was actually dying, so I guess he could be forgiven his blackmail try. So, he wasn’t really evil – ‘cause he was dying. So, all of his threats really didn’t matter – sorry. Why was he even in this book?

There was a family gathering at the end, and we get to visit the three MacKenzie brothers, their wives, cousins, and children – all happy and getting ready to leave a legacy for the MacKenzie’s who were to come. Sorry to say, I cannot recommend this book.

Time/Place:1740s Scotland
Sensuality: Scenes without heat