The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath

October 28, 2021

We’re on a Roll!!! A Roll of One!

https://www.lorraineheath.com/

It’s telling isn’t it, when one becomes excited about “one” new book.  It’s just that I’ve been having quite a dry spell with new books this year. Bless Lorraine Heath. She has made me a happy camper. I will admit, I did open The Duchess Hunt with trepidation, but I soon found myself smiling. We were first introduced to luv couple in the previous book, Scoundrel of My Heart. And here’s a first, I actually remembered them. I remembered the Duke of Kingsland because he was such a bonehead, and I wanted him to get his comeuppance. I knew when I read that book, that the shadowy figure of his secretary, Penelope Pettypeace, would be the one to see that he got what he deserved. Scary thing…I was expecting a lot from The Duchess Hunt. So, thank you Lorraine Heath for not making me break down in tears. I did not do any boohoos.

Penelope is supposed to be finding Kingsland a bride. This is the second attempt at finding this man a bride. It’s not an easy thing, because he is a bonehead. But never fear, Penelope is a very efficient person, everything she does is correct. If she has to find a bride for the man she loves, she will find the perfect mate for him, even though she will be blue. She will also probably have to look for another job. She’ll probably buy one of those little Cotswolds cottages. After all, who wants to continue working for a man one secretly loves, and be forced to watch him with his new wife. It doesn’t really matter if it’s not a love match. Just to watch the man you love walk up that stairs to his wife’s bedroom would make even Snidely Whiplash cry. Why hasn’t Penelope done anything about Kingsland? Why hasn’t she made a play for him? Penelope has loved Kingsland for a long time, but she’s never attempted anything because she considers herself not good enough, and she’s got a secret!!! They both have secrets! Let me tell you, Kingsland secret is a doozy!

Kingsland depends on Penelope, and he maybe sort of thinks he loves her, or something. He doesn’t quite understand why he feels some of the things he feels when his right-hand woman walks into the room. He scowls when other men find her attractive, he even fumes. She is his bestest friend, but why does he watch her hips when she walks away? I loved Kingsland struggle with his feelings for Penelope. And, he struggled with them for quite a while.
 

As a couple, Penelope and Kingsland were great. They depended on each other, they talked to each other, they just didn’t tell each other their secrets. Oh well, can’t have everything.

The secondary characters were interesting, especially the Chessmen. I will be honest, I was distracted by this group of men. I had to stop reading my book and do a bunch of Googling to see if they were in some other series. It would be nice if books came with warnings such as: “Warning, there is an entirely new group of friends in this book. They will eventually have their own series! Do not look them up! Do not think you have heard of them before! They are new!!! Do not waste your time searching Google, the author, Fantastic Fiction, or Goodreads!! You have never seen them before!  And, get a life!”

Overall, I liked this book a great deal. I thought the writing was superb, and the romance was…romantic. I didn’t have any big issues with this story. I was just so happy to have a book I actually enjoyed reading. I do recommend this story.

 

Time/Place: England 1874 - Bustle Alert

Sensuality: Warm/Hot

Holy Chicken Tamales!!! Upcoming Historical Romances!!!

October 25, 2021

Authors with an asterisk*, I'm picking up! Authors with **asterisks have either fallen off my radar or new to me, and I'm might read them this time around. Release dates mostly between November 15, 2021 and December 14, 2021. For more Upcoming Releases that aren't historical see HEY DELIA!!
 
Series indicates a series, spin-off, sequel, trilogy, brother/sister, secret society/spies, good friends who attended Oxford/Eton, vampire/werewolf - anything that has something continuing - even if written 20 years ago. Anthology/novella/short stories could be an anthology or a bunch of books in one print or novella - one tiny book or an anthology with a bunch of novellas - could be a short stories by one author, could be short stories by multiple authors - could be - I'm getting a headache. Ebook, only sold electronically for now. Debut - congratulations!

By the way, it is not my fault if a publisher changes the release dates - just so you know, they do not consult me. Let me also add this warning - since I am now using different sources, I am finding that one person's genre isn't necessarily another persons - sorry if your book is in the wrong genre.  

Historical Romances

	Alyssa Clarke Tempt Me, If You Dare, ebook Wagers and Wallflowers December 8
	Anna Bradley http://www.annabradley.net Not Just Any Earl, ebook Games Earls Play December 14
	Annabelle Anders http://www.annabelleanders.com Educated by the Earl, ebook Miss Primm’s Secret School for Budding Bluestockings November 16
	Carole Mortimer http://www.carolemortimer.co.uk Sinful, ebook Regency Scandal November 26
	Caroline Lee The Duke’s Virgin Sister, ebook Those Kilted Bastards November 17
	Cheryl Bolen http://www.cherylbolen.com/ With a Little Help from My Lord, ebook The Beresford Adventures December 7
	Christi Caldwell http://www.christicaldwellauthor.com It Happened One Winter, ebook, novella Scandalous Affairs December 10
	Heather Boyd http://www.heather-boyd.com Seduced in Secret, ebook Distinguished Rogues December 7
	Jenni Fletcher http://jennifletcher.com   Elisabeth Hobbes http://elisabethhobbes.co.uk Snow-Kissed Proposals November 30
	Jennifer Ashley* https://www.jenniferashley.com The Sinful Ways of Jamie Mackenzie Mackenzies and McBrides November 16
	Jennifer Ashley* Anna Bradley Grace Burrowes Kerrigan Byrne Christi Caldwell Tanya Anne Crosby Duke the Halls, anthology, ebook November 30
	Julie Anne Long* http://www.julieannelong.com/index.shtml After Dark with the Duke Palace of Rogues November 30
	Laura Martin https://lauramartinromance.com/ The Captain's Impossible Match      November 30
	Louise Allen* http://www.louiseallenregency.com The Duke's Counterfeit Wife November 30
	Manda Collins** https://www.mandacollins.com/ An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire A Lady’s Guide November 16
	Mary Balogh* http://www.marybalogh.com Someone Perfect Westcott November 30
	Megan Frampton http://www.meganframpton.com Gentleman Seeks Bride Hazards of Dukes November 30
	Melissa Oliver https://twitter.com/melissaoauthor The Knight's Convenient Alliance Notorious Knights November 30
	Merry Farmer http://merryfarmer.net Naughty Earls Need Love Too, ebook That Wicked O’Shea Family November 19
	Merry Farmer http://merryfarmer.net Games Lovers Play, ebook After the War December 14
	Miriam Minger http://www.miriamminger.com/ My Highland Captor Warriors of the Highlands, ebook, November 30
	Patricia Rice http://www.patriciarice.com/ This Magic Moment, ebook Magical Malcolms November 23
	Sandra Sookoo http://www.sandrasookoo.com The Viscount’s Bluestocking Vixen, ebook December 8
	Sandra Sookoo http://www.sandrasookoo.com The Folly of Caroling, ebook Three Mistletoe Kisses, ebook Silver Bells Scandal, ebook Home for the Holidays November 16
	Sarah Mallory http://www.sarahmallory.com Cinderella and the Scarred Viscount November 30
	Sarah Rodi The Viking's Stolen Princess November 30
	Scarlett Scott http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com The Detective Duke, ebook Unexpected Lords November 18
	Sophie Barnes http://www.sophiebarnes.com Mr. Dale and the Divorcee, ebook The Brazen Beauties November 23
	Sylvia McDaniel http://www.sylviamcdaniel.com The Debutante’s Santa Debutantes of Durango December 10
	Tammy Andresen Wanted: An Earl For Hire, ebook Misadventures in Wallflowering November 30
	Tammy Andresen Her White Wedding, ebook Dark Duke’s Legacy Book December 7

Historical Fiction

My rules, my list: On my list the time-line for this genre includes the 19th Century. You will not find the 20th Century included in my historical fiction. Anything newer than 1900 will be on my Hey Delia list.

	A. L. Sowards http://alsowards.com/ Of Daggers and Deception, ebook Duchy of Athens December 7
	Nicola Cornick http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk The Last Daughter of York November 16
	Paul Doherty http://www.paulcdoherty.com/ Dark Queen Watching      December 07

Holiday Anthologies: A Victorian Christmas, A Mistletoe Christmas, A Yuletide Kiss, Kissing Under the Mistletoe

October 18, 2021

Bunches of Holiday Treats!

Yes! It’s that time of year when the book market is flooded with itsy-bitsy holiday stories. Why are we so happy when this happens? First of all, it seems as if we are reading more, but we are really not. But who cares!!!! Secondly, it’s a great way to find new authors! And, I’m happy to say, I found some authors I’m going to check into.

Let’s take a look at some of the holiday treats I have indulged in so far! By the way, short story=short review.

The first anthology was A Victorian Christmas. We have three authors: Carla Kelly, Carol Arens, and Eva Shepherd. I could find no connection between the stories other than these are Harlequin authors and they are writing about holiday romance.

A Father for Christmas, by Carla Kelly. One word: charming. You know it’s been a while since I’ve read Ms. Kelly. I think it was back in 1998, but who’s counting. Anyway, I think I’ll take another look at her library. I loved everything about this story. Great chemistry between the hero and heroine, and a wonderful, scene-stealing child. This story made me smile. 

B+

A Kiss Under the Mistletoe, by Carol Arens. This story did not make me smile. There wasn’t any chemistry between the h/h. Not fond of this short story.

C-

The Earl’s Unexpected Gifts, by Eva Shepherd. All I can say is; a short story which was a DNF. I just could not connect with the people in this story.

DNF

So, A Victorian Christmas had one story out of three that I liked. In fact, I would have to say I loved Carla Kelly’s story. Because of that I was glad I paid the price of admission.

Next book of the holiday anthologies was A Mistletoe Christmas. The stories in this anthology were connected. For this book we were all invited to the annual revelry of the Duke of Greystoke. Participating in the revelry were Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor, and Erica Ridley.

A Mistletoe Kiss, by Eloisa James. You know, I’ve been reading Ms. James for a long time, and she can really write nasty family members. This one has a horrible father, the duke. He treats his daughter, Cressida, like a drudge. Cressida has never stood up to her father. Cressida has also been given a bonehead hero, Elias, to moon over. Lady Cressida should have packed her bags and hopped a ship to Tahiti. I didn’t think this story was very holiday-ee. 

C

Wishing Under the Mistletoe, by Christi Caldwell. For this holiday tale we have a couple who don’t talk. They are engaged. He ignores her, she wants attention. She leaves him for ten years, then they meet again at the party. This time they talk. But, I have to ask: why ten years? Why not five, or three, or one. Why so long? Beside that mystifying question about the number of years apart, I also found the heroine rather annoying. 

C

Compromise Under the Mistletoe, by Janna MacGregor. Another separation. This time the couple is married, and they also don’t talk. They do have lots of sex, and then don’t talk. A holiday misunderstanding story.

C+

Mischief and Mistletoe, by Erica Ridley. A spinster writer meets a dishonest hero. Not holiday-ee.

C-

 
Overall, I didn’t get too much happy holiday spirit out of any of these stories. And by the way, if you have a character who shows up in all the stories, and he's supposed to be despicable, make sure his horrible personality is reflected in all the stories.

Next group is A Yuletide Kiss. Contributors to this anthology were: Sabrina Jeffries, Madeline Hunter, and Mary Jo Putney. Look out! Veteran writers! These short stories take place during a snow storm with a bunch of stranded travelers.

When We Finally Kiss Good Night, by Sabrina Jeffries. It’s been a while since I’ve read Sabrina Jeffries, which means I have not read any of her latest books. That means I am not familiar with the couple in this story, because they are a part of a series. First of all, I found Flora to be annoying. While I enjoyed the Christmas decorations, I could not find any chemistry between Konrad Juncker and Flora Younger.

C

The Unexpected Gift, by Madeline Hunter. This one had possibilities. I loved the beginning of this story. We meet the owner of the inn, Jenna. Jenna is looking forward to some down time. She can hardly wait to cuddle up by the fireplace and be alone with her meager supplies. But then the storm starts, and then there is the injured stranger, and then there are all the other people who are going to other places. And, they are all stuck for a few days at her inn. I did like the interaction between Lucas and Jenna. I liked the narrative of the stranded travelers. I just grew a little tired of Jenna being a doormat. But even with that, this was my favorite story of the group.

B+

When Strangers Meet, by Mary Jo Putney. A long time ago Daniel saved Kate, married her, then just disappeared. Oh, what a big ol’ coincidence that they should be stranded together at the inn. This story wasn’t bad, it just needed a longer format. 

B-

Overall, I enjoyed the Madeline Hunter story; I thought Mary Jo Putney’s story needed a longer format, but I didn’t care for Sabrina Jeffries tale. Two out of three…not bad.

Now for the last anthology I’ve read this month. Kissing Under the Mistletoe. By golly! I found two new authors I’m going to check out. The other author is already an auto-buy.

Great Scot, by Suzanne Enoch. A Christmas with the MacTaggerts! I will be honest, the MacTaggerts have not been my favorite Enoch series. I’ve had a hard time with the mother, and I’ve found the sons to be rather infantile. But this time the focus of the story is on Jane, a spinster (aren’t they all). Jane was a secondary character from one of the previous stories. Her hero in this tale is Brennan, a cousin to the MacTaggerts. He also happens to be a widower. I loved this story. The romance in this tale was delightful. For once the MacTaggerts were charming, and the bagpipes were noisy. This short story was a truly lovely holiday tale.

A-

Christmas at Dewberry Hollow, by Amelia Grey. Another treat. An outspoken heroine, Isabelle, and a loyal hero, Gates. These two embark on a search for a tree which has sweet heart initials carved on it.  It revolves around Gates grandfather’s desire to see the tree before he dies. This was a good story, and it made me feel good.

A

My Mistletoe Beau, by Anna Bennett. This story begins with Eva breaking into Jack’s house to steal back her father’s watch. A watch with sentimental feelings attached. There’s some great chemistry on display between this couple, and it was another feel-good story. I will definitely be looking into this author’s back log.

A

Overall, Kissing Under the Mistletoe was my favorite of all the anthologies I’ve read to date. I enjoyed alllll three of the stories in this book. While some authors may look at short stories as a way to get a quick buck, they should remember that it is also a way to make a reader want to buy their full-length stories.

Looking forward to more anthologies.

My Sweet Folly, Uncertain Magic, Midsummer Moon by Laura Kinsale

Octobrt 8, 2021

Well, sometimes ideas should just stay ideas.

When the little voice in my head whispered that I should read a bunch of old books, including Laura Kinsale, I thought – hey, why not? When has that voice ever steered me wrong? After all, I was in a mood. At the time, reading Laura Kinsale right after reading Anne Stuart made sense.  I chose to read three stories in an unconnected series: Uncertain Magic (1987), Midsummer Moon (1987), and My Sweet Folly (1987). These three stories are being marketed in a box set called the Regency Romances. Other than the time period, there isn’t any connection between the books.

I completed two books in the group, but one of them, My Sweet Folly was a DNF for me. The hero was too dark, and I’m not too fond of nicknames attached to heroines, especially when they demean.  I found myself explaining things away by saying…oh well, that was written in the 80s. And that last statement shouldn’t be allowed as an excuse.  For me this story didn’t age well. 

On to the ones I finished.

Uncertain Magic (1987). Roderica “Roddy” Delamore has a problem. She can read minds, be they human or animals. So, I guess she can interpret barks, and meows. Anyway, there is a lot of noise going on in her mind. Then she meets Faelan Savigar, and much to her surprise, she cannot read his mind. There is a lot in this story. It’s a tad bit weird, and not everything in the story makes sense. First of all, unlike a lot of other romance novels we are never given the POV of the hero. I like my stories to have at least the hero and heroines POV present. I’m assuming because Roddy cannot read Faelan’s mind, we are not given access to it. They get married. They go to Ireland. There’s an Irish revolt going on, there’s fairies and paranormal stuff. He has an odd mother, who I first thought was some kind of fairy. Turns out she’s just psychotic. There was also mention of an uncle, but he doesn’t have anything to do with the story. There is also a big Faelan secret, which in the end turns out to be a tad bit silly. Then we have the age difference, she’s 19, he’s 35…that’s a 16-year difference. Here’s the deal…he could be her father!!! A couple that have 16 years between them sets off ick button. I don’t care how much power the guy has, there is just too much between those years that make it unpalatable. In his romantic moments, he calls her ‘little girl”. He also assumes, all the time, usually wrong assumptions. For instance, he forgets that sometimes mommy-parts can break without the benefit of a Timothy Toad. Sometimes riding without the benefit of a sidesaddle can rip things! But maybe his brain is foggy from the drugs.  He’s been drugged all of his life. What can one expect? What happened? How did he partake of drugs? Well it seems somehow his mother was able to drug him, even when he was away at school. Oh angst. Oh boo-hoo. Turn from the dark side Faelan Savigar…puleese.

While I managed to complete this story, it was almost a wall-banger a couple of times. 

Time/Place: Regency England/Ireland

Sensuality: Warm/Hot

D+

Midsummer Moon (1987). Of the three books in the Regency series this was … how shall I say it? This was the least objectionable. But, there were plenty of issues. We have an absent-minded heroine and an autocratic hero. Merlin Lambourne is an inventor, an absent-minded one, but not the funny Fred MacMurray kind. She’s more of the “how-did-you-survive-this-world” kind. She is totally oblivious to everything. Was this funny in the 80s? I don’t know, but it’s not very funny now. There is obviously a problem with her, and it is a problem that our hero uses to his advantage. That taking advantage of by the hero; the dominating, manipulating, over-bearing bone-head, is the real problem with this book. If Merlin hadn’t been portrayed as such a scattered-brained child, maybe this story would have had a chance. 

 

Salt. She is so oblivious that she serves the hero, Ransom, salt. There is a mistake with the label. The salt is actually an aphrodisiac. Under the influence of the “salt”, Ransom beds an oblivious Merlin. I shall take this time to ponder. It’s my opinion that the only thing that goes up when one uses a so-called aphrodisiac is one’s blood pressure. Of course, there could be a kidney failure or two, but to stimulate a libido into uncontrollable lust is just an excuse for bad behavior. I’m done pondering. Anyway, this book is filled with all kinds of plots: fear of flying, spies, secret agents, stuttering children, amnesia, manipulation, family problems, a divorced couple, Napoleon…on and on. 

The topper is the bone-head hero. He doesn’t want Merlin to invent things, especially things that fly. It is all about him after all. So, what does he do when Merlin has amnesia? He burns all of her notes…Yep, years and years of flying machine notes…up in flames. A real bone-head.

Time/Place: Regency England

Sensuality: Warm/Hot

C- 

Bottom line- This was one of my experiments which didn’t work. While I’ve done some maturing over the years, dare I say, even been enlightened, these three stories have not. Sorry to say, none of them aged well.