Educating Caroline by Patricia Cabot

Grade: B

Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: HistorcalPublished: 10/30/01

Reviewed by Kate

439 pages

This one read like a soap opera-in the best way possible.  I feel like a who's who might be the best way to start.

Cast of Characters:
Braden Granville-our hero, aka the Lothario of London
Lady Caroline Linford-our heroine, prim, proper, and, of course, virginal
Lady Jacquelyn Seldon-Braden's fiance
Marquis of Winchilsea-Caroline's fiance

Do you have it all straight now?  All right.  Here we go!

We start off with Lady Caroline walking in on the Marquis of Winchilsea (her finance, remember) in the arms (well technically, in the legs) of Lady Jacquelyn (Braden's fiance).  She's ready to call off the engagement, but her mother tells her there's no way she can end it without causing a reputation ending scandal.  Instead, she should use her womanly wiles to make her fiance fall for her.  Which wouldn't be a bad idea, except Caroline's not really sure if she has any wiles. 

Braden knows that Lady Jacquelyn has not been faithful to him.  But he can't call of their engagement without losing a lot of money.  Unless he can prove it, with a name or a witness.  Caroline decides Braden is the perfect person to teach her how to make the Marquis fall in love with her-all hands off of course. In exchange for teaching her, she'll be his witness against Lady Jacquelyn.

And from that point forward we have the story of Braden and Caroline coming to love one another.  My reading experience was filled with happy smiles, chuckles, gasps of shock and outrage, outright laughs, and contented sighs.  With just enough intrique thrown in, this one kept me turning pages from start to finish.

Thanks to Anne for the recommendation.

True Love West by Claire Charlins

Grade: D+
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Mail Order Romance #5

Published: 11/14/13

Reviewed by Kate

147 pages

Sarah feels lonely and ignored at home, all the attention is turned toward her older sister.  Add that to the fact that there's a shortage of men in the area and Sarah sees a bleak future stretching out before her.  When her sister suggests becoming a mail order bride, Sarah hesitantly agrees to look at some of the adds.  And then she reads Charlie's letter and knows that he's the one.  He feels lonely and invisible as well.  Sarah boards a train, anxious to meet Charlie.  When she arrives she discovers that Charlie has kept a secret-he has an infant daughter.  How can she marry a man who has lied to her?

I love, love, love a mail order bride romance.  From my first, Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke, right through my more recent reads like the erotic Bride Train series by Reece Butler. I just can't seem to get enough.  That being said...

This one was filled with tons and tons of emotional drama for Sarah.  Seriously.  She spent days agonizing over whether or not she could marry Charlie after he had lied to her, while we, the reader, could tell the decision had already been made.

What I typically like in a mail order read is watching as the hero and heroine become acquainted and figure out how they'll fit into each other's lives.  Sadly, there was none of that in this book.  Charlie was practically a saint, other than his one lie.  There seemed to be no adjustment at all for either of them.  It was all about Sarah having to make her decision.

The sex in this book barely warrants mentioning.  If Lauara Ingalls Wilder had written an erotic romance, I think the sex scenes would have read similar to this one. In fact, the writing style, in general, reminded me of the Little House books.

If you're like me, and enjoy mail order bride stories, you may like this one.  Just prepare yourself for lots of drama and rather dull sex.  

Abducted By A Prince by Olivia Drake

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical

Series: Cinderella Sisterhood #3

Published: 4/29/14

Reviewed by Kate

352 pages

Raised by a guardian who died shortly after he started at Eton, Damien's one clue to his parentage, a key, was stolen by Walt.  Now as an adult, Damien is desperate to find out who his parents were.  So he hatches a plan.  He will kidnap Walt's sister and hold her hostage until Walt delivers the key.  What could possible go wrong with that plan?  Except he accidentally kidnaps Walt's unwanted cousin instead.

Once I got past the fact that such a level headed man could come up with such a foolish scheme, this book worked for me on so many levels. A hint of fairy tale without being an outright retelling.  Deep characters.  An intriguing plot.  I couldn't stop turning pages. I'll be reading the first two books in this series soon.  If you like fairy tales and historical romances, give this one a try. 

This historical was has put me in the mood for more historical romance.  Do you have any recommendations?

Improper Proposals by Juliana Ross

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Improper #3

Published: 3/24/14

Reviewed by Anne

122 pages

"Instead of instructing young wives on how to roast a chicken or darn a sock or ease colic in an infant, I want you to write a guide that will tell them, plainly and directly, what they might expect from marital relations with their husbands.  It will tell them that it could and should be a pleasant experience, and not a shameful necessity to which they are bound to submit."  -p.24

When her husband of eleven years dies, Caroline is distraught and alone, with no other family to turn to.  As time passes, she throws herself into the project of writing an instruction manual for young wives.   Once it's done, she seeks out a friend of her husband's who is a publisher.  She's disappointed when he says there's no market for her book, but he contacts her again, impressed with her writing and proposes she write the same sort of book, but this time have it focused on "marital relations."

Juliana Ross really shines in this story!  I devoured it in one sitting and wanted to turn around and re-read it immediately!  Since Caroline lives in the country, and her publisher, Tom, lives in London, they send letters and manuscripts through the mail, then meet in person about once per month to discuss things. I loved the contrast between the formal way they talk and write letters to each other and how very dirty they are in the bedroom.  It was great read and an incredibly hot one!  The author also manages to sell me on a second love of a lifetime without bashing the first - something I really appreciate!  

My biggest complaint was how Caroline handled the obstacle they faced near the end of the story.  It seemed out of character, especially when the solution seemed so easy to me.  However, the way Tom reacted really redeemed things.  He was so confident in her love for him and his for her that he was able to handle things well.

I also want to note that Tom is a dirty talker in the bedroom, and Caroline finds that she really enjoys it.  The sex scenes are very well written!  I highly recommend this book - it's going on my best of the year list!

One Night With An Earl by Jennifer Haymore

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-House of Trent #2.5
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
120 pages

This is a short and very sweet novella. It's about an Earl, who never thought he'd be one and a widow who thought she had lost her chance at love before she ever married.

Andrew Sinclair, the Earl of Weston reluctantly agrees to attend a masquerade party held by a member of the Ton. What he finds there is the chance to be with the only woman he has ever loved, Lady Fenwicke. He never thought he'd be the Earl of Weston because the heir before him was sure to have children. Then that heir died but when he tried to claim the woman he loved, she was betrothed to another.

Lady Beatrice Fenwicke, before her marriage, was an innocent seventeen year old girl. During her marriage, she was a victim of domestic abuse. When she was widowed, she became a pariah. Someone to be given the direct cut, ostracized and she became a recluse. She agrees to accompany her best friend to the masquerade ball knowing what her heinous parents would think. She sees the perfect man there. Can she let go one night in her miserable existence? Can she have one night with an Earl?

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the House of Trent series. But this novella? I'm a huge fan of it! It was precious, well paced and steamy. It had a couple of things that are my favorite tropes. Second chance love, a heroine who becomes strong and a loveable hero. Jennifer Haymore was a favorite author of mine with her first series but I kind of got lost after that but now I may have to re-evaluate. Oh, who am I kidding? You had me at masquerade ball.

Favorite lines:

"You have the sweetest laugh I've ever heard."- Andrew

"i'm going to work to earn your trust. I know that's difficult for you. But if one day you trust me completely, Beatrice, then that will be my greatest reward."

A Convenient Husband by Reece Butler

 

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Bride Train #4
Genre-Historical/Menage
Reviewed by Kate
326 pages

Ben was finishing law school out East. Ben had made a promise to his older twin Ranger though. He promised his gruff brother that he would bring a bride home for Ranger to marry. Leaving things to the last minute, Ben purchases a ticket on the bride train heading to Montana, sure he'll be able to find a willing bride for Ranger. What he finds instead is Florence, a well educated, out spoken woman with 2 small children in tow. Everything that Ranger doesn't want in a wife. When one of the children is threatened, Ben marries Florence himself to save the little girl.

So. This book is written by Reece Butler. Right away that's a point in the plus column. I've read every book she's written and continue to wait anxiously for the next release. And it's a marriage of convenience, has children, a menage. Plus, plus, plus. At the same time, this book is screwed up in so many ways, I really shouldn't like it as much as I do (*facepalm* I've reread the thing 4 times already).

 

How is it messed up you ask? Well...Ben is moving to Tanner's Ford Valley, where a menage lifestyle with three men and one woman is quickly becoming the norm. And despite his 3 brothers (book #1) and his sister (book #3) living in menage relationships, Ben knows nothing about it. Next we have the whole thing with Ranger being so grumpy and crotchety and particular that he'd never be able to find his own wife. Then there's Ben, who feels so obligated to his brother that he decides to let Ranger take Florence's virginity rather than doing the deed himself. Yep. You heard me right. Ben and Florence haven't yet consumated their marriage by the time they reach the ranch, so Ben tells Ranger to go ahead and take care of her the first time (he's apparently much more experienced with women than Ben is). Of course, Florence has 2 children with her (who aren't hers by the way). These kids are the perfect soap opera children. Present when they are needed to advance the story.

 

 Conveniently absent (read: away staying with relatives) when they would be in the way otherwise. And let's not forget Patrick. Poor Patrick. Who really seems to be an addition to the story simply to keep the 3:1 ratio of men to women that seems to be required in this series. Patrick is the youngest brother and just feels like an add on throughout the entire read.

 

All that being said, you will notice that I gave the story a B+ rating. Simply because I absolutely am in love with it. Despite all it's WTFery, I have read this book 5 times (the first time, plus 4 rereads). It is one of my favorites in the series, although numbers 1 and 2 are very close.

If you like your historical menages to be filled with strong heroines, hot cowboys, and even hotter sex, (and can forgive the hot mess that sometimes comes with it), give this one a crack.

Throwback Thursday-The Gift by Julie Garwood

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Crown's Spies #3
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
373 pages

This book was been on my to read list and then off again over and over. I saw it was at the library in Kindle format and thought, what the heck.

It starts when the hero was fourteen and the heroine was four. The King forced these two children into marriage because he was crazy and was sick of the two families fighting. Kind of like a milder Hatfields and McCoys type of feud. Nathan, the hero, is a Scot and the heroine, Sarah, is English. Her father signed the marriage contract for her since at her age she obviously couldn't sign for herself. These two live seperately for years. Like fourteen years.

Nathan has made himself into a shipping magnate. He was an outlaw pirate for a while also but no more. He's ready to get his wife into his life and pregnant with his heir. Over the years he's never even looked in on her. Has no clue what she looks like. To him it doesn't matter, she's a means to an end. Knock her up and he gets the rest of the gift from the King from their marriage contract.

Sarah has always fancied herself in love with Nathan. At least her idea of him. She has grown up in an abusive household full of human vipers. She's polite but semi reserved. When her aunt becomes a victim of family abuse, she becomes a bit more vocal. She breaks her aunt out of house imprisonment and the two try to flee London. When the man who orders her to let him help, she is skeptical to say the least. She totally flips out when she realizes he's her husband.

This book was very cute. Very funny but I felt like they talked in all caps because they shouted at each other all the time.Truly shouted. The setting of the story mostly takes place on his boat and that is not my favorite thing but I pushed through. I liked the characters and the conclusion to the plot. The love scenes were frequent but not swoon worthy. I know the book was originally published in 1991 so I will give the bland love scenes a pass because of that. I enjoyed it but was expecting something more and better from what some call the legendary Julie Garwood. Undecided if I'd read more from her yet.

Through The Smoke by Brenda Novak

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
303 pages

This one surprised me quite a bit. This is way more than a romance.

The Earl in this story is trying to clear his name over his wife's death. They were estranged and he headed home to confront her about her pregnancy that wasn't his. There was a fire at his estate and he was the only survivor. He was pulled out of the fire by his cousin, With. He follows up on leads that send him in the direction of a book seller. Her father worked at the earl's coal mine and is a suspect in the fire.

Rachel is the coal miner's daughter. The earl is sure she has information that can help him in clearing up the mystery and his name. They share an almost instant attraction and to make a long story long, they end up lovers. This decision ruins Rachel and makes her neighbors mistrust her. She truly loses almost everything she has.

There was a great mystery in this book. The plot was very well done. Good character development and scene description. My problem was there was little to no heat. Also, I like my historical to take place in Scotland or England. I want the Ton and ball gowns. I got none of that here. It was a good story but I was left wanting more.

How To Handle A Highlander by Mary Wine

       

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Sutherlands #3
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
352 pages

This is the continuing saga of the Sutherlands. They are an overlord family of Scottish Highlanders. This story Is about Gahan and Moira. Gahan is the illegitimate son of the Sutherland chieftain. He was acknowledged by his father so he could be a semi titled man. After his father recovered from the attempt made on his life by the Frasers, they have been obsessed over safety and watching the Frazers closely. Due to this watching, Gahan notices that Bari Frazer is going to marry off his half sister to the Matheson family. This marriage will bring an army with the Frazers against Gahan's family.

Gahan is instantly drawn to Moira, the bride. Moira's husband is impotent at his advanced age and therefore their marriage is never consummated. The two start an affair and it causes quite the situation. The story is about duty to your clan, family loyalty and revenge.

I'm a big fan of Mary Wine and I get giddy when she releases one of her Highlander books. My problem with this one has to due with the infidelity throughout the story. I know that they thought back then that a marriage wasn't a marriage without consummation but the marriage in this book took place in a Church. This left me uneasy. I absolutely do not like adultery in my historical romances. Despite the fact that the story and love scenes were good, my rating was less because of this. I hope this won't be a continued theme in her following books.

The Raider by Monica McCarty

The Devil's Enforcer and the English "Princess".

Grade-B

Hotness Level-Blaze

Kink Level-No Kink

Series-Highland Guard #8

Genre-Historical Scottish Romance

Reviewed by Kay

432 pages

Robbie Boyd is a member of Bruce's Phantoms, fighting for the Highland Guard. He's a lethal weapon whether he has a sword or just his bare hands. The bloody and on going fight with the English to control Scotland has hardened him. He fights for what's right and to avenge the death of his family at the hands of the English. He tries to kidnap his worst foe's heir and ends up with his sister also.

Rosalin is the sister of Boyd's greatest enemy. She's unspeakably beautiful and innocent. She shares a close bond with her brother. She knows about the war between England and Scotland. She's grown up hearing about the barbaric Scots. Robbie Boyd in particular. As a young girl, she freed Boyd and his friends after their capture because she sensed something in Robbie. And in that moment, she fell in love with him.

This novel is about two polar opposites, first love and the need for honor and revenge. Can the princess tame the Highlander? Can he see past his need for revenge? Does love conquer all?

Monica McCarty is back on top with this novel. Lately, she's been hit or miss with this series for me, but this book was....wow. Great characters, great story, smokin' hot sex and a happily ever after. Oh, and Highlanders, yum! I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Lost Lords of Pembrook #3
Genre-Regency Historical
Reviewed by Kay
370 pages

Rafe Easton is one of the Lost Lords of Pembrooke. They were hunted to be killed as boys so they didn't inherit the title that was theirs. The boys split up at very young ages with the promise to come back when they were older, to reclaim all they had to give up. Rafe was the youngest brother and went to work in the workhouses. His existence was horrific at best. Beaten regularly. As he got older he became of debt collector for a very dangerous man. He then became the owner of all that this man had. His life only cost him his soul and his heart.

Evelyn Chambers was the illegitimate daughter of an earl. After her mother's death she came to live with her father and her half brother. Her life was sheltered and pampered but never public. After her father's death, she is offered up to a group a gentlemen. She would go to the highest bidder. At the time, she thought her brother was trying to get her a husband.

Rafe sees Evelyn and knows he can't let her to to one of those men in attendance at the get together. He offers for with the intent of her becoming his mistress. Evelyn is horrified at her circumstances but she possess no skills to speak of. She knows what this means. She has to become a mistress to man that doesn't even seem to like her.

I loved the premise of this book and was pleased with the outcome. What I didn't like was that I found parts of it very slow and boring. The parts that were good were very good but the others were tedious. I was looking forward to this read because historicals are always palate cleansers for me. There were emotional scenes but Rafe just left me cold. All in all, I enjoyed this series and look forward to Lorraine Heath's next series.

                     

Twice the Temptation by Beverley Kendall

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Temptresses #1
Genre-Regency Historical
Reviewed by Kay
364 pages

Catherine is an English woman with questionable breeding lines. Her half brother is an entitled man so she and her twin sister were somewhat welcomed by the Ton. She tries to be a proper woman, kind of. She's in love with Lucas Beaumont, an American who is a friend of her sister's At the beginning of the story, Lucas has to go home to America to handle some family issues. She's dejected and heart broken because she thinks that means Lucas doesn't feel about her the same way she does him.

She and her two friends devise a scheme to help other young women who are about to enter marriage to test the fidelity of their betrotheds. They are actually very good at it with good results, depending on how you view it. All three woman are beautifully and elegant, so the men of the Ton fall for them time after time. Lucas unexpectedly returns to England to claim Catherine as his own. She then finds out that he proposed to her sister years earlier. Being an identical twin and people viewing them as interchangeable has made Catherine weary.

This was a cute premise and a good story. It dragged on because of the stupidity of both leads. I understood both of their hang ups. My big problem was Lucas. He was a royal ass to her one time. The made love and then he simply walked away. He knew he was walking away even though he made love to her. He even said afterwards that he made love to her knowing it was over and then told her to let him know if there were any consequences to their actions! This made my blood boil! He loved her and treated her this way!

I love Beverley Kendall's historicals and will continue to read her but this hero was an asshat!

Twilight With The Infamous Earl by Alexandra Hawkins

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Lords of Vice #7
Genre-Regency Historical
Reviewed by Kay
304 pages

Lord Chillingsworth aka Frost is a scoundrel of the highest order. A fighter, gambler and a man-whore. His seduction skills are almost legendary as his friendship with his friends. The infamous Lords of Vice, well former Lords of Vice. He is the only unmarried one now and some of his friends are also fathers. This fact still boggles Frost's mind. In this story someone is trying to take away the Lords club, Nox. Frost and his cohorts know who it is but don't take the man seriously at first. There's something else that has Frost's attention.

Emily Cavell is on a mission. Her mission is to destroy a man named Frost. Her sister whispered his name as she lay dying at her own hands. Emily makes her sister a promise to avenge her heartbreak against the man who seduced and ruined her. See, this is Emily's Season as she is almost on the shelf at age twenty. While her family searches for her a husband, she searches for Frost. After a chance meeting with Lord Chillingsworth (she doesn't know that he's Frost) she finds herself attracted to Chilllingsworth.

There was a little mystery to this novel and I enjoyed it. I read a few online reviews before starting this that were less than favorable. Honestly, I don't agree with those reviews. This was a good book and a nice finish to the series. Frost was his usual self and Emily a great opposite for him. Scenes with the other Lords and their families were entertaining. You also got a little more of Frost's backstory, which was nice since he's always been so aloof. I have so enjoyed this series and it has always been an auto-buy for me. I will miss it and hope to have the time to someday re-read it. If you want a steamy historical series, this is it for you.

                      

Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Lost Lords of Pembrook #2
Genre-Regency Historical
Reviewed by Kay
384 pages

This is the story of Lady Anne and Lord Tristan. Lord Tristan is known as Crimson Jack, captain of the Revenge. He and his brothers were held captive by their evil uncle. They escaped his clutches as young boys and each were forced to alter their lives. Tristan's was to board a boat, which he did and made the sea his life. After he and his brothers made their way back into society, he fled back to the sea. He no longer fit in with the Ton and their expectations. They were also shunned by society.

Anne needed to say goodbye to her deceased fiancé. She hired Crimson Jack to take her to his final resting place. She kept this from Jack. His price for taking her was a kiss. She agreed so she could have her final goodbye and then re-enter society. She knew she needed to get a husband to please her father.

Tristan is a broken soul but finds his reaction to Anne, unsettling. He wants things he thinks he has no business wanting. He and Anne get to know each other a little on their voyage. When they part ways, he can't quit thinking about her. He wants her, badly. They embark on a fling that leaves them both off kilter.

This was so enjoyable to read. Sweet and very passionate. Great primary and secondary characters you fall in love with. This was a balm to my soul as historical romance often is. I recommend this series to anyone who wants to read about broken and lost souls who find romance where they least expected it

All I Want is You by Elizabeth Anthony

Grade: C
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical, Erotica
Published: 10/22/13

Reviewed by Anne

336 pages

 

This was under the "erotica" category at NetGalley, and it sounded interesting. Sophie is a maid at a big country house - it has a Downton Abbey vibe to it!  The visiting Lady Beatrice has a plan that includes Sophie seducing Lord Ashley, who Sophie has a mad crush on.  It sounded like such a great set up, and for about the first half I enjoyed it.  However, it is very Danielle Steele like, which doesn't work for me, but it may work for her fans. It's got a lot of angst.  The story is focused on the heroine, Sophie and her personal journey, not the relationship between her and Ash.  I would not consider this story a romance, as I think a happily ever after ending is necessary in a romance. At first I was pretty proud of Sophie and the decisions she was making to be true to herself, but it quickly turned I to a situation where she was cutting off her nose to spite her face! She ran from safety time and time again. Sophie she goes through a lot of tough times, yet continues to push away any help Ash would offer.  Some of her decisions had really awful consequences, but put in the same situation again, she made the same choice.  And in the end, the story just made me angry. I do think the writing was solid and the editing was good. It just didn't like the ending or the angst.

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah Maclean

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
384 pages

William, the Duke of Lamont lost everything he had when he was a young man. Everything but his title. One night that he can't even clearly remember changed his life forever. A woman who disappeared, bloodied sheets and him standing accused of her murder. He became Temple, a bare knuckled fighter at the Fallen Angel gaming hell, where he is a partner with his three friends. All of which were exiled or shunned as well. All Temple wants is his life before that night back.

Mara Lowe is the woman from that night. She ran away all those years ago and reinvented herself. But now she has to face the past, hers and his. She offers him redemption in exchange for something she requires. But the cost of his redemption is her ruination.

I loved this book! I really needed to also. I was craving a historical and it was everything I needed it to be. This is a really good series. I didn't classify it as that above because it isn't really listed as one. Clear as mud? Temple and Mara's story touched me in so many ways. Two tortured souls finding each other. Both victims of their childhoods and being under the control of everyone. Mistakes made in youth that cost them both everything. And both of them realizing that the road to redemption isn't ever what you think it's going to be. A sweet, moving and passionate love story. My favorite quote is as follows.

"Without the past, there would be no present. No future. I don't regret a moment of it. It all brought us here. To this place. To this moment. To this love."

The Scandal Before Christmas by Elizabeth Essex

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Reckless Brides #3.5
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay

Since Ian Worth has to take bride, he asks his superior officer about his situation. See, his older brother has been injured and isn't expected to recover fully. Ian is a Navy man and still active in his commission. His father the Viscount wants him to cancel his commission and marry so he can train him as the heir now. He knows he has to marry but he doesn't want his father's choice for his bride. Ian wants a quiet, unassuming girl. As he tells his superior about this, the man says he has a daughter, who is a spinster, who fits the bill. Ian is very interested. He tells himself that she needs to be pretty enough so he'll have no problem getting her pregnant.

Anne Lesley is the daughter/bride to be in question. She knows that she is plain and not pretty. She sees this possible marriage as her way of escaping her mother's over powering presence. She is very shy and doesn't talk much due to her self ego. After arriving at Ian's house, she overhears him saying hurtful but not unexpected things.

This was an okay read for me. It started off great but honestly, the setting was in the country and I prefer the city. I missed the ton and the shock value of their match it would've caused. Ian was a straight up ass in the beginning but finally redeemed himself. I don't know if I'll go on in the series as the sex scenes were kind of Meh for me.

The Sum Of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Smythe-Smith Quartet #3
Genre-Historical Regency Romance
Reviewed by Kay
384 pages

Julia Quinn, Julia Quinn! Why do I always push your books to the bottom of my to be read pile, only to be put in my place time and time again by your wit, writing and story telling? I don't know.
Hugh Prentice made a terrible decision in his younger days and has paid the price ever since. He challenged his friend to a duel and it left both men changed mentally and physically. Hugh has a lame leg and he shot his friend in the shoulder. His friend was exiled by Hugh's evil father until Hugh could figure out a way to bring him home. Hugh is very clever and quite obsessed with figures and sums.

Lady Sarah Pleinsworth wants to marry, not only to love but to escape having to play in the family quartet. She's a Smythe-Smith and that's what the unmarried females in her family do. The only way to escape it long term is to marry or die. She can't stand Hugh Prentice because of all that she and her family have lost due to him.

These two polar opposites made me laugh so hard. I mean laugh out loud laugh. Belly laugh! It was such a delight to watch them to fall in love. Despite their families' problems these two realized that sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you. If you haven't read Julia Quinn, you really should.

Sins Of The Highlander by Dawn Halliday

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Erotic Historical
Reviewed by Kay
158 pages

Aileen and Niall had known each other for years. They were close in age and he was her husband's trainee in a way. They formed a friendship despite her husband's physical and mental abuse. Niall realized his attraction to Aileen and left he castle but they never forgot each other.

After her husband's death, Niall is sent to bring Aileen to her brother, so he can pick her next husband. The two catch up on old times, are still hot for each other but know it can't go anywhere. One thin leads to another and they have a fling. They both know there's no future in it but can't help themselves.

Dawn Halliday writes good erotic historical romance. The love scenes were hot and plentiful. The characters were very enjoyable but I like my historical not quite so erotic. If that doesn't bother you, check out this novella about two souls bound to each other in the hills of the Scottish highlands.

When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
390 pages


Lysette needs to break a betrothal to a horrible man and escape her even worse step-father. After a severe beating from her step-father she runs away into Bayou country. She is found trying to steal a small boat and is brought back to the house of Max Vallerand. She is almost transfixed by him but thinks he would never find a red haired, freckle faced girl of eighteen attractive.
Max is blown away by the flame haired beauty his sons have accused of steal. After he finds out who she is betrothed to, he plans to ruin her where she'll have to marry him instead. Then he would get his revenge against the man he believes seduced and murdered his former wife.
I really enjoyed this book in the beginning but it started to lag in the middle. It did pick up in the end, so it's probably a three and half star book for me. I am a big Lisa Kleypas fan but I wanted more from this book than I got. I'm in a historical funk and not at all happy about it. I did find out that this book was originally another book and Kleypas rewrote it. What I mean is that it was her book but she rewrote the story because the first book didn't do well. I don't know if I'd recommend this book but I'm not sorry that I read it either.