More Quick Reviews - June

Well, since life is throwing a lot at me these days I'm posting six more quickie reviews and this will most likely be my regular format for the time being until I get over this busy time.  Not forever, but I seem to be enjoying reading these days much more than writing, so... c'est la vie.

Unveiled by Courtney Milan

Book Description:
Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family-and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance... 

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy-the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties-and the tantalizing promise of passion....

My first book by this author, I downloaded it on kindle because of all the talk of how great it was.  It's nominated for the RITA and all that, so I had to see what it was all about.  Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'm the odd one out in regard to it. I just didn't feel the love for Unveiled.  Maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of revenge themes nor of self-sacrificing types who are much too saintly - this book had both.  I grew tired of it early on.  Maybe it's me, but the lengthy deception of Margaret's, disguised as a nurse instead of the daughter of the dying duke seemed interminable. Ash's instant attraction to her was just so unbelievable and boring for me, despite the fact he is her adversary. Yes, yes there was a lot of inner turmoil and self-analysis and ultimate realization that "Gee, I guess I really don't have to be a martyr to find fulfillment!" But by that point, at the end I'd already grown bored with it all, for it was all too obvious what needed to be done on their parts.  I just wanted the book to end already and have them admit their love and to hell with their family obligations!   I found it more frustrating than anything else, although I liked Ash's brothers and am looking forward to their books.  I loved Milan's novella, Unlocked which is about Margaret's friend with the horsey laugh.  An endearing story that was 4 1/2 stars.  I don't normally like novellas, but this was an exception, a worthwhile quick read on kindle.

3/5

London's Perfect Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch

Book Description:
A determined young lady vows to give one of London's infamous rakes his comeuppance - but when the rogue turns the tables, who truly learns a lesson in love?

The ton gossips call him "Saint" - but the Marquis of St. Aubyn has well earned his reputation as London's perfect scoundrel.

Evelyn Ruddick knows she should avoid him at all costs-but the strikingly beautiful lady wants to aid the children of the Heart of Hope Orphanage, and he heads the board of trustees. Evie is determined to teach the charming, arrogant man a lesson in compassion, but it won't be so easy-especially since his touch is setting her desire aflame, making Evie yearn to submit to his passionate instruction...

The idea of joining in her "project" is unthinkable, but this enchantress refuses to give up! So what else is there for a self-respecting rake to do but seduce the lady? Yet soon it is he who is being seduced by Evie's tender heart and fiery blushes. Could the temptation of long, passionate nights in her arms bring about the impossible? Could the disreputable Saint at long last be reformed?

I don't know how Suzanne Enoch does it, but I went from loathing this scoundrel of a hero, Saint Aubyn, to loving him by the end. There's something about him that was so awful, yet he was so damned sexy and outrageous, no wonder Evie couldn't resist him. The first half of the book dragged and the entire orphanage storyline was blah and then the kidnapping scenario when Evie locks Saint in the dungeon was unbelievably far-fetched, yet it did bring life to the story and the second half was much better than the first. Nice proposal scene too.  I can't understand it, but I wound up loving this book!

4/5

The Perfect Mistress by Victoria Alexander

Book Description:
Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, has inherited a book—a very shocking book—that every gentleman in London seems to want. For a charismatic businessman, it's a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a proud, domineering earl, it means everything...

Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, can't let the obstinate Julia release the shameless memoir that could ruin his family's name. But the only way to stop her may be equally sordid—if far more pleasurable. For his rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire the book. And Harrison isn't the sort to back away from a competition with the stakes this high. Now the winner will claim both the scandalous memoirs and the heart of their lovely owner... 

I really enjoyed this romance which is the prequel to another book I loved, His Mistress by Christmas.  This is a fun Victorian historical about of an aristocratic widow in need of funds who decides to publish her g-grandmother's scandalous memoirs. In so doing, she winds up fending off the attentions of three different men who want the memoirs for their own particular reasons. Of course, the stuffiest, stodgiest and - most good looking of them all - captures her heart. Humor, passion and some deliciously awkward moments. Loved it! Much better than I thought it would be based on the mixed reviews I've read.  I enjoyed her g-grandmother's ghostly pep talks as well! 

4/5


The Snake the Crocodile & the Dog by Elizabeth Peters (audio)

Book Description:
The delightful seventh adventure for popular heroine Amelia Peabody. The 19th-century Egyptologist and her dashing husband, Emerson, return to Amarna, where they first fell in love. When Emerson is kidnapped, Amelia must rescue her husband, find the culprit, and save her marriage.

I very much enjoyed this installment of the further adventures of Amelia Peabody. Amelia and Emerson are on their own in Egypt (sans Ramses) and, as usual, someone is trying to harm them. Now an old married couple, Amelia longs for the early days of their courtship. All I can say is, be careful for what you wish for - you just might get it! Lo and behold, Emerson is kidnapped and when he is finally found he has amnesia and has no memory of ever meeting Amelia - much less marrying her! As Amelia copes with this new (but very much like the old) Emerson, they try to determine who is after them and why. Much humor (Ramses letters to his parents are hilarious) and I very much enjoyed the character of Cyrus Vandergelt, their American friend.   Barbara Rosenblat, as usual, is Amelia Peabody, she is one of the best readers out there in the audiobook world!  All her voices, whether it's Amelia, Emerson, Cyrus or Ramses - great, great, great!

4/5 

The Bridal Season by Connie Brockway

Book Description:
Letty Potts has gotten into a few fixes in her twenty-five years, but this is her worst predicament yet. A petty schemer by necessity, the struggling music hall performer has decided to go straight. But after narrowly escaping the wrath of her partner in crime, she finds herself at Paddington Station with nothing but the gown she's wearing ... and another woman's train ticket clutched in her hand. Now masquerading as the redoubtable "Lady Agatha," of Whyte Wedding Celebrations, Letty arrives in the backwater burg of Little Bidewell, where she is to arrange the nuptials of a young society bride.

Amid the dizzying whirl of pre-wedding festivities, nobody suspects Letty's secret ... except the sensual and aristocratic Sir Elliot March. A war hero who has forsworn love, Elliot senses something decidedly amiss about this outspoken young woman. Yet she awakens a passionate yearning he'd thought was lost to him forever. And soon a desperate masquerade embroils them both in a web of scandal and danger as Letty's past catches up with her - threatening their lives ... and a love without peer.

An entertaining and different Victorian historical, not your run of the mill... Letty Potts, an actress, finds herself in the unusual role of impersonating Lady Agatha Whyte, a wedding planner who has run off to get married to a Frenchman. Picking up the reins (against her own better judgment) she enters into the role of wedding planner with gusto, orchestrating a high society wedding in the remote village of Little Bidewell, in Northumberland. This serves her purposes just fine, for she is in hiding from her ruthless ex-boyfriend and former partner in crime, Nick Sparkles. Having dabbled in a many a con game with Nick, she wants no more part in his schemes. Little does she know that while in Little Bidewell she meets the man of her dreams - Sir Elliot March. Tall, dark and handsome - he's also the local constable. Uh-oh. Will he be able to see past her beauty and vivacious personality and realize she's really a fake? What will happen when he learns the woman he's falling in love with is a liar who has hurt not only him, but the rest of Little Bidewell? A quirky and fun Connie Brockway romance that kept my interest until the very end.

4/5 

The Indiscretion by Judith Ivory

Book Description:
Lady Lydia Bedford-Browne's small rebellion becomes the adventure of her life, when her coach crashes and leaves her stranded on the treacherous Dartmoor with the only other passenger: a rugged, disarmingly attractive Texan named Sam Cody. Sam's slow, melodic drawl and dark, hypnotic eyes tempt Lydia in ways she never thought possible. But dare the lord's daughter loosen her proper English restraints any further?

Foul luck has caused the dashing American millionaire to miss his own wedding to an unforgiving bride...for the second time! Worse still,he's stuck in the middle of nowhere with a straight-laced noble beauty. But there is an unmistakable spark of courage, sensuality, and wild passion beneath Liddy's prim exterior, daring Sam to pursue even further what his heart and his soul now desperately desire - even though both the Texan's and the lady's vastly different worlds will be rocked if they dare surrender to...The Indiscretion. 

Another winner by Ivory with an endearing hero and heroine. Sam and Liddy make a great pair. The book is broken up into two parts. Part one takes place as Sam, a cowboy from Texas at the turn of the century and Liddy, the aristocratic daughter of a viscount, are lost together on the Dartmoor in England for four days - and nights. Much happens as they get to know one another intimately (the peeing sequence was a bit over the top, but I will overlook it since I loved the book overall).  Eventually they become lovers. Their time together is idyllic and sensually romantic. What a pleasure to see how they savor their time together, love mad with touching and coupling. As if they are honeymooners.  The love scenes are really sensational - especially their first.  But reality steps in when they are found and so begins Part Two of the book when Liddy finds out who Sam really is, and that he's not just some nobody cow poke from America. She's afraid to admit her feelings towards him and acknowledge him in public, when it's obvious he wants to court her and continue on with their relationship. She's afraid that their secret of what they did on the moor will get out.  What they had on the moor was special and unforgettable and she doesn't want it tainted by a scandal.  Obviously, she's not thinking clearly when he obviously wants to marry her, yet she keeps pushing him away!  I found the second part of the book sad, frustrating, heartbreaking - and hard to put down. Fortunately, there is a happy ending.  As a bonus, I was enamored of Liddy's prowess at archery which added a new dimension to her character.  Overall, a different romance with top notch leads and Ivory is easily one of my favorite romance authors now.  Very, very special.

4/5

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The Other Guy's Bride by Connie Brockway

Book Description:
Determined to prove her worth as a budding archaeologist, Genisse Braxton vows to solve one of the world's greatest mysteries-to find the location of the lost city of Zerzura. Unfortunately, no man dares take the risk of escorting the resolute young scholar across the open desert. But on her way to Egypt, Genisse engages in a daring deception-she will switch places with Mildred Whimpelhall, who is traveling to meet her fiancé.

Cynical adventurer Jim Owen will do anything to escape the dark secrets of his troubled past. Betrayed by the woman he loved, scorned by proper society, he agrees to carry out a danger-fraught task: escort Mildred Whimpelhall across a lawless desert to her intended. But Jim is about to learn that "Mildred" isn't exactly what she seems...and the dangers they face together are eclipsed only by an even greater peril: falling in love, against all reason, with another guy's bride...

Quickie Review:  At long last a sequel to As You Desire, one of my favorite historical romances!  I must mention that this book is a first for Connie Brockway, who decided to break away from the traditional publishing world by "going rogue" and self publish this e-book.  Then Amazon made a deal with her to publish it in print as well, so she had the best of both worlds.  Tired of having to kowtow to what her publishers wanted her to write, she wanted the freedom to write what she wanted to write! I applaud her courage to break away and - I'm so glad she did!

This story revolves around the daughter of Harry and Dizzy Braxton from As You Desire.  Ginny, following in her parent's footsteps, has a passion for archeology, but she is chagrined because no one will take her seriously.   Plus, her tendency to wreak havoc wherever she goes has given her a reputation amongst the locals - avoid at all costs!  No one wants anything to do with her, convinced she is a jinx.  Certain she has made a new and spectacular discovery, she sneaks off to the Saharan desert passing herself off as the fiancée of the commander of a British outpost in the middle of nowhere. Her guide is Jim Owens, a quasi American cowboy who's a scoundrel but knows his way in the desert.  The commander of the post has hired Owens to escort his fiancée, Miss Whimpelhall, since Owens owes him a big favor.  Of course, no one has any idea that Miss Whimpelhall got seasick and decided to take a different route to Egypt.  Ginny, a fellow passenger on their ship, takes advantage of Miss Whimpelhall's change of plans and blithely dyes her hair a garish henna red and "becomes" Miss Whimpelhall.

In Cairo, Ginny and Jim hook up and their journey together begins.  It soon become clear that Ginny is a magnet for problems and small catastrophes.  Yet Jim still finds himself falling in love with her. Ginny is just as you'd expect Dizzy and Harry's daughter to be, she holds her own against Jim, although their constant bickering and miscommunication with one another after her identity is  revealed grew tedious and frustrating. Still, the ending was very romantic, which made up for some weaker parts in the middle in the book.  But overall, this was a real treat.  Ginny and Jim are a great pair and I loved his secret and the way it all unfolds - it really was a fun plot line with lots of humor that is expected with a Connie Brockway novel, adventure, sand storms, kidnappings and even some glimpses of Harry and Dizzy as parents to their large brood of children!  (I loved Harry's reaction when he finds out his daughter has been alone - in a cave - with the notorious Jim Owens!)  It all made for a very satisfying read!  *clapping*

4/5

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McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One by Connie Brockway

Book Description:
They are the Merricks, two brothers and a sister, restless, daring, proud. English by birth, they came to Scotland with their father to occupy McClairen lands. And there each would find a love as wild and glorious as the Highland isle they claimed as their own.  Fia, the only daughter, is the ravishing one. Raine, the second son, is the reckless one. Ashton is the eldest son. This is his story. . . . The Passionate One.

He was a notorious rogue with a reputation for hell-raising and heartbreaking. But family secrets forced Ashton Merrick to do his ruthless father's bidding - and escort Rhiannon Russell back to McClairen's Isle. Ash suspected that his father intended to make the innocent beauty his fourth wife. But he didn't expect the passions she would ignite in his own wary heart.

I had a hard time getting into this complicated Georgian romance that has two distinct parts to it: before the hero abducts the heroine on his father's behalf and after the abduction.  By the second part he's fallen in love with her and decides he must protect her from his dastardly father, but if he does, he might not get the money his father promised him that he can use to pay the ransom to free his brother Raine from a French prison. I told you it was complicated.

The first two books I read by Connie Brockway (As You Desire and My Dearest Enemy) were great, I simply loved them.  But this one was a miss and I'm starting to see a pattern, for the last book I read of hers, My Seduction, didn't wow me either.  The humor and clever dialogue that goes on between the hero and heroine from the first two books was missing.  Where were the exotic locations and smart and talented heroines against type?

McClairen's Island is a small island in northern Scotland that is occupied by an Englishman, Merrick, who doesn't really own it, but through marriage he's taken it over and converted the original castle into a showplace.  It's complicated, but the gist of it is, we don't like Merrick.  He has a notorious reputation which has exiled him at the king's request from London.  Did he or did he not kill his former wives to gain their fortunes and land?  He is greedy and ruthless, not even paying the ransom to free his grown sons from a French  prison.

Due to a series of events the father has sent his son Ashton to this little village in Scotland to bring back the young woman who is his "ward."  Ashton is under the thumb of his father who makes Ashton do his bidding by promising him the money to release Raine from the French prison.  Ashton travels to the village and finds Rhiannon and he is immediately smitten by her.  Orphaned as a child, Rhiannon has lived a quiet life in the village after escaping and overcoming a horrific childhood in the Scottish Highlands during the aftermath of Culloden.  When the handsome and debonair Ash shows up she is taken by surprise.  Long ago as a child, she had sought his father's help, but he had turned her away at his door.  By remarkable chance she was taken in by some kind and caring people who raised her as if she were their daughter.  Now engaged to be married to the local "most eligible bachelor" Rhiannon doesn't want to go north to McClairen's Isle, despite the fact she is drawn to Ash, and the feeling is mutual.  As Ash gets to know her better he avoids carrying out his father's wishes, for he knows his father must have some ulterior motive and Ash doesn't want to see anything bad happen to Rhiannon.  But, as it turns out, there have already been a few "accidents" that have happened to her and Ash is convinced someone is trying to kill her.  Who is behind these near misses and accidents and how can he keep her safe?

Feelings between Rhiannon and Ash are building, the sexual tension is rising.  Finally, just before Rhiannon's wedding day she and Ash have this mystical sexual encounter on Beltane Eve when everyone throws cares to the wind and sneaks off into the woods.  The next day Rhiannon, full of righteous guilt, feels she must admit the truth to her fiance.  But, Ash prevents her from spilling the beans, a whole lot happens, and Ash believes her fiance is the one trying to kill her.  So what does he do?  He kidnaps her (for her own safety) and takes her to his father!

They travel together on horseback.  She is furious with him and is an unwilling captive.  The road to McClairen's Isle is a long one and they have an arduous journey but eventually they get there.  Their trek together did not endear him to her.  Yet, he's the only life line she has.  As soon as they arrive, Rhiannon is uncomfortable amidst the garish splendor of the house Merrick has converted into a pleasure palace full of iniquity and vice.   Ash's father is up to something in regard to Rhiannon and Ash is busy trying to figure it out without giving himself away to his father.  If his father gets any inkling of Ash's true feelings towards Rhiannon he'll use it against him so Ash must treat Rhiannon as if she means nothing to him. He is torn.  He wants to leave McClairen's Isle to free his brother in France, but he doesn't want to leave Rhiannon behind at the mercy of his despicable father.

The crux of it is, Ash must choose.  Rhiannon who wants nothing to do with him - and who he has fallen in love with?  Or his brother, Rhiannon, who is far away and may be dying in a French jail?

Overall this wasn't bad, but it just did not live up to the high standard I expected from a Connie Brockway story.  I didn't care a whole lot about either the hero or heroine.  I felt she was too naive most of the time and I couldn't decide whether I liked Ash or not, I didn't feel much sympathy for him for some reason.   The two characters that were the most interesting in the book where side characters who will bear great significance in the future.  One is the true heir to McClairen's Isle, though no one knows it yet.  I suspect he'll wind up with Ash's teenage sister, Fia, who's much older than her fifteen years and is the other interesting character that shows promise.   I will probably read the rest of this series eventually, just to see what happens to them, but not anytime soon.

3.5/5

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My Seduction by Connie Brockway

 Book Description:
Connie Brockway sweeps readers back to the rough beauty of Regency-era Scotland and into the scintillating, passionate, and surprising love story of a mysterious Highlander and the woman he is pledged to protect.  Desperate to keep her two sisters and herself from the poorhouse, Kate Nash Blackburn embarks upon a journey to northern Scotland, where she hopes to gain the gratitude and patronage of a wealthy marquis. When fate maroons her at a tavern full of ruffians, a brawny Highland soldier comes to her rescue. It's Kit MacNeill, the man whose pledge to her family has haunted her for years. When he offers to escort Kate through the treacherous Highlands to Castle Parnell, she accepts even though her instincts warn her against trusting this rough and dangerous man. But soon Kate is startled by the Highlander's cultured speech and courtly manners. Who is this man of contradictions, shaped by a shadowy past, who fiercely wards off an attempt on her life, whose broad shoulders beckon her touch, and in whose arms she comes fully alive?

I had high hopes for this book.  Why?  1) I love Connie Brockway and 2) It takes place in the Scottish Highlands.  Unfortunately, I was disappointed with it.  It wasn't nearly as good as the other Connie Brockway's I've read.  One of the things that I love about Connie Brockway is the clever humor in her books.  This had none.  It was pure melodrama.  Plus, it didn't really get good until half way through the book.   Her mysterious Scottish highlander hero lacked development as well as her heroine.  I just never got inside their heads enough to care about them - what happened?

Kate Nash is a young and pretty - though impoverished - English widow.  Albeit from a good family, her father died, leaving Kate, her sisters and mother virtually penniless.  Their mother died soon after.  The circumstances of their father's death was one in which he sacrificed himself in order to release three men who were jailed in a French prison.  The three men who all come from the same remote orphanage in the Scottish Highlands are spies of a sort.  They are "rose hunters," part of an order sworn to secrecy to fight France - covertly - during the war.  To repay the debt they owe the girls' father, they vow to protect the Nash women if ever they are in need.

Kate finds the whole thing somewhat ridiculous and discounts their oath and forgets about it. But as a few years go by and money has become scarcer, she decides to visit Castle Parnell which belongs to a rich viscount who once showed some interest in her.  He is the brother-in-law of her selfish cousin who died in a boating accident with his brother.  The castle is far away in Northern Scotland, but she embarks on the journey, for she is desperate.  Hoping the viscount will help her with money if she asks, this seems like her last hope.  One mishap after another happens on the long road north and just when it looks like her luck has run out for good, alone in a disreputable inn about to become dessert for several unsavory miscreants, a savior appears and rescues her.

It turns out it's Kit MacNeill, one of the three rose hunters that vowed to protect her and her sisters three years earlier.  But, he's nearly unrecognizable to Kate after three years.  Swarthier, weathered, older looking, he has the look of experience and danger about him.  How did he know where she was - is it a coincidence he should just turn up in the middle of nowhere and in the nick of time?  Of course not.  He works in mysterious ways and for the majority of the book, Kate is in the dark about who he is and his background.  But, after beating up her unworthy driver, he offers to take her the rest of the way to Castle Parnell, which is still a great distance. 

Unaccountably attracted to him, but also repelled by his coarse manners and abrupt style, she accepts his offer and they must make do in each other's company.  He does keep her safe and they gradually grow to care for one another along the road until they reach the Castle.  It has been a long, hard, cold journey.  Their last night on the road, they give into their feelings for one another and spend the night together.  It is blissful and magic, but no one can ever know about it.  Kate and Kit don't expect to see each other again once he delivers her to the viscount. But, it turns out there is danger from smugglers and Kate learns her cousin and the viscount's brother were actually murdered.  Kit is invited to stay at the Castle by the viscount, who seems like a decent guy, but this only makes the situation between Kit and Kate that much more unbearable.  They have to pretend nothing went on between them, only Kate is realizing she is in love with Kit, and vice versa.  Kate was hard to figure out, I couldn't decide whether I liked her or not at first, but then she grew on me.  I think I definitely would have liked the book more if she had been more endearing to me from the beginning. I understood her transformation, but she was prickly - and not in a good way.

Brockway's writing is usually wonderful, but the pace of this book was plodding and slow, not the usual snappy dialogue and quick repartee's between the hero and heroine.  There was no sparkle between Kit and Kate (their names coupled together made me cross-eyed!)  The first half of the book took forever for me to get through, but once they had their night together and were at the Castle it picked up considerably. 

The key that turned the book around for me was when they finally realized they love one another and the story became poignant.  I had warmed to Kate by then, and the plot moved at a quicker pace.  Phew!  That long trek in the cold was over!   But, our hero and heroine have a major dilemma on their hands.   Kate needs money and Kit doesn't have any, so even though she's mad about him, she must cultivate the viscount and sacrifice herself. The viscount wasn't a bad man and he seemed to be truly interested in Kate.  But he wasn't Kit!  She didn't love the viscount.  Can love win out and will Kate realize she has to follow her heart and conscience?   In addition, Kit has his own qualms and insecurities to deal with.  As an officer in the army (he is on leave) he can't possibly expect Kate to follow him if he asks her to marry him.  He's a nobody, an orphan, the son of a whore.  He feels unworthy of her.  Both are unaware of each other's feelings - the usual miscommunication.  Their problem was a poignant one, particularly when Kate thinks she's saying good-bye to Kit for the last time.   A wave and he was gone...

Even though I was disappointed with the book compared to her others, it wasn't actually bad, just not what I expected from her.  I liked the way it all came around at the end with the discovery of who the real villain was and why her cousin and the viscount's brother were killed.  This is the first in the Rose Hunters Trilogy, in which we find out what happens with the other two Scotsmen who were let go at the same time from that French prison.  I'm curious about them and who will get paired up with who regarding Kate's sisters.   
 

3.5/5

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My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway

Book Description:
Breathtakingly romantic, startlingly original, Connie Brockway's novels have captured the hearts of readers and the raves of critics everywhere.  Now she brings you a unique and unforgettable love story that begins with a series of letters between a world-weary adventurer and the woman whose love brings him home. 

Dear Mr.  Thorne, 

I give you fair warning.  I intend to do whatever I must to abide by your late uncle's will and win Mill House.  Though I know he never expected me to succeed, and for whatever reasons is using me to shame you, I accept his challenge.  For the next five years, I will profitably manage this estate.  I will deliver to you an allowance and I will prove that women are just as capable as men.  And at the end, I shall accept Mill House as my reward.  

Sincerely,

Lillian Bede 

My Dear Miss Bede, 

Forgive me if I fail to shudder.  Pray, do whatever you bloody well want, can, or must.  I shall look forward to making your acquaintance in my lawyer's office five years hence, when I take possession of Mill House.

Avery Thorne

This was a delightful book, I'm realizing I love Connie Brockway, her novels have loads of humor, passion and just the right amount of seriousness to them to make them memorable and not too "fluffy."   I loved the fast pace and quick wit.  It's an amusing and clever story about how two people both vying to win a stately manor wind up falling in love with each other, despite their opposing objectives. Their "courtship" begins through a series of barbed letters filled with insults over the course of nearly five years.  What happens to them when they finally meet in person is delicious.  Plus, there are other facets to this story that give it depth and poignancy.  A great read and I read it in one day -  I love, love, loved it!

Lillian Bede is the unlikely beneficiary to the estate of Mill House that an older friend has left her. But, his will stipulates that she has to make a success of it in order for her to keep it after five years, otherwise the estate reverts to his nephew, Avery Thorne.  Not easy for a young woman under the age of 20, even though she is known for her outspoken ways.  Lily is a suffragette and a firm believer in women's rights.  I liked this unique quality in a heroine and it fits in well with the Victorian setting of the novel.  She is no shrinking violet and has - spunk!  Avery Thorne, who thought he'd be the heir to the estate graciously accepts defeat - for a time.  He's certain this nobody, Ms. Bede is not going to be able to manage the estate by herself and in five years it will be in a shambles.  Thus, he will eventually come into his rightful inheritence.

So, for the next five years, Avery gallivants around the world, biding his time.  Traveling to places like Africa and South America, he writes and publishes stories of his travels on safari and lost civilizations.  Fighting crocodiles and braving several near death experiences, he becomes fairly well known for his adventures - and every young boy's idol - including his young nephew who is back at Mill House with Ms. Bede.  Avery wasn't always the adventurer, though.  An asthmatic, he was perceived to be a weak and sickly young boy, but as an adult he learned to avoid those things that set off his asthma attacks - horses.  It turns out his young ward (and nephew) has the same malady.  Avery's world wide adventures have made him strong and robust.  These five years have done wonders for him! 

Something else has happened during those five years.  Against his will, he's developed a strong appreciation for Ms. Bede.  And vice versa.  Their correspondence over the years is hilarious to read about, each letter outdoing the last in blistering observations and sarcasm.  Ms. Bede is a force to be reckoned with.  Avery reads her letters aloud to his safari friends and cohorts - who all have fallen in love with her from afar.  What will Avery think of her when he finally meets her in person?

I can assure you, their meeting is everything the reader hopes it will be.  The two of them carry on just as unlikely a courtship in person as on paper.  There is much humor and ultimate passion between them.  Avery is a gentleman and I loved his character.  Even though he expects to take over Mill House eventually, not all turns out as he expects.  His honor and heritage are the backbone of how he behaves and believes - and instructs to his nephew, who needs a father figure in his life.  Once he meets Lily and falls in love with her, how can he reconcile ousting her from Mill House yet keeping her in his life?  What would be the honorable and gentlemanly thing to do?  And how can he do it without hurting her own sense of pride and self reliance?

The various plot-lines, aside from the main story between Lillian and Avery also kept my interest.  I enjoyed reading about the developing relationship between Avery and his nephew and how he helps him overcome his asthma.  I enjoyed Avery's non-conformist sister, who is known for her lascivious ways.  I was interested in the friendship that develops between his sister-in-law, who feared her dead husband (Avery's brother) and Lily's suffragette friend (who's staying at the house due to a broken leg).  I kept thinking that they'd turn out to be more than just friends. ;)  But most of all I liked the theme of survival and overcoming adversity - whether it's fear, a malady like asthma, or just being a woman in a man's society.

If you like historical romances, not unlike Julia Quinn's, with lots of humor and a good plot line with some tenderness and passion, this will be right up your alley.  I happen to love this combination.  This book is a gem and a worthwhile read.  The letters were my favorite part of the book, actually.  So sharp and spirited - just plain clever!  I highly recommend My Dearest Enemy and I look forward to reading all of her books! 

4.5/5

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As You Desire by Connie Brockway

Book Description:
He galloped across the midnight-shrouded landscape, racing toward her on his pure white steed.

Her destiny...

In her wildest fantasies Desdemona Carlisle could not have conjured a more dashing savior, and this was real. But an unlikelier hero was hard to find. Harry Braxton was a rogue, a scoundrel, and a born opportunist who had already broken her heart once. How could she ever trust a notorious rake who came with a warning: lover, beware...

With her bronze-gold hair and quicksilver grace, the sloe-eyed beauty was every man's desire and one man's sole passion. But the secret that had made Harry an exile also made it impossible for him to offer Desdemona more that friendship. Until his aristocratic cousin laid siege to Desdemona's heart and Harry, damning the consequences, vowed to do anything, give anything, to claim her for him own...

I really enjoyed this romance!

Having no idea what I was in for, I loved this witty, evocative Victorian historical set in Cairo of the 1890's. Harry is surprisingly endearing as the rapscallion hero, and Desdemona (I preferred her nickname of "Dizzy") was delightful! The story is not your standard romance at all, both hero and heroine are already well acquainted with one another - flaws and all. Both are in love with each other, yet neither one of them is about to admit it to the other! They're both under the wrong impression that he doesn't want her, and she won't want him, but of course over the course of this charming romance, they realize how wrong they are and love triumphs over all!

Dizzy, orphaned as a young teenager, is a child prodigy in languages, she now earns money translating in twelve different languages. She lives with her grandfather, an Egyptian archeologist, in Cairo. There she has gotten to know many of the other internationals who are in the same related business, one of whom is Harry Braxton, our hero. The two have a singular relationship. Having thrown herself at him three years earlier at the height of her teenage crush, she was handily rebuffed by Harry who knew better than to get involved with a seventeen year old girl - no matter how appealing she may be. Now, older and wiser, she has convinced herself she is "over him." Instead, her guilty pleasure is secretly reading sappy romance novels (imagine that!) and fantasizing that someday she will meet her knight in shining armor who will rescue her from the Egyptian desert and sweep her off her feet to his manor in jolly old England. Amazingly enough Harry's cousin, Blake Ravenscroft, just happens to be visiting from England and he own a manor! Fancy that!

Dizzy is a darling with Harry. Their rapport together is delicious whether they are arguing or making up. No matter what Dizzy may say to herself, she's still in love with him. Harry loves Dizzy as well, but he carries a secret with him that he fears will prevent her from loving him. He can't read. Nowadays, Harry's affliction is known as dyslexia, but in the 1890's, his affliction is looked upon as if he is retarded, an embarrassment. But, in Egypt he has found his calling, he can read glyphs with no problem, and he can also speak dozens of various dialects and languages - he's a genius actually and has been quite successful in his field. The two of them make a natural pair - she can read and write languages, but can't speak them, and he's a pro at speaking them, yet can't read and write!

There is plenty of adventure in this story, Dizzy is kidnapped more than once, but she's so cute and ingenuous, you don't think of the danger. The storyline is more on the lighthearted side with some serious overtones in regard to the stigma of dyslexia and how Harry had been so misunderstood while growing up in England. Dizzy has her childhood issues as well, not having a real childhood since she was trotted out over and over again all over the world as a linguistic child prodigy. Despite her unorthodox upbringing, she is free of affectations which is refreshing. She's brave and bold, and can hold her own whether she is bartering over prices in the market or smoking hashish in a hookah. She's simply adorable. The triangle that is created between Dizzy and Harry and his cousin Blake is fun to read about. Of course, as the reader, we are privy to everyone's secrets, yet the major players are not. It's fun to see how everything plays out. Who is trying to kill Harry? Will Blake succeed in capturing Dizzy's heart? Will Harry come clean and admit to Dizzy he cannot read? Will Harry tell Dizzy he loves her?

By the time the story unfolds and comes to an end, there is lots of action and I was smitten with Harry and ultimately happy for them both. This is a worthwhile read and I'm glad I gave it a go, my first by this author. It was well written and a pleasure, I looked forward to reading it every night after work and kept thinking about the characters. Harry has become one of my favorite disreputable heroes now. If you're into historical settings that are not set in London but have a more exotic locale with some humor and adventure, give this one a try, you'll probably love it!

4.5/5

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