Forbidden to Love the Duke - Jillian Hunter (Signet - Feb 2015)

Series: Fenwick Sisters Affairs (Book 1)

Lady Ivy Fenwick is desperate. Since her father's fatal duel, she and her sisters have sold off every valuable possession to make ends meet. With the manor stripped bare, Ivy has one last resort: Apply as governess to the Duke of Ellsworth's wards.

James should have known better than to hire the desirable lady who had fallen on hard times--and who tempts him at every turn. As her employer, he tries valiantly to remain noble and not let a kiss they shared as strangers years ago entice him. Yet the more he learns of Ivy's secrets, the more he wants her. And when another suitor proves aggressive, James is confronted with a challenge: Surrender Ivy or fight for the woman he's come to love against all odds, knowing that it takes a scoundrel to trump a scoundrel.

Good book. James and Ivy had met briefly five years earlier at the first ball she attended. James was a soldier, headed off to war the next day. They shared a kiss that neither has ever forgotten. Life intervened and they hadn't seen each other since.

Now, Ivy and her sisters live in seclusion at Fenwick Manor. The night of the ball her father was accused of cheating at cards and was killed in a duel. Since then, Ivy and her sisters have been scrimping and saving to pay off his debts. They have finally succeeded in that, but if they are going to keep their home they need some income. Ivy decides that she will find a position as a governess.

James recently returned from the war with a career ending injury. After his father's death it's up to him to fulfill his ducal duties. He's not quite ready to marry and have kids, so he decides to invite a potential mistress to his home and live  it up for a few weeks first. On his way to his estate, he passes Fenwick and decides he wants to buy it, whether the owner wants to sell or not. His encounter in the garden is pretty amusing. When he arrives at his home, he discovers his niece and nephew in residence. His brother is still at war and the children's mother has run off with her lover. He doesn't want to change his plans with his mistress, so he decides to hire a governess. His first interview is with Ivy who he recognizes and decides to hire. 

The attraction is still there, but they initially plan to ignore it, even though a shared kiss is inflammatory. Ivy needs the money and James still wants his time to play. But resistance is futile and James soon decides that Ivy would be the perfect wife for him. He just needs to woo her to his way of thinking. The chemistry between them is hot, and they discover that they can't keep their hands off each other. Another man shows up, wanting to court Ivy, which gives James more motivation to claim Ivy as quickly as he can.

The other man, Oliver, actually has more on his mind than winning Ivy. She is just the means to an end. He has heard that there is a treasure hidden at Fenwick and he wants it. Though he is pursuing Ivy, he also wonders if he'd do better to go after one of the other sisters instead. Though his reasons for being there aren't the best, he does have some redeeming qualities. There's also a surprise connection to the prospective mistress. In the end, Oliver ends up on the right side of the issues. I have a feeling he'll be playing a larger role in a future book.

I liked seeing the relationship develop between Ivy and James, though I sometimes felt that he was relying too much on the physical to win her. I enjoyed his protectiveness as the strange happenings at Fenwick Manor became more dangerous. I also liked the way Ivy took care of James when his war injury flared up. The epilogue was great and shows good promise for their future.

The mystery of the Fenwick treasure ran throughout the book. Oliver certainly created some real problems for them with his pursuit of it. I didn't feel like there was a real resolution with it, so I expect that it will show up again in later books.

Too Dangerous for a Lady - Jo Beverley (Signet - Apr 2015)

Series: Company of Rogues (Book 15)

Lady Hermione Merryhew, daughter of an impoverished marquess, already has her share of problems. The last thing she needs is an intruder in her bedroom, especially not a fugitive thief. She should scream, but the shabby rascal is a man from her past.

Six years ago, at her first ball, dashing Lieutenant Mark Thayne failed to steal a kiss, but succeeded in stealing a little of her heart. She's older and wiser now. She can't toss him to the wolves. Besides, she wants that kiss.

Now Viscount Faringay, Mark has never forgotten Lady Hermione, but he mustn't involve her in his dangerous life. He's infiltrated the Crimson Band, violent revolutionaries who plan a bloodbath in London, and if he survives the night he will be able to destroy them. Hermione is involved, however, and only he can protect her.

Very good book. It's been awhile since I've read a Rogues book and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them. It starts out quickly with the heroine, Hermione, having an intruder in her room. Being of a fairly even temperament, she stays calm and realizes that the intruder is someone she knows. Years earlier, she had met him at a ball, as a seventeen year old debutante, and he was a nineteen year old Lieutenant, headed off to war. Now he appears to have taken to a life of crime, but her heart won't let her expose him, so she allows him to hide out in her room. 

Mark remembers Hermione very well, but doesn't want to put her in danger. He's gone undercover to stop a group bent on starting a violent revolution. He's stolen some papers that will expose them, if he can escape and get them to the authorities. Though he didn't mean to get her involved, his actions have put her in danger, so he must find a way to protect her and continue his mission.

I loved the relationship that grew between them. Their encounter in her room brought back their memories of the event and rekindled their feelings. But Mark has to continue his deception in order to reach his goal of stopping the revolutionaries. Hermione is a very practical person, but still has a touch of the romantic in her soul and continues to carry the uniform button Mark gave her all those years ago. Mark has a more passionate nature, hence his devotion to stopping the ringleaders, and also still carries the silk rose she gave him. 

Mark has inadvertently put Hermione in danger and is determined to keep her safe. This is hard to do when he can't tell her exactly why. She resists being told what to do, and their conversations as he tries to convince her show their personalities. She is practical and independent and he is passionate and protective. Those conversations also bring them closer together, and their connection can't be denied. When Hermione ends up in London, assisting an elderly relative, it puts her in more danger. Mark has to balance his need to keep her safe, and his need to stop the revolutionaries. Eventually he has to tell her the truth and engage her help. This is where they really start to mesh as a couple. I really liked the way that Hermione had of looking at things from a practical side and pointing out things that Mark hadn't considered. This, in turn, gave Mark a more logical way of looking at things. 

The part where they reach London is where the action really begins to intensify. Mark attempts to sow discord among the ringleaders before abandoning his disguise. The search is on for the Frenchwoman who is behind some of the worst of the problems, and who plans some kind of explosive disaster. A mix up relating to Mark's disguise has Hermione believing he is dead, and help from an unexpected source brings them back together. The final confrontation was well done, with just enough danger to keep it interesting. 

The secondary story of Hermione and her Uncle Edgar was really good. I really liked the way that she was determined to stay with him and help him recover, whether he left money to her and her sister or not. The relationship between the two of them was fun, with his grumpy old man attitude and her ability to deal with it. It was through this part of the story that the Rogues made their appearance, with her late brother having been one of their group at school. It was fun to see Hermione try to deal with Nick Delaney and his way of doing things, but also wonderful to see the way he was there to help her when she needed him. Hermione's exposure to Rogue wife Beth Arden was also an eye opener for her, and gave her some extra confidence. And of course, the Rogues themselves end up having a part in Mark's mission, in their own special ways.

Lord Havelock's List - Annie Burrows (HH #1200 - Sept 2014)

Be careful what you wish for…

Lord Havelock is in need of a wife. But with no time for a society wedding and no stomach for girlish fripperies, his options are limited. So with help from his friends, he draws up a list of qualities he does desire in a wife….

When orphaned Mary Carpenter discovers her handsome new husband's list, she's hurt -- and incensed. If he thinks she'll sit meekly by, be "compliant" and "a mouse," he's got another think coming! Is it perhaps time for Mary to make a list of her own, and change the rules of their relationship forever…?

Very good book, with two characters who don't fit the usual type in these stories. Mary, while having noble blood, isn't a member of high society. Recently orphaned and without resources, she has been bounced from relative to relative until landing where she is. The Paregeters are distant relatives, but make room for her in their lives. She is thankful for the home, but determined to make her own way as soon as possible. She has no desire to be married, as her observations of her parents' marriage had turned her against it. Her father had had a bad temper and a controlling nature.

Lord Havelock is a viscount, wealthy and good looking, but that's about it. He has a short temper and very few social graces. He is definitely not a smooth talker and tends to be quite blunt in his speech. He also has a very complicated family life, which has left him with no desire to be married and definitely no wish to be "in love." When he finds himself in need of a wife, in order to make a home for his younger half-sister, he goes to his friends for help. 

I felt a bit sorry for Lord Havelock. He had an idea of what he wanted, but not how to go about finding it. The list making scene was pretty funny. When Morgan took him to the ball to introduce him to possible candidates, he felt really out of place. I loved the way he immediately noticed Mary, and wanted to get to know her. His awkwardness at supper was both painful and sweet, as he really wanted to make a good impression on her. But he was determined and over the next few days pursued her hard.

Mary didn't intend to accept his suit, but once he explained why he needed a wife she was tempted, especially as he offered her the chance to have the things she wanted. All she had asked for was security and to be left to live her own life as much as possible. She considers herself too plain to appeal to a man anyway. 

I loved the interactions between Havelock and Mary. Obviously, they don't really know each other, but there had been an immediate connection between them. Part of that connection is the intense attraction that flares between them. Both had agreed that they wanted a child soon, so as to take advantage of their attraction before it disappeared, as both believe it will, thanks to their past exposures to marriage. When Mary stumbles onto the list that Havelock had made, she is hurt by the descriptions she read, and determined to be more than he had described. I liked seeing her develop a bit more of a backbone than she had seemed to have at the beginning.

It was great fun to see their arrival at his estate, only to discover that there was no one there to meet them and take care of them. Having to work together also brought them closer. I loved seeing how Mary came to realize that, though Havelock had a temper, he was not like her father. It was really sweet to see the way that he would apologize after a display of anger. I also enjoyed seeing how Havelock came to appreciate Mary's abilities. There were some really romantic scenes between them, even though neither of them thought of them that way. But when the staff returned, Mary and Havelock ran into problems as their own beliefs and expectations resurfaced. When Havelock's sister arrived, Mary's self doubts came back, causing her to pull away from him. At the same time, Havelock didn't know how to make things right. Mary's frustration and hurt sends her off to London by herself, though she does leave something behind for him to think about.

The ending was fantastic, with both Havelock and Mary realizing they had made some mistakes along the way. Havelock was awkward and sweet as he made his confession and I loved the effect it had on Mary. The only thing that could have made it any better would be an epilogue a year or so later, to see how they are doing.

If the Viscount Falls - Sabrina Jeffries (Pocket - Feb 2015)

Series: Duke's Men (Book 4)

Dominick Manton once had his heart's desire within reach -- a bright future as a barrister and engagement to Jane Vernon, a wealthy baron's daughter. Then his brother snatched away Dom's inheritance -- and his ability to give Jane a secure future. Brokenhearted, unable to end their engagement himself without destroying Jane's reputation, Dom pretends to betray her to convince her to break their relationship off.

Now he is the Viscount Rathmoor, and when his brother's widow goes missing, a panicked Jane asks him to track down her dear friend. Dom knows his past mistakes may be unforgivable. But now, entangled together in mystery and danger... will they rekindle the passion that was never really lost?

Final book in the series and an excellent wrap up to the trials of the siblings. In the previous books we saw that George, Viscount Rathmoor was a truly nasty piece of work. He managed to disinherit his half siblings, tried to get his half brother hanged, and forced his own brother to give up his inheritance. This made it impossible for Dom to give his fiancee Jane the future they had planned. Stubborn Jane refused to break their engagement, so he tricked her into doing it, breaking both their hearts.

Twelve years later Dom is the head of his own detective agency when Jane shows up at his door asking for his help. Her cousin, who is also his late brother's widow, is missing and she wants Dom to find her. Thanks to his exposure to the seedier side of life, Dom is convinced that Nancy has run off with a lover, but Jane is sure that she's in trouble. Jane is no longer a naive young woman willing to take Dom's word, and makes it clear she'll find out the truth, with or without his help. Having never lost his feelings for her, Dom can't allow her to go on her own, but he's certain that he's right.

Dom and Jane are two extremely stubborn people. All those years ago Dom had made the decision to break things off because he felt that was best. He didn't give her the benefit of believing she could stand by him no matter what. Now he finally has the means to support her, but she has given up on him and gotten engaged to another man. Jane refuses to believe the worst of her cousin and insists on going with Dom as he investigates. The two constantly butt heads over who is right.

Both of them have a lot to learn about each other as they try to work together. Dom is very much a control freak, thanks to the way he was raised. His older brother was the heir, and therefore had their father's attention. His half brother and sister were the children of the woman their father loved, and therefore loved by him. Dom himself was the child whose birth caused his mother's death, making his father feel guilty every time he saw him. Strangely enough, it was his father's second family that showed Dom the most love, and Dom would do anything to protect them. This is what caused the trouble with George. So now Dom has the habit of telling people what to do, rather than discussing options. He's also had things happen in the past that reinforce the idea that things go wrong when he doesn't maintain control. Unfortunately for him, Jane refuses to be dictated to.

Jane has had enough of men who force women to do what they want. Her father was an ill tempered bully who had emotionally abused his wife before killing her in a fit of temper and dying himself. He had also written his will in such a manner to exert control over Jane even after his death. She is still angry over Dom's actions all those years ago, and resists every time he tries to order her around. As they try to work together to find Nancy, Jane discovers that there is more to Dom's actions that she had known before, and begins to understand a little of why he behaves as he does. She still doesn't agree with him, and has no trouble telling him so.

The chemistry between them is still hot, and they have a hard time keeping their hands off each other, in spite of wanting to believe the worst. Their conversations are snappy, intelligent, and frequently fun to witness. I loved seeing Jane push back when Dom would get high handed, and Dom would be left wondering what the heck had just happened. I also loved the fact that he started to realize that maybe he had screwed up all those years ago, and wondering if there was any way that he could win her back. Jane quickly realized she still loved him, but she wasn't going to give in until he showed her the respect she felt she deserved. 

The mystery of the missing woman was very well done. I loved seeing the way that both Dom and Jane could be right in their beliefs, and that they wouldn't know the truth until they managed to catch up with her. There was a lot at stake, including the possibility that Dom could once again end up with nothing. I was definitely rooting for Jane's option, though I was still uncertain all the way to the end.

Four Nights with the Duke - Eloisa James (Avon - Apr 2015)

Series: Desperate Duchesses (Book 8)

As a young girl, Emilia Gwendolyn Carrington told the annoying future Duke of Pindar that she would marry any man in the world before him -- so years later she is horrified to realize that she has nowhere else to turn.

Evander Septimus Brody has his own reasons for agreeing to Mia's audacious proposal, but there's one thing he won't give his inconvenient wife: himself.

Instead, he offers Mia a devil's bargain . . . he will spend four nights a year with her. Four nights, and nothing more. And those only when she begs for them.

Which Mia will never do.

Now Vander faces the most crucial challenge of his life: he must seduce his own wife in order to win her heart -- and no matter what it takes, this is the one battle he can't afford to lose.

The book starts when Mia and Vander are fifteen years old. They have an odd connection because her father has been carrying on an affair with his mother, one that is no secret to anyone. Mia has also developed a crush on Vander and has written a truly awful love poem to him. Unfortunately for her, he finds it, and with his friends, makes fun of it in ways that only teenage boys can do. Overhearing what they are saying, Mia is humiliated and tells him that he's the last person she would ever consider marrying.

Flash forward thirteen years, and Mia finds herself having to eat her words. In order to retain guardianship of her orphaned nephew, she has to marry and marry soon. Her fiance stood her up on their wedding day, and she is desperate to find a husband. Enter Vander, the last man she wants, but the one she has the means to force into marriage. She succeeds in gaining his agreement, but he has conditions of his own.

I had love-hate feelings for both Vander and Mia. I really liked Mia's independence and determination to do whatever necessary to protect Charlie. She has an excellent career as a romance novelist, is smart, funny, and loving. She also has some serious self esteem issues when it comes to her appearance, seeing herself as fat, plain and unappealing to men. These feelings had been reinforced by the comments of Vander and his friends way back, and she has never really forgiven him for them. For the most part,Vander seems like a decent man. He takes care of his uncle, runs his estate well, and is dedicated to his horses rather than being out wasting time in society. He doesn't play by society's rules, being pretty plain spoken. He's also used to getting his own way, whether it is something to do with his horses or women. But when it comes to Mia, he is a bit of an ass.

When she comes to him with the marriage proposal, he is convinced that she wants the marriage because she is still in love with him. He figures he'll get even with her by denying her what he thinks she wants - his body. He's surprised when she insists she doesn't want him. and really doesn't believe her. But having made his demands plain to her, he finds himself regretting it when he discovers that he is very attracted to her. I was pretty disgusted with his attitude, and how he was constantly making lewd remarks to her, even after she told him to leave her alone. He had been determined never to marry because of his parents' actions, and seeing what "love" caused them to do. With his marriage to Mia, he refuses to allow himself the same kind of obsession he saw in his mother, but he can't stop thinking about her. What made me mad at him was that it mostly seemed to be about sex with him. Once in awhile there would be something else about her, something she said or did, that makes him realize how smart, funny, loving, etc, she is, but then it would go right back to sex. It isn't until near the end, when he nearly loses her, that he realizes that his own actions have driven her away. Then he has to figure out how to show her how he really feels.

Mia also frustrated me on a regular basis. I loved her independent spirit. She doesn't really care about society, as she has never wanted to be part of it. She's made a good life for herself writing popular books. She wasn't particularly happy about her father's affair, but her romantic nature saw how much he and Vander's mother cared for each other. When she becomes the guardian of her nephew, she will do anything she has to in order to keep him out of the hands of his uncle, even marry Vander. I really enjoyed watching her poke holes in his conceit by telling him she had no intention of asking for any of those four nights. I felt bad for the way she thought she was so unattractive, even when Vander made it obvious he was attracted to her. But what really bugged me was the way that every time Vander made advances, she would immediately forget her resolve to resist him and give in to the desire. Her brain would be telling her no, but she ignored it. I really wanted her to make him work for it. She would complain about his lack of respect for her, but she didn't seem to have any respect for herself either.

In spite of it all, they did get closer. Vander did see what a wonderful woman Mia was. He did his best to show her that he found her very desirable. He did come to love her, but he had no idea how to show her. Mia realized that she had never stopped loving Vander, but she didn't think he loved her back. His actions when her former fiance reappeared reinforced those feelings. I liked the ending and seeing how Charlie helped Vander. It was sweet to see Vander finally find a way to speak about his feelings. Charlie's uncle makes a brief reappearance, and I loved Charlie's part in vanquishing him. I loved the epilogue.

I really enjoyed two of the secondary characters. Charlie was adorable. I loved seeing the way that he and Vander connected. Charlie really needed the kind of support that Vander provided. I loved their first meeting and the way that Charlie stood up for himself. He also had a pretty good perspective on life, and I loved seeing his determination to deal with his handicap. The other one I like was Jafeer, the horse. It was so much fun to see tiny Mia do things with the horse that all those big men couldn't manage. 

Mischief and Mistletoe - Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, et al (Zebra - Sept 2012)

Christmastime in England - a time for passionate secrets, delicious whispers, and wicked-sweet gifts by the fire. From a spirited lady who sets out to save her rakish best friend from an unsuitable engagement, to a bold spy who gets the unexpected chance to win the woman he's always loved, to a vicar's daughter who pretends to be a saucy wench, these holiday tales will make you curl up in front of the fire for a memorable season of mischief and mistletoe.

Overall,  I enjoyed all the stories. Many of them I would have liked to see as full length books, or at least novellas.

She Stoops to Wenchdom - Mary Jo Putney

Lucy is the daughter of a vicar who has been in love with one of her father's former students since she was seventeen. She hadn't seen Gregory in five years, until she encountered him at a Christmas celebration. She was heartbroken when he didn't recognize her, and dismayed when he left right after dancing with her. Gregory was surprised to see what a beauty his old friend had grown into. He is drawn to her sweetness and innocence, but after five years at war he considers himself unworthy to pursue her. He has been unable to overcome some of the things he has seen and done, and has been hiding from his memories.

I really liked Lucy. Even suffering from her heartbreak, when she hears that Gregory spends his time drinking at the local tavern she's determined to go see him and try to get a kiss from him before she moves on. So she disguises herself as a barmaid to try to get closer to him. Gregory notices the attractive new girl, and steps in when she is accosted by a couple drunks. He find himself opening up to her about his experiences in the war, and is comforted by the things she tells him, gaining a new perspective on his ordeals. I liked seeing the way he took back his life after his talk with her. He wants to see her again, but she has disappeared.

I liked the ending of the story, as he finds his barmaid in a most unlikely place. His words are sweet as he shows her just what effect she had on him. He's now ready to think about a future with her.

Miss Brockhurst's Christmas Campaign - Jo Beverley

Pen is a young woman who has been engaged three times, but has broken them off each time, unable to go through with the marriages. After seeing her childhood friend Ross for the first time in years, she finally realized she'd always loved him, and that was why she couldn't settle on anyone else. When she and her mother are invited to spend Christmas with his family, she has hopes of making her dreams come true.

She's dismayed to discover upon arrival that there is another young woman who has her sights also set on Ross. As the visit progresses, she worries about Ross selecting this other girl, who seems so very wrong for him. She's determined to show Ross just how wrong.

I enjoyed seeing the descriptions of the various Christmas traditions that were celebrated. Each one was used to illustrate the differences between the two young ladies vying for Ross's attention. It was easy to agree with Pen's assertion that Cassandra wasn't the right one. She and her mother both seemed to be much more suited for a conservative household, than one that enjoyed even the pagan Christmas traditions. 

I loved seeing all of Pen's efforts. She knew what she wanted and she had no trouble going after it. The ending was very good and I liked getting Ross's side of things. It was great to see him make sure she understood his concerns. I loved the final bit on Twelfth Night.

Intrigue and Mistletoe - Joanna Bourne

Elinor is one of several people on a coach that is stranded by a snowstorm. They take refuge in an inn with other travelers caught in the storm. Another one of those travelers is Jack, a man she had known and loved two years earlier. She felt betrayed by him when she discovered he was a spy catcher who was after her uncle. 

Jack had asked her to wait a few days so he could tell her everything, but she disappeared instead. He has been looking for her ever since, and fears that she is somehow involved in his current case. He is on the trail of a spy who has a list of English contacts. He knows the person is at the inn, but not who it is.

Jack is determined to gain Elinor's forgiveness, and she is just as determined not to give it. She had risked her heart with him before and didn't want to do it again. But as they are forced into each other's company, Elinor discovers that her feelings for Jack haven't changed. She's still wary of trusting him, but her heart knows what it wants. I enjoyed their conversations as they got to know each other again. It was also interesting to see how they worked together to figure out who the spy was. I wasn't entirely surprised by the spy's identity, but the code used was intriguing. I enjoyed the confrontation between Elinor and the spy. While being a bit dangerous for Elinor, it was also pretty amusing to see what Elinor did. Jack's reaction was great, and I loved how his protectiveness came out.

Wench in Wonderland - Patricia Rice

Damaris has been the companion to her cousin for many years. Her uncle took her in when her parents died, and made her responsible for the care of Alice. He doesn't approve of the man that Alice has fallen in love with, and has betrothed her to a young nobleman, Mack Trevelyan, who needs her dowry. As Damaris and Alice are on their way to visit her fiance, Alice informs Damaris that she is eloping with the man she loves and asks Damaris to continue the journey alone to give her a chance to get away.

Nearing the end of the trip Damaris is caught in a blizzard, which causes an accident with the coach. Damaris is knocked unconscious, and when she awakes discovers that the family of Alice's fiance believes that she is Alice. The fiance is not at home at the time to clear up the confusion and Damaris is suffering some confusion due to her injuries. By the time she realizes what has happened she doesn't know quite how to fix it.

Mack's older brother Adam is a widower who has been in charge of the estate for many years. He has three children who run wild and he has no idea how to deal with them. He has hoped that his brother's fiancee would be willing to step in and help. 

I loved seeing the way that Damaris immediately took to the children. She was able to do things with them that no one else had done. I liked her common sense methods and that she was able to explain to Adam just what he should do. The kids were a lot of fun with their sweet natures but tendency to get into scrapes. She feels badly about her deception, and when it all comes out she feels she has no choice but to leave. It took Adam a little while to find her, and then he had to convince her that he really does want her. I loved the part the kids played in convincing him to go after her.

On a Wicked Winter's Night - Nicola Cornick

Johnny is a viscount who has inherited his uncle's estate in Wales. He has fond memories of it from when he was a child, and is determined to fix it up and live there. He's involved in a carriage accident when he arrives near the town, and is taken to the local inn for the night. There he finds Lydia, the girl he had loved when he was younger. She owns and runs the local inn and takes care of her young daughter.

Lydia had been good friends with Johnny when they were young, but never saw him as anything else. Instead she fell for a man who turned out to be less than honorable. She turned Johnny down when he proposed in order to take care of her, not wanting to ruin his life. Publicly ruined, she moved to Wales and passed herself off as a widow. She never expected to see Johnny again.

Johnny was surprised to see Lydia again, and realized that his feelings for her had never gone away. He still wants her and sees he as the woman he needs. I loved the way that he tried to show her that her past makes no difference to him and confesses his feelings for her. Lydia loves him too, but doesn't want her past to create problems for him. A near tragedy shows her what she would be giving up and she has to decide if love can overcome all her fears.

Weathering the Storm - Cara Elliott

Very fun story. Sophie Thirkell, daughter of a Boston merchant, is on her way to London to make a Christmas delivery to her father's estranged family. Lord Leete, British diplomat, is on the same ship, one belonging to Sophie's father, when it is damaged in a storm. The story opens as Leete is trying to make arrangements to get himself to London in time for a critical meeting and is running into obstacles, not the least of which is Sophie. 

These two have been striking sparks off each other for awhile. They met on several occasions in Boston with explosive results. Sophie thinks Leete is a stuck up stick in the mud, and he thinks she's a hellion. Sophie isn't one who thinks much of the rules that govern a woman's behavior and takes great pleasure in flaunting them. In their current situation, they discover that they have to work together if either has a hope of getting to London on time. 

I loved their interactions as each tends to poke at each other, but underneath can't really deny that there's something immensely appealing also. I loved seeing the way they cooperated throughout the hazards of their trip. There were some pretty funny moments, especially as Leete deals with being ordered around by Sophie. I really enjoyed seeing the effect that their adventures had on him, as his diplomatic stuffiness had to give way to the needs of some quick thinking. I loved seeing him admit that his attitude in Boston hadn't been disapproval, but the inability to think when he was around her. And Sophie had simply been trying to protect her heart from rejection. The scene at the end was pretty sweet. The only thing I would have liked to see, would be her arrival in London, and the reaction of her family.

The Mistletoe Bride - Anne Gracie

Ronan needs a wife if he's going to get the money from his inheritance. His great-aunt made it a condition of her will, and he isn't happy about it. He was married before, for five terrible years, before his wife left him and later died. He doesn't want to do it again, but if he wants to make the repairs to his estate, he'll have to do it. His lawyer suggests paying a woman to marry him would work, and if he marries one who's dying, it won't matter. He feels a bit guilty about that idea, but goes along with it.

Marguerite has come back to England from India after her father's death. She would have stayed there, but the climate made her ill. Her uncle in Scotland has agreed to take her in. On the way there, she meets a woman who is very ill. Peggy confesses that she's on the way to marry a man who needs a wife but doesn't want one. She's doing it to get the money to take care of her two little girls. Along the way, the woman passes away, after extracting a promise from Meg that she will take care of her girls.

When someone arrives at the coach stop to pick her up, Meg believes it is her uncle's people. Instead, it is Ronan's, and he believes she is his bride to be. Though she tries to explain the mix up, Ronan doesn't listen and marries her anyway. Meg intends to fulfill the contract, then go find Peggy's girls and raise them herself.

Neither one expects to develop feelings for the other. I liked seeing the two of them get to know each other. It was sweet to see how easily Meg fit in and how Ronan began to wish that she would stay. When Ronan finally learns the truth, he feels betrayed, thinking Meg is like his first wife. Though he stays angry for a few days, he soon starts to realize what he will miss if Meg leaves. I loved the end as he really listens to her reasons and realizes how much he cares. I loved what he did for Meg that showed her just how he felt. The epilogue was really sweet.

A Wilder Wench - Susan King

The story begins with a young Cristina and her little brother hiding from the tax men who are looking for her father who has been smuggling whiskey. She is discovered by a teenaged boy named Ned, who doesn't expose her. Eleven years later she is living with her vicar uncle, who is entertaining the local magistrate and the new sheriff, Viscount Dunallen. She overhears them talking about transferring the prisoner that they have, once the transfer papers arrive later that night.

She is determined to get those papers, because the prisoner they have is her brother, falsely accused of smuggling. She comes up with the idea of holding up the coach with the courier and stealing the papers, delaying the transfer until she can think of something else. An unwanted distraction is the fascination she has for the handsome viscount.

Dunallen has come to the area after inheriting from his grandfather. He doesn't plan to stay long, as he has a law practice in Edinburgh. He is a quiet man, preferring his history books and his job to the social life of his peers. He likes his life as it is, and doesn't plan to succumb to the matchmaking wiles of the local mothers and aunts. But he has to admit that there is something very appealing about the vicar's niece. They seem to have much in common, with their love of history and Sir Walter Scott's writings.

Cristina's plans to stop the coach don't go quite as planned. I loved seeing her politeness as she attempts to get the courier to turn over the papers. When Dunallen comes upon her, she flees, trying to get away before he can recognize her. Naturally, he catches her, and the truth comes out. I loved the parts with the pies and the dogs, and also what the papers were that she had taken. As they talk, Dunallen realizes that Cristina is the same girl he protected all those years ago. I loved the twist at the end that involved one of his grandfather's letters and her father.

The Wedding Ring Quest - Carla Kelly (HH #1181 - Apr 2014)

Searching for a ring…finding a family!

Penniless Mary Rennie knows she's lucky to have a home with relatives in Edinburgh, but she does crave more excitement in her life. So when her cousin's ring is lost in one of several fruitcakes heading around the country as gifts, Mary seizes the chance for adventure.

When widowed captain Ross Rennie and his son meet Mary in a coaching inn, they take her under their wing. After years of battling Napoleon, Ross's soul is war weary, but Mary's warmth and humor touch him deep inside. Soon, he's in the most heart-stopping situation of his life -- considering a wedding-ring quest of his own!

Good story that involves a journey, both physical and emotional for the hero and heroine. Mary was taken in by relatives when she was young and has a good, if dull, life with them. When her spoiled cousin throws her fiance's ring into a fruitcake batter and ends up in one of the cakes sent out as gifts, Mary is the one sent to find it. She looks on the trip as the only sort of adventure she'll ever have.

Ross is home on leave and taking the opportunity to reconnect with his ten year old son. With Napoleon on Elba, it's thought that the war is over, but Ross is not so trusting. After so many years at sea and at war, he finds himself tired of the fight, but uncomfortable on land. When he and Nathan meet Mary at an inn, he is intrigued by her and her quest. Discovering that they are related, however distantly, gives him the excuse to offer his assistance.

I liked both Mary and Ross, though he certainly gave me moments of frustration throughout the book. Mary learned quite a lot about herself over the course of her search. By the time she had met up with Ross, she had realized that her life in Edinburgh was merely existence and she wanted more. She just wasn't sure how to go about it. I liked the way that she was pretty unflappable. The innkeeper's mistake that introduced her to Ross and Nathan didn't faze her, and her invitation to join her showed remarkable poise. Though initially reluctant to accept his involvement in her search, she soon agreed. I really liked how easily she was able to talk to Ross and the bond she formed with Nathan. She also understood him when his memories would send him into a funk and was able to bring him out of them. I also liked that she accepts his peg leg as part of who he is. As they make their way through the search, Mary tries to fight the feelings she's beginning to have for him. She knows that she's not what he wants, and that he isn't ready anyway. 

Ross was a very complex character. He is pretty much married to the navy, having spent twenty-four years at sea so far. He's had few shore leaves, and uses them to spend time with his son. They have an excellent relationship in spite of his absences. He has seen a lot of death and destruction over the years, including the loss of his leg. It has left him rather cynical, and he is certain that the war with Napoleon is not over. He has a rather unique perspective on the effects of the war, and frequently refers to Napoleon as his "employer", something that gets him into trouble at one point in the book. He is drawn to Mary from the very beginning, but doesn't quite understand why, as she is nothing like the women who usually interest him. He even has a list of what he will eventually look for, once war is done and he starts looking for a wife. As the three of them travel together, we get a better look at Ross and see a man with a sense of humor and great capacity for love, but is also haunted by fears and insecurities. 

Their journey together brings changes to them both. They combine Mary's search for the ring with an amusing yet moving tribute to some of Ross's shipmates involving inns and favorite foods. One of those stops has Mary encouraging Ross to visit the parents of one of his lost crew members. This is a very emotional section, and Mary's support is vital to Ross's ability to get through it. Ross starts to see Mary more as a woman and having qualities he should add to his "list". Mary's feelings have grown stronger for Ross, though she knows he doesn't feel the same way. Those feelings make her realize she can't go back to her old way of life and gets her thinking about what to do with her future without him in it.

When they come to the end of their journey and the retrieval of the final fruitcake, something happens that sets off an unreasonable anger in Ross. He says some terrible things to Mary, which sends her brokenhearted back to Edinburgh, and damages his relationship with his son. It takes days for him to realize what he has done, and his self examination has him contemplating his own worth. Meanwhile, Mary has had an epiphany of her own and has started making plans for her future. It takes a determined ten year old boy to make them see that their futures belong together. I enjoyed seeing how it was managed, though I wouldn't have minded a little more grovelling on Ross's part. I liked their plans for a new life, and would have enjoyed an epilogue to see how it goes.

My only gripe with the book as nothing to do with the story, but with the cover. It is entirely wrong for the book. The hero is described as a mature naval officer with a wooden leg. He is always in uniform. The majority of the book takes place during the winter, frequently in the snow. By necessity, they travel in a closed carriage. So why does the cover show a summer scene, in an open carriage, with a youngish looking man in civilian clothing, who obviously has two good legs? Did Harlequin's art department even bother to check the details of the story?

The Winter Bride - Anne Gracie (Berkley - Apr 2014)

Series: Chance Sisters (Book 2)

Damaris Chance’s unhappy past has turned her off the idea of marriage forever. But her guardian, Lady Beatrice Davenham, convinces her to make her coming out anyway -- and have a season of carefree, uncomplicated fun.

When Damaris finds herself trapped in a compromising situation with the handsome rake Freddy Monkton-Coombes, she has no choice but to agree to wed him -- as long as it’s in name only. Her new husband seems to accept her terms, but Freddy has a plan of his own: to seduce his reluctant winter bride.

Will Damaris’s secrets destroy her chance at true happiness? Or can Freddy help her cast off the shackles of the past, and yield to delicious temptation?

I loved this book just as much as I did the first book The Autumn Bride. I was a little worried about Freddy being the hero in this one, as he seemed to be more comic relief than anything else in the first book. But it turned out that there was a lot more to Freddy than was first apparent. 

Freddy is a determined bachelor. He has been enjoying the life of a rake, able to do as he wants and answering to no one. His mother is determined to see him married, and as a result he has a deep dislike, almost fear, of what he calls muffins - young ladies who are determined to trap him in marriage. When his best friend Max (The Autumn Bride) leaves on his honeymoon, he asks Freddy to look after his aunt and the other three girls while he's away. Freddy is horrified, but reluctantly agrees. Daisy and Jane are no problem, but Damaris is something else entirely.

Damaris is just as determined as Freddy never to marry. She grew up in China as the daughter of a missionary. It had not been a good life, as her father was a self-righteous prig who only got worse after her mother died when Damaris was twelve. When her father was murdered, Damaris made her own way to England, enduring hardships that caused decision not to marry. She has a fear of being left penniless again, and has found a job painting china in order to earn some money for herself. Freddy is appalled when he finds her walking in a poor part of town and because of his promise to Max, insists on escorting her when she refuses to quit her job.

When his mother's efforts to marry him off become unbearable, Freddy comes up with the idea of a fake engagement. As he can't ask just anybody, he goes to Damaris with his proposition, knowing that she won't hold him to it. She is reluctant at first, but he manages to convince her with the promise of a cottage of her own when they are done. Though he starts out thinking mainly of himself, spending time with Damaris soon has him thinking more about her than he thought he would. He begins to think that marriage to her wouldn't be a bad thing at all, though admitting his feelings to himself is something he resists.

Freddy and Damaris are perfect for each other. Though he gives the impression of being a carefree fribble, his charm and humor hide an excellent mind and a kind heart. It also hides a soul riddled with pain over his brother's death when they were children, and the hurtful way his parents still treat him because of it. When Freddy takes Damaris to his home, she begins to see the real Freddy. Damaris is hiding her own pain and secrets, ones that are keeping her from her dream of a man that would love her and take care of her. As she gets to know him, she falls in love, but believes that he would turn from her if he knew the truth about her.

The trip to Freddy's home brought out so much emotion in both of them. Damaris was appalled at the way his parents treated Freddy, especially once she knew what had happened. I loved seeing her stand up to them and try to make them see how terribly they have been treating them. The effect is has on Freddy just makes him care more for her. He gets his chance to show his feelings when they get stranded in a flood. Damaris can't imagine going forward with their engagement without telling him the truth about her. Freddy's reaction is just what she needs, and she starts to believe that there is a chance that her dreams could come true after all. I loved his patience and his determination to win his prize.

There was a lot of humor in this story, from Freddy's efforts to avoid "muffins" and his encounter with Damaris's coworkers, to Lady Bea's tendency to do exactly what she wants to get her way. I loved Freddy's efforts to get his business partner Flynn properly dressed for his plans to marry a society woman, and their boxing match later that day. The scene toward the end when Abby and Damaris go chasing after Max and Freddy was both fun and emotional.

There were also moments that had me reaching for the tissues, such as Damaris's telling of what happened on the voyage to England, and the awesome way that Freddy showed her that it was her strength that he found so much more important. Damaris's fears when Freddy went tearing off to London were intense, but his reasons were so romantic. The final chapter with the reappearance of Freddy's parents was wonderful.