Review: Brazen

From Goodreads: The young and beautiful Lady Fairhaven is Brazen…which is why she is willing to resort to blackmail to coerce a brave, if troubled, captain into helping her rescue her endangered brother. The incomparable Margo Maguire follows the success of her Romantic Times Top Pick, Seducing the Governess, with the second in her two-book historical romance mini-series set in England’s colorful Regency Era, about the lost—and found—granddaughters of a powerful duke.  As every fan of the exciting, emotionally rich historical romance of Liz Carlyle and Julia London will be thrilled to discover, Margo Maguire’s unabashed mastery of the Regency romance is unsurpassed…and downright Brazen!

My Thoughts:  Overall, I found this to be an ok read.  Parts of it I liked...for example the characters, but I found the story to be a bit unsatisfactory.  As the second (and final) in the series, I felt like there were parts that were not satisfactorily completed, others that were probably unnecessary, and then there were others that worked well together.  I'm glad I finished the series, and liked the basic premise of both stories, and I think the author did a good job of describing and creating the characters.  Just a bit more work on the story would probably have made it an even better read.

Another Quilt Along - Moose On The Porch Fat Quarter Quilt Along

While one of my goals was to ACTUALLY FINISH a quilt this year, I still have a ways to go on the Layer Cake Quilt Along I started in 2010.  I'm totally blaming the kid for my procrastination and lack of sewing at all these past 6 months...probably not totally true, but convenient :)

All that aside, I am going to TRY to do another quilt along...I'll probably get 1/2 way through this one too, maybe I should just combine the squares for a quilt at some point!  Moose on the Porch Quilts is hosting another Quilt Along this Fall/Winter, this one wth Fat Quarters.  I have a ton at home and this will let me do some stash-busting too, which is an added bonus.    Block One was posted today, and it looks challenging...pretty, but challenging.  So off we go on another sewing adventure!

Review: In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel

In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel by Stephanie Laurens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


From Goodreads:

Three heros, three rescues, three weddings.

The pleasure of your company is requested
at the wedding of Miss Eliza Cynster

...but not until she's rescued from a daring abduction by the most unexpected of heros!

Brazenly kidnapped from her sister Heather's engagement ball, Eliza Cynster is spirited north to Edinburgh. Desperate and determined to escape, she seizes upon the first possible champion who happens along - gentleman scholar Jeremy Carling.

Villains and rescues are a far cry from Jeremy's expertise, yet he cannot abandon a damsel in distress. But danger lurks and hurdles abound in their race to escape the mysterious laird, until a final confrontation on a windswept cliff reveals what their future life could hold - if both are bold enough to seize and own the unexpected love they now share.

My Thoughts: The second in a trilogy (of which I have yet to read the first), Ms. Laurens reminded me of why I first started reading her books. Continuing the Cynster series, but with brief appearances from other characters as well, the book was a fun read. It was missing many of the issues I had with some of her most recent books, particularly in her other series. The characters were entertaining, and I especially enjoyed the "bookish" hero, as opposed to heroine. I am very much looking forward to going back to read the first sister's book, and will await the third impatiently.


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Review: Unclaimed

Unclaimed by Courtney Milan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


From Goodreads: Her only hope for survival…

Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check...until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves…

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse: seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs…and the love she knows is impossible.

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Milan's books, and Unclaimed was no exception. I love that her heroes and heroines are very nontraditional and unique...and the stories maintain that same level of novelty as well. The books are fun, and keep you interested throughout. Mark's story (the second of the Turner brothers' books) is unique in that it's not often the hero is the virgin of the story. That could have gotten old fast, but Milan does a good job of creating a story that works with characters that don't get annoying. It's fun to see the interaction of the brothers here again, I wish there was even a bit more of that, and perhaps a bit more backstory. If I had one complaint is that it took me a bit to figure out that this begins several years after the first book ends, which may have just been me not paying attention. Another success from Milan, and I look forward to reading Smite's story next.



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Review: Elizabeth, The Enchantress

Elizabeth, The Enchantress by Lavinia Kent

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


From Goodreads: Regency England just got real(ity)

Episode 4: How to Succeed in Marriage without Really Trying

Elizabeth, the Countess of Westhampton, has found her husband. Unfortunately, she’d have preferred it if he’d stayed lost! How is she supposed to react when the man who married her and then abandoned her without a wedding night suddenly reappears? Obviously, she’ll have to plan her revenge very carefully…

My Thoughts: I've read a couple of these novellas now, all are fun quick reads. If they were full-length books, I'd probably go back and try to read the ones I've missed, but as I don't normally read novellas, I may have to just try to let my imagination fill in the blanks. They're enjoyable for a number of reasons, but mostly because Kent does a good job of ensuring that even in a novella length that there's a story and character development. This was a fun one, as the "evil" one of the group of women who make up the heroines had her turn in the spotlight. The redemption of the bad girl is essentially the theme...finding out why she is the way she is, and then how she moves forward. Another fun, quick read from Kent, so far I'd recommend this whole series.



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Review: One Night in London: The Truth About the Duke

One Night in London: The Truth About the Duke by Caroline Linden

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


From Goodreads: A bargain that was all business . . . and pure passion.

Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case . . . if only she can melt the dashing lord’s stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . . and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.

My Thoughts: I read the "intro" novella to this series, and was excited to see what the first book would offer. There were parts I really liked, but one thing that struck me was that the "mystery" that runs throughout the series was hardly a part of the story at all. Instead, the story really focused on Francesca and her search for her niece.

I liked the hero and heroine and the extended cast of characters. Edward is all he was raised to be, but has hidden depths (like and good hero). Francesca, who is strong, independent and not afraid to walk the edge of propriety at times, is fortunate enough to go beyond her initial opinion of Edward and see what more he has to offer. I liked seeing the two of them grow closer and come together, getting past a few obstacles in the way.

I never expected the "mystery" to be solved in the first book of the series, after all there are two more to come, but I did expect to get a bit more background or information on the old Duke and the potential scandal, perhaps a bit more to advance the story in the current time too. Needless to say, that makes me wonder what we'll find in Book 2, the youngest brother's story. All in all, the first book was a fun read.



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Review: Linnette, The Lioness

Linnette, The Lioness by Lavinia Kent

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


From Goodreads: Regency England just got real(ity)

Episode 2: The One with the Fake Baby

Rumors abound – everyone has heard that Linnette, the Dowager Duchess of Doveshire is pregnant. Beautiful, young, with more freedom than any respectable woman should want, Linnette is no stranger to a little gossip. But her friends can’t help her brave the fallout, because this time Linnette has done something naughty…

My Thoughts: Another of the Avon Impulse line of novellas, this is a quick read that continues Kent's "Real Duchesses" series. Having not read the first, I did feel as though I was missing out on some backstory, but it was manageable to keep moving forward.

For a novella, there was decent character development, but I think the biggest downside to not reading the first installment was learning about the characters. While a novella, since this is a series you learn a lot about each of the women more and more in each book I think.

This is a take on the separated lovers theme and it was interesting, I just didn't feel like I got enough of the story to really get into and feel for the characters. That's nothing to do with the story or writing, which are both good,but more to do with the novella format I think. However, if you have a short amount of time, this is an enjoyable, quick read, and I do look forward to reading the next in the series to see how it continues.



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Review: I Love the Earl

I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



From Goodreads: A single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a suitor

Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried state with dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she was young and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor, and it’s unlikely any man will court her now that she’s older, wiser, and still just as penniless. Until, that is, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her, making her the most eligible heiress in town.

No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthy bride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives an introduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but she swiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart or her hand. Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested. Entranced. And soon the only thing he needs more than Margaret’s fortune…is her love.


My Thoughts: For a novella, I found I enjoyed the story in this book. I think that's because it actually felt like there was a story, just condensed into under a 100 pages. A sort of prequel for Linden's upcoming series, the book introduces us to the Duke that causes the drama for his three sons (the heroes of the upcoming series). While we meet the newly titled Duke, the story focuses instead on his sister and her HEA. Linden did a nice job of telling a story in a condensed format that didn't feel like huge parts were missing or that it was completely rushed. More than that, I was left wondering about the Duke and his future, which is a great way to lead in to the next release. For a novella, an enjoyable read.



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Thinking Blue...

My most recent project has been taking up most of my energy these past few months.  I haven't been reading much at all, haven't been crafting, haven't been sewing.  But it's ok, because it's well worth it...the newest member of the family is due January 1, and we're pretty excited here. 

It's our first little one (not counting my adorable scarf model and fur-baby) so there's been lots of planning and thinking and just general enjoyment here and throughout the family.  I'm feeling a bit more energetic and less nauseous than I was earlier in the pregnancy, but I still find it amazing at how quickly the energy can go and how much I truly can enjoy just sitting in the chair with my feet propped up doing absolutely nothing but staring into space.  I figure I better enjoy it while I can.  I'm hoping to start to get a little more crafty, but I'm playing that one by ear.  After yesterday's appointment though, I need to start thinking of sewing some outfits for a sure-to-be-adorable little boy :)