Love Romance Passion » Guardian/Ward http://www.loveromancepassion.com Because Books Don't Fall Asleep Afterwards! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Review: Hot Zone by Catherine Mann http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-hot-zone-by-catherine-mann/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-hot-zone-by-catherine-mann/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:27:35 +0000 Susan S. http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13336

Reviewed by Susan S.

Book Two: Elite Force Series

Summary: Amelia Bailey is a county prosecutor from Alabama. She’s in the Bahamas helping her brother (Aiden) with the legalities of an international adoption. With her assistance, Aiden and Lisabeth are now the proud new parents of a baby boy. And she’ll be the doting aunt. All’s right in the world until disaster strikes. Aiden and his wife decide to have lunch; leaving baby Joshua in his aunt’s care when the unthinkable happens. An earthquake strikes the island, leveling Amelia’s hotel. She and Joshua are now trapped beneath the rubble.

Luckily, Air Force Pararescueman Hugh Franco comes to their aide. And while Hugh may have given them a second chance at life, they’re not out of danger yet. For sometimes, the aftermath is more terrifying than the disaster!

Review: I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Mann did a wonderful job of describing how emotionally and physically taxing a pararescueman’s mission can be. Her scenes felt entirely too real. Especially the one where Amelia and Joshua are trapped. I felt claustrophobic just envisioning it! Did I mention her scenes feel real?!

The author also does a splendid job of showing the dynamics of the task force team members, and you’ll respect their bravery and courage. And yes, even their human failings.

I hadn’t realized the author was so crafty. Here I am envisioning my idea of this mysterious antagonist, and all the while Mann is leading down the wrong road. Yep. I was duped!

Recommendations: Recommended for readers who enjoy Harlequin Intrigues, military romantic suspense novels, romantic suspense, strong heroes, sexy soldiers, and survival stories.

My Favorite Scenes:

Scene # 1: When Bailey asks if she can hug Hugh. (Yes, there’s more to that-that I’m not saying.)

Scene # 2: I loved the dialogue between the hero and heroine when they were trapped under the rubble.

Comedic Touch: The new team member of Hugh’s task force team is nicknamed Fang. But FANG is actually an acronym. What the letters signify is what makes it funny. Sorry readers; telling you would spoil the fun.

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Hot Zone

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc., Copyright December 2011, Romantic Suspense, Mass Market Paperback, Print Pages 318. ISBN# 978-1-4022-4498-8.

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Forewarned: This novel does not include a courtesan heroine. Sorry. :) That said this novel will provide you with a very good time.

Mia Castellano is going home in a disgrace from a failed engagement. One misplaced kiss ruins everything respectable about her in the eyes of the ton and Lord David Pennistan. She knows her life will have to change, the original course it was on can no longer be and to that end she decides she wants to be an independent lady. If she’s already scandalous, why not add a little more scandal to the mix? Her ideas about courtesans are especially scandalous.

Too scandalous for David, who could care less about escorting Mia back to her ward’s and his brother’s home. He will because doing so will gain him an audience with his brother and the chance to petition him for financial backing on his mill project. This mill project means everything to him and is his bid for financial independence from his brother. He understands it will change the ton’s opinion on him but he doesn’t care. He will never be helpless again.

Favorite Scene: Mia fishing in her under things and David coming across her. It’s adorable.

About the only thing I could truly have done without was the whole reason for them to get sequestered. If it was anything but what is was—the fear of contagion, disease, sickness—I would have enjoyed it more.

I have the one of the earlier book in the series on my TBR shelf. I think I just may dust it off – even if it might turn the Mia I know and love in Courtesan’s Kiss into a less than desirable character (which there are allusions too throughout.)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Buy: Courtesan's Kiss

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Summary: Lady Julianne Gatewick has received twelve proposals but never one from the man she loves. This year he’s bound to propose, she’s certain of it! Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, Hawk to his friends, finds himself in a most unwanted position… that as guardian to his best friend’s younger sister. A rake in charge of an innocent? This will not end well, especially when the innocent decides to write a lady’s guide for snaring gentlemen in marriage.

Review: My favorite part of the book is Hawk’s endless teasing and curl tweaking. He knows just how to provoke his Julie-girl. My second favorite part was Hawk’s proposal in Hester’s drawing room – swoon. Just a little quote:

“I thought about making solemn promises, but it occurred to me that every day is a promise. It’s not the promise that matters, but the doing does…”

That’s followed closely by a few brief lines referring to incidents in the book between the two of them. It was so cute. I absolutely loved it! I also liked how Julie and Hawk got together sexually for the first time - talk about steamy!

On the flip side, when Julianne decided to write a lady’s guide to getting men to the altar, I was bothered. Sure, she got 12 men to propose, but all 12 were ones she didn’t want proposing and the one she did, would not get on bended knee. I was hoping she’d be more like a ghost writer to Hawk’s aunt Hester, who married and survived four or five gentlemen and was the source of advice for Julianne to lure her wayward nephew to the parson’s trap. That made more sense to me.

The rules for “A Lady’s Secret of Seduction” and “A Scoundrel’s Code of Conduct” run along at the beginning of each chapter. They go back and forth and it is a pretty good indicator where Julie and Hawk are in their thinking.

The mystery in Hawk’s background is deftly handled and I enjoyed its resolution. HEAs aren’t just for innocents and rakes you know. ;)

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: How to Seduce a Scoundrel, How to Seduce a Scoundrel (UK)

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-how-to-seduce-a-scoundrel-by-vicky-dreiling/feed/ 0 Review: These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-these-old-shades-by-georgette-heyer/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-these-old-shades-by-georgette-heyer/#comments Sun, 13 Mar 2011 04:15:09 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=4996

arcreview

These Old Shades is a mashup of several of my favorite romance plots all rolled into one story. It’s a May/December where the hero is significantly older than the heroine. It’s also a Guardian/Ward pairing as well as Employer/Employee. The heroine even goes half the novel cross-dressing, though the hero is aware of this fact. She’s also a bit of a Cinderella figure going from rags to riches. There’s revenge, kidnapping, and a little cat/mouse too. In short, it’s got it all.

The hero is one of the reasons why I love this story so much. He’s portrayed as a dandy with scented handkerchiefs and heeled shoes. He’s keenly aware of fashion and how he appears to others. But underneath his dandyish appearance, Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, is an alpha male hero to the core. He’s got an agenda with an old foe, Compte de Saint Vire, and with our heroine Léonie. The only thing he isn’t prepared for is love to knock him right off his dainty yet manly heels.

The heroine is a bit of a spitfire. To some she might appear as simply a fawning submissive under Alastair with her constant "Yes, Monseigneur" and "No, Monseigneur" but in actuality she’s very aware of what she’s doing. Léonie is described as a Nonpareil in the book which means there isn’t anyone (i.e. a woman who is) her equal. For the time period, which is pre-revolutionary France, this is definitely true. She cross-dresses, swordfights, becomes the hero’s personal page, wins over a prince, goes the way of Eliza Doolittle and learns to become a lady, and still manages to mangle the English language.

Georgette Heyer really utilized the side characters in These Old Shades in my opinion. One of my favorite passages doesn’t even contain the hero and heroine though it is entirely focused on them. It’s a section of dialogue between two side characters examining what’s going on between the leads.

These Old Shades is my absolute favorite Georgette Heyer romance. I haven’t read them all yet, but I have a pretty good feeling this statement would remain the same even if I had.

I give it a perfect score.

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: These Old Shades

Find and buy more Georgette Heyer novels.

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bookreview

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer is loosely based on the premise of Pride and Prejudice. I would not go so far as to say it's a retelling of the classic tale, but there are elements of this Regency romance that bring to mind the farce that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet went through before getting out of their own way to declare love for one another.

For instance, Lord Worth is the Mr. Darcy character of this little drama. While not despised to the extent of Mr. Darcy by his heroine, Lord Worth is on the brunt end of a lot of negative criticism from his ward Miss Judith Taverner. He can do nothing right and is as cold an aloof in presence as Mr. Darcy appeared to be. His manners and arrogance nettle Judith beyond the telling many times throughout the novel.

So how did Judith and Peregrine get to become Lord Worth's wards?

Their father wrote in his will that they would be placed under the fifth earl of Worth until coming of age. Of course he meant to direct them into the hands of Julian Audley's father, the fourth earl of Worth but confused the matter and bungled it entirely. Julian finds the matter tiresome and can't wait to be rid of them fast enough though maybe not for the first reasons that come to mind. He tells them to stay in the country.

Of course Judith and Peregrine disregard this and the novel starts with them en route to London. They stop overnight in the village of Grantham, where a fight is about to occur. Peregrine is ecstatic and decides they must stay longer in order to see it. Of course the room they wrote ahead to let has been given away because of the crowd swarming the village. Distressed, Judith presses on the innkeeper to make amends. However it is not the innkeeper but a charming stranger that gives up his room for them.

Similarly later that day before the day of the match, Judith and Peregrine are wheeling about the country in search of ruins when they happen upon another carriage speedily racing down the lane in the opposite direction. A near accident occurs, nobody is hurt, but the horses are startled and the stranger driving is unaccountably rude. Both Judith and Peregrine take exception to the man's behavior and write him off as a bad sort indeed.

Shortly thereafter, Judith and Peregrine recognize their estranged cousin as the kind stranger at the inn and formally establish the acquaintance.

Once in London, the siblings look up their guardian and are dismayed to find the nasty aristocrat from Grantham is their keeper.

Add a dash of mystery - who wants Peregrine dead?

Peregrine as heir to the Viscountcy is being attacked left and right. The attacks are not always obvious; they come in many forms upon his person. Sanguine and completely obtuse, Peregrine does not notice them for what they are. Even Judith, usually kept in the dark on some of her brothers less savory ongoings, sees a pattern and admits her qualms to Worth who prevails upon her to keep her suspicions to herself.

The question becomes who will profit most from Peregrine's death. His sister will receive even more money for her dowry, making the current 80,000 pounds seem paltry. But Judith loves her brother enormously, it can't be her. It must be the man who vies for her hand... Julian Audley, Lord Worth, their guardian or Mr. Taverner, their cousin. Each man lays the blame on the others feet, but Judith trusts them both. What's a girl to do?

Locales: primarily London and Brighton.

Real famous people who appeared in the book: Beau Brummell, Prince Regent.

This novel has a sequel in An An Infamous Army.

Overall I found it focused less on the romance and more on the mystery. I almost wished Brummell was the lead male because he and Judith found teasing and comfortable conversation between themselves on many occasions.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Buy: Regency Buck

Find and buy more Georgette Heyer novels.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-regency-buck-by-georgette-heyer/feed/ 1 Get into Bed with Amelia Grey (Author Interview) http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-amelia-grey-author-interview/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-amelia-grey-author-interview/#comments Sat, 08 May 2010 09:49:16 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=2104

authorinterview

Hi and welcome to another fun and fabulous interview at Love Romance Passion! Today I have the opportunity to introduce readers to Amelia Grey, a multiple award winning romance author. Her latest book is A Duke to Die For and the subject of this interview.

How do you create the back stories of your characters and create their foibles?

AG:  I have a very simple way of creating either back story or present story: I always start each book with the phase "Wouldn't it be wonderful if?" For instance, after I knew that Blake would be a carefree duke who lacked discipline in his life, I said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if I gave this duke who didn't want any responsibility, a basketful of it in the form a beautiful, tempting ward to safeguard who was organized and disciplined, the kind of young lady he usually seduced, not protected."

Most heroes are flawed by characters such as arrogance or physically by being blind, which is why I thought it was quite endearing to have the Blake be afraid of heights or more specifically balloon flights.

AG: While doing research on balloons for A Duke To Die For, I read where many people actually experience the feeling that they are falling when they go up in a balloon.  People have actually crawled out of balloons and plunged to their deaths from this very real fear.  Of course, I couldn't let Blake do that!  But it does make characters come alive when we give them human faults and fears.

A Duke to Die For reminds me a bit of Georgette Heyer's Regency Buck with wills directing the heroines into the charge of the son instead of the father. I guess what I am asking is what inspired Blake and Henrietta's tale?

AG:  You know I haven't read Regency Buck but I would love to.  A Duke To Die For is my first book using the guardian/ward plotline, and I thought it would be fun to give Henrietta several guardians, all who had died, except of course, my hero Blake!   I've created heroes as protectors and bodyguards, but I loved the idea of finally writing a book where the hero was also the guardian.

This book is just the first of a trilogy. Can you tell readers more about the upcoming books in Rogues' Dynasty and what to expect?

AG:  A Marquis to Marry October 2009

Based on true events regarding an infamous five-strands of pearls' necklace, A Marquis To Marry is the story of Lord Raceworth, a man determined to find the thief who stole his grandmother's pearls.  The trail leads him to Susannah Brookfield who is searching for the pearls as well.  She swears the elusive necklace belongs to her family, not his.   Intrigue lurks around every corner as they join forces to find the thief.  But after a night of unexpected passion, Susannah wonders if the real danger lies with the thief, or in the arms of Lord Raceworth.

An Earl to Enchant   April 2010

In An Earl to Enchant, Arianna Sweet has a secret.  Her recently deceased father discovered a formula which could be the fabled fountain of youth.  But because of suspicious circumstances surrounding her father's death, Arianna is certain whoever killed her father is after her too. For help, she turns to Lord Morgandale, the rake of London Society.  After years of living on the edge of London's underground intrigues, Lord Morgandale wants only to accept his title and live a quiet life at his country estate.  But once Miss Sweet arrives, the notorious bad boy finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to keep the enchanting innocent out of harm's way.

What do you find is the hardest aspect in writing a trilogy?

AG: My editor will tell you it's remembering the correct color the characters' eyes!  Yes, I do keep a chart with that kind of detail on it, but I get to writing and forget to look at the chart, thinking I know what all the characters look like-I created them.  But unfortunately my memory fails me and sometimes grayish-green eyes become brownish-green or dark auburn hair is suddenly light auburn hair.

What is your favorite type of hero to write? Heroine too!

AG: Oh that is a difficult question.  I think I probably love them all!  I mean who doesn't dream about 'the man from the past who got away, but he's back."  And who can resist "the dangerous stranger?"  And having just written 'the tempting guardian' I simply can't choose a favorite.  And as for heroines I like for mine to be sensible, sensitive and sexy! I do not like what I call the Scarlett O'Hara heroine.  By that I mean stories where the heroine pines for a lesser man all through the book and only at the end does she realize she actually loves the hero.  For a smart woman, it took Scarlett way too long to get over Ashley!

How do you define love?

AG:  Love is living and I love life.

In your opinion, what makes a great written bedroom scene?

AG:  I like to know what the heroine and hero are feeling and thinking as they explore, take delight in and revere each other's bodies.

What type of romances do you like to read?

AG: Historicals are my favorites, and I love Westerns almost as much as Regencies. But I read contemporaries and paranormals, too. In fact I read nonfiction, inspirational, absolutely all kinds of books except horror.  I just don't like to be frightened!

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

AG: I love to write and I write what I love; romance books. I have an incredible excitement about my work.  I look forward to going to the computer each morning and letting my imagination take flight with characters, conflicts, and emotional drama. I feel truly blessed I can do what I love. And the reason I can is because of my readers.  Every time someone reads one of my books, I consider they have given me a gift.

Thanks for joining me Amelia! Check out Amelia Grey's website for more information on her published and upcoming books.

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bookreview

A Duke to Die For is an amusing romp across land, air, and ballrooms. It combines one randy and obscenely jealous duke, the best kind, and one beautiful, forthright but tragically cursed miss. Match made in heaven – or at least on paper.

It was nice to see an heiress story where the money is not needed at all by the hero. It’s just like a really, really big bonus… and who wouldn’t want that? Very refreshing and many props to Grey for writing it that way.

It all begins when the beautiful and intelligent Miss Henrietta Tweed shows up out of nowhere on the Duke of Blakewell’s doorstep claiming that she is his ward. Blake is flabbergasted and can’t believe that he is now a guardian for anyone let alone a young female of marriageable age. So what does he do? He decides to put her through a London Season in order to marry her off, which while not working perfectly with Henrietta’s plans at least ensures he won’t be affected by the curse that follows her like a plague.

Spoilers follow be wary:

Blake’s opinion on the curse as being complete poppycock is true. I expected the mystery behind the curse would be more than plain dumb luck coupled with a bunch of circumstantial happenings. I kept waiting for a person to be responsible for everything in an attempt to get the Henrietta’s huge inheritance. After all it made sense to me on that level. It would also explain everything and allow Blake to ride to the rescue.

However the non-curse self-fulling curse makes for an interesting twist as it were also. But how does an intelligent girl fall for it? Well, I suppose it isn’t completely unlikely for her to completely hoodwinked if you think about the time period where there are still many elements of lingering superstition. Henrietta was also seven, an impressionable age, when she was first told about the curse by an irrational old ninny who looked like a witch. By the time evidence stacks up, doubt is already firmly entrenched. In time, following the deaths of all of her guardians save Blake, she’s utterly convinced that the witch woman was right and that she is indeed very cursed. It’s a good thing Blake has a plan to show her that she’s not or they’d never be able to establish a happily ever after.

Rating: 3 Stars

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bookreview0

The cover is fantastic on this book. The color scheme is wonderful with gorgeous yellows, blues, and shades of brown. It was an impulse buy because of it. The back blurb was intriguing. That’s about the last truly good thing I can say about the novel.

The writing made me wince several times. I’m not a reader who will nitpick when it comes to phrases and objects in historicals, simply because outside of reading I don't have a background in the time period. That said, this book is filled with contemporary phrases that read very out of place. It started innocuously enough with ‘what a relief’ and fell apart from there with common curse wordage especially the jarring use of the word fuck.

I had no patience with the hero, Greyden Kane. The Duke of Ryeton is a scarred recluse determined to shun all of society in an effort to stay good. He was the worst sort of rakehell when he was younger and treated women abominably. One so much so she had him attacked. He's very good at getting in his own way and being too obtuse to notice. His change of heart at the end just didn't do it for me and left me vaguely bored.

Rose Danvers is practically a ward under Greyden’s care. When her father died he left her and her mother in a heap of debt and greatly diminished prospects. Rose knows she and her mother must be a burden on Kane but can’t do anything about it. She suspects he has feelings for her but she can’t get him to admit it. Their relationship takes off when she decides to seduce him at the beginning of the novel. I would say she's sheltered and should have no idea about this but she's been stealing her mother's Voluptuous magazine which publishes how-tos and erotica. It didn't seem very believable. Why would her mother have the magazine subscription when she remains in mourning?

Lady Margaret Devane was a virgin until Greyden Kane. She is the one society and Grey think most likely behind the attack, but there isn’t any proof. Is she determined to ruin Rose as she was?

Rating: 1 Star

Buy: When Seducing a Duke

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