December 29th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Great Britain, Jane Austen, P-R, Regency
Abigail Reynolds writes Pemberley Variations. For the uninitiated this means that she takes the classic story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
and plays a what-if scenario. For instance in From Lambton to Longbourn the what-if is what if Darcy and Elizabeth disclosed their feelings before parting ways after Lydia’s fall from grace? The characters in this what-if scenario all bear the same names, and read fairly familiar, but ultimately are recreated and reintroduced. Attraction is played up and scenes Jane Austen would never write appear involving kissing – great kissing, but a staunch Austen fan will probably feel that even this small break in propriety is too much.
Elizabeth finds out to her dismay how deeply in love with Mr. Darcy she is when the news of Lydia’s foolishness breaks. How could she in all good consciousness expose his sister to her family? She worries a lot about Darcy’s good opinion of her and how the current affairs will certainly provide him with enough ammunition to dislike her from hereafter. To her surprise, Darcy is not at all inclined to think ill of her. He wants her to keep correspondence with his sister, Georgiana, as it his only way to communicate with her. He would marry her tomorrow, no today, if only he could be certain of her regard.
Some provocation on both their parts leads to them sharing their first kiss, part comfort, part passion. One kiss melds into the next and then the worst happens – Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle discover them! Elizabeth does not want to trick Darcy into a connection with her family and he is once again unsure of himself in her affections. This happens a lot actually throughout the novel as they go along their tangent journey toward love and ultimate happiness.
Their insecurities are a little over the top, but ultimately are not distracting from the tale. Reynolds has a way with words and I look forward to reading another Pemberley Variation soon.
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Buy: From Lambton to Longbourn: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Originally posted 2008-12-04 09:22:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 3rd, 2009 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Erotica, Great Britain, Kidnapping, LGBT, Regency, Rogues and Rakehells, S-U, Virgin Heroine
Looking to add some spice to your Regency romances? Try Sinjin by Julia Templeton! This erotica novel focuses on the main romance but you’ll also get to experience some other sexy scenes featuring the hero’s brothers and their current paramours. There’s a lot of sex some of which features a little voyeurism and a little ménage trios action. Additionally there is a tiny hint of lesbian interaction that stops at dirty talking and a kiss, in case that bothers you.
The Rayborne brothers are being forced to find brides by their mother. Sinjin being the eldest must find his bride before the summer is out and preferably at a two week house party their mother is throwing. Prepared for the worst, determined to be a martyr to give his brothers more time to sow their wild oats, Sinjin strides through the doors and is arrested by the sight of the beautiful Katelyn Davenport.
Katelyn is engaged to be married to a terribly wretched peer. He’s forty plus years of age to her just shy of twenty years, overweight, balding, and a bore. His strict views of propriety and womanhood are so imposing Katelyn can hardly imagine marriage to him. She’s determined to use this time away from him at the Rayborne house party to enjoy herself while securing for her sister one of the brothers. When Sinjin’s smoldering gaze lingers on her Katelyn dares to imagine a life spent with him… or at the very least his bed!
Rating: 3 Stars
Buy: Sinjin
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November 15th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, ARC, Blackmail, Dukes and Earls, Georgian, Great Britain, J-L, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Mistress or Courtesan, Poor Hearing, Rape/Abuse
Considering how courtesan romances usually go it’s easy to think Kate Bergeron is not really a courtesan, but she is in fact one. While I very much like that she really is a courtesan, I wasn’t a big fan that Kate was victim of rape and lusty determined privileged men (her first benefactor and the Prince) because while she goes willingly into the profession there is a strong element of force. What else were her choices? Become a common whore or become a rich man’s one?
Kate comes across as worldly and innocent by turn. Part of this is because she remains ever optimistic in the face of harsh realities. She helps women who are working and living where she grew up as best as she can. She plans for the day when a man will no longer desire her. She wants to learn to cook and bake so she can support herself outside of being a kept woman. She’s practical about her place in London society and takes things on the chin for the most part.
The Duke, Grayson Christopher, is arrogant, superior, and morally righteous despite the fact that he is cuckolding another peer of the realm. I wish Kate would have pointed out his and society’s incredible hypocrisy but that doesn’t happen. The book focuses on Grayson’s struggle to love a woman like Kate who is everything he should avoid like the plague. He juggles his feelings and the pressure of his dukedom credibly and in an adorable manner. Reading Grayson overcome his built-in disdain is very pleasing.
Then there is the Prince of Wales. George purchases Kate from her last master, but can’t be with her because he desires a divorce which he can’t get if another scandal is associated to his name. It is his plan to enjoy Kate visually from afar and to steal random meetings in public. To aid in his ruse he coerces Grayson into escorting Kate to social functions.
When the Prince discovers that the ruse is no longer a ruse he puts pressure on both and sows seeds of doubt in Kate. It is social suicide for Grayson when decides to eschew propriety and follow his heart. I was so sure Grayson would give his title to his younger brother and whisk Kate to America to start afresh, but that is not how they finally get together. The wrap up happens quickly and is very brief about the details, focusing more on Kate's reunion with her long lost brother instead about the reprisal from society, Grayson's family, and the Prince. So while it wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been the story is a delightfully different historical romance.
Rating: 3.5 - 4 Stars
Buy: A Courtesan's Scandal
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September 29th, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, ARC, Guest Reviews, Jane Austen, Regency, V-Z
by Isabel G., guest reviewer
The main character, Mary Bennet, is not the most interesting person and the story was slow to develop. With that said, I am not sure this book would have mass appeal. The author does not reveal if she chooses to marry until the last fifty pages. What kept me reading, was how well the author managed to capture that time period. A person can find themselves lost in another era while reading this book. I had a real sense of what it was like for women living in that period. The characters seemed to be very careful as to how they behaved, and what they said to one another; in order to maintain propriety.
Mary Bennet feels the pressures of society, as her mother tries to prepare her to take a husband. She’s an honest woman with good morals and a strong faith in God. She’s searching for an opportunity to live without the need of marrying. This, of course, does not sit well with her mother! As time passes, Mary begins to see the happiness her sister Elizabeth has with her husband, and it changes her negative image of marriage. Although she has no interest in the idea of getting married, she begins to feel she may have no choice. Mary is willing to sacrifice her future to help another sister named Lydia.
It was enjoyable to read how loving her family was with Mary. All, except her mother, were very supportive of her wishes. Mary is also very fortunate to make a good acquaintance who offers her a job and a place where she can live on her own. Despite her wishes not to marry, a suitor approaches her and she’s forced to make a decision; that could alter her life forever. It is also interesting to see how Mary changes throughout the story. It is through Mary’s observations of how others live their daily lives and interact with one another that she begins to grow as a person and becomes less introverted.
If you enjoy historical novels, this is the book for you.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Buy: A Match for Mary Bennet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN 978-1-4022-2011-1
Copyright 2009
Genre: Historical Romance
Page: 350 pages
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April 8th, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, A-C, Africa, Book Review, Children, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Historical Romance, Pirate, Politician, Rogues and Rakehells, Widow or Widower
The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander follows not one but three couples on their journey to love. Luckily two are more peripheral and have overall less air time in the novel. The main couple is Sabrina Winfield and Nicholas, Earl of Wyldewood. The other couples are Sabrina and Nicholas’ offspring from their first marriage, and Sabrina’s friend with Nicholas’ sister.
Sabrina has for the last ten years a life of total propriety. She has been prim, poised, controlled, tame, and dull. She misses the adventure from her past—the intrigue, the thrill, and the illicit nature of her work. She could command the loyalty of men, change fortunes, and guide her own affairs. With her young daughter about to wed, Sabrina yearns keenly to let loose and be free of society’s demands. When she hears about her late husband’s last gamble and subsequent winnings, Sabrina ransacks her London home.
Having found the French letter with instructions to legendary gold buried in Egypt, Sabrina packs and sets off to reclaim herself and to change her fortune. Unfortunately, her daughter’s finance’s father seems to think it’s his business to keep her out of trouble. The annoying Earl of Wyldewood, a politician with a streak of rakish charm a mile long, is determined to unearth Sabrina’s secrets. She is terrified of revealing them, for her past could land her in prison. Under the guise of helping his son, Nicholas is following Sabrina to Egypt with the intention to protect her. However, if he were honest with himself, he would have followed her anyway for underneath her prim exterior, Nicholas suspects that Sabrina may just be the perfect wife.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Buy: The Perfect Wife
Originally posted 2008-12-08 07:47:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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