THE DUKE’S NIGHT of SIN by Kathryn Caskie

THE DUKE’S NIGHT of SIN by Kathryn Caskie

November 30, 2010 – HarperCollins Publishers - Mass Market Paperback , 384 pages

Working your way through the sins of life is such fun reading

Sebastian Beaufort, The Duke of Exeter is trying to avoid obtaining a wife, making a grand entrance and survive his newly obtained title. Lady Siusan Sinclair is attempting to regain her father’s favor, not commit any additional family sins which is difficult when you family has been labeled the Seven Deadly Sins and stay under any bachelor’s radar.

When Siusan and Sebastian have a clandestine meeting every good intention flyies out the window and they both are seeking additional sins that might not have been broken on the sofa, in the dark, without an exchange of names. Siusan does not want Sebastian to know who she is so fleeing to the far regions of England and becoming a teacher makes the most sense. But her idea of what to teach the young girls is much different than they are used to because she wants them to be educated and learn to run a household – very scandalous.

Sebastian can’t give up Siusan and seeks her out and when he finds her the pretense of games has to stop. She must admit who she is to him and confess the one sin she keeps committing – lying about her feelings for him. Yet Siusan has other ideas and pursing them will let her stay at the School of Virtues and further educate the girls as well as write a manual for all the other young women seeking knowledge of how to grow up and become respectable wives. Sebastian has other ideas and he keeps pushing them onto Siusan and yet she pulls back still trying to save her reputation and restore family honor.

But rain, snow, distance nor carriage accidents can keep them apart and Sebastian will do but is honorable as well as desirable toward Siusan. Even when a voice screams that she has a reason to stop this relationship Sebastian has had the feel of Siusan body and soul are in his hands and he wants and needs her for life. But can the right decision be made and will Siusan choose her family or her lover?

This series is riveting because the characters are so full of life and interact exactly as a family would. They stand beside one another through the bad times but never fail to blast you with the truth as they see it. Siusan is tender and thoughtful which offsets Sebastian’s tough and commanding personality. They are a good combination and a wonderful story.

TEMPTED BY FATE by Kate Perry

TEMPTED BY FATE by Kate Perry (Book #3 in The Guardians of Destiny Series)

November 2010 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages - ISBN-13: 9780446564625

You are drawn in to read and can’t stop this book is that good.

When you are a police officer life is seen in only the black and white that is worn with straight lines drawn and rules followed. Very little mystic is involved or faith for that matter. But when you step out of the box to see the full color palate the one color that stands out is gray and even that can wash out into a White Witch.

Willow Tarata is such a woman that colors the entire world with her beauty and the magic she creates. As a Guardian she has known that it is her duty to protect The Book of Wood part of the Scrolls of Destiny and she takes this job seriously as the parchment controls destinies and impact lives. What Willow also knows is the Bad Man is coming to get her and has been in pursuit she he murdered her mother. Willow does not know who he is or why he wants to harm her but everything in her life has surrounded staying one step ahead of him. She has done a good job of it until the Bad Man sets her up for one murder after another and while on the run she stumbles and falls right into the arms of Homicide Detective Rick Ramirez. Rick is an all business police officer for some reason has decided to use a new interrogation method and he intends to kiss the truth right out of Willow. He doesn’t know why he is protecting her or even why he believes she is innocent but it is all physical not mystical that is drawing him to her, or is it?

Things go from complicated to intense with a side order of high drama as Willow and Rick become more entangled emotionally and physically. Willow and Rick call in friends, co-workers and even a few potential criminals to help them solve the crimes, figure out who the Bad Man is and protect the scrolls. Rick never thought despite his grandmother’s predictions to the contrary that he could trust his emotions to run an investigation but who can argue with your grandma they always know best.

This book continues the series fresh, interesting and with a mystery that is as creepy as it is scary. The characters are fun, diverse and just sassy enough to make you wish you knew them so you could watch this interaction play out in real life. You don’t need to read them in order but I always feel you are missing some piece that helps everything make sense if you don’t so buy all three.

RESCUE by Anita Shreve

RESCUE by Anita Shreve

November 30, 2010 - Little, Brown & Company - Hardcover, 288 pages

ISBN-13: 9780316020725

Can you save someone else from their demons?

Peter Webster was 21 when he literally saved Sheila Arsenault’s life. His EMT team was responding to the call for medical assistance and they met. While these were less than ideal circumstances a relationship was formed and Sheila grabbed on with both hands to Webster’s lifeline. Webster had the one and only thing Sheila craved – normalcy.

Sheila comes with excessive baggage to the relationship but Webster ignores it all and falls in love despite the huge problems. They have a daughter, Rowan and Webster prays that this will bring Sheila to her senses and have her stop the spiral of destruction she keeps putting herself into. But with all hopes and dreams this one for Webster is short-lived and he takes the matter of caring for his daughter in his own hands. Sheila cannot be a mother and a drunk and when he made her choose it left Webster alone to raise Rowan.

Life seemed ideal until Rowan hit 17 and beyond the regular adolescent angst Rowan turns angry toward him and Webster is powerless to figure out why. He reaches out to Sheila who has been gone for 15 years and the timing could not have been better as Rowan has found herself in a situation even an EMT can’t save her from. Will Sheila being back help or hurt the life Webster has made he doesn’t know but for Rowan any risk is worth taking.

This book is one that forces the reader to do self-examination in that it makes you think “what am I willing to risk for the sake of my child”. More than likely it is everything and we are of course accepting of what the casualties this decision might bring. Anita Shreve always writes thought provoking books but this one hits home because we all at some time have to decide whether we are a help to another person or an enabler. After you answer that question, what do you do after that?

TEN WAY to BE ADORED WHEN LANDING a LORD by Sarah MacLean

TEN WAY to BE ADORED WHEN LANDING a LORD by Sarah MacLean

October 2010 - HarperCollins Publishers – Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

ISBN-13: 9780062018700

Follow your heart not the rules and love will capture you!

Lady Isabel Townsend has been picking up the pieces of everyone’s life since her father deserted her family when she was barely old enough to dress herself. Her mother died shortly after and Isabel knew that the only way to keep it together was to stay busy do what comes naturally to her – take care of everyone but herself. So that is what Isabel did and taking in those rejected by proper London society seemed an easy way to use that skill to everyone’s advantage. The problem was having the idea and keeping it financially solvent when you father spent every dime the estate made was the difficult part.

Lord Nicholas St. John has just been voted the “Lord to Land” the Regency version of most eligible bachelor by a tabloid and it is making his life chaotic. He doesn’t want the title, is tired of his twin brother finding complete pleasure in his misery and plans to run from it as fast as possible. When a job offer comes up to find the sister of a Duke who has gone missing Nicholas mastery of the hunt returns to the surface and he once again goes after his prey. It is something he is well known for and a talent he is not sure how it developed but one he takes full advantage of especially when all these eligible women have decided to follow his every move.

Finding the missing girl was easy, turning her back over to her brother becomes impossible when Nicholas meets Isabel the woman who is hiding her. Nicholas realizes that Isabel in need of a caretaker and he is a sucker for women that need him. But in truth Isabel doesn’t want him anywhere near her at the off chance he may discover what she is up to and men in general have brought nothing but pain to her. But she does need money, has those statues to sell and he is an antiquarian expert so maybe she could get him in and out before he realizes the depth of her deceit. Keep dreaming Isabel the hunter in Nicholas has sensed new prey and he loves this game he has decided to embark on.

Throw in a flooded out road, a young earl in need of some manly advice, this beautiful damsel in distress and all the emotions Nicholas hides so well come to the surface and take his breath away. Both Nicholas and Isabel have so many secrets and as one after another is exposed the walls come down between them and stolen kisses turn into passionate nights and a desire to no long be alone or afraid.

This book follows Nine Rules to Break When Landing a Lord and while I thought that book was spectacular this one is even better. Isabel is so strong and doesn’t need anyone to take care of her but she needs a partner which is something Nicholas has never been asked to stand in as before. They both learn the ropes of life are slippery so be careful when trying to pull yourself and someone else up. Isabel is fabulous and Nicholas is quite a white knight but certainly does have shining armor. Wonderful read everyone can enjoy.

THE DEBUTANTE’S DILEMMA by Elyse Mady

THE DEBUTANTE’S DILEMMA by Elyse Mady

November 8, 2010 – Ebook – Carina Press - ASIN: B004774YPO

Can a woman have two many men in her life?

Miss Cecilia Hastings is a striking beauty and the toast of the ton with not one but two handsome and eligible bachelors asking for her hand. These are not just any men mind you trying to obtain her favor these two men are the best of friends and have been since their first adventure after moving from the cradle to the adventure. Cecilia is envied and criticized by her peers and for making these two men choose between her and their friendship.

What Cecilia wants more than just a match is a marriage of passion and nightly yearns and cold nights filled with lust. Is it possible to have all that from just one man? Cecilia wants to make sure she choose the right man and the only way to confirm that the decision she is making is the right one is to “test the waters” so to speak. Secret rendezvous arranged, potential husband shows up, Cecilia is ready to – wait a minute both men are here how did that happen? What shall she do now that she is confronted with a decision yet both questions have been asked at the same time? My, my, my whatever shall she do?

When you are sure you see the direction this book is taking, guess what you get smacked right in the head with a new idea and one so outrageous it is believable only because it is well written. Anyone can have an idea it is how you execute that makes the difference to the reader and Ms. Mady really knows about the element of surprise and how to write Regency with a kick!

Mistress by Midnight by Nicola Cornick

MISTRESS by MIDNIGHT - Book #3 in the Scandalous Women of the Ton Series - Nicola Cornick

November 23, 2010 – Harlequin Romance - Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Historical Romance at its very best is written by Nicola Cornick

Garrick Charles Christmas Northesk, The Duke of Farne is dealing with the relief of his father’s death, the burden of gaining the title of Duke, the guilt even after all these years of having killed his best friend and the annoyance of that man’s sister who is attempting to have him tried for murder after all these years. Lady Merryn Fenner is a wisp of a woman who has made it her mission in life to have Garrick brought up on charges resulting from her brother’s demise that she holds Garrick solely responsible for.

This mission has consumed the bluestocking every waking moment and drove her into the unheard of profession of Inquiry Agent the Regency version of a private detective. Merryn feels so passionate about justice and revenge is the bittersweet pill will take to have Garrick held accountable for his sins. But when confronted by him her objective becomes blurred when the hatred turns to lust and the vendetta becomes passion and a new obsession reveals itself in the overwhelming desire to have him kiss her. It is such a fine line in identifying the emotions that drive us from one extreme to another and Merryn becomes confused to say the least.

Merryn is so much more than just one dimensional and it takes Garrick’s gentle touch and warm heart to show her that hiding behind the glasses she doesn’t need and the tough façade she doesn’t possess is only going to get her hurt. Garrick is trying his best to right the wrongs done to Merryn’s family and while she cries foul over the gesture her hands are wrapped around his neck and her lips are pressed against his. When exactly did she become the seductress and not the victim?

Once the walls literally come down upon them the secrets start to reveal themselves, the lies exposed, lust explored and the truth finally told. Garrick and Merryn learn they can love and trust one another with their hearts as well as their long buried thoughts. The deeds of the past bring pain and it is possible to love the person who performed them once you learn the difference between fact and fiction.

This final book in the series is splendid to say the least. It is the exploration, again of an event that while not central to the story lends itself to some historical interaction with romance which is always a pleasure to read. As a die-hard fan of Ms. Cornick’s books this one again shows how historical romance is written and the variety each character brings to her books. Merryn is tough and dealing with all her sensibilities while Garrick is soft trying to be strong and carry on where others have failed. Thank you Nicola for writing such awe inspiring stories it is greatly appreciated.