The Sins of Lord Easterbrook

Posted on February 19, 2009 by malenalott

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook by Madeline Hunter

First line: ”Silence. A dark, calm center absorbing chaos into its stillness.”

Madeline Hunter happens to be one of my favorite all time Historical Romance authors. And she does not disappoint with The Sins of Lord Easterbrook. This is the third in a series of three brothers. Lord Easterbrook makes appearances in the two previous books. What impresses me most about Ms. Hunter is her ability to maintain the character’s personas throughout all three.

Lord Easterbrook is a most odd character. Rude, eccentric, harsh, insightful to the point he thinks he is cursed with bad blood. In this story, we find out why. Lord Easterbrook is a tough man, whose insecurities lie deep.

Her heroines, by the same token, are strong, keeping true to themselves to the very last page. This young woman is out to avenge her father’s death. But life is not always what it seems.

The intrigue with this book is most unusual for a Regency Historical, touching on the East India monopolies and the smuggling of opium. Without giving too much away, I highly recommend this book. When you read one Madeline Hunter, without a doubt you will be searching high and low for everyone of her others.

For: Readers who want a gripping suspense and love story where both the hero and heroine have life-changing decisions to make. - Kathy Wheeler

Buy it at Amazon

When A Stranger Loves Me

Posted on February 11, 2009 by malenalott

When A Stranger Loves Me by Julianne MacLean

First line: ”The thunderous boom from a cannon shook the ground beneath his nude body and mumbled through the foggy haze in his head.”

This story has an interesting prologue: the hero is washed ashore with no recollection of how he came to be where he’d landed (in a cave), what he had been doing, or who he is.

Chapter one introduces a heroine who has been exiled due to a scandal some seven years prior. She appears perfectly content with her situation until he arrives on the scene. Her brother has been married for ten years, but a child has not yet been conceived in all this time. So their mother starts demanding the daughter to marry. Not only a man twice her age, but a cousin, as well, out of duty to keep the bloodline direct from their deceased father.

Deciding to use the hero as a stud service, without his knowledge to get pregnant, does not sit too well with the hero. Doubly so, because if/when she conceives she conspires to give a child to her brother and sister-in-law.

I don’t believe I’ve read a story where the daughter was expected to marry because an heir had not yet been provided. We later find that the mother had married for a title, was very unhappy, and pushed the same on her daughter, which makes more sense.

I found the motives for the hero believable in a sense, because according to his family who finally locate him, he’d always been the responsible one, always trying to do right by the family. With his anger having been suppressed for most of his life, it starts coming through and he is frustrated because he doesn’t understand why.

This kept my interest, though I regret to say, the emotion throughout the book was weak.

For: Readers who want an interesting psychological twist with internal conflict. - Kathy Wheeler

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Her Secret Lover

Posted on November 18, 2008 by malenalott

Her Secret Lover by Sara Bennett

First line: ”Antoinette Dupre closed her eyes behind her spectacles, shielding them from flickering light as the sun dipped lower through the trees.”

In Her Secret Lover, Anoinette is on her way to the depths of Dover, far removed from London. An unsavory friend of her late father’s has taken it upon himself to force her into marriage because he needs her fortune. He set her up in a compromising position to force her hand. But she is stubborn. Unfortunately, she has a sister he is threatening her with, which ups the stakes.

On the way to the depths of Dover, a highwayman holds up her carriage. You see, she has a letter she believes can destroy the man. The highwayman knows about the letter and wants it. The unsavory man is vengeful and has taken the highwayman’s rightful home and future inheritance. He knows she has it hidden and rips her dress – in the front! When she finally gets to the manor house she believes all the servants are loyal to the unsavory subject.

Unfortunately, I was somewhat put off by an almost rape scene in the beginning when desire, rather than fear/anger hit both parties, which I found not so believable. However, I liked the characters as they were mostly consistent throughout the story. Thankfully,the villain did get what was coming to him which, of course makes it okay in the end.

For: Readers who want something to pass the time. The heroine’s stubborn nature makes it a fun read. -Kathy Wheeler

Buy it at Amazon.

Like No Other Lover

Posted on October 27, 2008 by malenalott

Like No Other Lover – Julie Anne Long

First line: “You’ve gone an alarming shade of russet in the face, Redmond.”

I only have one complaint in this book, and that is I had to try to figure out who said what throughout. But let me be clear on one thing. IT IS A GREAT READ. The heroine is beautiful and broke. But she is also feisty in a way you don’t see in a lot of historical novels. She is after a title and money and she makes no bones about it. And why shouldn’t she be? She grew up poor and has no one. She is a little self centered and has to look after herself. In fact, at one point she suggests a drinking game to some house party guests at the expense of another guest that was a little mean spirited. Yes, she felt bad afterward, but….. well, you get the picture.

The hero has money – though he’s not titled. His father had disinherited his older brother because he married someone unsuitable and ran away. So the father spoke with our hero about his future bride. No problems there, until the house party was under way and he cannot resist the heroine. He’s always been so dependable. Continue reading →

Passion and Pleasure in London

Posted on October 22, 2008 by malenalott

Passion and Pleasure in London by Melody Thomas

First line: Temptation came in many forms.

I’ve never read Melody Thomas before this book, but since reading this one, I’ve bought the rest of hers. (Expensive find when you find an author you love.) The intrigue is intense – up to the very last page. The hero and heroine have so much to overcome, even after they’ve declared their love, it’s wrenching.

Our heroine is a thief, but for good cause, of course. A Regency Robinhoodess, so to speak. She steals from the noble and gives to the needy. Her uncle is rich but she lives in a cottage on the edges of the estate. Why does she not live in his home, under his protection? There is a very good reason, I assure you. (You’ll have to read it to find out) The Duke in the area is almost destitute, so the people suffer (the needy).

Our hero, the grandson of the Duke, long lost, I should add, returns, mostly to thumb his nose up to the old geezer. But blood, it turns out, is definitely thicker than water. He finds he cannot just walk away.

When the heroine steals the hero’s purse, he starts after her. But her two protectors (her ten year old brother and his friend) startle his horse. A gun shot is fired. The hero is hit but because of the diversion he is not killed, but very badly hurt.

As I mentioned before, and feel it is worth repeating, the action and suspense are taken to the very last page. I could not put this book down. My advice – Read it.

For: Readers who want suspense, action, tension and love to the very last page. -Kathy Wheeler

Buy it at Amazon.