New Review: THE TARNISHED LADY by Sandra Hill

Historical Romance (Medieval / Viking 947 AD)

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Lady Eadyth of Hawk's Lair is no stranger to scandal, as an unwed mother and a keen business woman, she has learned to strike when an opportunity presents itself. She shocks Eirik of Ravenshire with a frank proposal upon their first meeting. She is prepared for rejection from the loathsome lout, but she knows just how to sweeten the pot, the offer of revenge against his old enemy.

*****

THE TARNISHED LADY is probably Sandra Hill's most serious book. It's not missing any of her characteristic humor, but it's definitely more toned down than her other books. She tells Eadyth and Eirik's story in a more dramatic style, with their misunderstandings not turning into great laughs. It made me speculate more on how their match would work out in the end. It also made it a more emotional read for me. I could feel how Eadyth's and Eirik's decisions twisted them up as they tried to move forward.

I liked how Eadyth inadvertently fooled Eirik in the beginning of the book, as I think that it allowed his character's growth to start to show when he began realizing his attraction to her. Of course it also showed how sensitive he was to his own faults when it became apparent that he was tricked. Their passion lit up the pages and they had a great deal to learn about each other, which kept the story going.

I enjoyed the brief bits the children played throughout the book, never did they overpower the storyline. Also, Eirik's brother Tykir is a sexy riot, luckily we can find his own tale in THE BEWITCHED VIKING. Eirik and Eadyth's shared enemy had an interesting development that created a bit of sympathy, as unlikely as it seemed. All in all THE TARNISHED LADY finished as one to defiantly stay on my keeper shelves, because I will visit these guys again.

Rating: 4

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Review: LORD LANGLEY IS BACK IN TOWN by Elizabeth Boyle

Standon Widows #3

Historical Romance Regency (1815)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Minerva, the last of the Widows' Standon figures she now has it made. Now that Lucy and Elinor have remarried, she can have the house all to herself. She talked the duke into doing some renovations, so she knows that if she is frugal, life will be good. That is until a houseful of the duchess's former “nannies” invade her home, and a handsome rake falls into her bed, literally. Turning her life into chaos.

The Baron Langley is one of Britain's top spies, but it seems as if someone now wishes him dead. He's chosen the perfect hiding spot, that is until the house overflows with women. Running out of options, he decides to come out of hiding, but to do that he will need a cover, one he thinks Minerva will fulfill quite nicely.

When Langley suggests the engagement, Minerva is quick to lay down some rules. She will not be pulled into scandal and he must not kiss her. But how can he resist such a challenge, especially when she doesn't seem to be to adverse to the feel of his lips.

*****

LORD LANGLEY IS BACK IN TOWN was a fun ending to Elizabeth Boyle's Standon Widows' trilogy. Langley and Minerva balanced each other out perfectly. Minerva was definitely the more mature of the two, even if Langley was 10 years older than her. He had a tendency to be a bit of a rapscallion to her more straitlaced and proper lifestyle. I really enjoyed how Langley baited Minerva and provoked her to stray from her strict principles. the sexual tension that practically vibrated between them as they tempted each other, and tried so hard not to succumb.

I loved the Regency “James Bond” theme that Langley portrayed. Ms. Boyle kept a fresh and amusing spin on a well used trope. But I found all of the “nannies” to be distracting, and while I understand their importance to the storyline, I felt that there could have been less of them. I think they made the story lag, especially towards the beginning. One thing I was very thankful for was that Felicity only had a fleeting part. I liked her in her own story, but in everything since she has been overbearing and pushy, yes, I realize that is her character, but it's annoying.

I am looking forward to Ms. Boyle's new series out next year, as I always love her fresh spin on things.

Rating: 4

Review: THE DANGEROUS LORD by Sabrina Jeffries

Historical Romance/ Regency (1820)

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Felicity Taylor is determined to save her friend from a disastrous engagement to an immoral libertine, what she didn't count on, was becoming the main focus of the rakish lord.

When Ian Lennard, Viscount St. Clair, reads of his supposed scandalous and debauched life in a popular gossip rag, he is enraged, and vows to locate this “Lord X” that writes such drivel, to make him pay.

When two stubborn wills collide there will be no quick and concise outcome of events. But maybe there can be a compromise of sorts...

*****

Sabrina Jeffries has written another thoroughly entertaining tale of the misadventures one can find themselves on the road to love. I really enjoyed Ian and Felicity's banter and the sizzling attraction that Felicity mostly tried to deny, but of course, in the end could not.


Ian was just trying to find a bride, but between his uncle and then Felicity's interference, it was becoming the most difficult task. He was easy to like, he just wanted to do what was right, and live a nice unassuming, but content life. Though I really liked it when he showed a hint of a darker side, showing he wasn't someone to mess with.

Felicity on the other hand was not so easy to like. I found her to be an terrible gossip, even if she only spread rumors based on truth, about her enemies. She had a nasty habit of misconstruing events and she wasn't willing to budge even when she could be proven wrong. I was irritated with her stubborn convictions and her lack of trust in Ian. I know that she was trying to make a living to raise her brothers, but that didn't make me like her any better.

Felicity turned Ian's life upside down, especially with her unfortunate assumptions. It was good that she got him to feel and she and her brothers definitely brought some added excitement to his world. Even as annoying as I found her, I felt that they could make a good life together.

Rating: 4

Review: MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION by Anna Campbell

Historical Romance (Regency)

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

369 pages

Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, is set on revenge. He will allow nothing to get in his way, not even the delectably tart chaperone, Antonia Smith. 

Lady Antonia Hilliard is still paying for her past, hiding herself as Antonia Smith, a drab and dower chaperone. She knows better than anyone how youthful passion can lead to nothing but trouble. Now to atone for her past indiscretion, she is determined to be the most sedulous chaperone. When her charge is pursued by one of London's most notorious rakes, she increases her guard. But can she resist the temptation of the rogue?

*****

Anna Campbell's reads are always emotional roller coasters for me, MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION was no exception. Nicholas especially brought out all sorts of feelings in me. I could understand his want for revenge, and respect his diligence, but he crossed the line when, after discovering his feeling for Antonia, he still wished to pursue his goal. I would have held more sympathy if he had changed tactics. He could have found another means of the revenge he was so adamant about.

 

I did get a little tired of Antonia tormenting herself with her past fall from grace. I can understand that during this time period moral standards were a lot higher than they currently are, but she just kept beating herself up over it to a point that I wanted to stop reading the book. 

 

Now the one thing that I loved was the passion and chemistry which practically sizzled between Antonia and Nicholas. Wow, these two set the pages on fire. I also enjoyed watching their battle of wits, as they each tried to stay one step in front of the other. I liked that there really was no secrets between them, Antonia new exactly what Nicholas was up to.

Fortunately Antonia's niece, Cassandra, had a decent head on her shoulders. I really liked her, and I liked that she wasn't so easily pulled in by Nicholas's charm. 

 

I will read more of Ms. Campbell's work, because I do enjoy it. I only hope that she writes a different kind of heroine next time, as they seem to be getting a bit stale. And because I really don't like the self-torturing heroine, I would rather read about someone determined to overcome their past mistakes, not relive them in their memories over and over again.

Rating 4

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Review: CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER by Julianne MacLean

Highlander #2
Historical Romance (Scottish)
St. Martins Press

336 pages
Available March 29, 2011

Launching a surprise attack on those inhabiting his home, Angus “The Lion” MacDonald is determined to take back what is rightfully his. To secure his conquered castle, he insists on marring Gwendolen to unite the battling clans.

Forced to wed the fearsome warrior, Gwendolen is unwilling to give up without a fight. Can she keep her heart closed, when he ignites her passions?

There is an enemy lurking in the shadows, on whose side will Gwendolen choose?

*****
CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER was an engrossing tale that pulled me in from the first page and kept me engaged until the last. Angus was delicious in his ferocious warrior self. While he was the man in charge, he wasn't a complete ass about it. His past experiences enhanced his character and gave him certain ethics, which I felt made it easy to believe his enemies would respect him, agreeing to stay and combine the clans. Gwendolen was a likeable character who had a few “duh” moments, but she mostly kept her head about her. I enjoyed watching Angus and her struggle to deal with their new feelings.
 
The one person that I really couldn't stand in this story, ok there were a few others...BUT Gwendolen's mother, Onora was the most irritating of them all. I just wanted to lock her in a dungeon. I could understand some of her actions, but I just didn't like her, and would have preferred to have seen less of her.

The character I want to see more of is Lachlan. I really hope his story is the next! There is a man that needs to find someone to give him a run for his money. It seems that the women just fall to easily for him, I hope to see him brought down a bit. :-)
 

Rating 4/5

 

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