A Wicked Liaison (UK)
Title: A Wicked Liaison
Author: Christine Merrill
UK Copyright: 2007 (Mills & Boon)
UK ISBN: 978-0-263-86237-9
US Copyright: 2009 (Harlequin); pgs. 276
Series: Harlequin Historical #953
US ISBN: 978-0-373-29553-1
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Historical Romance — Regency
Constance Townley, the young Dowager Duchess of Wellford, is in a bind. The small allowance the new duke, Freddy, gives her isn’t enough to maintain her London residence. Freddy would prefer that she retire to the dower house on his estate. Constance, only thirty, hopes to remarry and that requires her to remain in London. Her late husband had the deed to the residence, and all of the furnishings, put in Constance’s name. Unfortunately, Freddy also has the deed and he’s avoiding her. If she could sell her townhouse and find a smaller, more economical residence, Constance could live comfortably until she receives a suitable marriage proposal. Unfortunately, the men who call on her lately are only offering “carte blanche”, to keep her as a mistress. After twelve years of marriage and no children to show for it, it is believed that Constance is barren. Men of the nobility need sons to ensure the family name continues. A woman like Constance is more attractive as a mistress than a wife.
Very few people know how desperate Constance has become. Unfortunately, one of the few is Lord John “Jack” Barton. He’s unscrupulous and cold. He views Constance as an object, an ornament, to be collected and looked at. He’ll do anything to manipulate her into doing what he wants He’s slowly backing Constance into a corner until she has no other choice than to give into him. Constance has no one to turn to for help. However, unbeknown to her, someone is about to come to her rescue. Someone who’s known and loved her for years.
Anthony de Portnay Smythe is professional thief. In the past, his skills kept his two widowed sisters-in-law, nephews, and niece from the poor house. Thanks to careful investing and the marriage of the ladies, Tony’s talents are no longer required and he’s feeling a little unneeded in that department. However, since making the acquaintance of St John Radwell, Earl of Stanton, Tony’s talents have been called upon for the good of the nation. Stanton has a job for him. A Treasury official has settled a large gaming debt by being blackmailed into handing over engraving plates for the ten-pound note.
- A Wicked Liaison (US)
Stanton needs Tony to steal them back, if at all possible, before the counterfeiter has the chance put the money in circulation. It has to be done discreetly, too, so as to not destabilize the markets and cause panic. He advise Tony to also search the house of the man’s supposed mistress, just to be sure he hasn’t hidden them there. The would-be counterfeiter: Lord Barton; his supposed mistress: Constance Townley
Comments: I really loved this book. Ms. Merrill, as I’ve said before, is one of my favorite Harlequin Historical authors (I think she might even be the favorite).
My favorite character was Patrick, Tony’s valet. Patrick was a thief once, and he is the person who taught Tony. He’s also Tony’s confidant, knows all about his unrequited love for the duchess, and the one who tells Tony when he’s making a mistake by not revealing his true identity to Connie sooner rather than later. I enjoyed reading their scenes together because they’re usually where Tony is explaining why he hasn’t said anything to Connie and Patrick pointing out the flaws to his reasoning. There is even a face-palm moment for Patrick during one such conversation.
Though he’s a thief, Tony is otherwise a true gentleman — he is the third son of an earl. He’s caring, polite, well-mannered. He’s also funny, witty, and confident when it comes to his “profession”. When it comes to Connie, he’s afraid to tell her the truth of his identity, that he’s someone she’s known since they were children, because he’s afraid of the rejection. I liked him a lot, and I could understand why it was important for him that Connie recognize him without being told. And I love how she figures it out.
I liked Connie very much. I thought she was true to her time. Raised to make the best marriage possible — she did that. When her older husband died, she expected to be provided for (and she really was, if Freddy hadn’t been an idiot) so she wouldn’t have to worry about where her next meal came from. She wanted to remarry, so she played by the rules, remained respectable and keep an eye out for the best possible offer — just like she’d be raised. It’s not her fault that the men only see her as a potential mistress. She does the best she can and she does make mistakes. I like that she tries to stand up to Barton — usually only to fail, but she does try — and that she eventually gets the better of him.
Favorite Quote:
“Did you find the deed?”
“What? No ‘Hello, Tony. So good to see you. Lovely dancing this evening. . .’ No preamble. Small talk? Chit-chat?”
– Constance, Tony
Started: 21 April 2010
Finished: 3 May 2010
Rating:
LOVED IT !!
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
Demonkeepers by Jessica Andersen
Title: Demonkeepers
Author: Jessica Andersen
Copyright: 2010 (Signet); 448 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22957-1
Series: The Final Prophecy #4
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Possible Spoilers for first 3 books!
From the Back: All his life Lucius has been an outsider. He yearns to be strong, to be a warrior like the Nightkeepers. And when the Prophet’s magic begins to change him, Lucius finds himself becoming the sort of man he’s always wanted to be. Held back by her lack of a warrior’s magic and the strictures of her bloodline, Jade longs to break out of her supporting role. Determined to prove her worth among the Nightkeepers at any cost, she won’t let anything stand in her way — especially petty matters like love.
Comments: Back when I wrote about Nightkeepers, I made the comment that I thought Lucius would play a larger role in future books. Well, I was right. A lot has happened to him since then, and his continued existence was questionable over the course of the succeeding books; in fact, he was nearly killed in the previous one. The Nightkeepers performed the Prophet spell on him in the hopes that they could save his life and gain access to their missing/hidden library at the same time. Being demon-possessed and nearly decapitated has taken its toll, even without the other changes brought on by the Prophet’s spell. The once tall, lanky beanpole of an academic has transformed into someone who looks like a Nightkeeper. The new Lucius even begins to see things Jade’s way, particularly her view on relationships. By the start of Demonkeepers, Lucius hasn’t had any luck accessing the library using blood magic.
If blood magic isn’t doing the trick, the next step is sex magic. Jade is the only unattached female Nightkeeper left at Skywatch. Knowing the possibility might arise, she has willingly offered herself for the task. Jade and Lucius had a brief, but intense, affair during the time the mages were researching the Volatile and Lucius was on a quest to find Sasha Ledbetter. At the time, Lucius was hoping there was something more to the encounter, but Jade informed him that she doesn’t do relationships: friends with benefits, that’s it. Even so, she hasn’t forgotten their time together, and she does care about him more than she’s ready to admit to. I found it a little hard to warm up to Jade. Her character was the most reserved of all the Nightkeepers. Shandi, her winikin, was not an affectionate person. She raised Jade to be “dutiful, diligent, and decorous”. Learning a bit of Jade’s, and Shandi’s, history helped to understand her better, however.
Lucius and Jade’s inability to tap into their magic stems from their fear of — reluctance to — fall in love. And if you’ve been reading this series from the first book, you know that opening themselves up to love is key to accessing their power. Their first attempt to find the library sends them on a detour before it allows Lucius to enter it. Unfortunately, things are more complicated then everyone was led to believe. The library isn’t the type you can just peruse a card catalog until you find what you need, and come and go as often as you please. Once again, it’s another set-back for the Nightkeepers.
As for the rest of the gang . . .
I really like how Rabbit is becoming more mature and responsible. He’s a far cry from the pissed off kid back in the first book. However, I’m not getting the warm fuzzies about Myrinne. I’m beginning to wonder if she’s the right person for him after all.
Patience and Brandt’s book is next, so there is some set-up going on in this book in preparation.
Speaking of set-up, Sven is seen/heard from more in this book than any other so far. I have my suspicions as to who his romantic interest will be. And Snake Mendez’s — the author said there will be nine books, so unless some Nighterkeepers magically appear, one of the future books will theoretically be about him. So, let’s see: Book 5 is about Patience and Brandt and that leaves four books. Rabbit, Sven, Anna, Snake (not necessarily in that order). I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Andersen has in store for us.
It’s really getting difficult to talk about the books in this series since so much could be considered a spoiler as events move closer and closer to the end date in 2012. I had a hard time writing this for that reason.
Bottom line, though I wasn’t very fond of Jade, I still loved the story and I love visiting the Nightkeeper world. Looking forward to the next visit.
Started: 11 April 2010
Finished: 20 April 2010
Rating:
LOVED IT !!
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
copyright
by Christina on February 22, 2010
in 2009 "Pub" Challenge,5 Stars,Countdown Challenge,Fantasy,Ilona Andrews,Magic,Other Supernatural Beings,Paranormal Romance,Shape-Shifters,The Year of Readers 2009
On the Edge
Title: On the Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2009 (Ace); 309 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01780-5
Series: The Edge #1
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Once upon a time, there was a young maiden named Rose Drayton. She lived in the Edge, that place between magic and mundane, raising her two younger brother to the best of her ability. Rose has a menial job in the Broken (our world) and it is barely enough to keep them fed and clothed. Rose also has powerful magic. Yet, instead of being a blessing, it has been nothing but trouble for Rose. She’s been sought after – literally hunted – by lesser, weaker nobles of the Weird solely, for the purpose of providing potentially powerful children; even other Edgers, more interested in monetary gain than community loyalty, have tried to snatch her up for the reward money offered by desperate peers. The only thing Rose really has is her pride, and if she can’t have love and respect and be desired for herself, she would rather be alone and poor than lower herself to the status of mistress.
Then one day, a knight appears. Declan, Earl Camarine, doesn’t get the chance to say “Hello,” before he finds himself staring at a crossbow aimed at him by a lovely young woman who then proceed to tell him she won’t sleep with him. Intrigued by her out-of-nowhere announcement, Declan gets her to agree to issuing him three challenges: if he succeeds, she will be his; if he fails, he’ll leave her alone.
But all is not right in the Edge. Strange dog-like creatures who seems to have an affinity to magic are endangering the Edgers. Rose and her brothers are not safe, and Declan insist on staying at Rose’s house, to better protect them. Declan and Rose must convince the other Edgers that they band together to eliminate the threat.
What I liked: There is a lot going on in this book, stuff I didn’t even touched on — the above is just the main plot points. There’s William, the cute and mysterious guy who seems interested in Rose, but she can’t put her finger on the reason he seems a little off to her. Then there is George and Jack, Rose’s 10- and 8-year old brothers. Both are adorable without being cutesy. And of course, all the world building. There is quite a bit of it, since the Weird and the Edge are not simliar. Each has their own “rules” and culture. The elements seem familiar — the Weird sounds like a historical, but with magic — and even Rose thinks the nobles live the life of leisure attending parties and balls.
It took a bit, but I eventually warmed up to Declan. He comes across as your typical historical snooty noble — and you wonder why Rose isn’t falling for William instead. There’s more going on, of course. Once Rose gets to know Declan a little better, I started to like him.
What I didn’t like: Casshorn and the “hounds”. Yuck.
This book was the first full length novel I read on my e-Reader.
Recommended to: Fans of fantasy or paranormal romances (yes, this one is more a romance than the Kate Daniels books).
Started: 29 September 2009
Finished: 30 September 2009
Rating:
LOVED IT !!
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
