Thanks to Wendy for holding the challenge.
To recap: The goal of the challenge was to read four books, with a common theme, in six months. The theme was left entirely up to the reader.
My list (Books in RED are on more than one list/alternate list):
- April Lady by Georgette Heyer {16 Apr 08} (REVIEW)
- A Lady of Rare Quality by Anne Ashley {24 Feb 08} (REVIEW)
- My Lady’s Prisoner by Ann Elizabeth Cree {26 Apr 08} (REVIEW)
- Forbidden Lady by Anne Herries {10 Jan 08} (DNF)
- Crusader’s Lady by Lynna Banning {18 Jan 08} (REVIEW)
1. What things did you enjoy the most about this challenge?
Everything. Four books with a common theme, to be read in six month, sounded like a manageable goal. Inspiration for my choice of theme, such that it was, came about when I was looking at books for the Back to History challenge. I noticed that I had many books with the word “lady” in the title. I was just thinking that maybe I should host a challenge called, “She’s a Lady”, when I found/stumbled across Wendy’s challenge. Thank goodness for that! Saved me from agonizing over such things as, how many books should I make the challenge?, should I offer a prize?, should I create a separate blog? 
2. What were your favorite reads? Least favorite?
My favorite book was April Lady by Georgette Heyer. The one I liked least was the one I did not finish and did not write a review for. Of the reviewed books, A Lady of Rare Quality by Anne Ashley, came in 4th place.
3. Would you do this one again if it were offered next year?
Yes, definitely! I’ve got a lot more Harlequin Historicals! I’m sure I could come up with another theme easily with just those alone. Or maybe Star Wars. I’m sadly behind.
4. Anything you’d change about the challenge?
It’s not something that Wendy would need to change, because I don’t think if it was a “set in stone” requirement (unless I missed it). Alternates. Whether or not it was a “rule”, I was strict about the reading list and the alternates I chose. If a book came my way that I just had to read and it fit the theme, I did not count it toward the theme because it wasn’t on the lists. For example, I saw reviews for The Spymaster’s Lady and I couldn’t wait to read it. So next year, unless it’s a “rule”, I’m going to be more flexible with my alternates list. 
My Lady's Prisoner
Author: Ann Elizabeth Cree
Copyright: 2003 (Harlequin); pgs. 297
Series: Historical #680
Sensuality:
Subtle
Who: Julia, Lady Carrington, and Nicholas Chandler, Viscount Thayne
Lady Carrington’s husband was murdered three years ago. No one was arrested for the crime and it was believed to be a robbery gone wrong, though the only item taken was a distinctive ring. However, Julia believes that there was more to it. Her husband had worked for British Intelligence — and there is a slim possibility his death was connected to the assignment he was working on. So when she learns from a friend that the ring has been seen on the hand of the Viscount Thayne, Julia is determined to learn how it came to be in his possession.
Nicholas Chandler, Viscount Thayne, has decided to mark the second anniversary of Mary’s death by wearing the ring she gave him. This act has brought him to the notice of more than one interested party. He’s kidnapped at gunpoint, wounded by a highway robber, and forced to endure bed rest and bad cooking in a run-down country house/farm. It’s safe to say that Nicholas is not happy and refuses to cooperate with Julia.
This new predicament makes Julia realize how irrational her plans were. Nicholas’ people, especially his grandfather, the Earl of Monteville, will wonder what happened and begin searching for him — expecting foul play. She feels guilty for the wound he received and for dragging him unwillingly into her life. Added to this confusion are her feelings for him. She never thought she feel the same way about another man as she had for Thomas.
Things aren’t any simpler for Nicholas. Two years ago, he failed to save the life of the woman he loved. Nicholas had fallen in love with a betrothed woman, who chose to go ahead with the marriage instead of calling it off to be with the man she loved. Shortly after, she fled from her husband and became ill. By the time Nicholas was sent word of her whereabouts, she was dying. He has never forgiven himself. Now, he’s caught up in Julia’s affairs. Someone else is interested in the ring, and has put Julia’s life in danger. Feelings he thought died with Mary are stirring and he’s afraid he’ll lose Julia the way he lost Mary.
Because of the confusion they both feel, they can’t be alone with each other more than a minute before the end up in an argument. They need time to work on putting their pasts behind them. But someone made a large bet — that they will be married within two months — and he isn’t above manipulating things to ensure that Thayne will be forced to propose.
I enjoyed this book. I thought their relationship was handled realistically. I really felt for Nicholas. Yes, it’s bad that he got involved with another man’s betrothed, but apparently Mary didn’t love Nicholas enough to call off her wedding to marry him instead. I thought it odd. Mary calling off the wedding wouldn’t have been a big a scandal as it would have been if Lord Huntington had done it, or if he divorced her.
I did not realize there is an earlier book by the author, that features Nicholas’ sister Sarah and Lord Huntington (The Marriage Truce). I’m interested in reading it, and hope to do so soon.
Fun fact – It wasn’t until I started writing this that I noticed that the couple had the same names as the main characters in Deanna Raybourn’s Silent in the Grave.
Favorite Quotes:
“There is a goat in my room.”
“Yes. It is Betty.”
“Indeed.”
– Nicholas, Julia
“No baggage again, I see.”
“Julia needs to either warn me when she plans to kidnap me or have my valet pack a bag that she can bring with her.”
– Mrs. Mobley, Nicholas
Started: 16 April 2008
Finished: 26 April 2008
Enjoyed it!
Rating:
notice
April Lady
Author: Georgette Heyer
Copyright: 1957 (original); 2005 (Harlequin); pgs. 347
Series: NA
Sensuality:
Kisses
Who: Lady Helen “Nell” Irvine and Giles Merion, Earl of Cardross
Summary: Despite the scandalous blemish on her family’s name, Lord Giles Cardross was convinced his lovely young bride cared for him. But as the bills and extravagant debts begin to mount up, Giles begins to suspect that perhaps his adored wife isn’t as innocent as he supposed. Especially since, as of late, she’s been unable to look him in the eye.
Comment: It’s been over a year – in fact 2 years this month – since I read a Heyer. The last was Bath Tangle. So far, I’ve enjoyed most of the books I’ve read.
I liked Nell. A sweet person, who over-spent her quarterly allowance when she loaned her roguish brother money. She then over looks a bill for a very expensive dress and is afraid to tell her husband about it. Her behavior has made Giles question whether she married him for love or for his money. Poor Giles. Here’s a man who’s truly in love, and is confronted with the possibility that the naysayers were right after all. And when he thinks Nell is responsible for what happened to the Cardross necklace, I really felt his anger and heart break.
I also liked Dysart. Even with all his crazy schemes, he’s a decent guy — if somewhat directionless. He’s a much better character than Letty, since he does try to help (in his own way) when all Letty cares about is getting her own way. I did not like Letty, Giles’ spoiled, self-centered half-sister, at all. Her thoughtless remarks served only to reinforce Nell’s insecurities regarding Giles’ true feelings for her. Yet Nell continued to be sympathetic to Letty’s cause. Her behavior throughout made me wish that Giles would like her up in the attic!
Started: 5 April 2008
Finished: 16 April 2008
Liked A Lot
Rating:
home
A Lady of Rare Quality
Author: Anne Ashley
Copyright: 2006 (Harlequin); pgs. 297
Series: Harlequin Historical #200 (Regency)
Sensuality: Kisses
Who: Annis Milbank and Deverel Greythorpe (Viscount Greythorpe)
Summary: They’ve never seen Viscount Greythorpe listen so intently when a lady speaks. To have caught the eye of this esteemed gentleman, Miss Annis Milbank must be a lady of rare quality.
Comments: This book was a nice change of pace, after Black Ice and Silent in the Grave. I particularly liked Deverel and Annis. The viscount is a serious man, but not a recluse or a rake. Up until he meets Annis, his criteria for his potential viscountess is that she be a kind and affectionate mother. Once he gets to know her, he realizes he also wants an intelligent and capable wife as well. Annis is just that. However, Annis is not really looking for a husband. She’s financially comfortable and she’s not after a title. All that Deverel can do is ask her to stay longer, hoping that she’ll grow to like him well enough to accept his proposal. For her part, she has grown to admire and respect him during her stay at Greythorpe. She doesn’t realize the depths of her feeling for him until she believes he’s on the brink of proposing to another woman.
The rest of the story I thought was so-so. There is a small mystery as to who has a grudge against Deverel and why. I thought the who was obvious — though the why wasn’t what I suspected.
I liked the author’s book, Beloved Virgo, much better than this one. But, as I stated above, I was looking for a “quieter” book, and it fit the bill.
Started: 18 February 2008
Finished: 24 February 2008
Just Ok
Rating:
Crusader's Lady
Author: Lynna Banning
Copyright: 2007 (Harlequin); pgs. 293
Series: Harlequin Historical #842
Sensuality: Kisses/Warm
Violence: nothing worth mentioning
Where & When: Jerusalem, 1192
Who: Soraya al-Din and Marc de Valery
Summary: King Richard has chosen Marc de Valery to be his escort/protector on his return trip to England. Accompanying them is Soraya al-Din, disguised as the boy Soray. Marc killed her mentor, a man who was trying to deliver a message to the king. Soraya vows revenge and finds herself accompanying Marc with the hopes of fulfilling that vow. She expects to return to Jerusalem and finally deliver the message to the king, not knowing that the monk Marc travels with is Richard.
Comments: The book blurb is somewhat misleading, so I chose not to use it. It implies that Soraya holds a grudge against Marc throughout the book. Fairly early, Soraya comes to realize that she can’t bring herself to kill Marc when the opportunity arises. The knight is kind to Soray, even when “his” behavior as a servant would have evoked harsh treatment from a master. Marc is a honorable man, and she comes to refer to him in her mind as her knight.
For his part, Marc has grown fond of the mischievous “boy”. Soray’s antics make him laugh, in spite of himself, something that the war-weary knight hasn’t done in a long time. Soray’s slight build and seemingly innocent nature makes Marc protective of “him”, though Marc witnesses Soray standing up to a group of servants — and proves that “he” doesn’t need protecting.
Marc learns the truth and is doubly mad at Soray/Soraya. He feels his lost a friend. Soraya is a woman and it doesn’t occur to him that Soray’s personally was really Soraya, and not an act. The reveal was nicely done and not in the obvious way. They keep the truth from their traveling companions and Marc continues to behave honorably, hence the double sensuality rating. For most of the book, they are traveling as fast as they can to get to England, enduring hardships along the way. They fall in love, but do not act upon it until they are safely in England — which is almost the end of the book.
I really liked Marc and Soraya. Soraya knows, and understands, that she may never be Marc’s. She accepts that Marc must honor his betrothal and doesn’t carry on like a child. Her acceptance and understanding makes him love her all the more. Of course, Marc finds a resolution to their problem.
The author includes a note regarding what historical facts she tampered with, and which characters were fictional and which were real people.
Started: 10 January 2008
Finished: 18 January 2008
Enjoyed it!
Rating:
