Touched By Time

Leanne Shawler
Regency Romance, Time Travel Romance

"Until this moment, she'd never understood whey the girls in the horror-schlock films didn't run to safety.  She did now.  Too much curiosity for their own good."



Jane Leighton, newest guest of the Chadwick Bed and Breakfast, needs a break from her ex-boyfriends and life in general.  What she doesn't need is a ghost haunting her room.  Certainly not one who is too cute for his own good and too sad for her to ignore.  Ramsay Chadwick however, thinks he's seeing a ghost in his room as well.  A lovely young woman who for once doesn't seem to be afraid of him.  But he has bigger things to worry about - like his fiance and his best friend flirting with each other just weeks before the wedding.  That is, until his ghost suddenly becomes real, and comes with news that he and his fiance are going to die before their wedding day.

My Opinion:  Truly a fun read.  Anyone who has read many regency romances, tend to think about how they would react in such situations.  With this book, you really get the feel of a modern woman's approach to regency events.  Jane, though not your classic heroine, is a relate-able character and is able to say some of the things that I often say in my head to regency characters.  Chadwick is also a fun character.  His feelings and reactions are very real.  I love the conversations that these two have as well and the mystery of figuring out what happens to Chadwick in the past.  Good read.

The Scandalous Life of a True Lady

Barbara Metzger
Book 2 of True Love Series
Truly Yours, The Scandalous Life of a True Lady, The Wicked Ways of a True Hero
Regency Romance

"Sometimes he forgot who he was."


Harry Harmon was tired of being a master of disguises.  But, he had a plan to get out of the whole business and deal with the threat against his life.  All he needed was a woman to be his mistress - and make a splash about it.  Miss Ryland just might be perfect for the houseparty he needs to attend.  Simone Ryland was at the end of her rope.  She had no money, no prospect and no references.  Perhaps it was about time to sell what her employers' husbands had been trying to take.  But the prospect of playing a mistress at a house party - one that is to host a competition among the courtesans....perhaps she could win enough money to support herself without too much time or effort.

My Opinion:  Okay, this one is not quite as squeaky clean as most of the ones I review.  Nothing is described in detail, but one or two things are tidily glossed over.  Besides the fact that it is about a houseparty full of men with their mistresses.  But, I'd still call it clean and very enjoyable.  I love Harry's character and how he fights with his inner moral sense.  Simone is fun and taciturn and made me smile the whole time.  As well as having a romantic plot, there was some real excitement.  The side characters were fun too - I can't wait to try out their stories too.  I really enjoyed it.  I haven't read the other two books in the series, so I can't attest to their cleanliness yet, but I will be on the lookout for them.


  

The Rejected Suitor

Teresa McCarthy
Book 1 of Clearbrooke Series
The Rejected Suitor, The Wagered Bride, The Convenient Bride

"Not simpletons exactly....I believe fools and half-wits would be more appropriate."



Emily Clearbrooke's brothers have decided that it's high time they took the matter of their little sister's marriage into their own hands.  Emily is sent into the country while they look over the prospects after which they will bring her to Town.  However, having had her heart broken once before she is not willing to play into their hands so easily.  Besides which, while they were off at war, she has grown up and taken care of more than just herself.  But how to convince them to let her choose her own spouse, especially when Jared, her previous suitor gets involved.

My Opinion: This is my favorite of this series.  I absolutely love the characters.  Emily is fiery and opinionated, and yet still vulnerable.  There are great twists and turns in the plot that carry it along very nicely.  The interplay between Jared and Roderick are fantastic.  They keep me laughing.  I felt that this was very realistic in the stories and how the characters acted.  It always keeps you guessing.

  

The Ruby Ghost

June Calvin
Book 2 of Silverthorne Series
My Lady Ghost, The Ruby Ghost
Regency Romance
Ghost Story

"Roisterer?  Rake?  Villain?  Monster?  Come, come.  Let us have the truth with no bark on it."

Penelope Jones doesn't believe in ghosts.  All she wants is a governess position that will last for several years and the Silverthorne's are offering a great position.  However, their cousin, James Betterton has other ideas.  He believes she might be the key to banishing the ghosts that haunt his cousin's home.  But convincing Penelope that he has no dishonorable intentions toward her may prove difficult.  Almost as difficult as convincing her that ghosts really exist and that she must come help.

My Opinion: I knew when reading this that there was a previous book, but it's okay.  I still liked it, even standing on its own.  I enjoy ghost stories so long as I don't get scared.  The story is intriguing, both the story of the ghosts and the story of the live-action characters.  There are some good plot twists.  On the romance end, there are some really enjoyable scenes.  Good story, all in all.

Courting Trouble

Nonnie St George
Book 2 of Series
The Ideal Bride, Courting Trouble
Regency Romance

"But dearest, it defeats the purpose of coming to London if you are just going ot marry a man that Papa has chosen."

It isn't fair!  Arabella Swann is finally in London to find a husband who will want her, and not her considerable dowry.  Unfortunately, her father has already made his choice abundantly clear: the Duke of St Fell.  St Fell is perfect.....perfectly annoying!  All Arabella wanted was to enjoy the season, be courted and fall in love.  Not to be distracted by a fascination with her father's choice.

My Opinion:  I love this book.  I think it's a little better than the first one, but that one is good too.  This one makes me laugh out loud.  Arabella's stubbornness and frustrations, while a bit silly, are relate-able.  St Fell's antics to make her fall in love with him are hilarious.  They are perfect together.  The side character are great fun and really fill in the story in addition to making me laugh in their own right.  The author does a good job of pulling you into the story and everyone's emotions.  Definitely a good read.

Breaking Dawn

Stephenie Meyer

Book Four of Twilight Series

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn

Paranormal Romance
Contemporary Romance
Young Adult Romance

"You're awfully small to be so hugely irritating."

Bella's made her choice.  Jacob is left with a choice of how to react to losing her.  How can he still be a friend when she will become his mortal enemy.  For Bella, now, all there is left is to go through with their plans.  But what happens when she finds something that may be worth staying mortal for after all?

My Opinion:  To be honest, this was not my favorite of the series.  I mean, it was good and it concluded everything nicely, but it was missing something for me.  There was less of the light-hearted, fun, teenage novel and tried to be way to serious.  I also felt like too much was resolved too easily.  I really liked the part of the story involving Jacob however.  I'd say the first half of the book was better than the second, but I know there are those out there that would vehemently disagree with me.  Overall, I'd say read it, but if it weren't the end of the series, I don't think it could stand on it's own.

  

The Improper Governess

Carola Dunn
Regency Romance

"Ashe decided on the spot that this was the point in a relatively law-abiding life when he and the law parted company."



Lord Ashe is interested in Lissa Findlay for one reason - the same as most gentlemen who see her sing on stage. Lissa Findlay wants Lord Ashe for one reason - to see if she can trick him into giving her a free meal and perhaps leftovers to take home to her brothers. However, after Lord Ashe falls into her plans, he can't seem to forget her or the plight of her family. When his sister loses yet another governess an unusual plan forms in his head. But can they manage to pull it off - to pass an opera singer as a governess? Just as important, can he make himself forget the reason he was interested in Miss Findlay in the first place?

My Opinion: I really enjoy this one. Lissa is a great character with realistic reactions and reasonings. Lord Ashe is also a fun character, creative and kind. Not so much kissing and more story. The young boys in the book are a really great addition to the storyline. Very enjoyable book.

Lady of the Keep

Sharon Schulze
Book 4 of 7 in l'Eau Clair Chronicles
The Hidden Heart, To Tame a Warrior's Heart, Heart of the Dragon, Lady of the Keep, The Shielded Heart, Bride of the Tower, For My Lady's Honor
Medieval Romance

"Clandestine endeavors such as this were clearly beyond her."

With her husband dead and herself great with child, Lady Moira FitzGerald has done all she can to protect the keep and her people.  Sending for help to the overlord, she receives his brother, Conner FitzClifford to reinforce them against the enemy.  She doesn't expect to be attracted to him, especially since she knows she could never be worth of such a man.  Connie FotzClifford, prepared for his first command to control a keep, is anxious to prove himself and soon finds himself consumed with the need to protect the lady herself.

My Opinion:  I had no idea when I picked this up that it was part of such a long series and additionally that it was in the middle.  I could tell I was missing one story, but not three!  I really enjoyed this one.  Medieval romance is so hard to keep clean for some reason and this one did it while still managing to be exciting and fun.  I love the way they fall in love and the twists and turns they have.  Moira is very strong and brave despite all that has happened to her.  The only drawback I found was that they seems to stand and sit several times during conversations that made it hard for me to follow what they were doing when.  Not enough to keep me from it.  Now, I can't wait to find the other books and try them out!

UPDATE: Bride of the Tower turned out not to be as clean.

 Heart of the Dragon














  

The Grand Sophy

Georgette Heyer
Regency Romance

"I am very glad to know, because if ever I should desire to please you I shall know just how to set about it.  I daresay I shan't, but one likes to be prepared for any event, however unlikely."


The Rivenhall family is turned upside-down when their cousin, Miss Sophy Stanton-Lacy comes to visit.  Confident, vibrant, and possessing of a very unusual upbringing, Sophy sets out to improve the lives of her cousins as she sees fit.  From Cecelia who fancies herself in love with a good for nothing poet, to Hubert who is obviously having the financial problems of the young, to Charles who is engaged to an intolerable snob, Sophy decides to find a solution to it all whether they want it or not.  

My Opinion: This is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer books.  Sophy is a fantastic character with great charisma and perfect quips.  I enjoy all the stories that get intertwined together with this family of misguided individuals.  Charles is a great character who, though prideful and a little stodgy at first, is very believable and likable.  Not as steamy or focused on the main romance, you still believe that they have fallen in love.  There is a very good balance between the romance and the rest of the story.  Definitely a great book to read, especially if you want a good laugh.

Eclipse

Stephenie Meyer

Book Three of Twilight Series

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn

Paranormal Romance

Contemporary Romance

Young Adult Romance

"None of those freaky Virgos here."

The Cullens are back and Bella is with Edward again.  Everything should be perfect, right?  Except the fact that Jacob refuses to talk to her.  That Edward refuses to let her see him.  That the Vultori have plans to come visit and make sure she is a vampire - an action that Edward is still hesitant about.  Oh, and Victoria is still trying to avenge James' death with Bella's.  All this makes for a very busy last semester of High School.

My Opinion:  You'd think that Bella had already made her decision between Edward and Jacob.  The first time I read this one, I got slightly annoyed, but upon further reflection, I like it more and more.  I enjoy the play between Edward and Jacob in their "fight" over Bella.  The various tactics and animosities make it interesting.  There is a good amount of action in this one, though I feel the author starts down a slippery slope of wanting to tell more background, stories and myth rather than keeping up with an exciting plot.  Definitely worth the read.