Love in the Afternoon

Simon Howden

"As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even thought she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted... and she resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man--just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul--and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man.

When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep...and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love--and a passion that can't be denied..."

* * 

As the last installment in the Hathaway series, Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas was a must read for me. And again, Kleypas did not disappoint. Beatrix has been one of my favorite characters throughout all of the Hathaway novels and after completion of this book, she immediately jumped to the top of the list. 

SAMMAI

I formed an immediate connection to Beatrix. She's an honest girl with a love for animals beyond any normal bond and as the proud owner of a dog, a cat, and a rabbit -- I must say we share that love for four-legged friends. 

Beatrix's longing for true love is a main factor in forming a connection. She wants a husband that accepts her with all of her peculiarities, a man that doesn't want her to be like every other girl in London society. A man who won't make her hold back her thoughts, or hide her love and desire for the world she lives in. Kleypas writes Beatrix's character in a way that allows readers to understand her, their dreams and desires coinciding with those of Beatrix. 

This novel was a wonderful ending to the series bringing tears of sadness and of joy, and of course out loud laughter. However, it disturbs me to say that I found one huge typo in the novel in which (upon reading) I yelled "Noooooo" to my ceiling (not claiming that I don't make frequent typos in my own writing). I was greatly disturbed when I realized it was impossible to reply to a letter written in December ten months before it had been written. 

Ignoring that small fact, Love in the Afternoon captured my heart. I may even read it again tomorrow, or on some rainy day when I have nothing to do but revel in Beatrix's soul-warming story. 

Love in the Afternoon
                     on Amazon
                     
                  rating : 4/5 cups

Married by Morning

"What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?"

zirconicusso

A.k.a. Catherine Marks and Leo Hathaway, Lord Ramsay. 

Which is which? That's up to the reader. 

Leo is, and has always been, a notorious rake with a history of self-destruction. After his first attempt at love, he isn't to keen on the idea of doing it again. While Catherine Marks, governess to the Hathaway ladies, is the picture perfect example of propriety... with a past that haunts her, promising to catch up. 

Every time they meet, an argument undoubtedly ensues. But there's something about Miss Marks that has Leo more than intrigued. And he's overly determined to shed light on her past, no matter how much she resists, hiding behind her spectacles. Perhaps he can win her with one of the kisses he simply cannot stop himself from giving her... 

* *

Lisa Kleypas definitely outdoes herself in this amazing novel, Married by Morning. With a love story that travels through all of the previous books in the series (Mine Till Midnight, Seduce Me at Sunrise, Tempt Me at Twilight, and Love in the Afternoon), Leo and Catherine are characters that readers have already come to care for throughout the previous novels. And the story that Kleypas gives them is, without a doubt, the most interesting one so far. 

Readers will not be able to resist Leo's charm or his heart-breaking history that almost sent him over the edge. His quick-witted nature will cause out loud laughing, while his internal demeanor tugs at the reader's soul. 

Catherine will not be left out, by any means, however. She's a timid woman who had plenty of reasons to fear life itself. Her background will have readers cheering for her to overcome all of her fears as they simultaneously understand every feeling she has. 

Though it isn't necessary that readers start with the first book of the series, or read any of them before this one, it definitely makes the connections with the characters that much stronger. Once read, these books are those that will never slip from memory. The loves stories within the pages will remain, always. 

 Married by Morning
                             on Amazon

               
                          rating: 5/5 cups

Teaser Tuesday (6)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Married by Morning (p.83)
       - Lisa Kleypas 

"He had tried it once, letting himself fall madly in love, nearly losing everything as a result.
And there were some risks a man couldn't take twice." 

Should Be Reading @ Wordpress

Nowhere Near Normal

Poppy Hathaway longs for a normal life. Her family, though nowhere near normal, is wonderful and loving but Poppy doesn't want that life for herself. She wants a routine. She wants predictability.

Simon Howden

And marrying Michael would do just that.

Marrying Harry Rutledge, hotel owner and inventor, would not.

After a scandal, including Poppy, erupts at a society ball, she is made an offer of marriage... from Harry, to save her reputation.

Harry has already made it clear that he'll do anything to make sure she says yes, because he refuses to not have Poppy for himself.

* * 

Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Klepas, (whom I've come to love as an author !) was absolutely thrilling, heart wrenching, and loving. The Hathaway family is a circus of various amusements with Poppy quickly becoming one of my favorite sisters. I read the entire book in one sitting, :)

Poppy is a strong young woman who accepts herself. She loves politics, debating, questioning motives, basically everything a woman should not talk about in London society. But, she also longs for normalcy, which is impossible for a Hathaway to obtain. 

Harry Rutledge though is a different matter. I liked the character well enough but he had a few traits that I couldn't imagine in a man for Poppy. He was controlling, domineering, selfish, and had to have his way - no matter what it cost. Not that he wasn't civil, even nice, to Poppy, but as the story played out I kept thinking that she didn't deserve this man. Although, the end did take out my tongue for saying that. :) 

Tempt Me At Twilight 
                            on Amazon

                
                         rating: 3/5 cups

The Kiss

When you ask for a sign that you're doing the right thing the night before your wedding, expect the unexpected.

When Tess walks into the church that she will be married in the next day, she prays for a sign. However, she would have never thought that sign would be her fiance and the Reverend's daughter getting busy in a back room.

Evgeni Dinev

Feeling like her life has just been taken away by a tornado, Tess decides to get out of town. Away from the gossip, stares, and her evil step-mother who will stop at nothing to make sure she marries Paul, the "Rat Bastard."

And Will offers just that. An old friend of Tess, Will is driving across the U.S., toward California, to bring his friend back her van and adored dog. The idea of having a week to herself to get her life back in order becomes the perfect escape route for Tess.

The Kiss, by Elda Minger, takes an interesting turn when Will realizes that he is having strong feelings for Tess. And for her, it seems that the escape route may just turn out to be her life line to the path Tess was supposed to be on...

* *

Almost needless to say, The Kiss had me hooked from the first chapter. Perhaps I'm like this with all books... With a few odd stares from laughing out loud so much, I devoured this book in under five hours. 

Elda Minger creates the perfect (pre-) romance novel with characters that are completely relatable. She gives the reader an in-depth look at the internal process of the main characters while keeping external situations true to life. 

The story line was incredible in terms of plot development. As Tess and Will discovered new facets of themselves, other characters, and their lives, the writing style of Minger includes the reader, birthing an air of satisfaction that requires only one deep breath. 

At one point, I'll admit, I cursed Paul (the evil fiance) out loud while walking through my kitchen. 

Can I say that I'm only disappointed that a little more romance wasn't involved... even though, I wouldn't change anything about the novel? I didn't think so either. :) 

             

           

           The Kiss

                                  on Amazon

                           

                               rating: 5/5 cups

Duke For Hire

It begins with a woman looking for a husband.

Not love.

It also begins with the same woman mistaking a duke for a common business solicitor.

When he's hired by her to find her a husband, preferably, a duke, and preferably, on her list of acceptable dukes. He agrees. Because really, with those eyes, how could he say no to her?

Except he, being a duke, isn't on the list. And he just also happens to be the one who has fallen in love with her.

Poor Elinor, being set up to fall in love with James Tremont when all she wanted was an acceptable marriage.

**

It's obvious to see that what Elinor really wants is just that, love. Only she believes (after her first husband was overly cruel) that it won't ever exist for her. After being hurt, we're all cautious to jump back in the world of relationships, and that is exactly where the reader connects with Elinor. Making this love story, Mad About the Duke by Elizabeth Boyle, laugh out loud funny and hopelessly endearing.

Mad About the Duke on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

A Tale of Wicked Intentions

A friend lent me the book Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt, and I'm sure as hell glad she did. It was a complete thrill ride, with more than just wicked intentions.

Temperance and her brother Winter run a foundling home for orphaned children in the worst part of London, St. Giles. The orphanage was opened by their father and the two siblings decided that they would take over the home when he passed. But now the home is running out of money. Quickly. Soon they will be evicted from their home and their father's dream will be nothing short of a failure.

Lord Caire has slightly unusual ... bed habits, and his reputation definitely precedes him. When his mistress is murdered, Caire vows that he will find whoever killed her and seek his revenge - in St. Giles. He seeks out Temperance as a woman who will help him uncover his mistress' murderer. And he will pay her - handsomely.

This man and this woman, both with horrifying secrets, strike a bargain, but are they able to keep their desire for pleasure away from that of business? 

Tracking down a murderer, saving orphaned children, seduction under the bleak stars of St. Giles... Needless to say, I read this novel in less than 24 hours.

Wicked Intentions on Amazon

Igniting an Internal Passion

a) A sexy scandal. 

b) A romp around the photography studio. 

c) Unconditional love at the peak of a broken heart. 

d) All of the Above

Hope Tarr covers a lot of ground in Vanquished, one novel in "The Men of Roxbury House" series. Tarr brings the reader to their knees praying that Hadrian St. Claire survives the fight for Caledonia, the love of his life. With a blunt writing style that paints an accurate portrait of certain events, Tarr consumes the mind's eye of the reader, igniting an internal passion to have ... more. 

Readers slip into the pages, relating to the characters as Tarr shows their faults as well as their virtues. Hadrian's had a life full of mistakes and now is the chance to turn it all around. To accept his past, his present, and to make his future. A universal struggle that Tarr brings to the forefront. 

Correct answer? 

D

Begin this novel and fall in love with the first man from Roxbury House. 

Vanquished on Amazon

Enchanting

Forced to marry only to fall in love with one's husband. Irony at its romantic best.

It was Celestia's destiny in Traci Hall's novel, Love's Magic, to be the one woman to heal her husband from the inside out. As she struggled to chisel away the stone Nicholas had built around his heart, she began to find a man who was noble and full of strength. A man worthy of her love.

As readers we can connect with Celestia through her journey of unrequited love. By moving closer to her husband's heart, she found her soul mate, but Nicholas couldn't accept the love she offered. He believed that he was undeserving of anything so pure and that Hell was the only thing willing to accept him. We all know how it feels to love someone with all of our heart only to learn that it will never be returned. Readers will find themselves falling in love with Nicholas as they struggle along side Celestia to win their true love.

Nicholas, through his feelings of despair and the belief that he is not worthy of something so great, also forms a bond with the reader. A co-alignment of painful memories. The past haunts us all. The demons waging an internal war, only dispelled by forgiving ourselves for the mistakes we made.

Love's Magic is a novel for anyone who has every felt the desire to give their heart away and ask for nothing in return. Open the cover and be enchanted with the warmth of the words.



Love's Magic on Amazon

Three Sides for the Love Triangle

Grace and Chauncey. In Denise Agnew's Love From the Ashes, Grace wants to marry for love and Mr. Chauncey appears to be the noble man with an appreciation for the modern woman. She recognizes his caring and friendly attitude. While on a picnic in the park, Grace wonders if Chauncey could be the man of her dreams. The man she's been waiting for. The one man that she will give her entire heart too without waiting a beat.

Nate and Grace. Nathaniel Dempsey is a bold man from Ireland searching for a new and better life in San Francisco. But he seems to have a knack for falling in love with women above his societal role. Does he have the strength and determination to reach for more? The feelings that Grace has for him are more than obvious. He has intrigued her. While he lays ill with influenza, Grace dares to nurse him back to health, throwing societal views to the wind.

Nate and Chauncey. Chauncey has a sterling reputation among the streets of San Francisco. The pavement turning gold beneath his feet as he walks. Mary, Grace's step-mother, is hoping that this man will be the one to steal her step-daughter's heart. While courting Grace, Chauncey warns her to stay away from Nathaniel. A brute Irishman shouldn't be allowed to be alone with a social gem such as Grace. However, Mary sees the compassion that Grace has for Nate even if Grace denies the feelings herself, or tries to.

Will the two men come to a face off in the last half of the novel?
And which man, if either, will be the one to steal Grace's heart away and fulfill her longing for a life of love?

A Little Bit of Romance

Grace, the daughter of a prominent figure in 1906 San Francisco, has refused to marry a number of eligible bachelors, swearing that when she marries it will be for love. Enter, Nathaniel, an Irish immigrant who applies for the title of chauffeur to Mr. Wyne, Grace's father in Denise Agnew's novel Love From the Ashes.

During the job interview he can't seem to take his eyes off of Grace, doubting that she knows how beautiful she is. Does he realize how against societal views Grace is and that status will not force her to give up her hope of falling in love? Could Nate be the man that she's hoped to find since her debut in society when she was younger?

After a week of working as Mr. Wyne's chauffeur, Nate has already come to blows over Grace. Another employee of the Wyne household let his tongue get ahead of him and the disgraceful words ended with him knocked unconscious by Nate's hand. Nate questions why he seems to be so protective over this 23 year old beauty? The answers lie in his past and in the guilt that he hides from. The hints that Agnew lets "slip" about Nathaniel's past and the failure to protect his sister imply that the guilt he holds in his heart will send him to Hades.

But could Grace be the woman to save Nate's soul?
And will Nate be the first man to accept Grace and show her what falling in love is like?

A little bit of romance will light the way to discovery.

A Novel Full of Gypsies

As I've traveled from India to England and back to India in the past five hours, I realized that Patricia Watters is not only spinning a tale of lies, deceit, and (to be expected from a romance novel) love. Watters delicately proves through Damon and Eliza(beth) that what you think is best with your mind isn't what your heart will ultimately lead you to.

It connects with the age old saying, the grass is always greener on the other side. If I could just reach goal A, then I could finally be satisfied. When, to reference another cliche, if I would just stop and smell the roses, then I would discover that what I have is exactly what I want.

"Her Master's Touch" not only shattered my usually dependable radar for predicting what will happen by the final word of a novel, but spun me around so many times that I began doubting everything I believed. The characters in this novel did fit the usual archetype of a romance novel character, yet, they broke the molds with their realness. The minute details set you up to be deceived with the best part being that you end up liking it.

But then again, with a novel full of gypsies, what the eye takes in cannot (always) be trusted.


Her Master's Touch On Amazon