The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell

July 31, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell
The Saxon Stories #2
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Full Length (349 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

The last unvanquished piece of England, Wessex is eyed hungrily by the fearsome Viking conquerors. A dispossessed young nobleman, Uhtred is tied to the imperiled land by birth and marriage but was raised by the Danish invaders—and he questions where his allegiance must lie. But blood is his destiny, and when the overwhelming Viking horde attacks out of a wintry darkness, Uhtred must put aside all hatred and distrust and stand beside his embattled country’s staunch defender—the fugitive King Alfred.

The Pale Horseman is a gripping, monumental adventure that gives breathtaking life to one of the most important epochs in English history—yet another masterwork from New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell.

Uhtred holds the fate of England in his hands.

Before reading this installment in the Saxon Stories, I recommend reading The Last Kingdom, the first book in the series, not only because this tale picks up where The Last Kingdom left off, but also to better understand Uhtred’s history and his complicated relationships. Also, I must warn readers that The Pale Horseman, contains graphic violence as well as rape, though the rape is not described in detail.

It has been an adventure watching Uhtred grow up! He’s married, become a father, survived his first shield wall, and killed the Danish warrior Ubba. Uhtred feels he’s done more than enough to prove himself. However, Alfred doesn’t completely trust Uhtred because of his refusal to become a Christian and his divided loyalties. It is easy to sympathize with Uhtred because he is much more likable than Alfred, but I will admit I can see Alfred’s point of view at times. Alfred is a man mature beyond his years with carefully laid, long-term plans. In contrast, Uhtred is wild and quite immature at times, and while he has some long-term goals, he tends to live in the moment. Uhtred can make or break Alfred’s plans, and that makes Alfred uncomfortable. That being said, I’ve found Uhtred to be a man of his word. If he says he will accomplish something, he will. Uhtred doesn’t understand why that isn’t enough for Alfred. I find the relationship between Uhtred and Alfred fascinating. I can’t help but wonder what these two great men could accomplish if they could find a way to work together. Unfortunately, I fear they are doomed to never see eye to eye.

Denied the credit for the victory at Cynuit, Uhtred is understandably angry. In his frustration, he makes life changing decisions that will bring him joy, sorrow, and again put him at odds with Alfred. Uhtred is still truly torn between the Saxons and the Danes. There are moments where I held my breath because Uhtred’s choices literally had the power to change the future of England.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this chapter in Uhtred’s life, and I can’t wait to see what he will do next! I look forward to picking up the next book in this captivating series.

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Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James

July 12, 2019 By 1 Comment


Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (288 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Could she possibly refuse a duke’s hand—in favor of a sardonic, sinful rake?

Lady Betsy Wilde’s first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed—but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure.

No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan—but Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman. He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he’ll provide the breeches.

If he wins…she is his, for one wild night.

But what happens when Jeremy realizes that one night will never be enough? In the most important battle of his life, he’ll have to convince Betsy to say no to the duke.

I knew this book was going to be fun. I’ve been following The Wildes of Lindow Castle for a while and every single book in the series is a winner. Say No to the Duke continues the saga about a very unusual family, and as always, I giggle and snicker at various times because of their antics and/or dialogue.

This can be a standalone read. Indeed, I’d forgotten a certain part so I was still enjoying it. However, when I got to the part where Jeremy figures things out, I was stunned. I believe my jaw dropped and my eyes popped because suddenly I DID remember what had happened previously and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Seriously? All this time? And for the price that was paid – oh did I get steamed. It was totally a fist-bump moment when Betsy (a/k/a Boadicea) let her actions speak for her feelings. I would have done it twice for good measure. I wasn’t alone in feeling that way, Lady Knowe did too. I really liked Betsy’s aunt. Because of all that, I changed my mind a bit – reading the previous book in the series, which is another great read btw, can enhance a reader’s enjoyment with this one.

In the previous book, Jeremy was instrumental in helping the main characters through their plot twists and conundrums, but now the stakes are higher. His feelings of annoyance in the past blossoms into something wonderful – feelings that make him uncomfortable, like lust, and fascination and possessiveness (in a good way) and the poor guy doesn’t know what to do. Until he stops and pays attention to himself, to finally understand, to realize he is worthy of love and he wants it, with Betsy. To see a tortured hero finally see a light at the end of the tunnel is a glorious thing, but he’s not a pushover by any means. His strength is tested but he perseveres. He has an estranged father and their meeting was momentous and really important to what comes later in the novel. I rather liked Jeremy’s dad.

Lady Tallow is a secondary character that left a sour taste in my mouth, figuratively speaking. She was so nasty. I respected Thaddeus immensely because he had some very good qualities, but I wanted to hug him when he reacted to something Lady Tallow said. I hope someday he’ll get his own HEA – he’s a bit stuck-up but a good egg.

As far as internal conflicts, Betsy’s happiness is still being poisoned by something that was said when she was 14 years old. It’s amazing the lengths some will go to ensure they don’t get hurt ever again. The heroine had an epiphany and it was quite wonderful to read as it came about. Jeremy, like I said, is estranged from his dad, but there is the matter of his PTSD from the war. That is a huge hurtle to overcome, or at least deal with it in a healthy manner, and it does play a significant role in the plot thread.

There is a villain which was well written because I completely agreed that the person was a twisted, sorry soul. I had no sympathy whatsoever and was glad when Jeremy and Betsy figured things out. Not only that, but I was so happy when the family stood in support of Jeremy. Awesome scenes!

The scene with Thaddeus’s mom, the Duchess of Eversley, Lady Knowe, Betsy and Jeremy and a couple of others at the auction, was a hoot. There was a lot of grinning leading up to that part and certainly during it. I enjoyed Ms. James’ humor and I am of the impression that the author had just as much fun writing those scenes as much as I liked reading them.

The final chapter acts like a pre-epilogue to the epilogue. I did sniffle a bit but so did Betsy. The two combined made for a perfect, wonderful, special happy ever after and I sighed with satisfaction.

Say No to the Duke is a delight, full of charm, wit and passion. The romance is cheerfully rocky with a payoff that made me happy. This is an excellent addition to the series and Jeremy is going to fit right in with the Wilde family. I give this novel a solid recommendation to both historical romance readers and fans of the author because it’s splendid entertainment.

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The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

July 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.

Imprisoned for over two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.

One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.

A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov’s experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.

Harrowing, heartbreaking and moving.

There are lots of books that stay with the reader far after the last page. I’ve read books lately that are heartbreaking. It’s good that they’ve touched a nerve. This book… I’m not sure where to start.

The writing flows well and drew me right in to the story. I wanted to know what would happen to Lale. My heart went out to Lale. I’ve done research and learned about the Holocaust, but this book put things into perspective. Lale did, yet didn’t, have faith and I could understand why. I liked Gita, too. Despite what she’d been through, she never lost her faith. They were a beautiful thing in the midst of such a disgusting event. Even when Gita was at her worst, Lale saw her best. That’s love. That’s the stuff romance should be made of.

I read this book in the course of a day and it was quick, yet hard to read. I have to admit, the note in the back of the book where the author talks about the real Lale, the real man, was the most heartbreaking. This real man went through hell more than once, yet he never quit. I loved the line about how he had to get the words out to the author so he could see Gita (she’d passed away by then). I don’t know how you can’t read this book and not feel for this man.

If you want a book that will make you think, feel and probably cry, then this is the book for you. Recommended.

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His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone

May 28, 2019 By Leave a Comment


His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full length (388 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Jaxon Castille: jaguar shifter, warrior, assassin. He has long hungered for the chance to make his former lover, Libby Jamieson, pay for her deadly betrayal. After three long years he’s finally found her. The hunt is over . . .

But the Libby that he finds is not what he expected. She has no memory of their tumultuous affair, of her treachery, of anything beyond her own name. A shadowy and deadly clan has marked them both for death, and in an instant, he game changes: the hunter has become the hunted.

On the run, with the ghosts of their past between them and a dark, desperate hunger quickly reclaiming their bodies and souls, Libby and Jaxon must discover the truth behind the dark forces working against them. Together, they must grab hold of a destiny that has the power to either heal them or destroy them.

But the truth is far more shattering than anyone could imagine . . .

I found a fun treasure in my TBR pile. The best thing about discovering the Jaguar Warrior series is that there are three books already published so I can binge read. After reading His Darkest Hunger I was left with a craving to find out what happens next to Jaxon’s brothers. The last chapter left me with a hook and a good idea as to who was going to fall in love next. I’m intending to buy the other two so I can find out.

Ms. Stone wasted no time in immersing me into the action between Jaxon and Libby. At first I thought they were enemies, but the plot is far more intricate and devious than what first appears. Complications pile on top of each other and the twists and turns culminate in harrowing escapes, rescues missions that don’t seem to work out, and an evil force that only presents itself in the final few chapters. Throughout all of that chaos is the romance between Libby and Jaxon. Their passion isn’t a pale thing but a seething cauldron filled with emotions so powerful they can’t help but be together, even when they’re not sure in their trust for each other. Their relationship is definitely a work in progress.

I enjoyed my reading experience, no question about that. I did have a few issues, like when the pace dragged at times, the repetition about Jaxon’s inner jaguar and the difficulty he has with his jaguar, and how easily he seems to fly off of the handle when he’s supposed to be this hotshot, in-charge anti-terrorist warrior. The balance was a bit off kilter. The sex scenes were well written and readers who enjoy every juicy tidbit, in detail, with pages worth of description, will be eminently pleased. I found the story and plot strong enough to skim those parts and never miss a beat. It’s the suspense, romance, explosive action, complications and plot twists that kept my fascinated gaze glued to the pages.

Secondary characters had strong supporting roles in addition to Jaxon’s brothers. Declan in particular stood out. Readers will find out why when they get to the cave. That was an ‘Oooooh’ moment.

Like I said, this was a fun read and I enjoyed spending time with Jaxon and Libby and learning about the ultimate plot thread that I’m sure is going to be woven into the next two books in the series. That kind of evil just can’t be vanquished in only one book. If readers haven’t discovered Ms. Stone’s Jaguar Warrior series yet, then I recommend giving His Darkest Hunger a whirl. I’m especially determined to read the other two after reading the review of the third book, here. Talk about incentive!

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The Cajun Doctor by Sandra Hill

July 14, 2017 By 4 Comments


The Cajun Doctor by Sandra Hill
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (328 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Dr. Daniel LeDeux and pilot Aaron LeDeux travel to the swampy bayous of Louisiana, where they discover a long-lost family. The usually stoic Daniel, a burned-out pediatric oncologist, is especially startled by the interfering LeDeux matriarch, Tante Lulu, bless her crazy heart, who wastes no time in setting him up with local rich girl Samantha Starr.

Scarred by a nasty divorce from a philandering New Orleans physician, Samantha has sworn off men, especially doctors. When Samantha’s step-brother gets into serious trouble, she must ask Daniel for help. But Samantha faces even more trouble when the handsome doctor casts his smoldering Cajun eyes her way.

The steamy heat of the bayou, along with the wacky matchmaking efforts of Tante Lulu, a herd of animal rescue rejects, including a depressed pot belly pig, and some world-class sexual fantasies create enough heat and humor to make both Daniel and Samantha realize that love and laughter can mend even the most broken heart.

Tante Lulu, thunderbolts and St. Jude are back to help another clueless couple find their destiny in order to fall in love in the latest novel from Ms. Hill, The Cajun Doctor.

When I refer to destiny, the hero, Daniel had actually found his but lost his way. The beginning shows just how deep and dedicated is his compassion for his patients. The loss of a special one cut so deep, Daniel was emotionally crippled and in pain and he retreated in the only way he knew how. It just happens to be in a new location with a whole host of new, challenging and unusual people that won’t leave him to wallow for long.

Because Daniel is so self-focused he totally misconstrues his reaction to Samantha. For a certainty, the heroine does the same so the result is like watching two courting porcupines. As we all know, those spiny critters do manage to produce little porcupettes so I knew it was only a matter of time before Daniel and Samantha realize they are perfect for each other. Until that point is reached, their journey is fraught with entertaining, emotional, surprising and sometimes suspenseful events, and some were even adorable. Okay, when referring to the heroine, make that hugely adorable because she ends up being a foster mother to the most madcap, unusual and quirky characters; the best ones being Clarence and Emily – grins and chuckles abound.

There are quite a few personalities from past novels showing up to give this latest story the flavor of community, continuity and love. Everyone is connected in some way to Tante Lulu. It’s her belief in St. Jude that guides her with assurance, confidence and a guarantee that those she loves, and those she takes to calling family, will find love and love will overcome any and all obstacles. That includes obstacles, internal and external conflicts that my two favorite obstinate people keep tripping over. Even the FBI can’t hide from Tante Lulu.

Eventually, as all good romances do, Daniel and Samantha realize the sparks they’ve been experiencing are from a totally different emotion. Once they figure out that their sexual chemistry is off the charts, they explore it with gusto while they both think that they’re savvy enough not to read too much into it. That’s the ultimate denial, isn’t it? And romance readers know exactly where that is going to lead. Yep, a very satisfying and happy, happy-ever-after ensues and I loved every minute of it.

The Cajun Doctor is a wonderful mix of love, drama, family and hope. I sniffled when Daniel’s personal story arc came full circle. This novel touches base on healing, trusting and people who bring out the best in each other. It has charm, wit and totally engaging. Pick up your own copy and see why Ms. Hill’s Cajun heroes are all that.

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Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray

July 4, 2016 By Leave a Comment

HIDDEN
Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Length: Full Length (161 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

When Anna decides it’s time to leave her abusive boyfriend, she doesn’t know where to turn. Rob has completely won over her parents, and the entire community, with his good looks and smooth charm. Only Anna has seen his dark side.

Desperate, she runs to the only place she’s ever felt completely safe—the Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where Anna met life-long friend Katie Brenneman. The family welcomes her in, and with few questions asked allows her to stay, dressed in Plain clothing, and help around the inn.

Katie’s older brother Henry is the only one who doesn’t take too kindly to the intrusion. He tries to ignore Anna, knowing no good would ever come from caring for an Englisher like her. But as he gets to know Anna, he discovers her good heart and is surprised with her readiness to accept their lifestyle.

The more time Anna spends with the Amish, the more she feels she’s found a true home. But how can she deny the life she left behind? And will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man from her past?

I remember the 80s movie Witness and after I started reading Hidden I found it easy to make a few parallel observations. The difference is that in this novel the romance bears fruit and there’s an HEA. I enjoyed the simple, profound and gentle romance between two very divergent people.

Henry and Anna are the main protagonists who at first don’t get along well – oil and water. As with all good romance stories, as circumstances affect them, as they get to know each other and see each other as they really are, feelings start to grow, respect is nurtured and understanding develops.

The character with the most to gain, lose, grow and change is Anna. She’s running for safety; she’s felt lost in her own world for a long time and someone does not want her to leave it. Time is running out. There’s a guy hot on her tail and he’s not very nice. Where can she turn? Who will help her? It turns out the least obvious is the best bet, but can she leave all that she knew behind? Surprisingly it’s her faith in religion that slowly guides her to make the choices that lead her to what her heart had been searching for and never found in all that she’s done in her life so far. It takes the calm and focused lifestyle of the Amish to give Anna the time to slow down, to think, to feel, and most importantly, listen to what God was trying to tell her. There’s so much Englisher static from her background it takes a while for Anna to finally hear.

The story is told mostly from Anna’s point of view, then Henry’s. The villain gets his say and he’s a sad specimen of humanity. The author made it very clear as the plot unfolded that something really isn’t right with that guy. He was an effective antagonist.

The one thing that saddened me about this novel was Anna’s mother. Her dad was written quite well and I liked him. The mother was a head case. Where there should have been redemption, she just didn’t get it, not truly, and I was disappointed in her final act on stage. Didn’t she learn anything?

I liked the dramatic conclusion and found it showcased all the main characters’ strengths. I liked the secondary characters and found them helpful as Anna and Henry navigated their growing attraction. The happy ever after was sweet and full of spirituality and love. It was tender and brought a smile to my face.

Hidden is a delightful change of pace from the many frenetic, violent or over the top sexy stories out there. Sometimes, a reader just wants a story of the heart, about two people overcoming seemingly unsurmountable odds to find love, happiness and fulfillment in a deeper way than most can comprehend. There are times where I need to be reminded that love isn’t proved by material things or boisterous gestures, but by trust in another person and the faith, love and respect they have for their God and each other. It can be beautiful and Ms. Gray did a wonderful job of capturing that with her story.

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Wind by K.J. Taylor

June 10, 2015 By Leave a Comment

WIND
Wind by K.J. Taylor
Drachengott Book One
Publisher: Impulse – Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (411 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Rutger has always been a bit different. Wanting more than his current provincial life holds, he practices swordfighting, ensuring he’s ready for … he’s not quite sure what. Until he meets Swanhild, an enigmatic young woman who knows exactly what she’s training for – war. The two meet every day in the forest to practice magic and Rutger feels like he finally belongs somewhere. But Swanhild is hiding something. Will Rugter find out her secret before it’s too late? Or will the battle they’ve been waiting for render secrets irrelevant

Drachengott, monster size dragon, master of all and giver of powers.

Syn, a female dragon called into being by the human servants of Drachengott, is considered a traitor by her own kind. She seeks out the only one who has the power to destroy Drachegott and set her free. Her problem is whether this man will help the dragon who killed his brother.

Rutger falls in love with Swanhild, a stranger he finds in the nearby forest. Swanhild teaches him magic and they set out to protect the world from the dragons and dragon helpers.

This is a well written story which draws an image of dragons controlling the world with only small pockets of human rebels who try to survive without technology or dragon magic. Defense weapons are crossbows and swords which are useless against the scale protected dragons. The hint of what the future holds for Rutger and Swanhild is shrouded in mystery, enough to make me read on to find out whether my thoughts were right, or the author had developed a clever plot twist.

Everyday events such as earning money for food and lodging came across as interesting and believable and helped the story forward. Sometimes a plot can forget that the characters have to do normal things to survive and this can spoil the flow of the story. This is not one of those books. Everything flows along very nicely.

Wind provided me with shiver down the spine moments, soft romantic scenes, smiles as other characters were duped by Rutger and Swanhild and all the time there was the question, will they or won’t they? All in all a good read especially as I love dragons.

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Love and Miss Communication by Elyssa Friedland

May 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment

LOVE
Love and Miss Communication by Elyssa Friedland
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (400 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

This unforgettable debut novel asks us to look up from our screens and out at the world…and to imagine what life would be like with no searches, no status updates, no texts, no Tweets, no pins, and no posts

Evie Rosen has had enough. She’s tired of the partners at her law firm e-mailing her at all hours of the night. The thought of another online date makes her break out in a cold sweat. She’s over the clever hashtags and the endless selfies. So when her career hits a surprising roadblock and her heart is crushed by Facebook, Evie decides it’s time to put down her smartphone for good. (Beats stowing it in her underwear—she’s done that too!)

And that’s when she discovers a fresh start for real conversations, fewer distractions, and living in the moment, even if the moments are heartbreakingly difficult. Babies are born; marriages teeter; friendships are tested. Evie just may find love and a new direction when she least expects it, but she also learns that just because you unplug your phone doesn’t mean you can unplug from life.

A series of events has led Evie to leave social media.  When she loses her job, Evie vows to stop using social media and the internet, for anything. From then on she learns some things about herself she wouldn’t have otherwise, and finds herself attracted to one man she may not be able to have.

This book had a very interesting plot, and although it took a while for me to completely get into it, it was worth the wait.  The plot was simple but the characters, minor and secondary, were fantastic and stole the show. Especially Evie’s grandmother.

Love and Miss Communication is a story about a woman in her thirties struggling to find love through an internet dating site. What would make me come back and read this book again and again was this struggle which is both realistic and timely.

Miss Friedland did a wonderful job of writing a story which highlighted a modern woman’s struggle to not only be successful in her professional life but her personal one as well.  I loved the simplicity of this story and would recommend it.

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Not a Fairy Tale by Romy Sommer

March 10, 2015 By Leave a Comment

FAIRY
Not a Fairy Tale by Romy Sommer
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (244 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

And the award goes to…

Not Nina Alexander that’s for sure. With her best gracious loser face firmly in place, Hollywood’s hottest starlet is hoping to end her evening of disappointment with a graceful exit stage left. Only an unexpected proposal and an awkward wardrobe malfunction mean that this is certainly going to be a night to remember… for all the wrong reasons! So what girl would resist the gorgeous Dominic Kelly coming to her rescue?! Especially when he’s whisking her out of the paparazzi’s prying eyes on the back of his motorbike – and wearing a tux to rival James Bond!

Nina soon realises that the only way to recover from such a scandal is to toughen up and snag the role of the decade in the year’s hottest YA screen adaptation. Who better to train her than her very own professional stuntman? Getting up close and personal with Dom will take Nina well out of her comfort zone – both professionally and in her closely scrutinized private life. But this A-list couple know only too well that’s it not all happy ever afters in Hollywood…

I’m a bit skeptical of Hollywood romance stories, but this one turned out to be a great read.

Nina, as the star of the book and in Hollywood, was painted very realistically. She was in turn selfish and vain and deep and warm, with both aspects of her character written believably and surprisingly not mutually exclusive. Her painful past led her to find refuge in the shallow world of celebrities. Everything there is safe because it doesn’t include any emotional attachment; people are your friends only as long as you pay them or they need you to give them a boost in their career. There was no danger for her to get attached to someone and then lose them.

But she can’t escape emotional attachment when she meets stuntman Dominic Kelly. Sure, they have a business arrangement that says he’ll train her for the most coveted role at the moment, nothing more, nothing less. Unfortunately for Nina, this entails a whole lot more. But it’s also more for Dominic who’s not used to women staying until morning. But Nina, to hide from the paps, practically moves into his house. And them spending all their time together gets them to lower their defenses.

The pressures of stardom – and also the benefits of it – were shown very realistically, I thought. It was a wonderful image of what actors and actresses have to go through for their careers. The constant scrutiny, the ridiculous demands, the media – it all forces them to shut themselves from the world even more. But I also loved the scenes on the beaches because the author managed to paint the landscape very vividly, too.

My only objection was to how often Nina liked to repeat that she is selfish and vain. I realize this was part of her trying to convince herself that she didn’t need anything else but the public’s adoration and attention, but the frequency of her claims somehow clashed with the rest of her characterization.

I loved the slow progression of their relationship; how their feelings for each other blossomed quietly and unnoticed until it was too late. That final ‘complication’ was the ultimate test of their characters. And they passed with flying colors.

Not a fairy tale is a heart-warming story that shows the other side of Hollywood stars and paints them as people like us. It will make you want to read the other novels in the series.

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The Duke’s Guide to Correct Behavior by Megan Frampton

November 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment

DUKE
The Duke’s Guide to Correct Behavior by Megan Frampton
Publisher: Avon/Harper Collins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Bluet

All of London knows the Duke of Rutherford has position and wealth. They also whisper that he’s dissolute, devilish, and determinedly unwed. So why, everyone is asking, has he hired a governess?

When Miss Lily Russell crosses the threshold of the Duke of Rutherford’s stylish townhouse, she knows she has come face to face with sensual danger. For this is no doting papa. Rather, his behavior is scandalous, and his reputation rightly earned. And his pursuit of her is nearly irresistible—but resist she must for the sake of her pupil.

As for the duke himself, it was bad enough when his unknown child landed on his doorstep. Now Lily, with her unassuming beauty, has aroused his most wicked fantasies—and, shockingly, his desire to change his wanton ways. He’s determined to become worthy of her, and so he asks for her help in correcting his behavior.

But Lily has a secret, one that, if it becomes known, could change everything . . .

Poor Marcus! The newly titled Duke of Rutherford is bored and dissatisfied with his new station in life. Another night of debauchery has left him cold, and wanting a purpose, something other than acting ducal, marrying the proper person, and producing little dukes-to-be. He was third in line to inherit the title, and never expected that it would come to him. Just as Marcus is contemplating the direction his life has taken he’s presented with a real game changer. His daughter, Rose. Years ago, Marcus had a liaison with Rose’s mother, Fiona. Fiona has now died, and Rose has been sent to her father. He decides to keep Rose with him for now, and to hire a governess.

Lily Russell and her friends are trying to make a go of their new employment agency. When a request comes from the Duke of Rutherford, she knows this could be the making of them, if they are successful. Lily decides to take the position herself. When she meets the duke, she is immediately attracted to his good looks, and she loses her heart to the shaking, frightened little girl. Marcus is attracted to Lily, as well, but he’s come to the decision that he must change his ways, and certainly can’t have a relationship with his daughter’s governess. Of course, their close proximity and their chemistry play havoc with the best laid plans.

At first I decided that I didn’t like Marcus. There were specific reasons I felt that his character was beyond redemption but to explain would give away pivotal points of the story. However, Marcus’ heart melts almost from the beginning as he meets his daughter, and against what’s normally done, he brings her into his household. His desire to change his lifestyle and become a better person and a good father are admirable. The child, Rose, is a sweet and lovable character, without stealing the show. Lily is a likable character from the start. She’s funny and caring, yet sensible. I adored the witty encounters between Lily and Marcus, as well as their fascination with each other.

I love governess stories, and this one had more obstacles to a happy ever after than most. Society frowns upon nobles making unequal matches, and Lily is hiding a secret that makes her even more unsuitable. It’s also not the thing to keep your illegitimate child in your household. The way this was resolved with a grand gesture at the end was romantic and swoon worthy. This was my first book by Megan Frampton, and I will be sure to check out her back-list, and future releases. If you enjoy humor, redemption, and emotion in your romance, this book fits the bill, and I heartily recommend it.

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