Review: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are . . . nowhere to be found.

Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters . . . and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose? 

What's not to love about a battle of the sexes, especially if Tessa Dare is writing it?  I must admit it took me a little while to get into the flow of A Night to Surrender, simply because I assumed Susanna would be scowling and (figuratively) stamping her feet the moment it's announced Bram will stay in Spindle Cove.   They wouldn't see eye to eye because they wanted different things for the village.   If they didn't agree, would theirs be a romance full of "I hate yous" first?

While there is definite tension between Susanna and Bram from the start, it's not full of venom or disgust.  They have witty banter, moments of laughter, and of course, sexual heat.

"Lord Rycliff. You've forgotten yourself."

"No, I haven't." His green eyes held her captive. "I recall precisely who I am.  I'm Lieutenant Colonel Victor St. George Bramwell, the Earl of Rycliff since a few days back. You're Susanna Jane Finch, and I want to see you bare. Bare, and pale, and soaked to the roots of your hair, glistening with moonlight and drops of seawater. I'd lick the salt from you."

Piece by piece, Susanna and Bram lower their defenses and get to know one another in ways neither had ever considered previously.  They both have battle scars and wounds, and as they are able to adequately provide a future for Spindle Cove, they help each other heal and ultimately fall in love.  

Review: One Night in London by Caroline Linden

A bargain that was all business . . . and pure passion.

Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case . . . if only she can melt the dashing lord’s stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . . and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance. 

I was very surprised yet happy to see my question when I finished I Love the Earl -- is this Duke of Durham Francis de Lacey? -- was answered.  And yes, it is.  In a way I was disheartened that we wouldn't learn his story as it happens, but I like knowing the backstory to characters as much as possible.  I have to hold out hope that within the course of the forthcoming books about Durham's sons, we will learn who he first married and what happened with their relationship. 

So while learning the truth about the Duke of Durham is the main plot thread, it's by no means what keeps the narrative moving along.  That solely belongs to Lady Francesca Gordon, a widow seeking to adopt her deceased sister's daughter from her stepmother.  When Francesca's (hoped for) solicitor abandons her case for Edward's, the Duke of Durham's second son, who wishes to find out the truth about his father, she marches to Edward's home to confront him. 

We spend the rest of the story watching Edward discover what he truly needs -- all he truly needs -- lies in Francesca. 

I do hope we'll learn the truth about the Duke of Durham over the course of the remaining books, so seeing this "mystery" solved will be my main reason to continue this series. 

(A very special thank you to Avon, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of One Night in London.)

Review: Never Been Bit by Lydia Dare

The glittering world of high society is the playground for the rich, titled, and reluctantly undead...
Alec MacQuarrie's after-life has become an endless search for pleasure in an effort to overcome his heartbreak and despair. Wandering through the seedy world of London's demimonde, he's changed into a dark and fearsome creature even he doesn't recognize until he stumbles into a magical lass he knew once upon a time and sees a glimpse of the life he could have had.

But the ton is no match for one incorrigible young lady...

After watching each of her coven sisters happily marry, Sorcha Ferguson is determined to capture a Lycan husband of her very own. When she encounters Alec, she decides to save her old friend from what he's become, all while searching for her own happily-ever-after.

Over his dead body is Alec going to allow this enchanting innocent to throw herself away on an unworthy werewolf, but that leaves him responsible for her, and he's the worst monster of them all... 

The formula used in It Happened One Bite and In the Heat of the Bite became a little predictible, so I was skeptical when I learned Alex McQuarrie, a recently turned vampire, would be the hero of Never Been Bit. But to see Sorcha Ferguson, the youngest and spunkiest member of the coven as the heroine -- well, I never imagined that.


Ever since witch Elspeth Campbell married lycan Benjamin Westfield, Sorcha has been wishing for a lycan of her very own. She doesn't understand the hows and whys, or why seer Caitrin Thorpe won't confirm a lycan in her future, but that's not going to slow her down. There are plenty of available lycans to chose from; she only has to make her decision and stick to it.

Alex McQuarrie dislikes his life as a vampire. He chose it over certain death but regrets it for many reasons, chief among them a lack of love or a happy future. When he discovers Sorcha is on the hunt for a lycan mate, he reacts with surprising jealousy. This is Sorcha; he's known her almost their entire lives!

Sorcha's and Alex's is an unexpected romance, a true friends-to-lovers journey, and is perhaps the sweetest of the love stories shared within this series.  Never Been Bit is a great way to end the series with a high note. 
 
 
(A very special thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca who provided me with an ARC of Never Been Bit.)

Eagerly Anticipating

                           

Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Too much of a good thing…

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she. 

After reading the (cliffhanger) short story "Just One Taste" in The Guy Next Door anthology, I was immediately ready for this series.  The wait was torture, I tell you. 

We're caught up in various lies when we are reintroduced to the Donovan clan.  Tessa feels the need to lie in order to keep familial harmony between her brothers, Jamie and Eric.  But the lies don't stop with the Donovans; Detective Luke Asher is experincing some heat as well from his department associates who believe he's gotten his partner of two years, Simone, pregnant.  When Tessa and Luke meet thanks to a robery at the Donovan Brewery, there's an instant spark, but Jamie and Eric still think of Tessa as their little (innocent) sister.  Plus, Jamie believes the lies he's heard about Luke. 

For all Tessa's "innocence," she's full-on potty mouth and eager to tell Luke what she wants from him in all aspects of their relationship.  Since this is Ms. Dahl, I know sexual tension and heat won't be lacking between the leads. 

Good Girls Don't was a quick read, as well as a fun and sexy one.  A great way to start a series!     


(A very special thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Good Girls Don't.)

Review: Annabelle, the American by Lavinia Kent

Regency England just got real(ity)

Episode 3: Annabelle and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad rumor

Annabelle, Marchioness of Tattingstong, always thought she was a good wife. She’s put up with all the titters and stares in the ballroom that go along with being a rich American married only for her wealth and looks. But, when it’s rumored that her husband has a secret family, one he is using her money to keep, Annabelle may have finally had enough. A proper English wife would grin and bear it, but playing by society’s rules hasn’t worked for her so far.

Will revenge be as sweet as American pie?



Another quick installment of The Real Duchesses of London series by Ms. Kent.  While I liked learning more about Annabelle, the token American heiress, I didn't feel as connected to her or Thomas as I did to the previous duchessess featured.  I also wanted to know more about how and why Mr. Swatts became involved in the publication of the cartoons.  Perhaps these are questions that will be answered as we continue the series.  I am most interested to learn more about Elizabeth and am pleased hers will be the next novella (September 2011). 

Review: Storm's Heart by Thea Harrison

During the rule of her murderous Dark Fae uncle, Thistle "Tricks" Periwinkle found sanctuary among the Wyr in New York.  Her ethereal beauty and sparkling personality won the hearts of the public, but after her uncle's death, there are those who don't want to see her ascend to the throne...

Able to wield thunder and lightning, Wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries.  His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the Wyr's best weapons.  And he's the one sent to protect Tricks when she's almost assassinated in Chicago.

Soon, both Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them--a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds...

For as much as I loved Dragon Bound, I prepared to go into Storm's Heart on a high note, unable to put the book down until I'd inhaled it.  That didn't really happen.

Let me back up and say I didn't dislike Storm's Heart, not in the least; it was just a different book than Dragon Bound.  (I think I like the thrill of the chase, so to speak, and while Dragon Bound had that in spades, Storm's Heart is more upfront, like say, a kick to the teeth.) 

One aspect of Storm's Heart that I loved was not knowing who Tricks/Ninane could trust.  She's in the middle of her people, yet she doesn't know any of them; she's attended by various councilors and commanders, but she cannot be certain what they advocate or suggest is the correct course of action to take.  Talk about a rock and a hard place!

Storm's Heart was a very good addition to the paranormal world of the Wyr Ms. Harrison is creating.  I'm excited and anxious for the next installment, Serpent's Kiss (October 2011), and cannot wait to learn more about this universe and these characters.