<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: four fun nineteenth century historical romances
Review: "The Lady and the Tiger' by Christina Dodd. In 1813, Laura Haver obsesses over who killed her brother, first secretary to Lord Keith Leighton. Clues take her to a smuggler's cove where she poses as Keith's wife not knowing that her "husband" is there seeking the identity of who murdered his employee."Melting Ice" by Stephanie Laurens. After a decade in India, Dyan St. Laurent Dare comes home when his brother died making him a duke and quickly wants Lady Fiona Winston-Ryder as his wife because he loves her. A debauched gala gives him the opportunity to serve as her gallant rescuer and hopefully forever lover. "Wedding Knight" by Celeste Bradley. In 1813 Alfred Knight avoids scandal so no one can point the finger that he is just like his mother, which leads to his agreeing to wed Betina Trapp who wants nothing to do with him. Betina persuades her twin Kitty to take her place temporarily as Alfred's fiancée. Kitty falls in love but she fears he will drop her once the subsequent scandal erupts that the switch will cause. "Proposition" by Leslie LaFoy. In 1877 Lord Rennick St. James knows that the clock is ticking against him as the woman he always loved Julia Hamilton is engaged to someone else. Just back in England, he has four days to seduce the widow into marrying him or face cold self imposed exile again. These four nineteenth century historical romances are fine novellas that fans will appreciate because the lead couple in each case seems genuine as they star in a scandalous fun frolic. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: four fun nineteenth century historical romances
Review: "The Lady and the Tiger' by Christina Dodd. In 1813, Laura Haver obsesses over who killed her brother, first secretary to Lord Keith Leighton. Clues take her to a smuggler's cove where she poses as Keith's wife not knowing that her "husband" is there seeking the identity of who murdered his employee. "Melting Ice" by Stephanie Laurens. After a decade in India, Dyan St. Laurent Dare comes home when his brother died making him a duke and quickly wants Lady Fiona Winston-Ryder as his wife because he loves her. A debauched gala gives him the opportunity to serve as her gallant rescuer and hopefully forever lover. "Wedding Knight" by Celeste Bradley. In 1813 Alfred Knight avoids scandal so no one can point the finger that he is just like his mother, which leads to his agreeing to wed Betina Trapp who wants nothing to do with him. Betina persuades her twin Kitty to take her place temporarily as Alfred's fiancée. Kitty falls in love but she fears he will drop her once the subsequent scandal erupts that the switch will cause. "Proposition" by Leslie LaFoy. In 1877 Lord Rennick St. James knows that the clock is ticking against him as the woman he always loved Julia Hamilton is engaged to someone else. Just back in England, he has four days to seduce the widow into marrying him or face cold self imposed exile again. These four nineteenth century historical romances are fine novellas that fans will appreciate because the lead couple in each case seems genuine as they star in a scandalous fun frolic. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: so-so at best
Review: As always, anthologies are a hit or miss situation. The stories are short so there is not much character or situation development which is why the short stories that are about couples who have previous relationships work best. That was the set-up for most of these stories.
"The Lady and the Tiger' by Christina Dodd was a poor story. Laura's brother, first secretary to Lord Keith Leighton, dies and she decides to find his killer. Really, I know regency/romance authors go for this sort of spunky heroine sort of thing, but it was sort of silly. To catch a spy does require some experience but apparently not in romance stories. Laura is a commoner and Keith a noble. The romance between the out of place Laura in the glittering regency world could have been interesting but never explored. But when Laura ties up Keith when she thinks he is to blame for her brothers death and leaves him in a dangerous situation which could have resulted in his death, well, he certainly took it in stride. I would not have been as forgiving as Keith. A one star story at best.
"Melting Ice" by Stephanie Laurens has our hero, Dyan St. Laurent, Dare, coming home to take his brothers place as Duke and meets up with an old flame at a house party rife with orgies. Story was better than the others as it was fun to watch him rescue her and I liked her bookish brother. But refusing to marry him the morning after even after she had realized the miscommunication years earlier made for zero sense.
"Wedding Knight" by Celeste Bradley was just stupid. The fact that Kitty takes her sisters place and marries Knight and when he founds out he forgives her? It would have been more realistic if she had to fight for him to prove her love not the other way around.
"Proposition" by Leslie LaFoy has Lord Rennick St. James fighting for his beloved Julia Hamilton, a widow, who is all set to marry yet again a man she does not love. This story too made no sense. It was not as if she even liked the man she was to marry. He was as jerk!!!! He could not remember her children's names and she would marry him? Why? She was not poor so money was not a factor. That just was illogical. Also, she loved Rennick and after the four days, why would she not believe him? That made no sense. I did like that she was 33 but really, to already have a 16 year old son was sort of stretching it for me. Also, I think that too many authors fail to properly finish their stories. If Rennick dies without legal issue, the estates and title would die. He married an older woman so did they have any children or not? Would be fun to know. After all, if the story of Henry VIII ended with his marriage to Anne Boleyn, we might have assumed everything worked out! So as an FYI to authors, finish your stories!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A mixed bag but better than the usual anthology
Review: Christina Dodd's story is first and, sadly, abysmal. The tale is almost entirely unbelieveable, but perhaps the worst part is that I don't believe they're in love. Dodd does not convince the reader that these two people knew each other well enough before the night of the story to act as they do. I had hopes for it, but it just kept getting worse. The few really nice moments could not counteract the pathetic whole. 1 measley star. Stephanie Laurens' entry is better at 2 1/2 to 3 stars. The raucus house party is a poor device for getting the lovers together, but the two leads make even that work. The story is lovely in places, particularly the dinner scene and at the end (with her brother). It's about a love that's denied through youthful misunderstandings getting a second chance. It's also typical Laurens, with heavy emphasis on sex. Celeste Bradley raises the bar again with her marvelous story about an arrogant, obnoxious hero who finally redeems himself and a fresh, provocative, unique heroine who is the best leading lady of the bunch. There is some incredulity at times that nobody can tell these not-quite-identical twins apart, but the story is still great fun. 4 stars. This is my first experience with Leslie LaFoy, but it won't be my last; hers is the best story in the book (5 stars). Rennick is the epitome of the reformed rack & Julia's his loving but sensible love interest. This is an excellent variation on the typical plot with Julia being an older woman (in her 30s) who was happily married...at least until she met Rennick. They fall instantly in love, but both respect her husband and her marriage vows too much to act on their feelings and attraction. Then hubby dies. But before Rennick gets the chance to sweep her off her feet, she gets engaged to someone else. And her fiance? Gads! This little story has a wealth of wisdom for life in it, too. Superb! Buy the book for the last two stories. They're good enough to make it worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Do You Take This Woman?
Review: The heroine, Laura Haver, in Christina Dodd's The Lady and the Tiger is out to avenge the death of her brother. She sets out on her own investigative mission and enters into a fabricated marriage to get to her target. What she does not anticipate is the unbridled passion that develops between them.
In Melting Ice by Stephanie Laurens, childhood sweethearts Dyan St. Laurent and Lady Fiona have found each other and the love they lost in a most uncommon place, an orgy! Despite their odd meeting they clear up all misconceptions that have kept them separated for years and rekindle the fire between them.
Alfred Knight, in Celeste Bradley's Wedding Knight, has lived his entire life trying to avoid scandal. Little does he know he will marry directly into it when he chooses his bride to be. She is nothing she appears to be, but everything he needs.
Julia Hamilton, a recent widow, is now engaged to be married in three days, but a secret love has returned and intends to seduce her and make her his wife. Leslie LaFoy's The Proposition keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering who will Julia choose.
Not one for romance, I found myself enjoying the four tales of love, lust and deceit. These ladies know their craft and have converted me into a fan of romantic fiction.
Reviewed by Aiesha Flowers
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
<< 1 >>
| 
