The Rake By Suzanne Enoch

The Rake
Lessons in love series - Book one
By Suzanne Enoch

Lady Georgiana Halley and Tristan Carroway, viscount dare have an interesting history. Six years ago, Georgia gave her heart to Tristan only to realize that he was wooing her because of some wager made over her stocking. Feeling betrayed, tricked and heartbroken she nurtures a hatred for lord dare. When she and her friends decide to give some men 'lessons in love', Georgia decides to show lord dare how it feels to have ones heart broken. He would never again treat a woman the way he treated her...she would make sure he made a good husband to miss amelia johns, whom he is courting. A very simple plan that involves making him fall in love with her, breaking his heart and walking away. But simple plans are always anything but simple...

Tristan Carroway won a wager 6 years ago but he lost a lot in the process which the world doesn’t know about. The only memento he has of that is the stocking of the lady. And now she is back staying under his roof and he is likely to repeat the same mistakes again...only this time he is not letting it and her go. To have her love he must earn her trust...which he has already betrayed once.Will Georgia’s heart trust him again?

Review - A beautifully written tale with an interesting love-hate relationship between the hero and the heroine. The highlight of the book for me was the reformation of Tristan, the rake for the woman he loves. The part where he tears up the book at White's is my favorite. There is also an interesting mix of secondary characters thrown in like the aunties, the duke of Wycliffe, the Carroway brothers and Miss Amelia Johns. The climax is a bit bawdy but funny nonetheless. A perfect opener for a series already looking forward to the next one. A definite 9/10

One night of Passion - Elizabeth boyle.

One night of Passion - Elizabeth boyle.
At London's Notorious Cyprian Ball...
Georgianna Escott has one night to find the perfect man to ruin her and leave her with a tattered reputation so she can escape an arranged marriage to an aging, despicable roué. With a misstep, she tumbles into the arms of the disgraced and dashing Lord Danvers. But Georgie doesn't know that the lover she has enticed to follow her into the night and the stranger she holds responsible for her misfortunes are one in the same...

A Dangerous Night of Seduction..
When Lord Danvers finds himself entangled with a tempting Cyprian, his secret mission to expose a dangerous spy goes awry. Yet once he starts to unmask this bewitching lady, he realizes the seductress who claims his heart may be the traitor he seeks. Mistrust makes them adversaries in a perilous game-but how can he dismiss his obsession with her when one night of passion entwined their lives forever?

Review - a wonderful wonderful read that has all the elements in the "just right" amount. A 9/10

Once Tempted – Elizabeth Boyle

Once Tempted – Elizabeth Boyle,Danvers family tree
The story is set in 1812…England is at war with France with brave men fighting Napoleon under the guidance and leadership of Wellington.

London 1805, a brave an intelligent woman Miss Olivia Sutton is in love with Robert, the Marquis of Bardstone. However Bardstone has a different plan for her in mind. In the library of a peer one evening he appeals to her for help…he promises her a lifetime of happiness together if she can do one thing for him…translate a missive from a French agent working for Napoleon..she should do it not only for their future but also for her duty towards the king and the country..However as she begins to translate the note Olivia realizes the note holds the secret of “El Rescate del Rey” a sought after Spanish treasure.A treasure Lord Bardstone wants for his own greed..a treasure that belongs to the people of Spain..As she finishes translating the missive Bardstone puts a pistol to her..she is of no more use to him and a party to his secret..however the “French agent” yanks the pistol in a different direction and in an attempt to save her..the pistol misfires and kills him..In his dying moments he entrusts Olivia with the missive, a ring and a message “Give this to no one but Hobbes”.

Seven years later –

Olivia -
Olivia Sutton is hiding..behind a false identity..she was accused of a murder she never committed..Bradstone stole her heart and ruined her life, it was only justice that he drowned and died a few days after that horrible evening. Olivia is finally begin to feel a sense of security.But the scoundrel has returned: more handsome, more serious, more desirable… and far more dangerous than the cad who brought scandal and shame into Olivia's world.Fuelled by feeling of revenge and desire for justice that she deserves Olivia sets out to seek this man and establish her innocence once and for all..

Major Robert Danvers is living a lie—but for a noble cause. Masquerading as his cousin, the late Bradstone, Robert's secret mission for the crown has led him straight to the beautiful, scheming seductress he believes was responsible for his brother's death, Olivia Sutton. But there is a gentle innocence about this Olivia that belies her murderous reputation..Yet she killed his brother…

Will Olivia see through Bradstone? Will she find the revenge, the justice she has wanted for years? Will she ever be able to find the mysterious “Hobbes” and repay the man who sacrificed his life for saving her? ….

Will Roberts be ever able to forget the Olivia killed his brother?....Will he ever trust her enough even to ask her the truth? Is she just a duty to him or more? Who is she....A murderess who killed an innocent youth for greed and wealth or a victim of someone else’s avarice..? A traitor or a true patriot? A scheming seductress or an intelligent, loving and passionate woman?

Review – The answers to all the above questions and more are revealed in a fantastic manner in the book…It is a well written well paced story...that makes you feel you are almost there watching it all happen…The emotional turmoil of the characters is so so well potrayed and yet the fabric of mystery, thrill and intrigue..never goes slack anywhere in the story..A thoroughly gripping story one you cannot put down once you start reading it. A definite 9.5/10 almost 10/ 10 J

A GENTLEMAN'S HONOR by Stephanie Laurens

Bastion Club 01 A GENTLEMAN'S HONOR
The Season has yet to begin, and the second member of the Bastion Club, tall, handsome Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, is already a target for every matchmaking mama in London. None of their flighty daughters can fix his interest, but a certain lady does...

Alicia is living a deception. Desperation has caused the determined by penniless lady to boldly launch her ravishing younger sister into the ton to have her make a spectacular match. By masquerading as the widowed "Mrs. Carrington" Alicia can act as chaperone...but fashionable ladies are not accused of murder...

When Tony Blake discovers Alicia standing over a dead body in his godmother's garden, every instinct tells him she is innocent. His connections allow him to take control of the investigation, his social prominence provides her public support, but it is more than honor that compels him to protect her and to do everything in his seductive power to make her his.

Review -
A masterful blend of romance, murder and intrigue. Again an intelligent hero who in no way overpowered or overshadowed in anyway by the hero. The hero a perfect blend of passion and sensitivity..and the plot just keeps you on your toes throughout.

A definite 8/10

Captain Jack's woman by Stephanie Laurens

Bastion Club 00 Captain Jack's woman
A leader of the smuggling gang..and a "properly" bred Lady..(so Kit thinks) or a gentleman and the illegitimate grandchild of a baron..(so Jack thinks) entangled in a relationship that according to them has no future..no tomorrow only the today..the seizing of the moment and living it to the fullest. Both of them are revelling in this temporal bliss. However Jack realizes that Kit indeed is the legitimate Miss Cranmer.

When she is shot by a revenue officer..Jack takes her home, tends to her all the time his heart in a vise-like grip at the thought, the fear of losing her. To protect her from the officer he tells everyone they are to get married. Kit heals and discovers that the smuggler "Jack" "Lord Hendon" the high commissioner of revenue and the man the grandes dames of the town had set sites on for her husband. The man she wantonly loved as Jack..is Lord Hendon..one man on both sides of the law. They get married and what comes next forms the crux of the story from my point of view.

Kit married Lord Hendon for love..But she wonders does he love her? With his smuggling escapades still continuing..She wonders why he does that? Doesnt he trust her enough to explain? Why his sudden urge to chain her wilder side..the nighttime smuggling, riding in breeches..wasnt that an integral part of the woman he fell in love with?

Jack marries Kit..but wonders what it would take to keep her safe and out of harm's way..though he loves the wild side of her too the thought of losing her is scary..He cannot tell her what he is involved in, partly out of sense of duty for his country and partly because if she knew..she would be by his side trying to keep him safe and putting her .."a part of him" at risk. How complicated could a marriage based on love get?

Review -
An alpha male hero nicely complemented by a spirited and intelligent heroine. Makes one relish all the adventurous moments one spends with Young kit and captain jack one also enjoys the dilemmas of Lord and Lady Hendon about trust, love and marriage. A potent blend of adventure, desire and the finer details of "love". A gripping read hard to put down once you have started.

rating 9/10

A rogue's proposal by Stephanie Laurens

Bar Cynster - 04- A rogue's proposal
Demon Cynster has seen love bring his brethren to their knees, and he's vowed that he will not share their fate...until he spies Felicity Parteger sneaking about his racing stable. Demon remembers Felicity as a mere chit of a girl, but now she stands before him - begging for his help - all lush curves, sparkling eyes...and so temptingly worthy of the love he's vowed never to surrender to any woman.

Felicity knew Demon was one of the ton's most eligible bachelors and a rogue of the worst sort, but he was the only one capable of getting her friend out of trouble. Her fascination with Demon had nothing to do with the power lurking just beneath his devil-may-care facade - or with the desire that flares when he takes her in his arms. Felicity knows Demon will never yield her the love she desperately seeks, but could a marriage of passion alone - even with a man like Demon - be enough?

review - a thrilling tale of love and adventure. the mystery plot though secondary is nicely interwoven with the main story. potrayal of feelings and emotions is flawless. The desperation of Demon due to social strictures and innocence of Flick have been beautifully penned. a definite 7.5/10

Scandal's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Bar Cynster - 03 -Scandal's Bride
Summary
"He will father your children..."

When Catriona Hennessy, honorable Scottish Lady of the Vale, received this prediction, she was exceedingly aghast. How could she unite with a rake like Richard Cynster--a masterful man with a scandalous reputation? More shocking still was her guardian's will that decreed she and Richard be wed within a week! Though charmed by his commanding presence, and wooed by his heated kisses, she would not--could not--give up her independence.

So she formed a plan to get the heir she needed without taking wedding vows.Richard was just as stunned by the will's command. Marriage had not previously been on his agenda, but lately he'd been feeling rather...restless. Perhaps taming the lady was just the challenge he needed. But can he have the rights of the marriage bed without making any revealing promises of love?

Review
- A welcome change from London as this novel is set in the rustic lowlands. Well not much of a mysters in there but what makes this one so beautiful is its simplicity and the unfolding of emotions of the characters. Seeing the entire Cynster brood together for a few chapters is a heartening sight. All in all a wonderful read. I would definitely give it a 7/10

A rake's vow by Stephanie Laurens

Bar Cynster 02 A rake's vow
He vowed he'd never marry:
Vane Cynster always knew which way the wind was blowing, and it was headed in a marrying direction. The other Cynster men might not mind stepping up to the altar, but Vane never wanted to be leg-shackled to any woman, no matter how comely. Bellamy Hall seemed like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London's husband hunters. But when he encountered irresistilbe Patience Debbington, Vane realized he'd met his match and soon he had more than seduction on his mind.

She vowed no man would catch her:
Patience wasn't about to succumb to Vane's sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses left her dizzy; his caresses made her melt; but he was arrogant, presumptuous...and, despite his protests, bound to be unfaithful, just like every other man. Patience had promised herself that she'd never become vulnerable to a broken heart. But was this one vow that was meant to be broken?

Review-Stephenie Laurens seems to alternate between novels. Though this one has a good potrayal of emotions the mystery element is stretched out and boring. However the insight into Vane's mind and the process of Patience changing her mind make the novel interesting...but nothing as compared to Devil's bride.

Rating - 6.5/10 (debatable and open to comment)

The Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Bar Cynster - 01 - Devil's Bride
By Stephenie Laurens
The story follows the son of Sebastian and Helena Sylvester Cynster known as "That Devil Cynster" or simply the devil and Honoria Prudence Anstruther Weatherby.

When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire ton by offering his hand in marriage.

But Honoria wasn't about to bend to society's demands and marry a man just because they'd been found together unchaperoned. No. She craved adventure. She was set on seeing the world.

Solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin Tolly fit the bill for a while, but once the crime was solved, Honoria was set on seeing the world. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon had Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement. Could her passion for Devil cause her to embrace the enchanting peril of a lifelong adventure of the heart?

Review -
A gripping read right from the start. The element of mystery and romance has been nicely intertwined and carried thorugh till the end. Well-paced and intriguing from start to finish..it is a definite improvement over the first part. The hero again is an alpha male but his emotions as well as those of the heroine have been well potrayed.

I would rate it a 8/10...(debatable and open to comment) :-)

The Promise in a kiss by Stephanie Laurens

Bar Cynster - 00 - The promise in a kiss
I have just started on the Bar Cynster series so here's a review of the 1st one in the series.

"The promise in a kiss" revolves around Helena d'Lisle a french countess and Sebastian Cynster, the duke of St. Ives, an English duke. Helena is plotting an escape from her domineering guardian and uncle Fabien who uses her as a bait to entice gentlemen and make them do as he pleases. Tired of the games Fabien plays Helena procures a note from him saying that she can marry a nobleman whose states equal her own. Happy that now she is free of the games powerful men play..Helena sets out to England to find a husband who satisfies Fabien's criteria as well as her own..A husband who would not attempt to influence, dominate or manipulate her. Little does she realize that she has played straight into Fabien's hands.

The duke of St. Ives Sebastian sets his mind upon making Helena his duchess..not only because of her beauty and temperament but also because of an unspoken promise made seven years ago. But he is every bit powerful and domineering as Fabien..the very thing she is determined to avoid..yet as love has strange ways..he is all that she wanted all along..but she must steal from him to save another she loves..will she forsake her love? Will he understand her dilemma? Forgive her?

Review - The plot though sounds intriguing the story goes slack in places. It is not well paced. The emotional dilemma of Helena could have been sketched in better words. Sebastian has been not treated fairly too. In describing his prowess as a powerful man..the author has forgotten to lay stress on his feelings as a man..I did not get even a glimpse of Sebastian's mind anywhere. The element of mystery and intrigue picks up only in the last few chapters and sounds hasty where as the first few chapters are too slow.

I would give it a 6/10.........the rating is highly subjective and of course openly debatable by anyone else who reads the same book.