Tagged with historical romance review …

Bronwyn Evans: To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield

Lady Caitlin Southall can not believe that her home, her mothers home which is being held in a trust for her, was lost in a card game. She becomes even more frustrated when she learns the most notorious rake and her neighbor, Harlow Telford, Duke of Dangerfield is the one that won her home and … Continue reading →

Cathy Maxwell: A Scandalous Marriage

Leah Carrollton had dreams of meeting—and marrying—the perfect man. Then a scandalous affair ended in abandonment, and she left London rather than face her disgrace. With no one to turn to, Leah ran away to the country. Abruptly Devon Marshall, Viscount Huxhold, strides into her life, enveloping her in his strong embrace and offering her … Continue reading →

Christina Dodd: The Governess Bride Series

                      Set around 1839, a trio of ladies boldly enter in a business venture…an academy for Governesses. In the first of the series, Rules of Surrender, Dodd spins a tale of a governess sent to manage a group of unruly children…only to find their father … Continue reading →

Lisa Kleypas: Author Review

You may recognize Lisa Kleypas for her contemporary romance. But she also has a veritable garden of historical (usually Victorian) romances which are worth checking out for those lazy days of summer. Although much more fun to read in a series, her four season/Wallflowers series books each stand alone as wonderful romances…two even featuring American … Continue reading →

Sabrina Jeffries: To Pleasure a Prince

He set down his glass and turned to Iversley’s bookshelves. Searching until he found the right volume, he opened it and read aloud, ‘Golden slumbers kiss your eyes/ Smiles awake you when you rise.’ It’s a poem by Thomas Dekker, now used as a common lullaby. You probably heard the tune in your head as I read it.”

“That’s not the same as hearing it sung. Reading the words of my favorite opera, for example, certainly wouldn’t satisfy me.”

“But one can’t always attend the opera. One can always open a book.”

She uttered a frustrated sound. “What about physical things, like dancing? There’s no dancing in books.”

“No?” He drew down another book. “Here’s one that explains how to perform dances.” He flipped through it and showed her the diagrams. “You see? You can find dance in books.”

She shook her head. “You can’t possibly claim that reading about dancing is the same thing as performing a dance.”

“Actually, it’s better. If I read about it, I don’t have to deal with too-hot ballrooms or having my toes stepped on.” He cast her a cold glance. “Or superior females who think themselves too fine to dance with me.” And sing with me.

When she flushed, he knew she’d taken his point. Yet she wouldn’t let go of her argument. “You also don’t know the joy of touching another human being.” She approached him, and he sucked in a heavy breath. “Or the thrill of passion. Don’t you dare tell me you can get that from a book, because I know better.”

“Oh? I would have thought a well-bred lady like yourself hadn’t experienced ‘the thrill of passion.’”

A faint flush turned her cheeks rosier than before. “You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant.”

“Ah, yes.” He scoured her with a contemptuous look. “From what I’ve heard, you won’t even allow your sniveling admirers to kiss your hand.”

“At least I dance with them. The only females you allow near your estate are servants, for pity’s sake. Unless there really are women in your dungeon.”

“What are you talking about?”

Her blush deepened. “The gossips say that…that you chain women up in your dungeon to…have your way with them.”

Oh, for God’s sake— “And you believe that?”

She thrust her chin out at him. “I might. Especially given how much trouble you seem to have with pleasing women who aren’t chained up.”

Even knowing she was baiting him couldn’t assuage his temper. He stalked up to loom over her, but that proved a mistake, for now he could smell the seductive scent of honeywater wafting off her and could see the golden tendrils feathering her neck. Her aristocratic arch of a neck that he wanted to—

He dragged his gaze to her face. “I know how to please a woman well enough when I set my mind to it.”

“Do you?” She arched an eyebrow. “I’ve seen little evidence of that.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“No? Then prove it. Prove that you can please a woman.”

God help him. Somewhere in the dim recesses of his fevered brain, he realized she meant a different sort of pleasing than he did—compliments and courtesies and gentlemanly behavior. But at the moment he didn’t care. He’d had enough of her lies and her condescending taunts. He’d show her once and for all what happened to any woman foolish enough to bait him.

“Fine. Since you insist…” And without giving her a chance to protest, he bent his head and kissed her right on the lush red mouth that had tortured his dreams last night.

She jerked back, her eyes wide. “What are you doing?”

“You told me to prove I can please a woman.”

“I didn’t mean that kind of pleasing.” Continue reading →

Mary Balogh-Slightly Series

“The six brothers and sisters of the Bedwyn family are introduced in A Summer to Remember. Aidan’s story is told in Slightly Married, Rannulf’s in Slightly Wicked, Freyja’s in Slightly Scandalous, Morgan’s in Slightly Tempted, Alleyne’s in Slightly Sinful, and Wulfric’s in Slightly Dangerous. Characters from One Night for Love and A Summer to Remember … Continue reading →