'Romancing Mister Bridgerton' by Julia Quinn -Review-

   'Romancing Mister Bridgerton' is without a doubt, the most splendid addition to the Bridgerton Series. If you have not read at least one of the three books preceding this particular novel, I encourage you to do so. The culmination of what proved to be a most rousing subplot in this series thus far plays out in tremendous fashion as we watch two of the most unforgettable and unlikely characters fall in love. Penelope Featherington is no stranger to ridicule, being brazen gossip-columnist Lady Whistledown's favorite punching bag. Colin Bridgerton, the presumed devil-may-care nomad of the Bridgerton bunch, is home from Cyprus and searching for the direction in life that will lead him to a purpose. The awkward wallflower he thought he left behind in Penelope has blossomed into a vision of unparalleled and slightly disconcerting desire and she harbors a secret that becomes all too intriguing. What will Lady Whistledown have to say about such an absurd and unlikely match?

-Read an excerpt: here

   Penelope Featherington knew from the start of her premature first season, that she was destined for the life of a spinster. She was better off than most, with a fiercesom friendship with blue-stocking beauty, Eloise Bridgerton, and her unrequited love for Eloise's brother, Colin. Penelope has been in love with Colin since two days before her sixteenth birthday. The incident in the park which stole her breath away has stayed with her throughout the long and lonely years, but it is in the year 1824 that Penelope's luck starts to change.
   Colin has been blessed with a good lot in life. A wonderful family, filled to the brim with mischievous younger siblings and reliable and trusted elders, a wonderful and sometimes misguided mother who dotes on him with unconditional love, free time a plenty and hearty family coffers; what more could he want? He knows how fortunate he is in this world, but Colin can't shake off the biting resentment for those around him with something to live for. He travels the world, charms the ladies at every port, but still has yet to find his purpose in life. His older brothers are both successful in their own right; one being an accomplished artist and the other living up to his duties as Viscount Bridgerton. Even his sister Daphne is filling in the role of Duchess supremely. Colin is just looking for his calling.
   Home from his trip to Cyprus with notebooks full of his accounts of his travels, Colin can't help but cave in to pressures from his mother to attend some social affairs. Things are in a way familiar, but also changed. When next he claps eyes on his sisters friend, Penelope, he isn't prepared for what he sees. She's really grown into herself, and since when had she developed such a quick wit and that maddening cheekiness? Colin knows that the feelings he's developing for Penelope are wrong, but that doesn't help him get to sleep any easier at night.
   A friendship and a bond begin to form between Colin and Penelope, but soon the inevitable takes place. The two share a spectacular kiss (which knocked my socks off and had me squealing like a pig at breakfast time) and Colin reacts like all the other heros in history always have; by combating and trying to resist what he feels is so right. All the while, Penelope's secret is dangerously coming close to being revealed, and once Colin figures it out, it shocks him to the core. An unlikely marriage, a man's purpose realized, extortion and stolen identity all have a part to play in this stellar Romancing of Mister Bridgerton.

Rating: 5 "Aww's"

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is so hard to choose! At first I want to say that the part that most endeared itself to me was when Penelope asks Colin to kiss her(and he does so). It was truly a memorable moment! But having been a huge fan of the whole Lady Whistledown subplot, I'd have to say that my favorite part in the book would have to be when Lady Whistledown's identity is revealed. Not necessarily the exact scene it is made known to the reader, but rather, the scene when it is revealed at a huge assemblage proceeding a declaration of love. Such a marvelous scene.

   This is usually the part in the review where I wrap-up my final thoughts on the book. But truly, there isn't much I can say to do it justice. This is a shining example of great writing that compels the reader to feel with the characters and champion the underdog. Just....just...READ IT!

* Next up in the Bridgerton Series is 'To Sir Phillip, With Love' (Book 5), Eloise's story/ My Review can be found: here

*Also give 'The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown' a try. Acquaint your self with the bold gossip-columnist who keeps all of London on it's toes. This is an anthology with some stellar contributors! Definitely a winner!

'Blue-Eyed Devil' by Lisa Kleypas -Review-

   Intense. Incredible. Gratifying Beyond Measure. Yep, that's what 'Blue-Eyed Devil' has me saying. I thought 'Sugar Daddy' was too outstanding for words; 'Blue-Eyed Devil' robbed me of breath and ruined me for any other novel! When I finished this particular book, I knew I was spoiled. Any other contemporary I had read up to that point, and every contemporary I am destined to read after this one will pale in comparison. You will fall in love with this amazing novel, I guarantee it!

Read an excerpt: here

 Book Trailer:


   She thought she was in love. Even a dizzying kiss with a relative stranger and her family's disapproval couldn't stop Haven Travis from marrying her boyfriend, Nick. Two years in a declining marriage, and the marks to show for it, have our heroine returning to her family in Houston to rebuild her life. She's always seen her family's wealth as a reason to prove herself as a competent, hard-working individual as appose to the spoiled-brat society would like to believe she is. While trying to work her way to the top in her brothers property-management company, she crosses paths with the familiar stranger whom set her senses on fire when she mistakenly kissed him 2 year previous at her brother's wedding.
   Hardy Cates was dealt a low hand in life, and had to work his way to the top. His ever-ambition and persistence can be off-putting to people, especially when its directed at them to Hardy's personal gain; but when the enchanting Haven Travis appears in his line of vision a second time, with no ring on her finger, Hardy will go all out to claim what he should of 2 years ago.
   The animosity between Hardy and Haven's family, brought on by the long-ago relationship between him and Liberty, Haven's brother Gage's wife, and his trying to win her back (see 'Sugar Daddy' review), is nothing compared to the inner demons Hardy must help Haven overcome.
   Hardy moves into Haven's apartment building, a Travis-owned glass-and-metal structure that is the epitome of high-class style, and his 'wooing' begins to take shape. Haven is apprehensive to the whole idea of Hardy, but even after some embarrassing amorous interludes which end with her freaking out at the intimacy, she still feels drawn to him. Hardy helps her work out her intimacy issues and they share some steamy scenes and form a connection that grabs your attention and shows you what real love is. There's a terrifying twist towards the end of the book (as if my nerves weren't shot by chapter 4) when the past (her ex-husband) tries to work his way back into Haven's life. All is resolved and this masterpiece of a novel comes to it's conclusion.

Rating: 5 Aww's

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when Hardy saves Haven from drowning in an elevator. Sounds far-out, I know, but it works. Haven is on her way down to the parking garage after an important meeting and there is a storm going on that's flooding parts of the town. As it descends, the elevator stops and begins to take on water. Haven tries not to panic as she makes calls which don't prove fruitful. As her phone is dying out, she finds herself on the recent calls list and Hardy's number is there; he had called to discuss the embarrassing scene that took place as they were making out at a theater opening. Being so close to Hardy brought back a none-to-pleasant flashback from when she was with her husband; she freaked out and ran away, leaving Hardy hard and confused. She calls him and tells him shes trapped in an elevator and he comes to rescue her. The really funny part of this scene is when the roof of the elevator is pried open by Hardy and Haven says "I am so sorry I didn't have sex with you". Hardy informs her that he's sorry too and that everything they're saying is being overheard by two maintenance guys. I just loved how this scene meshed with the whole story and it was pretty funny considering the context.

   Is there any such thing as a perfect book? Maybe not, seeing as there are an unlimited amount of different preferences and possibilities, it would be hard to please all the people all the time. But 'Blue-Eyed Devil' would top my proverbial 'perfect' list. It was so emotional and triumphant and vulnerable and passionate that I found a little bit of myself falling in love with Hardy too. His masculinity oozes from the paper, and Haven's insecurities and vulnerability speak to that fragile female in all of us. There is high conflict, high action and high sensuality. There aren't enough words to describe how this book just makes you feel. Whether your a fan of contemporaries, historicals, paranormals; whatever the case may be, this book will convert you. I've never been a real glutton for contemporaries, but this book has sparked a hunger for the genre in me I may never be able to quell.

*Check out the first and equally amazing book in Kleypas' contemporary series, 'Sugar Daddy', Gage and Liberty's story/ My Review can be found: here

Read an excerpt from 'Sugar Daddy': here

*Also give the third book in the series, 'Smooth-Talking Stranger' a read./ My Review can be found: here

 Read an excerpt from 'Smooth-Talking Stranger': here

*And watch Lisa Kleypas talk about 'Blue-Eyed Devil' in this interview: here

'His Captive Lady' by Anne Gracie -Review-

   SPECTACULAR! And I am not just saying that! (I rarely do). Every once and a while, a book comes along that just takes you away from it all; and before you know it, your on page 323, and its all over. But when it does end, there's this odd lull you often find yourself in after reading a great novel, when you acknowledged that, indeed, its was a great novel! I am not partial with my 5 "Aww's" ratings (I admit to trying to find reasons not to award this book my highest esteem), but 'His Captive Lady' took me hostage and deserves to be up there with some of my favorites!

Read an excerpt: here

   On a quaint stretch of English countryside, our hero, Harry Morant, never expects to be captivated into willingly handing over his coveted fur-lined gloves and large-brimmed hat in the middle of a rain storm. But said articles of clothing are exactly what he forks over when he spies the alluring Lady Helen Freymore on the back of a cart, braving the elements ill-prepared. She doesn't even murmur a single word when this stranger canters up to her on his horse and places his hat on her head. As luck would turn out, the dizzying encounter is cut short when a fork in the road takes our hero and heroine down separate paths (but not for long).
   Back from war for good now, Harry plans to make good on the dream he and his buddy, Ethan, had held on to. Equestrian enthusiasts, Harry and Ethan want to breed and sell racehorses. Harry follows a lead on some property that has long been neglected; its perfect for his plans, having previously been a breeder's domain, and he never expects to find the lady who had been haunting his dreams for what feels like forever, delivering a colt in the property's stables.
   The property use to belong to Helen's mother, and consequently went to her father; whom was suppose to have put the deed in Helen's name, but gambled it away before his death (without doing as he said he would). Now destitute and with no further bright-ideas, Helen, or Nell as she likes to be called, will have to settle for earning wages somehow. She doesn't immediately leave the premises, so when the solicitor spots her after delivering the colt (with Harry's assistance, of course) , he is irate and starts to get very nasty. Harry takes up her case and eventually quiets the old man by telling him that, despite the poor condition of the main house, he is willing to make an offer on the property. As the solicitor squares everything away, Nell make her way to her bedroom one last time to freshen up and pack her belonging. On the spur of the moment, seeing that Nell may not fare as well as she believes, Harry proposes she stay on as a horse trainer (since she's so good with them) and when she refuses, he then offers her marriage.
   Nell shares a passionate kiss with Harry, but inevitable, declines his hand and goes on her way. Harry believes he will never see her again; so when his grandmother convinces him to accompany her to Bath, it is the hands of fate which have put his elusive Miss Freymore in his line-of-vision once more. He is determined to speak with her again, and after seeing the way her employer (a widowed 40 something) degrades her, her welfare becomes a matter of great importance to him. He proposes marriage again, when he enlists the help of his grandmother to steal away a few moments with Nell. Again she refuses, but he can tell that it isn't necessarily him shes adverse to, but some unexplainable need to get to London to find someone. Another heated encounter at the Pump Room leads to Nell getting fired; but not before Harry causes scandal and heaves Nell across his shoulder and bodily removes her from that mean witch's employ (and into his life for good).
   Initial dismayed, Nell is furious with Harry, but soon warms up to the idea. But there is the whole matter of getting to London and finding what she was willing to sacrifice dignity to find. Nell ends up telling her secret to Harry, whom doesn't hesitate to reassure her that he will do everything in his power to help her.
   Shocking twist and turns find our couple in every nook and cranny in London; determined to find what they are looking for. Little do they know, it's unyielding and unconditional love that awaits them as well!

Rating: 5 Aww's

My Favorite Part in the Book: (There's so many to choose from!) One would have to be the scene at Bath when Harry and Nell are caught in the backroom where they were meeting in private. Nell's employer proceeds to berate her and resorts to dirty name calling. When Harry informs the witch not to address his fiance' in that way, the employer proceeds to call Harry 'nothing more than a bastard' (He is the natural son of an Earl, and was born in wed-lock; albeit with a different 'father', but still, everyone refers to him as no more than a by-blow). Nell takes exception to that comment and comes to Harry's defense. She smacks that hoe! (sorry, I had to say it). But anyway, it was a weirdly sweet scene; I especially love how Nell wouldn't tolerate a bad word against Harry, and how he tossed her over his shoulder and staked his claim loud and clear to everyone who cared!

   Once again, I couldn't find too much wrong with this book. It was marvelously entertaining, and heartfelt all in the same token. If ever there were a book that defined what Romance was, I'd say this book would be in the running of physical examples. It was tactfully done; with few 'carnal' scenes, but enough to whet the appetite of all those readers looking for the usual something steamy in a HR novel. It was a book about Love, plain and simple, in many of it's different forms; self-sacrifice , justice for another, life and death, unwavering devotion.. 5 Aww's is right, now go out and fall in love as I did!

*Check out the 1st and preceding novel in the series. 'The Stolen Princess', Gabe's story

* And also check out the book that proceeds this one. 'To Catch A Bride', Rafe's Story/ My Review of 'To Catch A Bride' can be found: here

'Sugar Daddy' by Lisa Kleypas -Review-

Amazing!
There, I said it. This book was WAY more than I expected. Being a Lisa Kleypas novel, there were certain expectations I had before I even turned over the front-cover. Even though this is a contemporary, and even more so that I hardly EVER dip into contemporaries without good reason, this book was all the reason I could ever need to add a new sub-genre to my repertoire. Wittiness, endearing strength and courage, trying times and immaculate triumph are all reigning supreme as you follow Liberty Jones on her journey of perseverance and '68'-less romance.


 

   In the beginning of the story, we find fourteen year old Liberty Jones adjusting herself to her new town of Welcome, Texas. On her first day at the her new single-wide trailer home, she is sent on an errand to deliver a check to Mr.Sadlek, Manager of the 'Bluebonnet Ranch'. On her way there she is attacked by two crazy pit-bulls and ultimately saved by one of her new neighbors; Hardy Cates. After the gallant rescue, Hardy takes Liberty back to his family's trailer and hoses her knees down, which she scratched up in her attempt to flee from the dogs. They converse for a little while and Liberty is instantly attracted to the 17 year old Hardy. Although she is a plain looking, half-Mexican teenager, Liberty can't help but want to become all the woman Hardy could ever want.
   Shortly after 'befriending' the savage pit-bulls who attacked her, at Hardy's insistence, and their owner, Miss Marva, big changes start to happen in Liberty's life. Her mother kicks out her lazy, slacker, live-in boyfriend, FINALLY, and Liberty begins to resign herself to life with just her mom. But that thought is short lived when Liberty finds out that her mother, Diana, is pregnant. Liberty reacts in the exact opposite way her mother had predicted; "Because now I wont be alone anymore" she tells her mother, and quickly assures Diana that she will shoulder as much responsibility as needed.
   As a fifteenth birthday present, Liberty's friend Lucy gives her a makeover which even Hardy can't believe (or resist). During a 'tips & technique' sessions of basketball, subtle move are made that leave Liberty wanting more; even though she is provoked beyond comprehension at Hardy's assured confidences in her never kissing a boy before. After some study-dates with a classmate that disproves Hardy's claims, Liberty feels ready to put all the 'practice' to the test. Opportunity presences itself as Liberty is visiting Miss Marva and Hardy is there picking up some artwork she wanted conveyed to the local gallery. Hardy asks if she would like him to help her practice basketball again and soon they are embracing on the asphalt.
   Among Hardy's many reasons for forgoing any further overtures, he lists his age and his determination to get out of Welcome, which he couldn't jeopardize by coming to care for Liberty and then not wanting to leave her behind.
   They are able to keep their distance from one another until a storm blows a few months later while Diana is in labor. Hardy is called to drive both mother and daughter to the hospital in his pick-up truck. Baby Carrington is born and Liberty takes on a more-than-ordinary role in her life. Mother Diana is slow to warm up to Carrington; choosing to hang out with friends and let Liberty take care of the baby. During one of these 'baby-sittings', the pressure wells up in Liberty and she starts to breakdown; all while Carrington is crying in her arms. Hardy hears the baby's wails and comes to the rescue once again, taking the baby to his mothers trailer to be looked after while giving Liberty time to sleep and then tutoring her in Math so she can pass her test the next day. As Hardy departs, he shares a painfully sweet moment with our heroine, telling her "Don't you know I'd do anything for you", when she asks why he did what he did. Their moment is interrupted by Diana's arrival home and her insistence that Hardy shouldn't spend anymore time alone with her daughter. He agrees and makes his exit, staying away this time for much longer.
   In the subsequent years that followed, Liberty gets a boyfriend named Luke whom she tries to substitute for Hardy. Its doesn't work as she plans and after spotting Hardy making out with a girl at some party, Liberty gives her virginity to Luke and it leaves her feeling her loneliness and longing even more keenly. She clings to Carrington like a buoy to stay afloat in the ocean of her disappointments in life. At nineteen years old, Hardy decides to follow a job lead that will take him away from Welcome once and for all, but not before he gives Liberty the goodbye that sent the rest of her life spiraling out of control. They didn't do more than kiss, but those achingly bittersweet kisses brought home the fact that she may never see the love of her life ever again.
   After Hardy left, Liberty was dealt another devastating blow. Her mother died in a car crash, and Carrington was now completely and legally her responsibility. She had a hard time getting though the first few months after her mothers death, but with the help of her friends and the lovely Miss Marva, Liberty find a rhythm that isn't ideal, but works. She gets a part-time job at her friend's family pawn shop, went to cosmetology school and took care of Carrington until she receive her licenses and got referred to work at an exclusive hair salon in the ritzier districts of Houston. She dated a few frogs, got a boyfriend who was a total '68' (likes for a girl to go down but doesn't return the favor), and meets a 'Sugar Babies' wet dream in Churchill Travis; an older, wealthy business tycoon.
   Churchill took an immediate interest in Liberty, but not for the reasons everyone else assumed. They became friends, confided in each other their deepest thoughts and within the span of the four year acquaintanceship, Churchill convinced Liberty to move into his home (River Oaks-which is luxurious on excess). she met with adversity right-off-the-bat, namely in the form of Churchill's eldest son Gage, whom disliked Liberty whole-heartedly and thought she was sleeping with his father. It comes to pass that Liberty must nurse a stubborn Gage back to health and it is then, where we see a budding romance begin.
   Gage is the first man in Liberty's life that she wasn't constantly comparing to Hardy. Gage was extravagant and business-minded and soon became everything Liberty could ever want. That is, however, until an older, more financial sound Hardy waltzes back into her life. She asks Gage to be patient with her while she tries to sort out her feelings for both men; and after some shocking family revelations, she learns from the past mistakes of others and chooses the one whom can give her everything she wants and needs. (Highlight the text in between the >><< if you want to know whom she chooses) >>>GAGE!!!<<<

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when Liberty nurses Gage back to health. She goes to his apartment, at his fathers request, and discovers a sickly little kitten of man opening the front door. She sees the house is decorated and stocked in the most minimal of fashion and heads out to fetch some groceries; telling him he needs to shower before she departs. She comes back 45 minuets later with the groceries and starts to prepare Chicken and Dumplings. They converse for a little while and you can see the beginnings of a formidable relationship start to form. He offers her a guest room to stay in overnight since its past midnight by the time they finish eating, but she refuses the invite and another layer (Liberty's resistance to her attraction to Gage) is added to an already deep book.

Rating: 5 Aww's

This is the first 5 out of 5 Aww review on the blog and with great reason. This book was a Journey! We sat back and watched as a naive, self-conscious 14 year-old is transformed by life and grows into a strong young woman. The first half of the book was a look at lost innocents; of a girl who was quickly realizing that life wasn't going to give her break unless she worked hard and kept her eyes on the prize. The second half of the book was her acceptance of her new, mature self and her discovery of unconditional love. This book was just GOLD. plainly, and simply, gold.

* The next book in Lisa Kleypas' contemporary series is Blue-eyed Devil. It's the story of Gage's sister Haven and another character we know well ;)/ My Review can be found: here

* The book after 'Blue-Eyed Devil" in the series is 'Smooth Talking Stranger', Gage's brother Jack's story!/ My Review can be found: here