Author of the Month: August 2010

Mary Balogh

   The Beloved Balogh, as I love to call her, is an authority (in my eyes) in the world of Regency Romance. (And I have been pronouncing her name as BAL-LOW, instead of BEL-OG) Her books are insta-classics that every reader of romance should definitely have grace their bookshelves.
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   "Balogh was born Mary Jenkins in Swansea, Wales.She moved to Canada on a two-year teaching contract in 1967 after leaving university. There, she met and married her Canadian husband Robert Balogh and settled in the small prairie town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, Canada. She taught high school English for a number of years, and rose to the level of school principal. She has three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian, and four grandchildren, Matthew, Shianne, Jayden and Cash.
    As an adult, Balogh discovered the world of the historical romance as written by Georgette Heyer. The vast majority of Balogh's novels have been set in Regency or Georgian England or Wales. Balogh began her writing career in 1983, when she wrote her first novel A Masked Deception in the evenings at the kitchen table while home and family functioned around her. A Masked Deception was accepted by Signet and published in 1985. Mary Balogh won the Romantic Times Award for best new Regency writer that year.
   She is the author of more than 60 published novels and over 30 novellas and has met with critical success. She has received numerous awards, including a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Regency Short Stories in 1993 and has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list."Source

-For a complete list of Mary Balogh's works, there is a very helpful list on her website on the 'books' page with cover pics, blurbs and everything else you need to know: click here

-Also, check out the Mary Balogh content I have right here on the blog: click here

And there is your Author of the Month for August 2010

*For more info on Mary Balogh, you can visit her website:  www.marybalogh.com 

 

'Seducing An Angel' by Mary Balogh -Review-

   A tumultuous and tender love story. As is with Mary Balogh, there was that classic refined quality to this piece of work that just enhanced the story. You could feel the eloquence of each paragraph as it oozed historical-goodness (admittedly, that sentence lacked a bit of eloquence itself). Cassandra was near-destitute with 4 hangers-on (including Roger, the faithful dog) to look out for. All were doomed to face unrelenting poverty if she couldn't find a way to provide for them. After the marriage from hell abruptly ended after 9 years, and Cassandra saw accusations of being an Axe-murder laid at her door, she knew only one line of work would be open to her. That of a mistress. With nowhere left to go and little money to meet next week's rent, Cassandra devises a plan to crash a ton ball and meet a wealthy protector, little does she know, an angel in need of seducing is what she'll get.

Read an excerpt: here

   Alice had been Cassandra's governess turned companion for a very long time now. At the age of 42, employment for the 'old' woman who was more of a mother than Cassandra has ever known or could ever part with was an unrealistic option. Mary was the unmarried cook, housekeeper, and maid for Cassandra, and Mary's 4 year old daughter, Belinda, was a bright light in a dark place. No one would hire Mary as long as she insisted on keeping her daughter with her. And finally, Roger, who so valiantly defended Cassandra (the details of which will be revealed towards the end of the book) and was carried away badly maimed and so close to the doorstep of death, would probably never find another owner to love and cherish him as Cassandra did.
   They all loved her, and she loved them, and Cassandra knew she was the only one who could save them. 9 years in an abusive marriage nearly tore Cassandra apart, and in reality, the mask of indifferent cynicism she wore could directly be attributed to those years of abuse.
   When her husband is found dead in their library with no witness nor evidence to conclusively incriminate anyone, let alone her, Cassandra will still face unyielding public censure as she tried to embrace her independence. Fanciful retellings of rumors with no substantial bases will brand Cassandra an Axe-murder, and when her husband's heir and eldest son from his first marriage threatens to have charges brought up against Cassandra if she tries to collect on her much needed settlement, destitution is not far off into the distance.
   Determined to provide for herself and those whom depend on her, Cassandra is convinced that she must become some wealthy aristocrat's mistress. She crashes Lady Sheringford's ball to scout for potential protectors, and is surprised to find that the hostess herself and her family are good-natured people who forgo treating her with disdain and try to make her feel welcome (even if it's just to do damage control). The brother of her hostess, Stephen Huxtable, the Earl of Merton, caught her eye the previous day while she walked in the park, now he was at the ball and Cassandra made her choice to pursue this 'angel' of a man.
   Stephen is initially leery of Cassandra's forthright declaration of trying to seduce him. They dance, enjoy supper, and she volunteers his services to escort her home. It is very clear that she wants to have sex with him, but the morning after they share some delicious intimacies, she's ready to talk business and Stephen is not sure what he wants to do. Some unknown forces make him relent to Cassandra's wishes and he agrees to the arrangement.
   Cassandra's unceremonious offering of herself and speaking so blatantly about the use of her body , which Stephen's "paying well enough for", induces him to cut the arrangement short (just after the second night) and re-strategize a way to help Cassandra get back into society.
   The path to healing proves to be a dubious one, but our fair angel Stephen can't help but try and help Cassandra. He brings JOY into her life with their few outings and soon the attraction takes a deeper route and solidifies a mutual love. Truths are revealed, a sweet but public kiss results in a hurried proclamation of engagement, Cassandra fights her feelings for Stephen (and for her freedom), but she'll soon find out that love is the ultimate liberation.

-Rating- 4 1/2 Smooches -Rating-

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when Cassandra and Stephen get caught up in the moment and share a kiss on a terrace during a ball, in visible sight. Quick thinking has Stephen blurting out that Cassandra accepted his proposal of marriage so he lost his head for a second with joy and that's why he kissed her. Cassandra, once out of the public eye, stays steadfast in her desire to never marry again, but she must keep up pretenses for the time being to avoid more scandal. In all of the romances I have read where a kiss is witness and marriage must follow after, I've never seen it done like this before and I thought it was really genius.

   This book was lovely! There were deep emotions and heavy themes which threaten to weigh the plot down in darkness, but Balogh cleverly inserted an ever-present current of hope and strength which succeeds in endearing this book to the reader. I enjoy a good pregnancy in a story, even if most readers feel most authors just throw it in just to throw it in. Cassandra's revelation towards the end of the book was a twist I literally didn't see coming. She had suffered multiple miscarriages in the past at the hands of her abusive husband, and the fear and joy felt with this scenario just tugged at my heart strings. In this novel, the heroine was 28 and the hero was 25, and I thought that would put a damper on the book somewhat for me. But it was well done and 'Seducing An Angel' is an excellent read!

*Also check out the first novel in The Huxtable Series and where we first encounter a 17 year old Stephen, 'First Comes Marriage', Vanessa and Elliot's story!

Read an excerpt for 'First Comes Marriage': here

*Also by Mary Balogh, a consummate classic and one of my favorite novels, 'Slightly Married'

Read an excerpt for 'Slightly Married': here

Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for May 2010

This month will feature a barrage of new releases. Two of which I've spoken of recently with unabashed anticipation! In an Industry where literally thousands of books are published and released yearly, it's up to the bloggers of the world to shift through the sand and find the gems!



Here's what you should look for in the Month of May:

*Today is May 1st; we've got a great new release to pick up and gorge on! After reading the synopsis on this one, I know I've got to speed up these blog updates, get some shut-eye, and amble on down to the nearest book retailer tomorrow!

*'Never Less Than A Lady' by Mary Jo Putney

"As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, battle weary Major Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son.  The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft—a quiet village midwife with shattering secrets that thrust her into Randall’s protection.

Within the space of a day, Julia has been abducted by her first husband’s cronies, rescued, and proposed to by a man she scarcely knows—yet has been unable to forget. Though a union with the handsome, enigmatic major offers safety, she fears she can never trust any man again.  But as passion slowly warms Julia’s damaged heart, she starts to hope that perhaps a Lost Lord can teach her what a true marriage can be…" Source

-Read an excerpt: here

*May 4th will send a sizzling new Vanessa Kelly novel to a bookstore near you! With a title straight from a lifetime movie (Yes, I find time to indulge on an occasional lifetime movie; is there anything more feminine?) and a cover that will have you takeing a second look, this book looks to be a must-read!

*'Sex And The Single Earl' by Vanessa Kelly

"Their marriage was convenient...
Simon St. James, fifth Earl of Trask, knows he could do worse in the marriage of convenience department. Sophie Stanton may be a bit of a social liability, with her ungovernable ways and flighty nature, but Simon has responsibilities as an earl that far outweigh happiness in the household. As for happiness in the bedroom...he has to admit he sees Sophie’s potential in that arena...

Their passion was not!

But Sophie isn’t some bargaining chip to be traded, and she’s not about to let Simon St. James tell her how to live her life—even though she has nurtured a crush on the handsome young earl for as long as she can remember. If his idea of courtship is telling her what to do, then she is not interested, or at least she is trying not to be. But when his scolding words turn to scorching kisses, suddenly Sophie starts paying attention..."Source 

-An excerpt can be found: here



*On May 11th, a wonderful new anthology written by three equally wonderful authors will be hitting the shelf's.

*'Three Times A Bride' by Catherine Anderson,     

 Loretta Chase and Samantha James

"Three times a lady.
Three times a beauty.
Three Times a Bride
Three brides, three beginnings, three stories of incomparable romance from USA Today bestselling authors Catherine Anderson, Loretta Chase, and Samantha James.
Celebrate the glorious, magical moment when man and woman become husband and wife with these three couples, joined by a passionate promise of forever—and inspired by true love. Wedded bliss has never been this wicked . . ." Source


-Read an excerpt of Samantha James' contribuation to the anothology! (it was originally released in 1996 under a two book mini-series titled 'Married at Midnight' and 'Every wish Fulfilled'. Now it has been re-released in 'Three Times A Bride'): here

* May 11th, get ready for something a little...Notorious.

*'The Notorious Scoundrel' by Alexandra Benedict

"Like an irresistible siren, the veiled dancer with the bewitching green eyes lures dukes and earls down into London's underworld to see her dance-and succumb to her spell. Some say she's a princess, but only one man knows her darkest secret.
She is Amy Peel, an orphan from the city's rookeries, and she believes the bold rogue who unmasks her to be nothing but a scoundrel-albeit a dangerously handsome one. He may have rescued her from an attempted kidnapping, but she will not give in to his sensual seduction or to the wicked desire she begins to feel . . .
He is Edmund Hawkins, swashbuckling pirate turned reluctant gentleman, and he will not let the lovely Amy slip through his grasp, especially when he learns she's in greater peril than she could possibly know. He will do everything in his power to protect her-for this notorious scoundrel has truly, unbelievably, lost his heart . . ." Source

 *May 18th, The secret will be unveiled.

*'A Secret Affair' by Mary Balogh

"  The Devil was about to be tamed.” Her name is Hannah Reid. Born a commoner, she has been Duchess of Dunbarton ever since she was nineteen years old, the wife of an elderly duke to whom she has been rumored to be consistently and flagrantly unfaithful. Now the old duke is dead and, more womanly and beautiful than ever at thirty, Hannah has her freedom at last.
And she knows just what she wants to do with it. To the shock of a conventional friend, she announces her intention to take a lover—and not just any lover, but the most dangerous and delicious man in all of upper-class England: Constantine Huxtable.
  Constantine’s illegitimacy has denied him the title of Earl, so now he denies himself nothing . . . or so the ton would have it. Rumored to be living the free and easy life of a sensualist in his country estate, he always chooses recent widows for his short-lived affairs. Hannah will fit the bill nicely.
   But once these two passionate and scandalous figures find each other, they discover that it isn’t so easy to extricate oneself from the fires of desire—without getting singed. For the duchess and the dark lord each have startling secrets to reveal, and when all is said and done, neither will be able to say which one fell in love first, who tamed whom, and who has emerged from this game of hearts with the stronger hand." Source
-an excerpt can be found: here

THE BIG DATE: MAY 25th, the following novels will all be release.. who will top them all?

* 'A Gentelman Always Remembers' by Candace Camp

"Married young to a charming but improvident army officer, Eve Hawthorne was widowed with little left except for a few extravagant trifles. Desperate to avoid her domineering stepmother, she accepts employment as chaperone to the Earl of Stewkesbury’s American cousins. Who better than a levelheaded widow to remind these young girls that they no longer live on a frontier? But when she flirts with a handsome stranger who turns out to be the earl’s brother Fitz, Eve worries she’s given the wrong impression. Trying to prove herself responsible—with Fitz challenging her at every turn—is hard enough, but a blackmailer with an interest in Eve’s prior marriage proves far more troubling. With the earl away, Eve can turn only to Fitz for help. But dare she confide in him, when getting too close to this confirmed bachelor might risk her heart to his alluring ways? " Source

* ' Seven Secrets Of Seduction' by Anne Mallory

"  Scandalous and provocative, The Seven Secrets of Seduction is an intoxicating insight into the mind of men and the desires of women—and the book has all the ton talking. Secret #1: Every good seduction begins with a baited hook . . .
Well-educated, but not part of society, Miranda Chase is just as captivated by the erotic pages as everyone else in London. Intrigued by the layers she sees beneath the book's surface, she writes an editorial about it, never realizing that her passionate words will draw an actual viscount to her uncle's bookshop.
   Maximilian, Viscount Downing, has very particular ideas about passion and sees truth only in desire. He freely flaunts his sensual power and seeks nothing more than another conquest—the one that could justify his entire debauched existence. But Miranda's blend of innocence, trust, and love cause a strange thing to happen on the way to this seduction. Something that just might threaten the very fabric of his jaded heart . . ." Source

  * 'My Reckless Surrender' by Anna Campbell 

"Headlong into sin . . .
   A well-practiced rake, weary of easy conquests and empty pleasures, Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft, knows women—and his every instinct warns him to beware of this one. Diana Carrick's brazen overtures have thrown the haunted, sinfully handsome lord completely off his guard. Why, the exquisite temptress stated outright that she wishes to be his lover. But it is neither Diana's boldness nor her beauty that intrigues him so—it is the innocence he senses behind her worldly mask.
   Intent upon the seduction that will finally free her, Diana has set her sights on the notorious Ashcroft—never dreaming that there is much more to the enigmatic rogue than sin and deviltry. His kiss is bewitching, his caress intoxicating—and even the dangerous secret Diana must protect cannot shield her from Ashcroft's dark allure.
Unwittingly yet most willingly, they are playing with fire. Now the fuse has been lit and there is no escape . . . except surrender." Source
- An excerpt can be found: here

* 'When Marrying A Scoundrel' by Kathryn Smith (May 26th)

 "  A lady must be prepared for anything . . . when marrying a scoundrel.

Sadie Moon once thought she was in love. Then her dashing husband left her to seek his fortune, and she had no choice but to transform herself from a heartbroken waif into London Society's favorite fortune-teller. But even she could not have foreseen Jack's return—until their paths cross in the last place either would have expected: London's most exclusive house of pleasure.

  Now wealthy and successful, Jack Friday has everything he'd ever dreamed of . . . except Sadie. He swears he will never trust the woman who broke her promise to wait for him, though his passion for her burns as hotly as ever before. But love, like the past, comes back to haunt them—drawing them into a web of intrigue and betrayal that could save or destroy them both." Source

* 'Married By Morning' by Lisa Kleypas

 "  For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters—a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response—and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

  Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever—unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires…" Source
-An excerpt can be found: here
-featured in this previous post.

*'Ten Things I Love About You' by Julia Quinn

"Ten Things You Should Know About This Book
1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
2. Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind and The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.
3. Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.
5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.
6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to
10. Happily. Ever. After." Source

-An excerpt can be found: here 
-featured in this previous post.



You can find tons (the measurement, not society) of other releases, reviews and so much more from one of my favorite source sites historicalromancereleases.com/. Their site is amazing and so well designed. Before you take a trip to your local B&N to pick up something to read, make sure you check out this site and take their suggestions. And harperscollins (one of the leading publishing houses in the HR genre, keeps a thourogh 'upcomning releases' page under their 'books' tab on their website.

Happy Readings!!

'Slightly Dangerous' by Mary Balogh -Review-

There's no 'slightly' dangerous about this book. It is a foregone conclusion that your heart will undoubtedly be in danger of falling 'head over ears' for this book! Truly a delightful book, with characters as engaging and pure as the people in your household. It's just a lovely story, and the cover is quiet adorable in its on right too!!

   If you are familiar with the Bedwyn series (or as commonly referred to, the 'Slightly Series'; because all the titles of the books have 'slightly' in them) , then you know of not only Wulfric Bedwyn, the cold as ice Duke of Bewcastle, but you know of his younger siblings. This is the final book of the 'Slightly Series' and is not only a send off of the beloved series and ties the last love-string (Wulf's), but provides a perfect opportunity to catch up with the other Bedwyn siblings!
   The book starts off quaint enough with the introduction of our heroine, Mrs. Christine Derrick. The full of laughter and sweet dispositioned Mrs.Derrick was widowed two years ago, and ever since (and really, quiet some time beforehand) she has never really strive to get back into the fold of 'proper' and 'demure' society. Some found her sunshiny personality and amiability to all walks of life a bit 'vulgar' and 'indiscreet'. Some of the ringleaders in this dislike were her own brother and sister in-law, Basil and Hermione Derrick (Viscount and Viscountess Elrick) and most cutting, her own late-husband. She was believed to be a flirt, and subsequently, her fidelity to her marriage was questioned by her inner-circle. The only one who stuck by her and believed her innocence was her cousin by marriage,Justin; who held a long tenure for her.
   After politely writing her refusal to attend a house party, which was being thrown by Lord and Lady Renable (her cousins by marriage as well, which meant Basil and Hermione would be there), she is then visited by Melanie, Lady Renable herself, and persuaded to come anyway. Melanie is in a bind because her brother invited an extra guest to the party; The Duke of Bedwyn; and therefore the numbers of female-to-male guest is uneven. Couldn't have that, could we?
   We are then given a glimpse into the laps of judgment that led the formidable Duke to accept an impromptu invitation to the house party. A universally known recluse, The Duke of Bedwyn recently laid to rest his mistress of 10 years and was feeling a bit melancholy. Loneliness prompted his decision to accept, but he immediately began to regret his rashness when a plainly-clad Christine Derrick spies his arrival from a top landing on the second floor and accidentally spills a bit of lemonade in his eye.
   Mortified, and a little more than mischievously tickled by the ordeal, Christine continues on to the primrose salon where all the other lady-guest were to arrive. She has a icy encounter with her sister in-law, Hermione, and is soon playing neutral spectator to the groups of young misses and aging English roses. She overhears and is subsequently pulled into a conversation about the presences of the Duke. As juvenile as these young misses could get, a few of the younger female guest start a wager that would benefit the first young lady in the group to snare the Dukes undivided attention for a whole hour. Christine is helplessly goaded and dragged into the wager, but has no intention of participating.
   Little does she know, her and the Dukes paths are about to become undeniably interlock with each other. A profitable opportunity presents its self as Wulfric bumps into Christine alone on the grounds and feels gentlemanly bound to escort her around for a quick stroll. They further convince themselves of pre-conceived notions of the other; that he is a no nonsense, stick in the mud, cold as ice, arrogant aristocrat and she is an irritatingly care-free, dismissive wild and fanciful female. Having already won the bet, but choosing to keep her win personal,  Christine resigns herself to the notion that the out of  the ordinary occurrence (her receiving the Duke's attentions) will most likely never happen again, and in any case she will remain invisible to him for the rest of the house party's duration.
   Fate wouldn't allow this, and after a mishap involving Christines' climbing a tree, tearing her dress, efficiently being rescued by Wulfric and a passionate kiss shared in the seclusion of a maze, Wulfric is ready to admit that he isn't as put off by Christine's person as he lets on and rashly (and quiet stupidly) offers her the 'distinct honor' of becoming his replacement mistress. Understandably aghast, Christine refuses, flees, and commits herself to the thorough disliking of the Duke of Bedwyn.
   On the last night of the house party (the ball), and presumably, the last time either of them will see each other, Wulfric asks Christine to dance. Her toes are mowed down by a male dancer with two left feet, and Wulfric efficiently swoops her up and takes her outside to compose herself. They end up waltzing under the stars and eventually 'ending' their acquaintanceship with some passionate lovemaking on the grassy bank before a lake.
   Once again, fate wouldn't allow our two to part just yet, and after a disastrous proposal of marriage 10 days later, they meet up again almost a year later at the wedding of Audrey Derrick (for whom the house party was in honor of). After a hilariously innocent incident at the Serpentine in Hyde Park, where Wulfric plays rescuer of Christine again, Wulfric returns a day later to see how she fared and ask her for a chance to prove that he isn't all that she believes him to be. He invites her and her family to his home, where his family will be congregated for the Easter holiday, and intends to prove her wrong there.
   There are some cute scenes here, revelations there, and indifferent family members are reunited and assured of the truth about Christine's nature. Suffice to say, Wulfric succeeds in his bid for Christine's heart and makes her his wife! Slowly but surly our man of ice begins to melt and warm ours hearts a thousand times over in the process!

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is hard to pick out. Although originally, it was the scene from the maze where they first kiss, the ending of the book was to satisfying not to receive this distinction. I do not want to give away all of the plot, but my favorite moment happens at the end (the last sentence to be precise). It is known throughout the book that Christine was barren (unable to conceive) through her 7 year marriage and was likely never to conceive at all. At the end, the epilogue centers around the christening of Christine and Wulfric's 'miracle baby' and ends with:"The marquess (courtesy title for Wulfric's heir) did not even know what brothers and sisters were. But he would...." period, end! (I thought I might cry!)

This book was a classic Mary Balogh for me and endearingly heart-warming. It was pretty well paced and packed a lot of action and emotion in the short time span in which the first half and second half of the book took place. There isn't much more to say about this one; it's golden!
-Read an excerpt here:'Slightly Dangerous' excerpt

Rating: 4 "Aww's"

  
*Also check out 'Slightly Married',  Wulfric's brother Aidan's Story, and a personal favorite! It is also the first book in the 'Slightly Series' !

read an excerpt here: 'Slightly Married' excerpt