What I Read Last Week

What I've Read This Week Part II . . .

Lady Fiasco by Kathleen Baldwin -- Regency Romance

This is the first book in the trilogy featuring Aunt Honore. The other two being Mistaken Kiss and Cut From the Same Cloth. In this book Tyrell, Earl of Westmont has returned home from the wars to take up his duty upon his father's death. His mother is determined it's high time he marry and give her a grandson. Tyrell is angry at the world for he feels that he should still be on the battlefield in Spain and not in the ballroom. He's determined not to even look at any of the young ladies his mother forces on him but then he encounters his childhood playmate Fiona Hawthorn. Fiona was always an adorable elf and Tyrell soon discovers that the little elf has grown into a beautiful minx. Fiona tries to warn Tyrell of her reputation for disaster. The villagers all think she's cursed and even her stepmother doesn't want to be around her. Tyrell cares little for curses and pursues Fiona. However, Tyrell refuses to be leg shackled and when he always gets carried away with Fiona he storms off in anger. Fiona's Aunt Honore comes to the rescue and brings Fiona to the attention of the ton first in Brighton and then in London. Aunt Honore's eccentric ways and Fiona's accident prone nature make Fiona the belle of the ball. Soon Aunt Honore's stepson Marcus becomes jealous of Fiona and is determined that her reputation will keep him in his inheritance. Tyrell soon follows Fiona to London raging with anger and jealousy. He's determined that Marcus should not have Fiona but he doesn't seem to want her himself - or does he? Obviously this is a romance novel and the plot is pretty obvious. It follows a bit of a different path though since the hero and heroine already know each other. Fiona is likable enough and I felt sorry for her that everyone thought she was cursed. I loved Aunt Honore in the previous two books I read. She's outrageous and shocking but in this first novel she's not quite as funny. I did not like Tyrell at all. He's hot tempered, jealous, brooding and uncontrollable. We never really learn his whole story and he never talks to Fiona about why he refuses to be married. I do not like heroes with anger management problems. This is an average read. The other two books are better, with Cut From the Same Cloth having the most depth. Each book stands alone so you do not need to read them all or in order. 

Town Bronze by Kate Huntington -- Regency Romance

Christopher Warrington spent the last eleven years in hellish prisons in France. Now he has returned to England and to the rule of his autocratic grandfather, the Viscount Adderly. Christopher's grandfather wants Christopher to marry Cassandra Davies, the Viscount's ward and the sooner the better. The lady objects to the match and Christopher also wants nothing to do with the sharp tongued young girl, but the Viscount remains adamant. Christopher is not about to exchange one prison for another so he hares off to London without a moment's notice. Grandfather and Cassandra soon follow. Cassandra is thrilled to be in London where she will be able to do the Season at last. Her miserly guardian has hitherto not allowed her to have a Season. At two and twenty Cassandra is a bit naive but she's not so naive to know that when she next encounters Christopher, he has acquired a great deal of town bronze. Christopher arrives in London thinking he'll take his time to find a bride and get reacquainted with London. He becomes friendly with the fashionable widow Mrs. Benningham who helps him when he is in need. At first Cassandra has the time of her life in London. She enjoys the attentions of Lord Whitby, an Earl's heir. Christopher despises Whitby and tries his hardest to keep Cassandra out of harm's way. His jealously does nothing to endear him to the lady but perhaps she isn't the awful creature he has always believed her to be. Cassandra loves London but she can't help but feel like something is missing. This is a typical Regency story that contains slightly different plot elements. Christopher's plot is interesting and unusual, especially. Cassandra's plot feels very realistic and the interaction between Christopher and Cassandra is wonderful. There are some amusing moments but little actual romance. Cassandra's character is a bit stereotypical at first. She comes across as mercenary. She becomes well-developed as the story progresses and I liked her more. She's naive but not stupidly innocent. She has spark and fire and she knows what she wants. Christopher is charming and witty but he has a nasty temper that I'm not fond of. He's much kinder than many Regency heroes, however, and others may love him. The end of the story seems a bit rushed but it's funny and sweet just the same. I really enjoyed this book. It's well-written, realistic (as much as a Regency novel of this type can be) and a cut above the average Regency novel.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

His Lady Midnight by Jo Anne Ferguson -- Regency Romance

Lady Phoebe Brackenton lives a double life. Part of the time she's a typical Society lady but in the dark of the night she rescues criminals about to be transported. Now she's about to be caught if she doesn't act fast. With her assistant wounded, Lady Phoebe has to make her own way through the dark streets of the docks of London. She loses her way and her carriage but jumps into the nearest nobleman's carriage she finds, believing it to be empty. The carriage is not empty, however. Lord Galen Townsend is inside waiting for his wayward brother and he wants an explanation. He may have a shocking reputation, but Lady Phoebe has no choice but to trust him with the truth. He decides to take her to Thistlewood Cottage, his friend's residence outside of Bath. The journey is dangerous and now Galen is implicated in Phoebe's crime and if caught, they're both in trouble. As Phoebe and Galen learn to trust one another and become friends and possibly more, they must decide whether to abandon their more noble causes to choose love or continue on the same paths without. Then Galen's brother shows up and may ruin everything. The romance is the strength of the story. It's passionate without being overwhelmingly so. (Passionate kisses but nothing more). The writing is good and the characters are well-developed. I admired Lady's Phoebe's convictions. However, in order for the story to happen, the author has to have Lady Phoebe break all the rules of Society. I couldn't put the book down because I had to find out how Lady Phoebe found her way out of trouble, but I was bothered by the lack of historical accuracy. If you are more of a fan of romance than history, you'll love this book.

A Rogue for Christmas by Kate Huntington -- Regency Romance

Fourteen-year-old Mary Ann Whittaker is headed to the pawn shop to pawn her greatest treasure in order to save her family when she's accosted by a brute intent on robbing and murdering her. She's rescued by a handsome gentleman who is impressed by young Mary Ann's bravery. He helps her pawn her ring, escorts her home and disappears. The Whittakers learn that a Christmas angel has paid their debts and sent a goose for Christmas dinner. Mary Ann vows to marry her angel. Seven years later, Mary Ann is a reigning Society belle and has refused all offers of marriage. During a party given by her wealthy brother-in-law, she encounters her rescue angel once again and is determined not to let him go this time. Lionel St. James is not a fit person for a young lady like Mary Ann to know. He's been disowned by his family and makes a living as a professional gambler. Mary Ann won't take any excuse. She's determined to reform Lionel. He has no choice but to succumb to the charms of the lovely Whittaker ladies and join them at their country estate for Christmas. Along the way he becomes charmed by the happy, loving family such as he's never seen the like of before, but he knows it's only temporary and come the new year, he'll be out of the streets. When some unexpected guests arrive, they add more tension to the party, but Mary Ann has faith in Lionel. Only she can see the angel underneath the devilish exterior. Lionel must learn to believe in himself and make others see what Mary Ann sees. For that he will need a Christmas miracle and Mary Ann is determined to make it happen. This story is very much like A Christmas Carol infused with romance. It only needs Tiny Tim's famous life at the end. I love A Christmas Carol but not so much A Rogue for Christmas. Mary Ann is very young and innocent and acts like a much younger girl. Lionel isn't really that bad and is rather appealing if you like the wounded soul type. The story is supposed to be heartwarming but I found it a bit too schmaltzy. The plot is also very unrealistic and Mary Ann breaks a lot of rules to make her dream come true.