Summary: Gil Gilliland is a friend–nothing more–to his childhood chum, Chloe. But Gil’s mother sees more to their bond. And in a case of mother knows best, what seems a tender trap may free two stubborn hearts.

That’s the official book description, but since I’m sure readers would need more details, Chloe is a beautiful vivacious girl, quite content with her simple life managing her estate – one she inherited from her wealthy merchant grandfather. Her father, a peer, is a mean bully, cruel to Chloe because he hates the fact that he has to ask money from his daughter.

Unexpected circumstances make Gil and Chloe end up betrothed. It’s an engagement neither wants…or so they think.

It’s quite a sweet read. It’s always nice to have childhood sweethearts end up together. There are also two secondary characters that will get their love story told in the side and that one is sweet, too.

Sensuality Meter: Low
Rating: 8/10

Summary: Libby may be a poor relation, but it’s entirely her choice to don the role when her wealthy uncle is more than willing to give her a better life. And then a chocolate-selling merchant – gorgeous, suave, and alcoholic – sweeps into her life.

But wait…there’s more! You didn’t really think that was all, did you? The story actually started with the Duke of Knaresborough, contemplating the idea of taking a wife, as he’s being nagged by his sister to do so. In several twists of fate, the Duke ends up posing as a chocolate merchant and mistakes Libby as her heiress cousin. To make it a love triangle, there’s also the good doctor on the side, handsome, gentle, stocky (that’s how I see him) and clumsy, with his spectacles perpetually falling off his nose.

*SPOILER*
If you like happy endings with rich heroes, this is not the book for you and from that you can very well conclude who won Libby’s heart.

Sensuality Meter: Little
Rating: 8/10

Summary: Forced to accompany her beautiful but vain, self-centered sister to London for the season, Mary Seabrook, intelligent, artistic, and shy, escapes from the social scene whenever she can. But when a flight from a lecherous rake lands her behind a potted palm and she is suddenly joined by a man with an even more disreputable past, her life becomes far more interesting and far more dangerous than she had ever expected. Two well-matched, sympathetic protagonists join forces to outwit a would-be murderer and foil a debauched villain in this lively, well-crafted story that also offers an insightful look at the realities of Regency life with a few surprising twists.
- The Library Journal, Amazon.com

Regency romances are something you either hate or love, especially when they’re written with characters that act properly – according to their time, that is – but this one might just be something that most people will love.

Lord Grayson here is no Alpha male but surprisingly enough, I like him a lot. Very much manly in his own way. And Mary here is adorable in her independent ways. I got into a Regency craze in the past week or so and I read quite a lot, but this one stood in my mind.

Sensuality Meter: little to moderate
Rating: 8.5/10

When the original Knight series, the London-based ones, ended, I felt pretty much bereft but then I was heartened when Foley announced in her website that she had another set of Knight books to produce. This time, it would feature the other Knight branch in the West Indies.

The first of the series, Her Only Desire, featured the Knights’ baby sister, Georgie, together with Ian Griffith – yeah, the marquis. Her Secret Fantasy was for Derek and then finally, Her Every Pleasure is about Derek’s twin Gabriel.

I have to admit, this is my favorite in the trilogy. Both hero and heroine are amazing and adorable. Gabriel’s gallantry is charming and never fake while Princess Sophia acts exactly the way you would expect of a princess in hiding.

SUMMARY: From the glittering ballrooms of Regency England to the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean, the dazzling finale of Gaelen Foley’s Spice trilogy unfurls the passionate tale of a rebel princess and the powerful warrior destined to become her champion.

Princess Sophia was only a child when Napoleon conquered the island paradise ruled by her father. Raised in England and now twenty-one, she means to claim the throne that is rightfully hers and bring peace to her war-torn land. But an ambush by enemies forces Sophia into hiding outside London. Disguising herself as a peasant girl until she can safely return, she meets Major Gabriel Knight, a wounded warrior whose brush with death has utterly changed him.

Heir to a great fortune, and a master swordsman, Gabriel has given up his worldly possessions and laid down his arms. Sophia is fascinated by his brooding magnetism, and Gabriel, lured by her fiery beauty and healed by her touch, is drawn back inexorably toward the world of the living.

But when Sophia’s royal destiny is revealed, Gabriel knows he must take up his sword again, whatever the cost, to protect his princess from those who would destroy her. And as longing blossoms into passion, Gabriel discovers the one cause that is truly worth fighting for. . . .

My favorite scenes were Gabriel and his lady acting naughty inside the carriage, and when Gabe and the princess were reunited. If you’ve never given any of the Knight books a try, this one will convince you to do so!

Rating: 10/10

This is the first book I’ve read from this author, and again I made the right choice of picking up her book. I’m not really much of a fan of NASCAR – I’m no car lover but if I’m to choose a car event, I’d go for F1 than NASCAR. But anyway, Nancy Warren – together with the animation flick CARS – convinced me otherwise.

So, here’s the summary for the book:

Dylan Hargreave thinks I’m an actress paid to pose as his girlfriend at a North Carolina society wedding. How did this happen to me, of all people? Kendall Clarke, award-winning actuary, the veritable shining star of number crunchers who, just hours ago, learned her responsible fiancé (sorry, ex-fiancé) called off our wedding because he’d gotten one of my colleagues pregnant. What are the odds?

Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Dylan Hargreave. Celebrity NASCAR driver? People magazine’s Sexiest Man of the Year? Those eyes. That smile…

Forget sensible! I’ve assessed the risk…and I’m taking it! I usually keep the brakes on, but as of now I’m taking a vacation. From me.

Nice, isn’t it? Warren made Dylan absolutely drool-worthy, and not just for his looks! Kendall’s also adorable – and the way she, umm, went for her personality was absolutely cool. The climax scened didn’t make me cry – you’d have to go to Harlequin Presents for that – but it did make my heart twinge which is almost as good. Anyway, this book wasn’t written to be a tearjerker. It was written to give readers fun and I did have that.

Rating: 9/10 *

*but only because this just isn’t my favorite Harlequin line.

Imagine my surprise when I logged in and I found out that some of my entries here actually got viewed by other people. I know I created this blog to encourage people to read, but I didn’t really think there’d be people who’d be able to read it. I know my SEO but I’m a lazy girl and tags are the best things I can come up with to promote my blog.

I’ve read A LOT of books during my little hiatus, but I doubt I’d be able to review all of them. Too bad. It would still be nice if I could do so. One day. When I don’t need to work too long (says the girl who works five hours every other day).

I’m back.

The Untamed Heiress – Julia Justiss

The book cover’s something like what you’d more expect from a mystery novel, something like Agatha Christie in the Regency, but you know what they say – never judge a book by its cover. And thank God I didn’t.

But then I read the summary, and I almost didn’t read it again.

UNTUTORED, UNTOUCHED, UNTIL…

Imprisoned as a child by her spiteful father, Helena Lambarth vowed upon
his death to never again live under a man’s rule. But to honor her mother’s
last wish, she journeys to London to enter society— and finds herself a
reluctant houseguest of the dashing Lord Darnell.

Adam, Lord Darnell, has little time to oversee the bedraggled hoyden he’s
agreed to sponsor. Saddled with his father’s debts, he knows his one hope
is to win the hand of wealthy Priscilla Standish. If only she weren’t so
ordinary compared to the unconventional Helena— and if only his waiflike
ward hadn’t suddenly transformed into a bewitching young woman…

The desire they spark in each other is undeniable. But can the love they try
to resist conquer Helena’s demons and free them both?

Why, why, why do they have to tell us he’s poor? I hate poor heroes. I mean, remember, I’m reading this for some fantasy time. But I still tried reading it anyway and thank God I did. Her hero reminds me of the beloved Signet heroes of Mary Balogh. Both Helena and Adam here are lovable! Kudos to this writer – this is the first book I’ve read from her, and it has successfully converted me to being one of her fans.

This is by far the best PSICOM book I’ve read. It’s unique in many ways. Firstly, it uses a man’s POV – first person. Yes, absolutely. Secondly, it takes in Palawan – completely. Thirdly, the guy’s a native of Palawan – it’s not about two vacationers having a summer fling or something. Thirdly, the way it’s written…it’s like a cross between pang-masa and middle-class. That’s actually the biggest problem I have with it, but I think that has more to do with my upbringing than anything else.

But anyway…

Chris is the son of a resort owner. One day, a Manila guest asks if he wants to play the role of her boyfriend…for five days, no strings attached. That girl is Mia: she’s fun and loopy all at the same time. Chris finds himself agreeing. After all, surely nothing much could happen in five days, right?

——
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
The one thing I didn’t like about the book was its ending. I love happily-ever-after so obviously this one didn’t have that. Is all.

Rating: 7/10 but for others, I’m sure this could rate an 8 or 9.

Love the title, love the story even more!

Lord Anthony, Viscount Norcourt, was determined to be named by the court as legal guardian of his niece, Tessa, and if it meant being blackmailed into tutoring young girls about avoiding rogues and bringing the lovely schoolteacher Madeline to a nitrous oxide party, so be it.

The ‘teaching’ part is nothing new but the role given to nitrous oxide was very interesting and informative. The sizzling sensuality of this story alone would make it a must-read. Anthony’s a bad, bad boy indeed and readers are sure to adore him for it!

Rating: 10/10

This is Book 1 of the Willow Pond Series.

The death of her merchant father forces Victoria as well as the rest of her family to make desperate measures and save themselves from starvation. One sister goes to work as a paid companion to an elderly woman while another goes to work as a governess. This leaves Victoria alone at home with her mother and housekeeper. She does her best to manage the household by selling off their things one by one. But time’s running out…so Victoria thinks of approaching Tom.

Tom was the kitchen boy next door and working for the Earl. They used to exchange letters in secret but Tom had suddenly stopped writing. Victoria still thought fondly of Tom and now that she was impoverished as well, she considered becoming his wife.

——
I love the premise! For that alone, I’d give it a perfect score because it was quite unique. For an Avon romance, the love scenes were remarkably tame – too tame, actually. I couldn’t wait for them to consummate their marriage lol. Lovely, love story. Couldn’t help fall in love with both characters, and that’s rare, ‘coz usually I only love the male leads.

Rating: 10/10