Sep 29, 2017 | reviews, romance
Forbidden flames burn brightest…
The knight Alric of Hawksmere has endured years of war and survived dozens of battles in the service of the king. A new challenge awaits him when he returns home to renew his bond with a childhood friend. Alric instead discovers she is now a spirited woman of rare beauty whose kiss makes his blood burn. But the lady Cecily de Vere has been offered in marriage to another man, and Alric’s duty is to escort her to the wedding.
Cecily wants to behave as a proper lady. But she yearns for her childhood flame and knows he shares the same desire. When a sudden twist of fortune puts Cecily in mortal danger, Alric takes an unimaginable risk to rescue her. Left alone in the wild, Alric and Cecily must make a choice that will change their lives forever.
Honor & Roses, by Elizabeth Cole
Medieval romance is another category I have dabbled in on and off. I know there are some Johanna Lindsey books on my shelves somewhere, although it’s been years since I’ve read them. There’s a Julie Garwood audiobook or two in my Audible library as well. It’s been a while though, since I’ve read anything in that time period outside of a Scottish setting. This series, by Elizabeth Cole, is set in medieval Britannia, during an age she describes as “The Anarchy” and which I would guess to be sometime in the 1100-1300 time period.
Alric of Hawksmere fostered with two of his friends and fellow knights with the de Vere family, starting just a few months before the fateful fire that killed Cecily’s father and left her in the care of her uncle. When she was 14, they rode off to war, leaving her behind. Years later, Alric returns to Cleobury with Rafe, one of his friends, only to find that Cecily has grown up and the situation at home may be more perilous than the battles he was fighting on the field.
Cecily, for her part, has harbored feelings for Alric since before he left her to go to war, despite the fact that he never returned her letters. When he returns home safely, she is overjoyed — but her opportunity for joy is shortlived, as her uncle announces that she is to be wed to a powerful lord who guards one of the border passes with Wales. Alric is charged with escorting her to the wedding, even as he struggles with his own feelings for Cecily and the unsettling knowledge that one of his friends may be trying to kill him.
I liked Cecily as a character. She was believable as a strong (if sheltered) young woman who was willing to put her life on the line for what she believed was right, while still being true to the customs and rules of the time period. Alric seemed to appreciate the qualities in Cecily that I liked too, and I’ll give him credit for that. His characterization felt a little weaker than hers, but it might be because he meets much more of the typical “knight in shining armor” set of qualities.
The plot was solid, if unexceptionable. Without going into spoilers, the resolution felt a little rushed but I suppose that was unavoidable given the magnitude of the dilemma the characters found themselves in. There were really only one or two ways to resolve it, at least if she wanted to be historically accurate, and so she worked with the tools at her disposal. There were a few loose ends clearly aimed at continuing the story of Alric’s other two friends, and I enjoyed the book well enough that I’ll consider picking up the next two at some point.
As an unrelated side note, I really loved the art on this cover.
I’ve been posting the reviews here on Friday, for those of you who have kept track of this sort of thing, but that’s going to change going forward. I’m going to start posting reviews on Tuesday now and hopefully adding some posts about writing and my life in general, turning this a little more into a blog instead of just a collection of reviews. Of course, the reviews are going to still be here and if that’s all you’re interested in, I will tag them so you can sort through the categories and read just the reviews — or feel free to follow me on GoodReads, where I’m also posting my reviews!
As always, I hope you’re enjoying reading.
Sep 22, 2017 | reviews, romance
Benjamin Wetherby, Earl of Glastonbury and heir to the Marquisate of Eastleigh, has just received an urgent letter from home. His father is dying and he must return to England at once. Benjamin is a man bound by honor and duty, to both his country and his family. So, despite his reservations, he leaves his life in New York City behind so he may find a wife and assume his role as the Marquess of Eastleigh.
Miss Phoebe Blake is finally out of mourning for her father, and just in time. She and her mother could be days away from being carted off to debtors prison, so Phoebe returns to society with the intent and determination to secure a rich husband.
Sparks fly when Benjamin and Phoebe meet, and it appears they have both found just what they are looking for. But will a dark secret keep them from finding their happily ever after?
A Gentleman Never Tells, by Jerrica Knight-Catania
You know the drill at this point. The price was right and as much as I might read other subgenres of romance, Regency is what I keep coming back to. Self-publishing has been great in that sense, because there are now so many options to choose from that I’m pretty much guaranteed to never run out.
A Gentleman Never Tells is a fairly standard entry into the genre. Benjamin Wetherby is in America, when he receives the news that his father is dying and he needs to return home immediately. His father makes the request that he marry before he assumes the title and as a dutiful son, Benjamin sets about to do just that. Phoebe, on the other hand, is desperately trying to make ends meet after the death of her father a year ago. Her mother is so grief-stricken as to be bedridden and what little funds they have are rapidly dwindling. She needs to marry well and marry soon.
They encounter each other at a ball, where Benjamin falls for her at first sight and makes arrangements to visit her the next day. That’s when he discovers, to his horror, that Phoebe is the daughter of the man who died of fever two weeks after a duel with Benjamin — a death Benjamin feels responsible for and one that precipitated his departure from England. He can hardly ignore the dire financial straits the family is in either, especially after he discovers that one of the more unscrupulous members of the ton is demanding sexual favors from Phoebe’s mother in return for holding off some of the creditors.
Resolved, he proposes to Phoebe and takes both her and her mother (and her maid) back to his father’s estate, since word comes that he is rapidly approaching the end. They are married, granting his father’s deathbed wish, and all seems well — except for the secrets Benjamin is keeping from his wife. One of which she discovers when she reads some of his correspondence in an attempt to help. Cue the normal miscommunications until the expected happily ever after resolution. (I try to avoid spoilers in these reviews, so apologies if this seems a little rushed. Then again, parts of the book did too.)
Overall I enjoyed the story as a single read but it’s not going on my reread shelf. I’m not a stickler for historical accuracy but there were a few things that threw me out of the world for a moment, the largest of which was Phoebe’s maid accompanying her to the ball as a guest. If that is something that’s important to you, this might not be the right book to dive into. Some of the side characters felt a little one-dimensional and more than one of the points that provided conflict in the book were due to irrational decisions by characters that seemed out of place or silly, with no clear motivation.
I’m not sure if I’ll pick up the next book in the series or not, but if the price is right on this one, it’s a decent enough way to pass a few hours.
Sep 15, 2017 | reviews, romance
As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride’s vision. She just can’t see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcom Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker Brown—with her endless legs—is no exception. But as a good friend of Parker’s brother, he knows that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step.
No man has rattled Parker in a long time, but the motorcycle-riding, raven-haired Mal seems to have a knack for it. His passionate kisses always catch her off guard, much like her growing feelings for him. Parker’s business risks have always paid off, but now she’ll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart…
Happy Ever After, by Nora Roberts
So here we are, the last of the Bride Quartet. (I’ve already reviewed books one, two, and three.) Parker is the terrifyingly efficient face of Vows, handling all of the minutia that lets her friends focus on their specialties so the bride’s vision of a perfect day can come together without a hitch. She coordinates the caterers and rentals, puts together the timelines and keeps everything moving on the day itself, and handles any numbers of situations, from personal crises to dream interpretation to wedding dress selection. Whatever life throws her way, Parker is ready to deal with it.
That’s what makes her reactions to Malcom so confusing. From his first appearance, he’s been immune to all of Parker’s tricks when it comes to shunning unwanted male attention — and even Parker has to admit she’s not 100% certain she doesn’t want his attention, despite the fact that he’s absolutely none of the things she thought she wanted in a man. She tells herself she’s not interested but she can’t deny that his kisses leave her breathless.
For his part, Mal finds Parker fascinating and knows that while he might want her in his bed, moving forward isn’t something to take lightly. For one thing, he’s a good friend of Parker’s brother, Del, and knows what his reaction would be. But more than that, he knows that Parker deserves more than a casual fling. He treats her with respect because it’s the right thing to do.
Of course, sometimes this is easier said than done, as some of the scars in Mal’s past make it harder for him to open up emotionally and Parker isn’t willing to settle for a relationship without emotional intimacy. Since Parker hasn’t gotten to where she is by being a retiring wallflower, that puts the two of them on a collision course.
One of the themes I’ve noticed in my reviews of this series is that I like how realistic the issues are that crop up in the relationships. The contemporary setting can help with that, I think — it can sometimes be hard to draw such clear parallels to modern relationships in historical romances — but it’s also because the characters are all well-realized and yet distinct individuals who I’d love to be friends with. I love getting to see how their friendships continue to grow and evolve throughout the course of the books and there’s one touching moment in this one that really brings the story around full circle in a lot of ways, at least for me.
It’s a little sad to see the series end, but the wonderful thing about books is they can easily be old friends that you turn to when you need that particular comfort again and I definitely look forward to enjoying this set again in the future.
Sep 8, 2017 | reviews, romance
Wedding baker Laurel McBane is surrounded by romance working at Vows wedding planning company with her best friends Parker, Emma, and Mac. But she’s too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that their clients seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker’s older brother Delaney, on whom she’s had a mega-crush since childhood.
But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her-or so she thinks. When Laurel’s quicksilver moods get the better of her—leading to an angry, hot, all-together mind-blowing kiss with Del—she’ll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever…
Savor the Moment, by Nora Roberts
It seemed fitting to finish the lazy, hot days of summer with the rest of the Bride Quartet series, since for me these feel like the epitome of light summer reads. There’s something about weddings that makes me think summer and light and breezy days. Maybe it’s all the dresses.
Fittingly, Laurel’s story is the one that actually takes place in the summer, after we started with Mac’s story in January and then Emma’s story during the spring. Vows is of course busy during the summer months — what wedding venue wouldn’t be? — and perhaps the most unbelievable part of this whole story is the thought that business was slow enough in August to allow for them to take a two week vacation to the beach house that Del and Parker jointly purchased in the Hamptons. Still, I’ll let it slide to enjoy the story.
As the baker, Laurel is responsible for the dazzling array of wedding cakes, pastries, and chocolates that grace the tables at Vows. This is not the book to read when you’re hungry. Or on a diet. Or both. Every description of the cakes made me want to taste them and this was at a point where I otherwise had zero appetite because it was way too hot out for human beings to exist.* She’s also very aware of both Delaney Brown, having had a crush on him for years, and of the class difference between them. After all, his parents were the Connecticut Browns and hers …well, the less said about the scandal hers had caused, the better.
So when Del finally pushes her just over the line and she kisses him in a fit of frustration, well, the consequences have to be dealt with. It’s not like she can just avoid him, as Del handles all of the legal paperwork for Vows. Even if he didn’t, Parker is one of Laurel’s best friends. When there are that many different dynamics at play, it’s a minefield to negotiate.
One of the things I really like about this book is the way it tackles some of the challenges that can happen in a relationship in today’s world. Things like class differences, which are still a reality even though we like to think we’re above that in the US, or what happens in a group of friends when two people start to date. I think we’ve all had those moments where we’re not sure that we’re good enough for our partner. I also like how Laurel’s past has clearly shaped the person she’s become, in both good and bad ways, and in order to make the relationship work they both have to learn to deal with it.
For all that this is a light book, those are solid lessons that matter when it comes to building a healthy and realistic relationship in the real world and I’m glad to see them here.
Of course, we get to see a lot more of Mac and Carter and Jack and Emma, as well as Parker. The major characters in this series continue to be well developed and the world feels vibrant and alive. It’s pretty clear who is being set up as Parker’s love interest and I’m looking forward to seeing the series conclusion. If you’ve liked the first two, there’s every reason to pick up this one as well.
* I really hate the heat, but I don’t think anyone would disagree that this is a valid description for temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sep 1, 2017 | reviews, romance
Wedding florist Emma Grant gets to play with flowers every day and work with her three best friends in the process. She couldn’t ask for a better job. And her love life seems to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.
But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family. Now though, the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. And when Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss, they must trust in their history—and in their hearts…
Bed of Roses, by Nora Roberts
Back to my contemporary guilty pleasure series, because a light summer read has been perfect for the mood I’ve been in this month. Some days you need that kind of pick-me-up, because there’s too much else going on and a happily ever after fits the mood.
Emma is the florist for Vows and is big on romance. She grew up on stories of her parents’ fairy tale romance and wants one of her own but has no problems scoping out the field in the meantime. Of course, when guys fall short of the mark, she’s careful to let them down easily, doing her best to find them someone they might “click” better with.
Jack, in the meantime, is leery of commitment. Living in the moment is easier, with fewer opportunities for misunderstandings. That’s not to say that he doesn’t love women — far from it! — but he’s not interested in marriage, at least right now.
Of course, when they realize that the sparks are flying between them, it sets the stage for a collision course. Emma can’t keep her dreams under lock and key forever and sooner or later Jack will have to face the music. Add in three close friends, one older brother, and a few more familiar faces, and the book is well set for a few more months spent getting to know the ladies at Vows.
I swear it feels like Emma is the part of my subconscious that loves fairy tales and symbolism and the gestures both big and small that can help a relationship thrive. She loves and she’s not afraid to show it, even as she’s more than willing to give and receive physical intimacy as well. It’s great to see such a positive view of feminine sexuality, where she can enjoy it and not be seen as overly promiscuous. I love that, and Jack is the complement she needs, his commitment issues aside. He understands what she needs when it comes to making those same gestures back and it really does pull at the heart strings when things look bleak, even as you know it’s his own damn fault. You hurt for both of them.
Of course, the characters we love are still there. Mac and Carter are busy being as cute as ever. Laurel is prickly. Parker is frighteningly efficient. I’d like a Mrs. G to take care of the cooking for me. Del can occasionally be an idiot. There’s another wedding with a crisis and gorgeous descriptions of all the flowers. It’s almost enough to make me wish for another wedding, but only if I could have Vows do all the details (and for free, since I don’t have the checkbook some of the weddings have).
To sum it up, if you enjoyed the first book, this one is even more of the same. If you didn’t, this book is more of the same and you probably want to steer clear. As for me? I’m looking forward to devouring book three.
