nichtszusagen

It's been a long time since I've read a Western historical romance. Didn't they used to be more common? Seems like they've been replaced by Regencies in popularity lately. Anyway, it was a nice change of pace, and a fun story. I never watched many Westerns on TV (well, except the Wild Wild West, but somehow I don't think that's quite the same.)---if they were anything like this story, though, I missed out on quite a lot!

I wasn't sure what to expect from the beginning of the story---at first I was expecting the drifter to end up being a rough-around-the-edges cowboy who'd end up just needing the right woman to tame him. Have I mentioned I don't read the backs of books so as not to prejudice my reading of the story? Boy, was I wrong! I liked the teamwork between the 3 women---all of them taking a whack so that Bailee wouldn't be the only one guilty of murder.

I really felt for the sheriff. He had his hands full with 3 women confessing to murder, and a town full of single men. The lottery was inspired.

Once again, I wasn't sure what to expect from Carter. He took me by surprise with his silence. I was thinking macho, strong silent type. Well, he was strong and silent, but not because of being macho. Once I started understanding him better, I just wanted to give him a hug. Awwwwww....

Loved the sign language parts--I'm picturing Bailee learning it and them using it quite frequently. And his thoughts about wanting the first thing he said to his wife to be something special nearly made me cry.

Bailee really stirred up his life, and, as in the best romances, they both saved each other. The gypsies were just hilarious. I loved how he accepted their presence for her.

Another thing that surprised me was Carter's secret room---I thought he'd end up telling Bailee about it eventually, but too late, and that she'd be hurt and upset with him, etc. I'm really glad it didn't turn out that way.

I'm also glad we got the little teaser for Sarah's story at the end---I'd been worrying about her, and I'm eagerly awaiting it. Too bad there wasn't a title attached.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 11/20/2009 02:46:00 AM 0 comments

It's hard to say anything without giving away the twists that happen at the end. I like twists, and a couple of them I really didn't see coming.

What an idyllic way to fall in love---secluded in a cabin, just the two of them.... of course, the injuries weren't fun, but that gave them the excuse to stay where they were and spend time with each other.

I had the impression that Brianna's brother Ian and his wife Moira had a story of their own--or was that wishful thinking?

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 11/13/2009 03:17:00 PM 0 comments

Labels: 4 stars, books, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 11/12/2009 09:42:00 AM 1 comments

Wicked Lies is definitely a good title for this book. Lies and deception are behind almost everything that happens in it.

It was fascinating watching these two very loyal, responsible, determined people dance around each other and slowly untangle the net of lies surrounding them.

The circumstances of their first meeting hardly inspired trust. Catherine protecting her brother, Julian protecting his identity. I loved the irony of neither one trusting the other, yet having to rely on each other to escape and survive.

Laura pushed the boundaries here by making their first sexual encounter more about affirming that they're still alive than about falling in love. Not that I think Catherine would have had sex with just anyone at that point---there was an attraction---but I think it mostly a matter of needing to connect to someone after being in such danger.

The boundaries get pushed again when Julian turns out to be Catherine's brother-in-law. I was surprised that they had such different memories of Patrick, but he, too, wasn't what he seemed.

I don't want to get into too many details in case someone's reading this who hasn't read the book yet, but Julian and Catherine aren't the only ones deceiving each other.

What I liked so much about this book is that it took one of my least favorite conflicts---one of the characters keeping a secret from the other---and turned it into one of my most favorite types of story: a convoluted tale in which nothing is what it seems. And of course Merlin is very like the Scarlet Pimpernel, my favorite story from my childhood.

The secondary characters are engaging as well. I was very upset with Catherine's family in the beginning, but they redeemed themselves, especially Daniel.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 10/23/2009 04:16:00 AM 0 comments

This is one of the funniest books I've read in a while. Colin has such a unique and.... manly way of looking at things.

Alienore was different from the usual heroine who's masquerading as a man---she wasn't a tomboy, and she didn't particularly like the masquerade, but it seemed the only way out of her predicament.

I loved the irony of two years of running leading her to exactly what she was trying to avoid.

Alienore was a very believable and admirable heroine. It was fun watching her learn fighting with Colin. She started having a lot of pride in what she'd learned.

And Colin's wooing of her.... He took her out in the lists, cleaned her gear, & couldn't think of anything else she'd like better.

Obviously Alienore was the perfect match for him.

It's hard to say too much about this book without giving away all the funny stuff. I've been recommending this one.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 10/09/2009 04:00:00 AM 0 comments

I was so angry at Robert's father. Sacrificing seven sons to take a little girl hostage for Argyll. Sure, he was loyal, but his loyalty was so misplaced! This is one of those times when modern culture conflicts with historical culture. I can't think of very many things that would be worth sacrificing my children for, even if they were adult males used to fighting . He knew they didn't have a chance. What was worse was knowing this incident was based on a true story.

So ironic that Robert is known as the Devil's Cub---his father's son---and his father sees him as the least of his sons.

I liked how Judith stood up for herself and Mairi---because she didn't have anything to lose. Very practical woman. Then the attraction, and Robert running off with her to save her from being tried as a witch. When he told her he didn't have anything to give her....

Simon and his account-keeping were a lot of fun.

And Payton. He thought he wanted the best for his sister. But he also thought she should do her duty by her family. Definitely a sign of the strength of her love for Robert that he was more important to her than her family, especially in those times.

I'm curious to find out how Mairi grows up---if she marries Argyll's son or not, & what kind of man he is.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 9/25/2009 08:48:00 AM 0 comments

Moonlight and Shadow covered a period of history I've seen in other books, but not this close up. The hero was literally a 'power behind the throne'. Thankfully, Ms. Martyn gives us a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, because the political maneuvering in the middle got me a little confused, and I had to refer back to the cast of characters to straighten myself out. To anyone who's familiar with the rise to power of Richard III, I'm sure it would have all been crystal clear.

I liked how it blended a wealth of historical details with two very interesting characters. Heloise, with her prematurely gray hair and her premonitions, and Miles, with his ambition and scarred face.

I don't think I've read many romances with ambitious heroes who didn't give up their ambitions. The only one I can think of off-hand is All the Possibilities by Nora Roberts, the hero of which becomes President. Ambition often seems to be seen as a negative trait in romance novels, and it certainly can be negative, but not always. This is one of those times. Miles's ambition makes him seem very strong and attractive, and even though he's the power behind the throne, he doesn't deny that the ambition is for himself as well as for Buckingham. As for his smallpox scars, I mostly forgot about them, and I think Heloise did too.

I've read other books where the heroine, dressed as a man, fights the hero, but this book put a twist on it. Heloise didn't make a habit of doing this, but only disguised herself to save her family's honor. And I was really amazed that Miles was determined to apologize for it, instead of being angry.

I don't remember reading another book where neither the hero nor the heroine wanted to marry the other but were forced into it. Usually one or both of them doesn't really want to marry the other, but is willing to for practical reasons. It's definitely to Miles's credit that he doesn't really blame Heloise for it.

What happened to Dionysia in the end really shocked me. I'd expected something much different.

I always like when books surprise me, and take turns I didn't expect, and this book definitely did that.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 9/11/2009 02:10:00 AM 0 comments

Labels: 4 stars, books, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 8/30/2009 02:30:00 PM 2 comments

Labels: 4.5 stars, books, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 5/29/2009 02:40:00 PM 1 comments

Wow, we've been here long enough to have another sequel on the Book of the Week list! We started too late to catch the first book in this trilogy, but got the second and third books. This one is more a sequel to the first book, Once a Mistress, than the second Ever a Princess.

It was lovely seeing Drew and Wren again, if a little disconcerting, since the last time I saw them, they'd just gotten married! (I read Once a Mistress after reading Ever a Princess, and to tell the truth, I can't remember if they were in Ever a Princess or not.

So sweet, Kit promising Mariah as a child that he'd marry her, and then never eating cake again because of remembering a little girl who wasn't allowed to eat cake because she lived in a convent. Rather ironic that when he first sees her again, she's made him strawberry tarts. Did anyone else get really hungry when reading about those??

I was really afraid that Kit would just assume Mariah knew he loved her and that she'd refuse to marry him because he hadn't said he loved her, without telling him why. Obviously I've read too many books where that happens. Very glad it didn't turn out that way.

What a convoluted string of relationships tied them together---familial relationships and friendships. It took me a while to piece it all together, and I had a few bad moments there when it looked like Mariah had a locket from Kit's father.

It was fun watching Kit do all those things he'd left England to avoid.

And The Squire! Did anyone see that coming?? I sure didn't. What an evil, evil man!!

I can't believe this trilogy is over. I want to know if Dalton marries Iris, and Ash is just crying out for a story of his own. Poor guys! You can't just leave them like that!

But did you read the excerpt from Barely a Bride in the back of the book? That should cheer me up for a bit, until we get back to Ash and Dalton. I can't wait to see these three boys eat their words.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 5/29/2009 01:46:00 AM 0 comments

This is a new twist on the marriage of convenience story. In this case, our hero, Lyon, is an invalid, and has been ever since the day his wife died and he was injured. The marriage is arranged by his mother, to Millicent, a widow in need of money.

Millicent's husband had been an evil man, and she has no desire to tie herself to another man, but agrees with the stipulation that there be an annulment when and if Lyon ever recovers his health.

There's more to it, of course, most notably Ohenewaa, a slave Millicent used the last of her funds to buy and then freed. Ohenewaa had belonged to and assisted a doctor, but was also a healer in her own right. Between Ohenewaa and Millicent, they set about healing Lyon.

However, Ohenewaa is at the center of a mystery--a Mr. Hyde seems desperate to acquire the former slave.

This was a fascinating story that kept me turning pages until the end. Lyon's increasing health corresponds with an increased interest in life, and an interest in Millicent, as well, although at first all he did was argue with her. I loved watching the two of them spar, pitting their wills against each other, and I loved watching their walls crumble.

When I met Nikoo and Jim at a book signing last summer, I bought their contemporary novels (written as Jan Coffey), saying I didn't care for historicals. I think next time I'll buy the historicals as well.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 5/15/2009 02:04:00 AM 0 comments

I was really happy to finally read Tempting, after all the teasers we got a couple months ago. The scene where Simon rescued the cat for Christine was even better than I'd imagined it.

What a dilemma for Simon! His political ambitions are already on shaky enough ground due to his Jewish heritage, and now he falls in love with a woman he rescued from a brothel he was responsible for closing down!

And then Christine, who had to escape from between a rock and a hard place more than once. She proved herself very strong in fighting for herself, first against Hareton, then the madam, then Mr. St. John. Three different kinds of fights---the first for her life, then for her spirit, and last for her.... okay, I can't think of a good word here. But I noticed it. Not accepting Mr. St. John's offer was a fight as well, even though he wouldn't have treated her badly, and she'd have had a comfortable life, but she wanted more for herself than to be a mistress to a man she didn't love. Nice contrast when she tells Simon she will be his mistress if that's the only way they can be together.

Anyway, Hope, you're very good at putting your couples in impossible situations. I love watching them overcome all the obstacles you put in their way. It's almost like they're rats in a maze, and every time they get close to the cheese, you put up another barrier and force them down another part of the maze.

Like Annie mentioned, the humor was just right. Tempting wasn't a comedy, but there's humor in life, and the humor in the story made it that much more real to me. One of my favorite scenes was when Simon had callers and Christine went out to work in the garden, and the callers went out to the garden and caught her at it. Such a poignant scene---I had the interesting sensation of laughing with a lump in my throat.

Margot was a wonderful friend to both of them. I felt so sympathetic toward her---just when she's thinking how she'd never found anyone better than Simon, he shows up, drunk, bent on seducing her, and she realizes it's because he's in love with Christine. So she does everything she can to help them get together. I'm so glad things looked hopeful for her and the police inspector at the end. She deserves some love and happiness.

And Rebecca---thanks so much for finding that village physician for her! I felt so bad that so much of her life had been wasted because of the attacks, and was afraid she'd go straight from a child-like dementia to spinsterhood.

I think I've covered everything I mentioned the first time I wrote this. It was much better the first time--no rat mazes, and I had a better way to talk about Christine's 3 challenges. Soon as I get that time machine working, I'll fix it.

Thanks so much, Hope, for stomping again on my illusion of the glamorous life of the romance novelist. I'll be stopping by www.hopetarr.com once I'm done here & checking out the ice breaker questions--maybe they'll jumpstart my brain a bit!

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 5/08/2009 11:32:00 AM 0 comments

Labels: 4 stars, books, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 4/23/2009 03:59:00 PM 1 comments

What a fun story! This book is a comedy of errors.

Our heroine, Thea Stafford, is abducted by her sister's fiance, who intends to force her to marry him so he can get his hands on her inheritance. She's rescued by Lord David Cardiff, who's just being a good samaritan.

It sounds like it should be a simple matter for her to just go home and forget about it, right? Not so. She's been away from home overnight, and her father & brothers are frantic. So they decide that for her own good, she must marry David.

When he declines, they decide to abduct him at gunpoint and force the marriage.

Thea's father and brothers mean well, but they're not exactly adept at thinking before they act.

Thank goodness fate is looking out for Thea & David, because her relatives' bumbling results in them falling in love.

I had a lot of fun reading this story--shaking my head over Thea's brothers' reasoning and sympathizing with her attempts to save herself from their well-meaning but totally inept attempts to rescue her.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 4/17/2009 04:53:00 AM 0 comments

This isn't the first heroine we've read recently who had healing powers, but in this case, more is made of it. Interesting that we've been seeing more books lately with a hint of psychic abilities or occurrences added to 'regular' stories--that is, not in specifically paranormal books.

I had a little trouble understanding Elena at first---why she would refuse to help Symon. It seems like usually when I read about a heroine with healing powers, she can't stand to see anyone in pain and is compelled to help even if the person doesn't want help. Then I looked at how she was treated, and I understood. She'd had to learn to suppress her natural compassion because she'd been forced to use her gifts to keep a war going, and only for that. And Symon was demanding her help, so she was trying to protect herself by resisting. Also, she didn't want to verify her identity for fear she'd be used again, and this time against her own people.

I did have some sympathy for the young Donal, but none for who he'd made himself: Dougal. Taking men into battle, getting them wounded over, forcing Elena to heal them, then taking them back into battle---over and over again---that's just evil. He's treating the men & Elena as inanimate weapons, all to get back at the Lachlan clan for not welcoming him with open arms.

Yes, I can understand his resentment, but it's hardly unexpected that he wouldn't become chief of the clan---bastard sons usually didn't, even if they were older, did they?

I did think of poison right away, and for about 3/4 of the book, I suspected Ranald. I kept thinking that Symon was being naive for trusting his brother, who thought he'd lead the clan better. Even when I found out Ranald hadn't started talking about being a better leader until after Symon's first attack of 'madness', I thought Ranald had been thinking about it before & induced the madness to give some credence to his claim. I can be a wee bit stubborn when I think I have something figured out. Even when I suspected their father had been murdered, rather than killed in the battle, I thought it was Ranald. And I suspected Elena's father had been murdered as well, but didn't put 2 & 2 together until the very end of the book. I'm usually much better than this at figuring things out.

I think the think I liked most about this book was that Symon's strength complemented Elena's. When she was healing and Symon held her and added his strength to hers, and then when she was healing him at the end & their love gave her the added strength needed to heal him. Literally, the 'power of love'.

Forgive my rambling this morning--I'm afraid I'm not making a great deal of sense. Monday morning, dontchaknow.

Anyway, a wonderful story, Laurin! Thanks so much!

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 3/20/2009 05:37:00 AM 0 comments

Labels: 4.5 stars, books, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 3/03/2009 05:00:00 PM 6 comments

I finally got to this one! You're right, Janice! It's definitely a delight. Alden was a rake, but so charming, you couldn't help liking him. I loved their chess games, & their forfeits. Nice twists & turns, & I liked the way they got revenge on the bad guy.

Thanks for the history tidbits, Janice! It was nice to be able to place the story in history.

I definitely recommend this one.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 2/20/2009 05:22:00 PM 0 comments

I was positive Maura's mother's family would be found, and they'd end up being some high-ranking nobility. Once I got over my surprise, I was very pleased. I love it when books don't go the way I think they will. And I liked that Eamon married her even without knowing her family background. It would have taken something away from the strength of their relationship if revealing her grandparents made it possible for him to marry her.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 2/13/2009 02:22:00 AM 2 comments

It's hard to see how Lily and Rand can ever end up together, so much stands in their way--from Lily's promise to her sister Rose to help Rose snare Rand, to a murder mystery.

Lily is the second book in a trilogy. I'll have to look for Violet and keep an eye out for Rose this fall.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 12/12/2008 09:28:00 AM 0 comments

I think this one was very different. It was very hard at first to like Katherine, or even feel sympathy at all for her. It wasn't until I read in chapter 7 that she felt she owed it to her real mother to uphold certain standards that I began softening toward her.

It took me a while to realize what Alain saw in her as well. I knew he liked her spirit, but when I realized what his background was, it just clicked for me that he had quite possibly acted the same, or was at least familiar with the attitude.

I, too, found it hard to believe that Christiane believed him guilty of murder. I think she was just so disappointed in him that she didn't question what she'd been told. Christiane is someone I'd really like to know more about. There seems to be a story there. I know---I read so many series that I see series potential in every second character. I'm also wondering if Katherine's father & step-mother had a story somewhere, too.

The last few chapters really had me on the edge of my seat. Thank goodness I knew this book would have a happy ending, or I'm not sure I could have taken it! :jittermad: Watching Katherine make wedding plans & try to convince herself she'd be happy with Clayton. When he changed the flowers on her, I was screaming at her to throw them in his face. (um, I got a little over-involved, I think ) When Alain stopped the wedding, I was so relieved.

Labels: books, flashback, HistoricalRomance

// posted by Darla @ 12/05/2008 08:00:00 AM 0 comments