This was a dollar deal back in 2016. I just got around to reading it. Victorian era with some romance.
This is part of a series about the 3 Hornsby b This was a dollar deal back in 2016. I just got around to reading it. Victorian era with some romance.
This is part of a series about the 3 Hornsby brothers. Sons of a Duke. This story is the middle brothers story. He was a soldier in South Africa & was wounded in the leg. He came back home to heal & decided to become a vicar.
The heroine was raised in a Catholic orphanage to become a governess. She's intelligent & drop dead beautiful. She's also pretty open with her sexuality for the Victorian period. She has an intense affair with the son of her employer & is kicked out. She ends up robbed & beaten near the vicar's house. This is of course in the middle of a snowstorm. As she heals she discovers an intense attraction to the vicar. The feeling is mutual, but the vicar is not going to act on it.
This was an ok read. I think it was contrived in a lot of places. Especially when the H/h meet the vicar's former mistress in the remote country village. Also, the heroine was pretty bold sexually, which wouldn't turn me off so much if it were a contemporary romance.. I probably won't be going on with the series.
Merged review:
This was a dollar deal back in 2016. I just got around to reading it. Victorian era with some romance.
This is part of a series about the 3 Hornsby brothers. Sons of a Duke. This story is the middle brothers story. He was a soldier in South Africa & was wounded in the leg. He came back home to heal & decided to become a vicar.
The heroine was raised in a Catholic orphanage to become a governess. She's intelligent & drop dead beautiful. She's also pretty open with her sexuality for the Victorian period. She has an intense affair with the son of her employer & is kicked out. She ends up robbed & beaten near the vicar's house. This is of course in the middle of a snowstorm. As she heals she discovers an intense attraction to the vicar. The feeling is mutual, but the vicar is not going to act on it.
This was an ok read. I think it was contrived in a lot of places. Especially when the H/h meet the vicar's former mistress in the remote country village. Also, the heroine was pretty bold sexually, which wouldn't turn me off so much if it were a contemporary romance.. I probably won't be going on with the series....more
3rd in the series. I don't recommend reading this as a stand alone. You'll need the backstory.
So this is Seren's story. She's the middle sister & she3rd in the series. I don't recommend reading this as a stand alone. You'll need the backstory.
So this is Seren's story. She's the middle sister & she's on the run from her evil witch mother. Her youngest sister is also with her.
I liked this story, but I felt the previous 2 books were better. The hero is the dimwit Wilhelm. Somehow TAC makes him into an acceptable hero. He's likable at least. Seren is a good heroine, but for most of the book her & Wilhelm are traveling North so she can be reunited with her sisters. The rest of the story is divided between Rhiannon, the other 2 sisters & the evil witch mother.
There's quite a few reveals. A couple of plot twists. The death of a character. I don't want to give too much away. There's no resolution to the evil witch problem, so on to the next book!...more
This is Rose, the youngest sister's story. She's stolen her evil mother's grimoire & is on the run. The horse she steals to make her get away turns o This is Rose, the youngest sister's story. She's stolen her evil mother's grimoire & is on the run. The horse she steals to make her get away turns out to be her champion's animal.
Giles has been away from home for years studying to be a priest. Actually he's been training to be a champion for the holy church. He's summoned home when everyone he loves, except for one half brother, is slaughtered. His home burned to the ground.
This was not quite as good as the first story, but it was all right. Elspeth & Malcolm from the first book make an appearance. The ending is rather abrupt & it seems this whole book was a set up for the next story....more
Copyright 2003. #9 in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. Tris appears in the previous book "Hazard" & is not a member of the Rogues.
JB hasCopyright 2003. #9 in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. Tris appears in the previous book "Hazard" & is not a member of the Rogues.
JB has previously used the wild orgy house party in "My Lady Notorious" & she uses it again in this book. Tris is a Duke & someone dressed as a French highwayman has been robbing rich people near his estate. When the authorities catch a Frenchman & jail him, Tris suspects he knows who the highwayman really is & decides to get him released. By dressing up as a French Highwayman! He robs a carriage with a man he despises in it who is escorting a young woman to an orgy. He decides to save her.
Cressy doesn't want saving since she's on a mission to steal back an erotic statue from India. Her father lost everything to a card game & there are enough jewels hidden there to restore their fortune. She didn't count on being kidnapped by a "highwayman"
When everything is explained, Tris escorts Cressy to the party in disguise to look for the statue. Of course nothing is easy. They fall in love & defeat the villain.
I liked this story. Although this is a Rogue book, none of the actually appear. The HEA is satisfying....more
1st in the series, this is a really good dark ages romance. This series has a tie in to "The MacKinnon's Bride" which was written in the 90s. Malcom 1st in the series, this is a really good dark ages romance. This series has a tie in to "The MacKinnon's Bride" which was written in the 90s. Malcom was just a little boy in that story. Page is his stepmother, who gives him her father's keep when the King gives him an Earldom.
Elspeth is the eldest of dead King Henry's bastard daughters. Their mother is an evil witch (literally) who got her own mother burned at the stake. Elspeth believes her talent is less than her sister's, but comes into her own when she's separated from them. She meets Malcom & the rest is history.
There's no rape or attempted rape. The story is entertaining without any stupid, angsty drama. Elspeth keeps what she is from Malcom as first, believing he might kill her if he finds out she's a witch. Malcom actually acts like an intelligent man & they are a good match. The evil mother witch is an ongoing problem, which isn't solved at the end of this book. I'll be reading the next in the series!...more
This was a freebie on Amazon. 9th in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. The author is new to me, but I know she's very successful in the r This was a freebie on Amazon. 9th in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. The author is new to me, but I know she's very successful in the romance genre.
The hero's uncle has died & the fabulous thoroughbred horse he was expecting to come to him as his inheritance goes instead to a scandalous spinster whose family has been shunned by the ton. When the heroine comes to pick up her horse, she finds he's been stolen & blames the hero. They go off together & have some adventures before finally finding the horse.
I was thinking this story wasn't too bad, but the further I went the more preposterous I thought it was. There's a spoiler with the hero & his background. The ending is rushed & there's a chapter of the next book stuck in before the epilogue. It just seems anachronistic for the time period. ...more
This was a freebie on Amazon. First in a series about mail order brides.
Heroine is met at the stagecoach by the town marshal who tells her her bride This was a freebie on Amazon. First in a series about mail order brides.
Heroine is met at the stagecoach by the town marshal who tells her her bridegroom got cold feet. Instead he offers to marry her himself. He's a widower with 4 kids. She accepts. There's some danger when the outlaw who killed the marshal's wife makes trouble.
So, this wasn't a bad story. The dialogue is kind of stiff, but I've read worse. All right for a free read. Probably not going on with the series....more
2nd in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I don't remember if I read the first book, that's how much theses books stay with me! This was a 2nd in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I don't remember if I read the first book, that's how much theses books stay with me! This was a reread for me. Copyright 2008. My book is from that date. KH admits she tweeked the end of the story for this republication. The trope is separated for years & years, in this case 10. The heroine was 16 & the male lead was 20. They were in love, but apparently there was very little supervision of the heroine to stop her from ruin. There's of course a reason why the male lead never came back, but it's eye rolling. He also never writes to tell her what's going on. It takes MUCH too long to get to get them to have a conversation about anything. Lack of communication is the worst trope IMO.
So, this was definitely a 3 star read right up to the end of chapter 19 when the male lead & the heroine's aunt conspire to make the heroine HAVE to marry him. Hmmmmm. The end of chapter 19 has the male lead forcing a stop on a COLD December evening because it's going to rain on them. Or sleet or whatever. This is a ramshackle cottage with half the roof gone. It's December. It's sleeting. The male lead just HAS to say "You are soaking wet. We must get you out of those clothes." This is a direct quote!! It's cold, you're wet & uncomfortable, but suddenly overcome by passion so having naked sex on a dirty cot by a small fire on a wet, cold December night is all right by you?!?! No.
This was a freebie on Amazon. I thought the synopsis sounded good & since it was free... This is a clean romance
The writing is mediocre. The story is This was a freebie on Amazon. I thought the synopsis sounded good & since it was free... This is a clean romance
The writing is mediocre. The story is dull. The trope is miscommunication. The hero is a douche with a big mouth. He disses the heroine for being American & ill mannered as well. His mother is actively trying to get them together. Really. An Earl's mother wanting an American for a daughter in law? Kind of goes against Regency Romance code.
The heroine waffles between liking the hero & hating him. She's ok until the author makes her act TSTL towards the end of the story. I managed to hold out til the end of the story.
The hero has 6 brothers, so there's 6 more books. I'm not feeling it......more
This is first in the series, copyright 1992. A reread for me. I had to buy this used after reading a couple of the other books in the series & findingThis is first in the series, copyright 1992. A reread for me. I had to buy this used after reading a couple of the other books in the series & finding this one out of print. I don't know if it still is. American historical set in 1875. Colorado & NYC.
Ignore the lurid title, this is a good read! UPDATE! The title of this book is now Only My Love. You can only buy it on Kindle, but it's free.
Michael has an unusual name for a heroine. She's one of 5 bastard daughters of a wealthy businessman & his employee. His wife won't give him a divorce. Her Catholic mother, to atone for her sins, names all her daughters Mary. The first daughter is actually called Mary - the rest by their middle names. She is a reporter, the only woman on the paper & trying to prove herself.
Ethan is a Federal Marshal & infiltrates a gang of train robbers to get enough evidence to bring them to justice. He saves Michael from the robbers, but she has to pretend to be his estranged wife. I'm seeing a young Sam Elliot as Ethan. Definitely his voice!
Copyright 1991. My copy is from that date. This book was published under a different title in 2014 - "My Heart's Desire" so be careful - you may alreaCopyright 1991. My copy is from that date. This book was published under a different title in 2014 - "My Heart's Desire" so be careful - you may already have read it. 2nd in the series & I don't believe it to be a stand alone. The 5 Dennehy sisters all have the first name of Mary. This is Mary Renee's (Rennie's) story. She's one of the twins & her twin's (Mary Michael's) story was book one.
I've only read this book twice. When I first bought it & now. It's not a favorite read. The first 5 chapters were a struggle to get through & that was because of Rennie. She completely turned me off with her inexplicable actions, & her TSTL moments. She's one of those heroines who knows it all & is going to do dumb things because of it. The first 5 chapters we find out what happens in New York City with the villains in the last story. They're out for revenge & although they're finally captured - Jarret is wounded. At the train station he's jumped by Rennie's fiance's friends & his arm wound turns into nerve damage. He's unable to hold a gun. His career as a US Marshall is over. He goes back to Colorado to sulk. Rennie marries the fiance (whom no one likes) because she's TSTL.
Rennie comes to find him months later when her father disappears in Colorado. There's lots of angst between them & an attempted rape that's graphically told. Jarret of course saves her, but if rape is your trigger - avoid this book!
So, I warmed up to Rennie sufficiently enough to finish the book, but by the end I was too aggravated with both of them to give it more than 2 stars. JG is a talented author & this is the lowest star rating I've given for any of her books.
A new character - Dancer is introduced & he's an integral part of the next book, which is Maggie's story. My cover is a typical bodice ripper with inappropriately dressed H/h with a snowy mountain landscape. There's also a white horse. The contemporary cover is more subdued....more
Copyright 2002. The 8th in the series. Can be read as a stand alone if you don't mind characters from the previous books making appearances. This is Copyright 2002. The 8th in the series. Can be read as a stand alone if you don't mind characters from the previous books making appearances. This is a reread for me.
Anne is the Duke's daughter who has been jilted twice in as many months by 2 members of the Company Of Rogues. She's understandably sore about it. She has a twisted foot that makes it difficult for her to walk from a birth accident. Since she's a wealthy Duke's daughter, the men of the Ton are willing to overlook it.
Race isn't a Rogue member. He's a gentleman, but not by birth. He appeared in The Dragon's Bride as a friend of Rogue Con. He's been sent to see how Ann's doing & maybe help her find a new fiance.
I remembered liking this story a lot more during my previous reread. I found this time I didn't like Ann at all. So my enjoyment was tainted. Race is ok, but he blows hot & cold, feeling he isn't good enough for Ann. Ann does some ridiculous things like telling 2 different suitors she'll marry them (at practically the same time). She then runs away & Race has to rescue her. Tristan St Raven is introduced as he has the next book in the series. He does some dumb things that are spoilers so I'm not telling.
This is another book that Nick doesn't make an appearance. I liked the cover & the woman on it looks like Ann is described. ...more
**spoiler alert** Copyright 1995. This is a reread for me & my copy is from that date. #5 in the series & I'm finally rereading them in order!
So, I f**spoiler alert** Copyright 1995. This is a reread for me & my copy is from that date. #5 in the series & I'm finally rereading them in order!
So, I finished this then slept on how many stars to give it. I was fixed on 2. It was a chore to get through.
Miles is the token Irish Rogue. He was sent to school in England & was a founding Rogue member. He's back in Ireland to get his horses together for the hunting season in England where he plans to sell them. He discovers he's the new guardian to his stepfather's niece. Felicity has been running wild since she was a child. Her grandfather & aunt allowed her to do so. When she's 15, she's seduced by a married pedo neighbor & becomes pregnant. She has the baby in England with no one the wiser, but has to give the baby to the pedo neighbor & his older wife. They pass the baby off as their own.
First off, I loathed Felicity. Every decision she makes is reckless & thoughtless. The pedo neighbor is quite possibly a psychopath. Now that Felicity is an heiress & his wife is dead the neighbor pursues her & holds his son's safety over her head. She's ok with hurting Miles physically (he's whacked over the head & tied up at one point. Miles isn't very good either. At one point he almost rapes Felicity, but his "guardian Cat" stops him by scratching him. This is another bizarre thing. There's a lot of magic in Ireland & apparently magic cats. When the pedo neighbor kills the little cat she comes back to life! Really. After Miles buries her no less.
This isn't one of JB's best. I had to stop & read something else after chapter 8. It made me that irritated!
In this story Nick is not involved (for a change!). Lucien & Beth, Hal & Blanche, Stephen & Con make appearances. Francis is also running his race to win the bet with his brothers in law. Serena is mentioned briefly. The end is truly bizarre & involves a lot of cats. LOTS of cats. There's a HEA after the villain is dispatched....more
Although #5 in the series, can be read as a stand alone. This is a clean romance. I'm sorry to say I paid a dollar for this on Amazon.
So it wasn't t Although #5 in the series, can be read as a stand alone. This is a clean romance. I'm sorry to say I paid a dollar for this on Amazon.
So it wasn't totally bad, hence the 2 stars. The story would have been a lot better in the hands of a more talented author.
The H/h are only ok. The heroine is a feisty orphan who is on the verge of aging out of the orphanage. The hero is a flirty ladies man, who needs to prove to the heroine he's serious about her.
The main story has the town's female orphans (when they reach a certain age) being tricked & taken out of town where they're sold to the flesh market. Our heroine is not tricked, but she's still kidnapped. The hero saves the day.
The HEA is tainted IMO by the lack of any action on the part of the H/h. They want to prove the town deacons are dirty, but they don't contact the U S Marshalls or anybody. The implication is the slavers are free to continue selling young women. Disappointing.... ...more
Novella length Regency. The Heroine is tall & much is made of that. For 2 years she's been in the marriage mart & has been unsuccessful in a match as Novella length Regency. The Heroine is tall & much is made of that. For 2 years she's been in the marriage mart & has been unsuccessful in a match as well as the butt of many jokes. The hero's mother was the daughter of a Duke, but married a lawyer for love. Her son is trying to get some respect & has a PLAN. The heroine doesn't want any part of the plan & a rich aunt died & left her a large amount of money so he's not needed anymore. Now the hero decides he really loved the heroine & she makes him work for her love. It's better than I made it sound. I really liked it....more
The 2nd in the series, can be read as a stand alone. I have a like/hate relationship with KH. This one, however isn't bad. I've read them out of orderThe 2nd in the series, can be read as a stand alone. I have a like/hate relationship with KH. This one, however isn't bad. I've read them out of order.
Adventuress Verena is the widow of a reckless young Lord. Brand is one of the St Johns, who are trying to avoid love. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) their mother's magic talisman ring is out to match them up with the woman of their dreams.
This one actually has a wit & humor I can appreciate. The storyline is pretty good too. The HEA is satisfying....more
This was a freebie on Amazon. Although 2nd in the series, it's completely stand alone. More novella length.
This was all right I guess. The trope is This was a freebie on Amazon. Although 2nd in the series, it's completely stand alone. More novella length.
This was all right I guess. The trope is no communication between the H/h, which is usually annoying enough for a 2 star rating. Although it went on far too long, I was into the story enough I let it slide. Although the ending is predictable & we do get a HEA, I'll still give it 3 stars.
I cleared all the book titles from this author from my Kindle. She's just not for me!...more
2nd in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. This was a freebie on Amazon.
I usually have bad luck with the free romances that Amazon offers, 2nd in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. This was a freebie on Amazon.
I usually have bad luck with the free romances that Amazon offers, but this one is a pleasant surprise! Maddie's father is a crazed psychopath who beat her & her mother regularly, until they made their escape to a hidden abbey when she was 10 years old. Maddie lives there until she's a young adult & meets Gavin, who is injured after being attacked on the road (by her father). He spills that Maddie is in the abbey to King Henry & is sent back to fetch her. They follow a convoluted path to love.
I really liked this story! A lot of authors of medieval romances have the male lead act as an arrogant jerk, but CG gives Gavin a heart, as well as intelligence.
This was a freebie on Amazon. One of the few freebie's I've given 5 stars to, but I really enjoyed this story. I put this on my Victorian shelf, but This was a freebie on Amazon. One of the few freebie's I've given 5 stars to, but I really enjoyed this story. I put this on my Victorian shelf, but the story starts out at the end of the reign of King William. By the end of this story, Queen Victoria is on the throne.
Although this trope of "older, spinster sister taking care of younger siblings & trying to make a brilliant match for her younger, gorgeous sister" has been done many times I liked it. The writing is good. A twist is her younger sister is from the second wife, who was a native of India. There's some racial bigotry in England to overcome. The HEA is satisfying...more
This was a freebie on Amazon. A little early for a Regency, but I didn't think of it as a Georgian.
This is the 3rd book I've read by this author. Al This was a freebie on Amazon. A little early for a Regency, but I didn't think of it as a Georgian.
This is the 3rd book I've read by this author. Although I liked the 1st in this series enough to give it 4 stars, I found I didn't remember much about it. I disliked Rose's story (which is the 3rd in the series) enough to give it 1 star & I don't remember ANYTHING about that one!
I didn't like the hero in this story, who was ready to marry Rose, even though he was in love with Catherine. Catherine, the heroine, doesn't act like a young virginal woman living in the early 1800s. She stalks the hero to his bachelor pad & then lets him have sex with him. Also, she gives oral sex like a pro (even though she's never done it before!). The whole story was boring & I skimmed ahead for most of it. Glad it was free! Probably not going to read this author anymore. :(...more
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