Hilarious Heiress for Hire

April 16, 2006 at 5:15 pm (All, Authors A to M, Books, Chick Lit, Romance)


I was experiencing what those gorgeous Georgians would call ennui, only in this instance it's a reading slump I've fallen into trying to get past the half-way mark of Judith Ivory's The Proposition, when I decided to give the latter a rest and try reading Heiress for a change on Friday.It turned out to be a good choice after all. Reading the synopsis, you would have dismissed this as nothing more than another contemporary fluff, something of a spoof of the reality TV show, The Simple Life.

But this is a truly surprising find for me. It was a hilarious, laugh-a-minute great read, perfect for that entertaining break between period and serious literature that I badly needed to recharge myself on my reading journey. [Not to mention the TBR challenge].

Her play of words and cliches as well as references to current icons of pop culture were right on the dot. She had me laughing from beginning to end. Try this for the opening sentence:

There were some things money couldn't buy. For everything else, there was her
father.

and this punch line for the ending sentence of the book:

Sharing her life with the people she loved? Priceless.

I haven't read many authors who has taken on MasterCard's famous tagline and made it very humourously her own. This romantic comedy is funny and engaging with its timeless theme of opposites attract and finding love in the most unexpected places and time.

McCarthy has also created main characters who may appear stereotypes of their upbringing, but she has also given them layers and insecurities that the current generation of readers can relate to. Their hang-ups about their attractiveness to the opposite sex, competency as a parent (on the hero Danny's part) and being worthy of love make them less than perfect, but realistic, reallylikeablee people.This was what worked for me in this book. I couldn't put it down! Started it in the evening and finished it before midnight, taking only time out for meals, bedtime tuck-in for the kids and toilet breaks. A feat in itself that was only made possible because it was a public holiday.

Reading the author's journal where she tells of the inspiration behind her novella, Lady of the Lake, which is part of the anthology, When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys, I'm already very intrigued by the plot and likely to pick it up just to see where the bikini mishap takes Violet and Dylan.So, if you're sorely in need of some laughter, with a tiny bit of tacky humour thrown in, I'd recommend this for the sheer entertainment it'll bring.

But now, I've to return to some serious pondering of The Proposition and the classic romance and high adventure to be had in The Princess Bride.

Later …

4 Comments

The Deal with Liz Carlyle

April 7, 2006 at 10:48 pm (All, Authors A to M, Books, Romance)

This book is one hell of a great read, I'll tell you. And it's all thanks to Liz Carlyle's imaginative story-telling and brilliant character development.I was hugely entertained by the sparring between the heroine Aubrey, the finicky and very particular housekeeper at Castle Cardow, and the hero, Giles, the Earl she works for, although he chooses to stay as far away from his ancestral pile of stone as possible, preferring to exchange correspondences with her on household matters from safe London.

As fate would have it, they were bound to meet and clash before finally falling for each other, but Aubrey has a secret that when revealed, could either drive them apart or …

I was quite intrigued reading the prologue … my curious self couldn't resist trying to guess her secret past. Sure enough, by the end of that prologue in which the heroine arrived at the Castle to meet with an irascible war hero, who's overseeing the castle on the Earl's behalf, I already suspected that she's not a widow, and that she's definitely nobility.

Carlyle had me reeled in by the time I was done with chapter three, after a mysterious death forced the confrontation between H/H. Sparks flew and tempers ignite as the battle line is drawn, and each try to resist succumbing to the strong attraction.

And although I had already guessed the circumstances of the death halfway through the book, and foresaw a few plot developments which would arrive at Giles proposing to Aubrey, I kept on reading for the chase, the sizzling tension and the final, very satisfactory conclusion. The making out scenes were hot and sensual, just as I remembered her from The Devil You Know. They are both stubborn people who enjoy being in control of their life and work, so it was rather amusing to see both of them behaving a little out of character fighting the pull of passion.

No wonder Kristie, Sybil and Tara have only praises for LC. This book has only spurred me on to unearth some of her earlier works. I think there was another one Sybil and Tara recommended — A Woman of Virture, which sounds interesting.

Oh well, I'll track them down after the two new ones I bought recently, not to mention the pile building up, then. Thanks, ladies!

6 Comments

Moonlight Becomes Her, Meagan McKinney

March 31, 2006 at 10:25 pm (All, Authors A to M, Books, Romance)

She was an orphan plucked off the slums of 19th century New York by an unscrupulous con who taught her to steal for a living. But all Mystere really wants is to be free of the clutches of her devious 'uncle', find her long lost brother and trace her family legacy.He was the orphaned heir to a ruined society elite who climbed back from near destitution to become one of gaslight New York's rich 'robber barons'. But what railroad magnate Rafe Belloch really wants is revenge on the Four Hundred whom he scorns for turning their backs on one of their own.

They first met in a dark alley where her accomplices held him at gunpoint while she relieved him of his money … and for fun, his clothes. He swore justice on the masked lady thief even as he committed the shape of her body and her blue eyes to memory.

Their paths crossed again two years later at a high society event. Only this time she's disguised as a New Orleans miss making her debut in New York high society. No one, saved Rafe, ever suspected that she's also the elusive jewel thief the newspapers christened Lady Moonlight … for even with her bosom bound and her lush womanly charms hidden under demure clothes, her unforgettable eyes betrayed her resemblance to another thief from his recent past. Their fates became inextricably bound as their dance around the truth begins …

With that kind of seductive plot and delicious character development, could you doubt that I wouldn't get caught up? This sure is one emotionally charged romance, and McKinney weaves a powerful tale that vividly captures the setting of New York in the 1880s, allowing readers a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy elite, as well as the poor.

Coming fresh from my binge on historicals set in England, this book was a fresh breath of air. The verbal sparring and matching of wits between the leads heightened the romantic tension that the author so expertly built. There were tender, poignant moments that left a lump in my throat, such as their profession of feelings towards each other, the one night of passion before Mystere stole away in order not to endanger Rafe's life. The heroic rescue towards the end, as well as the love confession, were other high points that had me turning the pages. And re-reading the book immediately after finishing.

I love the two central characters. His forceful personality, and tenacious pursuit of her certainly gets my stamp of approval. Her spunky, gutsy determination to regain her freedom from an oppressive 'guardian' and selfless love for him touched me deeply. And one of the verses that had my eyes misting is this:

' … the truth is your wounded soul matches mine in every way. The only
way we can mend is to be together.'

I'm definitely going to read another McKinney romance, cos she's got the perfect balance of intrigue, passion and tension, while her strength in plot and character development makes for a highly enjoyable read. This is one author that I'll be looking out for from now on, starting with the backlist.

6 Comments

Kleypas: Dreaming of You

March 25, 2006 at 1:47 pm (All, Authors A to M, Books, Romance)

Finished this last weekend but didn't immediately post about it. You see I wasn't quite sure if I liked Derek Craven, the hero.Uh, oh … I can feel a few pairs of eyes narrowing at this confession, the fiercest being from Kristie … gulp.

Anyway, *grin*, the book is definitely another Kleypas masterpiece. There is the emotional intensity, rounded characters, lush description and well-paced storyline that are the hallmarks of her works. She has chosen two characters outside the elite aristocratic society as hero and heroine, another reason why I love her books … reading about lords and ladies all the time could be a little monotonous.

Back to the central characters: the hero rose above a tortured past to become one of the wealthiest man in England, an admirable accomplishment in itself, as it proves the strength of his character. The heroine? Why, she's a courageous author (and a successful one at that whose last novel Matilda was the talk of the town) and a woman well ahead of her time, who dreams of love but lives vicariously through her own novels, and sometimes the seemingly more fascinating lives of others during the course of her 'research'.

** Spoiler alert**

What I couldn't reconcile was how Derek could be so relentless, some may even say ruthless, in his pursuit of success and wealth, but when it comes to love, he became almost a shadow of his true self. He ended his relationships when they got too intimate — one of the reasons why he sort of 'pushed' Lily Lawson (Then Came You) to Lord Alex. He hesitated to take action. Instead he chose to hide behind his shameful past and used that as an excuse not to pursue his heart's desire because he did not think that he deserved happiness. That's some kind of warped thinking for you.

In the beginning, I pitied him, then I got a bit mad at him for not getting out of that rathole he's backed himself into and start being true to his heart, for being such a scaredy wimp and for continuing to wallow in his ridiculous belief that he did not deserve to have Sara. When he let Sara returned to the village, actually he ordered her to get out of his life, I lost my patience with him. Only later when he related what he had gone through in his shocking childhood (digging graves to rob corpses for survival … it sobered me up and made me grateful for my relatively comfy one) did I begin to understand his hang-ups about not being worthy of love.

So it was a relief when the story turns, and Sara broke off her engagement to her on-and-off fiancee, and ventured to attend a house party Lily threw in the hopes of seeing Derek again. Of course, that house party could only lead to one ending: they both got hitched after they realised how they truly felt towards each other.

As is Kleypas' style, the story doesn't end there. Just at the height of their marital bliss, his ex-mistress, Lady Ashby, who didn't take the rejection too well, and who's a little psychotic, kidnapped Sara with the intention of destroying Derek, after burning down the club he's spent his entire life to build it up to the raving success it was. Only she didn't expect our heroine to be a resourceful and courageous fighter, and wound up getting herself shot and returned to her cruel husband.

The ending was rather satisfying as it marked a new beginning for Derek, who decided to come out of the closet, so to speak, and used his wealth and power to benefit the less fortunate in society and champion social causes openly, rather than being just an annonymous benefactor. Sara became much in demand for her radical beliefs in political and social reforms. And they lived HEA.

What saved the book for me was really Sara. She appeared as a bookish, prim and proper mouse but inside that veneer was a sensual, passionate woman of strong convictions, great resourcefulness and unfailing courage. She really amazed me with the transformation from a frustrated dreamer to a go-getter who's not afraid to fight obstacles and objections to be with the one she truly loves. So actually Derek did her a favour to let her return to her village. It made her realised that she could never settle for anything less than a passionate love when it comes to her happiness. Derek needs her, whereas Perry, her so-called fiancee, needs to cut himself off his mom's apron strings first!

I couldn't help comparing Derek to Nick Gentry (Worth Any Price) and Simon Hunt (Secrets of a Summer Night), two Kleypas heroes whom I like. Guess what? Nick Gentry, who has a criminal, dark past, still comes up tops. His relentless pursuit of Charlotte, and his ruthlessness in binding her to him (yeah, I know I can be a little primitive in that area) because he desired her and harboured secret dreams about her, and her thorough conquest of his heart kept me enthralled throughout the book.

Oops … I hope I haven't divided you ladies into Derek Craven and Nick Gentry camps. I'm going to give Kleypas a rest until Devil in Winter arrives, which I plan to read back-to-back with It Happened One Autumn. Patience … good things come to those who wait.

7 Comments

Then Came Lisa Kleypas

March 21, 2006 at 11:07 pm (All, Authors A to M, Books, Romance)

This book piqued my curiosity because, amongst other reasons, it introduces a hero that quite a number of romance readers (RomanceLover, Kristie, Jennifer B, to name a few) admire. So, I had to see for myself, don't I? Besides, this book sort of gives you an inkling of Derek Craven, who gets his own story in Dreaming of You (which Kristie has been recommending) and his attitude towards LOVE. Hint: it's actually much more complicated than commitment phobia.Since I've been reading Kleypas romances, and chasing her Wallflower series, I consider myself a fan of hers, so I simply have to catch up on these two that for some reason, I haven't gotten round to reading.

Enow of the rambling, and on with the review …

You can read the synopsis here on the author's website, so I won't elaborate on the storyline. What appeals to me are the strong lead characters. Both hero and heroine are stubborn creatures, and their clashes made for some entertaining reading. The wager at Craven's club wherein Alex gambled with Lily for the privilege of a night in bed with her against 15 grand a la Indecent Proposal was a dead giveaway on how the story would turn. He's already got the hots for her so it wasn't too far a stretch of the imagination to guess who would emerge the winner.

However, this scene also reveals the chink in Derek's armour (via his factotum, Worthy) and provides readers with an insight into why he makes his round amongst the 'high-kicking' ladies but never settle on one. And gives Kleypas the reason to come up with Derek's story. And oh boy, was the seduction scene in Craven's private apartments steamy

There is a secret baby and she became the cause of a Big-Mis, mostly because Lily chose to omit details of her past for fear losing Alex's love … shame on her though. I thought she should have trusted her own judgement and perception of her husband's character, if not his aunt's hints that the men of their house loves fiercely and eternally. But then, we women could be that insecure sometimes.

Overall this was an enjoyable book, athough the tension between Alex and Lily didn't affect me as much as the cackling chemistry between Annabelle (try as she might to deny any attraction) and Simon from Secrets of a Summer Night. But as I said, it was more of a prelude to DOY ( coming up in my next post) for me.

Ok … now back to Megan McKinney's Moonlight Becomes Her.

3 Comments

My Historical for March’s TBR Challenge

March 16, 2006 at 10:21 pm (Authors A to M, Books, Chick Lit, Romance, TBR Challenge)


I had originally wanted to wait until I've finished Northanger Abbey before posting this for the reading challenge, but this wonderful masterpiece warrants a post all on its own.Here is my take on this delightful, thought-provoking and utterly brilliant period novel.

Title: Pride & Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Year published: First published 1813; Published in Penguin Popular Classics 1994

Why did you get this book?
I had been planning to read this again, especially when I learnt that there will be a movie adaptation of it. I actually started on this on Austen's birthday, 16 December (yeah, I've been really slow, having been sidetracked by a certain young wizard with a lightning scar and a fantastical land of fauns, talking lion, centaurs and the One Ring to rule them all). Don't mind me, I'm just talking in riddles again.

So anyway, I started over again in January, after I signed up for Angie's TBR challenge. I had already identified this as one of her books that I would like to read again. I had read this in my teens, and other than certain memorable scenes e.g. Lizzie's rejection of Darcy's first proposal, her visit to Pemberly and the final scenes where Bingley proposed to, and was accepted by her sister, Jane, the rest of the book is rather hazy. Which is why I resolved to read it again, this time taking my time to let the words sink into my conscious mind.Do you like the cover?
The cover isn't exciting, but who cares? I picked it up because it's Jane Austen!

Did you enjoy the book?
I love, love, love this story! I mean, no matter how some other Janeites think Emma Woodhouse is one Austen's best creation, Pride & Prejudice will always have a special place in my heart.

Although there are two main characters and their developing relationship is the focus of the tale, Austen has created a vivid impression of their society through many memorable secondary characters, who supported this sparkling comedy of manners and gave an otherwise common preoccupation of females from that era – marrying well – an uncommonly modern appeal, for Lizzie, the spirited and intelligent heroine, has declared that she would marry only for love, an ideal that can be difficult to uphold during those days.

What really captured my interest is the gamut of feelings towards Darcy, our brooding and introverted hero, she experienced through the book. From disdainful and intense dislike, to curiosity, mortification that she could have been so blinded, then grudging admiration and deep gratitude to blossoming affection and finally a love so deep 'there can be no doubts that we are to be the happiest couple in the world.'

The initial Big-Mis which gave rise to Lizzie's bad first impression of stuffy Mr. Darcy was good sowing ground for the stirring of intense feelings from both parties. You already wish they both have a chance to start over and fall in love properly, but then that would rob you of the joy of seeing how both characters progress and mature in their feelings, and how each became better because of the other.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
Jane Austen is one of the most famous and forward-thinking author of her time!! So no, she was no stranger to me. I am reading another book of hers, Northanger Abbey, having already read Emma before this. I plan to read all her books again.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
This book is going to become part of my permanent collection. I'll keep this for the day I can introduce it to my daughter.

Anything else?
I watched the movie starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen when it came to the big screen in December. Just as I was finishing up the book, the video was released, so of course I had to get that and watch it again (they snipped off the final kissing scene that was in the movie but wasn't in the book) when I finished reading. It made me appreciate the insight that the book provides. The movie was entertaining and contemporarised to suit a modern audience. One of my girlfriends told me that she finally understood what the book was all about after watching the movie.

I can certainly relate to that because the language used is a lot more deliberate and eloquent than contemporary English. That said, there were some phrases that I think would be hard to match in modern literature, like the classic which began the story,

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

and these when feelings were declared, from her rejection

"and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."

to acceptance and love:

"Perhaps I did not always love him so well as I do now."

"You will only think that I feel more than I ought to do, when I tell you all."

on falling in love with Darcy:

"It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began…"

Darcy's first rather clumsy but impassioned proposal to Lizzie:

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

and his rather cautious but hopeful second overture much later (after being roundly abused and harshly rejected),

"You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever."

and his account of falling in love with Lizzie:

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which I laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

And that is exactly how falling in love can be. You're already in way too deep before you realised it. Trust Austen to pin it down and find the words for it. Perhaps you'll understand now why P&P had me in raptures. This is a book that I will read over and over again, slowly so I don't miss every nuance.

2 Comments

Blown Away by Katie MacAlister

March 12, 2006 at 11:57 pm (Authors A to M, Books, Chick Lit, Romance)


What drew me to Katie MacAlister's Blow Me Down was the cover. At first glance, the pirate on the cover could have passed for Captain Jack Sparrow (played by the delightful Johnny Depp) from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, which I absolutely adore and whose blockbuster sequel, Dead Man's Chest (there's no doubt that it'll be a smashing success) I'm feverishly anticipating this summer.It looked simply too delicious to pass up reading, and since she's new to me, I bought it on impulse. And it was well worth it. For a synopsis of the book, go here, for I'm going to dive right in and tell you what I feel about this book.

The pace was fast and furious, no wasting words or breath detailing non essential information. You're drawn right into the virtual game Buckling Swashes. I was truly caught and very much intrigued by the 'game' environ which of course, the reader somehow knew the heroine, Amy, got sucked into.

The book is written in the first person, by the way, so that helps as it is mostly about a virtual pirate adventure that became very real for Amy, so first person perspective puts you in her shoes.

This is a wickedly funny book featuring a heroine with Attitude and a pure heart of gold, plus a genuine hero who's not afraid of losing to or baring his heart to his lady. The combination agrees with me. I was blown away by the author's creative idea of using a pseudo-virtual high sea adventure as the premise of a 'love-at-first sight' romance. Who would have thought virtual romance is going to make online dating seem passe. Hmm … The Matrix seems rather appealing all of a sudden, just the adventure sans romance.

I surfed Katie's website, and saw some other books that are downright tempting. I'm already eyeing The Corset Diaries and Men in Kilts. This is one contemporary author that I shall be tracking from now on.

3 Comments

My First (maybe Last) Sandra Brown

February 21, 2006 at 11:36 pm (Authors A to M, Books, Romance)

Heck, I was going to tell all … how the plot in Love Beyond Reason didn't really impress, and the H/H didn't get me excited. But when I sat down to post, my mind drew a blank … and this considering that I only just read this book 2 weeks ago!

That's how deep an impression it left me. Which is not good. If I can't even remember what the story was about (now that I've surfed over to the author's website for the synopsis, I can recall bits and pieces), it's a sure sign that the book didn't score with me.I picked up a Sandra Brown because I was searching for a category romance book for September's TBR challenge … nothing like preparing ahead, heh? She's highly acclaimed, but somehow LBR failed to produce sparks or even a slight tingle in me. The heroine, (I have to refer to her site for the name) Katherine, didn't live up to her initial tough fighter image. In fact, the moment she married the hero, Jason(?)/ Jake?, she went all soft and needy. The hero is just another rich, alpha-male who seduced, or rather coerced, the heroine into a rushed marriage so both get to keep the niece. It's a stretch, but hey, better that than a horrific lawsuit for custody with her sis' in-laws, right?

Am I just biased due to my preference for historicals? Or is this really one of the duds amongst Sandra's long list of great works (she's won numerous awards for her other books), which I have the misfortune to pick as a first taste of her prowess as romance writer?

Unless someone recommends a very strong book that'll compel me to read her romance books again, I think I'm going to have to hunt for another genre romance writer. So, if there's anyone out there who thinks I should give her another chance, speak now or forever hold your peace.

8 Comments

New Authors for February TBR Challenge

February 20, 2006 at 10:42 pm (Authors A to M, Books, Romance, TBR Challenge)

I'm very happy that I managed to stick to my plans for the challenge this month. Lucky me got to read Empress Orchid by Anchee Min …. AND The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle.So, without further ado, here are the reviews:

Title: Empress Orchid
Author: Anchee Min
Year published: First published in 2004, the paperback edition I read was published in 2005

Why did you get this book?
A friend from work passed me this book last year as she knew I love reading.

Do you like the cover?
The red cover design is rather striking. It features a Chinese face with the head-dress of a Qing dynasty royal, such that I'm instantly clued in as to which historical figure the story is about. There are only two prominent empresses in China's history, so it wasn't difficult to guess who this story is based on.

Did you enjoy the book?
As a matter of fact, I did enjoy the book. In fact, I could hardly believed that I finished it in 5 days, in between blogging, playing X-Box games and working on the church website project. So, it is a good sign.

The story is written in the first person and based on real people. The author kept to the historical events as they were recorded, translating the decrees, edicts and poems from the original documents. I also liked how she gave a feminine perspective (that of wanting love) to this story which traces the rise of one of the most famous female political figure, Empress Cixi (or Tzu Hsi) from her childhood, her bid to rescue her family from abject poverty and herself from an undesirable marriage to a slow-witted cousin by competing to become one of the Emperor's concubines.

The book takes on a subtly erotic undertone as the story unfolds in the Forbidden City where concubines vie for the Son of Heaven's attention and seduction bestows power upon its mistress, and treachery and intrigue is everywhere.

This fascinating peek into the dying dynastic family kept me utterly engrossed. Rife with pageantry and rituals, the novel fed the curiosity of the history buff in me. The heroine's sacrifice of a new-found love towards the end for the sake of her royal son and the greater good of her nation, is rather noble. But expected of a woman of her status in the society she's in. It gave the ending a touch of melancholy yet hints at hope for healing.

Would you read something by this author again?
This is her fourth novel, and it ended in the successful foiling of a coup d'etat. If her next book continues where this left off, I'll probably read it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Unfortunately, I'll have to return the book as it's on loan.

Anything else?
The author's checkered past – she was a model member of the Red Guard during the Maoist era in China, who was later disgraced upon the death of Chairman Mao, and left China for the US – is the focus of her memoir, Red Azalea. There are quite a good number of discussions about her books, and some interviews with BookReporter, Powell's and ChineseCulture.

Ok, just before I started on Empress Orchid, I read some bits of it and thinking that it isn't really a romance, more of women's fiction, I decided to read Carlyle and blog about it as well. So, here's my take on it:
Title: The Devil You Know
Author: Liz Carlyle
Year published: 2003

Why did you get this book?
I've been hearing so much about Liz Carlyle from the other ladies in this challenge that I decided to check out her work.

Do you like the cover?
I had a sense of deja vu when I spied this book on the shelf. The cover looks eerily like another I've recently read. I'll dig that out later.Did you enjoy the book?
I did. I did. The flawed hero, Bentley, had a tragic childhood, and was generally dismissed as a rakehell and wastrel. There's a lot of pent-up emotions in the principal characters, such as his love and respect for his elder bro, and the heavy sense of guilt they both have towards each other. Then, there is this deep seated yearning in him for a love that will set his heart free, but when it was within his grasp, he nearly let it slip through his fingers because of his fear of intimacy and the disgust he thought the heroine, Freddie, would develop should she learn about his shameful abused past.

I also admire the heroine's tenacity. She refused to give up on him, because she had glimpsed the innate goodness in him and believed firmly that their love is worth fighting for.

Would you read something by this author again?
You bet I would. In fact, I've amassed one other old title and two of her latest, so I'm looking forward to reading them too.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?Anything else?
I'll have to return this copy because it's on rental. But I intend to keep her new books, which I bought last week. Am looking forward to reading those, probably spaced out amongst other authors. We'll see …

5 Comments

McNaught Once and Always

February 13, 2006 at 10:38 pm (Authors A to M, Books, Romance)

Borrowed the above from the library 'cos two of my girlfriends raved about Judith McNaught. And, boy, am I hooked.

Don't know if it's my preference for historical romances, but this novel has a nice balance of lush details and character development to keep me peeled to its pages for ten delightful hours, broken only by meal preparations. It helped that I read this over the Lunar New Year festive holidays, when I had plenty of time to read undisturbed for hours. The only bit which didn't quite work for me was the big-MIS in the last two chapters. It was one of the weaker plot points of the book, IMO.

Still, I'll probably borrow a few more McNaught romances before I decide which book to buy. I have a feeling some of hers would be keepers. I quite like the cover of this paperback edition that I picked up. The redhead with the dimple and 'come-hither look' certainly appears a lot more inviting than the cover design of the reissue with the scenery of a country estate.

7 Comments

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