Captured by Desire by Kira Morgan
In 16th century Scotland, young Miss Florie Gilder runs away from her drunken foster father to find her real father and her noble heritage. Along the ...more In 16th century Scotland, young Miss Florie Gilder runs away from her drunken foster father to find her real father and her noble heritage. Along the way, she is accused of theft, becomes a fugitive hiding in a forest, and is accidentally wounded by a handsome local huntsman. The huntsman--a Robin-Hood figure who poaches wild game from the landowner's estate to feed the starving poor--carries the beautiful maiden to a church where she is guaranteed 40 days of sanctuary from the law. During that time, he learns her true story, falls in love with her, and helps her in her quest, at the risk of his own life. Smitten with him, she worries more for his survival. But enemies of the state are seeking to overturn the Catholic royals, while a vicious noblewoman is out to destroy Florie.
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If I'm not mistaken, this is Kira Morgan's first book. And hopefully there will be many, many more to come. I absolutely adored this book! There wasn't anything groundbreaking here, but Morgan penned a fast moving, interesting story with sympathetic characters. I just loved Rane, our hero. He was like the perfect romance hero - the kind of man we'd all like to have. (Except for you, hubby. MWAH.) I'm eagerly looking forward to Morgan's next book, Seduced by Destiny. Here's hoping her first book wasn't a lucky fluke. Here's a romance author to watch.
My Rating: *****
Ravished by a Highlander (Children of the Mist, Book 1) by Paula Quinn
FORBIDDEN LOVE
Davina Montgomery is no ordinary English lady. For her own protection, she's been locked away from society, her true identity the Crown's most closely guarded secret. Until a shocking betrayal--and a bold rescue--land her in the arms of a fierce Highlander, a powerful warrior whose searing gaze and tantalizing touch awaken her body and soul.
UNDENIABLE DESIRE
As the firstborn son of a powerful Scottish laird, Robert MacGregor has no loyalty to the English throne, but he's not the kind of man to leave a woman in distress, even if she is English. He vows to deliver Davina to safety, unharmed and untouched. Yet one stolen kiss leaves them both smoldering with desire...and desperate for more. With Davina's secret threatening to destroy his clan, Rob must choose between everything he holds dear and the one woman he can't live without.
RAVISHED BY A HIGHLANDER
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Paula Quinn is my of my favorite historical romance authors. Anything she comes out with is automatically on my "buy immediately" list. This book is an example of the perfect historical romance to me. Hot Highlanders? Check! Alpha male hero? Check! Fascinating characters and fast-paced story? Check! (I think you get the message by now.) The history was very interesting, but not too much that it gets confusing. I thought the chemistry between Rob and Davina was phenomenal, and the romance very hot. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more about the MacGregor clan. I've pre-ordered Seduced by a Highlander!
My Rating: *****
Seven Secrets of Seduction by Anne Mallory
Scandalous and provocative, The Seven Secrets of Seduction is an intoxicating insight into the mind of men and the desires of women – and the book has all the ton talking.
Secret #1: Every good seduction begins with a baited hook…
Well-educated, but not part of society, Miranda Chase is just as captivated by the erotic pages as everyone else in London. Intrigued by the layers she sees beneath the book’s surface, she writes an editorial about it, never realizing that her passionate words will draw an actual viscount to her uncle’s bookshop.
Maximilian, Viscount Downing, has very particular ideas about passion and sees truth only in desire. He freely flaunts his sensual power and seeks nothing more than another conquest – the one that could justify his entire debauched existence. But Miranda’s blend of innocence, trust, and love cause a strange thing to happen on the way to this seduction. Something that just might threaten the very fabric of his jaded heart.
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Though this book had compelling characters and witty repartee, it was a little slow for my taste. The story was fun and interesting; however, it was a bit too "talky" for me. I like my historical romances with a bit more action. Also, I do prefer my romance to be a bit more, um ... graphic. However, I have quite a number of Ms. Mallory's novels in my to-be-read pile, and I liked this one enough to look forward to them.
My Rating: ***
Taken by the Night (Brotherhood of Blood, Book 3) by Kathryn Smith
I enjoy carnal pleasures like any mortal man, but six hundred years of existence have taught me loss. Best to stay away from people and save myself the heartache. Then I arrive at the notorious London brothel Maison Rouge, and my life, such as it is, will never be the same again.
Ivy Dearing, daughter of the infamous Madam, has requested my assistance. Two of her friends have been murdered, and she is determined to find their killer. I know better than to agree to help, yet Ivy is impossible to resist. No stranger to vampires, she has awakened desires within me that are as potent as my thirst for blood—desires that can only be satisfied by Ivy herself. But when there is another murder, it is all I can do to protect the woman I love from an evil more powerful than the undead . . .
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
I am seriously enjoying this historical paranormal romance series by Ms. Smith. Vamps are my favorite paranormal heroes, and the ones in this series are some great alpha males. Saint and Ivy are a great couple, fiery and passionate. The leads are by no means perfect, making them both more human. The story arc that began in the first book is continued here, and still continues to be interesting. Lots of fun.
My Rating: ****
Let the Night Begin (Brotherhood of Blood, Book 4) by Kathryn Smith
A Vampire Will Not Rest Until He Satisfies His Hunger . . .
And what I, Reign, hungered for most of all was Olivia Gavin. I have never met a woman more beautiful, more tantalizing, and so I made her my bride. She promised me her heart and soul . . . in return, I plundered her flesh, and bound her to me for all eternity. Then, terrified of what I'd made her, she fled.
Now she has returned, desperate for my help in saving her beloved nephew. But my assistance comes at a price: She must share my bed once more, for the feel of her soft skin, the heat of her kiss, excite me still. And I know she desires me, even as she resists her own heart.
Yet, as we rediscover the passion that brought us together, an enemy waits to destroy us both . . .
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
This was another solid story in the Brotherhood of Blood series. However, this was the first time that I REALLY disliked one of the characters. But I could NOT warm up to Olivia, no matter how much I wanted to. I just found her to be a self-centered bitch, more concerned with how badly Reign treated her, and her bratty nephew. I really liked Reign, but could not understand how he was pining for this woman. I thought that he deserved better than the likes of her. The romance was still hot, though, and the story entertaining.
My Rating: ****
Night After Night (Brotherhood of Blood, Book 5) by Kathryn Smith
Centuries ago, this magnificent chalice sealed my fate as a vampire, and now I am its protector. Many have hunted me for it, but only Vivian has accomplished the task. Strong, lovely, haunted . . . I am more attracted to her than I should be, yet her loyalty lies with a man determined to bring about my destruction. But I am not so easily locked in a cage, and now the captive has become the captor.
Though her stormy eyes tempt me, there is too much at stake—not merely my life, but the lives of my vampire Brotherhood. And I am not above using Vivian to achieve my goals, even if it means denying my own heart. The battle to end all battles is just beginning, and I must fight . . . if I could only let my desire be damned.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
This 5th book is the conclusion to the Brotherhood of Blood series. As in the entire series, Temple was a great alpha male hero. In fact, he is the leader of the Brotherhood of Blood. Vivian was an interesting heroine, torn between her love for Temple and the man who raised her. I did find the ending to be a little silly; however, all loose ends were brought together, and the romance was very, very hot. All in all, a satisfying series.
My Rating: ****
Someone to Watch Over Me (Bow Street Runners, Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
A temptingly beautiful woman is rescued from the icy waters of the Thames, her memory gone. Told that she is Vivien Rose Duvall, one of London's most scandalous beauties, she finds herself under the protection of the enigmatic and charming Grant Morgan, one of London's most eligible, and unattainable, catches. As his love for this mysterious beauty grows, he's determined to discover the truth--no matter what.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
This is my first novel by Lisa Kleypas, and I picked the perfect one! I will definitely be reading more from this author. Though the story centered around the often used plot device of amnesia, the story was still fresh and fun. And extremely hot. I totally fell in love with Grant. Though he is by no means a flawless man, one can't help but forgive him. Learning a bit of the Bow Street Runners was quite interesting. I started reading the next Bow Street Runner novel immediately after finishing this one. Couldn't wait to get started on Sir Ross's story. Great romance.
My Rating: *****
Ya know, I just realized how boring my little "*" are for rating! I must find something a lot more interesting and eye catching!
