In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster ★★★½ by Stephanie Laurens

The mysterious Scottish Laird is at again and has Eliza Cynster abducted from her sister's engagement party at her brother's home.  Realizing that she is in the same predicament that her sister had faced, Eliza, trying to stay calm, endeavors to formulate a plan to seek help.

When the  carriage is slowed by narrowness of the road, Eliza sees a familiar face and cries out even though her words can't be heard.  The other rider continues on and reflects on what the saw and realizes that the frightened woman was Eliza Cynster.  Carefully backtracking, Sir Jeremy Carling devises a plan to rescue and return Eliza to her family, but the captors have other ideas and their pursuit is constant and unrelenting.

I enjoyed the story and the romance evolution, the Cynster always are a great story

Series/ Progress: Cynster Sisters 2/3
DATE READ: October 4 - October 12
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Type of Book Audiobook
SOURCE: Public Library

The Earl's Betrothal ★★★½ by Karen Tuft

Amelia Clarke has taken a position as a companion to Lady Ashworth after the death of her vicar father.  She has been consoling the Ashworths while they mourn the deaths of their two sons, one from a riding accident, the other lost in the Peninsula wars.  When suddenly Anthony Hargreaves appears at his ancestral home to the surprise and delight of his parents explaining that he was injured in battle and was unable to regain his regiment thereby being declared dead.

Lord Ashworth is elated that his line will continue but insists that Anthony marry immediately.  Still suffering from the horrors of war (probable PTSD) Anthony is reluctant to engage with any suitable ladies of the Ton but finds himself comfortable with Amelia.  Circumstances get a bit out of hand and  the two are compromised so that Amelia is thrust into the position of a betrothal that she is unsure about.

A typical romance of class clashes but entertaining and well-written.

DATE READ: July 4 - July 6
NO. OF PAGES: 280
Type of Book e-book
SOURCE: NetGalley

Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue ★★★½ by Stephanie Laurens

Anytime the Cynster family is involved you know that love is being searched for and it's no different when it comes to the Cynster sisters. Heather has decided that since she's nearly on the shelf she has to take love into her own hands and starts out on her own but she is kidnapped by a mysterious Scotsman but Viscount Breckenridge comes to her rescue. Can she still find love or has it already found her?

The Cynster family is one of my favorites so finding hat the sisters are just as love challenged as the brothers is great reading as far as I'm concerned.

Series/ Progress: Cynster Sisters 1/5
DATE READ: April 12 - April 17
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Type of Book audiobook
SOURCE: Public Library

Francesca: The Silk Merchant's Daughters by Bertrice Small

Giovanni Pietro D'Angelo, a wealthy silk merchant in Florence has been contacted my Lorenzo di Medici concerning his second daughter Francesca.  Titus Cesare, Duke of Torreno Boscoso, is seeking a wife for his heir and di Medici wants Francesca to be one of the 3 candidates.  After arguing with her father, Francesca reluctantly agrees to travel to Torreno Boscoso to meet the future Duke.
Two other young women are also to be considered and the young heir will choose from the 3 maidens.  

When Francesca is selected she flees into the forest in an attempt to escape her fate but there she undergoes a change - realizing what she may have lost as well as what she may have found. 

Francesca's transformation from a spoiled aristocrat to  the new duchessa is what is needed for she and the new duke to survive the difficulties ahead.

I wasn't fond of the ending but it did have a purpose.

 ★★★½

GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS: Francesca, Rafaello, Titus Cesare, Terza,Alonza, Raoul du Barry
Series/ Progress: Silk Merchant's Daughters  2/4
DATE READ: April 18 - April 22
NO. OF PAGES: 400
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn

When you read those romances that end with the "Happily Ever After"  somehow there's always a few questions left unanswered.  In this book, Julia Quinn writes the 2nd epilogue to the 8 books in the Bridgerton series bringing all the characters back to life but showing us the ever after.

Great fun!

★★★★

GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth, Violet, Penelope, Kate
Series/ Progress: The Bridgertons - 9/9
DATE READ: March 28 - March 29
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

In the Garden of Temptation by Cynthia Wicklund

Lady Catherine can't understand why her husband of 7 years insists on dressing her up like a trollop when he has visitors coming.  But on one occasion she meets the Earl of Ashworth, and they become romantically involved.

The reasoning for her husband's behavior and the subsequent events are an interesting tale of Regency romance.

 ★★★

GENRE: Romance/mystery
CHARACTERS: Lady Catherine Bourgeault, Lord Edgar Bourgeault, Adam Stanford (Earl of Ashford)
Series/ Progress: Garden/1
DATE READ: February 25 - February 28
NO. OF PAGES: 225
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Bianca: The Silk Merchant's Daughter by Bertrice Small

Whenever I need a touch of romance, Bertrice Small is the author that I can always count on to show that love isn't always easy but definiely worth the effort.

In his book, Bianca is forced into a marriage with a cruel older man to save her family honor.  Afer escaping this travisty, she finds and falls in love a Muslim Prince.  Their differences can't overcome their love.

 ★★★½

GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS:Bianca, Orianna, Sebastino Rovere, Agata, Prince Amir
Series/ Progress: Silk Merchant's Daughters/1
DATE READ: February 10 - February 13
NO. OF PAGES: 419
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer

Normally I find Nancy Thayer's books entertaining, however, this one seem too cliché. Poor girl and rich girl are friends - rich girl loves poor girl's brother but different circumstances keep them apart.  Poor girl falls for rich boy, gets pregnant but rich girl marries rich boy and poor girl stays silent.  There was no depth to the story.


★★¾

GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: friendship, acceptance
Setting: Nantucket
CHARACTERS: Maggie McIntyre, Emily Porter, Ben McIntyre, Cameron Chadwick
DATE READ: August 18 - August 27
NO. OF PAGES: 352
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, ROOT
SOURCE: LibraryThing ER

The Proposal by Mary Balogh

★★★½

GENRE: Romance
SUBJECT: class differences
Setting: England
CHARACTERS: Hugo Emes (Trentham), Lady Gwendoline Muir
DATE READ: June 9 - June 13
NO. OF PAGES: 285
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , 
SOURCE: ebook stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.00
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.50
Threshold Quality.................................................3.50
Average..............................................................................................3.50 

What I loved about this story was the fact that the hero (shy yet strong and family-oriented)  puts aside his own feelings and decides that he needs to marry to advance his sister's prospects.  With the help of friends he meets and begins to court a widow who has a physical handicap.  The love story that evolves shows that what's on the inside is far more important than what's on the the outside.

The Greatest Knight: The Unsung Story of the Queen's Champion by Elizabeth Chadwick

 ★★★½
GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUBJECT: loyalty, honor
Setting: England, Normandy, France
CHARACTERS: William Marshall, Isabelle de Clare, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, Richard Lionheart
DATE READ: August 22 - August 31
NO. OF PAGES: 440
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   yes, Nook Stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................4.00
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................4.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.50

Having just read Sharon Kay Penman's trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine where the reader meets William Marshall at the age of 5 and he continues in the background throughout, this book was extremely entertaining because of the background that is built by this other with the same history.

William Marshall here is shown as a man of chivalry, honor and loyalty as well as love for those of his family.  Frequently, he story shows how he is torn between what he desires to and what he sees as the honorable thing and Chadwick's William Marshall always manages to make the right choice at the right time.

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan

 ★★¾

GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUBJECT: natural resources, water for electric power
Setting: Niagara Falls,
CHARACTERS: Bess Heath, Tom Cole, Isabel Heath, Edward Atwell, Jesse Cole, Mrs Andrews
DATE READ: July 1 - July 5
NO. OF PAGES: 298
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, loan from Tina

PLOT:...............................................2.50
CHARACTERIZATION:..................2.50
TOPICS:...........................................3.00
STYLE:.............................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:..................................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..........................2.50
OWNERSHIP:..................................3.00
Threshold Quality.............................2.50
Average..............................................................2.75

What I was expecting to be an historical account of a time period when Niagara Falls was frozen and its effects on the neighboring population and economy turned out to be a somewhat lackluster turn of the century romance between a young woman from a well-to-do family hitting hard times and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks.  The title was extremely misleading especially since there was only one  small portion about a time when the river/falls froze.

I kept hoping that the story would pick up, but IMHO, it fell flat.

Fireworks over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff

 ★★★

GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: speedy marriages; soldier return homes
Setting: Toccoa, GA
CHARACTERS: Lily Davis Woodward, Jake Russo, Walter Davis, Honey Davis
DATE READ: June 30 - July 1
NO. OF PAGES: 260
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, loan from Tina

PLOT:.............................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:................3.00
TOPICS:.........................................3.00
STYLE:...........................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:................................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:.......................3.00
OWNERSHIP:...............................3.00
Threshold Quality...........................3.00
Average.....................................................................3.00

Nothing really special in this little story about a young woman who falls in love with a fireworks maker while waiting for her husband to return from the war.  She remains in love with him but does her duty to the man she married when a child.

Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh

 ★★★

GENRE: Romance
SUBJECT: deformities, inner strength
Setting: London, England
CHARACTERS: Samantha Newman, Hartley Wade, Jennifer Thornhill, Gabriel Thornhill, Lionel Kersey
DATE READ: June 25 - June 26
NO. OF PAGES: 282
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, my shelves

PLOT:.........................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:............3.00
TOPICS:.....................................3.00
STYLE:.......................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:.............................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:....................3.00
OWNERSHIP:............................3.00
Threshold Quality.......................3.00
Average...............................................................3.00


Samantha Newman was heartbroken in the "Dark Angel" so when we find her at the start, 6 years later, she is still unmarried but with a swarm of suitors at her feet.  While visiting her cousin at Thornhill, on a solitary walk she meets a young man with a withered hand and a limp.  They become friends over several weeks of clandestine meetings and so when Samantha meets hi in London she is pleasantly surprised to find that he is the Marquis of Carew and accepts his proposal without hesitation feeling that their friendship will protect her from the past.

There were few surprises in this book but it was a pleasant read.

Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

 ★★★★½

GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: regrets, enduring love, friendship
Setting: Cedar Cove, WA
CHARACTERS: Jo Marie Rose, Mark Taylor, Annie Newton, Oliver Sutton, Mary Smith, George Hudson
DATE READ: May 8 - May 10
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, NetGalley

PLOT:..........................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.............4.00
TOPICS:......................................4.50
STYLE:........................................5.00
ORIGINALITY:.............................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:....................4.50
OWNERSHIP:.............................4.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:............4.50
Average...........................................................4.38

I couldn't put it down.

JoMarie's B&B is going to be full just in time for her Open House.  Trying to get the rose hedge finished in time is spoiled when her handyman breaks his leg but that doesn't mean that JoMarie can't please her guests.  Annie Newton has booked rooms for her grandparents who are returning to Cedar Cove to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  Annie's been planning the party but runs into a few unexpected and possibly disastrous issues. 

In the meantime, JoMarie's other guest, Mary Smith, is very quiet and reserved.  Could it have something to do with her fragility and lack of hair perhaps?

This book very much like the first in the series shows the reader several different storylines (including one for JoMarie herself) and yet weaves it so masterfully together so that going from one to the other appears seamless and never interrupts the story itself.  

I couldn't put it down!  The characters were so real - Annie's grandparents reminded me so much of my own parents - always bickering but underneath loving each other unconditionally.  And Mary Smith- you think with a name like that the character would be flat  but no, she grabbed me and held on tight right to end.

Absolutely tremendous!

The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small

 ★★★

GENRE: Historical Romance
SUBJECT: border wars, fealty, clans
SETTING: Scotland
CHARACTERS: Cicely Bowen, Ian Douglas, Kier Douglas, James I, Queen Joan
DATE READ: November 3 - November 4
NO. OF PAGES: 421
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?:   yes, my shelves
CATEGORY: Lunch

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 2.5
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 2.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 3
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3
Average 2.9

I have been reading the books written by Bertrice Small for over a decade and look forward to each new one as it comes out.  However, this book, the 4th in her Border Chronicles series, fell a bit flat IMO.  There weren't the usually steamy sex scenes sprinkled throughout and the story was a bit bland.  It was still good fun, but just not her usual quality.

Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer

★★★

Genre: Fiction

Subject: stages of a love relationships, friendships

Setting: Dragonfly Lake

Main Characters: Bella Barnaby, Natalie Reynolds, Morgan O'Keefe, Aaron Waterhouse, Ben Barnaby, Josh O'Keefe, Slade Reynolds

Series: no

Dates Read: August 13 - August 18

Number of pages: 368

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, received from LT for review

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Homework

This book is the typical summer beach read - young women looking for love, young men with other things on their mind. The interesting concept for me was that the relationships showcased were in different stages and yet they managed to overlap.

Morgan is married to Josh who has just taken a new job with a very prestigious firm and he wants his wife and young son to have a big house right on the lake where they meet Bella. Bella is in a relationship with Aaron who is interviewing for a job in San Francisco and if they stay together, would necessitate Bella leaving Dragonfly Lake and her new business. Natalie, an artist, is housesitting for her aunt and is living next door to Morgan. The 3 woman become fast friends. Trouble arrives in the figure of Slade, Natalie's brother, who takes a shine not only to Bella but Morgan as well.

Relationships get even more jumbled when Morgan is unhappy because Josh is working too many hours, Natalie gets involved with Bella's brother, Ben, and Slade is trying to influence Bella into a relationship as well as business dealings.

The story was okay, but I think that there were just too many relationships, too many twists. Two relationships in the story would have been sufficient and made more room for emotional expansion. Overall an okay for the beach.

The Wife Trap by Tracy Anne Warren

★★★

Genre: Romance

Subject: deception, snobbery, independence

Setting: Ireland

Main Characters: Jeannette Brantford, Darragh O'Brien

Series: yes, #2

Dates Read: July 24 - July 28

Number of pages: 392

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my shelves

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: English Lit

Lady Jeannette Brantford is in disgrace because of the deception that she persuaded her twin sister into participating in. Her sister, Violet, is now the Duchess of Raebern, the position that Jeannette was supposed to have had, but she didn't want to marry the Duke. Now she's been banished to Ireland to live with rustic cousins.

Jeannette, before even reaching her destination, meets Darragh O'Brien, a devilishly handsome man who thinks she's spoiled and self-centered. The interaction between these two characters and their antics is entertaining and thoroughly amusing.

The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Read: November 9 - November 14

Format: Hardback 405 pages

Source: my shelves

Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★½

The third installment of the Black Cobra Quartet was a bit different than the previous two. In those we see the troubles and dangers that the two couriers encounter and what forces them to spend their time and efforts with a young lady with whom they fall in love, so naturally, I expected the same type of story for courier #3.

Nope, here Logan Montieth is discovered at the beginning on board a ship in the English Channel, fighting with the Black Cobra legions during a storm. He and his attackers are swept overboard before the ship capsizes. Logan is the only survivor but without his memory. He is discovered and nursed by a lady and her staff on a remote section of the Island of Guernsey. Linnett helps him to recover his memories while their love affair proceeds, and when he recalls his mission, she gets him to his assigned destination.

From there the story is very similar to the previous installments with a few twists and turns. Of the three books, that I've read so far, this is my favorite because of the strong, dynamic and unusual female character who stands up for what she wants and what she wants to do. Looking forward to the last of the series.

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Read: October 4 - October 8

Format: Paperback 464 pages

Source: Nook

Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★

In the second installment of the Black Cobra, the reader follows the travels of Gareth Hamilton complicated by the appearance and involvement of Emily Ensworth (who has decided that Major Hamilton is the man for her). The Black Cobra knows that Emily delivered the letter that Hamilton is now trying to transport to England and so they are both in danger.

Again the Black Cobra's followers work to recover the incriminating letter as well as eliminate those that are involved. Gareth and Emily protect each other while expanding their personal relationship. Another fun book with adventure and love at the center.

The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens

Read: September 17 - September 24

Format: Paperback 436 pages

Source: My Library

Subject: Love, Marriage, investments, land deals

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★

Stephanie Laurens has been writing the Cynster novels since 1998 and in this book we find a new connection as well as seeing old friends. In this installment , Charles, Earl of Meredith decides that it is time to marry and choses Sarah Conningham the daughter of a neighbor. They have known each other since childhood, but when he returns to his ancestral home and applies for Sarah's hand, he is startled when she states that she wants a marriage of passion and excitement and that she will give him 2 weeks to show that he can give her that before she will respond to his proposal.

What Charles learns is that Sarah is not just a passionate woman but kind-hearted and gentle of spirit devoting her time and efforts to the local orphanage. Sarah learns that her long ago infatuation with Charles may have been more and together they embark on a life of secrets to be revealed and love to be cherished. Sarah's orphanage plays a vital role in the story as well as identifying Charles' character and eccentricities.

Cynsters never fail in entertaining.