Review: How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

Title: How the Marquess Was Won
Author: Julie Anne Long
Graded: A+

This story was my first by this author and I am absolutely charmed! The dialogue between the H/h simply sizzles and burns. It seduces the reader with witty banter, tongue-in-cheek innuendo and soul-baring emotion, set in a time when language was used as a weapon as well as cloak.

I haven't been in the mood for a historical for a little while now, but this book has rekindled my interest in them by celebrating everything I love about the good ones... the way language is used with such meaning, and so many meanings. The way strong women were forged in the fires of social limitations, expectations and hypocrisies. The way the fashion is described in tactile detail and the nuances of good breeding. Plus I've always enjoyed the contrast in the historical heroine's lady-in-the-ballroom, harlot-in-the-bedroom characterisation. ;-)

Another thing I appreciated about this book is that the only time I felt that I didn't have the whole story were the snippets regarding Olivia and Lyonn. Otherwise, all the characters were explained well and I'm not suffering from any spoilers due to this being a #6 in the series and me having just jumped in. I'm usually loathe to read books out of order, but this has been very well done as an almost stand-alone.

Quite simply: fanbloodytastic!

Quickie Review: One Night in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

Title: One Night in Scotland
Author: Karen Hawkins
Graded: C+

A good book, an enjoyable read, but I found the romance slightly unbelievable. Why would you fall in love with someone who treats you this way? Reminiscent of the bad points of old-school type historical romance where the men were asshats and the women saw the "good guy" underneath even with no actual proof. The mystery was easy to predict. Having said that, I did like the writing. I plan to read the next in this series to see whether it was just this story or this author in general that I wasn't loving.

Quickie Review: If You Deceive by Kresley Cole

Title: If You Deceive
Author: Kresley Cole
Graded: C+
Book #3 in the MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy


This was a good story, great writing with a strong voice that was surprisingly very reminiscent of older historical romances, given the popularity of Ms Cole's contemporaries, I hadn't expected her strength in writing historicals.

I really liked the characters, though I felt there was a bit too much melodrama for my mood at the moment, which could all be put down to a lack of communication from the outset. I enjoyed all three stories, this was a great ending for the MacCarrick Brothers.