Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 368 pp
Isbn: 9780060562519
Published: February 2006
Challenge This covers #5 Read a book borrowed from the library or a friend for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge. (Now I checked it out from the library and started to read it. I happened to be going through my own books and found that I owned a copy of this one when I didn't believe that I had. So since I had the libraries copy I count this as a library book.)

First Sentence or two: As Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, stared at the young woman who had just barged her way into his London residence, it occurred to him that he might have tried to abduct the wrong heiress last week at Stony Cross Park.

Synopsis:

A devil's bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts — which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions...or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Random Thoughts -This case of opposites attracting is Fabulous! Even the bad guy needs to be loved. LOL I felt so bad for Evie. I was glad to see her take charge of her own destiny. Deep down she had some spunk. As for Sebastian, I love him. He is a tortured Hero. I don't think things would of worked out between Evie and him had she played it any other way. Nothing like telling a Man what he can't have to make him Want it that much more.

Favorite Scene - I liked the scene where Sebastian taught Evie how to play billiards. This scene was very sexy. I also highly enjoyed the wedding scene. Nothing like a Scottish blacksmith to marry you, while his daughters sing to you. LOL

Favorite Quotes- St. Vincent said in a clipped voice, "It's not a love match. It's a marriage of convenience, and there's not enough warmth between us to light a birthday candle. Get on with it , if you please. Neither of us has had a proper sleep in two days." Then the blacksmith's heavy brows lowered. "I don't like ye," he announced.
St Vincent regarede him with exasperation. "Neither does my bride-to-be. But since that's not going to stop her from marrying me, it shouldn't stop you either. Go on."

Rating - 4 Stars

Tuesday Teasers- September 15th 2009

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: * Grab your current read * Open to a random page * Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) * Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


MY TEASER-

"I'm breaking rule number three. If you fight on a first date, don't make a second."

This from Page 44 of Romeo Romeo by Robin Kaye

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 382 pp
Isbn: 9780060562496
Published: Sept. 2005
Challenge This does not cover a Challenge at this time.


First Sentence or two: Two young women stood at the threshold of the perfumery, one tugging impatiently at the arm of the other. "Do we have to go in there?" the smaller one was saying in a flat American accent, resisting as the other pulled her forcibly into the quietly lit shop. "I'm always bored to tears in these places, Lillian-you stand there and smell things for hours-"

Synopsis:

It happened at the ball . . .

Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.

It happened in the garden . . .

When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously–swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed . . . thank goodness they weren't caught very nearly in the act!

It happened one autumn . . .

Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable . . . as his bride?

Random Thoughts -I loved the way Lillian and Marcus sparred with words. I thoroughly enjoyed being privy to their secret thoughts and emotions when they each were slowly figuring out that, they cared for the other no matter how impossible it may seem. Especially Marcus, a man so sure of himself and set in his ways, rigid in all things proper. It was great to touch bases with the old friends known as the "Wallflowers". This quartet is so unique and fun to watch as they grow in love and friendship. Can't wait to read the next one.

Favorite Scene - How can you not love a scene where the heroine gets drunk and loses all her inhibitions. When Lillian was alone in the library and the party had left the estate for the day, she found a bottle of clear liquor with a pear in the center of the bottle. She tasted the liquid. The next thing, Marcus was summoned from a servant to inform him of an out of control guest, "Lillian". She made me giggle getting her hand caught in the EMPTY bottle trying to get at that pear. This whole scene was funny to me. The fact that Marcus took advantage of the whole situation shocked me to my toes, and THRILLED me to no end!

Favorite Quotes- "Dear," Daisy said softly, "the next time you face a room full of strangers... you might tell yourself that some of them are just friends waiting to be found."

Isn't that the sweetest thought. I want to hold that quote in my head and remember it for myself.

Rating - 4 Stars

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Cruise, Eileen Dreyer, & Anne Stuart

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Paranormal Romance
Pages: 391 pp
Isbn: 9780312940980
Published: June 2007
Challenge This covers #4 Read a book with an "F" in the title for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: Mare Fortune bounded down the stairs of the family home in her ragged blue running shorts just as the wind caught the front door and blew it open, sending coppery dust swirling in. She batted the dust away and looked out, but instead of Mrs. Elder's beat-up front porch across the street, she saw a golden sunshine beaming down on a red tiled roof and a fat laughing baby toddling in a dusty road while a tough dark haired guy chased after it, laughing, too.

Synopsis:

You’re invited to spend the weekend with three extraordinary sisters…

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she’s still trying to control her shape-shifting power—no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.

Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday—annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart. . . .

The youngest Miss Fortune, Mare, towers above her sisters but her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video!! and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video!! VP and Mare’s long lost love turn up. . .and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

Random Thoughts -I'm not sure if I can entirely explain it. SOMETHING, was lacking. What I am not sure of, I can't seem to put my finger on it. I had to force myself to sit down and read this book on many occasions. It literally took me 4 days to get it read. I could of finished it easily in a day if it were a page turner. I thought about giving up on the book a couple times but kept thinking....NO I really wanna see what Mare will do or say next. I wanted to see who she would end up with. Her sisters were cool too just not as "out there" as she was. I loved Mare! So I trudged on and am glad to say I finished the book and know what happens to them. I don't know that I will read another collaboration like this. I think that somehow the different hands on this project didn't make it flow. Maybe "too many cooks in the kitchen" so to speak.

Favorite Scene - I think any with Mare at the video store. I also got a huge kick out of a scene with Lizzie & Elric. He transformed her clothes to a silk nightgown. She looked down and furious, she transformed her clothes into a nuns habit. He looked at her then transformed Lizzie's clothes again this time to a skimpy panty set that could of been from victoria secrets. She grumbles then transforms her clothing into a set of armor. Then she almost fell over from the weight of it. The more he kept trying to get her naked and the more she refused the funnier and funnier it got.
Favorite Quotes-
Mare to a guy customer-"The thing about chick flicks," Mare said to Algy, "is that chicks like them." She picked up Girls Gone Wild and handed it to Shawn. "Here's your dick flick. Enjoy."


Mare and a visiting vice president from the Video store as he is inspecting her unorthodox signs advertising certain movie genres......
Jude-"And the 'Cry Till You Puke' display?" Mare leaned closer trying to look confidential and trusting. "You know, weepers are not my thing. But if you're into them, you really want to go the whole way. Beaches, Terms of Endearment, Shadowlands...actually Shadowlands is a damn good movie. Anyways, you want to be pointed to the ones that are going to get you there. It's like emotional porn, you know? It isn't really the story that matters, it's getting that release."
"I see," Jude said, looking more interested.
"Because that's really what we're selling here," Mare said. "Emotional catharsis, vicarious release. You want to experience the hell of war without getting killed? We have 'Movies Your Recruiter Doesn't Want You to See.'"

Rating - 3 Stars

How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 313 pp
Isbn: 9781416525035
Published: January 2007
Challenge This covers #15 Read a book from the backlist of an author you enjoy for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: Jack Kincaid died as he had lived: awash in a haze of fine bourbon, his perfectly tailored coat pockets stuffed with his winnings from a night of wild gaming, and reeking faintly of the perfume of another man's wife.

Synopsis: It's hardly the type of wedding Fiona MacLean dreamed of. No family, no guests, just a groom who's been dragged -- literally -- to the altar. But if marriage to Black Jack Kincaid, the handsome wastrel she'd sworn never to see again, will avert a bloody war between their clans, so be it. Surely she can share his bed without losing her heart....

Known throughout Scotland and London as a wild rogue, Jack is accustomed to waking in dire situations, but...married? Long ago, he and Fiona reveled in a youthful passion. Now, the fiery, sensual lass is his once more. And though their marriage is in name only, Jack is determined to win her forever -- body and soul....


Random Thoughts -This book was cute. I love it when the women show the men that she can do just as he does. The old phrase "What's good for the goose is good for the gander". Which leads us into my favorite scene of the book....

Favorite Scene -When Fiona goes to a gambling house with another man. See Jack thinks since they are married all they have to do is procreate and the marriage doesn't have to change his carousing ways. So tired of sitting home alone Fiona decides to attend one of these places and tells the butler to tell her husband when he asked, that she went out "carousing". I was laughing so hard. Then when Jack finds her and Campbell he doesn't approach them but proceeds to make her jealous with talking with his ex lover. So Fiona and Campbell (who is very game) procede to do the same on their end to make Jack Jealous. Campbell even gets Fiona 3 drinks in a short period of time. They go to hit the dance floor when Jack has had enough and approaches them. He decks Campbell and grabs Fiona and throws her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I had the biggest smile plastered on my face while reading this scene. To me it shows he cares more then he wants to admit. I love the fact that Fiona was spunky enough to not act like a lady and do something about it.
Favorite Quotes-

As Fiona is being carried out of the gambling establishment she says "Your Hell on a woman's hair, Kincaid! I hope you know that!"

Rating - 4 Stars

Booking Through Thursday-Sept. 10th 2009

What’s the most informative book you’ve read recently?

For me it would have to be a book called.........

Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern by Joshua Zeitz

Technically I am not done with it. I am however on the last 2 chapters of the book. I have enjoyed the reading of it though. Really cool to see how and why some things seemed to have come about.

Tuesday Teasers - Sept. 8th 2009

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: * Grab your current read * Open to a random page * Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) * Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
MY TEASER

"Gorgeous men do not faze us Dreama," Mare said, giving the card back, reality making her cranky again. "They are merely flesh and blood, arranged in a pleasing manner. They too shall pass, while we remain immutable and eternal. And, of course, unfazable. That's why we rule the universe."

Page 46
The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Cruise, Eileen Dreyer, and Anne Stuart.