Pint-Sized 'Pinions: Historical Romances Edition

A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore
Forever (April 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0446540278
432 pages

The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-soldier had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he's convinced he's been betrayed.

Kate knows her duty to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett's powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen-and sizzling-kisses? Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way-the one that can separate Garrett and Kate forever.

My 'pinion: This romance is filled with complex characters and emotions. I enjoyed it very much, in large part due to Garrett's backstory. I didn't read the previous novel, A Hint of Wicked, but I kind of wish I did. Not because it was in any way confusing, but because I feel like I would have had a more complete and fulfilling reading experience that way. I did think that Garrett too easily believed the worst about Kate when the crap hit the fan, but the love story was still engaging. I definitely plan to pick up A Season of Seduction, which comes out in October and features Garrett's sister.

Grade: B+

Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan
HQN Books (January 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0373774395
352 pages

She was his last chance for a future of happiness…

A gifted fortune-teller from a humble background, Jenny can make even the most sophisticated skeptic believe her predictions simply by batting her smoky eyelashes. Until she meets her match in Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, a sworn bachelor and scientist.

He just didn't know it yet

Broodingly handsome, Gareth is scandalized to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of "Madame Esmerelda," and vows to prove Jenny a fraud. But his unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress defies logic. Jenny disrupts every facet of Gareth's calculated plan—until he can't decide whether to seduce her or ruin her. Now, as they engage in a passionate battle of wills, two lonely souls must choose between everything they know…and the boundless possibilities of love.

My 'pinion: I loved Milan's humor and the unique characters that she created. Not only was this story sweet, sexy and touching, but I also never knew what to expect. A very refreshing historical read. I'm looking forward to the story of Gareth's cousin Ned (who plays a large role in this one and is super adorable) in August's Trial by Desire. Milan's prequel novella, which features Gareth's man of business, can be found in The Heart of Christmas. It's called "This Wicked Gift" and it's just as good as Proof of Seduction.


Grade: A-

A Courtesan's Scandal (Scandal series, 4) by Julia London
Pocket (October 20, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1416547129
384 pages

Kate Bergeron is the beautiful and mysterious former mistress of a cloth merchant...and the latest beauty to capture the interest of the Prince of Wales. Mired in a disastrous divorce, the Prince attempts to distract attention from his next amorous pursuit by ordering Grayson Christopher, the eligible Duke of Darlington, to pretend to London society that he is having an affair with Kate. When Grayson reluctantly agrees to his Prince's demand, he finds the lady no more willing than he is. Kate will grudgingly act the part in public, but her favors are not for sale to any man. As Grayson and Kate mimic ardor for the world to see, they find what started as a deception becoming all too real. And when passion flames into love, their predicament becomes extreme. For while marriage between a duke and a courtesan could never happen, Kate knows in her heart that she is willing to accept nothing less....

My 'pinion: What I liked most about A Courtesan's Scandal was the heroine, Kate. I've read a few historicals with courtesans cast as the protagonist, however, London managed to make Kate refreshing. I liked that she was optimistic and sweet instead of jaded. On the other hand, my feelings for Grayson are lukewarm. It's not that I don't like him, I'm just indifferent. The story was a good one and it has convinced me to try the previous books in this series, including: Highland Scandal, The Book of Scandal and Snowy Nights with a Stranger, which has London's novella "Snowy Nights with a Highlander" in it.


Grade: B

At the Duke's Pleasure (The Byrons of Braebourne, 3) by Tracy Anne Warren
Avon (January 12, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0061673429
384 pages

All the Byrons are just as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know" as their famous non-relation . . . but now the time has come for the eldest son to marry . . .

Edward Byron, Duke of Clybourne, has everything a man in Society needs . . . except a wife. Duty requires he wed, so he decides that a long-standing arranged marriage will do nicely. He knows his bride is beautiful, biddable, and bright enough to run his household and nursery. He expects his betrothed, Lady Claire Marsden, will be thrilled with his decision—unfortunately, she's not!

Claire has longed for Edward since she was sixteen, but how can he expect her to agree to his proposal when he barely knows her and doesn't love her? Nothing will convince her to accept a loveless marriage. And so she begins a battle of outrageous resistance, forcing Edward to learn that he must lose his heart in order to win his bride.

My 'pinion: I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed in this one. I loved Seduced by His Touch (see my review). While I ended up having an overall pleasant reading experience, I found this one to start too slow. On top of that, Claire's short-sightedness and stubbornness started to grate on my nerves after a while. Still, the romance was sweet. I'm hoping that I like next one in this series, Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed, better though.


Grade: C

Seduce Me (The Legend Hunters, 1) by Robyn DeHart
Forever (August 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0446542005
320 pages

Fielding Grey is the second son of the Marquess of Eldon and fortune hunter by night. He's on a mission for the Legend Hunters--a group of wealthy, titled, and heart-breakingly gorgeous men, each of whom are after the find of the century--he has his eyes set on obtaining the illustrious Pandora's Box. But before he finds it, he encounters an equally alluring treasure--the woman bold enough to look inside.

Esme Worthington can't resist taking the tiniest peek inside when fate drops the real Pandora's Box in her lap. Thus, she unleashes one of Pandora's irresistible curses: the curse of lust. Now, both Esme and Fielding must deal with this passionate curse--or blessing?--before unknown implications of Pandora's Box overpower them both.

My 'pinion: The premise was unique and interesting but the romance was kind of dull. There wasn't a lack of a spark. It's just that Esme and Fielding weren't very memorable characters. That said, I did find one of the  secondary characters, Maxwell Barrett, intriguing. Since I enjoyed the adventure feel of this book, I'll give the follow-up Desire Me (which stars Maxwell and is released this June) a try.


Grade: C-
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Each synopsis is from Amazon


All books were review copies provided by the publishers


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