The Seduction of Sebastian St. James

The Seduction of Sebastian St. James

Written By Rachel Van Dyken

Grade: A

Kindle Price: $2.99

Sensuality

Hot

       I love, love, love this book! Careful though, because sparks are flying between this hero and heroine in Rachel Van Dyken's The Seduction of Sebastian St. James.

       Sebastian St. James, the Duke of Tempest, also known as "The Angel Duke", is forever praised on his stunning reputation. The man avoids scandal at every turn, in fear of bringing shame to his family name. He's come to stay with Nicholas Devons, the Earl of Renwick, to find the perfect wife this London season. He's searching for an unblemished wife throughout the ton, and is determined to find her. What he didn't plan on was meeting Miss Emma Gates, a wealthy viscount's unruly, hoydenish daughter.

       Miss Emma Gates has been shamed. In her younger years, she enjoyed dancing the ways of a gypsy in her family cabin, alone. One day, when she arrived in the cabin to dance, a frightening man approached her and tried to attack her. Fortunately and Unfortunately, her betrothed, Phillip Crawford, the future Earl of Rawlings, and her parents, arrived at the cabin just in time to save her innocence. No one believed her story of being attacked, and they believed she welcomed the man's intentions. Phillip broke off the engagement, and the scandal was covered up, but Emma was still left with permanent memories and regrets.

       About four years later, Emma decides she'd like to enter into society and search for a husband who might have her. She resides at her cousin's town house in London, Lord and Lady Renwick.

       Sebastian and Emma meet, giving Sebastian ideas about Emma and her beauty, that is until she begins to act unruly and improper. Although, he cannot take his mind off the one woman who seems to challenge him at every turn, yet he knows she wouldn't suit for marriage. But when the two are caught in an embrace at a ball, and Lord Renwick wants revenge, Emma and Sebastian are announced to be searching for a spouse. To keep back suitors, Emma and Sebastian pretend their engagement, in the meanwhile, they must search for the perfect wife/husband for the other. With igniting passion between the two, you can only imagine the issues headed their way.

       As Emma comes to want Sebastian for her own, will she try to seduce him into marrying her, bringing only scandal to his name, or will she let the one man she's come to care for slip from her very clutches to save his honor? Will she even tell him of her scandal? Find out in this wonderful Regency romance by Rachel Van Dyken, The Seduction of Sebastian St. James.

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The Duke's Redemption

The Duke's Redemption

Written By Carla Capshaw

Grade: B+

Kindle Price: $3.79

Sensuality

Mild

       Brace yourself for this heart-breaker. Set in 1782, nearly the end of the American Revolution, Miss Elise Cooper works as the Patriot spy in Charles Towne, South Carolina. Unfortunetly, her "dear, and close friend/spy" known as Hawk, turns out to be a Brit and means to turn Elise, also known as "The Fox", to the Redcoats. As the two struggle, in accidently firing, Hawk is shot and killed.

       Now, Elise escapes British holdings and flees to safety of her American spymaster, Zechariah Sayer and close friend, whom is also a spy, Christian Sayer. Elise learns to hide her identity from the British, and she tries to survive throughout the war as a spy.

       Little does Elise know, Hawk's brother, Drake Amberly, the Duke of Hawk Haven, just so happens to arrive in the colonies in search of his brother's murderer, Fox. Drake arrives and meets Elise at a ball as a trader thinking of shipping with Zechariah between the colonies and England. It's Elise's job to figure out Drake's secrets.

       While Elise is suppose to be spying on Drake to release her enslaved sister from Zechariah's control, she comes to fall more and more for this mysterious man everyday. Elise begins to think that Drake has nothing to do with the war, and soon they marry. All the while, Drake is searching for The Fox before he returns to England with Elise, and soon his spies catch up to The Fox.

       In this Historical Romance novel, with an inspirational Christian view, Drake and Elise are truly put to the ultimate test in overcoming their fears, hatred, and secrets in a time of war. Can Drake forgive Elise for her betrayal to the Mother Country? In her betrayal to him? And her committed crimes? Find out in Carla Capshaw's great novel, "The Duke's Redemption".

       Personally, I loved this novel. It showed Elise and Drake's struggle throughout the war, their hate, and their love. Capshaw included many examples for others to see how you can look to God when in need of help, and how he answers our prayers. I would definitely recommend this novel, and I'm sure it will inspire others too.

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His Lady Mistress

His Lady Mistress

Written By Elizabeth Rolls

Grade: A

Kindle Price: $3.82

Sensuality

Hot

                God, I forgot how much I love this book! I knew it was definitely on my top-favorites list, but re-reading it gave me flashback chills! As my first historical romance novel, thus initiating my love for all things historical (and romance), I will forever love this novel. Elizabeth Rolls is a master in writing, she's very descriptive (you'll soon find that out once you read something of hers), and I just cannot get enough of her heart-wrenching plots! Her characters are always sweet, vulnerable, and strong when need be. How could one ever resist a book like that? My point exact- you must read His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls. Must.
               
                And so their story begins. Max, the Earl of Blakehurst, served in a British regiment during the French Revolutionary War at Waterloo. There, he is saved by his captain, William Scott. In his rescue, Scott loses his arm. This injury brings havoc into the Scott family's life, and when Mrs. Scott passes away, William soon succumbs to Laudanum and commits suicide. There to witness his death is his loyal daughter, Verity.
                The same night of William's "funeral", Verity hides from the grave-diggers to leave her father flowers at his unmarked grave. When a dark man came riding to Verity's side and help her back home, he cooks a meal for her, dries her clothing from the rain, and makes sure she has a ready break fast in the morning, but he is never seen again. Verity is forever grateful to him, but now as an orphan child, she goes to live with her aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Faringdon, but they are extremely devious. They force Verity to use a new name, "Selena". She becomes like a servant in the household, and her distant relatives believe she committed suicide as well.
                Five years later, Lord Blakehurst visits the Faringson's home in search of their niece, Verity Scott. He is told that Verity committed suicide, and now he feels responsible for leaving her the night of William Scott's funeral. As time passes, the pretty maid, known as Selena, shows great bravery towards her employers, and Max feels a strong attraction to this girl. He feels compelled to help her out of this abusive house, and so he offers her protection as his mistress.
                Little does Max know, Selena is truly Verity Scott. When he finally convinces her to become his mistress, Max unknowingly takes her innocence. Afterwards, Verity agrees to Max taking her back to London from the Faringdons, but soon he discovers her true identity. He feels betrayed and that he owed the man who saved his life better than to seduce his daughter. But due to his responsibility and honor for the girl, and William Scott, Max decides to marry her, even though his mother made a deathbed-promise never to marry.
                Their entire relationship plays out through their marriage of up and downs, miscommunication issues, and having lack of trust.
                Will Max and Verity be able to rebind their relationship together and fight through their past and emotional issues? Will they ever be able to find trust in each other's arms, when all along that's where they've wanted to be?
                Find out in Elizabeth Rolls' wonderful novel, His Lady Mistress.

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When a Duke Says I Do

When a Duke Says I Do

Written By Jane Goodger

Grade: B+

Kindle Price: $4.61

Sensuality

Steamy/Hot

                I was on a car ride towards Florida coming from New York, and scanning through the Kindle Store, I found When a Duke Says I Do. From the blurb, I was excited for this book, especially with a Kindle rating of 4.5 stars! My theory is that almost every time you find a Kindle book with ratings of 4.5+ it will be well worth your pennies! With this warmhearted story, my theory stays true. This tale is sweet, gentle (of course there's moments of conflict where you just want to wring the hero/heroine's neck!!), and I was completely satisfied for a trip 19 hours in the car.

                Elsie Stanhope is a unique young girl who resides with her father, the Baron of Huntington, in Nottinghamshire. Years ago, her beloved twin sister and mother had passed, leaving Elsie with an emptiness robbing her of sleep in her own bed.

                Elsie has been engaged to the future Duke of Kingston ever since she's been a child. Oscar Wilkinson is currently believed to be the Marquess of Hathwaite, and the next man in line for the title of the Duke of Kingston. Neither Elsie nor Oscar wants to marry, but Oscar is frightened by his father's wrath; therefore he must marry. Huntington was paid a large sum for a trade and in return also was given the Duke of Kingston for his daughter to marry. For this reason alone, Elsie feels she cannot disobey her father.

                When Elsie plans on having a mural painted of her favorite memories with her deceased sister, the muralist assistant turns out to be the fantastic main artist. Elsie will keep his secret, but she is intrigued by him and wants to learn of his mysterious past. The assistant, Alexander, does not like to speak to people, but finally opens up to Elsie.

                Alexander paints the same image of Elsie's dream past; for he grew up as a boy with the same fond memories there. The only problem is, Alexander is the true future Duke of Kingston, but he refuses to return to his duties. Elsie and he fall in love, but cannot marry because he is only a "muralist's assistant".

                Will Alexander open up to Elsie on his past and true identity to win back his title and claim the love of his life? Find out in this charming story, When a Duke Says I Do.

                Issues (***SPOILERS***):

                Ending felt a bit rushed for me, when I was expecting a superb, sweet scene. It irritated me how they didn't completely resolve their issues until the epilogue, and that they just said, "we have problems, but let's just act as though it never happened meanwhile we're still frustrated with each other" or at least that's how it was implied. Over all, this is still a great love story and I recommend it anyway!

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Whitney, My Love

Whitney, My Love

Written by Judith McNaught

Grade: A

Sensuality

Hot

            Whitney, My Love, by Judith McNaught, was an absolute buy for me. Many people are controversial over McNaught's writings, but personally, I love her. I started Whitney, My Love with great expectations, and I was not disappointed.

            Whitney Stone comes off as a wild, reckless fifteen year old girl who would do anything to win the love of her childhood friend, Paul Sevarin. Paul is the most handsome, charming man in her small village. To the public's eye, Whitney disgraces her father with every childish act committed, no matter how hard she tries to please the people in her life. She wants nothing more than to become the new wife of Paul, whom by the way, wants nothing to do with this awkward young chit. Whitney tries to impress him with her tricks on top of her horse, but she can never look as beautiful as his lover, Elizabeth. Whitney dresses as a young boy, often found in breeches, and appears highly unattractive to people.

            Whitney's father is high in debt, and when Whitney's Aunt Anne and Uncle Gilbert come to visit, they inform her that she will be returning to France for a few years. They plan on making an advantageous match in France for Whitney, although at the rate of things, her chances are slim. No one would have guessed that Whitney would have become an absolute belle of the ton, attracting every man in the ballroom, and owning the jealous eyes of the women.

            Whitney transforms, bringing in many proposals, but only to be rejected by Uncle Gilbert. Whitney seems to be enjoying herself, but the entire time she has her future with Paul in her mind. Whitney plans on returning to her father, making him proud with her success, and winning Paul's heart into marriage.

            One night at a masquerade, Whitney is intrigued by a masked devil. He appears dangerous and alluring, and when they dance together, she is transfixed. This mystery man takes her to the side and tries to make his move, but she is offended and so he begins his chase. This mysterious devil turns out to be the oh-so very handsome and powerful Clayton Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. When Clayton is determined to win Whitney's hand at any cost, he offers her father for 100 000 Euros to pay off his debt.

            Whitney stuns many, including the world renowned French rake, Nicolas DuVille. He plans on marrying Whitney, but is only shut down when she says they are more like siblings or friends. DuVille is persistent, so he plans on meeting back up with her when she returns to England.

            Her father agrees to this arrangement of marriage, but Clayton wants Whitney to know none of this agreement, and to keep his identity unknown when he decides to become neighbors with the Stones. Whitney's father has her return to their village, and she is frightened to know what people think of her drastic change, especially Paul.

            Everyone is astonished by the beauty that returns to England whom was once a strange tom-boy. Whitney believes Paul is falling in love for her, except there is one problem. Her new neighbor, who her father seems so determined to introduce her to, is a rakishly-handsome man who stirs the desire in her.

            This man appears familiar, but she doesn't recognize his name, Clayton Westland. Not until later on does she find out that he is truly Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke, and they are already engaged. Because of the sums of money paid, Whitney cannot back down from the engagement, but she plans an elopement with Paul, even though she has passion with the Duke like no other.

            Whitney, My Love is an overall sweet, romantic story that knows how to bring on the tears and laughter all at once. Read of the betrayal, tenderness, jealously, hurt, and love found in Whitney, My Love. As Whitney's entire world becomes turned upside-down, will she ever find love? Whom will she choose? This is a great read so don't pass it up! I recommend the rest of McNaught's novels continuing after Whitney, My Love as well. So grab some popcorn, chocolates, tissues and a blanket for this fantastic read about everlasting love!

            Please check out more of Judith McNaught's books at http://www.mcnaughtized.com.See more reviews on historical romances that may appeal to you at my homepage!

CONTROVERSY(***SPOILER***):

            McNaught includes a "rape" scene between main characters that may offend some readers, causing a disappointment in the book. If you are completely against reading anything of rape between the two lovers, please think twice about this book, for you may not want to spend your money.

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