Review: Gambled Away

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Sheila

Gambled Away: A Historical Romance Anthology by Joanna Bourne, Isabel Cooper, Rose Lerner, Jeannie Lin, Molly O'Keefe
Series: Lotus Palace #2.5, Into the Wild #3, Spymasters #5.5
on May 31st 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 600
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an anthology of five historical romance novellas all with a connection to gambling. I found the collection uneven but I decided on a 4 rating because I absolutely loved two of the stories, and liked one.

ALL OR NOTHING by Rose Lerner: A regency romance, in this story Simon Radcliffe- Gould is an architect who needs someone to pose as his mistress so that he can get work done at a scandalous house party and allow him to avoid a former lover. Maggie da Silva is in charge of a gambling den and wants Simon so she arranges to lose her favors to him one evening. She is happy to be his mistress but suffers some disappointment when she realizes he only wants her to pretend.

I honestly thought this novella was a bit of a mess. There were too many issues: Simon has a former male lover who still wants him and Simon hasn’t dealt with his feelings either; Maggie is Jewish and is just discovering her own heritage that was suppressed in her family; Maggie’s friend with benefit and partner is off threatening their relationship and business; Maggie has a bad reputation and thus when Simon begins to think of a future with her, he knows his family will reject her. For me, there was just too much going on in this book to be satisfying. In addition, any romance that ends like a potential business deal rather than emotion isn’t satisfying. There isn’t really chemistry between Simon (who seems more emotionally connected with his friend and former lover) and Maggie. When Simon says in essence “I’ve been in love before and if things don’t work out, I will probably be in love again” it just doesn’t make me interested in the story of these two. Rating: 1.5 stars.

THE LIAR’S DICE by Jeannie Lin: The book takes place during the Tang Dynasty in China. Lady Bai dreams of freedom from her role as an obedient daughter. Dressing in men’s clothing she visits a public tea garden where she witnesses a murder. A man she met there, Gao helps her investigate the crime where she confronts the possibility of her own brother’s involvement.

This is a story that I should not have liked. More mystery than anything, the heroine and “hero” spend only a little time together. This is not a romance is a classical sense and I’m not even sure if it has a happy ending. Despite or maybe because of this, I really loved this story. Unique and fascinating because the heroine has a strength and determination that transcends the normal romantic desires. The historical period is not one normally written about in the romance genre so I found it intriguing. The reactions and concerns of the characters felt real and well grounded in historical fact. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I certainly will after reading this one. Warning: not a traditional HEA. Rating: 4.5 stars.

RAISING THE STAKES by Isabel Cooper: This book takes place in California during the 1930s. Sam is a survivor who cheats or plays cards of does whatever needs to be done in order to help her family back home. She wins a flute in a card game which ends up summoning an elven warrior, Talathan. Sam decides to use Talathan’s abilities to help her swindle a crooked preacher in order to save her family’s farm.

This story suffers from its short length. There are just too many questions that remain and these characters are not investigated enough to make this a satisfying read for me. The introduction of Talathan as an elf raises the question of who are his people and why is he there. I think if this was a longer story, the characters and situation have the possibility of being a really interesting story. As it is, I was left wanting more. Rating: 2.5 stars.

REDEEMED by Molly O’Keefe: James Madison is a former Union doctor during the Civil War who has struggled since the war and what he saw. His reaction has made him lose faith in himself and separated him from his work and those around him. One night he ends up meeting Helen Winters who is being kept to sing in a birdcage. Whether she is a captive or something else is going on is something that James can’t seem to put aside.

This story is complicated and dark in many ways. The story captures the mood after the Civil War with bitter divisions remaining. Addiction, PTSD, grief, anger, desperation are all dealt with here in a raw and open manner. I especially loved how James and Helen acknowledge that their needs have the possibility of being the reason these two are attracted to one another — desperation and need rather than love. Never fear, however, because there is a happy ending that felt realistic and satisfying. Rating: 4 stars.

GIDEON AND THE DEN OF THIEVES by Joanna Bourne: Georgian romance that takes place in London. Gideon Gage has traveled the world making his fortune and has returned to London to face the thieving gang and Lazarus, its crime lord, that has kidnapped his sister. During his quest, he meets Aimee Beauclerc, one of the gang. Aimee fled from her home during the French Revolution and ended up being sold to Lazarus. She now appraises stolen goods. She agrees to help Gideon with his sister in order to protect her friends who are members of the gang from the man who is attempting to take Lazarus’s place.

I was amazed at how much detail, character development and plotline Bourne manages to get into this novella while making the story comprehensible and satisfying. Fans of her Spymaster series will get appearances by some of the characters from the other novels. (Hawker! Hawker! Hawker!). At the same time, this book can be read completely on its own without needing information about those characters. I love how Bourne depicts characters with damage and flaws and shows them worthy of love. This is combined with a unparalleled sense of place that is different from almost every other romance out there. Rating: 4.5 stars.

Review: Adored in Autumn

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Sheila

Adored in Autumn (Seasons Book 4) by Jess Michaels
Series: Seasons #4
Published by Passionate Pen on January 10th 2017
Genres: Historical
Pages: 213
Goodreads
four-stars

“He kissed her because he loved her. And he had never stopped loving her for one moment in all the years they’d been apart. Even when he wanted to. Even when he tried.”

FINAL DECISION: I love the cross-class story where the man is of the lower class. Here, there was a bit of angst, a bit of drama and I really liked that the characters knew the value of characters over title or privilege.

THE STORY: Felicity, Viscountess Barbridge, killed her abusive husband in self-defense. Now her secret is in the hands of her family’s enemy. In order to track down the potential blackmailer, her brothers call in Asher Seyton, solicitor and financial advisor, to help with the financial investigation. Asher is the son of a servant and grew up with Felicity and her brother. Asher broke Felicity’s heart when after a kiss, he left her. Now Felicity and Asher have to face their long ago feelings and the current threat on Felicity’s future.

OPINION: I love books with cross-class romances — especially ones where the man is of a lower class because it upends the normal trope. Here, Felicity is an aristocratic woman, the daughter of an earl and Asher is the son of her father’s valet. The two were children together and friends (along with Felicity’s two older brothers). As Felicity grew up, however, an attraction grew between Felicity and Asher. At her debut six years ago, the two had their first and last kiss as Asher left the next day. Felicity married the Viscount who beat and abused her. Now Asher has returned at Felicity brother’s request because Felicity is in danger.

In the prior book in the series, an enemy of the family has found out that Felicity killed her abusive husband in self-defense. The potential blackmailer must be tracked down before the secret is revealed, ruining Felicity and her family. This plot moves the story along, but the center of this book is the romance between Felicity and Asher.

Felicity is a woman who has closed herself off after her horrible marriage. Fear, disappointment, lack of trust in herself and others dominate her life now. When Asher returns, Felicity begins to feel again and wonders if she can at least have a sexual relationship free from fear.

Asher and Felicity are good people who got torn apart by their class differences. Asher feels keenly the class differences. I thought this book did a really good job of showing that even if Felicity *thinks* that the two of them were always equal, Asher’s reality was something different.

There is something very sweet and gentle about these characters together and yet their is definite heat in their relationship. I liked these characters quite a bit and the story is not dark or angst filled but rather is about two people working their way through past obstacles and finding a future together.

This is an enjoyable read and a fine conclusion to series as it wraps up the ongoing storylines and gives readers a look at all the characters coming together and solving the mysteries that have arisen.

WORTH MENTIONING: Everyone gets what they deserve in the end.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ADORED IN AUTUMN is the fourth and final book in the Seasons series. The romance in this book is self contained by there are continuing storylines that depend upon the prior books in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Review: Waiting for an Earl Like You

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Sheila

Waiting For an Earl Like You (Masters of Seduction, #3) by Alexandra Hawkins
Series: Masters of Seduction #3
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on January 3rd 2017
Genres: Historical
Pages: 352
Goodreads
two-stars

FINAL DECISION: This book was fine, but I never felt compelled to find out what happened. The story moved too slowly to build up interest and the premise of twin switching without the heroine knowing the difference seemed too unlikely unless the men dressed identically all the time.

THE STORY: Justin Reeve Netherwood, Earl of Kempthorn nicknamed Thorn has a twin brother Gideon. The two have been at odds for years. Now that Gideon has returned from his travels, a woman from their childhood has returned to their lives. Miss Olivia Lydall has been friends with Gideon for years. When she seeks him out asking for advice, Gideon kisses her instead. What Olivia doesn’t know is that it is actually Thorn who is kissing her. Thorn can’t tell her but intends on nudging her away from any potential interest in Gideon. Unfortunately for Thorn, he wants her for himself but can’t tell her the truth.

OPINION: The premise of this book interested me, but the execution left me finishing the book but having little interest in reading more.

The idea of a man impersonating his twin and falling for a woman while he becomes twisted in his own lies seemed intriguing as a premise. But the execution of the story left me stopping and starting this book and instead of being wrapped up in the story, I started nitpicking it. I never got past the idea that a grown man could impersonate his own twin brother again and again — while the two men were in the same place. I kept thinking that either these men strangely dress identically as adults or the heroine must be incredibly unobservant.

I never could care very much about these characters. The idea of the reserved, brooding brother being in love with the woman who has a friendship with the reckless more open brother seemed interesting, but I didn’t like Thorn much for how he was entirely willing to impersonate his brother. He didn’t seem as heroic because it seemed that he had no good reason for doing so other than the fact that he and his brother have switched before.

This was an okay read. The story itself was well written and there were some very funny moments, but it isn’t a book I would pick up again.

WORTH MENTIONING: There are appearances by characters from the other books in the series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WAITING FOR AN EARL LIKE YOU is the third book in the Masters of Seduction series. I have not read any of the other books in the series. This book works fine as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 2 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Review: Lord of the Privateers

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Sheila

Lord of the Privateers (The Adventurers Quartet, #4) by Stephanie Laurens
Published by MIRA on December 27th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Exciting and adventurous conclusion to the Adventurers Quartet, this is a second chance at love story. The focus here is more on the adventure than the romance, but I enjoyed both. The only negative is that I didn’t like that the entire set up was because the two characters didn’t talk to one another for important things for years.

THE STORY: Royd Frobisher, the eldest brother, is prepared to take on the final leg of the rescue mission that his brothers have been participating in. The brothers are working for the English government to try and find out what is happening to people going missing in the West African town. Royd’s younger brothers have discovered that the people going missing have been captured by slavers and taken to work in a diamond mine. Now it is time for the rescue to happen. Just at this moment, Isobel Carmichael comes to Royd and insists that he take her to search for her missing cousin Katherine (whose story is told in Book 3 of the series). Isobel is Royd’s childhood sweetheart, the woman who was Royd’s handfasted bride until she broke off with him. Isobel is also Royd’s current business partner. Royd ends up agreeing with Isobel’s demand in order to discover what if anything still exists between them. When the two find a surprise aboard Royd’s ship, everything changes.

OPINION: This was a very enjoyable conclusion to the Adventurers Quartet. There is a lot of action in this book and readers of the series are rewarded with a full cast of characters from the series. The only criticism is that this book is more focused on the adventure than the romance. The romance is there, but it is less developed on a page to page basis than one might expect.

Isobel is a strong woman. She is a ship designer and in charge of her family’s shipbuilding business. She and Royd have been connected to one another since childhood. She also has a big secret that she has been hiding.

One of my favorite parts of Laurens’s books is that she has such tough heroines. Strong willed, smart, unwilling to be pushed aside or protected, they make their own decisions and take their own risks. Isobel and the other Frobisher women quickly build a bond. There is something special about the power of women working together. A companionship. A joint effort that shows the power that women can have working together.

Royd is a man who lost the woman he loved and is determined to not make the same mistakes again. He is a natural leader and wants to protect Isobel but recognizes that he cannot smother her. I loved the maturity of Royd. The willingness to make concessions to get what he wants — Isobel.

The biggest weakness of this book is the reason that Isobel and Royd fell apart years ago. I’m not a fan of people failing to talk and that causing problems for a couple. I really have a hard time believing that these two could have allowed so many years to go by without addressing their past. However, that is something that I could reluctantly accept in order to set the stage for this story.

I thought the strength of this story was the adventure story. The pacing of the rescue of the captives and the revelation of the people in charge worked very well. Using a large cast of characters from the series, Laurens neatly wrapped up all the loose ends.

WORTH MENTIONING: Fans of Stephanie Laurens will be treated to appearances by characters from the Bastion Club series and the Cynsters themselves.

CONNECTED BOOKS: LORD OF THE PRIVATEERS is the fourth and final book in the Adventurers Quartet. The book assumes knowledge of the prior books in the series and should be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: Four Weddings and a Sixpence

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Sheila

Four Weddings and a Sixpence: An Anthology by Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Boyle, Stefanie Sloane, Laura Lee Guhrke
Published by Avon on December 27th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-half-stars

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe.”

This is an anthology of four stories about four friends from Madame Rochambeaux’s Gentle School for Girls and the sixpence coin which brings each of them a husband.

SOMETHING OLD by Julia Quinn: This is the prologue to the stories and introduces the four heroines: Miss Beatrice Heywood, Miss Cordelia Padley, Lady Elinor Daventry and Miss Anne Barbourne. The four find a old coin which they agree to use to find their husband and if it works, they will pass it along to the next girl. For a prologue, this one managed to pack a lot of information into a few pages. It definitely made me want to know more about these girls. Rating: 5 stars.

SOMETHING NEW by Stefanie Sloane: Miss Anne Brabourne has an uncle as a guardian who has declared that she must marry by her twenty-first birthday. Anne, however, doesn’t really want to marry but if she does she certainly doesn’t want to marry for love. Her parents tempestuous relationship has soured her on the idea of passion and love. Rhys Alexander Hamilton, Duke of Dorset is a man determined not to marry until he has no choice meets Anne and is charmed by her. He doesn’t fit Anne’s ideal husband (he will never be easily controlled) but he proposes that he help her find a husband.

This was a sweet little story. I liked the characters and I liked their situation. Both Anne and Rhys have reasons to not recognize that they are falling in love and yet their connection pulls them together throughout the story. I found this story charming. The only thing that didn’t fit was the obligatory sex scene which I thought did not actually fit with these characters. Rating: 4 stars.

SOMETHING BORROWED by Elizabeth Boyle: Miss Cordelia Padley grew up rich but at her father’s death she learned that he was squandered his entire fortune. She has another, more pressing problem. She has three aunts who are determined to find her a husband, so Cordelia has made up a betrothed to stop their efforts. Now that one of her dearest friends is marrying, Cordelia has to produce that betrothed or admit her deception. She goes looking for a temporary fiance to produce and then have him jilt her. Winston Christopher Talcott, Earl of Thornton needs rich bride to save his failing estate. Just when he is about to get engaged to an heiress, Cordelia comes back into Kipp’s life and turns it upside down.

This was a wonderful story. I loved the connection between Cordelia and Kipp. They had a sweet and childhood friends to lovers story. This was a story that was so good that I could have read a whole book about these two. Cordelia finds her old friend and is dismayed that he never had the chance to fulfill his dreams. Kipp finds a vivacious woman who makes him believe in his dreams again even has his goals have changed. I loved the hope and joy these two bring to one another. Yes, the resolution was predicable (I figured it out from the beginning), but the story was so good that I was willing to go along with the predicable solution. Everything worked for me. Rating: 4.5 stars.

SOMETHING BLUE by Laura Lee Guhrke: Lady Elinor Daventry is determined to marry the son of a duke to help save her father from the investigation by Lawrence Blackthorne who is determined to prove her father is a criminal. Ellie and Lawrence were childhood friends who were in love and set to marry until he chose his duty and honor over their love and she chose her father over their love. Lawrence steals the sixpence in order to prevent Ellie’s marriage.

This was an enjoyable story because Ellie and Lawrence are such combative towards one another. The two have deep unresolved feelings even though they are on opposing sides regarding Ellie’s father. There is some serious push and pull between them as they clearly love one another and yet neither can abandon their principles. The interactions between the two were funny and yet sad as it seems at times that these two will not be able to find a way to be together. I like my books with some angst and drama and this one fulfills those requirements. Rating: 4 stars.

…AND A SIXPENCE IN HER SHOE by Julia Quinn: Miss Beatrice Mary Heywood plans never to marry but rather to care for her aunts who took her in when she was orphaned. She takes the coin only reluctantly, but she has the coin when she literally runs into Lord Frederick Grey-Osbourne on the street. Frederick is sensitive to his looks because of an accident which left him with a scar and blinded in one eye, but he finds himself intrigued by the academic minded Bea who has a passion for astronomy.

Bea and Frederick are so cute together. This is another story that I could have read an entire book about. There is an awkwardness and a pure sweetness of these two being interested in one another. There are meddling aunts, sexy scientific talk, deep empathy and even some sexy moments. There is a wonderful scene between them (I don’t want to give it away) but it is all about trust and vulnerability between them. I loved that scene. This was my favorite story in the anthology and it struck the perfect ending note for me. Rating: 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Review: The Longest Night

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Sheila

The Longest Night: Fantasy Romance (Nvengaria Book 4) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Nvengaria #4
on December 13th 2016
Genres: Historical, Paranormal
Pages: 98
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: This is a nice novella with some suspense and the romance between a half human, half logosh shapeshifter who acts as spy and assassin for Nvengaria and the Scottish widow who entranced him a year ago. It’s a fun read with some emotional moments.

THE STORY: Mary Cameron a Scottish widow with a seventeen year old son is lonely. A year ago, she met Baron Valentin a shapeshifting logosh from Nvengonia. The two shared some kisses and Valentin asked her to join him in Nvengaria. She never showed. Now the two meet again in London and Valentin has no intention on allowing Mary to escape him again.

OPINION: This novella like the other Nvengarian stories are a combination of historical and paranormal fantasy with a fairy tale aspect.

In this story Mary is a woman of thirty-five who has a seventeen year old son. The world tells her that she should be satisfied with being a widow and mother and respectable chaparone and not be concerned with love or sex. But she can’t help thinking about both when around the sexy, younger man, Valentin. She thought about following Valentin to Nvengaria a year ago but got cold feet thinking about who he is. The truth is that they didn’t know each other very well for her to give up everything to follow him.

Valentin is a man who has lived with the desire for revenge and the regret of making mistakes. He now wants to be with the lovely widow. He has been sent to London to spy on a potential traitor. But he has an ulterior motive…he wants to see Mary again. Outwardly self-contained but passionate, Valentin has no intention of allowing Mary to slip past him again.

I liked the older woman, younger man story here and I liked how honest Valentin was with Mary. He admires her for all her strengths. There is a decent suspense story here involving Valentin’s mission. Because of the length of this novella, there is less plot and character development, but that works here because Mary and Valentin have a simple story between them and need the small plot to keep the story moving.

This was an enjoyable read and is a definite need to read for those who liked HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER and want to know what happens after…

WORTH MENTIONING: THE LONGEST NIGHT was originally published in A CHRISTMAS BALL. This version has been edited and expanded by the author.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE LONGEST NIGHT is the fourth book in the Nvengaria series. The romance in this book begins in HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER and I recommend reading that book first even though the events in that book are explained here.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Review: Highlander Ever After

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Sheila

Highlander Ever After (Nvengaria, #3) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Nvengaria #3
Published by Leisure Books on April 1st 2008
Genres: Historical, Paranormal
Pages: 323
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable read but not as good as the second book in this series. I enjoyed the relationship between Zarabeth and Egan but for me the conflict wasn’t strong enough to justify the time these two were at odds.

THE STORY: Egan MacDonald has loved Zarabeth for years. Despite her marriage to another man, he has not been able to forget her. When her husband plots a coup against her cousin, the Prince of Nvengaria, Zarabeth reveals the plot and is now in danger for her life. Zarabeth’s cousin sends her to his friend Egan in Scotland for protection. Zarabeth is not the exuberant woman that Egan remembered. While Zarabeth is in danger, Egan and Zarabeth have the chance to rediscover a path together that they missed years ago.

OPINION: This is a second chance at love story about a woman who has been deeply hurt and the man she always loved. Zarabeth and Egan are a good match for one another despite his attempts to keep her at arms length. He loves her but he doesn’t believe himself good enough for her.

While there are magical elements in this story, the core is the relationship between Zarabeth and Egan. Her desire for him and her fears as a result of her marriage, his desire for her competing with his belief in his inadequacies.

I liked the romance here which was quiet and took a while for the two to work through their problems.

For me the negative of this book was that the conflict was not strong enough to really justify these two being at odds for so long.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book introduces the couple for the novella THE LONGEST NIGHT.

CONNECTED BOOKS: HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER is the third book in the Nvengaria series. This book can be read as a standalone because the romance is self-contained although there are overlapping characters.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Review: I Will

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Sheila

I Will: A Christmas Novella by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Capital Theatre #2.5
Published by Avon Impulse on December 13th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 144
Goodreads
three-half-stars

“She was pure. He was tarnished. She was honest. He tailored the truth to fit his own purposes. She was self-disciplined. He had never restrained himself in any regard. She was calm and serene. He had never known a moment’s peace in his life. Andrew envied her, and so he had mocked her mercilessly on the few previous occasions when they had met.

“Now Caroline hated him, and he had come to ask for a favor — a favor he desperately needed.”

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable followup to BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE about the younger disreputable brother. A reformed rake story, this is sweet but a little rushed as a novella.

THE STORY: Andrew, Lord Drake, dissolute rake, has been disinherited by his dying father. In order to regain his inheritance, Andrew devises a plan to court a thoroughly respectable woman in order to demonstrate to his father that he is reforming his life. The only woman he can imagine helping him is his friend’s older sister, the proper Miss Caroline Hargreaves.

OPINION: This was a very enjoyable read, but I think it is better as an add on to the previous book in the series. To truly understand Andrew’s journey, I felt I needed to know what he was like in the previous book.

I did like the relationship between Andrew and Caroline (although I wish we had seen more of their developing relationship which occurs mostly offstage). There is a long distance for Andrew to travel to be a good man. This novella has some quite funny moments, including Caroline’s Christmas wish which might be one of my favorite moments I’ve read in a while. Funny and a sense of justice.

I’m glad that Andrew got his redemption and it is even better that it is as a result of his own attempts at outsmarting his father. Instead he managed to get his own comeuppance. This book had a little flavor of DEVIL IN WINTER (a superlative book). This novella doesn’t reach the heights of that book, but the rake who finds his schemes with an innocent woman resulting in him wanting to turn his own life around to be worthy of her is very similar here.

I enjoyed this story especially for readers who enjoyed BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE.

WORTH MENTIONING: This novella was previously published in the anthology WISH LIST.

CONNECTED BOOKS: I WILL is book 2.5 of the Capital Theatre series. It can be read as a standalone, but is better after reading book two of the series.

STAR RATING: I give this novella 3.5 stars.

Review: Because You’re Mine

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Sheila

Because You're Mine (Capital Theatre, #2) by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Capital Theatre #2
Published by HarperCollins on February 8th 2005
Genres: Historical
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: The strength of this story is the compelling Logan Scott — a self made man with deep conflicts and desires. The sweet but strong Madeline is a match for him. I loved their story.

THE STORY: Lady Madeline Matthews is on the verge of being married off to a lecherous old peer by her father. Determined to avoid that fate, Madeline runs away to London intending to meet with the famous actor Logan Scott and become his lover. In that way, Madeline intends to make herself marriageable and thwart her parents ambitions.

OPINION: Kleypas has a wonderful way in depicting men who are self-made. While Logan Scott isn’t up the standards of the marvelous Derek Craven, I found Logan a compelling character. I was fascinated by his rise from a farmer’s son to the most celebrated actor and theatre owner in London. Such a journey has taken ambition, talent drive, discipline, determination, dedication, desire and will. Logan’s hard focused exterior hides a man who has been deeply hurt in his life. Abused by his parents, betrayed by the woman he loved, Logan has opened himself up only on stage in his characters.

Things begin to change, however, when he meets the sweet and innocent Madeline who appears honest and open with nothing to hide. But, of course, Madeline has much to hide. As she begins to discover the real Logan, she feels guilty about her deception. Madeline is a bright and generous woman who faced her own emotional abuse at the hands of her parents who are cold and do not understand their lively daughter.

This book is divided into two parts which makes a nice narrative break because there are truly two relationships between Madeline and Logan — before and after the revelation of Madeline’s secrets. I loved how each of the parts worked as its own story and yet they are part of a whole journey for these characters.

Some books just hit the right spot and for me I loved the setting of the story (regency theatre), the character of Logan (and this book is really his story) — a good, forward thinking, damaged, self-made, brilliant man — and the love story between Madeline and Logan which is filled with sweetness, angst and drama. When you fall in love with the hero, it is often easy to really like the book.

WORTH MENTIONING: For readers of the first book in the series SOMEWHERE I’LL FIND YOU, there is a nice update on the couple.

CONNECTED BOOKS: BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE is the second book in the Capital Theatre series. Although there are overlapping characters, this book can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: Somewhere I’ll Find You

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Sheila

Somewhere I'll Find You (Capital Theatre, #1) by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Capital Theatre #1
Published by Avon on October 1st 1996
Genres: Historical
Pages: 377
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: A different type of story about child marriages, a marchioness turned actress and two people who have to learn to compromise. Don’t read this if you are going to nitpick the story.

THE STORY: Julia is an actress who has finally gotten a position in a respectable theater. She is living her dream of independence. Her heart stays her own, and she has a big secret. Damon, Marquess of Savage is searching for the bride his father married him to as a child. The heiress has fled her family. Damon is shocked to find out that the woman he has been married to for years is none other than the actress he wanted for his mistress.

OPINION: I really enjoyed this book. Is it unrealistic? perhaps, but if you regularly read my reviews you should know that I will forgive a lot of historical inaccuracies, plot holes, grammatical errors, etc for a good story with characters that I fall in love with. Does it seem reasonable that a aristocratic woman would abandon her family, become an actress and eventually become a duchess. Maybe not, but this is one great story anyway.

Julia is a woman who wants to make her own independent decisions. If she was born in modern times, she would fit right in, but in her times, she is disinherited by her father and on the run from her “husband”. Is she too obsessed with her independence? Perhaps it seems so to our modern sensibilities, but in her time, when men owned their wives, is it unreasonable to be worried about losing your independence when your husband could control everything that you could do? Or when your father could marry you off when you are a little child. I loved how Kleypas brings the opposing forces of Julia and Damon each wanting control. After both were stripped of control by their parents each wants to be in total control of their lives.

Damon has made himself into a completely responsible predictable gentleman because his father was irresponsible — resulting in Damon being offered in marriage to Julia (when both were small children) in order to save the family coffers. The lesson Damon learned from that was that he needed to control his circumstances. He struggles with Julia who will not submit to his control. Even worse, he ultimately realizes that she would not be the Julia he falls in love with if she did.

The story of how Julia and Damon navigate their desire for control and their trust issues was what kept me turning pages. The characters sparkled off the pages, their pain and struggle and intense attraction to one another kept me interested until the very end.

The secondary characters also were full of life. The best story is one where I could imagine all the relationships and intrigues involved and this one does a great job at that.

I only took of a star because I have read better books by Kleypas, so I know that she has pushed these boundaries even further with even better characters. I can’t wait for the next book about Logan Scott. He’s got some story.

WORTH MENTIONING: I loved the epilogue which was necessary for this book to show how these two adapted to one another and continued to evolve their relationship.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SOMEWHERE I’LL FIND YOU is the first book in the Capital Theatre series.