Undead and Undermined by MaryJanice Davidson

Posted on August 19, 2011 by The Book Courtesans

Undead and Undermined by MaryJanice Davidson

Rated 2 out of 5 White Roses.

Content rated with the Red Rose.

Betsy, Queen of the Vampires is at her wits end. She just got back from Hell and some time traveling fun (not really!) thanks to her sister Laura, the do-gooder Antichrist, only to find that her present has changed. Butterfly effect anyone? Her best friend is pregnant. Garrett the fiend is still alive and expecting her to get his dead wife back from Hell. Her sister has officially gotten her madder than… well… hell. And she needs to saved the future, her good friend Marc and her husband from her future evil self.

Why can’t people just take her seriously? Just let her put on a good pair of designer shoes and she’ll tackle anything. Even Satan had better watch herself. There is nothing Betsy wouldn’t do for the people she loves and a good pair of Christian Louboutin shoes.

~*~*~*~*~

I must say, I was confused. No, I am confused. I almost had to keep reminding myself that Betsy is going through an arc that would change her and the course of the Undead series forever. Only I hadn’t quite expected the change in which Undead and Undermined took.

I’m a big, big fan of Ms. Davidson’s. Huge. And while I have no clue where she’s taking Betsy in the next couple of installments, I am confused as to where Betsy is now. Betsy seems to have all these heavy concerns but her focus is like that of a three year old on a sugar high. If the goal was to see Betsy maturing, it’s not working.

Now, Ms. Davidson did say that Undead and Undermined along with the story before, Undead and Unfinished, and the not yet released Undead and Unstable, are going to be like a trilogy within the whole Undead series. But I seem to think that the time travel bit is an excuse to change the storyline up a bit. And while I can’t say I’m liking where it is now, I still am looking forward to the next Undead book where I am hoping all questions will be answered.

Hugs,

The Lustrous Courtesan

~*~*~*~*~

Undead and Undermined published by Berkley, July 2011.

Posted in 2 White Roses, Book Courtesans, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Paranormal, Red Rose, Romance, The Lustrous Courtesan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seduced By His Touch by Tracy Anne Warren

Posted on August 17, 2011 by The Book Courtesans

Seduced By His Touch by Tracy Anne Warren

Rated 4.5 out of 5 White Roses.

Content rated with the Red Rose.

~*~*~*~*~

Ezra Danvers has Lord Jack Byron trapped between a rock and a hard place and Jack knows there’s nothing he can do about it. Jack’s luck has officially run out and now he’s got to pay the piper. Jack lost a bet to the man and the penalty is very steep. Either Jack pay his dues (which he can’t afford) or marry Ezra Danver’s spinster daughter. Not only that, but he can’t let her know about this agreement between him and his father and he’s got to make the woman fall in love with him.

But Grace was no ordinary woman.

Grace Danvers had no difficulty falling in love with Jack. She completely and utterly fell for him. However, upon finding out the truth about the arrangement between him and her father, trusting him was another issue. Her father wanted her to marry an Aristocrat, then so be it. She would make her own way out of the mess she was put in. And she now knows better than to trust Jack with her heart.

~*~*~*~*~

Seduced By His Touch makes an excellent read. The understanding between Ezra Danvers and Jack made for a good conflict as well. Grace is truly as unique as the quote in the book says. She isn’t your typical damsel and thank goodness for that! While the hero du jour is positively adorable. Yes, adorable.

A reformed rake? You may say that that tale is done and old. But when you’ve got the right ingredients, it can make for a splendid surprise. And Ms. Warren had the right ingredients indeed.

Grace was Seduced By His Touch and dear readers, so was I. The book made me feel heartbreak when there was heartbreak and relief when love was found. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a must keep. Ms. Warren has a fan in me and I am sure to enjoy reading this book yet again.

Hugs & Kisses,

The Lustrous Courtesan

~*~*~*~*~

Seduced By His Touch published by Avon Romance, August 2009.

Posted in 4.5 White Roses, Book Courtesans, Book Reviews, Historical, Red Rose, Romance, The Lustrous Courtesan | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ten Ways To Be Adored When Landing A Lord by Sarah MacLean

Posted on August 16, 2011 by The Book Courtesans

Ten Ways to Be Adored when Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean

Rated 3.5 out of 5 White Roses.

Content rated with the Pale Pink Rose.

The Duke of Leighton’s sister is missing and he knows the best person to find Lord Nicholas St. John is practically London’s most eligible bachelor at the moment and all the match-making mothers and unattached women seem to be after him. So when the Duke of Leighton requests Nick’s help in finding the whereabouts of his sister, away from all the overly eager women, Nick eagerly takes on the job. And somehow, his search lead him directly to Lady Isabel Townsend and Minerva House.

Isabel has a secret. After her father passed away, she started to take in girls who need a sanctuary to go. Thus, Minerva House became a beacon for women who were abused, battered or just scared. And when Lord Nicholas came, she know it would spell nothing but trouble for Minerva House and all who live there. For what man would understand her need to make sure she could provide for everyone and give them safety and security in her walls but most especially, her desire to do it on her own? As decent as Lord Nicholas is, the worst thing she could do is lose herself by falling in love.

~*~*~*~*~

Now, I tried very hard to judge this title on its own merit and not compare it to its prequel but it was very difficult. After reading the delightful Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, I was very excited to get my hands on Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and read more about the St. John family. But as a stand alone, it’s all right as far as romance novels go, but in light of the fact it is a series, Nicholas’ love story was simple in comparison to his brother’s tale in the book previous.

In truth, it was better than most, it just was not remarkable. It didn’t have that extra special something that set it apart. Does that mean that I am not looking forward to the next story in the series? Not at all. But while I can to this day, recall much of the first story, I don’t see that happening with Isabel and Nicholas’ story. Isabel was kind of obnoxious and Nicholas’ character was rather flat.

But never the less, I am still keeping my eye on Ms. MacLean’s future titles. I have no doubt she is still an author to pay attention to.

Hugs & Kisses,

The Lustrous Courtesan

~*~*~*~*~

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord published by Avon Romance, October 2010.

Posted in 3.5 White Roses, Book Courtesans, Book Reviews, Historical, Pale Pink Rose, Romance, The Lustrous Courtesan | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day

Posted on August 11, 2011 by The Book Courtesans

The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day

Rated 4 out of 5 White Roses.

Content Rated with the Red Rose.

Never let it be said that Gerard Faulkner, Marquess of Grayson, did not go after what he wanted in life. He knew he wanted Lady Isabel Pelham as his wife. So he married her. And even though it took some maturing on his part, he realizes he wants a real marriage with Isabel. Now, all he has to do is find a way to convince her that she wants that, too.

Isabel walked into this marriage with Gray with an understanding. They both want to enjoy their paramours without having to worry matchmakers, marriages or their significant others. So marrying each other would give them an out when one of their lovers got… well… too attached. They could both do as they wish and no one gets hurt.

That is, until Grayson disappeared for 4 years without a word and when he came back, he came back as a totally different man. This new man wants his wife. This new man wants his marriage. This new Grayson changed all the rules. This new Grayson makes Isabel feel things and that makes her husband terrifying.

~*~*~*~*~

The Stranger I Married was my first introduction to the writings of Ms. Day and now I find myself a fan. I normally don’t say this but I find the need to.

This book is HOT.

Every girl, no wait, scratch that, every WOMAN, wants to feel the way Grayson makes Isabel feel. Who doesn’t want a bad boy turned good? What I especially loved about them was in how they came to be aware of how much they loved each other. The moment of realization in this read was so eloquent it was stirring. Even the accompanying romance of the secondary characters of Isabel’s brother and Abby added to the story’s allure.

The only reason The Stranger I Married is not rated 5 White Roses is because it took Grayson four years in which he left his wife alone only to return home and say he now wants her. Four years and she just welcomes him back. Yes, many people take a long time on the path to enlightenment but it just didn’t sit well with me in this story.

The rest of the story is great. Their love and chemistry, fantastic. It’s just that one detail that keeps it from being perfect. But ladies, don’t get me wrong. Pretty close to perfect is not just pretty darn good, it’s… well, pretty close to perfect.

Hugs & Kisses,

The Lustrous Courtesan

~*~*~*~*~

The Stranger I Married published by Brava, reprint edition August 2009.

Posted in 4 White Roses, Book Courtesans, Book Reviews, Historical, Red Rose, Romance, The Lustrous Courtesan | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes

Posted on August 8, 2011 by The Book Courtesans

An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes

 

Rated 5 out 5 White Roses.

Content rated with the Red Rose.

As a young widow, Lady Caroline Wynn has no desire to enter into a new marriage. What she does long for is to finally understand what the big deal of the marriage act is all about. So when she heard of the incredulous albeit drunken wager between the Duke of Rothay and the Earl of Manderville as to who the better lover is, she decided to raise the stakes. In exchange for showing her the delights of the flesh, she will agree to… well.. answer the question of who the better love is between them.

When Nicholas, the Duke of Rothay, realized it was Lady Wynn who sent him and the Earl of Manderville the message that she would resolve the bet between the two men, he found that the word “surprise” was a major understatement. But he couldn’t help but be intrigued. There must be a reason why the normally frosty Caroline Wynn would take on such a very scandalous bet. And he not only wants to find out why but also what makes the chilly Caroline burn.

~*~*~*~*~

Ms. Wildes takes regular words and transforms it into a delectable story. Her stories have a tendency of making its readers melt and An Indecent Proposition is true to form.

I loved the characters. I enjoyed watching Caroline transform from hesitant and fearful to awakened and realizing what she truly yearns for in life. I took great delight in how Nicholas tried to get the girl. I even enjoyed the secondary characters like the Earl of Manderville and his addition to the overall story. It all just meshed so well together to make a very dreamy and satisfying read.

It’s not only a must keep. It’s a story that can be read again and again.

Hugs & Kisses,

The Lustrous Courtesan

~*~*~*~*~

An Indecent Proposition published by Signet, April 2009.

Posted in 5 White Roses, Book Courtesans, Book Reviews, Historical, Red Rose, Romance, The Lustrous Courtesan | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville

Posted on August 7, 2011 by The Book Courtesans

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville

Rated 4.5 out of 5 White Roses.

Content rated with the Red Rose.

Miss Celia Seaton has not been having such a good time of late. She has just been kidnapped and she has no clue why. She has found that her captor has also attacked the man who single-handedly destroyed her chances of a decent marriage and even worse he lost his memory. And to top it all off, when they get away from their holding, they end up being pursued. She has nothing of value on her person. What on earth could anyone want from her?

Tarquin Compton is the darling of London. When he snubs (either purposely or not) a person, all of London will follow. When he creates a trend, society will love it. He didn’t know that comparing Celia to a vegetable would result in her choice of revenge the moment she finds out he lost his memory. She actually told him that his name was “Fish” and they were engaged to be married! Fish! Really, of all names. Fish.

But after traveling alone with Celia, and getting to know the real Celia while protecting her, he finds himself in a difficult if not a compromising situation. How can he get out of it? And does he really want to?

~*~*~*~*~

Now, I found myself intrigued when I first read the back of the book. Then I made a terrible mistake when late that night, I thought, “I’ll just read a few pages before I go to bed.” Well, if you haven’t figured it out already, I didn’t just read a few pages. Every time I read “a few pages”, I would find myself making another excuse to read few more until I read the whole book. Then, I found myself sad that the story had actually ended. Needless to say, I didn’t get very much sleep. And Ms. Neville, I do blame you.

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton was so good, I literally could not put the book down. I actually sacrificed precious sleep! I especially love that while Celia is still a virgin she accepts her sexuality while still remaining pure. Then reading about the conflicting battle inside Tarquin as he reconciles the man he was when he lost his memory to the man he is with the rest of the world made me feel what he was feeling.

Dear readers, I just find myself in a bind how to tell you how much I enjoyed this read without giving away too much of the juicy details. The story was simply just delicious and I find myself hungry for more. Go read the story for yourself and I am sure you’ll agree.

Hugs & Kisses,

The Lustrous Courtesan

~*~*~*~*~

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton published by Avon Romance, July 2011.

Posted in 4.5 White Roses, Book Courtesans, Book Reviews, Historical, Red Rose, Romance, The Lustrous Courtesan | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment