Early review: You can't always get the Marquess you want - Alexandra Hawkins

They call him Chance, though in truth the Marquess of Fairlamb feels bitterly cursed: A long-ago family feud is standing in the way of his heart's desire. Lady Tempest is the daughter of his father's sworn enemy, the Marquess of Norgrave. She is beautiful, innocent, and utterly untouchable. But some seductions are just too good to resist...

Tempest is a woman of her own mind-and a true romantic who will overcome every obstacle to be with the man of her dreams. But the odds are against the handsome, wickedly charming Chance if he intends to win Tempest as his bride. Will he choose loyalty to his family-or risk everything he has for the woman he yearns for? 

My thoughts:

This is a Romeo and Juliet story. I have not read book 1, which is about their parents (and from other reviews I have decided that I sure do not want to read book 1. That is not romance to me.) Anyway, a total stand alone since duh book 1 is about their parents, and at the end we learn what happened with them and why there is a feud.

Tempest did not find a man last season. Her father is not happy but has another suitor in the wings for her.

Chance is the son of a Duke, he is a bit of a rake. But then he is young and not ready to settle down.

They meet, sparks fly. But dang it, their families are feuding and will not even be near each other. I was all, why are they feuding?!

The truth is dark.

I liked how he did not give up. He really wanted her (he does not know the Feud reason either.)

She was more careful, good for you, except for that one time. 

And then they lived happily ever after!

Conclusion:

I liked it. The future sure seemed bleak for them, and trust me, these families will not mingle even if their kids marry. But at least some are happy. 

Cover

 meh

ebook, 300ish
Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Masters of Seduction #2
Historical romance
NG

After Dark with a Scoundrel - Alexandra Hawkins

Young, tender, and highly impressionable, Lady Regan can’t help but be intrigued by her brother’s wayward friends—the wickedly charming Lords of Vice. One man in particular, the dashing Lord Hugh Mordare  (known simply as “Dare” among the ton), utterly captivates her—in spite of his reputation as a notorious womanizer. But when she steals an innocent kiss from Dare, Regan is swiftly packed off to boarding school, safely away from danger…and desire

Five years later, Regan returns—a proper lady and ravishing beauty. Miss Swann’s Academy for Young Ladies has taught her how to behave in polite society. But all the training in the world cannot extinguish her love for Dare. Now, she hopes to beat the master of seduction at his own game—by daring Dare to love her in return. This time, both of their hearts are on the line…and winner takes all. 

My thoughts:

A nice, kind of short historical romance.

But I did have some issues at first. Some very disturbing things mentioned. Regan grew up with the Lords of Vice, scoundrels all of them. Ok nothing wrong there. That thing came when Dare thought back about how he stopped swimming with her at 13 cos he felt something...ok euwwww! She was 13, you were 21! I can forgive you for kissing her at 15, but that is still, ok no. I tried to put that behind me so I could enjoy the book.

She comes back at 20 and he does not recognize her at first...whatever.

She wants him, he thinks with his head in his pants and stuff obviously happens. Her brother is very whatever about the whole thing. Not a fan of her brother.

But hey, I enjoyed it... after getting over the euww parts. They have their little dance. There is drama with his family and everyone will live happily ever after. 

P.S. Two dots over the o and his name means murderer, so that is what I read it as every time...

Cover

I do like heads on people

Mass Market Paperback, 292 pages
Published February 1st 2011 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Lords of Vice #3
Historical romance
Own