Audio Review: Wedding Night with the Earl - Amelia Grey

Adam Greyhawke is through with marriage. After losing his wife at a young age, he's more interested in carousing and gambling at the Heirs' Club than taking another trip to the altar. When his obligations as the Earl of Greyhawke thrust him into the heart of Society, he dreads the boredom that only a ballroom can inspire in a roguish scoundrel. That is, until he meets a bewitching young woman who captures his curiosity-and reminds him just how delicious desire can be. Miss Katherine Wright is accustomed to men interested only in her generous dowry. Adam's attraction is far more powerful-he tests her wits and her courage at every turn, until she finds herself longing to fulfill an everlasting passion she never imagined was possible. But the breathtakingly handsome nobleman is as stubborn as he is scandalous, and Katharine must be the one to convince him that real love is worth any risk .

Audio CD, 7 h 49 minPublished September 12th 2017 by Tantor Audio (first published March 1st 2016)The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #3Historical romanceFor review

My thoughts:

It seems I read it a year and a half ago, oops. But since this was audio I know I needed to listen to at least know the narrator. But then I started---and continued---and suddenly I had listened to it all. I did feel it impossible to stop. It was a different experience than reading, I understand that know. Even when I read my old review I understood I had to write a new one cos I had different feelings. Even if I did enjoy it both times.

Adam lost his wife and baby in childbirth, and now he is all I will never remarry! Poor guy. He is all tormented and missing her, and blaming himself.

Katherine lost her entire family in a carriage accident (the bane of those times). She walks with a cane and knows that this season she must find a match. And she does have a suitor, and I did like him. Even if he had faults. He was a man of those times. But I still think he too should find a good woman.

Anyway they meet, they fancy each other, but he is all woe is me! No other woman should die! So they flirt some more while he ponders that and then they live happily ever after.

A really cute romance.

Narrator Barrie Krainik

I do enjoy historical romance on audio. It works so splendidly! I love the proper tone of it and it just feels even more so when you are listening. I gasp in feigned shock and giggle at things. And Barrie does a good job of getting those feelings. I liked her voices and especially Katherine's was very pleasant.

Audio Review: The Earl claims a bride - Amelia Grey

Harrison Thornwick is the Heirs' Club's newest member. His carefree days as a reckless rogue

carousing around London are suddenly behind him after the tragic death of his brother leaves him in charge of the family estate. What's more, the Prince himself has offered to secure his marital prospects. Now Harrison has no choice but to grin and bear his noble fate-and the woman who's been chosen for him. Miss Angelina Rule is a spectacular beauty, a dream match for any man. But she is fiercely independent-and full of passion-and is all set to rebel against her royal order of marriage . . . until she meets the devilishly charming Harrison. With him by her side, Angelina devises a scheme that will teach her meddlesome relatives a lesson, once and for all. But little did she and Harrison expect to fall into a tempestuous attraction-and a powerful desire that neither of them can deny . . . 

My thoughts:

This one, well honestly it was tricky. See the Earl, Harrison gets told by the king he has to marry. Ok nothing strange there, it's the olden times after all. And he is lucky and the woman in question is pretty and he falls for her. So nothing strange there.

BUT, see Angelina is in love with someone else. Ok, no problem, I am sure Harrison can win her over. But, see the man in question loves her back. Wait, that is weird right. I thought this was a romance. Harrison is the odd man out.

So while reading I kept thinking about that. Harrison could not back away, he had to marry her. And she starts to have feelings for Harrison. Oh this triangle is getting tricky. There is one thing that saved it for me. She fell for the man when she was 16 and said she would wait for him until he gets back (India, he was a soldier) and he was like 20 years older. That was truly what saved it for me. Sheesh man, she is way too young. He was all I will wait until you are older, no man. You already lost me, and her love was obviously a crush.

Ok so that was half my review talking about that. But it was strange you know. I do not know if I ever have come across a situation like this...

About the characters. Angelina likes to rescue things and her dad gambles too much (therefore she must marry).  Harrison used to be a scoundrel but is now an Earl and he steps up. And the last person in this triangle, Maxwell, oh I never liked him. He was all my scars! He had ptsd too (not that that is bad), and he really should find someone older.

A romance you wish for but it scared will not happen.

Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
I liked her voices. But I must say just as men do women voices "strange" so do women do men. Obviously. But it still works.
The chapters just flew away. 

Audio CD, 9 h
Published August 22nd 2017 by Tantor Audio (first published August 4th 2015)
The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #2
Historical romance
For review

Last night with the duke - Amelia Grey

The Duke of Griffin has never lived down his reputation as one of the Rakes of St. James. Now rumors are swirling around London that his twin sisters may bear the brunt of his past follies. Hiring a competent chaperone is the only thing Griffin has on his mind--until he meets the lovely and intriguing Miss Esmeralda Swift. In ways he could never have expected, she arouses more than just his curiosity.

Esmeralda Swift considered herself too sensible to ever fall for a scoundrel, but that was before she met the irresistibly seductive Duke of Griffin. His employment offer proves too tempting for her to resist. She can’t afford to be distracted by his devilish charms because the stakes are so high for his sisters’ debut Season. . .unless one of London’s most notorious rakes has had a change of heart and is ready to make Esmeralda his bride.

My thoughts:

I like Grey's books, they are always nice. In this story we have a handsome Duke (like they are ever ugly) and a chaperone. Which did cause some tension, especially when he called her servant, which she is, but still, it does show in the beginning where his mind is.

Right, so we have Essie who has a past. Not a bad past, more her family has a past. She does not work as a governess anymore, instead she runs an employment agency. But what a Duke wants a duke gets. And she is not stupid, she sees the money in it.

Griffin also has a past cos of a stupid bet with his bffs. I mean so stupid and not nice either. But he was really young and stupid. And now he has sisters to protect since someone wants to make them pay for it. But he was a nice man, a gentleman who had learned his lesson. And I did enjoy see him falling for Essie. He went from servant to damn to I need her.

She tries to chaperone. He grows more interested in her. She tries to stay away. There is the mystery of does someone want to do harm to his sisters? And Essie having troubles with her sister. And then they all lived happily ever after.

Conclusion:
A nice story. 

Cover
nice

Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: March 7th 2017 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
The Rakes of St:James #1
Historical romance
NetGalley

Mistletoe, mischief and the marquis - Amelia Grey

The Marquis of Wythebury, is expecting an ordinary Christmastide at Hurst—until he is set upon by a beautiful miss who takes him to task for not allowing his young nephews to play outside. In his mind, a five and seven year old needn’t get chilled in the snow; better to plop them in front of the fire with a book. Few people have ever been brave enough to challenge him over anything, much less the rearing of his wards. The cheeky Miss Prim has no such compunction. No matter how fetching he finds her, he can’t give in to his attraction…for she is the sister of his best friend.

Growing up the middle child of five rambunctious girls, Lillian Prim doesn’t understand why two young boys visiting Hurst don’t know how to play until she meets their dashing guardian. The Marquis of Wythebury is commanding and intensely serious-minded. To her surprise, she’s captivated by him. It’s all she can do not to give into her feminine fantasies about him kissing him. Lillian has no intention of falling in love with the Marquis, but she will create Christmastide mischief and teach the boys and the handsome Marquis how to play. 

My thoughts:

A cute xmas novella is always nice, and I like Grey's books. They are sweet.

Here we have Lillian and Seth. And yes at first they do not really seem like a match. He is so busy protecting his nephews that he forgets they need to live too. And she is all boys should play! But they really fancy each other too. But the arguments they would have!

So yes they meet at a house party, flirt (and yes things must move fast, it is just over xmas after all). She is the Duke's sister in law, he should know better. They argue, they make up and love happily ever after. Everyone can change.

Conclusion:
Sweet and short.

ebook, 89
Expected publication: November 29th 2016 by Swerve
The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #3.5
Historical romance
NG

Wedding night with the Earl - Amelia Grey

Adam Greyhawke is through with marriage. After losing his wife at a young age, he’s more interested in carousing and gambling at the Heirs’ Club than taking another trip to the altar. When his obligations as the Earl of Greyhawke thrust him into the heart of Society, he dreads the boredom that only a ballroom can inspire in a roguish scoundrel. That is, until he meets a bewitching young woman who captures his curiosity—and reminds him just how delicious desire can be.

Miss Katherine Wright is accustomed to men interested only in her generous dowry. Adam’s attraction is far more powerful—he tests her wits and her courage at every turn, until she finds herself longing to fulfill an everlasting passion she never imagined was possible. But the breathtakingly handsome nobleman is as stubborn as he is scandalous, and Katharine must be the one to convince him that real love is worth any risk…

My thoughts:

Men! *hits Adam over the head with an umbrella*

I get it, but still *hits him over the head again with a slightly broken umbrella*

Just one more for the road *hits him over the head with a very broken umbrella*

Adam mourns his wife, who died in childbirth. I get it, and you have the right to mourn, and you have mourned. That was not the problem. The problem was his "I will never marry again cos my new wife will die too." Oh Adam, sweetie, no. That just makes me sad. He wants to go through life alone, I get it, you are scared, but then you meet the love of your life and you are willing to just let her go? See her marry someone else. Oh Adam.

Katherine, well she will not get an umbrella over the head. She is the niece of a Duke. She lost her family in a carriage accident (oh those carriages!). She has a limp, she can't dance. She has promised her uncle to marry within the year. She has a suitor she might accept. She meets a handsome Earl and is lost. And she does want him, but as you can see he had his issues. I do get why she would want to move on eventually and have all those kids she wants.

But this is a romance novel, we all know they will work it out...after a while. But before that there are stolen kisses. Sweet heartache and romance.

(I did feel sorry for the suitor, I hope he meets a nice girl, this one was so not for him. So now I do not feel sorry for you anymore. You will get the umbrella soon mister!)

Conclusion:
A sweet story. And that is why I like her books.

Cover

Very white

ebook, 320?
Published March 1st 2016 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #3
Historical romance
NetGalley

The Duke and Miss Christmas - Amelia Grey

Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn't handle--until he's hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her--and she can hold her own--Crispin knows he has finally met his match.

Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she's near him. She's never felt this way about a gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn't expect...

My thoughts:

I did want more, this should so have been a full length novel. I like her writing and the characters were fun.

Crispin, our Duke, has some woman issues in his past (he was an ass it seems). But since I have not read the previous books I could not be that mad. He seemed nice and reformed.

Gwen, she was nice, she loved her sisters, and she had an incident in her past. Men can be such fools!

They meet, with a BANG! Since it is a novella things does progress fast. But I could see the attraction, even if they acted upon it very fast.

Conclusion:
A nice holiday novella with a HEA.

Kindle Edition, 100ish?
Publication: October 13th 2015 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #2.5
Historical romance
NG

Review: A hint of Seduction - Amelia Grey

His horse isn't the only thing she's going to steal... John Fines, the Fifth Earl of Chatwin, is racing his horse in Hyde Park when he almost runs down a beautiful and alluring young woman. Lady Catherine Reynolds doesn't have time to dally about with infatuations- she's on a quest to find her real father. And when John is mesmerized by her, she takes up the opportunity to steal his horse right from under him, leaving behind a trail of gossip. Everyone in the town believes that Catherine has come to London to find a husband, but what she really needs is an ally who can help her uncover the truth. The dashing Lord Chatwin would have been the perfect gentleman to help her, if only she hadn't stolen his horse... and his heart.

My thoughts:

I really do enjoy Amelia Grey's books, they are just sweeter somehow. And in this book the heroine did something shocking, she did not do the whole "let's not tell the truth just yet dance" when it came to that later in the book. Finally, a heroine with her head on her shoulder.

Catherine was a nice and innocent heroine. Perfectly likable. While John is of course a bit of a rake who belonged to the terrible threesome, the men who would not marry (and then they all did ;). It's not love at first sights, it's like, it's lust, it's realization.

While Catherine's sister tried to marry her off, she tried to find her real father. So there is that, and of course the mmm does not Earl Chatwin look mighty fine today ;)

Conclusion:

Sweet, adorable and just light light light. This is how I like HR. I can close the book with a smile on my lips.

cover

ok

Mass Market, 320 pages
Published January 7th 2014 by "Sourcebooks Casablanca" (first published September 7th 2004)
Historical romance
For review

Review: The Rogue Steals a Bride - Amelia Grey

Matson Brentwood has finally met the woman of his dreams. The lovely, red-haired Sophia Hart heats his blood like no other lady. Her alluring countenance has stopped him dead in his tracks. But no matter how attracted he is to her, he can’t give into his desire to possess her in every way because she is the ward of the man he’s sworn to hate. 

Newly arrived in London, Miss Sophia Hart is in need of a husband, but not for herself. She has twin, spinster aunts and one of them has decided she wants a man. Sophia agrees to help her aunt by allowing older gentlemen to call on her and then make sure Auntie spends more time in the gentleman’s company than Sophia does. But when Sophia meets the darkly handsome and intriguing Mr. Matson Brentwood, she knows that for the first time, she in danger of losing her heart. 

But there’s more than just an adversarial guardian and a long list of beaus standing between Sophia and Matson. Sophia promised her dying father she would honor his lifelong plan for her as an heiress and marry a titled gentleman. Matson isn’t titled so she must deny her love for him and make up to her father for costing him the love of his life.

My thoughts:

Amelia Grey's books are always so cute and this one did not disappoint.

This book is the last in the Rogue series. The 3 first are loosely connected to these 3, and these 3 last are about three Brentwood brothers. Now it's Matson's turn. A rich young gentleman who comes to London and scandal breaks. He looks like someone else, ohhh his mum had an affair. To makes things more complicated he falls for a young woman, who is the ward of his father (the one he did not know about). Should we make it even more complicated? Yes why not. The lady in question, Sophia promised dear old dad to marry a man with a title. Alas poor Matson does not have one.

And this book is then about Sophia looking for a match, accompanied by her 2 aunts. And Matson finding every opportunity to be near her. Because you know they are gonna make it somehow, but the road there is long.

I did wonder one thing at the end, what about Lord Snellingly? Lol, you who have read it will understand. I want him to find someone.

Conclusion:

A sweet romance.

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 340 pages
Published July 2nd 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
The Rogues' Dynasty #6
Historical romance
For review

Review: A Little Mischief - Amelia Grey

A Little Mischief

Isabella Winslowe is finally gaining respectability when the unthinkable happens: she finds the Earl of Colebrooke's sister in the back garden with a stone cupid in her hand and a dead man at her feet. 

The last thing Isabella wants to deal with is a formidable earl who is willing to go to great lengths to protect his sister's reputation from a murder scandal. As Daniel Colebrooke begins following Isabella around the ton, desperate to keep her from spreading her story and making mischief, he can't help but notice how captivating she is. And if he's not careful, he could lose his heart along with his sister's reputation..

My thoughts:

Cute is the word, I often use cute about HR, but some just are that cute.

Isabella wants to be spinster, she thinks she will be free that way. And she also holds a club every week. A club named The Wallflower club by certain idiotic members of the ton. But back to Isabella who is outspoken, nice, fun and yes a troublemaker.

In comes Daniel, the brother of a member of her reading group. Oh he is an arrogant ass. At first that is, because he grows on you. But we all know they will fall in love..eventually. But before that there will be angry looks, banter and then, something quiet else.

But this is not just about their romance. There is also a missing body and Isabella sticking her nose where she should not. A light little murder mystery.

Conclusion:

A sweet romance with passion promised too, and a hint of murder.

Cover:

What exactly is his hands touching...?

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 320
Published: August 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: For review

Review: A Dash of Scandal - Amelia Grey

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: 304

To be published: October 1, 2011 (2002)

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Source. For review

When Millicent comes to the aid of her injured aunt, she never imagined her "help" would require her to do all of the legwork her aunt can't do– attend society's most fashionable events in order to help write her aunt's gossip column!

But the devastatingly handsome Chandler Preswick, Earl of Dunraven, is on to her when he sees Millicent writing notes on her dance card. Outraged, he believes she's connected to the mysterious "Mad Ton Thief " and vows to expose her. Millicent must stop him before they are both plunged into scandal. If only he weren't so irresistibly attractive...

My thoughts:

Delightful and charming, those are the words to describe this book. It was just so sweet and wonderful. I had a grin on my face while reading and I just could not read fast enough. At the end I truly feared for them, even though I know that of course there would be a HEA. 

Millicent, our lovely heroine comes to London to help her aunt, who writes a gossip column in secret. But she needs Millie's help and so Millie gets her season but tries to stay under the radar. But what would the book be if she was not spotted by someone. Oh yes one of the most notorious rakes in the city, one that is always in the papers for this and that. But Chandler is never such a rake (ok he is ;), but most of all he is nice and he wants to pursue her. Sure he has women in his past, but the gossip always makes more of a thing that it really is. Still, I truly enjoyed these two together, because Millicent tries to stay away from him, but he keeps showing up, at balls, and in secret. I do love a man who does not give up even though she tells him to. 

I think the only thing I did not like was thesexscene. Sure it was good, but up to that it was just so sweet and I liked it sweet since I went to "oh no! her virtue is gone" mode after that scene. But for the rest of you, yes things will heat up once . These two can't stay away from each other.  And I still really liked it.

As for the story, it was fun, she writes gossip, he is trying to catch a thief and gets the wrong idea. There are misunderstandings and plots, and most of all, two people falling in love. And he does not want a wife, and she does not want a rake. Yes they are perfect for each other in the end. 

Conclusion:

Like I said, it was a delight to read this book. It was sweet and fun and I read it in a heartbeat with a smile on my face. I need to read more by Amelia Grey, she does not disappoint. 

Rating:

I recommend it

Cover.

Cute :D

----------------

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Interview and Giveaway: Amelia Grey - A Gentleman never Tells

Today I have Amelia Grey over for an interview. And at the end of this interview there is a giveaway of her latest book A Gentleman Never Tells.

Welcome to Mur-y-Castell!

Tell us something about yourself, so we can get to know you better…
AG: The first thing I would like you to know about me is that I’m a girly girl! I love pearls, lace, ruffles, candlelight, and soft music. I don’t want to get my hands dirty and I like my make-up on. But I’m a big fan of college football, and I always pick a team and watch the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and the World Series. I love to watch sports—I just don’t want to play sports. I love living on the beach but I don’t like to walk barefoot on the sand or getting in the water. I love to watch the waves roll in and listen to them crash on shore and one of my favorite things to do is watch the sun set over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  I enjoy going to movies, reading books, and traveling to places I’ve never been before. I would rather have a quiet dinner with my husband and a few friends than be at a loud, rocking party.  
 

Your latest release is called A Gentleman Never Tells; can you tell me what it is about?
AG: Viscount Brentwood is minding his own business, walking his mother’s Pomeranian in Hyde Park early one morning when a lovely and alluring young lady walks out of the mist and into his arms. Of course, this is all very much to his liking until they are caught, and he finds out that she is not only another man’s fiancé, she also happens to be the daughter of a powerful duke. And if that wasn’t enough trouble for the Viscount to be in the middle of, he’s lost his mother’s dog, too.

Lady Gabrielle is dependable, sensible, and obedient. That’s why she had accepted the practical, unemotional marriage her formidable father had arranged for her. That’s what those of her kind did—or so she had always believed until early one morning, when her defenses were down, she threw all of her upbringing away for the chance to spend a few passionate moments in the arms of a handsome stranger.

But kissing the stranger didn’t free Lady Gabrielle. She only thwarted the shackles of one arranged betrothal to immediately find herself stuck in yet another forced engagement. The strong-willed lady isn’t going to give up her freedom so easily. She has plans that her father and Lord Brentwood don’t know about and scandal and mishaps become the order of the day while Gabrielle and Brent scour London to find a notorious dog thief.
 

If this book became a movie, who would you see in the lead roles?
AG: Oh, I simply loved the man who played Charles, King Henry’s best friend in The Tudors. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend the series. Henry Cavill play the part of Charles and he is good-looking and intense.  I also am growing quite fond of the deeply intense Francois Arnaud who plays Casare Borgia in The Borgias. As for the heroine, well all I can say is if a producer managed to get one of these two men to be the hero—I’d pay to be the heroine!
 

Could you tell me a little about some of other books you have written?
AG: All nine of my books have been set during the Regency Period. To me there is something extremely sexy about a powerful, titled young gentleman. I like to set my books in London and I like to get my hero and heroine in situations that are difficult to get out of. I try to always add a little mystery of some kind that the hero and heroine solve together. I never let the mystery take away from or overshadow the romance. I keep the focus of my books centered on the romance.
 

Who is your favorite hero/heroine from your books?
AG: This is an impossible question to answer because I LOVE all my heroes. If I don’t love my heroes I can’t convince my readers to love them. So if I start a book with a hero I can’t get into or I’m just not falling in love with him, I throw him out and start over. I want to love my heroes. And I’m always the heroine in all my books. I love picturing myself with these fabulously strong men I create.
 

Are you writing on something at the moment?
AG: I’ve just finished A Gentleman Says “I Do” and I’m now working on A Gentleman Surrenders (title subject to change). The heroes in these two books are twins and I’ve had great fun with them. They look alike but have different personality traits.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
AG: Never give up. Some writers are blessed and they sell their first finished book. I wasn’t that lucky. But if I had given up with that first, second, or third rejection I would have never been published. If you really want to be published you must keep trying even when it seems an impossible dream to reach.

 Thanks!

GIVEAWAY

2 copies of A Gentleman Never tells/2 winners

1. Open to US and Canada

2. Ends July 28th

3. Just enter or join in and ask a question, comment on the interview or tell me if you are a dog or cat person ;)

Have fun!

A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS BY AMELIA GREY – IN STORES JULY 2011

A stolen kiss from a stranger…
As if from a dream, Lady Gabrielle walks from the mist and into Viscount Brentwood’s arms. Within moments, he’s embroiled in more scandal than he ever thought possible…

Can sink even a perfect gentleman…
Beautiful, clever, and courageous, Lady Gabrielle needs Brent’s help to get out of a seriously bad situation. But the more she gets to know him, the worse she feels about ruining his life…

Enter the unforgettable world of Amelia Grey’s sparkling Regency London, where a single encounter may have devastating consequences for a gentleman and a lady… 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Winner of the Booksellers Best Award and the Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter, Amelia Grey’s books have sold in Europe, Russia and China. Married for over thirty-five years to her high school sweetheart, she has lived in Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and now calls Panama City Beach, Florida, home. For more information please visit www.ameliagrey.com or email her at ameliagrey@comcast.net

Review: A Gentleman never tells - Amelia Grey

Series: The Rogues’ Dynasty #4
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 384
Published: July 1st 2011 Sourcebooks Casablanca

As if from a dream, Lady Gabrielle walked from the mist and into Viscount Brentwood's arms. Within moments, he's embroiled in more scandal than he ever thought possible. Beautiful, clever, and courageous, Lady Gabrielle needs Brent's help to get out of a seriously bad situation. But the more she gets to know him, the worse she feels about ruining his life...

My thoughts:

The information I found stated that this was book 4, when I actually thought it was the start to a new series. The previous books are about 3 cousins finding love while this one is set at the same time, but all new characters.  But they are connected and this via the man who fathered Brent's brothers and that man was also in the previous books as a side character. But you do not need to have read those previous ones at all since this for me feels like a new start.

But enough with that now. In this book Viscount Brentwood is walking his mother's dog Prissy when a woman comes up to him and kisses him. And you all know what that means, scandal! And a broken engagement for her, but she did not count on him doing the honourable thing. So she finds herself engaged again and she will try anything to get out of it.

I do like Amelia Grey's books because there is just something fun over them. And here that is all the things Gabrielle does when she tries to get out of this new engagement. There will be a few scandals before she is done. Her old fiancé, oh do not feel sorry for him, I personally thought he was an ass. Gabrielle also had more than one reason to break up with him. She is a very brave woman to cause scandal like that so yes of of course I liked her. As for her new man, Brent, he never knew what was coming but he did fall for her. Even if he fell in lust first. He kept up with her crazy schemes and who would not love a man who searches day and night for his lost dog.

And the side characters are great as always. Gabrielle has an aunt who says what she wants to say and again we meet Lord Snellingly. This poor lord from previous books who writes the worst poetry in the world.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down before I knew what would happen. Silly I know, since obviously they would get a HEA. But it was just so witty and charming.

Rating:

Amusing and utterly adorable.

Cover:

Ok

Review: Never a Bride - Amelia Grey

 ..

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 352
Published: September 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

When he left for America six years ago, the handsome Viscount Stonehurst never suspected that he would return home to England to find his lovely fiancée embroiled in the scandal of the decade. The woman he planned on making his wife has been kissing every man in London, except him. But scandal doesn’t matter in search of the truth.

Engaged and then abandoned, Mirabella Wittingham is determined to find the man who drove her cousin to suicide, even if it means ruining her reputation and disgracing herself in the process. When her plans go awry, Mirabella has no choice but to turn to her long-lost fiancé for help. But can she trust the man who deserted her so many years ago, or is he destined to fail her yet again?

I liked this one, I can't say what it was, perhaps the dry humour of it all, but this was my to date favourite Amelia Grey book.

Mirabella is the heroine who has been kissing gentlemen in the garden and touching their necks. The buzz is out, but she doesn't care of her reputation suffers because she wants to find the man who ruined her cousin. But sadly her plans fall apart when her fiancé shows up again. He has been gone for 6 years, and by now she had kind of thought that he would never return to marry her. It doesn't get better that since they never met back then they now can't recognize each other.

I must say, her going around kissing men was great fun. And at that time one little kiss was one big scandal. Just because the viscount is back doesn't men she stops, now she makes new plan, and her plans, yes they are great fun to read about.

Mirabella is one forward heroine, I like that she loves so deeply that she cares more for her cousin than herself. Camden, our hero is quite taken by her, but he is also shocked and not sure what to do. So of course I wanted her to just tell him! But then where would the drama be then. Now let things unfold on their own because it did make me want to know what would happen. And if Mirabella ever would find that man who disgraced her cousin.

This was one sweet historical romance with a couple who liked each other, but those kisses kept them apart. There is also the mystery surrounding her cousin, and her putting herself into situations that would be rather reckless considering.

What is left to say, except that this is my kind of historical romance. It suits me well.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. All pink and cute.

Reason for reading: From sourcebooks

Final thoughts: Fun, cute, and kept me reading.

A bit torn between two, so I give it 3,75 I liked it, and I would recommend it

Guestblog + giveaway: Amelia Grey - An Earl to enchant *closed*

Today I welcome Amelia Grey to my blog. I have read all 3 books in her Rogues' dynasty series, and those cousin are sure something special. I also have 2 copies to give away so check the end.

Grandmothers and Heroes

Good morning and thank you for having me on your blog, Blodeuedd!  I’m very happy to be here.

In my Rogues’ Dynasty Series, I’ve often had readers e-mail and ask me, “How did you come up with the Grandmother, her dearest friend Lord Chesterfield and all his quotes?” And I usually start by saying “It wasn’t easy!”

After I decided I was brave enough to write a series, my first thought was that I wanted the books to be centered on the heroes, and I wanted them all to be titled men.  That couldn’t happen with brothers as titles only go to the eldest son. So I had to find another way to connect three titled men.

This is the premise I started with:

Everyone in the ton knew that Lady Elder had tried many times by fair and foul means to force her grandsons to marry.  After all, she had been happily married . . . four times.  Decades earlier she had successfully married off each of her three daughters to titled gentlemen.  And in turn, each daughter had given her a grandson all in the same year.

 The Grandsons, a duke, a marquis, and an earl all turned out to be Rogues of the highest order, notorious for many reasons including their titles, handsome faces and rumored debauchery.  But nothing made them more popular than the fact that all three still remained bachelors in their thirtieth year.  Not even vast fortunes had tempted any of them to propose to any of the young ladies who fancied them.

Their grandmother is now deceased and each grandson deals with the grandmother’s legacy in his own way until a life-altering moment occurs when a very proper young lady arrives, very improperly, at each grandson’s door.  

From A Duke to Die For by Amelia Grey, Sourcebooks Casablanca, © 2009

I always want my heroes to be tall and powerful-looking with wide shoulders and lean hips.   I like for their neckcloths to look as if they have been hastily tied making them appear to be the devilish rogues the gossipmongers claim they are.   My heroes must be strong and commanding but never afraid to show their sensitive side or commit to the woman they love.

And with all that hero material to work, with I knew that their Grandmother, Lady Elder, would have to be a strong character to make an impact because she had already died when the time the first book opens. So I gave her a dear friend, Lord Chesterfield, who was, by the way, a real man who’s letters were first published shortly after his death in 1773 . Check out Lord Chesterfield’s Letters to His Son on Amazon. It’s an amazing book. At the beginning of each chapter and sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from this man.  And to make the books even more fun, I had it where all three of Lady Elder’s grandsons hated hearing anyone quote the man.

But Maybe I can explain the importance of the grandmother a little better by sharing an excerpt from my latest book in the Rogues’ Dynasty Series, An Earl to Enchant which is on sale at your favorite local or online bookstore.

“My grandmother was an exceptional person in many ways, but there were numerous times in my life when I wished she had never met her dear friend Lord Chesterfield. If he had not been almost deaf and infirm when she met him, I believe she would have married him.”

“I think I would like to read Lord Chesterfield’s letters and make up my own mind about him. From what you have told me, he seems such a clever fellow.”

Morgan let out a half laugh, half grunt. “Most people considered him a very wise and humorous man who had an artful way of writing words, but my cousins and I never felt that way.”

“Why is that?”

“From the time we were seventeen until my grandmother’s death, she sent us a letter at the beginning of each month without fail, and they always contained a quote from Chesterfield.”

Arianna gasped. “She penned a letter to all three of you every month? That’s quite amazing.”

“Yes. She always started her letters to me with ‘My dearest grandson, Lucas,’ knowing that no one had called me by my given name since I was twelve. And she always ended her letters with ‘Your loving Grandmother, Lady Elder.’”

“I think that makes her sound very protective of you, and very kind.”

“I’m sure she considered it one of her great missions in life. The only thing her letters ever said was something along the lines of: ‘Here are more wise words from Lord Chesterfield,’ and then she would quote something from the exasperatingly pretentious old man.”
© Amelia Grey, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2010

I could not be happier with the way The Rogues’ Dynasty Series turned out.  I’m actually thrilled by these books and so excited about how well they are being received by reviewers and readers. Each book stands alone and there are no plotlines carried over to other books.

The first chapter of my latest book An Earl to Enchant, the third book in the Rogues’ Dynasty Series is available on my website. I invite you to stop by and give it a try.

I’m always happy to hear from readers.  Please e-mail me at ameliagrey@comcast.net or visit my website at ameliagrey.com.

Thank you for stopping by Amelia. I never knew Lord Chesterfield was for real, I so want to check out that book now. Now to the contest


GIVEAWAY
I have two copies of An Earl to Enchant to give away to lucky winners.


1. US and Canada only.
2. Ends April 19th.
3. You know the drill, leave your email here if it is not in your profile.

AN EARL TO ENCHANT by AMELIA GREY—IN STORES APRIL 2010
He’s determined not to be a hero…

Lord Morgandale is as notorious as he is dashing, and he’s determined no woman will tie him down. But from the moment Arianna Sweet appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist the lure of her fascinating personality, exotic wardrobe, and tempting green eyes…

She has a deadly secret…

Arianna Sweet never imagined the significance of her father’s research until after his untimely death. Now she is in possession of his groundbreaking discovery, one that someone would kill for. She can’t tell Lord Morgandale her secret, but she knows she needs his help, desperately…

About the Author
Winner of the Booksellers Best Award and the Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter, Amelia Grey's books have been sold in Europe, Russia and China. Married for twenty-five years to her high school sweetheart, she has lived in Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and now calls Panama City Beach, Florida, home. For more information, please visit www.ameliagrey.com.

ARC review: An Earl to Enchant - Amelia Grey

An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey

The Rogues' Dynasty, book 3

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 352
Published: April 6th 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

Young Miss Arianna Sweet, in grave danger after her father's death, rushes to his old friend Lady Elder—but her protectress has passed away, and now Arianna must rely on Lady Elder's dashing grandson, Lord Morgandale. Having watched his cousins surrender their freedom to two beautiful young ladies (A Duke To Die For, A MarquisTo Marry) Morgandale is determined to elude the parson's mousetrap. But can he save the lady without losing his heart?

This is the third book about 3 cousins finding love. Like with the two other books here each chapter starts with a quote from Lord Chesterfield, and I do like that. She has kept consistent, the letters from lady Elder, the quotes by or jokingly by Lord Chesterfield, and Gibby getting into trouble.

Wouldn't exactly call Arianna young, she is 27, but she has lived in India her entire life, and has not been presented. She is very young in one way. After her father's death she leaves for England and shows up at at Morgan's estate. She is looking for his grandmother and she is weak from fever. Soon he realizes that he is attracted to her, but he has better things to do than seducing innocent women. Better to send for someone who can introduce the lovely Arianna to society.

This book has another pace then the other two. There there were more "action" in one way. This one introduced the couple and the time they spent at Valleydale getting to know each other, and falling in love, whether they want it or not. That is the two first parts of the book, getting to know each other, starting with the sexual tension and then the last part that is set in London. Here the danger starts, it all has to do with her father's work in India and the reason why she has come to London.

Arianna is sweet, she may be a blushing virgin but she does not deny what she is feeling for him. And Morgan, well I do like he eagerness to preserve her innocence. He seems honorable (but well we all know he is not gonna be able to keep that up for long.)

This is sweet romance, I do not mind things going slowly or it not being steamy (I did have that earlier talk about how conservative I get sometimes, lol.) There is some passion in the latter part of the book, fear not those who want that. But I think the sweetness is the thing about this book just as that is her name.

When thinking about all 3 books, then I think number 2 was my favorite of the three, and these two can share the second place. They do not need to be read in order. Even if I hadn't known anything I could have read this one without the rest. But then I love order and could never read a book out of order.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I do want faces

Reason for reading: From the publisher

Final thoughts: Sweet

Final grade: 3

Review: A marquis to marry - Amelia Grey

A Marquis to Marry by Amelia Grey

The Rogues' dynasty, book 2

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 384
Published:October 2009

Alexander Mitchell Raceworth, the dashing fourth Marquis of Raceworth, is shocked when the alluring young Duchess of Brookfield accuses him of stealing priceless pearls belonging to her family. Susannah Brookfield is the most beautiful, enchanting woman he has ever met, but despite his attraction, he's not about to hand over the pearls.

Though suspicion and mistrust drive them apart when the pearls are stolen, Race suggests they pool their resources to recover them. If they do find them, will they finally be able to give in to love, or will the truth of the elusive necklace tear them apart once and for all?

Another sweet book by Grey. Light, but still with some suspense in it. This one is about Alexander, known as Race, the marquis of the 3 cousins. You don't have to read the first book to be able to read this since the cousins are finding love one by one. But of course the first couple is in this and I do prefer to read in order.

Race is like he always have been. Flirting and having fun. Then a woman shows up, a dowager duchess in his own age and she accuses him of being the owner of stolen pearls. Of course the refuses to listen. But Susannah wants those pearls and she does not give up. Then they are stolen.

Race, oh I like Race better than the duke in the last book. Yes so I have already forgotten his name, hehe. Nah he was good too, but Race was nice. Perhaps I will like the last cousin even better. Susannah was sweet and I liked her. She did not give up. But I did have one problem with her and that was with her marriage, is she was so ruined, then how could they get a duke to marry her? Well that is just my own thoughts, like the thoughts I have regarding sex in these kinds of books. But here I didn't have a problem with it, I mean she wasn't a virgin, she could have a fling. What else I like about her, was that she was 30. She had been married, she wasn't feeling all icky about sex and stuff. Even though her husband had been much older and it had been only a duty. But she isn't feeling bad about it. It is just like it happened to be. And now of course she wants some passion.

Yes of course these two start to fall for each other, we don't have to be brain surgeons to figure that out. But oh no, rocky start. Race being an idiot, Susannah being something. And I am wondering about that HEA. How is she gonna pull it off? Well, don't look at me, I am not telling you. You have to read to find out.

The "suspense" part comes from the hunt for the pearls, first on their own and then together. And she surprises me. I do like that.

This was a light and nice book. Some romance, some pearl hunting, fun characters. Like meeting Lord Snellingly again. And by now I feel bad for the bad poet. I kind of wish he would get a book if his own and meet a nice girl. There is a pirate, and some other shady figures. And of course Gibby, who is getting in trouble again. Oh I hope he finds a woman too.

I liked this one better than book 1, I enjoyed book one, but yes Race, duh. I like the quotes that start each chapter, and that they refer to him all the time. As for their dead grandmother, I wish I could read about her too.

A review of book 3 will come early April. I am also having Amelia Grey over then so that will be fun.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. I like this, but then I do like to see faces.

Reason for reading: My own copy.

Final thoughts: Nice historical romance.

Review: A Duke to die for - Amelia Grey

A Duke to Die For by Amelia Grey

The Rogues' Dynasty, book 1

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Published: April 2009

The handsome fifth Duke of Blakewell is more interested in card parties, horse racing, and carousing than in settling down to manage his extensive estate and vast fortune. When young Miss Henrietta Tweed arrives on his doorstep and announces he's her new guardian, she also tells him that a family curse accompanies her, and each of her previous guardians has met an untimely end. Finding her remarkably capable and cool-headed, Blake sets about to get her a husband, but finds something wrong with every one of her suitors.

When Blake suffers a series of accidents, Henrietta is more than ever convinced she must free him from the cursed guardianship. Just as Blake realizes he wants nothing more than to marry her himself.

Nothing like a cute little historical romance now and again. But I have found out that I have the most stupid pet peeve. I grew up with Cartland and other "nice" writers of romance. So now every time some one has sex, I shake my head and tell her in a stern voice, what improver behavior for a young lady. You will never get married now! Sometimes it works for me, but here I just shook my head. I mean that is so silly, if this had taken place 100 years later I would have just shouted , you go girl!

So yes there was sex, no one missed that after my little conservative speech. I honestly think I will never get over it because I know better and I know they would have been ruined. Luckily they always get to marry the man who ruins them ;) Though here the first sex scene, well I mean I would have been broken after it. She didn't seem that affected that he just went out and left her. For a naive girl who hadn't even been kissed before him that was weird behaviour.

Ok enough with my conservative blabber. I blame Barbara Cartland!

She was a sweet naive girl who believed that there was a curse upon her, and her guardians sure kept on dropping like flies. In comes her last guardian, a handsome young duke and my attention had been earned. She wants to be independent, he wants to see her married and gone from him. Well we all know that things are not that simple, nope, she falls for him, and there are some situations where he fights his emotions, or should I say lust. He, a no good rake has fallen for her too. But of course she has this stupid notion about a curse, or is it stupid?

No kick in the back for these, yes they should have known they were in love, but they were just so clueless that is was sweet. And he was really cute and smart at the end. I liked them as a couple, and there was some nice scenes were things started to get steamy.

Good side characters, I liked his cousins, they have the next two books, so good to see more of them. Their uncle Gibby was a sweet old man, and I find myself liking Blake's old mistress Constance. i never like the old mistresses, but Grey had put it so nicely. They had slept together, and realized they were just to be friends. Gotta love that. I'd like to see her in a book too, the widow who gets married again.

A sweet and easy read that kept my attention through out the book.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Nope not liking it, no head on him, and she is turned away. Oh I just saw, rather girly lips on him.

Reason 4 Reading: Own copy

Final thoughts: You never go wrong with a historical romance now and again.